Volume 1

;
38o
LE BORGNE LORD OF LAW AND LIFE.
and the width of his mouth, make ample amends for that
single deficiency, and give him the aspect of a fierce, savage
brute. His countenance fully denotes his character, which
is that of a brave, enterprising warrior. This man is the
great chief of the Big Bellies, and, indeed, the principal
man in the five villages ; whatever he says is law. On
many occasions he has displayed his personal bravery in
civil quarrels, and in disturbances between his own tribe
and the Mandanes, in every one of which he has gained the
advantage and succeeded in his own plans, not always without
the death of his adversary, which no individual dared
avenge. He is the oldest of five brothers, and appears to
be about 45 years of age.
On our arrival the principal men among the Schians were
busy riding around at full speed, both within and without
the camp, haranguing with great vehemence, ordering the
people to receive their friends well, take them into their
tents, give them plenty to eat, secure their property from
theft, exchange their own commodities upon equal terms,
and cheat or wrong nobody. By this time our main body
had entered the camp and were formed in the center ;
the
young men, as usual, singing, whilst the old men and war
chiefs continually galloped around, haranguing their own
people to deal fairly with the rest, and be guilty of no
foolish pranks, but make a firm and lasting peace with a
people whom they should now consider their best friends.
This formal business continued for some time, until all the
women had been invited into different tents; then the men
ceased haranguing and singing, dismounted, and sent
their
horses to feed and rest—which many of them greatly needed
after the violent exercise they had taken since morning.
During all these performances Le Borgne never once
unconcernedly smoking and
looked out of his tent, but sat
talking with us. His manners appeared pleasant ;
in conversation
a perpetual smile played upon his countenance
when matters did not please him he still smiled, but it was
then a ghastly grin. To his women he is a mere brute ;
he