CHAPTER XX.
Features of the Wilderness- Herds of Buffalo.- Antelopes- Their Varieties and Habits.-
John Day.- His Hunting Strategy- Interview with Three Arickaras- Negotiations Between
the Rival Parties - The Left-Handed and the Big Man, two Arickara Chiefs.- Arickara
Village- Its Inhabitants- Ceremonials on Landing- A Council Lodge.- Grand Conference
- Speech of Lisa.- Negotiation for Horses. -Shrewd Suggestion of Gray Eyes, an
Arickara Chief -Encampment of the Trading Parties.
THE rival parties now coasted along the opposite sides of the river, within sight of
each other; the barges of Mr. Hunt always keeping some distance in the advance, lest
Lisa should push on and get first to the Arickara village. The scenery and objects, as
they proceeded, gave evidence that they were advancing deeper and deeper into the
domains of savage nature. Boundless wastes kept extending to the eye, more and
more animated by herds of buffalo. Sometimes these unwieldy animals were seen
moving in long procession across the silent landscape; at other times they were
scattered about, singly or in groups, on the broad, enameled prairies and green
acclivities, some cropping the rich pasturage, others reclining amidst the flowery
herbage; the whole scene realizing in a manner the old Scriptural descriptions of the
vast pastoral countries of the Orient, with "cattle upon a thousand hills."
At one place the shores seemed absolutely lined with buffaloes; many were making
their way across the stream, snorting, and blowing, and floundering. Numbers, in spite
of every effort, were borne by the rapid current within shot of the boats, and several
were killed. At another place a number were descried on the beach of a small island,
under the shade of the trees, or standing in the water, like cattle, to avoid the flies and
the heat of the day.
Several of the best marksmen stationed themselves in the bow of a barge which
advanced slowly and silently, stemming the current with the aid of a broad sail and a
fair breeze. The buffaloes stood gazing quietly at the barge as it approached, perfectly
unconscious of their danger. The fattest of the herd was selected by the hunters, who
all fired together and brought down their victim.
Besides the buffaloes they saw abundance of deer, and frequent gangs of stately elks,
together with light troops of sprightly antelopes, the fleetest and most beautiful
inhabitants of the prairies.
There are two kinds of antelopes in these regions, one nearly the size of the common
deer, the other not much larger than a goat. Their color is a light gray, or rather dun,
slightly spotted with white; and they have small horns like those of the deer, which they
never shed. Nothing can surpass the delicate and elegant finish of their limbs, in which
lightness, elasticity, and strength are wonderfully combined. All the attitudes and
movements of this beautiful animal are graceful and picturesque; and it is altogether as
fit a subject for the fanciful uses of the poet as the oft-sung gazelle of the East.
Their habits are shy and capricious; they keep on the open plains, are quick to take the
alarm, and bound away with a fleetness that defies pursuit. When thus skimming
across a prairie in the autumn, their light gray or dun color blends with the hue of the
withered herbage, the swiftness of their motion baffles the eye, and they almost seem
unsubstantial forms, driven like gossamer before the wind.
While they thus keep to the open plain and trust to their speed, they are safe; but they
have a prurient curiosity that sometimes betrays them to their ruin. When they have
scud for some distance and left their pursuer behind, they will suddenly stop and turn to
gaze at the object of their alarm. If the pursuit is not followed up they will, after a time,
yield to their inquisitive hankering, and return to the place from whence they have been
frightened.
John Day, the veteran hunter already mentioned, displayed his experience and skill in
entrapping one of these beautiful animals. Taking advantage of its well known curiosity,
he laid down flat among the grass, and putting his handkerchief on the end of his
ramrod, waved it gently in the air. This had the effect of the fabled fascination of the
rattlesnake. The antelope approached timidly, pausing and reconnoitering with
increased curiosity; moving round the point of attraction in a circle, but still drawing
nearer and nearer, until being within range of the deadly rifle, he fell a victim to his
curiosity.
On the 10th of June, as the party were making brisk progress with a fine breeze, they
met a canoe with three Indians descending the river. They came to a parley, and
brought news from the Arickara village. The war party, which had caused such alarm at
the sand-bar, had reached the village some days previously, announced the approach
of a party of traders, and displayed with great ostentation the presents they had
received from them. On further conversation with these three Indians, Mr. Hunt learnt
the real danger which he had run, when hemmed up within the sand-bar. The Mandans
who were of the war party, when they saw the boat so completely entrapped and
apparently within their power, had been eager for attacking it, and securing so rich a
prize. The Minatarees, also, were nothing loath, feeling in some measure committed in
hostility to the whites, in consequence of their tribe having killed two white men above
the fort of the Missouri Fur Company. Fortunately, the Arickaras, who formed the
majority of the war party, proved true in their friendship to the whites, and prevented
any hostile act, otherwise a bloody affray, and perhaps a horrible massacre might have
ensued.
On the 11th of June, Mr. Hunt and his companions encamped near an island about six
miles below the Arickara village. Mr. Lisa encamped, as usual, at no great distance; but
the same sullen jealous reserve and non-intercourse continued between them. Shortly
after pitching the tents, Mr. Breckenridge made his appearance as an ambassador from
the rival camp. He came on behalf of his companions, to arrange the manner of making
their entrance into the village and of receiving the chiefs; for everything of the kind is a
matter of grave ceremonial among the Indians.
