Rocky Mountains. 247 



Four of the squaws were tomahawked, and the others es- 

 caped, of which number the mother was one, having suc- 

 ceeded in bearing off her child uninjured. 



The trader, on his arrival at the settlements, learned that 

 his white or civilized wife had died during his absence, and 

 after a short interval devoted to the usual formalities of 

 mourning, he united his destinies with another, and highly 

 amiable lady. The second season his wife accompanied him 

 on his annual voyage up the Missouri, to his trading house, 

 the abode of his squaw. 



Previously to his arrival, however, he dispatched a mes- 

 senger to his dependents, at the trading house, directing 

 them to prevent his squaw from appearing in the presence 

 of his wife. She was accordingly sent off to the village ol 

 her nation, a distance of sixty or seventy miles. But she 

 could not long remain there, and soon returned with her lit- 

 tle bov on her back, and accompanied by some of her friends, 

 she encamped near her husband's residence. She sent her 

 son to the trader, who treated him affectionately. On the 

 succeeding day the trader sent for his squaw, and after mak- 

 ing her some presents he directed her to accompany her 

 friends who were then on their way to their hunting grounds. 

 She departed without a murmur, as it is not unusual with 

 the Omawhaws to send off one of their wives, on some oc- 

 casions, while they remain with the favourite one. 



About two months afterwards the trader recalled her. 

 Overjoyed with what she supposed to be her good fortune, 

 she lost no time in presenting herself before the husband 

 whom she tenderly loved. But great was her disappoint- 

 ment, when her husband demanded the surrender of the 

 child, and renounced for the future any association with her- 

 self, directing her to return to her people, and to provide 

 for her future well being, in any way she might choose. 

 Overpowered by her feelings on this demand and repu- 

 diation, she ran from the house, and finding a periogue on 



