The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-13

as well as endurance in the chase.
On foot she was conceded the fieetest of her
II was said that she offered her life in servude to
any man, who, giving her one rod the start, could
catch her in the race. Her complexion is rather
dark, prominent nose, incning to the Roman order,
eyes rather large and very black hair the color OF
coal and glossy, countenance upon which smiles
seemed strangers, and an expression that indicated
the plus ultra Of craft hnd cunning-a face from
which, sure enough portentous cloud seemed ever
to be hanging.
We doubt not, that to plunge the dagger into the
heart of execrable Sioux, would be more grateful
to her wish, more pleasing to her heart tn the
tas tie of precious mama to her tongue.
Twas on a beautiful sunny Sabbath in the month
of September that noise and revelry, music, mo
ton, action, called dancing of the wild woods style,
which it surely was, the warwhoop, the drum, the
whole retinue of instruments from which Indian
sounds manufactured were noticed, at first about
the outskirt lodges. These noises accompanied by
their voices, not to say keeping time and time,
seemed much to elate these Indian actors many of
whom appeared even enraptured by the music.
Upon this day Of worship and Of rest, the better
portion Of the good people tarrying at La Pointe,
including the Commissioner and Agent, had assem-
bled at their usual place of public worship.
1t was from 10 to III o'clock, A. NJ, that we, with
many others, had gathered around to witness the
grand though rustic pageant, to look upon the conf
co-tragic scene called the Beggar's Dance institu-
ted for the benefit Of widows and orphans of the
poorer bands.
When we arrived at the theatre of noise and mo-
ton, the most ludcrous spectacle was before At
eaSt one nunOfcu WARRIORS dressed Ill the most &C.
centric and fantastic style that the Imagination
conceive that ribbons, feathers every color of paint
bare legs painted, painted faces, weapons, &c,
could possibly give to human beings, were the active
particpatorS.
These were in one grand circle, dancing to thump.
ing sounds and gutteral songs, in way which the
Chippewas only know how to dance and sing.
inside the circle were the musicians and persons
OF distinction, not least OF whom was our heroine,
who sat upon blanket spread upon the ground.
She was plainly, though richly dressed in blue broad
cloth shawl and leggngs She wore the short skirt,
d la Boomer; and be it known that the females of
all Indians we have seen invariably wear the
Bloomer skirt and pants. Two pumes, warrior
feathers in her hair these bore devices strips
of various coored ribbon pasted on all the braves
have, to indicate the number of the enemy killed,
and of scalps taken by the wearer. Her counte.
nance betokened selfpossesson, and as she sat her
fingers played furtively with the haft of a good
sized knife.
The coterie leaving large kettle hanging upon
the cr0ss-sticks over a fire, in which to cook fat
dog for feast at the close of the ceremony, soon
set off in single file procession to visit the camp of
the respective chiefs who remained at their lodges
20 receive these guests.
In the march our heroine was the third-two lead
ng braves were before her.
No timid air and bearing were apparent upon the
person of this wildwood nymph-her step was
proud and majestic as that Of Forest Queen
The party visited the various chiefs, each of
whom, his proxy, appeared and gave an harangue,
he tenor Of which, we learned was to minister to
their war spirit to herald the glory Of the tribe and
to exhort in charity and good will to their poor
At the close of each speech some donations to the
beggar's fund, blankets, provisions, &C., we're made
from the lodge of each visited chief. Some Of the
latter danced and sung around the ring, brandshing
the war club in the air and over his head.
Chief Looms Foot" whose lodge was near the
Indian Agents residence, (the latter chief is the
brother Of Mrs. Judge Ashman, at the Soo) made a
lengthy talk and gave freely.
Conspicuous in the crowd, upon the back of a
stately squaw, and suspended by strap around her
head, was good sized and fat-dead dog, just
precise manner of cooking this Ito them) rare and
delicious dish we did not learn.
An evenings interview through an interpreter
with the chief father OF the Princess, disclosed that
near unto the lodge Of the chief, who was lying
upon his back inside, and fired rife at him. the
ball just grazed the nose near the eyes-the scar re-
naming to be seen-when the girl sezing the loaded
by, pursued the enemy; two were killed The heroine
shot one, and bore his scalp back TO the lodge Of
Nanaw-ong-ga.be her father.
At this interview we learned of custom among
the Chippewas eavOring Of superstition, and which
they say has ever been observed in their tribe.
All the youths Of either sex, before they can be
considered men and women, are required to undergo
a season of rigid fasting.
If any fail to endure for four days without food or
drink, they cannot be respected in the tribe, but if
they can continue thus to fast through ten days it
is sulnc1ent, ana all IN any case required They
have then perfected their high position in life.
This princess tasted ten days without particle of
TODD or drink on the tenth day. feeble and nervous
from fasting, she had remarkable vision which she
revealed to her friends.
She dreamed that at time not far distant, she
accompanied war party to the Sioux country, and
that the party would kill one Of the enemy and
would bring home his scalp. The war party, as she
had dreamed, was duly organized for the start.
Against the strongest remonstrance Of her mother,
iather and other friends, who protested against it,
the young girl insisted upon going with the party.
Her highest ambition, her whole destiny her life
seemedto be at stake, to go and verify the prophecy
of her dream. She did 60 with the war party.
They were absent ten or twelve days-they had
crossed the Mississippi, and been in the Sioux ter
rit0ry. There had been no blood of an enemy to al
lay their thirst or to paliate their vengeance. They
had taken no scalp to herald their triumphant re-
turn to their home. Their party reached the great
river homeward, were recrossing, when 10 they
spied a single Sioux, in his bark canoe, near by,
whom they shot, and fastened exultingly to bear
his scalp to their friends at the lodges from which
they started Thus was the prophecy Of the prophet
realized to the letter. and herself in the esteem
OF all the neghboring bands elevated to the highest
honor in all their ceremonies They even hold her in
superstitious She Alone Of the females il
permitted in all festivities, to associate inge and
to counsel with the bnvest Of the bIaves Of her
tribe.
N