PATIENCE OF THE INDIAN HUNTER. 265 



gallop to the right and left, and perform a consi- 

 derable circuit, with a view to surround them. They 

 then close in upon the animals, and each man en- 

 deavours to kill as many as possible. 



On such occasions the Indians display their skill 

 in horsemanship, and dexterity as archers; and, not- 

 withstanding that the same animal is sometimes 

 feathered by arrows from different archers, each 

 man knows his own weapon, and can also ascertain 

 from the nature of the wound whether it will pro- 

 duce or has occasioned death. Hence it happens 

 that quarrels respecting the prey rarely occur, and 

 that it is consigned to the fortunate individual whose 

 weapon penetrated the vital part. 



About the month of August, the Indians return 

 towards the deserted village, visiting in their journey 

 the Pawnee villages, for the purpose of trading in 

 guns and horses; and when returned, they continue 

 sedulously employed in their usual avocations till 

 the latter end of October, at which time they again 

 depart, and move in small detachments on both sides 

 of the Missouri and its tributaries, as far down as 

 the Platte, trading as they go for various articles 

 which they require during their autumnal, their 

 winter, and their spring hunts. Having obtained 

 these, they set forth in pursuit of deer, or occupy 

 themselves in trapping the beaver and otter. 



Yet the assiduous hunter often returns to his 

 temporary residence in the evening, after having 

 unsuccessfully exerted himself through the day, 

 hungry, fatigued, and cold, with his mockasins 

 frozen to his feet. His faithful squaw may be un- 

 able to supply his wants, but she seats herself beside 



