Rocky Mountains. Ill 



Vache in October, with the expectation of resuming his 

 march, as early in the following spring as the weather would 

 permit. But not having received the necessary supplies of 

 provisions as anticipated, they had been compelled to remain 

 till the time of our arrival, subsisting themselves principally 

 by hunting. Fortunately, this part of the country afforded 

 so much game, that a competent supply was easily obtained. 

 Between two and three thousand deer, beside great numbers 

 of bears, turkies, &c. had been taken. The arrival of the 

 boats, laden with provisions, now furnished them the means 

 of continuing their ascent, and they had the prospect of de- 

 parting within a few days. 



Previous to our departure from Fort Osage, major O'Fal- 

 lon, the Indian agent who accompanied us, had sent a mes- 

 senger across the country by land to the Konzas nation of 

 Indians, residing on the Konzas river, summoning their 

 chiefs to a council, to be held at Isle au Vache, on the arri- 

 val of the Western Engineer. Agreeably to the message sent 

 by an interpreter, the Indians had been expected on the 18th, 

 but did not 'arrive until the 23d of August, having been ab- 

 sent, when the messenger reached their village, on a hunt- 

 ing excursion. As soon as they received the invitation they 

 repaired, with all convenient speed, to the appointed place, 

 having sent runners before, to apprise us of their approach. 



The interpreter, who returned with them, brought intelli- 

 gence of the safe arrival of Mr. Say and his party, and of 

 their kind reception at the Konza village. We were sorry 

 to learn that Mr. Say had been in ill health, and had not 

 entirely recovered. 



On the 24th, the chiefs and principal men of the Konzas, 

 to the number of one hundred and fifty, assembled under 

 an arbour prepared for their reception. The Indian agent 

 addressed them in a speech adapted to the occasion, setting 

 forth the causes of complaint, which they had given by their 

 repeated insults and depredations upon the whites, giving 



