TheSiouxTetonswereatthattimeasortofpiratesoftheMissouri，whoconsideredthewellfreightedbarkoftheAmericantraderfairgame。TheyhadtheirowntrafficwiththeBritishmerchantsoftheNorthwest，whobroughtthemregularsuppliesofmerchandisebywayoftheriverSt。Peter。BeingthusindependentoftheMissouritradersfortheirsupplies，theykeptnotermswiththem，butplunderedthemwhenevertheyhadanopportunity。
IthasbeeninsinuatedthattheywerepromptedtotheseoutragesbytheBritishmerchants，whowishedtokeepoffallrivalsintheIndiantrade;butothersallegeanothermotive，andonesavoringofadeeperpolicy。TheSioux，bytheirintercoursewiththeBritishtraders，hadacquiredtheuseoffirearms，whichhadgiventhemvastsuperiorityoverothertribeshigheruptheMissouri。Theyhadmadethemselvesalso，inamanner，factorsfortheuppertribes，supplyingthematsecondhand，andatgreatlyadvancedprices，withgoodsderivedfromthewhitemen。TheSioux，therefore，sawwithjealousytheAmericantraderspushingtheirwayuptheMissouri;foreseeingthattheuppertribeswouldthusberelievedfromalldependenceonthemforsupplies;nay，whatwasworse，wouldbefurnishedwithfire-arms，andelevatedintoformidablerivals。
WehavealreadyalludedtoacaseinwhichMr。CrooksandMr。
M’Lellanhadbeeninterruptedinatradingvoyagebytheseruffiansoftheriver，and，asitisinsomedegreeconnectedwithcircumstanceshereaftertoberelated，weshallspecifyitmoreparticularly。
Abouttwoyearsbeforethetimeofwhichwearetreating，CrooksandM’Lellanwereascendingtheriverinboatswithapartyofaboutfortymen，boundononeoftheirtradingexpeditionstotheuppertribes。Inoneofthebendsoftheriver，wherethechannelmadeadeepcurveunderimpendingbanks，theysuddenlyheardyellsandshoutsabovethem，andbeheldthecliffsoverheadcoveredwitharmedsavages。ItwasabandofSiouxwarriors，upwardsofsixhundredstrong。Theybrandishedtheirweaponsinamenacingmanner，andorderedtheboatstoturnbackandlandlowerdowntheriver。Therewasnodisputingthesecommands，fortheyhadthepowertoshowerdestructionuponthewhitemen，withoutrisktothemselves。CrooksandM’Lellan，therefore，turnedbackwithfeignedalacrity，and，landing，hadaninterviewwiththeSioux。Thelatterforbadethem，underpainofexterminatinghostility，fromattemptingtoproceeduptheriver，butofferedtotradepeacefullywiththemiftheywouldhaltwheretheywere。Theparty，beingprincipallycomposedofvoyageurs，wastooweaktocontendwithsosuperioraforce，andonesoeasilyaugmented;theypretended，therefore，tocomplycheerfullywiththeirarbitrarydictation，andimmediatelyproceededtocutdowntreesanderectatradinghouse。Thewarriorbanddepartedfortheirvillage，whichwasabouttwentymilesdistant，tocollectobjectsoftraffic;theyleftsixoreightoftheirnumber，however，tokeepwatchuponthewhitemen，andscoutswerecontinuallypassingtoandfrowithintelligence。
Mr。Crookssawthatitwouldbeimpossibletoprosecutehisvoyagewithoutthedangerofhavinghisboatsplundered，andagreatpartofhismenmassacred;hedetermined，however，nottobeentirelyfrustratedintheobjectsofhisexpedition。Whilehecontinued，therefore，withgreatapparentearnestnessandassiduity，theconstructionofthetradinghouse，hedespatchedthehuntersandtrappersofhispartyinacanoe，tomaketheirwayuptherivertotheoriginalplaceofdestination，theretobusythemselvesintrappingandcollectingpeltries，andtoawaithisarrivalatsomefutureperiod。
AssoonasthedetachmenthadhadsufficienttimetoascendbeyondthehostilecountryoftheSioux，Mr。Crookssuddenlybrokeuphisfeignedtradingestablishment，embarkedhismenandeffects，and，aftergivingtheastonishedrear-guardofsavagesagallingandindignantmessagetotaketotheircountrymen，pusheddowntheriverwithallspeed，sparingneitheroarnorpaddle，daynornight，untilfairlybeyondtheswoopoftheseriverhawks。
WhatincreasedtheirritationofMessrs。CrooksandM’Lellan，atthismortifyingchecktotheirgainfulenterprise，wastheinformationthatarivaltraderwasatthebottomofit;theSioux，itissaid，havingbeeninstigatedtothisoutragebyMr。
ManuelLisa，theleadingpartnerandagentoftheMissouriFurCompany，alreadymentioned。Thisintelligence，whethertrueorfalse，sorousedthefierytemperofM’Lellan，thatheswore，ifeverhefellinwithLisaintheIndiancountry，hewouldshoothimonthespot;amodeofredressperfectlyinunisonwiththecharacteroftheman，andthecodeofhonorprevalentbeyondthefrontier。
IfCrooksandM’LellanhadbeenexasperatedbytheinsolentconductoftheSiouxTetons，andthelosswhichithadoccasioned，thosefreebootershadbeennolessindignantatbeingoutwittedbythewhitemen，anddisappointedoftheiranticipatedgains，anditwasapprehendedtheywouldbeparticularlyhostileagainstthepresentexpedition，whentheyshouldlearnthatthesegentlemenwereengagedinit。
AllthesecausesofuneasinesswereconcealedasmuchaspossiblefromtheCanadianvoyageurs，lesttheyshouldbecomeintimidated;
itwasimpossible，however，topreventtherumorsbroughtbytheIndiansfromleakingout，andtheybecamesubjectsofgossipingandexaggeration。ThechiefoftheOmahas，too，onreturningfromahuntingexcursion，reportedthattwomenhadbeenkilledsomedistanceabove，byabandofSioux。Thisaddedtothefearsthatalreadybegantobeexcited。Thevoyageurspicturedtothemselvesbandsoffiercewarriorsstationedalongeachbankoftheriver，bywhomtheywouldbeexposedtobeshotdownintheirboats:orlurkinghordes，whowouldsetonthematnight，andmassacrethemintheirencampments。Somelostheart，andproposedtoreturn，ratherthanfighttheirway，and，inamanner，runthegauntletthroughthecountryofthesepiraticalmarauders。Infact，threemendesertedwhileatthisvillage。Luckily，theirplacewassuppliedbythreeotherswhohappenedtobethere，andwhowereprevailedontojointheexpeditionbypromisesofliberalpay，andbybeingfittedoutandequippedincompletestyle。
Theirresolutionanddiscontentvisibleamongsomeofhispeople，arisingattimesalmosttomutiny，andtheoccasionaldesertionswhichtookplacewhilethusamongfriendlytribes，andwithinreachofthefrontiers，addedgreatlytotheanxietiesofMr。
Hunt，andrenderedhimeagertopressforwardandleaveahostiletractbehindhim，sothatitwouldbeasperiloustoreturnastokeepon，andnoonewoulddaretodesert。
Accordingly，onthe15thofMayhedepartedfromthevillageoftheOmahas，andsetforwardtowardsthecountryoftheformidableSiouxTetons。Forthefirstfivedaystheyhadafairandfreshbreeze，andtheboatsmadegoodprogress。Thewindthencameahead，andtheriverbeginningtorise，andtoincreaseinrapidity，betokenedthecommencementoftheannualflood，causedbythemeltingofthesnowontheRockyMountains，andthevernalrainsoftheupperprairies。
Astheywerenowenteringaregionwherefoesmightbelyinginwaitoneitherbank，itwasdetermined，inhuntingforgame，toconfinethemselvesprincipallytotheislands，whichsometimesextendtoconsiderablelength，andarebeautifullywooded，affordingabundantpasturageandshade。Ononeofthesetheykilledthreebuffaloesandtwoelks，andhaltingontheedgeofabeautifulprairie，madeasumptuoushunter’srepast。Theyhadnotlongresumedtheirboatsandpulledalongtheriverbankswhentheydescriedacanoeapproaching，navigatedbytwomen，whom，totheirsurprise，theyascertainedtobewhitemen。Theyprovedtobetwoofthosestrangeandfearlesswanderersofthewilderness，thetrappers。TheirnameswereBenjaminJonesandAlexanderCarson。TheyhadbeenfortwoyearspasthuntingandtrappingneartheheadoftheMissouri，andwerethusfloatingforthousandsofmilesinacockle-shell，downaturbulentstream，throughregionsinfestedbysavagetribes，yetapparentlyaseasyandunconcernedasifnavigatingsecurelyinthemidstofcivilization。
Theacquisitionoftwosuchhardy，experienced，anddauntlesshunterswaspeculiarlydesirableatthepresentmoment。Theyneededbutlittlepersuasion。Thewildernessisthehomeofthetrapper;likethesailor，hecaresbutlittletowhichpointofthecompasshesteers;andJonesandCarsonreadilyabandonedtheirvoyagetoSt。Louis，andturnedtheirfacestowardstheRockyMountainsandthePacific。
Thetwonaturalists，Mr。BradburyandMr。Nuttall，whohadjoinedtheexpeditionatSt。Louis，stillaccompaniedit，andpursuedtheirresearchesonalloccasions。Mr。Nuttallseemstohavebeenexclusivelydevotedtohisscientificpursuits。Hewasazealousbotanist，andallhisenthusiasmwasawakenedatbeholdinganewworld，asitwere，openinguponhimintheboundlessprairies，cladinthevernalandvariegatedrobeofunknownflowers。Whenevertheboatslandedatmealtimes，orforanytemporarypurpose，hewouldspringonshore，andsetoutonahuntfornewspecimens。Everyplantorflowerofarareorunknownspecieswaseagerlyseizedasaprize。Delightedwiththetreasuresspreadingthemselvesoutbeforehim，hewentgropingandstumblingalongamongthewildernessofsweets，forgetfulofeverythingbuthisimmediatepursuit，andhadoftentobesoughtafterwhentheboatswereabouttoresumetheircourse。Atsuchtimeshewouldbefoundfaroffintheprairies，orupthecourseofsomepettystream，ladenwithplantsofallkinds。
TheCanadianvoyageurs，whoareaclassofpeoplethatknownothingoutoftheirimmediateline，andwithconstitutionallevitymakeajestofanythingtheycannotunderstand，wereextremelypuzzledbythispassionforcollectingwhattheyconsideredmereuselessweeds。Whentheysawtheworthybotanistcomingbackheavyladenwithhisspecimens，andtreasuringthemupascarefullyasamiserwouldhishoard，theyusedtomakemerryamongthemselvesathisexpense，regardinghimassomewhimsicalkindofmadman。
