UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER. 155 



The Kickapoos, lowas, Sacs, and Foxes occupy the country south of the 

 Missouri, from the mouth of the Platte to Fort Leavenworth. 



All of this interval possesses a fertile soil, is well watered and passably 

 well timbered. A more particular description of it, however, does not pro- 

 perly come within the limits of this work. 



Upon my arrival at Independence, affairs were in a rather confused state. 

 Times were hard and all kinds of business at their lowest ebb. The com- 

 pany for which I had acted had become bankrupt, and left me a loser to no 

 inconsiderable amount. But, notwithstanding this unfavorable aspect of 

 things, I decided upon returning to the Mountains for the purpose of visit- 

 ing the different regions adjacent to them. 



Acting upon this resolution, I expended the means at my immediate com- 

 mand for the procurement of an outfit; — and the beginning of August saw 

 me again en route, accompanied by two experienced mountaineers — all of 

 US mounted upon hardy mules and well provided for the journey before us. 



The first four or five days subsequent, our progress was much impeded 

 by successive rains, that rendered the road muddy and ourselves uncom- 

 fortable. We were necessitated to raft the Wakarousha, and the Kansas 

 was so swollen it was forded with great difficulty, — the water frequently 

 covering the backs of our animals. 



From that onward we enjoyed pleasant weather and journeyed without 

 further interruption ; — nothing occurred worth note, till we reached the 

 Pawnee range, near the head of Big Blue. 



One morning, while travelling along unconcernedly and at our leisure, 

 having as yet observed nothing to excite our apprehensions, a Pawnee sud- 

 denly made his appearance directly in front of us. 



Such a customer, had we been aware of his proximity, would have been 

 most carefully avoided, in a place so dangerous as this ; but, as he had first 

 discovered us, it was now too late to give him the slip, and we accordingly 

 permitted his approach, greeting liim in a friendly manner. 



He immediately informed us that the whole country was full of his peo- 

 ple returning from their summer-hunt, and he invited us to accompany him 

 to the village. This we declined, being unwilling to trust either him or 

 his people. 



Observing several other " shaved heads " hurrying towards us from over 

 the adjoining hills, we struck camp and prepared for the expected rencoun- 

 ter. Upon coming near, however, they appeared friendly and were most 

 of them unarmed. Again we were urged to visit the village. 



After waiting an hour or more, we resumed our course, still followed by 

 the unwelcome visitors. A ride of scarcely a half mile brought us to the 

 top of a hill, and, to our surprise, placed us in the immediate precincts of 

 the village, — too far advanced for a retreat. 



The entire population was instantly in motion, and came crowding to- 

 wards us upon every side. Pushing boldly forward, we were received by 

 the same kind-hearted old chief of whom I had occasion to speak in the 

 preceding chapter. On recognizing me, I was welcomed with great cor- 

 diality, and we were forthwith conducted to his shantee and sumptuously 

 entertained upon the choicest in his possession. 



