CHAPTER XX.
Features of the Wilderness--Herds of Buffalo .-- Antelopes-- Their Varieties and Habits .-- John Day .-- His Hunting Strategy--Interview with Three Arickaras--Negotiations Between the Rival Parties--The Left-Handed and the Big Man, two Arickara Chiefs .-- Arickara Village--Its Inhabitants-- Ceremonials on Landing--A Council Lodge .-- Grand Conference-- Speech of Lisa .-- Negotiation for Horses .-- Shrewd Suggestion of Gray Eyes, an Arickara Chief--Encampment of the Trading Parties.
THE rival parties now coasted along the opposite sides of the river, within sight of each other; the barges of Mr.Hunt always keeping some distance in the advance, lest Lisa should push on and get first to the Arickara village.

The scenery and objects, as they proceeded, gave evidence that they were advancing deeper and deeper into the domains of savage nature.

Boundless wastes kept extending to the eye, more and more animated by herds of buffalo.

Sometimes these unwieldy animals were seen moving in long procession across the silent landscape; at other times they were scattered about, singly or in groups, on the broad, enameled prairies and green acclivities, some cropping the rich pasturage, others reclining amidst the flowery herbage; the whole scene realizing in a manner the old Scriptural descriptions of the vast pastoral countries of the Orient, with "cattle upon a thousand hills." At one place the shores seemed absolutely lined with buffaloes; many were making their way across the stream, snorting, and blowing, and floundering.

Numbers, in spite of every effort, were borne by the rapid current within shot of the boats, and several were killed.