120 EXPEDITION TO THE 



he has derived relief from it Of course, he abstains from 

 eating of the animal, and would rather starve than sacrile- 

 giously feed upon his idol. But he holds the animal as a 

 friend to himself alone. He knows that others have differ- 

 ent spirits, and hence does not think himself bound to pro- 

 tect that animal against his companions, because he knows 

 that there is no virtue in the animal for any one but him- 

 self. Sometimes, instead of the whole animal, it is only in 

 some part of it that the charm resides, and in this case he 

 will feel no hesitation in eating of all the other parts of the 

 beast. 



In their conversation, the Indians frequently display 

 considerable humour. Their attempts at wit are nume- 

 rous, and often successful ; but their wit as Avell as the 

 general tenour of their conversation, is obscene ; in proof 

 of this, we might, if it were necessary, mention several in- 

 stances ; but they have been so frequently noticed by the 

 travellers that have preceded us, that we feel ourselves 

 excused from doing it. As an instance of an attempt at 

 what they consider as wit, the following was related to us ; 

 an Indian called for milk ; when they were about to give 

 him some, he pointed to a whiskey bottle, and observed 

 that it was the milk of that black cow, that he wanted. 

 Such an observation is sure to draw peals of laughter from 

 all about them, which encourages them to proceed. But 

 perhaps, the most remarkable trait in their conversation 

 is, that they feel none of that delicacy or restraint, which 

 among civilized nations has proscribed many words from 

 general use. With them every idea which enters into their 

 head, or every word which they think of, is uttered with- 

 out any respect for the company present. With this 

 apparent obscenity in their conversation, the Indians are 

 very guarded in their actions, and their manners indicate 



