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

No 2

however they did not touch but left were left to the whole to such as thought proper to make use of them – leave take them them away. A Hudson Bay man who happened to be present as a spectator on the occasion became owner of got a fine Horse and two elegantly painted robes which he carried away off with the approbation of his Master I could not approve of admire this plan of conduct[.] As the White people were not of the party and had not furnished any thing to for the dance they certainly had no kind of claim upon the property which it produced – and which I conceived was abandoned upon religious principles by the natives in the light of mostly as a Sacrifice[.]

The night before I did not sleep a wink the noise was so great – the […] with the rejoicing of all the village[.] The women the following day having had their turn I thought the affair had finished but I was mistaken they continued their triumphant merriment for a whole fortnight when at last it was replaced succeeded by another of a more cruel serious nature[.]

A Young man one morning one morning brother to the great chief sent for me one forenoon – to his lodge – I went. after paying me the usual civilities without cause. He observed that he had been at war in the course of my absence at our summering Establishment in the summerAnd I killed, said he, a Serpent chief – two of his Young men with many several women and Children. I took saved a Young slave whom I intended for you I brought her here she was well b[…]d […] treated – I intended her for you[.] But at the end of three nights days she went away off in the night & would she took away a fine horse from out of this lodge[.]" "Where did she go', said I,' – she went explained he to the country of her relations where she is by this time replied he, This was the third time I saved her life – this the third she was taken prisoner and her life saved and & this is the third time she has escaped but the two past times she carried nothing but her own simple robe away – but now she was is well dressed and has two knives. She is very pretty, my brother, none of our women is so pretty – she is the prettiest wom woman of all the tribes. We know the White man would love her and would give a good generous price to us for

her

[27]

L E G E N D :
 in red , modifications made by the editor(s).
 in lavender , modifications made by the assumed author(s).

View bigger image in JPEG format [ 266k ]