The Tradition Is, That Many Have
Suffered From These Little Evil Spirits, And, Among Others,
Three Maha Indians Fell A
Sacrifice to them a few years since.
This has inspired all the neighboring nations, Sioux, Mahas, and Ottoes,
with such
Terror, that no consideration could tempt them to visit the hill.
We saw none of these wicked little spirits, nor any place for them,
except some small holes scattered over the top; we were happy enough
to escape their vengeance, though we remained some time on the mound
to enjoy the delightful prospect of the plain, which spreads itself
out till the eye rests upon the northwest hills at a great distance,
and those of the northeast, still farther off, enlivened by large
herds of buffalo feeding at a distance."
The present residents of the region, South Dakota, have preserved
the Indian tradition, and Spirit Mound may be seen on modern maps
of that country.
Passing on their way up the Missouri, the explorers found several
kinds of delicious wild plums and vast quantities of grapes;
and here, too, they passed the mouth of the Yankton River,
now known as the Dakota, at the mouth of which is the modern
city of Yankton, South Dakota. The Yankton-Sioux Indians,
numbering about one thousand people, inhabited this part
of the country, and near here the white men were met by a large
band of these Sioux who had come in at the invitation of Lewis
and Clark. The messengers from the white men reported that they
had been well received by the Indians, who, as a mark of respect,
presented their visitors with "a fat dog, already cooked,
of which they partook heartily and found it well-flavored."
From this time, according to the journal, the explorers
tasted occasionally of roast dog, and later on they adopted
this dish as a regular feature of their bill-of-fare. They
do tell us, however, that they had some difficulty in getting
used to so novel an article of food.
The Sioux and the white men held a grand council under an
oak-tree, from the top of which was flying the American flag.
The head chief was presented with a gold-laced uniform of
the United States artillery, a cocked hat and red feather.
The lesser chiefs were also presented with suitable gifts
of lesser value. Various festivities followed the conference.
Next day another powwow was held at which the head chief,
Weucha, or Shake Hand, said: -
" `I see before me my great father's two sons.
You see me and the rest of our chiefs and warriors.
We are very poor; we have neither powder, nor ball, nor knives;
and our women and children at the village have no clothes.
I wish that, as my brothers have given me a flag and a medal,
they would give something to those poor people, or let them
stop and trade with the first boat which comes up the river.
I will bring the chiefs of the Pawnees and Mahas together, and make
peace between them; but it is better that I should do it than my
great father's sons, for they will listen to me more readily.
I will also take some chiefs to your country in the spring;
but before that time I cannot leave home.
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