Rocky Mountains, 445 



appears to be to place the end of the pole either in the ring, 

 or as near as possible, and we could perceive that those 

 casts were considered best when the ring was caught by the 

 hook at the end of the pole. What constitutes a point, or 

 how many points are reckoned to the game, we could not 

 ascertain. It is, however, sufficiently evident that they are 

 desperate gamesters, often losing their ornaments, articles of 

 dress, &c. at play. 



This game, like some of those described in a former part 

 of this work, requires considerable exertion, and is well cal- 

 culated for the exhibition of that gracefulness of figure, 

 and that ease and celerity of motion in which the savages so 

 far surpass their civilized neighbours. We saw many young 

 men engaged at these diversions, who had thrown aside their 

 robes, leggins, and all superfluous articles of dress, display- 

 ing a symmetry of proportion, and beauty of form, which we 

 have rarely seen surpassed. They were so intent upon their 

 diversion that in some instances our approach towards them, 

 as we were rambling about the village, did not for a moment 

 call off their attention from the game. 



The population of the three Pawnee villages was estima- 

 ted by Capt. Pike, in 1806, at 6,223, and they were at that 

 time supposed to be able to call into the field 1,993 warriors. 

 At present it is believed they would fall short of this esti- 

 mate, particularly in the number of warriors. They are, how- 

 ever, still numerous, and are said to be increasing, and are 

 respected by the Sioux, and other neighbouring nations, as 

 warlike and powerful. 



About the three villages are six or eight thousand horses, 

 feeding in the plains during the day, but confined at night. 

 These, with a breed of sharp-eared, meagre, wolf-like dogs, 

 are their only domestic animals. On the approach of winter 

 they conceal cheir stores of corn, dry pumpkins, beans, &c. 

 and with their whole retinue of dogs and horses desert their 

 villages. This they are compelled to do from the want of 



