Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/130

 I set out, although ill, in the hope that it would be nothing and that I would recover at the village my box in which I had put some remedies. On the 13th of December, to the great regret of all the Mandans, a chief came to conduct us a league and a half's distance, whence I sent him back; he testified to me by great demonstrations the regret he felt at my departure, making a sign that I would not abandon him, but to return and that he would accompany us. I gave him a small present of powder, once more recommending the two Frenchmen whom I left with them. He made me a sign that he would take one to his own house. I dismissed him after giving him many thanks. In the evening I noticed that we had only two Assiniboines with us. They made me understand that one had remained with our Frenchmen, not wishing to abandon them; that they would return only in summer with them. I arrived at the village on the 24th, still very ill. We had experienced excessive cold, which caused great delay.

My box was restored to me; nothing had been touched; they had been satisfied with the slave's bag, which was returned to me empty. Having rested a little, I reproached them for lying to me respecting the Mandans; that there was very little truth in all they had told me. They answered, that they had not pretended to speak of the Mandans, saying that they were like us, that they had intended to speak of that nation which is at the lower part of the river, who work in iron. An Assiniboine rose above the others, saying to me: This is the only one who can speak better to thee about it; thou hast not understood properly what was said to thee; I do not lie. Last summer I killed one who was covered with iron, as I have already said several times. If I had not killed the horse first, I could not have killed the man. I said to him: What hast thou brought of his spoil to show us that thou speakest the truth? As I wished to