diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 13833-0.txt | 4329 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 13833-h/13833-h.htm | 5226 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 13833-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 47666 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 13833-h/images/dots.gif | bin | 0 -> 989 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 13833-h/images/front.jpg | bin | 0 -> 67911 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833-8.txt | 4720 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 82238 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 202297 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833-h/13833-h.htm | 5629 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 47666 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833-h/images/dots.gif | bin | 0 -> 989 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833-h/images/front.jpg | bin | 0 -> 67911 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833.txt | 4720 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/13833.zip | bin | 0 -> 82231 bytes |
17 files changed, 24640 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/13833-0.txt b/13833-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5e7fcf1 --- /dev/null +++ b/13833-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4329 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13833 *** + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which + includes the original frontispiece and cover illustrations. + See 13833-h.htm or 13833-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833/13833-h/13833-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833/13833-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Many Blackfeet names and words in the printed book from which + this e-text is taken had vowels with breves or macrons over them, + diacritical marks that cannot be reproduced in this e-text. The + first time such a word appears within a story the marks are + represented using [=x] for a vowel with a macron and [)x] for + a vowel with a breve (example: M[=a]-m[)i]n´). Subsequent + appearances of the word do not have the vowels so marked. + + + + + +BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES + +by + +GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL + +Author of _Blackfeet Lodge Tales_, _Trails Of The Pathfinders_, etc. + +1915 + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cold Maker] + + + +TO THE READER + +Those who wish to know something about how the people lived who told +these stories will find their ways of life described in the last +chapter of this book. + +The Blackfeet were hunters, travelling from place to place on foot. +They used implements of stone, wood, or bone, wore clothing made of +skins, and lived in tents covered by hides. Dogs, their only tame +animals, were used as beasts of burden to carry small packs and drag +light loads. + +The stories here told come down to us from very ancient times. +Grandfathers have told them to their grandchildren, and these again +to their grandchildren, and so from mouth to mouth, through many +generations, they have reached our time. + + + + + +CONTENTS + + TWO FAST RUNNERS + THE WOLF MAN + KUT-O-YIS´, THE BLOOD BOY + THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER + THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS + THE BUFFALO STONE + HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME + COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE + THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES + THE BULLS SOCIETY + THE OTHER SOCIETIES + THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE + THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES + MIKA´PI--RED OLD MAN + RED ROBE'S DREAM + THE BLACKFEET CREATION + OLD MAN STORIES + THE WONDERFUL BIRD + THE RABBITS' MEDICINE + THE LOST ELK MEAT + THE ROLLING ROCK + BEAR AND BULLBERRIES + THE THEFT FROM THE SUN + THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF + BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE + THE RED-EYED DUCK + THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET + + + + + +TWO FAST RUNNERS + + +Once, a long time ago, the antelope and the deer happened to meet on +the prairie. They spoke together, giving each other the news, each +telling what he had seen and done. After they had talked for a time +the antelope told the deer how fast he could run, and the deer said +that he could run fast too, and before long each began to say that +he could run faster than the other. So they agreed that they would +have a race to decide which could run the faster, and on this race +they bet their galls. When they started, the antelope ran ahead of +the deer from the very start and won the race and so took the deer's +gall. + +But the deer began to grumble and said, "Well, it is true that out +here on the prairie you have beaten me, but this is not where I +live. I only come out here once in a while to feed or to cross the +prairie when I am going somewhere. It would be fairer if we had a +race in the timber. That is my home, and there I can run faster than +you. I am sure of it." + +The antelope felt so glad and proud that he had beaten the deer in +the race that he was sure that wherever they might run he could beat +him, so he said, "All right, I will run you a race in the timber. I +have beaten you out here on the flat and I can beat you there." On +this race they bet their dew-claws. + +They started and ran this race through the thick timber, among the +bushes, and over fallen logs, and this time the antelope ran slowly, +for he was afraid of hitting himself against the trees or of falling +over the logs. You see, he was not used to this kind of travelling. +So the deer easily beat him and took his dew-claws. + +Since that time the deer has had no gall and the antelope no +dew-claws. + + + + +THE WOLF MAN + + +A long time ago there was a man who had two wives. They were not +good women; they did not look after their home nor try to keep +things comfortable there. If the man brought in plenty of buffalo +cow skins they did not tan them well, and often when he came home at +night, hungry and tired after his hunting, he had no food, for these +women would be away from the lodge, visiting their relations and +having a good time. + +The man thought that if he moved away from the big camp and lived +alone where there were no other people perhaps he might teach these +women to become good; so he moved his lodge far off on the prairie +and camped at the foot of a high butte. + +Every evening about sundown the man used to climb up to the top of +this butte and sit there and look all over the country to see where +the buffalo were feeding and whether any enemies were moving about. +On top of the hill there was a buffalo skull, on which he used to +sit. + +One day one of the women said to the other, "It is very lonely here; +we have no one to talk with or to visit." + +"Let us kill our husband," said the other: "then we can go back to +our relations and have a good time." + +Early next morning the man set out to hunt, and as soon as he was +out of sight his wives went up on top of the butte where he used to +sit. There they dug a deep hole and covered it over with light +sticks and grass and earth, so that it looked like the other soil +near by, and placed the buffalo skull on the sticks which covered +the hole. + +In the afternoon, as they watched for their returning husband, they +saw him come over the hill loaded down with meat that he had killed. +When he threw down his load outside the lodge, they hurried to cook +something for him. After he had eaten he went up on the butte and +sat down on the skull. The slender sticks broke and he fell into the +hole. His wives were watching him, and when they saw him disappear, +they took down the lodge and packed their dogs and set out to go to +the main camp. As they drew near it, so that people could hear them, +they began to cry and mourn. + +Soon some people came to meet them and said, "What is this? Why are +you mourning? Where is your husband?" + +"Ah," they replied, "he is dead. Five days ago he went out to hunt +and he did not come back. What shall we do? We have lost him who +cared for us"; and they cried and mourned again. + +Now, when the man fell into the pit he was hurt, for the hole was +deep. After a time he tried to climb out, but he was so badly +bruised that he could not do so. He sat there and waited, thinking +that here he must surely die of hunger. + +But travelling over the prairie was a wolf that climbed up on the +butte and came to the hole and, looking in, saw the man and pitied +him. + +"Ah-h-w-o-o-o! Ah-h-w-o-o-o-o!" he howled, and when the other wolves +heard him they all came running to see what was the matter. +Following the big wolves came also many coyotes, badgers, and +kit-foxes. They did not know what had happened, but they thought +perhaps there was food here. + +To the others the wolf said, "Here in this hole is what I have +found. Here is a man who has fallen in. Let us dig him out and we +will have him for our brother." + +All the wolves thought that this talk was good, and they began to +dig, and before very long they had dug a hole down almost to the +bottom of the pit. + +Then the wolf who had found the man said, "Hold on; wait a little; I +want to say a few words." All the animals stopped digging and began +to listen, and the wolf said, "We will all have this man for our +brother; but I found him, and so I think he ought to live with us +big wolves." All the others thought that this was good, and the +wolf that had found the man went into the hole that had been dug, +and tearing down the rest of the earth, dragged out the poor man, +who was now almost dead, for he had neither eaten nor drunk anything +since he fell in the hole. They gave the man a kidney to eat, and +when he was able to walk the big wolves took him to their home. Here +there was a very old blind wolf who had great power and could do +wonderful things. He cured the man and made his head and his hands +look like those of a wolf. The rest of his body was not changed. + +In those days the people used to make holes in the walls of the +fence about the enclosure into which they led the buffalo. They set +snares over these holes, and when wolves and other animals crept +through them so as to get into the pen and feed on the meat they +were caught by the neck and killed, and the people used their skins +for clothing. + +One night all the wolves went down to the pen to get meat, and when +they had come close to it, the man-wolf said to his brothers, "Stop +here for a little while and I will go down and fix the places so +that you will not be caught." He went down to the pen and sprung all +the snares, and then went back and called the wolves and the +others--the coyotes, badgers, and kit-foxes--and they all went into +the pen and feasted and took meat to carry home to their families. +In the morning the people found the meat gone and all their snares +sprung, and they were surprised and wondered how this could have +happened. For many nights the nooses were pulled tight and the meat +taken; but once when the wolves went there to eat they found only +the meat of a lean and sickly bull. Then the man-wolf was angry, +and he cried out like a wolf, "Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o! +Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o-o!" + +When the people heard this they said to one another, "Ah, it is a +man-wolf who has done all this. We must catch him." So they took +down to the piskun[1] pemmican and nice back fat and placed it +there, and many of them hid close by. After dark the wolves came, +as was their custom, and when the man-wolf saw the good food, he ran +to it and began to eat. Then the people rushed upon him from every +side and caught him with ropes, and tied him and took him to a +lodge, and when they had brought him inside to the light of the +fire, at once they knew who it was. They said, "Why, this is the man +who was lost." + + [Footnote 1: A pen or enclosure, usually--among the + Blackfeet--at the foot of a cliff, over which the buffalo + were induced to jump. Pronounced p[)i]´sk[)u]n.] + +"No," said the man, "I was not lost. My wives tried to kill me. They +dug a deep hole and I fell into it, and I was hurt so badly I could +not get out; but the wolves took pity on me and helped me or I would +have died there." + +When the people heard this they were angry, and they told the man to +do something to punish these women. + +"You say well," he replied; "I give those women to the punishing +society. They know what to do." + +After that night the two women were never seen again. + + + + +KUT-O-YIS´, THE BLOOD BOY + + +As the children whose ancestors came from Europe have stories about +the heroes who killed wicked and cruel monsters--like Jack the Giant +Killer, for example--so the Indian children hear stories about +persons who had magic power and who went about the world destroying +those who treated cruelly or killed the Indians of the camps. Such a +hero was K[)u]t-o-y[)i]s´, and this is how he came to be alive and +to travel about from place to place, helping the people and +destroying their enemies. + +It was long, long ago, down where Two Medicine and Badger Rivers +come together, that an old man lived with his wife and three +daughters. One day there came to his camp a young man, good-looking, +a good hunter, and brave. He stayed in the camp for some time, and +whenever he went hunting he killed game and brought in great loads +of meat. + +All this time the old man was watching him, for he said in his +heart, "This seems a good young man and a good hunter. Perhaps I +will give him my daughters for wives, and then he will stay here and +help me always." + +After a time the old man decided to do this, and he gave the young +man his daughters; and because these three were his only children he +gave his son-in-law his dogs and all his property, and for himself +and his wife he kept only a little lodge. The young man's wives +tanned plenty of cow skins and made a big fine lodge, and in this +the son-in-law lived with his wives. + +For some time after this the son-in-law was very good and kind to +the old people. When he killed any animal he gave them part of the +meat, and gave them skins which his mother-in-law tanned for robes +or for clothing. + +As time went on the son-in-law began to grow stingy, and pretty soon +he gave nothing to his father-in-law's lodge, but kept everything +for his own. + +Now, the son-in-law was a person of much mysterious power, and he +kept the buffalo hidden under a big log-jam in the river. Whenever +he needed food and wished to kill anything, he would take his +father-in-law with him to help. He would send the old man out to +stamp on the log-jam and frighten the buffalo, and when they ran out +from under it the young man would shoot one or two with his arrows, +never killing more than he needed. But often he gave the old people +nothing at all to eat. They were hungry all the time, and at length +they began to grow thin and weak. + +One morning early the young man asked his father-in-law to come and +hunt with him. They went to the log-jam and the old man drove out +the buffalo and his son-in-law killed a fat buffalo cow. Then he +said to his father-in-law, "Hurry back now to the camp and tell your +daughters to come and carry home the meat, and then you can have +something to eat." The old man set out for the camp, thinking, as he +walked along, "Now, at last, my son-in-law has taken pity on me; he +will give me some of this meat." + +When he returned with his daughters they skinned the cow and cut it +up and, carrying it, went home. The young man had his wives leave +the meat at his own lodge and told his father-in-law to go home. He +did not give him even a little piece of the meat. The two older +daughters gave their parents nothing to eat, but sometimes the +youngest one had pity on them and took a piece of meat and, when she +could, threw it into the lodge to the old people. The son-in-law had +told his wives not to give the old people anything to eat. Except +for the good heart of the youngest daughter they would have died of +hunger. + +Another day the son-in-law rose early in the morning and went over +to the old man's lodge and kicked against the poles, calling to him, +"Get up now and help me; I want you to go and stamp on the log-jam +to drive out the buffalo." When the old man moved his feet on the +jam and a buffalo ran out, the son-in-law was not ready for it, and +it passed by him before he shot the arrow; so he only wounded it. It +ran away, but at last it fell down and died. + +The old man followed close after it, and as he ran along he came to +a place where a great clot of blood had fallen from the buffalo's +wound. When he came to where this clot of blood was lying on the +ground, he stumbled and fell and spilled his arrows out of his +quiver, and while he was picking them up he picked up also the clot +of blood and hid it in his quiver. + +"What are you picking up?" called the son-in-law. + +"Nothing," replied the old man. "I fell down and spilled my arrows, +and I am putting them back." + +"Ah, old man," said the son-in-law, "you are lazy and useless. You +no longer help me. Go back now to the camp and tell your daughters +to come down here and help carry in this meat." + +The old man went to the camp and told his daughters of the meat that +their husband had killed, and they went down to the killing ground. +Then he went to his own lodge and said to his wife, "Hurry, now, put +the stone kettle on the fire. I have brought home something from the +killing." + +"Ah," said the old woman, "has our son-in-law been generous and +given us something nice to eat?" + +"No," replied the old man, "but hurry and put the kettle on the +fire." + +After a time the water began to boil and the old man turned his +quiver upside down over the pot, and immediately there came from it +a sound of a child crying, as if it were being hurt. The old people +both looked in the kettle and there they saw a little boy, and they +quickly took him out of the water. They were surprised and did not +know where the child had come from. The old woman wrapped the child +up and wound a line about its wrappings to keep them in place, +making a lashing for the child. Then they talked about it, wondering +what should be done with it. They thought that if their son-in-law +knew it was a boy he would kill it; so they determined to tell their +daughters that the baby was a girl, for then their son-in-law would +think that he was going to have another wife. So he would be glad. +They called the child Kut-o-yis´--Clot of Blood. + +The son-in-law and his wives came home, bringing the meat, and +after a little time they heard the child in the next lodge crying. +The son-in-law said to his youngest wife, "Go over to your mother's +and see whether that baby is a boy or a girl. If it is a boy, tell +your parents to kill it." + +Soon the young woman came back and said to her husband, "It is a +girl baby. You are to have another wife." + +The son-in-law did not know whether to believe this, and sent his +oldest wife to ask the same question. When she came back and told +him the same thing he believed that it was really a girl. Then he +was glad, for he said to himself, "Now, when this child has grown +up, I shall have another wife." He said to his youngest wife, "Take +some back fat and pemmican over to your mother; she must be well fed +now that she has to nurse this child." + +On the fourth day after he had been born the child spoke and said to +his mother, "Hold me in turn to each one of these lodge poles, and +when I come to the last one I shall fall out of my lashings and be +grown up." The old woman did as he had said, and as she held him to +one pole after another he could be seen to grow; and finally when he +was held to the last pole he was a man. + +After Kut-o-yis´ had looked about the lodge he put his eye to a hole +in the lodge-covering and looked out. Then he turned around and said +to the old people, "How is it that in this lodge there is nothing to +eat? Over by the other lodge I see plenty of food hanging up." + +"Hush," said the old woman, raising her hand, "you will be heard. +Our son-in-law lives over there. He does not give us anything at all +to eat." + +"Well," said the young man, "where is your piskun--where do you kill +buffalo?" + +"It is down by the river," the old woman answered. "We pound on it +and the buffalo run out." + +For some time they talked together and the old man told Kut-o-yis´ +how his son-in-law had abused him. He said to the young man, "He has +taken from me my bow and my arrows and has taken even my dogs; and +now for many days we have had nothing to eat, except sometimes a +small piece of meat that our daughter throws to us." + +"Father," said Kut-o-yis´, "have you no arrows?" + +"No, my son," replied the old man, "but I still have four stone +arrow points." + +"Go out then," said Kut-o-yis´, "and get some wood. We will make a +bow and some arrows, and in the morning we will go down to where the +buffalo are and kill something to eat." + +Early in the morning Kut-o-yis´ pushed the old man and said, "Come, +get up now, and we will go down and kill, when the buffalo come +out." It was still very early in the morning. + +When they reached the river the old man said, "This is the place to +stand and shoot. I will go down and drive them out." + +He went down and stamped on the log-jam, and presently a fat cow ran +out and Kut-o-yis´ killed it. + +Now, after these two had gone to the river the son-in-law arose and +went over to the old man's lodge, and knocked on the poles and +called to the old man to get up and help him kill. The old woman +called out to the son-in-law, saying, "Your father-in-law has +already gone down to the piskun." This made the son-in-law angry, +and he began to talk badly to the old woman and to threaten to harm +her. + +Presently he went on down to the log-jam, and as he got near the +place he saw the old man at work there, bending over, skinning a +buffalo; for Kut-o-yis´, when he had seen the son-in-law coming, had +lain down on the ground and hidden himself behind the carcass. + +When the son-in-law had come pretty close to where the buffalo lay +he said to his father-in-law, "Old man, stand up and look all about +you. Look carefully and well, for it will be the last time that you +will ever see anything"; and while the son-in-law said this he took +an arrow from his quiver. + +Kut-o-yis´ spoke to the old man from his hiding-place and said, +"Tell your son-in-law that he must take his last look, for that you +are going to kill him now." The old man said this as he had been +told. + +"Ah," said the son-in-law, "you talk back to me. That makes me still +angrier at you." He put an arrow on the string and shot at the old +man, but did not hit him. Kut-o-yis´ said to the old man, "Pick up +that arrow and shoot it back at him"; and the old man did so. Now, +they shot at each other four times, and then the old man said to +Kut-o-yis´, "I am afraid now; get up and help me. If you do not, I +think he will kill me." Then Kut-o-yis´ rose to his feet and said to +the son-in-law, "Here, what are you doing? I think you have been +treating this old man badly for a long time. Why do you do it?" + +"Oh no," said the son-in-law, and he smiled at Kut-o-yis´ in a +friendly way, for he was afraid of him. "Oh no; no one thinks more +of this old man than I do. I have always been very good to him." + +"No," said Kut-o-yis´. "You are saying what is not true, and I am +going to kill you now." + +Kut-o-yis´ shot the son-in-law four times and he fell down and +died. Then the young man told his father to go and bring down to him +the daughters who had acted badly toward him. The old man did so and +Kut-o-yis´ punished them. Then he went up to the lodges and said to +the youngest woman, "Did you love your husband?" "Yes," said the +girl, "I loved him." So Kut-o-yis´ punished her too, but not so +badly as he had the other daughters, because she had been kind to +her parents. + +To the old people he said, "Go over now to that lodge and live +there. There is plenty of food, and when that is gone I will kill +more. As for me, I shall make a journey. Tell me where there are any +people. In what direction shall I go to find a camp?" + +"Well," said the old man, "up here on Two Medicine Lodge Creek there +are some people--up where the piskun is, you know." + +Kut-o-yis´ followed up the stream to where the piskun was and there +found many lodges of people. In the centre of the camp was a big +lodge, and painted on it the figure of a bear. He did not go to this +lodge, but went into a small lodge where two old women lived. When +he had sat down they put food before him--lean dried meat and some +belly fat. + +"How is this, grandmothers?" he said. "Here is a camp with plenty of +fat meat and back fat hanging up to dry; why do you not give me some +of that?" + +"Hush; be careful," said the old women. "In that big lodge over +there lives a big bear and his wives and children. He takes all the +best food and leaves us nothing. He is the chief of this place." + +Early in the morning Kut-o-yis´ said to the old women, "Harness up +your dogs to the travois now and go over to the piskun, and I will +kill some fat meat for you." + +When they got there, he killed a fat cow and helped the old women to +cut it up, and they took it to the lodge. One of those old women +said, "Ah me, the bears will be sure to come." + +"Why do you say that?" he asked. + +They said to him, "We shall be sorry to lose this back fat." + +"Do not fear," he said. "No one shall take this back fat from you. +Now, take all those best pieces and hang them up, so that those who +live in the bear lodge may see them." + +They did so. Pretty soon the old bear chief said to one of his +children, "By this time I think the people have finished killing. Go +out now and look about; see where the nicest pieces are, and bring +in some nice back fat." + +One of the young bears went out of the lodge and stood up and looked +about, and when it saw this meat hanging by the old women's lodge +close by, it went over toward it. + +"Ah," said the old women, "there are those bears." + +"Do not be afraid," said Kut-o-yis´. + +The young bear went over to where the meat was hanging and stood up +and began to pull it down. Kut-o-yis´ went out of the lodge and +said, "Wait; wait! What are you doing, taking the old women's meat?" + +The young bear answered, "My father told me that I should go out and +get this meat and bring it home to him." + +Kut-o-yis´ hit the young bear over the head with a stick and it ran +home crying. + +When it had reached the lodge it told what had happened and the +father bear said, "I will go over there myself; perhaps this person +will hit me over the head." + +When the old women saw the father and mother bear and all their +relations coming they were afraid, but Kut-o-yis´ jumped out of the +lodge and killed the bears one after another; all except one little +she-bear, a very small one, which got away. + +"Well," said Kut-o-yis´, "you may go and breed more bears." + +He told the old women to move over to the bear-painted lodge and +after this to live in it. It was theirs. + +To the old women Kut-o-yis´ then said, "Now, grandmothers, where are +there any more people? I want to travel about and see them." + +The old women said, "At the Point of Rocks--on Sun River--there is a +camp. There is a piskun there." + +So Kut-o-yis´ set off for that place, and when he came to the camp +he went into an old woman's lodge. + +The old woman gave him something to eat--a dish of bad food. + +"Why is this, grandmother?" asked Kut-o-yis´. "Have you no food +better than this to give to a visitor? Down there I see a piskun; +you must kill plenty of buffalo and must have good food." + +"Speak lower," said the old woman, "or you may be heard. We have no +good food because there is a great snake here who is the chief of +the camp. He takes all the best pieces. He lives over there in that +snake-painted lodge." + +The next morning when the buffalo were led in, Kut-o-yis´ killed +one, and they took the back fat and carried it to their lodge. Then +Kut-o-yis´ said, "I think I will visit that snake person." He went +over and went into the lodge, and there he saw many women that the +snake person had taken to be his wives. The women were cooking some +service berries. Kut-o-yis´ picked up the dish and ate the berries +and threw the dish away. Then he went up to the big snake, who was +lying there asleep, and pricked him with his knife, saying, "Here, +get up; I have come to visit you. Let us smoke together." + +Then the snake was angry and he raised up his head and began to +rattle, and Kut-o-yis´ cut off his head and cut him in pieces. He +cut off the heads of all the snake's wives and children; all except +one little female snake which got away by crawling into a crack in +the rocks. + +"Oh, well," said Kut-o-yis´, "you can go and breed snakes so there +will be more. The people will not be afraid of little snakes." + +Kut-o-yis´ said to the old woman, "Now, grandmother, go into this +snake lodge and take it for your own and everything that is in it." + +Then he said to them, "Where are there some more people?" They told +him there were some camps down the river and some up in the +mountains, but they said, "Do not go up there. It is bad because +there lives [=A]i-s[=i]n´-o-k[=o]-k[=i]--Wind Sucker. He will kill +you." + +Kut-o-yis´ was glad to know that there was such a person, and he +went to the mountains. + +When he reached the place where Wind Sucker lived, he looked into +his mouth and saw there many dead people. Some were skeletons and +some had only just died. He went in, and there he saw a fearful +sight. The ground was white as snow with the bones of those who had +died. There were bodies with flesh on them; some who had died not +long before and some who were still living. + +As he looked about, he saw hanging down above him a great thing that +seemed to move--to grow a little larger and then to grow a little +smaller. + +Kut-o-yis´ spoke to one of the people who was alive and asked, "What +is that hanging down above us?" + +The person answered him, "That is Wind Sucker's heart." + +Then Kut-o-yis´ spoke to all the living and said to them, "You who +still draw a little breath try to move your heads in time to the +song that I shall sing; and you who are still able to move stand up +on your feet and dance. Take courage now; we are going to dance to +the ghosts." + +Then Kut-o-yis´ tied his knife, point upward, to the top of his +head and began to dance, singing the ghost song, and all the others +danced with him; and as he danced up and down he kept springing +higher and higher into the air, and the point of his knife cut Wind +Sucker's heart and killed him. + +Then Kut-o-yis´, with his knife, cut a hole between Wind Sucker's +ribs, and he and all those who were able to move crawled out through +the hole. He said to those who could still walk that they should go +and tell their people to come here, to get the ones still alive but +unable to travel. + +To some of these people that he had freed he said, "Where are there +any other people? I want to visit all the people." + +"There is a camp to the westward, up the river," they replied; "but +you must not take the left-hand trail going up because on that trail +lives a woman who invites men to wrestle with her and then kills +them. Avoid her." + +Now, really, this was what Kut-o-yis´ was looking for. This was what +he was doing in the world, trying to kill off all the bad things. +He asked these people just where this woman lived and how it was +best for him to go so that he should not meet her. He did this +because he did not wish the people to know that he was going where +she was. + +He started, and after he had travelled some time he saw a woman +standing not far from the trail. She called to him, saying, "Come +here, young man, come here; I want to wrestle with you." + +"No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop." + +The woman called again, "No, no; do not go on; come now and wrestle +once with me." + +After she had called him the fourth time, Kut-o-yis´ went to her. + +Now on the ground where this woman wrestled with people she had +placed many sharp, broken flint-stones, partly hiding them by the +grass. The two seized each other and began to wrestle over these +sharp stones, but Kut-o-yis´ looked at the ground and did not step +on them. He watched his chance and gave the woman a quick wrench, +and threw her down on a large sharp flint which cut her in two; and +the parts of her body fell asunder. + +Kut-o-yis´ then went on, and after a time came to where a woman had +made a place for sliding downhill. At the far end of it she had +fixed a rope which, when she raised it, would trip people up, and +when they were tripped they fell over a high cliff into a deep +water, where a great fish ate them. + +When this woman saw Kut-o-yis´ coming she cried out to him, "Come +over here, young man, and slide with me." + +"No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot wait." She kept calling +to him, and when she had called him the fourth time he went over +where he was to slide with her. + +"This sliding," said the woman, "is very good fun." + +"Ah, yes," said Kut-o-yis´, "I will look at it." + +As he went near the place he looked carefully and saw the hidden +rope. He began to slide, and holding his knife in his hand, when he +reached the rope he cut it just as the woman raised it and pulled on +it, and the woman fell over backward into the water and was eaten +up by the big fish. + +From here he went on again, and after a time he came to a big camp. +A man-eater was the chief of this place. + +Before Kut-o-yis´ went to the chief's lodge he looked about and saw +a little girl and called her to him and said, "Child, I am going +into that lodge, to let that man-eater kill and eat me. Therefore, +be on the watch, and if you can get hold of one of my bones take it +out and call all the dogs to you, and when they have come to you +throw down the bone and say, 'Kut-o-yis´, the dogs are eating your +bones.'" + +Then Kut-o-yis´ entered the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he +called out, "Oki, oki!" (welcome, welcome!) and seemed glad to see +him, for he was a fat young man. The man-eater took a knife and +walked up to Kut-o-yis´ and cut his throat and put him into a great +stone pot to cook. When the meat was cooked he pulled the kettle +from the fire and ate the body, limb by limb, until it was all +eaten. + +After that the little girl who was watching came into the lodge and +said, "Pity me, man-eater, my mother is hungry and asks you for +those bones." The old man gathered them together and handed them to +her, and she took them out of the lodge. When she had gone a little +way, she called all the dogs to her and threw down the bones to the +dogs, crying out, "Look out, Kut-o-yis´, the dogs are eating you," +and when she said that, Kut-o-yis´ arose from the pile of bones. + +Again he went into the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he +cried out, "How, how, how! the fat young man has survived!" and he +seemed surprised. Again he took his knife and cut the throat of +Kut-o-yis´ and threw him into the kettle. Again when the meat was +cooked he ate it, and when the little girl asked for the bones again +he gave them to her. She took them out and threw them to the dogs, +crying, "Kut-o-yis´, the dogs are eating you," and again Kut-o-yis´ +arose from the bones. + +When the man-eater had cooked him four times Kut-o-yis´ again went +into the lodge, and seizing the man-eater, he threw him into the +boiling kettle, and his wives and all his children, and boiled them +to death. + +The man-eater was the seventh and last of the bad things to be +destroyed by Kut-o-yis´. + + + + +THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER + + +This happened long ago. + +In those days the people were hungry. No buffalo could be found, no +antelope were seen on the prairie. Grass grew in the trails where +the elk and the deer used to travel. There was not even a rabbit in +the brush. Then the people prayed, "Oh, Napi, help us now or we must +die. The buffalo and the deer are gone. It is useless to kindle the +morning fires; our arrows are useless to us; our knives remain in +their sheaths." + +Then Napi set out to find where the game was, and with him went a +young man, the son of a chief. For many days they travelled over the +prairies. They could see no game; roots and berries were their only +food. One day they climbed to the crest of a high ridge, and as they +looked off over the country they saw far away by a stream a lonely +lodge. + +"Who can it be?" asked the young man. "Who camps there alone, far +from friends?" + +"That," said Napi, "is he who has hidden all the animals from the +people. He has a wife and a little son." Then they went down near to +the lodge and Napi told the young man what to do. Napi changed +himself into a little dog, and he said, "This is I." The young man +changed himself into a root digger and he said, "This is I." Pretty +soon the little boy, who was playing about near the lodge, found the +dog and carried it to his father, saying, "See what a pretty little +dog I have found." + +The father said, "That is not a dog; throw it away!" The little boy +cried, but his father made him take the dog out of the lodge. Then +the boy found the root digger, and again picking up the dog, he +carried both into the lodge, saying, "Look, mother; see what a +pretty root digger I have found." + +"Throw them away," said his father; "throw them both away. That is +not a root digger; that is not a dog." + +"I want that root digger," said the woman. "Let our son have the +little dog." + +"Let it be so, then," replied the husband; "but remember that if +trouble comes, it is you who have brought it on yourself and on our +son." + +Soon after this the woman and her son went off to pick berries, and +when they were out of sight the man went out and killed a buffalo +cow and brought the meat into the lodge and covered it up. He took +the bones and the skin and threw them in the water. When his wife +came back he gave her some of the meat to roast, and while they were +eating, the little boy fed the dog three times, and when he offered +it more the father took the meat away. + +In the night, when all were sleeping, Napi and the young man arose +in their right shapes and ate some of the meat. + +"You were right," said the young man. "This is surely the person who +has hidden the buffalo." + +"Wait," said Napi; and when they had finished eating they changed +themselves again into the root digger and the dog. + +Next morning the wife and the little boy went out to dig roots, and +the woman took the root digger with her, while the dog followed the +little boy. + +As they travelled along looking for roots, they passed near a cave, +and at its mouth stood a buffalo cow. The dog ran into the cave, and +the root digger, slipping from the woman's hand, followed, gliding +along over the ground like a snake. In this cave were found all the +buffalo and the other game. They began to drive them out, and soon +the prairie was covered with buffalo, antelope, and deer. Never +before were so many seen. + +Soon the man came running up, and he said to his wife, "Who is +driving out my animals?" The woman replied, "The dog and the root +digger are in there now." + +"Did I not tell you," said her husband, "that those were not what +they looked like. See now the trouble that you have brought upon +us!" He put an arrow on his string and waited for them to come out, +but they were cunning, and when the last animal, a big bull, was +starting out the stick grasped him by the long hair under the neck +and coiled up in it, and the dog held on by the hair underneath +until they were far out on the prairie, when they changed into their +true shapes and drove the buffalo toward the camp. + +When the people saw the buffalo coming they led a big band of them +to the piskun, but just as the leaders were about to jump over the +cliff a raven came and flapped its wings in front of them and +croaked, and they turned off and ran down another way. Every time a +herd of buffalo was brought near to the piskun this raven frightened +them away. Then Napi knew that the raven was the person who had kept +the buffalo hidden. + +Napi went down to the river and changed himself into a beaver and +lay stretched out on a sandbar, as if dead. The raven was very +hungry and flew down and began to pick at the beaver. Then Napi +caught it by the legs and ran with it to the camp, and all the +chiefs were called together to decide what should be done with the +bird. Some said, "Let us kill it," but Napi said, "No, I will punish +it," and he tied it up over the lodge, right in the smoke hole. + +As the days went by the raven grew thin and weak and its eyes were +blinded by the thick smoke, and it cried continually to Napi asking +him to pity it. One day Napi untied the bird and told it to take its +right shape, and then said, "Why have you tried to fool Napi? Look +at me. I cannot die. Look at me. Of all peoples and tribes I am the +chief. I cannot die. I made the mountains; they are standing yet. I +made the prairies and the rocks; you see them yet. + +"Go home now to your wife and your child, and when you are hungry +hunt like any one else. If you do not, you shall die." + + + + +THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS + + +There was once a man who loved his wife dearly. After they had been +married for a time they had a little boy. Some time after that the +woman grew sick and did not get well. She was sick for a long time. +The young man loved his wife so much that he did not wish to take a +second woman. The woman grew worse and worse. Doctoring did not seem +to do her any good. At last she died. + +For a few days after this, the man used to take his baby on his back +and travel out away from the camp, walking over the hills, crying +and mourning. He felt badly, and he did not know what to do. + +After a time he said to the little child, "My little boy, you will +have to go and live with your grandmother. I shall go away and try +to find your mother and bring her back." + +He took the baby to his mother's lodge and asked her to take care +of it and left it with her. Then