208 Expedition to tlic 



Julien was then sent forward towards him, bearing the flag, 

 to assure him of our friendship. The Indian now alvanced 

 but with much caution, and obliquely from one side to the 

 Other, as if beating against the wind. Another Indian was 

 now observed advancing rapidly, who joined his companion. 

 After some communication, by means of signs with Julien, 

 to ascertain who we were, they approached within gunshot 

 of us, and halting, desired to shake hands with our chief. 

 After this ceremony they rode to an elevated ground, in or- 

 der to give information to their party, which during this 

 short interview, we had discovered at a long distance towards 

 the bluffs, drawn up in line, in a conspicuous situation. One 

 of the horsemen halted, whilst his companion rodf trans- 

 versely twice between him and the party. This telegraphic 

 signal was immediately understood by the party, that conse- 

 quentl) came on towards us. But their movement was sp 

 tardy, that it required the exertion of the greater portion 'of 

 our stock of patience to wait their coming, under the ardour 

 of the heated ravs of the sun to which we were ejqiosed. 

 They seemed peaceably disposed, and desired to aceompany 

 us to the river bank, in order to smoke with usA(but such 

 was the scarcity of timber, that we were unablfe to avail 

 ourselves of the shade of a single tree. 



We now ascertained that they were an letan or Camanch 

 (a band of Snake Indians,) war party, thirty- five in number, 

 of whom five were squaws. They had marched to attack the 

 Osages, but were surprised in their camp of night before 

 last, by a party of unknown Indians. In the skirmish that 

 ensued, they lost three men, and had six wounded. They, 

 however, escaped under cover of the darkness, with the fur- 

 ther loss of fifty-six horses and all their clothing, which 

 were captured by the enemy.* They were indeed in a naked 



* We have since learned from Major O'Fallon, that letan, the distin- 

 guished Oto partizan had informed him, within a ievj days of this date, 

 that he had just then returned from a war excursion, in company with a 



