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THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 



17 



I cannot resist giving you a description of the curious 

 exhibition that we have had on board, from a numerous 

 lot of Indians of the first class, say some forty or fifty. 

 They ranged themselves along the sides of the large 

 cabin, squatting on the floor. Coffee had been prepared 

 for the whole party, and hard sea-biscuit likewise. The 

 coffee was first given to each of them, and afterwards the 

 biscuits, and I had the honor of handing the latter to the 

 row on one side of the boat ; a box of tobacco was opened 

 and laid on the table. The man who came from the Gros 

 Ventres this afternoon proved to be an excellent interpre- 

 ter; and after the captain had delivered his speech to him, 

 he spoke loudly to the group, and explained the purport 

 of the captain's speech. They grunted their approbation 

 frequently, and were, no doubt, pleased. Two individuals 

 (Indians) made their appearance highly decorated, with 

 epaulets on the shoulders, red clay on blue uniforms, three 

 cocks' plumes in their head-dress, rich moccasins, leggings, 

 etc. These are men who, though in the employ of the 

 Opposition company, act truly as friends ; but who, mean- 

 time, being called " Braves," never grunted, bowed, or 

 shook hands with any of us. Supper over and the tobacco 

 distributed, the whole body arose simultaneously, and each 

 and every one of these dirty wretches we had all to shake 

 by the hand. The two braves sat still until all the rest 

 had gone ashore, and then retired as majestically as they 

 had entered, not even shaking hands with our good- 

 humored captain. I am told that this performance takes 

 place once every year, on the passing of the Company's 

 boats. I need not say that the coffee and the two biscuits 

 apiece were gobbled down in less than no time. The 

 tobacco, which averaged about two pounds to each man, 

 [ was hid in their robes or blankets for future use. Two of 

 the Indians, who must have been of the highest order, 

 land who distributed the " rank weed," were nearly naked ; 

 [one had on only a breech-clout and one legging, the other 

 VOL. II. — 2 





