Everseekingtoestablishspiritualcomradeshipwiththeanimalcreation，theIndianadoptedthisorthatanimalashis"totem，"theemblematicdeviceofhissociety，family，orclan。
Itisprobablethatthecreaturechosenwasthetraditionalancestress，aswearetoldthattheFirstManhadmanywivesamongtheanimalpeople。Thesacredbeast，bird，orreptile，representedbyitsstuffedskin，orbyarudepainting，wastreatedwithreverenceandcarriedintobattletoinsuretheguardianshipofthespirits。Thesymbolicattributeofbeaver，bear，ortortoise，suchaswisdom，cunning，courage，andthelike，wassupposedtobemysteriouslyconferreduponthewearerofthebadge。Thetotemorcharmusedinmedicinewasordinarilythatofthemedicinelodgetowhichthepractitionerbelonged，thoughthereweresomegreatmenwhoboastedaspecialrevelation。
Therearetwoceremonialusageswhich，sofarasIhavebeenabletoascertain，wereuniversalamongAmericanIndians，andapparentlyfundamental。Thesehavealreadybeenreferredtoasthe"eneepee，"orvapor-bath，andthe"chan-du-hu-pah-yu-za-pee，"orceremonialofthepipe。InourSiouanlegendsandtraditionsthesetwoarepreeminent，ashandeddownfromthemostancienttimeandpersistingtothelast。
InourCreationmythorstoryoftheFirstMan，thevapor-bathwasthemagicusedbyThe-one-who-was-First-Created，togivelifetothedeadbonesofhisyoungerbrother，whohadbeenslainbythemonstersofthedeep。UpontheshoreoftheGreatWaterhedugtworoundholes，overoneofwhichhebuiltalowenclosureoffragrantcedarboughs，andherehegatheredtogetherthebonesofhisbrother。Intheotherpithemadeafireandheatedfourroundstones，whichherolledonebyoneintothelodgeofboughs。
Havingclosedeveryaperturesaveone，hesangamysticchantwhilehethrustinhisarmandsprinkledwateruponthestoneswithabunchofsage。Immediatelysteamarose，andasthelegendsays，"therewasanappearanceoflife。"Asecondtimehesprinkledwater，andthedrybonesrattledtogether。Thethirdtimeheseemedtohearsoftsingingfromwithinthelodge；andthefourthtimeavoiceexclaimed："Brother，letmeout！"（ItshouldbenotedthatthenumberfouristhemagicorsacrednumberoftheIndian。）
Thisstorygivesthetraditionaloriginofthe"eneepee，"
whichhaseversincebeendeemedessentialtotheIndian’sefforttopurifyandrecreatehisspirit。Itisusedbothbythedoctorandbyhispatient。Everymanmustenterthecleansingbathandtakethecoldplungewhichfollows，whenpreparingforanyspiritualcrisis，forpossibledeath，orimminentdanger。
Notonlythe"eneepee"itself，buteverythingusedinconnectionwiththemysteriousevent，thearomaticcedarandsage，thewater，andespeciallythewater-wornboulders，areregardedassacred，orattheleastadaptedtoaspiritualuse。Fortherockwehaveaspecialreverentname——"Tunkan，"acontractionoftheSiouxwordforGrandfather。
Thenaturalboulderentersintomanyofoursolemnceremonials，suchasthe"RainDance，"andthe"FeastofVirgins。"Thelonehunterandwarriorreverentlyholdsuphisfilledpipeto"Tunkan，"insolitarycommemorationofamiraclewhichtohimisasauthenticandholyastheraisingofLazarustothedevoutChristian。
ThereisalegendthattheFirstManfellsick，andwastaughtbyhisElderBrothertheceremonialuseofthepipe，inaprayertothespiritsforeaseandrelief。Thissimpleceremonyisthecommonestdailyexpressionofthanksor"grace，"aswellasanoathofloyaltyandgoodfaithwhenthewarriorgoesforthuponsomeperilousenterprise，anditentersevenintohis"hambeday，"
orsolitaryprayer，ascendingasarisingvapororincensetotheFatherofSpirits。
Inallthewarceremoniesandinmedicineaspecialpipeisused，butathomeoronthehuntthewarrioremployshisown。Thepulverizedweedismixedwitharomaticbarkoftheredwillow，andpressedlightlyintothebowlofthelongstonepipe。Theworshiperlightsitgravelyandtakesawhiffortwo；then，standingerect，heholdsitsilentlytowardtheSun，ourfather，andtowardtheearth，ourmother。Therearemodernvariations，asholdingthepipetotheFourWinds，theFire，Water，Rock，andotherelementsorobjectsofreverence。
Therearemanyreligiousfestivalswhicharelocalandspecialincharacter，embodyingaprayerforsuccessinhuntingorwarfare，orforrainandbountifulharvests，butthesetwoarethesacramentsofourreligion。Forbaptismwesubstitutethe"eneepee，"thepurificationbyvapor，andinourholycommunionwepartakeofthesoothingincenseoftobaccointhesteadofbreadandwine。
IV
BARBARISMANDTHEMORALCODE
SilencetheCorner-StoneofCharacter。BasicIdeasofMorality。
"GiveAllorNothing！"RulesofHonorableWarfare。AnIndianConceptionofCourage。
LongbeforeIeverheardofChrist，orsawawhiteman，Ihadlearnedfromanuntutoredwomantheessenceofmorality。WiththehelpofdearNatureherself，shetaughtmethingssimplebutofmightyimport。IknewGod。Iperceivedwhatgoodnessis。Isawandlovedwhatisreallybeautiful。Civilizationhasnottaughtmeanythingbetter！
Asachild，Iunderstoodhowtogive；IhaveforgottenthatgracesinceIbecamecivilized。Ilivedthenaturallife，whereasInowlivetheartificial。Anyprettypebblewasvaluabletomethen；everygrowingtreeanobjectofreverence。NowIworshipwiththewhitemanbeforeapaintedlandscapewhosevalueisestimatedindollars！ThustheIndianisreconstructed，asthenaturalrocksaregroundtopowder，andmadeintoartificialblockswhichmaybebuiltintothewallsofmodernsociety。
ThefirstAmericanmingledwithhisprideasingularhumility。
Spiritualarrogancewasforeigntohisnatureandteaching。Heneverclaimedthatthepowerofarticulatespeechwasproofofsuperiorityoverthedumbcreation；ontheotherhand，itistohimaperilousgift。Hebelievesprofoundlyinsilence——thesignofaperfectequilibrium。Silenceistheabsolutepoiseorbalanceofbody，mind，andspirit。Themanwhopreserveshisselfhoodevercalmandunshakenbythestormsofexistence——notaleaf，asitwere，astironthetree；notarippleuponthesurfaceofshiningpool——his，inthemindoftheunletteredsage，istheidealattitudeandconductoflife。
