SECOND EXPEDITION

Cool reception by the Natives.—The kind Old Chief.—Arrival of the Rocky Mountain, or Corbeaux Indians; grand festivities ; speeches.—Difficulties with the Corbeaux ; the Old Chief gets the * White men ” out of trouble.—Mr. Larocque leaves for the Rocky Mountains.—Origin of the Corbeaux or Crow Indians ; their language.—Splendid harvest.—The return ; sufferings in the prairies.

In the course of our first expedition Lo the Mississourie, having sen several Rocky Mountain Indians, we made inquiries regarding the state of their country, its trade &c. We learnt that beavers were as numerous in their rivers as buffaloes and other large animaä:s were in their plains or meadows, which account was confirmed by an old voyageur lately from that quarter.

In consequence of this information, Mr. Chaboillez formed the plan of establishing trade with the Natives, and Mr. La Rocque was appointeü to carry that plan into execution. 1 was ordered to accompany the expedition as far as the Mandanes.

On the 3rd of June all was ready, and we took our departure. The party consisted of Mr. La Rocque, Mr. La France, two voyageurs and myself, provided with thirteen horses.

Soon after, falling in with a large band of Assiniboines, we experienced some difficulty to get clear of them with our property in safety. It was the same band which pillaged the Hudson Bay party the preceding fall. The Chief, who was a rogue, we salisfied underhand and we escaped unhurt, We had srarcely arrived on the banks of the Missurie, when the Gros Ventres sent

canoes Lo ferry us over to their villages. Here we were surprised to find the whole of the inhabitants with blackened faces, and the young men singing and dancing round the place with a scalp.

We observed a great change in their dress, which in many instances consisted of articles foreign to these distant tribes, viz: Russia shirting trousers,swansdown vests, corderoy jackets, calico shirts, &c., all resembling canadian voyageurs clothing, from which we had reason to suspect that these people had succesfully attacked some of the North-West Company's esta blishment.

We enquired repeatedly how they came by these fineries, but no one seemed inclined to inform us, all gave evasive answers. However, we at length discovered that a party had been to make war upon the Blackfeet [ndians and killed those who were in possession of these articles. This in a manner confirmed our doubts.

By and by the truth came out, the Indians who had reaped no benefit from the spoils, through jealousy, divulged the secret, They reported that the Chief of the Wolves, with his young men, had recently returned from a war expedition in the Black. feet country, where they killed several of the white people and carried away their effects, which were the same that we now observed worn in the viilage We immediately spoke to the Chief ofthe Wolves, and he acknowledged the whole as follows:

“The evening before the attack, observing some people at a “ considerable distance near the banks of the great North River, ‘ [ thought we discovered the enemy and my heart was glad; ‘“ We became impatient but we waited night to make our ap. “ proach. Coming within a certain distance, hearing the drum ‘ beating, we delayed until all was silent, aud it was the dawn & of the morn when our : oung men fired on the tent whence ‘ wve heard the drum.

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some people ata reat North River, heart was glad; t to make our aphearing the drum

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the tent whence

“ At the first discharge the persons who were within rushed “ out ; it was then I discovered our error, that our attack was “ on white men. I was sorry, but I could not prevail on the “ young men to cease firing and be wise. The white men fled “to their canoes, and the young men carried away the things “which were left in the camp. I did not kill any of the white “ men, but I did believethey were Serpent Indians, our enemies ; “Tam sorry they were your friends ”.

By this discourse, we concluded that these Indians had killed some of our people on the south branch of the Saskatchewine river. The Indians of the village, perceiving by our countenances that we were acquainted with the outrage committed upon our friends, discontinued their rejoicings and the exhibition of their plunder.

