Rocky Mountains. 319 



and taking up a keg, the only weapon which presented, he 

 approached Shongatonga, and discharged it with all his 

 Strength, full upon the head of that chief, who was knocked 

 down senseless by the violence of the blow. 



The Little Soldier, a brother-in-law of Shongatonga, who 

 was present at this assault, immediately seized his toma- 

 hawk, and making a threat, rushed out of the house, his 

 silver armbands and other ornaments, with which he is usu- 

 ally profusely decorated, sounding as he passed; he halted 

 for an instant at the door, in order to distinguish some ob- 

 ject, on which to wreak his vengeance; espying amongst the 

 crowd of Otoes, one from whom he had received an injury 

 fifteen years before, which deprived him of the sight of one 

 eye, he pursued him, and with a blow of his tomahawk 

 brought him to the ground; this unfortunate individual, like 

 his victor, had also lost an eye, and in this rencontre the 

 remaining one was destroyed. 



Hashea, the guard, observing that the Indians were becom- 

 ing very disorderly, drew his knife, declaring that he would 

 kill the first individual of them he could meet with, and pur- 

 suing the canaille, they fled in every direction. During this 

 interval an inferior Indian entered the store, and pointing with 

 his finger near to the face of Mr. Lisa, said in a threatening 

 tone, " You are the cause of all this disturbance;" the latter 

 immediately kicked him out of the house; on which the In- 

 dian in a rage, declared he would revenge himself for an in- 

 jury so gross. Seeking some object to destroy, he encounter- 

 ed a sow and pigs, and appeased his rage by putting them all 

 to death. The Little Soldier now returned and found that 

 his relative had recovered. Order was at length restored 

 by the mediation of Mr. Dougherty. 



But instances are not rare, in which an Indian is unwilling 

 to punish an injury inflicted on himself, even when retaliation 

 is amply in his power. As the troops were ascending the 

 river, as usual by the aid of the cordelle, several Oto Indians 



