526 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth. ANN. 46 



Taciturnity 



Silence is not considered a mark of wisdom. A very silent man 

 is not generally liked and somewhat feared, more so than a talkative 

 one. Their wisdom consists in making apparent their good sense 

 in speeches, advice, and in all their actions. Taciturnity may in some 

 degree arise from their want of sufficient topics of conversation, as 

 when obscene subjects are introduced this faculty is laid aside. All 

 their ceremonies partake of the nature of solemnities, but when these 

 are over and subjects or actions of a lighter nature employ their 

 time they are as jovial and noisy as can be. In general, however, in 

 common conversation Indians are not loquacious. Each sentence 

 appears to be studied and no useless or superfluous words are intro- 

 duced. They seldom speak twice or argue the point, even in debate 

 in council. Each one states his opinion freely without interruption, 

 and obstinately adheres to it. They never speak earnestly on a sub- 

 ject they do not thoroughly understand. They have a singular fac- 

 ulty of determination in everything they say or do. Even when 

 surprised in extremes of danger their decision to act is made on the 

 instant as if by instinct. No nervousness nor hesitation is evinced. 

 When escape from death becomes impossible they are stolid, stubborn, 

 and die like men. 



Public Speaking 



Their public speaking is only remarkable for applying their whole 

 mind and soul to the business in hand. They state their opinions in 

 a few words to the purpose, using only such metaphor as has a visible 

 bearing on its elucidation. A great deal of the effects of their oratory 

 is due to posture, gesture, and accent. The importance of the sub- 

 ject to them and their undivided attention bestowed upon it at the 

 time is the cause of their forcible remarks. Some of these speeches 

 are excellent in their way, but only so as they illustrate in a con- 

 densed form the opinions they wish to express. They are in fact the 

 real children of nature. The prevailing circumstance governs the 

 mind for the time and produces corresponding words and actions. 

 The young and rising no doubt imitate the elders in some of the 

 forms of set speeches but no pains are taken to learn them. 



Travel 



When they travel at night and have no moon to afford light they 

 take their direction by the north star with which they are all 

 acquainted, but when stars also are invisible they observe at dark the 

 point from which the wind blows, and shape their course accord- 

 ingly. By these means they will be able to pursue a right direction 

 until they come to some hill or river with which they are acquainted, 



