Chapter IV

Council held with the Tetons. Their manners, dances,
&c. Cheyenne river described. Council held with the
Ricara Indians. Their manners and habits. Strange
instance of Ricara idolatry. Another instance.
Cannonball river. Arrival among the Mandans.
Character of the surrounding country, and of the
creeks, islands, &c. 82

CHAPTER V.

Council held with the Mandans. A prairie on fire,
and a singular instance of preservation. Peace
established between the Mandans and Ricaras. The
party encamp for the winter. Indian mode of catching
goats. Beautiful appearance of northern lights.
Friendly character of the Indians. Some account of
the Mandans. The Anahaways and the Minnetarees. The
party acquire the confidence of the Mandans by
taking part in their controversy with the Sioux.
Religion of the Mandans, and their singular
conception of the term medicine. Their tradition.
The sufferings of the party from the severity of the
season. Indian game of billiards described.
Character of the Missouri, of the surrounding
country, and of the rivers, creeks, islands, &c. 118

CHAPTER VI.

The party increase in the favour of the Mandans.
Description of a buffaloe dance. Medicine dance. The
fortitude with which the Indians bear the severity
of the season. Distress of the party for want of
provisions. The great importance of the blacksmith
in procuring it. Depredations of the Sioux. The
homage paid to the medicine stone. Summary act of
justice among the Minnetarees. The process by which
the Mandans and Ricaras make beads. Character of the
Missouri, of the surrounding country, and of the
rivers, creeks, islands, &c. 148

CHAPTER VII.

Indian method of attacking the buffaloe on the ice.
An enumeration of the presents sent to the president
of the United States. The party are visited by a
Ricara chief. They leave their encampment, and
proceed on their journey. Description of the Little
Missouri. Some account of the Assiniboins. Their
mode of burying the dead. Whiteearth river
described. Great quantity of salt discovered on its
banks. Yellowstone river described. A particular
account of the country at the confluence of the
Yellowstone and Missouri. Description of the
Missouri, the surrounding country, and of the
rivers, creeks, islands, &c. 174

CHAPTER VIII.

Unusual appearance of salt. The formidable character
of the white bear. Porcupine river described.
Beautiful appearance of the surrounding country.
Immense quantities of game. Milk river described.
Extraordinary character of Bigdry river. An instance
of uncommon tenacity of life in a white bear. Narrow
escape of one of the party from that animal. A still
more remarkable instance. Muscleshell river
described. 199

CHAPTER IX.

The party continue their route. Description of
Judith river. Indian mode of taking the buffaloe.
Slaughter river described. Phenomena of nature. Of
walls on the banks of the Missouri. The party encamp
on the banks of the river to ascertain which of the
streams constitute the Missouri. Captain Lewis
leaves the party to explore the northern fork, and
captain Clarke explores the southern. The
surrounding country described in the route of
captain Lewis. Narrow escape of one of his party.
225

CHAPTER X.

Return of captain Lewis. Account of captain Clarke's
researches with his exploring party. Perilous
situation of one of his party. Tansy river
described. The party still believing the southern
fork the Missouri, captain Lewis is resolves to
ascend it. Mode of making a place to deposit
provisions, called cache. Captain Lewis explores the
southern fork. Falls of the Missouri discovered,
which ascertains the question. Romantic scenery of
the surrounding country. Narrow escape of captain
Lewis. The main body under captain Clarke approach
within five miles of the falls, and prepare for
making a portage over the rapids. 251

CHAPTER XI.

Description and romantic appearance of the Missouri
at the junction of the Medicine river. The
difficulty of transporting the baggage at the falls.
The party employed in the construction of a boat of
skins. The embarrassments they had to encounter for
the want of proper materials. During the work the
party much troubled by white bears. Violent
hail-storm, and providential escape of captain
Clarke and his party. Description of a remarkable
fountain. Singular explosion heard from the Black
mountains. The boat found to be insufficient, and
the serious disappointment of the party. Captain
Clarke undertakes to repair the damage by building
canoes, and accomplishes the task. 275

CHAPTER XII.

The party embark on board the canoes. Description of
Smith's river. Character of the country, &c.
Dearborne's river described. Captain Clarke precedes
the party for the purpose of discovering the Indians
of the Rocky mountains. Magnificent rocky
appearances on the borders of the river denominated
the Gates of the Rocky mountains. Captain Clarke
arrives at the three forks of the Missouri without
overtaking the Indians. The party arrive at the
three forks, of which a peculiar and interesting
description is given. 301