390 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



cite the unquestionable authorities of the excellent Rev. Mr. Parker, who has pub- 

 lished his interesting tour across the Rocky Mountains, Lewis and Clarke, Captain 

 Bonneville, and others ; and I allege it to be a truth, that the reason why we find 

 them as they are uniformly described, a kind and inoffensive people, is that they 

 have not as yet been abused, that they are in their primitive state, as the Great Spirit 

 made and endowed them, with good hearts and kind feelings, unalloyed and untainted 

 by the vices of the money-making world. 



To the same fact, relative to the tribes on the Columbia River, I have been allowed 

 to quote the authority of H. Beaver, a very worthy and kind reverend gentleman ot 

 England, who has been for several years past living with these people, and writes to 

 me thus : 



"I shall be always ready, with pleasure, to testify my perfect accordance with the 

 sentiments I have heard you express, both in your public lectures and private con- 

 versation, relative to the much-traduced character of our red brethren, particularly 

 as it relates to their honesty, hospitality, and peacefulness, throughout the length 

 and breadth of the Columbia. Whatever of a contrary disposition has at any time, 

 in those parts, been displayed by them, has, I am persuaded, been exotic, and forced 

 on them by the depravity and impositions of the white traders." — Pages 113, 114, vol^ 

 2, Catlin's Eight Years. 



Mr. Catlin did not visit the Columbia River Indians until 1854-'55 # 

 (See Itinerary for 1854-'55, herein.) 



ARMS. 



So, then, is the sachem (the Buffalo's Back Fat) dressed ; and in a very similar 

 manner, and almost the same, is each of the other head men, and all are armed 

 with bow and quiver, lance and shield. These Northwestern tribes are all armed with 

 the bow and lance, and protected with the shield or arrow-fender, which is carried 

 outside of the left arm, exactly as the Roman and Grecian shield was carried, and for 

 the same purpose. 



There is an appearance purely classic in the plight and equipment of these war- 

 riors and " knights of the lance." They are almost literally always on their horses' 

 backs, and they wield their weapons with desperate effect upon the open plains, where 

 they kill their game while at full speed, and contend in like manner in battles with 

 their enemies. There is one prevailing custom in these respects amongst all the 

 tribes who inhabit the groat plains or prairies of these western regions. These plains 

 afford them an abundance of wild and fleet horses, which are easily procured, and on 

 their backs, at full speed, they can come alongside of any animal, which they easily 

 destroy. 



BOWS. 



The bow with which they are armed is small, and apparently an insignificant weapon, 

 though one of great and almost incredible power in the hands of its owner, whose 

 sinews have been from childhood habituated to its use and service. The length of 

 these bows is generally about three feet and sometimes not more than two and a 

 half. (Plate 78a.) They have, no doubt, studied to get the requisite power in the 

 smallest compass possible, as it is more easily and handily used on horseback than 

 one of greater length. The greater number of these bows are made of ash, or of 

 "bois d'arc" (as the French call it), and lined on the back with layers of buffalo or 

 deer's sinews, which are inseparably attached to them, and give them great elasticity. 

 There are very many also (amongst the Blackfeet and Crows) which are made of 

 bone, and others of the horns of the mountain sheep. Those made of bone are de- 

 cidedly the most valuable, and cannot in this country be procured of a good quality 

 short of the price of one or two horses. About these there is a mystery yet to be 

 solved, and I advance my opinion against all theories that I have heard in the coun- 

 try where they are used and made. I have procured several very fine specimens, 



