He added that they had not the number of horses to spare that Mr.Hunt required, and expressed a doubt whether they should be able to part with any.

Upon this, another chieftain, called Gray Eyes, made a speech, and declared that they could readily supply Mr.Hunt with all the horses he might want, since, if they had not enough in the village, they could easily steal more.

This honest expedient immediately removed the main difficulty; but the chief deferred all trading for a day or two; until he should have time to consult with his subordinate chiefs as to market rates; for the principal chief of a village, in conjunction with his council, usually fixes the prices at which articles shall be bought and sold, and to them the village must conform.
The council now broke up.

Mr.Hunt transferred his camp across the river at a little distance below the village, and the left-handed chief placed some of his warriors as a guard to prevent the intrusion of any of his people.

The camp was pitched on the river bank just above the boats.