Looking ahead, Clark saw one of Lewis' men, disguised as an Indian,
leading a company of Snake warriors that the squaw had recognized as her
own people, from whom she had been wrested when a child. The Indians
broke into songs of delight, and Sacajawea, dashing through the crowd,
threw her arms round an Indian woman, sobbing and laughing and exhibiting
all the hysterical delight of a demented creature. Sacajawea and the
woman had been playmates in childhood and had been captured in the same
war; but the Snake woman had escaped, while Sacajawea became a slave and
married the French guide.
Meanwhile, Captain Clark was being welcomed by Lewis and the chief,
Cameahwait. Sacajawea was called to interpret. Cameahwait rose to
speak. The poor squaw flung herself on him with cries of delight. In
the chief of the Snakes she had recognized her brother. Laced coats,
medals, flags, and trinkets were presented to the Snakes; but though
willing enough to act as guides, the Indians discouraged the explorers
about going on in boats. The western stream was broken for leagues by
terrible rapids walled in with impassable precipices. Boats were
abandoned and horses bought from the Snakes. The white men set their
faces northwestward, the southern trail, usually followed by the Snakes,
leading too much in the direction of the Spanish settlements. Game grew
so scarce that by September the men were without food and a colt was
killed for meat.
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