93 A STRANGE STORY. 



"Here, then, the Shoshone reared his white lodge, and scoured the 

 prairies in pursuit of game ; while, as yet, the whole country abounded 

 with lake-s and ponds of water, and only the highlands and mountains were 

 left for the buffalo and deer. 



" But years passed on, — the mountains and highlands continued to prey 

 upon the waters, and the creeks and rivers gradually reduced the limits of 

 their possessions. 



" Years again fled. The Shoshones, attracted by some better region, far 

 away, or driven from their homes by the hostile encroachments of other 

 tribes, gave place to the Scarred-arms.* 



" In the course of generations, the Lacotas and the Scarred-arms war- 

 red with each other; they fought with varied success for many years. 



" Once a party of the Lacotas penenetrated into the heart of the enemy's 

 country; on their return, they fell into an ambuscade, and only six of them 

 were left to tell the fate of their companions. 



" Hotly pursued by the Scarred-arms, they sought refuge in a mountain. 

 There an obscure passage led to a recess in the mountain's side, which 

 they entered, and were pleased to find within it a gravelly floor, and a 

 pure fountain of sweet water. 



" Tempted by the conveniences and security of the place, they thouglit 

 to remain for a few days that they might recover their strength. A small 

 fire was built accordingly, and the six braves seated themselves around it, 

 recounting to each other their perils and dangerous exploits, and planning 

 some mode of extrication from their present difficulties. 



" Thus busied, a rustling noise from a dark corner of the apartment 

 startled them, — but still more were they aroused by the half-disclosed form 

 of a person moving in the distance. Words gave place to silence, as the 

 warriors, seizing their arms, awaited the feared assault. But the figure, 

 on advancing nearer, proved that of a feeble old woman, vi^ho addressed 

 the wondering group in their own language. 



" ' Children,' said she, ' you have been against the Scarred-arms, — you 

 have fought them, — and of a strong party, you alone survive. I know it 

 all. 



" ' You seek in my lodge a refuge from your pursuers, — and the sound of 

 your voices with the heat of your council-fire has disturbed my rest and 

 awoke me from a long, long trance. 



" ' Your looks enquire my story. 



"'Many ages have gone, (for days, moons, seasons, and ages are painted 

 before me as they pass,) since the Shoshones, who lived where now live 

 the Scarred-arms, visited the lodges of the Lacotas, and bade the prairie 

 drink the blood of slaughtered braves. I was their captive, and with the 

 scalps of the slain I was taken from the graves of my people, many days 

 travel. 



" ' The Shoshone brought me to this country, when yet the buffalo grazed 

 upon the hills and mountains, only ; for the valleys and plains were the 

 home of waters. 



"' Living with the Shoshone, I was not happy. I thought of my peo- 



* Chyennes. The name owes its origin to the practice of scarring the left arm 

 crosswise yet adhered to by the males of that nation. 