he started away, not knowing where +he was going nor what he should do. + +When he left the camp, he travelled toward the Sand Hills. On the +fourth night of his journeying he had a dream. He dreamed that he +went into a little lodge in which was an old woman. This old woman +said to him, "Why are you here, my son?" + +The young man replied, "I am mourning day and night, crying all the +while. My little son, who is the only one left me, also mourns." + +"Well," asked the old woman, "for whom are you mourning?" + +The young man answered, "I am mourning for my wife. She died some +time ago. I am looking for her." + +"Oh, I saw her," said the old woman; "she passed this way. I myself +have no great power to help you, but over by that far butte beyond, +lives another old woman. Go to her and she will give you power to +continue your journey. You could not reach the place you are seeking +without help. Beyond the next butte from her lodge you will find +the camp of the ghosts." + +The next morning the young man awoke and went on toward the next +butte. It took him a long summer's day to get there, but he found +there no lodge, so he lay down and slept. Again he dreamed. In his +dream he saw a little lodge, and saw an old woman come to the door +and heard her call to him. He went into the lodge, and she spoke to +him. + +"My son, you are very unhappy. I know why you have come this way. +You are looking for your wife who is now in the ghost country. It is +a very hard thing for you to get there. You may not be able to get +your wife back, but I have great power and I will do for you all +that I can. If you act as I advise, you may succeed." + +Other wise words she spoke to him, telling him what he should do; +also she gave him a bundle of mysterious things which would help him +on his journey. + +She went on to say, "You stay here for a time and I will go over +there to the ghosts' camp and try to bring back some of your +relations who are there. If it is possible for me to bring them +back, you may return there with them, but on the way you must shut +your eyes. If you should open them and look about you, you would +die. Then you would never come back. When you come to the camp you +will pass by a big lodge and they will ask you, 'Where are you going +and who told you to come here?' You must answer, 'My grandmother, +who is standing out here with me, told me to come.' They will try to +scare you; they will make fearful noises and you will see strange +and terrible things, but do not be afraid." + +The old woman went away, and after a time came back with one of the +man's relations. He went with this relation to the ghosts' camp. +When they came to the large lodge some one called out and asked the +man what he was doing there, and he answered as the old woman had +told him. As he passed on through the camp the ghosts tried to +frighten him with many fearful sights and sounds, but he kept up a +strong heart. + +Presently he came to another lodge, and the man who owned it came +out and spoke to him, asking where he was going. The young man said, +"I am looking for my dead wife. I mourn for her so much that I +cannot rest. My little boy too keeps crying for his mother. They +have offered to give me other wives, but I do not want them. I want +the one for whom I am searching." + +The ghost said, "It is a fearful thing that you have come here; it +is very likely that you will never go away. Never before has there +been a person here." + +The ghost asked him to come into his lodge, and he entered. + +This chief ghost said to him, "You shall stay here for four nights +and you shall see your wife, but you must be very careful or you +will never go back. You will die here in this very place." + +Then the chief ghost walked out of the lodge and shouted out for a +feast, inviting the man's father-in-law and other relations who were +in the camp to come and eat, saying, "Your son-in-law invites you +to a feast," as if he meant that the son-in-law had died and become +a ghost and arrived at the camp of the ghosts. + +Now when these invited ghosts had reached the lodge they did not +like to go in. They said to each other, "There is a person here"; it +seemed as if they did not like the smell of a human being. The chief +ghost burned sweet pine on the fire, which took away this smell, and +then the ghosts came in and sat down. + +The chief ghost said to them, "Now pity this son-in-law of yours. He +is looking for his wife. Neither the great distance that he has come +nor the fearful sights that he has seen here have weakened his +heart. You can see how tender-hearted he is. He not only mourns +because he has lost his wife, but he mourns because his little boy +is now alone, with no mother; so pity him and give him back his +wife." + +The ghosts talked among themselves, and one of them said to the man, +"Yes; you shall stay here for four nights, and then we will give you +a medicine pipe--the Worm Pipe--and we will give you back your wife +and you may return to your home." + +Now, after the third night the chief ghost called together all the +people, and they came, and with them came the man's wife. One of the +ghosts was beating a drum, and following him was another who carried +the Worm Pipe, which they gave to him. + +Then the chief ghost said, "Now be very careful; to-morrow you and +your wife will start on your journey homeward. Your wife will carry +the medicine pipe and for four days some of your relations will go +along with you. During this time you must keep your eyes shut; do +not open them, or you will return here and be a ghost forever. Your +wife is not now a person. But in the middle of the fourth day you +will be told to look, and when you have opened your eyes you will +see that your wife has become a person, and that your ghost +relations have disappeared." + +Before the man went away his father-in-law spoke to him and said, +"When you get near home you must not go at once into the camp. Let +some of your relations know that you have come, and ask them to +build a sweat-house for you. Go into that sweat-house and wash your +body thoroughly, leaving no part of it, however small, uncleansed. +If you fail in this, you will die. There is something about the +ghosts that it is difficult to remove. It can only be removed by a +thorough sweat. Take care now that you do what I tell you. Do not +whip your wife, nor strike her with a knife, nor hit her with fire. +If you do, she will vanish before your eyes and return here." + +They left the ghost country to go home, and on the fourth day the +wife said to her husband, "Open your eyes." He looked about him and +saw that those who had been with them had disappeared, and he found +that they were standing in front of the old woman's lodge by the +butte. She came out of her lodge and said to them, "Stop; give me +back those mysterious medicines of mine, whose power helped you to +do what you wished." The man returned them to her, and then once +more became really a living person. + +When they drew near to the camp the woman went on ahead and sat +down on a butte. Then some curious persons came out to see who this +might be. As they approached the woman called out to them, "Do not +come any nearer. Go and tell my mother and my relations to put up a +lodge for us a little way from the camp, and near by it build a +sweat-house." When this had been done the man and his wife went in +and took a thorough sweat, and then they went into the lodge and +burned sweet grass and purified their clothing and the Worm Pipe. +Then their relations and friends came in to see them. The man told +them where he had been and how he had managed to get his wife back, +and that the pipe hanging over the doorway was a medicine pipe--the +Worm Pipe--presented to him by his ghost father-in-law. + +That is how the people came to possess the Worm Pipe. That pipe +belongs to the band of Piegans known as the Worm People. + +Not long after this, once in the night, this man told his wife to do +something, and when she did not begin at once he picked up a brand +from the fire and raised it--not that he intended to strike her +with it, but he made as if he would--when all at once she vanished +and was never seen again. + + + + +THE BUFFALO STONE + + +A small stone, which is often a fossil shell, or sometimes only a +queer shaped piece of flint, is called by the Blackfeet +I-n[)i]s´k[)i]m, the buffalo stone. This stone has great power, and +gives its owner good luck in bringing the buffalo close, so that +they may be killed. The stone is found on the prairie, and any one +who finds one is thought to be very lucky. Sometimes a man who is +going along on the prairie will hear a queer faint chirp, such as a +little bird might make. He knows this sound is made by a buffalo +stone. He stops and searches for it on the ground, and if he cannot +find it, marks the place and comes back next day to look for it +again. If it is found, he and all his family are glad. The Blackfeet +tell a story about how the first buffalo stone was found. + +Long ago, one winter, the buffalo disappeared. The snow was deep, so +deep that the people could not move in search of the buffalo; so +the hunters went as far as they could up and down the river-bottoms +and in the ravines, and killed deer and elk and other small game, +and when these were all killed or driven away the people began to +starve. + +One day a young married man killed a prairie rabbit. He ran home as +fast as he could, and told one of his wives to hurry and get a skin +of water to cook it. She started down to the river for water, and as +she was going along she heard a beautiful song. She looked all +about, but could see no one who was singing. + +The song seemed to come from a big cotton-wood tree near the trail +leading down to the water. As she looked closely at this tree she +saw a queer stone jammed in a fork where the tree was split, and +with it a few hairs from a buffalo which had rubbed against the +tree. The woman was frightened and dared not pass the tree. Soon the +singing stopped and the I-nis´kim said to the woman, "Take me +to your lodge, and when it is dark call in the people and teach them +the song you have just heard. Pray, too, that you may not starve, +and that the buffalo may come back. Do this, and when day comes your +hearts will be glad." + +The woman went on and got the water, and when she came back she took +the stone and gave it to her husband, telling him about the song and +what the stone had said. + +As soon as it was dark, the man called the chiefs and old men to his +lodge, and his wife taught them the song that she had heard. They +prayed too, as the stone had said should be done. Before long they +heard far off a noise coming. It was the tramp of a great herd of +buffalo. Then they knew that the stone was powerful, and since that +time the people have taken care of it and have prayed to it. + + + + +HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME + + +You have heard the Thunder, for he is everywhere. He roars in the +mountains, and far out on the prairie is heard his crashing. He +strikes the high rocks, and they fall to pieces; a tree, and it is +broken in slivers; the people, and they die. He is bad. He does not +like the high cliff, the standing tree, or living man. He likes to +strike and crush them to the ground. Of all things he is the most +powerful. He cannot be resisted. But I have not told you the worst +thing about him. Sometimes he takes away women. + +Long ago, almost in the beginning, a man and his wife were sitting +in their lodge when Thunder came and struck them. The man was not +killed. At first he lay as if dead, but after a time he lived again, +and, standing up, looked about him. He did not see his wife. + +"Oh," he thought, "she has gone to get wood or water," and he sat +down again. But when night came he went out of the lodge and asked +the people about her. No one had seen her. He looked all through the +camp, but could not find her. Then he knew that the Thunder had +taken her away, and he went out on the hills and mourned. All night +he sat there, trying to think what he might do to get back his wife. + +When morning came he rose and wandered away, and whenever he met any +of the animals he asked if they could tell him where the Thunder +lived. The animals laughed, and most of them would not answer. + +The Wolf said to him, "Do you think that we would look for the home +of the only one we fear? He is our only danger. From all other +enemies we can run away, but from him no one can run. He strikes and +there we lie. Turn back; go home. Do not look for the place of that +dreadful one." + +The man kept on and travelled a long distance. At last, after many +days, he came to a lodge--a strange lodge, for it was made of +stone. Just like any other lodge it looked, only it was made of +stone. This was the home of the Raven chief. The man entered. + +"Welcome, friend," said the chief of the Ravens; "sit down there," +and he pointed to a place. Soon food was placed before the poor man. + +When he had finished eating, the Raven chief asked, "Why have you +come here?" + +"Thunder has stolen my wife," the man answered. "I am looking for +his dwelling-place that I may find her." + +"Are you brave enough to enter the lodge of that dreadful person?" +asked the Raven. "He lives near here. His lodge is of stone like +this one, and hanging in it are eyes--the eyes of those he has +killed or taken away. He has taken out their eyes and hung them in +his lodge. Now, then! Dare you enter there?" + +"No," answered the man, "I am afraid. Who could look at such +dreadful things and live?" + +"No man can," said the Raven; "there is only one old Thunder fears; +there is but one he cannot kill. It is we. It is the Ravens. Now I +will give you some medicine, and he shall not harm you. You shall +enter there and try to find among those eyes your wife's, and if you +find them tell the Thunder why you came and make him give them to +you. Here, now, is a raven's wing. Point this at him and he will be +afraid and start back; but if that should fail, take this arrow. Its +shaft is made of elk horn. Take this, I say, and shoot it through +the lodge." + +"Why make a fool of me?" the poor man asked. "My heart is sad. I am +crying." He covered his head with his robe and wept. + +"Oh," said the Raven, "you do not believe me. Come outside, come +outside, and I will make you believe." + +When they stood outside the Raven asked, "Is the home of your people +far?" + +"A great distance," said the man. + +"Can you tell how many days you have travelled?" + +"No," he replied, "my heart was sad; I did not count the days. +Since I left, the berries have grown and ripened." + +"Can you see your camp from here?" asked the Raven. + +The man did not answer. Then the Raven rubbed some medicine on his +eyes and said, "Look!" The man looked and saw the camp. It was near. +He saw the people; he saw the smoke rising from the lodges; he saw +the painting on some of the lodges. + +"Now you will believe," said the Raven. "Take, then, the arrow and +the wing, and go and get your wife." The man took these things and +went to the Thunder's lodge. He entered and sat down by the doorway. + +The Thunder sat at the back of the lodge and looked at him with +awful eyes. The man looked above and saw hanging there many pairs of +eyes. Among them were those of his wife. + +"Why have you come?" said the Thunder in a dreadful voice. + +"I seek my wife," said the man, "whom you have stolen. There hang +her eyes." + +"No man may enter my lodge and live," said the Thunder, and he rose +to strike him. Then the man pointed the raven wing at the Thunder, +and he fell back on his bed and shivered; but soon he recovered and +rose again, and then the man fitted the elk-horn arrow to his bow +and shot it through the lodge of stone. Right through that stone it +pierced a hole and let the sunlight in. + +"Wait," said the Thunder; "stop. You are the stronger, you have the +greater medicine. You shall have your wife. Take down her eyes." + +The man cut the string that held the eyes, and his wife stood beside +him. + +"Now," said the Thunder, "you know me. I have great power. In summer +I live here; but when winter comes I go far south. I go south with +the birds. Here is my pipe. It has strong power. Take it and keep +it. After this, when first I come in the spring you shall fill this +pipe and light it, and you shall smoke it and pray to me; you and +the people. I bring the rain which makes the berries large and ripe. +I bring the rain which makes all things grow, and for this you +shall pray to me; you and all the people." + +Thus the people got their first medicine pipe. It was long ago. + + + + +COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE + + +The last lodge had been set up in the Blackfeet winter camp. Evening +was closing over the travel-tired people. The sun had dropped beyond +the hills not far away. Women were bringing water from the river at +the edge of the great circle. Men gathered in quiet groups, weary +after the long march of the day. Children called sleepily to each +other, and the dogs sniffed about in well-fed content. + +Lone Feather wrapped his robe more closely around him and walked +slowly from his lodge door and from the camp, off toward the north. +He was thinking of many things, and hardly noticed where he was +going. Presently as he walked, he heard the sound of persons +talking. He stopped to listen. The sound came from a lodge made of +stone, close by the river. Quietly he went toward the lodge and saw +a thin blue line of smoke coming from the top. + +As he approached, an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came +from the lodge door and looked at him. + +"Will you come into my lodge?" she said, greeting him. + +Lone Feather looked at her for a moment in silence. She spoke again. +He could not understand her speech, for she belonged to another +tribe. By signs she made him know that she wished him to come into +her lodge and rest. Lone Feather entered. + +Far back from the door crouched two big grizzly bears. She made +signs to show that the bears were friendly, and Lone Feather sat +down near the door. She stirred the fire, and as she put on fresh +wood the sparks flew up toward the smoke hole, which was opened only +a little way. + +By signs she told him she would go out and open the smoke hole +wider, so that the fire might burn more brightly. She was gone for +some time, and Lone Feather sat looking into the fire, still +thinking of many things, when the air became thick with smoke. He +looked up and saw that the smoke hole was closed. He sprang up and +went to the door, but the door covering was down. He raised it, and +as he put his head out the old woman hit him with a large stone club +and he was dead. + +Before his spirit started for the Sand Hills he saw that with a +large knife she cut up his body and put the pieces into a pot. Soon +they were well cooked and the old woman and the two bears feasted on +his flesh. + +They threw his bones out of the door, where they fell among many +others like them. The ground was strewn with the bones of the +persons she had trapped and killed. + +Day by day other persons disappeared from the winter camp, and more +and more bones whitened on the ground outside the stone lodge on the +river bank. + +As Cold Maker was bringing the snow to the Blackfeet winter camp, he +passed the Sand Hills. Lone Feather and other ghosts from the +Blackfeet tribe were telling each other how the old woman had sent +them there. Cold Maker heard their stories and he was angry. + +When he reached the camp he went to the lodge of Broken Bow--a +brave young man, but very poor. + +He shivered when Cold Maker entered his lodge and drew his ragged +robe about him. They were close friends. + +"Would you like to have a new robe?" asked Cold Maker. + +"Yes," said Broken Bow. + +"Come with me. You may kill two grizzly bears," said Cold Maker. + +"My bow is broken. I cannot," said Broken Bow sadly. + +"I will help you. Bring only a knife." + +Together they went from the lodges toward the north. The sun was +already hidden behind the nearby hills. + +After they had travelled some distance they heard the sound of +voices. They listened. Two bears were complaining that they wanted +meat. A woman told them they must wait. The men saw the line of thin +blue smoke rising from the top of the lodge of stone. All about +whitening bones covered the ground. They went nearer. + +Soon an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came from the door +and smiled as she saw the two persons coming. + +"Come in and rest," she said. Broken Bow did not understand her +language, but Cold Maker, who understands all tribes, said, "We are +cold. Will you let us sit by your fire?" + +The old woman smiled again. + +"You are welcome," she said; "come in. Do not fear my bears. They +are friendly. They will not harm you." The two friends entered the +lodge, where a smouldering fire sent a feeble smoke up to the smoke +hole, that was partly open. She put fresh wood on the fire and said, +"I will open the smoke hole wider," and went out, dropping the door +covering as she went. + +Then she closed the smoke hole. The smoke began to fill the top of +the lodge. It settled lower and lower. Broken Bow was afraid. + +"Give me your pipe," said Cold Maker. + +Broken Bow filled his pipe and, handed it to him. He lighted it by a +brand from the fire, and sent great puffs of smoke curling upward. +This smoke met the other smoke and stopped it. It could not descend +any lower. + +Broken Bow saw the wonderful medicine of his friend. He was no +longer afraid, but wondered what Cold Maker would do next. The +grizzly bears growled low. + +The old woman outside called to them, "Friends, is it smoking in +there now?" + +"Not a bit," replied Cold Maker. "We are very comfortable." + +She waited. They did not come out. She stood near the door. Her +stone club was ready. She grew impatient. She wondered what had gone +wrong with her plans. The two friends were silent. She looked at the +smoke hole, but it was closed securely. She lifted the door covering +to see if the friends within had died. They sat perfectly still. She +entered to look more closely, and as soon as she was fairly inside +Cold Maker and Broken Bow rushed out and dropped the door covering. +Before she could move they piled great heaps of stone in the +door-way. The bears growled. She called for help. Cold Maker and +Broken Bow went on down the river. + +Then Cold Maker took from a little sack a few white eagle-down +feathers. He blew them from him. At once a fierce storm blew across +the valley. The bitter cold froze the water, but only in this one +place. It dammed the stream with fast forming ice. The water rose +higher and higher. It spread out over the banks. Cold Maker and +Broken Bow went far off on the hills and watched it. Little by +little it rose. It reached the stone lodge. The bears roared. The +woman screamed. The water reached the top and covered the lodge from +sight. All sound ceased. A moment more, and the water was quiet. +Once more Cold Maker blew from him a few white eagle-down feathers. +The storm subsided. It became warm again. The ice melted. The water +retreated to its channel. + +Cold Maker and Broken Bow went to the stone lodge. The woman was +lying beside the pot. The grizzly bears were close to the stones +which blocked the door-way. + +Cold Maker said, "Here is your new robe," and Broken Bow took from +the bears their thick, warm skins. + +On his way home Cold Maker again passed the Sand Hills. Entering +the country was an old woman bent with age and crippled. + +He hurried on. + + + + +THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES + + +In the Blackfeet tribe was an association known as the All Comrades. +This was made up of a dozen secret societies graded according to +age, the members of the younger societies passing, after a few +years, into the older ones. This association was in part benevolent +and helpful and in part to encourage bravery in war, but its main +purpose was to see that the orders of the chiefs were carried out, +and to punish offences against the tribe at large. There are stories +which explain how these societies came to be instituted, and this +one tells how the Society of Bulls began. + + +THE BULLS SOCIETY + +It was long, long ago, very far back, that this happened. In those +days the people used to kill the buffalo by driving them over a +steep place near the river, down which they fell into a great pen +built at the foot of the cliff, where the buffalo that had not been +killed by the fall were shot with arrows by the men. Then the people +went into the pen and skinned the buffalo and cut them up and +carried the meat away to their camp. This pen they called piskun. + +In those days the people had built a great piskun with high, strong +walls. No buffalo could jump over it; not even if a great crowd of +them ran against it, could they push it down. + +The young men kept going out, as they always did, to try to bring +the buffalo to the edge of the cliff, but somehow they would not +jump over into the piskun. When they had come almost to the edge, +they would turn off to one side or the other and run down the +sloping hills and away over the prairie. So the people could get no +food, and they began to be hungry, and at last to starve. + +Early one morning a young woman, the daughter of a brave man, was +going from her lodge down to the stream to get water, and as she +went along she saw a herd of buffalo feeding on the prairie, close +to the edge of the cliff above the great piskun. + +"Oh," she called out, "if you will only jump off into the piskun I +will marry one of you." She did not mean this, but said it just in +fun, and as soon as she had said it, she wondered greatly when she +saw the buffalo come jumping over the edge, falling down the cliff. + +A moment later a big bull jumped high over the wall of the piskun +and came toward her, and now truly she was frightened. + +"Come," he said, taking hold of her arm. + +"No, no," she answered, trying to pull herself away. + +"But you said if the buffalo would only jump over, you would marry +one of them. Look, the piskun is full." + +She did not answer, and without saying anything more he led her up +over the bluff and out on the prairie. + +After the people had finished killing the buffalo and cutting up the +meat, they missed this young woman. No one knew where she had gone, +and her relations were frightened and very sad because they could +not find her. So her father took his bow and quiver and put them on +his back and said, "I will go and find her"; and he climbed the +bluff and set out over the prairie. + +He travelled some distance, but saw nothing of his daughter. The sun +was hot, and at length he came to a buffalo wallow in which some +water was standing, and drank and sat down to rest. A little way off +on the prairie he saw a herd of buffalo. As the man sat there by the +wallow, trying to think what he might do to find his daughter, a +magpie came up and alighted on the ground near him. The man spoke to +it, saying, "M[)a]m-[=i]-[)a]t´s[=i]-k[)i]m[)i]--Magpie--you are a +beautiful bird; help me, for I am very unhappy. As you travel about +over the prairie, look everywhere, and if you see my daughter say to +her, 'Your father is waiting by the wallow.'" + +Soon the magpie flew away, and as he passed near the herd of buffalo +he saw the young woman there, and alighting on the ground near her, +he began to pick at things, turning his head this way and that, and +seeming to look for food. When he was close to the girl he said to +her, "Your father is waiting by the wallow." + +"Sh-h-h! Sh-h-h!" replied the girl in a whisper, looking about her +very much frightened, for her bull husband was sleeping close by. +"Do not speak so loud. Go back and tell him to wait." + +"Your daughter is over there with the buffalo. She says 'Wait,'" +said the magpie when he had flown back to the poor father. + +After a little time the bull awoke and said to his wife, "Go and +bring me some water." Then the woman was glad, and she took a horn +from her husband's head and went to the wallow for water. + +"Oh, why did you come?" she said to her father. "They will surely +kill you." + +"I came to take my daughter back to my lodge. Come, let us go." + +"No," said the girl, "not now. They will surely chase us and kill +us. Wait until he sleeps again and I will try to get away." Then she +filled the horn with water and went back to the buffalo. + +Her husband drank a swallow of the water, and when he took the horn +it made a noise. "Ah," he said, as he looked about, "a person is +somewhere close by." + +"No one," replied the girl, but her heart stood still. The bull +drank again. Then he stood up on his feet and moaned and grunted, +"M-m-ah-oo! Bu-u-u!" Fearful was the sound. Up rose the other bulls, +raised their tails in the air, tossed their heads and bellowed back +to him. Then they pawed the earth, thrust their horns into it, +rushed here and there, and presently, coming to the wallow, found +there the poor man. They rushed over him, trampling him with their +great hoofs, thrust their horns into his body and tore him to +pieces, and trampled him again. Soon not even a piece of his body +could be seen--only the wet earth cut up by their hoofs. + +Then his daughter mourned in sorrow. "_Oh! Ah! Ni-nah-ah! Oh! Ah! +Ni-nah-ah!_"--Ah, my father, my father. + +"Ah," said her bull husband; "now you understand how it is that we +feel. You mourn for your father; but we have seen our fathers, +mothers, and many of our relations fall over the high cliffs, to be +killed for food by your people. But now I will pity you, I will give +you one chance. If you can bring your father to life, you and he may +go back to your camp." + +Then said the woman, "Ah, magpie, pity me, help me; for now I need +help. Look in the trampled mud of the wallow and see if you can find +even a little piece of my father's body and bring it to me." + +Swiftly the magpie flew to the wallow, and alighting there, walked +all about, looking in every hole and even tearing up the mud with +his sharp beak. Presently he uncovered something white, and as he +picked the mud from about it, he saw it was a bone, and pulling +hard, he dragged it from the mud--the joint of a man's backbone. +Then gladly he flew back with it to the woman. + +The girl put the bone on the ground and covered it with her robe and +began to sing. After she had sung she took the robe away, and there +under it lay her father's body, as if he had just died. Once again +she covered the body with the robe and sang, and this time when she +took the robe away the body was breathing. A third time she covered +the body with the robe and sang, and when she again took away the +robe, the body moved its arms and legs a little. A fourth time she +covered it and sang, and when she took away the robe her father +stood up. + +The buffalo were surprised and the magpie was glad, and flew about +making a great noise. + +"Now this day we have seen a strange thing," said her bull husband. +"The people's medicine is strong. He whom we trampled to death, whom +our hoofs cut to pieces and mixed all up with the soil, is alive +again. Now you shall go to your home, but before you go we will +teach you our dance and our song. Do not forget them." + +The buffalo showed the man and his daughter their dance and taught +them the songs, and then the bull said to them, "Now you are to go +back to your home, but do not forget what you have seen. Teach the +people this dance and these songs, and while they are dancing it let +them wear a bull's head and a robe. Those who are to be of the +Bulls Society shall wear them." + +When the poor man returned with his daughter, all the people were +glad. Then after a time he called a council of the chiefs and told +them the things that had happened. The chiefs chose certain young +men to be Bulls, and the man taught them the dance and the song, and +told them everything that they should do. + +So began the Bull Society. + + +THE OTHER SOCIETIES + +For a long time the buffalo had not been seen. Every one was hungry, +for the hunters could find no food for the people. + +A certain man, who had two wives, a daughter, and two sons, as he +saw what a hard time they were having, said, "I shall not stop here +to die. To-morrow we will move toward the mountains, where we may +kill elk and deer and sheep and antelope, or, if not these, at least +we shall find beaver and birds, and can get them. In this way we +shall have food to eat and shall live." + +Next morning they caught their dogs and harnessed them to the +travois and took their loads on their backs and set out. It was +still winter, and they travelled slowly. Besides, they were weak +from hunger and could go only a short distance in a day. The fourth +night came, and they sat in their lodge, tired and hungry. No one +spoke, for people who are hungry do not care to talk. Suddenly, +outside, the dogs began to bark, and soon the door was pushed aside +and a young man entered. + +"Welcome," said the man, and he motioned to a place where the +stranger should sit. + +Now during this day there had been blowing a warm wind which had +melted the snow, so that the prairie was covered with water, yet +this young man's moccasins and leggings were dry. They saw this, and +were frightened. They sat there for a long time, saying nothing. + +Then the young man spoke and asked, "Why is this? Why do you not +give me food?" + +"Ah," replied the father, "you see here people who are truly poor. +We have no food. For many days the buffalo did not come in sight, +and we looked for deer and other animals, which people eat, and when +these had all been killed we began to starve. Then I said, 'We will +not stay here to die from hunger,' and we set out for the mountains. +This is the fourth night of our travels." + +"Ah," said the young man, "then your travels are ended. You need go +no farther. Close by here is our piskun. Many buffalo have been run +in, and our parfleches are filled with dried meat. Wait a little; I +will go and bring you some," and he went out. + +As soon as he had gone they began to talk about this strange person. +They were afraid of him and did not know what to do. The children +began to cry, and the women tried to quiet them. Presently the young +man came back, bringing some meat. + +"There is food," said he, as he put it down by the woman. "Now +to-morrow move your camp over to our lodges. Do not fear anything. +No matter what strange things you may see, do not fear. All will be +your friends. Yet about one thing I must warn you. In this you +should be careful. If you should find an arrow lying about +anywhere, in the piskun or outside, do not touch it, neither you nor +your wives nor your children." When he had said this he went out. + +The father took his pipe and filled it, and smoked and prayed to all +the powers, saying, "Hear now, Sun; listen, Above People; listen, +Underwater People; now you have taken pity; now you have given us +food. We are going to those mysterious ones who walk through water +with dry moccasins. Protect us among these to-be-feared people. Let +us live. Man, woman, and child, give us long life." + +Now from the fire again arose the smell of roasting meat. The +children ate and played. Those who so long had been silent now +talked and laughed. + +Early in the morning, as soon as the sun had risen, they took down +their lodge and packed their dogs and started for the camp of the +stranger. When they had come to where they could see it, they found +it a wonderful place. There around the piskun, and stretching far +up and down the valley, were pitched the lodges of the meat eaters. +They could not see them all, but near by they saw the lodges of the +Bear band, the Fox band, and the Raven band. The father of the young +man who had visited them and given them meat was the chief of the +Wolf band, and by that band they pitched their lodge. Truly that was +a happy place. Food was plenty. All day long people were shouting +out for feasts, and everywhere was heard the sound of drumming and +singing and dancing. + +The newly come people went to the piskun for meat, and there one of +the children saw an arrow lying on the ground. It was a beautiful +arrow, the stone point long, slender, and sharp, the shaft round and +straight. The boy remembered what had been said and he looked around +fearfully, but everywhere the people were busy. No one was looking. +He picked up the arrow and put it under his robe. + +Then there rose a terrible sound. All the animals howled and growled +and rushed toward him, but the chief Wolf got to him first, and +holding up his hand said, "Wait. He is young and not yet of good +sense. We will let him go this time." They did nothing to him. + +When night came some one shouted out, calling people to a feast and +saying, "Listen, listen, Wolf, you are to eat; enter with your +friend." + +"We are invited," said the chief Wolf to his new friend, and +together they went to the lodge from which the call came. + +Within the lodge the fire burned brightly, and seated around it were +many men, the old and wise of the Raven band. On the lodge lining, +hanging behind the seats, were the paintings of many great deeds. +Food was placed before the guests--pemican and berries and dried +back fat--and after they had eaten the pipe was lighted and passed +around the circle. Then the Raven chief spoke and said, "Now, Wolf, +I am going to give our new friend a present. What do you think of +that?" + +"It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf; "our new friend will be +glad." + +From a long parfleche sack the Raven chief took a slender stick, +beautifully ornamented with many-colored feathers. To the end of +the stick was tied the skin of a raven--head, wings, feet, and tail. + +"We," said the Raven chief, "are those who carry the raven +(M[)a]s-to-p[=a]h´-t[)a]-k[=i]ks). Of all the fliers, of all the +birds, what one is so smart as the raven? None. The raven's eyes are +sharp, his wings are strong. He is a great hunter and never hungry. +Far off on the prairie he sees his food, or if it is deep hidden in +the forest it does not escape him. This is our song and our dance." + +When he had finished singing and dancing he placed the stick in +the sack and gave it to the man and said, "Take it with you, +and when you have returned to your people you shall say, 'Now +there are already the Bulls, and he who is the Raven chief +said, "There shall be more. There shall be the All Friends +([=I]k[)u]n-[)u]h´-k[=a]h-ts[)i]), so that the people may live, +and of the All Friends shall be the Raven Bearers."' You shall +call a council of the chiefs and wise old men, and they shall +choose the persons who are to belong to the society. Teach them +the song and the dance, and give them the medicine. It shall be +theirs forever." + +Soon they heard another person shouting out the feast call, and, +going, they entered the lodge of the chief of the Kit-Foxes +(S[)i]n´-o-pah). Here, too, old men had gathered. After they had +eaten of the food set before them, the chief said, "Those among whom +you have just come are generous. They do not look carefully at the +things they have, but give to the stranger and pity the poor. The +kit-fox is a little animal, but what one is smarter? None. His hair +is like the dead grass of the prairie; his eyes are keen; his feet +make no noise when he walks; his brain is cunning. His ears receive +the far-off sound. Here is our medicine. Take it." He gave the man +the stick. It was long, crooked at one end, wound with fur, and tied +here and there with eagle feathers. At the end was a kit-fox skin. +Again the chief spoke and said, "Listen to our song. Do not forget +it, and the dance, too, you must remember. When you reach home teach +them to the people." He sang and danced. Then presently his guests +departed. + +Again they heard the feast shout, and he who called was the chief +of the Bear society. After they had eaten and smoked the chief said, + +"What is your opinion, friend Wolf? Shall we give our new friend a +present?" + +"It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf. "It is yours to give." + +Then spoke the Bear, saying, "There are many animals and some of +them are powerful; but the bear is the strongest and greatest of +all. He fears nothing and is always ready to fight." + +Then he put on a necklace of bear claws, a band of bear fur about +his head, and a belt of bear fur, and sang and danced. When he had +finished he gave the things he had worn to the man and said, "Teach +the people our song and our dance, and give them this medicine. It +is powerful." + +It was very late. The Seven Stars had come to the middle of the +night, yet again they heard the feast shout from the far end of the +camp. In this lodge the men were painted with streaks of red, and +their hair was all pushed to one side. After the feast the chief +said, "We are different from all others here. We are called the +Braves (M[)u]t´-s[)i]ks). We know not fear; we are death. Even if +our enemies are as many as the grass we do not turn away, but fight +and conquer. Bows are good weapons, lances are better; but our +weapon is the knife." + +Then the chief sang and danced, and afterward he gave the Wolf +chief's friend the medicine. It was a long knife and many scalps +were tied on the handle. "This," said he, "is for the All Friends." + +To one more lodge they were called that night and the lodge owner +taught the man his song and dance, and gave him his medicine. Then +the Wolf chief and his friend went home and slept. + +Early next day the Blackfeet women began to take down the lodge and +to get ready to move their camp. Many women came and made them +presents of food, dried meat, pemican, and berries. They were given +so much that they could not take it all with them. It was long +before they joined the main camp, for it had moved south, looking +for buffalo. + +When they reached the camp, as soon as the lodge was pitched, the +man called all the chiefs to come and feast with him, and told them +what he had seen, and showed them the different medicines. Then the +chiefs chose certain young men to belong to the different societies, +and this man taught them the songs and dances, and gave its medicine +to each society. + + + + +THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE + + +The chief god of the Blackfeet is the Sun. He made the world and +rules it, and to him the people pray. One