—58— 
TheSioux— back without much swimming. Besides, the Indians 
the South had made a little canoe out of buffalo hides, on which 
they crossed. Many squaws paid us their respects 
today. As none of us understood the Indian lan- 
guage, we had to communicate by signs, wherein the 
Indians have great skill. We obtained by barter with 
them several articles, such as tanned skins, mocassins, 
buffalo hides and the like. For a piece of chewing 
tobacco as big as a hand one could get a fine buffalo 
hide. Some Indians would sell everything they had 
on. But all showed immense curiosity. 
They were continuously about us in our tents; all 
objects that were new to them they stared at and han- 
dled, not failing to appropriate some when unob- 
served. The two wives of the Missionaries were spe- 
cial objects of their curiosity. Among the guests who 
visited us today there was a leader of the Ogallallas, 
Bullbear by name. He is rather aged and of squat, 
thick figure. He had one of his seven wives with him. 
Our leader knew him from former days as a friend 
of the whites, and so invited him to stay with his wife 
over night. Bullbear gave us to understand that he 
could answer for his tribe, but not for the others; and 
readily accepted. The other Indians toward evening 
went back over the river. 
Mrs. Bullbear is not ugly, and knows how to ac- 
cept the presents made to her with much grace. Her 
leather shirt is richly adorned with beads and em- 
broidery. All night through matters were lively in 
the Indian camp. Dreadfully piercing notes came to 
