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INDIAN SKETCHES,
TAK£N
BURING AN EXPEDITION
TO
THE PAWNEE AND OTHER TRIBES
OF
AMERICAN INDIANS.
BY
JOHN T. IRVING, Junior.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. IL
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
MDCCCXXXV.
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E1K
W5-X1
yJ.Z^
CONTENTS
OF
THE SECOND VOLUME.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Journey to the Grand Pawnee Village. — Old
Indian Female. — Chiers Lodge. — Indian
Feasts. — Kioway Female - « 1
CHAPTER 11.
Grand Pawnee Village. — The Comicil - 22
CHAPTER m.
Receiving Horses. — Departure from Great
Pawnees. — Crossing the Platte. — The lo-
tan'sWife - - - - 41
CHAPTER IV.
Journey to the Republican Village, and Re-
ception - - - - '56
CHAPTER V.
Indian Mischief. — Crossing the Loup Fork of
the Platte* — Entrance in the Republican
Village . - - - -68
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VI CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
Page
Indian Females and Feasts - - - 79
CHAPTER VU.
The Doctor's Adventure. — Indian Dirge • 95
CHAPTER Vm.
An old Warrior. — Indian Dogs. — A Night
Scene - - - - -110
CHAPTER IX.
Leaving Republican Village. — Ptairie between
that and Tappage Village. — Reception by
Tappages. — Departure. — White Cranes. —
Black Chief of the Loups. — Reception. —
Chief's Lodge. — Soldier Chiefs Feast - 1 19
CHAPTER X.
The Shian Captive - - - 136
CHAPTER XL
Exploit of the Black Chief. — Alarm m the
ViUage 145
CHAPTER XII.
Departure from Grand Pawnees. — Delegation.
— Death Song 154
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CONTENTS. VU
CHAPTER Xm.
Page
Storm. — Dag Feast - - - 160
CHAPTER XIV.
Deer Hunt. — Encampment. — Indian Night
Fires. — Lost Horses. — Doctor's Mule -167
CHAPTER XV.
Elk Chase. — Wandering from Party. — Herd
of Elk. — Night Camp. —Hill of Bones. —
Racoon. — Indian. — Return to Party. —
Wild Horse - - - - 179
CHAPTER XVI.
The false Alarm - - - - 197
CHAPTER XVn.
Elk Chase.— Indian Sagacity— —Indian Camp - 205
CHAPTER XVin.
Separation from Party. — Burning Ptairie. —
Wolves. — Journey - - - 217
CHAPTER XIX.
A hunted Deer. — Deserted Encampment. —
Distant Indians. — Night Camp. — Owls. —
Burning Sycamore ... 232
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via CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX.
P*ge
Wild Turkey. — Squirrel. — Parroquets. — Trail.
— Kanza Indian. — Night Camp. — Deserted
Houses — Kanza Agency. — Reaching Leaven-
worth - - - - - 246
CHAPTER XXI.
Assembling of CouncU. — Council - - 271
CHAPTER XXn.
Pawnee Dance. — Delaware Visiters - - 287
CHAPTER XXIII.
Kanza Council. — White Plume. — Tappage
Chief. — Treaty. — Interpreter. — Depar-
ture ... ,291
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INDIAN SKETCHES.
CHAPTER I.
JOURNEY TO THE GRAND PAWNEE VILLAGE.—
OLD INDIAN FEMALE. CHIEP's LODGE
INDIAN FEASTS. KIOWAY FEMALE.
As soon as we emerged from the crowd
that had surrounded us, we perceived the
plain between us and the village swarming
with the rest of its inhabitants. It ap-
peared as if every man, woman, and child
had looked upon the day of our arrival
as one of jubilee. The boys had thrown
aside their bows and arrows, the females
had abandoned their drudgery, and the.
old men had ceased their songs of former
VOL. II. B
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2 INDIAN SKETCHES.
victories, to paint themselves up for the
festival. The reception was over, and
all the requisite awe of their nation had
been impressed upon us. They now
threw aside the stern, unbending cha-
racter of the Indian warrior, and pressed
round u§ with all the kind hospitality of
hosts, in receiving their most welcome
guests.
Small bands of young men amused
themselves by dashing around the party,
at the full speed of their horses, and
attempting to oust each other from their
saddles by the violent collision of their
animals. Occasionally a few would start
off in a race across the plain, whooping
and screaming, and clattering their arms
in the ears of their steeds, to excite
them even beyond the mad rate at which
they were careering.
Others of the young men hung round
the party, making their remarks on its
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INDIAN SKETCHES* 3
different members, and occasionally ex-
citing loud peals of laughter from their
comrades. These, however, were fre-
quently cut short by a stern word from
one of the chiefs.
The whole road, from the plain to
the village, was lined with wopien and
children. They had not dared to ap-
proach during the formalities of our
reception, but now eagerly pressed for-
ward to gaze upon so unwonted a sight
as that of a white stranger entering
freely into their village. Besides this,
they were all anxious to gratify that
curiosity which is peculiarly strong ia
the bosom of an Indian — especially a
female.
They were nearly all mounted upon
little stiff-maned drudge horses of the
village, sometimes singly, but generally
in clusters of two or three.
B 2
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4 INDIAN SKETCHES.
In particular, one withered, grey-
headed old squaw, with a family of
four children under her charge, attracted
our attention. She was mounted upon
a little wall-eyed, cream-coloured pony,
with a roach mane and a bobtail. There
was a lurking devil looking out of his
half-closed eye, the very antipodes of
his rider, who sat upon his back like
the picture of Patience. Her charge
she had arranged, as well as could be
expected from a person in her situation.
One little fellow, whose eyes gleamed
like sparks of fire, from beneath the long
tangled hair, which nearly covered his
face, was striding almost upon the neck
of the horse, armed with a heavy Indian
whip. One little one was dosing in her
arms, another was clinging tightly to
ber back. The face of a fourth, like
the head of a caterpillar, just ready to
emerge from a cocoon, was peering from
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 5
the mouth of a leather bag, fastened
between her shoulders.
But though the woman thus scrupu-
lously divided the burden with her steed,
he seemed far from satisfied with his
situation, and at last determined to rid
himself of his encumbrance.
Tossing his head in the air, he com-
menced waltzing, and capering round
upon his hind feet, to the great discom-
fiture of the squaw. In great tribulation
she reached out both hands, and clung
with might and main to the high pom-
mel of the Indian pack-saddle, while
two of the children, left to their own
guidance, clung like monkeys round her
body.
The horse, finding that the first experi-
ment had not succeeded to his satis-
faction, altered his plan of action. He
planted his fore feet firmly upon the
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sod, and flourished his heels as high in
the air as his head was the moment
before. Still his rider continued to cling
to the saddle, making use of every ex-
pression of Indian objurgation and sooth-
ing, in a vain appeal to the sensibilities
of the restive animal. There was one,
however, evidently delighted with his
capers; this was the naked little elf
perched upon his neck, who evidently
aided and abetted the mutiny by a sud-
den switch of his whip —^ occasionally
casting back his sly, laughing black eye,
upon the chattering old lady and her
screaming brood.
At last the animal, finding that no
physical force of his could free his back
from the burden, came to the conclusion
that the less time he spent in accomplish-
ing his journey, the shorter would be
his ordeal. So he started off at a full
gallop for the village, and we caught
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 7
our last glimpse of him, as he dashed
between the lodges, urged on by the
lash of* his imp-like little rider.
When the party had once commenced
its march, it was not long before they
reached the point of destination; for
though the Indians crowded forward to
satisfy their curiosity, they remained at
such a distance as to oflfer no obstacle
to our progress. This rule of etiquette
was, however, occasionally transgressed
by troops of untrimmed, gobUn-looking
little urchins who hung upon the heels
of the party. They crowded round the
baggage waggons^ and gazed with a mix-
ture of terror and wild delight upon the
oxen, who, with lolling tongues and reel-
ing steps, were, almost inch by inch,
winning their way to the village.
Several times, when a circle of little
curious faces, anxious to see, but ready
to run, had formed round the team, a
B 4
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sharp, shrill scream from some more
mischievous of the gang, would in an
instant disperse all their rallied courage,
and send them scampering at full speed
over the prairie.
Another grand object of attraction
was The Black Bear^ who trudged in
front, surrounded by a rabble crowd of
women and children. From the first
moment of our arrival he had been an
object of intense curiosity, and had
been gazed at with a mixture of fear
and astonishment by the whole nation.
But there is an old saying, that " too
much familiarity breeds contempt;" and
in this case it was verified. By degrees,
the circle which formed round him at a
respectful distance became more and
more compressed. It was in vain that
he attempted to rid himself of their com-
pany; they swarmed around him like
ants. If he quickened his pace, they
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 9
did the same; if he lingered, they
were 'equally slow ; and if he turned
upon them, they scattered in every di-
rection. But after a while even this
wore off, and they finally hemmed him
in, so that it was almost impossible to
move for the crowd. When they had
thus closed upon him, the lurking spirit
of mischief began to show itself. They
tugged at his coat tail, they pulled his
pantaloons, and they jostled him until
the perspiration, the effect of fear and
exertion, poured in streams down his
face. At length one toothless, grey-
headed, old crone, attracted by the glis-
tening appearance of his black leather
cap, made a violent snatch, and seized
hold of it. A hot scramble ensued for
the prize, which, after much derange-
ment to the wardrobe of the negro, was
obtained by the rightful owner. He had
no sooner regained his property, than he
B 5
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10 INDIAN SKETCHES.
opened his shirt, and placed it next his
bosom. He then buttoned his coat over
it, up to the chin, evincing his respect
to the nation by performing the rest of
his journey uncovered.
We found that the Pawnee village had
been rebuilt since it was burnt by the
Delawares. It is situate in the open
prairie, at the foot of a long range of
hills, and within about fifty yards of the
Platte. The river at this place is about
two tniles broad, and very shallow, being
constantly forded by the squaws, who
visit the different islands, and obtain
from them the only fuel and building
materials to be found in this part of the
country.
The lodges are numerous, and stand
close together, without the least regard
to regularity. They are built in the
same way as those in the Otoe village.
On account of the scarcity of wood.
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 11
several families congregate together in
the same lodge. The male portion pass
the whole day, lounging and sleeping
.around, or gorging themselves from the
large kettle filled with buifalo flesh, which
is perpetually over the fire.
As we entered the village, the tops of
the lodges were completely covered with
women and children, and the area in
front of the chiePs dwelling was equally
crowded. When we reached the front,
the chief, who had ridden in advance of
the party, stepped from the dark passage
which formed the entrance to his abode,
to meet us. He was completely en-
veloped in a robe of white wolf skin,
upon which was painted a hieroglyphic
account of his warlike achievements.
Upon the approach of Mr. E , he ad-
vanced towards him, and, taking the robe
from his shoulders, presented it to him,
requesting him (through the interpreter)
B 6
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to keep it for his sake. He then ushered
the party into his dwelling, and pointed
out the place allotted for the reception of
the contents of the waggons. After this
he called together a number of Indians,
and gave them directions to assist in un-
loading. He stood at the door, watching
their movements, to prevent any attempt
at purloining, — a crime too common
among the lower classes of an Indian
village.
Nearly half an hour elapsed in this
way, during which time the lodge was
becoming more and more crowded. One
dusky form after another glided with a
noiseless step over the threshold, moving
across to the darkest comers of the lodge.
Here they seated themselves upon the
groupd, and shrouded their shaggy robes
around them, so as completely to screen
the lower part of their faces. As they
fixed their unwavering gaze upon us,
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 13
from the dark parts of the building, their
eyes seemed to shine out, like glowing
balls of phosphorus.
Not a word was spoken — -no junder-
toned conversation was carried on — all
was silence, save the hurried footsteps of
those who were busied according to the
directions of the chief. No jests were
uttered, for we were now under the roof
of their leader, and any word spoken in
derogation of his guests would have
called down instant punishment
Upon their entrance into the lodge, a
large kettle had been filled with buffalo
flesh and hard corn, and placed over the
fire. When we were fairly settled, and
the bustle of unloading had in a mea-
sure passed away, the wife of^the chief
(by the by he had five of them) poured
the whole of its contents into a large
wooden bowl. She then armed each of
us with a black dipper made of buflklo
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14 INDIAN SKETCHES.
horn, and made signs for us to com*
mence.
We did not wait for a second invi-
tation, but immediately, with both fingers
and dippers, attacked the mountain of
food before us. We had not eaten since
daylight; it was now late in the dayj
and the appetites of the party, never
particularly delicate, having increased in
proportion to the length of their fast, the
devastation was enormous. But every
excess brings with it its own punishment;
and our case was not an exception to the
general rule. Scarce had we finished,
when a little Indian boy, half covered
with a tattered buffalo skin, forced his
way into the lodge, elbowing in among
the warriors with all that transient air of
consequence worn by little characters
when charged with some mission of im-
portance. He came to the side of the
chief, who was sitting near us, with his
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 15
legs doubled under him, ailer the Turkish
fashion, and whispered in his ear. The
chief rose, and announced that the Long
Hair, the second warrior of the village,
had prepared a feast in honour of our ar-
rival, and was waiting for us to come and
partake. There was some demurring as
to the acceptance of this invitation. The
Interpreter, however, informed us that
there was no resource, as eating your
way into the good will of the savages, is
necessary to the success of an Indian
treaty. It was useless to plead that we
had already eaten sufficient, for that is a
thing incredible to an Indian, who always
carries with him an appetite proportioned
to the quantity to be eaten, and the op-
portunity of doing so. L^t the latter
come as ofteti as it may, it invariably
finds him prepared.
Aftei* some consultation, seeing no
temedy, we left the lodge, and followed
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16 INDIAN SKETCHES.
our little guide through the intricacies
of the village, to the dwelling of the
Long Hair. When we entered, he was
sitting upon the ground, and motioned
us to a seat upon some dirty cushions
of undressed hides. He was a stem,
gloomy looking man, with an anxious,
wrinkled brow, a mouth like iron, and
an eye like fire. He evidently made
efibrts to be sociable ; but it was not
in his nature; and during the whole
feast, the stern, unbending character of
the Indian warrior was continually peer-
ing out from beneath the show of hos-
pitality. He urged us to eat, and he
even attempted to smile; but it more
resembled the angry snarl of a wild-cat,
than the evidence of any pleasurable
emotion. In short, we liked him not,
and hurried through our feast as soon
as possible. When we had finished,
and while a number of the party were
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 17
smoking, in turn, from a large red stone
pipe, which he passed round, the Doc-
tor rose and slowly sauntered round the
lodge. He at length observed a small
bundle of bones, and skin, which hung
from a pole crossing the centre of the
lodge. Curious to know what it might
contain, he reached out his hand to take
hold of it. From the moment that he
had left his seat, the brow of the chief
had darkened, but he said nothing j
contenting himself by narrowly watch-
ing the motions of his guest;— but no
sooner had he touched the bundle, than
the effect upon the frame of the Indian
Was like an electric shock. He half
started from his seatj the veins on his
forehead swelled like whipcord j and his
eyes shot fire. — With clenched fists and
extended arms, he shrieked out something
between a yell and an imprecation. The
secret was soon explained by the fright-
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18 INDIAN SKETCHES*
ened Interpreter. The bundle that had
attracted tlie curiosity of the Doctor
was the medicine bag* of the lodge.
To disturb this is one of the greatest
outrages that can be inflicted upon the
superstitious feelings of an Indian. At
another time, the Doctor might have
paid dearly for his rashness. As it was,
at the earnest solicitations of the In-
terpreter, he resumed his seat, and the
anger of the chief passed away. Shortly
after this, another courier arrived to in-
vite us to a third feast; and taking our
leave, we followed him. This feast was
* Every lodge in an Indian village contains what
is called its Medicine Bag, which is hung up in
the most conspicuous place, and regarded with the
greatest veneration, not only by the inhabitants of
that individual lodge, but by the whole tribe. Little
is known of their contents, as they are seldom
opened, and always with the greatest formalities.
On these occasions all possible care is taken to ex«
dude strangers, whose presence or interference is
regarded as a certain source of future misfortune.
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IKDIAK SKETCHES. 19
exactly the saiae as the formen Before
we had finished, invitation after invito^
tion came pouring in upon us, until we
had visited about ten or fifteen lodges.
One after another, the diffetent members
of the party then gave out, and returned
to the abode of the chief.
Upon our return, Mr. E — —assembled
the different warriors, and, after some
consultation, the following day was ap-
pointed for holding a council, to agree
upon the terms of the treaty.
When this was settled, the chief turned
and spoke a few words to the heralds.*
* These heralds are self-elected, and are com-
posed of the oldest men in the village, who run
through the town to spread the orders of the chief.
When no such service is required, they amuse
themselves by stalking round the village, yelling
out advice to the young men, with voices which
may be heard at the distance of a mile, but
which, as far as I was able to judge, was but
little attended t04
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20 INDIAN SKETCHES.
They immediately started through the
village, proclaiming the time appointed
for the council.
While Mr. E was thus engaged,
the rest of the party drew round the
fire, to discuss the different events of the
day. The bearskin, forming the inner
door of the lodge, was slowly raised,
and a female stepped timidly in, and
moved rapidly, and evidently with a
desire to escape observation, into the
darkest part of the lodge. Her whole
appearance bespoke her a stranger. She
was beautiful ; and though a timid be-
ing, moved with the step of a queen.
She was the wife of the Kioway Indian,
and her dress was of a richness corre-
sponding with his. A bright band of
silver was fastened round her neck ; a
small jacket of scarlet cloth, the spoil
of some pillaged caravan, edged with
silver lace and beads, was secured round
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 21
her waist and breast, with scarlet ribands,
and a long garment of blue cloth en-
veloped the rest of her form. Like her
husband, she wore medals of silver upon
her breast, and bracelets of the same
upon her wrists. Her mocassins, also,
were more finely ornamented than those
of the Pawnee women, who were seated
around.
From the moment of her entrance,
she became the object of attraction to
all eyes. Observing this, she withdrew
into one of the berths, and, dropping in
front of her a screen of grass matting,
remained there for the rest of the day.
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22 INDIAN SKETCHES.
CHAP. 11.
GRAKD PAWNJtB VILLAGE. — IHB COUVCIIm
The second day after our arrival was
appointed for holding the council. It
was a fine frosty morning. The sun
rose like a huge ball of crimson over the
low hills, pouring a flood of lurid light
upon the dancing waters of the Platte,
and gemming with a thousand tints the
frost beads that glittered upon the tall
withering grass of the prairie.
A number of us left the lodge early
in the morning, and strolled towards
the banks of the Platte. A few gaunt,
sinewy wolf-dogs were prowling about
the silent village, in search of food.
The savages had not yet left their lairs.
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INDIAN SKETCHES* 23
except one or two solitary individuals,
mufi9ed in their robes, who, at sight of
us, hurried to their abodes to give inform-
ation that the strangers were stirring.
Occasionally, as we passed the dark
funnel-like mouth of the dwellings, the
half of a face would be seen, cautiously
looking out, and, after staring at us for
an instant, would vanish into the interior
to call out the rest of the inhabitants.
We had not proceeded far, before
about a dozen half-starved Indian wolf-
dogs collected at our heels. Here they
followed, raising their nostrils, baring
their long white fangs, and uttering deep
growls. Their green flashing eyes ; their
long bristling hair j and their tails stiffly
extended as they slowly stalked after us,
convinced us that they waited only for
the slightest appearance of fear on our
part, to commence an attack. It also
plainly showed, that, however welcome
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24f INDIAN SKETCHES.
our appearance might be to the Indians^
there were some members of the village
who did not participate in the general
feeling of joy.
In spite, however, of this show of ill
will, we continued our walk until we
reached the Platte. Here we seated
ourselves upon the trunk of a tree, lying
prostrate on the bank of the river.
In the meantime, the Indians had re-
ceived intelligence of our movements,
and began to edge towards the stream.
The children came running openly and
in droves. The old men and warriors
carelessly sauntered along towards the
water, and came down upon us as if by
accident. Others, more modest, crouched
down in the long grass, creeping stealthily
forward, until every stump concealed a
painted form, and every bush was alive
with curious faces.
Nearest to us was a tall, thin Indian,
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 25
clad in an old, worn-out buffalo-robe.
There was a « gallows-bird'* look about
him, — no doubt some prodigal son, dis-
inherited by a crusty old curmudgeon
father. He was standing with his back
half towards us, and his face turned
away, apparently gazing up the river;
the very attitude to *« give the lie" to
his eyes, which were convulsively strain-
ing towards us, from the corner of their
sockets, and scanning our every move-
ment with an intense and eager curiosity.
At length, one of the party wishing
to enquire about our horses, beckoned
him forward. This was a signal for all
the rest. They came trooping up from
every quarter, under the pretence of
giving information ; and upon every sign
made by us, about twenty tongues gab-
bled unintelligible answers. After spend-
ing about half an hour upon the banks,
and finding that nothing was to be gained
VOL. II. c
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06 INDIAN SKETCHED
in the way of infOTmation, we turned off
in the direction of the village.
It was «ow humming with life. The
warriors were collected in small knots
of five or six, and, by their vehem^ent
gestures, were apparently engaged in
earnest conversation. The children were
rolling and tumbling in the dirt; the
squaws were busily engaged. Some
were bringing from their lodges large
leather sacks of shelled corn ; others
were spreading it out to dry, upon the
leather of their buffalo-skin tents, which
had been stretched out upon the ground.
Others were cleansing from it the de-
cayed kernels, and packing it up in small
sacks of a whitish undressed leather,
resembling parchment. These were then
deposited in cache-holes * for a winter's
store.
♦ The Cache is a large hole dug in the ground
like a cistern. It is narrow at the top (about four
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At a distance from the village, a band
of females were slowly wending along
the top of one of the low prairie ridges,
to their daily labour in the small plant-
ations of corn. These are scattered
in every direction round the village
wherever a spot of rich blac}c soil gives
promise of a bountiful harvest. Some
of them are as much as eight miles dis-
tant from the town.
There is a fearful uncertainty hanging
round the lives of these females. At
feet in diameter) but wider as it descends, until its
form somewhat resembles that of a jug. It will con-
tain about an hundred bushels of com.
Upon leaving their villages, the Indians deposit
the com which is to serve for their winter's store in
granaries of this description, and cover the {^ertures
with earth, so that it is impossible^ for a person im-
acquainted with their exact position, to discover the
entrance. The name Ca4ihe is given by the French
traders, who derive it from the word cacher (to
conceal).
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the rising of the sun they depart to their
toil, often never to return. They are
constantly exposed to the attacks of
lurking foes, who steal down upon their
villages to cut off stragglers. They
come and disappear with equal silence
and celerity. Their presence is un-
known, until the long absence of a friend,
or a mutilated body, found sometimes
after the lapse of several days, conveys
to their friends a thrilling token, that
the hand of the destroyer has been busied
among them, and the hour of vengeance
has passed.
As we proceeded, we were again
waited upon by a committee of the dogs
of the town. They formed in a train
behind us, with the same expression of
ill feeling that had been manifested by
their predecessors. But this last display
of rancour was of short duration ; for a
stout, tattered Indian, who looked as if
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 39
his last ablution had been performed
during his infancy, rushed out from one
of the lodges, and with a few vigorous
applications of his foot changed the as-
pect of affairs. In an instant the glis-
tening eyes of the curs sunk from fury
to meekness; the hair which bristled
boldly up was sleeked quietly down to
their backs; the tails which had stood
out as erect as bars of iron, were tucked
snugly away between their legs, and the
snarls were converted into yells. In
short, the canine committee were un*
mercifully beaten, and fled yelping and
howling in every direction.
Our attention was now called to the
lean, wiry old heralds, who were stalking
through the town, calHng forth the war-
riors, and exhorting them to prepare for
the council. Occasionally they stopped
to gossip with some grey-headed crony,
c 3
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who Stood blinking like ati owl at the
entrance of his dwelling. At other times
they paused to bestow a little whole-
some advice upon some wild urchin,
guilty of some breach of decorum to-
wards their guests.
Upon reaching the lodge of the chief,
we found that active preparations had
been made for holding the council. The
goods and presents, which had been
received hastily into the building, were
now piled up carefully. The lodge had
been swept clean ; a large cheery fire
was crackling in the centre. The rabble
crowd of loungers and hangers-on had
been routed ; and besides the family of
the chief, we were the only occupants of
the spacious building.
At mid-day the chiefs and braves be-
gan to assemble. They were full dressed ;
many of the young warriors had spent
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the whole morning in preparation, and
now presented themselves^ fully omar
mented for the meeting.
As the hour for the opening of the
councU grew nearer, the tall, muffled
warriors poured in, in one continuous
stream. They moved quietly to the
places allotted them, seating themselves
in silence round the chief, according to
their rank. There was no wrangling, or
bustle for precedence ; each knew his
station, and if perchance one of them
occupied the place of some more dis-
tinguished warrior, upon his appearance
he immediately rose and resigned him
his seat
The crowd continued flowing in until
the lodge was filled almost to srtfibcation.
As they came in, they seated themselves,
imtil five or six circles were formed, one
beyond the other, the last ranging against
the wail of the building. In the ring
c 4
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nearest the chiefs, sat the principal
braves, or those warriors whose deeds of
blood entitled them to a high rank in the
councils of the nation. The more distant
circles were filled by such young men of
the village as were admitted to its coun-
cils. The passage leading to the open
air, was completely blocked up with a
tight wedged mass of women and chil-
dren, who dared venture no nearer to
the deliberations of the tribe.
In the course of half an hour, nearly
all the principal warriors had assembled.
The chief then filled a large stone pipe,
and lighting it, drew a few puffs, inhaling
the smoke into his lungs, and blowing it
out in long blasts through his nostrils.
He then •passed it to the whites, who,
each having inhaled a few whiffs in their
turn, handed it to their neighbours.
These again passed it on, until it had
made the circuit of the whose assembly.
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While this was going on, our attention
was attracted by a violent commotion in
the passage. In a moment afterwards,
the naked head and shoulders of the
Wild Horse, towered above the crowd.
He forced his way through them, and
burst naked into the building. Here he
seated himself in the inner ring, leaning
his back against one of the pillars which
supported the roof. The chief scowled
grimly at the disturbance caused by his
entrance. The Wild Horse, however,
was a giant, whose wrath was not to be
courted, and the matter passed off in si-
lence. After a short time Mr. E
rose and addressed the council, stating
the views of the United States, and at
the same time, the conditions of the
treaty.
