46

T. C. ELLIOTT Bercier with a Kootanae to the great Band to hasten their coming, as the Peagans said they would not de- camp till their arrival (5) lam also in want of Horses for the Portage, which I must trade from them./ Septr. 13 The Peagans, to our great satisfaction thought proper to decamp; hunger obliged them. As the Chiefs had made the young Men conduct themselves very orderly @ expressly forbid them to steal any Horses either from us— The Kootanaes, I rewarded each with a foot of To- bacco @ 6 rounds of Ammunition @ each of the young Men with 3 In of Tobacco @ a paper of Vermillion. I preferred being at this Expence, to avoid the Trouble which they certainly had in their Power to give us, @ thereby perhaps bringing on a far greater Expence. After they were almost all gone, I was informed that their going away so peaceably was only an act of dis- simulation to cover their intended future proceedings, @ that they had threatened we should not long be found here, @ that many of the married Men had said to the others not to steal Horses at present, as bye @ bye they should have them at their disposal. Two of them who re- mained behind gambling I had called to me, @ spoke to them about such perfidious Conduct; they told me that the young Men in general had wished for a Quarrel that they might have an occasion to steal Horses, @ had no doubt uttered many foolish Expressions; but the wish of the old @ steady Men was a good understanding between all par- ties. I told them we were well prepared for the worst that could happen, @ if any Trouble was given us, it was a very easy thing to build far out of their Power, @ where they would never get a pipe of Tobacco from us, but that all their Efforts would never make us relinquish the Trade /this Side of the Mountains, they again repeated they had no wish for a rupture @ were glad we were here to get a pipe of Tobacco in the Summer @ then we parted. Septr. 16 . Twelve Rapid Flat Bow Indian Men @ 1 woman arrived, with each a small Parcel on their Backs;: