The Pawnees had received from Malgares Spanish flags, as tokens of Spanish sovereignty.

Doubtless the ceremony meant little or nothing to them; and Pike had small difficulty in getting the chiefs and warriors of the village to hoist the American flag instead.

But they showed a very decided disinclination to let him continue his journey westward.
However, he would not be denied.

Though with perfect good temper, he gave them to understand that he would use force if they ventured to bar his passage; and they finally let him go by.

Later he had a somewhat similar experience with a large Pawnee war party.
The Swarms of Game.
The explorers had now left behind them the fertile, tree-clad country, and had entered on the great plains, across which they journeyed to the Arkansas, and then up that river.