106 Expedition to the 



five of these poles are, among the Bad-hearts, equal in value 

 to a horse. 



The chief of this band is called the Red Mouse. He is of 

 large stature, is somewhat past the middle age of life, and 

 no way deficient in his person, and countenance of those in- 

 dications of strength, cunning, and ferocity, which form so 

 important a part of greatness in the estimation of the Indians. 



Immediately after he had dismounted, on the halting of 

 his party, a small wooden dish was brought him, containing 

 some water. He had received a wound some time before 

 apparently from an arrow, which had passed through the 

 arm. Placing the dish on the grnnnd before him, he dipped 

 his hand repeatedly in the water, then seizing a small image 

 of an alligator, profusely ornamented with white and blue 

 beads, he pressed it in his hand with all the strength of the 

 wounded arm. This we saw him repeat a great number 

 of times. The alligator appeared to be the great medicineman. 

 which he relied for the cure of his wound; no dressing or 

 application of any kind was made immediately to the affect- 

 ed part. 



As soon as we had placed our baggage in the tent provi- 

 ded for us, we commenced negotiations with Red Mouse, 

 for the purchase of horses. When the articles we proposed 

 to barter were exhibited, he appeared dissatisfied, supposing 

 probably, we had still others in reserve, which he would be 

 able by a little obstinacy to extort from us. He accord- 

 ingly insisted that more of the packs should be opened, and, 

 at last, undertook to extend his inquiries to our private bag- 

 gage. This we found it necessary to resist, and a little scuf- 

 fle ensued, at which many of the Indians, with a throng of 

 women and children, who surrounded us, took fright and 

 ran off with the utmost despatch. They all appeared some- 

 what surprised and intimidated, and the few who remained 

 in our lodge, entreated us not to be angry at the insolence 

 they had shown, saying we should frighten their women, 



