Rocky Mountains. 339 



quenfly to the migration and partition of the great nation, of 

 which they were formerly but a band. This great nation, 

 they say, originally resided somewhere to the northward of 

 the great lakes, and on their emigration southwardly, after 

 performing a considerable journey, a large band of them, 

 called Ho-ro-ge, or Fish Eaters, from their fondness of fish, 

 separated from the main body, and established jheir resi- 

 dence on the margin of a lake. This band is now known by 

 the name of VVinnebagoe. 



During the journey of the great nation, another band sepa- 

 rated from them on the Mississippi, and received the name 

 of Pa-ho-ja, or Gray Snow, which they still retain; but are 

 known to the white people by the name of Ioways, or Ai- 

 aouez. They have, however, been distinguished by the 

 name of Pierced-noses, as this was erroneously believed to 

 be the meaning of the word Pahoja ; and it will be confessed 

 that the distinction is somewhat nice, when we learn that the 

 true word for pierced nose is pa-oja. 



Another band seceded from the migrating nation, and es- 

 tablished a village at the mouth of the Missouri river; from 

 which circumstance they received the name of Ne-o-ta-cha 

 or Ne-o-ge-he, signifying those who build a town at the en- 

 trance of a river; they have been known to us only by the 

 name of Missouries. 



The Otos also separated from the nation on the Mississip- 

 pi, and pursuing their journey across the country from that 

 river, struck the Missouri near the confluence of the Great 

 Nemawhaw. Here the Otoes remained a considerable time for 

 the purpose of hunting; and it seems probable, from the name 

 of the creek, that they also reared maize and cultivated the 

 soil after their rude manner, as the word Nemawhaw, in their 

 language, signifies water of cultivation; ne, water, andmaha, 

 planting or cultivating. From this locality the Otoes proceed- 

 ed up the river to (he Platte, and after hunting for some 

 time near its confluence, they moved still further up the 



