But, Owing To
The Crooked Course Which Their Talk Must Needs Take, It Was Very
Difficult To Learn If The Indians Finally Understood What Was Said.
Here Is The Journal's Account Of The Way In Which The Powwow Was Conducted:
-
"We collected the chiefs and warriors, and having drawn a map
of the relative situation of our country on a mat with a piece
of coal, detailed the nature and power of the American nation,
its desire to preserve harmony between all its red brethren,
and its intention of establishing trading-houses for their relief
and support. It was not without difficulty, nor till after nearly
half the day was spent, that we were able to convey all this
information to the Chopunnish, much of which might have been
lost or distorted in its circuitous route through a variety
of languages; for in the first place, we spoke in English
to one of our men, who translated it into French to Chaboneau;
he interpreted it to his wife in the Minnetaree language;
she then put it into Shoshonee, and the young Shoshonee
prisoner explained it to the Chopunnish in their own dialect.
At last we succeeded in communicating the impression we wished,
and then adjourned the council; after which we amused them
by showing the wonders of the compass, spy-glass, magnet, watch,
and air-gun, each of which attracted its share of admiration."
The simple-minded Indians, who seemed to think that the white men
could heal all manner of diseases, crowded around them next day,
begging for medicines and treatment.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 287 of 362
Words from 86971 to 87232
of 110166
