And the descendant of a chief was held more worthy of honor than another, for brave blood flowed in his veins.

But after each young man was deemed worthy, he must prove his bravery at the dance.
From a center pole hung a number of rawhide thongs.

Through the breast or back of each young brave two slits were cut, and a stick or skewer was passed through them, and a thong tied to each end of the skewer.
Then the braves danced around the pole, leaning back and supporting their weight on the skewer, and when this weight tore the skewer from the flesh, the braves were deemed worthy to become chiefs.

But should one give up, or faint from pain, he was deemed unworthy.

And the torture suffered by all was great--but the torture borne by those through whose backs the skewers were passed was greater.
"White Chief and scout come to Indian war dance," Injun continued.