-J4() Expedition to the 



of plums of a blue colour, and exceedingly agreeable taste, 

 which were collected from trees growing in the adjacent fo- 

 rest. Our cook having intimated to one of them our want of 

 salt, he instantly mounted his horse, and after a short ab- 

 sence, returned with a supply. One half of the hunting par- 

 ty was soon afterwards observed fording the river in a long 

 line about a mile below our camp; the other portion we were 

 told would cross the river at some point above the camp 

 to-morrow morning, and would act in concert with the others, 

 so as to surround the herd of bisons that they were now 

 going in pursuit of. 



In the evening Mr. Swift returned unsuccessful. "When he 

 left us in the morning he directed his course to Clermont's 

 camp, which he found in the prairie, near a small puddle of 

 impure water. He was very cordially and graciously received 

 by the chief, who invited him to partake of some food. He 

 assured Mr. Swift of his regret at being unable to induce any 

 of his young men to pursue our fugitives, who, as he had 

 but then been informed, departed from the village early in 

 the morning. This unwillingness on the part of his young 

 men, arose from their extreme anxiety to hunt the bisons, 

 that were at this time unusually near, an enjoyment which 

 they would on no account relinquish. He likewise regretted 

 that he was at present so circumstanced as to be unable 'to 

 comply with his wishes, by visiting our camp, " But" said 

 Clermont, " if your chief will visit me at my camp, which 

 will be established near yours in the evening, I will treat 

 him well; I will present him with as much maize and dried 

 meat as he wants; I will moreover furnish him with young 

 men to serve as guides, and a horse or two if he wants them, 

 to aid in the transportation of the baggage." Lieut. Swift as- 

 sured him that we were much in want of such assistance as 

 he had proffered, and that on our arrival at Belle Point, his 

 generosity should be requited; but the chief declared his 

 indifference to any recompense for such services. Mr. 



