Rocky Mountains. 441 



with a little more attention than we had met on the preced- 

 ing day, shaking us each by the hand. He afterwards con- 

 ducted us to his lodge, within the village, but excused him- 

 self from feasting us, saying, his squaws were all absent at 

 the cornfields. 



It was a war party from this band, which had plundered 

 the detachment from the steam boat, on the preceding sum- 

 mer near the Konza village. For this outrage they had been 

 compelled by the prompt and vigorous interference of Major 

 O' Fallon, the Indian agent, to make ample restitution. 

 Whether it was, that Fool Robe and his warriors were yet 

 a little sore on account of this affair, or for some other rea- 

 son, it was evident, we were not welcome visitants. We had 

 hitherto entertained exalted ideas, of the hospitality of the 

 Pawnees, in their manner of receiving strangers, and were 

 consequently a little disappointed at the reception we had 

 met. We stayed but a short time with Fool Robe. Having 

 briefly described to him the outline of our intended journey, 

 and listened to his remarks and advice respecting it, we re- 

 mounted our horses, and proceeded towards the Loup vil- 

 lage. 



On our way we were met by the Knife-chief, who, having 

 heard of our intention to visit him, came out on horse-back, 

 and met us more than a mile from the village. He gave us 

 a very cordial and friendly reception, frequently rubbing his 

 breast in token of the satisfaction he felt at seeing us. His 

 frank and intelligent countenance, and his impressive ges- 

 tures made him easily understood, without the aid of an in- 

 terpreter. As our cavalcade passed by him, he appeared to 

 examine with some attention, the physiognomy and appoint- 

 ments of the individuals composing it, but when his rapid 

 eye alighted upon Julien, with whom he could use much 

 freedom, he rode up to him and eagerly inquired by means 

 of signs (v. Nos. 27, and 14, in the Appendix), if we had 

 brought with us any whiskey, which, we were grieved to 



VOL. i. 56 



