THE SNAKE PAWNEES.
We will now clear up a few points in this story which may appear obscure
to the reader.
The Redskins, however great their other faults may be, have a fanatic
love for the country where they are born, and nothing can take its
place.
Monkey-face did not speak falsely when he told Captain Watt that he was
one of the principal Chiefs of his tribe; but he had been careful not to
reveal for what reason he had been expelled from his tribe.
This reason the time has now arrived for us to make known.
Monkey-face was not only a man of unbridled ambition, but also, an
extraordinary thing for an Indian, he had no religious faith, and was
completely exempt from those weaknesses and that superstitious credulity
to which his fellows are so amenable: in addition, he was faithless,
dishonourable, and of more than depraved manners.
Having been taken, when young, to the towns of the American Union, he
had been in a position to see closely the eccentric civilization of the
United States. Unable to comprehend the good and bad sides of this
civilization, and steer between them, he had, as generally happens in
such cases, been seduced by that which most flattered his tastes and
instincts, and had only taken from the customs of the whites whatever
completed and furnished his precocious depravity.
Hence, when he returned to his tribe, his language and manners were so
discordant with what was done and said around him, that he speedily
excited the contempt and hatred of his countrymen.
His most violent enemies were naturally the priests, or, at least, the
sorcerers, whom he had tried several times to turn into ridicule.
So soon as Monkey-face had put on his back the omnipotent party of the
sorcerers, it was all over with his ambitious plans: all his manoeuvres
failed, a dull opposition constantly overthrew his schemes at the very
moment when he expected to see them succeed.
For a long time, the Chief, not knowing how to act, kept prudently on
the defensive, while actively watching the movements of his enemies;
awaiting, with that feline patience which formed the basis of his
character, for chance to reveal to him the name of the man on whom his
vengeance should fall. As all his measures were taken, he soon
discovered that the man to whom he owed his continual checks was no
other than the principal sorcerer of the tribe.
This was an aged man, respected and beloved by all on account of his
wisdom and goodness. Monkey-face hid his hatred for a season; but one
day, in full council, after a lively discussion, he allowed his rage to
carry him away, and, rushing on the unhappy old man, he stabbed him in
the sight of all the elders of the tribe, before those present could
prevent the execution of his design.
The murder of the sorcerer put the climax on the horror this villain
inspired. On the spot, the Chief drove him from the territory of the
nation, refusing him fire and water, and threatening him with the
heaviest punishment if he dared to appear before them again.
Monkey-face, too weak to resist the execution of this sentence, retired
with rage in his heart, and uttering the most horrible threats.
We have seen in what way he revenged himself by selling the territory of
his tribe to the Americans, and thus causing the ruin of those who
banished him. But he had scarce obtained the vengeance he had so long
pursued, when a strange revolution took place in this man's heart. The
sight of the land where he was born, and where the ashes of his father
reposed, aroused in him with extreme force that love of his country
which he thought dead, but was only asleep in his heart.
The shame at the odious action he had committed by surrendering to the
enemies of his race the hunting grounds which he had himself so long
freely traversed, the obstinacy with which the Americans set to work
changing the face of the country, and destroying their aged trees, whose
shadows had so long protected the councils of his nation--all these
causes combined had caused him to reflect, and, rendered desperate by
the sacrilege which hatred impelled him to commit, he tried to rejoin
his comrades, in order to assist them in recovering what they had lost
through his fault.
That is to say, he resolved to betray his new friends to the profit of
his old friends.
This man was unhappily engaged in a fatal path where each step he took
must be marked for a crime.
It was easier than he at first supposed for him to rejoin his
countrymen, for they were scattered and wandering in despair through the
forests round the colony.
Monkey-face presented himself boldly to them, and was very careful not
to tell them that he alone was the cause of the misfortunes that
overwhelmed them. On the other hand, he made a secret of his return,
telling them that the news of the calamities which had suddenly fallen
on them was the sole cause of his coming; that, had they continued to be
happy, they would never have seen him again; but that, in the presence
of such a frightful catastrophe as that which had crushed them, every
feeling of hatred must disappear before the common vengeance to be taken
on the Pale-faces, those eternal and implacable enemies of the Red race.
In a word, he displayed such noble sentiments, and put the step he was
taking in such a brilliant light, that he completely succeeded in
deceiving the Indians, and persuading them of the purity of his
intentions, and his good faith.
