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curred, which threw the colony into great alarm. The remnants of the 

 Missouri tribe of Indians, who occupied an extensive prairie upon the left 

 bank of the river of the same name, suddenly made their appearance before 

 St. Louis, numbering in all more than four hiuidred individusils, men, 

 women, and children, and counting over one hundred warriors. Although 

 they did not present themselves in hostile array, still they became trouble- 

 some by their importunate demands for provisions, and their more vexatious 

 pilferings. Unable to foresee what would be the result of this unexpected 

 visit, the colonists of Illinois, who, abandoning the British dominion, had 

 flocked to join those of St. Louis, took the alarm, and recrossed the Missis- 

 sippi. Auguste Chouteau thus found himself reduced to his original com- 

 pany of thirty to thirty-five men, from whom he despatched a messenger 

 to Mr. Laclede, who was still tarrying at Fort Chartres. Laclede arrived ; 

 and the result of his negotiation with the Indians proves that he had a 

 great knowledge of the Indian character, and possessed much tact in man- 

 aging it. 



The chiefs, having appeared before him, addressed him in these terms : 

 " We are worthy of pity ; for we are like the ducks and geese, seeking 

 some clear water upon which to rest themselves, and to obtain an easy 

 existence. We know of no better place than where we are. We mean to 

 build our wigwams around your village. We shall be your children, and 

 you will be our father." Laclede here closed the talk, promising them a 

 reply at a meeting to take place the next day ; on which occasion he ad- 

 dressed them thus: " You told me yesterday that you were like the ducks 

 and geese, who go on travelling unul they find a fine country'-, where they 

 can rest themselves and obtain an easy living. You told me that you were 

 worthy of pity ; that you were looking out for a spot to settle upon, and 

 had not found one more suitable than this; that you would build your vil- 

 lage around me ; that we should live all together like friends. 1 wish to 

 answer you like a good father ; and I must say that, if you imitate the 

 ducks and geese, you follow guides that have no forethought ; for if they 

 had any, they would not settle on clear water, where they can be seen by 

 the eagle, who would catch them. This would not be the case were they 

 to select a retired spot, well shaded by trees. You, Missourias, you would 

 not be devoured by birds of prey, but by the red men wlio have been so 

 long warring against you, and have already so much reduced your num- 

 bers. They are at this moment not far from here, watching the English, 

 to prevent them from taking possession of their grounds. If they discover 

 that you are here, they will kill your warriors, and will make slaves of your 

 wives and children. This is what will happen to you, if, as you say, you 

 mean to follow the exajnple of ducks and geese, instead of listening to the 

 counsels of men who reflect. You, chiefs and warriors, think now whether 

 it is not more prudent that you leave here quickly, rather than be crushed 

 by the superior number of your enemies, in sight of your butchered old 

 men, and your women and child rea torn to pieces, and their limbs scatter- 

 ed to the dogs and vultures. Recollect that it is a good father who speaks 

 to you. Meditate well what he has said, and come back to-night with 

 your answer." 



Accordingly, towards evening, the whole nation, in mass, presented 

 itself, announcing that it had determined to follow his advice ; yet, as 

 customary, asked him to take pity upon their women and children, so- 



