the mysterious wallet.

you will by this time wonder what there could be in a simple pipe-head, to have caused all this sudden and mysterious effect. i will tell you in as few words as possible.

you have no doubt heard of the celebrated shawano chief tecumseh—perhaps the greatest indian warrior that ever lived, as well as the most remarkable of indian statesmen. you may have heard, too, that during the last war between england and the united states, tecumseh, taking advantage of the difference between these nations, endeavoured to excite the indians to a general rising, for the purpose of driving all white men from the soil of america. tecumseh had a brother, elswatawa, better known by the name of “the prophet.” this brother was to the full as enthusiastic as the chief himself in the wish to carry out their great design; and for this purpose he undertook a crusade to every tribe of indians in the western parts of america. he was a man of great talents and eloquence, and was received with friendship wherever he went. the cause which he advocated was dear to all indians; and of course he was listened to, and smoked the calumet with the men of every tribe. now this very calumet, which had been used by the prophet throughout all his wanderings, was the identical one which basil carried, and which, by its strange carvings and hieroglyphics, was at once recognised by these indians, who were of the osage tribe,—one of those which the prophet had visited.

but you will ask, how this calumet came into the possession of basil’s father, and why its possession insured such mysterious protection to our adventurers. that i can also explain. tecumseh was killed in the war with the americans; but the prophet lived for many years afterwards. shortly after having emigrated to america, during one of his excursions near saint louis, the colonel—the father of our boy hunters—met with this strange indian; and, through some circumstances which happened, the frenchman and he became fast friends. presents were exchanged between them, and that which was received by the latter was the red calumet. the prophet, on giving it, told the colonel, that if ever he should have occasion to wander among the indian tribes, it might prove useful to him; and at the same time initiated him into certain signs which he was to make use of in such time of need. in these signs the colonel had instructed basil, and we have already witnessed their effect. the indian who had best understood them, and in whom they had produced the strongest emotions, happened to be a shawano himself—one of that very tribe to which both the prophet and tecumseh belonged; and which is now but a remnant—most of its warlike sons being either dead, or scattered among the nomad bands that roam over the great western prairies. such, then, was the history of the red calumet, which had proved the protector of our adventurous hunters.

in a short time they were enabled to communicate with the indians by signs; for no people can understand such language better than indians. the boys informed the shawano who they were, and for what purpose they had ventured upon the prairies. on learning the nature of their expedition, the indians were filled with astonishment as well as admiration for the courage of these young hunters. they told the latter, in return, that they themselves were out hunting the buffaloes—that they were now on the skirts of the great herd, and they believed that one or two white buffaloes had been seen. furthermore, they added, that if the boys would remain, and hunt for a few days in company with them, no pains should be spared to kill or capture one of these animals, which should be placed at the disposal of their young guests. of course, this invitation was cheerfully accepted.

i might narrate many more adventures that befell our boy hunters; but i fear, young reader, you are already tired of the prairies. suffice it, then, to say, that after some days spent in hunting with the indians, a white buffalo was at length killed, his skin taken off in the proper manner, and, after being saturated with a preserving ointment, which lucien had brought along with him, was carefully packed upon the back of the mule jeanette. our adventurers now bade farewell to their indian friends, and set out on their return homewards. they were accompanied to the confines of louisiana by the shawano and several other indians, who there took leave of them. in due time they safely reached the old house at point coupée; where i need not tell you they met with a joyous and affectionate welcome, both from their father and the ex-chasseur, hugot. the old naturalist had gained what he wished for, and was as happy as man could be. he was prouder than ever of his boy-men—his “young nimrods,” as he now called them—and on many a winter’s night by the cheerful log-fire, did he take pleasure in listening to the story of their adventures in search of a white buffalo.

the end.