During the whole of the address, every
sound was hushed into a deep and thriU
ling silence. Not a form stirred j but all
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sat with their eyes steadily fixed upon
his countenance. There was not even a
long-drawn breath to break in upon the
voice of the speaker; though now and
then, some proposal, which met with pe-
culiar approbation, would elicit a loud
grunt of approval, from the deep, sono-
rous chests of the whole assemblage^
When Mr. E had finished his ad-
dress, the chief of* the Grand Pawnees
rose and folded his heavy buffalo-robe
round his body. His right arm and
breast were left bare. The other hand
and lower part of his body were -com-
pletely hid by the dark folds of his
shaggy mantle. For a few moments he
stood facing Mr. E— — in silence; then
stepping forward, his chest seemed to
swell out, — he threw back his head, and
raised his arm, with one of the fingers
slightly extended, as if to command at-
tention. He then paused and gazed with
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 35
a hawk eye upon the iron faces of his
warriors. The pause and glance were
momentary ; and without moving the po-
sition of his arm, he commenced his ha-
rangue. It was short, energetic, and
abounding with all the high-wrought
figures of Indian oratory. As he pro-
ceeded he grew more and more ani-
mated ; his chest rose and fell j his
finely modulated voice, which at first had
stolen like music over the stillness, grew
louder and louder, until its deep, fierce
tones rang like thunder through the
building. He threw his robe from his
shoulders, leaving bare his almost con-
vulsed frame. He fixed his eagle eye
upon us; he extended his bare arms
towards us J he waved them over our
heads with a wild fury of gesticulation.
Had it not been for his words of friend-
ship, our fancies would have led us to
imagine him some demon, pouring out
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the most fearful threats of vengeance.
For about ten minutes his voice rolled
through the lodge. Suddenly he fell
from the loud, energetic language which
he was using, to the silvery, guttural
tones natural to him, and in a short time
finished his harangue.
After him, his son, the second chief
of the tribe, rose and commenced an
address. While he was proceeding, a
noise of voices arose at the extreme
part of the lodge near the passage. At
first they were low and smothered ; but
at last they broke out into loud and
angry altercation. The Wild Horse was
crouching at the foot of one of the pil-
lars, with his hands interlocked with
each other, his arms encompassing his
legs, and his body nearly hid by the
long matted hair which hung over it.
He was roused by the disturbance; but
at first contented himself by an oc-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 37
Casional sharp word addressed to the
crowd. This silenced it for a few
moments, but at last the brawling voices
broke out into open clamour. The
savage started to his feet, stalked among
them, shook his brawny arms over their
heads, and thundered a few stem words
in their ears. They had the effect of
magic in soothing the angry passions of
the disputants. The voices sunk into
silence, and the noise was hushed. For
a few moments he maintained his me-
nacing attitude over them j and then
resuming his station at the foot of the
pillar, the chief proceeded in his ha-
rangue.
When he concluded, several chiefs
rose and addressed the party, welcoming
them to their homes with the kindest
expressions of hospitality. At the same
time they expressed their entire acquis
escence in the terms of the treaty.
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After them several of the braves and
warriors rose, and spoke to the same
effect. When they had concluded, the
following day was appointed for signing
the treaty. The pipe was again passed
round, and the council breaking up, the
warriors left the lodge.
During the whole of the deliberation,
which lasted about six hours, the in-
terior of the building was excessively
hot. The instant it was cleared, we
strolled out into the open prairie. A
large crowd had gathered at a distance.
We went towards it, and found it as*
sembled to witness the slaughter of one
of our oxen — the destined victim for
the ratification of the treaty. The hun-
ter who was to enact the part of butcher,
had loaded his rifle, and now moved for-
ward. The crowd spread off* on each
side, leaving the animal exposed to view.
The beast then for the first time seemed
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 3^
to have a suspicion of the fate that
awaited hitti, he raised his head^ and
gazed steadily at the hunter. The
butcher took a few steps -— the gun was
to his cheek — the trigger clicked — we
heard the bullet strike — the ox reared
his heavy frame, and fell forward on the
ground J but the ball had merely frac-
tured the skull without being fatal.
By degrees the animal raised himself
from the ground upon his haunches. ^
His head hung heavily forward, and a
thin streak of blood trickled down from
the bullet hole in his forehead. Still he
feebly supported his form upon his fore
feet. His huge body rocked to and fro
in the last extremity of anguish, and
deep bellowings burst from his heaving
lungs, resembling the tortured cries of a
human sufferer. A second time the
hunter advanced and fired ; the ball was
fatal J it crushed through the bone of the
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skull, and the beast fell forward with a
deep groan. The crowd, raising a loud
cry of exultation and delight, closed
round him. The exhibition was sicken*
ing ; we turned away, and left the Indian
butchers to their work.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 41
CHAP. III.
receiving horses. — departure from great
pawnees. — crossing the platte, the
iotan's wife.
The morning at length arrived upon
which we were to take our leave of the
Grand Pawnees, and shape our course
for the village of the Pawnee repub-
licans. This is situated upon the Loup
fork of the Platte river, about twenty
miles distant.
The couriers appointed to carry the
tidings of our approach to the nation,
had left the village the night before.
We were now drawn out in the area in
front of the lodge, awaiting the move-
ments of the soldiers who were scattered
around, some driving in, and others
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42 INDIAN SKETCHES*
searching for, the horses, on the small
islands of the Platte.
The chief of the Pawnee republican
village, after lingering with us till the
last moment, started forward across the
river. In the dim distance we could
perceive his flake- white horse skimming
like a bird over the crests of the hills.
Now he disappears in their deep, undu-
lating hcdlows, and now he flashes for
an instant on the eye as he passes over
the brow of some more distant ridge.
He is pushing forward to reach his vil.-
lage, and marshal his warriors.
In about half an hour the soldiers
returned, driving in the horses, and
commenced saddling for the march.
In the mean time, those Indians who
had promised horses on the first day
of our meeting, brought them up. A
young Indian first came forward, and
led up a bright, jet-black mare j after
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 4S
hifn followed another^ bdding in his
hand a kmg buflSilo tug^ or halter, which
restrained the wild motions of a two
years* old colt His colour was snowy
white, here and there broken with spots
of brown. He had been caught wild
from the prairies but a few weeks before.
He was a slave j but he had never beeft
mounted — his back had never bent to
a burden. They led hitn up in his own
native wildness — *• his tail stood out —
his ears were pricked up-** his eyes
starting *-^ his nostrils expanded — and
every hair of his long mane seemed
almost erect with an undefinable feeling
of terror. At one moment he dashed
swiftly around at the full slxetch of the
long tug which secured him — then
pausing^ and shaking his long mane
over his head, he fixed the gaze of his
almost bursting eyes upon his captor.
Then raising his head, and casting a
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long, lingering, and almost despairing
gaze upon the hills of the prairie, which
till then had been his home, he made a
desperate leap forward, dragging to the
ground the Indian who held the end of
his halter. Others, however, rushed to his
assistance, and held him in. The crowd
then attempted to close round him, but
he reared upon his hind legs, and kept
them at bay with rapid and powerfiil
blows of his fore feet. At length a
young Indian who was standing near,
threw off his robe and crept cautiously
towards the animal from behind. With
a sudden leap he bounded upon his
back, and seized the tug, which was
secured in his mouth. Before this, the
efforts of the animal had been violent ;
but when he felt the burden upon his
back — when he felt the curbing hand
of his rider— he sent up a shrill and
almost frantic scream — he bounded in
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 45
the air like a wild cat — he reared, he
plunged, but in vain. His rider was a
master hand, and retained his seat as un-
moved as if he had constituted part of
the animal itself. He curbed him in —
he lashed him with his heavy whip, until
he crouched like a dog upon the prairie.
His spirit was crushed ; and the last
^park of freedom was extinguished*
Shortly after, one of the hunters came
up and tied a pack upon his back. He
made no resistance, and they led him ofi*
with the rest, to finish his days in drud-
gery and toil.
In the mean time the other Indians
led up their horses. It was evident that
many of them had made their promises
in the excitement of the moment They
were now fulfilling them as matters of
conscience, not of inclination ; and their
horses were valuable in proportion. One
was lame, another blind j one had large
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46 INDIAK SKETCHES.
patches of skin galled upon his back,
and the ears of another were cropped
close to his head. In fine it was evident
that they hftd selected the very worst of
their animals for the fulfilment of their
promises. Our stvd was a collection of
the maimed, the halt, and the blind.
One after another they came lingering
up, until one Indian alone lagged be-
hind* The chief inquired for him, and
was told that he had gone out to search
for his animal. Ten minutes elapsed.
At last there was a movement in the
crowd, and a sly-looking, old, white-
headed Indian made his way through
it. Jn his hand he held the end of a
long buffalo tug : the other was secured
to bis horse. Such a horse! he was
Wind of both eyes ; his tail had been
cut off short to his rump ; his ribs stood
put in bold relief; and his very joints
creaked as he walked stiffly after his
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 47
leader. As for his age there was no
mode of telling it^ as bi$ teeth had long
since dropped out; but it must havp
been incalculable.
There was a smothered giggling among
the women, and a downright squall of
laughter among the children, as the
horse stalked forwards towards its futufe
owner. The old Indian moved towards
Mr. E- — , and without raising his
head, placed the end of the halter in the
hand of one of the soldiers. There was
a deal of mischief in his look, and I
could hear a smothered chuckle rattling
beneath the folds of his robe, as he dreir
it up over his face, and disappeared among
the crowd.
We now mounted, and started at a
rapid pace for the banks of the river.
The heavy lumbering waggons followed
more slowly, and a trjun of about half
the village brought up the rear.
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Upon reaching the banks, we found
that the Otoes were already on their way
through the river. Some were wading
up to their arm-pits ; others had missed
the ford, and were swept down the
stream, holding their blankets high over
their heads to keep them dry, as they
struggled across the rushing current.
Others, mounted on horses which they
had trafficked for with the Pawnees,
were dashing and spattering through the
shallow parts of the river, or clinging
to the manes of their steeds, as they
ploughed their way through the deep
current.
The river at this place was nearly
two miles broad, here and there inter-
spersed with small islands. The depth
was ever varying ; in some places it was
but a few inches, in others it must have
been from ten to twenty feet. At one
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moment the water scarce reached the
fetlocks of your horse — the next step
sent him floundering .up to t^ holsters.
After reaching the banks of the river,
a short consultation was held. The
heavy baggage waggons were then sent
forward, with two Indians to guide them
over the ford. After them followed the
two dear-bom waggons. One was driven
by an old soldier, who kept steadily in
the wake of the teams. The two mules
drew the other. They were driven by
our half-French, half-devil Joe, who was
seated upon the dash-board of the wag-
gon, swearing in broken English, some-
times at the animals, and at others, at
the slow pace of the oxen which dragged
the waggons in front For some time
he followed steadily in their train; but
at length his patience became exhausted,
and he determined to drive forward at
all hazards. He plied his whip upon
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the flanks of the mules. At the first
application they stopped short; at the
second, they kicked up ; but at the third,
they commenced moving forward— for
they had learnt by long experience, that
the patience and perseverance of their
driver, in the application^ of the lash,
were sufficient to overcome even their
own almost inexhaustible fund of ob-
stinacy and ill-nature. Half a dozen
steps brought the water up to the bottom
of the waggons. The mules doubted,
but the driver whipped on. Another
half a dozen steps, and the water gushed
over the sides into the waggon, — still the
lash was busy. The next moment the
beasts were swimming, with only the
tips of their noses and ears visible above
the surface. The waggon had disap-
peared beneath the water, and the head
of the driver, shaded by a broad-brim-
med hat, went skimming along the sur-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 51
fece, poiiring out a steady stream of
French and English oaths jumbled into
one common mass. Occasionally an
arm was flourished above the water, in-
flicting a little chastisement upon the
nose and ears of the animals. This
caused them to dip under the water with
a prodigious increase of snorting, but
not much acceleration of speed. At
length, however, the deep • water was
passed, and after drifting about a hun-
dred yards down the river, the waggon
gradually rose above the surface, and
travelled slowly up the opposite bank.
The rest of the party then com-
menced their march in Indian file across
the ford, keeping in a line with a tall
Indian, who led the way. Most of the
party followed the guide; but some of
our horses were restive, and missing the
ford, drifted us a short distance down
the stream, where we reached a small
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iflbndy and scrandiling up its bank^.gal*
lG|>ed across to the qiposite side*
Here we fbtmd one of the wives of
the lotan chief standing on the edge o£
the water. She had accompanied him
from his village. She was young, tall»
and finely formed; her face, next to
that of the wife of the Kioway Indian,
was the most beautiful we had met
with. Her hair was parted across her
forehead, and hung down upon her
shoulders. A small jacket of blue doth
was fastened rxmnd her shoulders and
breast, and a mantle of the same was
wrapped around her body. They had
been presented to her by the commis*
sioner, but a few days before. She
was standing upon a small sand bar,
and ihe water was gurgling around her
feet. A short distance in front of her^
a deep channel was rushing widi a
powerful current She looked at the
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IKDTAK SKETCHES* 53
w^^tetf mkd then at her dress, with «a
expression of ahnost childish sorrow)
to swim the river would r^itn her finerj^
The Indians had all reached the ap^
potite foank, and were waiting for the
rest to come up, so that there was no
assistance to be expected from thenu
Just then the hunters dashed by her
into'the deep ch^mel, but did not even
notice her« I was t^ last of the party,
and she knew it ; for though we could
not speak the same language, there was
an implc»ing expression in her large dark
eye as she fixed it upon me, that tdd
every thing. Still I hesitated: I thought
of pushing on; there was a powerfiU
struggle between selfishness and a desire
to assist her ; she saw it, and speaking a
few words in her own silvery tongue^ she
at the same time pointed to her new
dress.
. There was something so sorrowful in
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54 INDIAN SKETCHES.
tbe tone .and gesture, that I could not
resist it I took my rifle in ray left hand,
and reaching out my right, she seized it;
she placed her foot on mine, and, with a
sudden bound, was upon the back of my
horse, stooping behind ire, with her arms
round my neck. The horse had so long
been accustomed to have his own way. in
every thing, that he grew very indignant
at this new imposition — but a lunge qf
the spurs subdued his wxath, and he
bounded forward into the rushing river.
He was a powerful animal^ and took to
.the water like a sea fowl. The river
rushed and roared around us, and we
could feel the strong nervous quivering
of his limbs, as he bore up against it
But occasionally as he went snorting
along, he cast back spiteful glances at
his riders. I expected mischief, and it
came to pass. We felt his hoofs touch
the bottom — three leaps — he was up
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 65
the bank — his heels flew in the air—-
the arms of the squaw were jerked vio-
lently from my neck, and I saw her
describing a somerset through the air;
she landed upon her feet and received
no injury. The Indians raised a shout
of laughter ; and the horse, satisfied with
being relieved from his extra burden,
jogged quietly on towards the Repub-
lican village.
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CHAP. IV.
jovuvmr to thb r^ublioan village, avd
RECSPTION.
In about half an hour, our whole troop
were safely landed on the bank of the
Platte, opposite the town of the Grand
Pawnees. In the faint distance we could
perceive the inhabitants still standing
upon the tops of the lodges, and watch-
ing our movements. A few who had
lingered in our train, and crossed the
river with us, now prepared to return.
After sunning themselves for a short
time on the dry grass, to take off the
chill they had received in swimming
across the cold current, they again
plunged into the river. Their dark
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INBIAN SEETCHSS. Sf
heads anid bodies were seen scattered
over its whole breadth, until shut out
from our view by one of the bills of the
prairie.
The distance between the Grand
Pawnee, and the Pawnee RepubUcai^
village, is about twenty miles. The last
is situated upon what is called the Loup
Fork of the Platte river, and is about
the same in size as that of the Grand
Pawnees. The different pcHtions of the
tribe who live upon this river, were for-
merly united. In the course of time,
however, as their numbers increased, the
difficulty of obtaining timber for fuel
and building also increased^ until at last
they divided into four distinct bands,
each undir a separate chief. The fimt
seated kself upon the Republican Fork
of die Platte, and is known by the name
oi €m Grand Pawnee tribe. The other
three located themselves upon the Loup
D 5
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58 INDIAN SKEtCHElS.
-Fork of the same river, and are dis-
tinguished by the names of the Repub-
lican Pawnees, the Tappaye Pawnees,
and the Pawnee Loups. They are alto-
gether distinct from the Pawnee Picks,
and speak not the same tongue. During
our stay among the Grand Pawnees, we
found a Pawnee Pick residing among
them ; but his language was unintelligible
to the wholie nation, with the exception
of one Indian, who had resided among
his people.
t Our journey now lay across the
prairie. An advance guard of about
twenty Pawnees took the lead, conduct-
ing a number of loaded mules. Some-
times they were only ten or fifteen rods
ahead, and then would push forward
until we nearly lost sight of them. Be-
hind us straggled our little band of
Otoes; all on foot, except the wife of
the lotan chief. She had contrived,
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INDIAN SKETCHES* 59
by her winning arts, to soften the flinty
nature of the old iron-sided soldier who
drove one of the waggons, so as to get a
seat upon a pile of bearskins composing
our bedding.- Here she exerted herself
to maintain her hold in the good will of
the veteran Jehu, by narrating to him, by
gestures, an account of her passage over
the Platte.
. The soldier listened to her patiently,
and occasionally condescended to smile,
when, by her gesticulation, the story ap-
peared to warrant it the most. At
length one of his comrades rode up and
asked, — .
: " What are you and the wife of lotan
laughing at. Mack?*'
" Curse me if I know," retorted the
other. " The squaw keeps up such a
bloody cackling, I suppose there must be
some joke, and so I laughed.'*
After travelling a few hours over the
D 6
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prairiei we passed a single tree. It stood
like a solitary sentinel, to guard the
waters <^ a small i^ring, whidi gushed
oat at its foot ; the source of the onfy
broc^ ^ich had crossed our path during
the whole route. The tree was an aged
one^ diort; and sturdy. If aught might
be judged from its gnarled and Bmtas*
tically twisted limbs, it had maintained
its station for centuries; contending
against the £erce storms and tornadoes,
which had swqpt the prairie. We felt a
kind of companionship with this ^* ve-
temn of the storms */* and as if by com^
mon consent, the party, both Indians
and whites, came to a halt, to rest under
its branches, and drink of the water
i^ich gut^d ukmg at its roots*
In a quarter of an bxir we agam
piuihed forward. After an lusir more
of laborious ixtmi, through long wimng
ftasB, me descried larg^ ^droyes of hwses.
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IKDIAX SKETCUES;^ 61
With uplifted heads and erect manes
gazing at us from die different emi-
nences. We perceived also the flying
forms of mounted Indians, in the dis*
tance, and groups of others clad in flow*-
ing robes, and standing like statues upon
the faei^its. This showed us that iJie
town was not distant, and that its warr
riors were on the watch for our poming.
Intervening hills, however, ^till shut it
out from our sight. As we proceeded,
the groups disappeared one after another;
and as we mounted the eminences where
tiiey had stood, we could perceive them,
dashing forward, until they sank behind
the brow of a high ridge, which stiU hid
the town.
In half an hour we ascended this
ridge, and halted upon its top. A large
plain, of abcmt twQ miles in eixlent, hiy
at its foot It was baanckd ^ the
wftters of the Loup Fwkt glitterii^
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through the verdant foliage which fringed
its borders. On the opposite side of the
river was a high blufl^ on which was
situated the dingy lodges of the Re-
publican village.
* The plain in front of us was alive
with Indians. We had come upon them
before they were prepared for our re-
ception. Large troops were scouring
the plain, apparently without an object.
Single Indians were galloping in different
^directions; some up the banks of the
river, and others towards the village.
The tall form of the chief, mounted on
his white horse, was dashing to and fro
among the bands, giving his orders, and
assigning to all their several stations.
In a few moments, a torrent of warriors
poured down the steep bank which led
from the village. They plunged into
the river, forced a foaming path through
its water, broke their way through the
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 63
thicket on its brink, and bounded over
the plain, to the spot where the chief
awaited their coming. A second con-
fusion now seemed to take place, and
all the different squads of horsemen
congregated together, as if awaiting
directions. This continued . for a short
time* The chief then detached himself
from the crowd, galloped a few yards
in front, and calling out a single warrior,
sent him towards us. The whole scene
at our feet, was like the distant per-
spective of a panorama. The approach-
ing warrior seemed at first to crawl along
at a snaiPs pace. But when he drew
nearer, we could hear the heavy tramp
of his horse's hoofs, and see that his
speed was furious.
He plied the lash, and kept at full
stretch, until within a few paces ofusj
.then by a powerful effort, the horse was
drawn almost erect in the air, and stopped
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in his mad career, as suddenly as if con»
verted into stone. His rider sprang from
him, and advanced to the Interpreter.
He bore ^ request from the chief that
the party would descend into the plain,
where his warriors could receive them in
better style.
The request was obeyed j and in about
twenty minutes we received a second
message from the chief, and drew up
to awsdt the coming of his warriors.
The leader, who still maintained his
stand in front of the mass, then waved
his arm. At this motion the band separ-
ated. A large body remained stationary,
\diile an equal number galloped several
hundred y^ds, to the right and left of
the main division, and halted with their
horses heading towards the party.
For a short time the chief stood watcb*
uig the actions of both« It was not
untt} lie saw that every man was at his
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po^ and every form a» unmoved M
stone^ that he gave the signal. Thw
rainug his arm, he wheeled his horse
xound, and sent up a long qnaverii^
whoop. Before it died away^ a thouh
sand throats echoed back its ringing
tonesy and a thousand voices lent their
aid in raising a cry, which aknost shook
the prairie. Although accustomed to its
sound, and although we knew that there
was not a hand in that band but would
be extended towards us in friendship,
yet its wild fierceness fairly caused us
to shiver. «At the same time the impulse
was given to the horses. At first their
movements were regular ; but before a
hundred yards had been passed, each
man sent up his shrillest cry, urged his
steed forward to the utmost stretch of
his speed, and the whole band came
dashing forward in wild confusion* At
the distance of about a hundred yards
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in front of us, the three divisions met,
but for a moment ; then separating, the
torrent whirled in a circle round us at
the same mad gait. Through the whole
mass, we could perceive the powerful
form of the chief. He was urging his
steed round in the innermost circle j and
above the loud din of whoops and yells,
we could hear the tones of his trumpet
voice, cheering his warriors onward in
their wild course.
r After this had continued for a short
time, he made another signal, and one
after another the whole band checked
their horses, and became motionless.
Then dismounting, a great number of
them loosed the tugs from their beasts,
and cast them loose to career at will over
the prairie. The chiefs, however, and
the principal meii of the nation, still
remained on horseback to escort the
party into the village.
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When the band had seated themselves
around, the same ceremony of presenting
horses was repeated, which had taken
place at the arrival of the party at the
village of the Grand Pawnees. /
- .About the same number were given as
on the preceding occasion. As before,
the old men who had nothing to offer,
made up for it in speeches, exhorting
others to munificence. They possessed
in a high degree, that generosity which
is indulged at the expense of one's neigh-
bours, and gains great applause from the
world.
When this ceremony was finished, the
circle opened. Our troop again mounted,
and prepared for their journey to the
village.
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6S INXtfAN »K£T€lf£8«
CHAP. V.
IWDIAlf lf|SOH^.^>^CROaSINft THB LOVB VOBK 07
TTHE PLATTE,— p^lENTaAWR IK THK B|^U»X.IC4.K
VU^LAGB.
No sooner had the chief signified by his
movements his intention that the party
should set out, than the dark ring round
us was broken, and the whole mass of
Indians flooded the prairie -^pouring in
the direction of their village. It was a
scene of vast confusion. The horses
that had been cast loose by their owners,
careered wildly around the crowd. The
mounted horsemen dashed about with a
mad fury almost equal to that of the
masterless beasts. If any thing could
give to an inexperienced person an idea
of a field of battle, where man and horse
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INDiAN SKETCHES. 69
are alike urged on by a reckless diste*
gard of life, it is a scene like this.
There was a striking contrast between
the conduct of the older and more inflil^
ential chief^ and that of the younger
warriors. The first rode gravely by the •
side of the party. There was something
stem, and even savage, in the fixed
repose of their painted faces.
Every forehead was wrinkled with the
thousand lines that seam an Indian browj
and but for the tell-tale eyes which glit-
tered in their deep sunk sockets with a
startling brilliancy, you would not have
known that boiling blood, and hearts
which could nourish passions like fire,
were beating in the bosoms of those
iron warriors.
These were the chiefs and older men
of the tribe j the young men rode at a
distance. There was nothing to restrain
tkem; they took no part in the coun-
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cils. Their chiefs had ordered them to
receive the party as friends, and they
had obeyed their orders. They kneW^
that a treaty of peace was to be made
with the whites. They knew that in
future the axe and scalping knife wer6
to lie idle, and that war was to be at
an end. But they did not know, that
they were thus removing the only bar-
rier which insured their own safety, and
were forming the first link of the chain,
which always has ended, and always wUl
end, in fetters to the free spirit of the
Indian.
During the whole way firom the plain
to the bank of the river, the party kept
compactly together. At length, how-
ever, one of the soldiers, mounted upon
a powerful horse, gradually edged away,
until he was about fifty yards distant
from the main body. It was done with-
out thought, and probably for the sake
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 71
of gaining space that his horse might
move more freely. He had reached
some distance, and gained a point, be*-
yond the observation of the chief. Here
the spirit. of waggery and mischief, which
flourishes with rich growth in the bosom
of a young Indian, began to display it-
self in the various pranks which they
attempted to play upon him. Frequently
they would flit their horses across his
path, and in passing, dashed their heavy
robes across the eyes of his animal,
causing him to rear, and plunge. This
was a source of great annoyance to the
rider, who was not the best horseman
in the world, and had been mounted
that day, more for the sake of show,
than for any desire which he had for
the station. He did well enough as
long as his steed travelled at a walk;
He was most sorely puzzled when his
speed was accelerated, and completely
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jdiivaen to bis whf s end^ when the horse
grew TCstive under the annoyances of
the Indians. They^ howevert always
took especial care to be quick in their
movements, and keep beyond the reach
of his brawny arm ; for there was some*
thing in the grave, worried features^
and giant form of the veteran, which
spoke a man not to be trifled with.
For some time this continued, and he
bore it with exemplary patience. At
last a little, old, wiry Indian, half co-
vered, with a buffalo robe, which from
long use retained but little of its woolly
covering, determined to come in for his
share of the sport He was mounted
upon a little horsef, of as lean and sinewy
a make as himself, with an eye as fiery
as a coal. He had no hair upon his
tail, but at the successful accomplish-
ment of any of his mischievous feats.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 78
he wagged the naked stump with an ex*
pression of keen satisfaction and relish.
At first the old fellow contented him*
self by whirling his beast round and
round the powerful horse which bore
the veteran; and so near as almost to
touch him at every circuit. The soldier
did not appear to i-elish this, but still
took no active measure in the defen^
sive. Finding that this 'was borne with
patience, the old fellow grew bolder.
In making one of his circuits, he ran
his steed violently against the flank of
the horse, casting the rider from his pre-
carious seat, almost on the neck of his
beast, and causing a furious discharge
of the heels of the aggrieved animal.
•• At last the old Indian came to still
closer quarters, and galloped full tilt
against the horse, while a loud laugh
was raised among the young Indians.
