154> Expedition to the 



agreeably to our custom of honouring brave or distinguished 

 persons." 



After a suitable reply, by Major O'Fallon, the amusement 

 of dancing was commenced by the striking up of their rude 

 instrumental and vocal music ; the former consisting of a 

 gong made of a large keg, over one of the ends of which a 

 skin was stretched, which was struck by a small stick ; and 

 another instrument consisting of a stick of firm wood, notch- 

 ed like a saw, over the teeth of which a smaller stick was 

 rubbed forcibly backward and forward ; with these, rude 

 as they were, very good time was preserved with the vocal 

 performers, who sat around them, and by all the natives as 

 they sat in the inflection of their bodies, or the movements 

 of their limbs ; after the lapse of a little time three indi- 

 viduals leaped up and danced around for a few minutes, 

 then, at a concerted signal from the master of ceremonies, 

 the music ceased, and they retired to their seats uttering a 

 loud noise, which by patting the mouth rapidly with the 

 hand, was broken into a succession of similar sounds, some- 

 what like the hurried barking of a dog. Several sets of 

 dancers succeeded, each terminating as the first. In the in- 

 tervals of the dances, a warrior would step forward and strike 

 a flag staff they had erected, with a stick, whip, or other wea- 

 pon, and recount his martial deeds. This ceremony is call- 

 ed striking- the post, and whatever is then said may be relied 

 upon as rigid truth, being delivered in the presence of many 

 a jealous warrior and witness, who could easily detect and 

 would immediately disgrace the striker for exaggeration or 

 falsehood. This is called the beggars' dance, during which 

 some presents are always expected by the performers, as 

 tobacco, whiskey, or trinkets. But on this occasion, as none 

 of those articles were immediately offered, the amusement 

 was not, at first, distinguished by much activity. The mas- 

 ter of the ceremonies continually called aloud to them to ex- 

 ert themselves ; but still they were somewhat dull and back- 



