562 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [etii. ann. 40 



Duck Dance (Pakhan'tah Wah-che). — This is done by the 

 hand who bear that name and are not so numerous as the others. 

 The same principles govern their proceedings, being to seek this 

 occasion to publish and perpetuate the memory of their past deeds 

 on the battle fields. The dancers are all naked except the breech- 

 cloth, which hangs down before and behind one or two yards. 

 Their bodies are painted in various ways, principally striped, ac- 

 cording to the fancy of the individuals. No arms are carried in the 

 dance, but they hold in their hand a flat striped painted stick about 

 2 feet long, with which they keep the time. Women are excluded 

 from the ring but form a portion of the music. All sing, both 

 dancers and drummers. The evolutions are: Commencing in a ring, 

 they mingle together for a few minutes and conclude with a gen- 

 eral shout, after which coups are counted by those who wish, or 

 who are able, as in the preceding. The time, step, and figure of 

 every dance differ, but we can not describe them so as to be under- 

 stood. 



Bulls' Dance (Tah-tun-gah Wah-che). — The kin called Bulls 

 is perhaps the most numerous among them, and a good many middle- 

 aged men and chiefs are found in this dance who do not figure in 

 the others. Their headdress is the skin of a buffalo bull taken off 

 as low as the shoulders of that animal, and dressed with the head, 

 horns, hair and snout complete. Around the holes where the eyes 

 were and in the nostrils and mouth are sewed pieces of scarlet cloth. 

 The skin is then sewed up along the back of the neck. The head 

 of the man is thrust in this, and the rest of his body being naked 

 except the breechcloth and moccasins, is painted with black and 

 red stripes. They carry guns and powder horns in the dance, mov- 

 ing without any order, jumping about, snorting, and shaking their 

 horns at each other, and firing among their feet with powder. The 

 song is the Bull Song. They usually are attended by six or eight 

 drummers and singers, all males, who are not dressed in any 

 remarkable manner. 



No speeches are made by the Bulls during the dance, but they seek 

 the occasion of other dances, such as the Braves or Soldiers to 

 which most of them belong, to perpetuate the remembrance of their 

 chivalrous deeds. This kin give a good many feasts to each other 

 and are said to be remarkably faithful in the observance of their 

 promises of mutual aid and protection. 



Soldiers' Dance (Ahkitchetah Wah-che). — This body of men 

 having already been fully described in these pages it will, of course, 

 be understood that their dance must include the most important 

 personages in camp. They seldom perform, and only with a view 



