RECREA TION. 



55 



CHEYENNE CAMP ON BEAVER CREEK. 



with several other tribes. Besides, this 

 proposed study would enable me to pass 

 the time much more rapidly and profit- 

 ably than I had been doing. 



My tent was almost constantly occu- 

 pied by Indians, of all ages and of 

 both sexes, and I quickly gained their 

 aid in my endeavors. The old men 

 and young warriors I bribed with 

 dinners and tobacco, and the squaws 

 with coffee, sugar and canned goods, to 

 translate for me first words, and, later 

 on sentences ; all of which I entered 

 in my note-book and systematized as 

 well as possible. In a month, by 

 diligent application, I had made such 

 progress in their language that, with 

 the help of signs, I was able to make 

 any inquiry and to understand the 

 greater portion of any conversation 

 which the Indians might carry on in 

 my hearing. Meantime I became known 

 by the familiar title of " Its-kee-ah- 

 Cheet-sis-tast " (the little Cheyenne). 



I frequently visited the Indian lodges 

 and occasionally took part in their 

 games as well as their repasts, to which 

 latter they always invited me or any 

 visiting Indian who happened to come 

 into their camp. I often accepted, 

 however, much against my own inclina- 

 tion, to avoid giving offense, save when 



the menu consisted of some extra deli- 

 cacy, such as stewed dog or skunk, 

 when I felt compelled to decline the 

 proffered hospitality at whatever risk. 



On Christmas day I determined to re- 

 turn the compliment by inviting old 

 Whirlwind, Little Robe (the next in com- 

 mand) and some half a dozen other of 

 the principal men of the tribe, to a ban- 

 quet, at which I served them with 

 everything procurable in the way of 

 game and commissary stores, and con- 

 cluded with a little present to each, of 

 tobacco, calico, beads, etc., for them- 

 selves and families. This termination 

 of the feast pleased them greatly. 



About this time a small band of 

 Cheyennes from the north made their 

 way quietly, one morning, into the 

 camp, bringing further news of the 

 threatened uprising in the coming 

 spring, by the Sioux against the settlers 

 then flocking into the Black Hills, in- 

 formation of which I immediately for- 

 warded to the commanding officer at 

 Camp Supply. 



I was soon after invited to witness a 

 grand dance to be given the visitors, 

 similar to the Omaha, or peace dance, 

 wherein they were to be the recipients 

 of donations from their southern friends 

 and of which they were sadly in need. 



