AMUSEMENTS. 327 



in iron rings (or bent wood covered with raw hide, if iron 

 rings cannot be obtained). These rings are attached to 

 the saddle on the principle of the Mexican ' Cinche,' by 

 which a man of ordinary strength can almost crush in a 

 horse's ribs. 



Great liberties of position are taken by an Indian on 

 horseback, and it is of the utmost importance that the 

 saddle be strong and the girth fail not. 



The stirrup is of thin wood strengthened with raw 

 hide, by which material it is also fastened to the saddle. 

 Some slight padding is put between the horse and saddle, 

 the skin of a wolf or buffalo calf ; or in these later days 

 a piece of old blanket or grain sack. The stirrups are 

 extremely short, so much so that the thigh of the rider 

 is almost horizontal. They are, however, of little use 

 except in mounting, or as rest to the foot when riding. 



Civilised people mount on the left side of the horse, 

 because the knights of old, from whom we get our ideas 

 of horsemanship, wore their swords on that side, and 

 could not, therefore, mount on the right without incon- 

 venience from that weapon. 



The Indian mounts always on the right side ; and this 

 is undoubtedly natural and most convenient, as it leaves 

 the left hand free to hold the reins and manage the 

 horse, while the right grasps the mane or pommel of the 

 saddle. 



In travelling necessary stores are carried en croup, 

 or slung to the saddle on each side. One blanket or robe 

 is around the rider's person, and he sits on an extra one 

 if he has it. His gun is carried across his thighs, resting 

 against the pommel ; his bow and quiver are slung on 

 the back, by a strap passing from right to left, but which 

 brings the quiver almost perpendicular with its opening 

 over the right shoulder. 



When travelling from place to place, under ordinary 

 circumstances, a more unromantic or less dangerous-look- 

 ing 4 specimen ' could not be found than an Indian warrior. 



