"at noon got in sight of the Pawnee village [ ] many of them flocked around to gaze at us [ ] went a few miles further and camped for the night [ ] placed out a guard of 50 men in consequence of the Indian chief being dis-satisfied because we did not make them more presents [ ] had a fine shower in the afternoon and in the night cleared off cold [ ] I stood guard the last watch [ ] we were undisturbed"
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I found the irritation of the old chief kind of comical, but maybe it wasn't to them.
"About 200 Pawnees gathered on the far side of the river and finally some 75 rode through the shallow water to the wagons. Among them was an old chief.
The Indians presented Brigham Young with certificates from other travelers declaring that the grand chief of the Pawnee was friendly and that those previous visitors had given him presents of powder, lead, salt and other items.
Some of the pioneers gave gifts of tobacco, fishhooks, flour and salt, but the old chief wasn't satisfied with the quantity. He said he "didn't like us to go west through their country. He was afraid we should kill their buffalo and drive them off," Clayton said.
"But there was no appearance of hostility," he added. In fact, all the Indians who came to the camp wanted to shake hands and would "run from one side to the other so as not to miss one."
However, two horse bridles and a copper wash pan were discovered missing after the Pawnee visit.
Norton Jacob's journal:
"Wednesday 21st [ ] Started at the usual time traveled 12 miles over the best tract of high bottom land that wee have seen with a pretty good of cottonwood timber along the river [ ] wee halted on the bank of the Loup Fork of the Platte [ ] here is the main boddy of the Pawnee Indians large numbers of them flocked around us & stole a pair of bridles & copper wash pan [ ] the President gave thier Chief some tobacco & other small presents with which they were much dissatisfied & wee proceeded on 8 miles & camped on the bank of the Loup in a strong position & in consequence of hostile feeling of the Indians [ ] the President called out a guard of fifty men [ ] I was out on the Picquet from 12 til 5 oclk A.M. and notwithstanding our fears the night passed off quietly [ ] this afternoon wee had quite a refreshing shower of rain which caused the Buffalo grass to cover the Prarie with a smiling green. The Squaws at the vilage wee passed were busily engaged in digging roots while their Lords were walking about like Kentucky drivers, perfectly listless and Idle [ ]wee camped at the mouth of Looking Glass Creek"
