Frequently have these two bands made peace, but rarely kept it any length of time.

On this occasion many promises were made on both sides; promises which would be broken by some inconsiderate young warrior before long, and then retaliation must follow.
Shah-co-pee has great influence among the Dahcotahs, and he was to come to Fort Snelling to be present at the council of peace.

Early in the morning he and about twenty warriors left their village on the banks of the St.Peters, for the Fort.
When they were very near, so that their actions could be distinguished, they assembled in their canoes, drawing them close together, that they might hear the speech which their chief was about to make them.
They raised the stars and stripes, and their own flag, which is a staff adorned with feathers from the war eagle; and the noon-day sun gave brilliancy to their gay dresses, and the feathers and ornaments that they wore.
Shah-co-pee stood straight and firm in his canoe--and not the less proudly that the walls of the Fort towered above him.
"My boys," he said (for thus he always addressed his men), "the Dahcotahs are all braves; never has a coward been known among the People of the Spirit Lakes.

Let the women and children fear their enemies, but we will face our foes, and always conquer.
"We are going to talk with the white men; our great Father wishes us to be at peace with our enemies.

We have long enough shed the blood of the Chippeways; we have danced round their scalps, and our children have kicked their heads about in the dust.