440 Expedition to the 



the bison for robes. When the processes of tanning and 

 dressing are completed, and the inner surface of the skin dry, 

 figures are traced upon it with vermillion, and other showy 

 colours. 



These are designed as ornaments, but are sometimes a 

 record of important facts. The story of a battle is often de- 

 picted in this way, and the robe of a warrior is frequently 

 decorated with the narration in pictures, of some of his ex- 

 ploits. 



During the afternoon our camp was somewhat thronged 

 by the Indians, offering to trade horses, and squaws pro- 

 posing barters, but at night they withdrew towards their vil- 

 lage, and all remained quiet. 



As the day began to dawn on the following morning, nu- 

 merous parties of squaws, accompanied by their dogs, were 

 seen on their way from the village to the corn patches, scat- 

 tered at the distance of several miles. 



At sunrise we mounted our horses, and arranging our- 

 selves as on the preceding day, and carrying a white silk flag 

 with a painted design, emblematic of peaceable intentions in 

 the front, and the United States' flag in the centre of our 

 party, we moved forward towards the second village, dis- 

 tant about three miles from our camp. 



The bands which inhabit this village, are called Repub- 

 lican Pawnees. This name, it is said, has been applied to 

 this band, in consequence of their having seceded from the 

 parent stock or Grand Pawnees, some years since, and esta- 

 blished themselves under a separate government. 



They resided formerly on the Republican Fork of the 

 Konzas river, to which they have given their name; whence 

 they removed a few years since to their present situation, 

 that they might enjoy the protection of their more powerful 

 allies, the Grand Pawnees. Their village is distant four 

 miles from that of the Grand Pawnees, and like it on the im- 

 mediate bank of the river. Fool Robe their chief, received us 