Mr。Bradburywaslessexclusiveinhistastesandhabits，andcombinedthehunterandsportsmanwiththenaturalist。Hetookhisrifleorhisfowling-piecewithhiminhisgeologicalresearches，conformedtothehardyandruggedhabitsofthemenaroundhim，andofcoursegainedfavorintheireyes。Hehadastrongrelishforincidentandadventure，wascuriousinobservingsavagemanners，andsavagelife，andreadytojoinanyhuntingorotherexcursion。Evennow，thattheexpeditionwasproceedingthroughadangerousneighborhood，hecouldnotcheckhispropensitytoramble。Havingobserved，ontheeveningofthe22dofMay，thattheriveraheadmadeagreatbendwhichwouldtakeupthenavigationofthefollowingday，hedeterminedtoprofitbythecircumstance。Onthemorningofthe23d，therefore，insteadofembarking，hefilledhisshot-pouchwithparchedcorn，forprovisions，andsetofftocrosstheneckonfootandmeettheboatsintheafternoonattheoppositesideofthebend。Mr。
Huntfeltuneasyathisventuringthusalone，andremindedhimthathewasinanenemy’scountry;butMr。Bradburymadelightofthedanger，andstartedoffcheerilyuponhisramble。Hisdaywaspassedpleasantlyintraversingabeautifultract，makingbotanicalandgeologicalresearches，andobservingthehabitsofanextensivevillageofprairiedogs，atwhichhemadeseveralineffectualshots，withoutconsideringtheriskheranofattractingtheattentionofanysavagesthatmightbelurkingintheneighborhood。InfacthehadtotallyforgottentheSiouxTetons，andalltheotherperilsofthecountry，when，aboutthemiddleoftheafternoon，ashestoodneartheriverbank，andwaslookingoutfortheboat，hesuddenlyfeltahandlaidonhisshoulder。Startingandturninground，hebeheldanakedsavagewithabowbent，andthearrowpointedathisbreast。Inaninstanthisgunwasleveledandhishanduponthelock。TheIndiandrewhisbowstillfurther，butforboretolaunchtheshaft。Mr。Bradbury，withadmirablepresenceofmind，reflectedthatthesavage，ifhostileinhisintents，wouldhaveshothimwithoutgivinghimachanceofdefense;hepaused，therefore，andheldouthishand。Theothertookitinsignoffriendship，anddemandedintheOsagelanguagewhetherhewasaBigKnife，orAmerican。Heansweredintheaffirmative，andinquiredwhethertheotherwereaSioux。TohisgreatreliefhefoundthathewasaPonca。ByhistimetwootherIndianscamerunningup，andallthreelaidholdofMr。Bradburyandseemeddisposedtocompelhimtogooffwiththemamongthehills。Heresisted，andsittingdownonasandhillcontrivedtoamusethemwithapocketcompass。Whenthenoveltyofthiswasexhaustedtheyagainseizedhim，buthenowproducedasmallmicroscope。Thisnewwonderagainfixedtheattentionofthesavages，whohavemorecuriositythanithasbeenthecustomtoallowthem。Whilethusengaged，oneofthemsuddenlyleapedupandgaveawar-whoop。Thehandofthehardynaturalistwasagainonhisgun，andhewaspreparedtomakebattle，whentheIndianpointeddowntheriverandrevealedthetruecauseofhisyell。Itwasthemastofoneoftheboatsappearingabovethelowwillowswhichborderedthestream。Mr。
Bradburyfeltinfinitelyrelievedbythesight。TheIndiansontheirpartnowshowedsignsofapprehension，andweredisposedtorunaway;butheassuredthemofgoodtreatmentandsomethingtodrinkiftheywouldaccompanyhimonboardoftheboats。Theylingeredforatime，butdisappearedbeforetheboatscametoland。
Onthefollowingmorningtheyappearedatcampaccompaniedbyseveraloftheirtribe。Withthemcamealsoawhiteman，whoannouncedhimselfasamessengerbearingmissivesforMr。Hunt。
InfacthebroughtaletterfromMr。ManuelLisa，partnerandagentoftheMissouriFurCompany。Ashasalreadybeenmentioned，thisgentlemanwasgoinginsearchofMr。Henryandhisparty，whohadbeendislodgedfromtheforksoftheMissouribytheBlackfeetIndians，andhadshiftedhispostsomewherebeyondtheRockyMountains。Mr。LisahadleftSt。LouisthreeweeksafterMr。Hunt，andhavingheardofthehostileintentionsoftheSioux，hadmadethegreatestexertionstoovertakehim，thattheymightpassthroughthedangerouspartoftherivertogether。Hehadtwentystoutoarsmeninhisserviceandtheypliedtheiroarssovigorously，thathehadreachedtheOmahavillagejustfourdaysafterthedepartureofMr。Hunt。Fromthisplacehedespatchedthemessengerinquestion，trustingtohisovertakingthebargesastheytoiledupagainstthestream，andweredelayedbythewindingsoftheriver。ThepurportofhisletterwastoentreatMr。Hunttowaituntilhecouldcomeupwithhim，thattheymightunitetheirforcesandbeaprotectiontoeachotherintheirperilouscoursethroughthecountryoftheSioux。Infact，asitwasafterwardsascertained，LisawasapprehensivethatMr。HuntwoulddohimsomeillofficewiththeSiouxband，securinghisownpassagethroughtheircountrybypretendingthathe，withwhomtheywereaccustomedtotrade，wasonhiswaytothemwithaplentifulsupplyofgoods。Hefeared，too，thatCrooksandM’Lellanwouldtakethisopportunitytoretortuponhimtheperfidywhichtheyaccusedhimofhavingused，twoyearspreviously，amongtheseverySioux。Inthisrespect，however，hedidthemsignalinjustice。Therewasnosuchthingascourtdesignortreacheryintheirthought;butM’Lellan，whenheheardthatLisawasonhiswayuptheriver，renewedhisopenthreatofshootinghimthemomenthemethimonIndianland。
TherepresentationsmadebyCrooksandM’Lellanofthetreacherytheyhadexperienced，orfancied，onthepartofLisa，hadgreatweightwithMr。Hunt，especiallywhenherecollectedtheobstaclesthathadbeenthrowninhiswaybythatgentlemanatSt。Louis。Hedoubted，therefore，thefairdealingofLisa，andfearedthat，shouldtheyentertheSiouxcountrytogether，thelattermightmakeuseofhisinfluencewiththattribe，ashehadinthecaseofCrooksandM’Lellan，andinstigatethemtoopposehisprogressuptheriver。
Hesentback，therefore，ananswercalculatedtobeguileLisa，assuringhimthathewouldwaitforhimatthePoncasvillage，whichwasbutalittledistanceinadvance;but，nosoonerhadthemessengerdeparted，thanhepushedforwardwithalldiligence，barelystoppingatthevillagetoprocureasupplyofdriedbuffalomeat，andhastenedtoleavetheotherpartyasfarbehindaspossible，thinkingtherewaslesstobeapprehendedfromtheopenhostilityofIndianfoesthanfromthequietstrategyofanIndiantrader。
CHAPTERXVII。
RumorsofDangerFromtheSiouxTetons-RuthlessCharacterofThoseSavages-PiratesoftheMissouri-TheirAffairwithCrooksandM’Lellan-ATradingExpeditionBrokenUp-M’Lellan’sVowofVengeance-UneasinessintheCamp-Desertions-
DepartureFromtheOmahaVillage-MeetingWithJonesandCarson，twoAdventurousTrappers-ScientificPursuitsofMessrs。
BradburyandNuttall-ZealofaBotanist-AdventureofMr。
BradburywithaPoncaIndian-ExpedientofthePocketCompassandMicroscope-AMessengerFromLisa-MotivesforPressingForward。
WHILEMr。HuntandhispartyweresojourningatthevillageoftheOmahas，threeSiouxIndiansoftheYanktonAlmatribearrived，bringingunpleasantintelligence。TheyreportedthatcertainbandsoftheSiouxTetons，whoinhabitedaregionmanyleaguesfurtheruptheMissouri，werenearathand，awaitingtheapproachoftheparty，withtheavowedintentionofopposingtheirprogress。
TheSiouxTetonswereatthattimeasortofpiratesoftheMissouri，whoconsideredthewellfreightedbarkoftheAmericantraderfairgame。TheyhadtheirowntrafficwiththeBritishmerchantsoftheNorthwest，whobroughtthemregularsuppliesofmerchandisebywayoftheriverSt。Peter。BeingthusindependentoftheMissouritradersfortheirsupplies，theykeptnotermswiththem，butplunderedthemwhenevertheyhadanopportunity。
IthasbeeninsinuatedthattheywerepromptedtotheseoutragesbytheBritishmerchants，whowishedtokeepoffallrivalsintheIndiantrade;butothersallegeanothermotive，andonesavoringofadeeperpolicy。TheSioux，bytheirintercoursewiththeBritishtraders，hadacquiredtheuseoffirearms，whichhadgiventhemvastsuperiorityoverothertribeshigheruptheMissouri。Theyhadmadethemselvesalso，inamanner，factorsfortheuppertribes，supplyingthematsecondhand，andatgreatlyadvancedprices，withgoodsderivedfromthewhitemen。TheSioux，therefore，sawwithjealousytheAmericantraderspushingtheirwayuptheMissouri;foreseeingthattheuppertribeswouldthusberelievedfromalldependenceonthemforsupplies;nay，whatwasworse，wouldbefurnishedwithfire-arms，andelevatedintoformidablerivals。
WehavealreadyalludedtoacaseinwhichMr。CrooksandMr。
M’Lellanhadbeeninterruptedinatradingvoyagebytheseruffiansoftheriver，and，asitisinsomedegreeconnectedwithcircumstanceshereaftertoberelated，weshallspecifyitmoreparticularly。
Abouttwoyearsbeforethetimeofwhichwearetreating，CrooksandM’Lellanwereascendingtheriverinboatswithapartyofaboutfortymen，boundononeoftheirtradingexpeditionstotheuppertribes。Inoneofthebendsoftheriver，wherethechannelmadeadeepcurveunderimpendingbanks，theysuddenlyheardyellsandshoutsabovethem，andbeheldthecliffsoverheadcoveredwitharmedsavages。ItwasabandofSiouxwarriors，upwardsofsixhundredstrong。Theybrandishedtheirweaponsinamenacingmanner，andorderedtheboatstoturnbackandlandlowerdowntheriver。Therewasnodisputingthesecommands，fortheyhadthepowertoshowerdestructionuponthewhitemen，withoutrisktothemselves。CrooksandM’Lellan，therefore，turnedbackwithfeignedalacrity，and，landing，hadaninterviewwiththeSioux。Thelatterforbadethem，underpainofexterminatinghostility，fromattemptingtoproceeduptheriver，butofferedtotradepeacefullywiththemiftheywouldhaltwheretheywere。Theparty，beingprincipallycomposedofvoyageurs，wastooweaktocontendwithsosuperioraforce，andonesoeasilyaugmented;theypretended，therefore，tocomplycheerfullywiththeirarbitrarydictation，andimmediatelyproceededtocutdowntreesanderectatradinghouse。Thewarriorbanddepartedfortheirvillage，whichwasabouttwentymilesdistant，tocollectobjectsoftraffic;theyleftsixoreightoftheirnumber，however，tokeepwatchuponthewhitemen，andscoutswerecontinuallypassingtoandfrowithintelligence。
