240 EI^DORADO 



At last a formidable rival arose in the person of 

 Little Bow, a noted young chief, who led a consider- 

 able faction against the tyranny and extortion of 

 Blackbird. For a time he made considerable headway, 

 but was at last overcome by the superior machinations 

 of the wily old chief. He first endeavored to remove 

 the young chief, in his usual manner, by poison, and 

 employed the squaw of the latter to administer it, 

 but Little Bow had in some way become suscpicious of 

 the actions of the woman, and when she brought him 

 the poisoned food, he detected it from her great em- 

 barrassment and forced her to eat it, of course causing 

 her death. Blackbird, nothing daunted, continued his 

 intrigues, and finally succeeded in driving out his rival 

 and the party that adhered to him. 



In his latter days, Blackbird became very corpulent 

 and unwieldy. Continued feasts were now made in 

 his honor, to which he was conveyed, seated upon a 

 blanket borne by four men. Even in this helpless 

 state, he maintained his power, and to the day of his 

 death ruled his people with a rod of iron. Before he 

 died, he asked that he should be buried on the top of a 

 high hill, overlooking the village, that he might still 

 see the boats of the traders ascending the river, and 

 be gladdened by the presence of his white friends. 

 He desired to be buried sitting upon his favorite steed, 

 with his face looking toward the current of the mighty 

 river. All of his wishes were carried out at his burial, 

 and for years after food and water were daily placed 

 upon his grave. This was eagerly devoured by the 

 hawks, eagles and coyotes, but his tribe firmly be- ' 

 lieved that their chief had eaten the food prepared for 



