84 



NARRATIVE, &c. 



recurrence of a pestilence, which they regard with horror, 

 Their name for this disease, of Ma Mukkizziwin, suggests the 

 disfiguration of the flesh and skin produced by it. 



Among the number of Indians who arrived here, during the 

 day, were a party of nine Rainy Lake Indians under the leader- 

 ship of a man named Wai Wizhzhi Geezhig, or The Hole in the 

 Sky. He represented himself and party as part of a small 

 band residing at Springing-bow-string Lake, in the middle 

 grounds between Lake Winnipec and Rainy Lake. He said, 

 they had heard of my passing the post of "Winnipec, with an 

 intention of returning through Leech Lake. This was the 

 cause of his visit. They lived off from the great lake, and sel- 

 dom saw Americans. He came to express his good will, hopi 

 to be remembered, as he now saw his father, among his chil- 

 dren, &c. I presented him, publicly, with my own hand, with 

 a flag, and directed to be laid before him an amount of presents, 

 committing to him, at. the same time, a short address to be de- 

 livered to the American portion of the Rainy t-akc Indians. 



The hour for the council having arrived, and the Mukkund- 

 wa, or Pillagers, being present with their chiefs and warriors, 

 women and children, I caused the presents intended for this 

 band, to be displayed in bulk, on blankets spread on the grass, 

 in front of my tent. I called their attention to the subjects na- 

 med in m}^ instructions, the desire of the government for the 

 restoration of peace, and its paternal character, feelings, and 

 wishes in relation, particularly, to them — reminded them of 

 their solemn treaty of peace and limits with the Sioux. 

 Prairie du Chien in 1825, enforcing the advantages of it, in its 

 bearings on their hunting, trade, and well being. The presents 

 were then delivered to the chiefs, as an earnest of good will 

 and sincerity on the part of the government, and were by them 

 directed to be immediately divided and distributed. 



Aish Kibug Ekozh, or the Guelle Plat, was their speaker in 

 reply. He called the attention of the warriors to his words. 

 He thanked me for the presents, which reminded him. in 