My business being confined to the villages and their vicinity, [lost no time in adopting the necessary measures for securing the trade of that quarter. Mr. La Rocque, who was to ascend the Mississouri on discovery, was opposed in his views by the Indians, who insisted upon his return to Red River without going any further on his expedition. They asserted that if the white people would extend their dealings to the Rocky Mountaius, the Mandanes would thereby become great sufferers, as they not only would lose all the benefit which they had hitherto derived from their intercourse with these distant tribes, but that in measure as these tr'bes obtained arms, they would become independant and insolent in the extreme,

This remonstrance was made in a tone which could not fail to cause uneasiness to Mr. La Rocque and he was at a loss how tosteer his course ; he therefore applied to the head chief, called the Borgne, who was then confined to bed, for advice. This chief is reckoned a very superior character. Mr. La Rocque xposed his difficulties ; he listened to them with attention, then made the following reply.

‘ My Son,” said he, ‘ were T in health when you arrived, ‘“ vou should have been quartered in my tent, and the Indians ‘ would have been more civil to you; but the Indians have no ‘“ sense. The Chief of the white people wishes you to visit the “ Rocky Mountain and you shall visit them; when I shall be “well, no one dare hinder you. The Indians call for goods, but ‘they have already too many goods; I am angry at the Chief ‘of the Wolves; he ought to be ashamed; he has abused the ‘“ goodness of the white people; he offered me part of his ‘ plunder, but [ declined his offers. Have patience ! my son ; ‘ lend a deaf ear to bad talk. I adopted a son among the Tribes ‘“ of the mountain; he is a good man, and he is a great chief

‘ He will soon be here, and yeu shall accompany him and be ‘ safe.

# But hearken to my words, my son; when the Mountain ‘ [ndians arrive, be kind to them, they know not white men;

‘ you will hand them your pipe of ceremony ; you will clothe ‘the chief; you will give him a flag and a stem, and you will ‘ make him a present, for he is a great man. But I shall be ‘ well then, and I will assist you. Take courage! my son, but ‘ do not throw evil medicines among the Indians.”

Mr. La Rocque, deriving confidence from these favorable pro. fessions of the ‘Great Chief,” was much relieved from his anxiety, and he assured him that he would a‘tend to his words, think of him hereafter as a father, and would be happy to see him at our Great Fort on the Assiniboine River. We then returned to our quarters. The Indians still persisted in plaguing us, but as we were successful in our application at head quarters, we had reason to think less of their importunities.

About the middle of June, the Rocky Mountain Indians made their appearance. They consisted of more than three hundrel tents, and presented the handsomest sight that one could imagine; all on horseback, children of small size were lashed

1 you arrived, id the Indians ndians have no ou to visit the phen I shall be IL for goods, but ry at the Chief has abused the me part of his ience ! my son ; mong the Tribes is a great chief ny him and be

n the Mountain not white men; : you will clothe em, and you will But I shall be age! my son, but ans.” se favorable proelieved from .his end to his words, uld be happy to River. We then rsisted in plaguing at head quarters, ties.

ain Indians made an three hundrel that one could size were lashed

THE MISSISSOURI INDIANS 845

to the saddle ana those above the age of six could manage a horse. The women had wooden saddles, most af the men had none. There were a great many horses for the baggage and the whole, exceeding two thousand, covered a large space of ground and had the appearance of an army.

They halted on a rising ground behind the village, and, having formed a circle, the chieï addressed them; they then descended full speed, rode through the village, exhibiting their dexterity in horsemanshipin a thousand shapes. I was astonished to see their agility and address, and I do believe they are the best riders in the wor' 1. They were dressed in leather and looked clean and neat; some wore beads and rings as ornaments. Their arms were bows and arrows, lances and round stones enclosed in leather and slung to a shank in the form of a Whip; they make use of shields, and they have a few guns

On the following day, the Missurie Indians, dressed in their best fineries, returned the compliment by a similar exhibition. These, having the advantage of residing in the vicinity of trading establishments, were better provided with necessaries and consequently had a more warlike appearance, but they were inferior in the managr nent of their horses.

