CHAPTER XIV.

Captain Lewis proceeds before the main body in search of the Shoshonees—­his ill success on the first interview—­the party with captain Lewis at length discover the source of the Missouri—­captain Clarke with the main body still employed in ascending the Missouri or Jefferson river—­captain Lewis’s second interview with the Shoshonees attended with success—­the interesting ceremonies of his first introduction to the natives, detailed at large—­their hospitality—­their mode of hunting the antelope—­the difficulties encountered by captain Clarke and the main body in ascending the river—­the suspicions entertained of captain Lewis by the Shoshonees, and his mode of allaying them—­the ravenous appetites of the savages illustrated by a singular adventure—­the Indians still jealous, and the great pains taken by captain Lewis to preserve their confidence—­captain Clarke arrives with the main body exhausted by the difficulties which they underwent.

Sunday, August 11.  Captain Lewis again proceeded on early, but had the mortification to find that the track which he followed yesterday soon disappeared.  He determined therefore to go on to the narrow gate or pass of the river which he had seen from the camp, in hopes of being able to recover the Indian path.  For this purpose he waded across the river, which was now about twelve yards wide, and barred in several places by the dams of the beaver, and then went straight forward to the pass, sending one man along the river to his left, and another on the right, with orders to search for the road, and if they found it to let him know by raising a hat on the muzzle of their guns.  In this order they went along for about five miles, when captain Lewis perceived with the greatest delight a man on horseback at the distance of two miles coming down the plain towards them.  On examining him with the glass, captain Lewis saw that he was of a different nation from any Indians we had hitherto met:  he was armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows; mounted on an elegant horse without a saddle, and a small string attached to the under jaw answered as a bridle.  Convinced that he was a Shoshonee, and knowing how much of our success depended on the friendly offices of that nation, captain Lewis was full of anxiety to approach without alarming him, and endeavour to convince him that he was a white man.  He therefore, proceeded on towards the Indian at his usual pace, when they were within a mile of each other the Indian suddenly stopt, captain Lewis immediately followed his example, took his blanket from his knapsack, and holding it with both hands at the two corners, threw it above his head and unfolded it as he brought it to the ground as if in the act of spreading it.  This signal which originates in the practice of spreading a robe or a skin, as a seat for guests to whom they wish to show a distinguished kindness, is the universal