of life. At about the age of puberty the Indian boy bethought himself of taking the necessary steps for the preparation of this mysterious amulet or charm. He retired to some solitary spot, where he spent several days, lying upon the ground, taking nothing to eat, and employing himself constantly in praying to the Great Spirit. Becoming exhausted, he would fall asleep, and of course dream very important and significant dreams. He would then return home, and after gaining sufficient strength, start out in pursuit of the bird or animal which appeared most conspicuous in his dreams, not resting until he had obtained a specimen. This done, he would return and dress the skin, stuff it with moss, or some other light substance, after which he would ornament it with every description of savage finery. This medicine-bag was considered invaluable, and was carried in every important undertaking. "These curious appendages," says Mr. Catlin, "to the persons or wardrobe of an Indian are sometimes made of the skin of an otter, a beaver, a muskrat, a weasel, a raccoon, a pole-cat, a snake, a frog, a toad, a bat, a mouse, a mole, a hawk, an eagle, a magpie, or a sparrow; sometimes of the skin of an animal so large as a wolf."

The Crows were inferior in numbers to the Blackfeet, but with whom they were for many years at war. Physically they are a fine race, being much taller than the Indians of surrounding tribes, and models of agility and strength. In their primitive state they were an honest, trustworthy set of savages, but in later days, when corrupted by the evils of civilization, they became a lawless, thieving horde. As will be seen in the course of our narrative, the Crows and Blackfeet were objects of terror to the pioneer settlers, traders, and trappers of the Far West. Mr. Brownell, in speaking of their personal appearance, says that one distinguishing peculiarity of these Indians was the extraordinary length of their hair, which was cherished and cultivated as an ornament, until it swept the ground after them. This profusion was to be seen in no tribe except the Crows, although some of their neighbors endeavored to imitate it by glueing an additional length to their natural hair. The Crows spoke a different language from the Blackfeet.

"The smaller Minitari tribes, between the mouth of the Yellowstone and the site of the Mandan villages, and the extensive nation of the Gros Ventres, inhabiting the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, spoke the same language with the Crows, r one very nearly allied to it. The Arapahoes, numbering some three thousand, and dwelling about the sources of the Platte and Arkansas rivers, belonged to the race of the Blackfeet."

The Arapahoes were for many years at war with the Flathead and other tribes still further westward. The descent of these remote bands upon the plains in pursuit of buffalo, was deemed by the Blackfeet a signal infringement of their rights, and fierce battles often resulted from the conflicting claims of the rival nations.

Along the Rocky Mountains and their western slopes, and on the plains drained by the sources of the Columbia, were the Nez-Perces, or Pierced-Nose Indians, the Flatheads and the Pends Orcilles, or Hanging Ears. These stragling tribes were at continual war with nearly all the western tribes, and were, more particularly enemies of the Blackfeet. At one time a number of Blackfeet prisoners fell into the hands of the Flatheads, and although the latter were usually a kind, hospitable race, they thrust upon their captives upon this occasion every species of torture with a view to overcome the far-famed courage and fortitude of the Blackfeet. But it was all in vain. One exulted over his tormentors, vaunting his own deeds in the following language: "My heart is strong.-You do not hurt me. You can't hurt me. You are fools. You do not know how to torture. Try it again. I don't feel any pain yet. We torture your relations a great deal better, because we make them cry out loud, like little children. You are not brave; you have small hearts, and you are always afraid to fight." Then speaking to one of his captors, he said: "It was by my arrow you lost your eye;" upon which the Flathead darted at him, and with a knife, in a moment scooped out one of his eyes; at the same time cutting the bridge of his nose nearly in two. This did not stop him; with the remaining eye he looked sternly at another, and said, "I killed your brother, and I scalped your old fool of a father." The warrior

to whom this was addressed instantly sprung at him and severed the scalp from his head.*

Some very interesting traits of the character of the Crows are exhibited in an adventure of a noted trapper-Mr. Robert Brownell, as given in Mr. Irving's book. This traveler was at one time hospitably entertained by the celebrated Crow chief, Arapooish, in whose care he had placed a large and valuable package of furs. The greater part of his goods had been buried in the ground for greater safety. These, however, were all stolen, the number of beaver skins included being one hundred and fifty. Upon hearing this, Arapooish immediately assembled all the men of the village, and after making a speech, in which he vehemently declaimed against their bad faith towards the stranger, and declared that he would neither touch food nor drink until the skins should all be returned. The Indians at once acknowledged their guilt and returned the goods.

