N^o 5

Interpreters speak four or five different languages and some times are sent upon as Ambassadors to distant nations to make up differences[.]

I happened to be acquainted with one of these Strangers – who was of the Arrigira tribe and had lived with the Mandans for many years[.] He was a great handsome bold fellow – but was a great rogue and was the cause of much bloodshed to his protectors[.] [T]hey employed him – with great confidence that And he was in the habit of betraying them & of giving information against them to the enemy[.] This His conduct was at length discovered[.] A consultation took place and his death was determined – but no one could be found in the village to put the sentence into execution[.] They were embarrassed and sent a deputation to the famous war chief of the Enasas tribe – who informed him of the treachery of the Arrigira Indian – of the sentence of the chief and of the inability of the Mandans to do it justice insinuating a wish that he would should engage in their favor[.] He understood the drift and replied – "Is it true that the Mandanes have not men with of of courage to manage a Bad dog and must my hands be ever […] stained with the blood of their enemies – but since their safety depend upon the strength of my arm – this bad Dog shall not see another day." At this he started laid hold of his battle axe and desired two of his Young men to follow him to the Mandane village[.] Arrived there he immediately entered the Lodge of the Arrigira Indian was well received and entertained and they talked together as familiarly as usual together – at last the Arrigira Indian seeing the evening approach got up and went to look for his Horses – the Enasas chief got up also and accompanyed him with his two Young men – out of the village to

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