SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECOND EX PEDITION

The Great Festival of the Sun; cruel follies and excesses.— Generosity of an Enasa Cnief.—Enasa hospitality.

July 10th 1805.—To celebrate the Great Festival, all the old men of the Enasa village assembled at the lodge of the First Chief to appoint proper officers in order to keep the peace during the ceremonies.

{ith. This morning at day break, an old man harangued through the village: soon after appeared twel ve robust young men with their heads in bladders, bodies bare, painted half way with vermillon and half with white earth, the emblems of punishment aud pardon united in the same person. These guardians of the peace entered into every lodge, giving instruction for good behaviour. The women were directed to go into the woods for branches to cover the Medecine lodge, while the men were occupied in dressing themselves.

When all were ready, the men walked into the lodge with their pipes and drums, the women went with kettles and dishes full of the best of things to prepare for the feast. At the door of the lodge, the vessells, were aired over a blasing fire made of certain hay or weeds selected for the occasion, and ample offerings were variously made to the Sun. When the eating part was over, the remainder of the day was joyfully passed in innocent recreation, such as smoking, dancing &c.

In the forenoon of the 12th, several young men placed themselves in a row on their bellies ; an old man holding an arrow approached them and with the barb of it pierced a hole at the shoulder blades of each, through which he passed a pin of hari

ITION

nd excesses.— ality.

val, all the old e of the First 1e peace during

nan harangued bust young men j half way with ems of punishlhese guardians instruction for o into the woods the men were

the lodge with ettles and dishes . At the door of ng fire made of and ample offerthe eating part y passed in inno-

nen placed themolding an arrow red a hole at the sed a pin of harl

THE MISSISSOURI INDIANS 855

wnod about four inches long and half an inch thick. ‘To this pin he fastened a cord of eight yards in length at the end of which were tied seven bulls’ heads or more, according to the repute of the warrior. Such as had killed some of the enemy and taken scalps had a man's scull fixed to each breast and a scalp fastened a little below their eyes, with a cane in the right hand, to which also was fastened a scalp. But such as were less succesful in war were not distinguished by so many ornaments : they had not the honor of dragging so many bulls heads after them, and their canes, in lieu of human scalps, were graced only with eagle tails. These young warriors were entirely naked, but painted white.

When the old man had finished this first part, the young warriors started up and moved forward, but the bulls head which they trained having their horns entangled rendered their progress slow and painful. One, however, who was more loaded than any of the rest, rushed through the crowd, unmindful of all obstacles which stood in his way, and soon gained his destination in the Great Lodge, where he was received by a multitude of spectators with shouts of applause. The others would fain have followed the example, but their hearts failed them ; they often leaned on their canes.

As the warriors arrived at the lodge, all the heads were thrown on à high beam, and their weight serving as a counterpoise raised the bearers from the ground. In this position they remained suspended like so many criminals upon a gibbet,

In the mean time, spectators of all sexes and sizes uniied in singing, dancing and beating their drums &c., while the old man approached the principal Hero and asked him what he was disposed to offer to the Sun, so that the Sun might continue to shine upon him with kindness : ‘ I shall give to the Sun,” said he ‘ in order that he may shine upon me with kindness, two “strips of flesh from each of my arms, beginning at my shoulder

‘ hlades and finishing at my wrists ; I shall also give to tie Sun ‘ one of my fingers, and shall allow you, moreover, to imprint ‘ with a red hot iron an emblem of the Sun upon my breast.

The same question was put to each of the others, who where fifteen in number, but they were much more moderate in their devotional donations. They contented themselves with giving a finger or a slice of flesh respectively.