Ifyouaskhim："Whatissilence？"hewillanswer："ItistheGreatMystery！""TheholysilenceisHisvoice！"Ifyouask："Whatarethefruitsofsilence？"hewillsay："Theyareself-control，truecourageorendurance，patience，dignity，andreverence。Silenceisthecornerstoneofcharacter。"
"Guardyourtongueinyouth，"saidtheoldchief，Wabashaw，"andinageyoumaymatureathoughtthatwillbeofservicetoyourpeople！"
Themomentthatmanconceivedofaperfectbody，supple，symmetrical，graceful，andenduring——inthatmomenthehadlaidthefoundationofamorallife！Nomancanhopetomaintainsuchatempleofthespiritbeyondtheperiodofadolescence，unlessheisabletocurbhisindulgenceinthepleasuresofthesenses。
UponthistruththeIndianbuiltarigidsystemofphysicaltraining，asocialandmoralcodethatwasthelawofhislife。
Therewasarousedinhimasachildahighidealofmanlystrengthandbeauty，theattainmentofwhichmustdependuponstricttemperanceineatingandinthesexualrelation，togetherwithsevereandpersistentexercise。Hedesiredtobeaworthylinkinthegenerations，andthathemightnotdestroybyhisweaknessthatvigorandpurityofbloodwhichhadbeenachievedatthecostofmuchself-denialbyalonglineofancestors。
Hewasrequiredtofastfromtimetotimeforshortperiods，andtoworkoffhissuperfluousenergybymeansofhardrunning，swimming，andthevapor-bath。Thebodilyfatiguethusinduced，especiallywhencoupledwithareduceddiet，isareliablecureforunduesexualdesires。
Personalmodestywasearlycultivatedasasafeguard，togetherwithastrongself-respectandprideoffamilyandrace。Thiswasaccomplishedinpartbykeepingthechildeverbeforethepubliceye，fromhisbirthonward。Hisentranceintotheworld，especiallyinthecaseofthefirst-born，wasoftenpubliclyannouncedbytheherald，accompaniedbyadistributionofpresentstotheoldandneedy。Thesamethingoccurredwhenhetookhisfirststep，whenhisearswerepierced，andwhenheshothisfirstgame，sothathischildishexploitsandprogresswereknowntothewholeclanastoalargerfamily，andhegrewintomanhoodwiththesavingsenseofareputationtosustain。
Theyouthwasencouragedtoenlistearlyinthepublicservice，andtodevelopawholesomeambitionforthehonorsofaleaderandfeast-maker，whichcanneverbehisunlessheistruthfulandgenerous，aswellasbrave，andevermindfulofhispersonalchastityandhonor。Thereweremanyceremonialcustomswhichhadadistinctmoralinfluence；thewomanwasrigidlysecludedatcertainperiods，andtheyounghusbandwasforbiddentoapproachhisownwifewhenpreparingforwarorforanyreligiousevent。ThepublicortribalpositionoftheIndianisentirelydependentuponhisprivatevirtue，andheisneverpermittedtoforgetthathedoesnotlivetohimselfalone，buttohistribeandhisclan。Thushabitsofperfectself-controlwereearlyestablished，andtherewerenounnaturalconditionsorcomplextemptationstobesethimuntilhewasmetandoverthrownbyastrongerrace。
Tokeeptheyoungmenandyoungwomenstrictlytotheirhonor，therewereobservedamongus，withinmyownrecollection，certainannualceremoniesofasemi-religiousnature。Oneofthemostimpressiveofthesewasthesacred"FeastofVirgins，"which，whengivenforthefirsttime，wasequivalenttothepublicannouncementofayounggirl’sarrivalatamarriageableage。Theherald，makingtheroundsoftheteepeevillage，wouldpublishthefeastsomethingafterthisfashion：
"PrettyWeasel-woman，thedaughterofBraveBear，willkindleherfirstmaidens’fireto-morrow！Allyewhohaveneveryieldedtothepleadingofman，whohavenotdestroyedyourinnocency，youaloneareinvited，toproclaimanewbeforetheSunandtheEarth，beforeyourcompanionsandinthesightoftheGreatMystery，thechastityandpurityofyourmaidenhood。Comeye，allwhohavenotknownman！"
Thewholevillagewasatoncearousedtotheinterestofthecomingevent，whichwasconsiderednexttotheSunDanceandtheGrandMedicineDanceinpublicimportance。Italwaystookplaceinmidsummer，whenanumberofdifferentclansweregatheredtogetherforthesummerfestivities，andwasheldinthecentreofthegreatcircularencampment。
Heretwocirclesweredescribed，onewithintheother，aboutarudelyheart-shapedrockwhichwastouchedwithredpaint，anduponeithersideoftherocktherewerethrustintothegroundaknifeandtwoarrows。Theinnercirclewasforthemaidens，andtheouteronefortheirgrandmothersorchaperones，whoweresupposedtohavepassedtheclimacteric。Upontheoutskirtsofthefeasttherewasagreatpublicgathering，inwhichorderwaskeptbycertainwarriorsofhighestreputation。Anymanamongthespectatorsmightapproachandchallengeanyyoungwomanwhomheknewtobeunworthy；butiftheaccuserfailedtoprovehischarge，thewarriorswereaccustomedtopunishhimseverely。
Eachgirlinturnapproachedthesacredrockandlaidherhanduponitwithallsolemnity。Thiswasherreligiousdeclarationofhervirginity，hervowtoremainpureuntilhermarriage。Ifsheshouldeverviolatethemaidens’oath，thenwelcomethatkeenknifeandthosesharparrows！
Ourmaidenswereambitioustoattendanumberofthesefeastsbeforemarriage，anditsometimeshappenedthatagirlwascompelledtogiveone，onaccountofgossipaboutherconduct。Thenitwasinthenatureofachallengetothescandal-
mongerstoprovetheirwords！Asimilarfeastwassometimesmadebytheyoungmen，forwhomtheruleswereevenmorestrict，sincenoyoungmanmightattendthisfeastwhohadsomuchasspokenoflovetoamaiden。Itwasconsideredahighhonoramongustohavewonsomedistinctioninwarandthechase，andabovealltohavebeeninvitedtoaseatinthecouncil，beforeonehadspokentoanygirlsavehisownsister。
