44 THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



by him during the ceremonies of the busk or green-corn dance. It is emblematical of the 

 red-stick or late Creek war. 



Possessing no merit as an orator or counsellor, his will is easily swayed by his speaker. 

 He is mild and amiable in his disposition, and much beloved by his people. 



15. TUCK-A-BACK-A-MICCO, OK THE MEDICINE-MAN OR PHYSIC-MAKER. (Painted June, 1843.) 



This is the great Medicine or Mystery Man of the Creeks ; his fields of corn are cultivated 

 by the people of the town in which he resides, and a salary of five hundred dollars per 

 annum is allowed him from the treasury of the nation, for his services. 



They suppose him to be indued with supernatural powers, and capable of making it rain 

 copiously at will. 



In his town is a building of rather a singular construction, used during their annual busk 

 or green-corn dances as a dancing-house. It is of a circular form, about sixty feet in 

 diameter and thirty feet high, built of logs ; and was planned by this man in the following 

 manner : 



He cut sticks in miniature of every log required in the construction of the building, and 

 distributed them proportionately among the residents of the town, whose duty it was to cut 

 logs corresponding with their sticks, and deliver them upon the ground appropriated for 

 the building at a given time. At the raising of the house, not a log was cut or changed 

 from its original destination ; all came together in their appropriate places, as intended by 

 the designer. During the planning of this building, which occupied him six days, he did 

 not partake of the least particle of food. 



16. TAH-COO-SAH-FIXICO, OR BILLY HARDJO. (Painted Aug., 1843.) 



Chief of one of the Upper Creek towns. He is a merchant or trader among his people ; 

 also, has an extensive farm and several negro slaves, which enable him to live very com- 

 fortably. He is much beloved and respected by his people. The dress in which he is painted 

 is that of a ball-player, as they at first appear upon the ground. During the play they 

 divest themselves of all their ornaments, which are usually displayed on these occasions, for 

 the purpose of betting on the result of the play : such is their passion for betting, that the 

 opposing parties frequently bet from five hundred to a thousand dollars on a single game. 



17. CHILLY McINTOSH. (Painted June, 1843.) 



An Upper Creek Chief. This man is a brother of Gen. Mclntosh, who was killed some 

 years since by his people, for negotiating a treaty with the United States Government, con- 

 trary to the laws of his country. Chilly was pursued by the same party who massacred his 

 brother, but succeeded in making his escape by swimming a river, which arrested his pur- 

 suers. 



18.-KEE-SEE-LAH AND AII-SEE-HEE. (Painted Aug., 1843.) 



Daughters of Opoeth-le-yo-holo. The latter is commonly denominated the Young Queen. 

 The remaining figure on the right is a half-breed and the wife of a white trader. 



19. COO-WIS-COO-EE, OR JOHN ROSS. (Painted Sept., 1844.) 



Principal Chief of the Cherokees. Mr. Ross has been for a number of years at the head 

 of his people, which fact is sufficient evidence of the high estimation in which they hold 

 him as a man capable of discharging the responsible duties devolving upon the office. Mr. 

 R. is a man of education, and as a statesman would do honor to the legislative halls of any 

 country. His hospitality is unbounded; from his soft and bland manners, his guests are at 

 once made to feel at home, and forget that they are far from the busy scenes of civilization, 

 and surrounded by the red men of the forest. His house is the refuge of the poor, starved, 

 and naked Indian ; when hungry, he is sure to find at the abode of this exemplary man some- 

 thing wherewith to appease his hunger, and if naked, a garment to cover his nakedness, 



