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them by, these Indians acted very sullen & torn page out to fight the Pawnees. I tried to buy an Elk torn page braided Lariat of one of them & showed him a torn page half dollar & pointing to the lariat made sign I would exchange with him, he signified his ascent & asked for (by holding out his hand) for the money, I gave it to him & pointed to the lariat, he put the money in his pocket & very coolly shook his head. I made signs I wanted either the lariat ot the money he shook his head agin very decidedly. I walked up to him out my hand in his pocket & took the money from him, he did not many any motions only smiled & looked significantly at his companion their hideously painted faces were not very handsome but soon after as they rode away to the east & the setting sun was reflected back from their arms & silver ornaments, the wild savage troop made a glittering show, was here appointed captain of our mess of six men,, some of the company talk of a division but after more mature deliberation thought best to remain as at present, our food was not well selected for such a trip we have too little flour, rice etc & too much meal beans etc & then men suffer in consequence with bowel difficulties Monday 11th made an India Rubber bag in which to preserve flower seeds, from dampness such as I might gather on the road, saw today thousands of flowers