Hocky Mountains. 197 



Great flights of geese, swans, ducks, brant, and cranes 

 have been passing up the river, at their usual migrating al- 

 titude above the surface of the earth ; but this migration of 

 these aquatic birds has nearly ceased. 



April 5th. A war party of Omawhaws arrived at the 

 trading house of the Missouri Fur Company. They are one 

 of three parties, which have been for ten days past in pur- 

 suit of a war party of thirteen Sauks, who carried off a num- 

 ber of horses from near the Omawhaw village. They pur- 

 sued the trail of the Sauks until they lost it nearly opposite 

 to this place ; they nevertheless continued the pursuit in the 

 direction which they supposed the enemy had taken, but 

 are now returning unsuccessful ; they say they are in hopes 

 that one of the other parties may overtake them. It seems 

 probable that it was this same party of Sauks who fired upon 

 a soldier on the 30th ult. 



6th. The war party mentioned yesterday visited us this 

 morning, on their way home. They danced for us, and af- 

 ter receiving bread, buffaloe meat, and tobacco, departed 

 well pleased. In the afternoon another war party of eleven 

 Omawhaws, who had also been in pursuit of the same Sauks, 

 arrived. We were notified of their proximity by hearing 

 their war song, and going out, we observed them at a short 

 distance arranged in a line, from the centre of which were 

 elevated two handsome streamers, which, upon their ap- 

 proach, we found to be two long lances, to which feathers 

 of different colours, fancifully arranged, were attached. The 

 partizan advanced, and made us a speech, as usual, in which 

 he gave an account of their adventures, and concluded by- 

 praising the kindness of the whites, their hospitality, and 

 their greatness in arts and arms. This address being well 

 understood to aim at food and lodging, though neither of 

 these were mentioned, we supplied them with bison meat, 

 bread, and maize, and invited them to remain with us dur~ 



