Chap.  IV.

Council held with the Tetons—­Their manners, dances, &c.—­Chayenne River—­Council held with the Ricara Indians—­Their manners and habits—­Strange instance of Ricara idolatry—­Another instance—­Cannonball river—­Arrival among the Mandans—­Character of the surrounding country, and of the creeks, islands, &c.

September 25.  The morning was fine, and the wind continued from the southeast.  We raised a flagstaff and an awning, under which we assembled at twelve o’clock, with all the party parading under arms.  The chiefs and warriors from the camp two miles up the river, met us, about fifty or sixty in number, and after smoking delivered them a speech; but as our Sioux interpreter, Mr. Durion, had been left with the Yanktons, we were obliged to make use of a Frenchman who could not speak fluently, and therefore we curtailed our harangue.  After this we went through the ceremony of acknowledging the chiefs, by giving to the grand chief a medal, a flag of the United States, a laced uniform coat, a cocked hat and feather:  to the two other chiefs a medal and some small presents; and to two warriors of consideration certificates.  The name of the great chief is Untongasabaw, or Black Buffaloe; the second Tortohonga, or the Partisan; the third Tartongawaka, or Buffaloe Medicine:  the name of one of the warriors was Wawzinggo; that of the second Matocoquepa, or Second Bear.  We then invited the chiefs on board, and showed them the boat, the airgun, and such curiosities as we thought might amuse them:  In this we succeeded too well; for after giving them a quarter of a glass of whiskey, which they seemed to like very much, and sucked the bottle, it was with much difficulty that we could get rid of them.  They at last accompanied captain Clarke on shore in a periogue with five men; but it seems they had formed a design to stop us; for no sooner had the party landed than three of the Indians seized the cable of the periogue, and one of the soldiers of the chief put his arms round the mast:  the second chief who affected intoxication, then said, that we should not go on, that they had not received presents enough from us; captain Clarke told him that he would not be prevented from going on; that we were not squaws, but warriors; that we were sent by our great father, who could in a moment exterminate them:  the chief replied, that he too had warriors, and was proceeding to offer personal violence to captain Clarke, who immediately drew his sword, and made a signal to the boat to prepare for action.  The Indians who surrounded him, drew their arrows from their quivers and were bending their bows, when the swivel in the boat was instantly pointed towards them, and twelve of our most determined men jumped into the periogue and joined captain Clarke.  This movement made an impression on them, for the grand chief ordered the young men away from the periogue, and they withdrew and held a short council with the warriors.  Being