Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-11-13

met the Commission, and after exami
ming the goods and presents stacked
up in front of the Commission head
quarters, asking, at the same time
some questions concerning the mum
Der of our troops or escort, and won
dering what we brought them for, rode
off, saying as they went, that they
would cross the river to Black Kettle
camp, where they would spend the
night. In the morning a messenger
came from Black Kettles camp, bring
ing the news that Roman Nose had
gone back to the main body of the
Cheyennes, and would bring the whole
tribe with their lodges and full equip
ment at once. Then the Commission
were more than ever confident that a
peace would be made, and that speedi
ly. The eight days were up and nc
further news from the Cheyenne camp
Black Kettle, and his band of fifty
lodges, who have been at peace during
the late war, and have done everything
that could be done to quiet Roman
Nose, and Bull Bear, was troubled, and
came into camp telling the Commission
that he was afraid his people with the
Dog Soldiers would not come in. The
Commission not being willing to give
them up, sent for a messenger, whom
they afterwards sent to see the tardy
sayages. Two days more and he came
back, saying that they would be in,
certain, by the oath. The 24th came
bringing no Cheyennes with it. In the
meantime. subsequent to the 9th, on
the morning of the 25th, another mes
senger was sent out. The time was
passed in two hopes; one was, that the
Cheyennes would drop in upon US at
any moment, and the other was, that
the messengers would return so that
something might be known as to where
they were, and what they were doing.
Col. Leavenworth and Col. Wankoop.
the agents of these Indians, told US
that the Cheyennes would not come in,
and that if the Commission counciled
with the Indians then ready, the Chey-
ennes would rally all their forces, and
when the friendly Indians left US the
Cheyennes would come in and take US
mules and all. This awakened feel
ing in the breasts of the Commission.
ers which did not console them much
in their sleep, and something was
wrong, they knew, all the time. -
They we're not going to remain here
any longer at the risk of their lives.
But Captain John Smith, who has liv-
ed with the Cheyennes thirty years,
poured the oil of gladness on their
heads by telling that a young Cney-
enne who had just come in had told
HIM that their medicine council was
over, and that now they would be IN,
certainly, on the 9th, Sabbath next.
He, 1.-THE young buck), had been sent
in 10 tell them. As this was the first
word direct from the Indians for sew
eral days, of course it quieted the fe-
yer so contagious. Then the treaty
with the Kiowas, Comanches and Apa-
ches was put through, and the supple
mentary treaty offered to the Apaches
signed, sealed and copies handed over
to the contracting parties. We then
felt safe 10 run about the country, and
chasing buffalo, antelope, and other
game. Several chiefs came into town,
and made us farewell addresses. 9th
ers loitered about our quarters wanting
to swap" The weather was generally
pleasant, and as horses and mules are
plenty, we spend the time in riding
about through the camps of the various
tribes. On last night all the Commis-
sioners. land of course the correspond
ents went along), visited the Arapa-
hoes camp and had dance. As your
readers may not be familiar with the
style Of dancing among the Indians, 1
will give a meager description of our
dance.
In two large buffalo skin teepes,
stretched o5long, and facing each 9TH
er, with fire blazing high in the center
of each, we had our dance. The mu-
sic consisted in a drum tamborine
without cymbals, rough stick for a
striker. two pairs of sleigh bells quick
ly handled, made the music. ''The
setts' were formed in two circles
around the fire place OF either tent,
and the more there were crowded into
each ring. the nearer right the setts
were. The Indians are a generous peo-
pie, they don't like TO see people suffer
with smoke, dust and heat, hence,
with an impulsiYe gesture they force
you in, and make you dance no mat
ter how mnch disgusted you are /;
when in the dance you must dance as
they. do. all night, or buy your free
dom by planting p burning kiss on
the blushing cheek of a greasy squaw,"
or you can make her a present If you
are bashful, as most of US were. The
music commences, by some buck Ind
ian, who whine a monosyllabled melo-
dy through his nose, beating the
"deaf tamborine" all the while-as a
blending action the sleigh bells are
put in motion by some squaw who is
the belle of her nation-when the song
is made full, then you must dance
But how? you will ask. You must
not throw in Highland fling" or a
''dou5ls jig" that isn't nice, you must
coolly, and without mental reservation,
pass side wise around and round the
ring, raising from heel to toe as the
Indians do, and the more of it you do
the better it suits them. The dust of
such an occasion is usually thick, but
in all cases it is dry. Now imagine
yourself looking into the lodges and
see the whole Peace Commission, and
al of the venerable squib5lers in the
Commission "making
Deaces" and 1.-THE squibblers hunting
.tems," and then laugh to see US in
The dust with the Indians. To be like
he Indians, one must not wear over
coats in the dance-dress coats and |
ire boots are nuisance shirt and |
,ne pair of drawers are sufficient.
INDIAN ACTS.
A few days since some of the Kaw In
lians came near our camp, and seeing
ome ponies belonging to ArapahOes,
,ut herding on the hills, they at once |
made q rush upon them, and were sue
,essful in running off about twenty /
head. The Arapahoes discovered the
lctiol and made it known to the Com
mission. When the Commissioners had
1osted themselves on the raid, they
ave three scouts and interpreters
etter each. reading ITO whom it may
concern" &c, and started them with
ltIy OF Jne Ardp1nOe WaIIIOEs, III Put
uit of the thieves and stolen ponies.-
They tracked them to the Kaw village,
wo hundred miles distant from this
amp. Riding in, they asked the Kaws
o deliver up their stock ; the Kaws OF
.ourse, denied having stolen their po-
lies. When tine Arapahoes found
hat talking would avail them no re-
urn, they withdrew, and when night
anne on, ran in, stampeded the stock,
nd ran off thirty. three head, thus
laying on the Kaws, an Indian joke.