Page:A Brief History of South Dakota.djvu/64

58 pistols gave him the advantage, and he kept up a most warlike attitude. A scene of uproar and hubbub ensued, which defies description; the men of each party sided with their employer, and every one seemed anxious for blood except Hunt, who used every effort to prevent a general mêlée. In the midst of the brawl Lisa called Hunt a bad name and in an instant Hunt's quiet spirit was inflamed. He wanted to fight Lisa and his whole company, and challenged the Spaniard to settle the matter on the spot with pistols. Lisa, nothing loath, went to his boat to arm himself for the duel.

Two eminent scientists, Bradbury and Brakenridge, who accompanied the expeditions, now returned from a search for specimens just in time to interfere and undoubtedly to prevent bloodshed. But while they did prevent a fight, they could not bring the two parties to a friendly understanding, and all intercourse between them ceased. They started on, keeping on opposite sides of the river, each party determined, if the other showed bad faith by attempting to go ahead to the Ree camp, to resort to arms to prevent it. Thus they skirted along until they were close to the Ree towns on Grand River. Lisa then sent Mr. Brakenridge over to the Astorians to arrange a joint meeting with the Rees with due ceremony. Hunt, still suspicious, refused to have anything to do in common with the Spaniard, but upon the representations of Mr. Brakenridge finally consented, and it was arranged that both parties should go to the village at the same time.

Here Hunt decided to leave the river and start across country to the Pacific by way of the Grand River route.