Whenallthericewaspreparedforthetable，thematterofstoringitmustbedetermined。
　　Cachesweredugbyeachfamilyinaconcealedspot，andcarefullylinedwithdrygrassandbark。
　　Heretheylefttheirsurplusstoresforatimeofneed。Ourpeoplewereveryingeniousincover—
　　ingupalltracesofthehiddenfood。Acommontrickwastobuildafireontopofthemound。Asmuchofthericeascouldbecarriedconvenientlywaspackedinpar—fleches，orcasesmadeofraw—
　　hide，andbroughtbackwithustoourvillage。
　　Afterall，thewildIndianscouldnotbejustlytermedimprovident，whentheirmanneroflifeistakenintoconsideration。Theyletnothinggotowaste，andlaboredincessantlyduringthesummerandfalltolayupprovisionfortheinclementsea—
　　son。Berriesofallkindswereindustriouslygathered，anddriedinthesun。Eventhewildcherrieswerepoundedup，stonesandall，madeintosmallcakesanddriedforuseinsoupsandformixingwiththepoundedjerkedmeatandfattoformamuch—prizedIndiandelicacy。
　　OutontheprairieinJulyandAugustthewo—
　　menwerewonttodigteepsinnawithsharpenedsticks，andmanyabagfullwasdriedandputaway。Thisteepsinnaistherootofacertainplantgrowingmostlyuponhighsandysoil。Itisstarchybutsolid，withasweetishtaste，andisveryfatten—
　　ing。Thefullygrownteepsinnaistwoorthreeincheslong，andhasadark—brownbarknotunlikethebarkofayoungtree。Itcanbeeatenraworstewed，andisalwayskeptinadriedstate，exceptwhenitisfirstdug。
　　Therewasanotherrootthatourpeoplegath—
　　eredinsmallquantities。Itisawildsweetpotato，foundinbottomlandsorriverbeds。
　　Theprimitivehousekeeperexertedherselfmuchtosecureavarietyofappetizingdishes;sheevenrobbedthefieldmouseandthemuskrattoaccom—
　　plishherend。Thetinymousegathersforherwinteruseseveralexcellentkindsoffood。Amongtheseisawildbeanwhichequalsinflavoranydo—
　　mesticbeanthatIhaveevertasted。Herstorehouseisusuallyunderapeculiarmound，whichtheun—
　　trainedeyewouldbeunabletodistinguishfromanant—hill。Therearemanypocketsunderneath，intowhichsheindustriouslygatherstheharvestofthesummer。
　　Sheisfortunateifthequickeyeofanativewomandoesnotdetectherhiding—place。AboutthemonthofSeptember，whiletravelingovertheprairie，awomanisoccasionallyobservedtohaltsuddenlyandwaltzaroundasuspectedmound。
　　Finallythepressureofherheelcausesaplacetogiveway，andshesettlescontentedlydowntorobthepoormouseofthefruitsofherlabor。
　　Thedifferentkindsofbeansareputawayindifferentpockets，butitistheoomenechahshewants。Thefieldmouselovesthissavoryveget—
　　able，forshealwaysgathersitmorethananyother。
　　Thereisalsosomeofthewhitestar—likemanak—
　　cahkcah，therootofthewildlily。Thisisagoodmedicineandgoodtoeat。
　　Whenourpeopleweregatheringthewildrice，theyalwayswatchedforanotherplantthatgrowsinthemuddybottomoflakesandponds。Itisawhitebulbaboutthesizeofanordinaryonion。
　　Thisisstoredawaybythemuskratsintheirhousesbythewaterside，andthereisoftenabushelormoreofthepsinchinchahtobefoundwithin。ItseemedasifeverybodywasgoodtothewildIndian;
　　atleastwethoughtsothen。
　　Ihavereferredtotheopportunitiesforcourtinguponthewildricefields。Indiancourtshipisverypeculiarinmanyrespects;butwhenyoustudytheirdailylifeyouwillseethephilosophyoftheiretiquetteoflove—making。Therewasnoparlorcourtship;thelifewaslargelyout—of—doors，whichwasveryfavorabletotheyoungmenInanomadiclifewherethefemalemembersofthefamilyhaveentirecontrolofdomesticaffairs，theworkisdividedamongthemall。Veryoftenthebringingofthewoodandwaterdevolvesupontheyoungmaids，andthespringorthewoodsbecomethebattle—groundoflove’swarfare。Thenearestwatermaybesomedistancefromthecamp，whichisallthebetter。Sometimes，too，thereisnowoodtobehad;andinthatcase，onewouldseetheyoungwomenscatteredallovertheprairie，gatheringbuffalochipsforfuel。
　　Thisisthewaytheredmengoabouttoinducetheaboriginalmaidstolistentotheirsuit。Assoonastheyouthhasreturnedfromthewar—pathorthechase，heputsonhisporcupine—quillembroideredmoccasinsandleggings，andfoldshisbestrobeabouthim。Hebrusheshislong，glossyhairwithabrushmadefromthetailoftheporcupine，per—
　　fumesitwithscentedgrassorleaves，thenarrangesitintwoplaitswithanotterskinorsomeotheror—
　　nament。Ifheisawarrior，headdsaneaglefeatherortwo。
　　Ifhechoosestoride，hetakeshisbestpony。
　　Hejumpsuponitsbareback，simplythrowingapartofhisrobeunderhimtoserveasasaddle，andholdingtheendofalariattiedabouttheanimal’sneck。Heguideshimaltogetherbythemotionsofhisbody。Thesewilyponiesseemtoenterintothespiritoftheoccasion，andveryoftencapturetheeyesofthemaidbytheirgracefulmovements，inperfectobediencetotheirmaster。
　　Thegeneralcustomisfortheyoungmentopulltheirrobesovertheirheads，leavingonlyaslittolookthrough。Sometimesthesameisdonebythemaiden——especiallyinpubliccourtship。
　　Heapproachesthegirlwhilesheiscomingfromthespring。Hetakesuphispositiondirectlyinherpath。Ifsheisinahurryordoesnotcaretostop，shegoesaroundhim;butifsheiswillingtostopandlistensheputsdownonthegroundthevesselofwatersheiscarrying。
　　Veryoftenatthefirstmeetingthemaidendoesnotknowwhoherloveris。Hedoesnotintroducehimselfimmediately，butwaitsuntilasecondmeeting。Sometimesshedoesnotseehisfaceatall;andthenshewilltrytofindoutwhoheisandwhathelookslikebeforetheymeetagain。Ifheisnotadesirablesuitor，shewillgowithherchaperonandendtheaffairthere。
　　Therearetimeswhenmaidensgointwos，andthentheremustbetwoyoungmentomeetthem。
　　Thereissomecourtshipinthenighttime;eitherintheearlypartoftheevening，ontheoutskirtsofdancesandotherpublicaffairs，orafterevery—
　　bodyissupposedtobeasleep。Thisisthesecretcourtship。Theyouthmaypullupthetentpinsjustbackofhissweetheartandspeakwithherduringthenight。Hemustbeasmartyoungmantodothatundetected，forthegrandmother，herchaperon，isusually"allears。"
　　Elopementsarecommon。Therearemanyreasonsforagirlorayouthtodefertheirwedding。
　　Itmaybefrompersonalprideofoneorboth。Thewell—bornaremarriedpublicly，andmanythingsaregivenawayintheirhonor。Themaidenmaydesiretoattendacertainnumberofmaidens’feastsbeforemarrying。Theyouthmaybepoor，orhemaywishtoachieveanotherhonorbeforesurren—
　　deringtoawoman。
　　Sometimesayouthissoinfatuatedwithamaid—