Mr。Crookssawthatitwouldbeimpossibletoprosecutehisvoyagewithoutthedangerofhavinghisboatsplundered，andagreatpartofhismenmassacred;hedetermined，however，nottobeentirelyfrustratedintheobjectsofhisexpedition。Whilehecontinued，therefore，withgreatapparentearnestnessandassiduity，theconstructionofthetradinghouse，hedespatchedthehuntersandtrappersofhispartyinacanoe，tomaketheirwayuptherivertotheoriginalplaceofdestination，theretobusythemselvesintrappingandcollectingpeltries，andtoawaithisarrivalatsomefutureperiod。
AssoonasthedetachmenthadhadsufficienttimetoascendbeyondthehostilecountryoftheSioux，Mr。Crookssuddenlybrokeuphisfeignedtradingestablishment，embarkedhismenandeffects，and，aftergivingtheastonishedrear-guardofsavagesagallingandindignantmessagetotaketotheircountrymen，pusheddowntheriverwithallspeed，sparingneitheroarnorpaddle，daynornight，untilfairlybeyondtheswoopoftheseriverhawks。
WhatincreasedtheirritationofMessrs。CrooksandM’Lellan，atthismortifyingchecktotheirgainfulenterprise，wastheinformationthatarivaltraderwasatthebottomofit;theSioux，itissaid，havingbeeninstigatedtothisoutragebyMr。
ManuelLisa，theleadingpartnerandagentoftheMissouriFurCompany，alreadymentioned。Thisintelligence，whethertrueorfalse，sorousedthefierytemperofM’Lellan，thatheswore，ifeverhefellinwithLisaintheIndiancountry，hewouldshoothimonthespot;amodeofredressperfectlyinunisonwiththecharacteroftheman，andthecodeofhonorprevalentbeyondthefrontier。
IfCrooksandM’LellanhadbeenexasperatedbytheinsolentconductoftheSiouxTetons，andthelosswhichithadoccasioned，thosefreebootershadbeennolessindignantatbeingoutwittedbythewhitemen，anddisappointedoftheiranticipatedgains，anditwasapprehendedtheywouldbeparticularlyhostileagainstthepresentexpedition，whentheyshouldlearnthatthesegentlemenwereengagedinit。
AllthesecausesofuneasinesswereconcealedasmuchaspossiblefromtheCanadianvoyageurs，lesttheyshouldbecomeintimidated;
itwasimpossible，however，topreventtherumorsbroughtbytheIndiansfromleakingout，andtheybecamesubjectsofgossipingandexaggeration。ThechiefoftheOmahas，too，onreturningfromahuntingexcursion，reportedthattwomenhadbeenkilledsomedistanceabove，byabandofSioux。Thisaddedtothefearsthatalreadybegantobeexcited。Thevoyageurspicturedtothemselvesbandsoffiercewarriorsstationedalongeachbankoftheriver，bywhomtheywouldbeexposedtobeshotdownintheirboats:orlurkinghordes，whowouldsetonthematnight，andmassacrethemintheirencampments。Somelostheart，andproposedtoreturn，ratherthanfighttheirway，and，inamanner，runthegauntletthroughthecountryofthesepiraticalmarauders。Infact，threemendesertedwhileatthisvillage。Luckily，theirplacewassuppliedbythreeotherswhohappenedtobethere，andwhowereprevailedontojointheexpeditionbypromisesofliberalpay，andbybeingfittedoutandequippedincompletestyle。
Theirresolutionanddiscontentvisibleamongsomeofhispeople，arisingattimesalmosttomutiny，andtheoccasionaldesertionswhichtookplacewhilethusamongfriendlytribes，andwithinreachofthefrontiers，addedgreatlytotheanxietiesofMr。
Hunt，andrenderedhimeagertopressforwardandleaveahostiletractbehindhim，sothatitwouldbeasperiloustoreturnastokeepon，andnoonewoulddaretodesert。
Accordingly，onthe15thofMayhedepartedfromthevillageoftheOmahas，andsetforwardtowardsthecountryoftheformidableSiouxTetons。Forthefirstfivedaystheyhadafairandfreshbreeze，andtheboatsmadegoodprogress。Thewindthencameahead，andtheriverbeginningtorise，andtoincreaseinrapidity，betokenedthecommencementoftheannualflood，causedbythemeltingofthesnowontheRockyMountains，andthevernalrainsoftheupperprairies。
Astheywerenowenteringaregionwherefoesmightbelyinginwaitoneitherbank，itwasdetermined，inhuntingforgame，toconfinethemselvesprincipallytotheislands，whichsometimesextendtoconsiderablelength，andarebeautifullywooded，affordingabundantpasturageandshade。Ononeofthesetheykilledthreebuffaloesandtwoelks，andhaltingontheedgeofabeautifulprairie，madeasumptuoushunter’srepast。Theyhadnotlongresumedtheirboatsandpulledalongtheriverbankswhentheydescriedacanoeapproaching，navigatedbytwomen，whom，totheirsurprise，theyascertainedtobewhitemen。Theyprovedtobetwoofthosestrangeandfearlesswanderersofthewilderness，thetrappers。TheirnameswereBenjaminJonesandAlexanderCarson。TheyhadbeenfortwoyearspasthuntingandtrappingneartheheadoftheMissouri，andwerethusfloatingforthousandsofmilesinacockle-shell，downaturbulentstream，throughregionsinfestedbysavagetribes，yetapparentlyaseasyandunconcernedasifnavigatingsecurelyinthemidstofcivilization。
Theacquisitionoftwosuchhardy，experienced，anddauntlesshunterswaspeculiarlydesirableatthepresentmoment。Theyneededbutlittlepersuasion。Thewildernessisthehomeofthetrapper;likethesailor，hecaresbutlittletowhichpointofthecompasshesteers;andJonesandCarsonreadilyabandonedtheirvoyagetoSt。Louis，andturnedtheirfacestowardstheRockyMountainsandthePacific。
Thetwonaturalists，Mr。BradburyandMr。Nuttall，whohadjoinedtheexpeditionatSt。Louis，stillaccompaniedit，andpursuedtheirresearchesonalloccasions。Mr。Nuttallseemstohavebeenexclusivelydevotedtohisscientificpursuits。Hewasazealousbotanist，andallhisenthusiasmwasawakenedatbeholdinganewworld，asitwere，openinguponhimintheboundlessprairies，cladinthevernalandvariegatedrobeofunknownflowers。Whenevertheboatslandedatmealtimes，orforanytemporarypurpose，hewouldspringonshore，andsetoutonahuntfornewspecimens。Everyplantorflowerofarareorunknownspecieswaseagerlyseizedasaprize。Delightedwiththetreasuresspreadingthemselvesoutbeforehim，hewentgropingandstumblingalongamongthewildernessofsweets，forgetfulofeverythingbuthisimmediatepursuit，andhadoftentobesoughtafterwhentheboatswereabouttoresumetheircourse。Atsuchtimeshewouldbefoundfaroffintheprairies，orupthecourseofsomepettystream，ladenwithplantsofallkinds。
TheCanadianvoyageurs，whoareaclassofpeoplethatknownothingoutoftheirimmediateline，andwithconstitutionallevitymakeajestofanythingtheycannotunderstand，wereextremelypuzzledbythispassionforcollectingwhattheyconsideredmereuselessweeds。Whentheysawtheworthybotanistcomingbackheavyladenwithhisspecimens，andtreasuringthemupascarefullyasamiserwouldhishoard，theyusedtomakemerryamongthemselvesathisexpense，regardinghimassomewhimsicalkindofmadman。
Mr。Bradburywaslessexclusiveinhistastesandhabits，andcombinedthehunterandsportsmanwiththenaturalist。Hetookhisrifleorhisfowling-piecewithhiminhisgeologicalresearches，conformedtothehardyandruggedhabitsofthemenaroundhim，andofcoursegainedfavorintheireyes。Hehadastrongrelishforincidentandadventure，wascuriousinobservingsavagemanners，andsavagelife，andreadytojoinanyhuntingorotherexcursion。Evennow，thattheexpeditionwasproceedingthroughadangerousneighborhood，hecouldnotcheckhispropensitytoramble。Havingobserved，ontheeveningofthe22dofMay，thattheriveraheadmadeagreatbendwhichwouldtakeupthenavigationofthefollowingday，hedeterminedtoprofitbythecircumstance。Onthemorningofthe23d，therefore，insteadofembarking，hefilledhisshot-pouchwithparchedcorn，forprovisions，andsetofftocrosstheneckonfootandmeettheboatsintheafternoonattheoppositesideofthebend。Mr。
Huntfeltuneasyathisventuringthusalone，andremindedhimthathewasinanenemy’scountry;butMr。Bradburymadelightofthedanger，andstartedoffcheerilyuponhisramble。Hisdaywaspassedpleasantlyintraversingabeautifultract，makingbotanicalandgeologicalresearches，andobservingthehabitsofanextensivevillageofprairiedogs，atwhichhemadeseveralineffectualshots，withoutconsideringtheriskheranofattractingtheattentionofanysavagesthatmightbelurkingintheneighborhood。InfacthehadtotallyforgottentheSiouxTetons，andalltheotherperilsofthecountry，when，aboutthemiddleoftheafternoon，ashestoodneartheriverbank，andwaslookingoutfortheboat，hesuddenlyfeltahandlaidonhisshoulder。Startingandturninground，hebeheldanakedsavagewithabowbent，andthearrowpointedathisbreast。Inaninstanthisgunwasleveledandhishanduponthelock。TheIndiandrewhisbowstillfurther，butforboretolaunchtheshaft。Mr。Bradbury，withadmirablepresenceofmind，reflectedthatthesavage，ifhostileinhisintents，wouldhaveshothimwithoutgivinghimachanceofdefense;hepaused，therefore，andheldouthishand。Theothertookitinsignoffriendship，anddemandedintheOsagelanguagewhetherhewasaBigKnife，orAmerican。Heansweredintheaffirmative，andinquiredwhethertheotherwereaSioux。TohisgreatreliefhefoundthathewasaPonca。ByhistimetwootherIndianscamerunningup，andallthreelaidholdofMr。Bradburyandseemeddisposedtocompelhimtogooffwiththemamongthehills。Heresisted，andsittingdownonasandhillcontrivedtoamusethemwithapocketcompass。Whenthenoveltyofthiswasexhaustedtheyagainseizedhim，buthenowproducedasmallmicroscope。Thisnewwonderagainfixedtheattentionofthesavages，whohavemorecuriositythanithasbeenthecustomtoallowthem。Whilethusengaged，oneofthemsuddenlyleapedupandgaveawar-whoop。Thehandofthehardynaturalistwasagainonhisgun，andhewaspreparedtomakebattle，whentheIndianpointeddowntheriverandrevealedthetruecauseofhisyell。Itwasthemastofoneoftheboatsappearingabovethelowwillowswhichborderedthestream。Mr。
