guttural accompaniment which the dancers sang, the other Indians joining in the chorus.  The performance was divided into parts, and the whole was intended to express the passions which war excites in the Indian nature,—­the joy which they feel at the prospect of a fight,—­their contempt for their enemies,—­their frenzy at sight of the foe,—­the conflict,—­the operations of tomahawking and scalping their opponents,—­and, finally, the triumph of victory.  The performances occupied over two hours.  Fall-Leaf presided with an air of becoming gravity, smoking an enormous stone pipe with a long reed stem.

After rendering thanks in proper form, Fall-Leaf was told, that, by way of return for their civility, and in special honor of the Delawares, the negroes would dance one of their national dances.  Two agile darkies came forward, and went through with a regular break-down, to the evident entertainment of the red men.  Afterwards an Irishman leaped into the ring, and began an Irish hornpipe.  He was the best dancer of all, and his complicated steps and astonishing tours-de-force completely upset the gravity of the Indians, and they burst into loud laughter.  It was midnight before the camp was composed to its last night’s sleep.  This morning we started an hour before day, and marched to this place, twenty miles, by noon.

Thus ended the expedition of General Fremont to Springfield.

* * * * *

In bringing these papers to a close, the writer cannot refrain from expressing his regret that circumstances have prevented him from making that exposition of affairs in the Western Department which the country has long expected.  While he was in the field, General Fremont permitted the attacks of his enemies to pass unheeded, because he held them unworthy to be intruded upon more important occupations, and he would not be diverted from the great objects he was pursuing; since his recall, considerations affecting the public service, and the desire not at this time to embarrass the Government with personal matters, have sealed his lips.  I will not now disregard his wishes by entering into any detailed discussion of the charges which have been made against him,—­but I cannot lay down my pen without bearing voluntary testimony to the fidelity, energy, and skill which he brought to his high office.  It will be hard for any one who was not a constant witness of his career to appreciate the labor which he assumed and successfully performed.  From the first to the last hour of the day, there was no idle moment.  No time was given to pleasure,—­none even to needed relaxation.  Often, long after the strength of his body was spent, the force of his will bound him to exhausting toil.  No religious zealot ever gave himself to his devotions with more absorbing abandonment than General Fremont to his hard, and, as it has proved, most thankless task.  Time will verify the statement, that, whether as respects thoroughness or economy, his administration of affairs at the West will compare favorably with the transactions of any other department of the Government, military or civil, during the last nine months.  Let it be contrasted with the most conspicuous instance of the management of military affairs at the East.