SOURCE OF ST. PETER's RIVER. 435 



succeed. Whether it be usual for the Dacotas to do so, we 

 very much question ; though it would appear from Pur- 

 chas' Pilgrim, that these have been used by some nations, 

 and we are told by Olaus Magnus, that in the north of 

 Europe, a somewhat similar practice existed as regards 

 horses' feet,* and probably at the time that he visited the 

 country, which was in 1518. The dogs are a great assist- 

 ance to the squaws, who would otherwise be compelled to 

 carry all their baggage and provisions themselves, but who 

 frequently beat and abuse them. After death, the dog 

 forms one of the best articles of food for the Indian, and is 

 reserved for great occasions, as it is, in their opinion, in- 

 vested with a sacred character, which makes it a fit offer- 

 ing in sacrifices, and in feasts to strangers. The respect 

 paid to the bones of the dog contrasts strongly with the ill 

 usage which the animal met with during life. 



The feast, which Wanotan had prepared, seemed to be 

 destined rather for one hundred than for ten persons; 

 as soon as we had finished eating, the Indians requested 

 that our soldiers might be allowed to come and partake of 

 it, a request which was of course granted. When the sol- 

 diers appeared, the dishes were placed before them, and the 

 Indians, who had probably been fasting all day, made a 

 violent inroad upon the meal, evidently preferring the dog 

 to the bufialo meat; according to the Indian usage, it would 

 have been proper for us to have waited until they had 

 finished their repast, when probably some speeches would 

 have been made ; but the feast appeared likely to be pro- 

 longed to a late hour ; and the heat was so oppressive in the 



• " Transeunt homines et equi quasi super clypeos militares. • * * 

 Crates sen arcus levi ac lato subere, seu cortice tiliano contextos, pe- 

 Jibus propriis ac equorum alligant." — Olai Magni Gentium Septentrio- 

 ^alium Historise Breviarium. Amstelodami, 1669. L. 4. C. 13. 