After this, with the diabolical intelligence he possessed, he formed a
vast plot against the Americans, a plot into which he had the cleverness
to draw the other Indian people allied to his tribe; and, while
ostensibly remaining the friend of the colonists, he silently prepared
and organized their utter ruin.
The influence he succeeded in obtaining over his tribe within a short
time was immense: three men alone entertained an instinctive distrust of
him, and carefully watched his movements; they were Tranquil, the
Canadian hunter, Black-deer, and Blue-fox.
Tranquil could not understand the conduct of the Chief; it seemed to him
extraordinary that this man had thus become a friend of the Americans.
Several times he asked him explanations on this head, but Monkey-face
had always answered in an ambiguous way, or evaded his questions.
Tranquil, whose suspicions daily grew, and who was determined to know
positively what opinion to have of a man whose manoeuvres appeared to
him daily more suspicious, succeeded in getting himself chosen with
Black-deer, by the Great Council of the Nation, to bear the declaration
of war to Captain Watt.
Monkey-face was vexed at the choice of the envoys whom he knew to be
secretly his enemies; but he concealed his resentment; the more so,
because matters were too far advanced to withdraw, and everything was in
readiness for the expedition.
Tranquil and Black-deer consequently set out with orders to declare war
on the Palefaces.
"If I am not greatly mistaken," the Canadian said to his friend as they
rode along, "we are going to hear something about Monkey-face."
"Do you think so?"
"I would wager it. I am convinced the scamp is playing a double game,
and cheats us all to his own profit."
"I have no great confidence in him, still I cannot believe that he could
carry his effrontery so far."
"We shall soon see what we have to depend on; at any rate, though,
promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"That I be the first to speak. I know better than you how to deal with
the Palefaces of the West."
"Be it so," Black-deer replied, "act as you think proper."
Five minutes after, they reached the colony. We related in the previous
chapter how they were received, and what passed between them and Captain
Watt.
This custom of the Indians of declaring war against their enemies may
appear extraordinary to Europeans, who are accustomed to regard them as
stupid savages, but we must make no mistake; the Redskins have an
eminently chivalrous character, and never, except in the case of a horse
robbery or such matter, will they attack an enemy before warning him
that he may be on his guard.
In fact, it is by cleverly working on this chivalrous character, of
which the North Americans, we regret to say, do not possess a particle,
that the Whites have gained the majority of their victories over the
Redskins.
When a few yards from the colony, the two men found again their horses
which they had hobbled; they mounted, and went off at a rapid rate.
"Well," Tranquil asked the Chief, "what do you think of all this?"
"My brother was right, Monkey-face has constantly cheated us; it is
evident that this deed emanates from him alone."
"What do you intend doing?"
"I do not know yet; perhaps it would be dangerous to unmask him at this
moment."
"I am not of your opinion, Chief; the presence of this traitor among us
can only injure our cause."
"Let us have a look at him first."
"Be it so! But permit me a remark."
"I am listening, my brother.'
"How is it that after recognizing the falseness of that deed of sale,
you insisted on declaring war against this Long knife of the West, since
he has proved to you that he was deceived by Monkey-face?"
The Chief smiled cunningly. "The Paleface was only deceived," he said,
"because it suited him to be so."
"I do not understand you, Chief."
"I will explain myself. Does my brother know how a sale of land is
effected?"
"No, I do not; and I confess to you, that, never having got to buy or
sell, I have not troubled myself about it."
"Wah! In that case I will tell my brother."
"You will cause me pleasure, for I always like to gain information, and
this may be useful to me at some time," the Canadian said with a grin.
"When a Paleface wishes to buy the hunting-ground of a tribe he goes to
the principal Sachems of the nation, and after smoking the calumet of
peace in council, he explains his meaning; the conditions are discussed;
if the two contracting parties agree, a plan of the territory is drawn
up by the principal sorcerer, the Paleface gives his goods, all the
Chiefs place their sign manual at the foot of the plan, the trees are
blazed with a tomahawk, the borders marked, and the purchaser takes
immediate possession."
"Hum," Tranquil remarked, "that seems simple enough."
"In what council has the grey-head Chief smoked the calumet? Where are
the sachems who have treated with him? Let him show me the trees that
were marked."
"In truth, I fancy he would find that difficult."