of his names is Napi--old +man; but there is another Napi who is very different from the Sun, +and instead of being great, wise, and wonderful, is foolish, mean, +and contemptible. We shall hear about him further on. + +Every year in summer, about the time the berries ripen, the +Blackfeet used to hold the great festival and sacrifice which we +call the ceremony of the Medicine Lodge. This was a time of happy +meetings, of feasting, of giving presents; but besides this +rejoicing, those men who wished to have good-luck in whatever they +might undertake tried to prove their prayers sincere by sacrificing +their bodies, torturing themselves in ways that caused great +suffering. In ancient times, as we are told in books of history, +things like that used to happen among many peoples all over the +world. + +It was the law that the building of the Medicine Lodge must always +be pledged by a good woman. If a woman had a son or a husband away +at war and feared that he was in danger, or if she had a child that +was sick and might die, she might pray for the safety of the one she +loved, and promise that if he returned or recovered she would build +a Medicine Lodge. This pledge was made in a loud voice, publicly, in +open air, so that all might know the promise had been made. + +At the time appointed all the tribe came together and pitched their +lodges in a great circle, and within this circle the Medicine Lodge +was built. The ceremony lasted for four days and four nights, during +which time the woman who had promised to make the Medicine Lodge +neither ate nor drank, except once in sacrifice. Different stories +are told of how the first Medicine Lodge came to be built. This is +one of those stories: + +In the earliest times there was a man who had a very beautiful +daughter. Many young men wished to marry her, but whenever she was +asked she shook her head and said she did not wish to marry. + +"Why is this?" said her father. "Some of these young men are rich, +handsome, and brave." + +"Why should I marry?" replied the girl. "My father and mother take +care of me. Our lodge is good; the parfleches are never empty; there +are plenty of tanned robes and soft furs for winter. Why trouble me, +then?" + +Soon after, the Raven Bearers held a dance. They all painted +themselves nicely and wore their finest ornaments and each one tried +to dance the best. Afterward some of them asked for this girl, but +she said, "No." After that the Bulls, the Kit-Foxes, and others of +the All Comrades held their dances, and many men who were rich and +some great warriors asked this man for his daughter, but to every +one she said, "No." + +Then her father was angry, and he said, "Why is this? All the best +men have asked for you, and still you say 'No.'" Then the girl +said, "Father, listen to me. That Above Person, the Sun, said to me, +'Do not marry any of these men, for you belong to me. Listen to what +I say, and you shall be happy and live to a great age.' And again he +said to me, 'Take heed, you must not marry; you are mine.'" + +"Ah!" replied her father; "it must always be as he says"; and they +spoke no more about it. + +There was a poor young man. He was very poor. His father, his +mother, and all his relations were dead. He had no lodge, no wife to +tan his robes or make his moccasins. His clothes were always old and +worn. He had no home. To-day he stopped in one lodge; then to-morrow +he ate and slept in another. Thus he lived. He had a good face, but +on his cheek was a bad scar. + +After they had held those dances, some of the young men met this +poor Scarface, and they laughed at him and said, "Why do not you ask +that girl to marry you? You are so rich and handsome." + +Scarface did not laugh. He looked at them and said, "I will do as +you say; I will go and ask her." + +All the young men thought this was funny; they laughed a good deal +at Scarface as he was walking away. + +Scarface went down by the river and waited there, near the place +where the women went to get water. By and by the girl came there. +Scarface spoke to her, and said, "Girl, stop; I want to speak with +you. I do not wish to do anything secretly, but I speak to you here +openly, where the Sun looks down and all may see." + +"Speak, then," said the girl. + +"I have seen the days," said Scarface. "I have seen how you have +refused all those men, who are young and rich and brave. To-day some +of these young men laughed and said to me, 'Why do not you ask her?' +I am poor. I have no lodge, no food, no clothes, no robes. I have no +relations. All of them have died. Yet now to-day I say to you, take +pity. Be my wife." + +The girl hid her face in her robe and brushed the ground with the +point of her moccasin, back and forth, back and forth, for she was +thinking. + +After a time she spoke and said, "It is true I have refused all +those rich young men; yet now a poor one asks me, and I am glad. I +will be your wife, and my people will be glad. You are poor, but +that does not matter. My father will give you dogs; my mother will +make us a lodge; my relations will give us robes and furs; you will +no longer be poor." + +Then the young man was glad, and he started forward to kiss her, but +she put out her hand and held him back, and said, "Wait; the Sun has +spoken to me. He said I may not marry; that I belong to him; that if +I listen to him I shall live to great age. So now I say, go to the +Sun; say to him, 'She whom you spoke with has listened to your +words; she has never done wrong, but now she wants to marry. I want +her for my wife.' Ask him to take that scar from your face; that +will be his sign, and I shall know he is pleased. But if he refuses, +or if you cannot find his lodge, then do not return to me." + +"Oh!" cried Scarface; "at first your words were good. I was glad. +But now it is dark. My heart is dead. Where is that far-off lodge? +Where is the trail that no one yet has travelled?" + +"Take courage, take courage," said the girl softly, and she went on +to her lodge. + +Scarface was very unhappy. He did not know what to do. He sat down +and covered his face with his robe, and tried to think. At length he +stood up and went to an old woman who had been kind to him, and said +to her, "Pity me. I am very poor. I am going away, on a long +journey. Make me some moccasins." + +"Where are you going--far from the camp?" asked the old woman. + +"I do not know where I am going," he replied; "I am in trouble, but +I cannot talk about it." + +This old woman had a kind heart. She made him moccasins--seven +pairs; and gave him also a sack of food--pemican, dried meat, and +back fat. + +All alone, and with a sad heart, Scarface climbed the bluff that +overlooked the valley, and when he had reached the top, turned to +look back at the camp. He wondered if he should ever see it again; +if he should return to the girl and to the people. + +"Pity me, O Sun!" he prayed; and turning away, he set off to look +for the trail to the Sun's lodge. + +For many days he went on. He crossed great prairies and followed up +timbered rivers, and crossed the mountains. Every day his sack of +food grew lighter, but as he went along he looked for berries and +roots, and sometimes he killed an animal. These things gave him +food. + +One night he came to the home of a wolf. "Hah!" said the wolf; "what +are you doing so far from your home?" + +"I am looking for the place where the Sun lives," replied Scarface. +"I have been sent to speak with him." + +"I have travelled over much country," said the wolf; "I know all the +prairies, the valleys, and the mountains; but I have never seen the +Sun's home. But wait a moment. I know a person who is very wise, +and who may be able to tell you the road. Ask the bear." + +The next day Scarface went on again, stopping now and then to rest +and to pick berries, and when night came he was at the bear's lodge. + +"Where is your home?" asked the bear. "Why are you travelling so far +alone?" + +"Ah," replied the man, "I have come to you for help. Pity me. +Because of what that girl said to me, I am looking for the Sun. I +wish to ask him for her." + +"I do not know where he lives," said the bear. "I have travelled by +many rivers and I know the mountains, yet I have not seen his lodge. +Farther on there is some one--that striped face--who knows a great +deal; ask him." + +When the young man got there, the badger was in his hole. But +Scarface called to him, "Oh, cunning striped face! I wish to speak +with you." + +The badger put his head out of the hole and said, "What do you want, +my brother?" + +"I wish to find the Sun's home," said Scarface. "I wish to speak +with him." + +"I do not know where he lives," answered the badger. "I never +travel very far. Over there in the timber is the wolverene. He is +always travelling about, and knows many things. Perhaps he can tell +you." + +Scarface went over to the forest and looked all about for the +wolverene, but could not see him; so he sat down on a log to rest. +"Alas, alas!" he cried; "wolverene, take pity on me. My food is +gone, my moccasins are worn out; I fear I shall die." + +Some one close to him said, "What is it, my brother?" and looking +around, he saw the wolverene sitting there. + +"She whom I wish to marry belongs to the Sun," said Scarface; "I am +trying to find where he lives, so that I may ask him for her." + +"Ah," said the wolverene, "I know where he lives. It is nearly night +now, but to-morrow I will show you the trail to the big water. He +lives on the other side of it." + +Early in the morning they set out, and the wolverene showed Scarface +the trail, and he followed it until he came to the water's edge. +When he looked out over it, his heart almost stopped. Never before +had any one seen such a great water. The other side could not be +seen and there was no end to it. Scarface sat down on the shore. +This seemed the end. His food was gone; his moccasins were worn out; +he had no longer strength, no longer courage; his heart was sick. "I +cannot cross this great water," he said. "I cannot return to the +people. Here by this water I shall die." + +Yet, even as he thought this, helpers were near. Two swans came +swimming up to the shore and said to him, "Why have you come here? +What are you doing? It is very far to the place where your people +live." + +"I have come here to die," replied Scarface. "Far away in my country +is a beautiful girl. I want to marry her, but she belongs to the +Sun; so I set out to find him and ask him for her. I have travelled +many days. My food is gone. I cannot go back; I cannot cross this +great water; so I must die." + +"No," said the swans; "it shall not be so. Across this water is the +home of that Above Person. Get on our backs, and we will take you +there." + +Scarface stood up. Now he felt strong and full of courage. He waded +out into the water and lay down on the swans' backs, and they swam +away. It was a fearful journey, for that water was deep and black, +and in it live strange people and great animals which might reach up +and seize a person and pull him down under the water; yet the swans +carried Scarface safely to the other side. There was seen a broad, +hard trail leading back from the water's edge. + +"There," said the swans; "you are now close to the Sun's lodge. +Follow that trail, and soon you will see it." + +Scarface started to walk along the trail, and after he had gone a +little way he came to some beautiful things lying in the trail. +There was a war shirt, a shield, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. He +had never seen such fine weapons. He looked at them, but he did not +touch them, and at last walked around them and went on. A little +farther along he met a young man, a very handsome person. His hair +was long; his clothing was made of strange skins, and his moccasins +were sewed with bright feathers. + +The young man spoke to him and asked, "Did you see some weapons +lying in the trail?" + +"Yes," replied Scarface, "I saw them." + +"Did you touch them?" said the young man. + +"No," said Scarface; "I supposed some one had left them there, and I +did not touch them." + +"You do not meddle with the property of others," said the young man. +"What is your name, and where are you going?" Scarface told him. +Then said the young man, "My name is Early Riser (the morning star). +The Sun is my father. Come, I will take you to our lodge. My father +is not at home now, but he will return at night." + +At length they came to the lodge. It was large and handsome, and on +it were painted strange medicine animals. On a tripod behind the +lodge were the Sun's weapons and his war clothing. Scarface was +ashamed to go into the lodge, but Morning Star said, "Friend, do not +be afraid; we are glad you have come." + +When they went in a woman was sitting there, the Moon, the Sun's +wife and the mother of Morning Star. She spoke to Scarface kindly +and gave him food to eat, and when he had eaten she asked, "Why have +you come so far from your people?" + +So Scarface told her about the beautiful girl that he wished to +marry and said, "She belongs to the Sun. I have come to ask him for +her." + +When it was almost night, and time for the Sun to come home, the +Moon hid Scarface under a pile of robes. As soon as the Sun got to +the doorway he said, "A strange person is here." + +"Yes, father," said Morning Star, "a young man has come to see you. +He is a good young man, for he found some of my things in the trail +and did not touch them." + +Scarface came out from under the robes and the Sun entered the lodge +and sat down. He spoke to Scarface and said, "I am glad you have +come to our lodge. Stay with us as long as you like. Sometimes my +son is lonely. Be his friend." + +The next day the two young men were talking about going hunting and +the Moon spoke to Scarface and said, "Go with my son where you +like, but do not hunt near that big water. Do not let him go there. +That is the home of great birds with long, sharp bills. They kill +people. I have had many sons, but these birds have killed them all. +Only Morning Star is left." + +Scarface stayed a long time in the Sun's lodge, and every day went +hunting with Morning Star. One day they came near the water and saw +the big birds. + +"Come on," said Morning Star, "let us go and kill those birds." + +"No, no," said Scarface, "we must not go there. Those are terrible +birds; they will kill us." + +Morning Star would not listen. He ran toward the water and Scarface +ran after him, for he knew that he must kill the birds and save the +boy's life. He ran ahead of Morning Star and met the birds, which +were coming to fight, and killed every one of them with his spear; +not one was left. The young men cut off the heads of the birds and +carried them home, and when Morning Star's mother heard what they +had done, and they showed her the birds' heads, she was glad. She +cried over the two young men and called Scarface "My son," and when +the Sun came home at night she told him about it, and he too was +glad. + +"My son," he said to Scarface, "I will not forget what you have this +day done for me. Tell me now what I can do for you; what is your +trouble?" + +"Alas, alas!" replied Scarface, "Pity me. I came here to ask you for +that girl. I want to marry her. I asked her and she was glad, but +she says that she belongs to you, and that you told her not to +marry." + +"What you say is true," replied the Sun. "I have seen the days and +all that she has done. Now I give her to you. She is yours. I am +glad that she has been wise, and I know that she has never done +wrong. The Sun takes care of good women; they shall live a long +time, and so shall their husbands and children. + +"Now, soon you will go home. I wish to tell you something and you +must be wise and listen. I am the only chief; everything is mine; I +made the earth, the mountains, the prairies, the rivers, and the +forests; I made the people and all the animals. This is why I say +that I alone am chief. I can never die. It is true the winter makes +me old and weak, but every summer I grow young again. + +"What one of all the animals is the smartest?" the Sun went on. "It +is the raven, for he always finds food; he is never hungry. Which +one of all the animals is the most to be reverenced? It is the +buffalo; of all the animals I like him best. He is for the people; +he is your food and your shelter. What part of his body is sacred? +It is the tongue; that belongs to me. What else is sacred? Berries. +They too are mine. Come with me now and see the world." + +The Sun took Scarface to the edge of the sky and they looked down +and saw the world. It is flat and round, and all around the edge it +goes straight down. Then said the Sun, "If any man is sick or in +danger his wife may promise to build me a lodge if he recovers. If +the woman is good, then I shall be pleased and help the man; but if +she is not good, or if she lies, then I shall be angry. You shall +build the lodge like the world, round, with walls, but first you +must build a sweat-lodge of one hundred sticks. It shall be arched +like the sky, and one-half of it shall be painted red for me, the +other half you shall paint black for the night." He told Scarface +all about making the Medicine Lodge, and when he had finished +speaking, he rubbed some medicine on the young man's face and the +scar that had been there disappeared. He gave him two raven +feathers, saying: "These are a sign for the girl that I give her to +you. They must always be worn by the husband of the woman who builds +a Medicine Lodge." + +Now Scarface was ready to return home. The Sun and Morning Star gave +him many good presents; the Moon cried and kissed him and was sorry +to see him go. Then the Sun showed him the short trail. It was the +Wolf Road--the Milky Way. He followed it and soon reached the +ground. + + * * * * * + +It was a very hot day. All the lodge skins were raised and the +people sat in the shade. There was a chief, a very generous man, +who all day long was calling out for feasts, and people kept coming +to his lodge to eat and smoke with him. Early in the morning this +chief saw sitting on a butte near by a person close-wrapped in his +robe. All day long this person sat there and did not move. When it +was almost night the chief said, "That person has sat there all day +in the strong heat, and he has not eaten nor drunk. Perhaps he is a +stranger. Go and ask him to come to my lodge." + +Some young men ran up to the person and said to him, "Why have you +sat here all day in the great heat? Come to the shade of the lodges. +The chief asks you to eat with him." The person rose and threw off +his robe and the young men were surprised. He wore fine clothing; +his bow, shield, and other weapons were of strange make; but they +knew his face, although the scar was gone, and they ran ahead, +shouting, "The Scarface poor young man has come. He is poor no +longer. The scar on his face is gone." + +All the people hurried out to see him and to ask him questions. +"Where did you get all these fine things?" He did not answer. There +in the crowd stood that young woman, and, taking the two raven +feathers from his head, he gave them to her and said, "The trail was +long and I nearly died, but by those helpers I found his lodge. He +is glad. He sends these feathers to you. They are the sign." + +Great was her gladness then. They were married and made the first +Medicine Lodge, as the Sun had said. The Sun was glad. He gave them +great age. They were never sick. When they were very old, one +morning their children called to them, "Awake, rise and eat." They +did not move. + +In the night, together, in sleep, without pain, their shadows had +departed to the Sandhills. + + + + +THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES + + +The old lodges of the Piegans were made of buffalo skin and were +painted with pictures of different kinds--birds, or animals, or +trees, or mountains. It is believed that in most cases the first +painter of any lodge was taught how he should paint it in a dream, +but this was not always the case. + +Two of the most important lodges in the Blackfeet camp are known as +the [=I]n[)i]s´k[)i]m lodges. Both are painted with figures of +buffalo, one with black buffalo, and the other with yellow buffalo. +Certain of the Inis´kim are kept in these lodges and can be +kept in no others. + +This story tells how these two lodges came to be made. + +The painters were told what to do long, long ago, "in about the +second generation after the first people." + +In those days the old Piegans lived in the north, close to the Red +Deer River. The camp moved, and the lodges were pitched on the +river. One day two old men who were close friends had gone out from +the camp to find some straight cherry shoots with which to make +arrows. After they had gathered their shafts, they sat down on a +high bank by the river and began to peel the bark from the shoots. +The river was high. One of these men was named Weasel Heart and the +other Fisher. + +As they sat there, Weasel Heart chanced to look down into the water +and saw something. He said to his comrade, "Friend, do you not see +something down there where the water goes around?" + +Fisher said, "No; I see nothing except buffalo," for he was looking +across the river to the other side, and not down into the water. + +"No," said Weasel Heart; "I do not mean over there on the prairie. +Look down into that deep hole in the river, and you will see a lodge +there." + +Fisher looked as he had been told, and saw the lodge. + +Weasel Heart said, "There is a lodge painted with black +buffalo." As he spoke thus, Fisher said, "I see another lodge, +standing in front of it." Weasel Heart saw that lodge too--the +yellow-painted-buffalo lodge. + +The two men wondered at this and could not understand how it could +be, but they were both men of strong hearts, and presently Weasel +Heart said, "Friend, I shall go down to enter that lodge. Do you sit +here and tell me when I get to the place." Then Weasel Heart went up +the river and found a drift-log to support him and pushed it out +into the water, and floated down toward the cut bank. When he had +reached the place where the lodge stood Fisher told him, and he let +go the log and dived down into the water and entered the lodge. + +In it he found two persons who owned the lodge, a man and his wife. +The man said to him, "You are welcome," and Weasel Heart sat down. +Then spoke the owner of the lodge saying, "My son, this is my lodge, +and I give it to you. Look well at it inside and outside; and make +your lodge like this. If you do that, it may be a help to you." + +Fisher sat a long time waiting for his friend, but at last he +looked down the stream and saw a man on the shore walking toward +him. He came along the bank until he had reached his friend. It was +Weasel Heart. + +Fisher said to him, "I have been waiting a long time, and I was +afraid that something bad had happened to you." + +Weasel Heart asked him, "Did you see me?" + +"I saw you," said Fisher, "when you went into that lodge. Did you, +when you came out of the lodge, see there in the water another lodge +painted with yellow buffalo? Is it still there?" + +Weasel Heart said, "I saw it; it is there. Go you into the water as +I did." + +Then Fisher went up the stream as his friend had gone and entered +the water at the same place and swam down as Weasel Heart had done, +and when Weasel Heart showed him the place he dived down and +disappeared as Weasel Heart had disappeared. He entered the +yellow-painted-buffalo lodge, and his friend saw him go into it. + +In the lodge were two persons, a man and his wife. The man said to +him, "You are welcome; sit there." He spoke further, saying, "My +son, you have seen this lodge of mine; I give it to you. Look +carefully at it, inside and outside, and fix up your lodge in that +way. It may be a help to you hereafter." Then Fisher went out. + +Weasel Heart waited for his friend as long as Fisher had waited for +him, and when Fisher came out of the water it was at the place where +Weasel Heart had come out. Then the two friends went home to the +camp. + +When the two had come to a hill near the camp they met a young man, +and by him sent word that the people should make a sweat-house for +them. After the sweat-house had been made, word was sent to them, +and they entered the camp and went into the sweat-house and took a +sweat, and all the time while they were sweating, sand was falling +from their bodies. + +Some time after that the people moved camp and went out and killed +buffalo, and these two men made two lodges, and painted them just as +the lodges were painted that they had seen in the river. + +These two men had strong power which came to them from the +Under-water People. + +Once the people wished to cross the river, but the stream was deep +and it was always hard for them to get across. Often the dogs and +the travois were swept away and the people lost many of their +things. At this time the tribe wished to cross, and Fisher and +Weasel Heart said to each other, "The people want to cross the +river, but it is high and they cannot do so. Let us try to make a +crossing, so that it will be easier for them." So Weasel Heart alone +crossed the river and sat on the bank on the other side, and Fisher +sat opposite to him on the bank where the camp was. + +Then Fisher said to the people, "Pack up your things now and get +ready to cross. I will make a place where you can cross easily." + +Weasel Heart and Fisher filled their pipes and smoked, and then each +started to cross the river. As each stepped into the water, the +river began to go down and the crossing grew more and more shallow. +The people with all their dogs followed close behind Fisher, as he +had told them to do. Fisher and Weasel Heart met in the middle of +the river, and when they met they stepped to one side up the stream +and let the people pass them. Ever since that day this has been a +shallow crossing. + +These lodges came from the Under-water +People--S[=u]´y[=e]-t[)u]p´p[)i]. They were those who had owned them +and who had been kind to Weasel Heart and Fisher. + + + + +MIKA´PI--RED OLD MAN + + +In Montana, running into the Missouri River from the south, is a +little stream that the Blackfeet call "It Fell on Them." Once, long, +long ago, while a number of women were digging in a bank near this +stream for the red earth that they used as paint, the bank gave way +and fell on them, burying and killing them. The white people call +this Armell's Creek. + +It was on this stream near the mountains that the Piegans were +camped when M[=i]ka´pi went to war. This was long ago. + +Early in the morning a herd of buffalo had been seen feeding on the +slopes of the mountains, and some hunters went out to kill them. +Travelling carefully up the ravines, and keeping out of sight of the +herd, they came close to them, near enough to shoot their arrows, +and they began to kill fat cows. But while they were doing this a +war party of Snakes that had been hidden on the mountainside +attacked them, and the Piegans began to run back toward their camp. + +One of them, called Fox Eye, was a brave man, and shouted to the +others to stop and wait, saying, "Let us fight these people; the +Snakes are not brave; we can drive them back." But the other Piegans +would not listen to him; they made excuses, saying, "We have no +shields; our war medicine is not here; there are many of them; why +should we stop here to die?" They ran on to the camp, but Fox Eye +would not run. Hiding behind a rock he prepared to fight, but as he +was looking for some enemy to shoot at, holding his arrow on the +string, a Snake had crept up on the bank above him; the Piegan heard +the twang of the bowstring, and the long, fine arrow passed through +his body. His bow and arrow dropped from his hands, and he fell +forward, dead. Now, too late, the warriors came rushing out from the +Piegan camp to help him, but the Snakes scalped their enemy, +scattered up the mountain, and soon were hidden in the timber. + +Fox Eye had two wives, and their father and mother and all their +near relations were dead. All Fox Eye's relations had died. So it +happened that these poor widows had no one to help them--no one to +take vengeance for the killing of their husband. + +All day long, and often far into the night, these two sat on a +near-by hill and wailed, and their mourning was sad. + +There was a young man named Mika´pi. Every morning when he awoke +he heard the mourning of these poor widows, and all through the day +he could not forget their sorrow. He pitied them. One day he sent +his mother to them, to tell them that he wished to speak with them. +When they had come to the lodge they entered and sat down close by +the doorway and covered their heads. + +"Listen!" said Mika´pi. "For days and nights I have heard your +mourning, and I too have mourned. Your husband was my close friend, +and now he is dead, and no relations are left to avenge him. So now +I say to you, I will take the load from your hearts; I will go to +war and kill enemies and take scalps, and when I return they shall +be yours. I will wipe away your tears, and we shall be glad that Fox +Eye is avenged." + +When the people heard that Mika´pi was going to war many young +men wished to join him, but he refused. "I shall go alone," he said. +So when he had taken a medicine sweat and had asked a priest to pray +for him in his absence, he left the camp one evening, just as it was +growing dark. + +It is only the foolish warrior who travels in the day. The wise one +knows that war-parties may be out, or that some camp watcher sitting +on a hill may see him far off and may try to kill him. Mika´pi +was not one of these foolish persons. He was brave and cautious, and +he had powerful helpers. Some have said that he was helped by the +ghosts. When he started to war against the Snakes he travelled in +low places, and at sunrise he climbed some hill near by and looked +carefully over the country in all directions, and during all the +long day he lay there and watched, sleeping often, but only for a +short time. + +When Mika´pi had come to the Great Place of Falling Water,[A] it +began to rain hard, and, looking about for a place to sleep, he saw +a hole in the rocks and crept in and lay down at the farther end. +The rain did not stop, and when it grew dark he could not travel +because of the darkness and the storm, so he lay down to sleep +again; but before he had fallen asleep he heard something at the +mouth of the cave, and then something creeping toward him. Then soon +something touched his breast, and he put out his hand and felt a +person. Then he sat up. + + [Footnote A: The Great Falls of the Missouri.] + +Mika´pi stretched out his hand and put its palm on the person's +breast and moved his hand quickly from side to side, and then +touched the person with the point of his finger, which in sign +language means, "Who are you?" The stranger took Mika´pi's hand +and made him feel of his own right hand. The thumb and fingers were +closed except the forefinger, which was extended. When Mika´pi's +hand was on the stranger's hand the person moved his hand forward +with a zigzag motion, meaning Snake. + +Mika´pi was glad. Here had come to him one of the tribe he was +seeking, yet he thought it better to wait for a time before fighting +him; so when, in signs, the Snake asked Mika´pi who he was he +replied, by making the sign for paddling a canoe, that he was a +River person, for he knew that the Snakes and the River people, or +Pend d'Oreilles, were at peace. Then the two lay down for the night, +but Mika´pi did not sleep. Through the long night he watched for +the first light, so that he might kill his enemy; and just at +daybreak Mika´pi, without noise, strung his bow, fitted an arrow +to the string, and sent the thin shaft through his enemy's heart. +The Snake half rose up and fell back dead. Mika´pi scalped him, +took his bow and arrows and his bundle of moccasins, and went out of +the cave and looked all about. Daylight had come, but no one was in +sight. Perhaps, like himself, the Snake had gone to war alone. +Mika´pi did not forget to be careful because he had been +fortunate. He travelled only a little way, and then hid himself and +waited for night before going on. After drinking from the river he +ate and, climbing up on a high rock wall, he slept. + +He dreamed that he fought with strange people and was wounded. He +felt blood trickling from his wounds, and when he awoke he knew that +he had been warned to turn back. Other signs were bad. He saw an +eagle rising carrying a snake, which dropped from its claws. The +setting sun too was painted, a sure warning that danger was near. In +spite of all these things Mika´pi determined to go on. He thought +of the poor widows mourning; he thought of welcome of the people if +he should return with scalps; he thought also of two young sisters +whom he wished to marry. If he could return with proof of brave +deeds, they would think well of him. + +Mika´pi travelled onward. + + * * * * * + +The sun had already disappeared behind the sharp pointed dark peaks +of the mountains. It was nearly night. As the light grew dim, the +far stretching prairie began to be hidden. By a stream in a valley +where grew large and small trees were the lodges of a great camp. +For a long distance up and down the river rose the smokes of many +fires. + +On a hill overlooking the valley sat a person alone. His robe was +drawn close about him, and he sat there without moving, looking down +on the valley and out on the prairie above it. Perhaps he was +watching for enemies; perhaps he was praying. + +Creeping through the grass behind this person, something was slowly +drawing near to him. There was no noise, the watcher heard nothing; +still he sat there, looking out over the prairie, and turning his +head neither to the right nor the left. This thing behind him kept +creeping closer, and presently it was so near it could touch the +man. Perhaps then there was some little rustle of the grass, and the +watcher turned his head. It was too late. A strong arm around his +neck bent his head back, a hand covered his mouth, a long stone +knife was thrust into his breast, and he died in silence. The fading +light had kept people in the camp from seeing what had happened. + +The man who had used the knife scalped his enemy, and slowly, +hidden by the grass, crept down the hill that he had just ascended, +and when he reached the cover of a low place Mika´pi rose to his +feet and crept away. He had another Snake scalp tied to his belt. +His heart was glad, but he was not satisfied. + +Several nights had passed since the signs warned him to turn back, +but notwithstanding the warnings, he had succeeded. Perhaps his +success had made him too confident. He longed for more of it. "One +more scalp I shall take," he said, "and then I will return to the +people." + +He climbed far up the mountainside and hid among the pines and +slept, but when day came he awoke and crept out to a point where he +could see the camp. He saw the smoke rising as the women kindled +their morning fires; he saw the people going about through the camp, +and then presently he saw many people rush up on the hill where he +had left the dead enemy. He could not hear their angry cries, nor +their mournful wailings, but he knew how badly they felt, and he +sung a song, for he was happy. + +Once more the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and as +darkness grew Mika´pi came down from where he had been hiding and +carefully approached the camp. Now was a time of danger. Now +watchers might be hidden anywhere, looking for the approach of +enemies, ready to raise a cry to warn the camp. Each bush or clump +of rye grass or willow thicket might hide an enemy. Very slowly, +looking and listening, Mika´pi crept around the outskirts of the +camp. He made no noise, he did not show himself. Presently he heard +some one clear his throat and then a cough, and a little bush moved. +Here was a watcher. Could he kill him and get away? He sat and +waited to see what would happen, for he knew where his enemy was, +but the enemy knew nothing of him. The great moon rose over the +eastern prairie and climbed high and began to travel across the sky. +Seven Persons swung around and pointed downward. It was about the +middle of the night. At length the person in the bush grew tired of +watching; he thought no enemy could be near and he rose and +stretched out his arms and yawned, but even as he stood an arrow +pierced him through, beneath the arms. He gave a loud cry and tried +to run, but another arrow struck him, and he fell. + +And now from out the camp rushed the warriors toward the sound, but +even as they came Mika´pi had taken the scalp from his enemy and +started to run away into the darkness. The moon was bright, and +close behind him were the Snakes. He heard arrows flying by him, and +presently one passed through his arm. He pulled it out and threw it +from him. Another struck his leg, and he fell, and a great shout +arose from the Snakes. Now their enemy was down and revenge for the +two lives lately taken was certain. + +But Mika´pi's helpers were not far off. It was at the very verge +of a high cut wall overhanging the river that Mika´pi fell, and +even as the Snakes shouted he rolled over the brink into the dark +rushing water below. The Snakes ran along the edge of the river, +looking into the water, with bent bows watching for the enemy's head +or body to appear, but they saw nothing. Carefully they looked +along the shores and sandbars; they did not find him. + +Mika´pi had sunk deep in the water. The swift current carried him +along, and when he rose to the surface he was beyond his enemies. +For some time he floated on, but the arrow in his leg pained him and +at last he crept out on a sandbar. He managed to draw the arrow from +his leg, and finding at the edge of the bar a dry log, he rolled it +into the water, and keeping his hands on it, drifted down the river +with the current. Cold and stiff from his wounds, he crept out on +the bank and lay down in the warm sunshine. Soon he fell asleep. + +When he awoke the sun was in the middle of the sky. His leg and arm +were swollen and pained him, yet he started to go home, and for a +time struggled onward; but at last, tired and discouraged, he sat +down. + +"Ah," he said to himself, "true were the signs! How crazy I was to +go against them! Now my bravery has been useless, for here I must +stop and die. The widows will still mourn, and who will care for my +father and mother in their old age? Pity me now, O Sun; help me, O +Great Above Person! Give me life!" + +Something was coming through the brush near him, breaking the sticks +as it walked. Was it the Snakes following his trail? Mika´pi +strung his bow and drew his arrows from the quiver. He waited. + +No, it was not a Snake; it was a bear, a big grizzly bear, standing +there looking down at Mika´pi. "What is my brother doing here?" +said the bear. "Why does he pray for life?" + +"Look at my leg," said Mika´pi; "swollen and sore. See my wounded +arm; I can hardly hold the bow. Far away is the home of my people, +and my strength is gone. Surely here I must die, for I cannot walk, +and I have no food." + +"Take courage, my brother," said the bear. "Keep up a strong heart, +for I will help you, and you shall have life." + +When he had said this he lifted Mika´pi in his arms and took him +to a place where there was thick mud, and there he took great +handfuls of the mud and plastered it on the wounds, and while he +was putting on the mud he sang a medicine song. Then he carried +Mika´pi to a place where there were many service berries, and he +broke off great branches of the fruit and gave them to him, saying, +"Eat; my brother, eat." He kept breaking off branches full of large, +ripe berries until Mika´pi was full and could eat no more. + +Then said the bear, "Now lie down on my back and hold tight by my +hair and we will go on"; and when Mika´pi had got on his back and +was ready the bear started. All through the night he travelled on +without stopping, and when morning came they rested for a time and +ate more berries, and again the bear put mud upon the man's wounds. +In this way they travelled on, until, on the fourth day, they had +come close to the lodges of the Piegans and the people saw them +coming, and wondered. + +"Get off now, my brother, get off," said the bear. "There is the +camp of your people. I shall leave you"; and at once he turned and +went off up the mountain. + +All the people came out to meet Mika´pi, and they carried him to +his father's lodge. He untied the scalps from his belt and gave them +to the poor widows, saying, "These are the scalps of your enemies; I +wipe away your tears." Then every one rejoiced. All Mika´pi's +women relations went through the camp, shouting out his name and +singing songs about him, and all prepared to dance the dance of +triumph and rejoicing. + +First came the widows. They carried the scalps tied on poles, and +their faces were painted black. Then came the medicine men, with +their medicine pipes unwrapped, and then the bands of the All +Friends dressed in their war costumes; then came the old men; and, +last of all, the women and children. They went all through the +village, stopping here and there to dance, and Mika´pi sat +outside the lodge and saw all the people dance by him. He forgot his +pain and was happy, and although he could not dance, he sung with +them. + +Soon they made the medicine lodge, and first of all the warriors, +Mika´pi was chosen to cut the rawhide to bind the poles, and as +he cut the strips he related the coups he had counted. He told of +the enemies he had killed, and all the people shouted his name and +the drummers struck the drum. The father of those two sisters gave +them to him. He was glad to have such a son-in-law. + +Long lived Mika´pi. Of all the great chiefs who have lived and +died he was the greatest. He did many other great things. It must be +true, as the old men have said, that he was helped by the ghosts, +for no one can do such things without help from those fearful and +terrible persons. + + + + +RED ROBE'S DREAM + + +Long, long ago, Red Robe and Talking Rock were young men in the +Blackfeet camp. In their childhood days and early youth their life +had been hard. Talking Rock was an orphan without a single relation +and Red Robe had only his old grandmother. + +This old woman, by hard work and sacrifice, had managed to rear the +boys. She tanned robes for