42 NARRATIVE, Ac. 



sulfation, returned, bringing back the three scalps, as memorials 

 of their prowess. These trophies had, we learned, been exhibited 

 in the customary dances at Leech Lake, after which one of 

 them was forwarded to Oza Windib's band, to undergo a like 

 ceremony. And it was finally presented to the widow. 



It was now exhibited by the young men, in her behalf, for a 

 purpose which was certainly new to me. Although I knew that 

 this people w r ere ingenious in converting most circumstances, 

 connected with both fortune and misfortune, into a means of 

 soliciting alms, I had never before seen the scalp of an enemy 

 employed as a means of levying contributions. Such, however, 

 was the purpose for which it w r as now brought forward. It was 

 exhibited with all the circumstances of barbarian triumph. 

 Shouts and dancing, intermingled with the sounds of the rattle, 

 and Indian drum, form the conspicuous traits of such a scene. 

 Short harangues, terminated by a general shout, fill up the 

 pauses of the dance, and at this moment the drums cease. It 

 was an outcry of this kind that first drew my attention to a 

 neighboring eminence. I observed some of the simple bark 

 enclosures, which mark the locality of a Chippewa burial ground. 

 Near them, was erected a sort of triumphal arch, consisting 

 of bent and tied saplings, from the arc formed by which, de- 

 pended an object, which was said to be the remains of decaying 

 scalps. Around this, was gathered a crowd of dancers, moving 

 in a circle. The fresh scalp was suspended from a rod. Every 

 time it waved, a new impulse seemed to be given to the shout- 

 ing. The widow and her children were present. And the whole 

 group of spectators, Canadians as well as Indians, appeared to 

 regard the ceremony with an absorbing interest. In the brief 

 pause, which separated each dance, presents were thrown in. 

 And all that was given was deemed the property of the widow 7 . 

 This was the scalp dance. 



Other incidents of the sojourn of the expedition on this island 

 will be mentioned on the return of the party to it. A few may 

 be added here. 



