age. This he found quite easy, perhaps
because he had already picked up a fair knowledge of the language of
some of the neighbouring tribes, and it proved not unlike that of the
Little Cherry Indians. Francois found in the village an Indian who had
been brought up among the Spaniards of the Pacific Coast, and who still
spoke their language as readily as he spoke his mother tongue. He
questioned him eagerly about the distance to the Spanish settlements
and the difficulties of the way. The man replied that the journey was
long. It was also, he said, very dangerous, because it must be through
the country of the Snake Indians. This Indian assured Francois that
another Frenchman lived in the country where they were, in a village
distant about three days' journey. Naturally this surprised Francois
and his brother. They thought of going to visit him; but their horses
were badly in need of a rest after the long trip from the mountains,
and must be kept fresh for the journey to the Mandan villages. They
therefore sent instead a letter to the Frenchman, asking him to visit
them at the village of the Little Cherries, or, if that was not
possible, {89} at least to send them an answer. No answer came, and we
may well doubt whether such a Frenchman existed. Before leaving the
country, La Verendrye buried on the summit of a hill a tablet of lead,
with the arms and inscription of the French king. This was to take
possession of the country for France. He also built a pyramid of
stones in honour of the governor of Canada.[1]

About the beginning of April, when the horses were in good condition
and all preparations had been made for the journey, the explorers said
good-bye to the People of the Little Cherry and set out for the Mandan
villages. Like the Bow Indians, the Little Cherries seemed sorry to
lose them and begged them to come back. In return for the kindness and
hospitality he had received, La Verendrye distributed some presents and
promised to visit them again when he could.

On May 18 the travellers reached the {90} Mandan villages and were
welcomed as if they had returned from the dead. Their long absence had
led the Mandans to conclude that they had been killed by some
unfriendly Indians, or that some fatal accident had happened on the
way. They had intended to rest for some time at the Mandan villages,
but they found that a party of Assiniboines was going to Fort La Reine,
and they determined to travel with