Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1837-08-12
ExPEDlESr OF AN INDIAN CHIEF.

Mr. Irving, in his HRocky Mountains'' furnish
es considerable information relative to the Crow
tribe OF Indians. whose country extends from the
Black Hills to the Rocky mountains. The fol-
lowing extract describes singular method to
which the chief OF the tribe rcsorted, order
to induce his people to give up some fars which
they had stolen from a white hunter:-
In the course of one Of his trapping expeditions,
he quartered in the village of Arapooish, and was
a guest in the lodge Of the chieftain. He had
collected large quantity Of furs, and fearful of
being pluadered, he deposited but part in the
lodge OF the chief; the rest he buried in cache.
One night Arapeoish came into the lodge with a
cloudy brow, and seated himself for time with
out a word At length, turning to Campbell,
"You have more furs with you,' said he, ethan
you have brought into my lodge.
81 have" replied Campbell.
'Where are they?''
Campbell knew the uselcssncss Of any prevafi-
cation with an Indian; and the importance Of
complete frankness. He described the exact
place where he had concealed his peltries.
"Tis well,'' replied Arapooish-''you speak
straight 1t is just you say; but your cache has
been robbed. Go and see how many skins have
been taken from it,
Campbell examined the cache, and estimated
his loss to be about $50 beaver skins.
Arapooish now summoned a meeting Of the vii
lage. lie bitterly reproached his people for rob-
bling stranger who had confded to their honour;
should BRIL-. them back--declaring that, as Camp
bell his guest, and inmate of his lodge he
would not cat or drink until every skin was re-
turned to him!
The meeting broke up, and every one dispersed.
Arapooish now charged Campbell that he should
give neither reward nor thanks to any one who
should bring in the beaver SKINS but to keep count
as they were delivered.
| In little while the skins begun to make their
appearance, few at a time: they were laid down
in the lodge, and those who brought them depart
cd without saying a word. The day passed away
Arapooish sat in one corner of his lodge, wrapped
up in his robe, scarcely moving a muscle OF his
countcnance. When night arrived, he demanded
if all the skins had been brought in. Above a
hundred had been given up, and Campbell express
ed himself contented. Not SO the Crow chiettain
He tasted all that night, nor tasted drop OF wa
ter. In the morning, some more skins were bro'
| in, and continued to come, one and two ut a time
throughout the day, until but a few were wanting
now anxious to put an end to the fasting OF the
old chief, and again declared that he perfect,
satisfied. Arapooish demanded what number o
skins were yet wanting. On being told, he whis
pered to some of his people, who disappeared
After time the number was brought in, thougl
it was evident they were not any Of the skins tina
had been stolen, but others CLEANED IN the village
SIS all right now % demanded Arapooish.
ssAll is right replied Campbell.
"Good! now bring me meat and drink"
When they were alone Arapooish had a CONVEX
sation with his guest.
''When you come another time among tn
: Crows said he, ''dont hide your goods: trust
them and they will not wrong you. Put you
goods in the lodge Of chief, and they are sacred
hide them in a cache, and any ono who finds theI
will steal them. My people have now given u
your goods for my sake; but there are some FOOLS
young men in the village, who may be disposed I
be troublesome. Don't hnger, therefore, but pac
G your horses Immediately and be off,
Campbell took his advice, and made his wa
safely out Of the Grow country. He has eve
since maintained, that the Crows are not SO blac
as they are painted. ''Trust to their honor, say
G he "and YOU are safe trust to their honesty, an
$ they will steal the hair off your head.''