denig] THE ASSINIBOIN 545 



(say 20 men) in the soldiers' lodge, where a dance called the Crow 

 dance is performed by them, and the next morning they all start 

 together, singing the Wolf Song as they leave, their faces usually 

 being painted with vermilion at all times and particularly at this 

 time. All go on foot; no order or file of march is taken up: neither 

 is it necessary. Each one has six or eight pairs of good strong- 

 soled moccasins on his back. Some are armed with bows and arrows, 

 some with guns, and some with lances and war clubs. Battle not 

 being sought, a profusion of arms is not desired and might prove 

 cumbersome. Every man furnishes his own ammunition and war 

 implements. 



Though guns are sometimes borrowed and ammunition begged of 

 their friends 'and relatives, yet there is no tax laid on the camp for 

 supplies nor any public arrangement whatever for providing arms, 

 etc. No provisions are taken ; they hunt it on their way. The parti- 

 san takes his fetish Wolf Skin, which is an entire skin of that 

 animal dressed with the head, ears, legs, etc., complete, so that by 

 lying down or standing on his hands and knees and covering him- 

 self with the skin, drawing it over his head, he might easily be passed 

 as a wolf by any person within a short distance. His other charm 

 or fetish is also secured about his person. A good many, and some- 

 times the whole party, have wolf skins of the above description on 

 their backs. 



During their march through their own country but little precau- 

 tion is used. They stray along at random and toward evening look 

 around for some game for supper, kill whatever presents itself, take 

 enough for the night and the next day and encamp. 



They proceed in this way, if no signs of enemies appear, until en- 

 tirely out of their usual hunting grounds, the leader in the mean- 

 time consulting his dreams, smoking to his fetish wolf skin. 

 A bad dream, or any unpropitious omen, such as the howling of a 

 single wolf in a peculiar manner, breaking his pipe, letting fall 

 his fetish, very severe thunder and lightning, would suffice to turn 

 back the expedition. When large parties start we find two or three 

 returning almost every day from the time of leaving until the attack, 

 caused by dissensions, omens, or other dissatisfaction, but no dis- 

 grace or remarkable comments are attached to this fact, though the 

 excuses some of them give look very much like fear. 



Having arrived at their enemy's country, the greatest possible pre- 

 caution and vigilance are now exercised. 



According to the orders of their leader they proceed slowly, scatter 

 in different directions for miles around, lie about on the tops of the 

 hills covered with their wolf skins, or headdresses made of bunches 

 of wild sage, examining the country in every direction for hours 



