434. Canoe-Race—Chippeways in Bark Canoes, near the Sault de St. Mary’s; an Indian Regatta, a thrilling scene.
435. Archery of the Mandans.
The strife is to prove who can get the greatest number of arrows flying in the air at a time, before the first one reaches the ground. The most of these are portraits closely studied from nature. I have seen some of them get eight arrows in the air at one time.
436. Dance of the Chiefs, Sioux.
A very unusual thing, as the dancing is generally left to the young men; given to me expressly as a compliment by the chiefs, that I might make a painting of it.
437. Dog Dance, Sioux.
The dog’s liver and heart are taken raw and bleeding, and placed upon a crotch; and, being cut into slips, each man dances up to it, bites off and swallows a piece of it, boasting, at the same time, that he has thus swallowed a piece of the heart of his enemy, whom he has slain in battle.
438. Scalp Dance, Sioux—Women in the centre, holding the scalps on poles, and warriors dancing around, brandishing their war-weapons in the most frightful manner, and yelping as loud as they can scream.
439. Begging Dance, Sacs and Foxes, danced for the purpose of getting presents from the spectators.
440. Buffalo Dance, Mandans, with the mask of the buffalo on.