Plains Indian warfare, as practiced in those days, was
probably the finest sport ever known in this world. No
man who loves horseflesh and the bright face of danger
but must long to have shared its thrilling chances. It had
all the dash and speed of polo, the informality of a fox
hunt, the sporting chance of sudden wealth afforded by
the modern horse race, and danger enough to satisfy the
most reckless. And it was no game for weaklings, for
the Plains Indian seldom gave, and never expected,
quarter.Yet its prime object was not bloodshed or manslaugh-
ter.… [The Indian] fought not so much to damage his
enemy as to distinguish himself.… Touching or striking
the enemy—alive or dead—was the goal of every war-
rior. It is known as the coup, a term borrowed from the
French frontiersmen. As a war honor, it ranked far
-41-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: From the Heart of the Crow Country: The Crow Indians' Own Stories.
Contributors: Joseph Medicine Crow - Author.
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press.
Place of publication: Lincoln, NE.
Publication year: 2000.
Page number: 41.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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