SIOUX VISIT. ■ 73 



about an acre of ground was completely 

 covered with calicoes, and other domestic 

 goods, presenting altogether an interesting 

 spectacle. 



All were busily occupied at this work when 

 some objects were seen moving in the dis- 

 tance, which at first were mistaken for buffalo; 

 but were speedily identified as horsemen. 

 Anxiety was depicted in every countenance. 

 Could it be possible that the party of Capt 

 Sublette, which was nearly a month ahead of 

 us, had been lost in these dreary sohtudes ? 

 or was it the band of Capt. Bent, who was 

 expected to follow some time after us ? This 

 anxious suspense, however, lasted only for a 

 few nunutes ; and the cry of " Indians !" soon 

 made the welkin ring. Still they appeared 

 to approach too slowly for the western prairie 

 tribes. A little nearer, and we soon perceived 

 that they carried a flag, which turned out to 

 be that of the United States. Tliis welcome 

 sight allayed at once all uneasiness ; as it is 

 ^'"ell known that most savages, when friendly, 

 approach tlie wliites with a hoisted flag, pro- 

 dded they have one. It turned out to be a 

 party of about eighty Sioux, who were on a 

 tour upon the Prairies for the purpose of trad- 

 ing with, stealing from or marauding upon 

 the south-western nations. Our communica- 

 tions were carried on entirely by signs; yet 

 we understood them perfectly to say, that there 

 Were immense numbers of Indians ahead, 

 upon the Cimarron river, whom they described 

 by symbolic language to be Blackfeet and Co- 



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