Rocky Mountains. 349 



three miles observed numerous horses grazing over the 

 plain, squaws occupied in pitching skin lodges, and men ad- 

 vancing to meet us ; they were soon recognized, for Omaw- 

 haws, and informed us that they were engaged in hunting. 

 We were soon joined by the Big-horse, Crenier, and other 

 chiefs and warriors of the Oto and Omawhaw nations, who 

 remained a considerable time, and received a small present 

 of tobacco, at parting. 



At Willow creek, several Pawnees were observed on the 

 opposite side at a distance, who avoided us, and as we con- 

 tinued on during the afternoon, many of them appeared at 

 different times and places, on the bluffs, which at a little dis- 

 tance bounded our rout to the right ; but, like the first we 

 had seen, they would not approach our party, but retired on 

 our advancing towards them. 



The evening encampment was pitched at a favourable po- 

 sition, on the bank of the Loup fork, where we found a boy 

 guarding horses ; he had a melancholy air, and his appear- 

 ance interested us much ; a number of squaws had fled at 

 our approach, but he remained unmoved. He invited us to 

 continue onward to the village, stating the probability of a 

 fall of rain on the coming night. " Are you not afraid," we 

 asked, " to remain here all day, at such a distance from your 

 village." " No," said he, with the utmost indifference, " the 

 Sioux have not been here this long time past, but I saw a 

 great many men and horses to-day on the opposite side of 

 the river, they may have been Sioux, I do'nt know." Being 

 presented with a biscuit, he ate part of it, and put the remain- 

 der in his belt for his parents, that they might taste of the 

 food of the white people. 



In the evening Semino, a Canadian interpreter residing 

 with the Pawnees, arrived with a letter from Mr. Papan,* 



*I gladly avail myself of the opportunity of noticing the many attentions 

 which we received from this gentleman. At this time particularly he ren- 

 dered us essential services, in which he appeared to take much pleasure. 



