260 INDIANS. 



Should the candidate cry out, or even flinch, under 

 the knife, the ceremony is over, and he is taken back to 

 the lodge to be brought up with the women, and made to 

 perform woman's drudgery and menial offices. 



He cannot marry, or hold property, and is held in 

 extreme contempt by the warriors. Though generally 

 treated with indignity by the women, one occasionally 

 manages to make himself a favourite with the sex, not 

 a little to the discomfort of the warrior husbands, who 

 cannot, however, demean themselves by showing jealousy 

 of such a party. 



Should the courage or endurance of the candidate 

 fail him after being tied, he can at any time untie him- 

 self, or, in case the incisions are in the back, can go to 

 the camp and ask to be untied. In each case the result 

 is the same as that given. He can never be a warrior of 

 the tribe. It speaks highly for the endurance of the 

 Southern Cheyennes, when it is stated on good authority 

 that there are not over six of these men-squaws in the 

 w r hole tribe. 



From the initiatory ordeal the candidate steps at 

 once into manhood, with all its rights and duties, privi- 

 leges and immunities. He is no longer under the control 

 of his father, holds property if he can beg or steal it ; 

 can marry if he has the wherewith to pay for his wife ; 

 and his associates are the warriors of the tribe. 1 



1 It is proper to state that this initiatory ordeal is not a condition of 

 manhood, except among the Cheyenne tribe. These Indians have as far as 

 possible kept themselves from the demoralising influence of whisky sellers, 

 and are probably, at this moment, more nearly aboriginal than any tribe in 

 the territory of the United States. They have kept nearly clear of inter- 

 marriages with the whites, and from contact with other tribes and Mexicans. 



These sketches nearly all relate to the Cheyeunes. Where the habits 

 and customs of other tribes are noted, it will be so specially stated. 



