<​August 26​> Friday 12th. All was still and quiet nothing going on worthy of notice all busy about their employment— The old men were lying on their couches and smoking their pipes, the old women were making sacks to gather their corn and beans and potatoes The young women were making Rush Matts to sleep on and weaving Wampum belts for the warriors. The young men were constantly riding from Town to Town, visiting and playing cards and Gambling continually, after the return from their buffalo hunt which lasted fourteen days. When a hunter rides out for Elk, or Deer, and returns with the spoils, he rides to the door of his wigwam where he finds his wife sitting at work, and a kettle of corn and beans and a little buffalo meat [HC 5:545] or bones broken or Elk meat, all ready for him, if not quite done she steps to the next door and returns with his wooden bowl and ladle full. The Indian throws off at the door his meat, in a great hurry, unharnesses his horse, lies down on some skins or blankets, and eats his food prepared for him— enough for four white men.

The meat is left in charge with the sqaw, he has no more care of it he has done his part, in getting the meat and bring it to his house. The Sqaws then prepare and dry or smoke the meat— this they call Jerking the meat so that it will not hurt: meat prepared this way is dried in the blood, and will keep year after year, if not eaten before. Nothing of notice occurred through the day. I spent the afternoon in the town, <​in​> the afternoon I went to see the Indian who was appointed by the council to conduct me home; he was gone to the lower Town on a drunken frolic; I stayed until he came home, which was a little before sunset, I then returned to my place of lodging; soon after I had got to bed or laid down upon my blanket I heard the beating of a drum, an Indian came in or came to the door and said that we must all attend the feast or dance, at an instant each one caught a bowl and ladle and ran for the place of gathering, I went with the crowd, (tho’ not equipped) I had no bowl, nor ladle but was made welcome as though I was an Indian with the rest, a place was prepared for me to sit or lie down as I chose, and as they all lay down I lay down with the rest between two large warriors who soon commenced smoking their pipes, the music was continually playing— after smoking was past, the war chief began to dance <​and​> was followed by his braves— with a hideous yell as each fell into the dance they passed round the room some three or four times and then they were joined by the sqaws, they all, and each one <​performed their​> part well that was assigned them [blank] from the least to the greatest, and I think better time kept by those that danced I never saw before— All was solemn, and silent as though they were going to be burnt at the stake, except when the chief gave the whoop they all answered with a yell that would reach the very heavens. This dance continued about one hour while the supper was preparing— they then all took supper and after supper commenced dancing again as usual, this performance lasted until about 3 o’Clock in the morning when all went quietly to their homes— The next morning the Chief sent for me to take breakfast with him, I immediately went, and two little girls were a cooking, frying flour pancakes. The Chief’s wife was busily engaged attending on her sick child in a small booth built for that purpose out at the door. These cakes above mentioned, fried by those little girls were just scorched [HC 5:546] [p. 1701]