ometimes the conchas were left out
altogether; they may have the owner's totem on them, usually a
bunch of ermine tails hung from each side of the bonnet just below
the concha. A bunch of horsehair will answer as well; (_hh_)
the holes in the leather for holding the lace of the feather; 24
feathers are needed for the full bonnet, without the tail, so they
are put less than an inch apart; (_iii_) the lacing holes on
the tail: this is as long as the wearer's feathers call for; some
never have any tail.

10. Side view of the leather framework, showing a pattern
sometimes used to decorate the front.

11, 12 and 13. Beadwork designs for front band of bonnet; all have
white grounds. No. 11 (Arapaho) has green band at top and bottom
with red zigzag. No. 12 (Ogallala) has blue band at top and
bottom, red triangles; the concha is blue with three white bars
and is cut off from the band by a red bar. No. 13 (Sioux) has
narrow band above and broad band below blue, the triangle red, and
the two little stars blue with yellow centre.

14. The bases of three feathers, showing how the lace comes out
of the cap leather, through the eye or loop on the bottom of the
quill, and in again.

15. The completed bonnet, showing how the feathers of the crown
should spread out, also showing the thread that passes through the
middle of each feather on inner side to hold it in place; another
thread passes from the point where the two straps (_c_ in 9)
join, then down through each feather in the tail.

The Indians now often use the crown of a soft felt hat for the
basis of a war bonnet.

N.B. A much easier way to mark the feather is to stick on it near
the top an oval of white paper and on this draw the symbol with
waterproof ink.

[Illustration: Grand Coup for taking Scalp in Enemy's Camp G.C. for
slapping his face Coup for stealing his Horse]

"My, I wish I could go out there and be with those fellows," and Yan
sighed as he compared his commonplace lot with all this romantic
splendour.

"Guess you'd soon get sick of it. I know _I_ did," was the
answer; "forever shooting and killing, never at peace, never more than
three meals ahead of starvation and just as often three meals behind.
No, siree, no more for me."

"I'd just like to see you start in horse-stealing for honours round
here," observed Sam, "though I know wh