Itwasourbeliefthattheloveofpossessionsisaweaknesstobeovercome。Itsappealistothematerialpart，andifalloweditswayitwillintimedisturbthespiritualbalanceoftheman。Thereforethechildmustearlylearnthebeautyofgenerosity。Heistaughttogivewhatheprizesmost，andthathemaytastethehappinessofgiving，heismadeatanearlyagethefamilyalmoner。Ifachildisinclinedtobegrasping，ortoclingtoanyofhislittlepossessions，legendsarerelatedtohim，tellingofthecontemptanddisgracefallingupontheungenerousandmeanman。
Publicgivingisapartofeveryimportantceremony。Itproperlybelongstothecelebrationofbirth，marriage，anddeath，andisobservedwheneveritisdesiredtodospecialhonortoanypersonorevent。Uponsuchoccasionsitiscommontogivetothepointofutterimpoverishment。TheIndianinhissimplicityliterallygivesawayallthathehas，torelatives，toguestsofanothertribeorclan，butabovealltothepoorandtheaged，fromwhomhecanhopefornoreturn。Finally，thegifttothe"GreatMystery，"thereligiousoffering，maybeoflittlevalueinitself，buttothegiver’sownthoughtitshouldcarrythemeaningandrewardoftruesacrifice。
Orphansandtheagedareinvariablycaredfor，notonlybytheirnextofkin，butbythewholeclan。Itisthelovingparent’spridetohavehisdaughtersvisittheunfortunateandthehelpless，carrythemfood，combtheirhair，andmendtheirgarments。Thename"Wenonah，"bestowedupontheeldestdaughter，distinctlyimpliesallthis，andagirlwhofailedinhercharitabledutieswasheldtobeunworthyofthename。
Themanwhoisaskillfulhunter，andwhosewifeisalivetoheropportunities，makesmanyfeasts，towhichheiscarefultoinvitetheoldermenofhisclan，recognizingthattheyhaveoutlivedtheirperiodofgreatestactivity，andnowlovenothingsowellastoeatingoodcompany，andtoliveoverthepast。
Theoldmen，fortheirpart，dotheirbesttorequitehisliberalitywithalittlespeech，inwhichtheyareapttorelatethebraveandgenerousdeedsoftheirhost’sancestors，finallycongratulatinghimuponbeingaworthysuccessorofanhonorableline。Thushisreputationiswonasahunterandafeast-maker，andalmostasfamousinhiswayasthegreatwarriorishewhohasarecognizednameandstandingasa"manofpeace。"
ThetrueIndiansetsnopriceuponeitherhispropertyorhislabor。Hisgenerosityisonlylimitedbyhisstrengthandability。
Heregardsitasanhonortobeselectedforadifficultordangerousservice，andwouldthinkitshametoaskforanyreward，sayingrather："LethimwhomIserveexpresshisthanksaccordingtohisownbringingupandhissenseofhonor！"
Nevertheless，herecognizesrightsinproperty。Tostealfromoneofhisowntribewouldbeindeeddisgrace，andifdiscovered，thenameof"Wamanon，"orThief，isfixeduponhimforeverasanunalterablestigma。Theonlyexceptiontotheruleisinthecaseoffood，whichisalwaysfreetothehungryifthereisnonebytoofferit。OtherprotectionthanthemorallawtherecouldnotbeinanIndiancommunity，wheretherewereneitherlocksnordoors，andeverythingwasopenandeasyofaccesstoallcomers。
Thepropertyoftheenemyisspoilofwar，anditisalwaysallowabletoconfiscateitifpossible。However，intheolddaystherewasnotmuchplunder。Beforethecomingofthewhiteman，therewasinfactlittletemptationoropportunitytodespoiltheenemy；butinmoderntimesthepracticeof"stealinghorses"fromhostiletribeshasbecomecommon，andisthoughtfarfromdishonorable。
Warfareweregardedasaninstitutionofthe"GreatMystery"——
anorganizedtournamentortrialofcourageandskill，withelaboraterulesand"counts"forthecovetedhonoroftheeaglefeather。Itwasheldtodevelopthequalityofmanlinessanditsmotivewaschivalricorpatriotic，butneverthedesireforterritorialaggrandizementortheoverthrowofabrothernation。
Itwascommon，inearlytimes，forabattleorskirmishtolastallday，withgreatdisplayofdaringandhorsemanship，butwithscarcelymorekilledandwoundedthanmaybecarriedfromthefieldduringauniversitygameoffootball。
Theslayerofamaninbattlewasexpectedtomournforthirtydaysblackeninghisfaceandlooseninghishairaccordingtothecustom。Heofcourseconsidereditnosintotakethelifeofanenemy，andthisceremonialmourningwasasignofreverenceforthedepartedspirit。Thekillinginwarofnon-combatants，suchaswomenandchildren，ispartlyexplainedbythefactthatinsavagelifethewomanwithouthusbandorprotectorisinpitiablecase，anditwassupposedthatthespiritofthewarriorwouldbebettercontentifnowidowandorphanswerelefttosufferwant，aswellastoweep。
Ascalpmightoriginallybetakenbytheleaderofthewarpartyonlyandatthatperiodnoothermutilationwaspracticed。Itwasasmalllocknotmorethanthreeinchessquare，whichwascarriedonlyduringthethirtydays’celebrationofavictory，andafterwardgivenreligiousburial。Wantoncrueltiesandthemorebarbarouscustomsofwarweregreatlyintensifiedwiththecomingofthewhiteman，whobroughtwithhimfieryliquoranddeadlyweapons，arousedtheIndian’sworstpassions，provokinginhimrevengeandcupidity，andevenofferedbountiesforthescalpsofinnocentmen，women，andchildren。
Murderwithinthetribewasagraveoffense，tobeatonedforasthecouncilmightdecree，anditoftenhappenedthattheslayerwascalledupontopaythepenaltywithhisownlife。Hemadenoattempttoescapeortoevadejustice。Thatthecrimewascommittedinthedepthsoftheforestoratdeadofnight，witnessedbynohumaneye，madenodifferencetohismind。Hewasthoroughlyconvincedthatallisknowntothe"GreatMystery，"andhencedidnothesitatetogivehimselfup，tostandhistrialbytheoldandwisemenofthevictim’sclan。Hisownfamilyandclanmightbynomeansattempttoexcuseortodefendhim，buthisjudgestookalltheknowncircumstancesintoconsideration，andifitappearedthatheslewinself-defense，orthattheprovocationwassevere，hemightbesetfreeafterathirtydays’
periodofmourninginsolitude。Otherwisethemurderedman’snextofkinwereauthorizedtotakehislife；andiftheyrefrainedfromdoingso，asoftenhappened，heremainedanoutcastfromtheclan。
Awillfulmurderwasarareoccurrencebeforethedaysofwhiskeyanddrunkenrows，forwewerenotaviolentoraquarrelsomepeople。
