308 STORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



re-enforced by several others, who had come in to meet the 

 friendly strangers. As soon as all were seated, the chief 

 drew a long and large black-slate pipe out of a dirty bag, 

 and filled it with tobacco ; and while he was doing this my 

 companion told me it was intended as a sign of welcome, 

 and that when it was passing around I should not speak a 

 word, as even a whisper was considered to be bad medicine, 

 and sure to bring them ill luck ; and to break its spell the 

 pipe would have to be refilled, and the same ceremony gone 

 through with ab initio. " I know you don't want to keep 

 that pipe long in your mouth," said he, naively, " for it's 

 old, foul, and dirty." I promised compliance with his re- 

 quest, and the ceremony commenced. The chief first took 

 a few whiffs in the most grave and formal manner, then 

 handed the pipe to my friend, and, when he had taken two 

 or three pulls, it was handed to me, and so it went all 

 round the squatters. When all had taken a puff, the chief 

 told them in short, broken sentences, which were vigorous 

 though solemn, how kind a friend my companion had been ; 

 and, when he finished his oration, there was a unanimous 

 " uch " of approbation, which proved how thoroughly the 

 friendship was appreciated. 



The guest answered them sententiously, and explained to 

 them his purpose in coming into that region, and another 

 " uch " followed, to prove that his statements were deemed 

 correct and everything eomme il faut. A young brave 

 then arose, and said they were very sorry for disturbing 

 our camp; that they would not have done so had they 

 known who we were ; but that, though friendly to the pale- 

 faces, some bad whites frequently stole their horses, and 

 they did not know but we might be some of these bad peo- 

 ple, as none of the regular settlers ever visited that section. 

 More grunts followed this vigorous explanation; then all 

 dispersed, as they were anxious to recommence the buffalo- 

 dance which they had been indulging in for several days, 

 in order that they might have good medicine or luck in 

 their buffalo-hunts ; for they were then preparing to go on 

 their annual chase in Montana or British America. 



