SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. ^37 



his hand he wore a large fan of feathers of the turkey ; this 

 he frequently used. 



We have never seen a nobler face, or a more impressive 

 character, than that of the Dacota chief, as he stood that 

 afternoon, in this manly and characteristic dress, contem- 

 plating a dance performed by the men of his own nation. 

 It was a study worthy of the pencil of Vandyke and of the 

 graver of Berwick. It would require the utmost talent of 

 the artist to convey a fair idea of this chief; to display his 

 manly and regular features, strongly stamped, it is true, 

 with the Indian character, but admirably blended with an 

 expression of mildness and modesty ; and it would require 

 no less talent to represent the graceful and unstudied folds 

 of his mantle. However difficult the task of executing 

 such a portrait, Mr. Seymour undertook it, and a plate, en- 

 graved from his design, has been introduced as a frontis- 

 piece to this volume ; it will impart, however, but a faint 

 idea of the features and dress of this distinguished chief. 



Having requested that the warriors should favour us 

 with a dance, Wanotan had one performed for us in the after- 

 noon ; he apologized for the imperfection of the dancers, 

 the best being then absent from the place. The dresses 

 which they wore, were more carefully arranged than usual, 

 and indicated that some pains had been taken for the occa- 

 sion. Among the fantastic ornaments which they had as- 

 sumed, a paper of pins, opened and hanging from the head- 

 dress of one of the warriors, was conspicuous. In his hand 

 he held a wand about ten feet long, to which was attached 

 a piece of red cloth of the same length, and about six 

 inches wide ; one of the edges of this band was fastened to 

 the staff; the other was furnished with black and white 

 feathers, closely secured to it by their quills, and forming 

 a sort of fringe. This was one of the two insignia or wands 



