194 Expedition to the 



venture forth for our pleasure, as in the present instance, to 

 visit the white people whom we are always delighted to see." 

 Big Eyes is a large and remarkably muscular man. His nose 

 is that of the European, the opposite to the Roman curve ; 

 he is second chief of the Omawhaws. 



The Omawhaw chiefs remained with us the greater part 

 of the following day, and presented us with eight more pieces 

 of jerked meat. We presented them in return with some to- 

 bacco, &c. The Big Elk made us a considerable harangue, 

 with all the remarkable vivacity, fluency, and nerve of In- 

 dian eloquence, in which he said that he would address me 

 by the title of father ; " and you," said he to Mr. Dougherty, 

 " whom I know so well, I will call brother." " The In- 

 dians around," said he, " who tell the white people that they 

 love them, speak falsely, as is proved by their killing the 

 white people ; but my nation truly love you, they have ne- 

 ver stained their hands with the blood of a white man, and 

 this much cannot be said by any nation of this land." He ad- 

 ded a strong expression, that such was his attachment to us, 

 that he believed that he should, at a future day, be a white 

 man himself. 



When they took their leave, we advised them not to visit 

 camp Missouri, telling them, what in fact they had already 

 been informed of, that many of the soldiers were sick ; (we did 

 not wish them to observe the extent of the malady, with 

 which that camp was afflicted,) but Big Elk remarked, that 

 it had been his intention to go there, and it was not fear that 

 could prevent him ; his life was at the disposal of the great 

 Wahconda only, and he could not die before his time ; " but," 

 said he, " agreeably to your request I certainly will not go." 



Of all the objects which we exhibited to the view of the 

 chiefs, quicksilver (mercury) seemed to excite the most sur- 

 prise ; they weighed the vessel, in which it was contained, in 

 their hands, dipped their fingers into it, and were surprised 

 at the resistance which it offered to the immersion, and what 



