Rocky Mountains, 211 



voice and unequivocal manner, to desist, which he reluc- 

 tantly complied with. Thus, this horse is immediately dis- 

 tinguished, and recognised by all the parties we have met 

 with, since he has been with us. 



We had remained about an hour with this party, when in 

 consequence of this conduct, of their importunateness, and 

 some incipient symptoms of disorder amongst them, we 

 judged it prudent to leave them, without further delay, in 

 order to avoid a quarrel. 



We therefore mounted our horses, notwithstanding the 

 earnest solicitations of these Indians, that we would pass the 

 night with them, probably anticipating another night attack 

 from some unseen enemy. But hardly had we proceeded an 

 himdred yards, when Julien's voice called our attention to 

 the precarious situation in which he was placed. He had 

 been by an accident detained in the rear, and being separa- 

 ted a shor^distance from the party, he was now entirely sur- 

 rounded bv Indians, who appeared determined to strip him of 

 every thing, and by pulling at his blanket, bridle, &c. they had 

 nearly unhorsed him. Several of us, of course, at this critical 

 juncture, turned our horses to assist him, and a soldier who 

 was nearest, prepared his rifte to begin the onset. Observing 

 cur attitude, many of the Indians were in a moment prepa- 

 red for battle, by placing their arrows across their bows, 

 and a skirmish would, no doubt, have ensiied, had not the 

 partizan, observing our determination, and influenced per- 

 haps by gratitude for the presents he had received, called off 

 his men from Julien, and permitted us, without any further 

 molestation, to proceed on our way. 



In consequence of the desperate situation of this party, 

 we could not entertain a doubt, that they would attempt to 

 capture our horses during the night, and to appropriate to 

 themselves our personal equipments. We therefore continu- 

 ed our movement until a later hour than usual, and after a 

 day's journey of twenty-two miles, during which we saw but 



