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50 to stop him, he told them that a large party of whites, with the Mandan chief, would soon arrive; and after giving them a large part of his goods, including some guns, he was allowed to go on. The Rees made up their minds to kill Lisa upon his return, but let him pass for the present for fear rumors of their acts and intentions might reach the parties below and cause them to turn back. She warned the white men that the Rees were bent on mischief.

Sergeant Pryor at once ordered Big White to barricade himself in his cabin, and prepared his men for action. After a good deal of parleying and speechmaking, Pryor explained the purpose of his journey, and after making some presents he was allowed to go on to the upper village.

The two interpreters, Dorion and Jesseaume, went by land through the villages, and they learned that the Indians clearly had evil intentions. The Indians ordered the boats to proceed up a narrow channel near the shore, but the whites discovered the trap in time and refused to comply. The Rees now openly declared that they intended to detain the boats, saying that Lisa had promised them that Pryor's party would remain and trade with them. They seized the cable of Chouteau's boat and ordered Pryor to go on. This Pryor refused to do, but seeing the desperate state of affairs, he urged Chouteau to make some concessions to them. Chouteau offered to leave a trader and half of the goods with them, but the Indians, feeling sure that they could capture the whole of the outfit, refused the offer.