As I told my story the chief was mute with astonishment,
until at last, throwing aside the usual Indian decorum, he grasped me
firmly by the hand. He knew I was neither a Yankee nor a Mexican, and
swore that for my sake every Canadian or Frenchman falling in their
power should be treated as a friend. After our meal we sat comfortably
round the fires, and listened to several speeches and traditions of
the warriors.
[Footnote 15: The word Pawnee signifies "_exiled_;" therefore it does
not follow that the three tribes bearing the same name belong to the
same nation.
The Grand Pawnees, the tribe among whom Mr. Murray resided, are of
Dahcotah origin, and live along the shores of the river Platte; the
Pawnee Loups are of the Algonquin race, speaking quite another language,
and occupying the country situated between the northern forks of the
same river. Both tribes are known among the trappers to be the "Crows of
the East;" that is to say, thieves and treacherous. They cut their hair
short except on the scalp, as is usual among the nations which they have
sprung from.
The third tribe of that name is called Pawnee Pict; these are of
Comanche origin and Shoshone race, wearing their hair long, and speaking
the same language as all the western great prairie tribes.
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