CUSTOM8 OF THE DAKOTAS. 249 



ill their most brilliant i)aint. Seating' themselves upon the ground, 

 wrapped in their blankets up to the eyes, the drummers o[)en the ball, 

 the dancers throw their blankets aside, ands])rin.<;ing to their feet brand- 

 ish their tomahawks or knives with violent gestures an<I an occasional 

 whoop, chant and dance Inr a few moments, resume their blankets and 

 their seats, leaving one in the ring, who, tieniely gesturing, and wildly 

 waving tomahawk or knife, will brag- unmercifully over some exploit in 

 war or chase; again all jump up, dance, and yell. A repetition of the 

 same performances is gone through with again and again for several 

 days or until the provisions are consumed. They will imitate animals, 

 taking raw meat or a lish, snarl, growl, and snap over it, tearing it with 

 their teeth like the wild beast they arc so well imitating. All questions 

 are tirst discussed by the head-men in council, pro and con, and are 

 then put to vote, the votes in the allirmati ve represented by a stone, those 

 in the negative by a, i)iece of wood. No decision is arrived at until 

 after many pow wowsj even then another lodge will be called in to par- 

 ticipate. A (juestion of importance once decided, the head chief of the 

 band will be called in, whether a meml)ei'of the lodge or not, and he must 

 perform the mission they have intrusted him with, and as their intiuence 

 is largely kei)t up through these orders the chiefs are glad of these com- 

 missions. There are no sigiis or i)ass-words, and with the exception of 

 the skuidc-skin garter, elaborately ornamented with beads, there is noth- 

 ing to designate the members from the outside world. Though this 

 order is of late date it is the nu)st powerful among the Indians. Dur- 

 ing this dance, if a member wishes a divorce from one or more of his 

 wives (they generally add one or two just before the dance for this pur. 

 pose), he proclaims that he (naming himselC) throws away (naming her), 

 and she is no longer his wife. An outsider, by payment, can deputize a 

 member to act for him. No member will act as spokesnjau for any one 

 not a member unless i)aid a retainer's fee, generally a gun or a horse ; 

 the more influential gain fifty to one hundred horses during the year, 

 but have to give away as many to retain their influence. 



There are no ceremonies of initiation ; they generally give a horse 

 starting him off with a cut of the whip, for any one who chooses to 

 catch him. The order is a charitable one. An old woman called on the 

 order, stated her poverty; immediately the crier was sent around the 

 camp, and in a few hours the members were all present, as they will 

 drop any work or pleasure when called. The leader stated the cause 

 of the meeting; the result was flour and pork, thirteen blankets, calico, 

 line cloth, and skins. Another instance : An Indian, wishing to build a 

 house, invited the order to a feast; as he was not a member, one stated 

 his wants. After the feast the building' was soon completed. Though a 

 charitable and social society, it is one very much feared ; and there ex- 

 ist lodges among all the different tribes and bands throughout the 

 great Northwest. 