ItiswellrememberedthatCrowDog，whokilledtheSiouxchief，SpottedTail，in1881，calmlysurrenderedhimselfandwastriedandconvictedbythecourtsinSouthDakota。Afterhisconviction，hewaspermittedremarkablelibertyinprison，suchasperhapsnowhitemanhaseverenjoyedwhenundersentenceofdeath。
Thecauseofhisactwasasolemncommissionreceivedfromhispeople，nearlythirtyyearsearlier，atthetimethatSpottedTailusurpedthechieftainshipbytheaidofthemilitary，whomhehadaided。CrowDogwasunderavowtoslaythechief，incaseheeverbetrayedordisgracedthenameoftheBruleSioux。Thereisnodoubtthathehadcommittedcrimesbothpublicandprivate，havingbeenguiltyofmisuseofofficeaswellasofgrossoffensesagainstmorality；thereforehisdeathwasnotamatterofpersonalvengeancebutofjustretribution。
AfewdaysbeforeCrowDogwastobeexecuted，heaskedpermissiontovisithishomeandsayfarewelltohiswifeandtwinboys，thennineortenyearsold。Strangetosay，therequestwasgranted，andthecondemnedmansenthomeunderescortofthedeputysheriff，whoremainedattheIndianagency，merelytellinghisprisonertoreportthereonthefollowingday。Whenhedidnotappearatthetimeset，thesheriffdispatchedtheIndianpoliceafterhim。Theydidnotfindhim，andhiswifesimplysaidthatCrowDoghaddesiredtoridealonetotheprison，andwouldreachthereonthedayappointed。AlldoubtwasremovednextdaybyatelegramfromRapidCity，twohundredmilesdistant，saying：
"CrowDoghasjustreportedhere。"
TheincidentdrewpublicattentiontotheIndianmurderer，withtheunexpectedresultthatthecasewasreopened，andCrowDogacquitted。Hestilllives，awell-preservedmanofaboutseventy-fiveyears，andismuchrespectedamonghisownpeople。
Itissaidthat，intheveryearlydays，lyingwasacapitaloffenseamongus。Believingthatthedeliberateliariscapableofcommittinganycrimebehindthescreenofcowardlyuntruthanddouble-dealing，thedestroyerofmutualconfidencewassummarilyputtodeath，thattheevilmightgonofurther。
EventheworstenemiesoftheIndian，thosewhoaccusehimoftreachery，blood-thirstiness，cruelty，andlust，havenotdeniedhiscourage，butintheirmindsitisacouragethatisignorant，brutal，andfantastic。Hisownconceptionofbraverymakesofitahighmoralvirtue，fortohimitconsistsnotsomuchinaggressiveself-assertionasinabsoluteself-control。Thetrulybraveman，wecontend，yieldsneithertofearnoranger，desirenoragony；heisatalltimesmasterofhimself；hiscouragerisestotheheightsofchivalry，patriotism，andrealheroism。
"Letneithercold，hunger，norpain，northefearofthem，neitherthebristlingteethofdangernortheveryjawsofdeathitself，preventyoufromdoingagooddeed，"saidanoldchieftoascoutwhowasabouttoseekthebuffaloinmidwinterforthereliefofastarvingpeople。Thiswashischildlikeconceptionofcourage。
V
THEUNWRITTENSCRIPTURES
ALivingBook。TheSiouxStoryofCreation。TheFirstBattle。AnotherVersionoftheFlood。
OurAnimalAncestry。
AmissionaryonceundertooktoinstructagroupofIndiansinthetruthsofhisholyreligion。Hetoldthemofthecreationoftheearthinsixdays，andofthefallofourfirstparentsbyeatinganapple。
Thecourteoussavageslistenedattentively，and，afterthankinghim，onerelatedinhisturnaveryancienttraditionconcerningtheoriginofthemaize。Butthemissionaryplainlyshowedhisdisgustanddisbelief，indignantlysaying：——
"WhatIdeliveredtoyouweresacredtruths，butthisthatyoutellmeismerefableandfalsehood！"
"Mybrother，"gravelyrepliedtheoffendedIndian，"itseemsthatyouhavenotbeenwellgroundedintherulesofcivility。Yousawthatwe，whopracticetheserules，believedyourstories；why，then，doyourefusetocreditours？"
EveryreligionhasitsHolyBook，andourswasaminglingofhistory，poetry，andprophecy，ofpreceptandfolk-lore，evensuchasthemodernreaderfindswithinthecoversofhisBible。ThisBibleofourswasourwholeliterature，alivingBook，sowedaspreciousseedbyourwisestsages，andspringinganewinthewonderingeyesandupontheinnocentlipsoflittlechildren。
Uponitshoarywisdomofproverbandfable，itsmysticandlegendarylorethussacredlypreservedandtransmittedfromfathertoson，wasbasedinlargepartourcustomsandphilosophy。
Naturallymagnanimousandopen-minded，theredmanpreferstobelievethattheSpiritofGodisnotbreathedintomanalone，butthatthewholecreateduniverseisasharerintheimmortalperfectionofitsMaker。Hisimaginativeandpoeticmind，likethatoftheGreek，assignstoeverymountain，tree，andspringitsspirit，nymph，ordivinityeitherbeneficentormischievous。TheheroesanddemigodsofIndiantraditionreflectthecharacteristictrendofhisthought，andhisattributionofpersonalityandwilltotheelements，thesunandstars，andallanimateorinanimatenature。
IntheSiouxstoryofcreation，thegreatMysteriousOneisnotbroughtdirectlyuponthesceneorconceivedinanthropomorphicfashion，butremainssublimelyinthebackground。TheSunandtheEarth，representingthemaleandfemaleprinciples，arethemainelementsinhiscreation，theotherplanetsbeingsubsidiary。
TheenkindlingwarmthoftheSunenteredintothebosomofourmother，theEarth，andforthwithsheconceivedandbroughtforthlife，bothvegetableandanimal。
FinallythereappearedmysteriouslyIsh-na-e-cha-ge，the"First-Born，"abeinginthelikenessofman，yetmorethanman，whoroamedsolitaryamongtheanimalpeopleandunderstoodtheirwaysandtheirlanguage。Theybeheldhimwithwonderandawe，fortheycoulddonothingwithouthisknowledge。Hehadpitchedhistentinthecentreoftheland，andtherewasnospotimpossibleforhimtopenetrate。
Atlast，likeAdam，the"First-Born"oftheSiouxbecamewearyoflivingalone，andformedforhimselfacompanion——notamate，butabrother——notoutofaribfromhisside，butfromasplinterwhichhedrewfromhisgreattoe！ThiswastheLittleBoyMan，whowasnotcreatedfull-grown，butasaninnocentchild，trustingandhelpless。HisElderBrotherwashisteacherthroughouteverystageofhumanprogressfrominfancytomanhood，anditistotheruleswhichhelaiddown，andhiscounselstotheLittleBoyMan，thatwetracemanyofourmostdeep-rootedbeliefsandmostsacredcustoms。
