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pleased with the appearance. But at this time 

 my mind was occupied with anxiety about my 

 fate, and that of my companions, expecting to be 

 tomahawked or burned. On our arrival we were 

 taken to the centre of the encampment, where the 

 two chief tents were situated, and ray self and' 

 companions put into the tents belonging to the 

 chief who had taken us» The goods were un- 

 loaded and distributed among the Indians. While 

 this was doing, a Frenchman came into the tent 

 and spoke to me, which much revived my spirits. 

 As soon as he had learned that we were all French- 

 men, he left us ; but soon returned with the con- 

 soling news that we should be well treated. The 

 chief soon after came in, ordered us unbound,, 

 and that some meat should be given us to eat. 

 His squaws were now bringing in his share of the 

 goods. The chief seated himself, and then the 

 other chief and the warriors came in, and after 

 lighting their pipes, entered into a long conversa- 

 tion, in the Sioux tongue, with the Fenchman. 

 As soon as the conversation ended, my men were 

 distributed among the warriors, and I was retain- 

 ed by the chief who took me. The name of the 

 Frenchman, who resided with this people, was 

 Pardo. He informed me no further injury was 

 intended me, or my men. He also informed me 

 that this was a party that went in pursuit of some 

 Osage Indians, who, a short time before, had 

 killed some of their band, and that their meeting 

 with me was accidental; but suspecting me to be 



