Rocky Mountains. 225 



might continue to see the white people ascending the river, 

 to trade with his nation." A mound was raised over his re- 

 mains, on which food was regularly placed for many years 

 afterwards ; but this rite has been discontinued, and the staff, 



make a dishonourable peace — You have a few of their children as prison- 

 ers among' you; if you consult the interest of your nation, you will send 

 them to their mothers. If you do not deliver them up, the red skins of 

 Missouri will go after them, and in hunting them, they may find some of 

 yours. 



I tell you to be cautious, Saukees, how you disturb the red skins of Mis- 

 souri. They call themselves my children, be cautious how you disturb 

 my children, or I will no longer look to the pacific disposition of my na- 

 tion, but consult my own feelings, and probe the wound which I cannot 

 heal. 



J am not like many white chiefs whom you have been accustomed to see. 

 I never act an humble part, I am one of those white men, who never fear 

 a red sikn — when I move amongst them, it is not like a dog with his tail 

 between his legs, but as becomes a man, and when I speak, I feel the 

 strength of my nation. 



On the Missouri, I have guns, powder and balls, blankets, breech clouts, 

 and leggings, and I am now getting more; I know where you have your 

 village, and 1 know the face of the country over which you stretch your 

 limbs I know how, and where you are scattered on hunting excursions — 

 I know where you are most exposed, and what I do not know, I can easi- 

 ly learn from the whites, and other red skins of the Mississippi. 



I have every thing that a red skin wants, and you all know he wants 

 only the means of war. You know that all red skins are fond of war, and 

 that I can make brother fight brother. 



Saukees! You are a strong nation of red skins, but if you dont endeav- 

 our to restrain the ungovernable disposition of some of your young men, 

 they will expose your hearts in the midst of your strength. 



Yes, Saukees, be cautions how you offend me, lest I assemble an army 

 of red skins, and from some high peak on Missouri, show them where to 

 find your village, and your exposed and scattered lodges. I know that 

 the redskins of Missouri cannot destroy you directly, but they can give you 

 unpleasant dreams — Be cautious, Saukees, how you deceive yourselves, or 

 suffer others to deceive you, or the day will come when some of your chil- 

 dren will have the misfortune to behold the dogs, fighting over the bones 

 of their fathers upon this land, and as I may have many years to live, I dont 

 intend to sit still, and if I continue to increase in strength as I have done, 

 I may live to see the day, when I can make you smile, or shed tears of 

 blood — Saukees, I have done, I am going to the Council Bluff. 



The Chief of the Saukees, after consulting each warrior separately, re- 

 plied, (in substance) as follows: 



American Chief. 1 have been attentive, and I have heard your words, 

 and those of the red head (Gov. Clark.) Yours entered one earand his the 

 other, they shall not escape until my nation hears them — I feel the truth of 

 all you have said, and have never been more for peace than now — All 

 those braves have expressed their wish for peace, with the red skins of Mis- 

 souri. This partizan, who without reflection spoke exultingly of his feats, 

 since he has heard your words, is also for peace, not from any fear of those 



VOL. l. 29 



