[122] This stream was the Cimarron, then known as the Nesuketonga, or Grand Saline, opposite which the party thought they had encamped on the twenty-first. The point at which they again reached the Arkansas was probably near the Osage-Cherokee line, about twenty miles below the mouth of the Cimarron.--ED.
[123] For sketch of the Osage Indians, see Bradbury's _Travels_, in our volume v, note 22. On Clermont, see _ibid._, note 108, and Nuttall's _Journal_, in our volume xiii, note 195.--ED.
[124] See description of this custom in Bradbury's _Travels_, in our volume v, p. 63.--ED.
[125] The Arkansas band of the Osage were known by the French name of _Osage des Chênes_ (Osage of the Oaks). Chancers is evidently a corruption of _chênes_.--ED.
[126] For sketch of White Hair, see Bradbury's _Travels_, in our volume v, note 108; and Nuttall's _Journal_, our volume xiii, note 194. John L. Foe (Watchawaha; called Jean La Fou by the French) was White Hair's son-in-law, and second chief of the Grand Osage. Sans Oreille (Without Ears, Indian name Tetobasi) was first soldier of his tribe as early as Pike's visit in 1806. He and Big Soldier (Has-ha-ke-da-tungar) were in a company of Indians whom Pike escorted to their homes. Part of these tribesmen had visited Washington as delegates of their nation, and some had lately been ransomed by the United States from captivity among the Potawatomi. Lieutenant Wilkinson, of Pike's command, accompanied them to the Little Osage village in August, 1806, and among his entertainers on the occasion of that visit was The Soldier of the Oak. This cognomen is a translation of his French name (Le soldat du chêne), given, it is said, on account of a desperate fight with several assailants, during which he sheltered himself behind an oak. His portrait, painted upon the occasion of a visit to Washington in 1805 or 1806, is published in McKenney, _Indian Tribes_, ii, p. 169.--ED.
[127] Peter Chouteau, more commonly known by his French name of Pierre, and his elder brother Auguste, were founders of St. Louis. They long were partners in the Indian trade, and their sons also attained prominence in the various fur companies. In 1804, President Jefferson appointed Pierre as agent to the Indians west of the Mississippi. The treaty referred to may be found in _American State Papers_, "Indian Affairs," i, p. 763; the date was November 10 instead of 8; and the nomination was submitted to the senate January 16, 1810. Fort Clark was an earlier name for Fort Osage, for which see Bradbury's _Travels_, in our volume v, note 31; also our volume xiv, note 136.--ED.