INDIAN NATIONS, &c.—BOOK I. 
Pi 
approached with pipes of peace, extended before them in their 
•hands. Lisa making signs of reconciliation, they came to him, 
and according to their custom, stroked him on the shoulders, 
begging him not to be displeased, declaring that the Indian 
who had offended him was considered a bad man. This had a 
good effect, and enabled him to proceed on his voyage without 
further molestation. 
On his arrival at the first Mandan village, he determined to 
proceed through these villages, which are situated at intervals 
along the river, in the distance of about twenty miles, while his 
boats continued to ascend. At this village, he held the usual 
council with the chiefs, and presented them a few rolls of 
tobacco, and other articles, and was permitted to continue his 
journey. At the third village, his presents were rejected, and 
the chief demanded some powder, which was refused: Lisa, 
knew that his life was in no danger while his death could not 
procure them his goods, and resisted their repeated solicitations 
in a bold and firm manner ; he told them that they might kill 
him, but that his property would be safe. They were finally 
compelled to accept of such presents as he offered. 
A few days after, having passed the Mandans, he espied the 
Assineboin nation approaching, in a body of four or five thou¬ 
sand souls. These wandering people had learned from their 
scouts, the approach of the traders. The whole prairie, to use 
his expression, was red with them ; some on horseback, others on 
foot, and all painted for war. His situation required the utmost 
boldness and intrepidity. He charged his swivels and made directly 
across to the savages, and when he had come within an hundred 
yards, the match was put, while there was at the same time, a ge¬ 
neral discharge of small arms. This was intended to strike them 
with terror; the effect was ludicrous, they fell back, tumbled over 
each other, and fled to the hills with precipitation. A few of the 
warriors and chiefs only remained. The pipe of peace was pre¬ 
sented, and matters concluded amicably. He continued his voy¬ 
age to the Yellow Stone river, which he ascended about one 
hundred and seventy miles, to the Big Horn river, where he 
built a trading fort. He shortly after despatched Coulter, the 
hunter before mentioned, to bring some of the Indian nations to 