The soldier recovered his seat, but began
VOL. II. E
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74 INDIAN SKETCHES.
to lose his temper, aaid when the old
man repeated his manoeuvre he hecaim
downright angry* The most of the In-
dians saw that there was mischief in his
eye, and drew off. The old man, how-
ever, was too much delighted with the
success of his pranks to think of stopping.
In the meantime the soldier made pre-
paration to retaliate. The horse upon
which he was mounted was of a very
large size. He had relished, as little as
hfe rider, the rigs that his tormentors had
run upon him. The soldier knew this,
and acted accordingly. As the Indian
came again at full sweep, to run aboard
of him, he suddenly drew in the power^
ful curb-bridle, with a strong jerk, and
at the same time buried his spurs in the
flanks of his horse. The animal planted
his fore feet into Ihe sod, and his heels
were discharged from behind as if
thrown from a catapult. They came
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INDIAN SKETCHES* T9
in contact with the ribs of his oppo-
nent's horse at the moment that he was
about to close with him. The nag was
driven to the distance of several yards^
and the rider hurled from his back, and
sent rolling in the grass.
Though the Indians had relished the
pranks played by their comrade, their
enjoyment of the retaliation was greater ;
and they hooted and jeered him, not
so much for his breach of hospitality as
for his want of success. To get rid of
them, he plied the lash upon his little
steed, and together they went scampering
to the village. The soldier in the mean-
tune, taking advantage of the diversion
in his favour, returned to the party.
A short time only elapsed before we
were at the brink of the river. Here
the chief led the way across the shoalest
fording place. The rest of the Indians,
however, regardless of the depth, plunged
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70 INDIAN SKETCHES.
in, and in a few moments its whole sur*
face was black with them.
It was a scene of great hubbub and
confusion. Some were mounted upon
powerful and sinewy horses, which sped
through the water like sea birds. Others
floundered, half drowning, through the
deep channel, frightening the more timid
by their snorting and splashing. Some
of the Indians threw themselves from
their steeds, and boldly stemmed the
current, half swimming and half wad-
ing ; while the relieved horses, scattering
in every direction, ploughed their way
through the bubbling stream, and made
for the nearest land. The baggage wag-
gons toiled slowly along in the rear,
keeping closely upon the trail of the
chief.
After some time the whole party
reached the opposite shore, at the foot
of the high bluff, upon which stood the
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INDIAN SKETCHES. T 77.
Republican village. The bank was steep, »
and almost precipitous. There was a-
pause of some length, before the arduous
task of dragging the heavy vehicleis up
the hill was imposed upon the jaded
oxen. At length, however, a string of
twelve were fastened before a single
waggon, and united their strength to
draw it up. The Indians stood by, with
looks of wondering curiosity ; but when
they saw the lash inflicted, and the ner-
vous efforts of the beasts, they shrank
back with a feeling of fear, lest they
should turn upon their persecutors. Even
the older warriors showed signs of dread,
and the children scampered in undis-
guised terror up the steep pathway*
They paused, however, upon the top of
the bluff, wheie they deemed that they
might gaze in safety upon the move-
ments of their guests. After a sound
E 3
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drubbing, and much swearing on the
part of the drivers, die jaded animals
finrced the waggcms up the hill, and
slowly proceeded through the village.
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"A
IVDIAV SKETGHBS« 7^
CHAP. VL
imMAK FEMALES AND FEASTS.
Many of the inhabitants of this town
had been present at our arrival at the
Grand Pawnee village, and to them the
novelty of our appearance was over.
To the rest, however, more particularly
the women and children, all was new,
and our day of entering into the town
was one of jubilee. We found the path-
way lined with wcnnen and children,
and the spaces between the lodges
crowded with them. Here and there
were knots of wild-looking boys, with
their bows and arrows tucked under their
arms, staring with open mouths upon
the travelling lodges, as they termed our
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heavy waggons. Groups too of females —
the married women with troops of chil-
dren, some on their backs, and others
at their heels — crowded round. Young
and beautiful girls, also, wild as deer,
gazed at us with deep curiosity, but
maintained a timid distance.
The most dauntless of the crowd were
two or three old crones, squalid and dirty
in the extreme, and who, if aught might
be judged from their looks, were the
oldest women that ever lived. Every
thing was withered about them but their
tongues, which still flourished with the
vigour of former years. They were like
racers; they had run against time, and
gained the heat. Each of these beU
dames singled out her victim from among
the members of our party, and exerted
herself to the utmost to render his situa*
tion agreeable by dinning his ears with
her garrulity,
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 81
Another worthy of this class had been
intrusted with the care of about a dozen
children of all ages and sexes. These
she had ranged upon the dome-like top
of one of the lodges to see the spectacle,
as we passed by. She stood in front of
her elfish brood, keeping at bay by the
violent exertions of both tongue and
talons, the crowd, who, in their anxiety
to obtain a view, were attempting to
invade her sanctuary.
The persons who had placed their
little goblin young ones in her charge,
understood well her nature. Her tongue
knew no rest At one moment it was
busy in bestowing a shower of whole-
some advice upon some refractory little
urchin, whose curiosity would not permit
him to sit easy ; and at another it was
waging a wordy war with the passers by.
She fluttered, and ruffled round her bevy
with all the peevish irritability of an old
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wetnurse hen, placed in chaise of a
family of graceless young ducks, who
need all her advice and attention, to
keep them from danger.
After winding our way through the
town, we at length came to the lodge
of Blue Coat*, the chief of this village.
He had nothing of the stern coldness of
the leader of the Grand Pawnees. He
attended personally and assiduously to
our comfort — assisting even in unload-
ing and bringing in our baggage. When
this was finished, he seated himself, and
opened a conversation through the in-
terpreter. There was an intelligence in
♦ The name of Blue Coat is given to the chief
of the Republican Pawnees on account of his wear-
ing a blue camblet coat. He is proud of the title,
and prefers it to his Indian one. He is much more
refined in his manners and ideas than the rest of
his nation, and is considered by the traders, and
his own people, the very beau ideal of an Indian
warrior.
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INDIAN 9tt£TCH£8. 83
bis remarks^ and an ease in his man«
ners, which almost made his guests for*
get they were conversing with a wild,
untutored savage.
It was not long before the lodge
became crowded. The old warriors
moved with a hushed step across the
building, and listened to our convers-
ation. Occasionally some distinguished
brave stalked in. There was a great
difference between his manners, and
those of the less noted warriors. The
latter stole quietly into the lodge, taking
their stations in some remote and retired
nook, as if they entertained a doubt of
their privilege of entry. But as to the
former, the bold and lofty carriage, the
swelling chest, the uplift;ed head, the
slightly expanded nostril, the keen
searching eye, which flashed daringly
around, showed him to be one wlio
owned no ruler, and who knew that
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none in that assembly would dare dis-
pute his wUl. He would take his seat
in the most conspicuous part of the
lodge, and gaze calmly and silently
upon the strangers.
It was not long before messengers
came from different lodges, inviting us
to feasts, which had been prepared in
honour of our arrival. We had learned
by this time, that there was no escape
from thi invitations of an Indian host,
so we followed the guide, who led us to
the dwelling of the second chief.
We found him seated upon a small
leather mat. He was a fat, oily fellow,
with a jolly, good-natured face. Still its
expression was tempered by that gravity,
which, from long habit, has become al-
most natural to the race, and proverbial
among the whites.
Around him were lounging about a
dozen Indians. Some reclining with
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 85
their backs against the pillars which sup-
ported the roof, with their eyes half
closed, were smoking their long stone
pipes J some were lying half asleep upon
the clay floor, with their feet within a
few inches of the fire ; and others were
keeping up a sleepy song.
At a short distance from the fire, half
a dozen squaws were pounding com, in
large mortars*, and chattering vocifer-
ously at the same time. In the farther
part of the building, about a dozen
naked children, with faces almost hid by
their bushy, tangled hair, were rolling
* The mortar is in universal use among the un-
civilised tribes, answering the purpose of a mill.
The hollow is formed by kindling a fire upon the
top of a block of wood, into which it gradually
sinks itself, until it forms a sort of bowl. The
cavity is then cleansed from the coal black, and
is fit for use.
These mortars are generally a foot in diameter,
and about eight inches deep. Corn is pulverised in
them, by using a billet of wood as a pestle.
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and wrestling upon the floor, occaaioa-
ally causing the lodge to echo to their
childish glee. In the back-ground, we
could perceive some half a dozen shag*-
gy, thievish-looking wolf-dogs, skulking
among the hides and bundles, in search
of food, and gliding about with the air
of dogs who knew that they had no
business there.
Upon our entering, the lounging In-
dians roused themselves from the floor j
the smokers woke from their reveries,
and the dogs slunk out of sight. The
women and children, however, went on
as before ; the former pounding and chat-
tering, and the latter frolicking over the
flopr. When we had seated ourselves,
a large bowl of boiled buffalo flesh was
placed before us, and signs made for us to
fall to. The chief himself acted as master
of the ceremonies. He thrust his hands
into the bowl, turned over and over the
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 87
heap of smc^ng meat» selecting the best
morsels, and welcoming us with warmest
expressions of friendship. Several times,
appearing to be annoyed by the noise
and clamour of his wives, he turned
round, and let out a volley of angry
words, which, however, they treated with
no attention. There is but little doubt
that he was a hen-pecked husband ; for
with all his jovial appearance, there was
a cowering look about his eye, when he
met the vinegar glance of one or two of
his oldest wives
Before we had finished with him, half
a dozen different messengers had as-
sembled in the lodge, waiting for us to
follow them to the abode of some of the
other chiefs. It is customary for the
guest, when he is unable to dispose of
the whole provision placed before hirni,
to send what is left to his own quarters.
The duty of carrying it is generally
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intrusted to one of the junior members
of the family, who, when departing upon
his errand, receives a particular caution
from the squaws to be careful and bring
back the bowl.
It was near sunset when we finished
our visits. We had gone from lodge to
lodge, followed by a crowd of men,
women, and children, until we had visited
nearly half the dwellings in the village.
Our receptions were different, according
to the dispositions of our hosts. Some
were stern and solemn in their de^
meanour, and others as sociable, and
even lively, as the whites. In some of
the lodges, the females were of an acid
temper, and to these our presence was
not as agreeable as we could have
wished. They made no hesitation in
speaking their minds to the half-breed
Interpreter, who in turn, with iron gra-
vity, translated the whole to us, without
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 89:
abating an epithet, or softening a single
peppery expression.
When we emerged, we found a small
crowd collected in front, which drew
back as we appeared. Curious as they
were, there was nothing troublesome or
forward in their mode of gratifying their
curiosity. The children followed at a
distance. The older Indians would mark
the route which we must take, and
then hurrying on, would seat themselves
in some situation, where the whole party
must pass in review before them. There
was none of the prying, meddling spirit
which is shown among the whites.
We had scarcely reached the lodge of
the chief, and were congratulating our-
selves that the ep-ting part of the business
was terminated, when the heavy bear-
skin which hung over the mouth, was
flapped back, and a boy came across to
the place where the Interpreter was sit-
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90 INDIAN SKETCHES.
ting* Tbis imn^diately cauifed us to
suspect that another feast was on foot,
and we were making for the door, when
we were arrested by the Interpreter,
who was too much of* an Indian not to
relish these eating parties. He shouted
out, that three of us had been invited to
attend at the lodge of one of the older
warriors, who had prepared somethis^
which he thought would be more accept*
able than bu£^o flesh and com. Although
but little inclined to attempt any thing
in the way of eating, stiU we determined
to accompany him, for we were curious^
to see what new article of food could be
raked up in the village, where every
soul seemed to live on buffido flesh and
corn*
Following our guide, therefore, after
a dark walk we reached the place of
invitation.
The interior of the lodge was illu-
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IIIJDIAN SKETCBDS. 91
sained by tbe light of a bright fire
buraing cheerily in the centre. In
ftqnt of it wae seated the warrior who
had invited us. He was an old man
with a bottle nose, and a most ponder-
ous corporation; and when seated be-
hiiKt it with his feet doubled under him
after the Turkic 6shion, he looked like
a ku'ge sphere.
Upmi our entrajice, after sundry puffs
md heaves, he rose to his £eet» and wel^
corned us, pointing out seats, upon seve-
ral mats which had been placed for us,
at his side. He then tdd his squaw,
whose leanness was in proportion to his
rotundity, to place before us the article
to be diqK)sed of. We watched her nar-
rowly as she moved to a large kettle
hanging over the fire. There was some-
thing in it of a reddish yellow colour.
What could it be? We had nfever
fallen qpon any article of that descrip-
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tion before. The squaw seized upon a
long sharp-pointed stick, and commenced
spearing into the pot ; but at every at-
tempt the active occupant contrived to
dodge from her weapon, in spite of hei^
efforts. However, it is an old adage,
that " perseverance conquers all difficul-
ties,*' and at length she struck the object
of her search, and drew ^ out, impaled
upon the point of her weapon, a large
boiled pumpkin. This she immediately
commenced dividing in strips.
While the ceremony of spearing had
been going on, we watched, with some
curiosity, to see what all this trouble
was to produce j but when the pumpkin
made its appearance, the expression of
countenances was most ruefully changed.
I looked round towards my companions.
Their eyes were fixed with silent agony
upon the preparing feast. There was no
retreat — it must be eaten ; and we were
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 93
the persons who were doomed to do it
I had hoped to derive a little comfort
from them. I had hoped, too, that they
might relish a sodden and water-soaked
pumpkin j and that under cover of their
appetites, I might escape unobserved.
The expression, however, of their faces
forbade the idea, and I determined to
perform my share of the mastication,
in a manner creditable to a civilised
man.
We fell to desperately, therefore, under
the vigilant eye of our fat host, who was
continually plying us with fresh pieces,
according to the laws of Indian hospi-
tality, and to refuse which would be
regarded as a slight. How we managed
to get through that vegetable feast, I can
hardly say ; it was one of the severest
trials of the whole of our campaign ;
yet we did get through with it, and
emerged from the lodge in safety.
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94 INDIAN 8KETCH£g;
When we returned to the abode of the
chief we found it crowded. Groups were
squatting in every direction, wrapped in
their robes, indulging in a low, mut-
tered conversation. This was occasionally-
broken by a deep, emphatic exclamation^
which always bursts with a convulsive
sound from the chest of an Indian, when
engaged in a debate of some interest
But upon our return the conversation
gradually flagged, and their sole occu^
pation was to sit, with their eyes fast-
ened upon us, as we were collected
round the fire.
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CHAP. VII.
THE doctor's adventure. — INDIAN DIRGE.
When we had at first collected together
in the chiePs lodge, we found that one
of the party, Dr. M^ , was not pre-
sent. There were many conjectures as
to his absence, but after a while he made
his appearance. He was considerably
out of breath, and related to us an ad*
venture which he had just met with, or
rather, which he had forced himself into.
He had remained in the lodge after we
left it, to attend at our last feast. Hav-
ing nothing in particular to employ
him, he slapped his white beaver, which
turned up all around, upon the top of
his head, girded his deer-skin hunting
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shirt closely around him, and thrusting
his hand into his breeches pocket, set
out upon a voyage of discovery. He
had not travelled far before his at-
tention was attracted by a low chanting
song, proceeding from one of the lodges
which stood a little apart from the
others, and near the edge of the blufl^
overlooking the river.
Without a moment's hesitation, he
walked towards it, entered the low
funnel-shaped mouth, and peeped over
the bear-skin which hung before the
inner entrance, opening immediately into
the lodge.
A large fire was burning cheerfully
in the centre. Over it hung a kettle
which was kept constantly stirred by an
old Indian, dressed in a buffalo robe,
whitened with chalk, and ornamented
with hieroglyphic symbols. As he stir-
red, he hummed a Ipw chant, occa-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 97
sionally raising his voice, until he caused
it to sound loudly through the whole
building, and then again sinking it, until
it reached the ear of the listener, in low
and almost inaudible murmurs. There
was something wild, and rather forbid-
ding in the features of this individual;
A few steps from the fire lay two
forms completely covered by a heavy
buffalo robe ; and bending over these
stood another Indian, dressed similar to
the first. He, too, was humming a low
song, at intervals dancing to a slow
measure round the robe.
The doctor suspected that these were
M^dicin-Men*, and that they were per-
* Every tribe of Indians has its M6dicin-Men.
They are a kind of priest or prophet. Their influ-
ence, however, is very variable, and depends upon
the popularity which they may have acquired with
the nation. As long as they confine their prophecies
to those events which they know will be agreeable,
so long are they regarded with high veneration ; but
VOL. II. F
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98 INDIAN SKETCHES,
forming some of the miraculous cures^
which they boast of in the viUage, and
which give th^m a reputation for su-
perior sanctity among the credulous In-
dians, who believe them to hold com-
munion with the Great Spirit. Their
ability to perform these cures, arises
frequently from their superior know-
ledge of the hidden medicinal virtues
of different herbs. By jumbhng with
their healing art, an unintelligible species
of mystic mummery, and by pretending
to hold a direct intercourse with the
Deity, the cure of their patients is at-
tributed more to his immediate inter-
as soon as they commence predictions of evil, or
attempt to reveal unpalatable truths, their influence
wanes, themselves are shunned, and their predictions
scorned.
They are also skilled in the virtues of herbs, and
act as physicians in healing the sick. From this
they have derived the French name of M^decin
(signifymg, in French, physician).
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 99
ference, than to any virtue of the medi-
ernes which they have received.
After humming round them, the M6-
dicin raised the edge of the robe, ex-
posing the naked heads and shoulders
of two old, shrivelled squaws. The
person at the fire then reached to the
other a large dipper, filled with part -of
the contents of the kettle, which was
greedily swallowed by the squaws. The
robe was then thrown over them, and
again thes; Medicin commenced his hum
and dance.
Now the Doctor was a curious man,
smd although he saw every thing that
was going on in the inside of the lodge,
as distinctly as if he had been there him-
self, still he was determined to see more.
For a moment he paused to reflect,
whether it would be prudent to intrude
upon these mystic ceremonies, and risk
incurring the anger of such influential
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100 INDIAN SKETCHES.
persons as he knew these M6clicin-men
to be. But prudence was a quality with
which he was not much troubled j so
without more hesitation he kicked up
the bear-skin, and stepped boldly into
the lodge, in front of the two priests.
For a moment they gazed at him, as if
they doubted their senses. Their eyes
flashed fire, and raising their voices, they
made the lodge ring with their yells. At
this unusual sound, the two old women
raised the robe, peeped from under it,
and seeing the white man, added their
voices to the chorus.
After gazing for a moment, the Doctor
attempted to approach the fire, but the
Indians warned him back, ordering him,
with menacing gestures, to leave the
lodge. These he pretended to misunder-
stand, at the same time attempting to
enter into a parley with them, in order
to gain as much time as possible for ob-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. lOi
servation. Still they placed themselves
before him, sternly ordering him to de-
part. He attempted to explain to them
that he was a M6dicin-Man in his own
country, and wished to be acquainted
with their secrets, and that in return he
would communicate his. But it was use-
less ; either they did not understand him^
or they did not value his information, for
they persisted in their ordering him to
quit the lodge. The Doctor then de-
termining, at all events, to obtain a look
into the kettle, darted round them, and
made for the fire.
There was now something of menace
in their faces ; and one of them rushing
to the side of the lodge, seized a large
club, resting against one of the pillars.
The Doctor took to flight, and stopped
not, until he arrived, most villanously out
of wind, at the chiefs lodge, where he
narrated his adventure.
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10@ INDIAN SKETCHES.
After this I strolled out with cwie 0f
my companions. It was so late that
there were few of the Indians stirring.
Here and there, we encountered indi-
viduals sitting upon the high bank, gaz-
ing upon the gliding waters of the
Platte. It seemed as if they were en-
gaged in a species of devotion, for they
did not heed our approach, but sat hum-
ming a low, a very low muttered song.
We passed them, and continued our
course along the high bluff, looking down
upon the Platte, which was dimly seen,
reflecting the stars that twinkled upon its
restless water. The prairie insects were
piping their evening calls, and the creaking
of the thousand creatures, who were hid
in its long matted herbage, told that they
were conscious their hour of song and re-
velry had come. Occasionally we heard
the long howl of a wolf, softened by the
distance, and now and then some serenad-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. lOS
ing owl would raiee his voice from the
dark fringe of trees, which drooped over
the opposite bank of the river, and send
forth a long quavering whoop.
We strolled along the bank for half a
mile, glad to be free from the well-meant
though tedious attentions of our hosts;
At length, however, we turned for the
purpose of retracing our steps, when our
attention was attracted by a low, mourn-
ful cry, from the midst of a number of
small mounds, at a short distance, the
burial ground of the village. We ap-
proached the spot so cautiously, as not to
disturb the person who was stationed
there. Upon the top of one of the graves,
a large mound covered with grass, was
lying an Indian girl. Her buffalo robe
had escaped from her shoulders, and her
long dishevelled black hair was mingled
with the grass of the prairie. Her bosom
was resting upon the sod, and her arm*
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104 INDIAN SKETCHES.
extended, as if embracing the form of the
being who was mouldering beneath.
Believing that she was some female be-
longing to the tribe, singing a dirge over
the grave of some departed friend, we
listened attentively to her song. At one
moment, it would rise in the air with a
plaintive sound, as if she was dwelling
with mournful tenderness upon the vir-
tues of the deceased. At times, she
would seem to speak of the feelings of
his heart : at others the note would seem
to be one of war, of battle ; and then her
song would burst from her, with the start-
ling energy of a person who was in the
midst of the scene itself, and was acting
over the feats of the silent dead. At
these moments, she raised her head, and
her whole frame seemed swelling with
the inspiration of her theme ; but in the
very midst of this energetic burst of en-
thusiasm, the chord of some more mourn-
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 105
ful recollection would be touched, BXid
the song would sink from its high, and
ardent tone, to a note of woe, so despair-
ing, that it appeared as if the sluices of
her heart were opened, and the deep hid-
den stream of her affection was flowing
out in the mournful melody.
After a short time she rose from tlie
ground, and wrapping her robe round
her, walked slowly towards the village.
It was not until she was completely lost
to our sight, that we left our sheltering
place, and followed in the direction which
she had taken. We had heard the Indian
dirge sung before by different females
of the tribe; but as we considered them
mere pieces of formality, we had passed
by without heeding them. But in this
lonely being, there was an air of deep de-
solation, as she lay upon the grave, and
a hopeless despairing tone, in her low,
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106 INDIAN SKETCHES.
melodious voice, that laid bare the re-
cesses of a withered heart
We were so much interested in her,
that we had accurately noted her appear-
ance, and now hurried towards our lodge,
with the intention of finding out her his-
tory from our interpreter — a matter of
no great difficulty, as the history of every
individual of the village is known to all.
We found the half-breed interpreter sit-
ting in front of the fire, wrapped in his
blanket coat, with his elbow resting upon
his knee, and his hand supporting his
chin. There was an air of iron gravity
and even sternness in his deep-marked
features that denoted a man not prone to
yield to womanish emotion. We walked
up to him, and by means of a Frenchman,
(for he spoke no English) inquired the
history of the girl — at the same time
narrating the scene in the prairie.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 107
If it had b6en in th6 nature of his face'
to W6ar a more scornful expression than
it usually did, the smile of contempt
which passed over his weather-beaten fea-
tures, as Ive related our story, would have
added to it. For a moment, he seemed
surprised — then added, that she was a
squaw, who resided in the adjoining
lodge; and but a short time before, he
had heard her say to her mother, that as
she had nothing else to do, she believed
she would go and take a bawl over her
dead brother's grave. He had been killed
five years before.
Here was a waste of sympathy. We'
were vexed that we had suffered our feel,
ings to be enlisted in the mock misery of
this girl, who was merely performing a
customary mummery. There was an ex-
pression of enjoyment in the keen eye
of the half-breed, as he watched the dis-*
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108 INDIAN SKETCHES,
appointed expression of our faces. A
grim smile played over his reddish-brown
face, and I believe if he had ever been
guilty of such an action, he would have
indulged in a loud explosion of merri-
ment.
At that moment, the broad voice of
our black cook announced that the sup-
per was ready. Discarding both the
girl and her griefs from our minds, we
seated ourselves upon the floor, prepara-
tory to commencing the almost hopeless
task, of masticating a supper of dried
buffalo's flesh, which had been boiled for
only two hours.
When we had finished, it was late in
the evening — the Indians had ceased
moving through the lodge, and wrapping
themselves in their shaggy robes, had
composed their forms upon the clay
floor, for slumber.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 109
The servants now busied themselves in
spreading out our bear-skins. This com-
pleted, each retired to his couch, and in
a short time a dead silence reigned
throughout the building.
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110 INDIAN SKETCHES.
CHAP. VIII.
AN OLD WARRIOR. — INDIAN DOGS. — A NIGHT
SCEN£«
About midnight I awoke; it was in-
tensely cold, so I rose up and picked my
way over prostrated forms to the fire.
An old Indian was seated by it ; his hair
was snowy white, and hung in long locks
upon his shoulders. There were several
scars traced upon his face, and even by
that faint light, the marks of deep
wounds were visible upon his breast.
His robe had fallen from his shoulders,
leaving bare the withered wreck of what
must once have been an Herculean
frame. I did not know him, nor could
he have ranked among their chiefs. His
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INDIAN SKETCHES. Ill
cheek was resting in the palm of his
hand ; his eyes were intently fixed upon
the burning brands which flickered up a
dying, broken blaze. In his right hand
he held a small piece of wood, with which
he raked together the coals, though
seemingly unconscious of what he was
doing. In front of him, lay an uncouth
looking tomahawk, made of wood, and
across it his otter-skin pouch and stone
pipe : the symbols of war and peace
thrown together, in a manner which
seemed to denote that to their owner the
day of strife was past. His look was
fixed upon the brands, but his mind, bu-
sied in its own wanderings, took no note
of the things before his eyes. Could he
be meditating upon the probable results
of the coming of the white men among
them ? Could he be sitting there buried
in his own musings, and, pr(q)het-like,
looking through the dim vista of fu-
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112 INDIAN SKETCHES.
turity ? Could he see his own chivalric
race, gradually withering at the approach
of the whites, and the descendants of
those, whose hearts now beat as free as
the eagle's, crawling over the earth, a
stigma to their name, and a curse to
themselves? I could not prevent these
thoughts from stealing over me, as I sat
opposite to him, gazing upon his face, so
noble and dignified, even in its ruin.
