"Escape is impossible. We must make the most of our situation. If they attempt to rob us, we will resist to the last extremity. I would rather die than lose my papers and instruments."
Boldly advancing with a flag in his hand, followed by the two Fields brothers, Lewis drew quite near before the Indians perceived these other white men. Terrified, they ran about in confusion. Evidently with them a stranger meant a foe.
Captain Lewis dismounted, and held out his hand.
Slowly the chief Blackfoot approached, then wheeled in flight. At last, with extreme caution, the two parties met and shook hands. Lewis gave to one a flag, to another a medal, to a third a handkerchief. The tumultuous beating of the Indians' hearts could almost be heard. There proved to be but eight of them, armed with two guns, bows, arrows, and eye-daggs, a sort of war-hatchet.
"I am glad to see you," said Lewis. "I have much to say. Let us camp together."
The Indians assented and set up their semi-circular tent by the willows of the river. Here Drouillard, the hunter, skilled in the sign language of redmen, drew out their story.
Yes, they knew white men. They traded on the Saskatchewan six days' march away.
Yes, there were more of them, two large bands, on the forks of this river, a day above.
What did they trade at the Saskatchewan? Skins, wolves, and beaver, for guns and ammunition.
Then Lewis talked. He came from the rising sun. He had been to the great lake at the west. He had seen many nations at war and had made peace. He had stopped to make peace between the Blackfeet and the Flatheads.
"We are anxious for peace with the Flatheads. But those people have lately killed a number of our relatives and we are in mourning."
Yes, they would come down and trade with Lewis if he built a fort at Maria's River.
Until a late hour they smoked, then slept
