442 Expedition to the 



learn, by this intimation, that he was acquainted with, and 

 would indulge in; Julien replied in the negative, by the ex- 

 hibition of the proper sign, (No. 65,) with which he did not 

 betray any dissatisfaction, although it was evident from his 

 subsequent conversation, that he believed it to be false. On 

 the wa) to the village, he pointed out a convenient place for 

 us to dispose of our horses and establish our camp. Here we 

 dismounted, leaving our horses in the care of the guard, and 

 followed the chief to his lodge. Soon after our arrival, a 

 large dish was placed before us, according to the custom of 

 the Indians, filled with boiled sweet corn. While we were 

 eating, the Knife-chief with the principal men of his nation, 

 were sitting silently behind us. Having finished our repast, 

 we gave the Indians an account of ourselves, the occasion of 

 our visit to them, our intended journey to the mountains 

 at the head of the Platte, &c, as in the other villages. To 

 all this the Knife-chief listened with great attention. He 

 expressed himself satisfied with the account we had given of 

 the objects of our enterprize, but feared we should be ill- 

 treated by the savages we should meet. " Your heart must 

 be strong, 1 ' said he, " to go upon so hazardous a journey. 

 May the Master of Life be your protector." The same be- 

 nediction had been given us by the chiefs of the Republican 

 and Grand Pawnees, probably with nearly the same degree 

 of ingenuousness and sincerity. The Pawnees are at war with 

 the Arrapahoes, Kaskaias, and other erratic bands, who wan- 

 der about the sources of the Platte and Arkansa. Their war 

 parties are often sent out in that direction, where they some- 

 times meet a spirited reception from their enemies. It may 

 be on this account, that the Pawnees connect the idea of 

 imminent danger, to an excursion into those parts of the 

 country which we proposed to visit. It is, however, highly 

 probable, their unwillingness to have us pass through their 

 hunting grounds, was the most productive cause of all the 

 anxiety, and all the fears they expressed on our account. 



