Counting coup was the highest honor on the battlefield. It was hailed above killing the enemy. The rider would simply tap his adversary with the coupstick, seen here in the DS's right hand, and ride off. It meant that he came close enough to the enemy to be killed by him, looked him in the eye, touched him, and lived.
Back in camp, he couldn't claim to count coup, it had to be reported by eyewitnesses. The enemy is also an elite warrior from his tribe; a 'sash wearer'. Note what appears to be a leash hanging behind him, as he holds his war club in the left hand.
A tomahawk or battle axe, is likely in the outstretched right hand.The leash is tethered to the ground with a cattle pin or similar. He is on dead ground (can neither advance or retreat), and cannot free himself unless he is relieved by another sash wearer, or his party has left the scene completely.
He is like the Apache rear guard. These warriors were the bravest and most selfless in Plains warrior societies. They stared death in the face. Like today's special forces troops, such men ring the devil's doorbell, and refuse to run when he answers.
Image Courtesy~CMichaelDudash

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