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Show in truth they \Vl're; the man being about .') feet ] 1 inches, and posse, sing in an eminent manner all the b au ties of countenance which distinguish his n~ttion. I-Iis companion was 22 years old ; having dark brown eyes, jet hair, and an c1cgantly proportioned neck, anu her figure by no 1ncans inclining to corpulency, as they generally arc after marriage. lie appeared to attach himself particularly to n1e, and informed me his wife was the daughter of an American, who passing through the nation, about twenty three years before, remained a week or two, possessed ofhcr mother, and that she was th fruit of this amour; but his name they were unacquainted with. I had brought six biscuits with me, which I presented her on the score of her be. ing my countrywoman, which raised a loud laugh, and she was called the Bostonian during the rest of my stay. I found thetn generally extremely hard to deal with; my provision being only a little venison, I wished to procure some bear's oil, for a few gallons of which I wac; obliged to pay a dollar per gallon, and then they wanted to mix tallow with the oil. They also demanded ten dollars for a bear skin (the most beautiful I ever saw, which I wanted to mount a saddle.) Indeed I was informed that traders in this country, sometimes give as much as sixteen dollars for bear skins ; for they are e1ninently superior to any thing of the kind, on the lower Mississippi ; and sell in Europe for double the price. In the evening ,.ve were entertained with the calumet and dog dance ; also the dance of the . Some of the men struck the post and told some of their war exploits, bnt as they spoke in Menomcne, my interpreter could not explain it. After the dance, we had the feast of th dead, (as it is called) at which each two or three were served with a pan or vessel full of meat, and when all were ready there was a prayer, after which the eating commenced. v\Then it was expected we would eat up our portion entirely, being careful not to drop a bone, rtO T HE SOCRCI:S OI' Till: MISSISSIPPI. but to gather all up and put them in the dish, we were th n treated with soup. After the eating was fini,..hccl the chief ag;:tin gave an xhortation, which finished the ceremony. I am told they then gather up all the fragments, and throw 1 hem in the water, lest the dogs should get them. Burning them is considered as sacrilegeous. In this lodge were collected at one time 41 persons g reat and small, ( 17 of whom were capable of bearing arms) besides dogs without number. 24·th March, M'onday.-Rose early and with my dogsled arrived at the fort before 10 o'clock. In the afternoon Mr. Grant arrived with De Breche and some of his young men. Saluted him with 14· rounds ; found my two young warriors of Leech Lake were brave enough to r eturn to their l1omcs. Mr. Grant and myself sat up late talking. 25th March, T uc.rday.-Sent an Indian to Thomas's lodge, and a letter to Mr. Dickson. It snowed and stormed all day. Gave the chief the news. 26th March, Wcdnesday.-'I'homas, the Fols Avoin chief arrived witn seven of his men, and the old Shawonoe and six of his party. I had them all to feed as well as my own 1nen. At night I gave them leave to dance in the garrison, which they did until 10 o'clock; bnt once or twice told me, that if I was tired of them, the dance should cease. The old Shawonoe and the White D og of tl\e Fols Avoins told their exploits, which we could not understand ; but De Brcche arose and said " I once killed " a Sioux and cut ofl· his head with such. 'a spear as I now ~' present to this Winebago." At the same time presentmg one to a Wincbago present, with whom the Chipeways were at war ; this was consider ed by the fonner as a great honor. My hunters went out but killed nothing. 27th March, Thursday.-ln the morning the Chipeway chief made a speech and presented his peace pipe to |