the hunters, made them moccasins worked +with porcupine quills, and did everything she could to get a little +food or worn out robes and hide, from which she made clothes for her +boys. They never had new, brightly painted calf robes, like other +children. They went barefoot in summer, and in winter their toes +often showed through the worn out skin of their moccasins. They had +no flesh. Their ribs could be counted beneath the skin; their cheeks +were hollow; they looked always hungry. + +When they grew to be twelve or fifteen years old they began to do +better, for now they could do more and more for themselves. They +herded horses and performed small services for the wealthy men; +then, too, they hunted and killed a little meat. Now, for their +work, three or four dogs were given them, so with the two the old +woman owned, they were able to pack their small lodge and other +possessions when the camp moved, instead of carrying everything on +their backs. + +Now they began to do their best to make life easier for the good old +woman who had worked so hard to keep them from starving and +freezing. + +Time passed. The boys grew old enough to go out and fast. They had +their dreams. Each found his secret helper of mysterious power, and +each became a warrior. Still they were very poor, compared with +other young men of their age. They had bows, but only a few arrows. +They were not able to pay some great medicine man to make shields +for them. As yet they went to war only as servants. + +About this time Red Robe fell in love. + +In the camp was a beautiful girl named M[=a]-m[)i]n´--the +Wing--whom all the young men wished to marry, but perhaps Red Robe +loved her more than all the rest. Her father was a rich old medicine +man who never invited any except chiefs and great warriors to feast +with him, and Red Robe seldom entered his lodge. He used to dress as +well as he could, to braid his hair carefully, to paint his face +nicely, and to stand for a long time near the lodge looking +entreatingly at her as she came and went about her work, or fleshed +a robe under the shelter of some travois over which a hide was +spread. Then whenever they met, he thought the look she gave him in +passing was friendly--perhaps more than that. + +Wherever Ma-min´ went her mother or some woman of the family +went with her, so Red Robe could never speak to her, but he was +often near by. One day, when she was gathering wood for the lodge, +and her companion was out of sight behind some willow bushes some +distance away, Red Robe had a chance to tell Ma-min´ what was +in his heart. He walked up to her and took her hands in his, and +she did not try to draw them away. He said to her, "I love you; I +cannot remember a time when I saw you that my heart did not beat +faster. I am poor, very poor, and it is useless to ask your father +to let me marry you, for he will not consent; but there is another +way, and if you love me, you will do what I ask. Let us go from +here--far away. We will find some tribe that will be kind to us, and +even if we fail in that we can live in some way. Now, if you love +me, and I hope you do, you will come." + +"Ai," replied Ma-min´, "I do love you; only you. All the other +young men pass before me as shadows. I scarcely see them, but I +cannot do what you ask. I cannot go away and leave my mother to +mourn; she who loves me so well. Let us wait a little. Go to war. Do +something great and brave. Then perhaps you will not uselessly ask +my father to give me to you." + +In vain Red Robe tried to persuade the girl to do as he wished. She +was kind; she threw her arms about him and kissed him and cried, but +she would not run away to leave her mother to sorrow, to be beaten +by her father, who would blame the poor woman for all the disgrace; +and so, too soon, they parted, for they heard her companion +coming--the sound of her heavy footsteps. + +Three Bulls, chief of the camp, was a great man. He had a fierce +temper, and when he spoke, people hurried to do what he ordered, for +they feared him. He never talked loud nor called any one by an ill +name. When any one displeased him or refused to do what he said he +just smiled and then killed the person. He was brave. In battle with +enemies he was the equal of twenty men, rushing here, there, into +the thickest of the fights, and killing--always with that silent, +terrible smile on his face. Because he was such a great warrior, and +also because he was generous, helping the poor, feasting any who +came to his lodge, he was the head chief of the Blackfeet. + +Three Bulls had several wives and many children, some of them grown +and married. Gray hairs were now many in his head. His face wrinkles +showed that old age was not far distant. No one supposed that he +would ever take another wife; so when the news spread through the +camp that he had asked the old medicine man for his daughter +Ma-min´, every one was surprised. When Red Robe heard the news +his heart nearly broke. The old medicine man agreed to let the chief +have the girl. He dared not refuse, nor did he wish to, for many +good presents were to be given him in three days' time. When that +was done, he told his daughter, she would be taken to the chief's +lodge; let her prepare for the change. + +That day Red Robe had planned to start with a party to war; but when +he heard this news he asked his friend Talking Rock to take word to +the leader that he had changed his mind and would not go. He asked +his friend to stay with him, instead of joining the war party, and +Talking Rock agreed to do so. + +Out in front of the camp was a large spring, and to that place Red +Robe went and stood leaning against a large stone and looking sadly +down into the blue water. Soon, as he had thought, Ma-min´ +came to the spring for a skin of water. He took her hands, as he +had done before, and began to beg her to go away with him that very +night, before it was too late. The girl cried bitterly, but at first +she did not speak. + +The two were standing in plain sight of the camp and the people in +it, and some one went to the chief's lodge and told him what was +taking place. + +"Go to the spring," said the chief, "and tell that young man to let +the girl go; she is to be my wife." + +The person did as he was told, but the two young people paid no +attention to him. They did not care what any one said, nor if the +whole camp saw them there together. All they could think about was +this terrible thing, which would make them unhappy so long as they +lived. Red Robe kept asking the girl to go, and at last she +consented to do as he wished. They had their arms about each other, +not thinking of the crowd that was watching them, and were quickly +planning for their meeting and for their going away that night, when +Three Bulls quietly walked up to them and stabbed the young man with +a flint-pointed lance. Red Robe sank down dying at the young girl's +feet, and she, looking down for an instant at her lover, turned and +ran to her father's lodge. + +"Bring wood," the chief called out; "let every one bring some wood; +all you have at your lodges. Those who have none, let them go +quickly and bring some from the timber." + +All the people hurried to obey. What Three Bulls ordered was soon +done, for the people feared him, and soon a great pile of wood was +heaped beside the dead man. + +The chief lifted the slender young form, placed it on the pile of +wood, and told a woman to bring coals and set fire to the pile. When +this had been done, all left the place except Three Bulls, who +stayed there, tending the fire and poking it here and there, until +it was burnt out and no wood or trace of a human body was left. +Nothing remained except the little pile of ashes. These he +scattered. Still he was not satisfied. His medicine was strong; +perhaps his dream had warned him. Now he ordered that the lodges be +taken down, that everything be packed up, and that the trail of the +moving camp should pass over the heap of ashes. + +Some time before this, after Red Robe had made his long fasting, and +his dream had come to him and he had returned to his grandmother's +lodge, he had told his true friend something of what had been said +to him by his dream. + +"If I should die," he said, "and you are near, do not desert me. Go +to the place where I fell, and if my body should have been destroyed +look carefully around the place. If you can find even a shred of my +flesh or a bit of my bone, it will be well. So said my dream. Here +are four arrows, which the dream told me to make. If you can find a +bit of my body, flesh or bone, or even hair, cover it with a robe, +and standing over it, shoot three arrows one after another up into +the air, crying, as each one leaves the bow, 'Look out!' When you +fit the fourth arrow on the bowstring and shoot it upward, cry, +'Look out, Red Robe, the arrow will strike you!' and as you say +this, turn and run away from the place, not looking back as you go. +If you do this, my friend, just as I have told you, I shall live +again." + +As the camp moved, Three Bulls stood and watched it filing over the +place of the fire, and saw the ashes scattered by the trailing ends +of lodge poles and travois, and by the feet of hundreds of people +and dogs. Still he was not satisfied, and for a long time after the +last of the people had passed he remained there. Then he went on +across the flat and up and over a ridge, but presently he returned, +once, twice, four times, to the crest of the hill and looked back at +the place where the camp had been; but at last he felt sure that no +one remained at the place, and went on. + +Yet Talking Rock was there. He had been hidden in the brush all the +time, watching the chief. Even after Three Bulls had passed over the +ridge, he remained crouched in the bushes, and saw him come back +again and again to peer over its crest. Still further on there was +another higher ridge, and when the young man saw Three Bulls climb +that and disappear on the trail of the camp, he came forth. + +Going to the place where his friend had lain, Talking Rock sat down +and mourned, wailing long and loud. Back on the hills the wolves and +coyotes heard him and they too became sorrowful, adding their cries +to his. + +The young man had little faith in the power of the four arrows that +he kept so carefully wrapped in a separate bundle in his quiver. He +looked at the place where Red Robe's body had been burnt. It was +like any other place on the great trail that had been made, dust and +grass blades mingled together, and scratches made by the dragging +poles. It did not seem possible that anything of his friend's body +remained; yet he must search, and breaking a green willow twig he +began carefully to work over the dust, stopping his crying, for the +tears blinded his eyes so that he could not see. + +All the long morning and far into the afternoon, Talking Rock swept +the dust this way and that, turning it over and over, in a circle +that grew always wider, and just as he was about to give up the +search, he found a bit of charred and blackened bone. Was this a +part of his friend's frame? Was it not more likely a bit of bone of +buffalo or elk, which some dog had carried from one of the +fireplaces of the camp and dropped here? + +Now for the test. Talking Rock covered the bit of bone with his robe +as he had been told to do. He even raised the robe along its middle, +making it look as if it really covered a person lying there. Then he +shot three of the arrows up in the air, each time crying, "Look +out." + +Then with a hand that trembled a little, he drew the fourth arrow +from the quiver, shot it and cried, "Look out, Red Robe, the arrow +will strike you"; and, turning, ran from the place with all his +speed. + +How he wanted to look back! How he longed to see if his friend was +really rising from that bit of blackened bone! But Talking Rock was +strong-hearted. He controlled his desires. On and on he ran, and +then--behind him the light tread of running feet, a firm hand +gripped his shoulder, and a loved voice said, "Why so fast, my +friend?" and stopping and turning, Talking Rock found himself face +to face with Red Robe. He could not believe what he saw, and had to +pinch himself and to hold his friend hard in his arms to believe +that all this was real. + +The camp had not moved far, and the lodges were pitched on the next +stream to the south. Soon after dark, the two friends entered it and +went to their lodge. The poor old grandmother could not believe her +eyes when she saw the young man she had reared and loved so dearly; +but when he spoke she knew that it was he, and running over to him +she held him in her arms and kissed him, crying from joy. After a +little time, the young man said to her, "Grandmother, go to the +chief's lodge and say to him that I, Red Robe, need some dried +meat." The old woman hesitated at this strange request, but Red Robe +said: "Go, do not fear him; Three Bulls is now the one to know +fear." + +When the old woman entered the great lodge and in reply to the +chief's look said, "Red Robe sent me here. He wants some dried +meat," only Three Bulls of all who were in the lodge, showed no +surprise. "It is what I expected," he said; "in spite of all my care +he lives again, and I can do nothing." Turning to his wives he +said, "Give her meat." + +"Did you see Ma-min´?" asked Red Robe, when his grandmother +had returned with the meat and had told him what the chief had said. + +"No, she was not in the lodge, but two women were approaching as I +left it. I think they were the girl and her mother." + +"Go back once more," said the young man, "and tell Three Bulls to +send me that young woman." + +But now the poor old grandmother was afraid. "I dare not tell him +that," she exclaimed. "He would kill me, and you. His anger would be +fearful." + +"Do not fear," said Red Robe, "do not fear, my mother, his anger and +his power are no longer to be feared. He is as feeble and as +helpless as one of those old bulls one sees on the sunny side of the +coulée, spending his last days before the wolves pull him down." + +The old woman went to the lodge and told the chief what Red Robe +further wished. Ma-min´ was there, her head covered with her +robe, crying quietly, and Three Bulls told her to arise and go with +the messenger. Timidly at first, and then with steps that broke into +a run, Ma-min´ hurried toward the lodge of her sweetheart and +entered it. With a cry of joy she threw herself into his arms, and +Talking Rock went out and left them alone. + +Great now was the happiness of these young people. Long was their +life, full of plenty and of great honor. Red Robe became a chief, +respected and loved by all the people. Ma-min´ bore him many +children, who grew up to be the support of their old age. + + + + +THE BLACKFEET CREATION + + +The Blackfeet believe that the Sun made the earth--that he is the +creator. One of the names by which they call the Sun is Napi--Old +Man. This is how they tell of the creation: + +In the beginning there was water everywhere; nothing else was to be +seen. There was something floating on the water, and on this raft +were Old Man and all the animals. + +Old Man wished to make land, and he told the beaver to dive down to +the bottom of the water and to try to bring up a little mud. The +beaver dived and was under water for a long time, but he could not +reach the bottom. Then the loon tried, and after him the otter, but +the water was too deep for them. At last the muskrat was sent down, +and he was gone for a long time; so long that they thought he must +be drowned, but at last he came up and floated almost dead on the +water, and when they pulled him up on the raft and looked at his +paws, they found a little mud in them. When Old Man had dried this +mud, he scattered it over the water and land was formed. This is the +story told by the Blackfeet. It is very much like one told by some +Eastern Indians, who are related to the Blackfeet. + +After the land had been made, Old Man travelled about on it, making +things and fixing up the earth so as to suit him. First, he marked +out places where he wished the rivers to run, sometimes making them +run smoothly, and again, in some places, putting falls on them. He +made the mountains and the prairie, the timber and the small trees +and bushes, and sometimes he carried along with him a lot of rocks, +from which he built some of the mountains--as the Sweet Grass +Hills--which stand out on the prairie by themselves. + +Old Man caused grass to grow on the plains, so that the animals +might have something to feed on. He marked off certain pieces of +land, where he caused different kinds of roots and berries to +grow--a place for camas; and one for wild carrots; one for wild +turnips, sweet root and bitter root; one for service berries, +bullberries, cherries, plums, and rosebuds. + +He made all kinds of animals that travel on the ground. When he made +the big-horn with its great horns, he put it out on the prairie. It +did not seem to travel easily there; it was awkward and could not go +fast, so he took it by one of its horns and led it up into the rough +hills and among the rocks, and let it go there, and it skipped about +among the cliffs and easily went up fearful places. So Old Man said +to the big-horn, "This is the place for you; this is what you are +fitted for; the rough country and the mountains." While he was in +the mountains he made the antelope, and turned it loose to see how +it travelled. The antelope ran so fast that it fell over some rocks +and hurt itself. He saw that this would not do, and took the +antelope down on the prairie and set it free there, and it ran away +fast and gracefully, and he said to it, "This is the place that +suits you." + +At last, one day, Old Man decided that he would make a woman and a +child, and he modelled some clay in human shape, and after he had +made these shapes and put them on the ground, he said to the clay, +"You shall be people." He spread his robe over the clay figures and +went away. The next morning he went back to the place and lifted up +the robe, and saw that the clay shapes had changed a little. When he +looked at them the next morning, they had changed still more; and +when on the fourth day he went to the place and took off the +covering, he said to the images, "Stand up and walk," and they did +so. They walked down to the river with him who had made them, and he +told them his name. + +As they were standing there looking at the water as it flowed by, +the woman asked Old Man, saying, "How is it; shall we live always? +Will there be no end to us?" + +Old Man said, "I have not thought of that. We must decide it. I will +take this buffalo chip and throw it in the river. If it floats, +people will become alive again four days after they have died; they +will die for four days only. But if it sinks, there will be an end +to them." He threw the chip into the river, and it floated. + +The woman turned and picked up a stone and said, "No, I will throw +this stone in the river. If it floats, we shall live always; if it +sinks, people must die, so that their friends who are left alive may +always remember them." The woman threw the stone in the water, and +it sank. + +"Well," said Old Man, "you have chosen; there will be an end to +them." + +Not many nights after that the woman's child died, and she cried a +great deal for it. She said to Old Man, "Let us change this. The law +that you first made, let that be the law." + +He said, "Not so; what is made law must be law. We will undo nothing +that we have done. The child is dead, but it cannot be changed. +People will have to die." + +These first people did not have hands like a person; they had hands +like a bear with long claws. They were poor and naked and did not +know how to get a living. Old Man showed them the roots and the +berries, and showed them how to gather these, and told them how at +certain times of the year they should peel the bark off some trees +and eat it; that the little animals that live in the ground--rats, +squirrels, skunks, and beavers--were good to eat. He also taught +them something about the roots that were good for medicine to cure +sickness. + +In those days there were buffalo, and these black animals were +armed, for they had long horns. Once, as the people were moving +about, the buffalo saw them and rushed upon them and hooked them and +killed them, and then ate them. One day, as the creator was +travelling about, he came upon some of his children that he had made +lying there dead, torn to pieces and partly eaten by the buffalo. +When he saw this, he felt badly. He said, "I have not made these +people right. I will change this; from now on the people shall eat +the buffalo." + +He went to some of the people who were still alive, and said to +them, "How is it that you people do nothing to these animals that +are killing you?" The people replied, "What can we do? These animals +are armed and can kill us, and we have no way to kill them." + +The creator said, "That is not hard. I will make you something that +will kill these animals." + +He went out and cut some straight service-berry shoots, and brought +them in, and peeled the bark from them. He took a larger piece of +wood and flattened it, and tied a string to it, and made a bow. Now +he was the master of all birds and he went out and caught one, and +took feathers from its wings and tied them to the shaft of wood. He +tied four feathers along the shaft and tried the arrow at a mark and +found that it did not fly well. He took off these feathers and put +on three, and when he again tried it at the mark he found that it +went straight. He picked up some hard stones, and broke sharp pieces +from them. When he tried them he found that the black flint stones +made the best arrow points. He showed them how to use these things. + +Then he spoke to the people, and said, "The next time you go out, +take these things with you, and use them as I tell you. Do not run +from these animals. When they rush at you, and have come pretty +close, shoot the arrows at them as I have taught you, and you will +see that they will run from you or will run around you in a circle." + +He also broke off pieces of stone, and fixed them in a handle, and +told them that when they killed the buffalo they should cut up the +flesh with these stone knives. + +One day after this, some people went on a little hill to look about, +and the buffalo saw them and called out to each other, "Ah, there is +some more of our food," and rushed upon them. The people did not +run. They began to shoot at the buffalo with the bows and arrows +that had been given them, and the buffalo began to fall. They say +that when the first buffalo hit with an arrow felt it prick him, he +called out to his fellows, "Oh, my friends, a great fly is biting +me." + +With the flint knives that had been given them they cut up the +bodies of the dead buffalo. About this time Old Man came up and said +to them, "It is not healthful to eat raw flesh. I will show you +something better than that." He gathered soft, dry rotten wood and +made punk of it, and took a piece of wood and drilled a hole in it +with an arrow point, and gave them a pointed piece of hard wood, and +showed them how to make a fire with fire sticks, and to cook the +flesh of animals. + +After this the people found a certain sort of stone in the land, and +took another harder stone, and worked one upon the other and +hollowed out the softer one, so as to make of it a kettle. + +It is told also that the creator made people and animals at another +place, and in another way. At the Porcupine Mountains he made other +earthen images of people, and blew breath on the images, and they +became people. They were men and women. After a time they asked him, +"What are we to eat?" Then he took more earth and made many images +in the form of buffalo, and when he had blown on them they stood up, +and he made signs to them and they started to run. He said to the +people, "There is your food." + +"Well, now," they replied; "we have those animals, how are we to +kill them?" + +"I will show you," he said. + +He took them to the edge of a cliff and showed them how to heap up +piles of stone, running back from the cliff like this [Illustration: +two lines of diverging dots in a narrow < shape], with the point of +the V toward the cliff. He said to the people, "Now, do you hide +behind these piles of stones, and when I lead the buffalo this way, +as they get opposite to you, stand up." + +Then he went on toward a herd of buffalo and began to call them, and +the buffalo started toward him and followed him, until they were +inside the arms of the V. Then he ran to one side and hid, and as +the people rose up the buffalo ran on in a straight line and jumped +over the cliff and some of them were killed by the fall. + +"There," he said, "go and take the flesh of those animals." Then the +people tried to do so. They tried to tear the limbs apart, but they +could not. They tried to bite pieces out of the bodies, but they +could not do that. Old Man went to the edge of the cliff and broke +some pieces of stone with sharp edges, and showed them how to cut +the flesh with these. Of the buffalo that went over the cliff, some +were not dead, but were hurt, so they could not run away. The +people cut strips of green hide and tied stones in the middle, and +with these hammers broke in the skulls of the buffalo and killed +them. + +When they had taken the skins from these animals, they set up poles +and put the hides over them, and so made a shelter to sleep under. + +In later times the creator marked off a piece of land for the five +tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, Piegans, Gros Ventres, and Sarsis, and +said to these tribes, "When people come to cross this line at the +border of your land, take your bows and arrows, your lances and your +war clubs and give them battle, and keep them out. If they gain a +footing here, trouble for you will follow." + + + + +OLD MAN STORIES + + +Under the name Na´pi, Old Man, have been confused two wholly +different persons talked of by the Blackfeet. The Sun, the creator +of the universe, giver of light, heat, and life, and reverenced by +every one, is often called Old Man, but there is another personality +who bears the same name, but who is very different in his character. +This last Na´pi is a mixture of wisdom and foolishness; he is +malicious, selfish, childish, and weak. He delights in tormenting +people. Yet the mean things he does are so foolish that he is +constantly getting himself into scrapes, and is often obliged to ask +the animals to help him out of his troubles. His bad deeds almost +always bring their own punishment. + +Interpreters commonly translate this word Na´pi as Old Man, but it +is also the term for white man; and the Cheyenne and Arapahoe +tribes tell just such stories about a similar person whom they also +call "white man." Tribes of Dakota stock tell of a similar person +whom they call "the spider." + +The stories about this Old Man are told by the Blackfeet for +entertainment rather than with any serious purpose, and when that +part of the story is reached where Old Man is in some difficulty +which he cannot get out of, the man who is telling the story, and +those who are listening to it, laugh delightedly. + +Some stories of this kind are these: + + +THE WONDERFUL BIRD + +One day, as Old Man was walking about among the trees, he saw +something that seemed very queer. + +A little bird was sitting on the branch of a tree. Every little +while it would make a strange noise, and every time it made this +noise its eyes flew out of its head and fastened on a branch of the +tree. Then after a little while the bird would make another sort of +noise and its eyes would go back to their places in its head. + +Old Man called out to the bird, "Little brother, teach me how to do +that." + +"If I show you how," the bird answered, "you must not send your eyes +out of your head more than four times in a day. If you do, you will +be sorry." + +"It shall be as you say, little brother. It is for you to give, and +I will listen to what you say." + +When the bird had taught Old Man how to do this, he was glad. He +began to do it, and did it four times right away. Then he said, "Why +did that bird tell me to do this only four times? He has no sense. I +will do it again." So once more he made his eyes go out, but now +when he called to them they would not come back. + +He shouted out to the bird, "Little brother, come here, and help me +to get back my eyes." The little bird did not answer him; it had +flown away. Now Old Man felt all over the branches of the tree with +his hands, but he could not find his eyes. So he went away and +wandered over the prairie for a long time, crying and calling to the +animals to help him. + +As he was blind, he could find nothing to eat, and he began to be +very hungry. + +A wolf teased him a great deal and had much fun. It had found a dead +buffalo, and taking a piece of the meat, it would hold the meat +close to Old Man's face. Then Old Man would say, "I smell something +dead, I wish I could find it; I am almost starved." He felt all +around for it. + +Once when the wolf was doing this, Old Man caught him, and plucking +out one of the wolf's eyes, he put it in his own head. Then he could +see, and was able to find his own eyes, but never again could he do +the trick the little bird had taught him. + + +THE RABBITS' MEDICINE + +Once, when Old Man was travelling about, he heard some singing that +sounded very queer. He had never before heard anything like it, and +looked all about to see where it came from. After a time he saw that +the cottontail rabbits were singing and making medicine. They had +built a fire, and raked out some hot ashes, and they would lie down +in these ashes and sing, while one of the others covered them up. +They could stay there only for a short time, though, for the ashes +were hot. + +"Little brothers," said Old Man, "here is something wonderful--that +you can lie in those hot ashes and coals without burning. I ask you +to teach me how to do this." + +"We will show you how to do it, Old Man," said the rabbits. "You +must sing our song, and stay in the ashes only a short time." They +taught Old Man their song, and he began to sing and lay down, and +they covered him with coals and ashes, and the hot ashes did not +burn him. + +"That is good," he said. "You have strong medicine. Now, so that I +may know it all, do you lie down and let me cover you up." + +All the rabbits lay down in the ashes, and Old Man covered them up, +and then he pulled the whole fire over them. One old rabbit got out, +and Old Man was just about to put her back when she said, "Pity me; +my children need me." + +"It is good," replied Old Man. "You may go, so that there will be +more rabbits; but these I will roast, and have a feast." He put +more wood on the fire, and when the rabbits were cooked he got some +red willow brush and put the rabbits on it to cool. The grease from +their bodies soaked into the branches, so that even to-day if red +willow is held over a fire one may see the grease on the bark. Ever +since that time, too, the rabbits have a burnt place on the back, +where the one that got away was singed. + +Old Man sat down by the fire, waiting for the rabbits to get cool, +when a coyote came along, limping. He went on three legs. "Pity me, +Old Man," he said. "You have plenty of cooked rabbits, give me one +of them." + +"Go away," said Old Man, very cross; "if you are too lazy to catch +food, I will not give you any." + +"But my leg is broken," said the coyote; "I cannot run. I cannot +catch anything, and I am starving. Give me half a rabbit." + +"I don't care what happens to you," said Old Man; "I worked hard to +catch and cook these rabbits, and I shall not give any of them away. +I'll tell you what I will do, though; I will run a race with you +out to that far butte on the prairie, and if you beat me you can +have a rabbit." + +"Good," said the coyote, and they started. + +Old Man ran very fast, and the coyote limped along behind him, but +pretty close, until they got near the butte. Then the coyote turned +around and ran back very fast, for he was not lame at all. It took +Old Man a long time to get back, and just before he reached the +fire, the coyote finished eating the last rabbit and ran away. + + +THE LOST ELK MEAT + +Old Man had been a long time without food and was very hungry. He +was trying to think how he could get something to eat, when he saw a +band of elk come up on a ridge. He went over to them and spoke to +them and said, "Brothers, I am lonely because I have no one to +follow me." + +"Go ahead, Old Man," said the elk; "we will follow you." Old Man led +them about for a long time, and when it was dark he came near a +high, steep cut bank. He ran around to one side, where the hill +sloped, and then went back right under the steep cliff and called +out, "Come on, that is a nice jump. You will laugh." So all the elk +jumped off and were killed, except one cow. + +"They have all jumped but you," said Old Man. "Come on, you will +like it." + +"Take pity on me," said the cow. "I am very heavy, and I am afraid +to jump." + +"Go away, then," said Old Man; "go and live. Then some day there +will be plenty of elk again." + +Old Man built a fire and cooked some of the meat, and then he +skinned all the elk, and cut up the meat and hung it up to dry. The +tongues he hung on a pole. + +The next day he started off and was gone all day, and at night, as +he was coming home, he was very hungry. He was thinking to himself +that he would have some roasted ribs and a tongue and other good +things; but when he reached the place, the meat was all gone; the +wolves had eaten it. + +"It was lucky I hung up those tongues," said Old Man, "or I should +not have had anything to eat." But when he took down the tongues +they were all hollow. The mice had eaten out the meat, leaving only +the skins. + + +THE ROLLING ROCK + +Once when Old Man was travelling about and felt tired, he sat down +on a rock to rest. After he was rested he started on his way, and +because the sun was hot he threw his robe over the rock and said to +it, "Here, I give you my robe because you are poor and have let me +rest on you. Keep it always." + +He had not gone far when it began to rain, and meeting a coyote, he +said to him, "Little brother, run back to that rock and ask him to +lend me his robe. We will cover ourselves with it and keep dry." + +The coyote ran back to the rock, but presently returned without the +robe. + +"Where is the robe?" asked Old Man. + +"Why," said the coyote, "the rock said that you had given him the +robe and he was going to keep it." + +This made Old Man angry, and he went back to the rock and snatched +the robe off it, saying, "I was only going to borrow this robe until +the rain was over, but now that you have acted so mean about it, I +will keep it. You don't need a robe, anyhow. You have been out in +the rain and snow all your life, and it will not hurt you to live so +always." + +When he had said this he put the robe about his shoulders, and with +the coyote he went off into a ravine and they sat down there. The +rain was falling and they covered themselves with the robe, and were +warm and dry. + +Pretty soon they heard a loud, rumbling noise, and Old Man said to +the coyote, "Little brother, go up on the hill and see what that +noise is." + +The coyote went off, but presently he came back, running as hard as +he could, saying, "Run, run, the big rock is coming." They both +started, and ran away as fast as they could. The coyote tried to +creep into a badger-hole, but it was too small for him and he stuck +fast, and before he could get out the rock rolled over him and +crushed his hips. Old Man was frightened, and as he ran he threw +away his robe and everything that he had on, so that he might run +faster. The rock was gaining on him all the time. + +Not far away on the prairie a band of buffalo bulls were feeding, +and Old Man cried out to them, saying, "Oh, my brothers, help me, +help me; stop that rock." The bulls ran and tried to stop it, +butting against it, but it crushed their heads. Some deer and +antelope tried to help Old Man, but they too were killed. Other +animals came to help him, but could not stop the rock; it was now +close to Old Man, so close that it began to hit his heels. He was +just going to give up when he saw circling over his head a flock of +night-hawks. + +"Oh, my little brothers," he cried, "help me; I am almost dead." The +bull bats flew down one after another against the rock, and every +time one of them hit it he chipped off a piece, and at last one hit +it fair in the middle and broke it into two pieces. + +Then Old Man was glad. He went to where there was a nest of +night-hawks and pulled their mouths out wide and pinched off their +bills, to make them pretty and queer looking. That is the reason +they look so to-day. + + +BEAR AND BULLBERRIES + +Scattered over the prairie in northern Montana, close to the +mountains, are many great rocks--boulders which thousands of years +ago, when the great ice-sheet covered northern North America, were +carried from the mountains out over the prairie by the ice and left +there when it melted. + +Around most of these great boulders the buffalo used to walk from +time to time, rubbing against the rough surface of the rock to +scratch themselves, as a cow rubs itself against a post or as a +horse rolls on the ground--for the pleasant feeling that the rubbing +of the skin gives it. + +As the buffalo walked around these boulders their hoofs loosened the +soil, and this loosened soil--the dust--was blown away by the +constant winds of summer. So, around most of these boulders, much of +the soil is gone, leaving a deep trench, at the bottom of which are +stones and gravel, too large to be moved by the wind. + +This story explains how these rocks came to be like that: + +Once Old Man was crossing a river and the stream was deep, so that +he was carried away by the current, and lost his bow and arrows and +other weapons. When he got to the shore he began to look about for +something to use in making a bow and arrows, for he was hungry and +wanted to kill some food. + +He took the first wood he could find and made a bow and arrows and a +handle for his knife. When he had finished these things he started +on his way. + +Presently, as he looked over a hill he saw down below him a bear +digging roots. Old Man thought he would have some fun with the bear, +and he called out aloud, "He has no tail." Then he dodged back out +of sight. The bear looked all about, but saw no one, and again began +to dig roots. Then Old Man again peeped over the hill and saw the +bear at work, and again called out, "He has no tail." This time the +bear looked up more quickly, but Old Man dodged down, and the bear +did not see him, and pretty soon went on with his digging. + +Four times Old Man did this, calling the bear names, but the fourth +time the bear was on the watch and saw Old Man, and started after +him. + +Old Man ran away as hard as he could, but the bear followed fast. +Presently, Old Man tried to shoot the bear with his arrows, but they +were made of bad wood and would not fly well, and if they hit the +bear, they just broke off. All his weapons failed him, and now the +bear was close to him. Just in front was a great rock, and when Old +Man came to that, he dodged behind it and ran around to the other +side, and the bear followed him. They kept running around the rock +for a long time and wore a deep trail about it, and because Old Man +could turn more quickly, he kept just ahead of the bear. Old Man +kept calling to the animals to help him, but no one came. + +He was almost out of breath, and the bear was close to him, when Old +Man saw lying on the ground a bull's horn. He picked it up and held +it on his head and turned around and bellowed loudly, and the bear +was frightened and turned around and ran away as hard as he could. +Then Old Man leaned up against the rock, and breathed hard for a +long time, but at last he got his wind back. He said to the rock, +"This is the way you rocks shall always be after this, with a big +hole all around you." + +By this time he was pretty tired and thirsty, and he thought he +would go down to the river and drink. When he got to the edge of the +water he got down on his knees to drink, and there before him in the +water he saw bullberries, great bunches of them. He said to himself, +"I will dive in and get those bull-berries"; and he took off his +moccasins and clothing and dived in, but he could not find the +bullberries, and presently he came up. He looked into the water +again, and again saw the bullberries. He said to himself, "Those +bullberries must be very deep down." + +He went along the shore looking for a heavy stone that would take +him down into the deep water where the bullberries were, and when he +found one he tied the stone to his neck and again dived in. This +time he sank to the bottom, for the stone carried him down. He felt +about with his hands trying to reach the bullberries, but could feel +nothing and began to drown. He tried to get free from the stone, but +that was hard to do; yet at last he broke the string and came to the +top of the water. He was almost dead, and it took him a long time to +get to the shore, and when he got there he crawled up on to the bank +and lay down to rest and get his breath. As he lay there on his +back, he saw above him the thick growing bullberries whose +reflections he had seen in the water. He said to himself, "And I was +almost drowned for these." Then he took a stick and with it began to +beat the bullberry bushes. He said to the bushes, "After this, the +people shall beat you in this way when they want to gather berries." + +The Blackfeet women, when gathering bullberries, spread robes under +the bushes and beat the branches with sticks, knocking off the +berries, which fall on the robes. + + + +THE THEFT FROM THE SUN + +One time when Old Man was on a journey, he came to the Sun's lodge, +and went in and sat down, and the Sun asked him to stay with him for +a time. Old Man was glad to do so. One day the meat was all gone, +and the Sun said, "Well, Old Man, what do you say if we go out and +kill some deer?" + +"I like what you say," said Old Man. "Deer meat is good." + +The Sun took down a bag, that was hanging from a lodge pole and took +from it a handsome pair of leggings, embroidered with porcupine +quills and