Fig. 86.—Wounded by an enemy. Hidatsa.
A red feather denotes that the wearer was wounded in an encounter with an enemy. Figure 86.
Fig. 87.—Killed a woman. Hidatsa.
A narrow strip of rawhide or buckskin is wrapped from end to end with porcupine quills dyed red, though sometimes a few white ones are inserted to break the monotony of color; this strip is attached to the inner surface of the rib or shaft of the quill by means of very thin fibers of sinew. This signifies that the wearer killed a woman belonging to a hostile tribe. The figure so decorated is shown in Figure 87. In very fine specimens it will be found that the quills are directly applied to the shaft without resorting to the strap of leather.
Fig. 88.—Killed an enemy. Dakota.
The following scheme, used by the Dakotas, is taken from Dahcotah, or Life and Legends of the Sioux around Fort Snelling, by Mrs. Mary Eastman. New York, 1849. Colors are not given, but red undoubtedly predominates, as is known from personal observation.
A spot upon the larger web denotes that the wearer has killed an enemy. Figure 88.