At each of the villages we observed small sticks, of the length of eighteen inches or two feet, painted red, stuck in the earth in various situations, but chiefly on the roofs of the houses, each bearing the fragment of a human scalp, the hair of which streamed in the wind. Before the entrance to some of the lodges were small frames, like painters' easels, supporting each a shield, and generally a large painted cylindrical case of skin, prepared like parchment, in which a war dress is deposited. The shield is circular, made of bison skin, and thick enough to ward off an arrow; but not to arrest the flight of a rifle ball at close quarters. Defended by this shield, a warrior will not hesitate to cross the path of an arrow; he will sometimes {92} dexterously seize the missile after it has struck, and discharge it back again at the enemy. The lodges or houses of these three villages are similar in structure, but differ in size. The description of those of the Konzas will apply to them, excepting that the beds are all concealed by a mat partition, which extends parallel to the walls of the lodge, and from the floor to the roof. Small apertures, or doors, at intervals in this partition, are left for the different families that inhabit a lodge to enter their respective bed chambers. In the evening Major O'Fallon presented each of us with a horse. Several Indians came to our camp for the purpose of trading with the men. Major O'Fallon wished to obtain one of their horses, in exchange for one that he possessed; but the Indian modestly declined, saying, "My father, the horse you offer was given by my brother, which is the same as if I had given him myself; I will exchange for almost any other horse." Early on the following morning we departed on our return to the Missouri, with a numerous retinue of horses, amounting to more than sixty. On the way several bisons were killed, and three calves were taken alive in the chase, by throwing nooses over their heads. On the 6th we arrived at the Missouri, after an absence of sixteen days. Much of the information we acquired, respecting the manners, &c. of the Pawnees, is incorporated in the account of the Indians of the Missouri, in some of the preceding chapters of this work. {93} CHAPTER VII {V} Journey by Land from St. Louis to Council Bluff—Grand River—Plains at the Sources of the Little Platte, the Nishnebottona, &c.—Departure of the Expedition from Engineer Cantonment. WHILE the transactions above detailed were passing, Major Long had returned from the seat of government.