pretty feathers. + +"These are my hunting leggings," said the Sun; "they have great +power. When I want to kill deer, all I have to do is to put them on +and walk around a patch of brush, and the leggings set it on fire +and drive out the deer, so that I can shoot them." + +"Well, well," exclaimed Old Man, "how wonderful that is!" He began +to think, "I wish I had such a pair of leggings as that"; and after +he had thought about it some more, he made up his mind that he +would have those leggings, if he had to steal them. + +They went out to hunt, and when they came to a patch of brush, the +Sun set it on fire with his hunting leggings. A number of deer ran +out, and each shot one. + +That night when they were going to bed the Sun pulled off his +leggings, and laid them aside. Old Man saw where he had put them, +and in the middle of the night, after every one was asleep, he took +the leggings and went away. He travelled a long time, until he had +gone far and was tired; then making a pillow of the leggings he lay +down and slept. After a while he heard some one speaking and woke up +and saw that it was day. Some one was talking to him. The Sun was +saying, "Old Man, why are my leggings under your head?" + +Old Man looked about him and saw that he was in the Sun's lodge. He +thought he must have wandered around and got lost and returned +there. Again the Sun spoke, and asked, "What are you doing with my +leggings?" + +"Oh," replied Old Man, "I could not find anything for a pillow, so +I put these leggings under my head." + +When night came and all had gone to bed, again Old Man stole the +leggings and ran off. This time he did not walk at all. He kept +running until it was almost morning, and then lay down and slept. +When morning came he found himself still in the Sun's lodge. + +You see what a fool he was; he did not know that the whole world is +the Sun's lodge. He did not know that, no matter how far he ran, he +could not get out of the Sun's sight. + +This time the Sun said, "Old Man, since you like my leggings so +much, I give them to you. Keep them." Then Old Man was glad and he +went away. + +One day his food was all gone, and he put on the hunting leggings +and went out and set fire to a piece of brush. He was just going to +kill some deer that were running out, when he saw that the fire was +getting close to him. He ran away as fast as he could, but the fire +gained on him and began to burn his legs. His leggings were all on +fire. He came to a river and jumped in and pulled off the leggings +as soon as he could. They were burnt to pieces. + +Perhaps the Sun did this because Old Man tried to steal his +leggings. + + +THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF + +Long ago, they tell me, men and women did not know each other. Women +were put in one place and men in another. They were not together; +they were apart. + +He who made us made women first. He did not make them very well. +That is why they are not so strong as men. The men he made better; +so that they were strong. + +The women were the smartest. They knew the most. They were the first +to make piskuns, and to know how to tan hides and to make moccasins. +At that time men wore moccasins made from the shank of the buffalo's +leg, and robes made of wolfskin. This was all their clothing. + +One day when Old Man was travelling about, he came to a camp of men, +and stayed there with them for a long time. It was after this that +he discovered there were such beings as women. + +One time, as he was travelling along, he saw two women driving some +buffalo over a cliff. When Old Man got near them, the women were +very much frightened. They did not know what kind of animal it was +that was coming. Too much scared to run away, they lay down to hide. +When Old Man came up to them he thought they were dead, and said, +"Here are two women who are dead. It is not good for them to lie out +here on the prairie. I must take them to a certain place." He looked +them all over to see what had killed them, but could find no wound. +He picked up one of the women and carried her along with him in his +arms. She was wondering how she could get away. She let her arms +swing loose as if she were dead, and at every step Old Man took the +arm swung and hit him in the nose, and pretty soon his nose began to +bleed and to hurt, and at length he put the woman down on the ground +and went back to get the other woman; but while he was gone she had +run away, and when he came back to get the first one she was gone +too; so he lost them both. This made him angry, and he said to +himself, "If these two women will lie there again, I will get both +of them." + +In this way women found out that there were men. + +One day Old Man stood on a hill and looked over toward the piskun at +Woman's Falls, where the women had driven a band of buffalo over the +cliff, and afterward were cutting up the meat. The chief of the +women called him down to the camp, and sent word by him to the men, +asking if they wanted to get wives. Old Man brought back word that +they did, and the chief woman sent a message, calling all the men to +a feast in her lodge to be married. The woman asked Old Man, "How +many chiefs are there in that tribe?" He answered, "There are four +chiefs. But the real chief of all that tribe you will know when you +see him by this--he is finely dressed and wears a robe trimmed, and +painted red, and carries a lance with a bone head on each end." Old +Man wanted to marry the chief of the women, and intended to dress +in this way, and that is why he told her that. + +Old Man had no moccasins; his were all worn out. The women gave him +some for himself, and also some to take back to give to the men, and +he went back to the men's camp. When he reached it, word went out +that he had returned, and all the men said to each other, "He has +got back; Old Man has come again." He gave the men the message that +the woman had sent, and soon the men started for the woman's camp to +get married. When they came near it, they went up on a bluff and +stood there, looking down on the camp. Old Man had dressed himself +finely, and had put on a trimmed robe painted red, and in his hand +held a lance with a bone head on each end. + +When the women saw that the men had come they got ready to go and +select their husbands. The chief of the women said, "I am the chief. +I will go first and take the man I like. The rest wait here." + +The woman chief started up the hill to choose the chief of the men +for her husband. She had been making dried meat, and her hands, +arms, and clothing were covered with blood and grease. She was +dirty, and Old Man did not know her. The woman went up to Old Man to +choose him, but he turned his back on her and would not go with her. + +She went back to her camp and told the women that she had been +refused because her clothes were dirty. She said, "Now, I am going +to put on my nice clothes and choose a man. All of you can go up and +take men, but let no one take that man with the red robe and the +double-headed lance." + +After she was nicely dressed the chief woman again went up on the +hill. Now, Old Man knew who she was, and he kept getting in front of +her and trying hard to have her take him, but she would not notice +him and took another man, the one standing next to Old Man. Then the +other women began to come, and they kept coming up and choosing men, +but no one took Old Man, and at last all the men were taken and he +was left standing there alone. + +This made him so angry that he wanted to do something, and he went +down to the woman's piskun and began to break down its walls, so the +chief of the women turned him into a pine-tree. + + +BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE + +Once Old Man was travelling over the prairie, when he saw far off a +fire burning, and as he drew near it he saw many prairie-dogs +sitting in a circle around the fire. There were so many of them that +there was no place for any one to sit down. Old Man stood there +behind the circle, and presently he began to cry, and then he said +to the prairie-dogs, "Let me, too, sit by that fire." The +prairie-dogs said, "All right, Old Man, don't cry; come and sit by +the fire." They moved aside so as to make a place for him, and Old +Man sat down and looked on at what they were doing. + +He saw that they were playing a game, and this was the way they did +it: they put one prairie-dog in the fire and covered him up with hot +ashes, and then, after he had been there a little while, he would +say, "_sk, sk_," and they pushed the ashes off him and pulled him +out. + +Old Man said, "Little brothers, teach me how to do that." The +prairie-dogs told him what to do, and put him in the fire and +covered him up with the ashes, and after a little time he said, +"_sk, sk_," like a prairie-dog, and they pulled him out again. +Then he did it to the prairie-dogs. + +At first he put them in one at a time, but there were many of them, +and soon he got tired and said, "I will put you all in at once." +They said, "Very well, Old Man," and all got in the ashes, but just +as Old Man was about to cover them up one of them, a female, said, +"Do not cover me up, for I fear the heat will hurt me." Old Man +said, "Very well; if you do not wish to be covered up, you may sit +over by the fire and watch the rest." Then he covered over all the +others. + +At length the prairie-dogs said, "_sk, sk_," but Old Man did not +sweep off the ashes and pull them out of the fire. He let them stay +there and die. The she one that was looking on ran to a hole, and as +she went down in it, said, "_sk, sk_." Old Man chased her, but he +got to the hole too late to catch her. + +"Oh, well, you can go," he said; "there will be more prairie-dogs +by and by." + +When the prairie-dogs were roasted, Old Man cut some red willow +twigs to place them on, and then sat down and began to eat. He ate +until he was full, and then felt sleepy. + +He said to his nose, "I am going to sleep now; watch out, and in +case any bad thing comes about, wake me up." Then Old Man slept. + +Pretty soon his nose snored, and Old Man woke up and said, "What is +it?" The nose said, "A raven is flying by, over there." Old Man +said, "That is nothing," and went to sleep again. + +Soon his nose snored again, and Old Man said, "What is it now?" The +nose said, "There is a coyote over there, coming this way." Old Man +said, "A coyote is nothing," and again went to sleep. + +Presently his nose snored again, but Old Man did not wake up. Again +it snored, and called out, "Wake up, a bobcat is coming." Old Man +paid no attention; he slept on. + +The bobcat crept up to the fire and ate all the roasted +prairie-dogs, and then went off and lay down on the flat rock and +went to sleep. All this time the nose kept trying to awaken Old Man, +and at last he awoke, and the nose said, "A bobcat is over there on +that flat rock. He has eaten all your food." Then Old Man was so +angry that he called out loud. + +The tracks of the bobcat were all greasy from the food it had been +eating, and Old Man followed these tracks. He went softly over to +where the bobcat was sleeping, and seized it before it could wake up +to bite or scratch him. The bobcat cried out, "Wait, let me speak a +word or two," but Old Man would not listen. + +"I will teach you to steal my food," he said. He pulled off the +lynx's tail, pounded his head against the rock so as to make his +face flat, pulled him out long so as to make him small-bellied, and +then threw him into the brush. As he went sneaking away, Old Man +said, "There, that is the way you bobcats shall always be." It is +for this reason that the lynxes to-day look like that. + +Old Man went to the fire, and looked at the red willow sticks where +the roasted prairie-dogs had been, and when he saw them, and thought +how his food was all gone, it made him angry at his nose. He said, +"You fool, why did you not wake me?" He took the willow sticks and +thrust them in the coals, and when they had caught fire he burnt his +nose. This hurt, and he ran up on a hill and held his nose to the +wind, and called to the wind to blow hard and cool him. A hard wind +came, so hard that it blew him off the hill and away down to Birch +Creek. As he was flying along he caught at the weeds and brush to +stop himself, but nothing was strong enough to hold him. At last he +grasped a birch tree. He held fast, and it did not give way. +Although the wind whipped him about, this way and that, and tumbled +him up and down, the tree held him. He kept calling to the wind to +blow more softly, and at last it listened to him and went down. + +Then he said, "This is a beautiful tree. It has saved me from being +blown away and knocked all to pieces. I will make it pretty, and it +shall always be like that." So he gashed the bark across with his +stone knife, as you see the marks to-day. + + +THE RED-EYED DUCK + +Once, long ago, Old Man was travelling north along a river. He +carried a great pack on his back. After a time he came to a place +where the river spread out and the water was quiet, and here many +ducks were swimming about. Old Man did not look at the ducks, and +kept travelling along; but presently some of the ducks saw him and +looked at him and said to each other, "Who is that going along there +with a pack on his back?" One duck said to the others, "That must be +Old Man." + +The duck that knew him called out, saying, "Hi, Old Man, where are +you going?" + +"I am going on farther," replied Old Man, "I have been sent for." + +"What have you got in your pack?" said the duck. + +"Those are my songs," answered Old Man. "Some people have asked me +to come and sing for them." + +"Stop for a while and sing for us," said the duck, "and we can have +a dance." + +"No," said Old Man, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop now." + +The duck kept persuading him to stop, and when it had asked him the +fourth time, Old Man stopped and said to the ducks, "Well, I will +stop for a little while and sing for you, and you can dance." + +So the ducks all came out on the bank and stood in a circle, and Old +Man began to sing. He sang one song, and then said, "Now, this next +song is a medicine song, and while you dance you must keep your eyes +shut. No one must look. If any one opens his eyes and looks, his +eyes will turn red." + +The ducks closed their eyes and Old Man began to sing, and they +danced around; but Old Man took a stick, and every time one of them +passed him, he knocked it on the head and threw it into the circle. + +Presently one of the littlest ducks while dancing could not feel any +one on either side of him, and he opened his eyes and looked, and +saw what Old Man was doing. He cried out to the rest, "Run, run, +Old Man is killing us"; and all the other ducks flew away, but ever +since that time that little duck's eyes have been red. It is the +horned grebe. + +Old Man took the ducks and went off a little way and built a fire +and hung some of the ducks up in front of it to roast, and after the +fire was burning well, he swept away the ashes and buried some of +the ducks in the ground and again swept back the fire over them. +Then he lay down to wait for the birds to cook, and while they were +cooking he fell asleep. + +While he slept a coyote came sneaking along and saw Old Man sleeping +there, and the ducks roasting by the fire. Very quietly he crept up +to the fire and took the ducks one by one and ate them. Not one was +left. Pretty soon he found those that were roasting under the fire, +and dug them out, and opening them, ate the meat from the inside of +the skin and filled each one with ashes and buried them all again. +Then he went away. + +Pretty soon Old Man woke up and saw that his ducks were gone, and +when he saw the tracks about the fire, he knew that the coyote had +taken them. + +"It was lucky," said Old Man, "that I put some of those to roast +under the fire." He dug them up from under the ashes, but when he +took a big bite from one, his mouth and face were full of ashes. + + + + +THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET + + +Long, long ago, before our fathers or grandfathers were born, before +the white people knew anything about the western half of North +America, the Indians who told these stories lived on the Western +plains. To the west of their home rose high mountains, black with +pine-trees on their lower slopes and capped with snow, but their +tents were pitched on the rolling prairie. For a little while in +spring this prairie was green and dotted with flowers, but for most +of the year it stretched away brown and bare, north, east, and +south, farther than one could see. + +On these plains were many kinds of wild animals. Sometimes the +prairie was crowded with herds of black buffalo running in fear; or, +again, the herds, unfrightened, fed scattered out; so that the hills +far and near were dotted with their dark forms. Among the buffalo +were yellow and white antelope--many of them--graceful and swift of +foot. Feeding on the high prairie or going down into the wooded +river valleys to drink were herds of elk, while the willow thickets, +the brushy ravines, and the lower timbered foot-hills sheltered +deer. The naked Bad Lands, the rocky slopes of the mountains, and +the tall buttes that often rise above the level prairie were the +refuge of the mountain sheep, which in those days, like all the +other grass eaters of the region, grazed on the prairie and sought +the more broken, higher country only when alarmed or when they +wished to rest. + +These were the animals which the Blackfeet killed for food before +the white men came, and of these the buffalo was the chief. Buffalo, +more than any other animals, could be captured in numbers, and the +Blackfeet, like the other Indians of the plains, had devised a +method for taking them, so that when the buffalo were near the +Blackfeet never suffered from hunger. Yet sometimes it happened that +the buffalo went away, and that the lonely far travelling scouts +sent out by the tribe could not find them. Then the people had to +turn to the smaller animals--the elk, deer, antelope, and wild +sheep. + +In those old days, before they had horses, they did not make long +marches when they moved. Their only domestic animal was the dog, +which was used chiefly as a beast of burden, either carrying loads +on its back or hauling a travois, formed by two long sticks crossing +above the shoulders and dragging on the ground behind. Behind the +dog these two sticks were united by a little platform, on which was +lashed some small burden--sometimes a little baby. + +In those days, when the people moved from one place to another, all +who were large enough to walk and strong enough to carry a burden on +the shoulders, were laden. Usually men, women, and children alike +bore loads suited to their strength. Yet sometimes the men carried +no loads at all, for if journeying through a country where they +feared that some enemy might attack them, the men must be ready to +fight and to defend their wives and children. A man cannot fight +well if he is carrying a burden; he cannot use his arms readily, nor +run about lightly--forward to attack, backward in retreat. If he is +not free to fight well, his family will be in danger. White men who +have seen Indians journeying in this way, and who have not +understood why some women carried heavy loads and the men carried +nothing, have said that Indian men were idle and lazy, and forced +their women to do all the work. Those who wrote those things were +mistaken in what they said. They did not understand what they saw. +The truth is that these men were prepared for danger of attacks by +enemies, and were ready to do their best to save their families from +harm. + +Carrying on their backs all their property, except the little which +the dogs might pack, it is evident that the Indians in those days +could not make long journeys. + +In those days they had no buckets of wood or tin in which to carry +water. Instead, they used a vessel like a bag or sack, made from the +soft membrane of one of the stomachs of the buffalo. This, after it +had been cleansed and all the openings from it save one had been +tied up, the women filled at the stream with a spoon made of +buffalo horn or with a larger ladle of the horn of the wild sheep. +Because this water-skin was soft and flexible, it could not stand on +the ground, and they hung it up, sometimes on the limb of a tree, +more often on one of the poles of the lodge, or sometimes on a +tripod--three sticks coming together at the top and standing spread +out at the ground. + +Most of the meat cooked for the family was roasted, yet much of it +was boiled, sometimes in a bowl of stone, sometimes in a kettle made +of a fresh hide or of the paunch of the buffalo. Sometimes these +skin or paunch kettles were supported at the sides by stakes stuck +in the ground, and sometimes a hole dug in the ground was lined with +the hide, which was so arranged as to be water-tight. They were not, +as may be imagined, put over a fire, but when filled with cold water +this water was heated in quite another way. Near by a fire was +built, in which were thrown large stones, and on top of the stones +more wood was piled; so that after a time, when the wood had burnt +down, the stones were very hot--sometimes red hot. With two rather +short-handled forked sticks, the women took from the fire one of the +hot stones, and put it in the water in the hide kettle, and as it +cooled, took it out and put in another hot stone. Thus the water was +soon heated, and boiled and cooked whatever was in the kettle. To be +sure, there were some ashes and a little dirt in the soup, but that +was not regarded as important. + +This was long before the Indians knew of matches, or even of flint +and steel. In those days to make a fire was not easy and it took a +long time. By his knees or feet a man held in position on the ground +a piece of soft, dry wood in which two or three little hollows had +been dug out, and taking another slender stick of hard wood, and +pressing the point in one of the little hollows in the stick of soft +wood, he twirled the stick rapidly between the palms of his hands, +so fast and so long that presently the dust ground from the softer +stick, falling to one side in a little pile, began to smoke, and at +last a faint spark was seen at the top of the pile, which began to +glow, and, spreading, became constantly larger. He, or his +companion, for often two men twirled the stick, one relieving the +other, caught this spark in a bit of tinder--perhaps some dry punk +or a little fine grass--and by blowing coaxed it into flame, and +there was the fire. + +This fire making was hard work, and the people tried to escape this +work by keeping a spark of fire always alive. To do this, men +sometimes carried, by a thong slung over the shoulder, the hollow +tip of a buffalo horn, the opening of which was closed by a wooden +plug. When going on a journey, the man lighted a piece of punk, and, +placing it in this horn, plugged up the open end, so that no air +could get into the horn. There the punk smouldered for a long time, +and neither went out nor was wholly consumed. Once in a while during +the day the man looked at this punk, and, if he saw that it was +almost consumed, he lighted another piece and put it in the horn and +replaced the plug. So at night when he reached camp the fire was +still in his horn, and he could readily kindle a blaze, and from +this blaze other fires were kindled. Often, if the camp was large, +the first young men who reached it gathered wood and perhaps kindled +four fires, and after the women had reached the camp, unpacked their +dogs, and put up their lodges, each woman would go to one of these +fires to get a brand or some coals with which to start her own lodge +fire. + +In warm weather men and boys wore little clothing. They went almost +naked; yet in cold weather each man or woman was most of the time +wrapped in a warm robe of tanned buffalo skin. Even the little +children wore robes, the smallest ones those taken from the little +buffalo calves. All their clothing, like their beds and their homes, +was made of the skins of animals. Shirts, women's dresses, leggings, +and moccasins were made from the tanned skins of buffalo, deer, +antelope, and mountain sheep. Often the moccasins were made from the +smoked skin cut from the top of an old lodge, for this skin had been +smoked so much that it never dried hard and stiff, after it had been +wet. The moccasins had a stiff sole of buffalo rawhide; and in the +bottom of this sole were cut one or two holes, in order that the +water might run out if a man had to wade through a stream. + +The homes of these Indians were lodges--tents made of tanned buffalo +skin supported on a cone of long, straight, slender poles. At the +top where the poles crossed was an opening for the smoke from the +fire built in the centre of the circular lodge floor, while about +the fire, and close under the lodge covering, were the beds where +the people slept or ate during the day. + +These homes were warm and comfortable. The border of the lodge +covering did not come down quite to the ground, but inside the lodge +poles, and tied to them, was a long wide strip of tanned buffalo +skin four or five feet high, and long enough to reach around the +inside of the lodge, almost from one side of the door to the other. +This strip of tanned skin--made up of several pieces--was so wide +that one edge rested on the floor, and reached inward under the beds +and seats. Through the open space between the lodge covering and the +lodge lining, fresh air kept passing into the lodge close to the +ground and up over the lining and down toward the centre of the +lodge, and so furnished draught for the fire. The lodge lining kept +this cold air from blowing directly on the occupants of the lodge +who sat around the fire. Often the lodge lining was finely painted +with pictures of animals, people, and figures of mysterious beings +of which one might not speak. + +The seats and beds in this home were covered with soft tanned +buffalo robes, and at the head and foot of each bed was an inclined +back-rest of straight willow twigs, strung together on long lines of +sinew and supported in an inclined position by a tripod. Buffalo +robes often hung over these back-rests. In the spaces between the +back-rests, which though they came together at the top were +separated at the ground, were kept many of the possessions of the +family; the pipe, sacks of tobacco, of paint, "possible +sacks"--parfleches for clothing or food, and many smaller articles. + +The outside of the lodge was often painted with mysterious figures +which the lodge owner believed to have power to bring good luck to +him and to his family. Sometimes these figures represented +animals--buffalo, deer, and elk--or rocks, mountains, trees, or the +puff-balls that grow on the prairie. Sometimes a procession of +ravens, marching one after the other, was painted around the +circumference of the lodge. The painting might show the tracks of +animals, or a number of water animals, apparently chasing each other +around the lodge. On either side of the smoke hole at the top were +two flaps, or wings, each one supported by a single pole. These were +to regulate the draught of the fire in case of a change of wind, and +the poles were moved from side to side, changing as the direction of +the wind changed. On such wings were often painted groups of white +disks which represented some group of stars. At the back of the +lodge, high up, just below the place where the lodge poles cross, +was often a large round disk representing the sun, and above that a +cross, which was the sign of the butterfly, the power that they +believe brings sleep. From the ends of the wings, or tied to the +tips of the poles which supported them, hung buffalo tails, and +sometimes running down from one of these poles to the ground near +the door was a string of the sheaths of buffalo hooflets, which +rattled as it swung to and fro in the breeze. + +Their arms were the bow and arrow, a short spear or lance, with a +head of sharpened stone or bone, stone hammers with wooden handles, +and knives made of bone or stone, and if of stone, lashed by rawhide +or sinew to a split wooden handle. + +The hammers were of two sorts: one quite heavy, almost like a +sledge-hammer or maul, and with a short handle; the other much +lighter, and with a longer, more limber handle. This last was used +by men in war as a mace or war club, while the heavier hammer was +used by women as an axe to break up fallen trees for firewood; as a +hammer to drive tent-pins into the ground, to kill disabled animals, +or to break up heavy bones for the marrow they contained. These +mauls and hammers were usually made by choosing an oval stone and +pecking a groove about its shortest diameter. The handles were made +by green sticks fitted as closely as possible into the groove, +brought together and lashed in position by sinew, the whole being +then covered with wet rawhide tightly fitted and sewed. As the +rawhide dried, it shrunk and strongly bound together the parts of +the weapon. + +The Blackfeet bow was about four feet long. Its string was of +twisted sinew and it was backed with sinew. This gave the bow great +power, so that the arrow went with much force. The arrows were +straight shoots of the service berry or cherry, and the manufacture +of arrows was the chief employment of many of the men of middle +life. Each arrow by the same maker was precisely like every other +arrow he made. Each arrowmaker tried hard to make good arrows. It +was a fine thing to be known as a maker of good arrows. + +The shoots for the arrow shafts were brought into the lodge, peeled, +smoothed roughly, tied up in bundles, and hung up to dry. After they +were dried, the bundles were taken down and each shaft was smoothed +and reduced to a proper thickness by the use of a grooved piece of +sand-stone, which acted on the arrow like sandpaper. After they were +of the right thickness, they were straightened by bending with the +hands, and sometimes with the teeth, and were then passed through a +circular hole drilled in a rib, or in a mountain sheep's horn, which +acted in part as a gauge of the size and also as a smoother, for if +in passing through the hole the arrow fitted tightly, the shaft +received a good polish. The three grooves which always were found in +the Blackfeet arrows were made by pushing the shaft through a round +hole drilled in a rib, which, however, had one or more projections +left on the inside. These projections pressed into the soft wood and +made the grooves, which were in every arrow. The feathers were three +in number. They were put on with a glue, made by boiling scraps of +dried rawhide, and were held in place by wrappings of sinew. The +heads of the arrows were made of stone or bone or horn. The flint +points were often highly worked and very beautiful, being broken +from larger flints by sharp blows of a stone hammer, and after they +had been shaped the edges were worked sharp by flaking with an +implement of bone or horn. The points made of horn or bone were +ground sharp by rubbing on a stone. A notch was cut in the end of +the arrow shaft and the shank of the arrow point set in that. The +arrow heads were firmly fixed to the shaft by glue and by sinew +wrapping. + +Although the Blackfeet lived almost altogether on the flesh of birds +or animals, yet they had some vegetable food. This was chiefly +berries--of which in summer the women collected great quantities and +dried them for winter use--and roots, the gathering of which at the +proper season of the year occupied much of the time of women and +young girls. These roots were unearthed by a long, sharp-pointed +stick, called a root digger. Some of the roots were eaten as soon as +collected, while others were dried and stored for use in winter. + +After they reached the plains, the main food of the Blackfeet was +the buffalo, which they killed in large numbers when everything went +right. Many of the streams in the Blackfeet country run through +wide, deep valleys bordered on either side by cliffs, or broken +precipices, falling sharply from the high prairie above. Long ago +the Blackfeet must have learned that it was possible to make the +buffalo jump over these cliffs, and that in the fall on the rocks +below numbers would be killed or crippled. No doubt after this had +been practised for a time, there came to some one the idea of +building at the foot of such a cliff where the buffalo were run +over, a fence which would form a corral or pound, and which would +hold all the buffalo that were jumped over the cliff. This corral +they called piskun. + +It is often said that the buffalo were driven over these precipices, +but this is true only in part. Like most wild animals, buffalo are +inquisitive. It was not difficult to excite their curiosity, and +when they saw something they did not recognize, they were anxious to +find out what it was. + +When run into the piskun, the buffalo were really drawn by curiosity +almost to the jumping point, and between two long diverging lines of +people, who kept hidden until after the buffalo had passed them, and +then rose and showed themselves and tried to frighten the animals. +Now, to be sure, for the short distance that remained between the +place where they were alarmed and the place where they jumped, the +buffalo were driven. Any attempt on the open prairie to drive +buffalo in one direction or another would be certain to fail. The +animals would go where they wished to. They would not be driven, +though often they might be led. + +To the people the capture of food was the most important thing in +life, and they put forth every effort to accomplish it. For this +reason it came about that the effort to capture buffalo was preceded +usually by religious ceremonies, in which many prayers were offered +to the powers of the earth, the sky, and the waters, many sacrifices +made, and sacred objects, like the buffalo stone, were displayed. + +When the day for the hunt came, the man who was to bring the buffalo +left the camp early in the morning, climbed the rocky bluffs to the +high prairie, and journeyed toward some near-by herd of buffalo, +that had been located the day before by himself or by other young +men. He approached the buffalo as nearly as he could without +frightening them, and then, attracting the attention of some of the +animals by uttering certain calls, tossed into the air his buffalo +robe or some smaller object. As soon as the buffalo began to look at +him, he retreated slowly in the direction of the piskun, but +continued to call and to attract their attention by showing himself +and then disappearing. Soon, some of the buffalo began to walk +toward him, and others began to look and to follow those that had +first started, so that before long the whole herd of fifty or a +hundred animals might be walking or sometimes trotting after him. +The more rapidly the buffalo came on, the faster the man ran--and +sometimes it was a hard matter for him to keep ahead of the +herd--until he had got far within the wings and near to the cliff. +If there seemed danger that he would be overtaken, he watched his +chance and either at some low place quickly dodged out of the line +in which the buffalo were running, or hid behind one of the piles of +stones of which the wings were formed, or, if he had time, slipped +over the rocky wall at the valley's edge, so as to get out of the +way of the approaching herd. + +As soon as the buffalo had come well within the diverging lines of +people who were hidden behind the piles of stones called wings, +those whom the buffalo passed rose up from their places of +concealment, and by yells and shouts and the waving of their robes +frightened the buffalo, so that they quite forgot their curiosity in +the terror that now replaced it. When the leaders reached the brink +of the cliff, they could not stop. They were pushed over by those +behind, and most of the buffalo jumped over the cliff. Many were +crippled or injured by the fall, and all were kept within the fence +of the piskun below. About this fence the people were collected. The +buffalo raced round and round within the pen, the young and weak +being injured or killed in the crowding, while above the fence men +were shooting them with arrows until presently all in the pen were +dead, or so hurt that the women could go into the pen and kill them. +The people entered and took the flesh and hides. + +Deer, elk, and antelope were shot with arrows, and antelope were +often captured in pitfalls roofed with slender poles and covered +with grass and earth. Such pitfalls were dug in a region where +antelope were plenty, and a long > shaped pair of wings, made of +poles or bushes or even rock piles, led to the pit. The antelope is +very inquisitive and was easily led within the chute and there +frightened, as were the buffalo, by people who had been concealed +and who rose up and showed themselves after the antelope had passed. +This was done more in order to secure antelope skins for clothing +than their flesh for food. + +Fish and reptiles were not eaten by the Blackfeet, nor were dogs, +although dogs, wolves, and coyotes are eaten by many tribes of +plains Indians. Most small animals, and practically all birds, were +eaten in case of need. In summer, when the wildfowl which bred +on so many of the lakes in the Blackfeet country lost their +flight-feathers, during the moult, and again in the late summer, +when the young ducks and geese were almost fullgrown but could not +yet fly, the Indians often went in large parties to the shallow +lakes which here and there dotted the prairie, and, driving the +birds to shore, killed them in large numbers. + +Earlier in the season, when the fowl had begun to lay their eggs, +these were collected in great quantities for food. Sometimes they +were roasted in the hot ashes, but a more common way was to dig a +deep, narrow hole in the ground in which the eggs were to be cooked. +Several little platforms of small sticks or twigs were built in this +hole, one above another, and on these platforms they put the eggs. +Another much smaller hole was dug to one side of the large hole, +slanting down into it. The large hole was partly filled with water, +and was then roofed over by small sticks on which was placed grass +covered with earth. Stones were heated in a fire built near at hand, +and then were rolled down the side hole into the larger hole, +heating the water, which at last boiled and steamed, the steam +cooking the eggs. + +When the Americans first met them on the prairie, the Blackfeet were +known as great warriors. But up to the time when they got from the +Hudson Bay traders better weapons than they had before known, +whether these were metal knives, steel arrow points, or guns, it is +probable that they did not do much fighting. There seems to have +been no reason why they should have fought, unless they quarrelled +about small matters with other tribes. It became quite different +when the Indians procured better arms and, above all, when they got +horses--a means of swiftly getting about over the country, something +that all people wanted to have and which all were so eager to obtain +that they would go into danger for them. In the old days of stone +arrow heads, when they had to travel on foot and to carry heavy +loads on their backs, the whole thought and effort of the tribe must +have been devoted to the work of procuring a supply of food. + +The tribal and family life of the people was simple and friendly. +The man and his wives loved each other and loved their children. +Relationship counted for much in an Indian camp, and cousins of +remote degree were called brother and sister. Children were not +punished; they were trained by persuasion and advice. They were +told by older people how they ought to act in order to make their +lives happy and successful and to be well thought of by their +fellows. Young people had much respect for their elders, listened to +what they said, and strove more or less successfully to follow their +teachings. + +The Blackfeet were very religious. They feared many natural powers +and influences whose workings they did not understand, and they were +constantly praying to the Sun--regarded as the ruler of the +universe--as well as to those other powers which they believe live +in the stars, the earth, the mountains, the animals, and the trees. +The Blackfoot was constantly afraid that some evil thing might +happen to him, and he therefore prayed to all the powers for +help--for good fortune in his undertakings, for health, plenty, and +long life for himself and all his family. + +Among these tribes there are a number of secret societies known as +the All Comrades or All Friends--groups of men of different ages, +which have been alluded to in the stories. Originally there were +about twelve of these societies, but a number have been abandoned +of recent years. + +The tribe was divided into a number of clans, all the members of +which were believed to be related, and in old times no member of a +clan was permitted to marry another member of the clan. Relations +might not marry. + +In olden times, when large numbers of people were together, the +lodges of the camp were pitched in a great circle, the opening +toward the southeast. In this circle each clan camped in its own +particular place with relation to the other clans. Within the circle +was often a smaller circle of lodges, each occupied by one or more +of the societies of the All Comrades. Sometimes it happened that +great numbers of the Blackfeet came together, perhaps even all of +the three tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, and Piegans. When this was the +case, each tribe camped by itself with its own circle, no matter how +near it might be to one or other of the tribal circles. + +We read of some tribes of Indians which believed that after death +the spirits of the departed went to a happy hunting ground where +game was always plenty and life was full of joy. The Blackfeet +knew no such place as this. When they died their spirits +were believed to go to a barren, sandy region south of the +Saskatchewan, which they called the Sand Hills. Here, as shadows, +the ghosts lived a life much like their existence before death, +but all was unreal--unsubstantial. Riding on shadow horses they +hunted shadow buffalo. They lived in shadow camps and when they +moved shadow dogs hauled their travois. There are stories which +tell that living people have seen these hunters, their houses, and +their implements of the camp, but when the people got close they +found that what they thought they had seen was something +different. It reminds us a little of the old ballad of Alice +Brand, where Urgan tells of the things seen in fairy-land: + + "And gayly shines the Fairy-land-- + But all is glistening show, + Like the idle gleam that December's beam + Can dart on ice and snow. + + "And fading, like that varied gleam, + Is our inconstant shape, + Who now like knight and lady seem, + And now like dwarf and ape." + +Books have been written about the Blackfeet Indians which tell much +more about how they lived than can be given here. