On the way up, Reuben Fields, who had been hunting, horseback, returned afoot and signalled to be taken aboard. He said that some Indians had stolen his horse while he was dressing an elk. “Oui,” chirped Drouillard. “Dose Tetons haf bad hearts. We best look sharp or dey take scalps, too.” “We mustn’t let them have the idea they can plunder us,” spoke Captain Lewis, reddening. “This leaves us without horses.” “Aren’t those several Indians, on the bank ahead?” presently queried Captain Clark. Captain Lewis peered through his spy-glass. “Five of them. We’ll stop and hail them, and hear what they have to say.” “Do you think they’re the fellows who stole your horse, Fields?” asked Captain Clark. “I can’t tell, sir,” answered Reuben. “I had only a glimpse of the thieves, and these Injuns mainly look alike, sir, till you get to know ’em.” The five Indians on the bank stolidly waited, while the barge hove to, opposite. “Are they Tetons, Drouillard?” inquired Captain Lewis. “Oui,” nodded Drouillard. “Dey Tetons. Eh, Cruzatte?” “Mais, oui,” confirmed One-eyed Cruzatte. “Beeg rascals.” “All right. Tell them that some of their young men have stolen a horse from their great father at Washington, and we want it returned or we will hold no council. We’re willing to be friends, but we aren’t afraid of them.” “I do not know much of dees Sioux tongue, but I will try,” engaged Drouillard. And by signs and a few words he delivered the message. The Indians consulted a moment together; then one of them replied. “I t’ink dey say dey haf not seen a hoss,” translated Drouillard. “But if it is found it will be return’.” “I t’ink so, too,” added the funny Cruzatte――although everybody was aware that he did not understand a word of Sioux. However, by the signs that were made, Peter would have interpreted the same as Drouillard. He and the Oto boys had practiced for hours, talking sign language. The boats stopped for the night off the mouth of a river on the left or the south. This night only a few men were allowed ashore, to guard the cook fires; the remainder slept aboard the boats, with their guns ready. The captains named the river Teton River, but it was soon renamed Bad River, for very good reason. In the morning everybody, except the boat guards, landed. The captains ordered the United States flag hoisted, again, on a pole, and the awning was stretched, as at the camp where the Otoes had been entertained. All the soldiers ashore were formed in rank, under arms, facing the flag-pole and the canopy; and soon the Tetons came in to council, from their village two miles up-river. There were about sixty of them. They were not nearly so good-looking as the Yanktons, being smaller, with slim crooked legs and lean arms, and eyes set over high cheek-bones.