Volume 1

THE STIFF-NECKED CAVALCADE SWEEPS ON. 375
riders. A few hundred such frightful beings, rushing upon
an enemy, with horrid yells and shouts, would strike terror
into people not accustomed to such devils. Orders then
given to mount and proceed were instantly obeyed, everyone
admiring his own ferocious appearance, and careful to
keep in the nicest order, without disarranging his dress or
daubing. No more races were run ; nothing but singing
was heard ; the young fellows appeared as stiff and proud
of their persons as courtiers going to make formal appearance
at a grand levee, and scarcely deigned to look at one
of us otherwise than with contempt.
We crossed a small rivulet, on which grew a few stunted
willows—the first wood or brush we had seen since leaving
the Missourie.
There must have been an astonishing number
of buffalo in these parts during the summer, and,
indeed, at all seasons. The grass is entirely destroyed, and
the numerous deep ruts, both old and fresh, almost touch
each other, and run in every direction. At three o'clock
orders were given to halt on the summit of a high hill, at
whose foot, on the S. side, a small river ran from W. to E.;
half a mile ahead, on the banks, appeared some small wood,
mostly willow. We had expected to meet the Schians at
this river, they having promised to advance one encampment
further N., as wood and water were very scarce where Le
Borgne's brother had left them. Our party appeared suspicious
of treachery, as they said perhaps a re-enforcement
at the Schians' camp or the arrival of Sioux might have determined
them to alter their plans; they might have sacrificed
Le Borgne and some other great men who were there with
them ; and as they knew women were to accompany our
party, they might have laid an ambuscade to fall upon us.
It was, therefore, determined to take possession of this hill,
and send some young men ahead upon the best horses,
en d^couverte—keeping the Schian with us. This poor fellow
appeared very uneasy, and, to tell the truth, most of us
were in the same situation. We remained in suspense for
some time, till, upon a distant hill to the S., the young men