520 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



" * Shou-ka said it, and Sbon-ka can prove it ; if Mah-to-tchee-ga be a man, and 

 wants to be honored by the white men, let him not be ashamed, but let him do as 

 Shon-ka has done — give the white man a horse, and then let him see the whole of your 

 face without being ashamed.' 



" ' When Mah-to-tchee-ga kills a white man and steals his horses, he may be ashamed 

 to look at a white man until he brings him a horse ! When Mah-to-tchee-ga waylays 

 and murders an honorable and a brave Sioux, because he is a coward and not brave 

 enough to meet him in fair combat, then he may be ashamed to look at a white man 

 till he has given him a horse ! Mah-to-tchee-ga can look at any one, and he is now 

 looking at an old woman and a coward ! ' 



"This repartee, which had lasted for a few minutes, to the amusement and excite- 

 ment of the chiefs, being ended thus, the Dog rose suddenly from the ground, and, 

 wrapping himself in his robe, left the wigwam, considerably agitated, having the 

 laugh of all the chiefs upon him. 



"The Little Bear had followed him with his piercing eyes until he left the door, 

 and then pleasantly and unmoved resumed his position, where he sat a few minutes 

 longer, until the portrait was completed. He then rose, and in the most graceful and 

 gentlemanly manner presented to me a very beautiful shirt of buckskin, richly gar- 

 nished with quills of the porcupine, fringed with 6calp-locks (honorable memorials) 

 from his enemies' heads, and painted, with all his battles emblazoned on it. He then 

 left my wigwam, and a few steps brought him to the door of his own, where the Dog 

 intercepted him and asked, ' What meant Mah-to-tchee-ga by the last words that he 

 spoke to Shon-ka?' 'Mah-to-tchee-ga said it, and Shon-ka is not a fool — that is 

 enough.' At this the Dog walked violently to his own lodge and the Little Bear 

 retreated into his, both knowing from looks and gestures what was about to be the 

 consequence of their altercation. 



"The Little Bear instantly charged his gun, and then (as their custom is) threw 

 himself upon his face, in humble supplication to the Great Spirit for his aid and pro- 

 tection. His wife, in the mean time, seeing him agitated, and fearing some evil con- 

 sequences, without knowing anything of the preliminaries, secretly withdrew the 

 bullet from his gun, and told him not of it. 



" The Dog's voice at this moment was heard and recognized at the door of Mah- 

 to-tchee-ga's lodge : ' If Mah-to-tchee-ga be a whole man, let him come out and prove 

 it ; it is Shon-ka that calls him ! ' 



"His wife screamed, but it was too late. The gun was in his hand and he sprang 

 out of the door; both drew and simultaneously fired. The Dog fled uninjured, but 

 the Little Bear lay weltering in his blood (strange to say!), with all that side of his 

 face entirely shot away which had been left out of the picture, and, according to 

 the prediction of the Dog, 'good for nothing; ' carrying away one-ha]f of the jaws 

 and the ilesh from the nostrils and corner of the mouth to the ear, including one eye, 

 and leaving the jugular vein entirely exposed. Here was a ' coup ; ' and any one 

 accustomed to the thrilling excitement that such scenes produce in an Indian village 

 can form some idea of the frightful agitation amidst several thousand Indians, who 

 were divided into jealous bands or clans, under ambitious and rival chiefs! In 

 one minute a thousand guns and bows were seized, a thousand thrilling yells were 

 raised, and many were the fierce and darting warriors who sallied round the Dog for 

 his protection. He fled amidst a shower of bullets and arrows; but his braves were 

 about him! The blood of the Onc-pa-pas was roused, and the indignant braves of 

 that gallant band rushed forth from all quarters, and, swift upon their heels, were hot 

 for vengeance! On the plain, and in full view of us, for some time, the whizzing 

 arrows flew, and so did bullets, until the Dog and his brave followers were lost in 

 distance on the prairie. In this rencontre the Dog had his left arm broken, but suc- 

 ceeded at length in making his escape. 



" On the next day after this affair took place the Little Bear died of his wound, 

 and was buried amidst the most pitiful and heart-rending cries of his distracted wife, 



