BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

HE MISSOURI JOURNAL 303
AmeI'lcans, below the Mandan village, to whom he is engaged.
Being unwilling to leave the Hudson's Bay man here alone to
get the whole trade of this village, I got the horses unloaded
and made a small equipment of goods which I gave in charge
to Mr. McKenzie.
Left Morrison with Mr. McKenzie in the best lodge we could 25th.
find, and proceeded to the Mandan villages with the remainder He meets
of the goods-excepting an equipment destined for the upper w t i.thLCa p .alil
eWlS.
village of the Big Bellys-On the road thither, met with Captain
Lewis, chief of the American party-with Jussiaume and
Charbonneau-; had about a quarter of an hour's conversation
with him, during which he invited me to his house and appeared
very friendly.
Arrived at the :Mandan village at 3 P. M., entered the lodge
of the Black Cat, the chief of the village, sent for the "Grand,"
the chief of the other Mandan village, gave them both a chief's
clothing and explained to them the motive of my coming &c.gave
a pipe of tobacco to all the grown men as usual; sent
Azure and McKay with the Grand on the other side of the river
with an equipment of goods in charge of Azure.
Lafrance traded 350 skins in wolves in lritts from the Indians 26th.
of this village, he being the person to whom I gave this outfit
in charge. The Indians appeared to be of a very thievish disposition.
Went over to see Azure, and what trade he had, which was 27th.
about 250 plues. Returned to the Black Cat's. Captain Lewis
returned from above and stopped at the lodge.-Spoke to Charbonneau
about helping as interpreter in the trade to the Big­
Bellies; he told me that, being engaged to the Americans,
he could not come without leave from Captain Lewis, and
desired me to speak to him, which I did. Capt. Lewis told me
that, as he had no business for Charbonneau but at times
during the winter, he had no objections to his helping me upon