SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 373 



boiled to a proper degree, and in fine, though our appe- 

 tites were not stimulated by a long fast, this repast appear- 

 to us one of the best of which we had ever partaken. Our 

 hosts were gratified and flattered at the quantity which we 

 ate; the residue of the feast was sent to our soldiers. In 

 this, and every other instance where we have been invited 

 to a feast by the Indians, we observed that they never eat 

 with their guests. 



Tatanka Wechacheta is the nephew of a man of con- 

 siderable distinction among the Wahkpatoan Dacotas. 

 Since the death of his uncle, which took place lately, he 

 has attempted to be considered as his successor; but the 

 former was never duly acknowledged as chief, this title 

 residing in Nunpakea, a man of considerable bravery who, 

 by the influence of his family and of his talents, acquired 

 that dignity, in preference to his first cousins, on the death 

 of their father. 



Our host boasted of the many flags and medals which 

 his uncle had obtained from our government, and whicli 

 were then in his possession; these, and the influence of his 

 great magician, may probably secure to him the dignity to 

 which he aspires, if he has talent enough to uphold it. After 

 the feast was over, our host rose, shook hands with all the 

 gentlemen of our party, then resinned his seat, and delivered 

 a speech, which, at the time, appeared to us very pertinent 

 and interesting. It was delivered with apparent feeling, 

 but not without some hesitation ; his gestures were vehe- 

 ment and unmeaning. Having expressed to Renville our 

 satisfaction at the speech, he immediately observed that it 

 expressed too much adulation, and too much whining ; had 

 Tatanka Wechacheta been the chief that he professed him- 

 self to be, his tone would have been more imposing, and 



