Rocky Mountains, 177 



become acquainted with its features, its produce, and popu- 

 lation; that we had been many moons on our journey, and 

 had" passed through many red nations, of whose hospitality 

 we largely partook, &c. This was translated into French, 

 then into Pawnee, and afterwards into Kiawa and the other 

 languages, by their respective interpreters. In reply a chief 

 expressed his surprise that we had travelled so far, and as- 

 sured us that they were happy to see us, and hoped that as 

 a road was now open to our nation, traders would be sent 

 amongst them. 



We assured them that traders would be soon amongst 

 them, provided we could report, on our return, that we had 

 been hospitably treated while travelling through their coun- 

 try. 



A few presents, such as knives, combs, vermillion, &c. 

 were then laid before the chiefs, who in return presented us 

 with three or four horses, which terminated the proceedings 

 of the council. We afterwards understood that our guests 

 thought we gave but little, and it is perhaps true that the 

 value of their presents was far greater than ours, yet our 

 liberality was fully equal to our means. 



The whole population had now deserted their edifices, 

 and cr6wded about us, and agreeably to our wishes, which 

 were announced in the council, the women brought jerked 

 meat, and the men skin and hair ropes for halters, to trade 

 with us for trinkets, and we were enabled to obtain a suffi- 

 cient quantity of each, at a very moderate price. The trading 

 being completed, we expected the crowd to diminish, but it 

 seemed rather to augment, both in magnitude and density, 

 until becoming a very serious inconvenience, we requested 

 the chiefs to direct their people to retire, which they imme- 

 diately complied with; but, with the exception of the Shienne 

 chief, were not obeyed. All the Shiennes forthwith left 

 us in compliance with the peremptory orders of their chief, 

 who seemed to be a man born to command, endowed with 



VOL. II. 23 