ForemostamongtheanimalpeoplewasUnk-to-mee，theSpider，theoriginaltrouble-maker，whonotedkeenlythegrowthoftheboyinwitandingenuity，andpresentlyadvisedtheanimalstomakeanendofhim；"for，"saidhe，"ifyoudonot，somedayhewillbethemasterofusall！"ButtheyalllovedtheLittleBoyManbecausehewassofriendlyandsoplayful。Onlythemonstersofthedeepsealistened，andpresentlytookhislife，hidinghisbodyinthebottomofthesea。Nevertheless，bythemagicpoweroftheFirst-Born，thebodywasrecoveredandwasgivenlifeagaininthesacredvapor-bath，asdescribedinaformerchapter。
Oncemoreourfirstancestorroamedhappilyamongtheanimalpeople，whowereinthosedaysapowerfulnation。Helearnedtheirwaysandtheirlanguage——fortheyhadacommontongueinthosedays；learnedtosinglikethebirds，toswimlikethefishes，andtoclimbsure-footedoverrockslikethemountainsheep。
Notwithstandingthathewastheirgoodcomradeanddidthemnoharm，Unk-to-meeoncemoresoweddissensionamongtheanimals，andmessagesweresentintoallquartersoftheearth，sea，andair，thatallthetribesmightunitetodeclarewaruponthesolitarymanwhowasdestinedtobecometheirmaster。
Afteratimetheyoungmandiscoveredtheplot，andcamehomeverysorrowful。Helovedhisanimalfriends，andwasgrievedthattheyshouldcombineagainsthim。Besides，hewasnakedandunarmed。ButhisElderBrotherarmedhimwithabowandflint-headedarrows，astonewar-clubandaspear。Helikewisetossedapebblefourtimesintotheair，andeachtimeitbecameaclifforwallofrockabouttheteepee。
"Now，"saidhe，"itistimetofightandtoassertyoursupremacy，foritistheywhohavebroughtthetroubleuponyou，andnotyouuponthem！"
NightanddaytheLittleBoyManremaineduponthewatchforhisenemiesfromthetopofthewall，andatlasthebeheldtheprairiesblackwithbuffaloherds，andtheelkgatheringupontheedgesoftheforest。Bearsandwolveswereclosinginfromalldirections，andnowfromtheskytheThundergavehisfearfulwar-whoop，answeredbythewolf’slonghowl。
Thebadgersandotherburrowersbeganatoncetounderminehisrockyfortress，whiletheclimbersundertooktoscaleitsperpendicularwalls。
Thenforthefirsttimeonearththebowwasstrung，andhundredsofflint-headedarrowsfoundtheirmarkinthebodiesoftheanimals，whileeachtimethattheBoyManswunghisstonewar-club，hisenemiesfellincountlessnumbers。
Finallytheinsects，thelittlepeopleoftheair，attackedhiminabody，fillinghiseyesandears，andtormentinghimwiththeirpoisonedspears，sothathewasindespair。HecalledforhelpuponhisElderBrother，whoorderedhimtostriketherockswithhisstonewar-club。Assoonashehaddoneso，sparksoffireflewuponthedrygrassoftheprairieanditburstintoflame。
Amightysmokeascended，whichdroveawaytheteasingswarmsoftheinsectpeople，whiletheflamesterrifiedandscatteredtheothers。
Thiswasthefirstdividingofthetrailbetweenmanandtheanimalpeople，andwhentheanimalshadsuedforpeace，thetreatyprovidedthattheymusteverafterfurnishmanwithfleshforhisfoodandskinsforclothing，thoughnotwithouteffortanddangeronhispart。Thelittleinsectsrefusedtomakeanyconcession，andhaveeversincebeenthetormentorsofman；however，thebirdsoftheairdeclaredthattheywouldpunishthemfortheirobstinacy，andthistheycontinuetodountothisday。
Ourpeoplehavealwaysclaimedthatthestonearrowswhicharefoundsogenerallythroughoutthecountryaretheonesthatthefirstmanusedinhisbattlewiththeanimals。Itisnotrecordedinourtraditions，muchlessisitwithinthememoryofouroldmen，thatwehaveevermadeorusedsimilararrow-heads。
Somehavetriedtomakeuseofthemforshootingfishunderwater，butwithlittlesuccess，andtheyareabsolutelyuselesswiththeIndianbowwhichwasinusewhenAmericawasdiscovered。Itispossiblethattheyweremadebysomepre-historicracewhousedmuchlongerandstrongerbows，andwhowereworkersinstone，whichourpeoplewerenot。Theirstoneimplementsweremerelynaturalbouldersorflintchips，fittedwithhandlesofraw-hideorwood，exceptthepipes，whichwerecarvedfromaspeciesofstonewhichissoftwhenfirstquarried，andthereforeeasilyworkedwiththemostprimitivetools。Practicallyalltheflintarrow-headsthatweseeinmuseumsandelsewherewerepickeduporploughedup，whilesomehavebeendishonestlysoldbytraffickingIndiansandothers，embeddedintreesandbones。
Wehadneitherdevilnorhellinourreligionuntilthewhitemanbroughtthemtous，yetUnk-to-mee，theSpider，wasdoubtlessakintothatoldSerpentwhotemptedmotherEve。Heisalwayscharacterizedastricky，treacherous，andatthesametimeaffableandcharming，beingnotwithoutthegiftsofwit，prophecy，andeloquence。Heisanadroitmagician，abletoassumealmostanyformatwill，andimpervioustoanyamountofridiculeandinsult。
Herewehave，itappears，theelementsofthestoryinGenesis；theprimalEden，thetempterinanimalform，andthebringingofsorrowanddeathuponearththroughtheelementalsinsofenvyandjealousy。
ThewarningconveyedinthestoryofUnk-to-meewaseverusedwithsuccessbyIndianparents，andespeciallygrandparents，intheinstructionoftheirchildren。
Ish-na-e-cha-ge，ontheotherhand，wasademigodandmysteriousteacher，whosefunctionitwastoinitiatethefirstmanintohistasksandpleasureshereonearth。
Afterthebattlewiththeanimals，therefollowedabattlewiththeelements，whichinsomemeasureparallelstheOldTestamentstoryoftheflood。Inthiscase，thepurposeseemstohavebeentodestroythewickedanimalpeople，whoweretoomanyandtoostrongfortheloneman。
