Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-02-26

strangers even to sclfprvation; the host consider
ing himself bound to procure and present to his
guest the very best lis house or even his camp or
village affords to treat him not only with the most
liberal hospitality but protect and defend him from
insult or loss by theft, even though he should be
the murderro Of his own son Such is their hos
pitaliy none save the host, consider them
selves bound to protect the stranger in the lodge
of another; and they neglect no opportunity to
steal all he possesses And such perfect adopts
are they in this rascaly art, tkatit proverbia
mong traPpers. that Grow Indian can steal the
shirt from mans back without detection They
are supplied With arms and ammunition by the ira
ders in exchange for skins. But they are not
without resources of their own, in supplying them
selves with the means for the destruction OF game,
and for war. They manufacture in the most ex-
quiste style, spears, shields, quivers and bows
and arrows, all of which they will carry and man
age with great dexterity on horseback They are
proud naughty and insolent people, and boast
of their superiority to all other nations, with whom
they are acquainted, in point of valour and the
art of conveying intelligence by signs.
The Crow women are handsome, sprightly and
universally inconstant and, considering their in
fidelity towards their lords and lovers, it is remar
kable characteristic of these savages that jealousy
is unknown among them. But if the husband &C
cidentally finds his wife in the act of being
ed by another, instead of avengng himself by In
stantly numbering, one or both of them, as is The
custom of some nations he deliberately takes
possession of all the effects of the lover, and ap
propriates them to his own use Such is TIT
5 Crowic law Ifit operated alike upon both par
ties the law would be as Just, as it is savage.
Their clothing chiefly consists of loose shirt
a sort of Indian toga- Notwithstanding below tn
knee, and of leggns reaching up to the hips; boil
of which gorgeously decorated with porcupin
quilts and human hair, the latter taken from tn
scalps of those whom they have slain in battle
the whole being coored of various hues. Thei
S garments are made of the skins of the Big-hor
Rocky Mountain Sheep finely dressed, and whe
clean are beautiful They also wear the most el
egantly embroidered moccasin, and frequently,
red, green, or blue blanket is thrown over thei
bodies. Sometimes there may be seen anon
L them, a scarlet chiefs coat elegantly ornamente
with gold lace They rarely wear any thing 0
S the head, which is naturally ornamented with CLOS
sy and flowing hair, unless it be sort of crow
made of the tail feathers of the Calumet or gold
en- Eagle. Thus attired, they engage in horse ra
cling Tor wager, hunt the Buffalo for food,
chase the feet and graceful antelope for pleasure
War parties superbly dressed, and mounted 0
n beautiful steeds go against their enemies ever
summer, and never return until they are successfl
in taking scalp or capturing horses. In the VIII
ter season, similar parties travel foot and al
q often absent many months, suffering thousan
n privations which cannot be borne by the whit
4 man. They traverse the Hottest mountains c
# snow shoes, exposed to the whitening storms while
d prevail among and oversweep them at that incen
: ent season. Often for DAYS without food, they |
down at night shyering with cold, surrounded wit
fuel, yet not daring to knde fire fearful of ben
n discovered by those whom they seek to plumber
Sometimes they pass weeks in concealment sho
g distance from their enemies before opportunit
occurs to capture horses and at the same tin
! unable to move without being discovered, whic
is always the precursor Of death to the party
: foot. An opportunity at last offers, and they lea,
# their hiding place-drive off as many horses
), they can manage, and flee for their lives Certa
of pursuit, they travel by night and by day wit
d out hating, until far enough from their pursue
J., to enable them to Craze their aded and haf-star
ed horses. In the meantime, here come the e
J. asperated enemy, and charging upon them wi
70 the ferocity of so many mad buffaloes carna!
ST and death is seen on all sides. After BLOOD
IS battle Of this sort, it often happens that the so
horses are recaptured, and the robbers return
70 their homes, and await new coming season
,e the indulgence of the chase and plumber. Usu3
=, ly, however, with the advantage of snow stor
to eface their foot prints, such parties elude pc
r. suit and reach home with their booty. And
tv such occasions, as we have seen, they all Join
70 general Jumping Jim Cro,C, with hearty go
l. will, and to some valuable purpose. And like t
70 Chapman's among the small politicians in O
country, after Presidential election, they Or,
considerably