Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-10-08
MI Sc e LEA Nz.
From the 5. L Messenger, for August.


LEGERDEMAIN.
have felt some reluctance in narra,iag
the following singular feats. CT had almost
said miraces.) which saw performed
among the Arickaree Indians, not because
| consider them unworthy the attention OF
| the curious, but lest | should be accused
| Of sporting with the readers creduity, or
Of availing myself too largely Of what is
supposed by some 10 be the travellers pri.
ciiege acknowledge that the perform
ance was altogether above my eompre-
benson, and greatly excited my astonish
meut.
In civilized life, we know the many ex
pedients TO which men resort in order to
acquire subsistence, and are not there
fore surprised, that by perseverance and
long practice, stimulated by necessity,
they should attain great dexteIity in the
art or deception. To find it. however,
carried TO such great perfection by wild
and untutored savages. who are neither
urged by necessity, nor indeed receive the
slishtes, reward for their skill, is certainly
very surprising.
In travelling W The Missouri during the
summer of 1881. we lost our horses near
the Arickaree village, which caused our
detention for several days. As this ma
ton has committed more cutrages upon
the whites than any other on the Missouri
and seem to possess all the vices Of the
savage without ore redeeming virtue, we
found ourselves very unpleasantly situated
near the principal village, without sufii
Gent force to repe! the attack if one should
he made Alter some deliberaiion we
adopted the advice of an old Canadian
hunter, and determined 10 move our chat
tells directly into the village, and, whilst
we remained, 10 take up our lodgings with
the tribe. We were embolGencd TO ibis
step, by the assurance Of the hunter, that
the Arickarees had never been known TO
kill but one man who had taken refuge
within the limits of their town, and that
their forbearance originated in the super
stitious belief that the ghost Of the murde
red had baunted their encampment. aud
frightened away The buffalo by his Nightly
screams.
We were received into the village with
much more polteness than we expected;
lodge was appropriated TO our use, and
provisions were brought US 10 abundance.
After we were completely refreshed,
young man came TO our lodge and infor.
med US that band of bears, (as he ex-
pressed IT'D or medicine men. were ma.
king preparations TO exhibit their skill, ar
that II we felt disposed we could witness
the ceremony. We were much gratiiicd
at the invitation, and as we all had heard
marvellous stories of the wonderful ieats
performed by the medicine men or Indian
jug glers. Ne accordingly followed our
guide 20 The medicine lodge where we
found six men dressed in bear skins. and
seated ia a circle in the middle of the a.
partmFnt. The spectators were standing
around, and so arranged as TO give each
individual view Of the performers. They
ciyilly made way for our party, and pla.
ced US so near the circle that we had am.
pie opportunity of detecting the impos
lure, IL any imposition should be practised.
The actors, Gfl may so call theml were
painted in the most grotesque manner i'm.
aginable, blending go completely the iudi-
crous and frishtful in their appearance,
that the spectator might be said TO be
somewhat undecided whether 10 laugh or
TO shuddcr. After sitting for some time
in a kind of mournful silence, the iuggler
desired q youth who was near him, TO
bring some stiff clay from certain place
which he named, on the river bank. This
we understood from an old Canadian ma.
med Garrow, (well known on the Nilsson
ri,) who was present and acted as our in.
terpfeter. The young man soon returned
with the clay. and each of these human
Iao AL IL
OF moulding number Of little images ex-
actly resembling bufa'oes, men, horses,
bows arrows, Sc, When they had com
pleted nine Of each variety. the miniature
suhaloes were all placed together in line,
and the little clay hunters mounted on
their horses, and holding their bows and
arrows in their hands, were stationed
bout three feet from them in a parallel
line. must confess that at this part of
the ceremony felt very much inclined 10
be merry, especially when observed what
appeared TO me the ludicTous solemniiy
with which it was performed But nay ri
dcule was changed into astonisment. and
even into awe, by what speedily followed
When the buffaloes and horsemen were
properly arranged, one of the jugglers
thus addressed the little clay men, or hun
ters:
My children, know you are hungry,
il has been long time since you have
been out hunting Exert yourselves TO-
day. Try and kill as many as you can
Here are white people present who will
laugh at you if you don't kill. Go! don't
YOU see the buffaIoes have already got the
scent Of you and have startedp
Conceive il possible, our astoD'sbment,
when The speakers last words escaped his
lips, at seeing the little images start oil at
full speed, followed BY the Lilipulian
horsemen, who with their bows Of clay.
and arrows of straw, actually pierced the
sides OF The flying buflaloes at the distance
oC three feet. Several of the little animals