The partners now expressed frankly their deep distrust of the intentions of Mr. Lisa, and
their apprehensions, that, out of the jealousy of trade, and resentment of recent
disputes, he might seek to instigate the Arickaras against them. Mr. Breckenridge
assured them that their suspicions were entirely groundless, and pledged himself that
nothing of the kind should take place. He found it difficult, however, to remove their
distrust; the conference, therefore, ended without producing any cordial understanding;
and M'Lellan recurred to his old threat of shooting Lisa the instant he discovered
anything like treachery in his proceedings.
That night the rain fell in torrents, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The camp
was deluged, and the bedding and baggage drenched. All hands embarked at an early
hour, and set forward for the village. About nine o'clock, when half way, they met a
canoe, on board of which were two Arickara dignitaries. One, a fine-looking man, much
above the common size, was hereditary chief of the village; he was called the Left-handed, on account of a personal peculiarity. The other, a ferocious-looking savage,
was the war chief, or generalissimo; he was known by the name of the Big Man, an
appellation he well deserved from his size, for he was of a gigantic frame. Both were of
fairer complexion than is usual with savages.
They were accompanied by an interpreter; a French creole, one of those haphazard
wights of Gallic origin who abound upon our frontiers, living among the Indians like one
of their own race. He had been twenty years among the Arickaras, had a squaw and
troop of piebald children, and officiated as interpreter to the chiefs. Through this worthy
organ the two dignitaries signified to Mr. Hunt their sovereign intention to oppose the
further progress of the expedition up the river unless a boat were left to trade with
them. Mr. Hunt, in reply, explained the object of his voyage, and his intention of
debarking at their village and proceeding thence by land; and that he would willingly
trade with them for a supply of horses for his journey. With this explanation they were
perfectly satisfied, and putting about, steered for their village to make preparations for
the reception of the strangers.
The village of the Rikaras, Arickaras, or Ricarees, for the name is thus variously
written, is between the 46th and 47th parallels of north latitude, and fourteen hundred
and thirty miles above the mouth of the Missouri. The party reached it about ten o'clock
in the morning, but landed on the opposite side of the river, where they spread out their
baggage and effects to dry. From hence they commanded an excellent view of the
village. It was divided into two portions, about eighty yards apart, being inhabited by
two distinct bands. The whole extended about three-quarters of a mile along the river
bank, and was composed of conical lodges, that looked like so many small hillocks,
being wooden frames intertwined with osier, and covered with earth. The plain beyond
the village swept up into hills of considerable height, but the whole country was nearly
destitute of trees. While they were regarding the village, they beheld a singular fleet
coming down the river. It consisted of a number of canoes, each made of a single
buffalo hide stretched on sticks, so as to form a kind of circular trough. Each one was
navigated by a single squaw, who knelt in the bottom and paddled; towing after her frail
bark a bundle of floating wood intended for firing. This kind of canoe is in frequent use
among the Indians; the buffalo hide being readily made up into a bundle and
transported on horseback; it is very serviceable in conveying baggage across the
rivers.
The great number of horses grazing around the village, and scattered over the
neighboring hills and valleys, bespoke the equestrian habit of the Arickaras, who are
admirable horsemen. Indeed, in the number of his horses consists the wealth of an
Indian of the prairies; who resembles an Arab in his passion for this noble animal, and
in his adroitness in the management of it.
After a time, the voice of the sovereign chief, "the Left-handed," was heard across the
river, announcing that the council lodge was preparing, and inviting the white men to
come over. The river was half a mile in width, yet every word uttered by the chieftain
was heard; this may be partly attributed to the distinct manner in which every syllable of
the compound words in the Indian language is articulated and accented; but in truth, a
savage warrior might often rival Achilles himself for force of lungs. * (* Bradbury, p.
110.)
Now came the delicate point of management - how the two rival parties were to conduct
their visit to the village with proper circumspection and due decorum. Neither of the
leaders had spoken to each other since their quarrel. All communication had been by
ambassadors. Seeing the jealousy entertained of Lisa, Mr. Breckenridge, in his
negotiation, had arranged that a deputation from each party should cross the river at
the same time, so that neither would have the first access to the ear of the Arickaras.
The distrust of Lisa, however, had increased in proportion as they approached the
sphere of action; and M'Lellan, in particular, kept a vigilant eye upon his motions,
swearing to shoot him if he attempted to cross the river first.
About two o'clock the large boat of Mr. Hunt was manned, and he stepped on board,
accompanied by Messrs. M'Kenzie and M'Lellan; Lisa at the same time embarked in his
barge; the two deputations amounted in all to fourteen persons, and never was any
movement of rival potentates conducted with more wary exactness.
They landed amidst a rabble crowd, and were received on the bank by the left-handed
chief, who conducted them into the village with grave courtesy; driving to the right and
left the swarms of old squaws, imp-like boys, and vagabond dogs, with which the place
abounded. They wound their way between the cabins, which looked like dirt-heaps
huddled together without any plan, and surrounded by old palisades; all filthy in the
extreme, and redolent of villainous smells.
