“Do you think they’re the fellows who stole your horse, Fields?” asked Captain Clark.
“I can’t tell, sir,” answered Reuben. “I had only a glimpse of the thieves, and these Injuns mainly look alike, sir, till you get to know ’em.”
The five Indians on the bank stolidly waited, while the barge hove to, opposite.
“Are they Tetons, Drouillard?” inquired Captain Lewis.
“Oui,” nodded Drouillard. “Dey Tetons. Eh, Cruzatte?”
“Mais, oui,” confirmed One-eyed Cruzatte. “Beeg rascals.”
“All right. Tell them that some of their young men have stolen a horse from their great father at Washington, and we want it returned or we will hold no council. We’re willing to be friends, but we aren’t afraid of them.”
“I do not know much of dees Sioux tongue, but I will try,” engaged Drouillard. And by signs and a few words he delivered the message.
The Indians consulted a moment together; then one of them replied.