The names of the Indians varies in the course of their life:  originally given in childhood, from the mere necessity of distinguishing objects, or from some accidental resemblance to external objects, the young warrior is impatient to change it by some achievement of his own.  Any important event, the stealing of horses, the scalping an enemy, or killing a brown bear, entitles him at once to a new name which he then selects for himself, and it is confirmed by the nation.  Sometimes the two names subsist together:  thus, the chief Cameahwait, which means, “one who never walks,” has the war name of Tooettecone, or “black gun,” which he acquired when he first signalized himself.  As each new action gives a warrior a right to change his name, many of them have had several in the course of their lives.  To give to a friend his own name is an act of high courtesy, and a pledge like that of pulling off the moccasin of sincerity and hospitality.  The chief in this way gave his name to captain Clarke when he first arrived, and he was afterwards known among the Shoshonees by the name of Cameahwait.

The diseases incident to this state of life may be supposed to be few, and chiefly the result of accidents.  We were particularly anxious to ascertain whether they had any knowledge of the venereal disorder.  After inquiring by means of the interpreter and his wife, we learnt that they sometimes suffered from it, and that they most usually die with it; nor could we discover what was their remedy.  It is possible that this disease may have reached them in their circuitous communications with the whites through the intermediate Indians; but the situation of the Shoshonees is so insulated, that it is not probable that it could have reached them in that way, and the existence of such a disorder among the Rocky mountains seems rather a proof of its being aboriginal.

CHAPTER XVII.

The party, after procuring horses from the Shoshonees, proceed on their journey through the mountains—­The difficulties and dangers of the route—­A council held with another band of the Shoshonees, of whom some account is given—­They are reduced to the necessity of killing their horses for food—­Captain Clarke with a small party precedes the main body in quest of food, and is hospitably received by the Pierced-nose Indians—­Arrival of the main body amongst this tribe, with whom a council is held—­They resolve to perform the remainder of their journey in canoes—­Sickness of the party—­They descend the Kooskooskee to its junction with Lewis river, after passing several dangerous rapids—­Short description of the manners and dress of the Pierced-nose Indians.

August 27.  We were now occupied in determining our route and procuring horses from the Indians.  The old guide who had been sent on by captain Clarke, now confirmed, by means of our interpreter, what he had already asserted, of a road up Berry creek which