Adventures of the Ojibbeway and Ioway Indians in England, France, and Belgium; Vol. 2 (of 2) being Notes of Eight Years' Travels and Residence in Europe with his North American Indian Collection

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Catlin'S Notes

Of

Eight Years' Travels And Residence

In Europe,

With His

North American Indian Collection.

Volume II.

Adventures

Of The

Ojibbeway And Ioway Indians

In

England, France, And Belgium;

Being Notes Of

Eight Years' Travels And Residence In Europe

With His

North American Indian Collection,

By Geo. Catlin.

In Two Volumes.

Vol. II.

With numerous Engravings.

_Third Edition._

LONDON: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, AT HIS INDIAN COLLECTION, NO. 6, WATERLOO PLACE. 1852.

Contents Of Vol. II.

Chapter XVII.

Arrival of fourteen Ioway Indians in London--Their lodgings in St. James's Street--The Author visits them--Their portraits and names--Mr. Melody, their conductor--Jeffrey Doraway, their interpreter--Landlady's alarm--Indians visit the Author's Collection in the Egyptian Hall--Arrangement to dance in the Collection--The Doctor (Medicine or Mystery man) on top of the Hall--Their first drive in a bus--Doctor's appearance outside--Indians' first impressions of London--Lascars sweeping the streets--Man with a big nose--The Doctor lost, and found on the housetop--Their first exhibition in Egyptian Hall--Eagle-dance--The Doctor's speech--Great amusement of the ladies--His description of the railroad from Liverpool to London--War-dance, great applause--The "jolly fat dame"--She presents a gold bracelet to the Doctor by mistake--Her admiration of the _Roman-nose_--War-whoop--Description of--Approaching-dance--Wolf-song, and description of--Great amusement of the audience--Shaking hands--Mistake with the bracelet Page 1

Chapter XVIII.

Character of the Doctor (_mystery_ or _medicine man_)--An omnibus-drive--The Doctor's admiration of the "jolly fat dame"--Jealousy--War-dress and war-paint of the _Roman-nose_--His appearance--He leads the War-dance--The Welcome-dance, and Bear-dance--Description of--Pipe-of-peace (or Calumet) dance, and Scalp-dance--_Chip-pe-ho-la_ (_the Author_)--Speech of the War-chief--The "jolly fat dame"--She presents a gold bracelet to _Roman-nose_--Jealousy and distress of the Doctor--She converses with Daniel--Two reverend gentlemen converse with the Indians about religion--Reply of White-cloud and War-chief--Questions by the reverend gentlemen--Answers by the War-chief--Indians invited to breakfast with Mr. Disraeli, M.P., Park Lane--Indians' toilette and dress--The Doctor and Jim (Wash-ka-mon-ya) fasting for the occasion 27

Chapter XIX.

Kind reception at Mr. Disraeli's--View of Hyde Park from the top of his house--Review of troops, and sham fight--Breakfast-table--The Doctor missing--The Author finds him in the bathing-room--Champagne wine--Refused by the Indians--_Chickabobboo_: _Chippehola_ tells the story of it--The Indians drink--Presents--The "big looking-glass"--The Doctor smiles in it--Speech of the War-chief--Shake of hands, and return--Exhibition-room, Egyptian Hall--Doctor presents a string of wampum and the "_White-feather_" to the "jolly fat dame"--Indians talk about _chickabobboo_--The Rev. Mr. G---- calls--A different religion (a Catholic)--Interview appointed--Two Methodist clergymen call--Indians refuse to see them--The giant and giantess visit the Indians--The Doctor measuring the giantess--The talk with the Catholic clergyman Page 47

Chapter XX.

The Doctor and Jim visit several churches--The Indians in St. Paul's--In Westminster Abbey--The exhibition at the Hall--The Doctor agrees to go in the carriage of the "jolly fat dame"--Mr. Melody objects--The Doctor's melancholy--Indians stop the bus to talk with Lascars--Make them presents of money--Indians discover _chickabobboo-ags_(gin-palaces)--and ladies lying down in their carriages reading books--_Chim-e-gotch-ees_ (or fish)--Jim's story of "Fish"--Experiments in mesmerism--Wash-ka-mon-ya (Jim) mesmerized--The Doctor's opinions on mesmerism--Ioways in Lord's Cricket-ground--Archery and ball-playing--Encampment--Wigwams--Indians invited by Mrs. Lawrence to Ealing Park--Their kind reception--Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--The Princess Mary--The Duchess of Gloucester--The Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess, and other distinguished guests--Amusements--Beautiful grounds--Indians dine on the lawn--Roast beef and plum-pudding--_Chickabobboo_--Alarm of the parrots--Doctor's superstition--_Chickabobboo_ explained--Speech of the War-chief--Taking leave--Fright of the poor birds--Handsome presents--Conservatory--The Doctor's ideas of it--Indians visit Surrey Zoological Gardens--Fright of the birds and animals--Indians sacrifice tobacco to the lion and the rattle-snakes 63

Chapter XXI.

Indians' remarks on the Zoological Gardens--Their pity for the poor buffalo and other animals imprisoned--Jim's talk with a clergyman about Hell and the hyænas--Indians' ideas of astronomy--Jim and the Doctor hear of the hells of London--Desire to go into them--Promised to go--Indians counting the gin-palaces (_chickabobboo-ags_)in a ride to Blackwall and back--The result--Exhibition in the Egyptian Hall--A sudden excitement--The War-chief recognises in the crowd his old friend "Bobasheela"--Their former lives on the Mississippi and Missouri--Bobasheela an Englishman--His travels in the "Far West" of America--Story of their first acquaintance--The doomed wedding-party--Lieut. Pike--Daniel Boone and Son--Indians visit a great brewery--Kind reception by the proprietors--Great surprise of the Indians--Immense quantities of _chickabobboo_--War-dance in an empty vat--Daniel commences Jim's book of the statistics of England--Indians visit the Tunnel--Visit to the Tower--The Horse Armoury--The Royal Regalia--Indians' ideas of the crowns and jewels--"_Totems_"(arms) on the fronts of noblemen's houses--Royal arms over the shops--Strange notions of the Doctor--They see the "man with the big nose" again--And the "great white War-chief (the Duke of Wellington) on horseback, near his wigwam" Page 90

Chapter XXII.

The Ioways in Vauxhall Gardens--Surrey Theatre--Carter in the lions' cage--Astonishment of the Indians--Indians in the Diving Bell, at the Polytechnic Institution--Indians riding--Shooting at target on horseback--Ball-play--"Jolly fat dame"--Ladies converse with the Doctor--His reasons for not marrying--Curious questions--Plurality of wives--Amusing scene--The Author in Indian costume--A cruel experiment--Ioways arrive in Birmingham--The Author's arrival there--Society of Friends--Indians all breakfast with Mr. Joseph Sturge--Kind treatment--Conversation after breakfast about religion and education--Reply of the War-chief--The button-factory of Turner and Sons--Generous presents to the Indians--_Bobasheela_ arrives--Indians dividing their buttons--Doctor found on top of the Shakespeare Buildings--Indians' kindness to a beggar-woman--Poorhouses--Many Friends visit the Indians--Indians' visit to Miss Catherine Hutton--Her great age--Her kindness--Dinner--Her presents to them in money--Parting scene--The War-chief's speech to her--Her letters to the Author--Indians present to the two hospitals 370 dollars--Address read by the Presidents to the Indians--Doctor's reply--Indians start for York--A fox-hunt--Curious notions of Indians about it--Visit to York Minster--Ascend the grand tower--Visit to the castle and prison--Museum of the instruments of murder--Alarm of the Doctor--Kindness of the governor of the castle and his lady--Indians' ideas of imprisonment for debt, and punishment for murder 117

Chapter XXIII.

Newcastle-on-Tyne--Indians' alarms about jails--Kind visits from Friends--Mrs. A. Richardson--Advice of the Friends--War-Chiefs reply--Liberal presents--Arrive at Sunderland--Kindness of the Friends--All breakfast with Mr. T. Richardson--Indians plant trees in his garden--And the Author also--The Doctor's superstition--Sacrifice--Feast--Illness of the Roman Nose--Indians visit a coalpit--North Shields--A sailors' dinner and a row--Arrive at Edinburgh--A drive--First exhibition there--Visit to Salisbury Crag--To Arthur's Seat--Holyrood House and Castle--The crown of Robert Bruce--The "big gun"--"Queen Mab"--Curious modes of building--"Flats"--Origin of--Illness of Corsair, the little _pappoose_--The old Doctor speaks--War-chief's speech--A feast of ducks--Indians' remarks upon the government of Scotland--"The swapping of crowns"--The Doctor proposes the crown of Robert Bruce for Prince Albert--Start for Dundee--Indians' liberality--A noble act--Arrival at Dundee--Death of little Corsair--Distress of the Little Wolf and his wife--Curious ceremony--Young men piercing their arms--Indians at Perth--Arrival in Glasgow--Quartered in the Town-hall--The cemetery--The Hunterian Museum--The Doctor's admiration of it--Daily drives--Indians throw money to the poor--Alarm for _Roman Nose_--Two reverend gentlemen talk with the Indians--War-chiefs remarks--Greenock--Doctor's regret at leaving Page 155

Chapter XXIV.

Arrival in Dublin--Decline of the _Roman Nose_--Exhibition in the Rotunda--Feast of ducks--First drive--Ph[oe]nix Park--Stags--Indians' ideas of game-laws and taxes--Annual expenses of British government--National debt--Daniel enters these in Jim's book--Indians called "Irishmen"--Author's reply--Speech of the War-chief--Jim's rapid civilization--New estimates for his book--Daniel reads of "Murders, &c.," in Times newspaper--Jim subscribes for the Times--Petition of 100,000 women--Society of Friends meet the Indians in the Rotunda--Their advice, and present to the chiefs 40_l._--Indians invited to Zoological Gardens--Presented with 36_l._--Indians invited to Trinity College--Conversation with the Rev. Master on religion--Liberal presents--They visit the Archbishop of Dublin--Presents--All breakfast with Mr. Joseph Bewly, a Friend--Kind treatment--Christian advice--Sickness of _Roman Nose_--Various entertainments by the Friends--A curious beggar--Indians' liberality to the poor--Arrival at Liverpool--Rejoicing and feast--Council--_Roman Nose_ placed in an hospital--Arrival in Manchester--Exhibition in Free Trade Hall--Immense platform--Three wigwams--Archery--Ball-play, &c.--Great crowds--_Bobasheela_ arrives--Death of the _Roman Nose_--Forms of burial, &c. 178

Chapter XXV.

The Author arrives in Paris--Victoria Hotel--Mr. Melody and his Indians arrive--Doctor missing, and found on the top of the hotel--Alarm of servants--First drive in Paris--Visit to Mr. King, the American ambassador--French _chickabobboo_--M. Vattemare--Indians visit the Hôtel de Ville--Prêfet de Police--Magnificent salons--The "big looking-glasses" --The Prêfet's lady--Refreshments and _chickabobboo_--Speech of the War-chief--Reply of the Prêfet--Salle Valentino taken for the exhibition--Daniel arrives with the Collection from London--Indians visit the King in the palace of the Tuileries--Royal personages--Conversation--War-chief presents the calumet--His speech to the King--Eagle-dance--War-dance--Little Wolf presents his tomahawk and whip to the King--His speech--Refreshments and "Queen's _chickabobboo_"--Drinking the King's and Queen's health, and health of the Count de Paris--"Vive le Roi"--Jim's opinion of the King--An Indian's idea of descents--Presents in money from the King--Mode of dividing it--A drive--Ladies leading dogs with strings--The number counted in one drive--The Indians' surprise--An entry for Jim's book--Jim laments the loss of the Times newspaper and _Punch_--He takes Galignani's Messenger--Indians dine at W. Costar's--The Doctor's compliment to a lady's fine voice--Indians visit the Royal Academy of Sciences--Curious reception--M. Arago--Indians' suspicions and alarms--Jim's remarkable speech--Opening of the exhibition in Salle Valentino--Great excitement--Speech of the War-chief--Shaking hands--Public opinion of the Author's Collection 203

Chapter XXVI.

Indians at Madame Greene's party--Their ideas of waltzing--The Doctor's admiration of the young ladies--The King's fête, 1st of May--Indians in the Palace--Royal Family in the balcony--Grand and sublime scene on the river--Indians in a crowd of nobility in the Duc d'Aumale's apartments--Messenger to Indians' apartments with gold and silver medals--Medals to the women and children--Consequent difficulties--Visit to the Hospital of Invalids--Place Concorde--Column of Luxor--The fountains--Visit to the Triumphal Arch--Jim's description of an ugly woman--Victor Hugo--Madame Georges Sands--Indians visit the Louvre--M. de Cailleux--Baron de Humboldt--Illness of the wife of Little Wolf--A phrenologist visits the Indians--The phrenologist's head examined--Two Catholic priests visit the Indians--Indians visit the Garden of Plants--Alarm of the birds and animals--The "poor prisoner buffalo"--Visit to the _Salle aux Vins_--Astonishment of the Indians--The war-whoop--_Chickabobboo_-- Cafés explained--Indians visit _Père la Chaise_--A great funeral--A speech over the grave--Hired mourners--Visit the _School of Medicine_--and "_Dupuytren's Room_"--Excitement of the Doctor--Visit to the _Foundling Hospital_--Astonishment and pity of the Indians--Entries in Jim's note-book, and Doctor's remarks--Visit the _Guillotine_--Indians' ideas of _hanging_ in England, and _beheading_ in France--Curious debate--Visit to the _Dog Market_--Jim's purchase and difficulty--The _Dog Hospital_--Alarm of the "petites malades"--Retreat--_Bobasheela_ arrives from London--Great rejoicing--Jim's comments on the Frenchwomen--The _little foundlings_ and the _little dogs_ 232

Chapter XXVII.

_La Morgue_--The Catacombs--The Doctor's dream--Their great alarm--Visit to the _Hippodrome_--Jim riding M. Franconi's horse--Indians in the Woods of Boulogne--Fright of the rabbits--Jim and the Doctor at the _Bal Mabille_, Champs Elysées--At the _Masquerade_, _Grand Opera_--Their opinions and criticisms on them--Frenchwomen at confession in St. Roch--Doctor's ideas of it--Jim's speech--"_Industrious fleas_"--Death of the wife of Little Wolf--Her baptism--Husband's distress--Her funeral in the Madeleine--Her burial in Montmartre--Council held--Indians resolve to return to America--Preparations to depart in a few days--_Bobasheela_ goes to London to ship their boxes to New York--He returns, and accompanies the Indians to Havre--Indians take leave of _Chippehola_ (the Author)--M. Vattemare accompanies them to Havre--Kindly treated by Mr. Winslow, an American gentleman, at Havre--A splendid dinner, and (_Queen's_) _Chickabobboo_--Indians embark--Taking leave of _Bobasheela_--Illness of the Author's lady--His alarm and distress--Her death--Obituary--Her remains embalmed and sent to New York 261

Chapter XXVIII.

