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327 narrow strip of buckskin running round the cap and down the tail it is attached to the shank of each feather. and in this way [?guys?] them all up. The tail is made of two pieces eight and three quarters inches wide bound at the edges with yellow cloth. At the union of the two strips of the tail are streamers of red blanket edged with yellow and blue cloth. The length of the entire strip is sixty nine inches. and when upon the head of the wearer the end reaches and drags on the ground. The effect produced by an indian dressed in a War bonnet of such construction. and painted in the colors of his tribe is certainly a startling looking being. and a band of warriors mounted on their motley ponies and arrayed in their war paint and feathers is a very brilliant spectacle. We were once surrounded by a band of forty five "Ogalalla Dakota." on the war path. and when relieved by knowing that they did not want white man's scalp but were looking for "crows". we fully enjoyed the picture. When informed where the "Crows" were encamped they made off at full gallop with a yell. to our great relief.

  The saddle used by the Dakota in war is a different contrivance from the ordinary Buckskin saddle used by the indians.   The buckskin Saddle is made in the form of the pillows of buckskin stuffed with hair. and attached by broad pieces at the ends. one of the pillows or cushions is placed on either side of the back [?line?]. and a cinch round the body secured it.   The War Saddle is however a different matter.  the frame is similar to that of the saddle shown in the Poney [?Drawing?]. with the exception that it is more carefully made. The front pummel has a [?] projecting outward under the long fringe of buckskin that is secured to the edge of the pummel upon this is hung the various implements  of war which the rider carries [?] not in use.  The rear pummel is similar to the front except that it has no beads..  About the pummels at the neck.  is twisted a strip that extends. to the side piece and is then tied with a thong to the converging straps that hold the cinch. or girth as in this case.  Hooked over the [?] of the forward pummel and tied to the rear end is a bead band. of the "leather seat"  In this case  it is made of two pieces of leather or raw hide sewed together. in the middle upon this the indian sits. and being stout and elastic It gives a spring to the rider and eases the other wise hard ride.   The stirrup is an ingenious contrivance it consists of a thin