Thelegendtellsusthatwhenfallcame，theFirst-Bornadvisedhisyoungerbrothertomakeforhimselfawarmtentofbuffaloskins，andtostoreupmuchfood。Nosoonerhadhedonethisthanitbegantosnow，andthesnowfellsteadilyduringmanymoons。TheLittleBoyManmadeforhimselfsnow-shoes，andwasthusenabledtohunteasily，whiletheanimalsfledfromhimwithdifficulty。Finallywolves，foxes，andravenscametohisdoortobegforfood，andhehelpedthem，butmanyofthefiercerwildanimalsdiedofcoldandstarvation。
Oneday，whenthehungryonesappeared，thesnowwashigherthanthetopsoftheteepeepoles，buttheLittleBoyMan’sfirekeptaholeopenandclear。Downthisholetheypeered，andlo！themanhadrubbedashesonhisfacebytheadviceofhisElderBrother，andtheybothlaysilentandmotionlessoneithersideofthefire。
Thenthefoxbarkedandtheravencawedhissignaltothewanderingtribes，andtheyallrejoicedandsaid："Nowtheyarebothdyingordead，andweshallhavenomoretrouble！"Butthesunappeared，andawarmwindmeltedthesnow-banks，sothatthelandwasfullofwater。TheyoungmanandhisTeachermadeabirch-barkcanoe，whichfloateduponthesurfaceoftheflood，whileoftheanimalsthereweresavedonlyafew，whohadfoundafootholduponthehighestpeaks。
Theyouthhadnowpassedtriumphantlythroughthevariousordealsofhismanhood。OnedayhisElderBrotherspoketohimandsaid："Youhavenowconqueredtheanimalpeople，andwithstoodtheforceoftheelements。Youhavesubduedtheearthtoyourwill，andstillyouarealone！Itistimetogoforthandfindawomanwhomyoucanlove，andbywhosehelpyoumayreproduceyourkind。"
"ButhowamItodothis？"repliedthefirstman，whowasonlyaninexperiencedboy。"Iamherealone，asyousay，andI
knownotwheretofindawomanoramate！"
"Goforthandseekher，"repliedtheGreatTeacher；andforthwiththeyouthsetoutonhiswanderingsinsearchofawife。
Hehadnoideahowtomakelove，sothatthefirstcourtshipwasdonebytheprettyandcoquettishmaidensoftheBird，Beaver，andBeartribes。TherearesometouchingandwhimsicallovestorieswhichtherichimaginationoftheIndianhaswovenintothisoldlegend。
Itissaid，forexample，thatathisfirstcamphehadbuiltforhimselfalodgeofgreenboughsinthemidstoftheforest，andthattherehisreveriewasinterruptedbyavoicefromthewilderness——avoicethatwasirresistiblyandprofoundlysweet。Insomemysteriousway，thesouloftheyoungmanwastouchedasithadneverbeenbefore，forthiscallofexquisitetendernessandallurementwasthevoiceoftheeternalwoman！
Presentlyacharminglittlegirlstoodtimidlyatthedoorofhispine-boughwigwam。Shewasmodestlydressedingray，withatouchofjetaboutherprettyface，andshecarriedabasketofwildcherrieswhichsheshylyofferedtotheyoungman。Sotheroverwassubdued，andloveturnedlooseupontheworldtoupbuildandtodestroy！Whenatlastshelefthim，hepeepedthroughthedoorafterher，butsawonlyarobin，withheadturnedarchlytooneside，flutteringawayamongthetrees。
Hisnextcampwasbesideaclear，runningstream，whereaplumpandindustriousmaidwasbusilyatworkchoppingwood。Hefellpromptlyinlovewithheralso，andforsometimetheylivedtogetherinhercosyhousebythewaterside。Aftertheirboywasborn，thewandererwishedverymuchtogobacktohisElderBrotherandtoshowhimhiswifeandchild。Butthebeaver-womanrefusedtogo，soatlasthewentaloneforashortvisit。Whenhereturned，therewasonlyatrickleofwaterbesidethebrokendam，thebeautifulhomewasleftdesolate，andwifeandchildweregoneforever！
Thedesertedhusbandsataloneuponthebank，sleeplessandfaintwithgrief，untilhewasconsoledbyacomelyyoungwomaninglossyblack，whotookcompassionuponhisdistressandsoothedhimwithfoodandlovingattentions。Thiswasthebear-woman，fromwhomagainhewasafterwardseparatedbysomemishap。Thestorygoesthathehadchildrenbyeachofhismanywives，someofwhomresembledtheirfather，andthesebecametheancestorsofthehumanrace，whilethosewhoborethecharacteristicsoftheirmotherreturnedtoherclan。Itisalsosaidthatsuchaswereabnormalormonstrousinformwereforbiddentoreproducetheirkind，andallloveandmatingbetweenmanandtheanimalcreationwasfromthattimeforthstrictlyprohibited。Therearesomecurioustraditionsofyoungmenandmaidenswhotransgressedthislawunknowingly，beingseducedanddeceivedbyamagnificentbuckdeer，perhaps，oragracefuldoe，andwhosefallwaspunishedwithdeath。
Theanimaltotemssogeneralamongthetribesweresaidtohavedescendedtothemfromtheirgreat-grandmother’sclan，andthelegendwasoftenquotedinsupportofourclosefriendshipwiththeanimalpeople。Ihavesometimeswonderedwhythescientificdoctrineofman’sdescenthasnotinthesamewayapparentlyincreasedthewhiteman’srespectfortheseourhumblerkin。
OfthemanylaterheroesorHiawathaswhoappearinthisvoluminousunwrittenbookofours，eachintroducedanepochinthelongstoryofmanandhisenvironment。Thereis，forexample，theAvengeroftheInnocent，whosprangfromaclotofblood；theraggedlittleboywhowonfameandawifebyshootingtheRedEagleoffatefulomen；andtheStarBoy，whowastheoff-springofamortalmaidenandaStar。
Itwasthislastwhofoughtformanagainsthisstrongestenemies，suchasWazeeyah，theColdorNorth-Wind。Therewasadesperatebattlebetweenthesetwo，inwhichfirstonehadtheadvantageandthentheother，untilbothwereexhaustedanddeclaredatruce。Whileherested，StarBoycontinuedtofanhimselfwithhisgreatfanofeaglefeathers，andthesnowmeltedsofastthatNorth-Windwasforcedtoarrangeatreatyofpeace，bywhichhewasonlytocontrolonehalftheyear。Soitwasthattheorderlymarchoftheseasonswasestablished，andeveryyearStarBoywithhisfanofeaglefeatherssetsinmotionthewarmwindsthatusherinthespring。
VI
ONTHEBORDER-LANDOF
SPIRITS
DeathandFuneralCustoms。TheSacredLockofHair。ReincarnationandtheConverseofSpirits。OccultandPsychicPowers。TheGiftofProphecy。
TheattitudeoftheIndiantowarddeath，thetestandbackgroundoflife，isentirelyconsistentwithhischaracterandphilosophy。
