260 DANCE OF NATIVES. fcFT. VT, 



fear. They carried no Aveapons. While we halted, I per- 

 ceived, through my glass, a party of about seventeen on a 

 small eminence near the river hank, and nine others, whom 

 I supposed to be those who had been with us, joined them ; 

 upon which a large fire was made under some ti'ees. 

 Around this fire, I distinctly saw them dance for nearly 

 half an hour, their bodies being hideously painted white, 

 so as to resemble skeletons. The weather was very cold, 

 and it seemed as if this dance amongst the burning grass 

 was partly for the purpose of warming themselves. I am 

 rather inclined to suppose, however, considering the circum- 

 stances under which the tribe higher up danced, that it was 

 connected with some dark superstition, resorted to perhaps, 

 in the present instance, either to allay fear, or to inspire 

 courage. I saw several gins carrying children in cloaks on 

 their backs, some of whom and several of the children also 

 danced. Our watering party was directed towards another 

 portion of the river, to avoid collision, if possible ; and these 

 natives at last decamped along its bank, in an opposite 

 direction, or downwards. 



Juhj 7. — As the people were packing up their tents, the 

 fire of the natives appeared again in the wood, about a mile 

 off, and near the edge of the plain. They soon after ad- 

 vanced towards our camp, and came up more frankly than 

 any whom we had yet seen. Gins with children on their 

 backs, and little boys, came also. The party sat down close 

 to our tents, and soon began to solicit by signs, for a toma- 

 hawk. It was evident that they had heard of us, and of our 

 customs in that respect. One man older than the rest, as 

 appeared by his grey beard, was most importunate; and an 

 old woman explained that it was very cold, and asked me 

 for some warm clothing, much in the manner of a beggar. I 

 was very sorry tliat we could not spare her anything save a 

 sack and a ragged shii-t. To tlie old man, I gave a toma- 

 hawk, and to two others a spike-nail each ; 1 presented also 

 a tin jug to one, who took a great fancy to it. They seemed 



