350 Expedition to the 



(a trader in the nation,) stating, that as some misunderstand- 

 ing had occurred amongst the chiefs, Tarrarecawaho had 

 declined meeting the party, to escort us into the village, as 

 he had previously intended to do. 



This conduct of the chief was altogether unexpected, in- 

 asmuch as he had invited the agent, at the autumnal council, 

 to visit his village, and requested him to halt his party at 

 some distance, and inform him of his proximity, that he 

 might be received with due ceremony. Major O l Fallon, 

 immediately perceiving the necessity of supporting the dig- 

 nity of his mission in the eyes of these Indians, in order the 

 more effectually to command their respect, directed the mes- 

 sengers to return forthwith and tell that chief, that " he 

 must consider well whom he is about to receive ; if he will 

 not meet me in a proper manner, I will pass through his vil- 

 lage, without looking at him or his people, and visit the next 

 village, and so on to the third ; and if I shall not be proper- 

 ly treated at either, I will return to Camp Missouri to count 

 the graves of the soldiers whom he has heard died there." 

 No further communication was received respecting the in- 

 tentions of the great chief, and early on the succeeding morn- 

 ing our journey was resumed. 



After riding a considerable distance over a beautiful plain, 

 we came in view of the village of the Grand Pawnees, and 

 saw in every direction great numbers of horses and mules, 

 and a few asses, attended by men and boys. At some dis- 

 tance on the left the Loup fork meandered, on the bank of 

 which stream, was a long line of squaws bearing heavy bur- 

 dens of fuel towards the village. A chief was soon observed 

 advancing with rapidity ; he was received by our cavalcade 

 with music playing, and flags displayed, and was recognized 

 to be Sharitarish, eldest son of the chief of that name com- 

 memorated by Lieutenant Pike, and now second chief of the 

 Grand Pawnees ; the interpreters being absent, no particular 

 communication was interchanged, and we moved on. A 



