Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 1.djvu/94

82 a war party and wanted ammunition. When this was made known, the men of the train exclaimed "What! shall we give them ammunition to shoot us with?" Matthieu, however, advised giving it. "They have enough ammunition already,' he said, "to shoot us. They do not wish to fight us, but only desire supplies for fighting other Indians.' Accordingly, the ammunition was given them, along with other things, and the captives were released. This, however, was not the last of Indians. The next day a band, or rather a host, of about five or six thousand (F. X. M.) of the Blackfoot Sioux, under a great war chief, appeared. By this immense multitude, the train was compelled to halt, and to be inspected by band after band of the curious savages. The Indians being in such overwhelming force, were very free in their ways. They were especially curious to look at the women of the train. Mr. Matthieu relates the following amusing incident: "The family of Mr. Smith was especially annoyed by the curious braves, who came continually to their tent, and pulling the flaps apart, gazed in silent admiration upon his wife and daughters, or spoke to one another in their own language.' By this behavior Mr. Smith, who was of a very irascible temper, was so much annoyed that he came at length to Matthieu, asking him to send them off, as he could do nothing with them. When Matthieu arrived and discovered what it was the Indians wanted, and the thoroughly irate Mr. Smith desired to know, the Frenchman said: "You must be very quiet; you must make no commotion.' Mr. Smith agreed. "I am almost afraid to tell you," continued Matthieu, "you will not like it.' Mr. Smith insisted. "They wish to buy one of your daughters to present to their great chief," said Mr. Matthieu. At this Mr. Smith sprang to his feet in great excitement, ready to drive the intruders away by force. "Softly, softly," said Mat-