264 SPORT IN XORTH AMERICA. 



That evening, thanks to the activity of our Canadians, 

 we encamped in good order, and enjoyed a capital 

 supper ; for the Indians made us a present of some 

 venison. We slept the sleep of the just, after 

 concluding our arrangements with the chief, through 

 the medium of Duquesne, one of our Canadians, 

 who had spent a long time with the Red Skins, and 

 knew something of their language. On payment of 

 six dollars per month for each of us, we were to he 

 guided and protected by the Sioux, and conducted 

 back again to the limits of Missouri. 



Next morning, the whole tribe was afoot, for it 

 had been decided to remove the encampment twenty- 

 five miles, to the banks of the Ayoua. The horses 

 of the Indians were all laden with baggage, and even 

 the women (always the helots of savage life) per- 

 formed the part of beasts of burden, carrying loads 

 which a civilised porter could scarcely have lifted. 

 The beauties of the tribe were allowed to walk, 

 without having their backs bent by any heavy loads ; 

 and, in spite of everything, of the red skin and the 

 garments which hid their graceful forms, some of 

 these were very pretty. Even these, however, had 

 to lead some of the horses by the bridle. 



We led the wa}' on horseback, and the procession 

 was nearly two miles long. The old women cried 

 out, the children were squalling, and the innume- 

 rable dogs were barking : in a word, such a noisy 

 scene of confusion never saluted my eyes and ears. 



