With regard to game in general, we have observed that wild animals are usually found in the greatest numbers in the country lying between two nations at war." They were now well into the Sioux territory, and on the thirtieth of August they had an encounter with a party of Indians.

About twenty persons were seen on the west side of the river, proceeding along a height opposite the voyagers.

Just as these were observed, another band, numbering eighty or ninety, came out of the woods nearer the shore.

As they had a hostile appearance, the party in the canoes made preparations to receive them; they were suspected to be Teton-Sioux, although they might be Yanktons, Pawnees, or Omahas.

The journal adds:-- "In order, however, to ascertain who they were, without risk to the party, Captain Clark crossed, with three persons who could speak different Indian languages, to a sand-bar near the opposite side, in hopes of conversing with them.