Reminiscences of John H. Charles. 43 



In truth, I was afraid of the half-breeds and didn't 

 want to .^o. I know now that it was not a serious mat- 

 ter, but I thought differently then. 



Next day we crossed the river. Arriving at the hut 

 where the ceremony was to be performed w^e found every- 

 thing in readiness. Without much delay I had the cou- 

 ple stand up. The Frenchman could not understand a 

 word of English nor the Squaw a word of either French 

 or English. The Squaw had insisted that an American 

 perform the ceremony. She had been deceived upon a 

 former occasion and now would trust only an American. 



After the ceremony I asked a Mr. [Enos] Stutsman, 

 who was present, a one-legged man,i but talkative, to 

 make an address. This he did, giving the newly married 

 couple some good advice, which they could not under- 

 stand, and wishing all present a good time and finally 

 that all might go to the Happy Hunting Grounds and 

 have a continual good time there. 



The next thing on the program was the feast to be 

 given at another house down on the bank of the Missouri 

 Eiver, To this place we proceeded through the brush 

 and timber, each fellow for himself. Even the bride and 

 groom had to travel in this way. Arriving at the house 

 we found ample provision had been made for the feast. 

 Great camp kettles full of bouillon (soup of dog) made 

 up the principal dish. Of this all were invited to par- 

 take. Nearly all present did, but for some reason I had 

 no appetite. Then I was given a piece of beaver tail, 

 considered by the Indians a great delicacy. This was 

 considered as an honor for me, for, since I had per- 

 formed the marriage ceremony, I was looked upon by 

 the Indians as a great chief, and treated as one — at very 

 little expense to themselves. 



After we had sat down to the feast some one asked 

 where the bride and groom were. We all looked around 

 but they were certainly not present. Upon investigation 

 we found them outside. We at once made room for them 

 and brought them m so that they too might partake of 

 their own wedding feast. Coffee and hardtack were now 

 served, so I did not go hungry, in spite of the bouillon. 



1. A cripple from birth. Both legs were deformed and almost 

 missing. 



