BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

THE MISSISSOURI INDIANS 377
"at you" was his answer. He told me he intended putting his
horse, his gun, a fathom of cloth, 100 balls and powder and a
large axe upon his pipe.
At night Rattle Snake and his young men became rather
anxious and questioned me about what I would do if we were
to meet with enemies, or be attacked by the Shawyens; I told
them that if we met enemies, I would follow their example, as
to the Shawyens there was no danger. "But we have 110
" ammunition, said the chief, will you give us some in case we
" should see enemies." "By all means," said I, "when I see
" danger." " You will better give each of us some now" said
the chief; I refused. "Well," said he, "you shall turn back
" to-morrow with some of the others who are going back." I told
them that I would not, even were the whole of them to turn
back; that I would follow the Shawyens.
They all said the white man was a fool, and became very
troublesome, asking for vermillon and tobacco. I, at last, told
the chief that he had promised my father, the Borglle, to take
care of me and that I did not expect such treatment. This had
the desired effect, for they never troubled me again.
On the second day, several of the Gras Ventres began to drop
behind so that at night only six, with the Chief, remained. We
continued our route for four days through extensive plains
without meeting with any obstacles and subjected only to a
few false alarms. We crossed three large rivers with very
strong currents, viz: The Clear 'Vater River, Heart River, La
Riviere aux Boulets. No wood was to be seen, except a few
clusters of poplar here and there along the banks of these
rivers.
The country is most plentifully stocked; immense herds of
buffaloes could be seen at midday quenching thei l' thirst at
these rivers and reposing on their banks. Beavers-which are
here in great plenty-reigned nndisturbed, for nothing seemed