A SQUAW AND HER PAPOOSE. 45 



she observed me anxiously gazing around, she read 

 in my eye that I was searching for her husband ; 

 so, without my even asking the question, she ex- 

 claimed, ' No chief, no brave, no Injun here. I all 

 alone, except papoose/ Then she went to the cedar 

 wigwam, and returned with her almost naked baby, 

 a little copper-skinned, dark-eyed, good-looking brat 

 of about a year old, who coyly hid his face in his 

 mother's bosom when he saw the stranger's eyes 

 fixed upon him. The parent hugged him to her 

 heart, maternal love and pride beaming in her 

 countenance as she gazed upon her progeny, or 

 listened to the few words of praise I bestowed on 

 young hopeful's looks. 



Full of confidence in my good intentions, she 

 deposited her baby on the ground, and entered the 

 wigwam. In a few moments she returned with a 

 minx-skin pouch in her hand ; from it was produced 

 a plug of tobacco, which she cut up, and having 

 after the most approved plan on such occasions 

 rubbed it into shreds between the palms of her 

 hand, filled a pipe, lighted it, and handed it to me. 

 After a few puffs I wished to return the attention, 

 but she declined the glowing bowl with the exclama- 

 tion, 'Me no smoke;' so I, in no way loath, enjoyed 

 the luxury to the dregs. 



From this woman I learned where, my quadru- 

 peds were, and that my whereabouts had been dis- 

 covered through them. Last night my mare and mule 

 had come to her camp with her horse. Alarmed, she 



