NARRATIVE OF 1853. 73 
Lander, Tinkham, and Paul returned this evening. They had made a reconnoissance of some 
twenty miles along the River of the Lakes, but had not ascertained its source. No information 
had been gained in regard to coal. I accordingly determined to have a bolder and more 
thorough examination made, on leaving the Assiniboine camp. 
ASSINIBOINE CAMP. 
July 21.—Reaching camp a little after noon, fifteen miles from last night's camp, and about 
a quarter of a mile from that of the Assiniboines, numbers of Indians rode out to welcome us. 
The first one came toward us with the back of his uplifted hand toward us, asa signal of friend- 
ship, and then they shook hands with every man of our party. 
We found them to be under the command of the chiefs Blue Thunder and Little Thunder, the 
latter probably 36 years of age. As soon as we were encamped, they informed me that they 
had reserved a present of skins for me, and were making preparations to have a talk. While 
dinner was being prepared many seated themselves in squads around the tents, smoking with 
he men. One large pipe served a dozen, and the custom adopted is to smoke a little and pass 
it to their neighbor, and thus go around. It is the first signal of welcome or friendship after 
the hand is offered, and they will have no business or other transaction previous to it. 
One of the Indians handed me a note from Lieutenant Grover, dated the 21st, stating that 
hê would be at Fort Union by the 25th. 
“After dinner, accompanied by Dr. Suckley, Messrs. Stanley, Lander, Tinkham, Everett, 
Evans, Adams, Menoc, with Paul Boulieau, Le Bombard and Le Frambois as interpreters, I 
went over to their camp, which was irregularly arranged in a sort of corral, consisting of about 
150 lodges, averaging ten persons to each lodge. 
Our approach was hailed by the barking of an immense number of dogs. These dogs are a 
prominent feature in every Indian camp, being used for drawing lodges, provisions, and pro- 
perty, from place to place, indeed furnishing the entire transportation of the Indians in winter. 
A sledge drawn by four dogs will carry two hundred pounds over the snow with great ease. 
They appeared, also, to be abundantly supplied with horses, many of which were of good 
quality. All the women and children turned out of the lodges as we passed, сапош 9 see us. 
Frames of poles stood around, upon which skins and meat were drying. Yet, in ме of the 
appearance of plenty, all had a look of poverty, judging from the meagreness of poer and 
the length of time it appeared to have been worn, while all appeared very filthy and muerte. 
A very large lodge, about fifty feet in diameter, had been erected for our reception " the 
centre of the enclosure, within which we found seated two circles of chiefs, braves, warriors, 
and others. At the back of the lodge was arranged a long seat for us, consisting of a pile of 
skins, which were afterwards presented to me. 
There were about eighty persons present, including our own party. During i Prepare 
for the ceremonial reception there was à general smoking among all present, during which an 
old man, one of the dignitaries of the tribe, prepared the pipe of reception, only smoked on 
great occasions. The stem was decked with ribbons of various colors, and when " gaod 
obliquely feathers would drop down like the wing of a bird. At the lower end x this pipe, 
where it enters the bowl, was a duck's head. The pipe stem was supported against a small 
Stick stuck in the ground and crotched at the end. The pipe was turned towards the sun, the 
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