Bradburyfeltinfinitelyrelievedbythesight。TheIndiansontheirpartnowshowedsignsofapprehension，andweredisposedtorunaway;butheassuredthemofgoodtreatmentandsomethingtodrinkiftheywouldaccompanyhimonboardoftheboats。Theylingeredforatime，butdisappearedbeforetheboatscametoland。
Onthefollowingmorningtheyappearedatcampaccompaniedbyseveraloftheirtribe。Withthemcamealsoawhiteman，whoannouncedhimselfasamessengerbearingmissivesforMr。Hunt。
InfacthebroughtaletterfromMr。ManuelLisa，partnerandagentoftheMissouriFurCompany。Ashasalreadybeenmentioned，thisgentlemanwasgoinginsearchofMr。Henryandhisparty，whohadbeendislodgedfromtheforksoftheMissouribytheBlackfeetIndians，andhadshiftedhispostsomewherebeyondtheRockyMountains。Mr。LisahadleftSt。LouisthreeweeksafterMr。Hunt，andhavingheardofthehostileintentionsoftheSioux，hadmadethegreatestexertionstoovertakehim，thattheymightpassthroughthedangerouspartoftherivertogether。Hehadtwentystoutoarsmeninhisserviceandtheypliedtheiroarssovigorously，thathehadreachedtheOmahavillagejustfourdaysafterthedepartureofMr。Hunt。Fromthisplacehedespatchedthemessengerinquestion，trustingtohisovertakingthebargesastheytoiledupagainstthestream，andweredelayedbythewindingsoftheriver。ThepurportofhisletterwastoentreatMr。Hunttowaituntilhecouldcomeupwithhim，thattheymightunitetheirforcesandbeaprotectiontoeachotherintheirperilouscoursethroughthecountryoftheSioux。Infact，asitwasafterwardsascertained，LisawasapprehensivethatMr。HuntwoulddohimsomeillofficewiththeSiouxband，securinghisownpassagethroughtheircountrybypretendingthathe，withwhomtheywereaccustomedtotrade，wasonhiswaytothemwithaplentifulsupplyofgoods。Hefeared，too，thatCrooksandM’Lellanwouldtakethisopportunitytoretortuponhimtheperfidywhichtheyaccusedhimofhavingused，twoyearspreviously，amongtheseverySioux。Inthisrespect，however，hedidthemsignalinjustice。Therewasnosuchthingascourtdesignortreacheryintheirthought;butM’Lellan，whenheheardthatLisawasonhiswayuptheriver，renewedhisopenthreatofshootinghimthemomenthemethimonIndianland。
TherepresentationsmadebyCrooksandM’Lellanofthetreacherytheyhadexperienced，orfancied，onthepartofLisa，hadgreatweightwithMr。Hunt，especiallywhenherecollectedtheobstaclesthathadbeenthrowninhiswaybythatgentlemanatSt。Louis。Hedoubted，therefore，thefairdealingofLisa，andfearedthat，shouldtheyentertheSiouxcountrytogether，thelattermightmakeuseofhisinfluencewiththattribe，ashehadinthecaseofCrooksandM’Lellan，andinstigatethemtoopposehisprogressuptheriver。
Hesentback，therefore，ananswercalculatedtobeguileLisa，assuringhimthathewouldwaitforhimatthePoncasvillage，whichwasbutalittledistanceinadvance;but，nosoonerhadthemessengerdeparted，thanhepushedforwardwithalldiligence，barelystoppingatthevillagetoprocureasupplyofdriedbuffalomeat，andhastenedtoleavetheotherpartyasfarbehindaspossible，thinkingtherewaslesstobeapprehendedfromtheopenhostilityofIndianfoesthanfromthequietstrategyofanIndiantrader。
CHAPTERXVIII。
CampGossip-Deserters-Recruits-KentuckyHunters-AVeteranWoodman-TidingsofMr。Henry-DangerFromtheBlackfeet-
AlterationofPlans-SceneryoftheRiver-BuffaloRoads-IronOre-CountryoftheSioux-ALandofDanger-apprehensionsoftheVoyageurs-IndianScouts-ThreatenedHostilities-A
CouncilofWar-AnArrayofBattle-AParley-ThePipeofPeace-Speech-Making。
ITwasaboutnoonwhenthepartyleftthePoncasvillage，aboutaleaguebeyondwhichtheypassedthemouthoftheQuicourt，orRapidRiver(called，intheoriginalFrench，l’EauQuiCourt)。
Afterhavingproceededsomedistancefurther，theylanded，andencampedforthenight。Intheeveningcamp，thevoyageursgossiped，asusual，overtheeventsoftheday;andespeciallyoverintelligencepickedupamongthePoncas。TheseIndianshadconfirmedthepreviousreportsofthehostileintentionsoftheSioux，andhadassuredthemthatfivetribes，orbands，ofthatfiercenationwereactuallyassembledhigheruptheriver，andwaitingtocutthemoff。Thiseveninggossip，andtheterrificstoriesofIndianwarfaretowhichitgaverise，producedastrongeffectupontheimaginationoftheirresolute;andinthemorningitwasdiscoveredthatthetwomen，whohadjoinedthepartyattheOmahavillage，andbeensobounteouslyfittedout，haddesertedinthecourseofthenight，carryingwiththemalltheirequipments。Asitwasknownthatoneofthemcouldnotswim，itwashopedthatthebanksoftheQuicourtRiverwouldbringthemtoahalt。Ageneralpursuitwasthereforeinstituted，butwithoutsuccess。
Onthefollowingmorning(May26th)，astheywereallonshore，breakfastingononeofthebeautifulbanksoftheriver，theyobservedtwocanoesdescendingalongtheoppositeside。Bytheaidofspy-glasses，theyascertainedthatthereweretwowhitemeninoneofthecanoes，andoneintheother。Agunwasdischarged，whichcalledtheattentionofthevoyagers，whocrossedover。TheyprovedtobethethreeKentuckyhunters，ofthetrue“dreadnought“stamp。TheirnameswereEdwardRobinson，JohnHoback，andJacobRizner。Robinsonwasaveteranbackwoodsman，sixty-sixyearsofage。HehadbeenoneofthefirstsettlersofKentucky，andengagedinmanyoftheconflictsoftheIndianson“theBloodyGround。”Inoneofthesebattleshehadbeenscalped，andhestillworeahandkerchiefboundroundhisheadtoprotectthepart。Thesemenhadpassedseveralyearsintheupperwilderness。TheyhadbeenintheserviceoftheMissouriCompanyunderMr。Henry，andhadcrossedtheRockyMountainswithhimintheprecedingyear，whendrivenfromhispostontheMissouribythehostilitiesoftheBlackfeet。Aftercrossingthemountains，Mr。HenryhadestablishedhimselfononeoftheheadbranchesoftheColumbiaRiver。Theretheyhadremainedwithhimsomemonths，huntingandtrapping，until，havingsatisfiedtheirwanderingpropensities，theyfeltdisposedtoreturntothefamiliesandcomfortablehomeswhichtheyhadleftinKentucky。Theyhadaccordinglymadetheirwaybackacrossthemountains，anddowntherivers，andwereinfullcareerforSt。Louis，whenthussuddenlyinterrupted。Thesightofapowerfulpartyoftraders，trappers，hunters，andvoyageurs，wellarmedandequipped，furnishedatallpoints，inhighhealthandspirits，andbanquetinglustilyonthegreenmarginoftheriver，wasaspectacleequallystimulatingtotheseveteranbackwoodsmenwiththegloriousarrayofacampaigningarmytoanoldsoldier;
butwhentheylearnedthegrandscopeandextentoftheenterpriseinhand，itwasirresistible;homesandfamiliesandallthecharmsofgreenKentuckyvanishedfromtheirthoughts;
theycastloosetheircanoestodriftdownthestream，andjoyfullyenlistedinthebandofadventurers。Theyengagedonsimilartermswithsomeoftheotherhunters。Thecompanywastofitthemout，andkeepthemsuppliedwiththerequisiteequipmentsandmunitions，andtheyweretoyieldonehalfoftheproduceoftheirhuntingandtrapping。
Theadditionofthreesuchstaunchrecruitswasextremelyacceptableatthisdangerouspartoftheriver。Theknowledgeofthecountrywhichtheyhadacquired，also，intheirjourneysandhuntingexcursionsalongtheriversandamongtheRockyMountainswasallimportant;infact，theinformationderivedfromtheminducedMr。Hunttoalterhisfuturecourse。HehadhithertointendedtoproceedbytheroutetakenbyLewisandClarkeintheirfamousexploringexpedition，ascendingheMissouritoitsforks，andthencegoing，byland，acrossthemountains。Thesemeninformedhim，however，that，ontakingthatcoursehewouldhavetopassthroughthecountryinvestedbythesavagetribeoftheBlackfeet，andwouldbeexposedtotheirhostilities;theybeing，ashasalreadybeenobserved，exasperatedtodeadlyanimosityagainstthewhites，onaccountofthedeathofoneoftheirtribebythehandofCaptainLewis。Theyadvisedhimrathertopursuearoutemoretothesouthward，beingthesamebywhichtheyhadreturned。Thiswouldcarrythemoverthemountainsaboutwherethehead-watersofthePlatteandtheYellowstonetaketheirrise，ataplacemuchmoreeasyandpracticablethanthatwhereLewisandClarkehadcrossed。Inpursuingthiscourse，also，hewouldpassthroughacountryaboundingwithgame，wherehewouldhaveabetterchanceofprocuringaconstantsupplyofprovisionsthanbytheotherroute，andwouldrunlessriskofmolestationfromtheBlackfeet。Shouldheadoptthisadvice，itwouldbebetterforhimtoabandontheriverattheArickaratown，atwhichhewouldarriveinthecourseofafewdays。AstheIndiansatthattownpossessedhorsesinabundance，hemightpurchaseasufficientnumberofthemforhisgreatjourneyoverland，whichwouldcommenceatthatplace。
Afterreflectingonthisadvice，andconsultingwithhisassociates，Mr。Huntcametothedeterminationtofollowtheroutethuspointedout，towhichthehuntersengagedtopilothim。
