388 HOMEWARD BOUND. 



when I had endued myself in the complete costume of a 

 Sioux " on the war-path," my toilet wanted but the coat 

 of red ochre with which the Redskins cover the face to 

 render themselves more terrible to their enemies. 



The exchange having been duly made, Otami-ah, de- 

 lighted with her bargain, offered me her cheeks to kiss, as 

 if in acknowledgment of the generosity I had exhibited ! 

 Yet, assuredly, Revoil, and not Otarni-ah, had, in one 

 sense, the better of the bargain. 



A few hours afterwards we mounted our steeds, and 

 took the road to Independence. Fifty Sioux rode with 

 us as an escort to Fort Leavenworth that is, to the first 

 habitation erected on the confines of the great wilderness. 

 It is unnecessary to say that our adieux were very impres- 

 sive. Rahm-o-j-or clasped us cordially by the hand and 

 Otami-ah joined her good wishes to his, that we might 

 enjoy a prosperous journey to the land of the Pale-faces. 

 Farewell, Otami-ah ! In giving thee lessons in music, I 

 had likewise given thee a portion of my heart. 



On the first day of our journey, it rained from morning 

 to evening ; next day, the weather was not more favour- 

 able ; but 011 the third day it proved very beautiful. As 

 a hunter I shall long remember the date, for I was a wit- 

 ness of, and an actor in, a splendid hunting episode. 



We had just entered into a gorge thickly encumbered 

 with bushes, when Duquesne, whose horse was trotting 

 by the side of mine, stopping suddenly, compelled us both 

 to come to a halt. Duquesne immediately dismounted, 

 and placed his ear to the ground to listen. After a few 

 seconds, he advised us to imitate him ; and complying with 

 his request, we threw ourselves on our stomachs, lending 



