306 Expedition to the 



which had fallen so as to form a triangular area, into which 

 they removed their effects, and strengthened the defences in 

 such a manner as to afford them some security. 



The squaws dug cavities in the earth for themselves; and 

 their children, as an additional security. 



Scarcely were these preparations finished, when the whole 

 body of the Konza warriors made their appearance, and com- 

 menced the attack on this little body of fifteen Otoes. These 

 gallant fellows, thus advantageously posted, notwithstanding 

 the fearful odds opposed to them, returned the fire of the 

 enemy promptly, and at length succeeded in repulsing them, 

 with the loss of two or three of their own men, and after 

 having killed about fifteen of the Konzas. 



The following trait in the character of a distinguished 

 warrior is worthy of being recorded. During the residence 

 of the Pawnees on the Platte at the cedar hills, about fifteen 

 or eighteen years since, the Otoes were frequently at war 

 with them, notwithstanding their own great numerical 

 inferiority. On one occasion, during a pacific interval, 

 some Otoes followed the Pawnees, who had just left their 

 village on a national hunt, and stole two horses from them. 

 This outrage, committed in time of peace, highly incensed 

 Wasacaruja : " If you wish for war," said he to the offen- 

 ders, as he mounted his horse, " you shall have it." He 

 rode immediately, in his anger, to the deserted Pawnee vil- 

 lage, and setting fire to the lodges, burned them all to the 

 ground. 



On their return the Pawnees, finding their village destroy- 

 ed, they marched in a body to the Otoes, and demanded 

 satisfaction for the injury they had received. Wasacaruja, 

 perhaps, penitent for his rash act, and no doubt now wishing 

 to avert the hostilities which he had incited, advanced to 

 them at once, saying " I am the person who burned your 

 town, kill me if you will." This however the Pawnees de- 

 clined, and were at length reconciled to their loss, by pre- 



