518 AUDUBON 



appearance at two o'clock; we had observed from the 

 hill-tops that it had been aground twice. At three our 

 camp was broken up, our effects removed, our fire left 

 burning, and our boat having landed for us, and for cutting 

 cedar trees, we got on board, highly pleased with our camp- 

 ing out, especially as we found all well on board. We had 

 not proceeded very far when the difficulties of navigation 

 increased so much that we grounded several times, and 

 presently saw a few Indians on the shore ; our yawl was 

 out sounding for a passage amid the many sand-bars in 

 view; the Indians fired, not balls, but a salute, to call us 

 ashore. We neared shore, and talked to them ; for, they 

 proving to be Sioux, and our captain being a good scholar 

 in that tongue, there was no difficulty in so doing. He 

 told them to follow us, and that he would come-to. They 

 ran to their horses on the prairie, all of which stood still, 

 and were good-looking, comparatively speaking, leaped on 

 their backs without saddles or stirrups, and followed us 

 with ease at a walk. They fired a second salute as we 

 landed ; there were only four of them, and they are all at 

 this moment on board. They are fine-looking fellows; 

 the captain introduced Harris and me to the chief, and we 

 shook hands all round. They are a poor set of beggars 

 after all. The captain gave them supper, sugar and 

 coffee, and about one pound of gunpowder, and the chief 

 coolly said : " What is the use of powder, without balls? " 

 It is quite surprising that these Indians did not see us 

 last night, for I have no doubt our fire could have been 

 seen up and down the river for nearly twenty miles. 

 But we are told their lodges are ten miles inland, and 

 that may answer the question. I shall not be sorry now 

 to go to bed. Our camp of the Six Trees is deserted and 

 silent. The captain is almost afraid he may be forced to 

 leave half his cargo somewhere near this, and proceed to 

 Fort Pierre, now distant fifty miles, and return for the 

 goods. The Indians saw nothing of the three men who 



