156 JOURNEY UP SOUTH FORK PLATTE. 



Our camp-equipage and other articles were all safely disposed of, and 

 nothing conducive to our pleasure or comfort was left unattended to. Dur- 

 ing our entire stay, we were beset with invitations to feasts which were 

 prepared expressly for us by these hospitable villagers, who appeared dis- 

 pleased whenever we declined their acceptance. 



The old chief brought forward his little grandson to shake hands with 

 us — remarking, that he would teach his children like himself to love the 

 Americans. 



A small sack filled with papers was then laid before me for perusal. 

 They consisted of recommendations, speaking in very flattering terms of 

 the bearer, Red Eagle, and belauding his kindness and liberality. Most 

 willingly would I have complied with his request, and made "the paper 

 talk " for him, but the means were not at hand. 



The kind-hearted old man presented us each a pair of moccasins 

 and urged our stay till the next morning, — adding: "Some of my men are 

 bad, and my heart is sick for them. Should you go before sleep, they 

 might follow and rob you. When the morrow's sun has newly risen above 

 the prairie, they will have left their foot-prints in the homeward trail, and 

 my white brothers may pass unmolested. But, if you will not rest beneath 

 the shade of the Red Eagle, wait till the day -king is low, then ride fast till 

 the night is old, and thus may you avoid the evil ones who would injure 

 you." 



This advice seemed so reasonable, we consented to remain till late in the 

 afternoon, when, driving up our animals, we made preparations to start. 



Every article belonging to us was faithfully returned by the old man, 

 who ordered for us a present of buffalo meat. Several large pieces were 

 accordingly brought by different individuals, of excellent quality, and in 

 quantity more than we could well carry. 



This was all a free gift, — no one even hinted at a compensation. Where 

 will you find among civilized man generosity and hospitalit}'' equal to this ? 



Willing to reward such exemplary conduct, we presented the liberal 

 donors with a small supply of sugar, coffee, and tobacco ; and, to our ho.st, 

 we gave a knife and some other trifling articles, all of which he received 

 with evident gratification. 



Bidding the noble chieftain adieu, we pursued our course in accordance 

 with his direction, — travelling nearly all night. 



Early the next morning we struck the Platte, and, in the afternoon, 

 reached the point at which myself and others had abandoned our boats. 



On visiting the cache made at that time, not a thing remained ; — it 

 had been robbed by the Pawnees, in all probability, as the island was 

 covered w^th the tracks of men and horses. But what afforded still 

 more conclusive evidence, was the site of a recent Pawnee encamp- 

 ment within some four hundred yards of the place. 



The next morning brouo-ht us to the buffalo ran<Te, and our fare was one 

 of continued feasting from that onward. 



Three days subsequently we came to the forks of the Platte, and con- 

 tinued up the south branch, with the design of proceeding to New Mexico 

 by way of Fort Lancaster. 