The old manu. who was provided with the necessary instruments for the execution of his duty, began his operations upon the boldest of the heroes. He began by cuttirg on the shoulder two circles from which he raised two strips in parallel lines down to the wrist, then the little finger of the right hand was cut off at the second joint, and then the bit of a brid. was introduced, red hot, and applied to the breast until the flesh in a large circle rose into a hard crust. All this time, the sufferer as well as his companions on trial where hanging suspended from the beam of the lodge by the cords through the incision in their shoulders, their feet at some distance from the ground and unable Lo stir during the operation. The noise of the spectators was very great: if the sufferers complained, they could not be heard.

As soon as each had undergone the pains he had imposed upon himself, he was relieved from his elevated station at the bsam and allowed to return from where he came, still dragging his original équipage of heads, uuiil he placed the whole where he found them, and wüere fit pe:sons were stationed on purpose to untie and receive them.

When the wooden pins were taken out of the shoulders, an

old woman sucked the blood from the wounds, which she stuffed with a preparations made with ber teeth from a certain root for the purpose. Then the suffering hero, or whatever we may choose to call him, took his strips of flesh and his finger:joint, placed them in a neat little bag, with which he hastened to the

à to tie Sun r, to imiprint ny breast.

who where rate in their vith giving à

ssary instruerations upon 1 the shoulder lel lines down nd was cut off as introduced, | a large circle fferer as well nded from the cision in their round and unthe spectators could not be

q imposed upon bn at the bzam 1 dragging his

hole where he d on purpose to

shoulders, an hich she stuffed certain root for atever we may his finger joint, hastened to the

THE MISSISSOURI INDIANS 357

outside of the village to depose it as an offering to his God, and singing a lamentable dirge as he wenton.

Tired of so dreadful a scene, I withdrew and returned to my quarters, where I found the guards of police indulging with the girls during the absence of their parents. As to the warriors, the sun was high the next morning before the last of them left his companions stand at the beam to take his painful turn before the old priest.

The old priest was handsomely rewarded for his trouble and attendance, the young warriors on whom he operated so signally loaded him with presents, and, the next morning, he was one of the richest men in the village.

The Indians, as it is well known, are extremelv attached to their children, aud become inconsolable when they have the

.misfortune of losing any of them; such is their distress, that

they throw away all their property, cut off joints of their fingers and commit a thousand extravagances ; on the other hand, they are cruel enemies, and will go any length for revenge. Still there are surprising instances of generosily evinced among them. The following, in particular, deserves to be mentioned.

In the fall of 180%, a partv 9f Enasas being in need went towards the Rocky Mountains in search of horses, which they determined to make their own, wherever found. After travelling several days in vain through extensive plains, they came to the foot of the Rocky Mountains and resolved upon crossing them. In à valley beyond the first range, they discovered a small camp of Flat-head or Snake Indians of four or five tents, which, in the following night, they approached. At day break next morning, the men of the camp mounted their horses and rode off for the chase. The warriors taking advantage of the absence of the men, fell upon the camp and destroyed all the women and children within their reach and carried away the propertv.

Looking out for horses among the rocks in the vicinity, they perceived in a small cave a women making her escape with her two children, whom they persued, but upon coming near, the chief was seized with compassion. The women was beautiful, and he spared her life and that of her two children, made them all his captives and carried them off to the Missurie.

The hunters, on their return to the camp, finding the cruel ravages of an enemy during their absence, became distracted. The husband of the captive, not finding a vestige of them among the slain, searched for them among the rocks. He called his wife by her name ; some of the other women who had the good fortune to escape the massacre, recognising his voice, flew from their hiding places and mingling their cries and tears with his, informed him that the enemy, who was then scarcely out of sight, after destroying the camp, had been looking out for the horses among the rocks and had discovered his wife and children, whom they carried away as slaves.

He immediately formed the bold and desperate resolution of persuing the enemv, in hopes of an opportunity for retreiving his loss. His friends endeavoured to persuade him to the contrary, but he would not hearken to reason, and instantly departed. He soon came in sight of his enemies, watched night and day unperceived in their rear for more than a month without finding an opportunity, when, at length, he reached their village. The war chief, having by this time determined upon making his beautiful Captive his wife, applied to his father-in-law to adopt her as his daughter, by which means the children would be naturalized and considered of the Enasa nation.

