THE GEOEGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 58? 



all around tbo room, and the exhibition proceeded by the Indians wishing me to an- 

 nounce that they were to give the wa-be-no (or mystery) dance. This eccentric and 

 droll dance caused much merriment among the audience, and gave them hearty ap- 

 plause again ; after which, they being seated as usual, with the pipe passing around, 

 I proceeded with my explanation, which done, I was requested by the interpreter to 

 announce that the old chief had something which he wished to say to the audience, 

 and was going to make a speech. There was a great expression of satisfaction at 

 this evinced among the crowd, which seemed to give fire to the eye and youth to 

 the visage of the old man as he rose and said : 



11 My friends, it makes our hearts glad when we hear your feet stamp upon the floor, 

 for we know then that you are pleased, and not angry. (Great applause.)" 



The old man then straightened himself up in the attitude of an orator, and, throw- 

 ing his buffalo robe over his shoulder, and extending his right arm over the heads of 

 his audience, he proceeded : 



"My friends and brothers, these young men and women and myself have come a 

 great way to see you, and to see our great mother, the Queen. The Great Spirit has 

 been kind to us, for we are all well, and we have seen her face. ('How, how, how.') 



"My friends, we know that the Saganoshes in our country all come from this place ; 

 they are our friends there, and we think they will not be our enemies here. (' How, 

 how, how!' and immense applause, with 'Hear, hear, hear,' from the audience.) 



" My friends, you see I am old, and my words are few ; some of my younger men 

 may talk longer than I can. I hope our noise is not too great. ('No, no,' from every 

 part of the room ; 'The more noise the better, my good fellows.') 



"Brothers, my young men will finish their dances in a little while, when we will 

 be glad to give you our hands. ('How, how, how!' great applause, and 'Hear, 

 hear.')" 



The venerable old man then resumed his seat; and at that moment, as the pipe 

 was preparing, Daniel was making his way through the crowd, with one hand raised 

 above the heads of the audience, conveying a large square letter, which he was en- 

 deavoring to hand to me. On opening the letter and reading, I found it was from 

 the honorable Mr. Murray, and, with permission of the audience, I read thus: 



" Dear Sir : I have great jdeasure to inform you that I am instructed by Her Maj- 

 esty to transmit to you the inclosed twenty-pound note to be given to the Ojibbeway 

 chiefs; and also to say that Her Majesty has instructed me to order to bo made, as 

 soon as possible, an entire piece of plaid, of Her Majesty's colors, which is also to be 

 presented to them in her name, as an evidence of Her Majesty's friendship for them 

 and solicitude for their Avelfare. I have transmitted the order for the plaid, and as 

 soon as it can be prepared I shall send it to them. 



"I have the honor to be, dear sir, yours, &c, 



"CHAS. AUG. MURRAY, 

 " Master of Eer Majesty's Household, Buckingham Palace. 



"To Geo. Catlin, Esq." 



The reading of this letter called forth a round of applause, which the Indians did 

 not seem to understand until its contents were interpreted to them by Cadotte, when 

 they received the bank-note with a yell or two, and then gathered around it to ex- 

 amine it, and to make out, if they could, how it could be a present of twenty pounds, 

 or (in American currency, which they were a little more familiar with) one hundred 

 dollars. That they might better appreciate it, however, I sent Daniel to the door 

 with it, who in a few moments brought back twenty sovereigns, which were placed 

 in the chief's hands, and, being better understood, were soon divided equally, and 

 put into the pouches which were attached to their belts. 



The war-chief (who was not much of an orator, and always seemed embarrassed 

 when he spoke) then rose, and advanced to the front of the platform to offer his ac- 

 knowledgments. He held his long pipe to his lips, and, drawing several deep 



