equal to them before, I was very anxious to obtain
one of them, and applied to Mr Rainville to effect my purpose; but it
required all his influence to induce them to part with it, and they had
many arguments and debates among themselves before they could make up
their minds to consent to do so. I was the more anxious about it, as I
had seen Mr Catlin's splendid exhibition, and I knew that he had not
one in his possession. The dress in question consisted of a sort of
kilt of fine skins, ornamented with beautiful porcupine quill-work, and
eagle's feathers; garters of animals' tails, worn at their ankles,
head-dress of eagle's feathers and ermine's tails, etcetera. They made
little objection to part with any portions of the dress except the kilt;
at last they had a meeting of the whole band, as the dress was not the
property of any one individual; and I was informed that the warriors
would come and have a _talk_ with me.

I received them at the factory's new house, in my room, which was large,
and held them all. One came and presented me with a pair of garters;
another with a portion of the head-dress; another with moccasins; at
last, the kilt or girdle was handed to me. M. Rainville sat by as
interpreter. He who had presented me with the kilt or girdle spoke for
half a minute, and then stopped while what he said was being
interpreted.

"You are an Englishman, and a warrior in your own country. You cross
the great waters as fast as we can our prairies. We recollect the
English, and we like them; they used us well. The rifles and blankets
which they gave us, according to promise, were of good quality: not like
the American goods; their rifles are bad, and their blankets are thin.
The English keep their word, and they live in our memory."

"Ho!" replied I; which is as much as to say, I understand what you have
said, and you may proceed.

"You have asked for the dress which we wear when we dance; we have never
parted with one as yet; they belong to the band of warriors; when one
who has worn a dress goes to the land of spirits, we hold a council, to
see who is most worthy to put it on in his place. We value them highly;
and we tell you so not to enhance their value, but to prove what we will
do for an English warrior."

"Ho!" says I.

"An American, in the fort, has tried hard to obtain this dress from us;
he offered us two barrels of flour, and other things. You know that we
have no game, and we are hungry