The Winnebagoes, who speak a cognate dialect of the Dacotah, were encamped near; and resembled them in their style of lodges, arts, and general decorations.

The Chippewas presented the more usually known traits, manners and customs of the great Algonquin family—­of whom they are, indeed, the best representative.  The tall and warlike bands from the sources of the Mississippi—­from La Point, in Lake Superior—­from the valleys of the Chippewa and St. Croix rivers, and the Rice Lake region of Lac du Flambeau, and of Sault Ste. Marie, were well represented.

The cognate tribe of the Menomonies, and of the Potawattomies and Ottowas from Lake Michigan, assimilated and mingled with the Chippewas.  Some of the Iroquois of Green Bay were present.

But no tribes attracted as intense a degree of interest as the Iowas, and the Sacs and Foxes—­tribes of radically diverse languages, yet united in a league against the Sioux.  These tribes were encamped on the island, or opposite coast.  They came to the treaty ground, armed and dressed as a war party.  They were all armed with spears, clubs, guns and knives.  Many of the warriors had a long tuft of red-horse hair tied at their elbows, and bore a neck lace of grizzly bears’ claws.  Their head-dress consisted of red dyed horse-hair, tied in such manner to the scalp lock as to present the shape of the decoration of a Roman helmet.  The rest of the head was completely shaved and painted.  A long iron shod lance was carried in the hand.  A species of baldric supported part of their arms.  The azian, moccason and leggins constituted a part of their dress.  They were, indeed, nearly nude, and painted.  Often the print of a hand, in white clay, marked the back or shoulders.  They bore flags of feathers.  They beat drums.  They uttered yells, at definite points.  They landed in compact ranks.  They looked the very spirit of defiance.  Their leader stood as a prince, majestic and frowning.  The wild, native pride of man, in the savage state, flushed by success in war, and confident in the strength of his arm, was never so fully depicted to my eyes.  And the forest tribes of the continent may be challenged to have ever presented a spectacle of bold daring, and martial prowess, equal to their landing.

Their martial bearing, their high tone, and whole behavior during their stay, in and out of council, was impressive, and demonstrated, in an eminent degree, to what a high pitch of physical and moral courage, bravery and success in war may lead a savage people.  Keokuk, who led them, stood with his war lance, high crest of feathers, and daring eye, like another Coriolanus, and when he spoke in council, and at the same time shook his lance at his enemies, the Sioux, it was evident that he wanted but an opportunity to make their blood flow like water.  Wapelo, and other chiefs backed him, and the whole array, with their shaved heads and high crests of red horse-hair, told the spectator plainly, that each of these men held his life in his hand, and was ready to spring to the work of slaughter at the cry of their chief.