262 
JOURNAL. 
those engaged, came out of the village to meet them. I accom¬ 
panied them about a mile and an half. They advanced in a kind 
of procession, which moved slowly, with some regularity ; each 
band separate, and sung its song. Some carried the scalps on 
poles* others the sacred standards, which consisted of a large 
bow and a spear, both beautifully ornamented. The scene which 
took place, would be worthy the pen of a Fenelon; the meeting 
of those connected by the most tender relations, was truly affect¬ 
ing. The whole would baffle description ; I was touched with 
the tenderness of a woman, who ran to meet her son, a youth 
badly wounded, but who exerted himself to keep on his horse, 
and from his countenance, one would have supposed nothing 
had been the matter. The young man died almost as soon as 
he arrived at the temple, for it is the custom to carry those who 
have been wounded on these occasions to this place, to be taken 
care of at the public expense. As they approached the village, 
the old men who could hardly walk, whose voices were ex¬ 
tremely shrill, came out singing their songs also, and rubbing 
the warriors with their hands. The following day was spent in 
festivity by the village in general, and in grief by those who had 
lost their relations. 
Towards the last of July, with glad hearts, we set off, to re¬ 
turn once more to civilized life, after more than four months ab¬ 
sence from it. My orders were to go day and night if possible, 
and not to stop for any Indians. The water was extremely high, 
and with the assistance of six oars, we were able to make little 
short of twelve miles an hour. The first day we passed the 
Chienne river, and went some time after night, but considering 
this something dangerous, I landed and continued until daylight. 
The next morning we reached the Great Bend, a vast number 
of buffaloe were to be seen on all sides, and the most tremend¬ 
ous bellowing from the bulls, as this was about the time of 
their mixing with the herds of cows, for they generally stay 
in separate herds. The country this, far is beautiful, the 
points sufficiently wooded, and the bottoms fine. The wind 
becoming high, we were compelled to lie by the whole of: 
the afternoon, in the Great Bend. On the north west side, 
it is bounded the whole of the way by bluffs, nearly bare, 
