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Show 74 he left, muttering something to himself which sounded like " Him no eat urn! Wash ton no like urn !" In the fine - arts this tribe has not advanced beyond the first rude attempts at drawing and painting. Yet in almost every lodge, the talent of the artist is displayed upon the canvas in the painting of animals and the representation of historical battles. On one tent the figures were supposed to chronicle a memorable fight with the A- rap'- a- hoes, and represent the horses and trophies captured from them on that occasion. Not being able to write, this is the only method of recording historical events. The colors used in the production of these paintings are applied indiscriminately, with the same disregard to nature as the parts of the figures are disproportionate. Usually the horses are green, blue, or yellow, and the most gaudy hues are daubed over everything. An Indian in his aboriginal state invariably rides bare- backed, bat gradually, of late years, saddles have been finding their way among the different tribes, and the Utes are adopting them whenever they can obtain any. In the absence of regular saddles they make very rude ones, particularly for the squaws and for pack- saddles. A squaw rides as a man, and it is a matter of wonder that she can keep her seat for so long a time on such an angular, hard, uncomfortable contrivance. These saddles are made of wood, covered with parchment or stiff skiu, and over them blankets are laid to make them endurable. The stirrups have a very antique appearance, and are constructed of thin pieces of wood, covered with raw- hide. In their domestic arrangements ' the American Indians have little need for many culinary utensils. An iron pot or kettle hung over the fire on poles, a couple of water- vessels, and some wooden bowls are the extent of the cooking implements. The water- vessels are made after the shape of some used by the ancients, and are woven out of willow twigs. The interior is coated with gum or pitch and thus is reudered water- tight. At almost any time of the day can an Indian female be seen wending her way to the river, Rebecca like, with her vessel carelessly thrown over her shoulder. Most of the young bucks are vain and fond of show. Ornaments and trinkets are profusely spread over their dress, and dandies among the savages are as common as in our cities. An ornament which is worn generally among the better classes, is in the shape of a cap- box, in which gun- caps are carried. This is suspended upon the breast by a bead neck- lace passing around the neck. Beads, ear- rings, brass tacks, wampum, rings, and other gew- gaws are stuck on their persons in every available place. Resulting from a depraved superstition, a medicine-sack is absolutely indispensable to the personal safety of each and every brave. This wards off sickness and calamity, in the absence of which, pain, death, and the devil would rule supreme. These medicine charms are of various forms to suit the taste of the wearer. They are usually leather or skin sacks, an inch or two in diameter, beautified with beads and filled with sulphur, red powder, or any other substance supposed to possess an omnipotent charm. They are usually worn by a string, on the breast. The pappooses resemble their white brothers and sisters in their natural dispositions and amusements. The smaller Indians play, laugh, cry, and act precisely as other children, and toys are as much a necessity with them as with our little ones. Near one lodge I picked up a mud- horse with wooden legs, made by a small pappoose; and in this respect, these children possess, perhaps, more ingenuity than those having greater advantages; necessity being the mother of invention. |