Rocky Mountains. 341 



at enmity with the Missouries. A company of Spaniards, 

 men, women, and soldiers, accordingly set out from Santa 

 Fe, having a Dominican for their chaplain, and an engi- 

 neer for their guide and commander. The caravan was fur- 

 nished with horses, and all other kinds of beasts necessary ; 

 for it is one of their prudent maxims, to send off all those 

 things together. By a fatal mistake the Spaniards arrived 

 first among the Missouries, whom they mistook for the 

 Osages, and imprudently discovering their hostile intentions, 

 they were themselves surprised and cut off, by those whom 

 they intended for destruction. The Missouries sometime af- 

 terwards dressed themselves with the ornaments of the cha- 

 pel; and carried them in a kind of triumphant procession to 

 the French commandant among the Illinois." A terrible but 

 just revenge! The Missouries continued to dwell in the same 

 locality, until, about twenty years since, they were conquer- 

 ed and dispersed, by a combination of the Sauks, Foxes, and 

 some other Indians, when they united their destiny with 

 other friendly nations. Five or six lodges joined the Osa- 

 ges; two or three took refuge with the Konzas; and the chief 

 part of the remainder amalgamated with the Oto nation, with 

 whom they still reside. Thus connected, their manners, ha- 

 bits and language, being very closely allied, the Otoes and 

 Missouries may be considered as one nation. They are pro- 

 bably the bravest of the native inhabitants of the Missouri, 

 and there are but few males who have arrived at the age of 

 maturity, that have not fleshed their arms in battle. Indeed, 

 many of them can strike upon individuals of almost all the 

 neighbouring nations, not excepting the distant Indians of 

 Mexico, and the Spaniards themselves. 



In vain should we seek among the nations of the Missouri, 

 for an individual whose daring deeds have been more nume- 

 rous, than those of the Little Soldier^ or for more brave and 

 generous combatants than Shaumonekusse, Hashea, Nahoje- 

 aingya, and Wasacaruja. It is not fear, but probably a ge- 



