José — page 189: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

182 | JOSE. At the first step he advanced, the circle dissolved in superstitious awe. With a grim smile of contempt Bob beckoned to his companions and quietly advanced toward the open square in the center of the village, followed at a distance by a straggling group of Indians. Here a tent, somewhat higher and more spacious than the remainder, soon indicated the abode of the chief. The whites had hardly reached the square when Black-Bird appeared between the raised skins that formed the entrance of his lodge, and closing the same, advanced frowningly a few steps toward the whites. Bob and his followers had quickly ap- proached him and halted when only a few feet separated them from the Indian chief, while ata short distance beyond the rest of the redskins gathered into a dense group. Bob gazed an instant into the stoic face of the Indian. : “We came with tokens of peace, Tehohpee,” he began; “we came to sit at your fire and to listen to your counsel. Why does the red man meet us like a secret enemy against whom he closes the door of his wigwam?” “The Comanche has ever heeded the words of Iron-F ist,” answered the chief. “He listened to his words but yesterday when the pale-faces’ lives were in the red man’s hand, but the words of advice which my wise brother uttered were false. The Apache has carried away his choice of the prize, because he shed his blood in the strife; the Co- manche who protected the pale-faces had to con- tent himself with worthless rubbish. Our warriors grumble and my white brother should not expecta warm welcome while the red men’s hearts are sorrowful because they obeyed his counsel.” Eomichooks co m