SOCIAL ORGANIZE I tON. 95 



when game was scarce and the tribe threatened with 

 starvation. Some of their regalia will be found in the 

 Museum. 



These societies for both men and women in their 

 fundamental and widely distributed features, must be 

 set down with the camp circle as one of the most 

 characteristic social traits of the Plains. 



Social Distinction. 



There being no such thing as individual ownership of 

 land, property consisted of horses, food, utensils, etc. 

 These were possessed in varying degrees by the in- 

 dividual members of a tribe, but in no case was the 

 amount of such property given much weight in the 

 determination of social position. Anyone in need of 

 food, horses, or anything whatsoever, was certain to 

 receive some material assistance from those who had 

 an abundance. Among most tribes, the lavish giving 

 away of property was a sure road to social distinction. 

 Yet, the real aristocrats seem to have been those with 

 great and good deeds to their credit. The Dakota, 

 Blackfoot, Cheyenne, and no doubt others, had a more 

 or less definite system for the grading of war deeds, 

 among the highest being the "coup," or the touching 



running off Piegan horses; (j) Double Runner, carrying a medicine-pipe, 

 took a bow from a Gros Ventre and then killed him ; (k) Double Runner 

 took a shield and a horse from a Crow tipi, a dog barked and he was 

 hotly pursued; (m) he killed two Gros Ventre and took two guns; 

 (n) he captured a Gros Ventre woman and a boy; (o) he took four 

 mules. 



