Volume 1

334 A PAGE OF LOCAL HISTORY.
latter, in company with the Big Bellies, soon returned the
visit ; and not finding the Sioux, on their return killed two
Pawnees. But as this did not satisfy them, they informed
the Pawnees that they might expect a more formal visit the
ensuing fall ; that both Mandanes and Big Bellies were determined
to exterminate every Pawnee they could find, and
lay their villages even with the ground. To avoid this
storm, the latter had thought prudent to thus sue for
peace before it was too late.
A messenger was instantly dispatched to the upper villages
to give information of the Pawnees' arrival. In the
meantime the strangers were hospitably entertained, conducted
into a hut, and presented with corn, beans, and
dried meat. All were then silent for some time, awaiting
the determination of the Big Bellies.
Not many years ago the Pawnees^* and Mandanes were
allied to each other and lived together in the same villages,
on the Missourie, about 30 leagues below this place. A misunderstanding
happening, they separated ; the Pawnees
retired down the river and built their village where it now
stands, and the Mandanes proceeded with an intention of
settling themselves somewhere about the
confluence of the
Little Missourie, or on the upper part of Riviere la Souris.
But on their arrival at this place the Big Bellies barred the
road and put a stop to their westward progress, telling them
that they would not permit anyone to build higher up the
river than themselves, and desiring the Mandanes to build
where they are at present. The latter were not much
inclined to comply with those proposals ;
but, dreading the
displeasure of the others, who were more numerous then
than they are at present,—composing then a village of 900
huts,—were obliged to accept the terms. Since that period
the Pawnees and Mandanes have frequently been at war,
and as often made peace again. The former are a stationary
people, like the Mandanes, and cultivate the ground in
*^
In regard to this relation of the Pawnees, see L. and C, pp. 54, 55. 56>
57, 98. 144.