, 1877-07-21
WAR Danee at Fort Boise.

The Baunock, Shoshone and W elscr braves
wbo have been engaged by Col. Green 10 act
as scouts for his command gave graha eX-
bihition of their agility and power OF endur-
ance IN war dance on Tuesday evening at
Fo-t Boise Due notice had been gwen,
ample preparations made and general III
vitat;on extended to the c!ilzens To come
and witness the performance Long before
the bour arrived vast aSserdbiase OF eItl-
zcns. ladies and gentlemen iza gathered at
The fort The plaza OF the large stone
bniIdinq occupied rs residence and quarters
bv Mai. Collins was filed with iaoleS' ioT
whom comfortable seats had been PROVIDED
and to whom every polite attention was
shown by Major and Mrs. Collins, as weA
as nv Coi Green and all the officers present
Mrs. Collins, though suffering under the
heavy and erevious burden OF sorrow Tor the
recent loss of her four blooming children,
and now UDon the eve Of another sorrow-
.bat of parting with her husband, who IS or
dered TO the front-showed upon this coca
sian what is better than cheeridiness-
the careful and thoughtful attention Of the
accomplished hostess. and the -sacilhcn9
devotion Of the Wonlan-patrlot and the SOL
diers wife.
The building, in front OF whicl the spec
tq+c-s were assembled is situated upon The
edo Of plateau or bench Of the montaln,
with a rather steep descent OF about thirty
feet IN the s,,ace below, where the flag stat
is erected. This afforded the spectators the
ADVANTAGE of a natural theatre, as they could
look down upon the spot near the Tag san
where the dance was 10 take place - hile
waiting for the trouble to begin ore OF Idaho S
uap,if!cent and unrivaied sunsets gilded the
sca9e with the shaae-embowered cIty IN the
foreground. the beautiful green valley stretch
mo away to the west. wMie TO the s0ath the
oray SAGE ulain melted and blended with the
biue SIDES Of Owyhee's snow crested noun
ta:ns. Very lovely was tins picture which
took away all the tedjum 0t WGIug. As The
twilight deepened and riSat approached Z
bure Blazing fire was started from the wood
which had been provided for the occasion,
Soon tie terror-ins2riEg war scnS Wlih LIS
accompanying yelis was heard and the band Il
brayes-sone fifty in nuaber-armed and
painted and Ia full Indian costume ami re-
gala. came upon the scene. HE space was
cleared by stretching ropes around 10 keep
back the over curious, and the var dance be-
gan. The dance was participated IN hy only
the fortunate few. some dozen IN number,
who had taken scalps IRON, their enemies in
battle. The rest remained seated upon the
ground near the dancers; admirng, perhaps
cnvious and determined TO qualify themselves
for the next occasion. Buffalo Horn, the DIS
tinguished sc0ut and leader, was foremost
and mostcons spicuously active. He was rob
ed and rigged cut In all the fantastic eXTava-
caace Of the proud and exuitaut Indian way
Ii1r, his head-dress sG--n0JHSea WI5h hUso
pair Of horns, which cut circles in the ar
during the gy7sltions a1d sal.aticn5 Of the
dance. The rest al did the.- Level best TO
keep IN: and were indefatlga5le III their
a.ior.s to please and 10 DO juS1i,e 10 them
selves AID the occasion. During the per
torrance the mcss unearthiy chaa5 was neP:
up, and most bl5oi-fraeziGg ye!!s f:am time
to time rent the air The indians intended
this dance IS ~ expression ci tlejr devotion
and zeal fer tie caIso IL which they enlisted.
Many Of the spectators had never before
witnessed similar performance and ali Tere
pleased and entertained by Z scgae 80 new
and strange. The presence Of The officers
and wsll4-uown citizens insured the hes. Of
order The delicious summer evening was
far advanced before the performance closed,
and those first retiring cJGiG still hear tae
wci=ied and ominous music Of the va? 5org
and hair raising yells after h y had reached
their homes IN the cI5y.-Bc.Ss Stqis&Han.-