The Indians which forms an article of commerce between eastern 
and western tribes. Smoking is a conventional cere- 
monial of salutation. He who has been admitted to 
smoke the so-called pipe of peace is in no danger. 
Ordinarily the Indians smoke only chewing tobacco 
mixed with various herbs; but if no tobacco is to be 
had, they smoke sumach and other stupifying herbs. 
Every Indian tribe has a chief, which honor is heri- 
ditary in his family; but for a warlike expedition they 
often choose special leaders. In all important mat- 
ters the chief must consult with the warriors of the 
tribe; but otherwise can act quite arbitrarily, espe- 
cially if distinguished for bravery. The religious 
ceremonials are in every tribe under the guidance of a 
so-called medicine man, who knows how to impose 
on the people through all kinds of hocus-pocus. The 
religious ideas of the Indians are still quite crude. 
Like all people in an immature state, they believe in 
a good and bad principle, and continued existence 
after death, in which the brave have unalloyed enjoy- 
ment of all the good things of this life. Various wild 
dances and songs are an important element in their 
religious ceremonies. 
Every Indian tribe has its own speech. All these 
languages seem derived from a common origin; but 
owing to the segregation of the tribes and the want of 
any writing, resemblances may often be well nigh ob- 
literated. The Indian’s style of speech is a mixture 
of laconic brevity and picturesque imagery. Their 
