Volume 1

SIGNIFICANT SHAKES OF THE TAIL. 353
first-rate horses, such as are trained for war, or noted for
running, can hardly be had for any quantity of goods.
The only article that will induce them to part with a horse
of this kind is a white buffalo hide. They have a superstition
that many superior virtues are contained in a skin
of this kind, and imagine it to be the most essential
article an Indian can possess. Every individual who wishes
to appear of any consequence must have at least one hide,
and the more he has, the greater his importance.
The manner of offering a hide of this kind for sale
is rather extraordinary. The person who has brought
it to the Missourie gives out that on such a day he will
expose it for sale in a certain hut. That morning he
fixes two sticks in the ground with a crotch to support
the ends of a pole, about four feet in length, over which
he stretches the skin, raised about three feet from the
ground, the tail hanging downward. When he takes his
station nearby, the sale commences by a native bringing
a horse, which he ties in the hut. But as this is not a
sufficient price, the owner of the hide casts a look at it,
and, without saying a word, takes hold of the tail of the
hide, and gives it a gentle shake, which signifies " not
enough." Soon another horse is brought, generally loaded
with corn, beans, etc. The owner of the hide again gently
shakes the tail, and continues to do so until they have
brought in six or eight horses, loaded with corn, beans,
robes, garnished leggings, shoes, smocks, etc. Not until
he has secured an enormous payment does he cease to
shake the tail at every article that the natives bring to
add to the price. But when they imagine they have
given enough for the hide, they then bring mere trifles,
just to keep tally with the tail. The owner, who then
perceives there is no prospect of getting anything more
of consequence, rises from his seat, and shakes the tail
no more, which is considered as the conclusion of the
sale. The hide is then taken away, cut into strips, and
distributed among those who gave anything toward the