24 NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST. 



penetrate through this bed to the sandstone, which, being of 

 a loose texture, is soon washed away ; in this manner, thick 

 plates of limestone are left unsupported, and soon fall by 

 their own gravity. This process is constantly causing the 

 fall to recede towards its source. What time has been 

 required, what lapse of centuries has been consumed, in 

 bringing the falls to their present situation, it is not in the 

 power of man to decide ; but we may well see that it must 

 have been immense. The difference of level at the head of 

 the fall and the level of the river at the fort being estimated 

 at about one hundred feet, and the strata running in a hori- 

 zontal position, we can readily account for the additional 

 strata observed under the sandstone at the fort, and which 

 are concealed at the falls." [Long's 2d Exped., v. i., p. 309.] 

 By the Sioux these falls are called Rara, from Irara, to 

 laugh (or, perhaps, Irara, which, quickly spoken, would 

 sound Rara). The Chippewas call them Kakabikah, severed 

 rock. 



Major Long tells a romantic story in connection with these 

 falls. It is thus : — An Indian of the Dacota nation had 

 united himself in his youth to a female called Ampato Sapa, 

 the Dark Day, a name which, if given at her birth, and not 

 afterward bestowed in allusion to her unfortunate end, would 

 seem to show that these people possess the power of divina- 

 tion. They lived happily together many years. Two chil- 

 dren were the fruit of their union. The man, having ac- 

 quired renown as a hunter, aspired to be elected a chief. 

 To increase his dignity and importance, and to strengthen 

 his influence, he resolved to add another wife to his house- 

 hold, and fixed his choice on the daughter of a man of influ- 

 ence in the tribe. When he made known his determination 

 to his wife, she endeavored to dissuade him, by reminding 

 him of their long-cherished love, and the happiness they had 