Eleven Ojibbeway Indians arrive from London--Their exhibitions in the Author's Collection--Portraits and description of--Their amusements--Their pledge to sobriety--_Chickabobboo_ explained to them--Birth of a _Pappoose_--M. Gudin; Indians and the Author dine with him--His kind lady--The Author breakfasts with the Royal Family in the palace at St. Cloud--Two Kings and two Queens at the table--The Author presented to the King and Queen of the Belgians by Louis Philippe, in the salon--Count de Paris--Duc de Brabant--Recollects the Indian pipe and mocassins presented to him by the Author in the Egyptian Hall--Duchess of Orleans--The Princess Adelaide--The King relates anecdotes of his life in America--Washington's farewell address--Losing his dog in the Seneca village--Crossing Buffalo Creek--Descending the Tioga and Susquehana rivers in an Indian canoe to Wyoming, the Author's native valley--The King desires the Author to arrange his whole Collection in the Louvre for the private views of the Royal Family--He also appoints a day to see the Ojibbeways in the Park at St. Cloud--Great rejoicing of the Indians--A _dog-feast_--The Indians and the Author dine a second time at M. Gudin's 278

Chapter XXIX.

Indians' visit to the Palace of St. Cloud--The Park--Artificial lake--Royal Family--Prince de Joinville--Recollected seeing the Author and Collection in Washington--King and Queen of Belgians--The _regatta_--The birch-bark canoe, and the Prince de Joinville's "Whitehaller"--War-dance--Ball-play--Archery--Dinner prepared for the Indians--M. Gudin and the Author join them--Indians' return--Gossip at night--Their ideas of the King and Royal Family--Messenger from the King, with gold and silver medals and money, to the Indians--The War-chief cures a cancer--Author's Collection in the _Salle de Séance_, in the Louvre--The Indians and the Author dine with M. Passy, Member of Deputies--Kind treatment by himself and lady--King visits the Collection in the Louvre--The Author explains his pictures--Persons present--An hour's visit--The King retires--Second visit of the King and Royal Family to the Collection--The Author's four little children presented to the King--His Majesty relates the anecdote of bleeding himself in America, and his visit to General Washington at Mount Vernon--His descent of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in a small boat, to New Orleans--Orders the Author to paint fifteen pictures for Versailles 287

Chapter XXX.

The Author leaves his Collection in the Louvre, and arrives with the Indians in Bruxelles--Indians at the soirée of the American Minister in Bruxelles--Author's reception by the King in the Palace--Small-pox among the Indians--Indians unable to visit the Palace--Exhibition closes--Seven sick with small-pox--Death of one of them--His will--A second dies--His will--The rest recover--Faithful attentions of Daniel--The Author accompanies them to Antwerp, and pays their expenses to London on a steamer--Death of the War-chief in London--His will--The Author raises money by subscription and sends to them--Letter from the survivors, in England, to the Author--Drawings by the War-chief--The Author stopped in the streets of London and invited to see the skeleton of the War-chief!--His indignation--Subsequent deaths of four others of this party in England--The three parties of Indians in Europe--Their objects--Their success--Their conduct--Their reception and treatment--Things which they saw and learned--Estimates and statistics of civilized life which they have carried home--Their mode of reasoning from such premises--And the probable results 294

Chapter XXXI.

The Author returns to his little children in Paris--His loss of time and money--The three Indian speculations--His efforts to promote the interests of the Indians, and the persons who brought them to Europe--His advice to other persons wishing to engage in similar enterprises--The Author retires to his atelier, and paints the fifteen pictures for the King--The pleasure of quiet and retirement with his four little children around him--He offers his Indian Collection to the American Government--And sends his memorial to Congress--Bill reported in favour of the purchase--The Author has an interview with the King in the Tuileries--Delivers the fifteen pictures--Subjects of the pictures painted--Conversations with the King--Reflections upon his extraordinary life--The Author's thoughts, while at his easel, upon scenes of his life gone by--And those that were about him, as he strolled, with his little children, through the streets and society of Paris--Distressing and alarming illness of the Author's four little children--Kindness of sympathizing friends--Death of "little George"--His remains sent to New York, and laid by the side of his mother--A father's tears and loneliness--The Author returns with his Collection to London 311

Appendix--A.

Extracts of Letters from the Ioway Mission, Upper Missouri 327

Appendix--B.

Experiments in Horse-taming 332

Catlin'S Notes In Europe,

_&c. &c._

Chapter XVII.

Arrival of fourteen Ioway Indians in London--Their lodgings in St. James's Street--The Author visits them--Their portraits and names--Mr. Melody, their conductor--Jeffrey Doraway, their interpreter--Landlady's alarm--Indians visit the Author's Collection in the Egyptian Hall--Arrangement to dance in the Collection--The Doctor (Medicine or Mystery man) on top of the Hall--Their first drive in a bus--Doctor's appearance outside--Indians' first impressions of London--Lascars sweeping the streets--Man with a big nose--The Doctor lost, and found on the housetop--Their first exhibition in Egyptian Hall--Eagle-dance--The Doctor's speech--Great amusement of the ladies--His description of the railroad from Liverpool to London--War-dance, great applause--The "jolly fat dame"--She presents a gold bracelet to the Doctor by mistake--Her admiration of the _Roman-nose_--War-whoop--Description of--Approaching-dance--Wolf-song, and description of--Great amusement of the audience--Shaking hands--Mistake with the bracelet.

The event which I spoke of at the close of my last chapter--the arrival of another party of Indians--was one which called upon me at once for a new enterprise, and I suddenly entered upon it, again deferring the time of my return to my native land.

The "fourteen Ioway Indians," as report had said, had arrived, and were in apartments at No. 7, St. James's Street, with their interpreter. This party was in charge of Mr. G. H. C. Melody, who had accompanied them from their own country, with a permission gained from the Secretary at War to bring them to Europe, which permission was granted in the following words:--

_War Department, Washington City, Sept. 14th, 1843._

Dear Sir,

In answer to your application relative to Mr. Melody's making a tour to Europe with a party of Ioway Indians, as well as to a similar one on his behalf from the Rev. Wm. P. Cochran, of Marian County, Missouri, I beg leave to say, that it has not been usual to grant any permissions of the kind, and the verbal instructions to the Agents, Superintendents, &c. have been against permitting such tours, for the reason, I presume, that the persons having them in charge are usually men who merely wish to make money out of them by exhibitions, without taking any care of their habits or morals, or inducing them to profit by what they see and hear upon their route.

In the present case, however, I do not think that the evils usually to be apprehended will occur, from the character of Mr. Melody, and the mode in which the Indians are proposed to be selected. This I understand is to be done by the Chief, White Cloud, with the full assent of the individuals thus selected, and their continuance on the tour to be their own act.

Under all the circumstances, I suppose all the Department can do, is to allow Mr. Melody and the Chiefs of the tribe to do as they please, without imposing the usual or any prohibition.

I am, yours, very truly, J. M. PORTER, Secretary at War. Vespasian Ellis, Esq.

_Washington City, Sept. 1843._

Dear Sir,

Under this letter you are authorised to make any arrangement with the Chief of the tribe of Indians that you and he may please to make; and the War Department agrees, in consideration of your well-known integrity of character, not to interfere with the arrangement which you and the Chief or the Indians may make.

Your obedient Servant, VESPASIAN ELLIS. Mr. Melody.

Mr. Melody called upon me immediately on his arrival in London, and I went with him to see his party, several of whom I at once recognized as I entered their rooms. On seeing me they all rose upon their feet and offered me their hands, saluting me by their accustomed word, "How! how! how! _Chip-pe-ho-la!_" and evidently were prepared for great pleasure on meeting me. _White Cloud_, the head chief of the tribe, was of the party, and also the war-chief _Neu-mon-ya_ (the Walking Rain). These two chiefs, whose portraits were then hanging in my collection, had stood before me for their pictures several years previous in their own village, and also one of the warriors now present, whose name was _Wash-ka-mon-ya_ (the Fast Dancer). These facts being known, one can easily imagine how anxious these good fellows had been, during a journey of 2000 miles from their country to New York, and then during their voyage across the ocean, to meet me in a foreign land, who had several years before shared the hospitality of their village, and, to their knowledge, had done so much to collect and perpetuate the history of their race. They had come also, as I soon learned, in the full expectation to dance in my collection, which they were now impatient to see.

This first interview was during the evening of their arrival, and was necessarily brief, that they might get their night's rest, and be prepared to visit my rooms in the morning. A few pipes were smoked out as we were all seated on the floor, in a "talk" upon the state of affairs in their country and incidents of their long and tedious journey, at the end of which they now required rest, and I left them.

By entering the city at night, they had created little excitement or alarm, except with the landlady and her servants, where they had been taken in. Their rooms had been engaged before their arrival, but the good woman "had no idea they were going to look so savage and wild; she was very much afraid that their red paint would destroy her beds," not yet knowing that they were to wash the paint all off before they retired to rest, and that then they were to spread their buffalo robes upon the floor and sleep by the side of, and under her beds, instead of getting into them. These facts, when they became known, amused her very much; and Mr. Melody's representations of the harmlessness and honesty of the Indians, put her at rest with respect to the safety of her person and her property about her house.

The objects of these being the same as those of the former party, of seeing the country and making money by their exhibitions, I entered into a similar arrangement with Mr. Melody, joining with my collection, conducting their exhibitions, and sharing the expenses and receipts of the same, on condition that such an arrangement should be agreeable to the Indians.

Their first night's rest in London being finished, they were all up at an early hour, full of curiosity to see what was around them; and their fourteen red heads out of their front windows soon raised a crowd and a novel excitement in St. James's. Every body knew that the "Indians had gone," and the conjectures amongst the crowd were various and curious as to this strange arrival. Some said it was "the wedding party returned;" others, more sagacious, discovered the difference in their appearance, and pronounced them "the real cannibals from New Zealand;" and others said "their heads were too red, and they could be nothing else than the real _red_-heads--the man-eaters--that they had read of somewhere, but had forgotten the place."

The morning papers, however, which are the keys for all such mysteries, soon solved the difficulty, but without diminishing the crowd, by the announcement that a party of fourteen Ioway Indians, from the base of the Rocky Mountains, had arrived during the night and taken up their lodgings in St. James's Street.

After taking their breakfasts and finishing their toilets, they stepped into carriages and paid their first visit to my collection, then open in the Egyptian Hall. Instead of yelling and shouting as the Ojibbeways did on first entering it, they all walked silently and slowly to the middle of the room, with their hands over their mouths, denoting surprise and silence. In this position, for some minutes (wrapped in their pictured robes, which were mostly drawn over their heads or up to their eyes), they stood and rolled their eyes about the room in all directions, taking a general survey of what was around them, before a word was spoken. There was an occasional "she-e" in a lengthened whisper, and nothing more for some time, when at length a gradual and almost imperceptible conversation commenced about portraits and things which they recognized around the room. They had been in a moment transferred into the midst of hundreds of their friends and their enemies, who were gazing at them from the walls--amongst wig-wams and thousands of Indian costumes and arms, and views of the prairies they live in--altogether opening to their view, and to be seen at a glance, what it would take them years to see in their own country. They met the portraits of their chiefs and other friends, upon the walls, and extended their hands towards them; and they gathered in groups in front of their enemies, whom the warriors had met in battle, and now recognized before them. They looked with great pleasure on a picture of their own village, and examined with the closest scrutiny the arms and weapons of their enemies. One may easily imagine how much there was in this collection to entertain these rude people, and how much to command their attachment to me, with whom they had already resolved to unite.

A council was held and the pipe lit under the Crow wig-wam, which was standing in the middle of my room, when Mr. Melody explained to the Indians that he had now got them safe across the ocean as he had promised, and into the midst of the greatest city in the world, where they would see many curious things, and make many good and valuable friends, if they conducted themselves properly, which he was confident they would do.

"You have met," said he, "your old friend _Chip-pe-ho-la_, whom you have talked so much about on the way; you are now in his wonderful collection, and he is by the side of you, and you will hear what he has to say." ("_How! how! how!_")

I reminded the White-cloud of the time that I was in his village, and lived under his father's tent, where I had been kindly treated, and for which I should always feel grateful. That in meeting them here, I did not meet them as strangers, but as friends. ("_How! how! how!_") That they had come a great way, and with a view to make something to carry home to their wives and little children; that Mr. Melody and I had entered into an arrangement by which I was in hopes that my efforts might aid in enabling them to do so. ("_How! how! how!_") That I was willing to devote all my time, and do all that was in my power, but the continuation of my exertions would depend entirely upon their own conduct, and their efforts to gain respect, by aiding in every way they could, and keeping themselves entirely sober, and free from the use of spirituous liquors. ("_How! how! how!_")

Mr. Melody here remarked that they had pledged their words to him and their Great Father (as the condition on which they were allowed to come), that they would drink no ardent spirits while absent, and that he was glad to say they had thus far kept their promise strictly. ("_How! how! how!_")

I told them I was glad to hear this, and I had no doubt but they would keep their word with me on that point, for every thing depended on it. We were amongst a people who look upon drunkenness as low and beastly, and also as a crime; and as I had found that most white people were of opinion that all Indians were drunkards, if they would show by their conduct that such was not the case, they would gain many warm and kind friends wherever they went. ("_How! how! how!_") I told them that the Ojibbeways whom I had had with me, and who had recently gone home, gave me a solemn promise when they arrived that they would keep entirely sober and use no spirituous liquors,--that they kept that promise awhile, but I had been grieved to hear that before they left the country they had taken up the wicked habit of drinking whiskey, and getting drunk, by which they had lost all the respect that white people had for them when they first came over. (A great laugh, and "_How! how! how!_")

_Neu-mon-ya_ (the war-chief) replied to me, that they were thankful that the Great Spirit had kept them safe across the ocean and allowed them to see me, and to smoke the pipe again with me, and to hear my wise counsel, which they had all determined to keep ("_How! how! how!_"). He said that they had been very foolish to learn to drink "_fire-water_" in their country, which was very destructive to them, and they had promised their Great Father, the President, that they would drink none of it whilst they were abroad. He said he hoped I would not judge them by the Ojibbeways who had been here, "for," said he, "they are all a set of drunkards and thieves, and always keep their promises just about as well as they kept them with you." (A laugh, and "_How! how! how!_")[1]

[1] Some allowance will be made for the freedom with which the Ioways occasionally speak of their predecessors, the Ojibbeways, as these two tribes have lived in a state of constant warfare from time immemorial.

