218 
Journal. 
people of the fort. One of these warriors defied a centinel on 
his post; the centinel was commanded to fire over his head, this 
producing no effect, he was seized by a file of men. This he at 
first treated with indifference, declaring, that if he was confined, 
he would get some of the whitemen’s bread ; his tune was chang¬ 
ed, however, by a liberal application of the cat o’ nine tails to 
his back. Great commotions amongst the Indians were excit¬ 
ed ; they rushed forward with their arms; but the soldiers no 
sooner paraded and made ready a few pieces of cannon, than 
they thought proper to retreat. They maintained a threatening- 
attitude for some days, and to give vent to their spite, killed a 
pair of fine oxen, belonging to Mr. Audrain. The officer sent 
for the chiefs, and told them, that unless two others were given 
for the oxen, he would instantly fire upon their village. This 
spirited deportment had the desired effect, the chief complied, 
and after some counselling* the pipe was smoked, and all matters 
adjusted. 
These Indians are not to be compared to the nations east of 
the Mississippi; although at war with most of their neighbors, 
they are a cowardly race. One good trait, however, deserves to 
be mentioned; they have rarely, if ever, been known to spill the 
blood of a White man:—When a white hunter is found on their 
lands, they take away his furs and his arms, he is then beaten 
with ramrods, and driven off. 
• Mr. Sibly informed me, that he was just setting out on a 
tour towards the Arkansas, to visit the salines,* on that river, 
and also to the Kansas and Platte, to see the Pani nation. 
Thus far we have gained about one hundred miles upon the 
party of Hunt—we ai-e in good spirits, and will renew the pur¬ 
suit with augmented vigor. 
This place is something better than three hundred miles up 
the Missouri, in lat. 38° 40'. 
* In the Appendix, there will be found, an extract from the Journal 
®f Mr. Sibly’s tour. 
