364 Expedition to the 



men dead, or disabled, on the battle ground, amongst whom 

 were all their braves, who had exposed themselves to danger 

 more than the others. Of their numbers, now diminished to 

 forty, all were wounded, with the exception of seven only, 

 and some of these very desperately ; one individual had eight 

 different wounds. As they had thrown off their robes, 

 breech-cloths, and leggings, at the commencement of the 

 battle, they were now absolutely naked, and the weather was 

 extremely cold. They made rude cars on which they drew 

 along those who could not walk, and thus they commenced 

 and proceeded in their slow and laborious march to their 

 village. During the journey some of the wounded requested 

 to be killed, or left to die alone, and one who was wounded 

 in the knee, after soliciting death from his brother repeated- 

 ly in vain, sought an opportunity to die, and finally plunged 

 his knife in his heart. The party subsisted by killing a 

 few bisons on the way, and partially clothed themselves with 

 their raw hides j a miserable defence against the intensity of 

 the cold. 



The Grand Pawnees were more successful in war excur- 

 sions during the winter. One of their parties encountered 

 a party of Spaniards, who, my informant asserted, sought 

 safety in flight. But it seems highly probable that a battle 

 took place, and that many were killed, inasmuch as the vic- 

 tors returned with much clothing, merchandize, very hand- 

 some figured blankets, many horses, and some silver money. 

 I was almost confirmed in this belief, by being subsequently 

 informed that the party had certainly brought with them 

 some' scalps which were not those of Indians, and on passing 

 through the village I thought that some of the hair which 

 streamed in the wind from numerous portions of human 

 scalps, suspended on sticks from the roofs of the lodges, was 



taken from the heads of Spaniards. 



These three bands or clans of Pawnees, although they 



harmonize well together at present, are not exempt from the 



