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"At The Distance Of Three Miles We Ascended The Hills Close
To The River-Side, While Drewyer Pursued The Valley Of The River
On The Opposite Side.
But scarcely had Captain Lewis reached
the high plain when he saw, about a mile on his left,
a collection of about thirty horses.
He immediately halted,
and by the aid of his spy-glass discovered that one-half
of the horses were saddled, and that on the eminence above
the horses several Indians were looking down toward the river,
probably at Drewyer. This was a most unwelcome sight.
Their probable numbers rendered any contest with them of
doubtful issue; to attempt to escape would only invite pursuit,
and our horses were so bad that we must certainly be overtaken;
besides which, Drewyer could not yet be aware that the Indians
were near, and if we ran be would most probably be sacrificed.
We therefore determined to make the most of our situation,
and advance toward them in a friendly manner. The flag which we
had brought in case of any such accident was therefore displayed,
and we continued slowly our march toward them. Their whole attention
was so engaged by Drewyer that they did not immediately discover us.
As soon as they did see us, they appeared to be much alarmed
and ran about in confusion; some of them came down the hill
and drove their horses within gunshot of the eminence,
to which they then returned, as if to await our arrival.
When we came within a quarter of a mile, one of the Indians
mounted and rode at full speed to receive us; but when within
a hundred paces of us, he halted.
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