　　enthathewillfollowhertoanypartofthecountry，evenaftertheirrespectivebandshaveseparatedfortheseason。Iknewofonesuchcase。PatahTankahhadcourtedadistantrelativeofmyuncleforalongtime。Thereseemedtobesomeobjec—
　　tiontohimonthepartofthegirl’sparents，al—
　　thoughthegirlherselfwaswilling。
　　Thelargecamphadbeenbrokenupforthefallhunt，andmyuncle’sbandwentoneway，whiletheyoungman’sfamilywentintheotherdirection。
　　Afterthreedays’travelling，wecametoagoodhunting—ground，andmadecamp。Oneeveningsomebodysawtheyoungman。Hehadbeenfol—
　　lowinghissweetheartandsleepingout—of—doorsallthattime，althoughthenightswerealreadyfrostyandcold。Hemethereverydayinsecretandshebroughthimfood，buthewouldnotcomeneartheteepee。Finallyherpeopleyielded，andshewentbackwithhimtohisband。
　　Whenwelivedournaturallife，therewasmuchsingingofwarsongs，medicine，huntingandlovesongs。Sometimestherewerefewwordsornone，buteverythingwasunderstoodbytheinflection。
　　FromthisIhaveoftenthoughtthattheremustbealanguageofdumbbeasts。
　　ThecrudemusicalinstrumentoftheSioux，theflute，wasmadetoappealtothesusceptibleearsofthemaidenslateintothenight。Therecomestomenowthepictureoftwoyoungmenwiththeirrobesovertheirheads，andonlyaportionofthehand—madeandcarvedchotanka，theflute，protrud—
　　ingfromitsfolds。Icanseeallthemaidensslylyturntheirheadstolisten。NowIhearoneoftheyouthsbegintosingaplaintiveserenadeasindaysgoneby：
　　"Hay—ay—ay！Hay—ay—ay！a—ahay—ay！"（This"Listen！youwillhearofhim——
　　Maiden，youwillhearofhim——
　　Listen！hewillshortlygoWasulafeelsthatshemustcomeout，butshehasnogoodexcuse，soshestirsuptheembersofthefireandcausesanunnecessarysmokeintheteepee。Thenshehasanexcusetocomeoutandfixupthetentflaps。Shetakesalongtimetoad—
　　justthesepointedearsoftheteepee，withtheirlongpoles，forthewindseemstobeunsettled。
　　FinallyChotankaceasestobeheard。Inamomentayoungmanappearsghost—likeatthemaiden’sside。
　　"Soitisyou，isit？"sheasks。
　　"Isyourgrandmotherin？"heinquires。
　　"Whatabravemanyouare，tofearanoldwo—
　　man！Wearefree;thecountryiswide。Wecangoaway，andcomebackwhenthestormisover。"
　　"Ho，"hereplies。"ItisnotthatIfearher，ortheconsequencesofanelopement。Ifearnoth—
　　ingexceptthatwemaybeseparated！"
　　Thegirlgoesintothelodgeforamoment，thenslipsoutoncemore。"Now，"sheexclaims，"tothewoodortheprairie！Iamyours！"Theydis—
　　appearinthedarkness。
　　IV：AMeetingonthePlainsWEwereencampedatonetimeontheSourisorMouseriver，atribu—
　　taryoftheAssiniboine。Thebuffaloeswerestillplenty;hencewewerelivingonthe"fatoftheland。"OneafternoonascoutcameinwiththeannouncementthatabodyofUnitedStatestroopswasapproaching！Thisre—
　　port，ofcourse，causedmuchuneasinessamongourpeople。
　　Acouncilwasheldimmediately，inthecourseofwhichthescoutwasputthrougharigidexam—
　　ination。Beforeadecisionhadbeenreached，an—
　　otherscoutcameinfromthefield。HedeclaredthatthemovingtrainreportedasabodyoftroopswasinrealityatrainofCanadiancarts。
　　Thetworeportsdifferedsowidelythatitwasdeemedwisetosendoutmorerunnerstoobservethismovingbodyclosely，andascertaindefinitelyitscharacter。Thesesoonreturnedwiththepos—
　　itiveinformationthattheCanadianswereathand，"for，"saidthey，"therearenobrightmetalsinthemovingtraintosendforthflashesoflight。
　　Theseparatebodiesareshort，likecartswithponies，andnotlikethelong，four—wheeledwagondrawnbyfourorsixmules，thatthesoldiersuse。Theyarenotbuffaloes，andtheycannotbemountedtroops，withpack—mules，becausetheindividualbodiesaretoolongforthat。Besides，thesoldiersusuallyhavetheirchief，withhisguards，leadingthetrain;andthelittlechiefsarealsoseparatedfromthemainbodyandrideatoneside！"
　　Fromtheseobservationsitwasconcludedthatweweresoontomeetwiththeboisbrules，astheFrenchcalltheirmixed—bloods，presumablyfromthecoloroftheircomplexions。Somesaythattheyarenamedfromthe"burnedforests"which，aswood—cutters，theyareaccustomedtoleavebe—
　　hindthem。Twoorthreehourslater，ataboutsunset，ourearsbegantodistinguishthepeculiarmusicthatalwaysaccompaniedamovingtrainoftheircarts。Itislikethegruntingandsquealingofmanyanimals，andisduetothefactthatthewheelsandallotherpartsofthesevehiclesaremadeofwood。Ourdogsgleefullyaugmentedthevolumeofinharmonioussound。
　　Theystoppedalittlewayfromourcamp，uponagrassyplain，andtheponiesweremadetowheeltheirclumsyburdensintoaperfectcircle，theshaftsbeingturnedinward。Thuswasformedasortofbarricade——quiteausualandnecessarypre—
　　cautionintheirnomadicandadventurouslife。
　　Withinthiscirclethetentswerepitched，andmanycheerfulfiresweresoonkindled。Thegarconswerehurriedlydrivingtheponiestowater，withmuchcrackingofwhipsandoutburstingofim—
　　patientoaths。
　　Ourchiefandhisprincipalwarriorsbrieflycon—
　　ferredwiththestrangers，anditwasunderstoodbybothpartiesthatnothoughtofhostilitieslurkedinthemindsofeither。
　　Afterhavingobservedtheexchangeofpresentsthatalwaysfollowsa"peacecouncil，"therewerefriendlyandhospitablefeastsinbothcamps。Theboisbruleshadbeenlongawayfromanyfortortrading—post，anditsohappenedthattheirinevi—
　　tablewhiskeykegwasalmostempty。Theyhaddilutedthefewgillsremainingwithseverallargekettlesfullofwater。Inordertohaveanysortofoffensivetaste，itwasnecessarytoaddcayennepepperandalittlegentian。
　　Ourmenweretreatedtothisconcoction;andseeingthattwoorthreeofthehalf—breedspre—
　　tendedtobecomeintoxicated，ourbravesfollowedtheirexample。Theymadenightintolerablewiththeirshoutsandsinginguntilpastmidnight，whengraduallyalldisturbanceceased，andbothcampsappearedtobewrappedindeepslumber。
　　Suddenlytheloudreportofagunstirredthesleepers。Manymorereportswereheardinquicksuccession，allcomingfromthecampoftheboisbrules。EverymanamongtheSiouxsprangtohisfeet，weaponinhand，andmanyrantowardstheirponies。Buttherewasonesignificantpointabouttheuntimelyfiringoftheguns——theywerealldi—
　　rectedheavenward！Oneofouroldmen，whounderstoodbetterthananyoneelsethemannersofthehalf—breeds，thusproclaimedatthetopofhisvoice：
　　"Letthepeoplesleep！Thisthatwehaveheardistheannouncementofaboy’sadventintotheworld！Itistheircustomtointroducewithgunpowderanew—bornboy！"
　　Againquietwasrestoredintheneighboringcamps，andforatimethenightreignedundis—
