BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

346
CHARLES MACKENZIE
adopted Mr. La Rocque as Father and promised to respect and
consider him as such for ever after.
Les Gros Ventres made the Corbea11x (for so the Rocky Moun·
tain tribe was called) smol,e the pipe of friendship, and, at the
same time, laid before them a present consisting of two hundred
guns, with one hundred rounds of ammunition for each,
a hundred bushels or indian corn, a certain quantity of mercantile
articles, such as kettles, axes, clothes, NC. The em'beaux
ill return brought two hundred and fifty horses, large parcds
of buffaloes robes, leather leggins, shirts, NC.,· NC.
This exchange of trading civilities took place dancing; when
the dancing was over, the presents were distributed among the
individuals in proportion to the value of the articles respectively
furnished; this dance therefore is a rule of traffic. The Mandane
villages exchanged similar civilities with the same tribe.
It is incredible the great quantity of merchandise which the
Missouri Indians have accumulated by intercourse with Indians
that visit them from the vicinity of commercial establishments.
I traded a few things with the Corbea1lx. Their beaver skins
were badly dressed and split upon the back, in place of on the
belly, a proof that they were not much acquainted with the
importance of that favorite article or eommerce. Afraid to ask
too small a price, they seemed averse from dealing with n1f', for
they would have a white man pay four times the value of a
thing, or often let him go without.
When I he Corbeaux ludians were on the eve of departll reo the
Borgne Chief sent word to Mr. Laroeque to make ready, and join
them. He immediately began to arrange his things for the
journey. The Gros Ventres, perceiving the intention of the preparations,
crowded into our qnarters and threatened MI". La
Rocque with their displeasure should he persist in his desigll.
At this moment the Great Chief entered with a battle axe in his
hand. Staring around him ,,,ilh an imperious air, he ashd, in