132 



hills are precipitated into the river. On this ac 

 count the waters of the Missouri have a purga- 

 tive effect on those who are not accustomed to 

 use them. These four bands are the pirates of 

 the Missouri, and considered the vilest miscre- 

 ants of the savage race. They receive their reg- 

 ular supply of merchandise from the river Saint 

 Peters, and treat the traders on the Missouri 

 with the utmost contempt, whom they never fail 

 to plunder, when it is in their power. Supplica- - 

 tion, or submission renders them the more rapa- 

 cious. They say, the worse they treat the tra- s 

 ders, the more merchandise they will bring* 

 them, and will dispose of their articles on the 

 better terms. 



The Chyennes, la Chien Indians are the rem- 

 nant of a nation once respectable for their num- 

 bers ; formerly resided on a branch of Red river . 

 of Lake Winnipie, which still is called la Chieon, 

 or Dog river. Oppressed by the Sioux, they re- ' 

 moved to the west side of the Missouri, about 

 fifteen miles below the mouth of Warricunne 

 creek, where they built and fortified a village, i 

 but being pursued by their ancient enemies, the \ 

 Sioux, they fled to the Black Hills, about the head ; 

 of Chien river, where they wander in quest of> 

 the buffaloe, having no fixed residence. Their 

 number of warriors is computed to be about three , 

 hundred, and about twelve hundred souls. They 

 do not cultivate, Jaut bring to market buffaloe 



