On perceiving these latter signals, the warriors of the nation cast the burdens from the horses, and with their martial weapons ride in full speed to meet them, exhibiting more the appearance of a race, than an ordinary advance to mortal combat.
The hunters, after making the signal for bisons, to induce the people to halt and encamp, return as expeditiously as possible, and on their approach are received with some ceremony. The chiefs and magi are seated in front of their people, puffing smoke from their pipes, and thanking the Master of life, with such expressions as "How-wa-con-da," "Thanks Master of life,"— "How-nin-e-shet-ta-wa-con-da-a-mah-pan-ne-nah-pa-e-wa-rat-a-cum-ba-ra."— "Thank you, Master of life, here is smoke, I am poor, hungry, and want to eat." The hunters draw near to the chiefs and magi, and in a low tone of voice inform them of the discovery of bisons. They are questioned as to the number, and reply by holding up to the view some small sticks in a horizontal position, {189} and compare one herd at a stated distance with this stick, and another with that, &c.
It is then the business of some old man or crier to harangue the people, informing them of the discovery,[pg297] requesting the squaws to keep in good heart, telling them they have endured many hardships with fortitude, that there is now a termination to their difficulties for the present, and that on the morrow the men will go in pursuit of the bisons, and without doubt bring them plenty of meat.
On all occasions of public rejoicings, festivals, dances, or general hunts, a certain number of resolute warriors are previously appointed, to preserve order, and keep the peace. In token of their office they paint themselves entirely black; usually wear the crow, and arm themselves with a whip or war-club, with which they punish on the spot those who misbehave, and are at once both judges and executioners. Thus, at the bison hunts, they knock down or flog those whose manœuvres tend to frighten the game, before all are ready, or previously to their having arrived at the proper point, from which to sally forth upon them.
Four or five such officers, or soldiers, are appointed at a council of the chiefs, held in the evening, to preserve order amongst the hunters for the succeeding day.
On the following morning, all the men, excepting the superannuated, depart early in pursuit of the favourite game. They are generally mounted, armed with bows and arrows. The soldiers of the day accompany the rapidly moving cavalcade on foot, armed with war-clubs, and the whole are preceded by a footman bearing a pipe.
On coming in sight of the herd, the hunters talk kindly to their horses, applying to them the endearing names of father, brother, uncle, &c.; they petition them not to fear the bisons, but to run well, {190} and keep close to them, but at the same time to avoid being gored.
The party having approached as near to the herd as they[pg298] suppose the animals will permit, without taking alarm, they halt, to give the pipe-bearer an opportunity to perform the ceremony of smoking, which is considered necessary to their success. He lights his pipe, and remains a short time with his head inclined, and the stem of the pipe extended towards the herd. He then smokes, and puffs the smoke towards the bisons, towards the heavens, and the earth, and finally to the cardinal points successively. These last they distinguish by the terms sunrise, sunset, cold country, and warm country or they designate them collectively, by the phrase of the four winds, Ta-da-sa-ga-to-ba.
The ceremony of smoking being performed, the word for starting is given by Ongpatonga. They immediately separate into two bands, who pass in full speed to the right and left, and perform a considerable circuit, with the object of enclosing the herd, at a considerable interval, between them.
They then close in upon the animals, and each man endeavours to kill as many of them as his opportunity permits.