138 SPEECH OF LITTLE LODGE. 



ited a tuft of hair in the sack containing the meat and trinkets placed 

 beneath her head. A smooth piece of cottonwood slab was then affixed to 

 the scaffold, upon which were traced, in vermilion, certain quadrangular 

 characters of unknown meaning, — answering well to the idea of an 

 inscription of name and age. 



A difficulty occurred about this time between a trader of the American 

 Fur Company and an Oglalla chief, known as Little Lodge. 



The latter had become crazed by liquor, and, being rather turbulent, was 

 put out of the Fort. But, effecting a re-entrance, he again proved equally 

 annoying. The trader then commenced quarrelling with him, and under- 

 took to seize his arms. This the Indian resisted, when the trader discharg- 

 ed a pistol at him, but missed his object. Here was a deadly affront, that 

 blood alone could wipe away. 



With great difficulty, the Indian was finally disarmed and bound. He 

 was thus secured till the next day, when he was liberated ; — still, however, 

 he muttered threats of revenge. 



Two or three weeks subsequently. Little Lodge was present at a soldiers' 

 feast, and the question of war with the Americans was a prominent sub- 

 ject of consideration. 



Several speeches were made, both for and against it ; and, though the 

 prevailing sentiment seemed to be of an adverse kind, it scarcely required 

 a half dozen words to turn the scale upon either side. 



Little Lodge arose to address the council, and the friends of the whites, 

 knowing the vengeful spirit that yet rankled in his bosom at the remem- 

 brance of his recent injuries, began to fear for the continuance of peace. 



Contrary to the universal expectation, he contended for its maintenance. 

 " But," said he, " Little Lodge has grievances of his own, and they call for 

 redress. 



" There is one among the pale-faces whose blood must wash away the 

 foul blot that rests upon the name of Little Lodge. I know him welL 

 He is not a Long-knife. The Long-knives are all the friends of Little 

 Lodge. Let the Lacota take them by the hand whenever he meets them 

 upon the prairie. It is good that he do so. They are very many and ex- 

 ceedingly rich. Their country is a large one, and far away towards the 

 sunrising. They, too, are strong for war. They have big hearts and 

 strong, and they are very good to the red man. They bring to him many 

 good things ; why, then, should the Lacota hate the Long-knife ? 



" Do my brothers ask who it is of the pale-faces the Little Lodge would 

 remove from the light of day ? Know, then, he is not of the Long-knives, 

 — he is of the Warceichas, (Frenchmen.) The Warceichas are not Long- 

 knives ! 



" And, do my brothers ask, who are the Warceichas ? 



" Aye, who are tliey^? Little Lodge cannot tell ; — who of all the Laco- 

 tas can ? Who ever heard of the country of these men ? No one. They 

 have no country, — they are no people. They are are as the wandering 

 dogs* that infest our hunting grounds and prey upon the game formed by 

 tlie Good Spirit for the red man's sustenance. They steal into the land of 



*Chunka-monet, or travelling dogs, is the name applied by these Indians to wolveai 



