A red feather denotes that the wearer was wounded in an encounter with an enemy. Figure 86. [Illustration: FIG. 87.--Killed a woman. Hidatsa.] A narrow strip of rawhide or buckskin is wrapped from end to end with porcupine quills dyed red, though sometimes a few white ones are inserted to break the monotony of color; this strip is attached to the inner surface of the rib or shaft of the quill by means of very thin fibers of sinew. This signifies that the wearer killed a woman belonging to a hostile tribe. The figure so decorated is shown in Figure 87. In very fine specimens it will be found that the quills are directly applied to the shaft without resorting to the strap of leather. [Illustration: FIG. 88.--Killed an enemy. Dakota.] The following scheme, used by the Dakotas, is taken from Dahcotah, or Life and Legends of the Sioux around Fort Snelling, by Mrs. Mary Eastman. New York, 1849. Colors are not given, but red undoubtedly predominates, as is known from personal observation. A spot upon the larger web denotes that the wearer has killed an enemy. Figure 88. [Illustration: FIG. 89.--Cut throat and scalped. Dakota.] Figure 89 denotes that the wearer has cut the throat of his enemy, and taken his scalp. [Illustration: FIG. 90.--Cut enemy’s throat. Dakota.] Figure 90 denotes that the wearer has cut the throat of his enemy. [Illustration: FIG. 91.--Third to strike. Dakota.] Figure 91 denotes that the wearer was the third that touched the body of his enemy after he was killed. [Illustration: FIG. 92.--Fourth to strike. Dakota.] Figure 92 denotes that the wearer was the fourth that touched the body of his enemy after he was killed. [Illustration: FIG. 93.--Fifth to strike. Dakota.] Figure 93 denotes that the wearer was the fifth that touched the body of his enemy after he was killed. Figure 94 denotes the wearer has been wounded in many places by his enemy. [Illustration: FIG. 94.--Many wounds. Dakota.] The following variations in the scheme were noticed in 1883 among the Mdewakantawan Dakotas near Fort Snelling, Minnesota. In personal ornamentation, and for marks of distinction in war, feathers of the eagle are used as among the other bands of Dakotas. A plain feather is used to signify that the wearer has killed an enemy, without regard to the manner in which he was slain. When the end is clipped transversely, and the edge colored red, it signifies that the throat of the enemy was cut. A black feather denotes that an Ojibwa woman was killed. Enemies are considered as Ojibwas, the latter being the tribe with whom the Mdewakantawan Dakotas have had most to do. When a warrior has been wounded a red spot is painted upon the broad side of a feather. If the wearer has been shot in the body, arms, or legs, a similar spot, in red, is painted upon his clothing or blanket, immediately over the locality. These red spots are sometimes worked in porcupine quills, or in cotton fiber as obtained from the traders.