First who Flies), the same who, in 1851, left Fort Union, in my company, to go and assist at the Great Council, held at the mouth of Horse creek, in the Nebraska valley, under the superintendence of Colonel D. D. Mitchell.
A sameness of character marked this whole family, and ran through many of the other children, who are yet living, though it is not necessary to state their names here. They were all proud, brave and overbearing toward their own people. In battle none were, and still are, better warriors, and for the chase, few equaled them. With the whites, however, their manner was altogether different, being tractable and friendly and supporting the traders in every way
in their power. The bravery and good conduct of the eldest, named Light,' even brought him into notice, and he was chosen soldier of Fort Union, about the year 1829-30, making it his business to keep the Indians in order when they came to trade, and also to return any horses belonging to the fort that were stolen by his nation, these thefts at the time being very common. It was his custom to pursue the horse thieves to their camp, in company of some of his
brothers. The guilty party might think himself very fortunate if he escaped a sound thrashing after the animals were taken from them.
About the year 1831, President Jackson invited deputies of several of these prairie tribes to visit him at the Capital and through the Indian agents made his wishes known to all the Indians. Of the Assiniboins, none could be found to risk the trip except Light, who went in company with a Cree or Knisteneau from the north, " Le Bras Coupe " (the cut arm). I think they passed the winter in Washington City and were well received by their Great Father, the
President. In the spring they were sent back to their own people and arrived safe, from which time the Assiniboin was called Jackson, by which name we will call him now.
' Catlin tells the story of this Indian, and gives portraits of him, before and after his travels. (Plates 27r and 272.) He gives his name as " Wi-jun-jon or Pigeon's Egg Head."