Indian sketches, taken during an expedition to the Pawnee tribes (Vol. 2 of 2)Irving, John Treat
History
Indian sketches, taken during an expedition to the Pawnee tribes (Vol. 2 of 2)
Irving, John Treat
Indians of North America -- Kansas; Indians of North America -- Nebraska; Pawnee Indians
Some few wore necklaces of the claws of the grisly bear, hanging down
upon their breasts. The bodies of some were wrapped in buffalo robes,
or the skin of the white wolf; but the most of them wore no covering,
save a thick coat of paint. This they had profusely smeared over their
bodies and arms, and many had even bestowed it upon the heads and limbs
of their horses. After dashing round us for some time, the chief waved
his hand, and the turmoil ceased. The warriors sprang from their horses,
and seating themselves round in a large circle, waited for the arrival
of the chief of the Grand Pawnees. In a few moments he advanced to meet
Mr. E——, accompanied by the different chiefs of Tappaye Pawnee, Pawnee
Republican, and Pawnee Loup villages. He was a tall, powerful Indian.
A fillet of the skin of the grisly bear, ornamented with feathers, was
bound round his head. Over his shoulder was thrown a large mantle of
white wolf-skin, also adorned with feathers. His legs were cased in black
leggings of dressed buffalo hide, worked with beads, and fringed with
long locks of human hair. These were taken from scalps won in his various
war expeditions, and hung down over his knees, trailing upon the ground
as he walked. He first advanced and welcomed Mr. E——, and afterwards the
rest. The chiefs of the three different villages were then introduced,
and repeated the words of welcome uttered by the first.
This ceremony was scarcely finished, when a movement was observed among
the crowd, and a powerful roan horse, mounted by an armed Indian, bounded
forward to the middle of the circle, where the rider sprang from his
back. He was a stranger among the tribe, and spoke not their language—a
Kioway[A] Indian, from the borders of Mexico—a member of those wild
tribes, who like the Arabs rove the immense plains of the west, and carry
destruction to all who are not strong enough to resist them. After
pausing and looking around him for a moment, with a glance that seemed
to challenge opposition from the assembled warriors, he walked up to Mr.
E——. He was slight and beautifully formed; but there was a fire in his
eye; a swell of the nostril; and a proud curve of the lip, which showed a
spirit that brooked no opposition; shunned no danger; and could only be
quenched by the chill of the grave. His long black hair, which trailed
behind him on the ground, was plaited together, and ornamented with about
twenty plates of massive silver. A band of silver was fastened round his
throat, and several large medals of the same metal hung upon his breast.
Upon his arms were several bands of silver, and rings of the same upon
his fingers. His leggings, though more finely wrought, like those of the
chiefs, were fringed with scalps. A scalp consisting of the entire upper
part of a human head, hung from the bit of his fiery horse. Upon coming
up he offered his hand to Mr. E——, and in succession to the rest; and
after pausing and gazing upon us for a short time, with some curiosity,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account