The War-chief (who was not much of an orator, and always seemed embarrassed when he spoke) then rose, and advanced to the front of the platform to offer his acknowledgments. He held his long pipe to his lips, and, drawing several deep breaths of smoke to his lungs, and pouring it out through his nostrils, at length began:--
"My friends--I can't speak--I never speak. (Great applause, and he smoked again.)
"My friends--My heart and my tongue were never made to live together. (Roar of applause, and '_How, how, how!_') Our chief is old, and his words few: he has told you that the Great Spirit has been kind to us, and that we have seen the face of our Great Mother the Queen. We have all thanked the Great Spirit for this, and we all wish to thank our Great Mother now for the presents she has sent us. She is not here, and we can't thank her; but we see these presents pass through your hands, and we wish to thank you. ('_How, how, how!_' and 'Hear.')
"Brothers--I have no more to say, but I shall be glad in a little time to offer you my hand." ("_How, how, how!_" and applause.)
The audience were now prepared, and the Indians also, for the _pipe-dance_, one of the most spirited and picturesque of their dances, and which they gave with great effect. It was then announced that the Indians would seat themselves on the front of the platform, where all the visitors who desired it might have an opportunity to advance and shake hands with them. This afforded the visitors a gratifying opportunity of getting nearer to them, and disposed many to be liberal to them, who gave them money and trinkets to a considerable amount.
Thus passed their first night of exhibition in London. The audience gradually drew off, and the Indians, at length seeing a space through which they could pass, gathered up their weapons, &c., and retired to their private rooms, leaving Daniel to answer to, and explain, all the curious surmises and questions that had been raised in the minds of the audience during the evening, and not explained; amongst whom (he told me the next day) there were at least a dozen who wished to know "in what way the Indians were _taken_--whether with a lasso or in a sort of pit," as they had heard of their taking wild oxen, &c. Half a dozen inquired what part of the Indies they were from; twenty or more "whether Cooper's descriptions of the Red Indians were true;" several "whether they eat the scalps;" and one desired to be informed "if it was actually necessary to cross the ocean to get to America, or whether it was not attached to the mainland." Several ladies were waiting to inquire "whether the Indians actually had no beards;" and a great number of women after these, some of whom lingered patiently until all other questions had been answered, begged to know "whether the interpreter and the handsome little fellow _Sah-mah_ were married."