This _talk_, which was short, was ended here, to the satisfaction of all parties, and the Indians were again amusing themselves around the room, leaving the wig-wam and further conversations to Mr. Melody, the interpreter, and myself. Mr. Melody, though a stranger to me, bearing the high recommendations contained in the letter of the Secretary at War, already published, at once had my confidence (which I am pleased to say his conduct has kept up) as an excellent and honest man.

Their interpreter, Jeffrey Doraway (a mulatto), and who had been one of the first to recognize and hail me when I entered their rooms, had been an old and attached acquaintance of mine while travelling in that country, and that acquaintance had several times been renewed in St. Louis, and New York, and other places where I had subsequently met him. He had been raised from childhood in the tribe, and the chiefs and all the party were very much attached to him, and his interest seemed to be wholly identified with that of the tribe. He was of a most forbearing and patient disposition, and of temperate habits, and as he was loved by the chiefs, had great influence with them, and control over the party.

I related to Mr. Melody and Jeffrey the difficulties that laid before us; the prejudices raised in the public, mind by the conduct of Mr. Rankin with his party of Ojibbeways, and the unfortunate season of the year at which they had arrived in London. That the middle of July was the very worst season in which to open an exhibition, and that it might be difficult to raise a second excitement sufficiently strong to pay the very heavy expenses we must incur; but that I had resolved to unite my whole efforts to theirs, to bring their party into notice; which formed so much more complete and just a representation of the modes and appearance of the wild Indians of America than the Ojibbeways had given.

Finishing our conversation here, we found the Indians adjusting their plumes, and their robes, and their weapons, preparing to step into their "omnibus and four," to take their first rapid glance at the great City of London, in "a drive," which was to pass them through some of its principal thoroughfares for their amusement. At this moment of excitement it was suddenly announced that one of the party (and a very essential one), the "_Doctor_" (or _medicine man_), was missing! Search was everywhere making for him, and when it was quite certain that he could not have passed into the street, Jeffrey inquired of the curator of the Hall if there was any passage that led out upon the roof? to which the curator replied, "Yes." "Well then," said Jeffrey, "we may be sure that he is there, for _it is 'a way that he has_:' he always is uneasy until he gets as high as he can go, and then he will stay there all night if you will let him alone." I went immediately to the roof, and found him standing on one corner of the parapet, overlooking Piccadilly,--wrapped in his buffalo robe, and still as a statue, while thousands were assembling in the streets to look at him, and to warn him of the danger they supposed him in.

The readers who have not had the pleasure of seeing this eccentric character, will scarcely be able to appreciate the oddity of this freak until they become better acquainted with the Doctor in the following pages. I invited him down from his elevated position, which he seemed reluctant to leave, and he joined his party, who passed into their carriage at the door. In this moment of confusion, of escaping from the crowd and closing the door, heads were counted, and the old Doctor was missing again. A moment's observation showed, however, that his _ascending_ propensity had gained him a position over their heads, as he had seated himself by the side of the driver, with his buffalo robe wrapped around him, the long and glistening blade of his spear passing out from underneath it, near to his left ear, and his vermilioned face surmounted by a huge pair of buffalo horns, rising out of a crest of eagle's quills and ermine skins. Thus loaded, and at the crack of the whip, and amidst the yelling multitude that had gathered around them, did the fourteen Ioways dash into the streets, to open their eyes to the sights and scenes of the great metropolis.

An hour or so in the streets, in a pleasant day, enabled them to see a great deal that was unlike the green prairies where they lived; and the "old Doctor," wrapped in his robe, and ogling the pretty girls, and everything else that he saw that was amusing as he passed along, raised a new excitement in the streets, and gave an extensive notification that "the wedding party had actually got back," or that another party of _red skins_ had arrived. They returned to their lodgings in great glee, and amused us at least for an hour with their "first impressions" of London; the _leading_, _striking_ feature of which, and the one that seemed to afford them the greatest satisfaction, was the _quantity of fresh meat_ that they saw in every street hanging up at the doors and windows--pigs, and calves, and sheep, and deer, and prairie hens, in such profusion that they thought "there would be little doubt of their getting as much fresh meat as they could eat." Besides this, they had seen many things that amused them, and others that excited their pity. They laughed much about the "black fellows with white eyes" who were carrying bags of coal, and "every one of them had got their hats on the wrong side before." They had seen many people who seemed to be very poor, and looked as if they were hungry: for they held out their hands to people passing by, as if they were asking for something to eat. "They had passed two _Indians_, with brooms in their hands, sweeping the dirt in the streets!"

This occurrence had excited their greatest anxieties to know "what Indians they could be, that would be willing to take a broom in their hands and sweep the dirt from under white men's feet, and then hold out their hands to white people for money to buy food to eat." They all agreed "that _Ioways_ would not do it, that _Sioux_ would not, that _Pawnees_ would not;" and when they were just deciding that their enemies, the _Ojibbeways_, _might_ be _slaves_ enough to do it, and that these were possibly a part of the Ojibbeway party that had been flourishing in London, I explained the mystery to them, by informing them that their conjectures were wrong--that it was true they were Indians, but not from North America. I agreed with them that no North American Indian would use that mode of getting his living, but that there were Indians in different parts of the world, and that these were from the East Indies, a country many thousands of miles from here; that these people were Indians from that country, and were of a tribe called _Lascars_; that many of them were employed by the captains of English ships to help to navigate their vessels from that country to this; and that in London they often come to want, and are glad to sweep the streets and beg, as the means of living, instead of starving to death. It seemed still a mystery to them, but partly solved, and they made many further remarks among themselves about them. The good landlady at this moment announced to Mr. Melody and Jeffrey that the dinner for the Indians was ready, and in a moment all were seated save the Doctor; he was missing. "That old fool," said Jeffrey, "there's no doubt but he has found his way to the top of the house." I was conducted by one of the servants through several unoccupied rooms and dark passages, and at last through a narrow and almost impassable labyrinth that brought me out upon the roof. The "Doctor" was _there_; and, wrapped in his buffalo robe, with his red face and his buffalo horns, was standing like a _Zealand penguin_, and smiling upon the crowds of gazers who were gathering in the streets, and at the windows, and upon the house-tops, in the vicinity.

For the several days succeeding this, while the Indians were lying still, and resting from their long and tedious voyage, and I was announcing in the usual way their arrival, and the time of the commencement of their exhibitions, I held many curious and amusing conversations with them about things they had already seen, and scenes and events that were yet in anticipation and before them. These are subjects, however, that must be passed over for events that were before us, and fuller of interest and excitement.

They had much amusement at this time also, about a man they said they had seen, with a remarkably big nose, which they said looked like a large potato (or _wapsapinnakan_), and one of the women sitting near the door of the omnibus declared "that it was actually a _wapsapinnakan_, for she could distinctly see the little holes where the sprouts grow out." The bus, they said, had passed on rather too quick for all to have a fair look, but they believed they would at some future time meet him again, and take a good look at him.

The evening for their first appearance before the public having arrived, the Ioways were prepared in all their rouge and fine dresses, and made their _début_ before a fashionable, but not a crowded audience. Their very appearance, as they entered the room, was so wild and classic, that it called forth applause from every part of the hall. The audience was composed chiefly of my friends, and others who had been familiar with the other group, and who were able to decide as to the comparative interest of the two parties; and it was proclaimed in every part of the room, that they were altogether more primitive in their appearance and modes, and decidedly a finer body of men. I had accompanied them on to the platform, and when they had got seated, and were lighting their pipe, I introduced them by stating, that in the exhibition of this party of Indians, I felt satisfied that I was bringing before the eyes of the audience the most just and complete illustration of the native looks and modes of the red men of the American wilderness, that had ever been seen on this side of the Atlantic; and that I should take great pleasure in introducing them and their modes, as they so satisfactorily illustrated and proved what I had been for several years labouring to show to English people, by my numerous paintings and Indian manufactures which I had collected, as well as by my notes of travel amongst these people, which I had recently published:

That the _Ioway_ was one of the remote tribes, yet adhering to all their native customs and native looks; and that this party, composed, as it was, of the two principal men of the tribe, and several of its most distinguished warriors, not only conveyed to the eyes of people in this country the most accurate account of primitive modes, but was calculated to excite the deepest interest, and to claim the respect of the community. That the position of this tribe being upon the great plains between the Missouri and the Rocky Mountains, 1000 miles farther west than the country from which the Ojibbeways came, their modes and personal appearance were very different, having as yet received no changes from the proximity of civilization:

That I had visited this tribe several years before, during my travels in the Indian countries, and that I had there formed my first acquaintance with the two chiefs who were now here, and which acquaintance, from the hospitable manner in which they had welcomed me in their humble wig-wams, I now felt great pleasure in renewing: ("_Hear, hear," and applause_.)

That these facts being known, with others which would be incidentally given, I felt fully assured that they would meet with a kind reception in this country, and that the audience were prepared for the introduction I was now to make of them and their modes.[2] (_Great applause_.)

[2] _Names of the Indians_.

1. Mew-hew-she-kaw (the white cloud), first chief of the nation. 2. Neu-mon-ya (the walking rain), war-chief. 3. Se-non-ti-yah (the blistered feet), the medicine man (or Doctor). 4. Wash-ka-mon-ya (the fast dancer). 5. Shon-ta-yi-ga (the little wolf). 6. No-ho-mun-ya (one who gives no attention), or Roman Nose. 7. Wa-ton-ye (the foremost man). 8. Wa-ta-we-buck-a-na (commanding general).

_Women_.

9. Ru-ton-ye-wee-ma (strutting pigeon), wife of White Cloud. 10. Ru-ton-wee-me (pigeon on the wing). 11. O-kee-wee-me (female bear that walks on the back of another). 12. Koon-za-ya-me (female war-eagle sailing). 13. Ta-pa-ta-me (wisdom), girl. 14. Corsair (pap-poose).

I then pointed out and explained to the audience, the characteristic differences between the appearance and modes of this party and the Ojibbeways, whom they had seen, and which will be obvious to the reader in the annexed illustration (_Plate No_. 9). The Ioways, like three other tribes only, in North America, all adhere to their national mode of shaving and ornamenting their heads. This is a very curious mode, and presents an appearance at once that distinguishes them from the Ojibbeways and other tribes, who cultivate the hair to the greatest length they possibly can, and pride themselves on its jet and glossy black. Every man in the Ioway tribe adheres to the mode of cutting all the hair as close as he can, excepting a small tuft which is left upon the crown, and being that part which the enemy takes for the scalp, is very properly denominated the "_scalp-lock_." He then rouges with vermilion the whole crown of his head (and oftentimes his whole face), and surmounts his _scalp-lock_ by a beautiful crest, made of the hair of the deer's tail, dyed of vermilion red.

The chief man of this party, the "_White Cloud_," the son of a distinguished chief of the same name, who died a few years since, was 35 years of age, and hereditary chief of the tribe. By several humane and noble acts, after he received his office of chief, he gained the admiration and friendship of the officers of the United States Government, as well as of his tribe, and had therefore been countenanced by the Government (as has been shown) in the enterprise of going abroad.

_Neu-mon-ya_ (the Walking Rain), and war-chief of the tribe, was 54 years of age, and nearly six feet and a half in height. A noble specimen of the manly grace and dignity that belong to the American wilderness, and also a man who had distinguished himself in the wars that he had led against his enemies.

_Se-non-ti-yah_ (the Blistered Feet), the _Medicine_ or _Mystery Man_, was a highly important personage of the party, and held a high and enviable position, as physician, soothsayer, and magician, in his tribe.

These personages are found in every tribe, and so much control have they over the superstitious minds of their people, that their influence and power in the tribe often transcend those of the chief. In all councils of war and peace they have a seat by the chiefs, and are as regularly consulted by the chiefs, as soothsayers were consulted in ancient days, and equal deference and respect is paid to their advice or opinions, rendering them _oracles_ of the tribe in which they live.

[Illustration: N^o. 9.]

A good illustration of this was given by this magician, while on their voyage to this country, a few weeks since, when near the land, off the English coast. The packet ship in which the Indians were passengers, was becalmed for several days, much to the annoyance of the Indians and numerous other passengers, when it was decided, by the Indian chief, that they must call upon the _Medicine Man_, to try the efficacy of his magical powers in the endeavour to raise a wind. For this purpose he very gradually went to work, with all due ceremony, according to the modes of the country, and after the usual ceremony of a mystery feast, and various invocations to the _spirit_ of the _wind_ and the _ocean_, both were conciliated by the sacrifice of many plugs of tobacco thrown into the sea; and in a little time the wind began to blow, the sails were filled, and the vessel soon wafted into port, to the amusement of the passengers, and much to the gratification of the Indians, who all believed, and ever will, that the vessel was set in motion by the potency of the Doctor's mysterious and supernatural powers.

Of the _Warriors_, _Shon-ta-yi-ga_ (the Little Wolf) and _Nu-ho-mun-ya_ (called the "Roman Nose") were the most distinguished, and I believe the world will agree with me, that it would be an act of injustice on my part, should I allow the poor fellows to carry through this country, without giving them publication, the subjoined documents,[3] by which it will be seen that they saved, in a humane manner, and worthy of warriors of better _caste_, the lives of ten unarmed and unoffending enemies.

[3] KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That Shon-ta-yi-ga or the _Little Wolf_, an Ioway brave, is well entitled to be called a brave, from the fact of his having been engaged in many expeditions against the enemies of his tribe: in all such excursions he has, I am informed, universally behaved bravely. But especially is he entitled to the love and confidence of all men, whether white or red, on account of his humanity and daring conduct in arresting from the cruel nation of which he is a member, a party of _Omahaws_. On last Sabbath day he saved from the tomahawk and scalping-knife ten unoffending Omahaws: one of the party was decoyed out of sight and murdered; the other ten consisting of the well-known and much-loved chiefs Big Elk, Big Eyes, and Washkamonia, one squaw and six young men. This party was on a visit of friendship, by special invitation from the Ioways. When they arrived within ten miles of this post, they were seen and conversed with by the son in law of Neu-mon-ya, a chief of the Ioways, who undertook to bring the _tobacco_ and _sticks_ to the Ioway chiefs, as is a custom of Indians when on a begging expedition. This young man proved treacherous, and failed to deliver his message to his chiefs, and gave information of the approach of the Omahaws to a man who was preparing to go on a war party. He and two-thirds of the nation started out to murder their visitors, and were only prevented by the timely assistance and interference of the Little Wolf, or Shon-ta-yi-ga, and one other Ioway, whose name is the Roman Nose.

