Shoshone (Snake Indian) -Name came from Hand motion in movement like a snake's crawling that denoted the Shoshone.  These warriors were very good and great loyal friends of Old Jim Bridger, white Trapper who set up a Fort on Bridger's Cut off to help replenish stock, mules, oxen etc. for the Wagon Trains, and did quite well. There he also plied his civilian trade of Blacksmithing for the Pioneers coming to Oregon and California. He would take in exhausted stock and nurse them back to good health, meanwhile supplying the Pioneers with formerly exhausted but refurbished animals for the rest of their journey. His Shoshone wife got wind of a death Angels squad of Mormons dispatched to kill him and steal his Fort and possessions, so he escaped death there. The Pioneers were allowed to pass this region by the Shoshone.

This piece was a through away scrap of black walnut given me. It is 3"by 6"by 20" . His braid is carved and set with Brass Tacks to look like a rattler's hide.