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 fight," replied the lieutenant. "We won't be robbed. If it is peace, we will give him presents."

They all sat down in a ring, with the lieutenant and Baroney and the two chiefs in the center. The Americans sat under the American flag, the Pawnee warriors sat under the Grand Pawnee flags. The doctor, however, stood up, watching everything.

The Pawnee head chief took out a pipe and tobacco, for a peace smoke. That looked good. But before filling the pipe, the two chiefs made speeches.

"They ask what presents you will give them. They say they are poor," Baroney translated. And that was what they had said.

"Bring half a bale of tobacco, a dozen knives, and flints and steels enough for all, sergeant," the lieutenant ordered.

The head chief made another speech. He was refusing the presents. He asked for corn, powder and lead, blankets, kettles—all kinds of stuff.

"Tell him that there are our presents. We have nothing else for him," the lieutenant answered. "We are ready to smoke with him."

The chief did not lift the pipe. He and the other chief sat, with bad spirit showing in their eyes. The warriors commenced to hoot, and handle their guns and bows again.

"He will not smoke such poor presents," Baroney