This man (the Little Wolf) interfered, as he says, and doubtless he tells the truth, because he considered it treacherous and cowardly to strike a brother, after having invited them to visit their nation. Such treachery is rare indeed among the wildest North-American Indians, and never occurred with the Ioways before. I met him and Jeffrey, the Ioway interpreter, together with two other Ioways, guarding the Big Elk and his party on to my agency, in a short time after this occurrence took place.

I cannot close this communication without expressing my sincere thanks to the Little Wolf and his comrade for their good conduct; and I most respectfully beg leave to recommend them to the kind attention of their great father, the President of the United States, and all gentlemen to whom this paper may be shown.

W. P. Richardson.

_Great Nemahaw Sub-Agency, Oct. 23, 1843._

_Office of Indian Affairs, St. Louis, Missouri, April 10, 1844_.

Sir,

Permit me to introduce to you the bearer, No-ho-mun-ya (Roman Nose), an Ioway brave. Roman Nose, in company with Shon-ta-yi-ga, or Little Wolf, in October last defended and rescued from impending death by a party of his own nation, ten Omahaw Indians, consisting of four respected chiefs, braves, and squaws, under circumstances highly flattering to their bravery and humanity.

I would recommend that a medal be presented to No-ho-mun-ya (Roman Nose) as a testimonial of his meritorious conduct on the occasion referred to. Medals from the Government are highly esteemed by the Indians; and if bravery and humanity are merits in the Indian, then I think Roman Nose richly merits one. His character in every respect is good.

A notice by the Government of meritorious acts by the Indians has a happy tendency in making a favourable impression in reference to the act that may be the cause of the notice.

I have presented Little Wolf with a medal that was in the office. On receiving it, he very delicately replied, that "he deserved no credit for what he had done--that he had only done his duty, but was gratified that his conduct had merited the approbation of his nation and his father."

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, Sir, Your obedient servant, W. H. HARVEY, Sup. Ind. Aff.

To his Excellency John Tyler, President of the United States, Washington City.

I concur with Mr. Harvey in thinking this Indian Chief entitled for his bravery and humanity to a medal.

June 8, 1844. J. TYLER, Presid. U. States, Washington City.

Medal delivered accordingly to Mr. Geo. H. C. Melody, for the Chief.

June 8, 1844. J. HARTLEY CRAWFORD.

_Okee-wee-me_ (the wife of the Little Wolf) is the mother of the infant pappoose, called Corsair. This child is little more than three months old, and slung in the cradle on the mother's back, according to the general custom practised by all the American tribes, and furnishes one of the most interesting illustrations in the group.

All tribes in America practise the same mode of carrying their infant children for several months from their birth upon a flat board resting upon the mother's back, as she walks or rides, suspended by a broad strap passing over her forehead, or across her breast. By this mode of carrying their children, the mothers, who have to perform all the slavish duties of the camp, having the free use of their hands and arms, are enabled to work most of the time, and, in fact, exercise and labour nearly as well as if their children were not attached to their persons. These cradles are often, as in the present instance, most elaborately embroidered with porcupine quills, and loaded with little trinkets hanging within the child's reach, that it may amuse itself with them as it rides, with its face looking _from_ that of its mother, while she is at work, so as not to draw upon her valuable time.

This rigid, and seemingly cruel mode of binding the child with its back to a straight board, seems to be one peculiarly adapted to Indian life, and, I believe, promotes straight limbs, sound lungs, and long life.

I having thus introduced the party to their first audience in England, and left other remarks upon them for their proper place, the Indians laid by their pipe, and commenced their evening's amusements by giving first their favourite, the _Eagle-Dance_. The _Drum_ (and their "_Eagle-Whistles_," with which they imitate the chattering of the soaring eagle), with their voices, formed the music for this truly picturesque and exciting dance. At their first pause in the dance, the audience, who had witnessed nothing of this description in the amusements of the Ojibbeways, being excited to the highest degree, encouraged the strangers with rounds of applause. The song in this dance is addressed to their favourite bird the war-eagle, and each dancer carries a fan made of the eagle's tail, in his left hand, as he dances, and by his attitudes endeavours to imitate the motions of the soaring eagle. This, being a part of the war-dance, is a _boasting_ dance; and at the end of each strain in the song some one of the warriors steps forth and, in an excited speech, describes the time and the manner in which he has slain his enemy in battle, or captured his horses, or performed some other achievement in war. After this the dance proceeds with increased spirit; and several in succession having thus excited their fellow-dancers, an indescribable thrill and effect are often produced before they get through.

In the midst of the noise and excitement of this dance the Doctor (or _mystery-man_) jumped forward to the edge of the platform, and making the most tremendous flourish of his spear which he held in his right hand, and his shield extended upon his left arm, recited the military deeds of his life--how he had slain his enemies in battle and taken their scalps; and with singular effect fitting the action to the word, acting them out as he described.

The thrilling effect produced by the Doctor's boast brought him showers of applause, which touched his vanity, and at the close of the dance he imagined all eyes in admiration fixed upon him, and no doubt felt himself called upon for the following brief but significant speech which he delivered, waving his right hand over the heads of the audience from the front of the platform where he stood, and from which he dropped his most humble and obsequious smiles upon the groups of ladies who were near him, and applauding at the end of every sentence:--

"My Friends,--It makes me very happy to see so many smiling faces about me, for when people smile and laugh, I know they are not angry--"

_Jeffrey_, the _Interpreter_, now made _his_ début; the Doctor had beckoned him up by his side to interpret his speech to the audience, and when he explained the above sentence, the "Doctor" received a round of applause, and particularly from the ladies, who could not but be pleased with the simple vanity of the speaker and the self-complacent smiles which he always lavished upon the fair sex who were around him. The Doctor, though advanced to the sound and efficient age of 45, had never taken to him a wife; and, like too many of his fraternity, had always lived upon the excessive vanity of believing that he was the _beau idéal_ of his tribe, and admired too much by all to be a legitimate subject of exclusive appropriation to any particular one. And more than this (which may not have quite fallen to the happy lot of any of his brother bachelors in the polished world), from the sort of _charitable_ habit he had of spreading his glowing smiles upon the crowds about him, one would almost be of opinion that, in his own community, under the aids and charms of his profession, he in a measure had existed upon the belief that his smiles were food and clothing for the crowds upon whom they were bestowed.

The Doctor yet stood, the concentration of smiles and anxious looks from every part of the room, and at length proceeded (_Plate No. 10_):--

"My Friends,--I see the ladies are pleased, and this pleases me--because I know, that if they are pleased, they will please the men."

It was quite impossible for the Doctor to proceed further until he had bowed to the burst of laughter and applause from all parts of the room, and particularly from the ladies. This several times ceased, but suddenly burst out again, and too quick for him to resume. He had evidently made a "hit" with the ladies, and he was braced strong in courage to make the best use of it, although the rest of his comrades, who were seated and passing the pipe around, were laughing at him and endeavouring to embarrass him. One of the party, by the name of _Wash-ka-mon-ya_, and a good deal of the _braggart_, had the cruelty to say to him, "You old fool, you had better sit down, the white squaws are all laughing at you." To which the Doctor, deliberately turning round, sarcastically replied, "You badger, go into your burrow backwards: I have said more in two sentences than you ever said in your life." He then turned round, and calling Jeffrey nearer to his side, proceeded--

"My Friends,"--[here was a burst of irresistible laughter from the ladies, which the drollness of his expression and his figure excited at the moment, and in which, having met it all in good humour, he was taking a part, but continued]--

"My Friends,--I believe that our dance was pleasing to you, and that our noise has not given you offence. (_Applause._)

"My Friends,--We live a great way from here, and we have come over a great salt lake to see you, and to offer you our hands. The Great Spirit has been kind to us; we know that our lives are always in his hands, and we thank him for keeping us safe. (_How, how, how!_ from the Indians, and applause, with _Hear, hear, hear!_)

"My Friends,--We have met our friend _Chip-pe-ho-la_ here, and seen the medicine things that he has done, and which are hanging all around us, and this makes us happy. We have found our chiefs' faces on the walls, which the Great Spirit has allowed him to bring over safe, and we are thankful for this. (_How, how, how!_)

"My Friends,--This is a large village, and it has many fine wig-wams; we rode in a large carriage the other day and saw it all. (_A laugh_, and _Hear!_) We had heard a great deal about the people on this side of the water, but we did not think they were so rich; we believe that the _Saganoshes_ know a great deal. (_How, how, how!_)

"My Friends,--We have come on your great _medicine road_, and it pleased us very much. When we landed from our ship, we came on your _medicine road_, and were told it would be very fine; but when we started, we were all very much alarmed; we went in the dark; we all went right down into the ground, under a high mountain; we had heard that a part of the white people go into the ground when they die, and some of them into the fire; we saw some fire; there was a great hissing, and a great deal of smoke coming out of this place,[4] and we could not get out; we were then somewhat afraid, my friends and I began to sing our '_death-song_;' but when we had commenced, our hearts were full of joy, we came out again in the open air, and the country was very beautiful around us. (_How, how, how!_ and great applause.)

"My Friends,--After we got out from under the ground, we were much pleased all the way on the _medicine road_ until we got to this village. There were many things to please us, and I think that before the trees were cut down, it was a very beautiful country. My friends, we think there were Indians and buffalos in this country then. (_How, how, how!_)

"My Friends,--We think we saw some of the _k'nick k'neck_[5] as we came along the _medicine road_, and some _quash-e-gon-eh-co_,[6] but we came so fast that we were not certain; we should like to know. My Friends, this is all I have to say." (_How, how, how!_ and great applause.)

[4] The railway tunnel at Liverpool.

[5] The red willow, from the inner bark of which the Indians make their substitute for tobacco.

[6] A medicinal herb, the roots of which the Indians use as a cathartic medicine.

[Illustration: N^o. 10.]

The Doctor's speech, which would have been terminated much sooner if he had been allowed to proceed unmolested, had a very pleasing effect upon the audience, and had allowed abundant time for the rest of the party to prepare for the next _dance_.

I now announced to the audience that the Indians were about to give the _Warrior's-dance_, as performed by their tribe. I explained the meaning of it, the circumstances under which it was given, and the respects in which it differed from the War-dance as given by the Ojibbeways. After which they were all upon their feet, and, with weapons in hand, proceeded to give it the most exciting, and even _alarming_ effect.

They received great applause at the end of this dance, and also a number of presents, which were handed and thrown on to the platform. This created much excitement and good cheer among them, and I was not a little surprised, nor was I less amused and gratified, to discover at this moment, that the (so-called) "_jolly fat dame_," of Ojibbeway notoriety, was along side of the platform, at her old stand, and, in her wonted liberality, the first one to start the fashion of making the poor fellows occasional presents. I regretted, however, that I should have been the ignorant cause of her bestowing her first present upon a person for whom she did not intend it. The finest-looking man of the party, and one of the youngest, was _No-ho-mun-ya_ (the _Roman-nose_), upon whom it seems this good lady's admiration had been fixed during the evening, notwithstanding the smiles that had been lavished by the Doctor, and the eloquence which he had poured forth in his boastings and speeches.

The elegant limbs, Herculean frame, and graceful and terrible movements of this six foot and a-half young man, as she had gazed upon him in this last dance, had softened her heart into all its former kindness and liberality, and she had at this moment, when I first discovered her, unclasped a beautiful bracelet from one of her arms, and was just reaching over the platform to say to me as she did, "Wonderful! wonderful! Mr. Catlin; I think it one of the wonders of the world! Will you hand this to that splendid fellow, with my compliments--give him my compliments, will you--it's a bracelet for his arm (Cadotte has got the other, you know). Oh! but he is a splendid fellow--give him my compliments, will you. I think them a much finer party than the other--oh, far superior! I never saw the like; hand it to him, will you, and if he can't put it on, poor fellow, I will show him how."

All this had been run over so rapidly that I scarcely could recollect what she said, for several were speaking to me at the same time; and at that unfortunate moment it was that I committed the error, for which I was almost ready to break my own back when I found it out. I presented it by mistake to the Doctor, who, I supposed, had of course been winning all the laurels of the evening, and with them the good lady's compliments, which it would have been quite awkward on her part and mine also to have unpresented. The Doctor raised up the bracelet as high as he could reach, and made the house ring and almost tremble with the war-whoop, which he several times repeated.[7] What could be done? _She_ was too gallant, and I did not yet know the mistake. The Doctor happened to know how to put it on--it fitted to his copper-coloured arm above his elbow--and his true politeness led him to bow and to smile a thousand thanks upon the fair dame as he bent over her from the platform.

[7] The frightful war-whoop is sounded at the instant when Indians are rushing into battle, as the signal of attack. It is a shrill sounded note, on a high key, given out with a gradual swell, and shaken by a rapid vibration of the four fingers of the right hand over the mouth. This note is not allowed to be given in the Indian countries unless in battle, or in the war or other dances, where they are privileged to give it.

The _Approaching-dance_[8] was now given, in which the Doctor took the lead in great glee, and of course with great effect. He tilted off with a light and elastic step, as he was "following the track of his enemy," and when he raised his brawny arm to beckon on his warriors to the attack, he took great pains to display the glistening trinket which he had accepted with such heartfelt satisfaction.

[8] The Approaching Dance is a spirited part of the _War Dance_, in which the dancers are by their gestures exhibiting the mode of advancing upon an enemy, by hunting out and following up the track, discovering the enemy, and preparing for the attack, &c., and the song for this dance runs thus:--

O-ta-pa! I am creeping on your track, Keep on your guard, O-ta-pa! Or I will hop on your back, I will hop on you, I will hop on you.

Stand back, my friends, I see them; The enemies are here, I see them! They are in a good place, Don't move, I see them! &c. &c. &c.

