SIMILARITY TO ARABS. 239 
In roaming over the plains of the South-west I was struck 
with their similarity to the steppes of Tartary and the deserts 
of Arabia, but not more so than with the resemblance of the 
inhabitants of both. 
The Nomades of the old world and the wild Indian of the 
prairie have no permanent abiding place, but where their 
lodges are pitched there are their homes. Their respective 
governments are patriarchal, sanctioned by the masses, and 
guided by the counsels of the elders. They never cultivate 
the soil, but subsist upon plunder and the chase. They are 
alike in their attachment to the horse and expertness in horse- 
manship. Coinciding in their views of the rights of property, 
they consider stealing from strangers as perfectly legitimate, 
are the greatest marauders on earth, and he who is most 
expert and successful is the greatest among them. 
» # int Pp 2 4 
A 4 i | 
y are identical. Polygamy 
is allowed, they sit cross-legged upon mats, are very fond of 
tobacco, and saddle, bridle, and mount their horses from the 
right side, they also eat with their fingers. 
The estimation in which a successful robber is held, is ilus- 
trated by an anecdote of an old chief, who said he had four 
sons who were a great comfort to him in his decliniug years, 
as they could steal more horses than any young men in the 
tribe. 
The favourite horse of the wild Indian is his constant com- 
panion, and it is when mounted and going through with his 
war-exercises that he shows to the best advantage. In the 
