Captain Lewis Gave Her An Equal Portion Of Trinkets,
And Painted The Tawny Checks Of All Three Of Them With Vermilion, -
A Ceremony Which Among The Shoshonees Is Emblematic Of Peace.
"After they had become composed, he informed them by signs
of his wishes to go to their camp, in order to see their chiefs
and warriors; they readily obeyed, and conducted the party
along the same road down the river.
In this way they marched
two miles, when they met a troop of nearly sixty warriors,
mounted on excellent horses, riding at full speed toward them.
As they advanced Captain Lewis put down his gun, and went with
the flag about fifty paces in advance. The chief, who with two
men was riding in front of the main body, spoke to the women,
who now explained that the party was composed of white men,
and showed exultingly the presents they had received.
The three men immediately leaped from their horses, came up
to Captain Lewis, and embraced him with great cordiality,
putting their left arm over his right shoulder, and clasping
his back, applying at the same time their left cheek to his,
and frequently vociferating ah hi e! ah hi e! `I am
much pleased, I am much rejoiced.' The whole body of warriors
now came forward, and our men received the caresses, and no
small share of the grease and paint, of their new friends.
After this fraternal embrace, of which the motive was much
more agreeable than the manner, Captain Lewis lighted a pipe,
and offered it to the Indians, who had now seated themselves
in a circle around the party.
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