he
gently pushed the coals together with his toes, so that he got a better
light and was able to discern the outline of his intended victim's
body. Then he rose softly, plunged his lance into Won-ga-tap's heart,
snatched off his scalp, and ran away with it and with the dripping
lance.

{325}

In a moment the Rickaree camp was in an uproar. But before pursuers
were started the assassin was far out on the plains. The darkness
protected him, he successfully eluded pursuit, returned safely to his
home, and entered the village, triumphantly exhibiting Won-ga-tap's
scalp and the fresh blood dried on his lance.

This story, which Catlin says is attested by white men who were in the
Mandan village at the time, may stand as a notable instance of savage
vengefulness and daring, cunning and treachery, but it will scarcely
serve to make us believe in Catlin's "noble Mandan gentlemen," of whom
he puts forward Mah-to-toh-pa as a conspicuous example.

When we read Lewis and Clark's account of the Mandans, we are in quite
another atmosphere, not that of romance but of simple reality. They
spent several months among them, on the friendliest terms, and they
speak kindly of them, but do not disguise the brutality of savage life.
Between these two authorities we have ample information, from opposite
points of view.

The first thing that would impress a visitor with the fact that he had
come among a peculiar people, is the character of their dwellings,
absolutely unlike any used by any other tribe, either of the woods or
plains, except their near neighbors and friends, the Minitarees. The
lodge is a circular structure, set in an excavation about two feet
deep. A framework of stout posts supports a roof of poles converging
toward the centre, where an opening is left for the entrance of light
and the escape of smoke. On these poles brush is spread, and over this
{326} earth is laid to the depth of about two feet. In this earth
grass grows abundantly, and thus a Mandan village presents the
appearance of an assemblage of green mounds.

Lewis and Clark were much impressed with the fearlessness of the Mandan
women in crossing the Missouri, even when it was quite rough, in a
tub-like boat consisting of a single buffalo-hide stretched under a
frame-work of wicker.[1] Catlin saw the same boat in use, and it
afforded him confirmation for a peculiar theory which he advanced.

He was much surprised at the light complexion of the Manda