SIOUX INDIANS. 



149 



birds that destroy a good deal of the new sown 

 grain, as well as when it is ripe for harvest. 

 Multitudes of pigeons also now appear, and 

 unless they are continually shot at, they devour 

 the fruits of husbandry. They fly by millions, 

 and are often seen extending to a vast distance 

 like a cloud ; when one flock has passed another 

 succeeds, and we often profit by this kind gift 

 of Providence, by shooting them in their migra- 

 tions, as excellent food. 



There is a general talk among the surround- 

 ing tribes of Indians, of going to war against 

 the Sioux nation. A strong band of the Assi- 

 niboines are directing their course towards 

 Pembina ; and Pigewis, who is by no means 

 a war Chief, is setting off in that direction to 

 join them. Their rage of vengeance towards 

 the Sioux Indians appears to know no bounds ; 

 but the scalp of some poor solitary individuals 

 among them will probably terminate the cam- 

 paign. They cannot keep long together in 

 numerous parties from the want of foresight to 

 provide for their subsistence ; and accordingly 

 a little more than a week's absence brought 

 Pigewis back again, w r ith his party, without 

 their having seen an enemy, and in the 

 destitute condition of being without food and 

 moccassins. 



