I have said!"
Then the four rescued prisoners recounted how they had been taken, and
what sufferings they had undergone. They spoke of their unfortunate
companions and of their horrible fate, which they should have also
shared had it not been for the courage of the three Pale-face brothers,
who killed five Cayugas, and cut their bonds; they themselves killed
five more of their cowardly foes and escaped, but till to-day they had
had no occasion of telling to their tribe the bravery and generosity of
the three Pale-faces.
At this narrative all the warriors, young and old, looked as though they
were personally indebted to us, and would have come, one and all, to
shake our hands, had it not been for the inviolable rules of the council
lodge, which forbids any kind of disorder. It is probable that the scene
had been prepared beforehand by the excellent chief, who wished to
introduce us to his warriors under advantageous circumstances. He waved
his hand to claim attention, and spoke again.
"It is now twelve moons, it is more! I met Owato Wanisha and his two
brothers. He is a chief of the great Shoshones, who are our
grandfathers, far--far under the setting of the sun beyond the big
mountains. His two brothers are two great warriors from powerful nations
far in the east and beyond the Sioux, the Chippewas beyond the
'Oposh-ton-ehoc[20],' even beyond the deep salt-water.
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