The unfortunate husband n w having lost all hopes of ever seeing or recovering his family by stealth, determined on sacrificing himself. He ascended to the top of a high hill which was

that | sumi tione

icinity, they ape with her ing near, the vas beautiful, 1, made them le,

ling the cruel ne distracted.

)f them among He called his had the good ice, flew from tears with his, carcely out of ng out for the wife and chil-

e resolution of for retreiving im to the cond instantly devatched night than a month th, he reached ne determined applied to his hich means the

of the Enasa

hopes of ever mined on sacrihill which was

THE MISSISSOURI INDIANS 359

in the vicinity of the village, and boldly made his appearance, singing his death song. .

The Enasas, seeing this stranger, became alarmed, thought he was a spy and that the enemy was at hand. ‘The village assembled and consulted ; the men armed and in a body ascended the hill When within a small distance, the stranger, in a firm and loud voice, hailed them as follows :

Enasa nation! You, who are the authors of my wretched- “ ness, be not alarmed where there is no danger. You see me “ naked and alone ; I have no arms; 1 am a Flat-Head; my “ friends are beyond the great mountains ; they are in mourning, “ but I am not here out of revenge for their loss, I came for my “ wife and my children whom your young men have carried “away captives. If they are your slaves, make me also your “ slave : if they are not among you, and are no more, let me “ go with them to the land of spirits.—There, Enasas, despatch “ me! I cannot live !—I am your enemy!”

Moved with compassion, the Enasas received !he unfortunate stranger with kinduess, couducted him to their village and not only returned him his wife and children, but also gave him four horses loaded with presents, and invited him to remain in the village as long as he pleased. He declined staying for any time, but assured them thatthe desire of his speedy return arose entirely from a sincere wish of testifying to his friends the happiness he enjoyed, and to make them as sensible as himself of the high value that ought to be placed upon the friendship of the Enasas...….... nina nee Re EU ee ds nee After these protestations of everlasting friendship, the Flat-Head, his wife and children took their departure, promising that he and his friends would pay the village a visit, the ensuing summer, He kept his word, for I was present, as already mentioned, when three hundred tents of Rocky Mountain Indians

made their appearance. It was then that I was acquainted with the the preceding circumstances, ab

The Enasas make it a rule to protect all strangers from insult ins or injury while they remain within the limits of their villages; on even the natural enemies of their own tribe are safe there. On “+ this account, the Enasas villages have become a sanctuary for ét fugitives from all the neighbouring tribes, who go about fear. a” lessly, speaking their respective languages. These strangers wE cannot, however. be accomodated with wives from among the M à nation, but must confine themselves to slaves or to women At taken in war. Even the Mandans, who are neighbours, are des treated as strangers in that respect. 2

Some of these strangers often make an ungrateful return; ten they often destroy their benefactors and fly to their own country unt

with their scalps, and thereby obtain forgiveness for the offence which caused their banishment. Though the Enasas are sensible to this treachery from dire experience, they still encourage the perpetual presence of strangers, for they sometimes finû ‘t con-

venient tc make use of them as interpreters to traffic with the CT many Indians who resort to that quarter in the summer season, and, sometimes, as ambassadors to distant nations, for arrange. ments of differences.

I happened to be acquainted with one of these strangers, who was of the Arriquira tribe and had lived with the Mandans several years. He was a handsome bold fellow, but a great rogue, and was ine cause of much bloodshed to his protectors, who had employed him occasionally as an ambassador and whom he had been in the habit of betraying, by giving information to the enemy. In consequence, a consultation of the wise men took place and his death was determined, but none of the tribe were

(1 h« 66 n « t Ni th ‘ b and and

retu

the bod load

willing to execute the sentence.

