CREES AND BLACKFEET. 175 



their ancient enemies, the Crees, except being gene- 

 rally cleaner and in better preservation. The faces 

 of both men and women were highly painted with 

 vermilion. The dress of the latter was very singular 

 and striking. It consisted of long gowns of buffalo 

 skin, dressed beautifully soft, and dyed with yellow 

 ochre. This was confined at the waist by a broad belt 

 of the same material, thickly studded over with round 

 brass plates, the size of a crown piece, brightly 

 polished. These Indians were very dignified in 

 manner, submitting with great composure to the 

 gaze of an inquisitive crowd of half-breeds and 

 Crees, who looked with eager interest at a race 

 seldom seen by them, except when meeting on the 

 battle-field. 



Although peace had been proclaimed, it was not 

 by any means improbable that some of the young 

 Cree braves might attempt to steal the Blackfeet 

 horses. Mr. Chantelaine, therefore, had them secured 

 for the night together with ours, within the Fort. On 

 the morrow a Cree came in fi:*om the camp on the 

 plains with the news that hostihties were imminent, 

 on account of a Cree woman having been killed in 

 the Blackfoot camp. She had gone there to be 

 married to a Blackfoot chief, but on her arrival 

 another took a fancy to her. A quarrel arose, and, 

 to put an end to the matter, one of them stabbed the 

 woman to the heart. Mr. Chantelaine immediately 

 communicated the news to the Blackfoot chief, and 

 advised him to be off" at once. He agreed to this, 

 and in a^few minutes they crossed the river. As 



