Page:A Brief History of South Dakota.djvu/97

Rh of Medicine Knoll and fired guns and rockets in celebration of the national anniversary. After traveling part way to the James they stopped to fish at Scatterwood Lake, finally reaching the river at Armadale Grove, in Spink County. This grove was a famous camping place for the Indians and early travelers. Thence they passed up the James and across to Devils Lake, and thence back down the coteau to Lakes Traverse and Big Stone, whence they left the state, going down the Minnesota to St. Paul.

While at Fort Pierre Nicollet and Frémont went out to a Yankton camp not far from the post, where they were received with great ceremony. A feast was prepared for them, and having made the customary presents which ratified the covenants of good will and free passage over their country, the chiefs escorted the visitors back to the fort.

A few days later one of the chiefs came to Fort Pierre, bringing with him his pretty daughter handsomely dressed. Accompanied by an interpreter he came to the room where the scientists were employed with their books and maps, and formally offered her to Mr. Nicollet as a wife. This placed the old Frenchman, for a moment, in an embarrassing position, but with ready tact he explained to the chief that he already had a wife and that the Great Father would not let him have two. "But here," he said, "is Mr. Frémont, who has no wife at all." This put Frémont in a worse situation, but he too made a tactful reply. He said that he was going far away and was not coming back, and did not like to take the girl away from her people, as it might bring bad luck to them; but that he was greatly pleased with the offer and would be glad to give the girl