Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-01-30

of BiTaloc heads are fixed ON poles il
lclose and regular order, Enthusiastically
lpaintei and decorated with feathers,
I the other consists of box filed with
small bones, buttons, beads, burnt fea
theirs * variety of other trash, which,
is generally in possession Of their con.
Durer and doctor, he visits the sick,
performs number of fantises, such
as swallowing knives and arrows, blow
ling on and rubbing the patient; while
this IS performing the miraculous box
IS hung over tbs sick; should his eff
forts fail in restoring the patient, he is
carr ed to the margin of the river in
view OF the BufIaloe heads, where
stones are heated and place erecscd
over them to Law the diseased, he is
then covered with Bufaloe skins or
blankets, AMI steam created By thr wv
ing water on the hot stones. violen
persPlration is soon produced, in
which state he is thrown into the river /;
this IS their last trial, which if not eff
cacious, the tormentors ce ase and the
wresched being is left TO his fate.
Inc women are rather handsomer
than otherwise, they, are treated in
tie same manner as anong the O cher
tribes, all the labors of the field pre-
pairing food, dressing skins and fur,
making clothes for their brutal masters
tall 20 their lot: they bu, th.ir wives
and consider the m as beasts ofburlen {:
the men occupy their time in huntinp.
smoking, aud the care of their horses.
The company left a S nall boat with
goods to exchange for horses with
these people.
| On the 18th oe September We left the
KEGS FOR the Mandan villages, having 3
succession of charming weather; I went
on shoe In several place, the only an.
pearancs of fertility is confined to tina
low grounds along the banks of the river
an the hills which in many piac.s approach
ne shore, observed in several places the
! remains of volcanic matter -pumice
ionnd in abundance, generally of brnwo
and purple color. About half way he
tween the Rees and Mandans the white
Dear Is hr.t seen from information which
, received from the hunters, he is double
he size of the black bear and extremely
'eroc'ous, being the despo!ic ,yrant of the
plans and forest.
! on the 2is', We arrived at the frs
| Fiaodan vilisge this tribe had separated
from the nation and had removed so miles
DOWN the river; Shshekeh prevailed on
them to return aud become friends; here
We discovered that he was only the chic
OF one village, where we next day arrived
[ ~Oh our approach salute was fred from
the barges and answered by the village.
IN ra's'ag'the American flag. The bar.
"es were soon croveid with the natives
AMI mutual congratulations took place.
I The gentlemen being invited to dine BY
ohehekeh's brothe" we found plent fu
sacpiy OF good provisions the ladies ha,
prepared a large stew of meat, corn an
! vegetables, and our feast was seasoned b,
genuine hospitality. In the afternoon w
prepared to visit tn. upper towns an eIe
! giant horse was presented to their travel
leu chiei, who had put on his full dres
uniform suit; his horse was not forg otter
The displayed considerable taste in dres
sing him IN scarlet, ADD gold laced hous
linSs, with highly mounted bride an
N"NS We SCI OUT dCCDTn
panied by 80 o. 40 Of the natives on horse
back The singnlati'y Of our recep ion /
worthy OF notice; having rode 10 the cen
tire OF the village we remained some tim
before we were invited to enter the hous
OF the chief; | was informed it was Tn
custom on all occasions to stand in tn
most public place and wait the invitation
OF some ofthe chiefs, otherwise il wouIt
be considered a gross violation of Ell
qustte 10 enter the dwelling Of any o
these people without a formal invitation
Shehekeh's condua amused us YER
much, his splendid uniform and hor,
furniture, his fine figure, his anxiety 1
appear TO advantage, with the contras
when compared with his brother chief,
who appeared ! . itient for the esent
Which they expected to receive from him
THESE Articles he received from the A
nerican government, and had rendere
hin 10 his opinion the greatest man j
his country; II was expelled by his pea
Die that he would be very liberal in III
distribution Of sons Of his vsIuabIes
however, their hopes were vain--Shehe
~eh was as anxious TO retain his proper
y, as they wecs To receive it--murn
look the place of ruir,h, and on our d.
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