Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/323

306 306 SKUNKS AND DOGS EDIBUiS. than they were formerly; but most of, them are strongly inchned to hold on to their savage habits and superstitious worship. The main difficulties in teach- ing these Indians are their wandering habits, and their fondness for war with other tribes. They are at home about four months in the year. The Osages are a stately race; their men are exceedingly large and tall." John D. Long and Samuel Taylor, 1842: "The Osages are the tallest Indians in America; few less than six feet, and very many six and one-half and some seven feet." There are numerous other authorities, but there can be no controversy regarding the physique of the two Kansas Indian tribes. The chief of the Great Village was exceedingly anxious to outdo the tribes who had already entertained the visitors, so the fat- test and finest dogs were killed in honor of the visi- tors, and aU description of game were cooked, and especially skunks (polecats) were sought, they being to the Indian what the opossum is to a colored man. Of aU the nasty looking animals, it is the oposaum. A skunk at least looks more edible than it. It was in 1840 when Father De Sinet visited the Flathead Indians, after passing through tiie Kansas tribe. The chief of the Platheads, then located on the Green river, a tributary of the Colorado, when he met the holy father, said: "Blackgown, my lieart was filled with joy when I learned who you were. My lodge never received a nsitor for whom I felt greater esteem. As aooa as I was apprised of your coming, I ordered kettles to be filled, and in your honor I