463. Gi-he-ga. Chief.
One of the nine chiefs who govern the tribe, holding their positions by hereditary descent.
469-470. Betsy.
A noted character among the Omahas, an exponent of women's rights. Has always accompanied the tribe on their annual buffalo-hunts, and participates in the chase with the men. Speaks three Indian languages, besides French and English.
457. Agency buildings.
462. The village of the Omahas. (1871.)
461. The village. Near view, showing lodges.
464. Gi-he-ga's lodge.
459-460. View from Blackbird Hill.
In Irving's Astoria is a short sketch of some of the romantic deeds of Wa-shinga-sah-ba, or Blackbird, a famous chief of the Omahas, who died in 1802, which concludes as follows: "His dominant spirit and his love for the white man were evinced in his latest breath with which he designated his place of sepulture. It was to be on a hill, or promontory, upward of 400 feet in height, overlooking a great extent of the Missouri, from which he had been accustomed to watch for the barks of the white men. The Missouri washes the base of the promontory, and after winding and doubling in many links and mazes in the plains below, returns to within 900 yards of its starting-place, so that for thirty miles, navigating with sail and oar, the voyager finds himself continually near to this singular promontory, as if spell-bound.
"It was the dying command of the Blackbird that his tomb should be upon the summit of this hill, in which he should be interred, seated on his favorite horse, that he might overlook his ancient domain, and behold the barks of the white men as they came up the river to trade with his people."
The river has now changed its course, running far to the eastward, leaving at the foot of the hill a lake in the old bed of the river. The mound which was raised over the chief and his horse is now nearly obliterated, "yet the hill of the Blackbird continues an object of veneration to the wandering savage, and a landmark to the voyager of the Missouri."