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Show r BASIS OF AMERICAN HISTORY [ 1500 after a victory. This was done with the idea of assimilating the powers and desirable qualities of the slain, and was as far as the practice of cannibalism ever went. \ Scalpi# g was a custom over the whole continent north of Mexico, except at certain points on the Pacific slope and among the Eskimo. \ The chief value of the scalp was as a trophy and proof of the warrior's prowess, though there was also, probably, a deeper reason behind the custom. The possession of the scalp may have signified a certain power over the soul of the victim, in a way analogous to similar customs in other parts of the world. \ Scalps were variously worn and displayed by the takers, and often figured in religious ceremonials. Among many Indians, notably in the middle west, a warrior's reputation rested upon the number of " coups" which stood to his credit in the records of the tribe. A coup was a deed of special prowess, and the particular acts which enabled a man to count coup were definitely laid down and universally recognized. The most usual acts which carried the privilege were killing and scalping an enemy, being the first to touch an enemy in an attack, rescuing a wounded fellow, and stealing a horse from the enemy's camp. / The organization of a campaign was usually informal in its beginning/ An individual would announce his intention to conduct a raid and ask for volunteers to accompany him. His success in |