692 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



I had much conversation on this occasion with H. R. H. the Prince de Joinville rela- 

 tive to the Indian modes and his travels in America, when he recollected to have seen 

 me and my collection in Washington City. 



Whilst these amusements were thus going on, my friend M. Gudin had prepared his 

 canvas and easel near the ground, where he was busily engaged in painting the group, 

 and of which he made a charming picture for the King. 



These curious and amusing scenes altogether lasted about two hours, after which 

 their Majesties and all took leave, the King, the Queen, and the Duchess of Orleans 

 successively thanking me for the interesting treat I had afforded them. Their car- 

 riages were then ordered to drive back empty, and all the royal party were seen stroll- 

 ing amidst the forest towards the palace. 



The Indians and ourselves were soon seated in our carriages, and, being driven to a 

 wing of the palace, were informed that a feast was prepared for us, to which we were 

 conducted, and soon found our good friend, M. Gudin, by our side, who took a seat 

 and joined us in it. The healths of the King and the Queen and the little Count de 

 Paris were drunk in the best of clriclcahobboo, aud from that we returned, and all in 

 good glee, to our quarters in the city. 



The reader by this time knows that this interview afforded the Indians a rich sub- 

 ject for weeks of gossip in their leisure hours, aud charged their minds with a burthen 

 of impatience to know what communications there might yet be from the King, as 

 they had heard that gold and silver medals aud presents of other descriptions were 

 sent to the Ioways after their interview. 



They proceeded with their exhibitions, as usual, however, and on the second day 

 after the interview there came a messenger from the King with medals of gold for 

 the two chiefs, and silver ones for each of the others of the party, and also five hun- 

 dred francs in money, which was handed to the head chief, and, as in the former in- 

 stances, equally divided amongst them. 



This completed all their anxieties, and finished the grandest epoch of the poor fel- 

 lows' lives, and of which they will be sure to make their boasts as long as they live, 

 and give me some credit for bringing it about — their presentation to the Kings and 

 Queens of France and Belgium. 



SURGICAL SKILL OF THE WAR-CHIEF. 



A curious occurrence took place a few days after this, as I learned on inquiring the 

 object for which two ladies and a gentleman were in daily attendance on the In- 

 dians, and occasionally taking the War-chief away for an hour or two in their carriage 

 and bringing him back again. Daniel told me that the young lady, who was one 

 of the party, had dreamed that Say-say-gon could cure a cancer on the face of her 

 father, which had baffled all the skill of the medical faculty and was likely to termi- 

 nate his life ; and in consequence of her dream, the relatives and herself were calling 

 on him to induce him to make the attempt, which he had engaged in, and in their 

 daily drives with him they were taking him to the garden of i^lants and to various 

 parts of the country, where he was searching for a particular kind of herb or root, 

 with which he felt confident he could cure it. 



These visits were continued for some weeks, and I was informed by Daniel and by 

 the Indians that he succeeded in effecting the cure, and that they handsomely re- 

 warded him for it. 



COLLECTION ARRANGED IN THE LOUVRE. 



About this time, my lease expiring, I closed my exhibition, removing my collection 

 to the Salle de Seance, in the Louvre, where Daniel and I soon arranged it for the in- 

 spection of the King and royal family ; and it being ready, I met His Majesty in it by 

 appointment to explain its contents to him. 



