A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

30 SEARCH FOR THE PACIFIC. [1743.of the Rocky Mountains, a hundred and twenty mileseast of the Yellowstone Park.A council of all the allied bands was now called,and the Frenchmen were asked to take part in it.The questions discussed were how to dispose of thewomen and children, and how to attack the enemy.Having settled their plans, the chiefs begged theirwhite friends not to abandon them ; and the youngerof the two, the Chevalier, consented to join thewarriors, and aidthem with advice, though not witharms.The tribes of the western plains rarely go on warpartiesin winter, and this great expedition musthave been the result of unusual exasperation. Theobject was to surprise the Snakes in the security oftheir winter camp, and strike a deadly blow, whichwould have been impossible in summer.On the eighth of January the whole body stoppedto encamp, choosing, no doubt, after the invariablewinter custom of western Indians, a place shelteredfrom wind, and supplied with water and fuel.Herethe squaws and children were to remain, while mostof the warriors advanced against the enemy. Bypegging the lower edge of the lodge-skin to theground, and piling a ridgeit to keep out the air,of stones and earth uponfastening with wooden skewersthe flap of hide that covered the entrance, andkeeping a constant fire, they could pass a winterendurable to Indians, though smoke, filth, vermin,bad air, the crowd, and the total absence of privacy,