The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-11-28

looking at them, could kill them when
pleased, and that some bad luck would hap
pen TO those whom painted. In this wa
they excited fears in the minds of numhe
OF Chiefs who had agreed TO sit !; my opera
IONS were, Of course, completely NJ stand
! finally had an interview with number O
them, and assured them that | was hut
man like themselves-that my art had NJ
/ medicine or mystery about it, but rOuld h
/ learned by any Of them if they would prac
tee it as long as habitat my intentions
towards them were Of the most frienAl,
klnd-and that in the country where livet
brave men never allowed their sqnaws L
lIhten them witt Size foolish whmS stories
&c; they all Immediately arose, shook me
by the hand, and dressed themselves fol
their pictures. There was no difficulty
alter that about sittings, all we're ready tf
sit-the squaws were slent-and my paint
ing room ii continued resort for them where
they waited with impaience to see the com
pleiion of each picture, that they could
laugh, sing new song, &C., &c. | was
then often taken by the arm by the Chiefs
and led to their lodge, where feast was
prepared for me i'll their best style. In this
manner was taken from one lodge to
another, and treated in the most cordial
mannet There is an universal disposition
in the Indian character to admire curious
works Of art, and particularly for paintings.
for which they seem to have the greatest
passion it is not, therefore, to he wonder
ell at that they were astonished ut an oper-
alton so novel and unthought of by them.
and that should, for once in my life, have
been considered IL great man and il great
painter.
SINGULAR CUSTOM.
These people are singular in their man.
ner OF treating their dead; they are all
lodged on scaffolds at a little distance from
their vllage, after having been envelope6
IN many folds of skins and closely laced
with cords from head to foot. These scat
folds are built simply with four posts and
poles across, jus. high enough to he above
the reach of hands. On these the body thus
enclosed is laid and remains TO decay
They often place the most costly sacrifices
Of the richest cloths; robes, dresses, &C.,
over them, which are held sacred by the
living, and are left to decay with the body.
They generally fasten a wooden dish 10
the scaffold that the deceased may be able
to drink when he is thirsty; and the squaws
who are nearest related to the deceased
regularly carry meat and water, and place
them on the scafold that they may not suf-
fer from hunger or thirst. Whenever the
scattold decays, and the bones fall, the rela-
tlves take the skull, which is perfectly
hleached, and carry it to place little dis
lance from the scaffoid, where the skulls
are collected, and arranged on the ground
IN the form Of a circle to a very great num-
Der. In this curious arrangement the great
est precision has been observed in placing
them in a circle. and at equal distances.
with their faces all looking into the centre
The squaws who recognize here the skulls
of their husbands, their children, &C., reg
ularly pay to them their devotions. They
are often 10 he seen lying fiat upon their
faces, embracing these skulls--shedding
tears upon them-talking to them and Of
tering them something to eat. Each one Of
them is rested on a bunch of wild sage,
which is always removed and renewed as
soon as it willis and decays. These skulls
and their order are preserved with the
greatest religious veneration, and are per-
tectly protected, for their superstition is
such that no one would dare to violate the
order of this arrangement
MINATAREEs.
About three miles distant from the Man
dan Village is what is called 1.-THE Little
Mandan Village" containing forty or fifty
lodges, built in the same manner and the
inhabitants in all respects the same, being a
part of the same nation. Seven or eight
miles up the river are three villages of
GrOs-ventres, or Minatarees; their villages
are built in the same manner as that of the
Manuuns fhpv nj ,nfiro1, Ii.
tinct from the Mandans, speaking differ
ent language. Thee two nations live, how
ever, in perfect harmony and friendship, and
are always ready to JON in the common
cause Of mutual defence. These are the
largest and hest built Indians on the river.
They ale II very war-like nation, and their
number of men rapidly diminishing from
their continued efforts to signalize them
selves in battle. They were formerly a
part of the Crow nation. They speak the
same language, and still initiate them 20 a
considerable degree in the richness and
elegance ofther dress.
spent several days in these villages with
great deal of interest and amusement.
BUFFALO HUNT.
would that it were in my power to DIES.
cribe the beauty and spirit of scene which
witnessed the day before left the Minatarec
village. 1t was reported in the village that
Il large band of buffaloes were in sight, and
in a few minutes about one hundred young
men we're mounted, with bows and arrows
in their hands ard ready for the onset
They we're divesteh Of all their dress, ex,
cept small light role which is kept exclu
sivey for that purpose, thrown around the
waist and carPlesslv tied
An oil Chief offered me fine horse t.
ride, which | mounted and swept off in the
flying throng to see the sport. We wert
soon in sight of the unsuspecting herd, whC
knew not of their danger until they were
completely surrounded Ivy their enemy
here, then, ensued a scene equal to any mil
itary maneuvre. The animals affrighted
rapidly fed in body, but the feet cavalr,
closed so rapidly in font of them, waving
their small robe in their hands and raisin!
their frighlfu yells, that they turned abou
in confusion, and bent their course in diff
ierent direction, where they also met thei
| yelling foes advancing in the rear. The,
recolled again, during which time the,
were so closely hemmeG in that they rusbe'
together in mass, in the greatest confll
sion, being able TO move in no other forn
| than in II circle. The Indians then commcnc
ed riding round them III II ring and having
closely hemmcd them in the whizzing ar
rows began to fly, and the work of dealt
commenced. Then commenced seem
worthy the poets per or the pencil of tn