BUSHNELL] VILLAGES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI 53 
chased across the prairie. They, however, soon proved to be Indians; 
their number, at first limited to two, gradually increased to near one 
hundred; they were seen rising from every part of the prairie, and 
after those in advance had reconnoitered us, and made signals that 
we were friends, by discharging their guns, they all came running 
towards us, and in a few minutes we found ourselves surrounded by 
a numerous band. .. Some of them were mounted on horseback, 
and were constantly drumming upon the sides of their horses with 
their heels, being destitute both of whip and spur. Many of them 
came and shook hands with us, while the rest were riding all round 
us in different directions. They belonged, as we were told, to the 
Wahkpatoan, [Wahpeton] one of the tribes of the Dacotas. ... As 
we rode towards their lodges, we were met by a large party of squaws 
and children, who formed a very motly group. . . The village, to 
- which they directed us, consisted of thirty skin lodges, situated on a 
fine meadow on the bank of the lake. Their permanent residence, 
or at least that which they have occupied as such for the last five 
years, is on a rocky island, (Big Island), in the lake, nearly opposite 
to, and within a quarter of a mile of, their present encampment. 
Upon the island they cultivate their cornfields, secure against the 
aggressions of their enemies. They had been lately engaged in hunt- 
ing buffalo, apparently with much success. The principal man led 
us to his lodge, wherein a number of the influential men were admit- 
ted, the women being excluded; but we observed that they, with the 
children, went about the lodge, peeping through all the crevices, and 
not unfrequently raising the skins to observe our motion. They soon 
brought in a couple of large wooden dishes, filled with pounded 
buffalo meat boiled, and covered with the marrow of the same 
animal; of this we partook with great delight.” This was followed 
by another feast, in a near-by tent, and still a third where a dog had 
been killed and prepared, “ which is considered not only as the great- 
est delicacy, but also as a sacred animal, of which they eat only on 
great occasions.” The party did not remain long at the village, but 
continued on up the lake shore, and soon encountered on a bluff “ two 
Indian lodges, in one of which was Tatanka Wechacheta, (the buffalo 
man,) an Indian who claims the command of the Wahkpatoans.” 
Later in the day the party returned to these lodges, where “ the chief, 
and his principal men, were in waiting. We entered the skin lodge, 
and were seated on fine buffalo robes, spread all round; on the fire, 
which was in the centre of the lodge, two large iron kettles, filled 
with choicest pieces of buffalo, were placed. . . Our hosts were grati- 
fied and flattered at the quantity which we ate; the residue of the 
feast was sent to our soldiers. In this, and every other instance 
where we have been invited to a feast by Indians, we observed that 
they never eat with their guests.” (Keating, (1), I, pp. 367-873.) 
