334 Expedition to the 



whilst the donor strikes the post, and recounts his martial 

 deeds, and boasts of the presents- which he has made at dif- 

 ferent times on similar occasions. Sometimes during the ce- 

 remony a warrior will take the gong from the performer, 

 and strike upon it as many times as he has achieved brave 

 and generous actions; he then sets it down, and no one must 

 dare to touch it, but such as can strike upon it more fre- 

 quently than the first; if this is done the gong is returned to 

 the performer. 



The calumet dance sometimes continues two or three days, 

 but each night the calumet is consigned to its repose in the 

 bed, with the same ceremonies as those of the first night. 



When all the presents have been made, which the dancers 

 have reason to expect, they depart immediately with them, 

 to their own nation or lodge. 



Instead of striking the post, the donors, sometimes, strike 

 lightly upon the persons of the dancers themselves. 



The presents sometimes made at these dances, are very 

 considerable. Ongpatunga, once danced the calumet to Tar- 

 rarecawaho, the grand Pawnee chief, and received from him 

 between eighty and ninety horses. The Pawnees are indeed 

 distinguished, both for their liberality and dexterity at this 

 ceremony. They gave one hundred and forty horses last 

 autumn, to the Otoes, who performed this dance at their vil- 

 lage. A party of Pawnees once danced at the Omawhaw vil- 

 lage, and gave so much satisfaction to many individuals of 

 this nation, as to receive extraordinary presents from them. 

 On this occasion, one person, in the warmth of his feelings, 

 brought forth his child, and presented it to them, as the most 

 precious gift in his power to bestow. The Pawnees accept- 

 ed this gift, but on their departure, they returned the child 

 to its parent, accompanied by the present of a fine horse, up- 

 on which it was mounted. 



The dance of discovering the enemy. This dance is some- 

 times performed in honour of strangers; at other times chiefs 



