across them, and stretch a canvas covering over it, in the same
manner as with the "_tente d'abri_."
The Sioux, Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Utes, Snakes, Blackfeet, and Kioways
make use of the Comanche lodge, covered with dressed buffalo hides.
All the Prairie Indians I have met with are the most inveterate
beggars. They will flock around strangers, and, in the most importunate
manner, ask for every thing they see, especially tobacco and sugar;
and, if allowed, they will handle, examine, and occasionally pilfer
such things as happen to take their fancy. The proper way to treat them
is to give them at once such articles as are to be disposed of, and
then, in a firm and decided manner, let them understand that they are
to receive nothing else.
A party of Keechis once visited my camp with their principal chief, who
said he had some important business to discuss, and demanded a council
with the _capitan_. After consent had been given, he assembled his
principal men, and, going through the usual preliminary of taking a
_big smoke_, he arose, and with a great deal of ceremony commenced
his pompous and flowery speech, which, like all others of a similar
character, amounted to nothing, until he touched upon the real object
of his visit. He said he had traveled a long distance over the prairies
to see and have a talk with his white brothers; that his people were
very hungry and naked. He then approached me with six small sticks,
and, after shaking hands, laid one of the sticks in my hand, which he
said represented sugar, another signified tobacco, and the other four,
pork, flour, whisky, and blankets, all of which he assured me his
people were in great need of, and must have. His talk was then
concluded, and he sat down, apparently much gratified with the graceful
and impressive manner with which he had executed his part of the
performance.
It then devolved upon me to respond to the brilliant effort of the
prairie orator, which I did in something like the following manner.
After imitating his style for a short time, I closed my remarks by
telling him that we were poor infantry soldiers, who were always
obliged to go on foot; that we had become very tired of walking, and
would like very much to ride. Furthermore, I had observed that they had
among them many fine horses and mules. I then took two small sticks,
and imitating as nearly as possible the manner of the chief, placed one
in his hand, which I told him was nothing more
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