Being thus embarrassed, they sent a deputation to the famous War Chief of the Enasas tribe to inform him of the teachery 0!

cquainted with

ers from insult f their villages; safe there. On a sanctuary for o go about fear- These strangers rom among the s or to women neighbours, are

orateful return; heir own country ss for the offence nasas are sensible ill encourage the imes finû :t con-

traffic with the e summer season, ons, for arrange-

se strangers, who e Mandans several à great rogue, and btectors, who had and whom he had formation to the de wise men took of the tribe were

ion to the famous

of the teachery 0!

THE MISSISSOURI INDIANS 861

the Arriquira [ndian, of the sentence of the chiefs and the inability of the Mandan Indians to doit justice, at the same time insinuating a wish that he should favor them with his services on the occasion. He understood their drift and replied : “ Is it “true that the Mandans have not courage enough in their tribe # to manage à bad dog, and must my hands be everstained with “the blood of their enemies! But since the safety of my friends “the Mandans depends upon the strength of my arm and the “ boldness of my heart, this bad dog shall not see another day ”. At this, he started from his seat, laid hold of his battle axe and desired two of his young men to follow him.

Arrived at the Mandan village, he immed'ately entered the tent of the Arriquira Indian; they talked familiarly together until the accused, perceiving the evening approach, got up and said it was time for him to look out for his horses.

The Enasa got up also and accompanied him, attended hy his two young men, to the outside of the village, where there was a remarkably large stone. “ Look here ! comrade”, said the Chief, “ I dreamed last night that this stone was stained with your “ blood, and my dream must be fulfilled this evening. Go, “ however, go for your horses and pass here on your return ; do “ not disappoint me, you know I can always find you, even in “ the center of your 6wn nation ”. ‘If I should not pass here “ this evening with my horses”, said the Arriquira ‘ [It will not ‘ be through the apprehension of danger from you, my friend’, and he went his way. ‘The Chief instructed his young men, and each took his station. When the Arriquira Indian, on his return, came to the fatal stone, the Chief gave the signal and the young men shot the guilty Indian through the heart. The body was left to the wolves. The Great Chief returned home loaded with presents and praise.

THIRD EXPEDITION Fall of 1805.

A war party of the Missouri Indians—Death of a runaway slave girl ; cruel rejoicings — Wholesale slaughter of buffalos— Mr. MacKenzie is abandoned by his men—Terrific snow storm in the prairies and great sufferings.

Mr. De Rocheblave, who succeeded Mr, Chaboillez in the Red River department as manager of the Company’s concerns, did not approve of the Mississouri trade, but, from the measure already taken, he was under the necessity of continuing that business for ar otner season, and I was appointed to conduct it.

On the 18th November, to our great joy, our worthy friend Mr. Larocque and his party made their appearance from their visit to the Rocky Mouutain.—lIt is not necessary that I should give the particulars of his journey, as Mr. Larocque himself has kept an account of it, [ shall merely observe that he was disappointed in his expedition, suffered great hardships and took no less than thirty six days on his return to our establishment. He remained a short time with me at Montagne à la Bosse, the post I had in charge when I accompanied him to head quarters. Mr. de Rocheblave was relieved from much anxiety by his arrival and he received him with great kindness.

The arrival of Mr. Larocque in the Department having ren: dered my presence less necessary, matlers were speedily arranged and I took my departure on the 24th November, on my expedition to the Mississouri country. Three men aud six horses accompanied me, with an assortiment for the trade; but

no | inter

recei

SN fodi:

the c not & ing À thours tions, cheer his fr happy lavor

ose

warri(

war t( the p whic broug for it India “danci

lives out of

Nex to a d womei ana fit danci

They 1 {on the

, runaway slave er of buffalos— —Terrific snow

illez in the Red ‘5 concerns, did mm the measure continuing that d to conduct it.

worthy friend ance from their y that I should que himself has at he was disapips and took no tablishment. He x Bosse, the post b head quarters.

anxiety by his ss.

ent having ren were speedily h November, on ee men and Six br the trade; but

no less than five other traders, forming as many different interests, had taken the lead of us for the same quartier.

