310 THE GEOEGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



merit for every dance, for the songs are perfectly measured and sung in exact time 

 with the beat of the drum, and always with an uniform and invariable set of sounds 

 and expressions which clearly indicate certain sentiments which are expressed by the 

 voice, though sometimes not given in any known language whatever. 



They have other dauces and songs which are not so mystified, but which are sung 

 and understood by every person in the tribe, being sung in their own language, with 

 much poetry in them, and perfectly metred, but without rhyme. On these subjects I 

 shall take another occasion to say more, and will for the present turn your attention 

 to the style and modes in which some of these curious transactions are conducted. 



My ears have been almost continually ringing since I came here with the din of 

 yelping and beating of the drums, but I have for several days past been peculiarly 

 engrossed and my senses almost confounded with the stamping and grunting and 

 bellowing of the buffalo dance, which closed a few days since at sunrise (thank 

 Heaven), and which I must needs describe to you. 



Buffaloes, it is known, are a sort of roaming creatures, congregating occasionally 

 in huge masses, and strolling away about the country from east to west, or from north 

 to south, or just where their whims or strange fancies may lead them ; and the 

 Mandans are sometimes, by this means, most unceremoniously left without anything 

 to eat ; and being a small tribe, and unwilling to risk their lives by going far from 

 home in the face of their more powerful enemies, are oftentimes left almost in a state 

 of starvation. In any emergency of this kind, every man musters and brings out of 

 his lodge his mask (the skin of a buffalo's head with the horns on), which he is obliged 

 to* keep in readiness for this occasion ; and then commences the buffalo dance, of 

 which I have above spoken, which is held for the purpose of making "buffalo come" 

 (as they term it), of inducing the buffalo herds to change the direction of their wand- 

 erings, and bend their course towards the Mandan village, and gaze about on the 

 beautiful hills and bluffs in its vicinity, where the Mandans can shoot them down and 

 cook them as they want them for food. 



For the most part of the year, the young warriors and hunters, by riding out a mile 

 or two from the village, can kill meat in abundance; and sometimes large herds of 

 these animals may be seen grazing in full view of the village. There are other seasons 

 also when the young men have ranged about the country as far as they are willing to 

 risk their lives, on account of their enemies, without finding meat. This sad intelli- 

 gence is brought back to the chiefs and doctors, who sit in solemn council, and con- 

 sult on the most expedient measures to be taken, until they are sure to decide upon 

 the old and only expedient which " never has failed." 



The chief issues his order to his runners or criers, who proclaim it through the vil- 

 lage — and in a few minutes the dance begins. The place where this strange opera- 

 tion is carried on is in the public area in the center of the village, and in front of the 

 great medicine or mystery lodge. About ten or fifteen Mandans at a time join in the 

 dance, each one with the skin of the buffalo's head (or mask) with the horns on, placed 

 over his head, and in his hand his favorite bow or lance, with which he is used to 

 slay the buffalo. 



I mentioned that this dance always had the desired effect, that it never fails, nor 

 can it, for it cannot be stopped (but is going incessantly day and night) until " buffalo 

 come." Drums are beating and rattles are shaken, and songs and yells are shouted 

 incessantly, and lookers-on stand ready with masks on their heads, and weapons in 

 hand, to take the place of each one as he becomes fatigued, and jumps out of the ring. 



During this time of general excitement, spies or lookers are kept on the hills in the 

 neighborhood of the village, who, when they discover buffaloes in sight, give the 

 appropriate signal, by " throwing their robes," which is instantly seen in the village, 

 and understood by the whole tribe. At this joyful intelligence there is a shout of 

 thanks to the Great Spirit, and more especially to the mystery-man, and the dancers, 

 who have been the immediate cause of their success ! There is then a brisk prepara- 



