ISS EXPEDITION TO THE 



same name has been applied to the Missouri by the Sauks. 

 Our guide informed us that it was very common for the 

 Sauks to form a diminutive of a word, by the addition of a 

 hissing sound at the end, as in the above-mentioned in- 

 stance. Observing that Le Sellier seemed to have gone 

 beyond the limits of the country with which he was ac- 

 quainted, Major Long thought it would be desirable to en- 

 deavour to procure an Indian, as a guide to Prairie du Chien ; 

 and as we were in the vicinity ofan Indian village, Le Sellier 

 was sent ahead, to request one of the men to accompany us. 

 The village to which he went was situated on the main 

 stream, about three miles from the place where we had 

 halted for dinner on the Pektannons ; it consisted of 

 seven permanent and three temporary lodges, inhabited 

 principally by Sauks, Foxes, Winnebagoes, Menomones, 

 and Potawatomis. Their chief is a Sauk ; he was absent, 

 but we saw his elder Urother, whom w^e engaged to accom- 

 pany us to Prairie du Chien. His name was W^ane'b^^a 

 Namo'eta, (spinning top,) the chief's name was W^abe't^'j'ec, 

 (white cedar.) We visited the inside of their bark lodges, 

 which were very comfortable ; the number of men appear 

 ed to us much greater than that of women in the village. 

 Being aware of our approach, from the information receiv- 

 ed through Le Sellier, they had manifested their friendly 

 disposition by hoisting flags, or white rags, all around 

 their village and, among others, three white flags hung 

 from the head and arms of a large cross, rudely cut out, 

 which marked the grave of some departed white man. 

 Their behaviour was less familiar than that of the Indians 

 whom we had last met with ; but as they evinced the same 

 curiosity to examine our arms, we were led to ascribe their 

 greater reserve, to the admonition given that morning to 

 the Frenchman, that the familiar manner with which he be- 