Upon my first approach, he had not ob-
served me; but after a short time, he
raised his head, and perceiving me,
reached out his hand, while a friendly
smile played over his face. Then point-
ing to his scars, he endeavoured by signs
to narrate to me an account of the differ-
ent war expeditions in which these had
been received. Each wound had a tale
of its own, and each scar told of a differ-
ent battle. After spending some time in
telling his story, he lighted his pipe, and
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INDIAN SKETCHES. US
first drawing a few puffs he passed it to
me with the usual word of politeness,
(Looah.)* I puffed for a few moments,
and returned it to him ; he then inhaled
a few draughts of the smoke, and again
reached it to me ; and I, after again
smoking, reached it to him. This ope-
ration of smoking and passing it to each
other, continued until the pipe was
empty ; then knocking the ashes from its
bowl, he raised himself upon his feet, and
taking up his pouch and tomahawk, drew
his buffalo robe over his head, and left
the lodge. Upon being deserted by my
companion, I looked around upon the
muffled forms, thickly strewed over the
clay floor, with that strange feeling of
• This is a word more frequently used than any
other in the langui^e. As far as I was able to learn,
it had no particular meaning, but signified — almost
any thing. In fact it comprises about half of the
language.
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114 INDIAN SKETCl&ES.
loneliness^ which is experienced by a
person, the only being awake, among a
hundred sleeping forms, and which is
peculiarly strong in a place where every
individual is a stranger, perhaps an
enemy. The lodge was about sixty feet
in diameter, and seen by the flickering,
uncertain light of the fire, it had a wild
appearance. The stern, silent counte-
nances of the sleeping warriors, as they
reclined with their backs resting against
the pillars which supported the lodge, re-
minded me of the eastern tale, in which
a whole city of living beings were con-
verted into statues. Their features were
at rest, they were not now the mirrors
which reflected the passions of their
hearts* Even those passions were slum-
bering, but still, their heavy lines were
left with an enduring mark upon their
brows. If those stoneJike faces wore
so savage a character, when nature had
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INDIAN SKETCHES. !}§
thrown her own calm over them, how
truly fearful must they have been in the
day of battle, when every frenzied feeling
was at its h^ht, and every demon pas-
sion was ruling with relentless sway. As
to those who were lying upon the floor,
their sleep was death-like — it seemed
dreamless.
The gaunt Indian dogs were prowling
stealthily through the building. They
knew that their hour of freedom had
come, and with every leaping blaze of
the embers, I could see them scattered
throughout the lodge. There must have
been nearly fifty of them in full motion,
yet there was not a sound to be heard.
They wound their way among the sleep-
ing Indians, with the cautious and prac-
tised step of veteran burglars — too well
acquainted with the wakeful habits of
their masters, not to be silent in their
doings; and too much in the habit of
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stealing, to be able to resist the tempt-
ation to plunder. Occasionally they
paused, and cast a doubting look upon
me, as I sat watching their movements.
They, however, came to the conclusion,
that I was a stranger, and from my short
stay, was not aware that it was the cus-
tom of every Indian to bestow a bounti-
ful share of wholesome kicks upon every
dog that came in his path, as a punish-
ment for the thefts which he had already
committed, and as payment in advance
for his future transgressions. While I
was watching their movements I was
startled by a loud whine, which seemed
to proceed from the roof of the lodge.
At that sound there was a general
scamper towards the mouth of the lodge,
for they were certain that the cry would
awaken the savages, and that flight was
their only safety. I had turned at the
moment of the noise, to ascertain the
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INDIAN SKETCHES. ll?
cause of it. At the top of the lodge, and
about ten feet from the ground, was a
large dog, suspended by his teeth to a
flitch of bacon, which had been hung up
to the rafters to keep it in safety. Upon
coming into the lodge, the animal had
espied this, and mounting upon a high
pile formed by our baggage, had sprung
out at it, as it hung. He had been suc-
cessful in his leap, and had buried his
teeth in the meat. But this accomplished,
he could do nothing more — he was
dangling full ten feet from the ground ;
his only supporters were his jaws, which
were fastened into the end of the bacon.
He dared not let loose his hold, and he
was equally certain he could not main-
tain it. In this predicament, he raised
his voice, in a long, low, plaintive howl.
Scarce had the sound escaped him, be-
fore a dozen clubs were clattering against
his ribs, and as many clamorous voices
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raised in the hue and cry against hintk
With a loud yell, relaxing his jaws, he
landed upon the head of an old Indian,
who was dozing beneath, in defiance of
the howls of the dog, and the clamour of
his foes. The animal did not pause, but
gaining his feet, scampered across the
building, and made his escape amidst a
shower of missiles of aU descriptions.
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INDIAN JIKETCHES, 119
CHAR IX.
LEAVING REPUBLICAN VILLAGE. PRAIRIE BE-
TWEEN THAT ANP TAPPAGE VILLAGE. -^ RE-
CEPTION BY TAPPAGES. — DEPARTURE. — WHITE
CRANES. BLACK CHIEF OF THE LOUPS. — RE-
CEPTION. — chief's lodge. — SOLDIER CHIEF's
FEAST*
The next morning about ten o'clock, we
set off for the village of the Tappage
Pawnees, situated upon the Loup fork
of the Platte, about eleven miles further
up the river. As we left the town, a
crowd of men, women and children fol-
lowed us, in the hope of obtaining pre-
sents. The chief, too, escorted us out.
He was a princely man. His head was
shorn, excepting the scalp-lock ; his face
was free from paint; a long string of
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wampum, the only ornament he ever
wore, hung from his neck; a blue
blanket covered one shoulder, leaving
bare his high prominent chest, and the
sinewy arm which curbed the restless
movement of his fretted horse. He had
been used to the saddle from childhood,
and now governed his impatient animal
with the calm controul of a practised
rider.
There is nothing upon which the In-
dians pride themselves more than their
horsemanship. Almost living in the
saddle, they are as much at ease, when
mounted, as when sitting upon the floor
^df their own lodge. Many a time I
have seen two or three village urchins
beset some unfortunate horse while
quietly dozing and ruminating upon the
prairie. After sundry coaxings and
efforts, they would succeed in mount-
ing upon his back, and then, without
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 121
saddle or bridle, and with a whoop and
yell that terrified the startled steed into
a fiill gallop, they would scamper madly
along, clinging to his mane and to each
other with a tenacity which would have
astonished any one but an Indian.
After accompanying us about a mile,
the chief returned, followed by a num-
ber of his warriors. The rest joined our
band and travelled in company, for the
purpose of witnessing our reception by
their rival village. Our pace was slow,
being regulated by that of the oxen, who
toiled painfully along in the rear.
The prairie was beginning to show
the effects of the autumn frost, and t e
grass wore a blighted, withered look.
The sun shone red and lurid through
the hazy atmosphere, denoting what, at
this season of the year, is called among
the whites, Indian summer. Not a
breeze rustled the dry grass, or rippled
VOL. II. G
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the swift glassy waters of the Pktte^
Every thing was quiets except the loud
voice of the teamrter expostuktrng with
his oxeii> or an occasional crack from
the whip of Joseph^ as he urg«d for-
ward his mules*
Now and then, we came upon large
droves of horses belonging to the Re-
publican village. They were roving
along the banks of the Platte in bands
of several hundred, prancing and caper*,
ing tas wildly as if they were still ifree
upon their own prairies. Upon our
approach, they raised their heads and
gazed fearlessly upon us. Two or three
of the largest theft left the herd, and
slowly approached. For a moment they
remained motionless ; then, with a loud
snort, flinging their heels in the air, they
dashed back to the drove, which sped
off with a sound like thunden Occa-
sionally, too, we would pass a smaU
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INDIAN SKETCHES* 128
hillock, upon which an Indian stood
motionless, watching our movements*
There is a classic air about them when
seen at a distance, with their robes flow-
ing in graceful drapery round them,
their forms drawn fully up, and their
outstretched arms supported by their
long spears. As these scouts thus
gazed, so calm and motionless, I almoin
imagined they regarded us with tlie de^
spair of persons who knew that their fall
was near, but that resistance was hope-
While we were yet several miles dis-
tant from the village, we observed
mounted Indians drivii^ before tbem
large droves of hiM'ses, to be ready for
service in the wild ceremony of our re-
^cepticm.
The town of the Tappage Pawnees is
situated upon a broad plain overlooking
the Platte. It is the smallest of all the
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124 INDIAN SlftjTCHES.
Pawnee villages, and contains about a
thousand inhabitants. The most of them
were now poured out upon the prairie,
where we could distinguish them in the
distance drawn up in a motionless body,
waiting for the signal to dash forward to
meet us.
When we approached suflSciently near,
it was given. Once more we beheld
them coming, surge-like, upon us, and
changing their course at the very mo-
ment when our ruin seemed inevitable.
Again the dizzying evolutions of the
troop passed before us. The wild neigh-
ing of the horses mingled in confusion
with the thunder of their hoofs, with
the yells and whoops of the Indians,
and the clashing sound of their bows
and tomahawks. When this was con-
cluded, the ceremony of presenting
horses was performed. Half an hour
brought us to the town, where, as
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before^ we found every being on the
look out for our coming, and every pre-
paration made to receive us in a manner
worthy of the nation. There is a same-
ness in Indian customs and habits which
renders description tedious. Suffice it
to say, that we were received by the
chief and his people with all the kind-
ness and hospitality which their means
afforded.
About ten o'clock on the next morn-
ing we mounted our horses and clattered
through the village, on our route for
the town of the Pawnee Loups, situated
about five miles further up the riven
This is the wildest of the four villages,
owing, perhaps, to the savage nature of
its chief.
We rode in a straggling string along
the low, irregular prairie. The Otoe
Indians skirted along the bank of the
river. Those of the soldiers, who were
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iKxt engaged with the teams, recon-
noitred the different pooh of water, in
hopes of coming unawares upon 9ome
pensive duck, who might be dozing upon
tbdr surfaces. Here and there we ob-
served a broken patch of corn, at the
bottom of some ravine, where the washed
earth was of so soft a texture as to re-
quire but little trouble in cultivation.
Occasionally, too, we passed a clump of
dwarf trees, closely grouped together
^ver the brink of a spring or run of
water* Otherwise the prairie was bare
of forest, and covered only with long
withered grass.
When we had ridden about half the
distance, a number of Otoes came scam-
pering up, to tell us that there were
about a dozen white cranes, standing
upon a sand-bar in the Platte. This in*
cident, trivial as it may seem, created
quite an excitement among the troop.
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Half a dozen loaded rifles were handed
from the waggons, and a$ inaiQr $Qldi<e^9
started oft followed by a Uoop of In^
dians, with their arrows ready fitted to
their bows, in case the fire-aroas of the
whites should fail. But all this pr^
paration was useless ; for, when they ar-
rived within about three hundred yards
of the bank, one of the birds, who, like
an old man on a cold day, was standing
with his head closely snugged up against
his breast, and gazing in moralising
mood upon the awifl water, suddenly
shot out a neck three feet long, and
turned a quick and steady eye upon the
approaching hunters. He gazed a mo-
ment, then, taking a step, and slowly
raising his wings until their tips nearly
met over his back, he rose from the
earth as if by mere volition, uttering
a shrill cry which brought after him liis
startled comrades* As they rose, a
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shower of bullets whistled after them
without disturbing their flight. They
slowly mounted in air, floating like a
snow flake over the silver Platte. For
a few moments they lingered over its
shining bosom, as if loath to leave their
resting place ; but, after wheeling in
several widely extended circles, they
soared to an immense height, and then
took a steady course to the eastward, and
were lost to the sight.
It was not long before we reached a
high bluff in the prairie, from whence
we descried the village of the Pawnee
Loups, about half a mile distant; but
we saw no signs of preparation to re-
ceive us. A single Indian alone ap-
peared, galloping at full speed over the
prairies. His horse was of a dark cream
colour, fierce and powerful. To his bit
was attached a scalp, consisting of the
whole upper part of a human head.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 129
the hair of which must have been full
two feet in length, nearly reaching the
ground. The horseman proved to be
the Black Chief of the Loups. When
he had come within a few yards of us,
he sprang from his horse, and reached
out the bridle to one of our soldiers to
hold.
His face was far more swarthy than
that of any Indian we had ever seen ;
but it was not more dark than the
nature of the man. He was perfectly
naked, with the exception of a pair of
leggings of dressed buffalo hide, worn
apparently for the sake of displaying
a profusion of scalp-locks, with which
they were heavily fringed. His frame
was not large, but muscular and finely
formed. His high chest looked as hard
as rock, and the tread of his mocas^
sined foot was as firm as iron. His
whole figure was one which, for fine
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proportion and strength, might have
served a sculptor; but his scowKng face
marred the beauty of his person. Yet
he had his virtues: he was true to his
word, and faithful to his friends. But
upon his enemies he let loose every evil
passion : the old and the young, the
defenceless mother, and the harmless
child, alike fell beneath his war club.
He advanced towards us, and grasped
our hands with a grip which would have
done credit to a vice ; then turning
round, he awaited the coming of his
warriors, who bad now assembled in
the prairie.
Minute after minute passed, but still
there were no signs of approach. The
brow of the Black Chief grew troubled,
and his eye darkened, at the delay.
Still the minutes passed on, and the
band remained motionless. The eye of
the chief was nearly hid beneath his
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 131
scowling brow, and he gnawed at his
under lip with a species of savage
calmness. After a moment he called
one of the Pawnees, who had accom*
panied us from the last village, and sent
him forward with some instructions to
his warriors. The Indian bounded for-
ward towards the bandj but, before he
had gone more than one quarter of the
distance, a loud yell burst from them,
and with a heavy, resistless motion, they
bore down upon us. The Indian who
had started fled back to the party. At
the moment that the cry sounded from
the Pawnee Loups, the chief raised his
head, and sent up a long shrill scream
in answer j then springing on his horse,
he sat motionless, watching with a keen
eye their every movement. They had
approached within a hundred yard^ of
the party, when be again raised his voice
in a loud whoop, and waving his arm,
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132 INDIAN SKETCHES.
they separated, and rushed to right and
left round us.
But few horses were presented by this
village, as a party of Sioux Indians had
stolen down upon them but a few weeks
Jbefore, and swept off nearly one third of
the horses belonging to the town. The
chief gave as an excuse, that he had
gambled away nearly all that he pos-
sessed. * This was in fact the truth ; for
♦ One of the principal games of the Pawnees,
and the one in which the most gambling is carried
on, is played by means of a small ring and a long
javelin. This ring is about four inches in diameter ;
and the object of the player is to hurl his javelin
through the ring, while it is sent rolling over the
ground, with great speed, by one of his companions
in the game. The javelin is filled with barbs nearly
the whole length, so that when it has once passed
partly through the ring, it cannot slide back. This
is done to ascertain how far it went before it struck
the edges of the ring, and the farther the cast the
more it counts in favour of the one who hurled it.
It is practised by the children, young men, and
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 133
we afterwards learned that the horse
which bore him was the only one left, of
a large number that he owned but a
short time before.
Upon reaching the village we found,
as usual, crowds of women and children,
curious to see us, though they did not
press round us as in the other villages.
This was owing to the presence of the
chief, who rode by our side, and who,
in fierce tones, ordered the crowd of gaz-
ers to a distance. A concourse had as-
sembled, too, around the entrance of his
lodge; but, upon our approach, they
drew back, and permitted us to pass
freely. In the inside we found a few of
the principal warriors, who alone had
been admitted ; the women and the rab-
ble had been prohibited from entering,
chiefs. The first gamble for single arrows; the
second for a bow and quiver; and the last for
horses.
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and they dared not disobey orders.
There was a feast, as usual, hut we ate
little, as we knew what was to follow.
Scarce had we finished, before a little
urchin was in attendance to conduct us
to the lodge of the Soldier Chief, the
second brave in the village. We found
him seated at a little distance from the
fire, awaiting our arrival. As we entered,
he rose, and presented to Mr. E a
large buffalo robe, upon which was
painted a hieroglyphic account of his
warlike deeds. After this he seated
himself^ and commenced describing the
different fights, and explaining the mean-
ing of the various symbols.
He was a tall, thin man, with a sharp
muscular face, and a deep sunk eye,
which glittered in its socket like that of
a basilisk. There was no spare flesh
about his frame, but all was brawn and
sinew. His look was that of a person
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 135
formed for the endurance of great and
continued toil, and his hardened face
showed that he had weathered exposures
of all descriptions.
He apologised to the commissioner for
not having come out with the rest of the
tribe to welcome him; being at bitter
enmity with the chiefs and refusing on
all occasions to act in concert with him.
A large bowl of boiled com was then
placed before us, and each of us furnished
by the Soldier's wife with a small dipper
of bufialo horn* Having partaken of the
mess as sparingly as the laws of Indian
politeness would permit, we took our
leave. After we had left the lodge, the
Indian agent who accompanied us re-
lated the following account of a murder
which bad occurred but a few months
previous, and which was the origin of
the bitter feud between the Soldier and
the Black Chief.
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136 INDIAN SKETCHES.
CHAP. X.
THE SHIAN CAPTIVE.
During the month of May previous,,
business had called Major Dougherty to
the Otoe Agency, on the Missouri. One
morning, while there, a wearied messen-
ger made his appearance. He had been
sent by a half-breed from the Pawnee
village, Mdth intelligence that the Loups
had taken a Shian woman prisoner, and
intended to burn her at the stake in the
course of a few days. *
* The Pawnee Loups are the only Pawnee tribe
that yet retain this custom. They offer their victims
to the Great Star (the planet Venus). The prisoner
is, if possible, kept in ignorance of his intended fate
until led out to die. The sacrifices are generally
offered in the spring of the year, to ensure a
bountiful harvest.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 137
The Agent determined, if possible, to
save her. Having made a few hurried
preparations, he set off with five com-
panions. A journey of three days
brought them to the village. The news
of their visit and the object of it had
preceded them, and they experienced an
ungracious reception. No hand was ex-
tended in friendship ; no voice uttered
the words of welcome.
As the little band passed through the
village, the tops of the lodges were
crowded with women and children, and
an immense concourse was drawn up in
front of the dwelling of the chief. They
forced their way through the fierce and
sullen mob, and cleared a passage to the
entrance.
Here stood the chief. His welcome,
and his alone, was cordial. He ushered
the Agent into his dwelling, nor did he
turn a deaf ear to his request that the
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taS INDIAN 9mE7€Hf:JS«
Shian fenuJe might be spared. He told
hini^ however, that he had no power to
free her, and that all he could do would
be to assemble a eouncU of the natioiiji
and lay the matter before tkem : that he
would use his influence ; and tliat, if they
could be prevaUed upon, the captive
should be saved. He accordingly de-.
spatched messengers in every direction, to
call a council of the chiefs and braves of
the nation, and they assembled that very
night They took their seats around the
lodge in silence, with faces which gave
but little hope of a merciful result to
their deliberations. In the centre sat the
Agent and his companions ; and near
them the Shian captive* She had been
led in passively, and made no appeal, fof
she had no hope. It seemed as if every
sense and feeling had been paralysed by
the horror of her approaching fate.
The Agent rose, and stated his object
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INDIAN SIKETCH£S. XSQ
to the meeting. He was a fimoi man j he
had spent much of his life among the sih
v^es ; but it needed all bis ie$olution>
and atl bis knowledge of the Indian cha«
racter, to effect the desired object As
he spoke, there was no friendly look re*
turned ; no sound of approbation ut*
tered. They listened with a calm, coJd
air; and he finished his address, cotnseious
that he had gained no point, nor enlisted
the friendly feeling of a single breast in
the whole of the dark circles which sur^
rounded him.
When he ended, the chief, who, during
the whole time, had been seated quietly
at the foot of a pillar, rosa He was in
fevour of releasing the captive^ and of
sending her off with the whites. He
spoke with the wild energy, and vehe*
ment gesticulation* customary among the
Indians. During his speech there was a
mlence — a portentous silence — in the
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lodge. But when he had finished, a
hundred throats yelled out cries of anger,
and a hundred eyes gleamed fiercely
upon him. It was not, however, in his
nature to yield. Incensed at the oppo-
sition to his will, he raised his voice,
until it even drowned the noise of the
whole assembly, and swore by the Great
Spirit that she should be delivered to
the whites ; and he dared any man of
the whole assembly to oflFer her the
slightest injury.
All quailed before the master spirit,
and bowed to the superior energy of his
nature. One after another they left the
lodge, until the chief, the captive, and
the whites were its sole occupants. In a
few moments the chief went out also. In
an hour he returned, followed by two
armed warriors, whom he stationed in
the opposite part of the lodge, placing
the squaw between them. Upon being
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 141
asked the reason of this precaution, he
mentioned that the Soldier Chief, insti-
gated by one of the M6dicin-men of the
village, had created some disturbance,
which caused him to fear for the life of
the captive, and that these men were
placed to protect her. He evaded all
farther inquiries, and shortly after left
the lodge.
The whites stretched themselves upon
their bear-skins, but scarcely closed their
eyes that night. The guards kept watch
on each side of the captive ; motionless,
but sleepless. On the following morning,
the horses were saddled in front of the
lodge, and the party, having armed them-
selves, prepared to mount. The chief
led out the captive, and, forcing back the
angry crowd, he placed her upon a horse,
between two of the whites-; at the same
time cautioning them to lose no time in
leaving the village. They accordingly
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attempted to push forward ; but the
^Towd hetntned them in so closely, that
it Mrss with difficulty they prevented thek
hoTs& from trampling them down. This
throng continued to press round th^fn,
until they reached^ the lodge of the
Soldier Chief% As they passed it, a bow
twanged from within, and an arrow,
whizzing through the air, was buried up
to the feather in the side of the Shian
captive. With a loud scream, she toesed
her arms in the air, and fell forward upon
die neck of the horse. At the same mo-
flimit^ a loud roar rose &om the multi-
tude 5 and two Indians, seizing the bridle^
jerked the horse onwards. The crowd
opened to let them pass ; but before the
whites cou^d fcdlow, it had again closed.
At that moment, the Agent heard a loud
wiioop behind him, and, turning, behdd
the Black Chief and the Soldier grap-
pled in a dei^erate conflict, while the
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IITMAN €iCBTCH£S. 143
followers of each stood by, watching the
result. They were both uimrmed, And
tbe issue was to depend upon their bodily
strength alone. They were well matched^
bu^t the Bback Chief had the advantage,
for he had a deadly gripe upon the thtoat
df his opponent
The Agent knew^ however^ that, which-
ever might be victorious, the conflict
would terminate fatally to himself. He
therefore sprang from his horse, and suc-
ceeded, with the aid of several chiefs, in
dragging them apart, and put an end to
the contest. He then turned to look for
the captive. She had been borne off by
the crowd, who were rushing over the
prairie with deafening yells.
Still determined, if possible, to save her,
he sprang upon his horse and galloped
after them. But he was too late. They
had torn the wretched being to pieces,
smeared themselves with her gore, and
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were whirling her head and quivering
limbs in the air.
From that time, there had been a set-
tled hatred between the Black Chief and
the Soldier. They spoke not ; they en-
tered not the lodges of each other, and
• acted no more in concert than if they
had been two leaders of separate villages.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 145
CHAP. XL
EXPLOIT OF THE BLACK CHIEF.— ALARM IN THE
VILLAGE.
We were sitting late one evening, in
the lodge of the chief, around the fire.
There were about thirty Indians present
Some were lying upon the floor, and
others sitting huddled up, wrapped in
their robes, with their unbending gaze
fixed upon our faces. The servants were
spreading our bear-skins and blankets,
preparatory to our retiring for the night.
While thus situated, the Interpreter, after
dwelling upon the desperate nature of
our host, related to us the following
anecdote, illustrative of his character : —
About a year previous to this, the
Black Chief had by some means or other
VOL. II. H
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146 imWAN 9KETCU1&^
&\\en into disgrace with his people^
They shunned him, and refused to admit
him to their councils, until by some
heroic action he alK»uld wipe off the
stain upon his name. He knew that
there was no resource j that the blood of
an enemy alone would retrieve his fame.
He determined, therefore, to shed it, in a
maamer which even the most desperate of
his own tribe would not have dreamed
of, and which would strike a salutary
terror of his name into the hieii<rts of his
hostile neighbours*
Early one morning, taking his bow and
quivear, he left his lodge, and started on
foot for itiie Crow village, about two hun-
dred miles distal^ He set out upon ius
journey, without attendants, wd Bxa^ng
his death-soqg. His tr^be watched until
he was out ^f sight) they knew ^pt
where he was going ; he might r^um
soon, in a day, in a month, aiad perhi^s
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INDIAN ^KETCaWBft. Iil7
fl^ver; They knew his desperate cha-
racter j they knew that his errand was
«ie of blood J and they doubted not^
tbat, if he xetumed, he would bring Jbome
trophies, suflSoient to place him once
more at the head of their councils*
On the evening of the fourth day, he.
reached the Crew village ; but waited at
a short distance, concealed in a pi;airie^
tintil it was completely dark. He the»
entered the village* and passed through
its very centre. Several of the inhabifc-
ants were stirring, but the darkness was
so great thai they did not regard him
particularly, and he passed on unde-
tected. At length he came to a lodge a
little apart from the rest, with a horse
rtimding at the door, tied by a halter of
bufi&lo hftin Peering over the bear-skin
which hung before the inner entrance,
fae beheld two Indians reclining in frcmt
of a fire. A few feet from them, a squaw
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was pounding corn, in a large wooden
mortar ; and at a little distance was a
child sleeping on the floor. The backs
of all were turned towards the warrior j
and he hesitated not a moment how to
act. Drawing forth his knife with his
left hand, and grasping his tomahawk in
his right, he dashed into the building.
With two blows, he clove the skulls of
the men; he sheathed his knife in the
heart of the woman, and dashed out the
brains of the child. Having scalped his
victims, he mounted the horse at the
door, and started off. He had gone but
a few paces before he observed an Indian
making for the lodge. He felt a strong
hankering after his scalp also ; but there
were several other Indians at hand, and
he feared detection. Resisting, therefore^
the powerful temptation, he turned away
and galloped for the prairie. Scarcely
had he got clear of the village, when it
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 149
rang with yells and screams; and in a
few moments he heard the clattering of
hoofs, and the sound of voices in hot
pursuit. In a night chase, however, the
pursued has always the advantage ; he
has but to dash forward, while his foes
must either stop to keep his trace, or
follow at random. So it was with the
Black Chief; and, long before morning,
his horse had borne him far beyond the
sound of pursuit.
He reached his village in safety ; re-
lated his tale, and displayed his scalps.
They hesitated not a moment to believe
him ; for, in recounting his exploits, an
Indian never lies. He was received with
honour ; and once more resumed his seat
in the councils of his nation.
This is a picture of Indian warfare —
to steal like an assassin upon an unarmed
enemy, and butcher him without the
slightest chance of resistance. Blood is
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150 INMAN SKETCHES.
what he seeks— Ik) matter' whethef ftcfftif
tabe veins of man or woman, iwfancy, or
age. A scalp is his trophy ; and is afifce
glorious, whether silvered with age, Or
torn from the reeking head of a yotrthfttt
warrior. With the savage, a hankermg
for blood is ambition ; a relentless fury
in shedding it, renown.
Daring the whole time of the nanration,
the chief, unconscious that he was the
subject of discourse, sat gazing upon the
fire. His face was as calm and quiet as
if no evil ps^sion had ever harboured in
his bosom — as if his hand had nevet
been stained with blood, or his ears rung
to the wild scream of the dying.