ThepartycontinuedtheirvoyagewithdelightfulMayweather。Theprairiesborderingontheriverweregaylypaintedwithinnumerableflowers，exhibitingthemotleyconfusionofcolorsofaTurkeycarpet。Thebeautifulislands，also，onwhichtheyoccasionallyhalted，presentedtheappearanceofmingledgroveandgarden。Thetreeswereoftencoveredwithclamberinggrapevinesinblossom，whichperfumedtheair。Betweenthestatelymassesofthegrovesweregrassylawnsandglades，studdedwithflowers，orinterspersedwithrose-bushesinfullbloom。Theseislandswereoftentheresortofthebuffalo，theelk，andtheantelope，whohadmadeinnumerablepathsamongthetreesandthickets，whichhadtheeffectofthemazywalksandalleysofparksandshrubberies。Sometimes，wheretheriverpassedbetweenhighbanksandbluffs，theroadsmadebythetrampofbuffaloesformanyagesalongthefaceoftheheights，lookedlikesomanywell-travelledhighways。Atotherplacesthebankswerebandedwithgreatveinsofironore，laidbarebytheabrasionoftheriver。Atoneplacethecourseoftheriverwasnearlyinastraightlineforaboutfifteenmiles。Thebanksslopedgentlytoitsmargin，withoutasingletree，butborderedwithgrassandherbageofavividgreen。Alongeachbank，forthewholefifteenmiles，extendedastripe，onehundredyardsinbreadth，ofadeeprustybrown，indicatinganinexhaustiblebedofiron，throughthecenterofwhichtheMissourihadwornitsway。Indicationsofthecontinuanceofthisbedwereafterwardsobservedhigheruptheriver。Itis，infact，oneofthemineralmagazineswhichnaturehasprovidedintheheartofthisvastrealmoffertility，andwhich，inconnectionwiththeimmensebedsofcoalonthesameriver，seemgarneredupastheelementsofthefuturewealthandpowerofthemightyWest。
ThesightofthesemineraltreasuresgreatlyexcitedthecuriosityofMr。Bradbury，anditwastantalizingtohimtobecheckedinhisscientificresearches，andobligedtoforegohisusualramblesonshore;buttheywerenowenteringthefatedcountryoftheSiouxTetons，inwhichitwasdangeroustowanderaboutunguarded。
Thiscountryextendsforsomedays’journeyalongtheriver，andconsistsofvastprairies，hereandtherediversifiedbyswellinghills，andcutupbyravines，thechannelsofturbidstreamsintherainyseasons，butalmostdestituteofwaterduringtheheatsofsummer。Hereandthereonthesidesofthehills，oralongthealluvialbordersandbottomsoftheravines，aregrovesandskirtsofforest:butforthemostpartthecountrypresentedtotheeyeaboundlesswaste，coveredwithherbage，butwithouttrees。
Thesoilofthisimmenseregionisstronglyimpregnatedwithsulphur，copperas，alum，andglaubersalts;itsvariousearthsimpartadeeptingetothestreamswhichdrainit，andthese，withthecrumblingofthebanksalongtheMissouri，givetothewatersofthatrivermuchofthecoloringmatterwithwhichtheyareclouded。
OverthisvasttracttherovingbandsoftheSiouxTetonsholdtheirvagrantsway，subsistingbythechaseofthebuffalo，theelk，thedeer，andtheantelope，andwagingruthlesswarfarewithotherwanderingtribes。
Astheboatsmadetheirwayupthestreamborderedbythislandofdanger，manyoftheCanadianvoyageurs，whosefearshadbeenawakened，wouldregardwithadistrustfuleyetheboundlesswasteextendingoneachside。All，however，wassilent，andapparentlyuntenantedbyahumanbeing。Nowandthenaherdofdeerwouldbeseenfeedingtranquillyamongthefloweryherbage，oralineofbuffaloes，likeacaravanonitsmarch，movingacrossthedistantprofileoftheprairie。TheCanadians，however，begantoapprehendanambushineverythicket，andtoregardthebroad，tranquilplainasasailoreyessomeshallowandperfidioussea，which，thoughsmoothandsafetotheeye，concealsthelurkingrockortreacherousshoal。TheverynameofaSiouxbecameawatchwordofterror。Notanelk，awolf，oranyotheranimal，couldappearonthehills，buttheboatsresoundedwithexclamationsfromstemtostern。”voilalesSioux！voilalesSioux！“(therearetheSioux！therearetheSioux！)Wheneveritwaspracticable，thenightencampmentwasonsomeislandinthecenterofthestream。
Onthemorningofthe31stofMay，asthetravellerswerebreakfastingontherightbankoftheriver，theusualalarmwasgiven，butwithmorereason，astwoIndiansactuallymadetheirappearanceonabluffontheoppositeornorthernside，andharanguedtheminaloudvoice。Asitwasimpossibleatthatdistancetodistinguishwhattheysaid，Mr。Hunt，afterbreakfast，crossedtheriverwithPierreDorion，theinterpreter，andadvancedboldlytoconversewiththem，whiletherestremainedwatchinginmutesuspensethemovementsoftheparties。
AssoonasMr。Huntlanded，oneoftheIndiansdisappearedbehindthehill，butshortlyreappearedonhorseback，andwentscouringoffacrosstheheights。Mr。Huntheldsomeconferencewiththeremainingsavage，andthenrecrossedtherivertohisparty。
ThesetwoIndiansprovedtobespiesorscoutsofalargewarpartyencampedaboutaleagueoff，andnumberingtwohundredandeightylodges，oraboutsixhundredwarriors，ofthreedifferenttribesofSioux;theYangtonsAhna，theTetonsBois-brule，andtheTetonsMin-na-kine-azzo。Theyexpecteddailytobereinforcedbytwoothertribes，andhadbeenwaitingelevendaysforthearrivalofMr。Hunt’sparty，withadeterminationtoopposetheirprogressuptheriver;beingresolvedtopreventalltradeofthewhitemenwiththeirenemiestheArickaras，Mandans，andMinatarees。TheIndianwhohadgallopedoffonhorsebackhadgonetogivenoticeoftheapproachoftheparty，sothattheymightnowlookoutforsomefiercesceneswiththosepiraticalsavages，ofwhomtheyhadreceivedsomanyformidableaccounts。
Thepartybraceduptheirspiritstotheencounter，andreembarking，pulledresolutelyupthestream。Anislandforsometimeintervenedbetweenthemandtheoppositesideoftheriver;
butonclearingtheupperend，theycameinfullviewofthehostileshore。Therewasaridgeofhillsdownwhichthesavageswerepouringingreatnumbers，someonhorseback，andsomeonfoot。Reconnoiteringthemwiththeaidofglasses，theyperceivedthattheywereallinwarlikearray，paintedanddecoratedforbattle。Theirweaponswerebowsandarrows，andafewshortcarbines，andmostofthemhadroundshields。Altogethertheyhadawildandgallantappearance，and，takingpossessionofapointwhichcommandedtheriver，rangedthemselvesalongthebankasifpreparedtodisputetheirpassage。
Atsightofthisformidablefrontofwar，Mr。Huntandhiscompanionsheldcounseltogether。Itwasplainthattherumorstheyhadheardwerecorrect，andtheSiouxweredeterminedtoopposetheirprogressbyforceofarms。Toattempttoeludethemandcontinuealongtheriverwasoutofthequestion。Thestrengthofthemid-currentwastooviolenttobewithstood，andtheboatswereobligedtoascendalongtheriverbanks。Thesebankswereoftenhighandperpendicular，affordingthesavagesfrequentstations，fromwhence，safethemselves，andalmostunseen，theymightshowerdowntheirmissilesupontheboatsbelow，andretreatatwill，withoutdangerfrompursuit。Nothingapparentlyremained，therefore，buttofightorturnback。TheSiouxfaroutnumberedthem，itistrue，buttheirownpartywasaboutsixtystrong，wellarmedandsuppliedwithammunition;and，besidetheirgunsandrifles，theyhadaswivelandtwohowitzersmountedintheboats。ShouldtheysucceedinbreakingthisIndianforcebyonevigorousassault，itwaslikelytheywouldbedeterredfrommakinganyfutureattackofconsequence。Thefightingalternativewas，therefore，instantlyadopted，andtheboatspulledtoshorenearlyoppositetothehostileforce。Herethearmswereallexaminedandputinorder。Theswivelandhowitzerswerethenloadedwithpowderanddischarged，toletthesavagesknowbythereporthowformidablytheywereprovided。Thenoiseechoedalongtheshoresoftheriver，andmusthavestartledthewarriorswhowereonlyaccustomedtosharpreportsofrifles。Thesamepieceswerethenloadedwithasmanybulletsastheywouldprobablybear;afterwhichthewholepartyembarked，andpulledacrosstheriver。TheIndiansremainedwatchingtheminsilence，theirpaintedformsandvisagesglaringinthesun，andtheirfeathersflutteringinthebreeze。ThepoorCanadianseyedthemwithruefulglances，andnowandthenafearfulejaculationescapedthem。“Parbleu！thisisasadscrapewearein，brother！“onewouldmuttertothenextoarsman。“Aye，aye！“theotherwouldreply，“wearenotgoingtoawedding，myfriend！“
Whentheboatsarrivedwithinrifle-shot，thehuntersandotherfightingpersonagesonboardseizedtheirweapons，andpreparedforaction。Astheyrosetofire，aconfusiontookplaceamongthesavages。Theydisplayedtheirbuffalorobes，raisedthemwithbothhandsabovetheirheads，andthenspreadthembeforethemontheground。Atsightofthis，PierreDorioneagerlycriedouttothepartynottofire，asthismovementwasapeacefulsignal，andaninvitationtoaparley。Immediatelyaboutadozenoftheprincipalwarriors，separatingfromtherest，descendedtotheedgeoftheriver，lightedafire，seatedthemselvesinasemicircleroundit，and，displayingthecalumet，invitedthepartytoland。Mr。Huntnowcalledacouncilofthepartnersonboardofhisboat。Thequestionwas，whethertotrusttotheamicableoverturesoftheseferociouspeople？Itwasdeterminedintheaffirmative;for，otherwise，therewasnoalternativebuttofightthem。Themainbodyofthepartywereorderedtoremainonboardoftheboats，keepingwithinshotandpreparedtofireincaseofanysignsoftreachery;whileMr。Huntandtheotherpartners(M’Kenzie，Crooks，Miller，andM’Lellan)proceededtoland，accompaniedbytheinterpreterandMr。Bradbury。Thechiefs，whoawaitedthemonthemarginoftheriver，remainedseatedintheirsemicircle，withoutstirringalimbormovingamuscle，motionlessassomanystatues。Mr。Huntandhiscompanionsadvancedwithouthesitation，andtooktheirseatsonthesandsoastocompletethecircle。Thebandofwarriorswholinedthebanksabovestoodlookingdowninsilentgroupsandclusters，someostentatiouslyequippedanddecorated，othersentirelynakedbutfantasticallypainted，andallvariouslyarmed。
Thepipeofpeacewasnowbroughtforwardwithdueceremony。Thebowlwasofaspeciesofredstoneresemblingporphyry;thestemwassixfeetinlength，decoratedwithtuftsofhorse-hairdyedred。Thepipe-bearersteppedwithinthecircle，lightedthepipe，heldittowardsthesun，thentowardsthedifferentpointsofthecompass，afterwhichhehandedittotheprincipalchief。Thelattersmokedafewwhiffs，then，holdingtheheadofthepipeinhishand，offeredtheotherendtoMr。Hunt，andtoeachonesuccessivelyinthecircle。Whenallhadsmoked，itwasconsideredthatanassuranceofgoodfaithandamityhadbeeninterchanged。Mr。HuntnowmadeaspeechinFrench，whichwasinterpretedasheproceededbyPierreDorion。HeinformedtheSiouxoftherealobjectoftheexpeditionofhimselfandhiscompanions，whichwas，nottotradewithanyofthetribesuptheriver，buttocrossthemountainstothegreatsaltlakeinthewest，insearchofsomeoftheirbrothers，whomtheyhadnotseenforelevenmonths。ThathehadheardoftheintentionoftheSiouxtoopposehispassage，andwasprepared，astheymightsee，toeffectitatallhazards;nevertheless，hisfeelingstowardstheSiouxwerefriendly，inproofofwhichhehadbroughtthemapresentoftobaccoandcorn。Sosaying，heorderedaboutfifteencarottesoftobacco，andasmanybagsofcorn，tobebroughtfromtheboatandlaidinaheapnearthecouncilfire。
