Lissa studied this native specimen with much interest while Nathan detained him. He was clad in gala costume and was going down to attend an Indian festival at Omaha, he said. His head was bound with a woolen scarf of red and black, knotted behind with falling ends. Beneath this his long, straight, black hair fell to his shoulders. Several long feathers were stuck in this zone, and a plaited lock of hair hung over it from the crown of his head. His brown face was smeared with little lines of red paint, seemingly ingrained in his skin, and his ears had long slits in them, which were literally filled with ear-rings of different kinds, sticking out in bunchy confusion. A large red blanket covered his shoulders and one arm. The other was free and cinctured with numerous bracelets, while his hand grasped the rope which bound the lower jaw of his pony. He wore deer-skin leggins, fringed and ornamented profusely, and beaded moccasins. Around his neck were strings of wampum and other beads, and he carried the primitive bow and arrows. “I am glad you saw him,” said Nathan, “for it may be a long time before you will have opportunity of seeing another Indian so magnificently dressed. Their every-day costume is much less elaborate. Besides, this fellow is rich. Those wampum beads around his neck are money and current coin with them. You noticed it was a long string, wound several times about his neck. He also had on wampum bracelets. That braided necklace, made of what looked like dried grass, is a charm, and a valuable possession. It is made from a rare grass or weed which is found only a spear in a place, and is very fragrant. He carried the bow and arrows, instead of gun, to take part in the festival.” “Did you ever see him before?” “O, yes. His name is We-wan-shee. He is one of Mark’s scouts. He tells me they have been having trouble with the Indians stealing from the post. Squint-eye and Handle-the-bow have been thieving, and the chief has given them up to the Government for punishment.” “What did they steal,” asked Lissa. “Horses. They make little account of anything else. They have not been many years subject to the United States Government, and are quite primitive in their habits and manners, you will find. I’ll take you down to the reservation as soon as we are settled. You will enjoy them immensely.” “I suppose there is no danger in going among them,” she ventured. “O, no,” and Nathan laughed. “I believe you are trembling now. You are not afraid of that one Indian, I hope.” “Yes,” Lissa said meekly, “I believe I was. It is lonely on this immense prairie, with no sign of habitation anywhere, and—he looked ferocious.” Again Nathan laughed. “You’ll get used to them when you have them for neighbors.”