In the meantime, Le Borgne sent for us in order to introduce Mr. La Rocque to the Rocky Mountain Chief, whose name is Nakesinia, or Red Calf. When we offered to shake hands with this great man, he did not understand the intention aud stood motionless until he was informed that shaking hands was the sign of friendship among while men; then he stretched forth both his hands to receive ours. Le Borgne said a great deal in favour of the Company, but he did not praise the Americans.

Mr. La Rocque’s great pipe was handed round as a precious offering and each took a few whiffs; then Mr. La Rocque presented to the Red Calf a flag a stem, with some mercantile articles, and the Chief, to testify his sense of the obligation,

adopted Mr. La Rocque as Father and promised to respect and consider him as such for ever after.

Les Gros Ventres made the Corbeaux (for so the Rocky Mountain tribe was called) smoke the pipe of friendship, and, at the same time, laid before them a present consisting of two hundred guns, with one hundred rounds of ammunition for each, a hundred bushels of indian corn, a certain quantity of mer. cantile articles, such as kettles, axes, clothes, &c. The Corbeaux in return brought two hundred and fifty horses, large parcels of buffaloes robes, leather leggins, shirts, &c., &c.

This exchange of trading civilities took place dancing ; when the dancing was over, the presents were distributed among the individuals in proportion to the value of the articles respectively furnished ; this dance therefore is a rule of traffic. The Mandane villages exchanged similar civilities with the same tribe, It is incredible the great quantity of merchandise which the Missouri Indians haveaccumulated by intercourse with Indians that visit them from the vicinity of commercial establishments.

I traded a few things with the Corbeaux. Their beaver skins were badly dressed and split upon the back, in place of on the belly, a proof that they were not much acquainted with the importance of that favorite article of commerce. Afraid to ask too small a price, they seemed averse from dealing with me, for they would have a white man pay four times the value of a thing, or often let him go without,

When the Corbeaux Indians were on the eve of departure, the Borgne Chief sent word to Mr. Larocque to make ready, and join them. He immediately began to arrange his things for the journey. The Gros Ventres, perceiving the intention of the preparations, crowded into our quarters and threatened Mr. La Rocque with their displeasure should he persist in his design. At this moment'the Great Chief entered with a battle axe in his hand. Staring around him with an imperious air, he asked, in

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attle axe in his r, he asked, in

a thundering tone, why so many Indians were assembled there ? They answered that they came to take their last farewell of the white men, who they expected never to see again.

“€ Why ” said the Chief, with a sneer ‘ should you feel so “so much concern if the white men are inclined to risk their “ lives in a strange land ; that is no business of yours ; you “ have warned them sufficiently of the danger, yet they will go “on”. By this timethe Indians, one by one, went sneaking out ofthe way. Then we accompanied the Chicf, Mr. La Rocque leading his horse by the briddle,

When we entered the camp ofthe Corbeaux, we could perceive many of that tribe disapproved of Mr. La Rocque’s intention, for some of them exclaimed ‘ where are you going white men ? “ return, go home, we do not wish for your company; some of “ our young men have no dis:retion ; we are afraid ”. These insinuations had no effect on Mr. La Rocque’s resolution, he was determined ; but one of our party, a Voyageur, thought himself indisposed and applied for leave to remain with me. ‘I “see plainly the cause of your indisposition ”” said Mr. Larocque ; * You: courage fails you, like au old woman ; you “ may remain ”. This severe reprimand threw the fellow into a violent passion and he became extremely abusive. However, Mr. Larocque took no particular notice of his conduct, for he could not punish so much insolence before so many strange Indians without risking the loss of their good opinion of him, and thereby the success of his expedition.