This dance finished, they all sat down upon the platform and passed the pipe around, whilst I was further explaining upon their appearance and modes, and the dance which they had just given. I asked them what amusement they proposed next, and they announced to me, that as the Doctor was taking all the honours and all the glory to himself on that night (and of whom they all seemed extremely jealous), they had decided that he should finish the amusements of the evening by singing the "_Wolf-song_." He was so conscious of having engrossed the principal attention of the house that he at once complied with their request, though at other times it required a great effort to get him to sing it. I had not myself heard this song, which seemed, from their preparations, to promise some amusement, and which Jeffrey told me belonged exclusively to the Doctor, he having composed it. The Doctor was ready to commence, and wrapping his robe around him, having his right arm out, he shook a rattle (she-she-quoin) in his right hand, as he tilted about the platform, singing alone; at the end of a sentence he commenced to bark and howl like a wolf, when another jumped upon his feet and ran to him, and another, and another, and joined in the chorus, with their heads turned up like wolves when they are howling. He then sang another strain as he moved about the platform again, all following him, singing, and ready to join in the deafening chorus. This strange and comic song drew roars of laughter, and many rounds of applause for the Doctor, and left him, sure enough, the lion of the evening.[9]

[9] WOLF SONG.--This amusing song, which I have since learned more of, and which I believe to be peculiar to the Ioways, seems to come strictly under the province of the _medicine_ or _mystery_ man. I will venture to say, that this ingenious adaptation will excite a smile, if not some degree of real amusement, as well as applause, whenever it is fairly heard and understood by an English audience. The occasion that calls for this song in the Ioway country is, when a party of young men who are preparing to start on a war excursion against their enemy (after having fatigued the whole village for several days with the war dance, making their boasts how they are going to slay their enemies, &c.) have retired to rest, at a late hour in the night, to start the next morning, at break of day, on their intended expedition. In the dead of that night, and after the vaunting war party have got into a sound sleep, the serenading party, to sing this song, made up of a number of young fellows who care at that time much less about taking scalps than they do for a little good fun, appear back of the wig-wams of these "_men of war_" and commence serenading them with this curious song, which they have ingeniously taken from the howling of a gang of wolves, and so admirably adapted it to music as to form it into a most amusing duet, quartet, or whatever it may be better termed; and with this song, with its barking and howling chorus, they are sure to annoy the party until they get up, light the fire, get out their tobacco, and other little luxuries they may have prepared for their excursion, which they will smoke and partake with them until daylight, if they last so long, when they will take leave of their morning friends who are for the "death," thanking them for their liberality and kindness in starting, wishing them a good night's sleep (when night comes again) and a successful campaign against their enemies.

After he had finished his song, he traversed the platform a few times, lavishing his self-complacent smiles upon the ladies around the room, and then desired me to say to the audience, that on the next evening they were going to give the _Pipe of Peace-dance, and the Scalp-dance_, which he wished all the ladies to see, and that _now_ the chiefs and himself were ready to shake hands with all the people in the room.

This of course brought a rush of visitors to the platform, anxious to welcome the new comers by giving them their hands. A general shake of the hands took place, and a conversation that occupied half an hour or more, and much to the satisfaction of the Indians as well as to those who came to see them.

Much curiosity was kept up yet about the Doctor. The impression that his countenance and his wit had made upon the women had secured a knot of them about him, from whom it was difficult to disengage him: some complained that they were sick, and desired him to feel their pulse; he did so, and being asked as to the nature of their disease, he replied that "they were in love,"--and as to the remedy, he said, "Get husbands, and in a day and a night you will be well." All this they could have got from other quarters, but coming from an Indian, whose naked shoulders were glistening around the room, it seemed to come with the freshness and zest of something entirely new, and created much merriment.

The amusements of their first night being over, the Indians were withdrawn from the room, and the audience soon dispersed. Daniel, as usual, had been at his post, and his report of a few moments' chat with the "jolly fat dame" gave me the first intelligence of the awful error I had committed in giving her bracelet to the Doctor instead of the Roman-nose, for whom she had intended it. She had said to him, however, that "it was no matter, and the error must not be corrected; she would bring one on the following evening for the Roman-nose, and begged that the Doctor might never be apprised of the mistake which had resulted to his benefit." "They are a splendid set of men, Daniel--far superior to the others. It is the greatest treat I ever had--I shall be here every night. You'll think by and by that I am a pretty good customer; ha, Daniel? That _Roman-nose_ is a magnificent fellow--he's got no wife, has he, Daniel?" "No, Madam, he is the youngest man of the party." "He is an _elegant_ fellow--but then his _skin_, Daniel. Their skins are not so fine as the others--they are _too_ black, or red, or what you call it; but Cadotte! what a beautiful colour he was, ha? But I dare say a little _washing_ and living in a city would bring them nearly white? These people love Mr. Catlin--he's a curious man--he's a _wonderful_ man; these are his old acquaintance, he has boarded with them; how they love him, don't they? Ah, well, good night, good night." She was the last of the visitors going out of the door, and did not know that I was so close behind her.

Chapter XVIII.

Character of the Doctor (_mystery_ or _medicine man_)--An omnibus drive--The Doctor's admiration of the "jolly fat dame"--Jealousy--War-dress and war-paint of the _Roman-nose_--His appearance--He leads the War-dance--The Welcome-dance, and Bear-dance--Description of--Pipe-of-peace (or Calumet) dance, and Scalp-dance--_Chip-pe-ho-la (the Author)_--Speech of the War-chief--The "jolly fat dame"--She presents a gold bracelet to _Roman-nose_--Jealousy and distress of the Doctor--She converses with Daniel--Two reverend gentlemen converse with the Indians about religion--Reply of White-cloud and War-chief--Questions by the reverend gentlemen--Answers by the War-chief--Indians invited to breakfast with Mr. Disraeli, M.P., Park Lane--Indians' toilette and dress--The Doctor and Jim (Wash-ka-mon-ya) fasting for the occasion.

On paying a visit to the lodgings of the Indians, after they had returned from the exhibition, I found them in a merry mood, cracking their jokes upon the Doctor, who had put himself forward in so conspicuous a manner, to the great amusement of the ladies. During the exhibition, it would have appeared, from his looks and his actions, that he was to be perfectly happy for a twelvemonth at least; but he now appeared sad and dejected as he listened to their jokes, and turned his splendid bracelet around with his fingers. Several of the women had received brooches and other trinkets of value, and all had been highly pleased.

It seemed that the War-chief was looked upon by the rest of the party as their orator; and, on an occasion like that which had just passed by, it was usual, and was expected, that he would have arisen and made a speech; and it was as little expected that the Doctor, who, they said, was a very diffident and backward man on such occasions, should have had so much, or anything to say. But the Doctor was a man of talent and wit, and with an exorbitant share of vanity and self-conceit, which were excited to that degree by the irresistible smiles of the ladies, that he was nerved with courage and ambition to act the part that he did through the evening. Under the momentary excitement of his feelings, he had, to be sure, but innocently, stepped a little out of his sphere, and in the way of the chiefs, which had somewhat annoyed them at the time, but of which they were now rather making merry than otherwise. The Doctor was a good-natured and harmless man, and entirely the creature of impulse. He was always polite, though not always in good humour. The two leading traits in his character, one or the other of which was always conspicuous, were extreme buoyancy of spirits and good humour, when he smiled upon everybody and everything around him, or silent dejection, which bade defiance to every social effort. In either of these moods he had the peculiarities of being entirely harmless, and of remaining in them but a very short time; and _between_ these moods, he was like a _spirit level_, exceedingly difficult to hold at a balance.

The jokes that had been concentrated on the Doctor had been rather pleasant and amusing than otherwise, though there had been so many of them from the chiefs, from the warriors, from the squaws, and also from Mr. Melody, and Jeffrey and Daniel, all of whom were laughing at his expense, that I found him, and left him, sitting in one corner of the room, with his robe wrapped around him, in stoic silence, occasionally casting his eyes on his gold bracelet, and then upon the smoking beef-steaks and coffee which were on the table for their suppers, and of which he partook not.

Whilst the rest were at the table, he silently spread his robe upon the floor, and wrapped himself in it. In the morning he washed, as usual, at the dawning of day, spent an hour or so in solitary meditation on the roof of the house, and afterwards joined with a pleasant face at the breakfast table, and through the amusements of the day and evening.

Mr. Melody had, with my cordial approbation, employed an omnibus with four horses, to drive them an hour each day for the benefit of their health; and, at the same time, to amuse and instruct them, by showing them everything that they could see in the civilized world to their advantage. The Doctor joined, in good spirits, in the "drive" of that day; and, as on the day before, was wrapped in his buffalo, and seated by the side of the driver, with the polished blade of his lance glistening above his head, as many Londoners who read this will forcibly recollect.

From their drive, in which they had seen many strange things, they returned in good spirits, and received in their chambers a private party of ladies and gentlemen, my esteemed friends, and several editors of the leading journals of London. A long and very interesting conversation was held with them on several subjects, and the clear and argumentative manner in which their replies were made, and the truly striking and primitive modes in which they were found, at once engaged the profound attention of all, and procured for them, besides some handsome presents at the time, the strongest recommendations from the editors of the press, as subjects of far greater interest than the party of Ojibbeways, whom they had before seen. Amongst these visiters they recognized with great pleasure, and shook hands with, my kind friend Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, at whose hospitable board they had, a few days before, with the author, partaken of an excellent dinner prepared for them. This was the first gentleman's table they were invited to in the kingdom, and probably the first place where they ever tried the use of the knife and fork in the English style.

Dr. Hodgkin being of the Society of Friends, they received much kind and friendly advice from him, which they never forgot; and from the unusual shape of his dress, they called him afterwards (not being able to recollect his name) _Tchon-a-wap-pa_ (the straight coat).

At night they were in the Hall again, and around them, amidst a greatly increased audience, had the pleasure of beholding nearly all the faces they had seen the night before; and the Doctor, in particular, of seeing the smiling ladies whom he had invited to see the _scalp-dance_ and the _scalps_, and, to his more identical satisfaction, of beholding, at the end of the platform where he had taken pains to spread his robe and seat himself, the fair dame of _gushing_ charms, to whom he was occasionally gently turning his head on one side and smiling, as he presented to her view his copper-coloured arm, encompassed with the golden bracelet.

This kind lady's goodness was such that she could not but respond to the bows and the smiles of the Doctor, though (within herself) she felt a little annoyed at the position which he had taken, so immediately between her place, which the crowd prevented her from changing, and that of the splendid "_Roman Nose_," who was now much more an object of admiration than he had been the night before, and more peremptorily called for all her attention. He had been selected to lead in the _scalp-dance_ which was to be given that night; and for this purpose, in pursuance of the custom of the country, he had left off his shirt and all his dress save his beautifully garnished leggings and mocassins, and his many-coloured sash and kilt of eagle's quills and ermine around his waist. His head was vermilioned red, and dressed with his helmet-like red crest, and surmounted with a white and a red eagle's quill, denoting his readiness for peace or for war. His shoulders and his arms were curiously streaked with red paint, and on his right and his left breast were the impresses, in black paint, of two hands, denoting the two victims he had struck, and whose scalps he then held attached to his painted tomahawk, which he was to wield in triumph as he had in the _scalp-dance_. Thus arrayed and ornamented, he appeared in his "war dress," as it is termed; and as he arose from his seat upon the platform, and drew his painted shield and quiver from his back, shouts of applause rung from every part of the hall, and, of course, trepidation increased in the veins of the fair dame, whose elbows were resting on the edge of the platform, while she was in rapture gazing upon him, and but partly concealing at times a beautiful trinket, the sparkling of which the sharp eyes of the Doctor had seen, as she endeavoured to conceal it in her right hand.

The Doctor could not speak to this fair lady except with his eyes, with the softest expressions of which he lost no time or opportunity; and (for several combined reasons, no doubt) he seemed quite unambitious to leave his seat to "_saw the air_," and strike for a repetition of the applause he had gained the night before.

Unfortunately in some respects, and as fortunately no doubt in others, the splendid "_Roman Nose_" held his position at the farther end of the platform during the greater part of the evening; and the Doctor, for the several reasons already imagined, remained in the close vicinity of the fair dame, whose over-timidity, he feared, held her in an unnecessary and painful suspense.

In this position of things and of parties, the amusements allotted for the evening had commenced, and were progressing, amidst the roars of applause that were ready at the close of each dance. They commenced by giving the _"Welcome Dance" and song_[10] peculiar to their tribe. The sentiment of this being explained by me, gave great pleasure to the audience, and prepared them for the dances and amusements which were to follow.

[10] This peculiar dance is given to a stranger, or strangers, whom they are decided to welcome in their village; and out of respect to the person or persons to whom they are expressing this welcome, the musicians and all the spectators rise upon their feet while it is being danced.

The song is at first a lament for some friend, or friends, who are dead or gone away, and ends in a gay and lively and cheerful step, whilst they are announcing that the friend to whom they are addressing it is received into the place which has been left.

They next announced the "_Bear Dance_" and amused the audience very much in its execution. This curious dance is given when a party are preparing to hunt the _black bear_, for its delicious food; or to contend with the more ferocious and dangerous "_grizly bear_," when a similar appeal is made to the _bear-spirit_, and with similar results, (_i.e._) all hands having strictly attended to the important and necessary form of conciliating in this way the good will and protection of the peculiar _spirit_ presiding over the destinies of those animals, they start off upon their hunt with a confidence and prospect of success which they could not otherwise have ventured to count upon. In this grotesque and amusing mode, each dancer imitates with his hands, alternately, the habits of the bear when running, and when sitting up, upon its feet, its paws suspended from its breast.

It was customary with them to be seated a few minutes after each dance, and to pass around the pipe; and in the interval they were thus filling up after this dance, the Indians, as well as the audience, were all surprised at the appearance of a large square parcel handed in, and on to the platform, by a servant in livery, as a present to the Indians from his anonymous mistress. "Curiosity was on tip-toe" to know what so bulky a parcel contained; and when it was opened, it was found to contain 14 beautifully bound Bibles--the number just equal to the number of Indians of the party; and a very kind letter addressed to them, and which was read, exhorting them to change the tenor of their lives, to learn to read, and to profit by the gifts enclosed to them.

The Bibles being distributed amongst them, the War-chief arose, and in the most respectful and appropriate manner returned his thanks for the liberal present and the kind wishes of the lady who gave them; he said he was sorry he did not know which lady to thank, but by thanking all in the room, he considered he was taking the surest way of conveying his thanks to her.

