32 
KAIOWA DRESS AND ORNAMENTS.—COUNCIL. 
apparently construed into a claim to receive tribute from every party of whites they might 
meet. Co-tat-sin, (Caballo Alazan,) the great chief of the Kai-o-was, is said to he upon a 
buffalo-hunt north. Some, who appeared to he sub-chiefs, with faces painted yellow, had 
colored the tops of their heads, where the long black hair was parted, with vermilion. Their 
noses were long and aquiline, chins beardless, and eyes small, bright, and sparkling. Their 
foreheads were retreating, and their cheek-bones high and ugly. They carried superb bows of 
bois d’arc, ornamented with brass nails, silver plates, and wampum beads. The arrows were 
about twenty-eight inches in length, with steel points and tinted feather trimmings. The 
quiver and belt, of wolfskin, were wrought with beads. They wore moccasins and buckskin 
leggins, covered with wampum and bead-work, and fastened with silver buckles. From the 
crown of their heads was suspended a queue of horse-hair, reaching nearly to the ground, orna¬ 
mented with ten circular plates of silver, from one to three inches in diameter, and terminated 
by a silver crescent and wampum. They wore no pendants from the nose, but in their ears 
were brass rings, from which hung chains and bugle-beads of bone or iridescent shells, reach¬ 
ing far down upon the shoulders. Similar ornaments were worn around the neck. All had 
bracelets of brass-wire or silver bands. One of the chiefs had suspended from his neck a large 
silver cross, weighing half a pound or more, curiously wrought, and terminated with a cres¬ 
cent ; a trophy, probably, from some Mexican church. Hanging upon a post in the village 
was a still more elaborate head-dress. It consisted of a cap, richly embroidered with wam¬ 
pum, with a pendant eight feet long trailing behind, ornamented with a row of scarlet- 
dyed goose quills, which, when worn, stand perpendicularly from the body. We tried to 
purchase some of these fine things; but the Indians said that they loved their ornaments, 
and could not part with them. Truly, in our whole train we had nothing to vie with them 
in magnificence to temjit an exchange. At length, the chiefs were invited to be seated in 
what they deemed the grand council. A pipe was passed around from hand to hand, and it 
was noticed that the first puff of each was directed towards the sun. The old chief then spoke. 
He said that at a short distance were two other camps, where immense numbers of Kai-o-was 
were congregated. He boasted of their general good conduct towards Americans; claimed 
particular friendship with us, and closed by asking, distinctly, for the reward which he said 
the good Indian agent had promised them. We replied, that our Great Chief at Washing¬ 
ton had sent us a long journey, through many Indian tribes, and had given us merely a few 
presents, to indicate, to the good people we might meet, his approbation, and that if they 
continued friendly to small parties of emigrants, government would protect and assist them. 
A red blanket, some beads and tobacco, were then given to each of the five chiefs. They 
looked disdainfully at the gifts, and said that the good white-haired father had led them 
to expect at least a blanket for each individual of the band, besides calico for the Avomen and 
children, and that on these terms only could they be friends to Americans. They were told 
that the government gave free gifts only, and nothing upon compulsion ; to return their 
presents if they were dissatisfied, and we would try what effect powder and ball would have 
towards preserving peace. Besides, we had another account to settle with them regarding cer¬ 
tain Mexican captives, whom we wished to restore to their friends. This unexpected demand 
upon our part created great commotion. The old chief seemed almost convulsed with anger. 
The placid expression of his countenance was changed to one of black malignity. He said it 
was not the part of a friend to come among them and separate Avives and children from hus¬ 
bands and fathers. We told him that none Avould be taken except such as wished to go. After a 
while he agreed that, if they Avan ted to accompany us, and Ave would give him a “heap of 
things,” he would consent. But lie begged that at least Ave would give them something to eat, 
as they Avere hungry. As the storm was lu led, and the fear of aggression Avas evidently upon 
their side, Ave thought Ave could afford to be generous, and gave them a coav for beef. Good 
humor Avas at once restored, and they proposed to kill the cow, as if she Avere a Avild buffalo ; 
so mounting their horses, and goading the animal into madness, they pursued and pierced her 
Avith arrows until she fell exhausted. 