The tale was scarcely finished, when
we were startled by a loud otitcry in the
village. The i^ext moment, the bear-sflcin
was ftung violently back ; an armed In-
dian rushed iirto the lodge, shouted out
a few words^ at the top of his lungs, jknd
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IKD^X^N SKETCHES^ 151
as fuickly dwappeared. Every savage
sprang to his fe^ and rushed to the
door, al^ in an instant the lodge was
deserted^
In a few moments the chief returned*
Never had I secn^ such a change. Hm
face, which had lately been as unruffled
as that of a sleeping infant^ was hideously
distorted, His eyes gleamed like fite,
and his teeth were denched with rage.
One of the squaws spoke to him, but he
heeded her not: snatching down from
a shelf his bow and arrows, and catching
up his heavy war-club, he again rushed
out«
The tumult grew louder. The Inter-
preter came in atnd informed us that a
party of Sioux Indians had stolen into
the town, opened one of the large
wicker pens> and carried off about fifty
Pawnee horses. They had nearly effected
their retreat, when they were discovered
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152 INDIAN SKETCHES.
by a young Indian, who gave the alarm ;
and the whole village was now in arms.
On sallying forth, we found every
thing in a state of uproar. Whoops and
yells, mingled with the cries of women,
sounded in every direction. Horsemen
were clattering through the town ; band
after band dashed by, yelling the war-
whoop. The voices of the leaders were
heard above all, giving orders, and cheer-
ing their followers to the pursuit. At
length they disappeared in the darkness,
and the sounds of their voices died away
as they galloped over the prairie.
In about an hour they returned; and
the chief made his appearance, gloomy
and morose. He had taken no scalps ;
he had seen no enemies ; no horses had
been stolen ; and the whole tumult had
been caused by a young Pawnee, who,
observing one of his own tribe busily
engaged in collecting his horses, at an
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INDIAN SKETCHES, 153
unusual hour of the night, mistook him
for an enemy, and gave the alarm.
Nothing farther occurred to disturb us ;
and, retiring to our couches, we slept
soundly until morning.
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154 iffixJtH ssETcma.
CHAP. XII.
DEPARTURE FROM GRAND PAWNEES. — DELE-
GATION. — DEATH SONG.
Two days had elapsed, and we had
again returned to the Grand Pawnee vil-
lage. We now prepared for our return
to the white settlements. Nearly two
months had elapsed since the prairie had
become our home, and its wild sons our
fellows. We had lived in the land of the
savage ; we had seen, in his real cha-
racter, the man of nature. We had seen
him in his moments of joy and pain ; in
his moments of pride and humility j in
his paroxysms of excitement, when urged
on by his impetuous nature j and in his
hours of relaxation, when a calm was
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INXMEAir SKETCHES. 155
Open hi» burning bosom^ and his passions
were asleep. We had seen him in his
home, in the midst of his family^ where
the gushes of his heart were unrestrained;
when the feelings of the husband, and
Either, and all the kind impulses of
nature, had burst the iron fetters of
habit, and resumed then: empire* The
illusions thrown around him by the ex-
agg^ated reports of travellers, and the
fictions of poets, had been removed;
and we had beheld him as he really
was — an untutored, generous, yet savage
mam. He had lost much of the romance
with which imagination had clothed hinu
His faults, his vices, his crimes, now
stood out in glaring colours^ and threw
into the shade many of bis higher quali*
ties* Still, with all bis imperfecti<ms,
we had learned to admire his chivalrous
nature J and to lode upon him^ while
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156 INDIAN SKETCHES.
uncontatninated by communion with the
whites, as among the noblest works of
his Maker.
The sun rose cheerily on the morning
of our departure. A crowd had assem-
bled in front of the chief's lodge, to
take a last look at the band of pilgrims
who had ventured among them.
Many of the most distinguished war-
riors stood proudly drawn up, with their
robes muffled round their folded arms,
and their heads thrown back. They
watched us silently, and with counte-
nances as fixed as marble. The females
were in groups; some in the area in
front of the chief's abode, and others
on the dome-like tops of the lodges.
The voice of childish glee was ringing
among the crowd ; and their merry
games were going forward. Occasion-
ally they would pause to watch the pro-
cess of harnessing the horses before the
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 157
waggons; and the next instant would
resume their gambols.
A delegation of Pawnees, four from
each village, had been selected to ac-
company us to the garrison, in order, if
possible, to concert a general peace
among various tribes. This delegation
was joined by many volunteers, until, at
length, nearly eighty were prepared to
accompany us to the terra incognita of
the white man.
A smile of kindness illumined the grim
face of our savage host, as he bade us
farewell. The horses were saddled ; the
oxen were yoked, and had commenced
moving onward. We were preparing to
mount, when our attention was attracted
by a low, and not inharmonious, cry,
which rose from the distant part of the
village. It came nearer and nearer,
sinking into a long wailing moan, in
which many voices were united. At
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158 IHDIAN BKEfCUUS.
length a train of Indies emerged from
behind one of the lodges*. They were
dressed in white buffalo robes,* They
approaiched us slowly, still wailing ottt
their mournful chant } and we recognised
them for our party of delegates and their
fellow travellers.
They were, in fkct, singing their death-
song, as is customary with all the Indian
tribes before setting out upon any peril-
ous expedition. It is merely a recount-
ing of their different exploits in battle,
and winds up by taking leave of their
fiiends and fellow-townsmen. Although
it is sung with an air c^ vast resignatimi
by aH, and although you would think
that, after it, the songster would go to
the grave " like a lamb to the slaughter,**
* Tbe white buffida robe » so called, merely
from one of its sides being whitened with chalk in
dressing it. The wool is of the same colour as that
of all others (a dark brown).
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IlffDf A]<r SKETCHES. 159
yet, from all that I could ever learn,
there are no people that have a greater
antipathy to dying than the savages, or
take more trouble to keep out of harm's
way.
The melattcbcdy dirge swelled loudly
as the long train moved past us ; but it
gradually became fainter and fainter, as
tbey wound their way among the dktant
lodges, and disappear ed.
1m a few moments we were galloping
over the prairie^ to overtake some of the
party who had preceded as. A train of
Indians followed u^ and the t(^ of tibe
lo^ea were crowded^
Aftet tfavdling a mile^ we at fast
crixKed the top of a ridge, and loi^ sight
of the town*
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l60 INDIAN SKETCHES.
CHAP. XIII.
STORM. — DOG FEAST.
A HEAVY storm of mingled snow and
rain set in on the day after our departure
from the Pawnee village.
If there is any thing truly comfortless,
it is a camp upon a rainy day. Every
thing combined to add to its gloomy
character. The fly of the tent, which
might have afforded us protection, had
been torn to tatters ; and the roof of our
canvass house settled down into a bag.
Through this a steady stream of water
distilled upon the centre of a board,
which we had honoured with the appel-
lation of a breakfast table. The blankets
were rolled up, and piled in the middle
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INDIAN SKETCHES. I6l
of the tent, covered by a large bear-skin.
This was nearly saturated with the driz-
zling moisture. A large pile of green
logs, heaped up in front of the tent,
refused to burn, but yielded a bountiful
supply of smoke, which the wind occa-
sionally wafted in clouds into our canvass
habitation.
The thorough drenching which they
had received seemed to have soaked
all pride and dignity out of our Indian
companions. They crouched like wet
poultry round the fire, shutting their
eyes, and holding their breath, deter-
mined to receive some of its warmth, in
defiance of the clouds of smoke which
it threw into their faces. Here and
there were small groups squatting out
in the prairie; each man was huddled
up into a knot, with the rain pouring
in streams down his shaggy robe, and
dripping off into the grass. The paint
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1&2 IHMAK dKEtCHBS.
was drenched ftottn his face, and hit
whole demeBtiem so utterly changed,
that it was almost impossible' ta recogoise
the proud, haughty warrior, in the drip-
pings bedraggled being theft crouchii^
in the grass, beneath the pelting storm.
Once or twice, some poor, haltdrowwed
fellow, with a desperate attempt at jovi-
ality, struck tip a song, with a eome-
let's-be-joUy kind of an air, which was
intended to set the weather and fortune
art defiance; but it was a feilure. At the
commencement one or two voices struck
in with valorous spirit ; but, finding that
tbey were not supported, they gradually
sank into* silence, leairing the person whtr
had commenced the strain to finish it as
well as he might.
Drip — drip — drip— pattered the rain
into a tin bucket placed in the tent to
receive it At length a large puddle,
wMeh had collected hi the rear, over-
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iitoiAN s«ETcri£». 163
fioi;ted its^ bawkg, and stole ill a J«waft
rivule* through the centre of the tent.
A siiiothered oath from one of the party,
^ho' wiB seated in the very track of the
water, amioiroced its intrasioftw Several
of the soldiers were then sent out with
pails and shovels, and in a short time suc-
ceeded in draining a part of the pond, and
^^SS^^S ^ <5i^rent outlet for its waters.
Just then the yelping of a cur was
heard at a little distance, in a clump of
bushes, which the Wild Horse had chosen
fyt his residence.
« Sol the dog too is a sufferer on sic-
count of the iiiclemency of the weather.^
No doubt the Wild Horse is completely
drenched, and in a terrible fume.'*
Another hour passed, but still the rain
continued. Just then the entrance of the
tent waft darkened, and the Wild Horse
entered. He held fai his hand a large
wooden bowl, filled with boiled fleshv
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164 INDIAN SKETCHES.
which he placed smoking before us. We
were informed that it was dog flesh, and
invited to try it. The soldiers had also
received a share, but without being told
what it was. "What is it?" said one,
taking up a small morsel, and holding it
to his nose ; " is it venison ?''
" It tastes odd!'' said another, biting
in two a large piece. Several of them
then commenced an attack upon the con-
tents of their bowl.
" I don't exactly knoxv what animal
this belongs to," said one of them, who
was eating heartily ; " and, to tell the
truth, I don't altogether like the strange^
ish taste there is about it."
" Poh ! what should it be," repeated
another, " but venison ? and mighty ten-
der too. I wish there was more of it ;
fresh meat don't come every day upon
these prairies, for the deer are getting
powerful shy."
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INDIAN SKETCHES. l65
Just then the canvass opening of the
tent was pulled back, and the iron face
of the Interpreter was thrust in to say
that the Wild Horse wished to know if
the Commissioner was pleased with the
dog^s flesh. The soldiers overheard it,
and in an instant the dish was hurled
from the fire J and the gourmands made
for the water, writhing and twisting
their faces as if they had been stricken
by St. Vitus. The Wild Horse gazed
upon them with amazement mingled
with anger; but when the Interpreter
explained the cause of the tumult, his
displeasure vanished, and a grim smile
lighted up his hard, weather-beaten face.
Then, turning to his wife (for he was
attended by his better half), he called
for a fresh supply of the viand ; and col-
lecting round him a group of the vaga-
bond-looking beings who were nestling
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166 INDIAN j»K£TC»E«.
in the grassy they soon left little elae hut
dean bones in the bowL
We lay for a whole day upon the
banks of the Platte river ( but towards
jBUiisd: a bright blue streak appeared in
the west, and the dark misty clouds
began to drive off towards the soaik.
The sun at lengtli showed itself upon
the distant hilli^ and» before it had com*
pletely sunk in the west, the sky was
as pure and cloudless its in one of tiie
happy days of June. This was bailed
with joy by the whole band, both In-
dians and whites, and preparations wei^
made for an early start on the following
mommg.
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INWAN BKETPMJ^. 1^7
CHAP. XIV.
DEER HUNT, — ENCAMPMENT. — INDIAN NIGHT
FIRJS9. — LOST HORaSS.'^POCTOR's MULE.
On the third mprniwg after leaving the
^Isg?, I started out to hunt on foot,
w company with ^ three Indians: two
Otoes, who had borrowed rifles from
the soldiers, and a Pawnee* The party^
and the train of accompanying ddie»-
^rtes, were journeying, m a long linfc
iwer the prairie, at soBoie jpEule3 distance
We had hunted for several hours up
and down the de^ ravines which in-
tersected the prairie. My two compa-
nions had become separated £rom me;
but 9, sturdy Pawnee lingered with me,
and trudged lustily along at my heeJs,
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168 INDIAN SKETCHES.
with the hope of coming in for a share
of any game that I should kill during
the day. We travelled up one ravine,
and down another, but nothing was to
be found.
" Ugh!** burst from the lips of the
Pawnee. I looked round ; he was
crouching flat to the ground, and made
signs to me to get my rifle in readi-
ness. Vague suspicions of danger flashed
across my mind ; we had heard that
there was a band of Sioux Indians lurk-
ing round our party. Could we have
come unawares upon them ? These ideas
flashed momentarily upon me, but they
as quickly subsided, and, cocking my
gim, I stole cautiously towards him.
He was crouching in some bushes near
the jagged top of a small ridge, which
looked down into a deep ravine. As I
approached him, he shrank still closer
into his hiding-place, and made signs
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 169
to me to pass to the top of the ridge.
I crept up slowly, and peered above its
level; at the instant, I caught sight of
an Indian, as he squatted quickly behind
a bush. My fears seemed realised. We
had fallen into the snare ! I looked back
towards the Pawnee ; he was still main-
taining his position, and keenly watch-
ing my movements. As he caught my"
eye, he urged me by his gestures to fire :
I hesitated. At that instant the dark
form in front of me rose slowly up
from behind the bush ; and I recognised
the stern, proud features of one of my
Otoe companions. The next moment,
I caught sight of a large buck lying^
lazily beneath the shade of a bush. The
mystery was explained in an instant.
The Pawnee had seen the animal; and
it was the deer, and not the Indian,
whom he wished to be shot. As I rose
to fire, the Otoe again crouched behind
VOL. II. I
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J70 INDIAN SKETCHES.
^he bush; the bullet missed, and the
beast} leaping up, sprang towards the
spot where his^ foe lay hid. He had
scarcely taken three leaps before a shot
whistled from a clump of bushes, at
some distance, and in a different quar-
ter. The deer changed his course, and^
springing forward, made for the op-
posite side of the ravine. He dashed
through the bushes, and bounded like
lightning up the ragged steep. At that
moment the Otoe, who had first secreted
himself, had a fair view of him; he
must have been about a hundred yards
distant, and was dashing furiously up
the craggy hill. The Indian fired, and
the deer fell on one knee, but regained
his feet. In front of him was a steep
bank, covered with shrubbery. He made
a desperate effort to gain it, but failed;
and rolled headlong down, until he
splashed in the brook at the bottom.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. I7I
A loud whoop burst from the three In-
dians, and the two youngest sprang for-
ward to the spot J while the third, who
was a cautious old fellow, stopped to
reload his rifle.
When they arrived at the place where
the buck had fallen, they found that he
was not dead, neither was his wound
mortal ; one of his fore legs was shivered
by the bullet, but he had gained his feet,
and now stood at bay. His head was
bent to the ground, and he dashed his
antlers furiously in every direction ; his
eyes flared with a wild menacing ex-
pression; and the white foam slavered
from his mouth. The Indians made
several attempts to thrust their knives
into him, but were as often balked by
his fiercely-brandished antlers. They
hovered around him like wolves, now
threatening him in one quarter, now in
another; but his horns ever met them.
I 2
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172 INDIAN SKETCHES,
They then both attacked him at once,
and succeeded in inflicting a sHght
wound. It served only to increase his
fuyy; he leaped towards them with a
ferocity that caused them, in tuiii, to
take to flight* Just then the Indian,
who had remained behind to load his
rifle, came up. The buck faced to-
wards him, and again brandished his
a^ntlers ; but a bullet hurled him to the
ground, and the next moment a toma-
hawk was buried between his eyes. A
sjiarp convulsive shudder passed over
his frame; he made a desperate effort
to gain his feet, but in vain; a second
shudder concluded his mortal struggle,
and, falling over upon his side, he ex-
pired.
An Indian is a quick butcher, and
not more than ten minutes had elapsed
befo^-e the animal was skinned and cut
yp^ Each of us took a quartet upon
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Indian sJc^tche^. 17^
*ur backs^ and Set off for the Encamp-
ment, which we reached about an hout*
after night-fall.
The party had ehcamped in a small
isolated grove, completely clear of un-
derwood, except here and there a tali
bush; and there was not another tree
in sight A spring gushed out at th6
foot of a hill at a short distance, and
flowed, in a pure but scanty stream^
through the grove.
When we came in, we found that the
Indians had divided into squads, and
that every ten or a dozen had kindled
their own night fires. All the arrange-
ments preparatory to remaining quiet
were not yet completed. The soldiers
were felling dead trees for fuel ; Joseph
was busily employed in hobbling, and
swearing at his mules ; while Mordecai,
with the air of a connoisseur, stood by,
assisting him with his advice.
I 3
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17* INDIAN BKBTCHES.
Some of the Pawnees and Otoes were
Bcattered through the grove in search of
fuel ; some breaking dead limbs from off
the trees, and others collecting what was
already strewed upon the ground. Two
or three were erecting shantees to keep off
the dews of the night; and several young
Otoes were employed in weaving a shed
of boughs, to shelter the wife of the
lotan, who had been unwell for several
days past, and whose disease always
grew worse towards evening, when she
would have been obliged to assist in
the labour, if she had been in good
health.
In the course of an hour the In-
dians completed their arrangements, and
kindled a string of fires along the dry
bed of a stream. As I had never seen
them when encamped, except upon the
Platte, where all vivacity had been
soaked out of them, I strolled among
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INDIAN SKETCHESf. IJS
the different groups. They were all in
high glee. I came to the fire occupied
by the Wild Horse's family and a few of
his dependants. The old warrior was in
the keen enjoyment of some witticism
just uttered by a little shrivelled fellow,
a hanger on, who was evidently trying
to make himself agreeable, that he might
be invited to partake of a racoon that
was cooking over the fire, under the
superintendence of the squaw of his
host. The Wild Horse made room for
me by his side ; so I seated myself; nor
was I permitted to leave until I had
partaken of his viands. From his fire
I went to that of the Long Hair, who
was huddled up, with his whole soul
apparently engaged in roasting a small
piece of venison upon the point of a
green stick. He looked up for a mo-
ment, and then turned his attention to
the roasting meat I soon left him, and
I 4
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176 INDIAN SKETCHES.
Strolled off to the fire of the Otoes. Her€
I found the Doctor very cosily seated
between the lotan and his wife, pre-
scribing for heVi and taking care of A/m-
^^Ifi by occasionally cutting a rib from a
large piece of venison, standing in front
of the fire, impaled upon a stake of
green wood.
Early -the next morning the tents were
struck, when Mordecai made his appear-
ance with a very lugubrious face, inform-
ing us that two horses had disappeared,
and that the mule belonging to the
Doctor was also missing. The Doctor
was in a fever. He ran down to the
place where the animals pastured; he
examined the bushes, and beat through
all the long grass; but his mule, Kitty
Keero, was not to be found. He then
seated himself upon the stump of a
tree, and, thrusting his hands in his
breeches pockets, shouted the name of
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 17?
his mule at the top of his lungs ; but na
Kitty Keero answered him. At last the^
Interpreter pointed to a savage-looking
Pawnee, leaning against a tree, with hia
hair matted and twisted in every direc-
tion, and a few long elf locks reaching
down to his naked waist. He advised
the Commissioner to send him in search
of the horses, as lie was a first-rate fellow
to track a hoof, A blanket was accord-
ingly promised the Indian in case of suc-
cess ; and, after hovering around the grove
for a short time, in search of the hoof
mark, he hit upon it, and started off like
a hound.
In an hour he returned, bringing with
him the vagrant animals. Kitty Keero
gave utterance to a long apologetic bray,
as she entered the grove. This was well
received by her master, who was so
much overjoyed at once more seeing
her, that two or three reproachful repe-
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178 INDIAN SKETCHES.
titions of her name were all the chidings
she received.
The waggons then drove out of the
grove, followed by the Indians ; the
rear being brought up by the horsemen.
In front of them rode the Doctor,
mounted upon Kitty; and, as they jogged
slowly along, I could not help thinking
that they would have formed no inapt
illustration of Sancho Panza and his
beloved Dapple.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 170
CHAP. XV.
ELK CHASE. — WANDERING FROM PARTY. — HERD
OF ELK. — NIGHT CAMP. — HILL OF BONES. —
RACOON, — INDIAN. — RETURN TO PARTY. — WILD
HORSE.
On the morning of the fifth day of our
journey, an Otoe Indian, who was on the
look-out, came running to us with the
intelligence of a large gang of elk. All
was excitement. The soldiers snatched
their yagers ; the Otoes, their rifles ; the
Pawnees strung their bows, drew their
arrows from their quivers ; and all hurried
after the Indian guide over the prairie,
which had been burnt, before us. In
ten minutes we reached the top of a
hill looking down into a deep ravine
about three hundred yards distant. It
I 6
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J8Q INDIA]^ SKETCHES.
•was thronged with elk. Some were
gamboling about; some resting amid
the high luxuriant grass which here
had escaped the fire ; others browzing
upon the foliage of the vines, which
hung in long and graceful festoon^
from the dwarf bushes ; and some
were slaking their thirst at a limpid
brook. But, even in these their mo-
ments of greatest security, their in-
stinctive vigilance was pot at rest ;
for, while most of the herd were
frolicking, several, who, from their
enormous size and the unwieldy length
of their antlers, appeared to be the
oldest in the gang, had stationed them?
selves, as sentinels, on jutting rocks in
the elevated banks, which commanded
an extensive view. There they stood
on the look-out, their heads high in
the air, their nostrils expanded to catch
the tainted breeze.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 181
Scarcely had our band paused on the
top of the hill, before the eyes of the
watchful sentinels were turned upon
them, and a loud snort gave the. signal
for a general flight. The bushes and
shrubs snapped and crashed beneath
their rush, as they rolled together in a
heavy mass. Their branching antlers
tore through the wild vines ; and the
whole herd dashed across the ravine,
and thundered up the opposite steep.
Large stones and fragments of rock
gave way beneath the tread of the
leaders, and fell bounding among the
hindmost. Those in front broke off
large masses of sandy soil from the
edge of the banks, and, losing their
footing, were whirled back among their
companions. Notwithstanding the con-
fusion, however, half a minute had not
elapsed before the whole herd had
surmounted the steep, and were flying
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18S INDIAN SKETCHES.
over the prairie with the swiftness of
a whirlwind.
**No elk meat to-day/' said Rash^
(one of the soldiers,) leaning on the
end of his yager, and watching the herd
as they swept behind a distant skirt of
trees.
" Ugh ! " ejaculated an Otoe, in an-
swer.
" Ugh ! *' ejaculated half a dozen
Pawnees, unstringing their bows, and
turning off towards the camp.
" Ugh ! nin-gah om-pah" (no elk),
said Hah-che-kah-sug-hah, shouldering
his rifle, and preparing to continue his
journey.
I had been in the habit of hunting in
company with this Indian ; and when he
started forward, instead of returning to
the camp with the rest, I followed him.
The deer were abundant in this section
(rf the country, and our object was game.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 183
We commenced a keen search in the
hollows, but for a long time were un-
successful. At last the guttural " ugh !"
from the Indian informed me that he
saw something ; and the next moment he
pointed out a large buck, reclining in a
distant hollow. He immediately made
for it, while I seated myself in the grass
to watch his success. After stealing
along several hollows, and keeping
among the tall grass, he at last came
upon the animal, and fired. The buck
started up, staggered a few paces, then
scoured away over the top of the hill.
The Indian, after pausing to reload, fol-
lowed, and also disappeared. I waited
in hopes of hearing the whoop! which
visually followed a successful shot ; but
all was silent ; so I sauntered slowly
along, expecting him to return. Nearly
half an hour had elapsed, when I caught
sight of him, standing upon the top of
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184 INDIAN SKETCHES.
a high peak, at several miles distance^
Supposing that he had been led off by
game, I no longer delayed for him, but
struck forward, selecting a route for
myself. I had been in the habit of leav-
ing the party at sunrise, previously as-
certaining the direction which they in-
tended to take, and then coming upon
their trail during the day : by following it
I had always reached the camp by night-,
fall. From never failing in this, I had
grown self-confident, and this morning I
had not even inquired their intended
course.
I travelled for many hours, following'
the hollows, and beating the tall grass, in
hopes of starting a deer ; but, with the
exception of a few grouse, I met with
nothing. I had continued thus un-:
successful till afternoon, and was saun-
tering along a high ridge, looking round
to see if I could perceive any trace of
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INDIAN SKETCHES* 185
the party, when, suddenly turning my
head, I caught sight of a number of ob-
jects, stringing slowly along the top of a
ridge. At first I was surprised, for I
mistook them for a train of pack-horses ;
but the next moment undeceived me,
and I discovered that I had come,
unaware, upon a herd of elk. There
were about a dozen of them. They
were as quick-sighted as myself; for, at
the very moment that my eye rested
\ipon them, they also detected me.
They halted and snuffed the air ; but I
ivas too far off to taint it: so they turned
away, and slowly loitered on. I imme-
diately made for a thicket of brushwood,
and, beneath this shelter, rushed swiftly
towards them. I had not gone far, how-
ever, when, upon rounding a small point
of bushes, I came directly upon another
herd. There must have been more than
a hundred in it. Many were lying upon
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18tf INDIAN SKETCHES.
the ground; some were gamlxding and
frisking ; two or three were butting each
other with their horns ; and several wary
old fellows were stationed round as sen-
tinels. I was within a hundred yards of
them; so I fired at a full-grown buck*
The bullet struck one of his fore legs,
and he fell. In an instant the whole
herd were on their feet, and, huddling
together like frightened sheep, they fled
over the hills.
I sprang from my hiding place, and,
drawing my knife, ran towards the
wounded animal ; but, before I could
reach him, he gained his feet, and hob-
bled off at a rate which kept me at
the full stretch of my speed. I then
stepped to reload my rifle, and followed,
expecting every moment to see him
drop. He led me a long chase, over
hill and dale, and across runs of water;
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 187
until I gave out, and, seating myselfi
saw him hobble out of sight.
It was now time to look out for the
party ; a thing whidi I had totally for-
gotten in the heat of the chase : nor
had I taken any note of the course I
was pursuing ; so that, when my race
was ended, I was completely bewil-
dered. I was within a short distance
of a well-wooded stream, and I sus-
pected that the party would encamp
somewhere upon its banks. I knew, too,
that they must be to the westward o£
me; so I followed the course of the
river.
I travelled till sunset, examining every
ridge in the prairie, every bend in the
thicket; but there was no human being
to be seen, nor a trail or foot-print on
the burnt sod, except the hoof marks
where the herd of elk had passed. I
then clambered to the top of a high-
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18S INDIAN SKETCHES*
peaked hill, which overlooked the praiiid
for miles : but all was deserted. I de^
termined then to encamp for the night
in the neighbouring piece of wood, and
in the morning to renew my search;
at the same time resolving, like most
persons who are in trouble, that, if I
got safely out of this scrape, I would
take better care when next I hunted
alone. I went down into the woods,
and built a fire. The night was cold
arid bleak. There was no grass to make
a bed; the wolves howled incessantly,
and, to judge from their snarling and
yelping at the foot of a tree, a little
distance ofi*, I imagined that they had
pursued some animal, which had taken
refuge in its branches. The night passed
away drearily, and with a joyous feel-
ing I once more saw the east streaked
with the light of dawn.
