THE OSAGES. 301 
When upon these expeditions, they may pro- 
perly enough be considered the Ishmaelites 
of the Prairies—their hands are against every 
man, and every man’s hand is against them. 
They will skulk about in the vicinity of a 
prize of mules or horses for several days un- 
suspected, till a favorable opportunity offers 
to pounce upon them. 
This nation is divided into four principal 
bands, the Grand Pawnees (or Grand Pans, 
as called by the Canadians), the Republics, 
the Mahas or Loups, and the Tapage or Noisy 
Pawnees. Their relatives, the Rickaras, are 
now considered a distinct tribe. 
The Osages are at present the most import- 
ant western branch of the Dahcotah stock, 
after the Sioux. There are two bands o 
them, the Big and Little Osages. Though the 
Pawnees stand most prominent as prairie 
marauders, these are unsurpassed in simple 
rogueries. Expertness at stealing appears in- 
deed to constitute a part of their faith, and an 
all-important branch of education, in which 
egrees are conferred in true ‘academic order; 
for I have been assured, that, in their coun- 
cils, the claims of the candidates to the honors 
of rogueship are duly considered, and to the 
most proficient is awarded an honorary badge 
—the right to wear a fancy feather stuck 
athwart his scalp-crest. 
The habitudes of the Osages do not appear 
to have undergone any material change, not- 
withstanding the exertions of the government 
and the missionaries to civilize and to chris- 
VoL. Ir 26 
