University of Virginia Library

(Ricary)

October the 11th Thursday 1804 we met in Council to hear what
the Grand Chief Kakawissassa had to say in answer to the speech of
yesterday.[1]

The Grand Chief rose and spoke as follows i, e. My Fathers! My
heart is glader than it ever was before to see my fathers, a repetition.
If you want the road open no one can provent it It will always be
open for you. Can you think any one Dare put their hands on your
rope of your boat.[2] No ! not one dar When you get to the Mandans
we wish you to speak good words with that nation for us. We wish to
be at peace with them. It gives us pain that we do not know how to
work the Beaver. We will make Buffalow roabs the best we can.
When you return if I am living you will see me again the same man.
The Indian in the prarie know me and listen to my words, when you
[come] they will meet to see you. We shall look at the river with
impatience for your return. Finishd

 
[1]

See our vol. i, pp. 185, 186, where the name of this chief and the substance of
his speech are given. Clark evidently wrote out the words as reported to him by the
interpreter.—Ed.

[2]

Referring no doubt to the previous attempts of the Teton Sioux to stop the
expedition. See our vol. i, pp. 165, 171.—Ed.