Page:History of the Ojibway Nation.djvu/364

354 As it afterward appeared by following the movements of the remnants of the Dakota camp, their forty lodges had been reduced, by the attack of the Ojibways, to but five. The loss of the Ojibways was seven killed, besides many severely wounded. Fighting from behind the shelter of trees and embankments of earth hastily thrown up, they had suffered a small loss, considering the length and sanguinary nature of the fight. They captured thirty-six horses, which, however, not being used to manage, they eventually destroyed. The bleaching bones of horse and man are still to be seen on the spot where this bloody occurrence took place. From this event may be dated the final evacuation of the Long Prairie River country by the Dakotas. Enticed by the richness of the hunting grounds, they would sometimes return, in force, but after suffering repeated blows at the hands of the Mississippi war-chiefs, Strong Ground and Hole-in-the-day, they eventually gave up possession and all claim on the country which now forms the home of the Winnebagoes.

It happened that on the same day in which the battle at Long Prairie took place, a large Dakota war party levied from another camp, and attacked a party of Ojibway hunters near Pembina, on the Red River of the north. The Ojibways, under the guidance of their chief Ais-sance, or Little Clam, made a fierce resistance, and succeeded in beating them away from their encampment. The favorite son of the Ojibway chieftain was, however, killed, and he was rifled of a large British medal which he wore conspicuous on his breast. Ais-sance, in the excitement of battle, had not noticed the fall of his beloved son, and he became so exasperated when the Dakotas displayed in the midst of battle the scalp and medal of his son, that he rushed furiously in the midst of their ranks, shot down the boasting Dakota, and cutting off his head, retreated holding it up