6 PAWNEES. 



is the entrance, invaiial)ly facing the east or sun rising, so 

 that in their hmguage the name for the east, or the place 

 where the sun rises is in front or before us. To enter, we 

 first go through a hall or passage way some four or five 

 yards long, scarcely high enough to walk erect. The outer 

 end of the passage way is generally open. If it is the 

 lodge of much of a warrier, there are hanging near the 

 entrance a spear and shieUl, with a string of scalps of 

 their enemies. The passage way is covered like the rest 

 of the lodge, first with sticks of Avillow, then prairie hay, 

 and lastly, dirt a foot or more in thickness. The passage 

 is smooth, well trodden, scarcely wide enough for two to 

 Avalk abreast comfortably. At the inner extremity of the 

 hall we come to the door, which is simply the skin of some 

 animal stretched with small sticks and loosely suspended 

 from the top by a string. We raise it easily and are wel- 

 comed most heartily from within, and are invited to the 

 opposite side of the lodge, where is the most honoraj)le 

 seat. We find none of the household furniture of civilized 

 life. The seat given us is a mat of rnshes, unless they 

 happen to be a little l)etter provided tiian the conunonality, 

 and may have a pillow of hay from the ])rairie. lint if we 

 are choice of our dress, we must mind how we sit upon 

 their cushicui. If it is not well oiled, it is likely that it is 

 covered with vermin. But we must learn not to fear such 

 small inconveniences. Here is no place to give vent to 

 our feelings in favor of a nicely cushioned " old armed 

 chair." Such are not found ; we have left them far behind 

 us ; Ave kxjk about us for the comforts of life ; we see no 

 modern cook stove, but there is a place in the ground, in 

 the centre, slightly dug out for a fire. Here is a fire of 

 dry limbs or by chance of the dung of the horse or the 

 buffalo. There is no stove-pipe or chimney to convey the 

 soot and smoke. The whole structure constitutes the 

 chimney, only there is a hole at the top for the escape of 

 the smoke. But our eyes soon become witness that smoke 

 does not all ascend directly heavenward in such a dwelling. 

 There is nothing like habit, and we soon find our- 



