Rocky Mountains. 311 



Indians inquired if the Sioux war parties were often in the 

 neighbourhood. Mr. Dougherty informed them that they 

 were ; that they had killed an Oto sometime since, and more 

 recently, four Omawhaw squaws. This intelligence induced 

 Herochshe to request the loan of Mr. Dougherty's gun, they 

 all looked sharply about them, and requested their guide to 

 take the lead. 



The distance to the Oto village is about twenty-five miles ; 

 on the journey over the prairies, they espied an object at a 

 distance, which was mistaken for a man, standing upon an 

 eminence. The Indians immediately halted, when Heroch- 

 she addressed them, with the assurance that they must put 

 their trust in the Master of life, and in their leader ; and 

 observed that, having journeyed thus far on their business, 

 they must not return until their purpose was accomplished ; 

 that if it was their lot to die, no event could save them ; 

 " we have set-out, my braves,"* said he, " to eat of the Otoes' 

 victuals, and we must do so or die ;" the party then pro- 

 ceeded onward. The Indians are always very cautious when 

 approaching an enemy's village, on any occasion, and this 

 party well knew that their enterprize was full of danger. 



In a short time they were again brought to a halt, by the 

 appearance of a considerable number of men and horses, that 

 were advancing towards them. After some consultation 

 and reconnoitering, they sat down upon the ground, and light- 

 ing the peace pipe or calumet, Herochshe directed the stem 

 of it towards the objects of their suspicion, saying, " smoke 

 friend or foe j" he then directed it towards the Oto village, 

 towards the white people, towards heaven, and the earth, 

 successively. 



The strangers, however, proved to be drovers, with cattle 

 for the troops, on their way to Council Bluff. 



■* When on a war excursion, or a pacific mission, the Indians always ad- 

 dress their companions in this manner; " My companion, my brave. My 

 brother, my brave." 



