RISKING IT ALL:
RISKING IT ALL:
A Cheyenne Dog Soldier tethered to the ground, faces the enemy combatant attempting to count coup on him. The mounted rider must get it right in this death waltz, otherwise he will feel the edge of the DS's Tomahawk.
Counting coup was the highest battle honor among Plains tribes. The warrior would ride up on an enemy either mounted p00p on foot, tap him with his coupstick, seen here within reach of the DS, then ride off.
It meant that he came close enough to be killed by the enemy, stared death in the face, touched him and lived. Back in camp, a man couldn't claim to count coup. It had to be witnessed by others.
The coup counter's stock would rise dramatically. Meanwhile, the Dog Soldier's axe blade has a large hole in it. This cause the blade to slice through the air faster and impact with more energy.
Also, Dog men had to remain pinned to the ground during a battle, and could only be released by another DS, or his party had departed the scene completely; whichever came first. They were bravest of the brave. Men who rang the devil's doorbell, and refused to run when he answered.
Image Courtesy~WesternArtbyJason
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