The deadly enemies of the Shaways were the Sioux, who, after a long course of warfare, proved too powerful for them, and drove them across the Missouri.

They again took root near the Warricanne Creek, and established themselves there in a fortified village.
The Sioux still followed with deadly animosity; dislodged them from their village, and compelled them to take refuge in the Black Hills, near the upper waters of the Sheyenne or Cheyenne River.

Here they lost even their name, and became known among the French colonists by that of the river they frequented.
The heart of the tribe was now broken; its numbers were greatly thinned by their harassing wars.

They no longer attempted to establish themselves in any permanent abode that might be an object of attack to their cruel foes.

They gave up the cultivation of the fruits of the earth, and became a wandering tribe, subsisting by the chase, and following the buffalo in its migrations.
Their only possessions were horses, which they caught on the prairies, or reared, or captured on predatory incursions into the Mexican territories, as has already been mentioned.