Rocky Mountains, 249 



relieve it ;* permit me to retain it until the Spring, when it 

 will be able to eat, and then, if it must be so, take it from 

 my sight, that I may part with it but once." 



Seeing her thus inflexible the trader informed her, that 

 she might remain there if she pleased, but that the child 

 should be immediately sent down to the settlements. 



The affectionate mother had thus far sustained herself dur- 

 ing the interview with the firmness of conscious virtue, and 

 successfully resisted the impulse of her feelings, but nature 

 now yielded, the tears coursed rapidly over her cheeks, and 

 clasping her hands, and bowing her head, she burst into an 

 agony of grief, exclaiming, " why did the Wahconda hate 

 me so much, as to induce me to put my child again into 

 your power." 



The feelings of the unhappy mother were, however, soon 

 relieved. Mr Dougherty communicated the circumstances 

 of the case to Major OFallon, who immediately, and pe- 

 remptorily, ordered the restoration of the child to its mother, 

 and informed the trader that any future attempt to wrest it 

 from her, should be at his peril. 



As in civilized communities, so amongst the Indians, 

 quarrels sometimes occur. There being no legal tribunal to 

 appeal to, amongst the Missouri Indians, individuals often 

 terminate their animosity by resorting to arms and relying 

 upon their own valour or address. This extremity is, howev- 

 er, sometimes obviated, by the soothing interference of rela- 

 tives and friends, or by the violent interposition of a warrior. 



Pugilism they despise, regarding it entirely beneath the 

 dignity, even of an ordinary man, saying that it is only fit 

 for the decision of the quarrels of children and squaws, and 

 that when a man is called upon to decide a question by force, 

 he ought to resort to the aid of mortal weapons. 



Hard-heart, chief of the Ioways, quarrelled with a trader, 



* A mode of expression common to the Indians, who are in the habit of 

 communicating their ideas by allusions to the senses. 



VOL. I. 32 