　　turbed。Butscarcelyhadwefallenintoasoundsleepwhenwewereforthesecondtimerudelyarousedbythefiringofgunsandtheyellingofwarriors。Thistimeitwasdiscoveredthatalmostalltheponies，includingthoseofourneighbors，hadbeenstealthilydrivenoffbyhorse—thievesofanothertribe。
　　Thesemiscreantswereadeptsintheirprofes—
　　sion，fortheyhadaccomplishedtheirpurposewithmuchskill，almostundertheveryeyesofthefoe，andhaditnotbeenfortheinvinciblesuperstitionofSlowDog，theywouldhavemetwithcompletesuccess。Asitwas，theycausedusnolittletroubleandanxiety，butafterahotpur—
　　suitofawholeday，withtheassistanceofthehalf—
　　breedsourhorseswererecaptured。
　　SlowDogwasoneofthoseIndianswhoarefilledwithconceit，andboastingloudlytheirpretensionsasmedicinemen，withoutanysuccess，onlybringuponthemselvesanunnecessaryamountofem—
　　barrassmentandridicule。Yetthereisonequali—
　　tyalwayspossessedbysuchpersons，amongasavagepeopleaselsewhere——namely，greatperse—
　　veranceandtenacityintheirself—assertion。SotheblessingofignorancekeptSlowDogalwayscheerful;andheseemed，ifanything，toderivesomepleasurefromtheendlessinsinuationsandridiculeofthepeople！
　　NowSlowDoghadloudlyproclaimed，onthenightbeforethisevent，thathehadreceivedthewarningofabaddream，inwhichhehadseenalltheponiesbelongingtothetribestampededanddrivenwestward。
　　"ButwhocaresforSlowDog’sdream？"saideverybody;"noneofthereallygreatmedicinemenhavehadanysuchvisions！"
　　Thereforeourlittlecommunity，givenastheyweretosuperstition，anticipatednospecialdanger。
　　Itistruethatwhenthefirstscoutreportedtheapproachoftroopssomeofthepeoplehadweak—
　　ened，andsaidtooneanother：
　　"Afterall，perhapspoorSlowDogmayberight;
　　butwearealwaystooreadytolaughathim！"
　　However，thisfeelingquicklypassedawaywhenthejovialCanadiansarrived，andtheoldmanwasleftalonetobrooduponhiswarning。
　　Hewasfaithfultohisdream。Duringallthehilarityofthefeastandthedrinkingofthemockwhiskey，beactedasself—constitutedsentinel。
　　Finally，wheneverybodyelsehadsuccumbedtosleep，hegatheredtogetherseveralbrokenanddiscardedlariatsofvariousmaterials——leather，buffalo’shairandhorse’shair。Havinglength—
　　enedthisvariegatedropewithinnumerableknots，hefastenedoneendofitaroundtheneckofhisoldwar—horse，andtiedtheothertohiswrist。In—
　　steadofsleepinginsidethetentasusual，herolledhimselfinabuffalorobeandlaydowninitsshadow。Fromthisplacehewatcheduntilthemoonhaddisappearedbehindthewesternhori—
　　zon;andjustasthegreydawnbegantoappearintheeasthiseyeswereattractedtowhatseemedtobeadogmovingamongthepicketedponies。
　　Uponacloserscrutiny，hesawthatitsactionswereunnatural。
　　"Tokaabedo！tokaabedo！"（theenemy！theenemy！）exclaimedSlowDog。Withawar—
　　whoophesprangtowardtheintruder，whoroseupandleapeduponthebackofSlowDog’swar—
　　steed。Hehadcutthehobble，aswellasthede—
　　viceoftheoldmedicineman。
　　TheSiouxnowbenthisbowtoshoot，butitwastoolate。Theotherquicklydodgedbehindtheanimal，andfromunderitschesthesentadeadlyarrowtoSlowDog’sbosom。Thenhere—
　　mountedtheponyandsetoffatfullspeedafterhiscomrades，whohadalreadystarted。
　　AstheSiouxbravesrespondedtothealarm，andpassedbythedaringoldwarriorinpursuitoftheirenemies，whohadstampededmostofthelooseponies，theoldmancriedout：
　　"I，braveSlowDog，whohavesooftenmadeapathforyouonthefieldofbattle，amnowabouttomakeonetothelandofspirits！"
　　Sospeaking，theoldmandied。TheSiouxwerejoinedinthechasebythefriendlymixed—
　　bloods，andintheendtheBlackfeetwerecom—
　　pelledtopaydearlyforthebloodofthepooroldman。
　　OnthatbeautifulmorningallNatureseemedbrilliantandsmiling，buttheSiouxweremourn—
　　ingandwailingforthedeathofonewhohadbeenanobjectofridiculeduringmostofhislife。TheyappreciatedthepartthatSlowDoghadplayedinthislastevent，andhismemorywashonoredbyallthetribe。
　　V：AnAdventurousJourneyITmustnowbeaboutthirtyyearssinceourlongjourneyinsearchofnewhunting—grounds，fromtheAssiniboinerivertotheUpperMissouri。Thebuffalo，formerlysoabundantbetweenthetworivers，hadbeguntoshuntheirusualhaunts，onaccountofthegreatnumbersofCanadianhalf—
　　breedsinthatpartofthecountry。TherewasalsothefirstinfluxofEnglishsportsmen，whosewholesalemethodsofdestructionwroughtsuchhavocwiththeherds。Theseseeminglyintelli—
　　gentanimalscorrectlyprophesiedtothenativestheapproachofthepale—face。
　　Aswehadanticipated，wefoundgameveryscarceaswetravelledslowlyacrossthevastplains。
　　Therewereonlyherdsofantelopeandsometimesflocksofwaterfowl，withhereandtherealonelybullstragglingaimlesslyalong。Atfirstourpartywassmall，butasweproceededonourwaywefellinwithsomeofthewesternbandsofSiouxandAssiniboines，whoarecloseconnections。
　　Eachdaythecampwasraisedandmarchedfromtentotwentymiles。Onemightwonderhowsuchacavalcadewouldlookinmotion。TheonlyvehiclesweretheprimitivetravauxdrawnbyponiesandlargeEsquimauxdogs。Thesearemerelyapairofshaftsfastenedoneithersideoftheanimal，andtrailingonthegroundbehind。A
　　largebasketsuspendedbetweenthepoles，justabovetheground，suppliedaplaceforgoodsandasafenestforthebabies，oranoccasionalhelplessoldwoman。Mostofoureffectswerecarriedbypackponies;andanIndianpackerexcelsalloth—
　　ersinquicknessanddexterity。
　　Thetrainwasnearlyamilelong，headedbyanumberofoldwarriorsonfoot，whocarriedthefilledpipe，anddecidedwhenandwheretostop。
　　Averywarmdaymademuchtroubleforthewomenwhohadchargeofthemovinghousehold。
　　Thepackdogswereespeciallyunmanageable。
　　Theywouldbecomeverythirstyandrunintothewaterwiththeirloads。Thescoldingofthewomen，thesingingoftheoldmenandtheyelpsoftheIndiandudesmadeourprogressanoisyone，andlikethatofatowninmotionratherthananord—
　　inarycompanyoftravelers。
　　Thisjourneyofourswasnotwithoutitsexcit—
　　ingepisodes。Myunclehadleftthemainbodyandgoneofftothesouthwithasmallparty，ashewasaccustomedtodoeverysummer，toseekrevengeofsomesortonthewhitesforallthein—
　　juriesthattheyhadinflicteduponourfamily。
　　Thistimehemetwithacompanyofsoldiersbe—
　　tweenFortTottenandFortBerthold，inNorthDakota。Somehow，thesesevenIndianssurprisedthetroopersinbroaddaylight，whileeatingtheirdinner，andcapturedthewholeoutfit，includingnearlyalltheirmulesandonewhitehorse，withsuchoftheirprovisionsastheycaredtocarrybackwiththem。NodoubtthesesoldiersreportedatthefortthattheyhadbeenattackedbyalargepartyofIndians，andIdaresaysomepromo—
