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Show !02 Lewis a11d Cla7ke's Expedition which added to his looks made bim more terrible than "·e wished him to be. Opposite our camp is a small creek on the south, which we distinguished by the name of the chief Kaka wit~sassa. Wednesday, 10th. The weather was this day fine, and a~ we were desh·ous of assembling the whole nation at once, wt despatched Mr. Gravelines, who with Mr. Tabeau another }"t·ench tt·ader had breakfeasted with us, to invite the chiefs of the two uppet• villages te a conference. They all assembled at one o'clock, and after the usual ceremonies we addres~ ed them in the same way in which we had already spoken t.o the Ottoes and Sioux: we then made or acknowledged three chiefs, one for each of the three villages; giving to each a flag, a medal, a red coat, a cocked hat and feather, also some goods, }nl.int and tobacco, which they divided among themselves: after this the airgun was exhibited, very much to their astonishment, nor were they less surprised at the colour and manner of York. On our side we were equally gratified at discovering that these Ricaras made use of no spirituous liquors of any kind, the example of the traders who bring it to them so far ft·om tempting having in fact disgusted them. Supposing that it was as agreeable to them as to the other Indians, we had at first offered them whiskey; but they refused it with this sensible remark, that they were surprised that their father should present to them a liquor which would make them fools. On another occa· sion they observed to M1'. 'l'abeau, that no man could be their tHend who tried to lead them into such follies. 'fhc council being over they retired to consult on theit· answer, and the next morning, Thursday, 11th, at eleven o'clock we again met in coun· cil at our camp. 'rhe grand chief made a short speech of thanks for the advice we had given, and pt~omiscd to follow it; adding that the door was now open and no one dare shut it, and that we might depart whenever we pleased, alluding to the treatment we had received from the Sioux: they also Up the e~llissouri. 103 brought us some corn, beans, and dried squashes, and in return we gave them a steel mill with which thf:"y were much pleased. At one o'clock we left our camp with the grand chief and his nephew on board, and at about two miles anchored below a creek on the south, separating the second and third village of the Ricaraa, which are about half a mile distant from ('ach other. 'Vc visited both the villages, and sat conversing with the chiefs for some time, during which they presented us with a bread made of corn and beans, also corn and beans boiled, and a large rich bean which they take from the mice of the prairie, who discover and collect it. These two villages al'e placed ncar each other in a high smooth prairie; a fine situation, except that having no wood f he inhabitants arc obliged to go for it ac1·oss the river to a timbered lowland OJ>positc to them. 'Ve told them that we would speak to them in the morning at their l'illages separatdy. Thursday, 12th. Accordingly after breakfast we went on shore to the house of the chief of the secon(l village named Lassel, where we found bis chiefs and warriors. They ~adeus a ~resent of about seven bushels of corn, a pair of leglogs, a tw1st of their tobacco, and the seeds of two different s~ecies of tobacco. '"I'hc chief then delivered a speech expresSIV~ of his gratitude for the presents and the good oounsels lvlueh we bad given him; his intention of visiting his great father but for fear of the Sioux; and requested us to take one of the Ricara chiefs up to the Mandans and negociate a peace between the two nations. To this we replied in a suitable way, and then repaired to the third village. }Jere we were addressed by the chief in nearly the same tet•ms as befor•, and entertained with a present of ten bushels of corn, some beans, dried pumpkins, and squashes. After we bad answered an_d explained the magnitude and power of the United States, the thl'ee chiefs came with us to the boat. We gave them some sugar, a little salt, and a sunglass. Two Qf tlu:m then left us. 8nd the eh.ief of the third, b' name • |