They were cut in a rude manner upon the
inside of the walls, which were composed of a stone so extremely soft
that it might be easily penetrated with a knife: a stone everywhere to
be found near the Mississippi. This cave is only accessible by ascending
a narrow, steep passage that lies near the brink of the river. At a
little distance from this dreary cavern is the burying-place of several
bands of the Naudowessie (Dakota) Indians," Many years ago the roof fell
in but the cave has been partly restored and is now used as a beer
cellar.
[39] _Wah-kahn-dee_--The lightning.
[40] The Bloody River--the Red River was so called on account of the
numerous Indian battles that have been fought on its banks. The Ojibways
say that its waters were colored red by the blood of many warriors slain
on its banks in the fierce wars between themselves and the Dakotas.
[41] _Tah_--The Moose. This is the root-word for all ruminating animals:
_Ta-tanka_, buffalo--Ta-toka, mountain antelope--Ta-hinca, the red
deer--Ta-mdoka, the buck-deer--Ta-hinca-ska, white deer (sheep).
[42] _Hogahn_--Fish. Red Hogan, the trout.
[43] _Tipsanna_ (often called _tipsinna_) is a wild prairie-turnip used
for food by the Dakotas.
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