The Bridge of the Gods

iance, hate

ot

ed on a frame-work of poles, compose the village. It swarms with wolfish-looking dogs and dirty, unclad children. Heaps of refuse, heads and feet of game, lie decaying among the wigwams, tainting the air with their disgusting odor. Here and there an ancient withered specimen of humanity sits in the sun, absorbing

and Clark found thousands; and there are old men in the camp who can recall the time when

n long grassy swells and hollows, rolli

aspect that an Indian camp

man would have scarcely noticed it; or if he had, would have thought it only some wandering deer or antelope. But

om that direction, for the two tribes had been at bitter enmity; but of late the peace-pipe has been smoked between them, and t

he camp. He gallops up, stops near the lodges that are farthest out, and springs lightly to the ground.

immovably, and to all appearance is ready so to stand till sunset. Some of the warriors recognize him a

and a grave salutation was exchanged. Then the Bannock said that he wanted to see the Cayuse chie

d gone to the council-lodge and were ready to hear the "talk" that their brother, the chief of the Bannocks, had sent

d around the door. Within, on one side of the room, sat in three rows a semi-circle of braves, facing the chief

him; even the chief, Snoqualmie, did not turn his head. The messenger advanced a few paces into the 94 room, stopped, and stood as impassive as the rest.

he chief of the Bannocks; he is welcome. Shall we smoke

ie. In that fierce and proud regard wa

ncil a moon ago? Did not Snoqualmie say then that the two tribes should henceforth b

d the chief with dignity. "Sno

g unexpected was coming. The Bannock drew his form up to its full

ised a little camp of Bannocks,-a few old men and boys who were watching horses,-and slew them and ran off the hors

of Cayuse sincerity, 95 he broke the long slender stem twice, thrice, crushed the bowl in his fingers, and dashed the pieces at Snoqualm

ed after him, and a dozen warriors were on their feet, weapon in hand. But the swift, wild drama had been played like lightning, and he was gone. Only, a brave who had tried to intercept his passag

rsuit. But the Bannock was considerably in advance now, and the fine black horse he rode held its own nobly. Out over th

rowd of spectators looked

is getting farther from them!" "See, he throws away his blanket!

ers close behind, their long hair outstreaming, their moccasins pressed against their horses' sides, their whips falling without

s! He leaned low along his horse's neck, chanting a weird refrain as if charming it to its utmost speed, and ever and anon looked back with that heart-shaking shout of defiance. But steadily his pursuers gained on him; and one, outstripping

and broken, he felt its body tremble as it

emptied; but all in vain. Quickly his horse was caught,

went up from the camp, when it was seen that they were bringing him back! It was an omi