Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1833-01-10

! HlsSt ulDeS OF INDIANS IN Nortn
America, inasmuch as they are less known
to the world, and more clearly in their
persons and more richly dressed than any
other Indians on the continent. This tour
Up, the Mississippi presents to me the ST.
onx, Kicarees, Mandans, Gros-yentfes or
Minaterees, Assinaboins, Creeks, Ojibe-
ways, Grows, Black-feet, Snakes, Della
wares, and Shawnees.. All these nations
OF Indians speak different languages, and
most OF. them differ in their dress, domes-
TIC habits, amusements, &c. and ifmy life
IS spared for few years, my unweafied
exertions will enable me to Law pretty
fair representation of them, together with
tho other tribes of North America, before
the world. &a 81 SsfA
I The splendid costume and elegant taste
/ with which the Grows and Black feet dress
and ornament themselves, can only be app
preciased or realized by those. that can see
them. / shall devote further letter en-
\ tirely to the costume and domestic habits
peculiar to each nation, where you will be
able to get detailed account, and form a
correct idea Of the beauty of their dress
and department. '@'' E
AS far as my travels have led me into
the Indian country, have more than re-
allied my former predictions, that those
| Indians who could be found most entirely
IN a state of nature, without the least
knowledge of civilized society, would be
found to be the most clearly in their per-
sons-elegant in their dress and manners,
and enjoying life to the greatest perfection
Every one of these red sons ofthe for
est, Tor rather the praifie,9 is a knight and
lord his squaws are his slaves. The on
iy thing which he deems worthy Of his ex-
ertions, is to mount his snorting steed with
his bow and culver slung, his arrow-shield
upon hisarm, and his long lance glis,ening
in the war parade-or, Invested of all his
plumes and trappings, armed witt, his sim
pie bow and culver, TO plunge his steed a.
Imongst the flying herds of huffaloes, and
\ with his sinewy bow, which he never bends
in vain, to dive deep in life's fountain the
whzzing arrow. The buffalo herds which
always Craze upon these beautiful. prairies
in countless numbers, afford them album
dance of meat and so much is it prefer
red to all other, that the deer, the elk, and
the antelope, sport upon the prairies in
herds in tho greatest security, as the In
dams never kill them unless they want
their skin for dress.
4 Whenever Mr.. M'Kensie's ice-honse is
nearly empty of beef, he. starts with three
or four men on horseback, with two OF
three carts following at a distance, and of.
tentimes, they will ride amongst band o.
( them, and in few minutes kill ten OF
twelve Of them, selecting the latest Of the
herd. These scenes are exceedingly spir-
tied and beautiful, furnishing decidedly the
finest subjects for the pencil of any sporting
scenes in the world. The horses in sthi
country are all trained TO il, and know ex
actly how to approach the animal, withou
n being guided BY the bit. "A sh0rt light gu
is used for the purpose; the rider guide
his horse until he has selected the objec
! Of his prey; he directs his horse to it, thel
I the, horse at full speed approaches tb,
animal on the right side, within eight OF
ten feet, when the shot is generally giver
with such precision through the vital part.
Of the body, that he seldom runs hun.
dred yards before he falls.
Il rode in the midst or several Of these
scenes rather to study than to slay. In
one Of them, however, finding my horse had
brought me so fairly alongside Of bull Of
tu0 largest SIACS OouSubp % uVESS Hou
the enthusiasm of the chase, and with my
double-barrelled piece. so disabled him
\ that he was Immediately left by the band
i halted, and saw my comrades sweeping
over the prairies, mingled in the midst d
4 the herd, and leaving at every few rods
the dying victims on the plains. I was
& willing to stop the pursuit, for found thai
i had luckily so disabled my bull that he
could make none, or but little advance up
on me, although he was continually rising
{ and swelling himself with the most fright
j ful rage, and sendeavoring to pitch upon
me. He was scene for the painter OF
the statuary, one worthy Of The sublime
Il IDEAS of Michael Angelo. Not the tiger nor
i the black named lion of Africa could have
looked half 80 furious or frightfuI. Idefy
j the world to produce an animal in his looks
SO furious and frighuul as the Buffalo Bull
when he is reused into rage, with his lone
! shaggy name covering bis shoulders and
falling to the ground. In this condition !
drew nv sketch book from my pocket
and by riding towards and around him, and
exciting his fury, was enabled to catch
the yery attitudes and expressions that
4 wanted. The party returning. at length,
with some anxiety for my safety, and find
Iins me dismounted and busiIy engaged
II "a "a. :,,f,r;atad ssranflasisas. haforo me