Deathhasnoterrorsforhim；hemeetsitwithsimplicityandperfectcalm，seekingonlyanhonorableendashislastgifttohisfamilyanddescendants。Thereforehecourtsdeathinbattle；ontheotherhand，hewouldregarditasdisgracefultobekilledinaprivatequarrel。Ifonebedyingathome，itiscustomarytocarryhisbedoutofdoorsastheendapproaches，thathisspiritmaypassundertheopensky。
Nexttothis，thematterthatconcernshimmostisthepartingwithhisdearones，especiallyifhehaveanylittlechildrenwhomustbeleftbehindtosufferwant。Hisfamilyaffectionsarestrong，andhegrievesintenselyforthelost，eventhoughhehasunboundedfaithinaspiritualcompanionship。
Theoutwardsignsofmourningforthedeadarefarmorespontaneousandconvincingthanisthecorrectandwell-orderedblackofcivilization。Bothmenandwomenamongusloosentheirhairandcutitaccordingtothedegreeofrelationshiporofdevotion。Consistentwiththeideaofsacrificingallpersonalbeautyandadornment，theytrimofflikewisefromthedressitsfringesandornaments，perhapscutitshort，orcuttherobeorblanketintwo。Themenblackentheirfaces，andwidowsorbereavedparentssometimesgashtheirarmsandlegstilltheyarecoveredwithblood。Givingthemselvesupwhollytotheirgrief，theyarenolongerconcernedaboutanyearthlypossession，andoftengiveawayallthattheyhavetothefirstcomers，eventotheirbedsandtheirhome。Finally，thewailingforthedeadiscontinuednightanddaytothepointofuttervoicelessness；amusical，weird，andheart-piercingsound，whichhasbeencomparedtothe，"keening"oftheCelticmourner。
Theold-timeburialofthePlainsIndianswasuponascaffoldofpoles，oraplatformamongtheboughsofatree——theironlymeansofplacingthebodyoutofreachofwildbeasts，astheyhadnoimplementswithwhichtodigasuitablegrave。Itwaspreparedbydressinginthefinestclothes，togetherwithsomepersonalpossessionsandornaments，wrappedinseveralrobes，andfinallyinasecurecoveringofraw-hide。Asaspecialmarkofrespect，thebodyofayoungwomanorawarriorwassometimeslaidoutinstateinanewteepee，withtheusualhouseholdarticlesandevenwithadishoffoodleftbesideit，notthattheysupposedthespiritcouldusetheimplementsoreatthefoodbutmerelyasalasttribute。Thenthewholepeoplewouldbreakcampanddeparttoadistance，leavingthedeadaloneinanhonorablesolitude。
Therewasnoprescribedceremonyofburial，thoughthebodywascarriedoutwithmoreorlesssolemnitybyselectedyoungmen，andsometimesnotedwarriorswerethepall-bearersofamanofdistinction。Itwasusualtochooseaprominenthillwithacommandingoutlookforthelastresting-placeofourdead。Ifamanwereslaininbattle，itwasanoldcustomtoplacehisbodyagainstatreeorrockinasittingposition，alwaysfacingtheenemy，toindicatehisundaunteddefianceandbravery，evenindeath。
Irecallatouchingcustomamongus，whichwasdesignedtokeepthememoryofthedepartednearandwarminthebereavedhousehold。Alockofhairofthebeloveddeadwaswrappedinprettyclothing，suchasitwassupposedthatheorshewouldliketowearifliving。This"spiritbundle，"asitwascalled，wassuspendedfromatripod，andoccupiedacertainplaceinthelodgewhichwastheplaceofhonor。Ateverymealtime，adishoffoodwasplacedunderit，andsomepersonofthesamesexandageastheonewhowasgonemustafterwardbeinvitedintopartakeofthefood。Attheendofayearfromthetimeofdeath，therelativesmadeapublicfeastandgaveawaytheclothingandothergifts，whilethelockofhairwasinterredwithappropriateceremonies。
CertainlytheIndianneverdoubtedtheimmortalnatureofthespiritorsoulofman，butneitherdidhecaretospeculateuponitsprobablestateorconditioninafuturelife。Theideaofa"happyhunting-ground"ismodernandprobablyborrowed，orinventedbythewhiteman。TheprimitiveIndianwascontenttobelievethatthespiritwhichthe"GreatMystery"breathedintomanreturnstoHimwhogaveit，andthatafteritisfreedfromthebody，itiseverywhereandpervadesallnature，yetoftenlingersnearthegraveor"spiritbundle"fortheconsolationoffriends，andisabletohearprayers。Somuchofreverencewasduethedisembodiedspirit，thatitwasnotcustomarywithuseventonamethedeadaloud。
ItiswellknownthattheAmericanIndianhadsomehowdevelopedoccultpower，andalthoughinthelatterdaystherehavebeenmanyimpostors，and，allowingforthevanityandweaknessofhumannature，itisfairtoassumethattheremusthavebeensomeevenintheolddays，yettherearewell-attestedinstancesofremarkablepropheciesandothermysticpractice。
ASiouxprophetpredictedthecomingofthewhitemanfullyfiftyyearsbeforetheevent，andevendescribedaccuratelyhisgarmentsandweapons。Beforethesteamboatwasinvented，anotherprophetofourracedescribedthe"FireBoat"thatwouldswimupontheirmightyriver，theMississippi，andthedateofthisprophecyisattestedbythetermused，whichislongsinceobsolete。Nodoubt，manypredictionshavebeencoloredtosuitthenewage，andunquestionablyfalseprophets，fakirs，andconjurershavebecomethepestofthetribesduringthetransitionperiod。
Nevertheless，evenduringthisperiodtherewashereandthereamanoftheoldtypewhowasimplicitlybelievedintothelast。
NotableamongthesewasTa-chank-peeHo-tank-a，orHisWarClubSpeaksLoud，whoforetoldayearinadvancethedetailsofagreatwar-partyagainsttheOjibways。Thereweretobesevenbattles，allsuccessfulexceptthelast，inwhichtheSiouxweretobetakenatadisadvantageandsuffercrushingdefeat。
Thiswascarriedouttotheletter。OurpeoplesurprisedandslewmanyoftheOjibwaysintheirvillages，butinturnwerefollowedandcunninglyledintoanambushwhencebutfewcameoutalive。Thiswasonlyoneofhisremarkableprophecies。
Anotherfamous"medicine-man"wasbornontheRumRiveraboutonehundredandfiftyyearsago，andlivedtobeoveracenturyold。HewasbornduringadesperatebattlewiththeOjibways，atamomentwhen，asitseemed，thebandofSiouxengagedweretobeannihilated。Thereforethechild’sgrandmotherexclaimed：
