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Show PLAINS AND MOUNTAINS. 215 muscle ( the large muscle ' on the side of the chest) and then transfix it with a knife, making an incision large enough to pass in a stout stick ; to this stick was attached a rope with the other end fastened to the top of a pole set in the ground. When this was done the Indian would pull back until he tore out the stick through the skin and flesh, and if unable to accomplish it by a steady pull, he would forcibly throw himself backward, hoping by a sudden jerk to overco me the resistance of the tissues. The friend who observed all this represented that in one instance the savage had trans fixed the muscle so deeply as to be unable, without assist ance to tear it through, so he had his pony fastened to him, and made to pull until he was liberated ; when his conduct was applauded by the loudest shouts of his companions* After subjecting themselves to this ordeal, they ranked higher in the tribe, and seemed very proud of their new honor. Captain Burton, when he visited the Far West in 1860, in speaking of the power of endurance in the Indian, says: " their fortitude and endurance of pain is the result, as in the prize- fighter, of undeveloped brain." If the Captain-should again visit this country, and be invited to the floor of the House of Representatives, he might not be very cordially received by all its members. There are things connected with the habits of the Indian I might mention, but I have already extended this chapter longer than I intended, and I must now add something about his character and conduct toward the whites who-chance to be in his country. " The noble red man " is a prolific subject for the novel ist, who knows nothing about his real character, and the " Poor Indian" is made to live in song very prejudicial to the character. of those who have to deal with him. The settler in the Far West, and the immigrantjourneying across the continent, regard the red- skin in a very different light from the novelist and the poet. I know of but two or three Indians of the Rocky Mountain tribes who are supposed, even by the pseudo- humanitarians in the vi- |