"You have come far, and you shall rest, and the squaws shall bring you food before we talk." "It is sufficient to us to see the great and wise chief, Gray Beaver," said Henry.

"Though we come from a long journey, it makes us strong and brave again." The old chief bowed, but his grave features did not relax.

Nevertheless, he was pleased in his secret soul at the gallant bearing and polite words of the young warrior who addressed them.

He led the way into the Council House, and a half dozen underchiefs followed them, hiding their interest beneath their painted masks of faces.
The Council House was large--fifty warriors could have sat in it--and robes of the buffalo, beaver, and other animals were spread about.

Big Fox, Brown Bear, and The Bat sat down gravely, each upon a mat of skins, and were served by the warriors with food and drink, which the squaws had brought to the door, but beyond which they could not pass.