There was Black-Wolf, whose lowering, surly face was well described by his name. The fierce expression of his countenance was greatly heightened by the masses of heavy black hair hanging round it, quite contrary to the usual fashion among the Winnebagoes. They, for the most part, remove a portion of their hair, the remainder of which is drawn to the back of the head, clubbed and ornamented with beads, ribbons, cock's feathers, or, if they are so entitled, an eagle's feather for every scalp taken from an enemy.
There was _Talk-English_, a remarkably handsome, powerful young Indian, who received his name in the following manner. He was one of a party of sixteen Winnebagoes, who had, by invitation accompanied their Agent and Major Forsyth[45] (or the Chippewa as he was called), on a visit to the President at Washington, the year previous.
On the journey, the question naturally addressed to them by people not familiar with Western Indians was,
The young fellow being very observant, came to his "father." "What do they mean by this? Everybody says to me, _talk English!_"
The Agent interpreted the words to him. "Ah, very well."
The next place they arrived at was Lockport, in the State of New York. Jumping off the canal-boat upon the lock, he ran up to the first man he met, and thrusting forward his face cried out, "Talk Eengeesh?"
"Yes," said the man; "do you talk English?"
[Illustration: A TYPICAL GROUP OF WINNEBAGOES.
From photograph in possession of Wisconsin Historical Society.]
From that time forward, he always bore the name of _Talk-English_, and was registered on the pay-rolls by a title of which he was not a little proud.
Hoo-wau-ne-kah, "the Little Elk," was another of the distinguished men of the tribe. He had likewise been at Washington. Henry Clay, when he visited them, after looking carefully at the countenances and bearing of all the members of the deputation, had indicated him as the one possessing the greatest talent; and he was greatly pleased when informed that he was the principal orator of the nation, and decidedly superior in abilities to any other individual of the tribe.
Wild-Cat, our Indian Falstaff, in all save the cowardice and falsehood, I have already mentioned.