Volume 1

336 RETURN OF MANDAN HUNTERS.
dians—and Mandanes could do when exasperated by Pawnee
treachery. The six emissaries promised to depart early
next morning to inform their chief accordingly, who, they
made no doubt, would soon v/ait upon the Big Bellies ; for
the messengers were convinced of his desire for peace.
Thus ended an affair which at first we had supposed would
conclude with the death of the strangers, judging by the
great bustle and noise their arrival occasioned. But I was
afterward informed that
there was not the least danger of
such proceedings ; that the natives of this place make it a
particular point of honor to protect every stranger who
throws himself upon their clemency. Even their natural
and most inveterate enemies, the Sioux, have come into
their villages unexpectedly upon embassies concerning
peace, and been always hospitably entertained, though
never permitted to stay more than one night.
Toward evening there was a whooping and howling among
the young men, who were standing upon their huts. This
was to announce a hunting party of Mandanes, who at
that moment appeared on the high banks to the S., descending
by a well-beaten road to the village. The party consisted
of 100 mounted men, each loaded with about half a
buffalo ; but some had more than others, according to the
strength of the horse, which the owner always rides, however
heavily his beast be loaded. They went away yesterday,
and found buffalo in great abundance near at hand.
These people always hunt in large parties, as the continual
danger from their numerous enemies obliges them to be
very cautious in leaving the villages. Another reason is,
that they are anxious to prevent the buffalo from being
driven away. For this purpose it is customary for them
all in a body to surround one herd only, which sometimes
consists of several hundreds. Not one of the whole herd
do they allow to escape ;
large and small, fat and lean,
all must fall, to prevent alarming other herds. This manner
of hunting answers another good purpose, which is
that bad and dull horsemen get equal share with the best