"Yes, Saukees, be cautious how you offend me; lest I assemble an army of red skins, and from some high peak on Missouri, show them where to find your village, and your exposed and scattered lodges. I know that the red skins of Missouri cannot destroy you directly; but they can give you unpleasant dreams. Be cautious, Saukees, how you deceive yourselves, or suffer others to deceive you, or the day will come when some of your children will have the misfortune to behold the dogs fighting over the bones of their fathers upon this land; and as I may have many years to live, I don't intend to sit still; and if I continue to increase in strength as I have done, I may live to see the day when I can make you smile, or shed tears of blood. Saukees, I have done, I am going to the Council Bluff." The Chief of the Saukees, after consulting each warrior separately, replied, (in substance) as follows:-- "American Chief, I have been attentive, and I have heard your words, and those of the _red head_ (Gov. Clark). Yours entered one ear, and his the other: they shall not escape until my nation hears them. I feel the truth of all you have said, and have never been more for peace than now. All those braves have expressed their wish for peace with the red skins of Missouri. This partizan, who without reflection spoke exultingly of his feats, since he has heard your words is also for peace; not from any fear of those whom he has bled, but from an unwillingness to displease you, whom he conceives to be a man of truth. "At our village on Rock river, and encampment at the De Moyen, we have five Oto prisoners, whom I will promise to deliver up, when you send for them. "My brother, I only regret that my nation was not present on this occasion, to have heard your words. The wisdom of my nation, all the reflecting men, are for peace; but we have many young men difficult to restrain, whose ears, (I believe,) would open to words coming from your mouth, when mine, for the want of strength, may fail. "My brother, I wish you to pause--I wish you to forbear until I disclose your words to my people, and you hear from them. "My brother, we receive you as the son of the _red head_; and inasmuch as we love him, we love you, and do not wish to offend you."--JAMES. [B] Of the Sauk nation; they call themselves Sauke-waw-ke. [208] For a sketch of Blackbird, see Bradbury's _Travels_, in our volume v, note 48.--ED. [209] On the custom of giving medals to chiefs in recognition of their leadership, see Thwaites, _Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition_, index.--ED. * * * * * Transcriber's note: Original spelling, hyphenation, and grammar has been mostly retained, with a few exceptions.