The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-17

dancers within the area, by riding ayound outside
Of the inclosure. In the fourth and Lest set, nul-
titade of boys and girls joined the band Of dan
cess in the srea. and Inuny more horsemen lo1ned
the eavarade that rode swirl and more skiftly
around the area. some dressed in bue-embroider-
ed Blankets, oihers in white; and every horsenlau,
as he skiIfuly and swiftly rode, subject for the
painter the music quckening and the excited per-
formers flying ike whirlpool Of fantastic men
and horses--an exhibition SO rare and strange, that
in New York, a w ech would made fortune out
Of il in month, rs equestrian show. Sud-
denly at the end Of the fourth act, several rifles
were discharged at the poles upon which the thun-
der-birds were suspended, cutting them all Instant
liy down; when the curtain fell and all dispersed.
So ended the Ron~l dsnce---the most imposing
exhibition. probably. that is ever seen among the
Sioux. senFf etffA - 1sit-a@
Soon after, the headsmen and chiefs of a large
band of Indians, Just arrived from Lake Traverse,
with Mr. Riggs, called upon the Commissioners
and were presented with beef They said they
were very hungry, and their locks certainly cor
roborated what they said. 81 eAlfstth
Shakopee, (Six or Haf-a- Dozcn) is to leave
with his band for home Tomorrow. They nre
moi wanted here; but at their own vilage, where
they will meetwith the lower bands to treat. They
came up here because they were hungry--follow-
ed the cattle up. Shakopee win not have another
opportunity here. Of boosting To the other Indians,
that he s'nsually dimes with the Commissioners by
invitation Shakopee's men are now leading
their horses into the river, and swimming then,
across to the other side. each horse swimming BY
the side Of canoe; they heave to land far below
I here.
~ SUNDAY, JULY Is, 1851.
1t would crafty the future historian who shall
write the annals Of Minnesota, when our mission
It'll H., loI IL L.
hold Traverse de Sioux as we now see it, a feeble
outpost f,r in the savage wilderness, occupied by
the missionary families and trader or two, bui
With temporary population Of about 80 persons
here for purposes connected with the treaty, on
their way to attend public worship at the little mis-
sion school house, which the writer, with W. ID
White, i allowed TO use for a bed room during the
treaty, the rear Of il being used for the mission
storcroonl--n building which seems convertible to
| as many uses as factory sheet on a canal-boat,
which after being slept in, is used for towel and
then spread for table ciuth. Religious exercises
in the morning. in English, by Rev. Mr.. William
son of the Little Crow mission, aud in the after
noon in Dakota by the Rev. Mr.. Riggs Of the LAC
qni Purle mission, were attended by all The Off
GERS OF the Commission, and nearly all af our
camp. DR.. Williamson gave US a very interest,"
ing biography Of the lamented Mr.. Hopkins. In
the afternoon several Indians were present to hear
preaching, singing, and prayer in their own Ian
guage. The mission at Lac qui Parle, has had a
decidedly favorable influence on the habits and
conduct Of that band. On returning to OR camp,
we saw upon the first ridge back Of our tents,
far-extending multitude of Indians, along the brow
of the hill, with the sky for background, who
were intenty witnessing Puntomime or dramatic
exhibition Of Indian warfare. The warrior with
his rifle was seen stealing along ambush, and
creeping stealthily up toward the uusnspecting in-
mates Of his enemy's lodge. firing. and charging
and firing again many times in success ion dropping
into the grass while loading his rife, retreaiing,
taking scalps from his fallen foes, bearing off his
wounded comrade from the fight upon his shDul-
der, as Xmas theold Anchises bore" the taking
Of prisoner away into captivity, and all the Pc
culiar and revolving details Of Indian warfare
were represented with idelity that seemed 10
delight the boxes occupied by The Red men, and
to disgust the pit occupied by ourselves. 8
! II will be two weeks Tomorrow morning since
we reached here Our sufierings have not been
light The hardship upon Cob Lea, of the cnu,-
mission, must. be severe. IBdeed, nothing but q
sense Of the vital importance Of the treaty. could
content us TO endure all these things with patience
Keunith nj 'kenzie and Franklin Steele, arrived
to-day. E. ,55 as IN. 81 sei 81
| - EDIToR OF. THE PIONEER.