New-York daily tribune., 1843-03-02
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Tbs following interesting account Of striking
eGs.om among the Indians Of the Rocky Noun
rains is from the volume OF Travels in Oregon.
&c. by T. J. FlRsHAH, Esq, which have il
press, and shall publish in few days:
This, and other tribes in the mountains, and III
tic upper plains, have CUSTOM the same IN It's
objects as was the ceremony of the " toga vlrs
among the Romans. When ripened into man
hocd, every Young man Of the tribes Is expected
10 do scmo act OF bravery that will give promise
G: his disposition and ability to defend the nights
OF his tribe and family Nor can tins expectation
De disEegarded So IL the spring OF the year, thos
OF the aye alluded to, associate themselves 40 OF
so in band. and devote themselves to the duties
OF mans estate IN the following manner They
tskeleave OF their friends. and depar: to
cret place near the woodlands collect poles ~ OF
80 feet In length, and raise them in the form of
cone; and cover the structure SO thicldy with
leaves and boughs as to secure the interior from
the gaze of persons outside. They then hang i
fresh buffalo head insidc.-ncar the top OF the
lodge where the poles meet; and below this,
around the sides, suspend camp kettles, scaips,
and blankets, and the skin of z white buffalo as
ofefings to the Great Spirit. After the lodge If
thus arranged, they enter 1t with much solenlnity
and commence the ceremonies which are to con-
eecrete themselves to war, and the destruction O.
their own enemies, and those OF thetrlbe The
hrst act Is to scat themselves III circle around
FIRE built IN the centre OF the lodge. and make
medcin;;. that is,-inyokc the presence and
aud OF protecting syirlts, by smoking the Great
Z Mystic Pipe. One of their number fills 1t with
tobacco and herbs places upon tie bowl bright
coal from the FIRE within the lodge, draws the
ssnoke INTO his lungs, and blows 1t hence through
hsa ne@tsils. He then seizcs the stem with both
ha.t.s and leaning forward, touches the ground
seGwcen his feet with the lower part Of the bowl,
and smokes again as before. The feet, and arms,
and breast, are eucceesively touched IN similar
way and after each touching, the sacred smoke
is inhaled as before. The pipe is then passed to
the one on his night, who smokes as his fellow had
done And thus the Great Pipe goes round, and
The ssnoke rises and mingles with the volve offer
iags to the Great Spirit that are suspended above
their heads Immediately ;after this smoking, is
believed to be favored tnne for offering prayer to
the Great Spirit. They pray for courage, and
victory over their foes IN The campaign they arc
about TO undertake; and that they may be pro-
tec,ed from the spirits of evll-mmded medlcni
men. They then make solemn and irrevocable
vow, that If these meticin men do not make them
ssek-do not enter INTO their bosoms and destroy
their strength and courage, they will never again
sec their relatives and tribe. unless they do in
garments stained with the blood of their enemies
Having passed through these ceremonies. they
nse and dance to the music Of war chants, till
they are exhausted and swoon. In thus state OF
!nsensibilty, they imagine that the spirits OF the
brave dead visit them and teach them their duty
and inform them Of the events that will tranSpre
curing the campaign. Three days and nights
are passed IN performing these ceremonies; dur
Ing which time, they neither eatnor drink, nor
save the lodge. Atearly dawn OF the fourth day
uiey select leader from their number, appoint
oissant place OF meeting and emerging from the
.cdge, each walks away from it alone to the place
OF rendezvous Having arrived there, they de,
terInne whose horses TO be stolen whose scalps
taken; and commence their march. They al
ways 60 out on foot, wholly dependent upon their
own energies for food and every other necessary.
Among other things, II is considered great dis.
grace 10 be long without meat and the means of
riding.
It sometimes happens that these parties are ur-
able to satisfy the conditions of their eonsscra,
ton during the first season and therefore are
compelled TO resort 10 some ingenious and salts
factory evasion of the obligations of their VOW
10 60 INTO winter quarters TIL another opening
spnng allows them TO prosecute Their designs
The trappers relate case of this klnd which led
10 curious incident. a war party of Blackfeet
had spent the season in seeking for their enemies
without success. The storms OF approaching WIN