﻿A RESIDENCE AMONG THE INDIANS. 313 



We had a hearty laugh at their foolish fears, but we saw no more 

 of them that night. 



After being nearly three months upon our voyage we arrived at 

 the mouth of the Yellow Stone river, the place of our destination. 

 There is a fort built here upon the shore, opposite the Yellow Stone, 

 which was erected by the " American Fur Company," partly as o 

 store-house for the fur traders, and partly as a protection against the 

 Indians. Upon our arrival at the fort, we fired some cannon, that 

 we had on board, and here was another wonder for the savages, who 

 supposed it was the boat which caused the noise. Directly in the 

 rear of the fort is a large Indian village, and so great was the fear 

 they had of our " big thunder canoe," as they always afterwards 

 called it, that in a short time not an individual could be seen. The 

 next day, however, several of the boldest sachems ventured on board, 

 while the " medicine" as they called our cannon, was fired. Every- 

 thing that the Indians here do not understand, they term " medi- 



cine.' 



This fort was to be my head-quarters for a twelvemonth. I 

 assure my readers, that the appearances of comfort were anything 

 but cheering, yet I am one of those persons who do not like to give 

 up for trifles. The boat was to return in a few weeks, or as soon as 

 the merchandise, which had been brought up to sell to the Indians, 

 could be landed and stored in the fort, and the winter's stock of furs 

 and buffalo skins put on board, and I should be left almost alone, in 

 the middle of a nation of savages. Never mind, thought I it is of 

 no use to be discouraged. I will try to live peaceably with them, 

 and deal fairly, and give them a good price for their furs, and, at any 

 rate, I shall have a chance to study their habits well. I had engaged 

 with the captain of the steamboat to assist in trading with the 

 natives for their furs, during my leisure hours. In the mean time 

 the crew of the steamer made all possible despatch to get ready for 

 her return home. 



While the captain was waiting for the lading of the boat, a party- 

 was formed to visit the Elk Horn Pyramid, a picture of which you 

 will find on the other side of this leaf. This pyramid is situated 

 at the mouth of " Two Thousand Miles river," which joins tne 

 Missouri, two thousand miles from its junction with the Mississippi. 



