“One would think to hear an Erie speaking,” said the Sagamore, looking steadily at the Black-Snake. But the latter seemed totally unaware of what amounted now to a persistent baiting.

“They say,” continued the Sagamore, “that the Erie priesthood learned from the Nez Perces a strange and barbarous fashion.”

“What fashion?” asked Grey-Feather, so innocently that I could not determine whether he was playing into the Sagamore’s hands.

“The fashion of wearing the hair in a short, stiff ridge,” said the Mohican. “Has the Black-Snake ever seen it worn that way?”

“Never,” said the Huron. And there was neither in his voice nor on his