JOURNAL, 
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that he was flattered with this proof of gen. Clark’s good will 
towards him.” He was surrounded by a number of young war¬ 
riors, who appeared to look upon him with great respect. This 
man, though not a chief, is evidently intriguing to be the head 
of his tribe, and has great influence with them: the chief, Young 
White Hairs, having but little to entitle him to respect from his 
own character, being extremely young, and of a gentle disposi¬ 
tion. Sans Oreille , as is usual with the ambitious amongst these 
people, is the poorest man in the nation: to set the heart upon 
goods and chattels, being reckoned indicative of a mean and nar¬ 
row soul: he gives away every thing he can obtain, in order to 
procure popularity. Such is ambition! Little know they of this 
state of society, who believe that it is free from jealousies, envy, 
detraction, or guilty ambition. No demagoguc-^-no Cataline, 
ever used greater art and finesse, or displayed more policy than 
this cunning savage. The arts of seducing the multitude are 
nearly the same every where, and the passion for power and dis¬ 
tinction, seems inherent in human nature. He is a tall fine look'* 
ing man, possesses very superior abilities, and is esteemed the 
best warrior of the village* 
The fort is handsomely situated, about one hundred feet 
above the level of the river, which makes an elbow at this place* 
giving an extensive view up and down the river. Its form is tri¬ 
angular; this fort is small, not calculated for more than a com¬ 
pany of men. A group of buildings is formed by the factory, 
suttler’s house, &c. The lodges of the Little Osage, are sixty 
in number, and within gun shot of the fort; but they are about to 
remove their village to a prairie, three miies off Their lodges 
are of a circular form, not more than ten or fifteen feet in dia¬ 
meter, constructed by placing mats, made of coarse rushes, over 
forks and poles. 
All three of the Osage bands, together with some Kansas, 
were lately encamped here for the purpose of trading, to the 
number of fifteen hundred warriors. The officer informed me, 
that about ten days ago, serious apprehensions had been enter¬ 
tained from them. A war party, of about two hundred, having 
scalped a few women and children, ol the Ayuwas, their enemies, 
had returned so elated with this exploit, that they insulted the 
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