16 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
to our cam being followed by the whole encampment. During the time we were engaged іп 
inspecting their camp they became aware of the profession of Dr. Suckley, and there was 
scarcely a lodge that did not contain some patient for his medical attention. Ailments which 
had taken place years before were complained of, though some real sickness was prescribed 
for. The doctor vaccinated some eight or nine, and, through Le Frambois, explained to them 
its object, and showed them how they should do in nine days. It was near dusk when the 
party arrived at our camp and were arranged to receive their presents. (See sketch.) They 
were seated around in the form of three sides of a square, the open side being opposite to the 
places occupied by our party, the chief, and higher order of the Indians. At each of the four 
corners was posted a brave or chief. These men never receive a gift, considering it a degrada- 
tion to accept anything but what their own prowess or superior qualities of manhood acquire for 
_ them. Their hearts are so good and strong that they scorn to take anything, and self denial and 
the power to resist temptation to luxury or easily acquired property is a boast with them. On 
these men, in time of peace, when difficulties occur among themselves, the tribe relies, and in 
time of war they are their leaders to the scene of action. To two old men of the tribe was 
assigned the duty of making the distribution, and the presents were placed in the centre of 
the area. During the whole distribution the Indians sat in perfect silence. All seemed satisfied 
with the articles they received, and not a grumble escaped one of them in regard to the assign- 
ment made. After this was over they returned to their camp, the chiefs and braves remaining. 
At about half-past eight we had a collation of coffee and bread in our mess tent, and remained 
till a late hour smoking and conversing. Soon after this our friends left, myself and the inter- 
preters escorting them outside of our sentinels. I was much pleased with these Indians, and 
they seem to be very favorably inclined towards the whites, and sincere in their professions of 
friendship. Nothing to-day of the slightest value has been missed, as І can learn. Their 
hospitality I shall long remember, and the peculiar mode of manifesting kindness this night 
displayed will dwell long in my memory as one of the characteristics of the Assiniboine 
Indians. 
The word Assiniboine has its origin as follows : They are an offspring of the Sioux. In the 
war of 1812 a number of these Sioux fought against a number of Chippewas, and took a good 
many of the latter prisoners. They tied these prisoners to a stake upon a large rock and 
burned them to death. Since that time they have been called Assini Boines, which, in the 
Chippewa language, means burnt rock. 
ASSINIBOINE CAMP TO FORT UNION. 
July 28.—It was very late this morning before we started, being occupied in fitting out a 
party consisting of Mr. Lander, Dr. Suckley, Mr. Burr, and Corporal Rummell, with instructions 
to strike the Pierced Rock, on the Mouse river, and make a careful examination for coal and 
iron. They were to explore the White Earth river, and make a thorough reconnoissance of the 
country; examine the Cóteau du Missouri, and, reaching the 49th parallel, make a detour to 
the northwest, and arrive at the Yellowstone in some three or four days. Mr. Burr, at his 
own request, was placed in charge of the barometrical observations, and I instructed him to 
make numerous observations of elevations, depressions, valleys, &c., to secure the best profile 
