Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/150

140 number is not ascertained; are a timid, inoffensive people, and possess an abundance of horses.

The Aliatans are divided into three bands; of which there are several subdivisions.

Aliatans, So-so-na, Snake Indians, or Gens des Serpent, are a very numerous, well disposed people, inhabiting the Rocky mountains on the head of the Missouri, Yellow Stone, and Plate rivers. This band is divided into three large tribes, who wander at a considerable distance from each other; and are called by themselves, So-so-na, So-so-bu-bar, and I-a-kar. A part of these Indians live at, and near the falls of the Missouri. They raise a number of horses and mules, and often steal them from the nations who live east of them. These they sell to the Crow Indians; they also carry on a partial trade with Spaniards, from whom they receive many articles of clothing and ironmongery, but the Spaniards never supply them with warlike instruments. Their numbers are not known, but are numerous.

Aliatans of the West, A-li-a-ta, live among the Rocky mountains, and on the plains at the heads of the Plate and Arkansas rivers. They have more intercourse with the Spaniards of New Mexico, than the Snake Indians, and receive many articles of merchandise from them; but the Spaniards take the precaution not to furnish them with arms, and yet, in their unarmed state, they frequently commit hostilities. They are said to be very numerous, but the number