Before the day had fairly broken, I
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left the grove, and pursued my course
to the westward, until I again came to
a ridge in the prairie. This I ascended,
and looked in every direction; but could
see nothing. I raised my voice and gave
an Indian hunting whoop, which might
have been heard for a mile. The woods
echoed it; but there was no other an-
swer. I wished to discharge my rifle,
in hopes that it might reach the ears
of the party ; but I had only a single
charge of powder left in my horn ; and,
if I should be obliged to journey to the
settlements alone, 1 thought that this
would be too precious to be wasted.
So, in silence, and with drooping spirits,
I continued my journey along the line
of timber. The sun rose, and gradu-
ally ascended in the heavens. A vague
doubt began to steal across my mind,
that I had, perhaps, crossed the trail in
the obscurity of the morning twilight j
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for I was now much farther to the west
than I thought it possible the party
could have gone. About a mile in front
of me, a long arm of timber jutted out
into the prairie. I made for it, deter-
mining, if I did not then come upon
the trail, that I would retrace my steps,
and carefully examine that portion
which I had crossed before daybreak.
I reached the timber, but saw no track.
I again whooped; but, as before, the
echoing forests alone answered me ; and,
with a sensation of utter loneliness, I
turned round and retraced my steps.
It was near mid-day when I reached
my last encamping place. I had care-
fully noted every mark upon the black
sod : I saw my own foot-prints, where
I had struck out into the prairie in the
morning ; but nothing else. I then kept
pn for an hour longer, but my mind was
constantly vacillating, whether to fol-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 191
low my own foo1>print& until they guided
me to the camping ground where I had
left the party on the day previous, or to
keep on to the eastward until I should
reach the Missouri, or once more to
return over the ground which I had
just passed.
I remember well the spot where I
paused to settle my purpose : it was a
high swell, which commanded a view
over miles of prairie, and even over-
looked the top of the lofty trees in the
thicket. It was strewed with bones.
For several hundred yards, the whole
hill was literally covered with them. It
looked like some deserted chainel house j
and I recollect, even in the midst of my
perplexity, taking up one and examining
it, wondering whether it belonged to
man or beast. The place might have
been the scene of a battle; for the
bones were so small, that they could
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scarcely be those of animals. There
were no skulls, either of man or brutes,
to solve the mystery ; and even the
bones were covered with a greenish
mould, from many years* exposure.
After some consideration, I resolved
to retrace my steps, and accordingly
turned down the hill, and once more
proceeded on my journey. I now was
growing hungry, and for once felt the
miseries of a keen appetite. In the
midst of these cogitations, I caught
sight of the head of a racoon, wha
was reconnoitring me from behind the
stump of a tree : I shot him, and skin-
ned him ; and, kindling a fire, cooked
part of him on the spot. The cinders-
from my fire caught in a small patch
of dry grass, which had escaped the
general burning of the prairie ; and in
a moment it was in a blaze, filling the
air with a cloud of black smoke. Whea
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I finished my meal, I slung the residue
of my prize upon my back, and struck
out into the prairie. I had scarcely
done so before 1 caught sight of an
Indian, standing upon the top of a ridge
at some distance. In a moment after
he perceived me, and waved his blanket
over his head, to attract my attention.
I raised the Otoe hunting-whoop, and
his shout, faint, from the distance, an«
swered me. I then started for the hill,
and the Indian, seating himself, waited
till I came up. He was one of the
Otoes who accompanied us. His Indian
name I do not recollect j but when
translated it signified, " the man that
drags his heels** It was given him on
account of a shuffling gait, which it was
said that he possessed, but which I could
never discover.
We started together, and about a mile
beyond the arm of timber where I had
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turned back in the morning, we came
upon the trail of the party.
Night closed in upon us, long before
Ave reached their camping ground. 1
was nearly exhausted ; the light racoon,
which 1 carried upon my back, seemed
to grow almost as heavy as a deer* My
thirst grew intense; I stopped to drink
at every pool ; and kept constantly
breaking off the tops of the rosin weed,
and chewing its pitchy sap to keep my
mouth moist. Still the Indian kept on
with unwearied steps, sometimes pausing
to listen as a cry sounded through the
night air, or turning to point out the
light of a prairie on fire at a distance^
He did not slacken his pace, until with a
deep ugh ! he pointed out to me the
night-fires of our party, glimmmng in
a thick grove, on the borders of a brawl-
ing stream.
A loud shout, followed by a genuine
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Indian yell, burst from the lips of the
doctor, when he first caught sight of me.
This was followed by a hearty shake of
the hand, and warm congratulations from
the commissioner and the whole party.
I was afterwards informed, that the
Indian who discovered me had crossed
my track on the day previous; and,
upon being told that I had not made
my ^pearance, he had been induced
by the promise of a blanket to set out in
search of me.
I had not been long seated before our
fire, when the Wild Horse, dressed in a
pair of white corduroy pantaloons, with
the rest of his body naked, came stalking
up to. shake hands with me. His object
evidently was to display this new article
of dress, which had been presented to
him by the doctor. Although highly
delighted, he walked in them as if in
fetters; for though the doctor had a
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rotundity of abdomen, which completdy
out-measured that of the Indian, yet the
other far exceeded him in the size and
length of his lower extremities ; and the
garment set so tight to his legs, that
at a little distance he had the appearance
of* having been white-washed. He kept
about us during the whole evening. I
imagine, however, that in this short space
of time he grew completely tired of his
new garb, for the next morning I saw
his son scampering through the bushes
dressed in the same pair of breeches —
though they were as much too large for
him, as they were too small for his father.
He, too, soon wearied of them ; and
after having once or twice tripped up his
own heels in wearing them, he aban«
doned them to the wife of the Wild
Horse, who, I believe, from that period
** wore the breeches.*'
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 197
CHAP. XVI.
THE FALSE ALARM.
The sun was glowing with a mellow
warmth upon the prairie, when our tram
slowly ascended one of the black, un-
dulating swells, which traverse the whole
face of the country. At our feet lay a
great prairie, intersected by a waving
thr^ead of timber, which extended for
many miles, and was now tinted with the
bright and variegated hues of autumn.
The Pawnees stood for a moment upon
the top casting their eyes about them.
A shriek rang through the air, so wild
and shrill, that it caused even the most
stern to start convulsively and clutch
their bows, while the deep guttural
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" Ugh ** burst from every chest, as they
turned towards the Indian, who sent up ,
the cry.
He was standing a little in advance of
the party; his slender, but muscular,
frame bent slightly forward; his form
resting firmly upon one foot, while the
ball of the other alone touched the
ground, as if he had been arrested, in
the act of stepping forward. His nos-
trils were expanded; his teeth slightly
bared; his eyes intently fixed in the
direction indicated by the extended fore-
finger of his outstretched arm. The
eyes of the whole dusky troop were
instantly turned in that direction- They
gazed for an instant, and then the prairie
sounded with their shrill appalling yells.
At the foot of the hills, at the distance
of about five hundred yards, a small
band of Indians were emerging from
a wood; their white blankets and glit-
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JNDUN SKETCHES. 199
ieiing gun^Mrrds contrasting strongly
with the dusky. f^ins and savage weapons
of our Pawnee companions. For a short
space there was silence^ and then arose
ihe second wild shoiil of the Pawnees,
while the\ hated name of '* Kanza !
Kan^a! Kanza!** burst in a howl from
ev^ry lip,
Tte little band in the glen sent up
an answering shout, which, though it
sounded less loudly, on account of the
smaUness of their numbers, and the dis-
tance which intervened, was still replete
with defiance. As they raised their
yell, they snatched their rifles from
their shoulders, and prepared for the
encounter.
Just then a loud whoop was heard,
and Wild Horse came rushing up the
hill side which we had just ascended.
His loi^ hair streamed in the wind. In
. his hand, he grasped his bow and about a
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dozen arrows. He had heard the an*
swering cry of the Kanza, and had
snuffed a fight in the wind, with the
keen relish of a veteran warrion His
small black eye glistened with joy as he
looked down upon the handful who had
dared to send up a note of defiance.
. He uttered a wild, exulting laugh j and
shaking his war-club with a fierce motion
towards the distant foes, he raised a war-
whoop, and waved his men onward.
And now the loud voice of the lotan
chief rose amid the din, calling away his
band of Otoes, and summoning them to
the top of a neighbouring hill. He was
at peace with the Kanzas, and had
nothing to do in the present strife ; it was
all the same to him which gained the
day ; so he coolly drew off his men, and
waited to see the result. On an emi-
nence at a short distance stood the
ApoUo-like form, and snarling, tiger
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 201
face of the Long Hain His robe was
thrown over his left arm, while his ri^ht,
grasping his bow, waved his warriors
fiercely forward.
For a very short space the cloud of
Indians hung upon the hill, and then,
with a wild cry, they swept down
upon the devoted band. There was no
order of battle; each rushed forward
goaded by his own impulses. They
raised no farther shout; every feeling
seemed now absorbed in the deep, bum-
ing thirst for blood. Their adversaries
displayed equal alacrity. A loud, fierce
shout had answered the war-cry of the
Pawnees ; then all was silent ; they
leaped forward, prepared to give cold
lead in answer to the feathered shafts
of their ruder foes. As they advanced
they separated, and extended their front
to prevent their being outflanked. They
had now peached within about two hun-
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dred yards of each other when a hesi-
tation was visible in the Pawnee band.
They moved slower and slower. One or
two stopped, and gazed steadily at their
approaching enemies : then they col-
lected in groups, and seemed to consult.
Even the Wild Horse, a savage who
had revelled in blood from his infancy,
dropped his uplifted war-club, and paus-
ing, leaned upon his bow. The Long
Hair drew up his haughty form, and,
swinging upon his back his quiver, which
had before hung in front, folded his
arms, and appeared to wait passively for
the approach of the opposite band.
A grim smile of scorn had curled the
lip of the old lotan chief, when he first
beheld the hesitation in the Pawnee
ranks. For, like the chiefe of moit of
the neighbouring tribes, though be feared
the immense hordes which belonged to
that nation, yet he most heartily despised
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IKDIAN SKETCHES. 203
every individual of the four villages.
There was an apparent acknowledgment
of inferiority in this numerous band, thus
hesitating to attack the handful, who
challenged them to the conflict, which
pleased the veteran chief j for in war,
his own nation and the Kanza, had al-
ways been looked upon as equals*
In a moment, however, a like hesita-
tion was observed in the ranks of the foe.
They drew up and shouldered their
rifles, and then moved frankly forward to
meet the Pawnee warriors*
The old chief was perplexed. He held
his hand anxiously over his eyes to pene-
trate the mystery* Suddenly a new light
seemed to flash over bis countenance.
Waving his hand in the air, he shouted
the name of his own tribe, and rushed
down the hill follovyed by his band. It
was a party of Otoes, instead of Kanzas,
and the recognition which had fortu-
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nately taken place, had prevented the
effusion of blood, which otherwise would
have followed.
The parties ndw drew off, keeping
coldly aloof, and eyeing each other with
those proud and haughty glances, which
are apt to pass between rival people even
when friendly.
The lotan conversed a short time with
a tall thin Indian, who apeared to have
command of the hunting party, and,
after leaving with him a worn-out horse
which he had brought from the Pawnee
village, resumed his journey, in which he
was followed by the whites, and the long
train of disappointed Pawnees.
For a short time the Otoes watched
the movements of the party, then turn-
Jng off, they crossed the prairie, and dis-
appeared in a piece of forest.
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INDIAN ^SKETCHES* 205
CHAR XVIL
tLLK CHASBp— INDIAN SAGACITY. — INDIAN CAM^.
On the following day we were traversing
a valley between two black prairie hills,
when the crack of a rifle sounded from a
distant hollow, and was followed by a
loud shout. The Indians stopped short,
and listened, but the shout was not
repeated. At length a young Pawnee,
impatient, sprang upon a horse, and gal-
loped over a hill, beyond which the
shout had arisen. As he disappeared
over its top, a second shout was heard.
After the lapse of a few moments a loud
whoop rose from the same quarter, and
suddenly a powerful buck elk, with
branching antlers, and enormous tynes,
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dashed with mad leaps to the summit of
the hill. He stopped short at the sight
of our band, and glared wildly around.
He was wounded in the shoulder, arid
the Pawnee was in hot pursuit Casting
a quick glance round at his foe, and
throwing back his head, he bounded
along the ridge. The wound in his
shoulder lessened his speed. The Pawnee
plied his lash. The heavy hoofs of his
horse, struck with a jarring sound upon
the burnt prairie ; and a whirl of black
ashes was raised in a light cloud around
him. His long hair streamed in the air,
and his dark heavy robe fluttered from
his shoulders as he dashed forward. A
great interest in the result was evinced.
The Pawnees were anxious that their
hunter should acquit himself well, in the
presence of a foreign tribe, who watched
his movements with a jealous eye. The
Otoes lost their usual cold character, in
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INDIAN SKBTCHEB. 207
the earnest interest excited by the head*
long chase; and the Indian hunter who
had wounded the elk, stood upon the
tdfp of the hill, leaning upon the muzzle
of his rifle, and watching the success of
his ally. • • t •
Tlie elk reached the end of the ridge,
and sprang down its sloping declivity*
The Pawnee horseman followed. In a
moment after the elk was seen bounding
up an opposite ridge, and leaping along
its verge* His pursuer pressed on, about
fifty yards in the rear. Here the chase
was again in full sight, and continued
so for a few moments. The elk was
growing weaker and weaker* He came
to the end of a ridge which was cragged
and almost perpendicular. He paused
for a moment on the brink ; looked down
the steep; cast a glance behind; then
gathering his feet he made a desperate
bound down the rugged bank, and in a
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moment^s time dashed up to the top of a
succeeding ridge. Almost at the same
time, the Pawnee was at the end of the
hill ; he looked for a moment down the
steep — he half urged forward his foam*
ing horse, then reining him in, turned
away, and commenced his return towards
the party. As he was leaving the sum-
mit of the eminence,^ he looked around
for the animal which had escaped him,
but he had disappeared in a clump
of shrubbery. Seeing the pursuit was
ended, the Pawnees folded their robes
around them, the Otoes shouldered their
guns, and the whole party resumed its
journey.
In company with Hak-che-kah'SUg-hah
I soon after left the party and com-
menced a hunt over the prairie. We
were overtaken by a young Otoe, called
" the Bufi&lo Chief.*' He was armed
with a rifle; and^was a keen, and gene-
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INTDTAN SKETCHES* 209
rally a successful hunten Several Paw-
nees also came loitering up, for they
always hang in the wake of the hunters,
in hop^ of obtaining a portion of what
is killed*
We directed our course towards a lofiy
skirt of forest, fiinged with brushwood*
Here we thought that we might hunt
successfully; but the night closed in,
and still we were empty handed. So we
were obliged to set out in search of the
spot, which we supposed would be the
site of our night encampment. The In-
dians moved forward with a swift un-
wearied step* They seemed to glide
along. Their blankets fluttered in the
slight current produced by the rapidity
of their motions, and I was obliged to
hurry swiftly on, lest I should lose sight
of them. An hour passed j they still
pushed forward; they spoke not a word;
not a sign of intelligence passed betweeu
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them; they mpved on rapidly through
the dark, as if they guided their course
by instinct.
*<Ugh!** ejaculated Hah-che*kah-sug-
hah, stopping short, and looking earnestly
at some object upon the black sod.
"Ugh! ugh! ugh!*' burst from the
chests of several of the Pawnees, as they
gathered round the suspicious object, and
bent down, to examine it more closely. I
came up to them, but could see nothing.
The Indian pointed to the ground, and
after much difficulty, I descried the faint
impression of a mocassin upon the ashes
of the burnt grass, though it would have
escaped any, save the keen and ever-
observing eye of an Indian.
A few words passed between two of
the Otoes ; then turning off, they fol-
lowed steadily upon the unknown track.
They appeared to trace it without diffi-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 211
culty, though to me it was totally in-
visible.
In about ten minutes there was an-
other burst from the Indian Sj and a broad
grey line, traced across the black prairie,
and visible even in the darkness, an-
nounced that we had at length come
upon the trail of our party. Here the
Indians turned off in the direction in-
dicated by the line, and passing down
a deep hollow, we ascended a hill. From
its summit we perceived at a short dis-
tance a dusky uncertain outline of
timber in a hollow; and the blazes of
fires glimmering and flickering among
the trees, assured us that we had at last
reached the resting-place of the party.
The camp lay nestled in a large grove
of trees j within a few yards of it the
Nemahaw river brawled over a stony
bottom, with wild, and not unpl easing
murmurings.
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The Indians had distributed them-
selves about the open woodland in
groups of five or six. Each group had
its own night-fire, and a rough shed of
boughs to protect it from the dew. In
the centre of the grove, and strongly
reflecting the light of the fire, stood the
canvass tents of the whites, and reposing
before a pile of blazing logs were the
uncouth forms of the soldiers ; their ap-
pearance at present being little less
wild than that of the Indians. At one
end of the heavy logs was stretched the
demi-savage, half-breed interpreter, re-
posing after the labours of the day, and
gazing sleepily upon the fire, which
blazed high amid the gathered timber.
One or two Otoes were mingled with
the whites; but the rest of the trusty
band with the old lotan, as master
of ceremonies, were collected round a
large fire which burnt brightly at a few
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 213
yards' distance. The graceful form of
the lotaiVs wife was reclining upon a
pile of dried grass, beneath a canopy of
green boughs, which had been formed
for her by the young men of the Otoe
party. Notwithstanding the assurances
of the doctor that she was recovering,
she persisted In her resolution of re-
maining an invalid ; for as long as she
travelled in this character the soft heart
of the soldier who drove the waggon
prevented his refusing her a seat in the
vehicle; and tlie fiery tempered old
lotan still insisted that the young In*
dians should perform her share of the
drudgery.
There was something wildly noble
about this little band of Otoes* They
were adorned with all the coxcombry
of Indians before they have degenerated
from savage men to civilised beasts.
There was a frank, gallant bearing about
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214 INDIAN SKETCHES.
them ; a native chivalry, which caused
us almost unconsciously to place more
confidence in them than in their fierce
untamed associates. Behind them, rest-
ing against the trees, were their bor-
rowed rifles, glittering beneath the blaze
of the fire. Around us in every direc-
tion were the rough wicker sheds of the
Pawnees, their fires gleaming with an un-^
certain lurid light among the tall straight
trunks of the overhanging grove.
The Indians, in their shaggy robes,
were flitting to and fi-o like troubled
spirits; now hid in the gloom of the
night, and now their dark eyes glittering
and their painted faces glaring as they
moved in the light of some blazing pile.
Some had wrapped their robes closely
round them, and sat buried in a gloomy
reverie, with their scowling eyes fixed
upon the burning logs, taking no part
in the conversation of their comrades,
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 215
nor any note of what was going on
around them.
At length one of the young warriors
struck up a wild song, which made the
woods re-echo. Another joined it, and
another, until the whole of the group
round that fire were engrossed in the
theme. A single voice from a distant
pile then struck in, another followed.
Another fire then added its voice, and
gradually it spread from one group to
another, until every throat in the whole
Pawnee troop had united in it It sung
of war, and well did the gestures and
wildly energetic tones' of the singers
express the meaning of the words. In
parts, the blended voices swelled on the
night air with a mournfully melodious
sound ; but when the howl, with which
they ended every verse, burst from the
throats of the whole band, it was thrilling
and fearful. The Otoes caught the wild
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enthusiasm of the moment, and they too
added their voices to the savage concert,
until it almost seemed to rend the black
canopy above us.
The song was kept up till after mid-
night; for long after we had retired to
our tents, it frequently awoke us from
our slumbers, or mingled in the phan-
tasmagoria of our dreams.
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INDIAN sketches; 217
CHAP. XVIII.
I
S£PARATIOK FROM PARTY. BURNING PRAtBI& —
I Z % WOLVES. — JOURNEY. U
It was scarcely sunrise, before the dark
grove echoed with preparations for our
departure. The voice of our mongrel
French boy, Joe, was heard, hailing the
mules, which had strayed for pasturage,
some distance down the bottom- The
soldiers loaded the pack-horses } the
Pawnees collected together their scanty
stock of cooking utensils, and packed
them upon the back of a lean, bony
nag, whose evil destiny had made him
drudge-horse to the Indian host} and
the old lotan saw hU wife snugly tucked
away in one of the dear-born waggons,
VOLp II. L
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318 INDIAN SKETCHES.
and stationed himself as guide, at the
border of the forest, waiting for the
movements of the band.
It was a cold blustering day, with a
clear and cloudless sky* The wind swept
in sudden gusts through the creaking
trees, and the dead prairie grass waved
and rustled as the gale brushed over it.
In a short time the party wound out
of the grove, and struck across the
prairie, in the direction taken by the
lotan. He had been a bold marauder
in his youth, and had trav^sed every
woody nook, and every prairie swell
which lay in this quarter. When stand*
ing upon some high blu£^ he would
call I^is young warriors rotmd him, and
point out the different scenes of his ex-
ploits. " There," said he, pmnting to
some clustering forest, " there, have I
scalped the Osages, and there,** point-
ing in another direction, << have I stolen
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INDIAN SIC£TCHi:S« 219
horses from the same nation. There is
not a grove which has not echoed the
screams oF my enemies, or borne wit-
ness to tny plunderings. There is not a
bottom in which I have not encamped,
nor a swell which I have not crossed,
either in hunting, or when bound upon
some war expedition.** He loved in his
old age to dwell upon the deeds of
bis youth, and when narrating them, his
faded features would light up, and his
eye would flash, " for then,** said he,
** my arm was heavy, and my limbs were
strong.** Yet it seemed to me they
could not have been much heavier, or
stronger, unless they had been iron it-
self. Such was the Indian who acted
as guide, and led the way in front of
our party; nor could I see that age
bad impaired his vigour ; for in travers-
ing hills and ravines, forests and streanis,
I never knew his step to flag or falter,
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220 INDIAN SKETCHES*
or his frame to show any symptoms of
fatigue. :
, After following him for a short time, I
turned bff, in company with a strapping
soldier named M^Clanahan, to search
for wild turkeys, which are abundant in
the forests skirting the Nemahaw. We
traversed several glades, opening in a
thick growth of timber; but although
we saw many, we were for a long time
unable to get a shot at them.
. In beating up the forest we separated,
and I soon lost sight of my companion f
though for nearly an hour I occasionally
heard the report of his rifle, sometimes
near, and sometimes far off. Gradually
each discharge appeared to be more dis-i
tant, and :at length they ceased altoge-,
ther. I kept on aft«r the turkeys without
killing any. Sometimes I succeeded in
mnging one, and thai followed a hot
scrambling chase through bushes, briars.
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INDUN SKETCHES. 221
^nd : underwood^ which : invariably ter^
jYiinated in the escape of the bird^
^ Several hours had passed in this way.
i had strayed many miles through the
bottom* when the height of the sun
warned me that it was near mid- day,
and time to think of rejoining my com-
panions.
Leaving the woods I took to the
prairie, and sought tlie trail of the party,
and for several hours pursued my course,
examining every hill and hollow, in hopes
of finding it ; but no trail could I see*
As tlie day waned, I increased my speed;
but still without success- The prairie
was deserted. The long grass waved be-
fore the blast, but not a living thing met
my eye. I then feared that I might have
crossed the trace without noticing it ; but
the more I thought of it, the more im-
possible did it seem J that the heavy track
of so numerous a body of men should
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have escaped my ^ye. I ascended a
ridge which commanded a wide prospect
A wilderness of grass wasbrfore m^ with
small rolling hills extending in every di*
rection j but there was no appearance oi
my companions ; nothing to be seen bttt
the sky and the prairie. It was time to
seek a resting place for the night. J
looked round for some tree, but not one
was in siglit Dead gras8» wild weed%
and withered srtalks, were the only cover-
ing of the hills. I was like a mariner
alone in the midst of an ocean. I knew
not which way to turn. If I traveled to
the west I might be approaching my
companions, or I might be gmng from
them J and then, too, 1 should be journey-
ing away from the settlements. So I at
length determined to take an easterly
course, until I reached the Missouri,
which I intended should be my guide to
tlie abodes of the whites.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 22S
With a quick pace I pressed forward,
anxious to find a sheltering place for the
night* It was the end of Octobers the
wind was chilling, and I was clad in a
dress of drilling, such as is used only tor
summer wear. Just as the sun was sink-
ing, I caught sight of a line of forest, at
many miles* distance. This acted like a
spur upon a jaded horse. With fresh
spirits I bounded down the sides of the
prairie swells, and forced my way through
the tall clogging grass. But at last the
8un set, and as the twilight darkened, ob-
jects grew indistinct^ and the forest, which
could not have been more than two miles
off, was gradually lost in the obscurity.
In front of me was a large hill ; I as-
cended it, to wait on its summit until the
moon rose ; for I feared to lose my
course in the darkness*
A feeling of very desolation came over
me as I sat there, with nothing but the
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dreary waste around me, and the blue
cold sky, twinkling with stars, abovev
The wind had increased to a gale, and
swept howling along, occasionally bearing
with it the yell of some prowling wolfc'
For hours I sat shivering, with my eyes^
fixed upon the eastern horizon, watching
eagerly for the nioon ; and never had I
greeted her appearance with such heartr
felt pleasure, as when she emerged to?
view. -■'"';
' I resumed my joUmey, . and after toiP
ing for an hour, through a wide botton^
of tall weeds and matted grass, I reachedL
the grove — erected a small shed of
boughs after the manner of the Indians,>
and lying dowp was soon asleep, before a
huge fire, which I built against the trunk
of a fallen tree.
I was awakened by the increasing vio^
lence of the gale. A^ times it sank into
low wailings, and then would sw6ll again.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 22v>
howling and whistling through the trees.
After sitting by the fire for a short time,
I again threw myself upon my pallet of
dried grass, but could not sleep. There
was something dismal and thrilling in
the sound of the wind. At times» wild
voices seemed shrieking tlirough the
woodland. It was in vain that I closed
my eyes j a kind of superstitious feeling
came over me, and though I saw nothing,
my ears drank in every sound. I gazed
around in every direction, and sat with
my hand on my gun- trigger, for my
feelings were so wrought up that I mo-
mentarily expected to see an armed
Indian start from behind each bush*
At last I rose up, and sat by tlie fire.
