other; they run a tilt, and as each has warded off the blow, and passed
unhurt, they will courteously turn back and salute each other, as an
acknowledgment of their enemy's bravery and skill. When these challenges
take place, or indeed in any single combat without challenge, none of
these Indians will take advantage of possessing a superior weapon. If
one has a rifle and knows that his opponent has not, he will throw his
rifle down, and only use the same weapon as his adversary.

I will now relate some few traits of character, which will prove the
nobility of these Indians[18].

[Footnote 18: There is every prospect of these north-western tribes
remaining in their present primitive state, indeed of their gradual
improvement, for nothing can induce them to touch spirits. They know
that the eastern Indians have been debased and conquered by the use of
them, and consider an offer of a dram from an American trader as an
indirect attempt upon their life and honour.]

Every year during the season dedicated to the performing of the
religious ceremonies, premiums are given by the holy men and elders of
the tribe to those among the young men who have the most distinguished
themselves. The best warrior receives a feather of the black eagle; the
most successful hunter obtains a robe of buffalo-skin, painted inside,
and representing some of his most daring exploits; the most virtuous has
for his share a coronet made either of gold or silver; and these
premiums are suspended in their wigwams, as marks of honour, and handed
down to their posterity. In fact, they become a kind of _écusson_, which
ennobles a family.

Once during the distribution of these much-coveted prizes, a young man