7« BREAD-ROOT.- I'lIE EA(iLE'S NEST 



presents to the eye a pretty flower-garden, walled in by huge pilei a*" 

 argillaceous rock, and watered by murmuring streamlets whose banks are 

 ornamented with shade trees and shubbery. 



Near camp had been the scene of a fierce and bloody battle between the 

 Pawnees and Sioux, in the winter of 1836. The affray commenced early 

 m the morning, and continued till near night. A trader, who was present 

 with the Sioux, on the occasion, describes it as having been remarkably 

 close. Every inch of ground was disputed — now the Pawnees advancing 

 upon the retreating Sioux ; and now the Sioux, while the Pawnees gave 

 way ; but, returning to the charge with redoubled fury, the former once 

 more recoiled. The arrows flew in full showers, — the bullets whistled the 

 death-song of many a warrior, — the yells of combating savages filled tlie 

 air, and drowned the lesser din of arms. 



At length arrows and balls were exhausted upon both sides, — but sull 

 the battle raged fiercer than before. 



War-club, tomahawk and butcher-knife were bandied with terrific force, 

 as the hostile parties engaged hand to hand, and the clash of resounding 

 blows, commingling with the clamor of unearthly voices which rent the 

 very heavens, seemed more to prefigure the contest of fiends than aught 

 else. 



Finally the Pawnees abandoned the field to their victorious enemies, 

 leaving sixty of their warriors upon the ensanguined battle-ground. But 

 the Sioux had paid dearly for their advantage ; — forty-five of their bravest 

 men lay mingled with the slain. The defeated party were pursued only a 

 short distance, and then permitted to return witliout further molestation to 

 their village, at the Forks of the Platte. 



This disaster so completely disheartened the Pawness, they immediately 

 abandoned their station and moved down the river some four hundred 

 miles, — nor have they again ventured so high up, unless in strong war- 

 parties. 



About the same time the village on Republican fork of Kansas was also 

 abandoned, and its inhabitants united with the Loups. 



The evidences of this cruel death-har\'est were yet scattered over the 

 prairie, whose bones an3 sculls looked sad, indeed. One of the latter was 

 noticed, near camp, with a huge wasp's nest occupying the vacuum once 

 filled by the subtle organs of intellect. Strange tenant, truly, of a human 

 scull, — but, perhaps, not an unfit antitype of the fierce passions that 

 whilom claimed it as their dwelling place. 



A specimen of the bread-root, (psoralea esculenta,) was procured from 

 the creek-bank by one of the voyageurs. This is very common in the vicinity 

 of the mountains, and attains a size from twenty to thirty inches in circum- 

 ference. It is taprooted, and generally prefers the rich sandy soil of bot- 

 toms and ravines,— not unfrequently penetrating to the depth of five or six 

 feet. In shape, it is much like the common beet. Its exterior is covered 

 with a thick ligument of tough fibres, curiously interwoven, enveloping a 

 white pulpy substance, which is very sweet and pleasantly tasted. 



The day following we proceeded some twenty miles, and camped at a 

 place called the Eagle's Neat. 



