On the afternoon following that of their adventure, Has-se came into the
fort in search of Rene, and anxious to acquire the promised trick of
wrestling. After securing his promise never to impart the trick to
another, Rene led him into a room where they would not be observed, and
taught it to him. It was a very simple trick, being merely a feint of
giving way, followed quickly by a peculiar inside twist of the leg; but
it was irresistible, and the opponent who knew it not was certain to be
overcome by it. Has-se quickly acquired it, and though he found few
words to express his feelings, there was a look in his face when he left
Rene that showed plainly his gratitude.
When next the silver sickle of the new moon shone in the western sky,
active preparations were begun among the Indians for their great Dance of
Ripe Corn. The race-course was laid out, and carefully cleared; clay was
mixed with its sand, and it was trampled hard and smooth by many
moccasined feet. A large booth, or shelter from the hot sun, under which
the chiefs and distinguished visitors might sit and witness the games,
was constructed of boughs and palm leaves. Bows were carefully tested
and fitted with new strings of twisted deer-sinew. Those who had been
fortunate enough to obtain from the white men bits of steel and iron,
ground them to sharp points, and with them replaced their arrow-heads of
flint. Has-se, with great pride, displayed to Rene his javelin or light
spear, the tough bamboo shaft of which was tipped with a keen-edged
splinter of milk-white quartz, obtained from some far northern tribe.
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