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CHAPTEE XXXV. 



FIGHTIXG. 



FROM the tactical manoeuvres described, an idea may 

 be formed of the general characteristics of the fighting 

 of the plains Indian. I have already spoken of his 

 bravery. No man can more gallantly dash into danger 

 when his reward, either in scalps or ponies, is sure. 



It is in the higher qualities of courage, the firmness of 

 soul which enables a man to take his chance of wounds 

 and death, for the sake of principle or duty, without hope 

 or expectation of reward, that the Indian is generally 

 lacking. He has, however, exceptional glimpses of this 

 higher order of courage, as when risking his life to carry 

 off dead and wounded comrades ; and I have been told of 

 two instances where a few Indians devoted themselves to 

 sure death, to save large numbers from destruction. As 

 a rule, the Indian relies upon surprise, upon the effect of 

 a sudden and furious dash, accompanied with unearthly 

 yells, to demoralise his enemy and render him a sure 

 prey. In this he has no superior ; nor can he be excelled 

 in the spirit with which he follows up a first successful 

 effort, nor in the remorseless vigour and determination of 

 his pursuit of a flying foe. 



Their fights with each other are almost invariably 

 surprises ; but if two hostile bands, nearly equal in numbers, 

 should meet on the plains, a long contest is likely to ensue, 

 in which the fighting is done at extreme long range, and 

 consists principally in dashing about on their horses, 



B B 2 



