Rocky Mountains. 177 



This speech, contrary to the usual mode of Indian orators, 

 was commenced in a low tone, the voice gradually rising as 

 the speaker proceeded, until it attained its full intonation. 



Several speakers subsequently went forward and delivered 

 their sentiments, generally alluding to the circumstance of 

 our treating those who injure us, kindly, and neglecting our 

 friends. 



Ta-sone, the White Coxu, spoke with that allusion, and ad- 

 ded, " Look at me, my father, look at my hands, examine 

 me well, I am a wild man, born in the prairie ;" and subse- 

 quently, " I told you, my father, to look at me, that you 

 might see if there is any of the blood of your people upon 

 me. Some, whose hands have been stained with blood, en- 

 deavour to wash it off, but some of it will still remain." 



It is proper to mention, as explanatory of some of the al- 

 lusions in the above speeches, that the Pawnees, at the con- 

 clusion of their council, had been invited to dine at Camp 

 Missouri, and that many of their chiefs were there pre- 

 sented with sabres, as I before stated. It was to this cir- 

 cumstance that the above mentioned speakers had refer- 

 ence, as being inexplicable to them, as it seemed as if we 

 wished to conciliate the good will of those evil-doers through 

 fear, and yet they could hardly accuse us of fear, surround- 

 ed as we were by so formidable an array of troops. 



It was evident, however, that the speakers had mentally no 

 reference to Major O'Fallon, as they knew he had not com- 

 mitted or sanctioned the acts, of which they complained in 

 their truly delicate and peculiar manner. But they looked 

 upon him as responsible for the actions of his people, know- 

 ing him to be the representative of the government, and that 

 in case of wrong, they could not obtain redress from any 

 other person. How much soever Major O'Fallon may have 

 disapproved of the treatment which the Pawnees had re- 

 ceived from the military, he was perfectly conscious of hav- 

 ing conducted himself towards them, according to their de- 



vr>r.. i. 23 



