but could not always be followed in the burnt plains, we therefore were obliged to abandon the pursuit, and gave them up as lost[.]

We procreeded on our journey – arriving within Sight of the Missisourie the Natives flew in Crowds to meet us, wishing us joy and congratulating themselves upon our appearance as traders amongst them[.] These were of the Gros Ventres nation[.] Here we found four of the Hudson's Bay Companys Servants like ourselves on a trading Expedition[.] They had arrived six days before – and informed us that having lost their way they had fallen in with a party of Assineboines who detained them prisoners for seven days and constrained them to pay handsomely for their liberty[.] Which incident greatly diminished their stock for Trade – but expecting no opposition they raised the value of the remainder and thereby entertained hopes of making ample amends for the loss sustained by the hostile Indians[.] However the Mandanes had not entered into their views – and finding our prices more moderate we soon obtained the command of the whole of their furs.

Here we also found a party of Forty Americans under the command of Captains

Lewis –

[6]