360 Expedition to the 



and explained the object of his call, commanding the war- 

 rior to accept the merchandize and yield up the boy, or 

 prepare for instant death. The warrior refused, and the 

 chief waved his club in the air towards the warrior. " Strike," 

 said Petalesharoo, who stood near to support his father,," I 

 will meet the vengeance of his friends." But the more pru- 

 dent, and politic chief, added a few more articles to the 

 mass of merchandize, in order to give the warrior another 

 opportunity of acquiescing without forfeiting his word. 



This expedient succeeded; the goods were reluctantly ac- 

 cepted, and the boy was liberated, and was, subsequently, 

 conducted to St. Louis by the traders. The merchandize 

 was sacrificed in place of the boy; the cloth was cut in 

 shreds and suspended by poles at the place of sacrifice, and 

 many of the valuables were consumed by fire. It is not ex- 

 pected that another attempt will be made to immolate a hu- 

 man victim, during the life of Petalesharoo or of his benign 

 father. 



Our cavalcade performed a circuit round the village, aud 

 saluted at the lodge of Latelesha, upon which the flag of the 

 United States was hoisted; the soldiers were then marched 

 to a proper encamping place, and we were feasted as before. 

 Great order prevailed in this village, and silence reigned 

 throughout, which was attributed to their loss of friends 

 and kinsmen. 



On the following day the council was held, at which 

 eleven horses and mules were presented in the usual manner. 

 In two instances, however, the horse was represented by a 

 cord or halter attached to a stick. One of these cords was 

 drawn by a little Ietan girl, that Petalesharoo had captured 

 in some battle and adopted as his daughter; she seemed to 

 be the favourite of his family. 



In the afternoon the greater part of the population were 

 observed coming from the village towards our camp. As 

 they drew near we ascertained that many were painted, arm- 



