CHAPTER X
A PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION
While the parties of Hunt and Lisa were staying at the Ree towns, a great patriotic celebration occurred there, which is described in detail by Washington Irving. No one of the pretentious towns or cities of to-day could welcome her sons home from the wars with more pomp and circumstance, more of feasting and rejoicings, than did these primitive South Dakotans.
"On the 9th of July, just before daybreak, a great noise and vociferation was heard in the village. This being the usual Indian hour of attack and surprise, and the Sioux being known to be in the neighborhood, the camp was instantly on the alert. As the day broke Indians were descried in considerable number on the bluffs three or four miles down the river. The noise and agitation in the village continued. The tops of the lodges were crowded with the inhabitants, all earnestly looking toward the hills and keeping up a vehement chattering. Presently an Indian warrior galloped past the camp [of Mr. Hunt] toward the village, and in a little while the legions began to pour forth.
"The truth of the matter was now ascertained. The Indians upon the distant hills were three hundred Arick-
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