　　tionsrewardedtheirtaleofabravedefense！
　　However，thefactsarejustasIhavestatedthem。
　　Myunclebroughthomethewhitehorse，andthefineSpanishmulesweretakenbytheothers。
　　Amongthethingstheybroughtbackwiththemwereseveralloavesofraisedbread，thefirstIhadeverseen，andagreatcuriosity。Wecalleditaguyapetachangu，orlungbread，fromitsspongyconsistency。
　　Althoughwhenasuccessfulwar—partyreturnswithsomanytrophies，thereisusuallymuchdancingandhilarity，therewasalmostnothingofthekindonthisoccasion。Thereasonwasthattheenemymadelittleresistance;andthentherewasouroldtraditionwithregardtothewhitesthatthereisnohonorinconqueringthem，astheyfightonlyundercompulsion。Hadtherereallybeenabattle，andsomeofourmenbeenkilled，therewouldhavebeensomeenthusiasm。
　　Itwasuponthisjourneythatahunterper—
　　formedthefeatofshootinganarrowthroughthreeantelopes。Thisstatementmayperhapsbedoubted，yetIcanvouchforitsauthenticity。Hewasnotaloneatthetime，andthosewhowerewithhimarereliablewitnesses。Theanimalsweredrivenuponamarshypeninsula，wheretheywerecrowdedtogetherandalmosthelpless。Manyweredespatchedwithknivesandarrows;andamanbythenameofGrey—foot，whowaslargeandtallandanextraordinarilyfinehunter，actuallysenthisarrowthroughthreeofthem。Thisfeatwasnotaccomplishedbymerestrength，foritre—
　　quiresagreatdealofskillaswell。
　　Amisfortuneoccurredneartheriverwhichde—
　　privedusofoneofourbestyoungmen。Therewasnootherman，exceptmyownuncle，forwhomIhadatthattimesogreatanadmiration。Verystrangely，asitappearedtome，heboreaChris—
　　tianname。HewascommonlycalledJacob。I
　　didnotdiscoverhowhecamebysuchacuriousandapparentlymeaninglessnameuntilafterIhadreturnedtotheUnitedStates。Hisfatherhadbeenconvertedbyoneoftheearlymissionaries，beforetheMinnesotamassacrein1862，andtheboyhadbeenbaptizedJacob。Hewasanidealwoodsmanandhunterandreallyaheroinmyeyes。Hewasoneofthepartyofsevenwhohadattackedandputtoroutthewhitesoldiers。
　　Thetroublearosethus。Jacobhadtakenfromthesoldierstwogoodmules，andsoonafterwardwefellinwithsomeCanadianhalf—breedswhoweredesirousoftradingforthem。However，theyoungmanwouldnottrade;hewasnotatalldis—
　　posedtopartwithhisfinemules。Acertainoneofthemixed—bloodswasintentupongettingpos—
　　sessionoftheseanimalsbyfairorunfairmeans。
　　HeinvitedJacobtodinner，andtreatedhimtowhiskey;buttheIndianyouthdeclinedtheliquor。
　　Thehalf—breedpretendedtotakethisrefusaltodrinkasaninsult。Heseizedhisgunandshothisguestdead。
　　Inafewminutesthescenewasoneofalmostunprecedentedexcitement。EveryadultIndian，femaleaswellasmale，wasbentuponinvadingthecampoftheboisbrules，todestroythemur—
　　derer。Theconfusionwasmadeyetmoreintol—
　　erablebythewailingofthewomenandthesing—
　　ingofdeath—songs。
　　Ournumberwasnowtentooneofthehalf—
　　breeds。Withinthecircleformedbytheircartstheypreparedforadesperateresistance。Thehillsabouttheirlittleencampmentwerecoveredwithwarriors，readytopounceuponthematthesig—
　　naloftheirchief。
　　Theoldermen，however，werediscussingincouncilwhatshouldbedemandedofthehalf—
　　breeds。Itwasdeterminedthatthemurderermustbegivenuptous，tobepunishedaccord—
　　ingtothelawsoftheplains。If，however，theyshouldrefusetogivehimup，themodeofattackdecideduponwastobuildafirearoundtheoffen—
　　dersandthusstampedetheirhorses，orattheleastdividetheirattention。Meanwhile，thebravesweretomakeasuddenonset。
　　Justthenapieceofwhite，newly—tanneddeer—
　　skinwashoistedupinthecenteroftheboisbruleencampment。Itwasaflagoftruce。Oneoftheirnumberapproachedthecouncillodge，un—
　　armedandmakingthesignforapeacefulcom—
　　munication。Hewasadmittedtothecouncil，whichwasstillinsession，andofferedtogiveupthemurderer。Itwasalsoproposed，asanalter—
　　native，thathebecompelledtogiveeverythinghehadtotheparentsofthemurderedman。
　　Theparentswereallowednovoicewhateverinthediscussionwhichfollowed，fortheywerere—
　　gardedasincompetentjudges，underthecircum—
　　stances。Itwasfinallydecreedbythecouncilthattheman’slifeshouldbespared，butthathemustbeexposedtotheindignityofapublicwhip—
　　ping，andresignallhisearthlypossessionstotheparentsofhisvictim。Thissentencewascarriedintoeffect。
　　Inournomadiclifetherewereafewunwrittenlawsbywhichourpeopleweregoverned。Therewasacouncil，apoliceforce，andanexecutiveoffi—
　　cer，whowasnotalwaysthechief，butamemberofthetribeappointedtothispositionforagivennumberofdays。Therewerealsothewiseoldmenwhowereconstantlyinattendanceatthecouncillodge，andactedasjudgesintherareeventofthecommissionofacrime。
　　Thissimplegovernmentofourswassupportedbytheissueoflittlesticksaboutfiveincheslong。
　　Therewereahundredorsoofthese，andtheyweredistributedeveryfewdaysbythepoliceorsoldiers，whokeptaccountofthem。Whoeverreceivedoneofthesesticksmustreturnitwithinfiveortendays，withaloadofprovisions。Ifonewasheldbeyondthestipulatedtimethepolicewouldcallthedelinquentwarriortoaccount。Incasehedidnotrespond，theycouldcomeandde—
　　stroyhistentortakeawayhisweapons。Whenallthestickshadbeenreturned，theywerere—
　　issuedtoothermen;andsothecouncillodgewassupported。
　　Itwasthecustomthatnomanwhohadnotdistinguishedhimselfuponthewar—pathcoulddestroythehomeofanother。Thiswasaneces—
　　saryqualificationfortheofficeofanIndianpolice—
　　man。Thesepolicemenmustalsooverseethehunt，lestsomeindividualsshouldbewellprovidedwithfoodwhileotherswereinwant。Nomanmighthuntindependently。Thegamemustbecarefullywatchedbythegamescouts，andthedis—
　　coveryofaherdreportedatoncetothecouncil，afterwhichthetimeandmannerofthehuntwerepubliclyannounced。
　　Iwellrecallhowtheheraldannouncedthenearapproachofbuffaloes。Itwassupposedthatifthelittleboyscouldtripuptheoldmanwhilegoinghisrounds，thesuccessofthehuntwasassured。
　　Theoftenerhewastripped，themoresuccessfulitwouldbe！Thesignalorcallforbuffaloeswasapeculiarwhistle。Assoonastheheraldappeared，alltheboyswouldgivethewhistleandfollowincrowdsafterthepooroldman。Ofcoursehetriedtoavoidthem，buttheyweregenerallytooquickforhim。
