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play that the whites do in their military costume ; the buckskin leggins of 

 those who had them, were ornamented with very long fringes of differ- 

 ent colors, and so also were the coats of several ; some had long tails orna- 

 mented with metallic plates about as large as a dollar, reaching to the ground; 

 their lances, w^hich were about ten feet long, had a long fringe ot brilliantly 

 colored feathers reaching almost the whole leno-th ; some had handsome 

 bows and quivers, and indeed time would fail me in describing all their orna- 

 ments and implements. Having formed themselves into a circle the musicians 

 began to beat their tambourino like drums, and to howl most melodiously 

 according to their taste. All joined in the song, which sounded very much 

 like the negro melodies, all notes and no words ; this I was told was the 

 case, but the negro is far more musical. While singing they also danced, 

 that is, jumped up and down in the same place ; after having thus danced 

 and sung and drummed and beaten on an instrument of two sticks, they all 

 gave a great flourish of instruments and loud halloos as a grand finale. 

 These shouts reminded me very much of the screech and shudder usually 

 evolved on jumping into an ice cold bath. 



The first performance was followed by several others of the like character 

 intermingled with occasional speeches — declarations of what wonders the 

 orator had done in war, or perhaps intended doing. These were received 

 with a true mihtary salute by the beating of drums and loud hallooing. 

 Another ceremony was the presentation of a calico shirt to one of the 

 leaders, and of a little tobacco and A-ermilion to the party ; something ol 

 this kind is always expected. Why is it that all uncivilized nations are so 

 fond of the cry " give — give." This was the first Indian dance I had seen 

 and I confess I looked upon it as on some of those horrible rites of heathen 

 lands, merely as a curiosity, not with delight. But all these customs are 

 calculated to suggest many philosophical reflections as they indicate more 

 than appear at first sight. The philosophy of costume is w^ell worthy of 

 study. The river is rising rapidly this evening and a fine rain falling. 



Sunday, May 26. — After tea I took a short walk with Mr. Hodgekiss, and 

 as we passed through the lodge I remarked to him that we ought to go armed 

 with clubs to keep off the dogs which w^re then exhibiting a threatening 

 attitude. He replied that in a Crow village it would be impossible for 

 us to pass with safety as we were then doing, but would have to go wrapped 

 in a robe as an Indian, and under the guidance of one, and even then, clubs 

 would hardly protect us from the hordes of savage dogs that would assail us. 

 The river still continues to rise, and is already in good navigable order, 

 so that W'e look for the boat in about two weeks. It cleared oif last night 

 aud we have had a bright sun for the most of the day ; but about sunset dark 

 clouds overspread the sky and there w^as every appearace of a rainy night. 



Monday, May 27. — This has been a day of rain and mud, but in the 

 evening it has cleared off beautifully. Spent the day in reading and writing. 

 Made out this afternoon a tabular view of the Sioux nation on the Missouri, 

 so as to exhibit their numbers, divisions and locahties. This has been exe- 

 cuted under the inspection of Mr. Gilpin, who has been in this country for 

 ten years, and is good authority on this subject ; his account of the numbers 

 of the different tribes was confirmed by six or eight Indians of authority 

 W'ho were in his room at the time. 



Hodgekiss mentioned a singular fact this evening, namely, that the spring 

 which is the head of the Yellowstone, gushes out in a strong stream of ex- 

 cellent and very cold water, and that about thirty yards from the source it 



