Five minutes after, they reached the colony. We related in the previous chapter how they were received, and what passed between them and Captain Watt. This custom of the Indians of declaring war against their enemies may appear extraordinary to Europeans, who are accustomed to regard them as stupid savages, but we must make no mistake; the Redskins have an eminently chivalrous character, and never, except in the case of a horse robbery or such matter, will they attack an enemy before warning him that he may be on his guard. In fact, it is by cleverly working on this chivalrous character, of which the North Americans, we regret to say, do not possess a particle, that the Whites have gained the majority of their victories over the Redskins. When a few yards from the colony, the two men found again their horses which they had hobbled; they mounted, and went off at a rapid rate. "Well," Tranquil asked the Chief, "what do you think of all this?" "My brother was right, Monkey-face has constantly cheated us; it is evident that this deed emanates from him alone." "What do you intend doing?" "I do not know yet; perhaps it would be dangerous to unmask him at this moment." "I am not of your opinion, Chief; the presence of this traitor among us can only injure our cause." "Let us have a look at him first." "Be it so! But permit me a remark." "I am listening, my brother.' "How is it that after recognizing the falseness of that deed of sale, you insisted on declaring war against this Long knife of the West, since he has proved to you that he was deceived by Monkey-face?" The Chief smiled cunningly. "The Paleface was only deceived," he said, "because it suited him to be so." "I do not understand you, Chief." "I will explain myself. Does my brother know how a sale of land is effected?" "No, I do not; and I confess to you, that, never having got to buy or sell, I have not troubled myself about it." "Wah! In that case I will tell my brother." "You will cause me pleasure, for I always like to gain information, and this may be useful to me at some time," the Canadian said with a grin. "When a Paleface wishes to buy the hunting-ground of a tribe he goes to the principal Sachems of the nation, and after smoking the calumet of peace in council, he explains his meaning; the conditions are discussed; if the two contracting parties agree, a plan of the territory is drawn up by the principal sorcerer, the Paleface gives his goods, all the Chiefs place their sign manual at the foot of the plan, the trees are blazed with a tomahawk, the borders marked, and the purchaser takes immediate possession." "Hum," Tranquil remarked, "that seems simple enough." "In what council has the grey-head Chief smoked the calumet? Where are the sachems who have treated with him? Let him show me the trees that were marked." "In truth, I fancy he would find that difficult."