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Show 124 JOURNEY FROM OREGON, . Such, we believe, is about the sense, in which we understood M1·. Bisonette, describing the treaty maue by Col. Carney, with the Sioux and Shians. He is one of the principal partners in the neighborin rr tradin rr establishment, Fort Platte, and we pt•esume b b . that it is mai nly correct. He gave us, as his opiuion, that for a time it would have a favorable influence ov er the conduct of the India' ns; but that it would soon be forgotten, and dis regarded, and that nothing but a st rong military post, located in their country, could keep them in awe, and make the l ives of Americans, safe among them. Our little company, .after a short delay, c o n tir~ ueu down the North Fork. On the 3d of August we approached the spot, where Mr. Adams was remain ing, in charge of a large quantity of BuffiLlo robes, the cargo of one of the boa ts wh ich had failed in descending the River. He was awaiting the arl"iv!:tl of wagons from Mr. Bisonette, to convey them to the States. As soon as we came in sight of Mt·. Adams, w.e saw a village of Sioux coming, at the same time, from another direction. They anived a few minutes before us, and were engaged in pitching their lodges when we came up. \tV hen we were yet half a mile off, we found · two young Indians, sitting beside the ruad, who rose up, and gave us their hands in token of f:-iendship; and then making signs to us to proceed, they led the way, to where the ir village was encamping, beside Mr. Adams. We ha':l been discovered by them from the hills on the Scuth, out of which they came; and the two young men had been dis· patched by their Chief, to ascertain our character, and to conduct us, if frie nds, of which they of course had little doubt, to the village. ·without dismountin g, we delivered to Mr. Adams, a leHer from Mr. Bisonette; enquired whether we would probably fall in with any of the Sioux below, and whether with the Pawnees; and what, in his opinion, would be their disposition towards us, in case we should. \tVe smoked with the Chief, and after a few minutes cm)versation with Mr. Adams, from which we could determine nothing satisfactorily, we .again turned into the trail, and continued down the river. 'fhe Indians treated us with great civility, They did not crowd around, when we stopped, to pilfer and beg, as Indians generally do about a small party. · W·hen we passed by their .e.ncampment, as w.e were leaving, the WITH SOME OP ITS 1NCIDENTS. 125 women and children, with some of the young men, came out and s!ood by the side of the road; and the Chief, and a few of the old men, walked with us tlH1ee or four hundred yards, in hopes of re· ceiving presents; yet without being importunate. 'Ve gave them a little tobacco, and a few other trifles, excu ~ ing ourselves for the smallness of our gifts, by telling them that we had traveled very far, and were then poor. They appeared satisfied, gave us their hands and retu rned. We encamped a few miles below, and remained about three hours, but none of them came near us. Knowing the disposi tion of the people we were among, and their unce rtain ty, we deemed it prudent, however, to make the dis tance between us gre ater ~ before the next mornin g. J3 ut they were the last th nt we saw of the Sioux Indians; and from what cnuse th ey we re. induced to treat us with so much civility, we are uncertain. We. attributed it, at the time, to Col. Carney's treaty with them, and to the imposing · display which he exhibited. Not having provided ourselves very abundantly with ment, while on Sweet Water, and not having seen any game on the ' North Fodt, we begun to be fearful, that we should not be able to .procure provisions enough to last us in. But on the 5th of August, crossing over to the South Fork , we found the valley and hills ·beyond, covered with thousands and thousands of Buffalo. We therefore pitched our camp, on the bank of the river, in the most. ·convenient place we could find, and prepared to "make meat." On the following morning, two of the best riders and marksmen were selected, and mounted on the strongest and fleetest horses. Having divested themselv€\'3 of the greater part of their clothing, and whatever else they could spare that would tend to aud weight or gather the wind, nnd being armed with guns and pistols, they proceeded towards the nearest band, which would have numbered, perhaps, about a thousand. They rode along slowly, taking ad· vantage of the wind, until they saw the band begin to notice them : then putting· spurs to their horses, they urged the chase at full speed across the plain. Others followed at a less rapid rate, with loose animals, to bring in the meat. We supposed that some of the 1argest of these Buffaloes were nearly seven feet high, and would probably weigh more than two thousand pounds. · 1t was a grand scene to look upon; that vast, living flood, moving ·• towards the hills, throwing huge clouds of dust into the air, and |