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arrows！ Stealthily and cautiously I approached； keeping my eyes upon the
pretty little animal； and just as I was about to let fly my shaft； I heard a
hissing noise at my feet。 There lay a horrid snake； coiled and ready to
spring！ Forgetful that I was a warrior； I gave a loud scream and started
backward； but soon recollecting myself； looked down with shame；
although no one was near。 However； I retreated to the inclined trunk of a
fallen tree； and there； as I have often been told； was overheard soliloquiz…
ing in the following words： 〃I wonder if a snake can climb a tree！〃
I remember on this occasion of our last sugar bush in Minnesota； that I
stood one day outside of our hut and watched the approach of a visitor a
bent old man； his hair almost white； and carrying on his back a large
bundle of red willow； or kinnikinick； which the Indians use for smoking。
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He threw down his load at the door and thus saluted us： 〃You have indeed
perfect weather for sugar…making。〃
It was my great…grandfather； Cloud Man； whose original village was
on the shores of Lakes Calhoun and Harriet； now in the suburbs of the city
of Minneapolis。 He was the first Sioux chief to welcome the Protestant
missionaries among his people； and a well…known character in those pio…
neer days。 He brought us word that some of the peaceful sugar…makers
near us on the river had been attacked and murdered by roving Ojib… ways。
This news disturbed us not a little； for we realized that we too might
become the victims of an Ojibway war party。 Therefore we all felt some
uneasiness from this time until we returned heavy laden to our village。
V： A Midsummer Feast IT was midsummer。 Everything that the Santee
Sioux had under… taken during the year had been un… usually successful。
The spring fur…hunters had been fortunate； and the heavy winter had
proved productive of much maple sugar。 The women's patches of maize
and potatoes were already suffic… iently advanced to use。 The
Wahpetonwan band of Sioux； the 〃Dwellers among the Leaves；〃 were
fully awakened to the fact that it was almost time for the midsummer
festivities of the old； wild days。
The invitations were bundles of tobacco； and acceptances were sent
back from the various bands the 〃Light Lodges〃； 〃Dwellers back from
the River；〃 and many others； in similar fashion。 Blue Earth； chief of the
〃Dwellers among the Leaves；〃 was the host。
There were to be many different kinds of ath… letic games； indeed； the
festival was something like a State fair； in that there were many side shows
and competitive events。 For instance； sup… posing that （Miss） White
Rabbit should desire to give a 〃maidens' feast；〃 she would employ a crier
to go among the different bands announcing the fact in a sing…song
manner：
〃Miss White Rabbit will receive her maiden friends to…day at noon；
inside of the circular en… campment of the Kaposia band。〃
Again； should （Mr。） Sleepy Eye wish to have his child's ears pierced
publicly； he would have to give away a great deal of savage wealth
namely； otter； bear and beaver skins and poniesor the child would not be
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considered as belonging to a family in good standing。
But the one all…important event of the occasion was the lacrosse game；
for which it had been cus… tomary to select those two bands which could
boast the greater number of fast runners。
The Wahpetonwan village on the banks of the Minnesota river was
alive with the newly…arrived guests and the preparations for the coming
event。 Meat of wild game had been put away with much care during the
previous fall in anticipation of this feast。 There was wild rice and the
choicest of dried venison that had been kept all winter； as well as freshly
dug turnips； ripe berries and an abundance of fresh meat。
Along the edge of the woods the teepees were pitched in groups or
semi…circles； each band dis… tinct from the others。 The teepee of Mankato
or Blue Earth was pitched in a conspicuous spot。 Just over the entrance
was painted in red and yel… low a picture of a pipe； and directly opposite
this the rising sun。 The painting was symbolic of welcome and good will
to men under the bright sun。
A meeting was held to appoint some 〃medi… cine man〃 to make the
balls that were to be used in the lacrosse contest； and presently the herald
announced that this honor had been conferred upon old Chankpee…yuhah；
or 〃Keeps the Club；〃 while every other man of his profession was dis…
appointed。 He was a powerful man physically； who had apparently won
the confidence of the people by his fine personal appearance and by
working upon superstitious minds。
Towards evening he appeared in the circle； leading by the hand a boy
about four years old。 Closely the little fellow observed every motion of
the man； nothing escaped his vigilant black eyes； which seemed constantly
to grow brighter and larger； while his exuberant glossy black hair was
plaited and wound around his head like that of a Celestial。 He wore a bit
of swan's down in each ear； which formed a striking contrast with the
child's complexion。 Further than this； the boy was painted according to
the fashion of the age。 He held in his hands a miniature bow and arrows。
The medicine man drew himself up in an ad… mirable attitude； and
proceeded to make his short speech：
〃Wahpetonwans； you boast that you run down the elk； you can outrun
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the Ojibways。 Before you all； I dedicate to you this red ball。 Kaposias；
you claim that no one has a lighter foot than you； you declare that you can
endure running a whole day without water。 To you I dedicate this black
ball。 Either you or the Leaf…Dwellers will have to drop your eyes and
bow your head when the game is over。 I wish to announce that if the
Wahpetonwans should win； this little warrior shall bear the name Ohiyesa
（winner） through life； but if the Light Lodges should win； let the name be
given to any child appointed by them。〃
The ground selected for the great final game was on a narrow strip of
land between a lake and the river。 It was about three quarters of a mile
long and a quarter of a mile in width。 The spec… tators had already
ranged themselves all along the two sides； as well as at the two ends；
which were somewhat higher than the middle。 The soldiers appointed to
keep order furnished much of the entertainment of the day。 They painted
artistically and tastefully； according to the Indian fashion； not only their
bodies but also their ponies and clubs。 They were so strict in enforcing
the laws that no one could vent