160 NAEEATIV? OF THE EXPEDITION. 



cave was found to be seven degrees higber than the water, "We 

 noticed nothing in the form of bones or antiquities. 



The village of Petite Corbeau consists of twelve large lodges, 

 which are said to give shelter to two hundred souls. They plant 

 corn, and cultivate vines and pumpkins. They sallied from their 

 lodges on seeing us approach, and, gathering along the margin of 

 the river, fired a, feu dejoie on our landing. The chief was among 

 the first to greet us. He is a man below the common size, but 

 brawny and well proportioned, and, although above fifty years of 

 age, retains the look and vigor of forty. He invited us to his 

 lodge — a spacious building about sixty feet by thirty, sub- 

 stantially constructed of logs and bark. Being seated, he ad- 

 dressed himself to His Excellency Gov. Cass. He said that he 

 was glad to see him in his village. That, in his extensive jour- 

 ney, he must have suffered many hardships. He must also have 

 noticed much of the Indian mode of life, and of the face of the 

 country, which would enable him to see things in their proper 

 light. He was glad that he had not, like others who had lately 

 visited the country, passed by his village without calling. He re- 

 ferred, particularly, to the military force sent to establish a garri- 

 son at St. Peter's, the year before, who had passed up on the other 

 side of the river. He acquiesced in the treaty that had been re- 

 cently concluded with the Chippewas. He referred to a recent 

 attack of a party of Fox Indians on their people, on the head 

 waters of the St. Peter's. He said it was dastardly, and that, if 

 that little tribe should continue their attacks, they would at length 

 drive him into anger, and compel him to do a thing he did not 

 wish. 



While this speech was being interpreted, the Indian women 

 were employed in bringing basketsful of ears of Indian corn from 

 the fields, which they emptied in a pile. This pile, when it had 

 reached a formidable height, was offered as a present to the Ex- 

 pedition. It was, indeed, the beginning of the season of green 

 corn, with them, and we were soon apprised, by the sound of 

 music from another lodge, that the festival of the green-corn 

 dance was going forward. Being admitted to see the ceremonies, 

 the first thing which attracted notice was two large iron kettles 

 suspended over a fire, filled with green-corn cut from the cob. 

 The Indians, both men and women, were seated in a large circle 



