To understand
these apparent incongruities, one must know their principles of warfare.
A war party, however triumphant, if they lose a warrior in the fight,
bring back a cause of mourning to their people, which casts a shade over
the glory of their achievement. Hence, the Indian is often less fierce
and reckless in general battle, than he is in a private brawl; and
the chiefs are checked in their boldest undertakings by the fear of
sacrificing their warriors.
This peculiarity is not confined to the Blackfeet. Among the Osages,
says Captain Bonneville, when a warrior falls in battle, his comrades,
though they may have fought with consummate valor, and won a glorious
victory, will leave their arms upon the field of battle, and returning
home with dejected countenances, will halt without the encampment, and
wait until the relatives of the slain come forth and invite them to
mingle again with their people.
29.
Winter camp at the Portneuf--Fine springs--The Bannack
Indians--Their honesty--Captain--Bonneville prepares for an
expedition--Christmas--The American--Falls--Wild scenery--
Fishing Falls--Snake Indians--Scenery on the Bruneau--View
of volcanic country from a mountain--Powder River--
Shoshokoes, or Root Diggers--Their character, habits,
habitations, dogs--Vanity at its last shift
IN ESTABLISHING his winter camp near the Portneuf, Captain Bonneville
had drawn off to some little distance from his Bannack friends, to avoid
all annoyance from their intimacy or intrusions.
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