15 [ 237 ] 



their lodges ; the situation of these ahvaj^s indicating, not only the main 

 access to the camp, but also the direction whence the enemy was ad. 

 vancing. Two miles further on, accordingly, we met with another camp 

 of a similar character. As the system of fortification was on neither side 

 more comphcated than just described, it would seem that they had been 

 erected during a long talk, the result of which might lead to a war; whilst 

 the small number of tumuli that are found within the breastwork would 

 seem to imply that both parties remained in presence for some time, though 

 there was no important battle fought. 



The Sioux have lost the reminiscences of these camps, and merely con- 

 jecture that they were occupied during the settlement of difficulties between 

 the Titons and Yanktons. 



But to return to the Red Pipestone Q,uarry. The Indians of all the sur- 

 Red Pipe- rounding nations make a regular annual pilgrimage to it, unless 

 stone prevented by their wars or dissensions. The quarry is on the 

 duarry. i^^^^ q( the Sissiton tribe of Sioux. 



The idea of the young Indians, who are very fond of the marvellous, is, 

 that it has been opened by the Great Spirit; and that, whenever it is visited 

 by them, they are saluted by lightning and thunder. We may cite, as a 

 coincidence, our own experience in confirmation of this tradition. Short 

 of half a mile from the valley, we were met by a severe thunder-storm, du- 

 ring which the wind blew with so much force as to threaten the overturn- 

 ing of Mr. Renville's wagon ; and we were obliged to stop for a few min- 

 utes during the short descent into the valley. 



If this mode of reception was at first to be interpreted as an indication of 

 anger on the part of the Great Spirit for our intrusion, we may add, that 

 he was soon reconciled to our presence ; for the sun soon after made its ap- 

 pearance, drying both the valley and our baggage. The rest of the day was 

 spent in pitching our tent on the supposed consecrated ground, and in ad- 

 miring the beauuful effects of lights and shadows produced by the western 

 sun as it illumed the several parts of the bluff, composed of red rocks of 

 different shades, extending a league in length, and presenting the appear- 

 ance of the ruins of some ancient city built of marble and porphyry. The 

 night was calm and temperate, of which we took advantage to make astro- 

 nomical observations. 



The next day after our arrival, we were overtaken by a party of Indians, 

 who had been for many days tracking us at a distance, and whose fires we 

 had mistaken for those of Sacs and Foxes, then at war with the Sioux — 

 one of whom was of our party ; in consequence of which, we had been 

 more than usually cautious at our night encampments. They commenced 

 their preparations for visiting the quarry; the usage being among Indians, 

 whenever they are seeking anythina: useful or indispensable, or when they 

 are about to undertake an enterprise, to prepare themselves by a sort of 

 three days' purification. In the case of supplying themselves with the pipe- 

 stone, he to whom the duty has been assigned of working at the quarry, 

 must abstain from all intercourse with the other sex. They then, in a body, 

 proceed to address prayers and offer presents to the spirit of the quarry. 

 The quarrier is then set to work; but if, perchance, he strikes upon a 

 stratum of the rock imtit to be made into pipes, he is considered an impos- 

 tor, who has impudently boasted of his purity. He is compelled to retire ; 

 and another takes his place, who of course selects a more favorable lo- 

 cation. 