After this, the _ne plus ultra_ (as the Doctor would undoubtedly call it), the frightful "_Scalp Dance_,"[11] was announced. All parties, the modest _squaws_ (of whom they had four with them) as well as the men, were arranging their dresses and implements to take part in it. The drums struck up, and the "splendid _Roman Nose_" led off, waving his two scalps on the point of a lance, until he was once around the circle, when they were placed in the hands of a squaw to carry, whilst he wielded his tomahawk and scalping-knife, and showed the manner in which his unfortunate enemies had fallen before him. This was probably the first time that the Scalp Dance, in its original and _classic_ form, was ever seen in the city of London, and embellished by the presence of real and _genuine scalps_.

[11] This barbarous and exciting scene is the Indian mode of celebrating a victory, and is given fifteen nights in succession, when a war party returns from battle, having taken scalps from the heads of their enemies. Taking the scalp is practised by all the American tribes, and by them all very much in the same way, by cutting off a patch of the skin from a victim's head when killed in battle; and this piece of skin, with the hair on it, is the scalp, which is taken and preserved solely for a trophy, as the proof positive that its possessor has killed an enemy in battle, and this because they have no books of history or public records to refer to for the account of the battles of military men. The scalp dance is generally danced by torch light, at a late hour in the night; and, in all tribes, the women take a conspicuous part in it, by dancing in the circle with the men, holding up the scalps just brought from battle, attached to the top of a pole, or the handle of a lance.

A scalp, to be a genuine one, must have been taken from the head of an _enemy_, and that enemy _dead_. The living are sometimes scalped, but whenever it occurs, it is on a field of battle, amongst the wounded, and supposed to be dead, who sometimes survive, but with the signal disgrace of having lost a patch of the skin and hair from the top of their heads.

This exciting scene, with its associations, had like to have been too much for the nerves and tastes of London people; but having evidently assembled here for the pleasure of receiving shocks and trying their nerves, they soon seemed reconciled, and all looked on with amazement and pleasure, whilst they were sure for once in their lives, at least, that they were drawing information from its true and native source. This dance was long and tedious, but when it was finished, it was followed by a deafening round of applause, not of approbation of the shocking and disgusting custom, but of the earnest and simple manner in which these ignorant and thoughtless people were endeavouring to instruct and to amuse the enlightened world by a strict and emphatic illustration of one of the barbarous, but valued, modes of their country.

The subject and mode of _scalping_, and of thus celebrating their victories, so little understood in the enlightened world, afforded me an interesting theme for remarks at this time; and when the Indians were again seated and "_taking a smoke_," I took the occasion of this complete illustration to explain it in all its parts and meanings, for which, when I had done, I received five times as much applause as I deserved for doing it.

_The Pipe of Peace_ (or Calumet) _Dance_[13] was the next announced; and was danced with great spirit, and gained them much applause. At the close of this, their favourite dance, it became peculiarly the privilege of the War-chief to make his boast, as the dance is given only at the conclusion of a treaty of peace between hostile tribes, and at which treaty he is supposed to preside. For this purpose he rose, and straightening up his tall and veteran figure, with his buffalo robe thrown over his shoulder and around him, with his right arm extended over the heads of his fellow warriors, made a most animated speech to them for several minutes (with his back turned towards the audience), reminding them of the principal exploits of his military life, with which they were all familiar. He then called upon one of the younger men to light his pipe, which being done, and placed in his hand, he took several deliberate whiffs through its long and ornamented stem; this done, and his ideas all arranged, he deliberately turned around, and passing his pipe into his left hand, extended his right over the heads of the audience and commenced:--

"My Friends,--We believe that all our happiness in this life is given to us by the Great Spirit, and through this pipe I have thanked Him for enabling me to be here at this time, and to speak to you all who are around me. (_How, how, how!_ and applause)

"My Friends,--We have had a long journey, and we are still very much fatigued. We prayed to the Great Spirit, and He has heard our prayers; we are all here, and all well. (_How, how, how!_ and _Hear!_)

"My Friends,--We are poor and live in the woods, and though the Great Spirit is with us, yet He has not taught us how to weave the beautiful things that you make in this country; we have seen many of those things brought to us, and we are now happy to be where all these fine things are made. (_How, how, how!_)

"My Friends,--The Great Spirit has made us with red skins, and taught us how to live in the wilderness, but has not taught us to live as you do. Our dresses are made of skins and are very coarse, but they are warm; and in our dances we are in the habit of showing the skins of our shoulders and our arms, and we hope you will not be angry with us--it is our way. (_How, how, how!_ and great applause.)

"My Friends,--We have heard that your chief is a woman, and we know that she must be a great chief, or your country would not be so rich and so happy. (Cheers and _Hear!_) We have been told that the Ojibbeways went to see your queen, and that she smiled upon them; this makes us the more anxious to see her face, as the Ojibbeways are our enemies. (_How, how, how!_)

"My Friends,--We hope to see the face of your queen, and then we shall be happy. Our friend _Chippehola_[12] has told us that he thinks we shall see her. My Friends, we do not know whether there are any of her relations now in the room. (_How, how, how!_ and a laugh.)

"My Friends,--We shall be glad to shake your hands. This is all I have to say." (Great applause.)

[12] The _Pipe of Peace_ (or calumet) is a sacred pipe, so held by all the American tribes, and kept in possession of the chiefs, to be smoked only at times of peace-making. When the terms of a treaty have been agreed upon, this sacred pipe, the stem of which is ornamented with eagle's quills, is brought forward, and the solemn pledge to keep the peace is passed through the sacred stem by each chief and warrior drawing the smoke once through it. After this ceremony is over, the warriors of the two tribes unite in the dance, with the pipe of peace held in the left hand, and a she-she-quoi (or rattle) in the right.

[13] Geo. Catlin.

At the close of his speech, and as he turned around to meet the approbation of his fellow-warriors, there was a sudden burst of laughter amongst the Indians, occasioned by the sarcastic and exulting manner in which the old Doctor told him he had better say something more before he sat down, "because," said he, "you have not made half as much laugh yet as I did last night." "I should be sorry if I had," said the War-chief; "the audience always laugh the moment they see your ugly face."

The Doctor's troubles commenced here, for just at that moment the "fair dame" had caught the eye of the "_Roman-nose_," and holding up a beautiful bracelet enclosing a brilliant stone, she tempted him up, while she clasped it upon his arm as it was extended immediately over the Doctor's head, whose unfailing politeness induced him to bow down his head to facilitate the operation.

When the "_Roman-nose_" had taken his seat, and the poor Doctor had raised up his head to meet the eyes and the taunts of his fellow-Indians, who were laughing at him, and the gaze of the visitors from every quarter of the room, there _was_ a _smile_, but altogether a _new_ one, and a _new word_ should be coined for the sudden and singular distress of the dilemma he was in: it would not do to undervalue the beautiful present that was already upon his arm, and to save his life he could not smile as pleasantly upon the _fair hand_ that gave it as he had been smiling a few minutes before. The trinket had instantly fallen fifty per cent. in its value--the _brilliant_ prospect that had been before him had fled, and left him in the dread, not only that his beautiful commercial prospects were blighted, but that he was to have an enemy in the field.

The _Roman-nose_ received his present in a respectful and thankful manner, but it was too late to be _affectionately_ accepted, as it was the _second_ one that was afloat, and taken by him, partly as an evidence of a kind heart, and partly as a foil to cover the true meaning of the first one that had been bestowed. However, he valued it very much, and the secret respecting the mistake that had been made in presenting the first, having been committed only to Daniel and myself, was thought best, for the peace of all parties, not to be divulged.

The amusements of the evening being finished, there commenced a general shake of the hands, and when it had been requested by some of the audience that the Indians should come on to the floor, the request was instantly complied with, which afforded the most gratifying opportunity for the visitors to get near to them, and scan them and their costumes and weapons more closely. There was a general outcry by the ladies for the wife of the Little-wolf to descend from the platform with her little pappoose slung on her back in its splendid cradle, ornamented with porcupine's quills and ermine skins. It was a beautiful illustration, and formed one of the most attractive features of the exhibition, for gentlemen as well as for ladies, as thousands will recollect.

The "jolly fat dame" had an opportunity of meeting the _Roman-nose_ and of shaking his hand: but, "oh, the distress!" she could not speak to him as she had done to Cadotte,--it was impossible for her to explain to him the abominable mistake of the first night, and she feared he never would properly appreciate the present which she had just made him; nevertheless they were "a noble, fine set of fellows." The Doctor passed about in the crowd shaking hands, and shaking his fan also, which was made of the eagle's tail. He met the "fair dame," and (cruel that he could not speak to her) he dropped many smiles as he looked down upon and over her dimpled cheeks and round neck, as he raised and showed her his brawny arm with the golden bracelet.

The Indians soon withdrew, and after them the crowd; and after the crowd the "jolly fat dame," who said to Daniel as she passed, "I can't stop to-night, Daniel, I am in a great hurry; but I gave the bracelet to the _Roman-nose_--I got a good opportunity, Daniel--I buckled it on myself: oh, yes, I did--that I did--the good fellow, he stood it well--he never stirred. He'll recollect me, won't he, Daniel? I am going; but oh, look here--I can't, to save my life, make the poor fellow understand how the accident took place--it is so provoking!--it's awkward--it is very annoying to me. _You_ can tell him, Daniel--I wish you would tell him--I want you to explain it to him. Come, will you, Daniel? that's a good fellow. Tell him I never intended to give a bracelet to the old Doctor. But stop, he won't tell the Doctor that, will he? I wouldn't for the world hurt the poor old man's feelings--no, Daniel, not for twenty bracelets--what shall we do?" "Oh, there is no danger, Madam, that the Doctor will ever hear of it." "You think so?" "Oh, I am sure, Madam." "Then it's all right--good night. I shall be here every night, you know."

The next morning after this, the Rev. Mr. ---- and Mr. ---- called upon me at my family residence, to ask if it would be consistent with my views and the views of the Indians for them to have some conversation with them in private on the subject of religion and education. I replied, that it was one of the greatest satisfactions I could have during their stay in England, to promote as far as in my power such well-meant efforts to enlighten their minds, and to enable them to benefit in that way by their visit to this country. I told them also, that I was very glad to say that this party was under the charge of Mr. Melody, a man who was high in the confidence of the American Government, and that I knew him to be a temperate and moral man: as he was interested in the missionary efforts being made in this very tribe, I felt quite certain that he would do all in his power to promote their object, and they had better call on him. They did so, and an appointment was made for them to visit the Indians in the afternoon, subsequent to their usual daily "drive."

Mr. Melody had had a conversation with the Indians on the subject, and although they felt some reluctance at first, on account of the little time they would have to reflect upon it, they had agreed to see the reverend gentlemen in the afternoon, and I was sent for to be present. I was there at the time, and when the reverend gentlemen called, I introduced them to the Indians in their rooms. The Indians were all seated on the floor, upon their robes and blankets, and passing around the pipe. After the usual time taken by strangers to examine their curious dresses, weapons, &c., one of the reverend gentlemen mentioned to the chiefs, in a very kind and friendly manner, the objects of their visit, and with their permission gave them a brief account of the life and death of our Saviour, and explained as well as he could to their simple minds the mode of Redemption. He urged upon them the necessity of their taking up this belief, and though it might be difficult for them to understand at first, yet he was sure it was the only way to salvation. This gentleman took full time to explain his views to them, which was done in the most suitable language for their understanding, and every sentence was carefully and correctly interpreted to them by Jeffrey, who seemed to be himself much interested in hearing his remarks.

After the reverend gentleman had finished, Mr. Melody stated to the Indians that he believed all that the gentleman said was true, and that he knew it to be worth their closest and most patient consideration. He then asked White-cloud if he had anything to answer; to which he said, "he had but a few words to say, as he did not feel very well, and _Neu-mon-ya_ (the War-chief) was going to speak for him." He thought, however, that it was a subject which they might as well omit until they got home.

_Neu-mon-ya_ during this time was hanging his head quite down, and puffing the smoke as fast as he could draw it through his pipe, in long breaths, and discharging it through his nostrils. He raised up after a moment more of pause, and passing the pipe into White-cloud's hand, folded his arms, with his elbows on his knees, when he drew a deep sigh, and followed it with the last discharge of smoke from his lungs, which was now passing in two white streams through his distended nostrils, as he said--

"My friends,[14]--The Great Spirit has sent you to us with kind words, and he has opened our ears to hear them, which we have done. We are glad to see you and to hear you speak, for we know that you are our friends. What you have said relative to our learning to read and to write, we are sure can do us no good--we are now too old; but for our children, we think it would be well for them to learn; and they are now going to schools in our village, and learning to read and to write. As to the white man's religion which you have explained, we have heard it told to us in the same way, many times, in our own country, and there are white men and women there now, trying to teach it to our people. We do not think your religion good, unless it is so for white people, and this we don't doubt. The Great Spirit has made our skins red, and the forests for us to live in. He has also given us our religion, which has taken our fathers to 'the beautiful hunting grounds,' where we wish to meet them. We don't believe that the Great Spirit made us to live with pale faces in this world, and we think He has intended we should live separate in the world to come.

"My friends,--We know that when white men come into our country we are unhappy--the Indians all die, or are driven away before the white men. Our hope is to enjoy our hunting grounds in the world to come, which white men cannot take from us: we _know_ that our fathers and our mothers have gone there, and we don't know why we should not go there too.

"My friends,--You have told us that the Son of the Great Spirit was on earth, and that he was killed by white men, and that the Great Spirit sent him here to get killed; now we cannot understand all this--this may be necessary for white people, but the red men, we think, have not yet got to be so wicked as to require that. If it was necessary that the Son of the Great Spirit should be killed for white people, it may be necessary for them to believe all this; but for us, we cannot understand it."

[14] Being a silent listener to these conversations, I took out my note book and wrote down the remarks here given, as they were translated by Jeffrey.

He here asked for the pipe, and having drawn a few whiffs, proceeded.

"My friends,--You speak of the '_good book_' that you have in your hand; we have many of these in our village; we are told that 'all your words about the Son of the Great Spirit are printed in that book, and if we learn to read it, it will make good people of us.' I would now ask why it don't make good people of the pale faces living all around us? They can all read the good book, and they can understand all that the '_black coats_'[15] say, and still we find they are not so honest and so good a people as ours: this we are sure of; such is the case in the country about us, but _here_ we have no doubt but the white people who have so many to preach and so many books to read, are all honest and good. In _our_ country the white people have two faces, and their tongues branch in different ways; we know that this displeases the Great Spirit, and we do not wish to teach it to our children."

[15] Clergymen.

