132, LIFE IN THE FAR WEST 



Every lodge possesses from half-a-dozen to a score 

 some for draught and others for eating for dog-meat 

 forms part and parcel of an Indian feast. The former 

 are stout wiry animals, half wolf half sheep-dog, and are 

 regularly trained to draught ; the latter are of a smaller 

 kind, more inclined to fat, and embrace every variety of 

 the genus cur. Many of the southern tribes possess a 

 breed of dogs entirely divested of hair, which evidently 

 have come from South America, and are highly esteemed 

 for the kettle. Their meat, in appearance and flavour, 

 resembles young pork, but far surpasses it in richness 

 and delicacy. 



The Sioux are very expert in making their lodges 

 comfortable, taking more pains in their construction 

 than most Indians. They are all of conical form : a 

 framework of straight slender poles, resembling hop- 

 poles, and from twenty to twenty-five feet long, is first 

 erected, round which is stretched a sheeting of buffalo 

 robes, softly dressed, and smoked to render them water- 

 tight. The apex, through which the ends of the poles 

 protrude, is left open to allow the smoke to escape. A 

 small opening, sufficient to permit the entrance of a 

 man, is made on one side, over which is hung a door of 

 buffalo hide. A lodge of the common size contains 

 about twelve or fourteen skins, and contains comfortably 

 a family of twelve in number. The fire is made in the 

 centre immediately under the aperture in the roof, and 

 a flap of the upper skins is closed or extended at pleasure, 

 serving as a cowl or chimney-top to regulate the draught 

 and permit the smoke to escape freely. Eound the fire, 



