In +plate+ 101, there will be seen the principal modes in which the scalps are prepared, and several of the uses to which they are put. The most usual way of preparing and dressing the scalp is that of stretching it on a little hoop at the end of a stick two or three feet long (letter _a_), for the purpose of “dancing it,” as they term it; which will be described in the _scalp-dance_, in a few moments. There are many again, which are small, and not “dressed;” sometimes not larger than a crown piece (letter _c_), and hung to different parts of the dress. In public shows and parades, they are often suspended from the bridle bits or halter when they are paraded and carried as trophies (letter _b_). Sometimes they are cut out, as it were into a string, the hair forming a beautiful fringe to line the handle of a war-club (letter _e_). Sometimes they are hung at the _end_ of a club (_letter d_), and at other times, by the order of the chief, are hung out, over the wigwams, suspended from a pole, which is called the “_scalp-pole_.” This is often done by the chief of a village, in a pleasant day, by his erecting over his wigwam a pole with all the scalps that he had taken, arranged upon it (letter _f_); at the sight of which all the chiefs and warriors of the tribe, who had taken scalps, “follow suit;” enabling every member of the community to stroll about the village on that day and “count scalps,” learning thereby the standing of every warrior, which is decided in a great degree by the number of scalps they have taken in battles with their enemies. Letters _g_, _g_, shew the usual manner of taking the scalp, and (letter _h_), exhibits the head of a man who had been scalped and recovered from the wound. So much for scalps and scalping, of which I shall yet say more, unless I should unluckily _lose one_ before I get out of the country. [Illustration: 101½] [12] This celebrated knife is now in my +Indian Museum+, and there is no doubt, from its authentic history, that it has been several times plunged to the hearts of his enemies by the hand of Mah-to-toh-pa, who wielded it. Several years after I left that country, and one year after the destruction of the Mandans, I received the following letter from Mr. M‘Kenzie, accompanying the knife and other things sent to me by him from that country: +Extract+—“The poor Mandans are gone, and amongst them your old friend, Mah-to-toh-pa. I have been able to send you but a very few things, as the Riccarees immediately took possession of everything they had. Amongst the articles I have been able to procure, I send you the war-knife of Mah-to-toh-pa, which is now looked upon as the greatest _medicine_ in this country; and as you will recollect it, it will be highly appreciated by you.” LETTER—No. 30. MOUTH OF TETON RIVER, _UPPER MISSOURI_.