James's Account of S. H. Long's Expedition, 1819-1820, part 1James, Edwin
History
James's Account of S. H. Long's Expedition, 1819-1820, part 1
James, Edwin
Indians of North America; Rocky Mountains; United States -- Discovery and exploration; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
After lashing the post and making his threat, Ietan went on to
narrate his martial exploits. He had stolen horses seven or eight
times from the Konzas; he had first struck the bodies of three of
that nation slain in battle. He had stolen horses from the Ietan
nation, and had struck one of their dead. He had stolen horses
from the Pawnees, and struck the body of one Pawnee Loup. He had
stolen horses several times from the Omawhaws, and once from the
Puncas. He had struck the bodies of two Sioux. On a war party, in
company with the Pawnees, he had attacked the Spaniards and
penetrated into one of their camps; the Spaniards, {142} excepting
a man and boy, fled; himself being at a distance before his party,
he was shot at and missed by the man, whom he immediately shot
down and struck. "This, my father," said he, "is the only martial
act of my life that I am ashamed of."[178] After several rounds of
dancing, and of striking at the post by the warriors, Mi-a-ke-ta,
or the Little Soldier, a war-worn veteran, took his turn to strike
the post. He leaped actively about, and strained his voice to its
utmost pitch whilst he portrayed some of the scenes of blood in
which he had acted. He had struck dead bodies of individuals of
all the red nations around, Osages, Konzas, Pawnee Loups, Pawnee
Republicans, Grand Pawnees, Puncas, Omawhaws, and Sioux, Padoucas,
La Plais or Bald Heads, Ietans, Sauks, Foxes, and Ioways;[179] he
had struck eight of one nation, seven of another, &c. He was
proceeding with his account when Ietan ran up to him, put his hand
upon his mouth, and respectfully led him to his seat. This act was
no trifling compliment paid to the well-known brave. It indicated
that he had still so many glorious acts to speak of, that he would
occupy so much time as to prevent others from speaking, and put to
shame the other warriors by the contrast of his actions with
theirs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account