a narrow, steep passage that lies near the brink of the river. At a
little distance from this dreary cavern is the burying-place of several
bands of the Naudowessie (Dakota) Indians," Many years ago the roof fell
in but the cave has been partly restored and is now used as a beer
cellar.

[39] _Wah-kahn-dee_--The lightning.

[40] The Bloody River--the Red River was so called on account of the
numerous Indian battles that have been fought on its banks. The Ojibways
say that its waters were colored red by the blood of many warriors slain
on its banks in the fierce wars between themselves and the Dakotas.

[41] _Tah_--The Moose. This is the root-word for all ruminating animals:
_Ta-tanka_, buffalo--Ta-toka, mountain antelope--Ta-hinca, the red
deer--Ta-mdoka, the buck-deer--Ta-hinca-ska, white deer (sheep).

[42] _Hogahn_--Fish. Red Hogan, the trout.

[43] _Tipsanna_ (often called _tipsinna_) is a wild prairie-turnip used
for food by the Dakotas. It grows on high, dry land, and increases from
year to year. It is eaten both cooked and raw.

[44] _Rio Tajo_ (or Tagus), a river of Spain and Portugal.

[45]
* * * * "Bees of Trebizond--
Which from the sunniest flowers that glad
With their pure smile the gardens round,
Draw venom forth that drives men mad."

_--Thomas Moore_.

[46] _Skee-skah_--The Wood-duck.

[47] The Crocus. I have seen the prairies in Minnesota spangled with these
beautiful flowers in various colors before the ground was free from
frost. The Dakotas call them "frost-flowers."

[48] The "Sacred Ring" around the Feast of the Virgins is formed by armed
warriors sitting, and none but a virgin must enter this ring. The
warrior who knows is bound on honor, and by old and sacred custom, to
expose and publicly denounce any tarnished maiden who dares to enter
this ring, and his word cannot be questioned--even by the chief. See
_Mrs. Eastman's Dacotah_, p. 64.

[49] Prairie's Pride.--This annual shrub, which abounds on many of the
sandy prairies in Minnesota, is sometimes called "tea-plant,"
"sage-plant," and "red-root willow." I doubt if it has any botanic name.
Its long plumes of purple and gold are truly the "pride of the
prairies."

[50] The Dakotas consider white cedar "_Wakan_," (sacred). They use
sprigs of it at their feasts, and often burn it to destroy the power of
evil spirits. _Mrs. Eastman's Dacotah_, p. 210.

[51] _Tahkoo-skahng-skahng_. This deity is supposed to be invisible, y