CHAPTER XIV. 



The party meet -with Osage Indians — Some account of this 

 nation — Manner of taking wild horses. 



September 1st. The hunters, who had been sent out at 

 daylight, returned at 8 o'clock again unsuccessful, but after 

 a journey of about three hours we had an opportunity to ap- 

 pease the cravings of hunger, and halted to regale ourselves 

 on a small fawn that was shot. At three o'clock proceeded 

 on, under the extreme atmospheric temperature of the day 

 of ninety-six degrees, and as the current of air was scarcely 

 percf ptible, the day was, as usual, very sultry. We were, at 

 length, very agreeably surprised by hearing an Indian whoop, 

 in our rear, and, on looking back, a mounted Indian was 

 observed upon a rising piece of ground, contemplating our 

 movements. The usual ceremony of displaying our flag and 

 deputing an individual to assure him of the pacific nature of 

 our mission, induced him readily to approach; and after 

 some communication he consented to encamp with us. He 

 informed us that he w?s the son of Clermont, principal chief 

 of the Osages of the Oaks, or Osage dts Ghenes of the 

 French traders, in whose territories we then were. Their 

 village was at the distance of about fifteen miles, but by far 

 the greater portion of the inhabitants of it were now on their 

 way to this river, for the purpose of hunting. They had 

 heard the reports of the guns of our hunters, and agreeably 

 to their custom had sent out spies, of whom he was one, to 

 ascertain from whom the sound proceeded; that he had fallen 

 upon our trail, and consequently had no difficulty in finding 

 us, and was moreover glad to see us. Indeed his. conduct 