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13833 *** diff --git a/13833-h/13833-h.htm b/13833-h/13833-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8851791 --- /dev/null +++ b/13833-h/13833-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5226 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Blackfeet Indian Stories, by George Bird Grinnell</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {font-size: 100%; } + p { margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%; + text-indent: 1.5em; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } + hr { width: 50%; } + hr.short {width: 10%; } + hr.long {width: 70%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; } + p.toc {margin-left: 30%; text-indent: 0em; text-align: left; + font-size: 90%; margin-bottom: .25em; margin-top: .25em; } + p.stoc {margin-left: 33%; text-indent: 0em; text-align: left; + margin-bottom: .25em; margin-top: .25em; font-size: 80%; } + p.foot { margin-left: 30%; text-indent: -1em; text-align: justify; + font-size: 80%; } + p.foot2 { margin-right: 20%; text-align: right; font-size: 80%; + margin-top: 0em; } + p.poem { text-indent: -.5em; margin-left: 30%; text-align: left; } + div.tp { margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; height: 360px; } + center { padding: .5em;} + pre {font-size: 8pt; margin-left: 15%; } + hr.pg { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13833 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook,<br> + Blackfeet Indian Stories,<br> + by George Bird Grinnell</h1> +<hr class="pg" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/front.jpg" width="342" height="450" +alt="Cold Maker"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<h5>Cold Maker</h5> +<hr class="long"> +<br> +<div class="tp"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="231" height="350" align="left" alt="Cover"> +<h1> + BLACKFEET +</h1> +<h1> +INDIAN STORIES +</h1> +<h5> + BY +</h5> +<h3> +GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL +</h3> +<center> + <small>AUTHOR OF<br> + <i>BLACKFEET LODGE TALES</i>, <i>TRAILS OF THE PATHFINDERS</i>, ETC.</small> +</center> +<br> +<br> +<h5>1915</h5> +</div> +<br> +<hr class="long"> +<a name="2H_4_0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + TO THE READER +</h3> +<p> + Those who wish to know something about how the people lived who told + these stories will find their ways of life described in the last + chapter of this book. +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet were hunters, travelling from place to place on foot. + They used implements of stone, wood, or bone, wore clothing made of + skins, and lived in tents covered by hides. Dogs, their only tame + animals, were used as beasts of burden to carry small packs and drag + light loads. +</p> +<p> + The stories here told come down to us from very ancient times. + Grandfathers have told them to their grandchildren, and these again + to their grandchildren, and so from mouth to mouth, through many + generations, they have reached our time. +</p> +<br> + +<hr class="short"> +<br> + +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0003"> +TWO FAST RUNNERS +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0004"> +THE WOLF MAN +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0005"> +KŬT-O-YĬS´, THE BLOOD BOY +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0006"> +THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0007"> +THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0008"> +THE BUFFALO STONE +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0009"> +HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0010"> +COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0011"> +THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES +</a></p> +<p class="stoc"><a href="#2H_4_0012"> +THE BULLS SOCIETY</a><br> + <a href="#2H_4_0013"> +THE OTHER SOCIETIES +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0014"> +THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0015"> +THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0016"> +MĪKA´PI—RED OLD MAN +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0017"> +RED ROBE'S DREAM +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0018"> +THE BLACKFEET CREATION +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0019"> +OLD MAN STORIES +</a></p> +<p class="stoc"><a href="#2H_4_0020"> +THE WONDERFUL BIRD</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0021"> +THE RABBITS' MEDICINE</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0022"> +THE LOST ELK MEAT</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0023"> +THE ROLLING ROCK</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0024"> +BEAR AND BULLBERRIES</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0025"> +THE THEFT FROM THE SUN</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0026"> +THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0027"> +BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0028"> +THE RED-EYED DUCK</a> +</p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0029"> +THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET +</a></p> + +<br> +<hr> + +<a name="2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h2> + Blackfeet Indian Stories +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + TWO FAST RUNNERS +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Once, a long time ago, the antelope and the deer happened to meet on + the prairie. They spoke together, giving each other the news, each + telling what he had seen and done. After they had talked for a time + the antelope told the deer how fast he could run, and the deer said + that he could run fast too, and before long each began to say that + he could run faster than the other. So they agreed that they would + have a race to decide which could run the faster, and on this race + they bet their galls. When they started, the antelope ran ahead of + the deer from the very start and won the race and so took the deer's + gall. +</p> +<p> + But the deer began to grumble and said, "Well, it is true that out + here on the prairie you have beaten me, but this is not where I + live. I only come out here once in a while to feed or to cross the + prairie when I am going somewhere. It would be fairer if we had a + race in the timber. That is my home, and there I can run faster than + you. I am sure of it." +</p> +<p> + The antelope felt so glad and proud that he had beaten the deer in + the race that he was sure that wherever they might run he could beat + him, so he said, "All right, I will run you a race in the timber. I + have beaten you out here on the flat and I can beat you there." On + this race they bet their dew-claws. +</p> +<p> + They started and ran this race through the thick timber, among the + bushes, and over fallen logs, and this time the antelope ran slowly, + for he was afraid of hitting himself against the trees or of falling + over the logs. You see, he was not used to this kind of travelling. + So the deer easily beat him and took his dew-claws. +</p> +<p> + Since that time the deer has had no gall and the antelope no + dew-claws. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE WOLF MAN +</h2> +<br> +<p> + A long time ago there was a man who had two wives. They were not + good women; they did not look after their home nor try to keep + things comfortable there. If the man brought in plenty of buffalo + cow skins they did not tan them well, and often when he came home at + night, hungry and tired after his hunting, he had no food, for these + women would be away from the lodge, visiting their relations and + having a good time. +</p> +<p> + The man thought that if he moved away from the big camp and lived + alone where there were no other people perhaps he might teach these + women to become good; so he moved his lodge far off on the prairie + and camped at the foot of a high butte. +</p> +<p> + Every evening about sundown the man used to climb up to the top of + this butte and sit there and look all over the country to see where + the buffalo were feeding and whether any enemies were moving about. + On top of the hill there was a buffalo skull, on which he used to + sit. +</p> +<p> + One day one of the women said to the other, "It is very lonely here; + we have no one to talk with or to visit." +</p> +<p> + "Let us kill our husband," said the other: "then we can go back to + our relations and have a good time." +</p> +<p> + Early next morning the man set out to hunt, and as soon as he was + out of sight his wives went up on top of the butte where he used to + sit. There they dug a deep hole and covered it over with light + sticks and grass and earth, so that it looked like the other soil + near by, and placed the buffalo skull on the sticks which covered + the hole. +</p> +<p> + In the afternoon, as they watched for their returning husband, they + saw him come over the hill loaded down with meat that he had killed. + When he threw down his load outside the lodge, they hurried to cook + something for him. After he had eaten he went up on the butte and + sat down on the skull. The slender sticks broke and he fell into the + hole. His wives were watching him, and when they saw him disappear, + they took down the lodge and packed their dogs and set out to go to + the main camp. As they drew near it, so that people could hear them, + they began to cry and mourn. +</p> +<p> + Soon some people came to meet them and said, "What is this? Why are + you mourning? Where is your husband?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah," they replied, "he is dead. Five days ago he went out to hunt + and he did not come back. What shall we do? We have lost him who + cared for us"; and they cried and mourned again. +</p> +<p> + Now, when the man fell into the pit he was hurt, for the hole was + deep. After a time he tried to climb out, but he was so badly + bruised that he could not do so. He sat there and waited, thinking + that here he must surely die of hunger. +</p> +<p> + But travelling over the prairie was a wolf that climbed up on the + butte and came to the hole and, looking in, saw the man and pitied + him. +</p> +<p> + "Ah-h-w-o-o-o! Ah-h-w-o-o-o-o!" he howled, and when the other wolves + heard him they all came running to see what was the matter. + Following the big wolves came also many coyotes, badgers, and + kit-foxes. They did not know what had happened, but they thought + perhaps there was food here. +</p> +<p> + To the others the wolf said, "Here in this hole is what I have + found. Here is a man who has fallen in. Let us dig him out and we + will have him for our brother." +</p> +<p> + All the wolves thought that this talk was good, and they began to + dig, and before very long they had dug a hole down almost to the + bottom of the pit. +</p> +<p> + Then the wolf who had found the man said, "Hold on; wait a little; I + want to say a few words." All the animals stopped digging and began + to listen, and the wolf said, "We will all have this man for our + brother; but I found him, and so I think he ought to live with us + big wolves." All the others thought that this was good, and the + wolf that had found the man went into the hole that had been dug, + and tearing down the rest of the earth, dragged out the poor man, + who was now almost dead, for he had neither eaten nor drunk anything + since he fell in the hole. They gave the man a kidney to eat, and + when he was able to walk the big wolves took him to their home. Here + there was a very old blind wolf who had great power and could do + wonderful things. He cured the man and made his head and his hands + look like those of a wolf. The rest of his body was not changed. +</p> +<p> + In those days the people used to make holes in the walls of the + fence about the enclosure into which they led the buffalo. They set + snares over these holes, and when wolves and other animals crept + through them so as to get into the pen and feed on the meat they + were caught by the neck and killed, and the people used their skins + for clothing. +</p> +<p> + One night all the wolves went down to the pen to get meat, and when + they had come close to it, the man-wolf said to his brothers, "Stop + here for a little while and I will go down and fix the places so + that you will not be caught." He went down to the pen and sprung all + the snares, and then went back and called the wolves and the + others—the coyotes, badgers, and kit-foxes—and they all went into + the pen and feasted and took meat to carry home to their families. + In the morning the people found the meat gone and all their snares + sprung, and they were surprised and wondered how this could have + happened. For many nights the nooses were pulled tight and the meat + taken; but once when the wolves went there to eat they found only + the meat of a lean and sickly bull. Then the man-wolf was angry, + and he cried out like a wolf, "Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o! + Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o-o!" +</p> +<p> + When the people heard this they said to one another, "Ah, it is a + man-wolf who has done all this. We must catch him." So they took + down to the piskun<a name="f1"></a><a href="#note-1"><small><sup>1</sup></small></a> pemmican and nice back fat and placed it + there, and many of them hid close by. After dark the wolves came, + as was their custom, and when the man-wolf saw the good food, he ran + to it and began to eat. Then the people rushed upon him from every + side and caught him with ropes, and tied him and took him to a + lodge, and when they had brought him inside to the light of the + fire, at once they knew who it was. They said, "Why, this is the man + who was lost." +</p> +<p> + "No," said the man, "I was not lost. My wives tried to kill me. They + dug a deep hole and I fell into it, and I was hurt so badly I could + not get out; but the wolves took pity on me and helped me or I would + have died there." +</p> +<p> + When the people heard this they were angry, and they told the man to + do something to punish these women. +</p> +<p> + "You say well," he replied; "I give those women to the punishing + society. They know what to do." +</p> +<p> + After that night the two women were never seen again. +</p> +<br> +<a name="note-1"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<a href="#f1"><u>1</u></a> A pen or enclosure, usually—among the Blackfeet—at + the foot of a cliff, over which the buffalo were induced to jump. + Pronounced <big>pĭ´skŭn</big>. +</p> + +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + KŬT-O-YĬS´, THE BLOOD BOY +</h2> +<br> +<p> + As the children whose ancestors came from Europe have stories about + the heroes who killed wicked and cruel monsters—like Jack the Giant + Killer, for example—so the Indian children hear stories about + persons who had magic power and who went about the world destroying + those who treated cruelly or killed the Indians of the camps. Such a + hero was Kŭt-o-yĭs´, and this is how he came to be alive and + to travel about from place to place, helping the people and + destroying their enemies. +</p> +<p> + It was long, long ago, down where Two Medicine and Badger Rivers + come together, that an old man lived with his wife and three + daughters. One day there came to his camp a young man, good-looking, + a good hunter, and brave. He stayed in the camp for some time, and + whenever he went hunting he killed game and brought in great loads + of meat. +</p> +<p> + All this time the old man was watching him, for he said in his + heart, "This seems a good young man and a good hunter. Perhaps I + will give him my daughters for wives, and then he will stay here and + help me always." +</p> +<p> + After a time the old man decided to do this, and he gave the young + man his daughters; and because these three were his only children he + gave his son-in-law his dogs and all his property, and for himself + and his wife he kept only a little lodge. The young man's wives + tanned plenty of cow skins and made a big fine lodge, and in this + the son-in-law lived with his wives. +</p> +<p> + For some time after this the son-in-law was very good and kind to + the old people. When he killed any animal he gave them part of the + meat, and gave them skins which his mother-in-law tanned for robes + or for clothing. +</p> +<p> + As time went on the son-in-law began to grow stingy, and pretty soon + he gave nothing to his father-in-law's lodge, but kept everything + for his own. +</p> +<p> + Now, the son-in-law was a person of much mysterious power, and he + kept the buffalo hidden under a big log-jam in the river. Whenever + he needed food and wished to kill anything, he would take his + father-in-law with him to help. He would send the old man out to + stamp on the log-jam and frighten the buffalo, and when they ran out + from under it the young man would shoot one or two with his arrows, + never killing more than he needed. But often he gave the old people + nothing at all to eat. They were hungry all the time, and at length + they began to grow thin and weak. +</p> +<p> + One morning early the young man asked his father-in-law to come and + hunt with him. They went to the log-jam and the old man drove out + the buffalo and his son-in-law killed a fat buffalo cow. Then he + said to his father-in-law, "Hurry back now to the camp and tell your + daughters to come and carry home the meat, and then you can have + something to eat." The old man set out for the camp, thinking, as he + walked along, "Now, at last, my son-in-law has taken pity on me; he + will give me some of this meat." +</p> +<p> + When he returned with his daughters they skinned the cow and cut it + up and, carrying it, went home. The young man had his wives leave + the meat at his own lodge and told his father-in-law to go home. He + did not give him even a little piece of the meat. The two older + daughters gave their parents nothing to eat, but sometimes the + youngest one had pity on them and took a piece of meat and, when she + could, threw it into the lodge to the old people. The son-in-law had + told his wives not to give the old people anything to eat. Except + for the good heart of the youngest daughter they would have died of + hunger. +</p> +<p> + Another day the son-in-law rose early in the morning and went over + to the old man's lodge and kicked against the poles, calling to him, + "Get up now and help me; I want you to go and stamp on the log-jam + to drive out the buffalo." When the old man moved his feet on the + jam and a buffalo ran out, the son-in-law was not ready for it, and + it passed by him before he shot the arrow; so he only wounded it. It + ran away, but at last it fell down and died. +</p> +<p> + The old man followed close after it, and as he ran along he came to + a place where a great clot of blood had fallen from the buffalo's + wound. When he came to where this clot of blood was lying on the + ground, he stumbled and fell and spilled his arrows out of his + quiver, and while he was picking them up he picked up also the clot + of blood and hid it in his quiver. +</p> +<p> + "What are you picking up?" called the son-in-law. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing," replied the old man. "I fell down and spilled my arrows, + and I am putting them back." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, old man," said the son-in-law, "you are lazy and useless. You + no longer help me. Go back now to the camp and tell your daughters + to come down here and help carry in this meat." +</p> +<p> + The old man went to the camp and told his daughters of the meat that + their husband had killed, and they went down to the killing ground. + Then he went to his own lodge and said to his wife, "Hurry, now, put + the stone kettle on the fire. I have brought home something from the + killing." +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the old woman, "has our son-in-law been generous and + given us something nice to eat?" +</p> +<p> + "No," replied the old man, "but hurry and put the kettle on the + fire." +</p> +<p> + After a time the water began to boil and the old man turned his + quiver upside down over the pot, and immediately there came from it + a sound of a child crying, as if it were being hurt. The old people + both looked in the kettle and there they saw a little boy, and they + quickly took him out of the water. They were surprised and did not + know where the child had come from. The old woman wrapped the child + up and wound a line about its wrappings to keep them in place, + making a lashing for the child. Then they talked about it, wondering + what should be done with it. They thought that if their son-in-law + knew it was a boy he would kill it; so they determined to tell their + daughters that the baby was a girl, for then their son-in-law would + think that he was going to have another wife. So he would be glad. + They called the child Kŭt-o-yĭs´—Clot of Blood. +</p> +<p> + The son-in-law and his wives came home, bringing the meat, and + after a little time they heard the child in the next lodge crying. + The son-in-law said to his youngest wife, "Go over to your mother's + and see whether that baby is a boy or a girl. If it is a boy, tell + your parents to kill it." +</p> +<p> + Soon the young woman came back and said to her husband, "It is a + girl baby. You are to have another wife." +</p> +<p> + The son-in-law did not know whether to believe this, and sent his + oldest wife to ask the same question. When she came back and told + him the same thing he believed that it was really a girl. Then he + was glad, for he said to himself, "Now, when this child has grown + up, I shall have another wife." He said to his youngest wife, "Take + some back fat and pemmican over to your mother; she must be well fed + now that she has to nurse this child." +</p> +<p> + On the fourth day after he had been born the child spoke and said to + his mother, "Hold me in turn to each one of these lodge poles, and + when I come to the last one I shall fall out of my lashings and be + grown up." The old woman did as he had said, and as she held him to + one pole after another he could be seen to grow; and finally when he + was held to the last pole he was a man. +</p> +<p> + After Kŭt-o-yĭs´ had looked about the lodge he put his eye to + a hole in the lodge-covering and looked out. Then he turned around + and said to the old people, "How is it that in this lodge there is + nothing to eat? Over by the other lodge I see plenty of food hanging + up." +</p> +<p> + "Hush," said the old woman, raising her hand, "you will be heard. + Our son-in-law lives over there. He does not give us anything at all + to eat." +</p> +<p> + "Well," said the young man, "where is your piskun—where do you kill + buffalo?" +</p> +<p> + "It is down by the river," the old woman answered. "We pound on it + and the buffalo run out." +</p> +<p> + For some time they talked together and the old man told + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ how his son-in-law had abused him. He said to the + young man, "He has taken from me my bow and my arrows and has taken + even my dogs; and now for many days we have had nothing to eat, + except sometimes a small piece of meat that our daughter throws to + us." +</p> +<p> + "Father," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "have you no arrows?" +</p> +<p> + "No, my son," replied the old man, "but I still have four stone + arrow points." +</p> +<p> + "Go out then," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "and get some wood. We will + make a bow and some arrows, and in the morning we will go down to + where the buffalo are and kill something to eat." +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning Kŭt-o-yĭs´ pushed the old man and said, + "Come, get up now, and we will go down and kill, when the buffalo + come out." It was still very early in the morning. +</p> +<p> + When they reached the river the old man said, "This is the place to + stand and shoot. I will go down and drive them out." +</p> +<p> + He went down and stamped on the log-jam, and presently a fat cow ran + out and Kŭt-o-yĭs´ killed it. +</p> +<p> + Now, after these two had gone to the river the son-in-law arose and + went over to the old man's lodge, and knocked on the poles and + called to the old man to get up and help him kill. The old woman + called out to the son-in-law, saying, "Your father-in-law has + already gone down to the piskun." This made the son-in-law angry, + and he began to talk badly to the old woman and to threaten to harm + her. +</p> +<p> + Presently he went on down to the log-jam, and as he got near the + place he saw the old man at work there, bending over, skinning a + buffalo; for Kŭt-o-yĭs´, when he had seen the son-in-law + coming, had lain down on the ground and hidden himself behind the + carcass. +</p> +<p> + When the son-in-law had come pretty close to where the buffalo lay + he said to his father-in-law, "Old man, stand up and look all about + you. Look carefully and well, for it will be the last time that you + will ever see anything"; and while the son-in-law said this he took + an arrow from his quiver. +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ spoke to the old man from his hiding-place and + said, "Tell your son-in-law that he must take his last look, for + that you are going to kill him now." The old man said this as he + had been told. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the son-in-law, "you talk back to me. That makes me still + angrier at you." He put an arrow on the string and shot at the old + man, but did not hit him. Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said to the old man, + "Pick up that arrow and shoot it back at him"; and the old man did + so. Now, they shot at each other four times, and then the old man + said to Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "I am afraid now; get up and help me. If + you do not, I think he will kill me." Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ rose to + his feet and said to the son-in-law, "Here, what are you doing? I + think you have been treating this old man badly for a long time. Why + do you do it?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh no," said the son-in-law, and he smiled at Kŭt-o-yĭs´ in a + friendly way, for he was afraid of him. "Oh no; no one thinks more + of this old man than I do. I have always been very good to him." +</p> +<p> + "No," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´. "You are saying what is not true, and I + am going to kill you now." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ shot the son-in-law four times and he fell down + and died. Then the young man told his father to go and bring down to + him the daughters who had acted badly toward him. The old man did so + and Kŭt-o-yĭs´ punished them. Then he went up to the lodges + and said to the youngest woman, "Did you love your husband?" "Yes," + said the girl, "I loved him." So Kŭt-o-yĭs´ punished her too, + but not so badly as he had the other daughters, because she had been + kind to her parents. +</p> +<p> + To the old people he said, "Go over now to that lodge and live + there. There is plenty of food, and when that is gone I will kill + more. As for me, I shall make a journey. Tell me where there are any + people. In what direction shall I go to find a camp?" +</p> +<p> + "Well," said the old man, "up here on Two Medicine Lodge Creek there + are some people—up where the piskun is, you know." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ followed up the stream to where the piskun was and + there found many lodges of people. In the centre of the camp was a + big lodge, and painted on it the figure of a bear. He did not go to + this lodge, but went into a small lodge where two old women lived. + When he had sat down they put food before him—lean dried meat and + some belly fat. +</p> +<p> + "How is this, grandmothers?" he said. "Here is a camp with plenty of + fat meat and back fat hanging up to dry; why do you not give me some + of that?" +</p> +<p> + "Hush; be careful," said the old women. "In that big lodge over + there lives a big bear and his wives and children. He takes all the + best food and leaves us nothing. He is the chief of this place." +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said to the old women, + "Harness up your dogs to the travois now and go over to the piskun, + and I will kill some fat meat for you." +</p> +<p> + When they got there, he killed a fat cow and helped the old women to + cut it up, and they took it to the lodge. One of those old women + said, "Ah me, the bears will be sure to come." +</p> +<p> + "Why do you say that?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + They said to him, "We shall be sorry to lose this back fat." +</p> +<p> + "Do not fear," he said. "No one shall take this back fat from you. + Now, take all those best pieces and hang them up, so that those who + live in the bear lodge may see them." +</p> +<p> + They did so. Pretty soon the old bear chief said to one of his + children, "By this time I think the people have finished killing. Go + out now and look about; see where the nicest pieces are, and bring + in some nice back fat." +</p> +<p> + One of the young bears went out of the lodge and stood up and looked + about, and when it saw this meat hanging by the old women's lodge + close by, it went over toward it. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the old women, "there are those bears." +</p> +<p> + "Do not be afraid," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´. +</p> +<p> + The young bear went over to where the meat was hanging and stood up + and began to pull it down. Kŭt-o-yĭs´ went out of the lodge + and said, "Wait; wait! What are you doing, taking the old women's + meat?" +</p> +<p> + The young bear answered, "My father told me that I should go out and + get this meat and bring it home to him." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ hit the young bear over the head with a stick and + it ran home crying. +</p> +<p> + When it had reached the lodge it told what had happened and the + father bear said, "I will go over there myself; perhaps this person + will hit me over the head." +</p> +<p> + When the old women saw the father and mother bear and all their + relations coming they were afraid, but Kŭt-o-yĭs´ jumped out + of the lodge and killed the bears one after another; all except one + little she-bear, a very small one, which got away. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "you may go and breed more bears." +</p> +<p> + He told the old women to move over to the bear-painted lodge and + after this to live in it. It was theirs. +</p> +<p> + To the old women Kŭt-o-yĭs´ then said, "Now, grandmothers, + where are there any more people? I want to travel about and see + them." +</p> +<p> + The old women said, "At the Point of Rocks—on Sun River—there is a + camp. There is a piskun there." +</p> +<p> + So Kŭt-o-yĭs´ set off for that place, and when he came to the + camp he went into an old woman's lodge. +</p> +<p> + The old woman gave him something to eat—a dish of bad food. +</p> +<p> + "Why is this, grandmother?" asked Kŭt-o-yĭs´. "Have you no + food better than this to give to a visitor? Down there I see a + piskun; you must kill plenty of buffalo and must have good food." +</p> +<p> + "Speak lower," said the old woman, "or you may be heard. We have no + good food because there is a great snake here who is the chief of + the camp. He takes all the best pieces. He lives over there in that + snake-painted lodge." +</p> +<p> + The next morning when the buffalo were led in, Kŭt-o-yĭs´ + killed one, and they took the back fat and carried it to their + lodge. Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said, "I think I will visit that snake + person." He went over and went into the lodge, and there he saw many + women that the snake person had taken to be his wives. The women + were cooking some service berries. Kŭt-o-yĭs´ picked up the + dish and ate the berries and threw the dish away. Then he went up to + the big snake, who was lying there asleep, and pricked him with his + knife, saying, "Here, get up; I have come to visit you. Let us smoke + together." +</p> +<p> + Then the snake was angry and he raised up his head and began to + rattle, and Kŭt-o-yĭs´ cut off his head and cut him in pieces. + He cut off the heads of all the snake's wives and children; all + except one little female snake which got away by crawling into a + crack in the rocks. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, well," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "you can go and breed snakes so + there will be more. The people will not be afraid of little snakes." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said to the old woman, "Now, grandmother, go into + this snake lodge and take it for your own and everything that is in + it." +</p> +<p> + Then he said to them, "Where are there some more people?" They told + him there were some camps down the river and some up in the + mountains, but they said, "Do not go up there. It is bad because + there lives Āi-sīn´-o-kō-kī—Wind Sucker. He will kill + you." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ was glad to know that there was such a person, and + he went to the mountains. +</p> +<p> + When he reached the place where Wind Sucker lived, he looked into + his mouth and saw there many dead people. Some were skeletons and + some had only just died. He went in, and there he saw a fearful + sight. The ground was white as snow with the bones of those who had + died. There were bodies with flesh on them; some who had died not + long before and some who were still living. +</p> +<p> + As he looked about, he saw hanging down above him a great thing that + seemed to move—to grow a little larger and then to grow a little + smaller. +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ spoke to one of the people who was alive and asked, + "What is that hanging down above us?" +</p> +<p> + The person answered him, "That is Wind Sucker's heart." +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ spoke to all the living and said to them, "You + who still draw a little breath try to move your heads in time to the + song that I shall sing; and you who are still able to move stand up + on your feet and dance. Take courage now; we are going to dance to + the ghosts." +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ tied his knife, point upward, to the top of + his head and began to dance, singing the ghost song, and all the + others danced with him; and as he danced up and down he kept + springing higher and higher into the air, and the point of his knife + cut Wind Sucker's heart and killed him. +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´, with his knife, cut a hole between Wind + Sucker's ribs, and he and all those who were able to move crawled + out through the hole. He said to those who could still walk that + they should go and tell their people to come here, to get the ones + still alive but unable to travel. +</p> +<p> + To some of these people that he had freed he said, "Where are there + any other people? I want to visit all the people." +</p> +<p> + "There is a camp to the westward, up the river," they replied; "but + you must not take the left-hand trail going up because on that trail + lives a woman who invites men to wrestle with her and then kills + them. Avoid her." +</p> +<p> + Now, really, this was what Kŭt-o-yĭs´ was looking for. This + was what he was doing in the world, trying to kill off all the bad + things. He asked these people just where this woman lived and how + it was best for him to go so that he should not meet her. He did + this because he did not wish the people to know that he was going + where she was. +</p> +<p> + He started, and after he had travelled some time he saw a woman + standing not far from the trail. She called to him, saying, "Come + here, young man, come here; I want to wrestle with you." +</p> +<p> + "No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop." +</p> +<p> + The woman called again, "No, no; do not go on; come now and wrestle + once with me." +</p> +<p> + After she had called him the fourth time, Kŭt-o-yĭs´ went to + her. +</p> +<p> + Now on the ground where this woman wrestled with people she had + placed many sharp, broken flint-stones, partly hiding them by the + grass. The two seized each other and began to wrestle over these + sharp stones, but Kŭt-o-yĭs´ looked at the ground and did not + step on them. He watched his chance and gave the woman a quick + wrench, and threw her down on a large sharp flint which cut her in + two; and the parts of her body fell asunder. +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ then went on, and after a time came to where a + woman had made a place for sliding downhill. At the far end of it + she had fixed a rope which, when she raised it, would trip people + up, and when they were tripped they fell over a high cliff into a + deep water, where a great fish ate them. +</p> +<p> + When this woman saw Kŭt-o-yĭs´ coming she cried out to him, + "Come over here, young man, and slide with me." +</p> +<p> + "No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot wait." She kept calling + to him, and when she had called him the fourth time he went over + where he was to slide with her. +</p> +<p> + "This sliding," said the woman, "is very good fun." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, yes," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "I will look at it." +</p> +<p> + As he went near the place he looked carefully and saw the hidden + rope. He began to slide, and holding his knife in his hand, when he + reached the rope he cut it just as the woman raised it and pulled on + it, and the woman fell over backward into the water and was eaten + up by the big fish. +</p> +<p> + From here he went on again, and after a time he came to a big camp. + A man-eater was the chief of this place. +</p> +<p> + Before Kŭt-o-yĭs´ went to the chief's lodge he looked about + and saw a little girl and called her to him and said, "Child, I am + going into that lodge, to let that man-eater kill and eat me. + Therefore, be on the watch, and if you can get hold of one of my + bones take it out and call all the dogs to you, and when they have + come to you throw down the bone and say, 'Kŭt-o-yĭs´, the dogs + are eating your bones.'" +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ entered the lodge, and when the man-eater saw + him he called out, "Oki, oki!" (welcome, welcome!) and seemed glad + to see him, for he was a fat young man. The man-eater took a knife + and walked up to Kŭt-o-yĭs´ and cut his throat and put him + into a great stone pot to cook. When the meat was cooked he pulled + the kettle from the fire and ate the body, limb by limb, until it + was all eaten. +</p> +<p> + After that the little girl who was watching came into the lodge and + said, "Pity me, man-eater, my mother is hungry and asks you for + those bones." The old man gathered them together and handed them to + her, and she took them out of the lodge. When she had gone a little + way, she called all the dogs to her and threw down the bones to the + dogs, crying out, "Look out, Kŭt-o-yĭs´, the dogs are eating + you," and when she said that, Kŭt-o-yĭs´ arose from the pile + of bones. +</p> +<p> + Again he went into the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he + cried out, "How, how, how! the fat young man has survived!" and he + seemed surprised. Again he took his knife and cut the throat of + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ and threw him into the kettle. Again when the meat + was cooked he ate it, and when the little girl asked for the bones + again he gave them to her. She took them out and threw them to the + dogs, crying, "Kŭt-o-yĭs´, the dogs are eating you," and again + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ arose from the bones. +</p> +<p> + When the man-eater had cooked him four times Kŭt-o-yĭs´ again + went into the lodge, and seizing the man-eater, he threw him into + the boiling kettle, and his wives and all his children, and boiled + them to death. +</p> +<p> + The man-eater was the seventh and last of the bad things to be + destroyed by Kŭt-o-yĭs´. