Bernard Pratte, jr., was born in upper Louisiana, December 17, 1803. He was sent to Kentucky to be educated, and upon his return embarked in the fur-trade with his father. Being particularly interested in navigation, he went on the "Yellowstone's" early voyages, in this instance taking command of the "Assiniboine;" see his recollections in J. T. Scharf, History of St. Louis (Philadelphia, 1883), i, p. 675. He was a member of the Missouri assembly in 1838, and mayor of St. Louis for two terms (1844-46). In 1850 he retired to a farm near Jonesboro', Montgomery County, where he died in 1887.—Ed.
[242] This name signifies "the smoker." The French Canadians generally call this chief Le Boucan, because smoke has that name among them.—Maximilian.
Comment by Ed. This Indian was also painted by Catlin. See Smithsonian Institution Report, 1885, ii, p. 64.
[243] The word Passitopa signifies the number "four." This brother of the chief is known from the circumstance of his having shot an Indian, who sought the life of a white man, who was his friend. Mr. Bodmer drew the portraits of the two brothers, which are very like. He has succeeded particularly in that of Shudegacheh.—Maximilian.
[244] For this portrait which Maximilian calls "a good resemblance" see Plate 40, in the accompanying atlas, our volume xxv.—Ed.
[245] For the Ponca, and their present numbers, see our volume v, p. 96, note 63.—Ed.
[246] Now known as Bazile Creek, in Knox County, Nebraska. It flows into the Missouri just east of Niobrara. Lewis and Clark called it White Paint Creek.—Ed.
[247] See Plate 11, in the accompanying atlas, our volume xxv.—Ed.
[248] In the portrait referred to in note [242], ante, the chief wears this medal on his breast. Similar medals were carried by Lewis and Clark; see Townsend's Narrative, in our volume xxi, p. 363, note 133.—Ed.