242 Expedition to the 



ception of two, who mounted their horses, and followed the 

 messenger, saying, that whatever might be the event, the 

 Osages should not be led to believe, that every individual 

 of the nation was afraid to rely upon their faith. 



They were, however, soon undeceived. The enemy, who 

 had placed themselves in ambuscade on each side of the 

 path at a suitable position, fired on the Konzas, one of whom 

 was killed, and the other escaped to his people. 



The Osages, who had hoped by this russe de guerre to 

 slaughter all the chiefs without any loss to themselves, find- 

 ing their scheme abortive, rushed on to attack the village. 



They were met by about one half their number of Kon- 

 zas, who, after an obstinate encounter, repulsed them with 

 considerable loss. 



After the action, some one informed Son-ja-nin-ga that 

 his son was among the slain. " Did he die with his face to 

 the enemy," said the father. " He did so," replied the other. 

 " Then he perished nobly," rejoined Son-ja-nin-ga, exulting- 

 ly, and " I will not lament his fall." This resolution, however, 

 was so much at variance with his sensibility, that it could 

 not long be maintained. He mounted on the top of his lodge 

 and harangued his people on the subject of the martial deeds 

 of his son, who had already become a distinguished warrior; 

 but when he spoke of his final scene, he was so absolutely 

 overpowered by grief, that he precipitated himself from his 

 elevated situation to the earth; receiving however, but little 

 injury, he immediately assumed the state of mourning with 

 its utmost rigours. 



At the age of fourteen or fifteen, it is not uncommon for 

 the young Omawhaw to elope with a married woman, and 

 fly for protection to the Puncaws. 



The home of the young man, until he marries, is his 

 father's house ; but after he thus changes his condition, 

 he repairs to the house of his father-in-law until the birth of 



