550 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth. Ann. 46 



gles for which they are remarkable. It is hand-to-hand fighting by 

 a few on each side over the body of the fallen man. 23 Knives, lances, 

 and war clubs are the arms then used and frequently several fall on 

 each side before one party recoils. These scenes are going on over 

 several parts of the field at the same time. The war whoop is sounded 

 from either side whenever any success is visible, and when any dis- 

 proportionate loss takes place the flight of that party is the conse- 

 quence. This is the great aim of either party, as a massacre of the 

 scattered fugitives then takes place. It should be remembered that 

 when the contending parties are nearly equal very little damage is 

 done. 



The firing is at such a distance that only a random shot takes 

 effect, and after abusing each other and firing hundreds of shots all 

 day, perhaps only three or four are killed. There must be a great 

 superiority of numbers and position on one side where there is any 

 great destruction. The greatest loss of life happens when some 200 

 to 400 warriors surprise a camp of 20 or 30 lodges, or when the war 

 party is too large to effect concealment for stealing horses, and too 

 small for defense. In this case when pursued by the whole camp 

 they are brought to a stand. If on the prairie they take up a position 

 on the top of some hill covered with stones with which they make a 

 barricade or seek a gully or cluster of bushes. Here they fight as long 

 as one of them is living, but being surrounded by a superior force are 

 all killed in the end. Three years since 52 Assiniboin who were dis- 

 covered in an attempt to steal horses from the Blackfeet were pur- 

 sued and brought to bay in a sink hole, or gully, where they were 

 surrounded by about 800 men of the latter nation and fired upon 

 until all were killed. 



Their enemies, however, lost 34 men before they succeeded. A 

 retreat is ordered in words to that effect and the movement being 

 perceived is followed by all, which generally ends in downright 

 flight. A very common exhibition of individual bravery is, when 

 the parties are equally divided, and slow skirmishing going forward, 

 each party having good positions, a single warrior rides forth near 

 the place where the other party is stationed, and riding slowly within 

 reach of their fire along their front, sings his war song and calls 

 out his name, presenting a mark for the whole of his enemies to fire 

 at. Either he or his horse is generally killed, or if he escapes he is 

 considered a brave man ever afterwards. In either case he is fol- 

 lowed by one of the opposite side in the same manner, and in this way 

 often three or four are killed. They eat no root supposed to have the 

 power of deadening pain or inspiring courage. 



* Such fierce struggles over fallen heroes recall similar combats engaged in by the 

 stalwart figures iu Homer's Iliad. 



