t the
village. From this time forth I am regarded in the light of a hero, but
on what grounds I was never able to satisfactorily determine, as I could
scarcely consider running away from a danger heroic.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE BUFFALO DANCE.

The buffalo being the main dependence of the Camanches for food, it
naturally follows that they are fully alive to the importance of
securing an abundant supply of meat during the season in which these
animals migrate to the southern prairies.

The superstition which forms so large a part of the Indian character is
especially noticeable in the ceremonies in which they engage every year
for the purpose of securing a successful hunt. This ceremony, although
not peculiar to any special tribe, is a very novel one, and may be of
interest to the reader. Like all other tribes, the Camanches lead lives
of idleness and leisure, and consequently devote a great deal of time to
their sports and amusements, of which they have a great variety.

Of these dancing is one of the principal, and may be seen in a variety
of forms.

Among these are the scalp dance, the boasting dance, the buffalo dance,
and a dozen other dances, all of which have their peculiar characters
and meanings or objects.

[Illustration: The Scalp Dance.]

These exercises are extremely grotesque in their appearance, and to the
looker-on, who knows not their meaning or importance, they are an
uncouth and frightful display of starts, jumps, and yelps, and jarring
gutturals, which to a stranger are truly terrifying.

But when one gives them a little attention, and becomes initiated into
their mysterious meaning, they become a subject of the most intense and
thrilling interest.

Each dance has its peculiar step, and every step has its meaning. Each
dance also has its peculiar song, and that is frequently so intricate
and mysterious, that not one in ten of the young men who are dancing and
singing it know the meaning of the song they are chanting over. None but
the medicine men are allowed to understand them; and even they are
generally only initiated into the secret on the payment of a liberal
stipend for their instruction, which requires much application and
study.

There is evidently a set song and sentiment for every dance, for the
songs are perfectly measured and sung in exact time with the beat of the
drum; and always with a uniform set of sounds and expressions, which
plainly indicate certain sentiments, wh