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AUDUBON 



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the dirty rascals about Mr. Chardon's door most severely; 

 but I found on inquiry that he was called " the soldier," ^ 

 and that he had authority to do so whenever the Indians 

 intruded or congregated in the manner this canaille had 

 done. After a while the same tall fellow came on board 

 with his long stick, and immediately began belaboring the 

 fellows on the lower guards; the latter ran off over the 

 planks, and scrambled up the muddy banks as if so many 

 affrighted Buffaloes. Since then we have been compara- 

 tively quiet; but I hope they will all go off, as the captain 

 is going to put the boat from the shore, to the full length 

 of our spars. The wind has shifted to the northward, and 

 the atmosphere has been so chilled that a House Swallow 

 was caught, benumbed with cold, and brought to me by 

 our captain. Harris, Bell, and I saw a Cliff Swallow take 

 refuge on board ; but this was not caught. We have seen 

 Say's Flycatcher, the Ground Finch, Cow Buntings, and a 

 few other birds. One of the agents arrived this afternoon 

 from the Gros Ventre, or Minnetaree Village, about twelve 

 miles above us. He is represented as a remarkably brave 

 man, and he relates some strange adventures of his 

 prowess. Several great warriors have condescendecd to 

 shake me by the hand ; their very touch is disgusting — 

 it will indeed be a deliverance to get rid of all this " Indian 

 poetry." We are, nevertheless, to take a few to the Yellow- 

 stone. Alexis has his wife, who is, in fact, a good-looking 

 young woman ; an old patroon. Provost, takes one of his 

 daughters along ; and we have, besides, several red-skinned 

 single gentlemen. We were assured that the northern 

 parts of the hills, that form a complete curtain to the 

 vast prairie on which we have walked this afternoon, are 

 still adorned with patches of snow that fell there during 

 last winter. It is now nine o'clock, but before I go to rest 



II 



1 The individual so designated was an important functionary in these 

 villages, whose authority corresponded with that of our " chief of police," 

 and was seldom if ever disputed. — E. C. 



