uinrsPECTiD KNcouimni. sos 



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

 MiBsouri, 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 prop- 

 erly come within the limits of this work. 



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

 Tmies were hard and all kmds of; business at their lowest ebb. The com- 

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

 mconsiderable amount. But, notwithstanding this unfavorable aspect of 

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

 mg 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 begmmng 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 rams, that rendered the road muddy and ourselves uncom- 

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

 was BO 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 mterruption ; — nothing occurred worth note, till we reached the 

 Fawnee range, near the head of Big Blue. 



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

 having as yet observed notliing 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 caremlly avoided, m a place so dangerous as this ; but, as he had first 

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

 permitted his approach, greeting him in a friendly manner. 



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

 ple returning froni their summer-hunt, and he invited us to accompany Hm 

 to the village. This we dechned, being un\^^lling to trust either him or 

 his people. 



Observing several other "shaved heads" hm-rjing towards us from over 

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

 ter Upon coming near, however, they appeared friendh" and were most 



Aft™ 'JnaiTned. Again we were m-ged to visit the tillage. 



After waitmg an_ hoiu- or more, we resumed our com-se, still foUowed by 

 the imwelcome Msitors. A ride of scarcely a half mile brought us to the 

 top ot a hill, and, to our surprise, jjlaced 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- 

 wwds us upon every side. Pushmg boldly forward, we were received by 

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

 preceding chapter. On recogniang me, I was welcomed witii gi-eat cop- 

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

 entertained upon the choicest in his poBsesaion. ^ ^ 



