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 *try, but he has no rights here in the south, and the great king of Spain still owns all the lands beyond the Pawnees and the Kansas. Now word has come to the Spanish governor that the Americans are sending soldiers westward through Spanish country, to spy out the land. They are led by a chief named Pike. So we march ready for battle, to meet these Americans and either turn them back or take them prisoner."

"The Americans of Chief Pike will fight?" asked Iskatappe.

The young war chief laughed, showing white teeth.

"They cannot fight the soldiers of the great king. We are many and brave; the Americans are small. We can punish or reward. The Americans are weak and poor. Should there be war, we will eat them up. If they do not keep out of the country, there will be war. We shall warn them. The Indians would do very foolishly to help the Americans who have nothing, and are only greedy, seeking to steal the Indians' hunting grounds. First a few will come, as spies; then more will come by the same trail, and with their guns kill all the buffalo."

"We know little about the Americans, but we see that the Spanish are many and strong," Iska