University of Virginia Library

Engages, voyageurs, and coureurs des bois,
are the appellations by which the subordinates employed in
the fur trade are distinguished. The experienced voyageurs
are called hivernans, and the raw hands mangeurs de lard,
or pork eaters.

Nippes are pieces of blankets, or other substitutes for
stockings.

I will put on a blue leggin and run after
her. When a young Indian of any of the branches of the
Dahcotah tribe wishes to declare himself in love, he wears
leggins of different colors. Thus accoutred, he sits upon a
log, and plays on a flute, or sings. It may be inferred from
the text, that the leggins of Washtay Wawkeeah were red.

Courir l'allumette. The fashion of wooing among
many tribes is this. The lover goes at dead of night to the
lodge of his mistress, and lights a splinter of wood. This he
holds to her face, and awakens her. If she leaves it burning,
his addresses are not acceptable; but if she blows it out,
he takes his place beside her, and communicates his intentions.
The engages call this courir l'allumette.

Dahcotah. Indians are jealous and uneasy when
their names are mentioned by white men in their presence.
To avoid giving offence in this manner, the Canadians engaged
in the trade have affixed a soubriquet to each tribe,

and each prominent individual. Here follow some examples:
— The Dahcotahs are called Les Sioux; the Delawares,
Les Loups; the Chippeways, Les Saulteurs; the
Winnebagoes, Les Puans; the Pottawottemies, Les Poux,
&c, &c. By the use of these nick names, traders speak of
Indians in their presence, without making the subject of
their conversation known. Yet they cause confusion and
misapprehension in writing.

Carried neck and heels. At Dahcotah