176 Expedition to the 



harmed individuals who have resided years in their vil- 

 lage unprotected, although we were then less enlightened 

 than we now are. Some think, my father, that you have 

 brought all these warriors here to take our land from us, but 

 I do not believe it. For although I am but a poor, simple 

 Indian, yet I know that this land will not suit your farmers ; 

 if I even thought your hearts bad enough to take the. land, 

 I would not fear it, as I know there is not wood enough on 

 it for the use of whites. You might settle along this river, 

 where timber is to be found ; but we can always get wood 

 enough in our country to make our little fires. There is one 

 thing I fear, my father, my nation is coming down here to 

 hunt this winter, and if you send out your soldiers to hunt 

 also, they will drive off all the game, and our women and 

 children will starve. We have heard of the ascent of the 

 troops up this river ever since last fall, and we have been 

 told by other nations, that if they chance to meet with any 

 squaws unprotected, they ravish them. But, my father, we 

 shall soon know if this is true or not, because, having but 

 little to eat, our squaws will be obliged to go out into the 

 prairies to dig roots; I shall trust to you, and not hesitate 

 to let them go." He also observed that he could not see 

 the necessity of stationing so many troops here, as there was 

 no one to oppose; he thought it desirable that they should 

 go higher up the river, to chastise those refractory Indians, 

 who will not listen to our words. " There is one thing, my 

 father," he observed, " which I wish you to inform me of. 

 We have heard of your tying up and whipping individuals 

 of several nations, as you ascended this river. What is the 

 offence which will subject us to this punishment. I wish to 

 know, that I may inform my people, that they may be on 

 their guard." He then observed that all his children were 

 poor, and that they had come with the expectation of receiv- 

 ing something from their father. 