"Sincewearealltoperish，lethimdieawarrior’sdeathinthefield！"andsheplacedhiscradleunderfire，nearthespotwherehisuncleandgrandfatherswerefighting，forhehadnofather。
Butwhenanoldmandiscoveredthenew-bornchild，hecommandedthewomentotakecareofhim，"for，"saidhe，"weknownothowpreciousthestrengthofevenonewarriormaysomedaybecometohisnation！"
Thischildlivedtobecomegreatamongus，aswasintimatedtothesuperstitiousbythecircumstancesofhisbirth。Attheageofaboutseventy-fiveyears，hesavedhisbandfromutterdestructionatthehandsoftheirancestralenemies，bysuddenlygivingwarningreceivedinadreamoftheapproachofalargewar-party。Themenimmediatelysentoutscouts，andfelledtreesforastockade，barelyintimetomeetandrepelthepredictedattack。Fiveyearslater，herepeatedtheservice，andagainsavedhispeoplefromawfulslaughter。Therewasnoconfusionoffiguresoromens，aswithlessermedicine-men，butineveryincidentthatistoldofhimhisinterpretationofthesign，whateveritwas，provedsingularlycorrect。
ThefatherofLittleCrow，thechiefwholedthe"Minnesotamassacre"of1862，wasanotherprophetofsomenote。Oneofhischaracteristicprophecieswasmadeonlyafewyearsbeforehedied，whenhehaddeclaredthat，althoughalreadyanoldman，hewouldgooncemoreuponthewar-path。Atthefinalwar-feast，hedeclaredthatthreeoftheenemywouldbeslain，butheshowedgreatdistressandreluctanceinforetellingthathewouldlosetwoofhisownmen。ThreeoftheOjibwayswereindeedslainashehadsaid，butinthebattletheoldwarprophetlostbothofhistwosons。
Therearemanytrustworthymen，andmenofChristianfaith，tovouchfortheseandsimilareventsoccurringasforetold。Icannotpretendtoexplainthem，butIknowthatourpeoplepossessedremarkablepowersofconcentrationandabstraction，andIsometimesfancythatsuchnearnesstonatureasIhavedescribedkeepsthespiritsensitivetoimpressionsnotcommonlyfelt，andintouchwiththeunseenpowers。Someofusseemedtohaveapeculiarintuitionforthelocalityofagrave，whichtheyexplainedbysayingthattheyhadreceivedacommunicationfromthespiritofthedeparted。Myowngrandmotherwasoneofthese，andasfarbackasIcanremember，whencampinginastrangecountry，mybrotherandIwouldsearchforandfindhumanbonesatthespotshehadindicatedtousasanancientburial-placeorthespotwherealonewarriorhadfallen。Ofcourse，theoutwardsignsofburialhadbeenlongsinceobliterated。
TheScotchwouldcertainlyhavedeclaredthatshehadthe"secondsight，"forshehadotherremarkablepremonitionsorintuitionswithinmyownrecollection。Ihaveheardherspeakofapeculiarsensationinthebreast，bywhich，asshesaid，shewasadvisedofanythingofimportanceconcerningherabsentchildren。Othernativewomenhaveclaimedasimilarmonitor，butIneverheardofonewhocouldinterpretitwithsuchaccuracy。WewereoncecampingonLakeManitobawhenwereceivednewsthatmyuncleandhisfamilyhadbeenmurderedseveralweeksbefore，atafortsometwohundredmilesdistant。Whileallourclanwerewailingandmourningtheirloss，mygrandmothercalmlybadethemcease，sayingthathersonwasapproaching，andthattheywouldseehimshortly。Althoughwehadnootherreasontodoubttheilltidings，itisafactthatmyunclecameintocamptwodaysafterhisreporteddeath。
Atanothertime，whenIwasfourteenyearsold，wehadjustleftFortEllisontheAssiniboineRiver，andmyyoungestunclehadselectedafinespotforournightcamp。Itwasalreadyaftersundown，butmygrandmotherbecameunaccountablynervous，andpositivelyrefusedtopitchhertent。Sowereluctantlywentondowntheriver，andcampedafterdarkatasecludedplace。Thenextdaywelearnedthatafamilywhowerefollowingclosebehindhadstoppedattheplacefirstselectedbymyuncle，butweresurprisedinthenightbyarovingwar-party，andmassacredtoaman。Thisincidentmadeagreatimpressionuponourpeople。
ManyoftheIndiansbelievedthatonemaybebornmorethanonce，andthereweresomewhoclaimedtohavefullknowledgeofaformerincarnation。Therewerealsothosewhoheldconversewitha"twinspirit，"whohadbeenbornintoanothertribeorrace。
Therewasawell-knownSiouxwar-prophetwholivedinthemiddleofthelastcentury，sothatheisstillrememberedbytheoldmenofhisband。Afterhehadreachedmiddleage，hedeclaredthathehadaspiritbrotheramongtheOjibways，theancestralenemiesoftheSioux。Heevennamedthebandtowhichhisbrotherbelonged，andsaidthathealsowasawar-prophetamonghispeople。
Upononeoftheirhuntsalongtheborderbetweenthetwotribes，theSiouxleaderoneeveningcalledhiswarriorstogether，andsolemnlydeclaredtothemthattheywereabouttomeetalikebandofOjibwayhunters，ledbyhisspirittwin。Sincethiswastobetheirfirstmeetingsincetheywerebornasstrangers，heearnestlybeggedtheyoungmentoresistthetemptationtojoinbattlewiththeirtribalfoes。
"Youwillknowhimatonce，"theprophetsaidtothem，"forhewillnotonlylooklikemeinfaceandform，buthewilldisplaythesametotem，andevensingmywarsongs！"
Theysentoutscouts，whosoonreturnedwithnewsoftheapproachingparty。Thentheleadingmenstartedwiththeirpeace-pipefortheOjibwaycamp，andwhentheywerenearathandtheyfiredthreedistinctvolleys，asignaloftheirdesireforapeacefulmeeting。
Theresponsecameinlikemanner，andtheyenteredthecamp，withthepeace-pipeinthehandsoftheprophet。
Lo，thestrangerprophetadvancedtomeetthem，andthepeopleweregreatlystruckwiththeresemblancebetweenthetwomen，whometandembracedoneanotherwithunusualfervor。
Itwasquicklyagreedbybothpartiesthattheyshouldcamptogetherforseveraldays，andoneeveningtheSiouxmadea"warriors’feast"towhichtheyinvitedmanyoftheOjibways。Theprophetaskedhistwinbrothertosingoneofhissacredsongs，andbehold！itwastheverysongthathehimselfwaswonttosing。
Thisprovedtothewarriorsbeyonddoubtorcaviltheclaimsoftheirseer。