128 
warrior to the highest honors, especially if his father or an uncle 
enjoyed the dignity of chief before him, and he has a numerous 
family ready to maintain his authority and avenge his quarrels. Yet 
when the seniors and warriors have installed him with all the 
requisite ceremonies, it must not be supposed that he, on this account, 
arrogates to himself the least exterior appearance of rank or dignity. 
He is too well aware that his rank hangs by a frail thread, which 
may quite easily be broken. He must gain the confidence of his 
uncertain subjects, or retain them by fear. A great many families 
in the village are better off than the chief; dress better, are richer 
in arms, horses, and other possessions. Like the ancient German 
chiefs, he gains the confidence and attachment of his soldiers, first 
by his bravery, more frequently by presents, which only serve to 
impoverish him the more. If a chief does not succeed in gaining 
the love of his subjects, they will despise his authority and quit 
him at the slightest opposition on his part; for the customs of the 
Indians admit no conditions by which they may enforce respect from 
their subjects.’’ i 
Cutting across the division of the plains’ tribes into bands, 
however, was another division into societies or fraternities, whose 
members might belong to any band. Their number, organization, and 
functions varied somewhat from tribe to tribe. The Sarcee, who 
closely followed the Blackfoot, had five, all restricted to men; but one 
was a junior society in which young men had to enroll before they 
were eligible for the others. Each society held an annual dance that 
lasted four days, and during that period its leaders virtually con- 
trolled the entire camp. At other times three at least of the societies 
acted as police, under the general supervision of the head chief and 
tribal council; they regulated the life in camp and on the march, kept 
guard when enemies were near, and punished all infringements of the 
rules that governed the communal buffalo hunt. How serious might 
be this last duty can be seen from the functions of a similar police 
force among the Assiniboine. 
They first choose a band of warriors to hinder the hunters from 
leaving camp, either alone or in detached companies, lest the bisons 
be disturbed, and thus be driven away from the encampment. The 
law against this is extremely severe; not only all the Indians of the 
1 De Smet: Op. cit., vo!. ii, p, 1124. Cf. Tlioiiip.son : Op. CJt., p. 364 ft". 
