-
"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. Captain Lewis, who had alighted
to receive him, held out his hand and beckoned to him to approach;
he only looked at us for some time, and then, without saying a word,
returned to his companions with as much baste as be had advanced.
The whole party now descended the hill and rode toward us.
As yet we saw only eight, but presumed that there must
be more behind us, as there were several horses saddled.
We however advanced, and Captain Lewis now told his two men
that he believed these were the Minnetarees of Fort de Prairie,
who, from their infamous character, would in all probability
attempt to rob us; but being determined to die rather than
lose his papers and instruments, he intended to resist to
the last extremity, and advised them to do the same, and to be
on the alert should there be any disposition to attack us.
When the two parties came within a hundred yards of each other,
all the Indians, except one, halted. Captain Lewis therefore
ordered his two men to halt while be advanced, and after shaking
hands with the Indian, went on and did the same with the others
in the rear, while the Indian himself shook hands with the two men.
They all now came up; and after alighting, the Indians asked
to smoke with us. Captain Lewis, who was very anxious for
Drewyer's safety, told them that the man who had gone down
the river had the pipe, and requested that as they had seen him,
one of them would accompany R. Fields, to bring him back.
To this they assented, and Fields went with a young man
in search of Drewyer."
Captain Lewis now asked them by signs if they were Minnetarees of the north,
and he was sorry to be told in reply that they were; he knew them to be
a bad lot. When asked if they had any chief among them, they pointed
out three. The captain did not believe them, but, in order to keep on good
terms with them, he gave to one a flag, to another a medal, and to the third
a handkerchief. At Captain Lewis' suggestion, the Indians and the white
men camped together, and in the course of the evening the red men told
the captain that they were part of a big band of their tribe, or nation.
The rest of the tribe, they said, were hunting further up the river,
and were then in camp near the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The captain,
in return, told them that his party had come from the great lake
where the sun sets, and that he was in hopes that he could induce
the Minnetarees to live in peace with their neighbors and come and trade
at the posts that would be established in their country by and by.
He offered them ten horses and some tobacco if they would accompany his
party down the river below the great falls. To this they made no reply.
Being still suspicious of these sullen guests, Captain Lewis made his
dispositions for the night, with orders for the sentry on duty to rouse
all hands if the Indians should attempt to steal anything in the night.
Next morning trouble began. Says the journal: -
"At sunrise, the Indians got up and crowded around the fire near
which J. Fields, who was then on watch, had carelessly left
his rifle, near the head of his brother, who was still asleep.
One of the Indians slipped behind him, and, unperceived, took his
brother's and his own rifle, while at the same time two others seized
those of Drewyer and Captain Lewis. As soon as Fields turned,
he saw the Indian running off with the rifles; instantly calling
his brother, they pursued him for fifty or sixty yards;
just as they overtook him, in the scuffle for the rifles
R. Fields stabbed him through the heart with his knife.
The Indian ran about fifteen steps and fell dead. They now ran
back with their rifles to the camp. The moment the fellow touched
his gun, Drewyer, who was awake, jumped up and wrested it from him.
The noise awoke Captain Lewis, who instantly started from the ground
and reached for his gun; but finding it gone, drew a pistol
from his belt, and turning saw the Indian running off with it.
He followed him and ordered him to lay it down, which he did
just as the two Fields came up, and were taking aim to shoot him;
when Captain Lewis ordered them not to fire, as the Indian did not
appear to intend any mischief.
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