DENIG] 



THE ASSINIBOIN 



437 



in the affair in question, who in due time arrived and took up their 

 residence in the different lodges around about until the hour for busi- 

 ness arrived. When it was ascertained that all or a sufficient number 

 had come the haranguer or public crier of the camp made the circle 

 of the village, speaking at the extent of his voice the object of the 

 meeting and inviting all soldiers, chiefs, and braves or warriors to 

 attend and hear what their chief would bring before them for their 



Lodge door 



Figure 31. — Diagram of a council lodge, representing the interior 

 of a council lodge in which Mr. Denig met the Assiniboin leaders 

 to discuss peace overtures made by the Crow Indians to the 

 Assiniboin at the instigation of Mr. Denig. At a point directly 

 opposite the doorway Mr. Denig is seated with the proffered 

 tobacco of the Crow Indians lying in front of him. denoted by 

 3 parallel marks ; at Mr. Denig's right sits the leading Assiniboin 

 chief; to his right sit 6 other chiefs and councillors; next are 

 seated 18 so-called " soldiers," i. e., official guards of the camp ; 

 the next 15 figures are 15 principal young warriors. The 

 small square figure with a central dot is a small fire ; and the 

 small circlet beside the fire is a flagstaff running up through the 

 lodge top, flying a United States flag. The calumet pipe lies in 

 front of the leading chief. 



consideration. This was repeated over and over again in different 

 parts of the camp, and shortly afterwards they began to assemble in 

 the soldiers' lodge. Three skin lodges had been formed into one, 

 making an area 24 feet in diameter, which could with ease accom- 

 modate 60 to 80 persons. On this occasion about 46 people presented 

 themselves and when the whole had entered the interior exhibited 

 the form shown in Figure 31. 



