SKETCH OF THE CHYENNES. 207 



I ehall take occasion in subsequent pages to speak of mediniDe-inakiii^ 

 and would refer the reader to tiiat part for an explanation of the pecoliaf 

 purposes for which tlie medicine lodge is constructed. 



The river at Chabonard's camp is reduced fully one half in width, com- 

 pared with its size at the forks. The current is also clearer and more 

 rapid. Its banks and islands are much better timbered, and its gener^ ap- 

 pearance indicates an approach to the mountains. 



About noon we bade farewell to our new friends, by wftom we had been 

 iindly entertained, and resumed our journey, accompanied by my whilom 

 companion and two others, — increasing our number to six. 



Towards sundown, coming to a small village of Chyennes, we passed the 

 night in the lodge of a chief, called the Tall Soldier. Our host treated aa 

 with much civihty, but in this he appeared actuated only by selfish motives, 

 and with the sole view of extorting a more tlian fourfold equivalent by 

 way of presents. 



We were also continually harassed by beggars from all quarters, and 

 gladly availed ourselves of the first dawn of the ensuing morning to pass 

 on, and thus escape their importunities. 



The Chyennes at this time occupy a portion of the Arapaho lands, bor^ 

 dering upon the South Fork and its affluents. 



Some six or eight years since, they inhabited the country in the viciiuty 

 of the Chyenne and White rivers and the North Fork of Platte, from whence 

 they were driven by the hostile incursions of the Sioux, who now hold in 

 quiet possession the whole of that territory. 



This tribe, in general appearance, dress, and habits, assimilates most of 

 the mountain and prairie Indians, with the single exception, perhaps, of be- 

 ing meaner than any other. They are certainly more saucy as beggar* 

 and impudent and daring as thieves, tlian any other I ever became acquainted 

 with. 



Formerly they were a much better people, but the contaminating effects 

 of intercourse with the whites have made a disposition, naturally bad, im- 

 measurably worse. Contrary to Indian character in general, they are 

 treacherous and unworthy of trust, at all times and in all places. 



Their history contains a small speck of romance, which may not prove 

 altogether uninteresting to the curious. 



The Chyeimes, at the present time, number about four hundred lodges, 

 and claim some eight hundred warriors. The tribe is composed of two 

 divisions, viz : the Chyennes and Gros Ventres, — both speaking the same 

 language and practising the same desigimtion of nationality, shown ia 

 sundry transverse scars upon tlie left arm. 



Neither of these divisions know their origin, but tell the foUowing ctuioiia 

 itory of their first intercourse with each other. 



Many years since, the Chyennes, while travelling from a north country, 

 discovered the Gros Ventres, who were also upon a journey. As asoal 

 among strange tribes, both parties rushed to the attack, and a bloody battl* 

 would undoubtedly have been the result, had it not been stayed by the ma- 

 jul diicovery of an identity of language. Upon this, hostihty at one* gaf« 



