278 ON THE ETHNOGRAPHY AND PHILOLOGY OF THE 
says that his heart was bad, but has now become good, and the past is forgotten. Among 
the Blackfeet it is not uncommon for a lapse from virtue on the part of the woman to be 
visited with the worst form of punishment, the cutting off of the nose. A few rare cases 
have occurred among the Shyennes, but, as Rib says, only bad men do so, In a few 
cases the women have been killed. 
“There is at this time (January, 1860), a serious warlike feeling existing between the 
Shyennes and the Crows. Each tribe accuses the other of having broken the peace, but, 
as near as I can ascertain, the Crows are in the wrong. About one year ago, one of the 
head chiefs of the Crows came to the Platte and stole from the Shyennes about thirty 
horses. In endeavoring to get them back the latter lost some men and the former some. 
About a month ago, the Shyennes, in considerable numbers, were encamped on Powder 
River. ‘The Crows surprised the camp one morning, killed five persons and wounded 
several others, taking five children prisoners. The Crows being mounted, took the 
children in front of them on their horses. Being hard pressed by the Shyennes, who were 
in pursuit, the Crows drew their knives and stabbed the children, and threw them from 
their horses. The Indians at once removed from the interior to the Platte, near our 
winter quarters, bringing their wounded with them, most of whom died. One old woman 
was scalped alive, and though she was not otherwise injured, soon after died. It is con- 
sidered the greatest insult to a tribe to scalp one of its members in that way. A lad about 
sixteen years of age, is now with his parents near our camp, with a bullet lodged in his 
thigh. It is quite uncertain what the result will be. The Dakotas and Shyennes have 
united against the Crows in a war of extermination. It would seem as though the country 
which the Crows have so long possessed, and regarded as the finest region in the world, 
would soon be taken from them. They are surrounded on all sides by enemies. 
“ At this time (January 25th, 1860), there are several lodges near the Agency. One of 
the old men has a daughter about sixteen years of age. Near his tent there is a small 
temporary hut, which is occupied by the girl during her menstrual period. During this 
time she is not permitted to touch anything, not even a horse, if so, it is considered bad 
‘medicine, and unclean. ‘This is a universal custom among all Indians with whom I am 
acquainted. 
“Rib gives me the following information in regard to the religious belief of the Shy- 
ennes. He says that they all believe that when a person dies a portion returns to the 
earth, and another part, the spirit, goes to the Great Spirit, from which it had its origin. 
It then enters a child again and returns to this world; and should that being at any 
period during its lifetime walk over the dust of the former body, it also dies. ‘ Grass, 
an unusually intelligent Indian, a hunter for the Agent, says, that the Indians are aware 
that there is a Great Spirit who made the heavens and the earth, but farther than that 
they know nothing. They mourn for the dead because they are lost to them, and they 
