Volume 1

BAD WATER— STEM OF CEREMONY—HALT !
371
reddish stone in a different state, being broken and crumbled
into a sort of coarse gravel, the sharp points of which
endanger our horses ; in passing over them, we have to
proceed with great caution.
We suffered much from want
of good water ; that in the pond was a mere poison to the
taste and smell, though the Indians drank it with pleasure.
These savage brutes can drink stinking, stagnant water
with as good a stomach as if it were spruce beer.
July 24.th. At daybreak all were on the alert ; our old
general soon mounted his steed, accompanied by his
eldest
son, who appears to be second in command, and passed
through the camp, making his usual harangue to muster
the horses and load. This being done, another speech
Two
ordered us to form and march, the same as yesterday ;
Crows taking the lead with the stem of ceremony, which
he continually held out before him, never allowing it to
touch either his own or any other horse. Once, when he
was obliged to adjust his saddle, and I was riding near
him, he gave me the stem to hold. Without any ceremony,
I laid it across my saddle-bow ; but the old gentleman
rode up in great haste and directed me to hold it
before me in such a manner that it touched nothing but
my hand. My situation was awkward, and I cannot suppose
I held it with a good grace
;
I was much relieved
when he got ready to take it, and determined to keep at
a distance from the old gentleman, lest he might take it
into his head to honor me again in this manner.
At seven o'clock, just as the vanguard had gained the
summit of one of those high rocky hills, it began to rain
hard. Our old general ordered a halt, and his eldest
son went the rounds repeating the order. All covered
themselves as well as they could, some with their robes,
others with their saddle equipments ; but many of the
young men, who had neither robes nor saddles, and were
dressed in their fineries, which would have been spoiled
if wet, preferred to undress entirely, and gave their
friends
their things to keep from the rain. We had not been