During
that day, the Indians, without an exception, asked for potatoes and of
course they got them. They said we did not need so much potatoes and
they would be a treat for them as they meant to make a big feast that
night and have a dance.
Now as to their statement about the half-breeds coming to take horses
or anything else we did not know whether to believe them or not. Of
course it would never do to pretend to disbelieve them. However, the
shadow of a doubt hung over each of us. We knew that the Indians had a
better knowledge of all that was taking place than we had, and since
they knew so much about the troubles, it looked probable enough that
they should know what movements the half-breeds were to make. And
moreover, they seemed so friendly, so good-spirited and in fact so
free from any appearance of being in bad humor, that it would require
a very incredulous character not to put faith in their word.
But on the other hand it seemed strange, that, if they knew so much
about our danger, they never even hinted it to us until our men first
spoke of it to them. However, be these things as they may, we felt
secure and still something told us that all was not well: often to
others as well as to Campbell's wizard,
"The sun set of life, gives them mystical lore--
And coming events cast their shadows before."
Thus we parted on the night of the first of April, and all retired to
bed, to rest, to dream.
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