“And what must I tell you now?” said the hunter, as soon as he and the young people had exchanged salutations. “Do you not know enough about the Indians?”
To this inquiry, Brian replied that what they had heard had only increased their curiosity to hear more.
“Well; let me consider,” said the hunter. “I have told you about the different tribes of Indians, their religion, languages, manners and customs; their villages, wigwams, food, dress, arms and musical instruments. I have described to you the fur trade; and dwelt on the scenery of the country, the mountains, rivers, lakes, prairies and many remarkable places. I have related the adventures of Black Hawk and Nikkanochee. And, besides these things, you have had a tolerably full account of buffaloes, bears, wild horses, wolves, deer and other animals, with the manner of hunting them; as well as a relation of Indian amusements, dances, sham fights, war-parties, encampments, alarms, attacks, scalping and retreats. Let me now, then, dwell a little on the Indian way of concluding a treaty of peace, and on a few other matters; after which, I will conclude with the best account I can give you of what the missionaries have done among the different tribes.”
Austin. I shall be very sorry when you have told us all.
Brian. And so shall I: for it is so pleasing to come here, and listen to what you tell us.
Hunter. When it is agreed between hostile tribes that a treaty of peace shall be made, the chiefs and medicine men of the adverse tribes meet together, and the calumet, or peace-pipe, ornamented with eagle quills, being produced, every one smokes a few whiffs through it. It is then understood by them that the tomahawk is to be buried. The pipe-of-peace dance is then performed by the warriors, to the beat of the Indian drum and rattle, every warrior holding his pipe in his hand.
Brian. That pipe-of-peace dance is a capital dance, for then bloodshed is at an end.
Hunter. Unfortunately, war is apt soon to break out again, and then the buried tomahawk becomes as busy as ever.
Austin. Well, I do like the Indians, in spite of all their faults, and I think they have been used cruelly by the whites.
Hunter. As a general remark, those Indians who have had least to do with civilized life are the most worthy of regard. Such as live near white men, or such as are frequently visited by them, seem to learn quickly the vices of others, without giving up their own. To observe the real character of red men, it is necessary to trace the turnings and windings of the Yellow Stone River, or the yet more remote sinuosities of the Upper Missouri. The nearer the United States, the more servile is the Indian character; and the nearer the Rocky Mountains, the more independent and open-hearted.