43 [ 174] 
taining an. observation of an Santini on, Which took place about midnignte- 
The moon brought with her. heavy nks of clouds, through which she . 
scarcely made her papenenre sate the night. 
The morning of the 18th was cloudy and calm, the thermometer at 6 
fe) ’clock at 64°. About “S a a moderate wind from the west, a storm of 
rain came on, accompanied by sharp thunder and lightning, which lasted 
about. an hour. During the, day the expected village arrived, consisting 
d men, women, and children. They had a considerable 
orses, and large troops of dogs. Their lodges were pitched 
near the fort, and our camp was. constantly crowded with Indians of all 
sizes, from morning until night; at which time some of the soldiers gen-_ , 
erally came to drive them all off to the village. My tent was the only 
place which they respected. Here only came the chiefs and men of dis- 
tinction, and generally one of coat remained to drive away the women 
and children. The numerous-strange instruments, applied to still eS 
uses, €X! xcited awe and admiration among them, and those whic 
in talking: with the sun and stars they looked upon with especial pos F 
ence, as mysterious things of * great medicine.’ Of the three barometers . 
which I had brought with me thus far successfully, I found that two were 
out of order, and spent the greater. part of the 19th in repairing them— ~ 
an operation of no small difficulty in_the midst of the incessant interrup- . 
tions to which I was subjected. We had the misfortune to break here a _ 
large thermometer, graduated to show fifths of a degree, which I. et to. 
ascertain the eres of oad water, and with which I bi sed 
« 
much € xaggeration, oo ther each es ok I Pa aie gt oak Sagas ea Ie ad ie 
iife and to the country ; a and that Trae tet the sccasomed 1 every day — 
occurrence, “and to be expected in ‘the ordinary course of their service. © 
had heard of the unsettled condition of the country before lea “s . 
St. Louis, and therefore could not make it a reason for breaking their en- — 
gagemenis. Still, I was unwilling to take with me, on a service ice of some me 
certain danger, men on whom I could, not rely ; and as I had underste 4 
that there were among them some \ who were disposed to cowardice, oe 
anaes to return, they had but to come forward at once, once, and state their 
des nd they so be discharged with norte amount due to them for 
their honor be 
permission. _ I asked bh e ques 
the ridicule of the men, | wat let him go. The ete afeel our pair 
engag sec eel to one of the forts, and set off with a party for the U ir 3 
ots ot think that the situation of the country justifi ; 
pan ions, ‘Messrs. Brant and. Beuton, along wi 
vould have been thoughi, at th 
