First Across the Continent | Page 9

Indians have made it a great article of their superstition: it is
called the Mountain of Little People, or Little Spirits; and they believe
that it is the abode of little devils, in the human form, of about eighteen
inches high, and with remarkably large heads; they are armed with
sharp arrows, with which they are very skilful, and are always on the
watch to kill those who should have the hardihood to approach their
residence. The tradition is, that many have suffered from these little
evil spirits, and, among others, three Maha Indians fell a sacrifice to
them a few years since. This has inspired all the neighboring nations,
Sioux, Mahas, and Ottoes, with such terror, that no consideration could
tempt them to visit the hill. We saw none of these wicked little spirits,
nor any place for them, except some small holes scattered over the top;
we were happy enough to escape their vengeance, though we remained
some time on the mound to enjoy the delightful prospect of the plain,
which spreads itself out till the eye rests upon the northwest hills at a
great distance, and those of the northeast, still farther off, enlivened by
large herds of buffalo feeding at a distance."
The present residents of the region, South Dakota, have preserved the
Indian tradition, and Spirit Mound may be seen on modern maps of that
country.
Passing on their way up the Missouri, the explorers found several kinds
of delicious wild plums and vast quantities of grapes; and here, too,
they passed the mouth of the Yankton River, now known as the Dakota,
at the mouth of which is the modern city of Yankton, South Dakota.
The Yankton-Sioux Indians, numbering about one thousand people,
inhabited this part of the country, and near here the white men were

met by a large band of these Sioux who had come in at the invitation of
Lewis and Clark. The messengers from the white men reported that
they had been well received by the Indians, who, as a mark of respect,
presented their visitors with "a fat dog, already cooked, of which they
partook heartily and found it well-flavored." From this time, according
to the journal, the explorers tasted occasionally of roast dog, and later
on they adopted this dish as a regular feature of their bill-of-fare. They
do tell us, however, that they had some difficulty in getting used to so
novel an article of food.
The Sioux and the white men held a grand council under an oak-tree,
from the top of which was flying the American flag. The head chief
was presented with a gold-laced uniform of the United States artillery,
a cocked hat and red feather. The lesser chiefs were also presented with
suitable gifts of lesser value. Various festivities followed the
conference. Next day another powwow was held at which the head
chief, Weucha, or Shake Hand, said:--
"'I see before me my great father's two sons. You see me and the rest of
our chiefs and warriors. We are very poor; we have neither powder, nor
ball, nor knives; and our women and children at the village have no
clothes. I wish that, as my brothers have given me a flag and a medal,
they would give something to those poor people, or let them stop and
trade with the first boat which comes up the river. I will bring the
chiefs of the Pawnees and Mahas together, and make peace between
them; but it is better that I should do it than my great father's sons, for
they will listen to me more readily. I will also take some chiefs to your
country in the spring; but before that time I cannot leave home. I went
formerly to the English, and they gave me a medal and some clothes:
when I went to the Spaniards they gave me a medal, but nothing to
keep it from my skin: but now you give me a medal and clothes. But
still we are poor; and I wish, brothers, you would give us something for
our squaws.'"
When he sat down, Mahtoree, or White Crane, rose:
"'I have listened,' said he, 'to what our father's words were yesterday;
and I am to-day glad to see how you have dressed our old chief. I am a

young man, and do not wish to take much; my fathers have made me a
chief; I had much sense before, but now I think I have more than ever.
What the old chief has declared I will confirm, and do whatever he and
you please; but I wish that you would take pity on us, for we are very
poor.'
"Another chief, called Pawnawneahpahbe, then said:
"'I am a young man, and know but little; I cannot speak well, but