At length they arrived at the council lodge. It was somewhat spacious, and formed of
four forked trunks of trees placed upright, supporting cross-beams and a frame of poles
interwoven with osiers, and the whole covered with earth. A hole sunken in the center
formed the fireplace, and immediately above was a circular hole in the apex of the
lodge, to let out the smoke and let in the daylight. Around the lodge were recesses for
sleeping, like the berths on board ships, screened from view by curtains of dressed
skins. At the upper end of the lodge was a kind of hunting and warlike trophy,
consisting of two buffalo heads garishly painted, surmounted by shields, bows, quivers
of arrows, and other weapons.
On entering the lodge the chief pointed to mats or cushions which had been placed
around for the strangers, and on which they seated themselves, while he placed
himself on a kind of stool. An old man then came forward with the pipe of peace or
good-fellowship, lighted and handed it to the chief, and then falling back, squatted
himself near the door. The pipe was passed from mouth to mouth, each one taking a
whiff, which is equivalent to the inviolable pledge of faith, of taking salt together among
the ancient Britons. The chief then made a sign to the old pipe-bearer, who seemed to
fill, likewise, the station of herald, seneschal, and public crier, for he ascended to the
top of the lodge to make proclamation. Here he took his post beside the aperture for
the emission of smoke and the admission of light; the chief dictated from within what he
was to proclaim, and he bawled it forth with a force of lungs that resounded over all the
village. In this way he summoned the warriors and great men to council; every now and
then reporting progress to his chief through the hole in the roof.
In a little while the braves and sages began to enter one by one, as their names were
called or announced, emerging from under the buffalo robe suspended over the
entrance instead of a door, stalking across the lodge to the skins placed on the floor,
and crouching down on them in silence. In this way twenty entered and took their seats,
forming an assemblage worthy of the pencil: for the Arickaras are a noble race of men,
large and well formed, and maintain a savage grandeur and gravity of demeanor in
their solemn ceremonials.
All being seated, the old seneschal prepared the pipe of ceremony or council, and
having lit it, handed it to the chief. He inhaled the sacred smoke, gave a puff upward to
the heaven, then downward to the earth, then towards the east; after this it was as
usual passed from mouth to mouth, each holding it respectfully until his neighbor had
taken several whiffs; and now the grand council was considered as opened in due form.
The chief made an harangue welcoming the white men to his village, and expressing
his happiness in taking them by the hand as friends; but at the same time complaining
of the poverty of himself and his people; the usual prelude among Indians to begging or
hard bargaining.
Lisa rose to reply, and the eyes of Hunt and his companions were eagerly turned upon
him, those of M'Lellan glaring like a basilisk's. He began by the usual expressions of
friendship, and then proceeded to explain the object of his own party. Those persons,
however, said he, pointing to Mr. Hunt and his companions, are of a different party, and
are quite distinct in their views; but, added he, though we are separate parties, we
make but one common cause when the safety of either is concerned. Any injury or
insult offered to them I shall consider as done to myself, and will resent it accordingly. I
trust, therefore, that you will treat them with the same friendship that you have always
manifested for me, doing everything in your power to serve them and to help them on
their way. The speech of Lisa, delivered with an air of frankness and sincerity,
agreeably surprised and disappointed the rival party.
Mr. Hunt then spoke, declaring the object of his journey to the great Salt Lake beyond
the mountains, and that he should want horses for the purpose, for which he was ready
to trade, having brought with him plenty of goods. Both he and Lisa concluded their
speeches by making presents of tobacco.
The left-handed chieftain in reply promised his friendship and aid to the new comers,
and welcomed them to his village. He added that they had not the number of horses to
spare that Mr. Hunt required, and expressed a doubt whether they should be able to
part with any. Upon this, another chieftain, called Gray Eyes, made a speech, and
declared that they could readily supply Mr. Hunt with all the horses he might want,
since, if they had not enough in the village, they could easily steal more. This honest
expedient immediately removed the main difficulty; but the chief deferred all trading for
a day or two; until he should have time to consult with his subordinate chiefs as to
market rates; for the principal chief of a village, in conjunction with his council, usually
fixes the prices at which articles shall be bought and sold, and to them the village must
conform.
The council now broke up. Mr. Hunt transferred his camp across the river at a little
distance below the village, and the left-handed chief placed some of his warriors as a
guard to prevent the intrusion of any of his people. The camp was pitched on the river
bank just above the boats. The tents, and the men wrapped in their blankets and
bivouacking on skins in the open air, surrounded the baggage at night. Four sentinels
also kept watch within sight of each other outside of the camp until midnight, when they
were relieved by four others who mounted guard until daylight. Mr. Lisa encamped near
to Mr. Hunt, between him and the village.
The speech of Mr. Lisa in the council had produced a pacific effect in the encampment.
Though the sincerity of his friendship and good-will towards the new company still
remained matter of doubt, he was no longer suspected of an intention to play false. The
intercourse between the two leaders was therefore resumed, and the affairs of both
parties went on harmoniously.