University of Virginia Library

5. CHAPTER V.

Early in the morning, Walking Wind commenced her
toilet—and it was no light task to deck the Indian bride in
all her finery.

Her mocassins were worked with porcupine, and fitted
closely her small feet; the leggins were ornamented with
ribbons of all colors; her cloth shawl, shaped like a mantilla,
was worked with rows of bright ribbons, and the sewing
did honor to her own skill in needle-work. Her breast

was covered with brooches, and a quantity of beads hung
round her neck. Heavy ear-rings are in her ears—and on
her head is a diadem of war eagle's feathers. She has a
bright spot of vermilion on each cheek, and—behold an Indian
bride!

When she is ready, as many presents as were given for
her are collected and put on a horse; and the bride, accompanied
by three or four of her relations, takes the road to
the wigwam of the bridegroom.

When they arrive within a hundred yards of the wigwam,
Walking Wind's father calls for the War Club to
come out. He does not come, but sends one of his relations
to receive the bride. Do not suppose that Walking
Wind's father takes offence at the bridegroom's not coming
when he is called; for it is as much a part of the ceremony,
among the Dahcotahs, for one of the bride's relations to call
for the bridegroom, and for the groom to refuse to come, as
it is for us to have the ring put upon the third finger of the
left hand.

As soon as the warrior deputed by the husband elect to
receive the bride makes his appearance, the Indians raise a
shout of applause, and all run towards him as he approaches
them, and while they are running and shouting they are
firing off their guns too.

But the ceremony is not over yet. Walking Wind, in
order to complete the ceremonies, to be a wife, must jump
upon the back of her husband's relative, and be thus carried
into the wigwam of which she is to be the mistress.

What a situation for a bride! Walking Wind seriously
thinks of rebelling; she hesitates—while the man stands
ready to start for the wigwam so soon as the luggage is on.

The bride draws back and pouts a little, when some of her
friends undertake to reason with her; and she, as if to avoid
them, springs upon the back of the Dahcotah, who carries
her into the wigwam.

But where on earth is the bridegroom? Seated on the
ground in the teepee, looking as placid and unconcerned as
if nothing was going on. Of course he rises to receive his
bride? Not he; but Walking Wind is on her feet again,
and she takes her seat, without any invitation, by the side
of him, who is literally to be her lord and master—and
they are man and wife. As much so, as if there were a
priest and a ring, pearls and bride-cake. For the Dahcotah
reveres the ceremony of marriage, and he thinks with
solemn awe of the burial rites of his nation, as we do.
These rites have been preserved from generation to generation,
told from father to son, and they will be handed
down until the Dahcotahs are no more, or until religion
and education take the place of superstition and ignorance
—until God, our God, is known and worshipped among a
people who as yet have hardly heard His name.