306 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



I have this day been a spectator of games and plays until I am fatigued with look- 

 ing on, and also by lending a liand,wliicli I have done, but with so little success as 

 only to attract general observations, and as generally to excite the criticisms and 

 laughter of the squaws and little children. 



I have seen a fair exhibition of their archery this day, in a favorite amusement 

 which they call the game of the arrow (see Plate 60), where the young men who are 

 the most distinguished in this exercise, assemble on the i^rairie at a little distance 

 from the village, and having paid each one his entrance fee, such as a shield, a robe, 

 a pipe, or other article, step forward in turn, shooting their arrows into the air, endeav- 

 oring to see who can get the greatest number flying in the air at one time, thrown 

 from the same bow. For this, the number of eight or ten arrows are clenched in the 

 left hand with the bow, and the first one which is thrown is elevated to such a de- 

 gree as will enable it to remain the longest time possible in the air, and while it is 

 flying, the others are discharged as rapidly as possible ; and he who succeeds in getting 

 the greatest number up at once, is best, and takes the goods staked. 



In looking on at this amusement, the spectator is surprised; not at the great dis- 

 tance to which the arrows are actually sent ; but at the quickness of fixing them on 

 the string, and discharging them in succession, which is no doubt, the result of great 

 practice, and enables the most expert of them to get as many as eight arrows up be- 

 fore the first one reaches the ground. 



THE BOW USED ON HORSEBACK. 



For the successful use of the bow, as it is used through all this region of country 

 on horseback, and that invariably at full speed, the great object of practice is to en- 

 able the bowman to draw the bow with suddenness and instant effect ; and also to 

 repeat the shots in the most rapid manner. As their gaoje is killed from their horses' 

 back while at the swiftest rate, and their enemies fought in the same way, and as the 

 horse is the swiftest animal of the prairie, and always able to bring his rider along- 

 side, within a few paces of his victim ; it will easily be seen that the Indian has little 

 use in throwing his arrow more than a few paces ; when he leans quite low on his 

 horse's side, and drives it with astonishing force, capable of producing instant death 

 to the buffalo, or any other animal in the country. The bows which are generally in 

 use in these regions I have described in a former letter, and the results produced by 

 them at the distance of a few paces is almost beyond belief, considering their length, 

 which is not often over 3, and sometimes not exceeding 2i feet. It can easily be seen, 

 from what has been said, that the Indian has little use or object in throwing the 

 arrow to any great distance. And as it is very seldom that they can be seen shooting 

 at a target, I doubt very much whether their skill in such jjractice would compare 

 with that attained to in many parts of the civilized world ; but with the same weapon, 

 and dashing forward at fullest speed on the wild horse, without the use of the rein, 

 when the shot is required to be made with the most instantaneous effect, I scarcely 

 think it possible that auy people can be found more skilled, and capable of producing 

 more deadly effects with the bow. — G. C. 



436. Dance of tlie Chiefs, Sioux; a very unusual thing, as the dancing is generally 

 left to the young men, given to me expressly as a compliment by the chiefs 

 that I might make a painting of it. Painted in 1832. Upper Missouri ; 

 mouth of Teton River. 



(Plate No. 100, pages 237,238, vol. 1, Catlin's Eight Years.) 

 During the time that I was engaged in painting my portraits I was occasionally in- 

 ducing the young men to give me their dances, a great variety of which they gave me 

 by being slightly paid, which I was glad to do in order to enable me to study their 

 character and expression thoroughly, which I am sure I have done; and I shall take 

 pleasure in showing them to the world when I get back. The dancing is generally 

 done by the young men, and considered undignified for the chiefs or doctors to join 



