larger stream, to become finally lost in the turbid current of the
Missouri.

The landscape was changed materially for the better; though the hand,
which had impressed so much of the desert on the surrounding region, had
laid a portion of its power on this spot. The appearance of vegetation
was, however, less discouraging than in the more sterile wastes of the
rolling prairies. Clusters of trees were scattered in greater profusion,
and a long outline of ragged forest marked the northern boundary of the
view. Here and there, on the bottom, were to be seen the evidences of a
hasty and imperfect culture of such indigenous vegetables as were of a
quick growth, and which were known to flourish, without the aid of art,
in deep and alluvial soils. On the very edge of what might be called
the table-land, were pitched the hundred lodges of a horde of wandering
Siouxes. Their light tenements were arranged without the least attention
to order. Proximity to the water seemed to be the only consideration
which had been consulted in their disposition, nor had even this
important convenience been always regarded. While most of the lodges
stood along the brow of the plain, many were to be seen at greater
distances, occupying such places as had first pleased the capricious
eyes of their untutored owners. The encampment was not military, nor
in the slightest degree protected from surprise by its position or
defences. It was open on every side, and on every side as accessible
as any other point in those wastes, if the imperfect and natural
obstruction offered by the river be excepted. In short, the place bore
the appearance of having been tenanted longer than its occupants had
originally intended, while it was not wanting in the signs of readiness
for a hasty, or even a compelled departure.

This was the temporary encampment of that portion of his people, who
had long been hunting under the direction of Mahtoree, on those grounds
which separated the stationary abodes of his nation, from those of the
warlike tribes of the Pawnees. The lodges were tents of skin, high,
conical, and of the most simple and primitive construction. The shield,
the quiver, the lance and the bow of its master, were to be seen
suspended from a light post before the opening, or door, of each
habitation. The different domestic implements of his one, two, or three
wives, as the brave was of greater or lesser renown, were carelessly
thrown at its side, and here and the