Thesightofthesepresentsmollifiedthechieftain，whohad，doubtless，beenpreviouslyrenderedconsideratebytheresoluteconductofthewhitemen，thejudiciousdispositionoftheirlittlearmament，thecompletenessoftheirequipments，andthecompactarrayofbattlewhichtheypresented。Hemadeaspeechinreply，inwhichhestatedtheobjectoftheirhostileassemblage，whichhadbeenmerelytopreventsuppliesofarmsandammunitionfromgoingtotheArickaras，Mandans，andMinatarees，withwhomtheywereatwar;butbeingnowconvincedthatthepartywerecarryingnosuppliesofthekind，butmerelyproceedinginquestoftheirbrothersbeyondthemountains，theywouldnotimpedethemintheirvoyage。Heconcludedbythankingthemfortheirpresent，andadvisingthemtoencampontheoppositesideoftheriver，ashehadsomeyoungmenamonghiswarriorsforwhosediscretionhecouldnotbeanswerable，andwhomightbetroublesome。
Hereendedtheconference:theyallarose，shookhands，andparted。Mr。Huntandhiscompanionsre-embarked，andtheboatsproceededontheircourseunmolested。
CHAPTERXIX。
TheGreatBendoftheMissouri-CrooksandM’LellanMeetWithTwoofTheirIndianOpponents-WantonOutrageofaWhiteMantheCauseofIndianHostility-DangersandPrecautions-AnIndianWarParty-DangerousSituationofMr。Hunt-AFriendlyEncampment-
FeastingandDancing-ApproachofManuelLisaandHisParty。A
GrimMeetingBetweenOldRivals-PierreDorioninaFury-A
Burstofchivalry。
ONtheafternoonofthefollowingday(June1st)theyarrivedatthegreatbend，wheretheriverwindsforaboutthirtymilesroundacircularpeninsula，theneckofwhichisnotabovetwothousandyardsacross。Onthesucceedingmorning，atanearlyhour，theydescriedtwoIndiansstandingonahighbankoftheriver，wavingandspreadingtheirbuffalorobesinsignsofamity。Theyimmediatelypulledtoshoreandlanded。Onapproachingthesavages，however，thelattershowedevidentsymptomsofalarm，spreadingouttheirarmshorizontally，accordingtotheirmodeofsupplicatingclemency。Thereasonwassoonexplained。TheyprovedtobetwochiefsoftheverywarpartythathadbroughtMessrs。CrooksandM’Lellantoastandtwoyearsbefore，andobligedthemtoescapedowntheriver。Theyrantoembracethesegentlemen，asifdelightedtomeetwiththem;
yettheyevidentlyfearedsomeretaliationoftheirpastmisconduct，norweretheyquiteateaseuntilthepipeofpeacehadbeensmoked。
Mr。Hunthavingbeeninformedthatthetribetowhichthesemenbelongedhadkilledthreewhitemenduringtheprecedingsummer，reproachedthemwiththecrime，anddemandedtheirreasonsforsuchsavagehostility。“Wekillwhitemen。”repliedoneofthechiefs，“becausewhitemenkillus。Thatveryman。”addedhe，pointingtoCarson，oneofthenewrecruits，“killedoneofourbrotherslastsummer。Thethreewhitemenwereslaintoavengehisdeath。”
Theirchiefwascorrectinhisreply。Carsonadmittedthat，beingwithapartyofArickarasonthebanksoftheMissouri，andseeingawarpartyofSiouxontheoppositeside，hehadfiredwithhisrifleacross。Itwasarandomshot，madewithoutmuchexpectationofeffect，fortheriverwasfullhalfamileinbreadth。UnluckilyitbroughtdownaSiouxwarrior，forwhosewantondestructionthreefoldvengeancehadbeentaken，ashasbeenstated。Inthiswayoutragesarefrequentlycommittedonthenativesbythoughtlessormischievouswhitemen;theIndiansretaliateaccordingtoalawoftheircode，whichrequiresbloodforblood;theiract，ofwhatwiththemispiousvengeance，resoundsthroughouttheland，andisrepresentedaswantonandunprovoked;theneighborhoodisrousedtoarms;awarensues，whichendsinthedestructionofhalfthetribe，theruinoftherest，andtheirexpulsionfromtheirhereditaryhomes。SuchistoooftentherealhistoryofIndianwarfare，whichingeneralistraceduponlytosomevindictiveactofasavage;whiletheoutrageofthescoundrelwhitemanthatprovokeditissunkinsilence。
Thetwochiefs，havingsmokedtheirpipeofpeaceandreceivedafewpresents，departedwellsatisfied。Inalittlewhiletwoothersappearedonhorseback，androdeupabreastoftheboats。
Theyhadseenthepresentsgiventotheircomrades，butweredissatisfiedwiththem，andcameaftertheboatstoaskformore。
Beingsomewhatperemptoryandinsolentintheirdemands，Mr。Huntgavethemaflatrefusal，andthreatened，iftheyoranyoftheirtribesfollowedhimwithsimilardemands，totreatthemasenemies。Theyturnedandrodeoffinafuriouspassion。Ashewasignorantwhatforcethesechiefsmighthavebehindthehills，andasitwasverypossibletheymighttakeadvantageofsomepassoftherivertoattacktheboats，Mr。Huntcalledallstragglersonboardandpreparedforsuchemergency。ItwasagreedthatthelargeboatcommandedbyMr。Huntshouldascendalongthenortheastsideoftheriver，andthethreesmallerboatsalongthesouthside。Bythisarrangementeachpartywouldcommandaviewoftheoppositeheightsabovetheheadsandoutofsightoftheircompanions，andcouldgivethealarmshouldtheyperceiveanyIndianslurkingthere。Thesignalofalarmwastobetwoshotsfiredinquicksuccession。
Theboatsproceededforthegreaterpartofthedaywithoutseeinganysignsofanenemy。Aboutfouro’clockintheafternoonthelargeboat，commandedbyMr。Hunt，cametowheretheriverwasdividedbyalongsand-bar，whichapparently，however，leftasufficientchannelbetweenitandtheshorealongwhichtheywereadvancing。Hekeptupthischannel，therefore，forsomedistance，untilthewaterprovedtooshallowfortheboat。Itwasnecessary，therefore，toputabout，returndownthechannel，andpullroundthelowerendofthesand-barintothemainstream。
Justashehadgivenorderstothiseffecttohismen，twosignalgunswerefiredfromtheboatsontheoppositesideoftheriver。
Atthesamemoment，afileofsavagewarriorswasobservedpouringdownfromtheimpendingbank，andgatheringontheshoreatthelowerendofthebar。Theywereevidentlyawarparty，beingarmedwithbowsandarrows，battleclubsandcarbines，androundbucklersofbuffalohide，andtheirnakedbodieswerepaintedwithblackandwhitestripes。Thenaturalinferencewas，thattheybelongedtothetwotribesofSiouxwhichhadbeenexpectedbythegreatwarparty，andthattheyhadbeenincitedtohostilitybythetwochiefswhohadbeenenragedbytherefusalandthemenaceofMr。Hunt。Herethenwasafearfulpredicament。Mr。Huntandhiscrewseemedcaught，asitwere，inatrap。TheIndians，toanumberofaboutahundred，hadalreadytakenpossessionofapointnearwhichtheboatwouldhavetopass:otherskeptpouringdownthebank，anditwasprobablethatsomewouldremainpostedonthetopoftheheight。
ThehazardoussituationofMr。Huntwasperceivedbythoseintheotherboats，andtheyhastenedtohisassistance。Theywereatsomedistanceabovethesand-bar，however，andontheoppositesideoftheriver，andsaw，withintenseanxiety，thenumberofsavagescontinuallyaugmenting，atthelowerendofthechannel，sothattheboatwouldbeexposedtoafearfulattackbeforetheycouldrenderitanyassistance。Theiranxietyincreased，astheysawMr。Huntandhispartydescendingthechannelanddauntlesslyapproachingthepointofdanger;butitsuddenlychangedintosurpriseonbeholdingtheboatpassclosebythesavagehordeunmolested，andsteeroutsafelyintothebroadriver。
Thenextmomentthewholebandofwarriorswasinmotion。Theyranalongthebankuntiltheywereoppositetotheboats，thenthrowingbytheirweaponsandbuffalorobes，plungedintotheriver，wadedandswamofftotheboatsandsurroundedthemincrowds，seekingtoshakehandswitheveryindividualonboard;
fortheIndianshavelongsincefoundthistobethewhiteman’stokenofamity，andtheycarriedittoanextreme。
Alluneasinesswasnowatanend。TheIndiansprovedtobeawarpartyofArickaras，Mandans，andMinatarees，consistingofthreehundredwarriors，andboundonaforayagainsttheSioux。Theirwarplanswereabandonedforthepresent，andtheydeterminedtoreturntotheArickaratown，wheretheyhopedtoobtainfromthewhitemenarmsandammunitionthatwouldenablethemtotakethefieldwithadvantageovertheirenemies。
Theboatsnowsoughtthefirstconvenientplaceforencamping。
Thetentswerepitched;thewarriorsfixedtheircampataboutahundredyardsdistant;provisionswerefurnishedfromtheboatssufficientforallparties;therewasheartythoughrudefeastinginbothcamps，andintheeveningtheredwarriorsentertainedtheirwhitefriendswithdancesandsongs，thatlasteduntilaftermidnight。
Onthefollowingmorning(July3)thetravellersre-embarked，andtookatemporaryleaveoftheirIndianfriends，whointendedtoproceedimmediatelyfortheArickaratown，wheretheyexpectedtoarriveinthreedays，longbeforetheboatscouldreachthere。
Mr。Hunthadnotproceededfarbeforethechiefcamegallopingalongtheshoreandmadesignsforaparley。Hesaid，hispeoplecouldnotgohomesatisfiedunlesstheyhadsomethingtotakewiththemtoprovethattheyhadmetwiththewhitemen。Mr。Huntunderstoodthedriftofthespeech，andmadethechiefapresentofacaskofpowder，abagofballs，andthreedozenofknives，withwhichhewashighlypleased。WhilethechiefwasreceivingthesepresentsanIndiancamerunningalongtheshore，andannouncedthataboat，filledwithwhitemen，wascominguptheriver。ThiswasbynomeansagreeabletidingstoMr。Hunt，whocorrectlyconcludedittobetheboatofMr。ManuelLisa;andhewasvexedtofindthatalertandadventuroustraderuponhisheels，whomhehopedtohaveout-maneuvered，andleftfarbehind。
