SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. 429 



lued at four thousand dollars. The Columbia Fur Company 

 can, if it be active, share this trade with the American Fur 

 Company ; these are the only associations that trade at pre- 

 sent with the Indians in that part of the United States. In- 

 dependent of this the trade of the Missouri and its tributa- 

 ries may probably prove very valuable. It will be the in- 

 terest of both the companies to keep on amicable terms. 

 The practice which has too often prevailed among Indian 

 traders to endeavour to increase their business by injuring 

 the interests or the reputation of their competitors is as 

 injudicious, as the means which they adopted were fre- 

 quently criminal. They lower the character of the white 

 man in the opinion of the Indians, and excite them to deeds 

 at which they would otherwise revolt. 



The principal interest which we experienced in the 

 neighbourhood of Lake Travers, was from an acquaintance 

 with Wanotan, (the Charger,) the most distinguished chief 

 of the Yanktoanan tribe, which, as we were informed, is 

 ■subdivided into six bands. He is one of the greatest men 

 of the Dacota nation, and although but twenty-eight years 

 of age, he has already acquired great renown as a warrior. 

 At the early age of eighteen, he exhibited much valour in the 

 war against the Americans, and was wounded several times. 

 He was then inexperienced and served under his father, 

 who was the chief of his tribe, and who bore a mortal en- 

 mity to the Americans. Wanotan has since learned to 

 form a better estimate of our nation. He is aware that it 



pleasant taste, it is mixed with a sort of wild cherry, which is pounded 

 and introduced, stone and all. The Pemmican forms a wholesome and 

 strong food, whicli, when prepared with care, and from good mate- 

 rials, is very palatable. It has the advantage that it may be eaten with- 

 out any preparatory cooking. Sometimes it is heated in a pan, and is 

 equal to the best hashed meat. 



