THE BISOX. 17 



creasing the consternation of the bison by shouting 

 violently and firing their guns. The affrighted 

 animals have no alternative but to rush directly 

 into the pound, where they are quickly despatched 

 by guns or arrows. In the centre of one of these 

 pounds, there was a tree on which the Indians had 

 hung strips of bison flesh and pieces of cloth, as 

 tributary or grateful offerings to the Great Master 

 of life. They occasionally place a man in the tree 

 to sing to the presiding spirit as the bisons advance. 

 He is obliged to remain there until all the animals 

 that have entered the pound are killed.* 



The Omawhaw Indians hunt the bison in the fol- 

 lowing manner. The hunters who are in advance 

 of the main body on the march, employ telegraphic 

 signals from an elevated position, to convey a 

 knowledge of their discoveries to the people. If 

 they see bisons, they throw up their robes in a pe- 

 culiar manner as a signal for a halt. The hunters 

 then return as speedily as possible to camp, and are 

 received with some ceremony on their approach. 

 The chiefs and magicians are seated in front of the 

 people, puffing smoke from their pipes, and thank- 

 ing the Master of life with such expressions as 

 "thanks Master of life, thank you Master of life, 

 here is smoke, I am poor, hungry, and want to eat.' 7 

 The hunters then draw near the chiefs and magi- 

 cians, and in a low tone of voice inform them of 



* See Franklin's Exp. p. 1 12. 



Vol. III. 3 



