cking out of their
habitations to look at us; at the same time, the dogs all around the
village set up a fearful baying. Our Indian guide walked toward the
lodge of the chief. Here we dismounted; and loosening the trail-ropes
from our horses' necks, held them securely, and sat down before the
entrance, with our rifles laid across our laps. The chief came out
and shook us by the hand. He was a mean-looking fellow, very tall,
thin-visaged, and sinewy, like the rest of the nation, and with scarcely
a vestige of clothing. We had not been seated half a minute before a
multitude of Indians came crowding around us from every part of the
village, and we were shut in by a dense wall of savage faces. Some of
the Indians crouched around us on the ground; others again sat behind
them; others, stooping, looked over their heads; while many more stood
crowded behind, stretching themselves upward, and peering over each
other's shoulders, to get a view of us. I looked in vain among this
multitude of faces to discover one manly or generous expression; all
were wolfish, sinister, and malignant, and their complexions, as well
as their features, unlike those of the Dakota, were exceedingly bad.
The chief, who sat close to the entrance, called to a squaw within the
lodge, who soon came out and placed a wooden bowl of meat before us. To
our surprise, however, no pipe was offered. Having tasted of the meat as
a matter of form, I began to open a bundle of presents--tobacco, knives,
vermilion, and other articles which I had brought with me. At this there
was a grin on every countenance in the rapacious crowd; their eyes began
to glitter, and long thin arms were eagerly stretched toward us on all
sides to receive the gifts.

The Arapahoes set great value upon their shields, which they transmit
carefully from father to son. I wished to get one of them; and
displaying a large piece of scarlet cloth, together with some tobacco
and a knife, I offered them to any one who would bring me what I wanted.
After some delay a tolerable shield was produced. They were very anxious
to know what we meant to do with it, and Henry told them that we were
going to fight their enemies, the Pawnees. This instantly produced a
visible impression in our favor, which was increased by the distribution
of the presents. Among these was a large paper of awls, a gift
appropriate to the women; and as we were anxious to see the beauties
of the Arapahoe village Henry requested th