The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-02-18
MAJOR LONGS ryprDITlov

" s"pnlit quotation from The = K
petition n the Rocky Mountains" which
while il presents a fair specimen of Inc
work, conveys Information Of an interest
ing character. Tile party, ualer slajo,
Lons, Vcff within two miles of a Pannee
Village, when an tadian messenger reen,s.
ted them 10 hall, TO enable THE Chiefs ia
make suitable arrangements 10 meet the
representatives Of a naiion 50 great and
powerful as that Of lie Big knives"
after waiting short time. we observed.
At TIE d'Sthrr Of 3 milr before, us. 4 great
Number 81 mounted Indians entrrpior snd
Idfuty, apparently from the plain Itself.
i"f we could mi then see 4 fayine thai la 4
previously conceded them from oir yirS.
They immediately BEGAN to ride in various
directions, and 10 perform numerous e,o-
iutiohs u.tii the whole were arranged in 4
widely exteaied line. These rapid move
inen;s, which attracted our attention from
other objects, having ceased, W. perceived
a small body Of men in from, whose move
inenis were independent of the others, and
who were advancing at a moderate pace
Nhen AL we're formed, they set forwards
slowly ut first, but gradually increasing
Their speed as they approached, until they
surrounded us at full charge 1t is in
possible ny description to do Justice ~ tie
scene of savage magnfcence that was
nov displayed. Between three and four
hundred mounted Indians. dressed in their
richest hahIllments of war, were rushing
around Us IN every direction, With stream
ing feathers, war weapons, and with loud
shouts aud yels. The few whom we had
observed in advance the main body, and
whom, as they came near, we recognized
to h. the chef men, presented perfect
contrast 10 ~ Others in their movements,
and simplicity OF dress. Courtesy Obliged
as to shake hands with each individual as
they came 10 us In succession for that pur-
pose, nor was Il single soldier of our train
loeEotten On this occasion by any of them.
They expressed great satisfaction on ac-
count Of oar visit, rubbing their brcas; in
token OF The sincerity OF this PLEASURE
Many remarked that The nation had been
mourning for their grievous losses in Il IT,
cent battle with an enemy but that now
! grief should give place t. rejoieiag. Ma
tol ~ u dlltli t$stI the llUlIIlS, III liSu
al--alter whl"h we again moved on to-
wards the village. Ldeiesha, the grand
IcbIrf percelNlns that The division OF lis
sflogs that Wcie on our left, raised some
dust on The march, ordered them all to lee
ward that ne might net he incommoded.
Almost from the beginning of this nterps-
ting lete, or attention had been attracted
10 young man who seemed 10 be the lra-
der or partzan al the warriors. He was
ghom % years Of are, Of tie finest form,
all, muscular, exceedingly graceful, aud a
most progressing countenauce. His head
dress Of war, eagle feathers, descended in
Il double series upon his back like wings,
To bis saddle Group, his shield was highly
decorated, aud his long lance was orna-
mentcd by a plated easing Of red and / v
CLOTH. On enquiring ol the interpreter,
our admiration was augmented by learning
that hc was no other than Petalcsharoo,
with whose name aud character we were
already familiar. lie is the most intrepid
warrior of The nation, eldest SON of Late
lesha, destined as well by mental ard ply
! steal qualifications, as by his distinguished
/ birth, To be the future leader Of this peo-
pie. Seeing that bis father had tIken
place il our cayairade un the left Of Ma or
O'Fallou, he rode upon his right, 10 the
exclusion Of brave officer who nd preI-
ously occupied that situation, and now re-
guided him with al apparently stern as
| peCt, hnt IN which there was perhaps more
fOf admiration than of irritation at this uD
! expected intrusion. The young Chief
caught the look, and retorted with an eye
that seem q never 10 have been a,ertcd
| through E.. Che name Of tetaicsharoo
/, connected With the abolition OF a Gus
tom fo,a RI prevalent in this nation, at
which lie y n d ers.
TIE Pa ne Loups heretofore exhibit
ed III singular anomaly, aniop st III. n
merle IN at yes, of people addicted To
! the inhunar supels itous rite Of making
lpropitiary OF, 'iaSs of hnnan victims 10
| Venus the Great Star. The origin Of tins
sangtnary SACRIFICES unknown-probably
| it existed previous to their intercourse
| with the white tradcrs-This solemn ccrc-
mony was perform, annually, and imme-
dately preceded then horticultural opera
t ons, for the success of which ii appears To
| have been instituted breach OF this du-
fty, the performance Of Which they believ
ed TO be required by the Gfeat Star, II was
supposed would he succeeded by the total
| + lure OF their crops Of maize, beans and
pumpkins, and the consequent total priHa
| ton Of their vegetable food.
To obgiatc national calamity so for
mIdablr, any person was at liberty TO offer
up prisoner of either sex, that by his
prowess in war he had become possessed
of
The devoted individual was clothed in
the "a es * most costly attire--profasely
supplied with the choicest food and con
stanlly attended by the masi, who antici-
pated all his wants, cautiously concealed
from him t5e real object Of their seduious