He here took the pipe again, and while smoking, the reverend gentleman asked him if he thought the Indians did all to serve the Great Spirit that they ought to do--all that the Great Spirit required of them? to which he replied--

"My friends,--I don't know that we do all that the Great Spirit wishes us to do; there are some Indians, I know, who do not; there are some bad Indians as well as bad white people; I think it is very difficult to tell how much the Great Spirit wishes us to do."

The reverend gentleman said--

"That, my friends, is what we wish to teach you; and if you can learn to read this good book, it will explain all that."

The chief continued--

"We believe the Great Spirit requires us to pray to Him, which we do, and to thank Him for everything we have that is good. We know that He requires us to speak the truth, to feed the poor, and to love our friends. We don't know of anything more that he demands; he may demand more of white people, but we don't know that."

The reverend gentleman inquired--

"Do you not think that the Great Spirit sometimes punishes the Indians in this world for their sins?"

_War-chief._--"Yes, we do believe so."

_Rev. Gentleman._--"Did it ever occur to you, that the small pox that swept off half of your tribe, and other tribes around you, a few years ago, might have been sent into your country by the Great Spirit to punish the Indians for their wickedness and their resistance to his word?"

_War-chief._--"My Friends, we don't know that we have ever resisted the word of the Great Spirit. If the Great Spirit sent the small pox into our country to destroy us, we believe it was to punish us for listening to the false promises of white men. It is white man's disease, and no doubt it was sent amongst white people to punish _them_ for their sins. It never came amongst the Indians until we began to listen to the promises of white men, and to follow their ways; it then came amongst us, and we are not sure but the Great Spirit then sent it to punish us for our foolishness. There is another disease sent by the Great Spirit to punish white men, and it punishes them in the right place--the place that offends. We know that disease has been sent to punish them; that disease was never amongst the Indians until white men came--they brought it, and we believe we shall never drive it out of our country."

The War-chief here reached for the pipe again for a minute, and then continued--

"My Friends,--I hope my talk does not offend you; we are children, and you will forgive us for our ignorance. The Great Spirit expects us to feed the poor; our wives and children at home are very poor; wicked white men kill so many of our hunters and warriors with _fire-water_, that they bring among us, and leave so many children among us for us to feed, when they go away, that it makes us very poor. Before they leave our country they destroy all the game also, and do not teach us to raise bread, and our nation is now in that way, and very poor; and we think that the way we can please the Great Spirit first, is to get our wives and children something to eat, and clothes to wear. It is for that we have come to this country, and still we are glad to hear your counsel, for it is good."

The reverend gentlemen, and several ladies who had accompanied them, here bestowed some very beautiful Bibles and other useful presents upon the Indians; and thanking them for their patience, were about to take leave of them, when Mr. Melody begged their attention for a few moments while he read to them several letters just received from reverend gentlemen conducting a missionary school in this tribe, giving a flattering account of its progress, and presented them a vocabulary and grammar, already printed in the Ioway language, by a printing-press belonging to the missionary school in their country. This surprised them very much, and seemed to afford them great satisfaction.

* * * * *

The comments of the press, as well as the remarks of the public who had seen them, now being made upon the superior interest of this party, they were receiving daily calls from distinguished persons, and also numerous invitations to gentlemen's houses, which daily increased their consequence, and, of course, their enjoyment. Amongst the first of these kind invitations was one from Mr. Disraeli, M.P., for the whole party to partake of a breakfast at his house, in Park Lane.

This was for the next morning after the interview just described; and, not knowing or even being able to imagine what they were to see, or what sort of rules or etiquette they were to be subjected to, they were under the most restless excitement to prepare everything for it, and the greatest anxiety for the hour to approach. They were all up at an unusually early hour, preparing every trinket and every article of dress, and spent at least an hour at their toilets in putting the paint upon their faces. The Doctor had been told that he would sit down at the table amongst many very splendid ladies; and this, or some other embarrassment, had caused him to be dissatisfied with the appearance of the paint which he had put upon his face, and which he was carefully examining with his little looking-glass. He decided that it would not do, and some bear's grease and a piece of deer-skin soon removed it all. He spent another half hour with his different tints, carefully laying them on with the end of his forefinger; and, displeased again, _they_ were all demolished as before. Alarm about time now vexed him, and caused him to plaster with a more rapid and consequently with a more "masterly touch." The effect was fine! He was ready, and so were all the party, from head to foot. All their finest was on, and all were prepared for the move, when I came in at about eight o'clock to advise them of the hour at which we were to go, and which I had forgotten to mention to them the evening before. I then referred to the note of invitation, and informed them that the hour appointed was twelve o'clock. The whole party, who were at that time upon their feet around me, wrapped in their robes, their shields and quivers slung, and the choice tints upon their faces almost too carefully arranged to be exposed to the breath of the dilapidating wind, expressed a decided shock when the hour of twelve was mentioned. They smiled, and evidently thought it strange, and that some mistake had been made. Their conjectures were many and curious: some thought it was _dinner_ that was meant, instead of _breakfast_; and others thought so late an hour was fixed that they might get their own breakfasts out of the way, and then give the Indians theirs by themselves. I answered, "No, my good fellows, it is just the reverse of this; you are all wrong--it is to _breakfast_ that you are invited, and lest their family, and their friends whom they have invited to meet you, should not have the honour of sitting down and eating with you, they have fixed the hour at twelve o'clock, the time that the great and fashionable people take their breakfasts. You must have your breakfasts at home at the usual hour, and take your usual _drive_ before you go; so you will have plenty of time for all, and be in good humour when you go there, where you will see many fine ladies and be made very happy."

My remarks opened a new batch of difficulties to them that I had not apprehended, some of which were exceedingly embarrassing. To wait four hours, and to eat and to ride in the meantime, would be to derange the streaks of paint and also to soil many articles of dress which could not be put on excepting on very particular occasions. To take them off and put them on, and to go through the vexations of the toilet again, at eleven o'clock, was what several of the party could submit to, and others could not. As to the breakfast of huge beefsteaks and coffee which was just coming up, I had felt no apprehensions; but when it was on the table I learned that the _old Doctor_ and _Wash-ka-mon-ya_ and one or two others of the young men were adhering to a custom of their country, and which, in my rusticity (having been seven or eight years out of Indian life), I had at the moment lost sight of.

It is the habit in their country, when an Indian is invited to a feast, to go as hungry as he can, so as to be as fashionable as possible, by eating an enormous quantity, and for this purpose the invitations are generally extended some time beforehand, paying the valued compliment to the invited guest of allowing as much time as he can possibly require for starving himself and preparing his stomach by tonics taken in bitter decoctions of medicinal herbs. In this case the invitation had only been received the day before, and of course allowed them much less than the usual time to prepare to be _fashionable_. They had, however, received the information just in time for the _Doctor_ and _Wash-ka-mon-ya_ and the _Roman-nose_ to avoid the annoyance of their dinners and suppers on that day, and they had now laid themselves aside in further preparation for the _feast_ in which they were to be candidates for the mastery in emptying plates and handling the "knife and fork" (or "knife and fingers"), the custom of their country.

In this condition the _Doctor_ particularly was a subject for the freshest amusement, or for the profoundest contemplation. With all his finery and his trinkets on, and his red and yellow paint--with his shield, and bow and quiver lying by his side, he was straightened upon his back, with his feet crossed, as he rested in a corner of the room upon his buffalo robe, which was spread upon the floor. His little looking glass, which was always suspended from his belt, he was holding in his hand, as he was still arranging his beautiful feathers, and contemplating the patches of red and yellow paint, and the _tout ensemble_ of the pigments and _copper colour_ with which he was to make a sensation where he was going to _feast_ (as he had been told) with ladies, an occurrence not known in the annals of the Indian country. He had resolved, on hearing the hour was _twelve_, not to eat his breakfast (which he said might do for women and children), or to take his usual ride in the bus, that he might not injure his growing appetite, or disturb a line of paint or a feather, until the hour had arrived for the honours and the luxuries that awaited them.

I reasoned awhile with these three epicures of the land of "_buffaloes' tongues_ and _beavers' tails_," telling them that they were labouring under a misconception of the ideas of gentility as entertained in the civilized and fashionable world; that in London, the genteel people practised entirely the opposite mode from theirs; that light dinners and light breakfasts were all the fashion, and the less a lady or gentleman could be seen eating, the more sentimental he or she was considered, and consequently the more transcendently genteel: and that when they went to breakfast with their friends at 12, or to dine at 7 or 8, they were generally in the habit of promoting gentility by eating a little at home before they started.

My reasoning, however, had no other effect than to excite a smile from the Doctor, and the very philosophic reply, "that they should prefer to adhere to their own custom until they got to the lady's house, when they would try to conform to that of the white people of London." The drollness of these remarks from this droll old gentleman entirely prevented Mr. Melody and myself from intruding any further suggestions, until the hour arrived, and it was announced that the carriage was at the door.

Chapter XIX.

Kind reception at Mr. Disraeli's--View of Hyde Park from the top of his house--Review of troops, and sham fight--Breakfast-table--The Doctor missing--The Author finds him in the bathing-room--Champagne wine--Refused by the Indians--_Chickabobboo: Chippehola_ tells the story of it--The Indians drink--Presents--The "big looking-glass"--The Doctor smiles in it--Speech of the War-chief--Shake of hands, and return--Exhibition-room, Egyptian Hall--Doctor presents a string of wampum and the "_White-feather_" to the "jolly fat dame"--Indians talk about _chickabobboo_--The Rev. Mr. G---- calls--A different religion (a Catholic)--Interview appointed--Two Methodist clergymen call--Indians refuse to see them--The giant and giantess visit the Indians--The Doctor measuring the giantess--The talk with the Catholic clergyman.

This chapter begins with the introduction of the Ioways into fashionable life, through the various phases of which they had the good or bad fortune to pass, in this and other countries, as will be seen, before they returned to resume the tomahawk and scalping-knife in their favourite prairies, and the Rocky Mountains in America.

Mr. Melody and myself accompanied the Indians, and all together were put down at the door, where we met a host of waiters in livery, ready to conduct us to the kind lady and gentleman, whom they instantly recollected to have seen and shaken hands with in the exhibition room. This gave them confidence, and all parties were made easy in a moment, by a general introduction which followed. Through the interpreter, the ladies complimented them for their dances and songs, which they had heard, and pronounced to be very wonderful. Their women and little children were kindly treated by the ladies, and seats were prepared for them to sit down. The men were also desired to be seated, but on looking around the room, upon the richness of its furniture, the splendid carpet on which they stood, and the crimson velvet of the cushioned chairs that were behind them, they smiled, and seemed reluctant to sit upon them, for fear of soiling them. They were at length prevailed upon to be seated, however, and after a little conversation, were conducted by Mr. Disraeli through the different apartments of his house, where he put in their hands, and explained to them, much to their gratification, many curious daggers, sabres, and other weapons and curiosities of antiquity. In passing through the dining saloon, they passed the table, groaning under the weight of its costly plate and the luxuries which were prepared for them; upon this the old Doctor smiled as he passed along, and he even turned his head to smile again upon it, as he left it.

After we had surveyed all below, the party were invited to the top of the house, and Mr. Disraeli led the way. The ladies, of whom there were a goodly number, all followed; and altogether, the pictured buffalo robes--the rouged heads and red feathers--the gaudy silks, and bonnets, and ribbons--glistening lances and tomahawks--and black coats, formed a novel group for the gaze of the multitude who were gathering from all directions, under the ever exciting cry of "Indians! Indians!"

Hyde Park was under our eye, and from our position we had the most lovely view of it that any point could afford; and also of the drilling of troops, and the sham-fight in the park, which was going on under our full view. This was exceedingly exciting and amusing to the Indians, and also the extensive look we had in turning our eyes in the other direction, over the city. The ladies had now descended, and we all followed to the saloon, where it was soon announced that the breakfast was ready; and in a few moments all were seated at the table, excepting the Doctor, who was not to be found. Jeffrey and I instantly thought of his "_propensity_" and went to the house-top for him, but to our amazement he was not there. In descending the stairs, however, and observing a smoke issuing out of one of the chambers, into which we had been led, on going up to examine the beautiful arrangement for vapour and shower baths, we stepped in, and found the Doctor seated in the middle of the room, where he had lit his pipe, and was taking a more deliberate look at this ingenious contrivance, which he told us pleased him very much, and which he has often said he thought would be a good mode to adopt in his practice in his own country. He was easily moved, however, when it was announced to him that the breakfast was on the table and ready, where he was soon seated in the chair reserved for him.

Great pains were taken by the ladies and gentlemen to help the Indians to the luxuries they might like best; and amongst others that were offered, their glasses were filled with sparkling champagne, in which their health was proposed. The poor fellows looked at it, and shaking their heads, declined it. This created some surprise, upon which Mr. Melody explained for them that they had pledged their words not to drink spirituous liquors while in this country. They were applauded by all the party for it, and at the same time it was urged that this was only a light _wine_, and could not hurt them: we were drinking it ourselves, and the ladies were drinking it, and it seemed cruel to deny them. Poor Melody!--he looked distressed: he had a good heart, and loved his Indians, but he felt afraid of the results. The _Doctor_ and _Wash-ka-mon-ya_ kept their hands upon their glasses, and their eyes upon Melody and myself, evidently understanding something of the debate that was going on, until it was agreed and carried, by the ladies and all, that taking a little champagne would not be a breach of their promise in the least, and that it would do them no harm. Their health and success were then proposed, and all their glasses were drained to the bottom at once.

The Doctor, after finding the bottom of his glass, turned round, and smacking his lips, dropped me a bow and a smile, seeming to say that "he was thankful, and that the wine was very good."

I told them that this was not "_fire-water_" as they could themselves judge, but that it was "_chickabobboo_." This word seeming to them to be an Indian word, excited their curiosity somewhat, and being called upon by the ladies to explain the meaning of it, as they did not recollect to have met such a word in Johnson's Dictionary or elsewhere, I related to them the story of _chickabobboo_, as told by the war-chief of the Ojibbeways, at Windsor Castle; and the manner in which those Indians partook of the Queen's wine, or "_chickabobboo_" as they called it, on that occasion.

This explanation afforded much amusement to the party, and to the Indians also, as Jeffrey interpreted it to them; and it was soon proposed that their glasses should be filled again with _chickabobboo_. The Doctor sat next to me at the table, and every time he emptied his glass of _chickabobboo_ I was amused to hear him pronounce the word "good!"--the first word of English he had learned, and the first occasion on which I had heard him sound it. After the wine was first poured out, he had kept one hand around his glass or by the side of it, and had entirely stopped eating. He had minced but a little in the outset, and seeming to have a delicate stomach, was giving great pain to the ladies who were helping him and urging him to eat, in his irrevocable resolution to be _genteel_, as he had before suggested, and which they probably never understood.