This unpleasant disagreement caused a bustle in the camp and most of the Indians collected round us. Finding this a favorable opportunity, the Great Chief and our friend Le Borgne addressed the strange Indians and his adopted son, the Red calf, as follows :

“ My son, and my friends, réjoice!— White men are to visit “your land and you will feel easy in their company, but we

‘ shall regret their absence. White men are curious; they “ come from afar; they know much, and wish to learn more, “They are three only of their party, your party are a thousand “and more! You see their skin, it is white ; their hearts are as ‘“ white as their skin; they are good and will do you no harm, “ Give them plenty to eat, let them have the best, and be first

“ served.

‘“ Let your women be kind to them. Never ask anything from “them, they are generous and they will pay you your kind- “ness. White men love beaver, and they are continually in ‘“ search of beaver for its skin. What use they make of the “ skin I know not, but they give us good things in return ; they ‘“ exchange it for guns, ammunition, &c.

‘ Our fathers were not acquainted with white men; we live better than our fathers lived. Do your neighbours the Serpent “ nation enjoy the security and happiness we enjoy? If the “white men could furnish them, as they furnish us, with arms, “we should not then carry away so many of the Serpents “ scalps.

“The white men are powerful, they are like magic! there. ‘“ fore I once more entreat you to protect with indulgence those “ l recommend. You, my son, must never let the young white “ chief out of your sight; go with him wherever he goes; ‘“ should any misfortune happen to him, we shall be ashamed ‘ to meet white men.

«This summer I mean to visit the Great White Chief at his “ fort; I shall tell him that his young friends are safe in charge of my son who is a great man, and the great chief of the white ‘“ people will be kind to you. But I have heard some of the women, as [ was passing through the camp. call out : “return white men! go home! weare afraid !? Say, my friends, what “ means this ” ?

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THE MISSISSOURI INDIANS 849

After a pause of some minutes an elderly man raising his voice, said : We were suspicious of these white men ; we were “ afraid they might throw evil medicines among us and spoil “our lands, but you have removed our fears, and you can “ depend upon our good behaviour. The Corberux are in two “tribes, they have two chiefs. The Red Calf who receives “ favours from the white men, and the Red Fish who receives “none; it was the Red Fish that told us to be angry.”

No sooner had the old man ceased speaking than the Red Calf addressed Mr. LaRocque, ‘ Father,” said he, “if you are “willing to go with us, we are willing to receive you, but “should an enemy stand in our way, or attack us in our “journey, you and your young men must assist us in beating “him off”

Mr. La Rocque said he would assist his friends on all occasions. Then Le Borgne made a harangue of great length and concluded by observing that his heart was full, and that he would be in a state of anxiety until the return of the white men.

My affairs requiring my presence in the villages I shook hands with my friend Mr. LaRocque and withdrew. Le Borgne has been of great service to us and, if his influence will accompany Mr. LaRoque in his journey, the Indians will be very careful notto give him any offence.

The men of the Corbeaux nation are generally of the middle size, inclining to corpulency, with fair complexion and a pleasant countenance, The “ omen are handsome, but their beauty fades carly, even children have grey hairs. The nation is in two tribes, Kegh-chy-sa and Hey-re-ro-ka, governed by two chiefs, the Red Calf and the Red Fish, and may muster about six hundred warriors ; they speak a dialect of the Gros Ventres.

The origin of the Corbeaux is accounted for, in the following manner : Two brothers of the Gros Ventres named Kegh-chy-sa

“nd Hey-re-ro-ka were wicked men; they murdered numbers of their own relations and were, in consequence, obliged to fly for safety tothe distant recesses of the Rocky Mountains, where, falling in with the Flat Heads, they. provided themselves with wives. The offsprings of that connexion became a new tribe, speaking a new dialect which, being a mixture of the two others. is understood by the three tribes. Les Gros Ventres call them, selves ‘ E-na-sa ” and the Coréeaux ‘‘ Kech-chy-sa” and “ Hey-re. ro ka,” while tho Corbeaux call the Gros Ventres ‘ E-na-ta” anû themselves “ Keigh-chy-ta,” ‘ Hen-ne-no:ta.” Most of the words in both languages begin the same, but end differently as follows :