338 Expedition to the 



assembly and rejoin the dance. It is worthy of remark that 

 in the language of the Omawhaws the word watche applies 

 applies equally to the amusement of dancing, and to sexual 

 intercourse ; but to avoid being misunderstood in speaking of 

 the former they sometimes add the word gaha, to make. 



What length of time the Omawhaws have resided on the 

 Missouri is unknown, but it seems highly probable that they 

 were not there when Mr. Bourgmont performed his journey 

 to the Padoucas, in the year 1724, as he makes no mention 

 whatever of them. It would seem, indeed, that they had 

 separated from the great migrating nation, that we shall fur- 

 ther notice below, on or near the. Mississippi, and that they 

 had since passed slowly across the country, or perhaps up the 

 St. Peters, until they finally struck the Missouri at the mouth 

 of the Sioux river. This is rendered highly probable by the 

 circumstance of Carver having met with them on the St. 

 Peters in the year 1766, associated with the Shienne and 

 others, all of whom he reperesents as bands of the Naudow- 

 essie nation. 



The Oto nation of Indians is distinguished by the name 

 of Wah-toh-ta-na. The permanent village of this nation is 

 composed of large dirt lodges, similar to those of the Konzas 

 and Omawhaws, and is situate on the left bank of the river 

 Platte, or Nebreska, about forty miles above its confluence 

 with the Missouri. Although this nation distinguish them- 

 selves by the name Wahtohtata, yet when questioned res- 

 pecting the signification of the word, they say it ought to be 

 pronounced Wah-toh-ta-na, or Wa-do-tan, which means 

 those who will copulate. This singular designation, which 

 they have adopted, was applied to the nation in consequence 

 of their chief, at the period of their separation from the 

 Missouries on the Mississippi, having carried off a squaw 

 from that nation. The nation is, however, only known to 

 the white people by the name Oto, Otto, or Othouez. 



It thus appears, that their name has been adopted subse- 



