Rocky Mountains. Z1% 



have been withheld from them, and placing themselves at 

 the head of factions, occasionally withdraw from the mother 

 tribe. Thus new tribes ai'e formed and diotributed in va- 

 rious directions over the country, with nothing to mark their 

 genealogy but the resemblance of their language to that of 

 the parent stock, or of other Indians that sprung from the 

 same origin. 



The chiefs or governors of tribes, have their rank and ti- 

 tle bv inheritance; vet in order to maintain them, and secure 

 themselves in their preeminence, they are under the neces- 

 sity of winning over to their interests the principal warriors 

 and most influential men of their tribe, whose countenance 

 and support are often essential to their continuance in autho- 

 rity. 



In conciliating the friendship of these, the chief is often 

 compelled to admit them to participate in the authority with 

 which he is invested, and to bestow upon them any effects of 

 which he may be possessed. 1 bus it often happens, that the 

 chiefs are among the poorest of the Indians, having parted 

 with their horses, clothes, trinkets, &c. to ensure the further 

 patronagf of their adherents, or to purchase the friendship 

 of those that are disaffected. 



The situation of principal chief is very frequently usurped 

 during the minority of the rightful successor; or wrested 

 from an imbecile incumbent by some ambitious chief or war- 

 rior. In this case, the ascendency obtained over the nation 

 by the usurper is gradual, and depends upon the resources 

 of his own mind, aided by his reputation for generosity and 

 valour. 



The condition of the savages is a state of constant alarm 

 and apprehension. Their security from their enemies, and 

 their means of subsistence, are precarious and uncertain, the 

 former requiring the utmost vigilance to prevent its infrac- 

 tion, and the latter being attended with no regular supplies 

 of the necessaries of life. In times of the most profound 

 peace, whether at their villages or on a hunting expedition, 

 they are continually on the alert^ lest they should be sur- 

 prised by their enemies. By day scouts are constantly kept 

 patroling for a considerable distance around them, and by 

 night sentinels are posted, to give notice of the approach of 

 strangers. 



When they engage in a hunt., they generally abandon their 

 villages, old men, women and children joining in the enter- 

 prize, through fear of being left at home without the strength 



