Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

The Sioux Village. 125 loved nature, and who had seen so little of this sort of thing for a year back. : teas came the Indian village, nestled among the ills. A more romantic location could not well have been chosen, though possibly there were more pro- saic motives influencing the tribal leaders when they planted their lodge poles in this same spot, for it was admirably situated for defense, and the country roundabout fairly abounded in game. Cuthbert, who had determined to observe all the curious things possible connected with these strange people, was interested at once in the welcome ac- corded the returning war and raiding party. A Roman triumphal entry might have exceeded it in the splendor of chariots and appointments, but it could not have done so in the matter of noise and rank enthusiasm. Every warrior, squaw and papoose within the confines of the village shouted and whooped and shrieked in their great delight—all this spoil and not even one man lost—it was the most remarkable event of years, and Standing Elk, yes, every young buck in his company, was a red hero of the hour, upon whom compliments and roasted dog must be lavished to show the appreciation in which their fel- lows held them. So interested was Cuthbert in these entertaining sights that he even forgot his fatigue, and the de- pressing fact of his being a prisoner until the curi- ous squaws around pinched him to see if he were really alive. Success in their undertaking and the fact of their once more being at home made the Indians of the expedition relax from their usual stolid condition— indeed, for the nonce they painted the town red. Cuthbert was therefore not received with blows, and he had cause to congratulate himself. COMGIOO \ S C©