The amusements of the evening being finished, there commenced a general shake of the hands, and when it had been requested by some of the audience that the Indians should come on to the floor, the request was instantly complied with, which afforded the most gratifying opportunity for the visitors to get near to them, and scan them and their costumes and weapons more closely. There was a general outcry by the ladies for the wife of the Little-wolf to descend from the platform with her little pappoose slung on her back in its splendid cradle, ornamented with porcupine's quills and ermine skins. It was a beautiful illustration, and formed one of the most attractive features of the exhibition, for gentlemen as well as for ladies, as thousands will recollect.
The "jolly fat dame" had an opportunity of meeting the _Roman-nose_ and of shaking his hand: but, "oh, the distress!" she could not speak to him as she had done to Cadotte,--it was impossible for her to explain to him the abominable mistake of the first night, and she feared he never would properly appreciate the present which she had just made him; nevertheless they were "a noble, fine set of fellows." The Doctor passed about in the crowd shaking hands, and shaking his fan also, which was made of the eagle's tail. He met the "fair dame," and (cruel that he could not speak to her) he dropped many smiles as he looked down upon and over her dimpled cheeks and round neck, as he raised and showed her his brawny arm with the golden bracelet.
The Indians soon withdrew, and after them the crowd; and after the crowd the "jolly fat dame," who said to Daniel as she passed, "I can't stop to-night, Daniel, I am in a great hurry; but I gave the bracelet to the _Roman-nose_--I got a good opportunity, Daniel--I buckled it on myself: oh, yes, I did--that I did--the good fellow, he stood it well--he never stirred. He'll recollect me, won't he, Daniel? I am going; but oh, look here--I can't, to save my life, make the poor fellow understand how the accident took place--it is so provoking!--it's awkward--it is very annoying to me. _You_ can tell him, Daniel--I wish you would tell him--I want you to explain it to him. Come, will you, Daniel? that's a good fellow. Tell him I never intended to give a bracelet to the old Doctor. But stop, he won't tell the Doctor that, will he? I wouldn't for the world hurt the poor old man's feelings--no, Daniel, not for twenty bracelets--what shall we do?" "Oh, there is no danger, Madam, that the Doctor will ever hear of it." "You think so?" "Oh, I am sure, Madam." "Then it's all right--good night. I shall be here every night, you know."