Rocky Mountains. 293 



step, paints himself over with white clay ; he then passes 

 through the camp, or village, crying aloud to the Wahconda, 

 and requesting the young warriors of the nation to have pity 

 on him, and accompany him to strike at the enemy ; he then 

 ascends some hill or elevation, or repairs to the woods, and 

 there continues for some time his ejaculations. The follow- 

 ing day he gives a feast, to all such as are willing to accom- 

 pany him, and it is distinctly understood, that all of those 

 who partake of his hospitality on this occasion, are enlisted 

 for the excursion. He occasionally repeats this crying and 

 feasting, until a convenient period can be assigned for their 

 departure. During this interval he also occupies himself in 

 making medicine, hanging out his medicine bags, &c. At 

 his feasts he harangues his men, telling them that they must 

 endeavour to make themselves known to the nation, by their 

 warlike deeds. 



This leader the French distinguish by the name of parti- 

 zan % and the Omawhaws No-doh-hun guh ; his medicine par- 

 cel, upon which much reliance is placed, for the successful 

 termination of their adventure, contains, almost always, the 

 skin of a sparrow hawk, (Falco sparverius) and many small 

 articles, such as wampum, beads, and tobacco, all attached 

 to a belt, but carefully and neatly enveloped in bark, and 

 tied around by strips of the same material, forming a cylin- 

 drical figure, of about twelve inches in length. 



This is suspended upon the back or shoulders of the par- 

 tizan, by its belt, which passes round his neck. 



Having their mockasins, leggings, guns, bows and arrows, 

 spears, war clubs, and scalping knives prepared, each man fur- 

 nishes himself with some provisions, and they all depart 

 silently during the night, led by the partizan. 



On their rout towards the enemy they proceed with great 

 caution, and constantly send forward runners, or spies, to 

 reconnoitre. When encamped, some individuals are vigilant 

 during the night, but if they suppose themselves to be dis- 

 tant from the enemy, they keep no watch. 



