352 Expedition to the 



flag was hoisted, with the exception only of one that was 

 passed unnoticed, owing to its being distinguished by a Span- 

 ish flag ; Which, however, was struck as soon as the cause of 

 the procedure was understood. This ceremony being per- 

 formed the men were marched off to encamp, and we entered 

 the dwelling of the Grand Chief. After partaking of some 

 excellent boiled bison meat, he requested to know if we 

 would condescend to eat at the houses of the warriors, but 

 the agent informed him that we could only accept of the hos- 

 pitality of chiefs. We were then conducted to six other 

 feasts, in immediate succession, after which we retired to the 

 encampment that had been formed in a low prairie near 

 the town. 



During our stay in Tarrarecawaho's lodge, Major O'Fal- 

 lon spoke at some length to that chief; he informed him that 

 thus far he was pleased with the reception he had given us; 

 that he had come to repeat in the village, the same words 

 that had been uttered at Engineer Cantonment, &c. The 

 manner, as well as the matter of the address, seemed to com- 

 mand undivided attention; every eye was rivetted upon the 

 speaker, and the most profound silence reigned throughout 

 a crowded audience, that preserved a respectful distance be- 

 hind the chiefs that were seated. directly before us. 



Instead of an immediate reply, Tarrarecawaho, who alone 

 had remained standing, addressed his warriors in a loud, 

 fluent, and impassioned manner: " I am the only individual 

 of this nation, that possesses a knowledge of the manners and 

 power of the whites. I have been to the town of the Red 

 head, (Governor Clarke, at St. Louis,) and saw there all that 

 a red skin could see. Here sits a chief, (pointing to the 

 agent,) who controls every thing in this land; if he should 

 prohibit you from wearing breech-cloths, you could not wear 

 them. You know that we cannot dispense with powder and 

 balls; you must also know that we cannot dispense with this 

 chief, as he can prevent us from obtaining them. I have no 



