oved productive of much
maple sugar. The women's patches of maize and potatoes were already
sufficiently advanced to use. The Wahpetonwan band of Sioux, the
"Dwellers among the Leaves," were fully awakened to the fact that it was
almost time for the midsummer festivities of the old, wild days.

The invitations were bundles of tobacco, and acceptances were sent back
from the various bands--the "Light Lodges", "Dwellers back from the
River," and many others, in similar fashion. Blue Earth, chief of the
"Dwellers among the Leaves," was the host.

There were to be many different kinds of athletic games; indeed, the
festival was something like a State fair, in that there were many side
shows and competitive events. For instance, supposing that (Miss) White
Rabbit should desire to give a "maidens' feast," she would employ a
crier to go among the different bands announcing the fact in a sing-song
manner:

"Miss White Rabbit will receive her maiden friends to-day at noon,
inside of the circular encampment of the Kaposia band."

Again, should (Mr.) Sleepy Eye wish to have his child's ears
pierced publicly, he would have to give away a great deal of savage
wealth--namely, otter, bear and beaver skins and ponies--or the child
would not be considered as belonging to a family in good standing.

But the one all-important event of the occasion was the lacrosse game,
for which it had been customary to select those two bands which could
boast the greater number of fast runners.

The Wahpetonwan village on the banks of the Minnesota river was alive
with the newly-arrived guests and the preparations for the coming event.
Meat of wild game had been put away with much care during the previous
fall in anticipation of this feast. There was wild rice and the choicest
of dried venison that had been kept all winter, as well as freshly dug
turnips, ripe berries and an abundance of fresh meat.

Along the edge of the woods the teepees were pitched in groups or
semi-circles, each band distinct from the others. The teepee of Mankato
or Blue Earth was pitched in a conspicuous spot. Just over the entrance
was painted in red and yellow a picture of a pipe, and directly opposite
this the rising sun. The painting was symbolic of welcome and good will
to men under the bright sun.

A meeting was held to appoint some "medicine man" to make the balls
that were to be used in the lacrosse contest; and presently the herald
announced that this honor had