"The Grey-head," the Chief continued, "knew that Monkey-face was
cheating him; but the territory suited him, and he calculated on the
strength of his arms to hold his own."
"That is probable."
"Conquered by evidence, and recognizing too late that he acted
inconsiderately, he fancied he could recover all difficulties by
offering us a few more bales of merchandize. Whenever did the Palefaces
have a straight and honest tongue?"
"Thank you," the hunter said, laughingly.
"I do not speak of my brother's nation; I never had to complain of them,
and I only refer to the Long knives of the West. Does my brother still
think that I was wrong in throwing down the bloody arrows?"
"Perhaps, in that circumstance, Chief, you were a little too quick, and
allowed your passion to carry you away, but you have so many reasons for
hating the Americans that I dare not blame you."
"Then, I can still count on my brother's assistance?"
"Why should I refuse it to you, Chief? Your cause is still as it was,
that is to say, just; it is my duty to help you, and I will do so,
whatever may happen."
"Och! I thank my brother; his rifle will be useful to us."
"Here we are; it is time to form a determination with reference to
Monkey-face."
"It is formed," the Chief answered, laconically.
At this moment, they entered a vast clearing, in the centre of which
several fires were burning.
Five hundred Indian warriors, painted and armed for war, were lying
about in the grass, while their horses, all harnessed, and ready for
mounting, were hobbled, and eating their provender of climbing peas.
Round the principal fire several Chiefs were crouching and smoking
silently.
The newcomers dismounted, and proceeded rapidly toward this fire, before
which Monkey-face was walking up and down in considerable agitation.
The two men took their places by the side of the other Chiefs, and lit
their calumets; although every one expected their arrival impatiently,
no one addressed a word to them, Indian etiquette prohibiting a Chief
from speaking, before the calumet was completely smoked out.
When Black-deer had finished his calumet, he shook out the ashes, passed
it through his belt, and said:--
"The orders of the Sachems are accomplished; the bloody arrows have been
delivered to the Palefaces."
The Chiefs bowed their heads in sign of satisfaction at these news.
Monkey-face walked up.
"Has my brother Black-deer seen Grey-head?" he asked.
"Yes," the Chief answered, drily.
"What does my brother think?" Monkey-face pressed him.
Black-deer gave him an equivocal glance.
"What matters the thought of a Chief at this moment," he answered,
"since the Council of the Sachems has resolved on war?"
"The nights are long," Blue-fox then said, "will my brothers remain here
smoking?"
Tranquil remarked in his turn--
"The Long knives are on their guard, they are watching at this moment,
my brothers will remount their horses, and withdraw, for the hour is not
propitious."
The Chiefs gave a sign of assent.
"I will go on the discovery," Monkey-face said.
"Good," Black-deer answered, with a stern smile; "my brother is skilful,
he sees many things, he will inform us."
Monkey-face prepared to leap on a horse which a warrior led him up, but
suddenly Black-deer rose, rushed toward him, and laying his hand roughly
on his shoulder, compelled him to fall on his knees.
The warriors, surprised at this sudden aggression, the motive of which
they did not divine, exchanged glances of surprise, though they did not
make the slightest movement to interpose between the two Chiefs.
Monkey-face quickly raised his head.
"Does the Spirit of evil trouble my brother's brain?" he said, as he
tried to free himself from the iron grip that nailed him to the ground.
Black-deer gave a sarcastic smile, and drew his scalping knife.
"Monkey-face is a traitor," he said in a sullen voice "he has sold his
brothers to the Palefaces; he is about to die."
Black-deer was not only a renowned warrior, but his wisdom and honour
were held in just repute by the tribe; hence no one protested against
the accusation he had made, the more so, because, unfortunately for him,
Monkey-face had been long known.
Black-deer raised his knife, whose bluish blade flashed in the
fire-light, but by a supreme effort Monkey-face succeeded in freeing
himself, bounded like a wild beast, and disappeared in the bushes with a
hoarse laugh.
The knife had slipped, and only cut the flesh, without inflicting a
serious wound on the clever Indian.
There was a moment of stupor, but then all rose simultaneously to rush
in pursuit of the fugitive.
"Stay," Tranquil shouted in a loud voice, "it is now too late. Make
haste to attack the Palefaces before that villain has warned them, for
he is doubtless meditating fresh treachery."
The Chiefs recognized the justice of this, advice, and the Indians
prepared for the combat.