The Arkansas advocate., 1832-12-26

"ieii number of them. and assured '''ehi that l was but d man like them
 sises' that my art had no saedtcine oi mystery about II, but could be learn. eu os any oi them, if the, would prac- .'ee II as long as had; that my inten- s'oais towards them were oi tine friendly Nilus and tilats la the country where lived, 6raUe men never allowed theit squaWs to irlghten them with their fool 'sh "isi'iiss stories, &c.: they ali llmme- diatelj arose, shook me bs the hand, and dressed themselves for their pie lures.
 There was no difficulty after that about sittlngs, all were ready 10 sit the squaws were silent--aDd my paint 1 Ing room continued resort for them. where they waited with impatience to see the compietaea el each Dit etare, that they could laugh, sing q new song, &c. 0e. l was then often taken by the arm by the Chiefs and led to their lodge, where q feast was prepared for me il their best style. h this manner was taken from one lodge to another, and treated In tfie most cordial manner.- There IS an universal disposition ia the Indian character to admire curious works oiart, and particularly for paint ings, for which they seem to have the greatest passion: it is not, therefore, so be wondered at that they were asto- nished at an operation so novel and un- thought ot by them, and that should. for once in my life, have been consider ed great man and great painter.
 These people are singular in their manner of treating their dead; they are all lodged on scnflolds little dis tanee from their village, after having been enpeloped in many folds of skins and closely laced with cords from head to foot. These scatfolds are built sim ply with four posts and pales across, just high enough to be above tbe reach of hands. On these the body thas encios- ed IS laid and remains to decay. They otten place the most costly sacrifices of the richest cloths, robes, dresses, &c. over them, which are held sacred by the living, and arc left to decay with the body.
 They generally Easten wooden dish 10 the scaifold, 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 scaffold, that they may not suffer from hunger or thirst. Whenever the scaf1old decays, and the bones fall, the relatives take the skull, which is perfectly bleached, and carry it to place little distance from the scaffold, where the skulls are col iected, and arranged on the ground in the form of circle, to very great number. In this curious arrangement the greatest precision has been observ- cd in placing them in circle, and at equal distaaccs, with their faces all looking to the centre. The squaws who recognize here the skulls of their hus- bands, their children, SSc. regularly pay to them their devotions. They are to be seen lying flat upon their faces, em- braeing these slxnlls-shedding tears up- on them, and offering them something to eat. Each ono of them is rested on bunch of wild sage, winch is always removed and renewed as soon as 1t wilts and decays. These skulls and their order are preserved with the greatest religious veneration, and are perfect y protected, for their superstition is such that no one would dare to violate the order of this arrangement.
 spent many an hour in this interest ing study for the Craniologist and Phre- nologist. l made many notes, and a variety of drawings, which are for the curious-of which I may speak in fu- ture epistle, but for which have not room at present.
 About three miles distant from the Mandansvillage is what is called ''Ihe Little Mandan Village" containing forty or fifty lodges, built in the same manner, and the inhabitants in all re- spects the same, being n part of the same nation. Seven or eight miles up the river are three villages of Gros-yen- tres or Minatarees; their villages are built in the same manner as that of the Mandans, yetthey are nation entire ly distinct from the Mandans, speaking a different language. The two nations live, however, in perfect harmony and friendship, and are always ready to join in the common cause of mutual defence. These are the largest and best built h. dians on the river. They are a very