Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/138

Rh from his venerable and friendly appearance, we were now almost persuaded to believe their story about the Buffalo. We hesitated for a moment, and some spoke in favor of going with them to their village. We had never seen Indians making “a surround,” and our anxiety urged us strongly. We thought how grand a scene it would be, to see fifteen hundred Pawnees, armed and mounted, after having formed in a circle around a large herd of Buffalo, close in upon them, with whooping, yelling, and firing; and then to see them, after the affrighted herd had scattered, cover the plains afar, with the confused, tumultuous, and excited chase; the whirling clouds of dust; the huge animals that had fallen, laying about on every side; the wild uproar, and the reckless eagerness of the half naked pursuers. Some thought less of looking on, but imagined how glorious it would be, all mounted, armed and flying over the level plain, to mingle in the tumult, pull down the mighty game, and be an Indian for an hour. Had not our homes and friends rose up against this curiosity, and urged us to proceed, we would have gone with the Pawnees to their village, been disappointed in seeing the anticipated sport, and probably, after having been stripped of every thing we had, would have been insulted and abused.

Our desire to hasten on prevailed, and we replied in the same manner as before; told them that we had far to go, and did not wish to delay; and further, that if he was unwilling to trust us, he might send some of his people along, until we had passed the Buffalo, to see that we did not disturb them. He finally consented to this, and we now considered that we were safe. We smoked with the Chief, as a mutual pledge of friendship, made him such presents as our situation and circumstances would afford, and departed, accompanied by twenty-two of his men.

Having gone about ten miles, we halted, and unloaded our animals, that they might eat and rest, as we had been traveling at a rapid rate, from early in the morning until now, which was about the middle of the afternoon.

We expected to part with the Indians here, and therefore opened our bales and offered them something to eat, which they refused to accept, saying they had plenty in their camp. and as soon as our bales were opened, and our baggage scattered, they began taking whatever they could lay their hands on. We saw now that they intended to rob us, and knowing that it would not do to yield to them in the least, we regained what they