26 Introductory 



falo than he could use, and you will readily 

 believe this when I enumerate the things 

 for which these wild plains cattle were 

 used. 



The robe was the Indian's winter blanket, 

 and the skin freed from hair his summer 

 covering or sheet. The dressed hide was 

 made into all kinds of clothing. Dressed 

 cow skins covered the lodges which formed 

 a lighter and warmer shelter than the white 

 man has ever been able to invent. 



Braided strips of rawhide made them 

 ropes and lines, smaller cords were also 

 made from the braided hair. 



Cannon-bones and ribs were used to make 

 implements to dress hides. Shoulder-blades 

 lashed to sticks made axes and hoes. The 

 ribs furnished runners for small sleds. The 

 green hide was often used as a kettle in 

 which to boil meat. If they stretched it 

 over boughs, it made a small boat for cross- 

 ing rivers. The tough hide from the bull's 



