Great Indian Chief of the West | Page 9

the number was increased to five hundred in
each. The standard of the Kish-ko-guis or long hairs, is red, and that of
the Osh-cushis or braves, blue. Every male child, soon after its birth, is
marked with white or black paint, and is classed in one of these two
parties, the mother being careful to apply the two colors alternately, so
that if the number of males in a family be even, each band will receive
an equal number of members, and the whole nation will thus be nearly
equally divided into the two colors of black and white. These
distinctive marks are permanently retained through life, and in painting
themselves for any ceremonies or public occasions, those of one party
use white, the others black paint, in addition to other colors which may
suit their fancy. The reason of this singular custom is for the purpose of
creating and keeping alive a spirit of emulation in the tribe. In their

games, sham-battles and other pastimes, the whites and blacks are
opposed to each other; and in war, each party is ambitious of bringing
home a greater number of scalps than the other.
The chiefs have the management of public affairs, but as we have
already seen are more or less influenced, especially in matters of war or
peace, by the braves. In their councils, questions are not considered,
generally, as decided, unless there be unanimity of opinion. Their laws
are few and simple. Debts are but seldom contracted by them, and there
is no mode of enforcing their collection. For redress of civil injuries, an
appeal is usually made to some of the old men of the tribe, mutually
selected by the parties concerned; and their decision is considered as
binding. A murder among them is seldom punished capitally. The
relatives of the deceased may take revenge in that way, but it is much
more common to receive compensation in property. If the relatives
cannot agree upon the amount of the compensation, the old men of the
tribe interfere and settle it. The kinsfolk of the deceased say, that by
killing the murderer, it will not bring the dead to life, and that it is
better to take the customary presents, which often amount in value to a
considerable sum. Occasionally the murderer arranges the whole matter,
by marrying the widow of the man he has killed. There is but one
offence that is considered of a national character, and that is of rare
occurrence. It consists in aiding the enemies of the tribe, in times of
war, and is punishable with death. A sentinel who has been placed on
duty by a chief, but who neglects it, is publicly whipped by the women.
The Sauks and Foxes have no established mode of declaring war. If
injured by a neighboring tribe they wait a reasonable time for
reparation to be made, and if it is not, they avail themselves of the first
fitting opportunity of taking revenge. The young Indians manifest, at an
early age, a love of war. They hear the old warriors recounting their
exploits, and as the battle-field is the only road to distinction, they
embrace the first chance of killing an enemy. When the question of
going to war is under consideration, some one or a number of them,
undertake to consult the Great Spirit by fasting and dreams. These latter
are related by them in public, and often have their influence, being
generally so interpreted as to inspire confidence in those who may join
the war party. If a party is victorious in battle, the individual who killed

the first enemy, leads them back, and on the way, if they have prisoners
with them, it is not uncommon to kill those who are old. The young
ones are generally adopted into the families of such as have lost
relatives in the battle, or whose children have died a natural death.
Upon the return of the victorious party to their village, a war dance is
held round their captives by way of celebrating their triumph. Prisoners
are sometimes held as slaves, and as such are bought and sold. If they
go to war, which they are encouraged to do, and succeed in killing one
of the enemy, the slave changes his name and from that time becomes a
freeman. The Sauks and Foxes treat their prisoners with humanity, and
if they succeed in getting to the village alive, they are safe, and their
persons are held sacred. But one instance is known of their having
burned a prisoner, and that was in a war with the Menominies, and in
retaliation for a similar act, first committed by that tribe. The young
Indians go to war generally between the age of seventeen and twenty,
but sometimes as early