Volume 1

POLYGAMOUS GENERALISSIMO CHOKE-CHERRY. 369
search of us, and desired us to ride on to Le Borgne's
brother, who was waiting for us. We found him near the
foot of the party, seated upon the grass, surrounded by the
principal men of the village. He offered us a seat near
him and we partook of the pipe which was then going
round, but filled only with disagreeable tobacco.
We rested
about an hour, when the old man got up again and made
the harangue to load, which was expeditiously done.
When all appeared to be ready, he gave orders in another
harangue for all to proceed. Two Crows, a Big Belly, who
carried Le Borgne's grand pipe of ceremony, took the lead,
the others filing after him ; a speech was made by our old
general, ordering the women to place themselves with their
loaded horses in the center; a large party of men led the
van, with equal numbers on each flank and as many more in
the rear. This precaution was taken lest an enemy, having
discovered us, might cut off some of the women, who were
always straggling behind. This part of the country is very
dangerous, being so hilly that it
gives an enemy an opportunity
of approaching almost within gunshot without being
perceived. When any small party are lurking about the
villages, which is frequently the case, they conceal themselves
among these hills until an opportunity offers of getting
a scalp.
At sunset we found ourselves near a large pond of stagnant
water, and our old spokesman gave orders to halt and
camp for the night. Our conductor again sent a young
man on horseback in search of us, to desire us to take up
our quarters near him ; we accordingly did so, and found
him, as usual, smoking with all the great men. He instantly
made a place for us near himself, presented the
pipe, some meadow turnips, and a few ears of very hard,
dry corn, which the women had parched upon the usual
fuel—dried buffalo dung. This v/as far from being a palatable
supper, as my teeth could not manage the corn, and
the turnips are insipid. This man has seven wives, three of
whom accompany him upon the present jaunt. He is a