294 Expedition to the 



The medicine bag is not permitted to touch the ground ; 

 accordingly on encamping, it is carefully suspended to a 

 forked stick, which is stuck firmly in the soil ; the ceremony 

 of smoking to it, is then performed, the stem of the pipe 

 being occasionally directed towards it, the heavens, and the 

 earth. After this ceremony, if the party is in the vicinity of 

 the enemy, the partizan places the medicine bag about the 

 neck of one of his trusty warriors, and, whispering in his ear, 

 directs him to take two or three men, and look carefully about 

 for signs of the enemy. 



On the return of this messenger the partizan runs to meet 

 him, receives his report in a whisper, takes the important 

 charge from his neck, and whilst returning it to its place, 

 communicates the intelligence he has received to his party; 

 " no sign of the enemy has yet been discovered, but have 

 patience, my brave young men, the Wahconda will soon have 

 pity on us, and show us the enemy we so anxiously seek." 

 If, on the contrary, the enemy is discovered, his position and 

 numbers are reconnoitred, and the party prepares to attack 

 them. The sacred medicine bag is now opened by the par- 

 tizan ; the envelop is rejected, and the remainder is suspend- 

 ed from his neck, with the bird skin, wampum, &c. hanging 

 down before, from the belt. This is a signal indicating that 

 a blow must be struck. The party then paint themselves and 

 smoke if time admits of it. The partizan at length gives 

 the wished for order, and the whole move onward, with 

 slow and cautious steps, in order to surprise the enemy ; but 

 if discovered, they rush on with impetuosity, and without any 

 regular order. If the scene of the contest lies in the forest, 

 they shield themselves behind trees of small diameter, when 

 at the proper distance, from whence they discharge their 

 missiles. If the attack is made in the open plain, where no 

 shelter offers, they leap about from one side to another, and 

 preserve a constant state of activity, for the purpose of pre- 

 venting any steady aim from being taken at them, by their 

 adversaries. 



