We Then Made Or Acknowledged Three Chiefs,
One For Each Of The Three Villages; Giving To Each A Flag,
A
Medal, a red coat, a cocked hat and feather, also some goods,
paint and tobacco, which they divided among themselves.
After this the air-gun was exhibited, very much to
their astonishment, nor were they less surprised at the color
and manner of York. On our side we were equally gratified
at discovering that these Ricaras made use of no spirituous
liquors of any kind, the example of the traders who bring it
to them, so far from tempting, having in fact disgusted them.
Supposing that it was as agreeable to them as to the other Indians,
we had at first offered them whiskey; but they refused it with this
sensible remark, that they were surprised that their father
should present to them a liquor which would make them fools.
On another occasion they observed to Mr. Tabeau that no man could
be their friend who tried to lead them into such follies."
Presents were exchanged by the Indians and the white men;
among the gifts from the former was a quantity of a large,
rich bean, which grows wild and is collected by mice.
The Indians hunt for the mice's deposits and cook and eat them.
The Rickarees had a grand powwow with the white chiefs and,
after accepting presents, agreed to preserve peace with all men,
red or white. On the thirteenth of the month the explorers
discovered a stream which they named Stone-Idol Creek,
on account of two stones, resembling human figures,
which adorn its banks. The creek is now known as Spring River,
and is in Campbell County, South Dakota. Concerning the stone
images the Indians gave this tradition: -
"A young man was deeply enamoured with a girl whose parents refused
their consent to the marriage. The youth went out into the fields
to mourn his misfortunes; a sympathy of feeling led the lady to the
same spot, and the faithful dog would not cease to follow his master.
After wandering together and having nothing but grapes to subsist on,
they were at last converted into stone, which, beginning at the feet,
gradually invaded the nobler parts, leaving nothing unchanged but
a bunch of grapes which the female holds in her hand to this day.
Whenever the Ricaras pass these sacred stones, they stop to make some
offering of dress to propitiate these deities. Such is the account
given by the Ricara chief, which we had no mode of examining,
except that we found one part of the story very agreeably confirmed;
for on the river near where the event is said to have occurred we
found a greater abundance of fine grapes than we had yet seen."
While at their last camp in the country now known as South Dakota, October 14,
1804, one of the soldiers, tried by a court-martial for mutinous conduct,
was sentenced to receive seventy-five lashes on the bare back.
The sentence was carried out then and there.
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