INTRODUCTION. xxv 



by the waving of the hand or fore-finger, the forward 

 crawling motion of a snake. In stature they are rather 

 low, and in person often approach to corpulency. 

 These fierce, untamed savages roam over an immense 

 region, living on the buffalo, and plundering Mexicans, 

 Indians, and whites with judicial impartiality. Arabs 

 and Tartars of the desert, they remove their villages 

 (pitching their lodges in regular streets and squares) hun- 

 dreds of miles at the shortest notice. The men are short 

 and stout, with bright copper faces and long hair, which 

 they ornament with glass beads and silver gewgaws. 



On foot slow and awkward, but on horseback grace- 

 ful, they are the most expert and daring riders in the 

 world. In battle they sweep down upon their enemies 

 with terrific yells, and, concealing the whole body, with 

 the exception of one foot, behind their horses, discharge 

 bullets or arrows over and under the animal's neck rapidly 

 and accurately. Each has his favourite, war-horse, which 

 he regards with great affection, and only mounts when 

 going to battle. With small arms they are familiar ; but 

 ' gun-carts/ or cannons, they hold in superstitious fear. 

 Even the women are daring riders and hunters, lassoing 

 antelope and shooting buffalo. They wear the hair short, 

 tattoo their bodies, have stolid faces, and are ill-shapen 

 and bow-legged. 



These modern Spartans are most expert and skilful 

 thieves. An old brave boasted to General Marcy that 

 his four sons were the noblest youths in the tribe, and 

 the chief comfort of his age, for they could steal more 

 horses than any of their companions. They are patient 

 and untiring sometimes absent upon war expeditions for 

 a year, refusing to return until they can bring the spoils of 

 battle. When organising a war party, the chief decorates 

 a long pole with eagle-feathers and a flag, and then, in 

 fighting costume, chants war songs through his village. 