When Î[ arrived at the Mississouri, my friend Le Borgne received me with opei arms and conducted me to his tent but, finding the Hudson Bay traders there before me, I observed to the chief that they and I, having contrary objects in view, could not agree together. He offered to send them away, but knowing that his tent was not the most suitable to my purposes, I thour it more advisable to thank him for his good iutenions, then went directly to my old landlord’s tent, where [ was cheerfully received and presented with a horse, in testimony of his friendship and countenance. Indeed, all the Indians seemed happy to see me again among them, which promised in my lavor a decided advantage over my opponents..……… ses aies

About this time the Mississouri Indians, to the number of 350 warriors, under the influence of the False Horn Chief, went to war towards the Sioux country. After an absence of four days, the party returned. They met the enemy, gave them battle, which lasted for a whole day, killed and wounded many, and brought with them seven scalps ; but their party suffered also, for it had one killed and seven wounded. On this occasion the hdians went through the nsual ceremony of singing and

dancing around the village with the new scalps, but the rela-

ives of the unfortunate warriors turned all their own effects out of doors, and did not join in the rejoicings.

Next day, the people of our village went to ihe Mandan village ba dance. Their dance was entirelv confined to the young women of the different villages, dressed in their leather smocks These females went around the village, dancing and singing the praise of the young victorious warriors,.

ina finest ornaments.

They received presents, which they did not carry away but left

{on the spot.

8364 CHARLES MACKENZIE s2 an O

A servant of the Hudson Bay Company who happened to be ss present among the spectators, carried off, in the presence of his " : master, a fine horse and wo buffaloe robes elegantly painted. I | ; could not admire this conduct. As the white people were not al # | the war pa:ty, aud had not furnished anything towards the dés ; Th

dance, they certainly had no claim on the property it produced, 1 which, { conceived, was given and abandoned from religious À oi M ee Le war, principles by the Natives, as a sacritice. bn : efl The preceding night the noise was so great that I could not hic!

: | À | ic

sleep a wink. Next day, all the villages having had their turn, M I had reason to hope that the affair was ended, but I was greatly re mistaken ; they continued their merrimentfora whole fortnight, ds | : ; | nor di when it was succeeded by another, which was derived from an ,

LA sidere

incident of a most cruel nature. N A young man, brother to the Great Chief, sent for me to his 2 aroun

lodge’or tent. After exchanging the usual civilities, he observed Th ey

feet fr is the was cd

bollov up r00 thinki killed green

that during my absence, in the summer, he ñnad been at war. « [ killed,” said he, ‘‘ a Serpent chief, two young men, with “ several women and children. [ saved a young slave and

“ brought her here; [ used here kindly, for L'intenäea her for ‘ vou, but, at the end of three days, she deserted in the night, ‘and carried off a fine horse from my tent.—* Where did she

90 ?” I said : “ She went to her relations where she is arrived ‘“ before now.

This is the third time she was taken prisoner, and the third

time she effected her escape. The former times, she carried : sioris

The y days ir

‘ nothing away but her own simple robe, but, this time, she is “ well dressed and has two knives. She is very pretty ; none

& of our own women equal her ; she is the greatest beauty of ‘ all the Indian tribes, and we know the White Man would love & “her,and would give a generous price for her. I saved her & life on account of the Wanite Man”.

they a plungi

happened to be e presence of his santly painted. [ >ople were not al ing towards the erty it produced, ‘A from religious 4

t that I could not 1g had their turn, , but I was greatly whole fortnight, s derived from an

ent for me to his ilities, he observed ad been at war.

young men, with young slave ani [inteniea her for srted in the night, « Where did she ere she is arrived

ner, and the third imes, she carriel t, this time, she is ery pretty ; None oreatest beauty ol ite Man would love her, Isaved her