* * * * *
(1) _To meet them with the blanket of friendship widely spread to the
winds_.--p. 246.
The Indian manner of displaying friendship is very singular; in that
mentioned in the second extract, the reader will perceive a strong
resemblance to the Oriental practice of saluting a new acquaintance, as
depicted in that admirable tale, The Crusaders.
"When they were within a mile of us, the Indian suddenly stopt. Captain
Lewis immediately followed his example, took the blanket from his
knapsack, and, holding it with both hands at each corner, threw it above
his head, and unfolded it as he brought it to the ground, as if in the
act of spreading it. This signal, which originates in the practice of
spreading a robe or a skin as a seat for guests to whom they wish to
show a distinguished kindness, is the universal sign of friendship among
the Indians of the Missouri and the Rocky Mountains. It is repeated
three times."--_Lewis and Clarke,_ i. 355.
"As our canoes approached the shore, and had reached about three score
rods of it, the Indians began a _feu-de-joie,_ in which they fired their
pieces loaded with balls, but at the same time they took care to
discharge them in such a manner as to cause the balls to fly a few yards
above our heads; during this, they ran from one tree or stump to
another, shouting and behaving as if they were in the heat of battle. At
first I was greatly surprised, and was on the point of ordering my
attendants to return their fire, concluding that their intentions were
hostile; but, being undeceived by some of the traders, who informed me
that this was the usual mode of receiving friends, I happily
desisted."--_Carver_, 15.
"Among the Shoshonees of the Rocky Mountains, they put their left arms
over the right shoulder of the person they welcome, clapping his back,
and applying their left cheek to his, shouting, 'Ah, hi e! Ah, hie e!' I
am much rejoiced, I am much pleased to see you."--_Lewis and Clarke_, i.
363.
"When two parties of those Indians meet," (the Northern Indians,) says
Hearne, "the ceremonies which pass between them are quite different from
those made use of in Europe on similar occasions; for, when they advance
within twenty or thirty yards of each other, they make a full halt, and
in general sit or lie down on the ground, and do not speak for some
minutes. At length one of them, generally an elderly man, if any such be
in the company, breaks silence, by acquainting the other party with
every misfortune that had befallen him, &c. When he has finished his
oration, another orator of the other party relates, in like manner, all
the bad news."--p. 332.