But, Before They Would Receive
This Mark Of Friendship, They Pulled Off Their Moccasins:
A Custom, As We Afterward Learned,
Which indicates the sacred
sincerity of their professions when they smoke with a stranger,
and which imprecates on themselves the
Misery of going
barefoot forever if they prove faithless to their words -
a penalty by no means light for those who rove over the thorny
plains of this country. . . .
"After smoking a few pipes, some trifling presents were
distributed among them, with which they seemed very much pleased,
particularly with the blue beads and the vermilion.
Captain Lewis then stated to the chief that the object
of his visit was friendly, and should be explained as soon
as he reached their camp; and that, as the sun was oppressive,
and no water near, he wished to go there as soon as possible.
They now put on their moccasins, and their chief, whose name
was Cameahwait, made a short speech to the warriors.
Captain Lewis then gave him the flag, which he informed him
was among white men the emblem of peace; and, now that he had
received it, was to be in future the bond of union between them.
The chief then moved on; our party followed him; and the rest
of the warriors, in a squadron, brought up the rear."
Arriving at the village, the ceremony of smoking the pipe of peace
was solemnly observed; and the women and children of the tribe were
permitted to gaze with wonder on the first white men they had ever seen.
The Indians were not much better provided with food than were their
half-famished visitors.
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