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first across the continent-第60章

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ect such of the horses as were in the neighborhood; and send his young men for those in the forks; over the Kooskooskee。  He moreover advised us to visit Broken Arm; who was a chief of great eminence; and he would himself guide us to his dwelling。

〃We told him that we would follow his advice in every respect; that we had confided our horses to his care; and expected he would deliver them to us; on which we should cheerfully give him the two guns and the ammunition we had promised him。 With this he seemed very much pleased; and declared he would use every exertion to restore the horses。 We now sent for Neesbnepahkeeook; or Cut Nose; and; after smoking for some time; began by expressing to the two chiefs our regret at seeing a misunderstanding between them。 Neeshnepahkeeook replied that Twisted Hair was a bad old man; and wore two faces; for; instead of taking care of our horses; he had suffered his young men to hunt with them; so that they had been very much injured; and it was for this reason that Broken Arm and himself had forbidden him to use them。 Twisted Hair made no reply to this speech; and we then told Neeshnepahkeeook of our arrangement for the next day。 He appeared to be very well satisfied; and said he would himself go with us to Broken Arm; who expected to see us; and had TWO BAD HORSES FOR US; by which expression we understood that Broken Arm intended to make us a present of two horses。〃

Next day; the party reached the house of Twisted…hair; and began to look for their horses and saddles。  The journal gives this account of the search:

〃Late in the afternoon; Twisted…hair returned with about half the saddles we had left in the autumn; and some powder and lead which were buried at the same place。  Soon after; the Indians brought us twenty…one of our horses; the greater part of which were in excellent order; though some had not yet recovered from hard usage; and three had sore backs。 We were; however; very glad to procure them in any condition。 Several Indians came down from the village of Tunnachemootoolt and passed the night with us。  Cut…nose and Twisted…hair seem now perfectly reconciled; for they both slept in the house of the latter。 The man who had imposed himself upon us as a brother of Twisted…hair also came and renewed his advances; but we now found that he was an impertinent; proud fellow; of no respectability in the nation; and we therefore felt no inclination to cultivate his intimacy。 Our camp was in an open plain; and soon became very uncomfortable; for the wind was high and cold; and the rain and hail; which began about seven o'clock; changed in two hours to a heavy fall of snow; which continued till after six o'clock 'May 10th'; the next morning; when it ceased; after covering the ground eight inches deep and leaving the air keen and cold。  We soon collected our horses; and after a scanty breakfast of roots set out on a course S。 35'0 E。〃

They were now following the general course of the Kooskooskee; or Clearwater; as the stream is called; and their route lay in what is now Nez Perce County; Idaho。  They have passed the site of the present city of Lewiston; named for Captain Lewis。  They have arrived in a region inhabited by the friendly Chopunnish; or Nez Perce; several villages of which nation were scattered around the camp of the white men。 The narrative says:

〃We soon collected the men of consideration; and after smoking; explained how destitute we were of provisions。  The chief spoke to the people; who immediately brought two bushels of dried quamash…roots; some cakes of the roots of cows; and a dried salmon…trout; we thanked them for this supply; but observed that; not being accustomed to live on roots alone; we feared that such diet might make our men sick; and therefore proposed to exchange one of our good horses; which was rather poor; for one that was fatter; and which we might kill。 The hospitality of the chief was offended at the idea of an exchange; he observed that his people had an abundance of young horses; and that if we were disposed to use that food we might have as many as we wanted。  Accordingly; they soon gave us two fat young horses; without asking anything in return; an act of liberal hospitality much greater than any we have witnessed since crossing the Rocky Mountains; if it be not in fact the only really hospitable treatment we have received in this part of the world。  We killed one of the horses; and then telling the natives that we were fatigued and hungry; and that as soon as we were refreshed we would communicate freely with them; began to prepare our repast。

〃During this time a principal chief; called Hohastillpilp; came from his village; about six miles distant; with a party of fifty men; for the purpose of visiting us。  We invited him into our circle; and he alighted and smoked with us; while his retinue; with five elegant horses; continued mounted at a short distance。 While this was going on; the chief had a large leathern tent spread for us; and desired that we would make it our home so long as we remained at his village。  We removed there; and having made a fire; and cooked our supper of horseflesh and roots; collected all the distinguished men present; and spent the evening in making known who we were; what were the objects of our journey; and in answering their inquiries。 To each of the chiefs Tunnachemootoolt and Hohastillpilp we gave a small medal; explaining their use and importance as honorary distinctions both among the whites and the red men。 Our men were well pleased at once more having made a hearty meal。 They had generally been in the habit of crowding into the houses of the Indians; to purchase provisions on the best terms they could; for the inhospitality of the country was such; that often; in the extreme of hunger; they were obliged to treat the natives with but little ceremony; but this Twisted Hair had told us was very disagreeable。 Finding that these people are so kind and liberal; we ordered our men to treat them with the greatest respect; and not to throng round their fires; so that they now agree perfectly well together。 After the council the Indians felt no disposition to retire; and our tent was filled with them all night。〃

As the expedition was here in a populous country; among many bands of Indians; it was thought wise to have a powwow with the head men and explain to them what were the intentions of the United States Government。  But; owing to the crooked course which their talk must needs take; it was very difficult to learn if the Indians finally understood what was said。 Here is the journal's account of the way in which the powwow was conducted:

〃We collected the chiefs and warriors; and having drawn a map of the relative situation of our country on a mat with a piece of coal; detailed the nature and power of the American nation; its desire to preserve harmony between all its red brethren; and its intention of establishing trading…houses for their relief and support。  It was not without difficulty; nor till after nearly half the day was spent; that we were able to convey all this information to the Chopunnish; much of which might have been lost or distorted in its circuitous route through a variety of languages; for in the first place; we spoke in English to one of our men; who translated it into French to Chaboneau; he interpreted it to his wife in the Minnetaree language; she then put it into Shoshonee; and the young Shoshonee prisoner explained it to the Chopunnish in their own dialect。 At last we succeeded in communicating the impression we wished; and then adjourned the council; after which we amused them by showing the wonders of the compass; spy…glass; magnet; watch; and air…gun; each of which attracted its share of admiration。〃

The simple…minded Indians; who seemed to think that the white men could heal all manner of diseases; crowded around them next day; begging for medicines and treatment。  These were freely given; eye…water being most in demand。  There was a general medical powwow。 The journal adds:

〃Shortly after; the chiefs and warriors held a council among themselves; to decide on an answer to our speech; and the result was; as we were informed; that they had full confidence in what we had told them;
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