480 TRIBES OF THE UPPEB MISSOURI [eth.ann.46 



do not believe in future punishments at all. To illustrate the first 

 position, we will present their arguments on the greatest of crimes, 

 murder. An Indian never commits what in his mind would be equal 

 to murder in our estimation. There is no inducement in any case for 

 them to murder a man for his horses, wife, or any other property 

 they possess, for this step, instead of securing these advantages, 

 would operate in quite an opposite direction, making it necessary 

 for the murderer to relinquish his own property and that of his near- 

 est relatives to pay the damage; also forfeiting his own life and 

 becoming an outcast. And this is the reason why their disputes so 

 seldom terminate in bloodshed, as the prospect of loss is far greater 

 than that of gain. When they do kill among themselves it is in 

 consequence of some quarrel about property, or about something, 

 and this they are then in a manner obliged to do, to save their own 

 life. It then becomes self-defense or a necessary action induced by 

 the principle of fear and their constant habit of carrying and raising 

 arms. In no instance does an Indian take life, except that of his 

 enemies, without provocation. 



A horse, a woman, a gun, or any other article may be the cause 

 of a quarrel, and threats and menaces pass which place each under 

 the necessity of destroying the other to save himself. They say 

 they can not do otherwise, and often regret the necessity. To kill 

 an enemy, instead of being reckoned an act ungrateful to Wakonda, 

 is thought by them to be highly pleasing, therefore his aid 

 to accomplish this and even private revenge is sought in prayers, 

 fasts, sacrifices, etc. All mankind have, they think, an equal right 

 to live, and an equal right to preserve that right, and it is the sense 

 of this self-preservation that compels them to remove any danger 

 in their way, such as wild beasts, enemies, or any of their own 

 people whom they are aware are only waiting an opportunity 

 against themselves; and it is also this right to life and fear of being 

 assassinated that compels them to take every advantage to accom- 

 plish the destruction of the danger pending. We have questioned 

 several Indians on this subject who have killed their own people 

 and all have led to the same subject, viz, the necessity imposed upon 

 them by quarrels to kill or be killed. To act otherwise when all 

 peaceful means have failed would be considered as the height of 

 foolishness and cowardice. An Indian does not take life from mere 

 thirst for blood, nor, as has been stated, to acquire property, as in 

 either case no advantage would be gained. When they waylay and 

 murder whites they believe they are doing right ; that whites have 

 no business in their country, and are therefore looked upon in the 

 light of enemies. 



They do not kill the white traders among each nation, or in the 

 few instances they have done so it was from some motive of revenge, 