The last dish that was passed around the table, and relished by the Indians quite as much as the _chickabobboo_, was a plate of trinkets of various kinds, of brooches, bracelets, chains, and other ornaments for their persons, which they received with expressions of great thankfulness as they were rising from the table. Thus ended the "feast," as they called it; and on entering the drawing-room the Doctor became a source of much amusement to the ladies, as his attention was arrested by the enormous size of a mirror that was before him, or by the striking effect of his own beautiful person, which he saw at full length in it. He affected to look only at the frame, as the ladies accused him of vanity; and he drew out from under his belt his little looking-glass, about an inch square, imbedded in a block of deal to protect it from breaking. The contrast was striking and amusing, but what followed was still more so. The ladies were anxious to examine his looking-glass (which was fastened to his person with a leathern thong), and in pulling it out, there necessarily came out with it, attached to the same thong, a little wallet carefully rolled up in a rattle-snake's skin; and which, on inquiry, was found to be his toilet of pigments of various colours, with which he painted his face. A small pair of scissors also formed a necessary appendage, and by the side of them hung a boar's tusk and a human finger shrivelled and dried. This he had taken from a victim he had slain in battle, and now wore as his "_medicine_," or _talismanic charm_, that was to guard and protect him in all times of trouble or danger. This remarkable trophy was generally, on occasions when he was in full dress, suspended from his neck by a cord, and hung amongst the strings of wampum on his breast; but on this occasion he had so many other things to think of, that he had forgotten to display it there.

The War-chief at this time preparing his mind to make some remarks before leaving, and to thank the lady for her kindness, was asking "if he should give any offence by lighting his pipe;" to which they all answered at once, "No, oh no! we shall be glad to see the old chief smoke; get him some fire immediately." When the fire arrived, he had lighted his pipe with his flint and steel, and was arranging his ideas as he was drawing the smoke through its long stem. It amused the ladies very much to see him smoke, and when he was ready he passed the pipe into White Cloud's hand, and rising, and throwing his head and his shoulders back, he said to the lady that "he was authorized by the chief to return to her and her husband his thanks, and the thanks of all the party, for the kindness they had shown them." He said they were strangers in the country, and a great way from home, and this would make them more thankful for the kindness they had met this day.

"My Friends (said he), the Great Spirit has caused your hearts to be thus kind to us, and we hope the Great Spirit will not allow us to forget it. We are thankful to all your friends whom we see around you also, and we hope the Great Spirit will be kind to you all.

"My friend the chief wishes to shake hands with you all, and then we will bid you farewell."

The kindest wishes were expressed, in reply to the old man's remarks, for their health and happiness; and after a general shaking of hands we took leave, and our omnibus, for St. James's Street.

The usual dinner hour of the Indians was just at hand when they returned, which was a joyful occurrence for the Doctor, who had, at some inconvenience, been endeavouring to practise Indian and civilized gentility at one and the same time. He smiled when dinner came on, and others smiled to see him endeavouring to mend the breach that had been made.

The excitements of this day had put the Indians in remarkably good humour for their evening's amusements at the Hall, which they gave to a crowded house, and, as usual, with great applause. The "jolly fat dame" was there as she had promised, still admiring, and still "quite miserable that she could not speak to them in their own language, or something that they could understand." Daniel had taken a private opportunity to tell the Doctor the whole story of her attachment to Cadotte, and to assure him, at the same time, of her _extraordinary_ admiration of him, the evidence of which was, that "she had made him the first present, after which all others were mere foils." The Doctor took a peculiar liking to Daniel from that moment, and little else than a lasting friendship could be expected to flow from such a foundation as was then so kindly laid. This most welcome information had been communicated to the Doctor's ear on the evening previous, and he had now come prepared to present her (with his own hand, and the most gracious smile, and at the end of the platform) a string of wampum from his own neck, and a _white feather_ with two spots of red painted on it, to which he pointed with great energy, and some expression that she heard, but did not understand. The "_fair dame_" held her exciting present in her hand during the evening, with some little occasional trepidation, expecting to draw from Daniel some key to the meaning of the mysterious gift as she was leaving the rooms. This hope proved vain, however; for Daniel, it seems, was not yet deep enough in Indian mysteries to answer her question, and she carried the present home, with its mysterious meaning, to ruminate upon until the riddle could be solved.

Mr. Melody and I visited the Indians in their apartments that evening after their exhibition was over, and taking a beefsteak and a cup of coffee with them, we found them still in high glee, and in good humour for gossip, which ran chiefly upon the immense looking-glasses they had seen (and "forgot to measure"), and the _chickabobboo_, which they pronounced to be first-rate for a grand _feast_, which it would be their duty to get up in a few days to thank the Great Spirit for leading them all safe over the ocean, and to ensure their safe return when they should be ready to go. I then told them of the kind of _chickabobboo_ that the Ojibbeways liked very much, and of which I had allowed each one glass every day at his dinner, and also at night after their dances were done, and which the physicians thought would be much better for them than the strong coffee they were in the habit of drinking; that I had talked with Mr. Melody on the subject, and he was quite willing, with me, that they should have it in the same way, provided they liked it.

"_How, how, how!_" they all responded; and while the servant was gone for a jug of ale, I explained to them that we did not consider that this was breaking their solemn promise made to us, "_not to drink spirituous liquors_." I stated to them, also, that it was possible to get drunk by drinking _chickabobboo_; and if any of them drank so much of it as to produce that effect, we should consider it the same as if they had got drunk by drinking whiskey.

The ale came in foaming, and being passed round, they all decided that "it was good, but not quite so good as that the kind lady gave us at the _feast_ to-day."

These evening gossips with these good-natured fellows in their own rooms, after their day's work and excitements were over, became extremely pleasing to me; so completely reviving the by-gone pleasures I had felt in whiling away the long evenings in their hospitable wigwams, when I was a guest in their remote country, amused with their never-ending fund of anecdotes and stories.

On the next morning, or the day after, at an early hour, Daniel announced to the Indians that there was a reverend gentleman in the sitting-room who wished to see them a little while, and to have some talk with them if possible. Daniel had taken this liberty, as he had heard Mr. Melody and myself say that we should feel disposed to promote, as far as we could, all such efforts. The Indians had not yet had their breakfasts, which were nearly ready, and felt a little annoyed; the War-chief observing "that they had had a long council with some clergymen, and had said to them all they had to say, and thought this gentleman had better go and see and talk with them; and another thing, as he believed that _Chippehola_[16] had written in a book all that he and the clergymen had said, he thought he might learn it all by going to him."

[16] The author.

Daniel whispered to him, in an earnest manner, that "this was a _Catholic priest_, a different kind of religion altogether." This created some little surprise and conversation around the room, that the white people should have two kinds of religion; and it was at last agreed that the War-chief and Jeffrey should step into the other room a few minutes and see him, the White Cloud saying "he did not care about going in."

It seems that Jeffrey took some interest in this gentleman, as the little that his ancestors had learned of religion had been taught them by Roman Catholic clergymen, who have been the first to teach the Christian religion in most parts of the American wilderness. The conversation and manner of the priest also made some impression on the mind of the War-chief; and as they heard the others using their knives and forks in the adjoining room, they took leave of the reverend gentleman, agreeing to a council with him and a number of his friends in a few days. _White Cloud_ and _Wash-ka-mon-ya_ excited much laughter and amusement amongst the party, on learning that the War-chief had appointed another council, "when he was to make his talk all over again." They told him "they expected to take him home a preacher, to preach white man's religion when he got back;" and they thought he had better get a "black coat" at once, and be called "_Black-coat to the party of Ioway Indians_."

The next day after the above interview, Daniel again announced to the chiefs and Jeffrey that there were two reverend gentlemen waiting to see them, who had seen Mr. Melody on the subject, and were to meet him there at that hour. White Cloud told the War-chief, that "as he had promised to meet them, he must do it; but as for himself, he would rather not see them, for he was not well." _Wash-ka-mon-ya_ laughed at the old chief and Jeffrey as they went out. "Now," said he, "for your grand council!" The War-chief lit his long pipe, and he and Jeffrey entered the room; but finding they were not the persons whom they were expecting to meet, they had a few words of conversation with them, taking care not to approach near to the subject of religion, and left them, as they had some other engagements that took up their time.

There was much merriment going on in the meantime in the Indians' room, and many jokes ready for the War-chief and Jeffrey when they should get back, as Daniel had returned to their room, and told them that, by the cut of their clothes and their manners, he was quite sure that these two gentlemen were of a different religion still; he believed they were _Methodist preachers_.

The War-chief, who was always dignified and contemplative in his manners, and yet susceptible of good humour and jokes, returned to the Indians' room at this time, apparently quite insensible to the mirth and the remarks around him, as he learned from the Indians, and got the confirmation from Daniel, that this was the _third_ kind of religion, and that there were the _Baptists_, the _Jews_, and several other kinds yet to come. He seated himself on his robe, which he spread upon the floor, and taking out of his pouch his flint and steel, and spunk, struck a light in the true Indian way (though there was fire within reach of his arm), and, lighting his pipe, commenced smoking. During this silent operation he seemed downcast, and in profound meditation. Mr. Melody and I entered the room at this moment, but seeing the mood he was in, did nothing to interrupt the train of his thoughts. When his pipe was smoked out, he charged it again with tobacco, but before lighting it he laid it aside, and straightening his long limbs upon the floor, and drawing another buffalo robe over his body and his head, he went to sleep.[17]

[17] Though the old War-chief, who was their speaking oracle on the subject of religion, remained sad and contemplative, there was daily much conversation and levity amongst the rest of the party on the subject of the "six religions of white men," which they had discovered; and either Jim or the little "commanding general" (son of the War-chief), both of whom were busy with their pencils, left on the table for my portfolio the subjoined curious, but significant illustration of their ideas of white man's paradise, and the six different modes of getting to it. _Plate No._ 11 is a _fac simile_ of this curious document, which the reader will appreciate on examination.

[Illustration: N^o. 11.]

This was the day for "seeing the _Giants_," and they were soon after announced as having arrived, according to appointment. During one of the Indians' exhibitions there had been a great excitement produced amongst them by the appearance in the crowd, of two immense persons, a man and a woman, who stood nearly the whole length of their bodies above the heads of others about them! This had excited the amazement of the Indians so much, that for a while they stopped their dances, to sit down and smoke a pipe. They must necessarily make some sacrifice on such an occasion, and it was decided to be done with a piece of tobacco, which being duly consecrated by them, was carried by the Doctor (the medicine man) to an adjoining room, and burned in the fire.

There were no questions asked by the Indians about these unaccountable people, where they came from, &c., but they wished me to invite them to call at their lodgings at No. 7, St. James's-street, the next day at twelve o'clock, where they would be glad to see them a little while. This wish was communicated to them in a note which I wrote on my knee, and was passed to them over the heads of the audience; the _giant man_ read it, and smiling, nodded his head, accepting of their invitation. This pleased the Indians, who all joined in sounding the war-whoop. These two extraordinary personages proved to be the well-known "Norfolk giants," who were brother and sister, and walking "arm-in-arm," so high that the eye of an ordinary man was just on a level with the apron string of the fair damsel; and the waist of the brother was, of course, yet some inches higher. I regret that I have not preserved the exact elevation of these two extraordinary persons, which I took pains to procure, but have somehow mislaid.

The invitation thus given brought them on their present visit to the Indians, who had great satisfaction in shaking their hands, and closely inspecting them: and not many minutes after their arrival a scene ensued that would have made a sick man laugh, or a rich subject for the pencil of Hogarth. The Indians had sent Daniel for a ball of twine, which they had unfolded upon the floor, and each one having cut off a piece of sufficient length, was taking for himself the measure of the "_giant man_," from head to foot--from hand to hand, his arms extended--the span of his waist--his breast and his legs--the length of his feet, and his fingers; and tying knots in their cords to indicate each proportion. In the midst of all this, the Doctor presented the most queer and laughable point in the picture, as he had been applying his string to the back of the fair damsel, having taken her length, from the top of her head to the floor, and tied a knot in his cord at the place where the waist of her dress intersected it; he had then arrested the attention of all, and presented his singular dilemma, when he stood with both ends of his cord in his hands, contemplating the enormous waist and other proportions before him, which he coveted for other knots on his string, but which his strict notions of gallantry were evidently raising objections to his taking. I whispered to him, and relieved him from his distressing state of uncertainty, by saying I thought he had been particular enough, and he withdrew, but with a sigh of evident regret.

They insisted on the _giant_ and _giantess_ receiving from them some little keepsakes of trinkets, &c., as evidences of the pleasure they had afforded them by calling on them.

This extraordinary occurrence, like most others of an exciting or interesting nature which these jovial and funny fellows met with, made subject for much subsequent anecdote and amusement. _Wash-ka-mon-ya_ (the fast dancer), a big-mouthed and waggish sort of fellow (who for brevity's sake was called, in English parlance, "Jim"), was continually teasing the Doctor about his gallantry amongst the ladies; and could rather easily and coolly do it, as he was a married man, and had his wife constantly by the side of him. He had naturally an abundant stock of wit and good humour, and being so much of a wag withal, he was rather a painful companion for the Doctor all the way, and was frequently passing jokes of a cruel as well as of a light and amusing kind upon him. It was known to the whole party that there was no record kept of the length and breadth of the _giant lady_, except the one that the Doctor had taken, and carefully rolled up and put away in a little box, amongst other precious things, at the head of his bed, and which he generally used as his pillow. It was known also that much stress would be laid upon this in his own country, when they returned home, as something which the rest of the party could not produce, and which for him, therefore, would be of great and peculiar interest there, and probably on other occasions, when it might be proper to refer to it as a thing he could swear to as a subject of interest in this country. Jim's best jokes (like most Indian jokes) were those which no one else takes a share in; and a piece of the twine that had caught his eye as it was lying upon the floor, probably first suggested the wicked idea of being cut about two feet longer than the Doctor's measure of the fair giantess, and with a knot about one foot higher than the one made for her waist, and of being rolled up in the same way, and slipped (in place of the other) into the same corner of the box, to which the Doctor had a key, but, according to all Indian practice, he never made use of it. The sequel to all this, and the fun it might have subsequently made for "Jim," with his "