Rocky Mountains* 257 



In proportion as persons of either sex approach to the 

 state of superannuation, the respect of their family and ac- 

 quaintances is withdrawn from them, and they are finally re- 

 garded as useless burdens upon the community. They are 

 subjected to the pranks and ridicule of the young people, 

 which, however, they seem rather to invite by drollery, jokes, 

 and stories, than to discourage by a repulsive demeanour. 



The aged men contrive to render themselves useful, by as- 

 sisting the squaws in their culinary operations, and by ha- 

 ranguing ; a service for which their loquacity eminently quali- 

 fies them. 



The aged squaws can generally assist in light employ- 

 ments, such as making and mending mockasins, leggings, 

 stringing beads, &c. ; but during the rigours of winter they 

 are generally seated near the door of the travelling lodge, 

 partially defended from the cold by an old ragged robe, and 

 occupied with the menial service, of pushing up the half-burn- 

 ed pieces of wood to the fire, and driving out the dogs ; in 

 this situation, they are more exposed to the weather than 

 any other inmate of the tenement. 



Though thus neglected, the aged are not permitted to suf- 

 fer from hunger, when in the village, if food can be obtain- 

 ed. But when they become helpless on a march, and the 

 transporting of them is attended with much difficulty, it is 

 considered unavoidable to abandon them to their fate ; with 

 this view a small grass shelter is erected for them, in which 

 some food is deposited, together with wood and water. 

 When thus abandoned by all that is dear to them, their for- 

 titude does not forsake them, and the inflexible passive cour- 

 age of the Indian, sustains them against despondency. They 

 regard themselves as entirely useless, and as the custom of 

 the nation has long led them to anticipate this mode of death, 



earlier years, though it is equally certain, that owing to a neglect of per- 

 sonal neatness, their beard is suffered to grow ; yet agreeably to our op- 

 portunities of judging, its ordinary character of sparse distribution, is never 

 changed. 



VOL. 1. 33 