　　Thereweretwokindsofscouts，forhuntingandforwar。InonesenseeveryIndianwasascout;
　　butthereweresomeespeciallyappointedtoserveforacertainlengthoftime。AnIndianmighthunteveryday，besidestheregularlyorganizedhunt;buthewasliabletopunishmentatanytime。
　　Ifhecouldkillasolitarybuffaloordeerwithoutdisturbingtheherd，itwasallowed。Hemightalsohuntsmallgame。
　　Inthemovabletownundersuchagovernmentasthis，therewasapttobeinconvenienceandac—
　　tualsuffering，sinceagreatbodyofpeopleweresupportedonlybythedailyhunt。Hencetherewasaconstantdispositiontobreakupintosmallerparties，inordertoobtainfoodmoreeasilyandfreely。YetthewisemenoftheDakotaswouldoccasionallyformlargebandsoffromtwotofivethousandpeople，whocampedandmovedabouttogetherforaperiodofsomemonths。Itisap—
　　parentthatsolargeabodycouldnotbeeasilysup—
　　pliedwiththenecessariesoflife;but，ontheotherhand，ourenemiesrespectedsuchagathering！Ofcoursethenomadicgovernmentwoulddoitsut—
　　mosttoholdtogetheraslongaspossible。Thepolicedidalltheycouldtokeepincheckthosepartieswhowereintentuponstealingaway。
　　Thereweremanytimes，however，whenindivid—
　　ualbandsandevenfamilieswerejustifiedinseek—
　　ingtoseparatethemselvesfromtherest，inordertogainabettersupport。ItwaschieflybyreasonofthisfoodquestionthattheIndiansneverestab—
　　lishedpermanenttownsororganizedthemselvesintoamoreformidablenation。
　　Therewasasadmisfortunewhich，althoughithappenedmanygenerationsago，wasfamiliarlyquotedamongus。Acertainbandbecameveryindependentandunruly;theywentsofarastowilfullydisobeytheordersofthegeneralgovern—
　　ment。Thepoliceweredirectedtopunishtheleaderseverely;whereupontherestdefendedhimandresistedthepolice。Butthelatterwerecompetenttoenforcetheirauthority，andasare—
　　sulttheentirebandwasannihilated。
　　Oneday，aswewerefollowingalongthebankoftheUpperMissouri，thereappearedtobeagreatdisturbanceattheheadofthecavalcade——somuchsothatwethoughtourpeoplehadbeenattackedbyawar—partyoftheCrowsorsomeofthehostiletribesofthatregion。Inspiteofthedanger，eventhewomenandchildrenhurriedfor—
　　wardtojointhemen——thatistosay，asmanyaswerenotuponthehunt。Mostofthewarriorswereout，asusual，andonlythelargeboysandtheoldmenweretravellingwiththewomenandtheirdomesticeffectsandlittleones。
　　Asweapproachedthesceneofaction，weheardloudshoutsandthereportoffire—arms;butourpartywasscatteredalongforaconsiderabledis—
　　tance，andallwasoverbeforewecouldreachthespot。Itwasagreatgrizzlybearwhohadbeenboldenoughtooppose，single—handed，theprogressofseveralhundredIndians。Thecouncil—men，whousuallywalkedalittleinadvanceofthetrain，werethefirsttomeetthebear，andhewasprob—
　　ablydeceivedbythesightofthisadvancebody，andthusaudaciouslydefiedthem。
　　Amongthesecouncil—men——allretiredchiefsandwarriorswhoseardentzealforthedisplayofcouragehadlongbeencooled，andwhosepresentdutieswerethoseofcalmdeliberationfortheirpeople’swelfare——thereweretwoold，distinguishedwar—chiefs。Eachofthesemenstillcarriedhiswar—lance，wrappedupindecoratedbuckskin。Asthebearadvancedboldlytowardthem，thetwooldmenpromptlythrewofftheirrobes——anevidencethattherestilllurkedwithintheirbreaststhespiritofchivalryandreadycourage。Spearinhand，theybothsprangforwardtocombatwiththefe—
　　rociousanimal，takinguptheirpositionsabouttenfeetapart。
　　Astheyhadexpected，thefearfulbeast，aftergettinguponhishaunchesandgrowlingsavagely，cameforwardwithwidelyopenedjaws。Hefixedhiseyesupontheleft—handman，whowasreadytomeethimwithupliftedspear，butwithonestrokeofhispowerfulpawtheweaponwassenttotheground。Atthesamemomenttheright—handmandealthimastabthatpenetratedthegrizzly’sside。
　　Thebearutteredagroannotunlikethatofaman，andseizedthespearsoviolentlythatitsownerwasthrowntotheground。Astheanimaldrewthelancefromitsbody，thefirstman，havingrecoveredhisown，stabbedhimwithitontheotherside。Uponthis，heturnedandknockedtheoldmandown，andagainendeavoredtoextractthespear。
　　Bythistimeallthedogsandmenwereathand。
　　Manyarrowsandballsweresentintothetoughhideofthebear。Yethewouldprobablyhavekilledbothhisassailants，haditnotbeenfortheactivesmalldogswhowereconstantlyuponhisheelsandannoyinghim。Adeadlyrifleshotatlastbroughthimdown。
　　Theoldmenwerebadlybruisedandtorn，butbothofthemrecovered，tobearfromthatdaythehigh—soundingtitlesof"Fought—the—Bear"and"Conquered—the—Grizzly。"
　　XI
　　TheLaughingPhilosopherTHEREisscarcelyanythingsoexasperatingtomeastheideathatthenativesofthiscountryhavenosenseofhumorandnofacultyformirth。Thisphaseoftheircharacteriswellunder—
　　stoodbythosewhosefortuneormisfortuneithasbeentoliveamongthemdayinanddayoutattheirhomes。Idon’tbelieveIeverheardarealheartylaughawayfromtheIndians’fireside。I
　　haveoftenspentanentireeveninginlaughingwiththemuntilIcouldlaughnomore。Thereareeveningswhentherecognizedwitorstory—tellerofthevillagegivesafreeentertainmentwhichkeepstherestofthecommunityinaconvulsivestateuntilheleavesthem。However，Indianhumorconsistsasmuchinthegesturesandin—
　　flectionsofthevoiceasinwords，andisreallyun—
　　translatable。
　　Matogee（YellowBear）wasanaturalhumorousspeaker，andaverydiffidentmanatothertimes。
　　Heusuallysaidlittle，butwhenhewasinthemoodhecouldkeepalargecompanyinaroar。
　　Thiswasespeciallythecasewheneverhemethisbrother—in—law，Tamedokah。
　　ItwasacustomwithusIndianstojokemoreparticularlywithourbrothers—andsisters—in—law。
　　Butnooneevercomplained，orresentedanyofthesejokes，howeverpersonaltheymightbe。
　　Thatwouldbeanunpardonablebreachofeti—
　　quette。
　　"Tamedokah，Iheardthatyoutriedtocaptureabuckbyholdingontohistail，"saidMatogee，laughing。"Ibelievethatfeatcannotbeper—
　　formedanymore;atleast，itneverhasbeensincethepale—facebroughtustheknife，the’mysteriousiron，’andthepulverizedcoalthatmakesbulletsfly。Sinceourancestorshuntedwithstoneknivesandhatchets，Isay，thathasneverbeendone。"
　　ThefactwasthatTamedokahhadstunnedabuckthatdaywhilehunting，andashewasabouttodresshimtheanimalgotupandattemptedtorun，whereupontheIndianlaunchedforthtose—
　　curehisgame。Heonlysucceededingraspingthetailofthedeer，andwaspulledaboutalloverthemeadowsandtheadjacentwoodsuntilthetailcameoffinhishands。Matogeethoughtthistoogoodajoketobelost。
