THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 337 



the dance ceases and the fire is put out. When it is cooled and cut into the shape 

 that he desires it is often painted with his medicine or totem upon it, the figure of an 

 eagle, an owl, a buffalo or other animal, as the case may be, which he trusts will 

 guard and protect him from harm; it is then fringed with eagle's quills, or other or- 

 naments ho may have chosen, and slung with a broad leather strap that crosses his 

 breast. These shields are carried by all the warriors in these regions for their pro- 

 tection in battles, which are almost invariably fought from their horses' backs. — G. 

 C, page 241, vol. 1, Catlin's Eight Years. 



478. The Thunder's Nest. Nid du Tonnerre, and a party cautiously approaching 



it, Coteau des Prairies. Painted in 1836. 



(No plate. Page 206, vol. 2, Catlin's Eight Years.) 

 Tradition of the Sioux is that in this little bunch of bushes the thunders are 

 hatched out by quite a small bird, about as large, say their medicine-men, who pro- 

 fess to have seen it, as the end of a man's thumb. She sits on her eggs, and they 

 hatch out in claps of thunder. No one approaches within several rods of the place. — 

 G, C. 



(See Nos. 33G and 337.) 



479. Sac and Fox Indians sailing in canoes, by holding up their blankets. Painted 



in 1836 at Rock Island. 



(Plate No. 294, page 214, vol. 2, Catlin's Eight Years.) 



The Sacs and Foxs, like all other Indians, are fond of living along the banks of 

 rivers and streams, and, like all others, are expert swimmers and skillful canoemen. 



Their canoes, like those of the Sioux and many other tribes, are dug out from a log, 

 and generally made extremely light; and they dart them through the coves and 

 along the shores of the rivers with astonishing quickness. I was often amused at 

 their freaks in their canoes whilst traveling ; and I was induced to make a sketch of 

 one which I frequently witnessed, that of sailing with the aid of their blankets which 

 the men carry ; and when the wind is fair stand in the bow of the canoe and hold by 

 two corners, with the other two under the foot or tied to the leg (Plate 294, No. 479), 

 while the women sit in the other end of the canoe and steer it with their paddles. — 

 G. C. 



480. Grand Tournament of the Camanches, and a sham fight in a large encamp- 



ment on the borders of Texas. Painted in 1834, on First Dragoon cam- 

 paign. 



(No plate.) 



481. Bogard, Batiste, and I, traveling through a Missouri bottom, grass 10 feet high. 



Paiuted in 1832. 



482. Band of Sioux moving. Painted in 1835. 



(No plate.) 



483. Bogard, Batiste, and I, descending the Missouri River. Painted in 1832. 



484. Bogard, Batiste, and I, eating our breakfast on a pile of driftwood, Upper 



Missouri. Painted in 1832. 



485. Medicine Buffalo of the Sioux, the figure of a buffalo cut out of the turf on 



the prairie, and visited by the Indians going on a buffalo hunt. 



486. Bogard, Batiste, and I, chasing a herd of buffalo in high grass, on a Missouri 



bottom. Painted in 1832. 

 (No plate.) 

 6744 22 