Lisa，however，wastoomuchexperiencedinthewilesofIndiantradetobelulledbythepromiseofwaitingforhimatthePoncasvillage;onthecontrary，hehadallowedhimselfnorepose，andhadstrainedeverynervetoovertaketherivalparty，andavailinghimselfofthemoonlight，hadevensailedduringaconsiderablepartofthenight。InthishewaspartlypromptedbyhisapprehensionsoftheSioux，havingmetaboatwhichhadprobablypassedMr。Hunt’spartyinthenight，andwhichhadbeenfiredintobythesesavages。
OnhearingthatLisawassonearathand，Mr。Huntperceivedthatitwasuselesstoattemptanylongertoevadehim;afterproceedingafewmilesfurther，therefore，hecametoahaltandwaitedforhimtocomeup。InalittlewhilethebargeofLisamadeitsappearance。Itcamesweepinggentlyuptheriver，mannedbyitstwentystoutoarsmen，andarmedbyaswivelmountedatthebow。Thewholenumberonboardamountedtotwenty-sixmen:amongwhomwasMr。HenryBreckenridge，thenayoung，enterprisingman;
whowasamerepassenger，temptedbynotionsofcuriositytoaccompanyMr。Lisa。Hehassincemadehimselfknownbyvariouswritings，amongwhichmaybenotedanarrativeofthisveryvoyage。
TheapproachofLisa，whileitwasregardedwithuneasinessbyMr。Hunt，rousedtheireofM’Lellan;who，callingtomindoldgrievances，begantolookroundforhisrifle，asifhereallyintendedtocarryhisthreatintoexecutionandshoothimonthespot;anditwaswithsomedifficultythatMr。Huntwasenabledtorestrainhisire，andpreventasceneofoutragedconfusion。
Themeetingbetweenthetwoleaders，thusmutuallydistrustful，couldnotbeverycordial:andastoMessrs。CrooksandM’Lellan，thoughtheyrefrainedfromanyoutbreak，yettheyregardedingrimdefiancetheiroldrivalandunderplotter。IntruthageneraldistrustprevailedthroughoutthepartyconcerningLisaandhisintentions。Theyconsideredhimartfulandslippery，andsecretlyanxiousforthefailureoftheirexpedition。TherebeingnownothingmoretobeapprehendedfromtheSioux，theysuspectedthatLisawouldtakeadvantageofhistwenty-oaredbargetoleavethemandgetfirstamongtheArickaras。Ashehadtradedwiththosepeopleandpossessedgreatinfluenceoverthem，itwasfearedhemightmakeuseofittoimpedethebusinessofMr。Huntandhisparty。Itwasresolved，therefore，tokeepasharplook-
outuponhismovements;andM’Lellansworethatifhesawtheleastsignoftreacheryonhispart，hewouldinstantlyputhisoldthreatintoexecution。
Notwithstandingthesesecretjealousiesandheart-burnings，thetwopartiesmaintainedanoutwardappearanceofcivility，andfortwodayscontinuedforwardincompanywithsomedegreeofharmony。Onthethirdday，however，anexplosiontookplace，anditwasproducedbynolessapersonagethanPierreDorion，thehalf-breedinterpreter。ItwillberecollectedthatthisworthyhadbeenobligedtostealamarchfromSt。Louis，toavoidbeingarrestedforanoldwhiskeydebtwhichheowedtotheMissouriFurCompany，andbywhichMr。LisahadhopedtopreventhisenlistinginMr。Hunt’sexpedition。Dorion，sincethearrivalofLisa，hadkeptaloofandregardedhimwithasullenanddoggedaspect。OnthefifthofJulythetwopartieswerebroughttoahaltbyaheavyrain，andremainedencampedaboutahundredyardsapart。InthecourseofthedayLisaundertooktotamperwiththefaithofPierreDorion，and，invitinghimonboardofhisboat，regaledhimwithhisfavoritewhiskey。Whenhethoughthimsufficientlymellowed，heproposedtohimtoquittheserviceofhisnewemployersandreturntohisoldallegiance。Findinghimnottobemovedbysoftwords，hecalledtomindhisolddebttothecompany，andthreatenedtocarryhimoffbyforce，inpaymentofit。ThementionofthisdebtalwaysstirredupthegallofPierreDorion，bringingwithittheremembranceofthewhiskeyextortion。AviolentquarrelarosebetweenhimandLisa，andhelefttheboatinhighdudgeon。HisfirststepwastorepairtothetentofMr。Huntandrevealtheattemptthathadbeenmadetoshakehisfaith。WhilehewasyettalkingLisaenteredthetent，underthepretextofcomingtoborrowatowingline。HighwordsinstantlyensuedbetweenhimandDorion，whichendedbythehalf-
breed’sdealinghimablow。Aquarrelinthe“Indiancountry“，however，isnottobesettledwithfisticuffs。Lisaimmediatelyrushedtohisboatforaweapon。DorionsnatchedupapairofpistolsbelongingtoMr。Hunt，andplacedhimselfinbattlearray。Thenoisehadrousedthecamp，andeveryonepressedtoknowthecause。Lisanowreappeareduponthefieldwithaknifestuckinhisgirdle。Mr。Breckenridge，whohadtriedinvaintomollifyhisire，accompaniedhimtothesceneofaction。PierreDorion’spistolsgavehimtheadvantage，andhemaintainedamostwarlikeattitude。Inthemeantime，CrooksandM’Lellanhadlearntthecauseoftheaffray，andwereeacheagertotakethequarrelintotheirownhands。Asceneofuproarandhubbubensuedthatdefiesdescription。M’Lellanwouldhavebroughthisrifleintoplayandsettledalloldandnewgrudgesbyapullofthetrigger，hadhenotbeenrestrainedbyMr。Hunt。Thatgentlemanactedasmoderator，endeavoringtopreventageneralmelee;inthemidstofthebrawl，however，anexpressionwasmadeuseofbyLisaderogatorytohisownhonor。InaninstantthetranquilspiritofMr。Huntwasinaflame。Henowbecameaseagerforthefightasanyoneontheground，andchallengedLisatosettlethedisputeonthespotwithpistols。Lisarepairedtohisboattoarmhimselfforthedeadlyfeud。HewasfollowedbyMessrs。
BradburyandBreckenridge，who，novicesinIndianlifeandthe“chivalry“ofthefrontier，hadnorelishforscenesofbloodandbrawl。Bytheirearnestmediationthequarrelwasbroughttoaclosewithoutbloodshed;butthetwoleadersoftherivalcampsseparatedinanger，andallpersonalintercourseceasedbetweenthem。
CHAPTERXX。
FeaturesoftheWilderness-HerdsofBuffalo-Antelopes-TheirVarietiesandHabits-JohnDay-HisHuntingStrategy-InterviewwithThreeArickaras-NegotiationsBetweentheRivalParties-
TheLeft-HandedandtheBigMan，twoArickaraChiefs-ArickaraVillage-ItsInhabitants-CeremonialsonLanding-ACouncilLodge-GrandConference-SpeechofLisa-NegotiationforHorses-ShrewdSuggestionofGrayEyes，anArickaraChief-
EncampmentoftheTradingParties。
THErivalpartiesnowcoastedalongtheoppositesidesoftheriver，withinsightofeachother;thebargesofMr。Huntalwayskeepingsomedistanceintheadvance，lestLisashouldpushonandgetfirsttotheArickaravillage。Thesceneryandobjects，astheyproceeded，gaveevidencethattheywereadvancingdeeperanddeeperintothedomainsofsavagenature。Boundlesswasteskeptextendingtotheeye，moreandmoreanimatedbyherdsofbuffalo。Sometimestheseunwieldyanimalswereseenmovinginlongprocessionacrossthesilentlandscape;atothertimestheywerescatteredabout，singlyoringroups，onthebroad，enameledprairiesandgreenacclivities，somecroppingtherichpasturage，othersrecliningamidstthefloweryherbage;thewholescenerealizinginamannertheoldScripturaldescriptionsofthevastpastoralcountriesoftheOrient，with“cattleuponathousandhills。”
Atoneplacetheshoresseemedabsolutelylinedwithbuffaloes;
manyweremakingtheirwayacrossthestream，snorting，andblowing，andfloundering。Numbers，inspiteofeveryeffort，werebornebytherapidcurrentwithinshotoftheboats，andseveralwerekilled。Atanotherplaceanumberweredescriedonthebeachofasmallisland，undertheshadeofthetrees，orstandinginthewater，likecattle，toavoidthefliesandtheheatoftheday。
Severalofthebestmarksmenstationedthemselvesinthebowofabargewhichadvancedslowlyandsilently，stemmingthecurrentwiththeaidofabroadsailandafairbreeze。Thebuffaloesstoodgazingquietlyatthebargeasitapproached，perfectlyunconsciousoftheirdanger。Thefattestoftheherdwasselectedbythehunters，whoallfiredtogetherandbroughtdowntheirvictim。
Besidesthebuffaloestheysawabundanceofdeer，andfrequentgangsofstatelyelks，togetherwithlighttroopsofsprightlyantelopes，thefleetestandmostbeautifulinhabitantsoftheprairies。
Therearetwokindsofantelopesintheseregions，onenearlythesizeofthecommondeer，theothernotmuchlargerthanagoat。
Theircolorisalightgray，orratherdun，slightlyspottedwithwhite;andtheyhavesmallhornslikethoseofthedeer，whichtheynevershed。Nothingcansurpassthedelicateandelegantfinishoftheirlimbs，inwhichlightness，elasticity，andstrengtharewonderfullycombined。Alltheattitudesandmovementsofthisbeautifulanimalaregracefulandpicturesque;
anditisaltogetherasfitasubjectforthefancifulusesofthepoetastheoft-sunggazelleoftheEast。
Theirhabitsareshyandcapricious;theykeepontheopenplains，arequicktotakethealarm，andboundawaywithafleetnessthatdefiespursuit。Whenthusskimmingacrossaprairieintheautumn，theirlightgrayorduncolorblendswiththehueofthewitheredherbage，theswiftnessoftheirmotionbafflestheeye，andtheyalmostseemunsubstantialforms，drivenlikegossamerbeforethewind。
Whiletheythuskeeptotheopenplainandtrusttotheirspeed，theyaresafe;buttheyhaveaprurientcuriositythatsometimesbetraysthemtotheirruin。Whentheyhavescudforsomedistanceandlefttheirpursuerbehind，theywillsuddenlystopandturntogazeattheobjectoftheiralarm。Ifthepursuitisnotfolloweduptheywill，afteratime，yieldtotheirinquisitivehankering，andreturntotheplacefromwhencetheyhavebeenfrightened。
JohnDay，theveteranhunteralreadymentioned，displayedhisexperienceandskillinentrappingoneofthesebeautifulanimals。Takingadvantageofitswellknowncuriosity，helaiddownflatamongthegrass，andputtinghishandkerchiefontheendofhisramrod，waveditgentlyintheair。Thishadtheeffectofthefabledfascinationoftherattlesnake。Theantelopeapproachedtimidly，pausingandreconnoiteringwithincreasedcuriosity;movingroundthepointofattractioninacircle，butstilldrawingnearerandnearer，untilbeingwithinrangeofthedeadlyrifle，hefellavictimtohiscuriosity。
