This day has been one of unusual mirth and amusement amongst the
Mandans, and whether on account of some annual celebration or not, I
am as yet unable to say, though I think such is the case; for these
people have many days which, like this, are devoted to festivities and
amusements.
Their lives, however, are lives of idleness and ease, and almost all
their days and hours are spent in innocent amusements. Amongst a people
who have no office hours to attend to—no professions to study, and of
whom but very little time is required in the chase, to supply their
families with food, it would be strange if they did not practice many
games and amusements, and also become exceedingly expert in them.
I have this day been a spectator of games and plays until I am fatigued
with looking on; and also by lending a hand, which I have done; but
with so little success as only to attract general observation, and
as generally to excite the criticisms and laughter of the squaws and
little children.
I have seen a fair exhibition of their archery this day, in a favourite
amusement which they call the “_game of the arrow_” (see +plate+ 60),
where the young men who are the most distinguished in this exercise,
assemble on the prairie at a little distance from the village, and
having paid, each one, his “entrance-fee,” such as a shield, a robe,
a pipe, or other article, step forward in turn, shooting their arrows
into the air, endeavouring to see who can get the greatest number
flying in the air at one time, thrown from the same bow. For this, the
number of eight or ten arrows are clenched in the left hand with the
bow, and the first one which is thrown is elevated to such a degree
as will enable it to remain the longest time possible in the air, and
while it is flying, the others are discharged as rapidly as possible;
and he who succeeds in getting the greatest number up at once, is
“best,” and takes the goods staked.
In looking on at this amusement, the spectator is surprised; not at
the great distance to which the arrows are actually sent; but at
the quickness of fixing them on the string, and discharging them in
succession; which is no doubt, the result of great practice, and
enables the most expert of them to get as many as eight arrows up
before the first one reaches the ground.
For the successful use of the bow, as it is used through all this
region of country on horseback, and that invariably at full speed, the
great object of practice is to enable the bowman to draw the bow with
suddenness and instant effect; and also to repeat the shots in the most
rapid manner. As their game is killed from their horses’ backs while
at the swiftest rate—and their enemies fought in the same way; and as
the horse is the swiftest animal of the prairie, and always able to
bring his rider alongside, within a few paces of his victim; it will
easily be seen that the Indian has little use in throwing his arrow
more than a few paces; when he leans quite low on his horse’s side, and
drives it with astonishing force, capable of producing instant death
to the buffalo, or any other animal in the country. The bows which are
generally in use in these regions I have described in a former Letter,
and the effects produced by them at the distance of a few paces is
almost beyond belief, considering their length, which is not often over
three,—and sometimes not exceeding two and a half feet. It can easily
be seen, from what has been said, that the Indian has little use or
object in throwing the arrow to any great distance. And as it is very
seldom that they can be seen shooting at a target, I doubt very much
whether their skill in such practice would compare with that attained
to in many parts of the civilized world; but with the same weapon,
and dashing forward at fullest speed on the wild horse, without the
use of the rein, when the shot is required to be made with the most
instantaneous effect, I scarcely think it possible that any people can
be found more skilled, and capable of producing more deadly effects
with the bow.
The horses which the Indians ride in this country are invariably the
wild horses, which are found in great numbers on the prairies; and
have, unquestionably, strayed from the Mexican borders, into which they
were introduced by the Spanish invaders of that country; and now range
and subsist themselves, in winter and summer, over the vast plains of
prairie that stretch from the Mexican frontiers to Lake Winnipeg on
the North, a distance of 3000 miles. These horses are all of small
stature, of the pony order; but a very hardy and tough animal, being
able to perform for the Indians a continual and essential service.
They are taken with the _laso_, which is a long halter or thong, made
of rawhide, of some fifteen or twenty yards in length, and which the
Indians throw with great dexterity; with a noose at one end of it,
which drops over the head of the animal they wish to catch, whilst
running at full speed—when the Indian dismounts from his own horse, and
holding to the end of the laso, choaks the animal down, and afterwards
tames and converts him to his own use.
Scarcely a man in these regions is to be found, who is not the owner of
one or more of these horses; and in many instances of eight, ten, or
even twenty, which he values as his own personal property.
[Illustration: 60]
[Illustration: 61]
The Indians are hard and cruel masters; and, added to their cruelties
is the sin that is familiar in the Christian world, of sporting with
the limbs, and the lives of these noble animals. _Horse-racing_ here,
as in all more enlightened communities, is one of the most exciting
amusements, and one of the most extravagant modes of gambling.
I have been this day a spectator to scenes of this kind, which have
been enacted in abundance, on a course which they have, just back of
their village; and although I never had the least taste for this cruel
amusement in my own country, yet, I must say, I have been not a little
amused and pleased with the thrilling effect which these exciting
scenes have produced amongst so wild and picturesque a group.
I have made a sketch of the ground and the group, as near as I could
(+plate+ 61); shewing the manner of “starting” and “coming out,” which
vary a little from the customs of the _knowing_ world; but in other
respects, I believe, a horse-race is the same all the world over.
Besides these, many have been the amusements of this day, to which I
have been an eye-witness; and since writing the above, I have learned
the cause of this unusual expression of hilarity and mirth; which was
no more nor less than the safe return of a small war-party, who had
been so long out without any tidings having been received of them—that
they had long since been looked upon as sacrificed to the fates of
war and lost. This party was made up of the most distinguished and
desperate young men of the tribe, who had sallied out against the
Riccarees, and taken the most solemn oath amongst themselves never
to return without achieving a victory. They had wandered long and
faithfully about the country, following the trails of their enemy; when
they were attacked by a numerous party, and lost several of their men
and all their horses. In this condition, to evade the scrutiny of their
enemy, who were closely investing the natural route to their village;
they took a circuitous range of the country, to enable them to return
with their lives, to their village.
In this plight, it seems, I had dropped my little canoe alongside of
them, while descending from the Mouth of Yellow Stone to this place,
not many weeks since; where they had bivouacked or halted, to smoke
and consult on the best and safest mode of procedure. At the time of
meeting them, not knowing anything of their language, they were unable
to communicate their condition to me, and more probably were afraid
to do so even if they could have done it, from apprehension that we
might have given some account of them to their enemies. I rested my
canoe an hour or so with them, during which time they treated us with
an indifferent reserve, yet respectfully; and we passed on our way,
without further information of them or their plans than the sketch that
I there made (+plate+ 63), and which I shall preserve and value as one
of the most pleasing groups I ever have had the pleasure to see. Seated
on their buffalo robes, which were spread upon the grass, with their
respective weapons laying about them, and lighting their pipes at a
little fire which was kindled in the centre—the chief or leader of the
party, with his arms stacked behind him, and his long head-dress of
war-eagles’ quills and ermine falling down over his back, whilst he sat
in a contemplative and almost desponding mood, was surely one of the
most striking and beautiful illustrations of a natural hero that I ever
looked upon.
These gallant fellows got safely home to their village, and the
numerous expressions of joy for their return, which I have this day
witnessed, have much fatigued me that I write brief, and close my
Letter here.
[Illustration: 63]
LETTER—No. 21.