Volume 1

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332 RECEPTION BY BIG MAN AND HAIRY HORN.
over, not without drifting down sometimes nearly a mile.
Some, I observed, were more expert than others in managing
their dishes, and did not drift more than a quarter of
mile. As their vessels are very light, they take the precaution
to carry them on their heads, or slung on their
backs, to a considerable distance higher up the river than
where they intend to land. Whilst we were on the water
our conductor repeatedly made signs to us to salute the flag
by firing our guns ; but we did not think proper to comply
with his wishes, and pretended we did not comprehend him.
We soon landed opposite the village, which is situated
on the very edge of the S. bank. Here we were received
by another chief, called Le Grand," who insisted upon our
taking lodgings in his hut. We accordingly entered it, but
were soon visited by several other principal men, who
requested some of us to abide in their huts. La France
advised us to do so, telling us we would be more at our
ease than if we all remained in the same hut, and that in
every respect we should fare better. Accordingly, Mr.
Chaboillez and his people, who consisted of the Saulteur
lad (Mr. C.'s brother-in-law), and Mr. Allen McDonnell
[McDonald], took up their lodgings with Hairy Horn
while our guide, MacReacan," Straight Horn, myself,
and my people, V. and D., remained with Le Grand, who
appeared to be a very civil fellow. This arrangement having
been made, we were soon provided with
a
beds, and buffalo
hides to sit upon. My host was so obliging as to give
up to me one of his own best beds, well surrounded with
dressed leather. We had a plentiful supply of corn and
beans, and were soon invited to several huts, where we
'2 " Ohheenaw or Big Man, a Chayenne taken prisoner by the Mandans, who
adopted him ; he now enjoys first consideration among the tribe," L. and C, p.
182; otherwise Oheenaw and Ohhaw : see also pp. 184, 185, 205, 236, 241.
*^ Sic—meaning Hugh McCracken, who has been already noted in this
chapter, p. 301: see also L. and C, p. 1184, where the present passage is
quoted verbatim, and pp. 178, 187, where Lewis and Clark speak of this man,
whom they call Mr. M'Cracken and Hugh M'Crachen. "V. and D." are
Vaudry and Ducharme ; compare the party of seven named on p. 304.