CHAPTER XVIII.
Camp Gossip .-- Deserters .-- Recruits .-- Kentucky Hunters .-- A Veteran Woodman .-- Tidings of Mr.Henry.-Danger From the Blackfeet .-- Alteration of Plans .-- Scenery of the River .-- Buffalo Roads .-- Iron Ore .-- Country of the Sioux .-- A Land of Danger.-apprehensions of the Voyageurs .-- Indian Scouts .-- Threatened Hostilities .-- A Council of War .-- An Array of Battle .-- A Parley .-- The Pipe of Peace .-- Speech-Making.
IT was about noon when the party left the Poncas village, about a league beyond which they passed the mouth of the Quicourt, or Rapid River (called, in the original French, l'Eau Qui Court).

After having proceeded some distance further, they landed, and encamped for the night.

In the evening camp, the voyageurs gossiped, as usual, over the events of the day; and especially over intelligence picked up among the Poncas.

These Indians had confirmed the previous reports of the hostile intentions of the Sioux, and had assured them that five tribes, or bands, of that fierce nation were actually assembled higher up the river, and waiting to cut them off.

This evening gossip, and the terrific stories of Indian warfare to which it gave rise, produced a strong effect upon the imagination of the irresolute; and in the morning it was discovered that the two men, who had joined the party at the Omaha village, and been so bounteously fitted out, had deserted in the course of the night, carrying with them all their equipments.