Volume 1

178 PARK RIVER POST EVACUATED.
the buildings, even raising the floors, to search for any trifle
that might have been lost during the winter. I remained
till noon, wishing them to embark on board their skin
canoes, which they then did ; and, having seen them all off,
I bid adieu to Park river, and started on horseback. On
my way down I chased a herd, killed a tolerably fat
young bull, and got a tumble from my horse. Encamped
at the Bois Perce with my people, I was actually prevented
from taking supper by the stench of drowned buffalo that
lay on the banks in a state of putrefaction. Early on the
5th the canoes were off, and I soon followed on horseback.
I chased a herd, and killed a cow and a calf. I have an excellent
horse for the chase—an old hunter, very swift and
well trained to the business ; he comes from the Mandanes.
We found it impossible to cross our horses over Panbian
river at the entrance ;
the mud and mire were too deep.
This obliged us to go up to Tongue river, and even there
we were under the necessity of making a raft, and had a
deal of trouble. We camped at the Eagle's Nest. 6tJi. It
rained, with a cold N. W. wind. At nine o'clock I reached
Reed river, half frozen and wet to the skin. The canoes
arrived at three o'clock and unloaded.
Indians not yet arrived from their spring hunt ;
Several of Langlois'
no
fresh
meat, although buffalo were at hand. yth. Some men hunting
and others seining ; all were successful. The sturgeon
was excellent. The men brought in a parcel of ducks'
eggs which they found in the marais.
May 8th. The Indians arrived and commenced drinking.
Tabashaw was very troublesome. I had a long quarrel
with him ;
he told me he was independent of everybody, as
he had a secret power of making rum, iron arrows, etc. It
was some time before I got rid of him. Soon afterward,
Chamanau's wife came to me ; she is a very decent, sober
woman, for a native ; she had overheard our dispute, and
asked me if I knew what Tabashaw meant by saying he was
independent, telling me she would explain it. Some time
ago Tabashaw did his juggling, fasting, and singing when