“Good luck!” to John.
Five hundred dollars in wages, and the blacksmith tools, to Chaboneau.
To Sa-ca-ja-we-a the captains said:
“The nation of the United States will not forget Sa-ca-ja-we-a, the Bird-woman, who never complained, who carried her baby clear to the Pacific Ocean, who made friends for us wherever she went, and who helped us across the Rock Mountains.”
Sa-ca-ja-we-a wept.
At the village of Sha-ha-ka, the Big White, the chief was found sitting surrounded by weeping women, and taking a final smoke with his relatives and friends. They all feared that they never should see him again. To them, it was a long, dangerous journey for him to take. Chief Le Borgne of the Minnetarees requested that the white chiefs take good care of Big White. And they solemnly promised.
The canoes were lashed together two and two, in order to be steadier and to travel faster. Big White and his wife and child stepped aboard the pirogue. Jessaume and his wife and two children were to accompany Big White and speak for him to the great white father at Washington.
With a farewell volley and a cheer the boats entered the current. The Indians had crowded to watch them leave.
“A month more, lads, an’ we’ll be in St. Louis,” jubilated Pat. “Barrin’ accident, we’re good for sixty miles a day.”
Fort Mandan, opposite, was passed; but only a few pickets, and one cabin, were standing. All the rest had been burned in a timber fire. Three traders were met, coming up-river. Two of them were the same who had been at the Mandan town in the winter of 1804. They said that the Sioux were on the war-path against the Mandans and Minnetarees—had already set out, 700 warriors.