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Show 18 REPORT OF THE Their crops of the preceding season had been abundant, their hunting had proven unusually successful; during the season quite a number of comfortable huuses had been built, and these, together with their annuities, enabled them to pass the winter with a greater degree of comfort than ever before. With this practical dembnstration of the advantages resulting from the change ia their former mode of life, the Poncas last spring ente;ed upon the labor of raising a new crop with increased confidence. Their grounds were ploughed, and their seeds planted in due season and in good order, but unfortunately a drought set . in in the midst of the planting season, which in its severity and duration has been unexampled for many years, and has resulted in. an utter prostration of their high hopes. Their crops being planted, they started at the usual season npon their summer hunt, in which they were nnsuccessfnl, and from which they returned to find their crops withered and dried, and almost nothing at the reservation to relieve their pressing necessities. The agent has done all in his power with the means at his command for their relief. His means, however, were wholly inadequate to supply the unusual and unexpected demand, and the condition of the Indians is now pitiable in the extreme. Should their f d hunt prove unsuccessful, they will seek assistance at the hands of the Omahas, and 3nch measures will be taken by this department for their relief as may he found practicable. The conduct of the Ponoaa, as well in the times of their prosperity as h the midst of the severe privations which have come upon them, has been unexcep-tionable; they are unwavering in their fidelity to their treaty, and deserve at our bands the kindest consideration. Amicable relations have also been maintained with the Yaucton Sioux during the past ,year. They number nver two thousand, and being a portion of the great Sioux nation, some apprehensions were felt that they might join with the remainder of their people in waging war upon the whites and the friendly In-dians of the Territory. These apprehensions have thus far proven groundless, which, with the younger and more restlesa portion of the tribe, is doubtless owing to the military forces stationed atFort Randall, in the immediate vicinity of their reservation. During the summer a detachment of soldiers was swt from the fort irl$nrsnit of a party' of hostile savages, who had come into the settlements and stolen a number of horses. Unfortunately the soldiers came up with a party of Indians who .were out hunting, and were mistaken for the Indians of whom the soldiers were in p&uit. The Indians were at once made prisoners, and while endeavoring to escape aeven of them were killed. I t afterwards appeared that the whole party was composed of friendly Indians, some of whom were Yanctons, the others of the Two Kettles band of Sioux. The cireumstance naturally created great excitement among these friendly In-dians, but the mistake being p,mmptly explained, and such reparation made as 'was practicable, the excitement subsided without a hos'tile outbreak, and it is believed that, notwithstanding the hostile attitude of other Indians within the Territory, peace will be maintained. The Yanctons, like their neighbors the Poncaa, were very eucceasful in their farming operations of last year, and, like |