Suddenly, a swift gust sw^ept through
the grove, and whirled off sparks and
cinders in every direction. In an instant
fifty little fires shot their forked tongues
in the air, and seemed to flicker with a,
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momentary struggle for existence. There
was scarcely time to note their birth
before they were creeping up in a tall,
tapering blaze, and leaping lightly along
the tops of the scattering clumps of dry
grass. In another moment they leaped
forward into the prairie, and a waving
line of brilliant iBame quivered high up
in the dark atmosphere.
Another gust came rushing along the
ravine. It was announced by a distant
moan ; as it came nearer a cloud of dry
leaves filled the air; the slender shrubs
and saplings bent like weeds — dry
branches snapped and crackled. The
lofty forest trees writhed, and creaked,
and groaned. The next instant the
furious blast reached the flaming prairie.
Myriads and myriads of bright embers
were flung wildly up in the air: flakes
of blazing grass whirled like meteors
through the sky. The flame spread into
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 227
a vast sheet that swept over the prairie,
bending forward, illumining the black
waste which it had passed, and shedding
a red light far down the deep vistas of
the forest ; though all beyond the blaze
was of a pitchy blackness. The loaring
flames drowned even the howling of the
wind. At each succeeding blast they
threw long pyramidal streams upwards
in the black sky, then flared horizontally,
and seemed to bound forward, lightuig
at each bound a new conflagration.
Leap succeeded leap j the flames rushed
on with a race-horse speed. The noise
sounded like the roar of a stormy
ocean, and the wild, tumultuous billows
of flame were tossed about like a sea of
fire. Directly in their course, and some
distance out in the prairie, stood a large
grove of oaks — the dry leaves still
clinging to the branches. Tliere was
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a red glare, thrown upon them front
the blazing flood. A moment passed^
and a black smoke oozed from the
nearest tree — the blaze roared among
their branches, and shot up for a hum
dred feet in the air, waving as if in
triumph. The effect was transient. . lit
a moment had the fire swept through
a grove covering several acres. It sank
again into the prairie, leaving the limbs
of every tree scathed and scorched to an
inky blackness, and shining with a bright
crimson light between their branches.
In this way the light conflagration 3wept
over the landscape :. every hill seemed to
burn its own funeral pyre, and the
scorching heat licked up every blade
in the hollows. A dark cloud of grey
smoke, filled with burning embers, spread
Qver the course of the flames, occasion-
ally forming not ungraceful columns^
which were almost instantly shattered
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JNDU^J SKETCHES^ 2^9
by the wind, and driven in a thousand
tlifferent directions- / r .
, For several hours the blaze continued
to rage, and the whole horizon became
girdled with a belt of living fire. As
the circle extended the flames appeared
smaller and smaller, until they looked
like a slight golden thread drawn around
the hills. They then must have been
nearly ten miles distant. At length the
blaze disappeared, although the purple
light, that for hours illumined the night
sky, told that the element was extending
into other regions of the prairies-
It was sunrise when I rose from my
resting place and resumed my journey.
What a change I All was waste. Tlie
sun had set upon a prairie still clothed
in its natural garb of herbage. It rose
upon a scene of desolation. Not ^
single weed — not a blade of grass, was
left The tall grove, which at sunset
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was covered with withered foliage, now
spread a labyrinth of scorched and
naked branches — the very type of ruin.
A thin covering of grey ashes was
sprinkled upon the ground beneath, and
several large, dead trees, whose dried
branches had caught and nourished the
flame, were still blazing or sending up
long spires of smoke. In every di-
rection, banrenness marked the track of
the flames. It had even worked its
course against the blast, hugging to the
roots of the tall grass.
The wind was still raging; cinders
and ashes were drifting, and whirling
about, in almost suffocating clouds, some-
times rendering it impossible to see for
more than one or two hundred yards.
In sui-veying the dreary landscape, I
caught sight of a gaunt, grey prairie
wolf, stealing with a thief-like step down
one of the hollows, as if his spirit was
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INDIAN SKETCHES. S31
cowed by the scene* He was the only
living thing to be seen. He saw his
fellow-wanderer* but he did not fly.
The very desolation around appeared
to have brought him a link nearer to
man, for he had lost his terrors of him.
He paused as he reached the foot of the
hillp Here he uttered a low querulous
howl, which was answered from the
woods, and three others emerged from
the timber, and joined him.
They stood for a few moments gazing
at me, and then commenced slowly to
approach. I knew that there was not a
more cowardly beast upon the prairie,
than the wolf j but a chill shot over me,
as I saw them advance. It seemed as if
they regarded me as the cause of the
desolation that had swept over their
homes ; and I felt guilty and lonely.
But even amid this want of com-
panionship, I had no relish for that of
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S32 iNDiAK sketches;
wolves t so I raised my rifle, and sent
a bullet among them^ A loud howl
answered its report j and the limping
step of one of them, as the gang fled fqf
the woods, convinced me, that my mes-
senger had performed its errand. .
* I now gave up the hopeless task of
searching for my fellow-travellers ; and
as the lotan had mentioned, that they
were but a few days' journey frqm the
settlements, I shouldered my rifle, and
taking an easterly course^ by aid of the
sun, started forward, trusting to^ make
my way to the abodes of white men. It
was weary wandering. Hill succeeded
hill, and one valley swept off into an^
othen The faint tracery of distant
trees disappeared as I journeyed on-
ward, and soon there was nothing to be
seen but the cold^ unspecked bluer of the
sky, and the boundless black of the
ravaged prairie^ , !
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 233
f
CHAP; XIX.
A HUKXED DEEH DESERTED EKCAMFMENT.
DISTANT INDIANS, — NIGHT CAMF, ^ OWLS*— r
BUHNING SYCAMORE.
For hours I continued my course,
pausing upon the summit of every hill,
in a fahit, but vain hope of seeing my
comrades. At last, at a distance, I saw
a deer scouring over the top of a ridge,
and making directly towards me, 1
crouched upon the burnt sod, - cocked
Tuy rifle, and waited for him, I won-
dered at his speed, for there was no
hunter in sight; but it was soon ex-
plained. As he descended into a hollow^
three wolves came following at full
speed over the hilL The deer soon rose
out of the bend, and kept on towards
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234 INDIAN SKETCHES.
me. Almost without breathing I watched
him. I had eaten nothing since the
morning of the preceding day, and there
was something of ferocity in my feelings,
as I gazed at hinu I gathered my feet
under me, and slowly raised my rifle.
The animal still approached. I should
have waited j but a burning feverishness
rendered me impatient, and while he
was at least a hundred and fifty yardi
distant, I rose and took aim. He stopped
short, and gazed steadily at me, with
his head raised high in the air, and pre-
senting only his front I pulled the
trigger; the bullet might have grazed
him, but did him no injury. He did not
wait for a second shpt, but darted like
an arrow across the prairie. I watched
him until he faded from my sight, and
then reloaded my rifle.
This incident, which for an instant
had diverted the current of my thoughts,
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 235
now served only to render them more
heavy. At the sound of my rifle, the
wolves in pursuit had scampered off as
hastily in one direction, as the deer had
done in the other j and I felt a kind of
selfish satisfaction in knowings that if I
had not been able to obtain a meal from
his ribs, this gang of vagabonds was
equally disappointedt
Once more I proceeded on my journey,
directing my course by the sun. I had
hunted much on foot, and my limbs had
become hardened by toil ; so that I could
journey long without sinking, though
not without feeling fatigue- It was about
an hour after mid^day when I again
came in sight of a forest. There was a
golden mark upon the prairie. The
blackness stopped abruptly^ and pointed
out the spot where the fire, from some
cause or other, had ceased its course in
this direction. A lowering column of
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236 INDIAN SKETCHES.
smoke, however, hanging like a sullen
i>all in another quarter, showed that the
element was still at work. , *
Within half an hour, L reached the
wood, and striking an Indian traU, en^
tered it. It was a grove of tall and
beautiful hickories; and in the centre
were -the remains of an Indian hunting-
camp. It had been occupied for some
time, as the frames of the wigwams wtere
mOTe strong and durable in their struc-
ture, than those usually erected for tran-
sient purposes^ They could have been
abandoned but lately; for the bark was
still green on the boughs composing
them, and there were the recent foot-
prints of horses. The dead pea- vines
were trampled down by hoofs; and there
was one rock, jutting out in the small
stream meandering through the grove,
which was covered with racoon fur, and
here and th^re sprinkled with drops of
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imJIAN SKETCHES. 237
blood. I sat down upon the rock^
watched the waters, and thought of the
former occupants of the grove. Had I
been a day sooner, I might have met
them; but then they might have been
enemies. So I began to think that
tilings were better as they were j for
even the most friendly tribes are apt to
lose their good will towards the whites,
when a single one falls into their power.
Desolate as I was, I could not but be
sensible of the beauty of the grove. I
could see far down deep vistas, gilded
here and there by the sun-beams. The
wind had gradually died away. The
stream glided murmuring over a rocky
bottom, and here and there glittered like
silver in the beams of the sun. The wild
cry of the blue-jay was heard, hailing
some. noisy comrade in a distant tree-
top. As I sat. looking upon the water,
I heard a slight noise in the stream
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288 INDIAN SKETCHES.
above me, and caught sight of a number
of wood-ducks, borne on by the current.
They are a beaotiful bird. Now they
glided beneath the shade of some plant
that drooped over the water's edge;
now they whirled easily round, as some
changeful current caught them in its
Lilliputian whirlpool. They chased ^ch
other sportively across the water, some-
times scouring up the stream, then again
relinquishing themselves to its course.
They were small game, but I was fa-
mished, and had my rifle in readiness.
I waited until 1 got two of them in a
range, and then flred. My bullet struck
off the head of the first, and considerably
confused the ideas of the second; but
after splashing about, bottom upwards,
and trying several other novel modes of
navigation, he recovered himself, and
flew after his companions*
Having secured my prize, I crossed
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 289
the brook, and struck into a winding
pathway, which led up the steep bank
opposite.
I had scarcely left the grove, when
upon looking round, I caught sight of a
train of figures moving along the top
of a ridge, far away to the westward.
There were six in it, and they must have
been many miles distant. So faint was
their outline, and so small did they ap-
pear in the vast space that lay open in that
diiection, that they reminded me of the
dim spectre-like forms of a phantasma-
goria. At first I felt a start of joy, for
I thought that they might be my com-
panions: but a second reflection con-
vinced me that I was mistaken, for the
train was moving along to the north*
^rgg^ — the veiy reverse of the route to
the settlements- Then, too, the idea
flashed across me, that they must be In-
dians — perhaps hostile ones. Although
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240 INDIAN SKETCHES.
SO distant that there was scarcely a pro-
bability of their seeing me, I returned
to the grove, where I watched their
gliding forms, until they at last sunk
behind one of the ridgeS, and then I
pursued my course. In front of me
again was a prairie which had escaped
the dame, and was covered with herbage.
But though it was pleasing to the eye, I
s()on began to wish for the black waste ;
for the tangled grass impeded my steps,
and rendered my journey extremely toil-
some. I had not accomplished many
miles before the sun began to sink in
the west. I then determined to travel
no farther that night, but take up my
quarters in a small clump of trees, which
clustered like an island upon the borders
Of a brook* I collected a pile vf dry
wood; kindled. a fire; made a spit of
a green twig> on which I impaled my
duck, and stuck it upright in the ground
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 241
in front of the fire ; then stretching my^
self upon a bed of dry grass, I watched
the roasting of my supper with a hungry
eye. When I had made a meal with the
relish of a half-famished man, I turned
upon my bed and fell asleep. Afler a
time I awoke j added fresh fuel to the
fire, and stretched myself upon my paU
let, again to sleep.
It was a bright and beautiful night;
the moon was shining amidst myriads of
stars, veiled now and then by a light
fleecy cloud, from which she seemed to
emerge with increased splendour. I lay
gazing at her as she moved along like
a queen surrounded by her maids of
honour,
" Whoop ! whoop ! whoo !*' sounded
a loud voice near me.
I started to my feet : for I thought
that I had heard a human cryj perhaps
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34^ INDIAN SKETCHES.
one of my party, and with a loud hail I
answered the sound
"Whoop! whool whoo!** again re-
peated the voice* A gigantic sycamore
reared its naked and scathed trunk
in the moonlight At the extremity of
a single dry limb, which stretched out
from nearly the top of the tree, was
seated an owl of the largest species.
He repeated the cry which had started
me, ** Whoop ! whoo ! whoo ! "
"Whoop! whoo! whoo!*' responded
another from a different quarter, and a
dusky bird flitted by, and perched on
the long limb beside his companion. I
again stretched myself upon my couch
and watched them, as they sat between
me and the moon. There was a con-
fused jabbering carried on between them:
they probably had charge of the grove,
and were puzzled, at the intrusion of a
stranger. After debating for some time.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 243
they concluded to take a nearer view of
the intruder, and descended to a lower
branch. Here they carried on the de-
bate ; apparently wondering who I was,
and what I wanted* They rubbed their
huge heads together with an air of vast
perplexity: they rocked and fluttered
on their perch. Occasionally one of
them threw his head on one side, and
cast a very inquisitive look down upon
me J and then a fresh jabbering went
on. After about fifteen minutes spent
in this way» the two dignitaries giving
a farewell ** Whoop! wlioop ! whoo!"
flapped off and disappeared*
Again I turned and fixed my gaze
upon the moon. There was a feeling
of fellowship connected with it, I knew
tliat other eyes were resting upon her
pale orb. I knew that while she was
shining upon my sohtary couch, she
was at the same time pouring her mel-
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244 INDIAN SKETCHES.
low light, upon the abodes of my fiiends,
far away and unconscious of my situ-
ation.
. Chilled by the night air, I turned
away and looked into the fire — form-
ing palaces, groves, and arcades, amid
its glowing embers, until gradually my
eyes closed, and I slept.
When I awoke, the sun was shining,
and I resumed my solitary journey. I
continued on foot from sunrise till sun-
set, without seeing a living thing, unless,
perhaps, a distant deer; and halted for
the night, in a forest of thick timber.
I found a large, dead sycamore standing
upright, with a complete chamber formed
in its trunk by decay. I kindled a fire
in front of it, and filled the empty trunk
with dried grass and pea vines for a
couch. I was wearied, and slept soundly
until near midnight, when I was awakened
by the intense heat The fire had by
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 245
some means communicated to a pile of
fuel which I had collected to sustain it
during the night. This was in a furious
blaze, causing the old tree to smoke with
the heat The hollow trunk was no place
for me, unless I chose to be roasted ; so I
pulled my cap from my head, and wrap-
ped it round my powder horn — seized
my rifle, and sprang through the fire.
The next instant, the flame leaped upon
my bed of dried vines, and the whole
interior of the dead tree was in a
blaze, that lasted for an instant, and
then expired. As it was no longer pos-
sible to return to it, I seated myself
upon a stumpi and remained half shiver-
ing, half dozing, until morning.
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^46 INDIAN SKETCHES.
CHAP. XX.
WILD TURKEY. — SauIRRSL. — PARROQUBTS. —
TRAIL. — KANZA INDIAN. — NIGHT CAMP. — DE-
SERTED HOUSE. — KANZA AGENCY. — REACHING
LEAVENWORTft.
Before the sun had risen, I was on my
way, directing my course by the purple
streak in the east, which announced his
approach. This was the morning of the
fourth day since I had parted from my
companions. I had made but one meal,
and the cravings of hunger were be-
coming excessive. I looked round, when
I reached the edge of the prairie, but
saw nothing j I looked through the bot-
tom of the forest, but no game was visible.
I stretched out my leg, looked at the
leather legging which covered it, and
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INDIAN SKETCHES^ 2*7
coDsidered whether it wias easy of di-
gestion. I felt it ; it was rather tough j
so I determined to keep on, and wait
till night, before I proceeded to ex-
tremities.
Just then, I caught sight of a turkey,
leading a troop to take an airing in the
prairie, I whizzed a bullet after himj
his wing dropped and dragged, and I
commenced a hot pursuit. But though
I had injured his wing, I had not da*
maged his legs, and after following him
for nearly fifteen minutes, I threw myself
down completely exhausted. The rest
of the gang^ taking advantage of the
diversion created in their favour, had
disappeared among the trees. I tlierefore
gave up all hopes of again finding them,
and wandered slowly along the edge of
the woods. As I was winding my way
through the treesii I heard a loud click
above me, and observed a large red
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348 INDIAN SKETCHES.
squirrel springing from one limb to an-
other of a bur-oak. As he caught sight
of me, he darted round the trunk and
peered out, with about an inch of his
head, to take an observation. I was
hungry, and this cowardly manoeuvre
made me angry, I determined, that
have that squirrel I would, if I spent
the whole day in shooting at him. I
rested my rifle against the trunk of a
tree, and after a long aim, fired ; the
bullet dashed the head of the litde ani-
mal to pieces, and whirled him some
twenty feet off in the air.
I had lost my knife on the day pre-
vious, but with the assistance of a nail
which I found in my pouch, I skinned
my prize, and impaling him upon the
point of a spit made of a dry stick, stuck
it in the ground before the fire to roast.
While the process of cooking was going
forward, a flock of screaming parroquets
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 249
came whirling through the trees; but
upon catching sight of me, they deter-
mined to stop and see what I was about-
They accordingly alighted upon a dead
tree directly above me, casting side-looks
dow^n upon my roast, and from the
joyous chattering that they kept up, no
doubt were congratulating each other
upon having called just in time to be
invited to breakfast. But I had a meal
in store for them, of a very different
description ; for after hovering round
under the tree, for some time, I con-
trived to get three of them in a range,
and fired. My bullet, however, missed,
and the flock whirled off, though I could
hear their voices raised in a clamorous
outcry at my want of civility, long after
they had disappeared among the trees-
I despatched my breakfast with a ra-
venous appetite, and taking with me the
skin of the animal, to serve as a future
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050 INDIAN SKETCHES.
meal in case of extremity, I continued
my course until afternoon. However,
I was now becoming perplexed. I
thought to have reached the settlements
before this. Still I saw no signs of
human habitation, and I began to yield
to the idea, which, strange as it may
seem, invariably fastens itself upon
persons, when wandering, bewildered,
through these regions. I thought that
the sun had got turned^ and was setting in
the east. For some time this idea was
strong J but I remembered the almost
parting words of an old hunter, who ac-
companied our party. *' Look ye," said
he, ** you straggle so much from the
party, that some day or other you will
not be able to find it again. Then, all
you have to do, is to keep straight away
for the east. It will be sure to bring you
right in the end. But remember one
thing — never get bothered. When the
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sun rises, strike to the east, and don't do^
as many have done when puzzled ; don't
think that the sun rises or sets wrong ;
for if you do, you will go to the d L"
I was becoming bewildered, and I re-
membered this advice, just at the time
when it was most needfuL So I turned
my back towards what I had been po-
sitive was the east, and travelled in the
direction wliich I was equally positive
was the west.
I had continued along the prairie for
some hours, when suddenly I struck into
a wide trail. There were four patlis run-
ning along side by side, all evidently
much travelled, and bearing prints of
recent hoofs. While I was examining
them narrowly, I caught the trace of a
waggon wheel. New strength seemed to
course through my limbs at this discovery,
and I bounded along the path, as swiftly
as if I had just started upon a fresh and
H 6
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joyous journey. I continued in the trail
for several hours. On my right, was a
tall, dense bottom of timber ; and here
and there, through the branches, I could
perceive the waters of a mighty river. I
instantly supposed this to be the Missouri j
that I had struck the trail which led to
Leavenworth, and that by continuing in
this direction, I should be able to reach it
before nightfall. I walked swifUy forward ,
for some time ; but still I could see no-
thing that I recognised. If it was the
Foad to Leavenworth, 1 had passed it be-
fore, and ought to recall the landmarks :
but here all was new. As I was looking
around I caught sight of a black speck
moving over the distant path, which I
had already past. As it came nearer,
I could discern that it was a horse-
man. It might be one of the officers
from the garrison, and I slackened
my pace for him to come up; but
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as he came on, I discovered that he
was an Indian. 1 was then certain that I
must be on the banks of the Kanzas j
that I had struck too far to the south, and
had reached it before its junction with
the Missouri* I had been longing fever-
ishly for the sight of a human being j yet
no sooner did I behold one, than my first
movement was to await his approach,
with my finger upon my trigger. When
he drew near, he held up the palm of his
hand, in token of friendship, and galloped
directly up to me. He was a fine- looking
man of the Kanza tribe, apparently not
above thirty — wrapped in a blue blanket,
armed with a rifle, and mounted upon a
black pony. He alighted j struck fire,
and lit his pipe, for a smoke. From that
moment we were friends. I learned from
him, that the river near was the Kanzas,
and that it would be daylight before I
could reach the nearest abode of a white
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man. As soon as our truce was settled,
my Indian friend mounted, and left me
to follow on foot as well as I was able?*
I was wearied and hungry, and this want
of civility did not increase the mildness
of my disposition. I trudged after him j
while he occasionally thumped his little
nag into a trot, casting a look behind, to
see whether I could contrive to keep up
with him. This vexed me, and I began
to cast around^ for the means of paying
the fellow for his ill-breeding. He at
last checked his horse — reached out his
rifle with the lock broken, and wished me
to mend it. He then handed me a horn,
without a grain of powder in it, and
wished me to fill it I took the gun, and
blew into the muzzle ; the air passed
freely through the touch-hole. " Haf*'
thpught I, " it is not charged j so, Mr.
Indian, I have you on the hip.'* I
quiedy reached it to him, and he, seeing
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 255
that I was not disposed to put it ill order,
took it and said nothing more about the
matter.
We proceeded in silence until we
reached the edge of a narrow stream,
about two deep feet in deptii, which
ran across the route. Here the Indian
paused, by which means 1 came up with
him, and signified my wish to mount his
horse to cross the Water. He demurred
at first, but I persisted ; I had a loaded
rifle ; his was empty : so I gave myself
airs, and << spoke as one having author-
ity.*' At last, though with evident re-
luctance, he acceded to my request, and
in another moment I was behind him on
the horse, and upon the opposite side of
the brook. I had been mounted only
for a few moments j but I found the
transition far from disagreeable. I was
wearied with walking, and there was
something highly pleasing in travelling
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upon Other legs than my own. I there-
fore quietly retained my seat ; and
though my companion halted the horse,
for the purpose of my dismounting, I
was so satisfied with my situation, that I
pretended not to understand his mean-
ing, and listened to his words, and
viewed his gestures with an appearance
of the greatest stolidity. At length, he
determined to endeavour to shake me
off. For this purpose he wriggled and
twisted in his seat. I however clung
still more closely to him j and the only
one that appeared annoyed by the action
was the horse, who expressed his dis-
pleasure by kicking up.
The Indian, finding this unsuccessful,
increased the i^peed of his nag to a
gallop — but in vain ; I was as securely
fixed behind, as the Old Man of the
Sea to the shoulders of Sinbad. At
length he gave up, and, checking his
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horse, sprang off. As he did this, I slid
forward into his seat. I felt some
twinges respecting my ungratefiil con-
duct, but my weariness overcame them.
My next object was to gain something
to eat ; for, notwithstanding the squirrel,
I felt a vacuum within, that required
filling. I observed that my fellow-tra-
veller carried a bundle of dried venison,
slung from his shoulder. I accordingly
signified to him that I had eaten nothing
for two days — at the same time pointing
to the venison : but the fellow was obsti-
nate ; he shook his head ; and afterwards,
whenever I started the subject, he looked
in a different direction. Finding that fair
means were of no avail, I determined to
try what foul could do. As I was mounted,
I resolved that he should think I in-
tended to scamper off with his horse : so
I thumped my rifle against his ribs, and
scoured along the trail at full gallop.
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The moment I started, the Indian fol-
lowed, with a speed thai almost equalled
that of the pony j but, unfortunately for
himself, his wind was soon exhausted.
He then began to think of a compro-
niise ; and at last, with much reluctance,
loosed a piece of the deer's flesh, and
held it up towards me, at the same time
signifying by his gestures that if I would
stop he would give me a portion. This
was all that I desired ; and, pulling in
the horse, I received the venison and
dismounted— relinquishing the nag to
his owner. He,: however, thinking the
treaty between us not yet sufficiendy
ratified,^ immediately lit his pipe^ and
passed it to me for a second smoke.
We then set out, and at dusk reached
a small wood : here the Indian hobbled
his horse, and, throwing a few sticks
together, he kindled a Are. He then
offered me a small piece of venison.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. OSQ
which he had broiled upon the coals;
after which he drew his blanket round
him, and stretched himself at full length
on one side of the fire, while I threw
myself across my rifle on the other. I
must have slept for an hour. When I
4woke it was intensely cold, the fire
having burnt very low. My companion
lay exactly as I left him when going to
i^ep; he did not seem to notice that
the fire was expiring, nor did the cold
seem to afiect him.
I rose up and stood over him ; but he
did not move. I then stirred him with
my foot and shouted to him--*- at the
same time motioning to him, to assist in
collecting wood to keep alive the fire.
He apparently was aware of my object^
for all I could elicit was a grunt j nor
would he even open his eyes to look at
me. So in no very pleasant humour,
I went in search of fuel, taking my rifle
with me.
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I had not gone far, before I came
upon his little devil of a horse. I was so
much vexed with the master, that I could
not help bestowing a thwack upon the
animal, who came smelling up to me
with the air of an old acquaintance.
With a loud snort, and a half attempt at
a kick, he hobbled off as well as the
confined state of his legs would let him.
Hard of hearing and difficult to rouse
as the Indian had been when I at-
tempted it, no sooner was the tramping
sound of the horse's hoofs heard, as he
crashed over the dead brushwood, than
he sprang to his feet, and came fiyio^
towards me with the swiftness of a deer.
I have but little doubt that he thought
, I had served him an Indian trick, and
was scouring off through the bushes with
his nag. As it was, when he found
him safe, he was for returning to stretch
himself before the fire. I however ar-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 26l
rested him, and motioned to him to
assist in carrying a large limb to our
sleeping place ; which he did with
evident reluctance, for he seemed to pos-
sess in a high degree the Indian aversion
to labour.
About midnight he awakened me, and
signified that it was time to be on the
move. He first unhobbled his horse
and led him to the bank of the river,
which was clayey and very steep, for
the purpose of watering him. Here a
violent contest took place between the
nag and the Indian ; the first being afraid
to venture down the slippery descent,
and the master endeavouring by coaxing
and kicking to induce him to advance.
The horse had planted his feet in the
very edge of the bank, and although
his nose and head were pulled out to a
horizontal line by the efforts of the
Indian, the rest of his body was as im-
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movable as one of the trees around.
