BUSHNELL] VILLAGES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI 95 
and the next day came to another village of the same tribe, consisting ~ 
of about thirty lodges, and situated in the midst of a beautiful level 
prairie ... The lodges here are constructed very differently from 
those of the lower village. They are made of large and strong tim- 
bers, a ridge pole runs along the top, and the different pieces are 
fastened together by leathern thongs. The roofs, which are single, 
make but one angle, are of stout poplar bark, and forms an excellent 
defence, both against rain and the rays of the sun, which must be 
intense during midsummer in this region. These prairies are often 
visited by heavy gales of wind, which would probably demolish the 
huts, were they built of frail ‘materials like those below. We en- 
Oaneed in the evening on a small stream called Little Vermillion 
creek...” (Op. cit., pp. 33-34.) 
The sketch by Seymour conveys a very good idea of the general 
appearance of the interior of a Kansa lodge, and an equally inter- 
esting picture of the village, as it was just 22 years later, is to be 
found in one of Father de Smet’s works. He arrived at the first 
of the villages May 19, 1841, and in describing it said: “At the 
first sight of their wigwams, we were struck at the resemblance they 
bore to the large stacks of wheat which .cover our fields in harvest- 
time. There were of these in all no more than about twenty, grouped 
together without order, but each covering a space about one hundred 
and twenty feet in circumference, and sufficient to shelter from thirty 
to forty persons. The entire village appeared to us to consist of 
from seven to eight hundred souls,—an approximation which is 
justified by the fact that the total population of the tribe is con- 
‘fined to two villages, together numbering 1900 inhabitants. These 
cabins, however humble they may appear, are solidly built and con- 
venient. From the top of the wall, which is about six feet in height, 
rise inclined poles, which terminate round an opening above, serving 
at once for a chimney and window. The door of the edifice consists 
of an undressed hide on the most sheltered side, the hearth occupies 
the centre and is in the midst of four upright posts destined to 
support the rotunda; the beds are ranged round the wall and the 
space between the beds and the hearth is occupied by the members of 
the family, some standing, others sitting or lying on skins, or yellow 
colored mats. It would seem that this last named article is regarded 
as a piece of extra finery, for the lodge assigned to us had one of 
them.” (De Smet, (1), pp. 65-66.) Following this description of a 
lodge is an account of its occupants. He refers to the women busily 
engaged at various occupations, and the men, some eating or smoking, 
and others plucking the hair from their brows and beard. The brief 
description of the interior of the lodge conforms with those of the 
earlier writers, but it is to be regretted that more was not said about 
