identifying figure drawn over the head of the warrior — and names derived from these glyphs were then assigned to the warriors. Eighteen prominent and several minor and unnamed Dog Men were identified: Red Lance, Bear Paw, Buffalo Robe, Tomahawk, White Horse, Black Bear, Two Birds, Pistol, Wolf-with-Plenty-of-Hair, White Wolf, Black Bird, Bear-with-Feathers, White Elk, Lean Bear, White Bird, Man Bear, Little Man and Tall Bull. The identification of Wolf-with-Plenty-of-Hair and Tall Bull, two important Cheyenne warriors pictured in the book, was a major discovery among these drawings. History and the date of the sketchbook support the following scenario: At any one time the book was in the protective custody of one warrior, but available to every man in the band. There appear to have been four major artists who recorded not only their own exploits, but those of many other Dog
Soldiers. These major artists may have been the custodians of the book and rendered the biographical drawings when they had possession of the art materials. However, several warriors drew autobiographical feats only. In many cases the drawings represent the collaborative efforts of two artists. A second sorting was based on horse identification. The criteria included size and shape of the head, configuration of the rump and chest, and shape and attitude of the legs. In general, the classic rocking horse stance was the rule but a modified stance was also used. It often happened that several animals drawn by the same artist were so similar that it looked as if a template or pattern had been used. There is also much evidence which indicates that there existed "specialists" or "experts" within the band whose artistic ability fulfilled the aesthetic and traditional standards set by the community, and whose skill was sought by individual
TOMAHAWK Tomahawk is pursued by Pawnees in a hail of bullets. He usually shows horses in true profile.
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warriors to record their deeds of honor and bravery. Line drawing was the technique used by the Indian artists. Usually beginning with the head or neck of the horse, as shown in some incomplete drawings, the warrior drew the entire profile without lifting the pencil. He then added ears and legs as needed to complete the figures. Often the artist included all four legs and two ears in the original outline drawing. Bridles, horse blankets and ornaments were added along with tails, manes and eyes as desired. The warrior appears astride the mount often with the horse outline showing X-ray fashion through his body. All of the war accoutrements such as shields, breastplates, headdresses, hair plates, weapons and clothing were added and colored later. In some cases an overlap appears, indicating the progression of the drawing. It is also interesting to note that
WHITE HORSE White Horse counts coup on a Pawnee enemy. Note the experimental deviation in drawing the secondary figures.
The Clarion