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER +</h2> +<br> +<p> + This happened long ago. +</p> +<p> + In those days the people were hungry. No buffalo could be found, no + antelope were seen on the prairie. Grass grew in the trails where + the elk and the deer used to travel. There was not even a rabbit in + the brush. Then the people prayed, "Oh, Napi, help us now or we must + die. The buffalo and the deer are gone. It is useless to kindle the + morning fires; our arrows are useless to us; our knives remain in + their sheaths." +</p> +<p> + Then Napi set out to find where the game was, and with him went a + young man, the son of a chief. For many days they travelled over the + prairies. They could see no game; roots and berries were their only + food. One day they climbed to the crest of a high ridge, and as they + looked off over the country they saw far away by a stream a lonely + lodge. +</p> +<p> + "Who can it be?" asked the young man. "Who camps there alone, far + from friends?" +</p> +<p> + "That," said Napi, "is he who has hidden all the animals from the + people. He has a wife and a little son." Then they went down near to + the lodge and Napi told the young man what to do. Napi changed + himself into a little dog, and he said, "This is I." The young man + changed himself into a root digger and he said, "This is I." Pretty + soon the little boy, who was playing about near the lodge, found the + dog and carried it to his father, saying, "See what a pretty little + dog I have found." +</p> +<p> + The father said, "That is not a dog; throw it away!" The little boy + cried, but his father made him take the dog out of the lodge. Then + the boy found the root digger, and again picking up the dog, he + carried both into the lodge, saying, "Look, mother; see what a + pretty root digger I have found." +</p> +<p> + "Throw them away," said his father; "throw them both away. That is + not a root digger; that is not a dog." +</p> +<p> + "I want that root digger," said the woman. "Let our son have the + little dog." +</p> +<p> + "Let it be so, then," replied the husband; "but remember that if + trouble comes, it is you who have brought it on yourself and on our + son." +</p> +<p> + Soon after this the woman and her son went off to pick berries, and + when they were out of sight the man went out and killed a buffalo + cow and brought the meat into the lodge and covered it up. He took + the bones and the skin and threw them in the water. When his wife + came back he gave her some of the meat to roast, and while they were + eating, the little boy fed the dog three times, and when he offered + it more the father took the meat away. +</p> +<p> + In the night, when all were sleeping, Napi and the young man arose + in their right shapes and ate some of the meat. +</p> +<p> + "You were right," said the young man. "This is surely the person who + has hidden the buffalo." +</p> +<p> + "Wait," said Napi; and when they had finished eating they changed + themselves again into the root digger and the dog. +</p> +<p> + Next morning the wife and the little boy went out to dig roots, and + the woman took the root digger with her, while the dog followed the + little boy. +</p> +<p> + As they travelled along looking for roots, they passed near a cave, + and at its mouth stood a buffalo cow. The dog ran into the cave, and + the root digger, slipping from the woman's hand, followed, gliding + along over the ground like a snake. In this cave were found all the + buffalo and the other game. They began to drive them out, and soon + the prairie was covered with buffalo, antelope, and deer. Never + before were so many seen. +</p> +<p> + Soon the man came running up, and he said to his wife, "Who is + driving out my animals?" The woman replied, "The dog and the root + digger are in there now." +</p> +<p> + "Did I not tell you," said her husband, "that those were not what + they looked like. See now the trouble that you have brought upon + us!" He put an arrow on his string and waited for them to come out, + but they were cunning, and when the last animal, a big bull, was + starting out the stick grasped him by the long hair under the neck + and coiled up in it, and the dog held on by the hair underneath + until they were far out on the prairie, when they changed into their + true shapes and drove the buffalo toward the camp. +</p> +<p> + When the people saw the buffalo coming they led a big band of them + to the piskun, but just as the leaders were about to jump over the + cliff a raven came and flapped its wings in front of them and + croaked, and they turned off and ran down another way. Every time a + herd of buffalo was brought near to the piskun this raven frightened + them away. Then Napi knew that the raven was the person who had kept + the buffalo hidden. +</p> +<p> + Napi went down to the river and changed himself into a beaver and + lay stretched out on a sandbar, as if dead. The raven was very + hungry and flew down and began to pick at the beaver. Then Napi + caught it by the legs and ran with it to the camp, and all the + chiefs were called together to decide what should be done with the + bird. Some said, "Let us kill it," but Napi said, "No, I will punish + it," and he tied it up over the lodge, right in the smoke hole. +</p> +<p> + As the days went by the raven grew thin and weak and its eyes were + blinded by the thick smoke, and it cried continually to Napi asking + him to pity it. One day Napi untied the bird and told it to take its + right shape, and then said, "Why have you tried to fool Napi? Look + at me. I cannot die. Look at me. Of all peoples and tribes I am the + chief. I cannot die. I made the mountains; they are standing yet. I + made the prairies and the rocks; you see them yet. +</p> +<p> + "Go home now to your wife and your child, and when you are hungry + hunt like any one else. If you do not, you shall die." +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS +</h2> +<br> +<p> + There was once a man who loved his wife dearly. After they had been + married for a time they had a little boy. Some time after that the + woman grew sick and did not get well. She was sick for a long time. + The young man loved his wife so much that he did not wish to take a + second woman. The woman grew worse and worse. Doctoring did not seem + to do her any good. At last she died. +</p> +<p> + For a few days after this, the man used to take his baby on his back + and travel out away from the camp, walking over the hills, crying + and mourning. He felt badly, and he did not know what to do. +</p> +<p> + After a time he said to the little child, "My little boy, you will + have to go and live with your grandmother. I shall go away and try + to find your mother and bring her back." +</p> +<p> + He took the baby to his mother's lodge and asked her to take care + of it and left it with her. Then he started away, not knowing where + he was going nor what he should do. +</p> +<p> + When he left the camp, he travelled toward the Sand Hills. On the + fourth night of his journeying he had a dream. He dreamed that he + went into a little lodge in which was an old woman. This old woman + said to him, "Why are you here, my son?" +</p> +<p> + The young man replied, "I am mourning day and night, crying all the + while. My little son, who is the only one left me, also mourns." +</p> +<p> + "Well," asked the old woman, "for whom are you mourning?" +</p> +<p> + The young man answered, "I am mourning for my wife. She died some + time ago. I am looking for her." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I saw her," said the old woman; "she passed this way. I myself + have no great power to help you, but over by that far butte beyond, + lives another old woman. Go to her and she will give you power to + continue your journey. You could not reach the place you are seeking + without help. Beyond the next butte from her lodge you will find + the camp of the ghosts." +</p> +<p> + The next morning the young man awoke and went on toward the next + butte. It took him a long summer's day to get there, but he found + there no lodge, so he lay down and slept. Again he dreamed. In his + dream he saw a little lodge, and saw an old woman come to the door + and heard her call to him. He went into the lodge, and she spoke to + him. +</p> +<p> + "My son, you are very unhappy. I know why you have come this way. + You are looking for your wife who is now in the ghost country. It is + a very hard thing for you to get there. You may not be able to get + your wife back, but I have great power and I will do for you all + that I can. If you act as I advise, you may succeed." +</p> +<p> + Other wise words she spoke to him, telling him what he should do; + also she gave him a bundle of mysterious things which would help him + on his journey. +</p> +<p> + She went on to say, "You stay here for a time and I will go over + there to the ghosts' camp and try to bring back some of your + relations who are there. If it is possible for me to bring them + back, you may return there with them, but on the way you must shut + your eyes. If you should open them and look about you, you would + die. Then you would never come back. When you come to the camp you + will pass by a big lodge and they will ask you, 'Where are you going + and who told you to come here?' You must answer, 'My grandmother, + who is standing out here with me, told me to come.' They will try to + scare you; they will make fearful noises and you will see strange + and terrible things, but do not be afraid." +</p> +<p> + The old woman went away, and after a time came back with one of the + man's relations. He went with this relation to the ghosts' camp. + When they came to the large lodge some one called out and asked the + man what he was doing there, and he answered as the old woman had + told him. As he passed on through the camp the ghosts tried to + frighten him with many fearful sights and sounds, but he kept up a + strong heart. +</p> +<p> + Presently he came to another lodge, and the man who owned it came + out and spoke to him, asking where he was going. The young man said, + "I am looking for my dead wife. I mourn for her so much that I + cannot rest. My little boy too keeps crying for his mother. They + have offered to give me other wives, but I do not want them. I want + the one for whom I am searching." +</p> +<p> + The ghost said, "It is a fearful thing that you have come here; it + is very likely that you will never go away. Never before has there + been a person here." +</p> +<p> + The ghost asked him to come into his lodge, and he entered. +</p> +<p> + This chief ghost said to him, "You shall stay here for four nights + and you shall see your wife, but you must be very careful or you + will never go back. You will die here in this very place." +</p> +<p> + Then the chief ghost walked out of the lodge and shouted out for a + feast, inviting the man's father-in-law and other relations who were + in the camp to come and eat, saying, "Your son-in-law invites you + to a feast," as if he meant that the son-in-law had died and become + a ghost and arrived at the camp of the ghosts. +</p> +<p> + Now when these invited ghosts had reached the lodge they did not + like to go in. They said to each other, "There is a person here"; it + seemed as if they did not like the smell of a human being. The chief + ghost burned sweet pine on the fire, which took away this smell, and + then the ghosts came in and sat down. +</p> +<p> + The chief ghost said to them, "Now pity this son-in-law of yours. He + is looking for his wife. Neither the great distance that he has come + nor the fearful sights that he has seen here have weakened his + heart. You can see how tender-hearted he is. He not only mourns + because he has lost his wife, but he mourns because his little boy + is now alone, with no mother; so pity him and give him back his + wife." +</p> +<p> + The ghosts talked among themselves, and one of them said to the man, + "Yes; you shall stay here for four nights, and then we will give you + a medicine pipe—the Worm Pipe—and we will give you back your wife + and you may return to your home." +</p> +<p> + Now, after the third night the chief ghost called together all the + people, and they came, and with them came the man's wife. One of the + ghosts was beating a drum, and following him was another who carried + the Worm Pipe, which they gave to him. +</p> +<p> + Then the chief ghost said, "Now be very careful; to-morrow you and + your wife will start on your journey homeward. Your wife will carry + the medicine pipe and for four days some of your relations will go + along with you. During this time you must keep your eyes shut; do + not open them, or you will return here and be a ghost forever. Your + wife is not now a person. But in the middle of the fourth day you + will be told to look, and when you have opened your eyes you will + see that your wife has become a person, and that your ghost + relations have disappeared." +</p> +<p> + Before the man went away his father-in-law spoke to him and said, + "When you get near home you must not go at once into the camp. Let + some of your relations know that you have come, and ask them to + build a sweat-house for you. Go into that sweat-house and wash your + body thoroughly, leaving no part of it, however small, uncleansed. + If you fail in this, you will die. There is something about the + ghosts that it is difficult to remove. It can only be removed by a + thorough sweat. Take care now that you do what I tell you. Do not + whip your wife, nor strike her with a knife, nor hit her with fire. + If you do, she will vanish before your eyes and return here." +</p> +<p> + They left the ghost country to go home, and on the fourth day the + wife said to her husband, "Open your eyes." He looked about him and + saw that those who had been with them had disappeared, and he found + that they were standing in front of the old woman's lodge by the + butte. She came out of her lodge and said to them, "Stop; give me + back those mysterious medicines of mine, whose power helped you to + do what you wished." The man returned them to her, and then once + more became really a living person. +</p> +<p> + When they drew near to the camp the woman went on ahead and sat + down on a butte. Then some curious persons came out to see who this + might be. As they approached the woman called out to them, "Do not + come any nearer. Go and tell my mother and my relations to put up a + lodge for us a little way from the camp, and near by it build a + sweat-house." When this had been done the man and his wife went in + and took a thorough sweat, and then they went into the lodge and + burned sweet grass and purified their clothing and the Worm Pipe. + Then their relations and friends came in to see them. The man told + them where he had been and how he had managed to get his wife back, + and that the pipe hanging over the doorway was a medicine pipe—the + Worm Pipe—presented to him by his ghost father-in-law. +</p> +<p> + That is how the people came to possess the Worm Pipe. That pipe + belongs to the band of Piegans known as the Worm People. +</p> +<p> + Not long after this, once in the night, this man told his wife to do + something, and when she did not begin at once he picked up a brand + from the fire and raised it—not that he intended to strike her + with it, but he made as if he would—when all at once she vanished + and was never seen again. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE BUFFALO STONE +</h2> +<br> +<p> + A small stone, which is often a fossil shell, or sometimes only a + queer shaped piece of flint, is called by the Blackfeet + I-nĭs´kĭm, the buffalo stone. This stone has great power, and + gives its owner good luck in bringing the buffalo close, so that + they may be killed. The stone is found on the prairie, and any one + who finds one is thought to be very lucky. Sometimes a man who is + going along on the prairie will hear a queer faint chirp, such as a + little bird might make. He knows this sound is made by a buffalo + stone. He stops and searches for it on the ground, and if he cannot + find it, marks the place and comes back next day to look for it + again. If it is found, he and all his family are glad. The Blackfeet + tell a story about how the first buffalo stone was found. +</p> +<p> + Long ago, one winter, the buffalo disappeared. The snow was deep, so + deep that the people could not move in search of the buffalo; so + the hunters went as far as they could up and down the river-bottoms + and in the ravines, and killed deer and elk and other small game, + and when these were all killed or driven away the people began to + starve. +</p> +<p> + One day a young married man killed a prairie rabbit. He ran home as + fast as he could, and told one of his wives to hurry and get a skin + of water to cook it. She started down to the river for water, and as + she was going along she heard a beautiful song. She looked all + about, but could see no one who was singing. +</p> +<p> + The song seemed to come from a big cotton-wood tree near the trail + leading down to the water. As she looked closely at this tree she + saw a queer stone jammed in a fork where the tree was split, and + with it a few hairs from a buffalo which had rubbed against the + tree. The woman was frightened and dared not pass the tree. Soon the + singing stopped and the I-nĭs´kĭm said to the woman, "Take me + to your lodge, and when it is dark call in the people and teach them + the song you have just heard. Pray, too, that you may not starve, + and that the buffalo may come back. Do this, and when day comes your + hearts will be glad." +</p> +<p> + The woman went on and got the water, and when she came back she took + the stone and gave it to her husband, telling him about the song and + what the stone had said. +</p> +<p> + As soon as it was dark, the man called the chiefs and old men to his + lodge, and his wife taught them the song that she had heard. They + prayed too, as the stone had said should be done. Before long they + heard far off a noise coming. It was the tramp of a great herd of + buffalo. Then they knew that the stone was powerful, and since that + time the people have taken care of it and have prayed to it. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME +</h2> +<br> +<p> + You have heard the Thunder, for he is everywhere. He roars in the + mountains, and far out on the prairie is heard his crashing. He + strikes the high rocks, and they fall to pieces; a tree, and it is + broken in slivers; the people, and they die. He is bad. He does not + like the high cliff, the standing tree, or living man. He likes to + strike and crush them to the ground. Of all things he is the most + powerful. He cannot be resisted. But I have not told you the worst + thing about him. Sometimes he takes away women. +</p> +<p> + Long ago, almost in the beginning, a man and his wife were sitting + in their lodge when Thunder came and struck them. The man was not + killed. At first he lay as if dead, but after a time he lived again, + and, standing up, looked about him. He did not see his wife. +</p> +<p> + "Oh," he thought, "she has gone to get wood or water," and he sat + down again. But when night came he went out of the lodge and asked + the people about her. No one had seen her. He looked all through the + camp, but could not find her. Then he knew that the Thunder had + taken her away, and he went out on the hills and mourned. All night + he sat there, trying to think what he might do to get back his wife. +</p> +<p> + When morning came he rose and wandered away, and whenever he met any + of the animals he asked if they could tell him where the Thunder + lived. The animals laughed, and most of them would not answer. +</p> +<p> + The Wolf said to him, "Do you think that we would look for the home + of the only one we fear? He is our only danger. From all other + enemies we can run away, but from him no one can run. He strikes and + there we lie. Turn back; go home. Do not look for the place of that + dreadful one." +</p> +<p> + The man kept on and travelled a long distance. At last, after many + days, he came to a lodge—a strange lodge, for it was made of + stone. Just like any other lodge it looked, only it was made of + stone. This was the home of the Raven chief. The man entered. +</p> +<p> + "Welcome, friend," said the chief of the Ravens; "sit down there," + and he pointed to a place. Soon food was placed before the poor man. +</p> +<p> + When he had finished eating, the Raven chief asked, "Why have you + come here?" +</p> +<p> + "Thunder has stolen my wife," the man answered. "I am looking for + his dwelling-place that I may find her." +</p> +<p> + "Are you brave enough to enter the lodge of that dreadful person?" + asked the Raven. "He lives near here. His lodge is of stone like + this one, and hanging in it are eyes—the eyes of those he has + killed or taken away. He has taken out their eyes and hung them in + his lodge. Now, then! Dare you enter there?" +</p> +<p> + "No," answered the man, "I am afraid. Who could look at such + dreadful things and live?" +</p> +<p> + "No man can," said the Raven; "there is only one old Thunder fears; + there is but one he cannot kill. It is we. It is the Ravens. Now I + will give you some medicine, and he shall not harm you. You shall + enter there and try to find among those eyes your wife's, and if you + find them tell the Thunder why you came and make him give them to + you. Here, now, is a raven's wing. Point this at him and he will be + afraid and start back; but if that should fail, take this arrow. Its + shaft is made of elk horn. Take this, I say, and shoot it through + the lodge." +</p> +<p> + "Why make a fool of me?" the poor man asked. "My heart is sad. I am + crying." He covered his head with his robe and wept. +</p> +<p> + "Oh," said the Raven, "you do not believe me. Come outside, come + outside, and I will make you believe." +</p> +<p> + When they stood outside the Raven asked, "Is the home of your people + far?" +</p> +<p> + "A great distance," said the man. +</p> +<p> + "Can you tell how many days you have travelled?" +</p> +<p> + "No," he replied, "my heart was sad; I did not count the days. + Since I left, the berries have grown and ripened." +</p> +<p> + "Can you see your camp from here?" asked the Raven. +</p> +<p> + The man did not answer. Then the Raven rubbed some medicine on his + eyes and said, "Look!" The man looked and saw the camp. It was near. + He saw the people; he saw the smoke rising from the lodges; he saw + the painting on some of the lodges. +</p> +<p> + "Now you will believe," said the Raven. "Take, then, the arrow and + the wing, and go and get your wife." The man took these things and + went to the Thunder's lodge. He entered and sat down by the doorway. +</p> +<p> + The Thunder sat at the back of the lodge and looked at him with + awful eyes. The man looked above and saw hanging there many pairs of + eyes. Among them were those of his wife. +</p> +<p> + "Why have you come?" said the Thunder in a dreadful voice. +</p> +<p> + "I seek my wife," said the man, "whom you have stolen. There hang + her eyes." +</p> +<p> + "No man may enter my lodge and live," said the Thunder, and he rose + to strike him. Then the man pointed the raven wing at the Thunder, + and he fell back on his bed and shivered; but soon he recovered and + rose again, and then the man fitted the elk-horn arrow to his bow + and shot it through the lodge of stone. Right through that stone it + pierced a hole and let the sunlight in. +</p> +<p> + "Wait," said the Thunder; "stop. You are the stronger, you have the + greater medicine. You shall have your wife. Take down her eyes." +</p> +<p> + The man cut the string that held the eyes, and his wife stood beside + him. +</p> +<p> + "Now," said the Thunder, "you know me. I have great power. In summer + I live here; but when winter comes I go far south. I go south with + the birds. Here is my pipe. It has strong power. Take it and keep + it. After this, when first I come in the spring you shall fill this + pipe and light it, and you shall smoke it and pray to me; you and + the people. I bring the rain which makes the berries large and ripe. + I bring the rain which makes all things grow, and for this you + shall pray to me; you and all the people." +</p> +<p> + Thus the people got their first medicine pipe. It was long ago. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The last lodge had been set up in the Blackfeet winter camp. Evening + was closing over the travel-tired people. The sun had dropped beyond + the hills not far away. Women were bringing water from the river at + the edge of the great circle. Men gathered in quiet groups, weary + after the long march of the day. Children called sleepily to each + other, and the dogs sniffed about in well-fed content. +</p> +<p> + Lone Feather wrapped his robe more closely around him and walked + slowly from his lodge door and from the camp, off toward the north. + He was thinking of many things, and hardly noticed where he was + going. Presently as he walked, he heard the sound of persons + talking. He stopped to listen. The sound came from a lodge made of + stone, close by the river. Quietly he went toward the lodge and saw + a thin blue line of smoke coming from the top. +</p> +<p> + As he approached, an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came + from the lodge door and looked at him. +</p> +<p> + "Will you come into my lodge?" she said, greeting him. +</p> +<p> + Lone Feather looked at her for a moment in silence. She spoke again. + He could not understand her speech, for she belonged to another + tribe. By signs she made him know that she wished him to come into + her lodge and rest. Lone Feather entered. +</p> +<p> + Far back from the door crouched two big grizzly bears. She made + signs to show that the bears were friendly, and Lone Feather sat + down near the door. She stirred the fire, and as she put on fresh + wood the sparks flew up toward the smoke hole, which was opened only + a little way. +</p> +<p> + By signs she told him she would go out and open the smoke hole + wider, so that the fire might burn more brightly. She was gone for + some time, and Lone Feather sat looking into the fire, still + thinking of many things, when the air became thick with smoke. He + looked up and saw that the smoke hole was closed. He sprang up and + went to the door, but the door covering was down. He raised it, and + as he put his head out the old woman hit him with a large stone club + and he was dead. +</p> +<p> + Before his spirit started for the Sand Hills he saw that with a + large knife she cut up his body and put the pieces into a pot. Soon + they were well cooked and the old woman and the two bears feasted on + his flesh. +</p> +<p> + They threw his bones out of the door, where they fell among many + others like them. The ground was strewn with the bones of the + persons she had trapped and killed. +</p> +<p> + Day by day other persons disappeared from the winter camp, and more + and more bones whitened on the ground outside the stone lodge on the + river bank. +</p> +<p> + As Cold Maker was bringing the snow to the Blackfeet winter camp, he + passed the Sand Hills. Lone Feather and other ghosts from the + Blackfeet tribe were telling each other how the old woman had sent + them there. Cold Maker heard their stories and he was angry. +</p> +<p> + When he reached the camp he went to the lodge of Broken Bow—a + brave young man, but very poor. +</p> +<p> + He shivered when Cold Maker entered his lodge and drew his ragged + robe about him. They were close friends. +</p> +<p> + "Would you like to have a new robe?" asked Cold Maker. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Broken Bow. +</p> +<p> + "Come with me. You may kill two grizzly bears," said Cold Maker. +</p> +<p> + "My bow is broken. I cannot," said Broken Bow sadly. +</p> +<p> + "I will help you. Bring only a knife." +</p> +<p> + Together they went from the lodges toward the north. The sun was + already hidden behind the nearby hills. +</p> +<p> + After they had travelled some distance they heard the sound of + voices. They listened. Two bears were complaining that they wanted + meat. A woman told them they must wait. The men saw the line of thin + blue smoke rising from the top of the lodge of stone. All about + whitening bones covered the ground. They went nearer. +</p> +<p> + Soon an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came from the door + and smiled as she saw the two persons coming. +</p> +<p> + "Come in and rest," she said. Broken Bow did not understand her + language, but Cold Maker, who understands all tribes, said, "We are + cold. Will you let us sit by your fire?" +</p> +<p> + The old woman smiled again. +</p> +<p> + "You are welcome," she said; "come in. Do not fear my bears. They + are friendly. They will not harm you." The two friends entered the + lodge, where a smouldering fire sent a feeble smoke up to the smoke + hole, that was partly open. She put fresh wood on the fire and said, + "I will open the smoke hole wider," and went out, dropping the door + covering as she went. +</p> +<p> + Then she closed the smoke hole. The smoke began to fill the top of + the lodge. It settled lower and lower. Broken Bow was afraid. +</p> +<p> + "Give me your pipe," said Cold Maker. +</p> +<p> + Broken Bow filled his pipe and, handed it to him. He lighted it by a + brand from the fire, and sent great puffs of smoke curling upward. + This smoke met the other smoke and stopped it. It could not descend + any lower. +</p> +<p> + Broken Bow saw the wonderful medicine of his friend. He was no + longer afraid, but wondered what Cold Maker would do next. The + grizzly bears growled low. +</p> +<p> + The old woman outside called to them, "Friends, is it smoking in + there now?" +</p> +<p> + "Not a bit," replied Cold Maker. "We are very comfortable." +</p> +<p> + She waited. They did not come out. She stood near the door. Her + stone club was ready. She grew impatient. She wondered what had gone + wrong with her plans. The two friends were silent. She looked at the + smoke hole, but it was closed securely. She lifted the door covering + to see if the friends within had died. They sat perfectly still. She + entered to look more closely, and as soon as she was fairly inside + Cold Maker and Broken Bow rushed out and dropped the door covering. + Before she could move they piled great heaps of stone in the + door-way. The bears growled. She called for help. Cold Maker and + Broken Bow went on down the river. +</p> +<p> + Then Cold Maker took from a little sack a few white eagle-down + feathers. He blew them from him. At once a fierce storm blew across + the valley. The bitter cold froze the water, but only in this one + place. It dammed the stream with fast forming ice. The water rose + higher and higher. It spread out over the banks. Cold Maker and + Broken Bow went far off on the hills and watched it. Little by + little it rose. It reached the stone lodge. The bears roared. The + woman screamed. The water reached the top and covered the lodge from + sight. All sound ceased. A moment more, and the water was quiet. + Once more Cold Maker blew from him a few white eagle-down feathers. + The storm subsided. It became warm again. The ice melted. The water + retreated to its channel. +</p> +<p> + Cold Maker and Broken Bow went to the stone lodge. The woman was + lying beside the pot. The grizzly bears were close to the stones + which blocked the door-way. +</p> +<p> + Cold Maker said, "Here is your new robe," and Broken Bow took from + the bears their thick, warm skins. +</p> +<p> + On his way home Cold Maker again passed the Sand Hills. Entering + the country was an old woman bent with age and crippled. +</p> +<p> + He hurried on. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES +</h2> +<br> +<p> + In the Blackfeet tribe was an association known as the All Comrades. + This was made up of a dozen secret societies graded according to + age, the members of the younger societies passing, after a few + years, into the older ones. This association was in part benevolent + and helpful and in part to encourage bravery in war, but its main + purpose was to see that the orders of the chiefs were carried out, + and to punish offences against the tribe at large. There are stories + which explain how these societies came to be instituted, and this + one tells how the Society of Bulls began. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE BULLS SOCIETY +</h3> +<p> + It was long, long ago, very far back, that this happened. In those + days the people used to kill the buffalo by driving them over a + steep place near the river, down which they fell into a great pen + built at the foot of the cliff, where the buffalo that had not been + killed by the fall were shot with arrows by the men. Then the people + went into the pen and skinned the buffalo and cut them up and + carried the meat away to their camp. This pen they called piskun. +</p> +<p> + In those days the people had built a great piskun with high, strong + walls. No buffalo could jump over it; not even if a great crowd of + them ran against it, could they push it down. +</p> +<p> + The young men kept going out, as they always did, to try to bring + the buffalo to the edge of the cliff, but somehow they would not + jump over into the piskun. When they had come almost to the edge, + they would turn off to one side or the other and run down the + sloping hills and away over the prairie. So the people could get no + food, and they began to be hungry, and at last to starve. +</p> +<p> + Early one morning a young woman, the daughter of a brave man, was + going from her lodge down to the stream to get water, and as she + went along she saw a herd of buffalo feeding on the prairie, close + to the edge of the cliff above the great piskun. +</p> +<p> + "Oh," she called out, "if you will only jump off into the piskun I + will marry one of you." She did not mean this, but said it just in + fun, and as soon as she had said it, she wondered greatly when she + saw the buffalo come jumping over the edge, falling down the cliff. +</p> +<p> + A moment later a big bull jumped high over the wall of the piskun + and came toward her, and now truly she was frightened. +</p> +<p> + "Come," he said, taking hold of her arm. +</p> +<p> + "No, no," she answered, trying to pull herself away. +</p> +<p> + "But you said if the buffalo would only jump over, you would marry + one of them. Look, the piskun is full." +</p> +<p> + She did not answer, and without saying anything more he led her up + over the bluff and out on the prairie. +</p> +<p> + After the people had finished killing the buffalo and cutting up the + meat, they missed this young woman. No one knew where she had gone, + and her relations were frightened and very sad because they could + not find her. So her father took his bow and quiver and put them on + his back and said, "I will go and find her"; and he climbed the + bluff and set out over the prairie. +</p> +<p> + He travelled some distance, but saw nothing of his daughter. The sun + was hot, and at length he came to a buffalo wallow in which some + water was standing, and drank and sat down to rest. A little way off + on the prairie he saw a herd of buffalo. As the man sat there by the + wallow, trying to think what he might do to find his daughter, a + magpie came up and alighted on the ground near him. The man spoke to + it, saying, "Măm-ī-ăt´sī-kĭmĭ—Magpie—you are a + beautiful bird; help me, for I am very unhappy. As you travel about + over the prairie, look everywhere, and if you see my daughter say to + her, 'Your father is waiting by the wallow.'" +</p> +<p> + Soon the magpie flew away, and as he passed near the herd of buffalo + he saw the young woman there, and alighting on the ground near her, + he began to pick at things, turning his head this way and that, and + seeming to look for food. When he was close to the girl he said to + her, "Your father is waiting by the wallow." +</p> +<p> + "Sh-h-h! Sh-h-h!" replied the girl in a whisper, looking about her + very much frightened, for her bull husband was sleeping close by. + "Do not speak so loud. Go back and tell him to wait." +</p> +<p> + "Your daughter is over there with the buffalo. She says 'Wait,'" + said the magpie when he had flown back to the poor father. +</p> +<p> + After a little time the bull awoke and said to his wife, "Go and + bring me some water." Then the woman was glad, and she took a horn + from her husband's head and went to the wallow for water. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, why did you come?" she said to her father. "They will surely + kill you." +</p> +<p> + "I came to take my daughter back to my lodge. Come, let us go." +</p> +<p> + "No," said the girl, "not now. They will surely chase us and kill + us. Wait until he sleeps again and I will try to get away." Then she + filled the horn with water and went back to the buffalo. +</p> +<p> + Her husband drank a swallow of the water, and when he took the horn + it made a noise. "Ah," he said, as he looked about, "a person is + somewhere close by." +</p> +<p> + "No one," replied the girl, but her heart stood still. The bull + drank again. Then he stood up on his feet and moaned and grunted, + "M-m-ah-oo! Bu-u-u!" Fearful was the sound. Up rose the other bulls, + raised their tails in the air, tossed their heads and bellowed back + to him. Then they pawed the earth, thrust their horns into it, + rushed here and there, and presently, coming to the wallow, found + there the poor man. They rushed over him, trampling him with their + great hoofs, thrust their horns into his body and tore him to + pieces, and trampled him again. Soon not even a piece of his body + could be seen—only the wet earth cut up by their hoofs. +</p> +<p> + Then his daughter mourned in sorrow. "<i>Oh! Ah! Ni-nah-ah! Oh! Ah! + Ni-nah-ah!"</i>—Ah, my father, my father. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said her bull husband; "now you understand how it is that we + feel. You mourn for your father; but we have seen our fathers, + mothers, and many of our relations fall over the high cliffs, to be + killed for food by your people. But now I will pity you, I will give + you one chance. If you can bring your father to life, you and he may + go back to your camp." +</p> +<p> + Then said the woman, "Ah, magpie, pity me, help me; for now I need + help. Look in the trampled mud of the wallow and see if you can find + even a little piece of my father's body and bring it to me." +</p> +<p> + Swiftly the magpie flew to the wallow, and alighting there, walked + all about, looking in every hole and even tearing up the mud with + his sharp beak. Presently he uncovered something white, and as he + picked the mud from about it, he saw it was a bone, and pulling + hard, he dragged it from the mud—the joint of a man's backbone. + Then gladly he flew back with it to the woman. +</p> +<p> + The girl put the bone on the ground and covered it with her robe and + began to sing. After she had sung she took the robe away, and there + under it lay her father's body, as if he had just died. Once again + she covered the body with the robe and sang, and this time when she + took the robe away the body was breathing. A third time she covered + the body with the robe and sang, and when she again took away the + robe, the body moved its arms and legs a little. A fourth time she + covered it and sang, and when she took away the robe her father + stood up. +</p> +<p> + The buffalo were surprised and the magpie was glad, and flew about + making a great noise. +</p> +<p> + "Now this day we have seen a strange thing," said her bull husband. + "The people's medicine is strong. He whom we trampled to death, whom + our hoofs cut to pieces and mixed all up with the soil, is alive + again. Now you shall go to your home, but before you go we will + teach you our dance and our song. Do not forget them." +</p> +<p> + The buffalo showed the man and his daughter their dance and taught + them the songs, and then the bull said to them, "Now you are to go + back to your home, but do not forget what you have seen. Teach the + people this dance and these songs, and while they are dancing it let + them wear a bull's head and a robe. Those who are to be of the + Bulls Society shall wear them." +</p> +<p> + When the poor man returned with his daughter, all the people were + glad. Then after a time he called a council of the chiefs and told + them the things that had happened. The chiefs chose certain young + men to be Bulls, and the man taught them the dance and the song, and + told them everything that they should do. +</p> +<p> + So began the Bull Society. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE OTHER SOCIETIES +</h3> +<p> + For a long time the buffalo had not been seen. Every one was hungry, + for the hunters could find no food for the people. +</p> +<p> + A certain man, who had two wives, a daughter, and two sons, as he + saw what a hard time they were having, said, "I shall not stop here + to die. To-morrow we will move toward the mountains, where we may + kill elk and deer and sheep and antelope, or, if not these, at least + we shall find beaver and birds, and can get them. In this way we + shall have food to eat and shall live." +</p> +<p> + Next morning they caught their dogs and harnessed them to the + travois and took their loads on their backs and set out. It was + still winter, and they travelled slowly. Besides, they were weak + from hunger and could go only a short distance in a day. The fourth + night came, and they sat in their lodge, tired and hungry. No one + spoke, for people who are hungry do not care to talk. Suddenly, + outside, the dogs began to bark, and soon the door was pushed aside + and a young man entered. +</p> +<p> + "Welcome," said the man, and he motioned to a place where the + stranger should sit. +</p> +<p> + Now during this day there had been blowing a warm wind which had + melted the snow, so that the prairie was covered with water, yet + this young man's moccasins and leggings were dry. They saw this, and + were frightened. They sat there for a long time, saying nothing. +</p> +<p> + Then the young man spoke and asked, "Why is this? Why do you not + give me food?