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Show 222 AU'rOBIOGRAPHY OF ground, made them form a line, and proceeded to make a selection. The aged, the ill-favored, and the matrons we withdrew from the body, telling them to return to the village, and depart without clamor. They went away in sullenness, with their eyes flashing fire. The remainder, to the number of fifty-nine, very attractive looking young women, we carried along with us ; and as we were but three miles distant from their village, and could plainly see the smoke of their lodges, we <leemed it prudent to lose no .time in making our way llome. There were three warriors in the company of the women when first descried, but they were not indosed in our surround, and we could find no traces of 1 hem in any direction. On our return toward home the captives were, as usual, gloomy for an hour or two; but they very quick- 1 y brightened, and amused us with their smiles and conversation during the whole of the journey. In four days we reached the village, and were received with ''thunders of applause." Four of the prisoners were adjudged my prizes, who, according to Indian customs, became my sisters. For my services in this expedition I was honored with the name of Boah-hish-a (Red Fish). Our prisoners were kindly received, and treated with becoming attention. I carried my four sisters to my lodge, and distributed them among my relatives. _ They were all married to Crow braves, and added materially to the strength of my band of relatives; for it is esteemed a great honor to marry the sister of a great brave, which appellation I had long borne. Pine Leaf had captured two prisoners, and offered me one of them to wife. I answered, "You once told me I had already wives enough. I will not add to their number until I marry the heroine of the Crow nation." / . , I I |