Rocky Mountains. 299 



geance, the account is received with ridicule and laughter, 

 at the expense of the deceased. If, on the contrary, he is said 

 to have perished with that stoicism and contempt of death, 

 which is regarded as worthy of the Indian warrior, the audi- 

 tors, although they may smile with pleasure at the death of an 

 enemy, yet pay due honour to his manes, saying he was 

 a brave fellow ; and they do not fail to applaud the bravery 

 of his victor also. 



All those of the party, who have first struck a body, or 

 taken a prisoner, paint themselves black, and if any strangers 

 are in the village, they put on their crow, and appear before 

 them, or near them, and sing their war-song in which their 

 exploits are detailed. 



The prisoners are differently treated according to their 

 sex, age, and qualifications. Of the squaws they make slaves, 

 or rather servants, though these are sometimes advantage- 

 ously married. To the young men the task of tending horses 

 is commonly assigned ; but the children are generally adopt- 

 ed into their families, and are treated in every respect as 

 their own offspring ; when arrived at maturity they are 

 identified with the nation, and it would be an insult to apply 

 the name of their own countrymen to them. 



