303 CIVILIZED INDIANS. 



routes led in different directions, his for Independence, Mo., and mine for 

 Van Buren, Ark. Following the course of the creek by its right bank for, 

 some twenty miles, I then struck over to the Neosho, and, continuing on,, 

 uie fourth day subsequent I reached the Osage village. 



The country passed in travelling this distance, presented much excellent 

 land. The creek valleys were broad and heavily timbered, and the adjoin- 

 ing prairies undulating and clothed with luxuriant vegetation. The streams 

 were so swollen I was forced to swim most of them, which rendered my 

 progress one continued scene of toilsome and perilous adventure. 



My stay at the Osage village was prolonged for two days, during which :. 

 time I was kindly entertained by a chief who served as my host. 



The Osages number between four and five thousand souls, and inhabit j 

 the section of country bordering upon the Neosho river. Their territory t 

 is well timbered, abundantly watered, and remarkably fertile. 



In dress and appearance these Indians assimilate the Pawnees and Caws;^ 

 but their dwellings are neater and more spacious, being constructed of wa^ ' 

 ter-flags fastened to frame-works of poles, so ingeniously thatched and 

 tightly interwoven as to prevent the ingress of either wind or rain. 



This tribe are beginning to make advances in civilization, and devote 

 some little attention to agriculture. A farmer and blacksmith are furnish- 

 ed them by the U. S. Government, while the philanthropic efforts of the 

 American Board of Missions are directed to their amelioration with consid- 

 erable success. 



On resuming my course, a branch of the Neosho which intercepted it . 

 proved unfordable, and its passage was otherwise rendered particularly dan- 

 gerous on account of the swiftness of its current. However, my landlord, 

 on seeing my determination to cross at all hazards, procured two large 

 pieces of raw hide, which were firmly sewn together in boat shape and 

 held to their proper position by slender boughs ; these he conveyed to the 

 stream, and desired me to put my baggage into them, remarking that 

 there was " plenty room " for myself, too. Following his directions, the 

 frail bark was soon launched and towed to the opposite shore by a son of 

 the old man, who swam across for that purpose, whiler his brother, leading 

 my mule after him, plunged into the current, and in a few moments every- 

 thing was safely landed. 



To reward this generous act I presented the old chief with a blanket, 

 and bade him remember that " Good acts pay a sure tribute to a good 

 heart, for they nourish its possessor with happy thoughts ; very often, too, 

 they yield a twofold return by the gratitude of the one upon whom such 

 acts are bestowed ; and then, again, sometimes the practiser is more than 

 blessed by the acceptance of such presents as the grateful one may chance 

 to offer. So, let my brother always do good, and the Good Spirit will own ' 

 him as a subject well worthy of his special blessing." 



Bidding the friendly natives adieu, I mounted my mule and hurried on- 

 ward. My course led through the territory occupied by a division of the 

 Shawnees, and that settled by the Quapaws and Cherokees. These tribes 

 are partially civilized ; but the Cherokees are farther advanced in refine- 



