| 678 information of their particular disposition and condition. When one of these pipes up, you can see the languishing glances of the virgins turned most irresistibly towards the quarter whence the sounds proceed; and if a match is not soon on the carpet, it is not the fault of the Pottawotomie customs.
During the late payment, the superintendent held several councils with the Chiefs in which some very creditable displays of Indian oratory were made. Owing to the paucity of their language, their style of speaking is highly figurative, and as no Indian speaks on any subject but one which interests him strongly, and on which he has thought a great deal, it is not strange that they should speak with force and to the purpose.
On Friday last, Major Wharton, with five companies of Dragoons, reached Bellevue, on the south side of the Missouri, from the Pawnee villages, whither they had marched from Fort Leavenworth. I believe the object of the expedition was to display a little of the power of the Government to the wild Indians. The Major's instructions were also to see the Sioux if practicable; but this object cannot be accomplished without a march of hundreds of miles, and scarcely then, as the Sioux are perfect Tartars, and are Tartars who are not easily "caught."
On Saturday, the Ottoes having come to their agency at Bellevue to receive their annuities, the Major held a Council with them, on the open prairie, in the midst of the square of several acres, formed by the tents of his command.-The Chiefs seated themselves in line, fronting to the Major's "Marque," (is that the way you spell it? [Marquee]) and awaited his coming. As he approached, we heard the song of the well known Indian beggar dance chanted in a ravine to our right, and soon a party of young men were seen advancing, with two or three dare-devil looking fellows on horseback, one of whom had his body, from crown to toe, smeared over with blue mud, and appeared in the "picturesque costume" of a piece of rope tied round him as a belt; beside this, he had not even a fig leaf apron. He performed various feats of horsemanship, carrying in his right hand a handsomely ornamented spear, with a long, polished blade. His performance was intended to signify that he felt himself to be a man, ready for any daring exploit; and hereafter he will have quite a reputation as the brave who made so striking an exhibition before their great father's War Chief, Major Wharton.-Oh, fame! This reminds me of the story of an Indian dance, where each one, after dancing and singing till the inspiration of recitation was attained, struck a stake set up for that purpose, and then related his exploits to the admiring hearers. One fellow, after shaking his moccasins most furiously for a long time, at length struck the stake, and, after silence was obtained, made the following brilliant narration: "I stole a mule!"
When the young Ottoes had sufficiently displayed their musical powers, the Council began, by Major Wharton making a very excellent address to the chiefs, which, however, must have suffered considerably in the interpretation. He exhorted them to behave themselves better, for the future, and assured them that if they did not, the protection of the Government would be withdrawn, and they would be left 'like a lone tree in the prairie, against which every storm spends its fury, until, at length, some blast, more powerful than the rest, prostrates it to the earth.' They promised good behavior for the future, and the Major gave them some rations. So ended the Council.
The troops are crossing the Missouri to day, to pass down on the north side, through the settlements, to Jeffrey's Point, near the town of Oregon, where they will re-cross the river, to visit the Missouri Sacs and Iuwas [Iowas]; they will thence pass en [on] to Fort Leavenworth. These dragoon officers are fine fellows; frank, generous, unassuming-vigorous in discharge of duty, and rich in anecdote and jest, as well as grave and important information. The Rev. Mr. Ker, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, is with the command, and will publish a journal of their hair-breadth escapes amongst the ravines on the head waters of the Blue and other streams, enriched by notices of the geology, &c., of the country they have traversed. Mr. Deas, an artist of St. Louis, is also an attache [attaché], and so much of an attache [attaché], that, with all my persuasion and entreaty, (you know how I can insist?) I cannot detach him to spend a few weeks with me here; if I could, we would visit the old Fort at old Council Bluffs, about twenty five miles, by land, from this place.
I suppose Major Wharton will council with the Pottawatomies to morrow. He has instructions to hold a talk with each tribe he visits.
The Pawnees are at Bellevue, to day. Their agent called them to council, and talked to them in a most fatherly manner. After some time, the disputes amongst the chiefs of the various bands rose to high words, and finally turned to a fisticuff amongst them. No blood was spilt. The Council adjourned in the midst of the row.
JOHN BROWN.
(page 678) |