　　Isatnearthedoorofthetent，andthoroughlyenjoyedthestoryofthecomicalaccident。
　　"Yes，"Tamedokahquietlyreplied，"IthoughtIwoulddosomethingtobeatthestoryofthemanwhorodeayoungelk，andyelledfranticallyforhelp，cryinglikeawoman。"
　　"Ugh！thatwasonlyalegend，"retortedMa—
　　togee，foritwashewhowastheheroofthistaleinhisyoungerdays。"Butthisisafreshfeatofto—day。Chankpayuhahsaidhecouldnottellwhichwasthemostscared，thebuckoryou，"hecontinued。"Hesaidthedeer’seyeswerebulg—
　　ingoutoftheirsockets，whileTamedokah’smouthwasconstantlyenlargingtowardhisears，andhishairfloatedonthewind，shakingamongthebranchesofthetrees。Thatwillgodownwiththetraditionsofourfathers，"heconcludedwithanairofsatisfaction。
　　"Itwasasingularmishap，"admittedTame—
　　dokah。
　　ThepipehadbeenfilledbyMatogeeandpassedtoTamedokahgood—naturedly，stillwithabroadsmileonhisface。"Itmustbeacknowledged，"
　　heresumed，"thatyouhavethestrongestkindofagrip，fornooneelsecouldholdonaslongasyoudid，andsecuresuchatrophybesides。Thattailwilldoforaneaglefeatherholder。"
　　Bythistimetheteepeewaspackedtoover—
　　flowing。Loudlaughterhadbeenheardis—
　　suingfromthelodgeofMatogee，andevery—
　　bodysuspectedthathehadsomethinggood，somanyhadcometolisten。
　　"Ithinkweshouldhearthewholematter，"
　　saidoneofthelatecomers。
　　Theteepeewasbrightlylitbytheburningem—
　　bers，andallthemenweresittingwiththeirkneesupagainsttheirchests，heldinthatpositionbywrappingtheirrobestightlyaroundloinsandknees。Thisfixedthemsomethinginthefashionofarocking—chair。
　　"Well，noonesawhimexceptChankpayu—
　　hah，"Matogeeremarked。
　　"Yes，yes，hemusttellusaboutit，"exclaimedachorusofvoices。
　　"ThisiswhatIsaw，"thewitnessbegan。"I
　　wastrackingabuckandadoe。AsIapproachedasmallopeningatthecreekside’boom！’cameareportofthemysteriousiron。Iremainedinastoopingposition，hopingtoseeadeercrosstheopening。InthisIwasnotdisappointed，forim—
　　mediatelyafterthereportafinebuckdashedforthwithTamedokahclosebehindhim。Thelatterwasholdingontothedeer’stailwithbothhandsandhisknifewasinhismouth，butitsoondroppedout。’Tamedokah，’Ishouted，’haven’tyougotholdofthewronganimal？’butasIspoketheydisappearedintothewoods。
　　"Inaminutetheybothappearedagain，andthenitwasthatIbegantolaugh。Icouldnotstop。Italmostkilledme。ThedeerjumpedthelongestjumpsIeversaw。Tamedokahwalkedthelongestpacesandwasveryswift。Hishairwaswhippingthetreesastheywentby。Waterpoureddownhisface。Istoodbentforwardbe—
　　causeIcouldnotstraightenmyback—bone，andwasreadytofallwhentheyagaindisappeared。
　　"Whentheycameoutforthethirdtimeitseemedasifthewoodsandthemeadowweremov—
　　ingtoo。Tamedokahskippedacrosstheopeningasifhewereagrasshopperlearningtohop。I
　　felldown。
　　"WhenIcametohewasputtingwateronmyfaceandhead，butwhenIlookedathimIfellagain，anddidnotknowanythinguntilthesunhadpassedthemid—sky。
　　Thecompanywaskeptroaringallthewaythroughthisaccount，whileTamedokahhimselfheartilyjoinedinthemirth。
　　"Ho，ho，ho！"theysaid;"hehasmadehisnamefamousinourannals。Thiswillbetoldofhimhenceforth。"
　　"ItremindsmeofChadozee’sbearstory，"saidone。
　　"Hiswasmorethrilling，becauseitwasreallydangerous，"interposedanother。
　　"Youcantellittous，Bobdoo，"remarkedathird。
　　Themanthusaddressedmadenoimmediatereply。Hewassmokingcontentedly。AtlasthesilentlyreturnedthepipetoMatogee，withwhomithadbegunitsrounds。Deliberatelyhetight—
　　enedhisrobearoundhim，sayingashedidso：
　　"Ho（Yes）。Iwaswithhim。Itwasbyaverylittlethathesavedhislife。Iwilltellyouhowithappened。
　　"Iwashuntingwiththesetwomen，NageedahandChadozee。Wecametosomewildcherrybushes。IbegantoeatofthefruitwhenIsawalargesilver—tipcrawlingtowardus。’Lookout！
　　thereisagrizzlyhere，’Ishouted，andIranmyponyoutontotheprairie;buttheothershadalreadydismounted。
　　"Nageedahhadjusttimetojumpuponhisponyandgetoutoftheway，butthebearseizedholdofhisrobeandpulleditoff。Chado—
　　zeestooduponthevergeofasteepbank，belowwhichthereranadeepandswift—flowingstream。
　　Thebearrusheduponhimsosuddenlythatwhenhetookastepbackward，theybothfellintothecreektogether。Itwasafallofabouttwicetheheightofaman。"
　　"Didtheygooutofsight？"someonein—
　　quired。
　　"Yes，bothfellheadlong。InhisexcitementChadozeelaidholdofthebearinthewater，andI
　　neversawabeartrysohardtogetawayfromamanasthisonedid。"
　　"Ha，ha，ha！ha，ha，ha！"theyalllaughed。
　　"Whentheycametothesurfaceagaintheywerebothsoeagertogettotheshorethateachletgo，andtheyswamasquicklyastheycouldtooppositesides。Chadozeecouldnotgetanyfurther，soheclungtoastrayroot，stillkeepingaclosewatchofthebear，whowasforcedtodothesame。
　　Theretheybothhung，regardingeachotherwithlooksofcontemptanddefiance。"
　　"Ha，ha，ha！ha，ha，ha！"theyalllaughedagain。
　　"Atlastthebearswamalongtheedgetoalowerplace，andwepulledChadozeeupbymeansofourlariats。Allthistimehehadbeengroan—
　　ingsoloudthatwesupposedhewasbadlytorn;
　　butwhenIlookedforhiswoundsIfoundamerescratch。"
　　Againthechorusofappreciationfromhishearers。
　　"Thestrangestthingaboutthisaffairofmine，"
　　spokeupTamedokah，"isthatIdreamedthewholethingthenightbefore。"
　　"Therearesomedreamscometrue，andIamabelieverindreams，"oneremarked。
　　"Yes，certainly，soareweall。YouknowHachahalmostlosthislifebybelievingindreams，"commentedMatogee。
　　"Letushearthatstory，"wasthegeneralre—
　　quest。
　　"YouhaveallheardofHachah，thegreatmedicineman，whodidmanywonderfulthings。
　　Heoncedreamedfournightsinsuccessionoffly—
　　ingfromahighcliffovertheMinnesotariver。
　　Herecollectedeveryparticularofthescene，anditmadeagreatimpressionuponhismind。
　　"Thenextdayafterhehaddreameditforthefourthtime，heproposedtohiswifethattheygodowntotherivertoswim，buthisrealpurposewastoseetheplaceofhisdream。
　　"Hedidfindtheplace，anditseemedtoHa—
　　chahexactlylike。Acrookedtreegrewoutofthetopofthecliff，andthewaterbelowwasverydeep。"
　　"Didhereallyfly？"Icalledimpatientlyfromthedoorway，whereIhadbeenlisteningandlaugh—
　　ingwiththerest。
　　"Ugh，thatiswhatIshalltellyou。Hewasswimmingaboutwithhiswife，whowasafineswimmer;butallatonceHachahdisappeared。
　　Presentlyhestoodupontheverytreethathehadseeninhisdream，andgazedoutoverthewater。
