276 ON THE ETHNOGRAPHY AND PHILOLOGY OF THE 
According to Mr. Morse, in 1822, “this tribe, of 83250 souls, dwell and hunt on the river 
of this name, a western tributary of the Missouri, a little above the Great Bend.”* 
We have no means at hand for determining the exact time when these Indians took up 
their abode in the Platte country. We only know that at the present time they claim, in 
connection with the Arapohos, the country bordering upon the North and South Platte 
Rivers. They range, however, in their war excursions and in their search for buffalo, far 
into the Crow country, along the various branches of Powder River, along the Sweetwater, 
and even as far to the west and north as the Black Hills, south to the Arkansas, and west 
to the valley of Green River. Owing to the rapid immigration of white settlers into that 
region for a few years past, the Indian Bureau has attempted to place these Indians upon 
a reservation; but they must be taught to cultivate the soil before they will become a con- 
tented or a prosperous people. 
The writer, attached to a United States Exploring party, under the command of Capt. 
William F. Raynolds, spent the winter of 1859 and 1860 at the base of the mountains, 
about a hnndred miles above Fort Laramie, on the North Platte. The Indian Agent, 
who resided at the same place, had several very intelligent Shyenne hunters, from whom 
much information was obtained. The following extracts are taken from the writer’s jour- 
nal kept at that time. 
“'There are many instances of Indians possessing several wives, from two to fifteen, but 
jealousies are constantly arising, and are kept in check only by force on the part of the 
husband. Every woman rejoices when she finds she is the only lawful wife; and when 
she suspects that her husband meditates the taking of a second, she throws every obstacle 
in the way, first by renewed attentions and kindness to her husband, and then by creating 
difficulties with the intended wife. When an Indian takes several wives, he usually se- 
lects one as his favorite. She may be a young woman, or the first wife and the mother of 
his children. ‘The remainder are intended more as slaves, to dress robes and to perform 
the drudgery of the lodge. 
“Rib, our excellent Shyenne hunter, has been out in pursuit of game for several days, 
and although one of the best Indian hunters in the country, he has had very poor success. 
He is very superstitious, like all his tribe, and says it is the moon that is in fault. It is 
now full moon, and he says that when the moon dies his luck will return again. Thus 
these people are continually impeded in their efforts by their superstitious notions. The 
first time he went out hunting during this moon he wounded an antelope; it escaped, and 
many other chances occurred, yet he returned without meat, to receive the angry looks of 
the wife, who would give him no supper. Having rested himself he started out again, 
* A Report to the Secretary of War of the United States on Indian Affairs. By Rev. Jedediah Morse, D.D. 
New Haven, 1822. 
