SOURCE OP ST. PETER*S RIVER. 423 



April, Mahahahandi we, Hunting. 



May, Mahahakanda we, Oviparous game. 



June, Wajustechasha we. Strawberries. 



July, Tschanpasha we, Cherries. 



August, Tatanka kehowa we. Rutting buffalo. 



Among the Indians whom we saw at Fort St. Anthony, 

 there was one who was called the fool. His countenance 

 had a gi-eat appearance of simplicity, heing totally devoid 

 of expression ; his face was long, his eyes downcast and 

 vacant ; his person was much ornamented ; the upper part 

 of his face was painted with bright vermilion, the lower 

 part was black, leaving but a narrow strip along the upper 

 lip which was of the natural colour ; his ornaments were 

 more childish and toyish than those which the Indians 

 usually wear. This man was formerly gifted with a com- 

 mon share of intellect, but he has, through the wantonness 

 of some Indians, been reduced to his present state of idiocy. 

 He was a long time since taken prisoner by his enemies, 

 who with a view to amuse themselves with his fears, tied 

 him to a stake, and tlireatened to burn him alive ; a little 

 fire was kindled, so as merely to scorch him; but when he 

 was loosened, his intellect was disordered, and has conti- 

 nued so ever since. In some instances, however, he still 

 displays his natural sagacity. He is a good hunter; being 

 at one time very poor, he made a sort of pike, with which 

 he went out to hunt, and was very successful, particularly 

 in killing raccoons ; the skins which he sold on his re- 

 turn enabled him to purchase a gun, blanket, &c. He is 

 much trusted by the officers of the garrison, and had just 

 returned from Prairie du Chien with despatches, having 

 travelled the distance on foot in four days. 



Like all the Indian nations with whom the white man 

 has come into contact, the Dacota presents to us at this 