　　Thetreewasveryspringy，andHachahfeltsurethathecouldfly;sobeforelonghelaunchedbravelyforthfromthecliff。Hekickedoutvigor—
　　ouslyandswungbotharmsashedidso，butneverthelesshecamedowntothebottomofthewaterlikeacrowthathadbeenshotonthewing。"
　　"Ho，ho，ho！Ho，ho，ho！"andthewholecompanylaughedunreservedly。
　　"HiswifescreamedloudlyasHachahwhirleddownwardandwentoutofsightlikeablueheronafterafish。Thenshefearedhemightbestunned，sosheswamtohimanddraggedhimtotheshore。Hecouldnotspeak，butthewomanover—
　　whelmedhimwithreproaches。
　　"’Whatareyoutryingtodo，youoldidiot？
　　Doyouwanttokillyourself？’shescreamedagainandagain。
　　"’Woman，besilent，’hereplied，andhesaidnothingmore。Hedidnottellhisdreamformanyyearsafterward。Notuntilhewasaveryoldmanandabouttodie，didHachahtellanyonehowhethoughthecouldfly。"
　　Andatthistheyalllaughedlouderthanever。
　　XII
　　FirstImpressionsofCivilizationIWASscarcelyoldenoughtoknowanythingdefiniteaboutthe"BigKnives，"aswecalledthewhitemen，whentheterribleMinnesotamassacrebrokeupourhomeandIwascarriedintoexile。Ihaveal—
　　readytoldhowIwasadoptedintothefamilyofmyfather’syoungerbrother，whenmyfatherwasbetrayedandimprisoned。WeallsupposedthathehadsharedthefateofthosewhowereexecutedatMankato，Minnesota。
　　Nowthesavagephilosopherslookeduponven—
　　geanceinthefieldofbattleasaloftyvirtue。Toavengethedeathofarelativeorofadearfriendwasconsideredagreatdeed。Myuncle，accord—
　　ingly，hadsparednopainstoinstillintomyyoungmindtheobligationtoavengethedeathofmyfatherandmyolderbrothers。AlreadyIlookedeagerlyforwardtothedaywhenIshouldfindanopportunitytocarryouthisteachings。Mean—
　　while，hehimselfwentuponthewar—pathandre—
　　turnedwithscalpseverysummer。SoitmaybeimaginedhowIfelttowardtheBigKnives！
　　Ontheotherhand，Ihadheardmarvelousthingsofthispeople。Insomethingswedespisedthem;
　　inothersweregardedthemaswakan（mysterious），aracewhosepowerbordereduponthesuperna—
　　tural。Ilearnedthattheyhadmadea"fire—
　　boat。"Icouldnotunderstandhowtheycouldunitetwoelementswhichcannotexisttogether。I
　　thoughtthewaterwouldputoutthefire，andthefirewouldconsumetheboatifithadtheshadowofachance。Thiswastomeapreposterousthing！
　　ButwhenIwastoldthattheBigKniveshadcre—
　　ateda"fire—boat—walks—on—mountains"（aloco—
　　motive）itwastoomuchtobelieve。
　　"Why，"declaredmyinformant，"thosewhosawthismonstermovesaidthatitflewfrommoun—
　　taintomountainwhenitseemedtobeexcited。
　　Theysaidalsothattheybelieveditcarriedathunder—bird，fortheyfrequentlyheardhisusualwar—whoopasthecreaturespedalong！"
　　SeveralwarriorshadobservedfromadistanceoneofthefirsttrainsontheNorthernPacific，andhadgainedanexaggeratedimpressionofthewon—
　　dersofthepale—face。TheyhadseenitgooverabridgethatspannedadeepravineanditseemedFirstImpressionsofCivilization281
　　tothemthatitjumpedfromonebanktotheother。
　　Iconfessthatthestoryalmostquenchedmyardorandbravery。
　　Twoorthreeyoungmenweretalkingtogetheraboutthisfearfulinvention。
　　"However，"saidone，"Iunderstandthatthisfire—boat—walks—on—mountainscannotmoveexceptonthetrackmadeforit。"
　　Althoughaboyisnotexpectedtojoininthecon—
　　versationofhiselders，Iventuredtoask："Thenitcannotchaseusintoanyroughcountry？"
　　"No，itcannotdothat，"wasthereply，whichIheardwithagreatdealofrelief。
　　IhadseengunsandvariousotherthingsbroughttousbytheFrenchCanadians，sothatI
　　hadalreadysomenotionofthesupernaturalgiftsofthewhiteman;butIhadneverbeforeheardsuchtalesasIlistenedtothatmorning。ItwassaidthattheyhadbridgedtheMissouriandMiss—
　　issippirivers，andthattheymadeimmensehousesofstoneandbrick，piledontopofoneanotheruntiltheywereashighashighhills。Mybrainwaspuzzledwiththesethingsformanyaday。
　　FinallyIaskedmyunclewhytheGreatMysterygavesuchpowertotheWashechu（therich）——
　　sometimeswecalledthembythisname——andnottousDakotas。
　　Forthesamereason，"heanswered，"thathegavetoDutatheskilltomakefinebowsandar—
　　rows，andtoWachesnenoskilltomakeanything。"
　　"AndwhydotheBigKnivesincreasesomuchmoreinnumberthantheDakotas？"Icontinued。
　　"Ithasbeensaid，andIthinkitmustbetrue，thattheyhavelargerfamiliesthanwedo。IwentintothehouseofanEashecha（aGerman），andI
　　countednolessthanninechildren。Theeldestofthemcouldnothavebeenoverfifteen。Whenmygrandfatherfirstvisitedthem，downatthemouthoftheMississippi，theywerecomparative—
　　lyfew;latermyfathervisitedtheirGreatFatheratWashington，andtheyhadalreadyspreadoverthewholecountry。"
　　"Certainlytheyareaheartlessnation。Theyhavemadesomeoftheirpeopleservants——yes，slaves！Wehaveneverbelievedinkeepingslaves，butitseemsthattheseWashechudo！Itisourbeliefthattheypaintedtheirservantsblackalongtimeago，totellthemfromtherest，andnowtheslaveshavechildrenborntothemofthesamecolor！
　　"Thegreatestobjectoftheirlivesseemstobetoacquirepossessions——toberich。Theydesiretopossessthewholeworld。ForthirtyyearstheyweretryingtoenticeustosellthemourFirstImpressionsofCivilization283
　　land。Finallytheoutbreakgavethemall，andwehavebeendrivenawayfromourbeautifulcountry。
　　"Theyareawonderfulpeople。Theyhavedividedthedayintohours，likethemoonsoftheyear。Infact，theymeasureeverything。Notoneofthemwouldletsomuchasaturnipgofromhisfieldunlesshereceivedfullvalueforit。
　　Iunderstandthattheirgreatmenmakeafeastandinvitemany，butwhenthefeastisovertheguestsarerequiredtopayforwhattheyhaveeatenbeforeleavingthehouse。ImyselfsawatWhiteCliff（thenamegiventoSt。Paul，Minne—
　　sota）amanwhokeptabrassdrumandabelltocallpeopletohistable;butwhenhegottheminhewouldmakethempayforthefood！
　　"Iamalsoinformed，"saidmyuncle，"butthisIhardlybelieve，thattheirGreatChief（President）
　　compelseverymantopayhimforthelandhelivesuponandallhispersonalgoods——evenforhisownexistence——everyyear！"（Thiswashisideaoftaxation。）"Iamsurewecouldnotliveundersuchalaw。
　　"Whentheoutbreakoccurred，wethoughtthatouropportunityhadcome，forwehadlearnedthattheBigKniveswerefightingamongthemselves，onaccountofadisputeovertheirslaves。ItwassaidthattheGreatChiefhadal—
　　lowedslavesinonepartofthecountryandnotinanother，sotherewasjealousy，andtheyhadtofightitout。Wedon’tknowhowtruethiswas。
