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