

BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 291 



over these is laid one or more buffalo robes. On this bed 

 the corpse is disposed, sometimes in a sitting posture, but 

 generally lying on the back in a natural position. 



The body is dressed in the most gorgeous apparel 

 obtainable ; for the spirit will appear so dressed in the 

 Happy Hunting Grounds, and as good a first impression 

 as possible is greatly desirable. An old uniform coat 

 which has rendered faithful service to some lieutenant of 

 the army, a pair of tarnished epaulettes, and a hat from 

 some military post, are greatly prized portions of the 

 burial dress. 



As has before been stated, such articles of civilised 

 manufacture owned by the dead in life or furnished by 

 the generosity and piety of friends, as are considered 

 necessary to his comfort or his appearance in the future 

 world, are buried with him. His hair is combed carefully, 

 parted in the middle, and plaited (with buffalo hair to in- 

 crease the length) in a long tail on each side of the head, 

 each ornamented with large circular silver or plated 

 buckles. Around his neck is suspended the medicine bag, 

 containing his ' totem,' and the bones, ashes, earths, &c. 

 used in his private devotions. At his girdle (or on his 

 lance, or shield among the more southern plains Indian) 

 are hung all the scalps he has taken in life. His face is 

 painted in the most splendid style of Indian art. 



All being completed, light but strong branches are 

 attached to the sides of the platform, arid bent over the 

 body like the bows of a waggon. The enclosure for a 

 body buried in a horizontal position is not over two feet 

 high. Over these are stretched buffalo hides (green if 

 they can be obtained), with the hair out, and securely 

 fastened to the platform and to the boughs with 

 thongs of raw hide. Every aperture is closed as tightly 

 as possible. Such necessary articles as pots, kettles, &c., 

 as might be in the way inside, are securely fastened to the 

 platform or the neighbouring branches ; and over all are 

 hung streamers of red and white cloth, to frighten away 



