SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 173 



to explain the motives of the quarrel, or the circumstances 

 of the meeting. There were not a few among them who 

 considered the encounter as premeditated. The man died 

 some time after, and his secret was huried with him. 



When warriors return from a successful excursion, they 

 are met and welcomed hy such as staid at home ; these 

 take away from them every article of property which they 

 have, giving them others of at least equal value in ex- 

 change ; the articles thus taken from the warriors are held 

 in high estimation, being considered as relics ; this extends 

 to their horses, guns, &c. The women dance the scalp- 

 dance ; those, whose husbands have brought home scalps, 

 use them exultingly, and relate the adventures which led 

 to their capture. Warriors are never made slaves of; if any 

 be taken prisoners they are soon killed, so are the old wo- 

 men ; the marriageable women are z^educed to servitude, 

 and are treated with great cruelty by the squaws, the chil- 

 dren are generally spared and incorporated into families, 

 where they frequently meet with tolerably good treatment. 



Vol. it. 



