BUSHNELL] VILLAGES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI 61 
inches from the ground, and under it the down of the swan was 
scattered: a large fire, in which they were cooking provisions, stood 
near, and in the centre about four hundred pounds of excellent 
buffaloe meat as a present for us.” Then followed several addresses 
by the chiefs; offerings of dog meat to the flag “by way of sacri- 
fice,” and the smoking of the pipe of peace. (Lewis and Clark, 
(1), I, pp. 84-86.) The entire ceremony proved of the greatest 
interest. Then followed an account of the habitations standing in 
the village: “ Their lodges are very neatly constructed, in the same 
form as those of the Yanktons; they consist of about one hundred 
cabins, made of white buffaloe hide dressed, with a larger one in 
the centre for holding councils and dances. They are built round 
with poles about fifteen or twenty feet high, covered with white 
skins; these lodges may be taken to pieces, packed up, and carried 
with the nation wherever they go, by dogs which bear great burdens. 
The women are chiefly employed in dressing buffaloe skins: they 
seem perfectly well disposed, but are addicted to stealing any thing 
which they can take without being observed.” (Op. cit., pp. 88-89.) 
During the year 1832 George Catlin remained for some time at 
and near the mouth of the Teton, where a few years before had 
been erected a station of the American Fur Company, which was 
soon given the name Fort Pierre. “The country about this Fort 
_ is almost entirely prairie, producing along the banks of the river 
and streams only, slight skirtings of timber ... On my way up 
the river I made a painting of this lovely spot, taken from the 
summit of the bluffs, a mile or two distant, showing an encamp- 
ment of Sioux, of six hundred tents of skin lodges, around the 
Fort, where they had concentrated to make their spring trade; 
exchanging their furs and peltries for articles and luxuries of civ- 
ilized manufactures.” (Catlin, (1), I, p. 209.) And he continued 
(p. 211): “I mentioned that this is the nucleus or place of concen- 
tration of the numerous tribe of the Sioux, who often congregate 
here in great masses to make their trades with the American Fur 
Company; and that on my way up the river, some months since, I 
found here encamped, six hundred families of Sioux, living in tents 
_ covered with buffalo hides. Amongst these there were twenty or 
more of the different bands, each one with their chief at their head, 
over whom was a superior chief and leader, a middle-aged man, of 
middling stature, with a noble countenance . .. The name of this 
chief is Ha-won-je-tah (the one horn) of the Mee-ne-cow-e-gee band, 
who has risen rapidly to the highest honours in the tribe.” 
About this time a “ grand feast” was prepared by the Indians in 
honor of the Indian agent and the several Americans who were then 
at Fort Pierre, including Catlin, A sketch of the gathering is 
