CHAPTER Five.
RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND BELIEFS.
The Indians of this region, in common with most, if not all, of the North American aborigines, were of a highly religious temperament, most devout in their beliefs and observances, and easily wrought upon by the priests or medicine men of their tribes.

Elaborate ceremonies were carried out, in which all of the details were highly symbolical, and some of their curious and picturesque superstitions were responsible for acts of cruelty and vengeance, which in many cases were foreign to their natural disposition.
DANCES.
Dancing was an important part of all religious observances, and was practiced purely as a ceremonial, and never for pleasure or recreation.

Both men and women took part, the men executing a peculiar shuffling step which involved a great deal of stamping upon the ground with their bare feet, and the women performing a curious sideways, swaying motion.

Some of the dancers carried wands or arrows, and indulged in wild gesticulations.

They usually circled slowly around a fire, and danced to the point of exhaustion, when others would immediately take their places.