The farms round the settlement had for now nearly four years been tilled
by the squaws and young Indians, under the direction of the white men;
and although the occupation was by no means congenial to their nature,
the Prince had every anticipation that with time and example, the
Shoshones would perceive the advantages, and be induced to till the land
for themselves.

Before our arrival, the winter was always a season of great privation to
that portion of the Indians who could not repair to the hunting grounds;
while now, Indian corn, potatoes, and other vegetables were in plenty,
at least for those who dwelt near to the settlement. But now that we had
lost all our white cultivators and mechanics, we soon found that the
Indians avoided the labour.

All our endeavours proved useless: the advantages had not yet been
sufficiently manifest: the transition attempted had been too short; and
the good, although proud and lazy, Shoshones abandoned the tillage, and
relapsed into their former apathy and indifference.

Mortified at this change, the Prince and my father resolved to make an
appeal to the whole nation, and try to convince them how much happier
they would be if they would cultivate the ground for their support. A
great feast was given, the calumet was smoked; after which the Prince
rose and addressed them after their own fashion. As I had, a short time
previous, been admitted as a chief and warrior, I, of course, was
present at the meeting. The Prince spoke:--

"Do you not want to become the most powerful nation of the West? You do.
If then such is the case, you must ask assistance from the earth, which
is your mother. True, you have prairies abounding in game, but the