In a former chapter I have mentioned the strength of maternal affection among the Sioux. We now have numerous anecdotes exemplifying the enduring and powerful attachment between the sexes among the Far West tribes; but this was not only among the Indians alone, but when they had intermarried with whites. One of these instances is as follows: "Among the free trappers in the Rocky Mountain band was a spirited young Mexican, named Loretto, who, in the course of his wanderings, had ransomed a beautiful Blackfoot girl from a band of Crows, by whom she had been captured. He made her his wife, after the Indian style, and she had followed his fortunes ever since with the most devoted affection." In Mr. Brownell's work we find the same incident referred to in these words: "The company one day fell in with a numerous party of Blackfeet warriors, and the preliminary steps were taken for a parley, and for smoking the calumet, in token of peace. At this moment, Loretto's Indian wife perceived her own brother among the band. Leaving her infant with Loretto, she rushed forward and threw herself upon her brother's neck, who clasped his long-lost sister to his heart with a warmth of affection but little compatible with the reputed stoicism of the savage.

*Brownell's Indian Races.

"Meanwhile, Bridger, one of the trapper leaders, approaching the Blackfeet, from the imprudent excess of caution, cocked his rifle just as he came up with them. The Indian chief, who was in the act of proffering a friendly salutation, heard the click of the lock, and all his native fury and suspicion were instantly aroused. He sprang upon Bridger, forced the muzzle of the rifle into the ground, where it was discharged, knocked him down, seized his horse, and rode off. A general, but disorderly fight ensued, during which Loretto's wife was hurried away by her relations.

"The noble young Mexican saw her in their power, vainly entreating permission to return, and, regardless of the danger incurred, at once hastened to her side, and restored the child to its mother. The Blackfeet braves admired his boldness, and respected the confidence which he had reposed in them by thus venturing in their midst, but they were deaf to all the prayers of himself and his wife that they might remain together. He was dismissed unharmed, but the woman and child were detained.

"Not many months afterwards the faithful Loretto procured his discharge from the company in whose service he was enlisted, and followed his wife to her own country. A happy reunion took place, and the loving pair took up their residence at the trading-house among the Blackfeet, where the husband served as interpreter between the Indians and white traders."

CHAPTER XLIV.

THE INDIAN TRIBES OF THE FAR WEST-THE PIERCED-NOSES - THE WALLAWALLAS-THE FLAT-HEADS-PECULIARITIES OF THIS TRIBETHEIR CANOES, ETC.

STILL West of the Blackfoot country and west of the Rocky Mountains, lived the Pierced-Nose Indians, and far down the Kooskooske river dwelt the Flat-Heads, while upon the main southern branch, the Lewis Fork of the Columbia or Snake river, dwelt the Shoshonees or Snake Indians.

The Pierced-Nose Indians were a quiet, inoffensive people, although when provoked to anger they were by no means wanting in courage or ability. They were exceedingly superstitious and consequently perceptible to religious impressions. Their patient reliance upon the Great Spirit, in times of want and danger, would shame our civilized devotion.

At

In a time of great want a traveler named Capt. Bonneville happened among them, and found them subsisting upon wild rose buds, roots and other innutritious vegetable matters. this early day their weapon was the spear. With this they set out on a certain day, on horseback, to obtain game. The whites regarded the expedition as hopeless. They galloped away, however, in high confidence. The undertaking being successful, the poor Indians freely shared the meats they had taken with the strangers. Capt. Bonneville, in afterwards speaking of these savages, says: "Simply to call these people religious, would convey but a faint idea of the deep hue of piety and devotion which pervades their whole conduct. Their honesty is immaculate, and their purity of purpose and their observance of the rites of their religion, are most uniform and remarkable. They are certainly more like a nation of saints than a horde of savages."