　　"Thereweresomepraying—menwhocametoussometimebeforethetroublearose。Theyob—
　　servedeveryseventhdayasaholyday。Onthatdaytheymetinahousethattheyhadbuiltforthatpurpose，tosing，pray，andspeakoftheirGreatMystery。Iwasneverinoneofthesemeetings。Iunderstandthattheyhadalargebookfromwhichtheyread。Byallaccountstheywereverydifferentfromallotherwhitemenwehaveknown，fortheseneverobservedanysuchday，andweneverknewthemtopray，neitherdidtheyevertellusoftheirGreatMystery。
　　"Inwartheyhaveleadersandwar—chiefsofdifferentgrades。Thecommonwarriorsaredriv—
　　enforwardlikeaherdofantelopestofacethefoe。
　　Itisonaccountofthismanneroffighting——fromcompulsionandnotfrompersonalbravery——thatwecountnocouponthem。Alonewarriorcandomuchharmtoalargearmyoftheminabadcountry。"
　　Itwasthistalkwithmyunclethatgavememyfirstclearideaofthewhiteman。
　　IwasalmostfifteenyearsoldwhenmyuncleFirstImpressionsofCivilization285
　　presentedmewithaflint—lockgun。Theposses—
　　sionofthe"mysteriousiron，"andtheexplosivedirt，or"pulverizedcoal，"asitiscalled，filledmewithnewthoughts。Allthewar—songsthatIhadeverheardfromchildhoodcamebacktomewiththeirheroes。ItseemedasifIwereanentirelynewbeing——theboyhadbecomeaman！
　　"Iamnowoldenough，"saidItomyself，"andImustbegmyuncletotakemewithhimonhisnextwar—path。IshallsoonbeabletogoamongthewhiteswheneverIwish，andtoavengethebloodofmyfatherandmybrothers。"
　　IhadalreadybeguntoinvoketheblessingoftheGreatMystery。ScarcelyadaypassedthatI
　　didnotofferupsomeofmygame，sothathemightnotbedispleasedwithme。Mypeoplesawverylittleofmeduringtheday，forinsolitudeI
　　foundthestrengthIneeded。Igropedaboutinthewilderness，anddeterminedtoassumemypo—
　　sitionasaman。Myboyishwaysweredepart—
　　ing，andasullendignityandcomposurewastakingtheirplace。
　　Thethoughtoflovedidnothindermyambi—
　　tions。Ihadavaguedreamofsomedaycourtingaprettymaiden，afterIhadmademyreputation，andwontheeaglefeathers。
　　Oneday，whenIwasawayonthedailyhunt，twostrangersfromtheUnitedStatesvisitedourcamp。Theyhadboldlyventuredacrossthenorthernborder。TheywereIndians，butcladinthewhiteman’sgarments。ItwasaswellthatI
　　wasabsentwithmygun。
　　Myfather，accompaniedbyanIndianguide，aftermanydays’searchinghadfoundusatlast。
　　HehadbeenimprisonedatDavenport，Iowa，withthosewhotookpartinthemassacreorinthebat—
　　tlesfollowing，andhewastaughtinprisonandconvertedbythepioneermissionaries，Drs。Wil—
　　liamsonandRiggs。Hewasundersentenceofdeath，butwasamongthenumberagainstwhomnodirectevidencewasfound，andwhowerefinallypardonedbyPresidentLincoln。
　　Whenhewasreleased，andreturnedtothenewreservationupontheMissouririver，hesoonbe—
　　cameconvincedthatlifeonagovernmentreserva—
　　tionmeantphysicalandmoraldegradation。There—
　　forehedetermined，withseveralothers，totrythewhiteman’swayofgainingalivelihood。Theyac—
　　cordinglylefttheagencyagainstthepersuasionsoftheagent，renouncedallgovernmentassistance，andtooklandundertheUnitedStatesHomesteadlaw，ontheBigSiouxriver。Afterhehadmadehishomethere，hedesiredtoseekhislostchild。
　　ItwasthenadangerousundertakingtocrosstheFirstImpressionsofCivilization287
　　line，buthisChristianlovepromptedhimtodoit。
　　Hesecuredagoodguide，andfoundhiswayintimethroughthevastwilderness。
　　Asforme，Ilittledreamedofanythingun—
　　usualtohappenonmyreturn。AsIapproachedourcampwithmygameonmyshoulder，IhadnottheslightestpremonitionthatIwassuddenlytobehurledfrommysavagelifeintoalifeun—
　　knowntomehitherto。
　　WhenIappearedinsightmyfather，whohadpatientlylistenedtomyuncle’slongaccountofmyearlylifeandtraining，becameverymuchex—
　　cited。Hewaseagertoembracethechildwho，ashehadjustbeeninformed，madeitalreadytheobjectofhislifetoavengehisfather’sblood。
　　Thelovingfathercouldnotremainintheteepeeandwatchtheboycoming，sohestartedtomeethim。Myunclearosetogowithhisbrothertoinsurehissafety。
　　MyfaceburnedwiththeunusualexcitementcausedbythesightofamanwearingtheBigKnives’clothingandcomingtowardmewithmyuncle。
　　"Whatdoesthismean，uncle？"
　　"Myboy，thisisyourfather，mybrother，whomwemournedasdead。Hehascomeforyou。"
　　Myfatheradded："Iamgladthatmysonisstrongandbrave。Yourbrothershaveadoptedthewhiteman’sway;Icameforyoutolearnthisnewway，too;andIwantyoutogrowupagoodman。"
　　Hehadbroughtmesomecivilizedclothing，Atfirst，IdislikedverymuchtoweargarmentsmadebythepeopleIhadhatedsobitterly。Butthethoughtthat，afterall，theyhadnotkilledmyfatherandbrothers，reconciledme，andIputontheclothes。
　　InafewdayswestartedfortheStates。IfeltasifIweredeadandtravelingtotheSpiritLand;
　　fornowallmyoldideasweretogiveplacetonewones，andmylifewastobeentirelydifferentfromthatofthepast。
　　Still，Iwaseagertoseesomeofthewonderfulinventionsofthewhitepeople。WhenwereachedFortTotten，Igazedaboutmewithlive—
　　lyinterestandaquickimagination。
　　Myfatherhadforgottentotellmethatthefire—boat—walks—on—mountainshaditstrackatJames—
　　town，andmightappearatanymoment。AsIwaswateringtheponies，apeculiarshrillingnoisepealedforthfromjustbeyondthehills。
　　Theponiesthrewbacktheirheadsandlistened;
　　thentheyransnortingovertheprairie。Mean—
　　FirstImpressionsofCivilization289
　　while，Itoohadtakenalarm。Ileapedonthebackofoneoftheponies，anddashedoffatfullspeed。Itwasaclearday;Icouldnotimaginewhathadcausedsuchanunearthlynoise。Itseemedasiftheworldwereabouttoburstintwo！
　　Igotuponahillasthetrainappeared。"O！"
　　Isaidtomyself，"thatisthefire—boat—walks—
　　on—mountainsthatIhaveheardabout！"ThenIdrovebacktheponies。
　　MyfatherwasaccustomedeverymorningtoreadfromhisBible，andsingastanzaofahymn。
　　Iwasaboutveryearlywithmygunforseveralmornings;butatlasthestoppedmeasIwaspreparingtogoout，andbademewait。
　　Ilistenedwithmuchastonishment。ThehymncontainedthewordJesus。Ididnotcomprehendwhatthismeant;andmyfatherthentoldmethatJesuswastheSonofGodwhocameonearthtosavesinners，andthatitwasbecauseofhimthathehadsoughtme。Thisconversationmadeadeepimpressionuponmymind。
　　Lateinthefallwereachedthecitizensettle—
　　mentatFlandreau，SouthDakota，wheremyfatherandsomeothersdweltamongthewhites。
　　Heremywildlifecametoanend，andmyschooldaysbegan。