CHAPTER XXVIII. THE INDIAN VILLAGE-ON THE MOVE-A STAMPEDE-THE WIGWAM-SUPERSTITIONS COOKING-FOOD-DOMESTIC UTENSILS. N the selection of the site of his villages, the Indian consults the elements above and the conveniences afforded by surrounding nature. The lodges or dwellings of the wandering tribes, will almost invariably be found located in a sequestered valley, sheltered from the blasts of the storm and hidden as much as possible from view. The villages are located also with regard to their defense in event of attack, and to afford the conveniences of water, wood, and pasture. The unsettled habits of the plains tribes, from various causes, renders it necessary that the village should be easily transported from one point to another An Indian village on the move is a novel sight. Everything is carried on ponies. The lodge skin is folded and lashed upon the animals back, while the lodge poles having holes in one end for the purpose, are strung on a strip of raw hide and fastened on either side, while the other ends trail on the ground. Across these poles, immediately behind the pony, frequently a light wicker-basket is constructed and used for carrying the sick, decrepit dogs and papooses, or anything else as occasion may require. The lodge-poles being light and springy, and about fifteen feet in length, transportation in this shape is quiet convenient. The utensils and all things connected with the domestic uses of the village are strapped on other ponies, which the women frequently also ride. Sometimes, however, they have separate animals, and assisted by the younger boys, drive the herds and pack-ponies, or else on foot lead them. There is no order observed in moving except the lodge and effects of the first "soldiers" takes the lead, after that the rest fall in promiscuously and as the result of con-stant training follow their leaders. The warriors always ride in advance or on the flanks to keep a vigilant lookout and to give timely notice of the approach of an enemy. At no time are the Indians so powerless to repel an attack as while moving their villages. At the first alarm the women desert their posts, and leaving the herds and effects of the village to look out for themselves, take to flight. In event of a stampede, a part of the warriors surround the moving village, and beat or slay any squaw who attempts to leave. Some one at the head of the drove starts off at a gallop, to direct the movements of the flight. The rest of the warriors take up a position confronting the enemy, and resort to every artifice, such as burning the dry grass and feints. Meanwhile the village is getting out of the way as rapidly as possible. A warrior is never more determined in his ferocity and courage than in defense of his village. The fugitive village while thus in movement, is, naturally, a scene of confusion and uproar. Shouting and shrieking engage the women, while the papooses take the contagion, and in divers key-notes give vent to their alarm in piteous cries, dogs howl, warriors whoop, and the whole mass thunders along to the tread of ponies, raising clouds of dust, dropping utensils, lodge skins, buffalo robes, everything and anything as the flight grows in velocity. The whole movement is a general and disorderly stampede, which keeps up night and day, occasionally taking fresh ponies from the daiven herd, until a courier from the fighting party announces that the enemy has gone. An Indian village will move about fifteen miles a day as a regular journey, but twice that distance can be traveled over in case of flight or emergency. When there is no prospect of alarm, a small party of warriors with the chief, ride ahead and select the site of the village. As soon as this is done, they plant their spears on the ground chosen. They then ride to the highest eminence near by, where they sit and smoke, and keep a vigilant lookout while the band is coming up and the squaws are putting up the lodges. An Indian wigwam, lodge or tepee, as it is sometimes called, has a neatness of finish and an air of elegance about it, which is not generally presented by the abodes of wild men. Its structure consists of buffalo hides, with the hair shaved off, tanned on both sides, by a peculiar process, and whitened. The number of skins thus prepared, necessary to a lodge of liberal dimensions, is from fifteen to twenty. They are neatly fitted, and sewed together strongly with sinews, and are water-tight. The frame of the lodge consists of a number of long thin poles, usually cedar, sometimes fifteen to eighteen feet in length. These poles are set with the heavier ends on the ground, on the periphery of a circle, while the upper ends are brought together and held by a raw hide strap. Over this frame, the skin is drawn and the two ends meeting, are held together by thongs. The appearance of the lodge when completed is that of a cone,with an apere at the top where the poles unite and cross, allowing a space fo. ventilation and the egress of smoke. The entrance which must always face the rising sun is at the lower end, where the skin meets. The origin of the peculiar structure in which the plains Indian dwells, and which is now universal in that section, is said to be Comanche. Upon what grounds cannot now be known, though Coronada in his expedition from Old Mexico in 1540, alludes to the people living in tents made of the skin of the Bison. This referred to the tribes living about the Red river. The Comanches at that time according to their traditions lived beyond the Brazos south, and within the original limits of Old Mexico. Without specially crediting any tribe with the invention of the Bison skin lodge, one fact must be admitted that it is of very ancient origin. The number of occupants of a lodge varies. Sometimes it shelters as many as ten and twelve human beings and half a dozen dogs. According to the official returns of the Indian |