Later in that day, as they were travelling down the main stream (Maria's River), they encountered the Indians whom they had hoped to avoid.

Let us read the story as it is told in the journal of the party:-- "At the distance of three miles we ascended the hills close to the river-side, while Drewyer pursued the valley of the river on the opposite side.

But scarcely had Captain Lewis reached the high plain when he saw, about a mile on his left, a collection of about thirty horses.

He immediately halted, and by the aid of his spy-glass discovered that one-half of the horses were saddled, and that on the eminence above the horses several Indians were looking down toward the river, probably at Drewyer.

This was a most unwelcome sight.