Onthe10thofJune，asthepartyweremakingbriskprogresswithafinebreeze，theymetacanoewiththreeIndiansdescendingtheriver。Theycametoaparley，andbroughtnewsfromtheArickaravillage。Thewarparty，whichhadcausedsuchalarmatthesand-
bar，hadreachedthevillagesomedayspreviously，announcedtheapproachofapartyoftraders，anddisplayedwithgreatostentationthepresentstheyhadreceivedfromthem。OnfurtherconversationwiththesethreeIndians，Mr。Huntlearnttherealdangerwhichhehadrun，whenhemmedupwithinthesand-bar。TheMandanswhowereofthewarparty，whentheysawtheboatsocompletelyentrappedandapparentlywithintheirpower，hadbeeneagerforattackingit，andsecuringsorichaprize。TheMinatarees，also，werenothingloath，feelinginsomemeasurecommittedinhostilitytothewhites，inconsequenceoftheirtribehavingkilledtwowhitemenabovethefortoftheMissouriFurCompany。Fortunately，theArickaras，whoformedthemajorityofthewarparty，provedtrueintheirfriendshiptothewhites，andpreventedanyhostileact，otherwiseabloodyaffray，andperhapsahorriblemassacremighthaveensued。
Onthe11thofJune，Mr。HuntandhiscompanionsencampednearanislandaboutsixmilesbelowtheArickaravillage。Mr。Lisaencamped，asusual，atnogreatdistance;butthesamesullenjealousreserveandnon-intercoursecontinuedbetweenthem。
Shortlyafterpitchingthetents，Mr。Breckenridgemadehisappearanceasanambassadorfromtherivalcamp。Hecameonbehalfofhiscompanions，toarrangethemannerofmakingtheirentranceintothevillageandofreceivingthechiefs;foreverythingofthekindisamatterofgraveceremonialamongtheIndians。
ThepartnersnowexpressedfranklytheirdeepdistrustoftheintentionsofMr。Lisa，andtheirapprehensions，that，outofthejealousyoftrade，andresentmentofrecentdisputes，hemightseektoinstigatetheArickarasagainstthem。Mr。Breckenridgeassuredthemthattheirsuspicionswereentirelygroundless，andpledgedhimselfthatnothingofthekindshouldtakeplace。Hefounditdifficult，however，toremovetheirdistrust;theconference，therefore，endedwithoutproducinganycordialunderstanding;andM’LellanrecurredtohisoldthreatofshootingLisatheinstanthediscoveredanythingliketreacheryinhisproceedings。
Thatnighttherainfellintorrents，accompaniedbythunderandlightning。Thecampwasdeluged，andthebeddingandbaggagedrenched。Allhandsembarkedatanearlyhour，andsetforwardforthevillage。Aboutnineo’clock，whenhalfway，theymetacanoe，onboardofwhichweretwoArickaradignitaries。One，afine-lookingman，muchabovethecommonsize，washereditarychiefofthevillage;hewascalledtheLeft-handed，onaccountofapersonalpeculiarity。Theother，aferocious-lookingsavage，wasthewarchief，orgeneralissimo;hewasknownbythenameoftheBigMan，anappellationhewelldeservedfromhissize，forhewasofagiganticframe。Bothwereoffairercomplexionthanisusualwithsavages。
Theywereaccompaniedbyaninterpreter;aFrenchcreole，oneofthosehaphazardwightsofGallicoriginwhoabounduponourfrontiers，livingamongtheIndianslikeoneoftheirownrace。
HehadbeentwentyyearsamongtheArickaras，hadasquawandtroopofpiebaldchildren，andofficiatedasinterpretertothechiefs。ThroughthisworthyorganthetwodignitariessignifiedtoMr。Hunttheirsovereignintentiontoopposethefurtherprogressoftheexpeditionuptheriverunlessaboatwerelefttotradewiththem。Mr。Hunt，inreply，explainedtheobjectofhisvoyage，andhisintentionofdebarkingattheirvillageandproceedingthencebyland;andthathewouldwillinglytradewiththemforasupplyofhorsesforhisjourney。Withthisexplanationtheywereperfectlysatisfied，andputtingabout，steeredfortheirvillagetomakepreparationsforthereceptionofthestrangers。
ThevillageoftheRikaras，Arickaras，orRicarees，forthenameisthusvariouslywritten，isbetweenthe46thand47thparallelsofnorthlatitude，andfourteenhundredandthirtymilesabovethemouthoftheMissouri。Thepartyreacheditaboutteno’clockinthemorning，butlandedontheoppositesideoftheriver，wheretheyspreadouttheirbaggageandeffectstodry。Fromhencetheycommandedanexcellentviewofthevillage。Itwasdividedintotwoportions，abouteightyyardsapart，beinginhabitedbytwodistinctbands。Thewholeextendedaboutthree-
quartersofamilealongtheriverbank，andwascomposedofconicallodges，thatlookedlikesomanysmallhillocks，beingwoodenframesintertwinedwithosier，andcoveredwithearth。Theplainbeyondthevillagesweptupintohillsofconsiderableheight，butthewholecountrywasnearlydestituteoftrees。
Whiletheywereregardingthevillage，theybeheldasingularfleetcomingdowntheriver。Itconsistedofanumberofcanoes，eachmadeofasinglebuffalohidestretchedonsticks，soastoformakindofcirculartrough。Eachonewasnavigatedbyasinglesquaw，whokneltinthebottomandpaddled;towingafterherfrailbarkabundleoffloatingwoodintendedforfiring。
ThiskindofcanoeisinfrequentuseamongtheIndians;thebuffalohidebeingreadilymadeupintoabundleandtransportedonhorseback;itisveryserviceableinconveyingbaggageacrosstherivers。
Thegreatnumberofhorsesgrazingaroundthevillage，andscatteredovertheneighboringhillsandvalleys，bespoketheequestrianhabitoftheArickaras，whoareadmirablehorsemen。
Indeed，inthenumberofhishorsesconsiststhewealthofanIndianoftheprairies;whoresemblesanArabinhispassionforthisnobleanimal，andinhisadroitnessinthemanagementofit。
Afteratime，thevoiceofthesovereignchief，“theLeft-
handed。”washeardacrosstheriver，announcingthatthecouncillodgewaspreparing，andinvitingthewhitementocomeover。Theriverwashalfamileinwidth，yeteverywordutteredbythechieftainwasheard;thismaybepartlyattributedtothedistinctmannerinwhicheverysyllableofthecompoundwordsintheIndianlanguageisarticulatedandaccented;butintruth，asavagewarriormightoftenrivalAchilleshimselfforforceoflungs。*(*Bradbury，p。110。)
Nowcamethedelicatepointofmanagement-howthetworivalpartiesweretoconducttheirvisittothevillagewithpropercircumspectionandduedecorum。Neitheroftheleadershadspokentoeachothersincetheirquarrel。Allcommunicationhadbeenbyambassadors。SeeingthejealousyentertainedofLisa，Mr。
Breckenridge，inhisnegotiation，hadarrangedthatadeputationfromeachpartyshouldcrosstheriveratthesametime，sothatneitherwouldhavethefirstaccesstotheearoftheArickaras。
ThedistrustofLisa，however，hadincreasedinproportionastheyapproachedthesphereofaction;andM’Lellan，inparticular，keptavigilanteyeuponhismotions，swearingtoshoothimifheattemptedtocrosstheriverfirst。
Abouttwoo’clockthelargeboatofMr。Huntwasmanned，andhesteppedonboard，accompaniedbyMessrs。M’KenzieandM’Lellan;
Lisaatthesametimeembarkedinhisbarge;thetwodeputationsamountedinalltofourteenpersons，andneverwasanymovementofrivalpotentatesconductedwithmorewaryexactness。
Theylandedamidstarabblecrowd，andwerereceivedonthebankbytheleft-handedchief，whoconductedthemintothevillagewithgravecourtesy;drivingtotherightandlefttheswarmsofoldsquaws，imp-likeboys，andvagabonddogs，withwhichtheplaceabounded。Theywoundtheirwaybetweenthecabins，whichlookedlikedirt-heapshuddledtogetherwithoutanyplan，andsurroundedbyoldpalisades;allfilthyintheextreme，andredolentofvillainoussmells。
Atlengththeyarrivedatthecouncillodge。Itwassomewhatspacious，andformedoffourforkedtrunksoftreesplacedupright，supportingcross-beamsandaframeofpolesinterwovenwithosiers，andthewholecoveredwithearth。Aholesunkeninthecenterformedthefireplace，andimmediatelyabovewasacircularholeintheapexofthelodge，toletoutthesmokeandletinthedaylight。Aroundthelodgewererecessesforsleeping，liketheberthsonboardships，screenedfromviewbycurtainsofdressedskins。Attheupperendofthelodgewasakindofhuntingandwarliketrophy，consistingoftwobuffaloheadsgarishlypainted，surmountedbyshields，bows，quiversofarrows，andotherweapons。
Onenteringthelodgethechiefpointedtomatsorcushionswhichhadbeenplacedaroundforthestrangers，andonwhichtheyseatedthemselves，whileheplacedhimselfonakindofstool。Anoldmanthencameforwardwiththepipeofpeaceorgood-
fellowship，lightedandhandedittothechief，andthenfallingback，squattedhimselfnearthedoor。Thepipewaspassedfrommouthtomouth，eachonetakingawhiff，whichisequivalenttotheinviolablepledgeoffaith，oftakingsalttogetheramongtheancientBritons。Thechiefthenmadeasigntotheoldpipe-
bearer，whoseemedtofill，likewise，thestationofherald，seneschal，andpubliccrier，forheascendedtothetopofthelodgetomakeproclamation。Herehetookhispostbesidetheaperturefortheemissionofsmokeandtheadmissionoflight;
thechiefdictatedfromwithinwhathewastoproclaim，andhebawleditforthwithaforceoflungsthatresoundedoverallthevillage。Inthiswayhesummonedthewarriorsandgreatmentocouncil;everynowandthenreportingprogresstohischiefthroughtheholeintheroof。
Inalittlewhilethebravesandsagesbegantoenteronebyone，astheirnameswerecalledorannounced，emergingfromunderthebuffalorobesuspendedovertheentranceinsteadofadoor，stalkingacrossthelodgetotheskinsplacedonthefloor，andcrouchingdownontheminsilence。Inthiswaytwentyenteredandtooktheirseats，forminganassemblageworthyofthepencil:fortheArickarasareanobleraceofmen，largeandwellformed，andmaintainasavagegrandeurandgravityofdemeanorintheirsolemnceremonials。
