was nothing to do but to go forward, and
to trust to better luck after they reached the Horse Indians.

After tramping on for many days they came at last to an encampment of
the Horse Indians. These people, just then, were in great trouble.
They had been attacked not long before by a war party of the Snake
Indians; many of their bravest warriors had been killed, and many of
their women had been carried into captivity. When asked the way to the
sea these Indians now declared that none of them had ever been there,
for the very good reason that the country of the fierce Snake Indians
must be crossed to reach it. They said that a neighbouring tribe, the
Bow Indians, might be able to give some information, as they either
themselves traded with the white men of the sea-coast, or were on
friendly terms with other tribes who had been down to the sea. These
Bow Indians, they added, were the only tribe who dared to fight against
the Snake Indians, for they were under the leadership of a wise and
skilful chief, who had more than once led his tribe to victory against
these dangerous enemies. A guide {79} was found to lead the explorers
to the Bow Indians, and they went off once more, still travelling
south-westerly, until at length, on November 21, they came in sight of
the camp of the Bows. It was a huge camp, much larger than any the
explorers had yet visited. Everywhere they could see numbers of
horses, asses, and mules--animals unknown among the northern tribes.

When they reached the camp the chief of the Bows met them and at once
took them to his own lodge. Nothing could be more friendly or polite
than his treatment of the white travellers. In fact, as Francois said,
he did not seem to have the manners of a savage. 'Up to that time we
had always been very well received in the villages we had visited, but
what we had before experienced in that way was nothing in comparison
with the gracious manners of the head chief of the Bows. He took as
much care of all our belongings as if they had been his own.' With him
Francois and his brother remained for some time; and, very soon,
through the kindness of the chief, they learnt enough of the language
to make themselves understood.

The explorers had many interesting talks with this friendly chief.
They asked him if he {80} knew anything about the white people who
lived on the sea-coast. 'We know them,' he replied, 'through what has
been told us by prisoners of the Snake