Its long plumes of purple and gold are truly the "pride of the
prairies."
[50] The Dakotas consider white cedar "_Wakan_," (sacred). They use
sprigs of it at their feasts, and often burn it to destroy the power of
evil spirits. _Mrs. Eastman's Dacotah_, p. 210.
[51] _Tahkoo-skahng-skahng_. This deity is supposed to be invisible, yet
everywhere present; he is an avenger and a searcher of hearts. (_Neill's
Hist. Minn_., p. 57). I suspect he was the chief spirit of the Dakotas
before the missionaries imported "_Wakan-Tanka_" (Great Spirit).
[52] The Dakotas believe in "were-wolves" as firmly as did our Saxon
ancestors, and for similar reasons--the howl of the wolf being often
imitated as a decoy or signal by their enemies the Ojibways.
[53] _Shee-sho-kah_--The Robin.
[54] The Dakotas call the Evening Star the "_Virgin Star_," and believe it
to be the spirit of the virgin wronged at the feast.
[55] Mille Lacs. This lake was discovered by Du Luth, and by him named Lac
Buade in honor of Governor Frontenac of Canada, whose family name was
Buade. The Dakota name for it is _Mde Wakan_--Spirit Lake.
[56] The Ojibways imitate the hoot of the owl and the howl of the wolf to
perfection, and often use these cries as signals to each other in war
and the chase.
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