392 LXPEDITION To THE 



sacrifice, after having addressed the being to whom it is 

 offered, takes up the calumet, and raises the stem upwards 

 towards the sky, if it be intended for the good spirit; if 

 for the evil deity, he points the stem towards the south ; if 

 for the thunder, the pipe is directed to the west. When it 

 is intended that the object sacrificed shall remain exposed 

 to the atmosphere, it is fastened upon a stake, which is ele- 

 vated or inclined in like manner. Human sacrifices are not 

 known to have ever been resorted to, except in one in- 

 stance about forty years ago. The Sioux had destroyed 

 several Chippewa lodges, and taken a few women and chil- 

 dren. Wamendetanka's father, who was a partizan war- 

 rior, expressed his belief that the sacrifice of a child would 

 ensure him good luck. Accordingly he offered one to the 

 evil spirit to obtain success in w^ar. The child was fixed 

 upon a pole, which was inclined towards the south ; the 

 death of the victim was procured by tying a rope round 

 its neck. In addition to these three principal deities, the 

 Dacotas acknowledge many subordinate ones ; a female spi- 

 rit, for instance, resides in the sun, a male inhabits the moon ; 

 both these are connected ; they are considered as benevo- 

 lent beings. No particular doctrine prevails, as to the na- 

 ture of the stars. The sacrifices of the Dacotas are accompa- 

 nied with prayers, but not with dances. If one of the nation 

 should observe any object elevated by another on a pole, as 

 a saci'ifice to a spirit, and he be at that time in need of 

 the same, he will not hesitate to take it, substituting some 

 tobacco or other offering in its place. This is, however, 

 practised only with the offerings to the inferior spirits ; for 

 no Dacota would dare to remove that consecrated to the 

 Supreme Being. 



The ideas of the Dacotas, respecting a future state, dif- 

 fer but little from those of other Indians : and we mav re- 



