DEFENCES OF THE ANCIENT MEXICANS AND PERUVIANS. 93 



and by the scattered teeth and bones of men and animals. — (Exp., p. 84.) Ano- 

 ther defensive work, probably designed for temporary protection, was observed by 

 these gentlemen in the vicinity of the mouth of the Yellowstone. " It was built 

 upon the level bottom, in the form of a circle, fifty feet in diameter, and was com- 

 posed of logs lapping over each other, about five feet high, and covered on the 

 outside with bark set upright. The entrance was guarded by a work on each side 

 of it, facing the river." These entrenchments, they were informed, are frequently 

 made by the Minaterees and other Indians at war with the Shoshonees, when pur- 

 sued by their enemies on horseback. — {Exp., p. 622.) Lieut. Fremont found 

 similar constructions in the vicinity of the Arkansas. A much more feasible 

 method of protection, under such circumstances, is mentioned by Pike. He states 

 that the Sioux, when in danger from their enemies in the plains, soon cover them- 

 selves by digging holes with their knives, and throwing up small breastworks. — 

 (Exp., p. 19.) They are represented as being able to bury themselves from sight, 

 in an incredibly short space of time. 



The numerous traces upon the Missouri of old villages occupying similar posi- 

 tions, and having evidently been defended in a like manner with those above 

 described, place it beyond doubt that this method of fortification was not of recent 

 origin among those Indians. Mr. Catlin mentions that there are several ruined 

 villages of the Mandans, Minaterees and Riccarees, on the banks of the river, 

 below the towns then occupied, which have been abandoned since intercourse 

 became established with the whites. 



Prince Maximilian notices a feature in the defences of the Mandan village of 

 Mih-tutta-hang-kush, which does not seem to have been remarked by any other 

 traveler. This village is represented to have consisted of about sixty huts, sur- 

 rounded by palisades, forming a defence, at the angles of which were " conical 

 mounds, covered with a facing of wicker-work, and having embrasures, completely 

 commanding the river and plain." In another place, however, our author adds, 

 that these bastions were erected for the Indians by the whites. — (Travels in the 

 Interior of North America, by Maximilian, Prince of Weid, pp., 173, 243.) 



DEFENCES OF THE ANCIENT MEXICANS AND PERUVIANS. 



It will be seen, from what has been presented, that, while the Indian tribes on the 

 Atlantic coast and along the Gulf of Mexico, with few exceptions, defended them- 

 selves with simple stockades, the Indians to the west of the Mississippi frequently 

 added an embankment of earth, though in other respects observing a very great 

 uniformity with those nations first named. This difference may be accounted for. 



