During their return trip, the expedition members witnessed a Mandan Buffalo Dance at Fort Clark (in present-day North Dakota) in April, 1834. Bison were central to Plains Indian cultures, and the dance was held to assure the return of the herd and an abundance of food and resources. According to Maximilian’s journal, Mandan men could join six different age-graded societies. The most prestigious was the Buffalo Bull Society, whose members were high ranking, experienced, and wealthy warriors who wore headdresses made of bison hide and horns. Only the two bravest members were allowed to wear full buffalo-head masks with pierced, metal-rimmed eye holes and horns. Society members also carried curved, feathered wands and lances. Wolf tails attached to the heels of dancers represented personal coups or battle feats. Bodmer recreated this scene in his Paris studio from earlier field studies. He used contemporary French models for some of the figures to convincingly portray the effect of movement and drama.