The Indian then made signs to me
to assist him, for he seemed deter-
mined that the horse should drink,
whether thirsty or not. I did not feel
in a very good huriiour with him, but,
as he seemed to wish it, I bestowed a
few hearty thwacks upon the hinder
parts of the animal, which seemed only
to increase his desire to retrograde, in-
stead of advancing. Finding this of
no avail, I seized a small sapling, and,
placing it under his belly, made use of
it as a lever, to press him sideways over
the bank. The pressure against his ribs
drove him within a foot of the edge. I
placed the pole beyond the verge of the
bank and again made use i^ it as a
lever ; it pushed him still nearer. He
made a violent effort to resist ; but just
then the Indian jerked his little halter
violently, and over the horse went,
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 268
treading upon the toes of his master,
and sousing heels over head in the river,
where he swam up and down puffing
aad snorting* Several times he at^
tempted to climb the bank ; but rolled
back and floundered in the water. The
Indian was now alarmed lest he should
be drowned; but he at last succeeded
in helping him up the steep, and being
satisfied that his thirst was completely
quenched, he once more hobbled him,
and then signified that we should move
forward. Before starting, however, he
took from his shoulders his load of
venison and hung it upon a tree. I
then followed him silently, though I
could not imagine why he had left
his venison, or why he travelled on foot
when he had a horse to carry him.
We soon came to a river, across which,
though full of ice^ we waded> and then
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Started forward on a trail which led
through a wood. Occasionally I took
the lead j but the trail grew so indistinct
that I was obliged to give place to my
companion, who always kept on with-
out hesitation.
We had travelled about twelve miles,
making many circuits and windings, and
striking from one trail to another, until
we emerged from the wood, and I found
myself again near the bank of the Kan-
zas river. Before me was a large house
with a court-yard in front. I sprang with
joy through the unhung gate, and ran to
the door. It was open ; I shouted ; my
voice echoed through the rooms j but
there was no answer. I walked in.
The doors of the inner chambers were
swinging from their hinges, and long
grass was growing through the crevices
of the floor. While I stood gazing
around, an owl flitted by, and dashed
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 265
out of an unglazed window ; again I
shouted ; but there was no answer ; the
place was desolate and deserted. I
afterwards learned that this house had
been built for the residence of the chief
of the Kanza tribe, but that the ground
upon which it was situated having been
discovered to be within a tract granted
to some other tribe, the chief had de-
serted it, and it had been allowed to fall
to ruin.
My guide waited patiently until I
finished my examination, and then again
we pressed forward. Several times I
was deceived by the howling of wolves,
which I mistook for the baying of house-
dogs ; and when I was passing through
some dark skirt of timber, and expected
to come upon a human habitation, I
would be disappointed, by seeing my
guide once more launch out into the open
prairie. Several times, too, my hopes
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were excited by a light, glimmering in
the darkness, which, upon coming up, I
would discover to proceed from the-
trunk of a tree, which had caught fire
from the burning of the prairies.
Thus we kept on until near daylight,
when we emerged from a thick forest,
and came suddenly upon a small hamlet.
The barking of several dogs, which came
flying out to meet us, convinced me that
this time I was not mistaken. A light
was shining through the crevices of a log
cabin J I knocked at the door with a
violence, that might have awakened one
of the seven sleepers.
"Who dere — and vot de devil you
vant?*' screamed a little cracked voice
from within.
It sounded like music to me. I stated
my troubles. The door was opened j a
head, garnished with a red nightcap,
was thrust out, and after a little parley, I
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 267
was admitted into the bed-room of the
man, his Indian squaw, and a host of
children. As, however, it was the only
room in the house, it was also the kit-
chen. I had gone so long without food,
that notwithstanding what I had eaten,
the gnawings of hunger were excessive,
and 1 had no sooner mentioned my
wants, than a fire was kindled, and in
ten minutes a meal (I don't exactly know
whether to call it breakfast, dinner, or
supper) of hot cakes, venison, honey,
and coffee, was placed before me, and
disappeared with the rapidity of light-
nings The squaw Iiaving seen me fairly
started, returned to her couch. From
the owner of the cabin, I learned that I
was now at the Kanza Agency, and that
he was the blacksmith of the place.
About sunrise I was awakened from
a sound sleep, upon a bear-skin, by a
violent knocking at the door. It was
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my Indian guide. He threw out broad
hints respecting the service he had ren-
dered me, and the presents he deserved.
This I could not deny; but I had no-
thing to give. I soon found out, how-
ever, that his wants were moderate, and
that a small present of powder would
satisfy him; so I filled his horn, and he
left the cabin apparently well pleased.
In a short time I left the house, and
met the Kanza Agent, Gen. Clark, a
tall, thin, soldier-like man, arrayed in
an Indian hunting shirt, and an old fox-
skin cap.
He received me cordially, and I re-
mained with him all day, during which
time he talked upon metaphysics, dis-
cussed politics, and fed me upon sweet
potatoes. In speaking of my guide, I
found that he had departed, after receiv-
ing a large present from the Agent, to
whom he stated that he had eaten no-
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INDIAN SKETCHES* 269
thing for twenty-four hours. I spoke
of the deer's flesh he had left behind.
" The lying rascal !" said the General,
** he said he was starving.*'
I spoke of the Indian pony.
**What colour was he?" asked the
General.
** Black ; with short mane, and crop
ears.'*
" My God! that's my horse," exclaimed
he, " stolen four days ago. What a d — d
villain that Kanza is ! "
At night the General furnished me
with a mule, and kindly accompanied
me to the garrison, which was forty
miles distant, and which we reached on
the following morning a little before
daylight.
As I passed one of the outhouses in
riding up to the cantonment, I perceived
an Indian leaning against one of the
door-posts. " Ugh !" exclaimed he, start-
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ing forward ; and the next moment fny
hand was grasped in the cordial, but
iron gripe of the lotan chief.
The party had reached the garrison
on the evening previous ; and the whole
wild band, both Pawnees and Otoes,
were now under the protection of the
whites.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. ^1
CHAP. XXL
AS9EMBLIN6 07 COUNCIL. — COUNCIL.
Messengers had been sent in every
direction, to summon the neighbouring
tribes, to meet their ancient enemy, the
Pawnees, in council; and the day ar*
rived upon which these rival nations,
who had never before met except in
deadly hostility, were to mingle in peace-
ful ceremonial.
The different tribes had been for seve-
ral days collecting round the garrison,
and had pitched their wild camps in the
adjacent groves. There had always
existed a bitter hostility between many
of the civilised and savage tribes. For
this reason, especial care had been taken
N 4
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to keep them separate, until, by the
influence of the council, this cessation
of hostilities should be converted into a
permanent peace.
Early in the morning, the loud report
of a piece of artillery bellowed through
the woods, echoing in the deep forest
upon the opposite side of the Missouri.
This was the signal for the assembling
of the council. In a few moments, the
warriors of the different tribes were seen
leaving their camps, and moving for the
place appointed, beneath several of the
large trees, in front of the quarters of
the ofiicers.
First came the Delawares, dressed for
the occasion, glittering with trinkets;
their silver ornaments glistening in the
sunshine, and their gay ribands fluttering
in the wind. They were a gaudy, effe-
minate-looking race. Yet, beneath all
their frippery of dress, lurked that indo-
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 273
mitable courage, and that thirst for glory,
which not even intemperance and their
intercourse with the whites could destroy.
Behind the band, followed the proud
Delaware warrior, Sou-wah-nock. It
was he that first kindled the torch of
war between his own tribe and the
Pawnees, and led the expedition that
sacked the Pawnee village. He was
without ornament, except a heavy silver
plate, resting upon his calico hunting-
shirt. He was not tall, but muscular,
and his eye was as searching as an
eagle's. There was a proud curl upon
his lip J and withal, an iron firmness
marked his whole deportment He
seemed to think that the whole weight
of anger of the Pawnee nation was
about to descend upon himself, but was
ready to meet it. He did not deny
that he had incited his nation to the
outrage upon the Pawnee town. Nay,
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he gloried in it ; and was now ready to
meet them in friendship, or as enemies.
He knew that his nation looked up to
him, and he determined that no act of
his should ever sink him in their opinion.
After the Delawares, followed the
Shawanese, headed by the same portly
personage who had greeted us when
we entered, as strangers, into the Indian
country. The same enormous pair of
black spectacles were seated astride of
his nose ; and from his whole appearance,
it is probable that he had not undressed'
from the time that we last saw him,
some four months previous. At his
heels followed the same little potato-
headed Indian who had also met us on
the same occasion. Behind them, came
the gaudy warriors of the tribe, reeking
with paint, shining with tin ornaments,
and flaunting with ribands* These seated
themselves beside the Delawares.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 27«5
Then followed the rest of the migrating
tribes j the Peorias, the Piankashaws, the
ragged Pottawattomies, and the lazy
Kickapoos, who all in turn seated them-
selves among their civilised brethren.
They had scarcely become stationary,
when the Otoes made their appearance,
moving in Indian file over the green,
headed by their sagacious old chief the
lotan. They walked swiftly and silently,
and ranged themselves at a little dis-
tance from the more civilised, though
less noble band, which had already col-
lected* A few moments more, and the
wild troop of Pawnees were seen ap-
proaching. They were mufiled in their
shaggy robes, and marched forward with
a heavy, though smothered tread. In
front of them strode the giant form of
the Wild Horse ; his savage features
not rendered any the less hideous by a
drunken frolic, in which he had been
N 6
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engaged on the day previous. His long
hair hung tangled round his head and
shoulders. He wore no ornaments, and
his body as usual was smeared with red
ochre. The whole of his enormous chest
was bared, and exposed to the cold chill-
ing air of a frosty November morning.
Behind him followed the graceful, though
stern form of the Long Hair. He walked
to his allotted place, without appearing
to notice the congregated band of civil-
ised Indians. There were several other
chiefs in the train, and after them fol-
lowed the whole savage herd from the
four Pawnee villages.
These stationed themselves directly
opposite the Delawares. Stern looks
passed between them, and burning feel-
ings were at work in their hearts. There
they sat brooding over past wrongs.
Enemies from the time that the Dela-
wares had left the eastern states, they
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 277
were now assembled to crush their bitter
feelings, to put an end to that dark
hatred which had hitherto existed be-
tween them, and to view each other
in a strange and novel light — that of
friends. A total revulsion was to take
place in their feelings. Old habits, old
associations, were to be blotted out;
deep-rooted prejudices were to be re-
moved; and hands, which before had
clenched each other only in the death-
grapple, were now to be clasped in the
warm pressure of friendship.
Several days before the commencement
of the meeting, a trifling incident was
near putting an end to the incipient
peace.
The little tribe of Delawares, who
muster but a hundred and fifty warri-
ors at most, had always considered them-
selves the source from whence sprang
the numerous and powerful tribes scat-
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tered throughout the whole of North
America. It is probable that this opinion
is founded upon some tradition still cur-
rent among them, respecting the power
and antiquity of their forefathers, the
Lenni Lenape, who, coming up from the
south, seated themselves upon the eastern
shores, and were afterwards known to
the whites by the name of Delawares.
They are among the oldest of the tribes
of which tradition speaks. The remnant
of this race, in pursuance of their fatherly
dogma, had now appropriated to them-
selves the title of great grandfathers to
the whole Indian racej and among the
host of their descendants were numbered
those most unfilial of all great grand-
children, the rebellious Pawnees. Not-
withstanding the injunctions of obedience
to parents, which have been laid down
in all quarters of the globe, this nation
had been unwilling to submit to the
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 279
fatherly corrections bestowed upon their
tribe by their great ancestors* Nor is it
to be wondered at; for they consisted
in quietly killing and scalping all who
fell in their way, and helping them
forward in their journey towards the
bright hunting grounds — a theme upon
which an Indian is for ever harping,
during the whole period of his probation
here. In addition to the bitter feelings
created by these hostilities, the Pawnees
looked upon this little handful of warriors
with the most sovereign contempt. Like
many other undutiful children, they were
ashamed of their great grandparents, and
denied that they had ever sprung from
the ** Delaware dogs," or that a drop of
Delaware blood was mingled with that
which coursed through their veins. They
concluded their expression of ill will, by
refusing to commence the council, if
they were to be looked upon as the
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descendants of that race. The Dela-
wares, on the other hand, were equally
obstinate. They insisted on adopting
the refractory Pawnees as their great
grandchildren, and that the latter should
acknowledge them as their great grand-
parents.
For a short time the Commissioner
was perplexed. But at length, privately
assembling the chiefs of the Pawnees, he
endeavoured to overcome their prejudices
by means of fair words, and finally suc-
ceeded in satisfying their scrupulous
pride. He begged that, for the sake
of peace, the Delawares should be hu-
moured, although he acknowledged to
the Pawnees, that he knew there was
no ground for their claim of relationship.
At the same time, he added, it was so
absurd in itself, that no person would
for a moment credit that so brave and
powerful a people as the Pawnees should
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 281
have sprung from so paltry a stock as
the Delawares. The chiefs smiled grimly
as they received the pleasing unction of
flattery, and at length consented, though
with wry faces, to submit to the de-
grading appellation, until the council
should be ended, and the treaty ratified.
They then threw out sage hints, which,
if translated literally, would amount nearly
to the same thing as sending the Dela-
wares to the devil.
These preliminaries had been settled
before the day of council. The great
grandchildren, reversing the usual order
of things, no longer disowned their great
grandfathers J though farther than the
mere title, there was no display of kindly
feeling. The two bands sat opposite
each other, with the same grim ex-
pression of countenances that might
have been expected from so many wild
cats. Each seemed fearful to make a
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single friendly step in advance, lest he
should compromise the dignity of his
tribe. After a short time the Com-
missioner rose up, and stated the object
of the meeting: — that war had long
enough been raging among them ; and
that the different tribes had now as-
sembled for the purpose of uniting them-
selves in the bonds of friendship. He
then entered explicitly into the con^
ditions of the intended peace.
When he had ended, different warriors
of each tribe addressed the council.
They all professed the greatest friend-
ship for their enemies, and poured out
very penitential speeches, bewailing their
past transgressions j and winding up, by
throwing the whole blame upon the shoul-
ders of some neighbouring tribe.
For a short time, the potentates of
several little nations, which had barely
inhabitants enough to hang a name
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 283
upon, eased their own importance by
speaking. The Delaware warrior Sou-
wah-nock then rose. He spoke of the
destruction of the Grand Pawnee vil-
lage. He did not deny his agency in the
deed. " The Pawnees," said he, " met
my young men upon the hunt, and slew
them. I have had my revenge. Let
them look at their town. I found it
filled with lodges: I left it a heap of
ashes.'* The whole of his speech was
of the same bold, unflinching character,
and was closed in true Indian style. ** I
am satisfied," said he ; "I am not afraid
to avow the deeds that I have done, for
I am Sou-wah-nock, a Delaware war-
rior." When he had finished, he pre-
sented a string of wampum to the Wild
Horse, as being the most distinguished
warrior of the Pawnee nation. When
the slight bustle of giving and receiving
the present had been finished, the chief
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of the Republican village rose to answer
his warrior enemy.
His speech abounded with those wild
bursts of eloquence, which peculiarly
mark the savages of North America,
and concluded in a manner, which spoke
highly of his opinion of what a warrior
should be. " I have promised to the
Delawares,*' said he, " the friendship
of my tribe. I respect my promise,
and I cannot lie, for I am a Pawnee
chief.**
When the Delawares had spoken, our
little fat friend from the Shawanese village
rose. After frequent expectorations, he
at length succeeded in clearing a passage
for the escape of his voice, and contrived
with great difficulty to wheeze through
a speech of about ten minutes in length.
There appeared to be but two ideas in
the whole of the address ; and when he
had thoroughly belaboured one, he most
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 285
assiduously^ returned to the other. After
repeating them again and again, with
the addition of a new dress for each
time, he seated himself, perfectly con-,
vinced that he had thrown a great deal
of light upon the subject.
There was a strange contrast between
the deportment of the civilised and
savage Indians. The first, from long
intercourse with the whites, had acquired
many of their habits. Their iron gravity
had yielded to a more mercurial tempera-
ment. Even in the midst of the council,
they gave free vent to their merriment,
and uttered their gibes and jests. They
were constantly on the move, coming
and going to and from the place of as-
sembly, and paying but little heed to
the deliberations.
The Pawnees sat unmoved, listening
in silence, and with profound attention,
to the addresses of those who spoke.
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They rarely uttered a word, and the
only smile which curled their lips was
one of scorn at the frivolous deportment
of their enemies.
From early in the morning, till near
sunset, the council continued. They
then adjourned until the following day,
that a few little potentates, who consi-
dered themselves the luminaries of their
respective villages, might receive an
opportunity to display their eloquence.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 287
CHAP. XXII.
PAWNEE DAMCE. — DELAWARE VISITERS.
In the evening it was determined to
bring the Delawares and the Pawnees
together as friends, for as yet they had
held no intercourse. A large fire was
accordingly built before the outhouses
in which the Pawnees had taken up
their quarters, and the wild troop sallied
forth, prepared to commence one of
their national dances round the flame.
A group of eight or ten savage-looking
fellows seated themselves a little dis-
tance ofl^ furnished with a drum and
rattle. They commenced a song, ac-
companied by their rude instruments.
For a time there was no movement
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among the Pawnees, who stood huddled
in a large, condensed crowd. Suddenly
one of them, a tall muscular savage,
sprang into the middle of the circle,
and gazed around with a hurried air;
then with a loud yell he commenced
his dance. He jumped slowly round
the fire, with a kind of zigzag step : at
every leap uttering a deep guttural
" Ugh !" occasionally accompanied with
a rattling sound from the very bottom
of his lungs. His comrades looked on
silently, but with intense interest They
were a savage group; face and body
begrimed with paint; their fierce fea-
tures reflecting the flame, their teeth
bared, and every brow knotted into a
frown. Head rose behind head, and
gleaming eyes were seen peering through
the living mass, until those farthest off
were hid by the darkness.
When the first warrior had made two
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 289
or three circles about the fire, a second
left the crowd, and sprang forward in the
dance; a third followed, and a fourth,
until about twenty were flitting swiftly
round, and joining in the song. Occa^
sionally they stopped short in their
course, and uttered a loud shrill yell,
which was taken up by the whole sur-
rounding horde, until the very trees
echoed to the sound. At one moment
they moved swiftly forward, and at an-
other their steps were slow and wearied.
As we watched their fierce, earnest
faces, the forms of some wrapped in
shaggy robes, the painted bodies of
others writhing in the dance, and then
turned to the silent, and equally savage
group of lookers-on, it required no great
stretch of the imagination to fancy them
a host of evil spirits, busied in fiendish
reveL
While they were thus engaged, the
VOL. IT* o
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9t90 INDIAN SKEtCHM.
crowd separated^ and revealed a Dela-
ware watching their movements. Be-
hind him were about twenty more of
the same tribe. No sooner had the
Pawnees caught sight of them than they
retired. Old prejudices could not be
rooted out at once; and though the
dancers remained at their employment,
the rest of the tribe drew off in a sullen
and haughty group, and stood watching
the countenances of their quondam ene-
mies.
This continued during the whole even-
ing. As it grew late, group after group
of the Pawnees left the fire, and retired
into their dwelling. The Delawares soon
followed their example; and although
their visit had continued for several
hours, I fear it did but little towards
removing thai ancient venom, which, in
spite of their apparent friendship, was
rankling in their hearts.
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INDIAN SKETCHBS. 291
CHAP. XXIII.
KANZA COUNCIL. — WHITE PLUME. — TAPPAOB
CHIEV.-^TREATY. — IMTBRPRBTBR. — DEPARTURK.
On the foUowing morning, the loud
report of a piece of artillery announced
the hour of council. Once more the
diflferent tribes left their fespective eur
campments, and assembled at the place
of meeting. Scarcely, however, had they
collected, before a long train of warriors
were seen stringing over the distant
prairie — making for the cantonment.
They approached swiftly, until they
reached the quarters of the officers.
They were clothed in white blankets;
each man carried a rifle. They were
a band from the Kanza nation, come
o 2
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292 INDIAN SkEtCHteS.
to attend the council, and settle the
terms of peace. In front of the troop
was the White Plume, enveloped in
a large drab-coloured over.coat. This
piece of dress deprived him altogether of
that dignity of appearance, which had
marked him upon our first meeting ; for
he now bore a strong resemblance, in
form and gracefulness, to a walking
hogshead. However, he seemed per-
fectly satisfied with his attire: and in
truth, I believe there was scarcely a
Pawnee who did not envy him the pos-
session of this Cumbersome article of
apparel.
The appearance of this chief, and of
a delegation from his tribe, had been
anxiously expected. They were more
venomous in their hate against the Paw-
nees than any other of the neighbouring
Indians, and their hostility had been
marked by deeds of a more bloody
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INDIAN SKETCHES. ^93
character. The Pawnees sat in silence,
but with looks of smothered ferocity, as
they saw them approach. However, they
evinced no hostile feelings other than
those conveyed by their glances.
After a short conference with their
agent, the Kanzas withdrew from the
green, and encamped in the prairie, at
a few hundred yards* distance. The
council then proceeded. The different
chiefs and warriors of the small tribes
of the vicinity addressed the Pawnees —
all agreeing to bury their hostility and
regard them as friends. ' These offers
were most thankfully received by the
Pawnees, though one of them afterwards
remarked to the interpreter, " that they
had now made peace with several nations
with whom they had never been at war,
and of whom they had never heard, until
they rose to address them in council.'*
This was little to be wondered at, as
o 3
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294 INDIAN SKETCHES.
many of them were most pitifully repre-
sented J and two or three little, pursy,
short-winded fellows, dressed in dirty
calico and bedraggled ribands, composed
the whole of their delegation, and pro-
bably the whole of their tribe.
The deliberations lasted during the
whole day : for, as these Indians had no
particular injuries to dwell upon, they
confined themselves to things in general ;
and, as this was a subject that would
bear to be expatiated upon, every man
continued his address until he had ex«
hausted his wind. The Pawnees listened
with exemplary patience ; though I doubt
if there was one who regretted when the
last speaker had finished.
The morning following, the Pawnees
and Kanzas had a meeting to settle their
difficulties. A large chamber in the gar-
rison had been selected for the purpose.
About ten o'clock in the foreno<Mi they
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INDIAN SKETCHES*. 29^.
assembled. The two bands seated them-
selves upon long wooden benches, on
opposite sides of the room. There was
a strong contrast between them. The
Kanzas had a proud, noble air; and their
white blankets, as they hung in loose
and graceful folds around them, had
the effect of classic drapery.
The Pawnees had no pride of dress.
They were wrapped in shaggy robes,
and sat in silence -« wild and uncouth
in their appearance, with scowling brows,
and close pressed-mouths.
At length the speaking commenced.
First rose the White Plume. He had
boasted to his tribe that he would relate
such things, in his speech, as should
cause the Pawnees to wince. With true
Indian cunning, at first, in order that he
might conciliate the favourable opinion
of those present, he spoke in praise of
the whites — expressing his high opinion
o 4
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296 Indian sketches.
of them. After this> he gradually edged
off into a philippic against the Pawnee
nation, representing them as a mean and
miserly race — perfidious and revengeful.
There was a hushed sOence among his
own people as he spoke, and every eye
was fastened upon the grim group oppo-
site. The White Plume went on; and
still the deepest silence reigned through
the room : that of the Kanzas arose from
apprehension : the silence of the Pawnees
was the hushed brooding of fury.
The chief of the Tappage village was
sitting directly opposite the speaker ; his
eye was dark as midnight ; his teeth
were bared, and both hands were ti^tly
grasped round his own throat j but he
remained silent until the speech had
finished. When the White Plume had
taken his seat, half a dozen Pawnees
sprang to their feet; but the Tappage
chief waved them down : three times did
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INDIAN SKETCHED 9&7
he essay to speal^ igid as often did he
iail. He rubbed his hand across his
throat to keep down his anger; then
stepping out, and fixing his eye on that
of the Kanza chief, in the calm, quiet
voice of smothered rage, he commenced
his answer : he proceeded j he grew
more and more excited — indulging a
vein of biting irony. The White Plume
quailed, and his eye drooped beneath
the searching, scornful glance of his
wild enemy. Still the Pawnee went on :
he represented the injury which first
kindled the war between the two na-
tions. " My young men,*' said he,
<* visited the Kanzas as friends: the
Kanzas treated them as enemies. They
were strangers in the Kanza tribe, and
the Kanzas fell upon them and slew
them, and concealed their death.'' He
then entered into the particulars of the
quarrel, which, unfortunately for the
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i&S INDIAN SKETCHES.
Kanzas, were strongly against them.
The chief of the latter tribe received
the answer with great philosophy; nor
did he attempt to utter any thing in
reply. Perhaps, too, he did not wish
to invite a second attack from so rough
a quarter. When the Pawnee had
finished, the Commissioner interposed,
and after a short time harmony was
restored, and several of the inferior
chiefs made their harangues. They were
of a more calm and conciliating nature,
and gradually tended to sooth the in-
flamed feelings of their foes. The coun-
cil lasted until sunset, when the terms of
the treaty were finally adjusted.
On this occasion I was made sensible
of the justice of the complaint generally
made by those who have had public
negotiations with the savage tribes, of
the insufficiency of the interpreters
through whom they are obUged to re-
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INDIAN SKETCHES/ 299
ceive the sentiments and language of
the Indians. They are, with few excep-
tions, ignorant and illiterate. Those
w« employed spoke a wretched French
patois, and a still more wretched En-
glish. On such, even the high imagin-
ative vein, the poetical thought, which
run through Indian eloquence, is entirely
lost. There was not a savage who ad-
dressed us who did not, at times, clothe
his ideas in beautiful attire, and make
use of wild and striking similes, drawn
from the stores of his only instructress,
nature. This we ascertained from some
persons present of cultivated minds, and
who were well versed in the Indian
tongues. As to the interpreters, they
reduced every thing to a bald, di^ointed
jargon.
On the day following the council, the
articles of peace were signed, and most
of the tribes departed for their respective
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300 INDIAN SKETCHES.
homes. A few of the Pawnees and
Otoes remained to accompany the Com-
missioner to the village of the Osages,
for the purpose of negotiating a peace
with that tribe, with whom they had long
been at deadly enmity.
Here then I will conclude this series
of Indian Sketches j for the council
being ended, and my curiosity satisfied,
I determined to return homeward on
the following day. A feeling of sadness
came over me as I prepared to leave
those with whom I had for months asso-
ciated. However different in dispositions
and feelings, we had until then been
united by a link of sympathy. We had
led the same life, viewed the same
scenes, and undergone the same priva-
tions. For months together one tent
had sheltered us, and we had eaten from
the same board. A rough, untrammelled
friendship had sprung up between us.
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INDIAN SKETCHES. 301
increasing with the distance between
ourselves and our homes, and strength-
ening as we retired farther from the
abode of civilised man.
But now we had returned from our
wanderings, and were once more in the
circle of our fellows. Still old recol-
lections bound us together by a golden
tie that it was painful to sever; and,
although my home with all its attractions
rose in my fancy, yet I felt sad when
one of the orderlies informed me that
all was ready.
I shook hands with my friends and
comrades of the wilderness ; and, mount-
ing my mule, with a heavy heart, turned
my back upon Leavenworth.
THE END.
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London:
Printed by A. Srums woods,
New^reet-Square.
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}
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ii
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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBR.AJLY
BERKELEY
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