540 



TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI 



[BTH. ANN. 40 



reason why he who leads the buffalo into the parks is supposed by 

 the mass to be possessed with some supernatural power which forces 

 the buffalo to follow him, when in fact it is nothing more than a 

 correct imitation of the bleating of a calf or a noise as though a calf 

 was being devoured by a wolf and crying for help. The buffalo 

 never get near enough to the man to make him out, as he is covered 

 with his robe, the hair turned outward, and he always keeps the wind 

 in his favor. It is, however, a rare talent. 



The hide of the buffalo, to make a robe, is taken off in two halves, 

 by slitting the animal down the middle of the back and the middle 

 of the belly. The first process it undergoes afterwards is taking off 

 the portions of meat and membrane adhering to it, so that it will 

 present the smooth clear skin. This is done with a tool made from 



the shin bone of an elk. (Fig. 

 33.) The lower end is cut to an 

 edge and small teeth made there- 

 The skin is hung up at one 



in 



corner to a pole and the meat 

 is dug off by hoeing down with 

 the instrument, which is held 

 firmly at the upper end. A 

 woman will finish this operation 

 on two whole skins or four 

 halves in one day. Next the 

 skin is stretched to dry. Holes 

 are cut through it near the edge. 

 In summer it is pinned to the 

 ground by wooden pegs, or in 

 winter when the ground is 

 frozen, stretched on a frame of 

 four poles tied together, and a 

 small fire built to dry it. When dry the next thing to be done is 

 to scrape it. that is, to hoe off about one-third of the thickness of 

 the hide. This is done with an iron tool about By 2 inches long, 

 iy 2 inches wide, and Vs-i ncn thick. Formerly a flint stone was 

 used for this purpose, but the iron tool answering better, is now 

 substituted. This piece of iron being sharpened at one edge is tied 

 on a handle made of elk's horn (fig. 34), cut off at one of the forks, 

 so as to afford a projection to fasten it, being held in both hands. 

 The hide is laid on the ground, the woman stands upon it, and, 

 stooping, digs off the hide in shavings, until of the proper thickness.' 

 This occupies about half a day to each whole hide and is a very 

 fatiguing employment. Grease is then melted, sprinkled sparingly 

 over the skin, and it is suspended over a small fire for a few hours 



Figure 33. — Tool for fleshing the hide 



