a particular regard for the other
nation, he rises and offers himself to the relations the calumet of
conciliation. If refused still, all the children and babes of the
murdered one's family are called into the lodge, and the pipe passed a
third time in that part of the lodge. Then if a child even two or three
months old touches it, the Indians consider the act as a decision of the
great Master of Life, the pipe goes round, the presents are carried in,
and put at the feet of the plaintiffs. When on the contrary, the calumet
passes untouched, the murderer's life alone can satisfy the tribe.

When the chiefs of the tribe of the murderer leave their village to come
and offer excuses, they bring with them the claimed victim, who is well
armed. If he is held in high estimation, and has been a good warrior and
a good man, the chiefs of his tribe are accompanied by a great number of
their own warriors, who paint their faces before entering the council
lodge; some in black with green spots, some all green (the pipe of peace
is always painted green).

The relations of the murdered man stand on one side of the lodge, the
warriors of the other tribe opposite to them. In the centre is the
chief, who is attended by the bearer of the pipe of peace on one side of
him, and the murderer on the other. The chief then makes a speech, and
advances with the pipe-bearer and the murderer towards the relatives of
the deceased; he entreats them, each man separately, to smoke the pipe
which is offered by the pipe-bearer, and when refused, offered to the
next of the relatives.

During this time the murderer, who is well armed, stands by the chiefs
side, advancing slowly, with his arrow or his carbine pointed, ready to
fire at any one of the relations who may attempt to take his life before
the pipe has been refused by the whole of them. When such is the case,
if the chiefs want peace, and do not care much for the murderer, they
allow him to be killed without interference; if, on the contrary, they
value him and will not permit his death, they raise the war-whoop, their
warriors defend the murderer's life, and the war between the two tribes
may be said to have commenced.

Most usually, however, the pipe of peace is accepted, in preference to
proceeding to such extremities.

I will now mention the arms and accoutrement of the Shoshone warriors,
observing, at the same time, that my remarks refer equally to the
Apaches, the Arrapahoes, and the Co