The Dakotas make unusual advances to effect a peace with the Ojibways—Shappa, the Yankton Dakota chief—He effects a peace with the Red River Ojibways—Dakotas and Ojibways meet on Platte River—Disturbance of the peace—Bloodshed is prevented by Wa-nah-ta, son of Shappa—Flat Mouth, the Pillager chief, refuses to accept the peace—He mistrusts the intentions of the Dakotas—His narrow escape, and discovery of a war trail on Otter Tail Lake—Murder of his two cousins—Their brave defence against the Dakotas—Flat Mouth prepares for war—Shappa sends him his peace pipe, and appoints when and where to meet him—Flat Mouth keeps the appointment—He refuses to shed blood on a white man's door-step—Death of Shappa, with two of his warriors—He is succeeded by his son, Wa-nah-ta, who becomes a noted warrior—Threats of Col. Dickson against Pillagers—Fierce battle between Dakotas and Ojibways at Goose River—Black Duck distinguishes himself for bravery—Characteristic manner of a peace effected between an Ojibway camp, and Dakota war party on Platte River—The chief of Sandy Lake makes a peace visit to the Dakotas—Hie party narrowly escapes destruction—They are saved by the trader Renville—Dakotas kill an Ojibway on Gull Lake, and leave the war-club on his body—Quick revenge of Curly Head—Five women killed—War-club returned.
The year after the battle at Long Prairie, the Dakotas, along the whole line of their eastern frontiers, made an unusual attempt to enter into a general peace with the Ojibways. Shappa (the Beaver), head-chief of the Yankton Dakotas, the most numerous section of this extensive tribe, and occupying the most northern position, first made advances of peace to the Ojibways on Red River. Some years previous he had taken captive a young Ojibway woman, who soon became his favorite wife. This woman he now placed on a fleet horse, and giving her his peace pipe, he bade her to go to her people at Pembina, and tell them that in so many days, Shappa would come and smoke with them in peace and good-will.
