ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



337 



skin, on the top of which, they place a pad, from 

 which are suspended stirrups, made of wood, and 

 covered with the skin of the testicles of the buf- 

 faloe. 



Some of these Indians have forty or fifty 

 horses ; and they attach a great value to those, 

 that are distinguished for their speed. Whenev- 

 er an Assiniboin sells a racer, he separates from 

 him, in a most affectionate manner. Immediately 

 before delivering him to the purchaser, he steps 

 up to the favourite animal, and whispers in his 

 ear, telling him not to be cast down or angry 

 with his master for disposing of him to another, 

 for, he adds, " you shall not remain long where 

 you are. I sold you to obtain certain Articles, 

 that I stood in great need of; but before many 

 nights have passed, I will come and steal you 

 away." And, unless great vigilance on the part 

 of the purchaser prevent, he generally fulfils his 

 promise ; for they are the greatest horse thieves, 

 perhaps upon the face of the earth. As there 

 never falls much snow on the , large plains, 

 the horses have not much difficulty in find- 

 ing a sufficiency of grass, on which to subsist, 

 during the whole year ; and they are generally in 

 good order. 



The Indians who reside about large lakes and 

 rivers, voyage about in the summer season, in ca- 

 43 



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