La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

264 HENNEPIN AMONG THE SIOUX. [1680.died, "which," he writes, "gave me great joy andsatisfaction." In this he was like the Jesuits, whocould find nothing but consolation in the death of anewly baptized infant, since it was thus assured of aparadise which, had itlived, it would probably haveforfeited by sharing in the superstitions of itsparents.With respect to Hennepin and his Indian father,there seems to have been little love on either side;but Ouasicoud6, the principal chief of the Sioux ofthis region, was the fast friend of the three whitemen. He was angry that they had been robbed,which he had been unable to prevent, as the Siouxhad no laws, and their chiefs little power; but hespoke his mind freely, and told Aquipaguetin andthe rest, in full council, that they were like a dogwho steals a piece of meat from a dish and runs awaywith it.When Hennepin complained of hunger, theIndians had always promised him that early insummer he should go with them on a buffalothehunt,and have food in abundance. The time at lengthcame, and the inhabitants of all the neighboringvillages prepared for departure. To each band wasassigned its special hunting-ground, and he wasexpected to accompany his Indian father. To thishe demurred ;for he feared lest Aquipaguetin, angryat the words of the great chief, might take thisopportunity to revenge the insult put upon him. Hetherefore gave out that he expected a party of" Spirits " — that is to say, Frenchmen — to meet him