460 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth. ANN. 46 



The tariff of exchanges is made with the double view of securing 

 the profit of the trader and encouraging the Indians to hunt. Were 

 a gun, an ax, or a kettle, for instance, rated at too high a price, then 

 one of these articles would be made to serve the purposes of several 

 lodges by turns, or should ammunition be sold too dear only as many 

 animals would be killed as would be sufficient to feed their families, 

 and no more skins traded than sufficient to meet their most pressing 

 necessities. Such proceedings would lead to the abandonment of the 

 trade as not profitable. The expenses of this business are enormous, 

 the risk great, the capital invested half a million dollars, and more 

 than 300 people employed ; and yet a good northwest gun is sold for 

 six robes or $18, the cost of which is $9.67. As a general rule, all 

 goods are sold at an average profit of 200 per cent on original cost. 

 The cost of buffalo robes in merchandise is about $1.35 in cash and 

 we estimate the expenses in men, forts, animals, and other disburse- 

 ments at $1.20 more each robe, which would bring them to $2.55. 

 Now the best sale made of a large quantity is $3 each. Therefore, 

 a loss of one or two boats loaded with robes must show a loss on the 

 outfit. 



Traders are very much subject to calls on their charity, both by 

 persons who really are in want and almost everyone else. All the 

 roving tribes are great beggars, even if they do not actually stand in 

 need. But viewing the question only in the light of an act of 

 charity they are numerous indeed. Unskillful in the treatment of 

 diseases, the different demands for medicines and attendance are 

 great, which at all times it is not safe nor expedient to comply with. 

 The forts are the depositions of all the old, lame, sick, poor, and 

 feeble; in fact, every one who can not follow the camp, or is of 

 no use there, is thrown on the hands of the traders, and his house 

 has often more the appearance of a hospital than a trading establish- 

 ment. For all this there is no pay. not even thanks nor kind words, 

 but frequently reproach and revenge if they are told to move off after 

 recovery. It would appear that the feeling of gratitude is un- 

 known to the Indian. We believe this to be the case among these. 



It does not appear from our actual observation of 21 years, and 

 pretty correct information of as many more of still an earlier date, 

 that the principal animals have suffered diminution in the district 

 of which we treat, viz, from the Sioux country to the Blaekfoot, in- 

 clusive. How numerous they were in former years we do not know, but 

 understand from old Indians that more buffalo have been seen in 

 late years than were noticed 50 or 60 years since. It may be that the 

 range of these animals is becoming more limited from the pressure of 

 emigration westward. Yet this range is very extensive, reaching 

 from the Platte to the Saskatchewan and from Red River to the 

 Rocky Mountains, through all which immense district buffalo are 



