INDIAN NATIONS, &C.-BQOK I. 
71 
many wounded. In this they bear a strong resemblance to the 
Arabs; it is the result of the theatre of war on which they en¬ 
gage, the open plains, and not the want of courage. 
Nearly all the nations of the N W. side, are descendants of 
the Sioux, and at peace with each other, but with scarcely an ex¬ 
ception, at war with those on the S- W. side. These nations have 
considerable trade or traffic with each other. The Sioux have 
for this purpose regular fairs, or assemblages, at stated periods. 
The same thing prevails with the nations on the S. W. side of 
the Missouri. Those towards the south, have generally vast 
numbers of horses, mules, and asses, which they obtain in trade, 
or war, from the Spaniards or nations immediately bordering on 
New Mexico. These animals are chiefly transferred to the na¬ 
tions N. E. of the river, by such of the southern tribes as hap¬ 
pen to be on good terms with them, who obtain in exchange Eu¬ 
ropean articles, procured from the British traders. Their stock of 
horses requires to be constantly renewed by thefts or purchases: 
from the severity of the climate and the little care taken of the 
foals, the animal would otherwise be in danger of becom¬ 
ing extinct Their mode of trading with each other is perfect¬ 
ly primitive. There is no bargaining or dispute about price; 
a nation or tribe comes to a village, encamps near it, and after de¬ 
monstrations on both sides of a thousand barbarous civilities, as 
sincere as those which are the result of refinement, one of the 
parties makes a general present of all such articles as it can con¬ 
veniently spare: the other a short time after makes in return a 
similar present, the fair is then concluded by a variety of games, 
sports and dances. They hold the mode of trading by the 
whites, in great contempt; tney say it displays a narrow and 
contemptible soul to be weighing and counting every trifle; the 
price is usually fixed by the chief and his council, and the na¬ 
tion as well as traders must submit. 
Their arms consist principally of bows, spears, clubs, and 
light fusees. But the bow, particularly in hunting, is still the 
principal weapon. Like all savages they are superstitious. It ap¬ 
peared to me that if they had any particular object of adoration 
it was the buffaloe head. They place it in every hoiy or sacred 
spot of ground, and each lodge or tent, has one or two, to which 
