LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 129 



against the other's winnings his scalp. He played 

 and lost ; and bending forward his head, the Crow 

 warrior drew his knife and quickly removed the bleed- 

 ing prize. Without a murmur the luckless Sioux rose 

 to depart, but first exacted a promise from his anta- 

 gonist that he would meet him once more at the same 

 spot, and engage in another trial of skill. 



On the day appointed, the Burnt-wood sought the 

 spot, with a new equipment, and again the Crow made 

 his appearance, and they sat down to play. This time 

 fortune changed sides ; the Sioux won back his former 

 losses, and in his turn the Crow was stripped to his 

 skin. 



Scalp against scalp was now the stake, and this time 

 the Crow submitted his head to the victorious Burnt- 

 wood's knife ; and both the warriors stood scalpless on 

 the plain. 



And now the Crow had but one single stake of value 

 to offer, and the offer of it he did not hesitate to make. 

 He staked his life against the other's winnings. They 

 played ; and fortune still being adverse, he lost. He 

 offered his breast to his adversary. The Burnt-wood 

 plunged his knife into his heart to the very hilt ; and, 

 laden with his spoils, returned to his village, and to 

 this day wears suspended from his ears his own and 

 enemy's scalp. 



The village presented the usual scene of confusion 

 as long as the trade lasted. Fighting, brawling, yelling, 

 dancing, and all the concomitants of intoxication, con- 

 tinued to the last drop of the liquor-keg, when the 



