McKenzie, Charles. Journal of the Second, Third and Fourth Expeditions to the Missouri, 1805, 1806 with the Supplement to the Second Expedition. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0010

the best kind of Worsted Cinctures &c all resembling North West goods. Their appearances created had given us a suspicion that some some mischief had been played done to some of our establishments[.] We inquired repeatedly how they had come by these fineries but no one knew to know any thing about the matter seemed inclined to inform usand we were put off from time to time with while all gave us evasive answers. At last we learned that a party had been to war when the Blackfeet Nation who killed number who had been those that were in possession of these articles. This story was making bad worse and in a manner confirmed our doubts[.] By and by the truth came out was told. Some of The Indians who had reaped no benefit from this spoil through jealousy divulged the secret[.] They informed us said that the Chief of the wolves with his Young men had been to war in the Blackfeet Country; and Killed several white people and seized upon their property which was the same we now observed saw worn in the village. and […] surprize. We immediately directed our steps towards the chief of the Wolves Lodge and he acknowledged the whole as follows –

"The Evening before the attack 'said he' observing some people at a distance near the banks of the great North river said he I thought we discovered the enemy and & my heart was glad. We were impatient – but waited the dark hour of night to make our approaches. Coming within a certain proper distance, but hearing the a drum beat we delayed our operation until all the camp were silent and asleep and it was at the dawn of day when before the Young men drew near & fired upon the tent whence had found the sound of the Drum in the forgoing part of the night[.] At the first discharge the people who were within rushed out of the tent into view. It was I then I discovered our error I saw we had attacked white men and was sorry but then I could not prevail upon the Young men to be wise […] and cease firing. The White Men fled into their Canoes and left the Young men Masters of the Camp and the young men carried brought away all they could see carry[.] I did not kill any of the White people myself – but I did believe d to be the friends of the Serpent Indians. […] I am sorry if they were your friends."

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