Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-11
dancers yelled that high and dog-like cry
which no one but an Indian could long sustain.

dancers yelled that high and dog-like cry
which no one but an Indian could long sustain.
KETTLES OF BOILED DOG.
Streaked black and white by fire, smoke and
ashes and standing inside the outer edge of red
hot Goals were numerous tin and iron kettles.
There was nothing attractive in their appear
ance nor we're the odors issuing therefrom by
any means appetizing, but to the Indian these
kettles were the crowns Of the occasion. Two
OF the vessels were centers Of great popular in
terest The other pots contained hot water,
soon to be converted into coffee but these
larger kettles contained that peculiarly savage
dainty-boiled dog. How the black-looking
broth dubbed and foamed and how numerous
were the longing looks cast in the direction of
the fragments of dog meat that occasionally
arose TO the surface,
Dancing around the kettle" is the last cere-
mony previous to the mastcation Of the dog.
and if there is any truly weird scene anywhere
tie dance is IN progress. On this occasion there
were two dogs, two kettles, and, consequently
two dances. A description of one dance will
do for both. With the eyes of everybody in
the house on him Ito say nothing Of the hum
dreds OF optics peering through the cracks from
the outside) a stalwart warrior drew smoking
coal from the fire. picked up one of the kettles
and then waved it over the coal half dozen
lines. This was for the purpose of soaring
away the spirits. Then four or five of the Lead
u,
offered up prayer to the Great Spirit for
the success of the expedition and commenced
business. The dog in the kettle represented
an enemy who was supposed to be dead, but
about whose decease there was yet no GER
talnty. and it was to settle the question that
these valiant braves moved forward. The drum
was being beaten with much force and very
rapidly. while the song was stronger and higher
than ever before. Four of the most valiant
men moved abreast to within easy reach of the
AMI al han tylf oh nj Laz,@
grinning prominence ON the top of the pot,
and then they retreated swiftly. On each
man face was evident his desire to have tho
enemy in his power. and yet when they
approached the canine remains the braves
simulated fear in a wonderfully effective
manner. No tragedian ever sur passed the acting
OF one or two of these Indians. Finally the
hcttous fear was conquered and on the next
assault the leader thrust his arm into the kettle
and took therefrom the dripping head. Cook
ing had drawn back the lips and there was an
unpleasant impression of two very white rows
OF tightly shut teeth and pair of boiled-out
and eXpressionless eyes A young man. robed
In semi-whIte shirt and leggins and with Wis
age Mortified by white paint, took the head and
faced with 1t to the west. south. east and north
and then the dainty WAS given the chief for his
own private consumption and dedication. The
servants dance followed, in which two men,
after many maneuvers. speared portions of the
meat and then placed the kettles in my imme-
date vicinity.
Lightning was still flashing occasionally and
thunder continued to roar its diapason accom-
paniment to the Omaha when We departed for
our camp. Sparks were rising in the moist
atmosphere, encompassed by cloud Of smoke;
the altitudinously pitched songs were moving
upward, drums responded nolsily to the never
ceasing demands of untiring arms the dull
sound of dancing feet continued monoton-
ously. Ny tent was fully half a mile from the
Omaha, yet the sound of those drums lulled
me to sleep.
Did eat any Of the dog? Nay!
Common, ordinary, everyday beef is good
enoughf for me. Gro II. HARRIEs.