ACCOUNT 6P THE INDIANS. 



327 



look in each others heads, and find lice, of which 

 they have a plenty, both there and on their bod- 

 ies, crush them between their teeth, and frequent- 

 ly swallow them. The reason which they give 

 for this nauseous custom is, that, as the lice have 

 first bitten them, they are only retaliating the in- 

 jury upon them. 



As the Indians use no salt in the preservation 

 of their meat, the lean part is cut into thin slices, 

 and hung up in their tents, and dried in the smoke, 

 and the fat is melted down ; and in this situation, 

 it will keep for years. They make marrow fat, 

 by cutting the joints of the bones, which they 

 boil for a considerable time, and then skim off the 

 top, which is excellent to eat with their dried 

 meat. They find a root in the plains, that is near- 

 ly a foot long, and two or three inches in circum- 

 ference, which is shaped like a carrot, and tastes 

 like a turnip, which they pound fine, and then dry 

 it in the sun. This, when boiled in fat broth, is 

 one of their most dainty dishes, at their feasts. 

 The ordinary drink of the Indians is the brotk of 

 flesh or fish, or only water. 



The Indians on the east side of the Rocky 

 Mountain, pound choke cherries fine, and dry 

 tjiem in the sun, which are palatable, either eaten 

 alone, or boiled in broth. They have also a small 

 berry, about the, size of a common currant, shaped 



