552 WASHINGTON IRVING's ASTORIA. 



the Aricara, or Rickaree tribe, with the chiefs of which the voyagers 

 hold a council attended with ceremonials not materially differing from 

 those of the other Indian tribes. During their stay here a battle was 

 fought between the Aricaras and the Sioux, in which the former were 

 victorious. A native triumph, the never-failing result of a successful 

 encounter, is well described from the observation of the voyagers. 



" It was near noon that a mingled sound of voices and rude music faintly 

 heard from a distance gave notice that the procession was on the march. The 

 old men and such of the squaws as could leave their employments hastened 

 forth to meet it. In a little while it emerged from behind the hill, and had a 

 wild and picturesque appearance as it came moving over the summit in mea- 

 sured step, and to the cadence of songs and savage instruments ; the warlike 

 standard and trophies floating aloft, and the feathers and paint and silver or- 

 naments of the warriors glittering in the sunshine. 



"The pageant had really something imposing and chivalrous in its arrange- 

 ment. The Aricaras were divided into several bands, each bearing the name 

 of some animal or bird as the buffalo, the bear, the dog, the pheasant. The 

 present party consisted of four bands, one of which was the dog, the most 

 esteemed in war, being composed of young men under thirty, and noted for 

 prowess. The bands marched in separate bodies under their several leaders. 

 The warriors on foot came first in platoons of twelve or fifteen abreast, then 

 the horsemen. Each band bore an ensign a spear or bow decorated with 

 beads, porcupine-quills, and painted feathers. Each bore his trophies of 

 scalps elevated on poles, their long black locks streaming in the wind. Each 

 was accompanied by its rude music and minstrelsy. In this way the proces- 

 sion extended nearly a quarter of a mile. The warriors were variously armed, 

 some few with guns, others with bows and arrows and war clubs. All had 

 shields of buffalo hide, a kind of defence generally used by the Indians of the 

 open prairies, who had not the covert of trees and forests to protect them. 

 They were painted in the most savage style. Some had the stamp of a red 

 hand across their mouths, a sign that they had drunk the life-blood of a foe. 



" As they drew near the village the old men and the women began to meet 

 them ; and now a scene ensued which proved the fallacy of the old fable of 

 Indian apathy and stoicism. Parents and children, husbands and wives, bro- 

 thers and sisters met with the most rapturous expressions of joy ; while wail- 

 ings and lamentations were heard from the relatives of the killed and wounded. 

 The procession, however, continued on with slow and measured steps in ca- 

 dence to the solemn chant, and the warriors maintained their fixed and stern 

 demeanour. 



" Between two of the principal chiefs rode a young warrior who had dis- 

 tinguished himself in the battle. He was severely wounded, so as with diffi- 

 culty to keep on his horse ; but he preserved a serene and steadfast coun- 

 tenance, as if perfectly unharmed. His mother, who had heard of his con- 

 dition, broke through the throng, and rushing up, threw her arms round him 

 and wept aloud. He kept up the spirit and demeanour of a warrior to the last, 

 but expired shortly after he had reached his home. 



" The village was now a scene of the utmost festivity and triumph. The 

 banners, and trophies, and scalps, and painted shields, were elevated on poles 

 near the lodges. There were war-feasts and scalp-dances, with warlike songs 

 and savage music ; all the inhabitants were arrayed in their festal dresses ; 

 while the old heralds went round from lodge to lodge, promulgating with loud 

 voices the events of the battle, and the exploits of the various warriors." 

 Vol. ii. pp. 50 53. 



The Aricaras were seated on the frontiers of the great western de- 

 sert, that natural barrier which is opposed to the communication of 

 civilization to the inhabitants west of the Rocky Mountains. Of the 