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah," replied the father, "you see here people who are truly poor. + We have no food. For many days the buffalo did not come in sight, + and we looked for deer and other animals, which people eat, and when + these had all been killed we began to starve. Then I said, 'We will + not stay here to die from hunger,' and we set out for the mountains. + This is the fourth night of our travels." +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the young man, "then your travels are ended. You need go + no farther. Close by here is our piskun. Many buffalo have been run + in, and our parfleches are filled with dried meat. Wait a little; I + will go and bring you some," and he went out. +</p> +<p> + As soon as he had gone they began to talk about this strange person. + They were afraid of him and did not know what to do. The children + began to cry, and the women tried to quiet them. Presently the young + man came back, bringing some meat. +</p> +<p> + "There is food," said he, as he put it down by the woman. "Now + to-morrow move your camp over to our lodges. Do not fear anything. + No matter what strange things you may see, do not fear. All will be + your friends. Yet about one thing I must warn you. In this you + should be careful. If you should find an arrow lying about + anywhere, in the piskun or outside, do not touch it, neither you nor + your wives nor your children." When he had said this he went out. +</p> +<p> + The father took his pipe and filled it, and smoked and prayed to all + the powers, saying, "Hear now, Sun; listen, Above People; listen, + Underwater People; now you have taken pity; now you have given us + food. We are going to those mysterious ones who walk through water + with dry moccasins. Protect us among these to-be-feared people. Let + us live. Man, woman, and child, give us long life." +</p> +<p> + Now from the fire again arose the smell of roasting meat. The + children ate and played. Those who so long had been silent now + talked and laughed. +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning, as soon as the sun had risen, they took down + their lodge and packed their dogs and started for the camp of the + stranger. When they had come to where they could see it, they found + it a wonderful place. There around the piskun, and stretching far + up and down the valley, were pitched the lodges of the meat eaters. + They could not see them all, but near by they saw the lodges of the + Bear band, the Fox band, and the Raven band. The father of the young + man who had visited them and given them meat was the chief of the + Wolf band, and by that band they pitched their lodge. Truly that was + a happy place. Food was plenty. All day long people were shouting + out for feasts, and everywhere was heard the sound of drumming and + singing and dancing. +</p> +<p> + The newly come people went to the piskun for meat, and there one of + the children saw an arrow lying on the ground. It was a beautiful + arrow, the stone point long, slender, and sharp, the shaft round and + straight. The boy remembered what had been said and he looked around + fearfully, but everywhere the people were busy. No one was looking. + He picked up the arrow and put it under his robe. +</p> +<p> + Then there rose a terrible sound. All the animals howled and growled + and rushed toward him, but the chief Wolf got to him first, and + holding up his hand said, "Wait. He is young and not yet of good + sense. We will let him go this time." They did nothing to him. +</p> +<p> + When night came some one shouted out, calling people to a feast and + saying, "Listen, listen, Wolf, you are to eat; enter with your + friend." +</p> +<p> + "We are invited," said the chief Wolf to his new friend, and + together they went to the lodge from which the call came. +</p> +<p> + Within the lodge the fire burned brightly, and seated around it were + many men, the old and wise of the Raven band. On the lodge lining, + hanging behind the seats, were the paintings of many great deeds. + Food was placed before the guests—pemican and berries and dried + back fat—and after they had eaten the pipe was lighted and passed + around the circle. Then the Raven chief spoke and said, "Now, Wolf, + I am going to give our new friend a present. What do you think of + that?" +</p> +<p> + "It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf; "our new friend will be + glad." +</p> +<p> + From a long parfleche sack the Raven chief took a slender stick, + beautifully ornamented with many-colored feathers. To the end of + the stick was tied the skin of a raven—head, wings, feet, and tail. +</p> +<p> + "We," said the Raven chief, "are those who carry the raven + (Măs-to-pāh´-tă-kīks). Of all the fliers, of all the + birds, what one is so smart as the raven? None. The raven's eyes are + sharp, his wings are strong. He is a great hunter and never hungry. + Far off on the prairie he sees his food, or if it is deep hidden in + the forest it does not escape him. This is our song and our dance." +</p> +<p> + When he had finished singing and dancing he placed the stick in + the sack and gave it to the man and said, "Take it with you, and + when you have returned to your people you shall say, 'Now there + are already the Bulls, and he who is the Raven chief said, + "There shall be more. There shall be the All Friends + (Īkŭn-ŭh´-kāh-tsĭ), so that the people may live, + and of the All Friends shall be the Raven Bearers."' You shall + call a council of the chiefs and wise old men, and they shall + choose the persons who are to belong to the society. Teach them + the song and the dance, and give them the medicine. It shall be + theirs forever." +</p> +<p> + Soon they heard another person shouting out the feast call, and, + going, they entered the lodge of the chief of the Kit-Foxes + (Sĭn´-o-pah). Here, too, old men had gathered. After they had + eaten of the food set before them, the chief said, "Those among whom + you have just come are generous. They do not look carefully at the + things they have, but give to the stranger and pity the poor. The + kit-fox is a little animal, but what one is smarter? None. His hair + is like the dead grass of the prairie; his eyes are keen; his feet + make no noise when he walks; his brain is cunning. His ears receive + the far-off sound. Here is our medicine. Take it." He gave the man + the stick. It was long, crooked at one end, wound with fur, and tied + here and there with eagle feathers. At the end was a kit-fox skin. + Again the chief spoke and said, "Listen to our song. Do not forget + it, and the dance, too, you must remember. When you reach home teach + them to the people." He sang and danced. Then presently his guests + departed. +</p> +<p> + Again they heard the feast shout, and he who called was the chief + of the Bear society. After they had eaten and smoked the chief said, +</p> +<p> + "What is your opinion, friend Wolf? Shall we give our new friend a + present?" +</p> +<p> + "It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf. "It is yours to give." +</p> +<p> + Then spoke the Bear, saying, "There are many animals and some of + them are powerful; but the bear is the strongest and greatest of + all. He fears nothing and is always ready to fight." +</p> +<p> + Then he put on a necklace of bear claws, a band of bear fur about + his head, and a belt of bear fur, and sang and danced. When he had + finished he gave the things he had worn to the man and said, "Teach + the people our song and our dance, and give them this medicine. It + is powerful." +</p> +<p> + It was very late. The Seven Stars had come to the middle of the + night, yet again they heard the feast shout from the far end of the + camp. In this lodge the men were painted with streaks of red, and + their hair was all pushed to one side. After the feast the chief + said, "We are different from all others here. We are called the + Braves (Mŭt´-sĭks). We know not fear; we are death. Even if + our enemies are as many as the grass we do not turn away, but fight + and conquer. Bows are good weapons, lances are better; but our + weapon is the knife." +</p> +<p> + Then the chief sang and danced, and afterward he gave the Wolf + chief's friend the medicine. It was a long knife and many scalps + were tied on the handle. "This," said he, "is for the All Friends." +</p> +<p> + To one more lodge they were called that night and the lodge owner + taught the man his song and dance, and gave him his medicine. Then + the Wolf chief and his friend went home and slept. +</p> +<p> + Early next day the Blackfeet women began to take down the lodge and + to get ready to move their camp. Many women came and made them + presents of food, dried meat, pemican, and berries. They were given + so much that they could not take it all with them. It was long + before they joined the main camp, for it had moved south, looking + for buffalo. +</p> +<p> + When they reached the camp, as soon as the lodge was pitched, the + man called all the chiefs to come and feast with him, and told them + what he had seen, and showed them the different medicines. Then the + chiefs chose certain young men to belong to the different societies, + and this man taught them the songs and dances, and gave its medicine + to each society. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The chief god of the Blackfeet is the Sun. He made the world and + rules it, and to him the people pray. One of his names is Napi—old + man; but there is another Napi who is very different from the Sun, + and instead of being great, wise, and wonderful, is foolish, mean, + and contemptible. We shall hear about him further on. +</p> +<p> + Every year in summer, about the time the berries ripen, the + Blackfeet used to hold the great festival and sacrifice which we + call the ceremony of the Medicine Lodge. This was a time of happy + meetings, of feasting, of giving presents; but besides this + rejoicing, those men who wished to have good-luck in whatever they + might undertake tried to prove their prayers sincere by sacrificing + their bodies, torturing themselves in ways that caused great + suffering. In ancient times, as we are told in books of history, + things like that used to happen among many peoples all over the + world. +</p> +<p> + It was the law that the building of the Medicine Lodge must always + be pledged by a good woman. If a woman had a son or a husband away + at war and feared that he was in danger, or if she had a child that + was sick and might die, she might pray for the safety of the one she + loved, and promise that if he returned or recovered she would build + a Medicine Lodge. This pledge was made in a loud voice, publicly, in + open air, so that all might know the promise had been made. +</p> +<p> + At the time appointed all the tribe came together and pitched their + lodges in a great circle, and within this circle the Medicine Lodge + was built. The ceremony lasted for four days and four nights, during + which time the woman who had promised to make the Medicine Lodge + neither ate nor drank, except once in sacrifice. Different stories + are told of how the first Medicine Lodge came to be built. This is + one of those stories: +</p> +<p> + In the earliest times there was a man who had a very beautiful + daughter. Many young men wished to marry her, but whenever she was + asked she shook her head and said she did not wish to marry. +</p> +<p> + "Why is this?" said her father. "Some of these young men are rich, + handsome, and brave." +</p> +<p> + "Why should I marry?" replied the girl. "My father and mother take + care of me. Our lodge is good; the parfleches are never empty; there + are plenty of tanned robes and soft furs for winter. Why trouble me, + then?" +</p> +<p> + Soon after, the Raven Bearers held a dance. They all painted + themselves nicely and wore their finest ornaments and each one tried + to dance the best. Afterward some of them asked for this girl, but + she said, "No." After that the Bulls, the Kit-Foxes, and others of + the All Comrades held their dances, and many men who were rich and + some great warriors asked this man for his daughter, but to every + one she said, "No." +</p> +<p> + Then her father was angry, and he said, "Why is this? All the best + men have asked for you, and still you say 'No.'" Then the girl + said, "Father, listen to me. That Above Person, the Sun, said to me, + 'Do not marry any of these men, for you belong to me. Listen to what + I say, and you shall be happy and live to a great age.' And again he + said to me, 'Take heed, you must not marry; you are mine.'" +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" replied her father; "it must always be as he says"; and they + spoke no more about it. +</p> +<p> + There was a poor young man. He was very poor. His father, his + mother, and all his relations were dead. He had no lodge, no wife to + tan his robes or make his moccasins. His clothes were always old and + worn. He had no home. To-day he stopped in one lodge; then to-morrow + he ate and slept in another. Thus he lived. He had a good face, but + on his cheek was a bad scar. +</p> +<p> + After they had held those dances, some of the young men met this + poor Scarface, and they laughed at him and said, "Why do not you ask + that girl to marry you? You are so rich and handsome." +</p> +<p> + Scarface did not laugh. He looked at them and said, "I will do as + you say; I will go and ask her." +</p> +<p> + All the young men thought this was funny; they laughed a good deal + at Scarface as he was walking away. +</p> +<p> + Scarface went down by the river and waited there, near the place + where the women went to get water. By and by the girl came there. + Scarface spoke to her, and said, "Girl, stop; I want to speak with + you. I do not wish to do anything secretly, but I speak to you here + openly, where the Sun looks down and all may see." +</p> +<p> + "Speak, then," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + "I have seen the days," said Scarface. "I have seen how you have + refused all those men, who are young and rich and brave. To-day some + of these young men laughed and said to me, 'Why do not you ask her?' + I am poor. I have no lodge, no food, no clothes, no robes. I have no + relations. All of them have died. Yet now to-day I say to you, take + pity. Be my wife." +</p> +<p> + The girl hid her face in her robe and brushed the ground with the + point of her moccasin, back and forth, back and forth, for she was + thinking. +</p> +<p> + After a time she spoke and said, "It is true I have refused all + those rich young men; yet now a poor one asks me, and I am glad. I + will be your wife, and my people will be glad. You are poor, but + that does not matter. My father will give you dogs; my mother will + make us a lodge; my relations will give us robes and furs; you will + no longer be poor." +</p> +<p> + Then the young man was glad, and he started forward to kiss her, but + she put out her hand and held him back, and said, "Wait; the Sun has + spoken to me. He said I may not marry; that I belong to him; that if + I listen to him I shall live to great age. So now I say, go to the + Sun; say to him, 'She whom you spoke with has listened to your + words; she has never done wrong, but now she wants to marry. I want + her for my wife.' Ask him to take that scar from your face; that + will be his sign, and I shall know he is pleased. But if he refuses, + or if you cannot find his lodge, then do not return to me." +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" cried Scarface; "at first your words were good. I was glad. + But now it is dark. My heart is dead. Where is that far-off lodge? + Where is the trail that no one yet has travelled?" +</p> +<p> + "Take courage, take courage," said the girl softly, and she went on + to her lodge. +</p> +<p> + Scarface was very unhappy. He did not know what to do. He sat down + and covered his face with his robe, and tried to think. At length he + stood up and went to an old woman who had been kind to him, and said + to her, "Pity me. I am very poor. I am going away, on a long + journey. Make me some moccasins." +</p> +<p> + "Where are you going—far from the camp?" asked the old woman. +</p> +<p> + "I do not know where I am going," he replied; "I am in trouble, but + I cannot talk about it." +</p> +<p> + This old woman had a kind heart. She made him moccasins—seven + pairs; and gave him also a sack of food—pemican, dried meat, and + back fat. +</p> +<p> + All alone, and with a sad heart, Scarface climbed the bluff that + overlooked the valley, and when he had reached the top, turned to + look back at the camp. He wondered if he should ever see it again; + if he should return to the girl and to the people. +</p> +<p> + "Pity me, O Sun!" he prayed; and turning away, he set off to look + for the trail to the Sun's lodge. +</p> +<p> + For many days he went on. He crossed great prairies and followed up + timbered rivers, and crossed the mountains. Every day his sack of + food grew lighter, but as he went along he looked for berries and + roots, and sometimes he killed an animal. These things gave him + food. +</p> +<p> + One night he came to the home of a wolf. "Hah!" said the wolf; "what + are you doing so far from your home?" +</p> +<p> + "I am looking for the place where the Sun lives," replied Scarface. + "I have been sent to speak with him." +</p> +<p> + "I have travelled over much country," said the wolf; "I know all the + prairies, the valleys, and the mountains; but I have never seen the + Sun's home. But wait a moment. I know a person who is very wise, + and who may be able to tell you the road. Ask the bear." +</p> +<p> + The next day Scarface went on again, stopping now and then to rest + and to pick berries, and when night came he was at the bear's lodge. +</p> +<p> + "Where is your home?" asked the bear. "Why are you travelling so far + alone?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah," replied the man, "I have come to you for help. Pity me. + Because of what that girl said to me, I am looking for the Sun. I + wish to ask him for her." +</p> +<p> + "I do not know where he lives," said the bear. "I have travelled by + many rivers and I know the mountains, yet I have not seen his lodge. + Farther on there is some one—that striped face—who knows a great + deal; ask him." +</p> +<p> + When the young man got there, the badger was in his hole. But + Scarface called to him, "Oh, cunning striped face! I wish to speak + with you." +</p> +<p> + The badger put his head out of the hole and said, "What do you want, + my brother?" +</p> +<p> + "I wish to find the Sun's home," said Scarface. "I wish to speak + with him." +</p> +<p> + "I do not know where he lives," answered the badger. "I never + travel very far. Over there in the timber is the wolverene. He is + always travelling about, and knows many things. Perhaps he can tell + you." +</p> +<p> + Scarface went over to the forest and looked all about for the + wolverene, but could not see him; so he sat down on a log to rest. + "Alas, alas!" he cried; "wolverene, take pity on me. My food is + gone, my moccasins are worn out; I fear I shall die." +</p> +<p> + Some one close to him said, "What is it, my brother?" and looking + around, he saw the wolverene sitting there. +</p> +<p> + "She whom I wish to marry belongs to the Sun," said Scarface; "I am + trying to find where he lives, so that I may ask him for her." +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the wolverene, "I know where he lives. It is nearly night + now, but to-morrow I will show you the trail to the big water. He + lives on the other side of it." +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning they set out, and the wolverene showed Scarface + the trail, and he followed it until he came to the water's edge. + When he looked out over it, his heart almost stopped. Never before + had any one seen such a great water. The other side could not be + seen and there was no end to it. Scarface sat down on the shore. + This seemed the end. His food was gone; his moccasins were worn out; + he had no longer strength, no longer courage; his heart was sick. "I + cannot cross this great water," he said. "I cannot return to the + people. Here by this water I shall die." +</p> +<p> + Yet, even as he thought this, helpers were near. Two swans came + swimming up to the shore and said to him, "Why have you come here? + What are you doing? It is very far to the place where your people + live." +</p> +<p> + "I have come here to die," replied Scarface. "Far away in my country + is a beautiful girl. I want to marry her, but she belongs to the + Sun; so I set out to find him and ask him for her. I have travelled + many days. My food is gone. I cannot go back; I cannot cross this + great water; so I must die." +</p> +<p> + "No," said the swans; "it shall not be so. Across this water is the + home of that Above Person. Get on our backs, and we will take you + there." +</p> +<p> + Scarface stood up. Now he felt strong and full of courage. He waded + out into the water and lay down on the swans' backs, and they swam + away. It was a fearful journey, for that water was deep and black, + and in it live strange people and great animals which might reach up + and seize a person and pull him down under the water; yet the swans + carried Scarface safely to the other side. There was seen a broad, + hard trail leading back from the water's edge. +</p> +<p> + "There," said the swans; "you are now close to the Sun's lodge. + Follow that trail, and soon you will see it." +</p> +<p> + Scarface started to walk along the trail, and after he had gone a + little way he came to some beautiful things lying in the trail. + There was a war shirt, a shield, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. He + had never seen such fine weapons. He looked at them, but he did not + touch them, and at last walked around them and went on. A little + farther along he met a young man, a very handsome person. His hair + was long; his clothing was made of strange skins, and his moccasins + were sewed with bright feathers. +</p> +<p> + The young man spoke to him and asked, "Did you see some weapons + lying in the trail?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," replied Scarface, "I saw them." +</p> +<p> + "Did you touch them?" said the young man. +</p> +<p> + "No," said Scarface; "I supposed some one had left them there, and I + did not touch them." +</p> +<p> + "You do not meddle with the property of others," said the young man. + "What is your name, and where are you going?" Scarface told him. + Then said the young man, "My name is Early Riser (the morning star). + The Sun is my father. Come, I will take you to our lodge. My father + is not at home now, but he will return at night." +</p> +<p> + At length they came to the lodge. It was large and handsome, and on + it were painted strange medicine animals. On a tripod behind the + lodge were the Sun's weapons and his war clothing. Scarface was + ashamed to go into the lodge, but Morning Star said, "Friend, do not + be afraid; we are glad you have come." +</p> +<p> + When they went in a woman was sitting there, the Moon, the Sun's + wife and the mother of Morning Star. She spoke to Scarface kindly + and gave him food to eat, and when he had eaten she asked, "Why have + you come so far from your people?" +</p> +<p> + So Scarface told her about the beautiful girl that he wished to + marry and said, "She belongs to the Sun. I have come to ask him for + her." +</p> +<p> + When it was almost night, and time for the Sun to come home, the + Moon hid Scarface under a pile of robes. As soon as the Sun got to + the doorway he said, "A strange person is here." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, father," said Morning Star, "a young man has come to see you. + He is a good young man, for he found some of my things in the trail + and did not touch them." +</p> +<p> + Scarface came out from under the robes and the Sun entered the lodge + and sat down. He spoke to Scarface and said, "I am glad you have + come to our lodge. Stay with us as long as you like. Sometimes my + son is lonely. Be his friend." +</p> +<p> + The next day the two young men were talking about going hunting and + the Moon spoke to Scarface and said, "Go with my son where you + like, but do not hunt near that big water. Do not let him go there. + That is the home of great birds with long, sharp bills. They kill + people. I have had many sons, but these birds have killed them all. + Only Morning Star is left." +</p> +<p> + Scarface stayed a long time in the Sun's lodge, and every day went + hunting with Morning Star. One day they came near the water and saw + the big birds. +</p> +<p> + "Come on," said Morning Star, "let us go and kill those birds." +</p> +<p> + "No, no," said Scarface, "we must not go there. Those are terrible + birds; they will kill us." +</p> +<p> + Morning Star would not listen. He ran toward the water and Scarface + ran after him, for he knew that he must kill the birds and save the + boy's life. He ran ahead of Morning Star and met the birds, which + were coming to fight, and killed every one of them with his spear; + not one was left. The young men cut off the heads of the birds and + carried them home, and when Morning Star's mother heard what they + had done, and they showed her the birds' heads, she was glad. She + cried over the two young men and called Scarface "My son," and when + the Sun came home at night she told him about it, and he too was + glad. +</p> +<p> + "My son," he said to Scarface, "I will not forget what you have this + day done for me. Tell me now what I can do for you; what is your + trouble?" +</p> +<p> + "Alas, alas!" replied Scarface, "Pity me. I came here to ask you for + that girl. I want to marry her. I asked her and she was glad, but + she says that she belongs to you, and that you told her not to + marry." +</p> +<p> + "What you say is true," replied the Sun. "I have seen the days and + all that she has done. Now I give her to you. She is yours. I am + glad that she has been wise, and I know that she has never done + wrong. The Sun takes care of good women; they shall live a long + time, and so shall their husbands and children. +</p> +<p> + "Now, soon you will go home. I wish to tell you something and you + must be wise and listen. I am the only chief; everything is mine; I + made the earth, the mountains, the prairies, the rivers, and the + forests; I made the people and all the animals. This is why I say + that I alone am chief. I can never die. It is true the winter makes + me old and weak, but every summer I grow young again. +</p> +<p> + "What one of all the animals is the smartest?" the Sun went on. "It + is the raven, for he always finds food; he is never hungry. Which + one of all the animals is the most to be reverenced? It is the + buffalo; of all the animals I like him best. He is for the people; + he is your food and your shelter. What part of his body is sacred? + It is the tongue; that belongs to me. What else is sacred? Berries. + They too are mine. Come with me now and see the world." +</p> +<p> + The Sun took Scarface to the edge of the sky and they looked down + and saw the world. It is flat and round, and all around the edge it + goes straight down. Then said the Sun, "If any man is sick or in + danger his wife may promise to build me a lodge if he recovers. If + the woman is good, then I shall be pleased and help the man; but if + she is not good, or if she lies, then I shall be angry. You shall + build the lodge like the world, round, with walls, but first you + must build a sweat-lodge of one hundred sticks. It shall be arched + like the sky, and one-half of it shall be painted red for me, the + other half you shall paint black for the night." He told Scarface + all about making the Medicine Lodge, and when he had finished + speaking, he rubbed some medicine on the young man's face and the + scar that had been there disappeared. He gave him two raven + feathers, saying: "These are a sign for the girl that I give her to + you. They must always be worn by the husband of the woman who builds + a Medicine Lodge." +</p> +<p> + Now Scarface was ready to return home. The Sun and Morning Star gave + him many good presents; the Moon cried and kissed him and was sorry + to see him go. Then the Sun showed him the short trail. It was the + Wolf Road—the Milky Way. He followed it and soon reached the + ground. +</p> +<hr class="short"> +<p> + It was a very hot day. All the lodge skins were raised and the + people sat in the shade. There was a chief, a very generous man, + who all day long was calling out for feasts, and people kept coming + to his lodge to eat and smoke with him. Early in the morning this + chief saw sitting on a butte near by a person close-wrapped in his + robe. All day long this person sat there and did not move. When it + was almost night the chief said, "That person has sat there all day + in the strong heat, and he has not eaten nor drunk. Perhaps he is a + stranger. Go and ask him to come to my lodge." +</p> +<p> + Some young men ran up to the person and said to him, "Why have you + sat here all day in the great heat? Come to the shade of the lodges. + The chief asks you to eat with him." The person rose and threw off + his robe and the young men were surprised. He wore fine clothing; + his bow, shield, and other weapons were of strange make; but they + knew his face, although the scar was gone, and they ran ahead, + shouting, "The Scarface poor young man has come. He is poor no + longer. The scar on his face is gone." +</p> +<p> + All the people hurried out to see him and to ask him questions. + "Where did you get all these fine things?" He did not answer. There + in the crowd stood that young woman, and, taking the two raven + feathers from his head, he gave them to her and said, "The trail was + long and I nearly died, but by those helpers I found his lodge. He + is glad. He sends these feathers to you. They are the sign." +</p> +<p> + Great was her gladness then. They were married and made the first + Medicine Lodge, as the Sun had said. The Sun was glad. He gave them + great age. They were never sick. When they were very old, one + morning their children called to them, "Awake, rise and eat." They + did not move. +</p> +<p> + In the night, together, in sleep, without pain, their shadows had + departed to the Sandhills. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The old lodges of the Piegans were made of buffalo skin and were + painted with pictures of different kinds—birds, or animals, or + trees, or mountains. It is believed that in most cases the first + painter of any lodge was taught how he should paint it in a dream, + but this was not always the case. +</p> +<p> + Two of the most important lodges in the Blackfeet camp are known as + the Īnĭs´kĭm lodges. Both are painted with figures of + buffalo, one with black buffalo, and the other with yellow buffalo. + Certain of the Īnĭs´kĭm are kept in these lodges and can be + kept in no others. +</p> +<p> + This story tells how these two lodges came to be made. +</p> +<p> + The painters were told what to do long, long ago, "in about the + second generation after the first people." +</p> +<p> + In those days the old Piegans lived in the north, close to the Red + Deer River. The camp moved, and the lodges were pitched on the + river. One day two old men who were close friends had gone out from + the camp to find some straight cherry shoots with which to make + arrows. After they had gathered their shafts, they sat down on a + high bank by the river and began to peel the bark from the shoots. + The river was high. One of these men was named Weasel Heart and the + other Fisher. +</p> +<p> + As they sat there, Weasel Heart chanced to look down into the water + and saw something. He said to his comrade, "Friend, do you not see + something down there where the water goes around?" +</p> +<p> + Fisher said, "No; I see nothing except buffalo," for he was looking + across the river to the other side, and not down into the water. +</p> +<p> + "No," said Weasel Heart; "I do not mean over there on the prairie. + Look down into that deep hole in the river, and you will see a lodge + there." +</p> +<p> + Fisher looked as he had been told, and saw the lodge. +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart said, "There is a lodge painted with black buffalo." + As he spoke thus, Fisher said, "I see another lodge, standing + in front of it." Weasel Heart saw that lodge too—the + yellow-painted-buffalo lodge. +</p> +<p> + The two men wondered at this and could not understand how it could + be, but they were both men of strong hearts, and presently Weasel + Heart said, "Friend, I shall go down to enter that lodge. Do you sit + here and tell me when I get to the place." Then Weasel Heart went up + the river and found a drift-log to support him and pushed it out + into the water, and floated down toward the cut bank. When he had + reached the place where the lodge stood Fisher told him, and he let + go the log and dived down into the water and entered the lodge. +</p> +<p> + In it he found two persons who owned the lodge, a man and his wife. + The man said to him, "You are welcome," and Weasel Heart sat down. + Then spoke the owner of the lodge saying, "My son, this is my lodge, + and I give it to you. Look well at it inside and outside; and make + your lodge like this. If you do that, it may be a help to you." +</p> +<p> + Fisher sat a long time waiting for his friend, but at last he + looked down the stream and saw a man on the shore walking toward + him. He came along the bank until he had reached his friend. It was + Weasel Heart. +</p> +<p> + Fisher said to him, "I have been waiting a long time, and I was + afraid that something bad had happened to you." +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart asked him, "Did you see me?" +</p> +<p> + "I saw you," said Fisher, "when you went into that lodge. Did you, + when you came out of the lodge, see there in the water another lodge + painted with yellow buffalo? Is it still there?" +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart said, "I saw it; it is there. Go you into the water as + I did." +</p> +<p> + Then Fisher went up the stream as his friend had gone and entered + the water at the same place and swam down as Weasel Heart had done, + and when Weasel Heart showed him the place he dived down and + disappeared as Weasel Heart had disappeared. He entered the + yellow-painted-buffalo lodge, and his friend saw him go into it. +</p> +<p> + In the lodge were two persons, a man and his wife. The man said to + him, "You are welcome; sit there." He spoke further, saying, "My + son, you have seen this lodge of mine; I give it to you. Look + carefully at it, inside and outside, and fix up your lodge in that + way. It may be a help to you hereafter." Then Fisher went out. +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart waited for his friend as long as Fisher had waited for + him, and when Fisher came out of the water it was at the place where + Weasel Heart had come out. Then the two friends went home to the + camp. +</p> +<p> + When the two had come to a hill near the camp they met a young man, + and by him sent word that the people should make a sweat-house for + them. After the sweat-house had been made, word was sent to them, + and they entered the camp and went into the sweat-house and took a + sweat, and all the time while they were sweating, sand was falling + from their bodies. +</p> +<p> + Some time after that the people moved camp and went out and killed + buffalo, and these two men made two lodges, and painted them just as + the lodges were painted that they had seen in the river. +</p> +<p> + These two men had strong power which came to them from the + Under-water People. +</p> +<p> + Once the people wished to cross the river, but the stream was deep + and it was always hard for them to get across. Often the dogs and + the travois were swept away and the people lost many of their + things. At this time the tribe wished to cross, and Fisher and + Weasel Heart said to each other, "The people want to cross the + river, but it is high and they cannot do so. Let us try to make a + crossing, so that it will be easier for them." So Weasel Heart alone + crossed the river and sat on the bank on the other side, and Fisher + sat opposite to him on the bank where the camp was. +</p> +<p> + Then Fisher said to the people, "Pack up your things now and get + ready to cross. I will make a place where you can cross easily." +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart and Fisher filled their pipes and smoked, and then each + started to cross the river. As each stepped into the water, the + river began to go down and the crossing grew more and more shallow. + The people with all their dogs followed close behind Fisher, as he + had told them to do. Fisher and Weasel Heart met in the middle of + the river, and when they met they stepped to one side up the stream + and let the people pass them. Ever since that day this has been a + shallow crossing. +</p> +<p> + These lodges came from the Under-water + People—Sū´yē-tŭp´pĭ. They were those who had owned them + and who had been kind to Weasel Heart and Fisher. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + MĪKA´PI—RED OLD MAN +</h2> +<br> +<p> + In Montana, running into the Missouri River from the south, is a + little stream that the Blackfeet call "It Fell on Them." Once, long, + long ago, while a number of women were digging in a bank near this + stream for the red earth that they used as paint, the bank gave way + and fell on them, burying and killing them. The white people call + this Armell's Creek. +</p> +<p> + It was on this stream near the mountains that the Piegans were + camped when Mīka´pi went to war. This was long ago. +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning a herd of buffalo had been seen feeding on the + slopes of the mountains, and some hunters went out to kill them. + Travelling carefully up the ravines, and keeping out of sight of the + herd, they came close to them, near enough to shoot their arrows, + and they began to kill fat cows. But while they were doing this a + war party of Snakes that had been hidden on the mountainside + attacked them, and the Piegans began to run back toward their camp. +</p> +<p> + One of them, called Fox Eye, was a brave man, and shouted to the + others to stop and wait, saying, "Let us fight these people; the + Snakes are not brave; we can drive them back." But the other Piegans + would not listen to him; they made excuses, saying, "We have no + shields; our war medicine is not here; there are many of them; why + should we stop here to die?" They ran on to the camp, but Fox Eye + would not run. Hiding behind a rock he prepared to fight, but as he + was looking for some enemy to shoot at, holding his arrow on the + string, a Snake had crept up on the bank above him; the Piegan heard + the twang of the bowstring, and the long, fine arrow passed through + his body. His bow and arrow dropped from his hands, and he fell + forward, dead. Now, too late, the warriors came rushing out from the + Piegan camp to help him, but the Snakes scalped their enemy, + scattered up the mountain, and soon were hidden in the timber. +</p> +<p> + Fox Eye had two wives, and their father and mother and all their + near relations were dead. All Fox Eye's relations had died. So it + happened that these poor widows had no one to help them—no one to + take vengeance for the killing of their husband. +</p> +<p> + All day long, and often far into the night, these two sat on a + near-by hill and wailed, and their mourning was sad. +</p> +<p> + There was a young man named Mīka´pi. Every morning when he awoke + he heard the mourning of these poor widows, and all through the day + he could not forget their sorrow. He pitied them. One day he sent + his mother to them, to tell them that he wished to speak with them. + When they had come to the lodge they entered and sat down close by + the doorway and covered their heads. +</p> +<p> + "Listen!" said Mīka´pi. "For days and nights I have heard your + mourning, and I too have mourned. Your husband was my close friend, + and now he is dead, and no relations are left to avenge him. So now + I say to you, I will take the load from your hearts; I will go to + war and kill enemies and take scalps, and when I return they shall + be yours. I will wipe away your tears, and we shall be glad that Fox + Eye is avenged." +</p> +<p> + When the people heard that Mīka´pi was going to war many young + men wished to join him, but he refused. "I shall go alone," he said. + So when he had taken a medicine sweat and had asked a priest to pray + for him in his absence, he left the camp one evening, just as it was + growing dark. +</p> +<p> + It is only the foolish warrior who travels in the day. The wise one + knows that war-parties may be out, or that some camp watcher sitting + on a hill may see him far off and may try to kill him. Mīka´pi + was not one of these foolish persons. He was brave and cautious, and + he had powerful helpers. Some have said that he was helped by the + ghosts. When he started to war against the Snakes he travelled in + low places, and at sunrise he climbed some hill near by and looked + carefully over the country in all directions, and during all the + long day he lay there and watched, sleeping often, but only for a + short time. +</p> +<p> + When Mīka´pi had come to the Great Place of Falling Water,<a name="f2"></a><a href="#note-2"><sup>*</sup></a> it + began to rain hard, and, looking about for a place to sleep, he saw + a hole in the rocks and crept in and lay down at the farther end. + The rain did not stop, and when it grew dark he could not travel + because of the darkness and the storm, so he lay down to sleep + again; but before he had fallen asleep he heard something at the + mouth of the cave, and then something creeping toward him. Then soon + something touched his breast, and he put out his hand and felt a + person. Then he sat up. +</p> +<a name="note-2"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot2"> +<a href="#f2">*</a> The Great Falls of the Missouri. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi stretched out his hand and put its palm on the person's + breast and moved his hand quickly from side to side, and then + touched the person with the point of his finger, which in sign + language means, "Who are you?" The stranger took Mīka´pi's hand + and made him feel of his own right hand. The thumb and fingers were + closed except the forefinger, which was extended. When Mīka´pi's + hand was on the stranger's hand the person moved his hand forward + with a zigzag motion, meaning Snake. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi was glad. Here had come to him one of the tribe he was + seeking, yet he thought it better to wait for a time before fighting + him; so when, in signs, the Snake asked Mīka´pi who he was he + replied, by making the sign for paddling a canoe, that he was a + River person, for he knew that the Snakes and the River people, or + Pend d'Oreilles, were at peace. Then the two lay down for the night, + but Mīka´pi did not sleep. Through the long night he watched for + the first light, so that he might kill his enemy; and just at + daybreak Mīka´pi, without noise, strung his bow, fitted an arrow + to the string, and sent the thin shaft through his enemy's heart. + The Snake half rose up and fell back dead. Mīka´pi scalped him, + took his bow and arrows and his bundle of moccasins, and went out of + the cave and looked all about. Daylight had come, but no one was in + sight. Perhaps, like himself, the Snake had gone to war alone. + Mīka´pi did not forget to be careful because he had been + fortunate. He travelled only a little way, and then hid himself and + waited for night before going on. After drinking from the river he + ate and, climbing up on a high rock wall, he slept. +</p> +<p> + He dreamed that he fought with strange people and was wounded. He + felt blood trickling from his wounds, and when he awoke he knew that + he had been warned to turn back. Other signs were bad. He saw an + eagle rising carrying a snake, which dropped from its claws. The + setting sun too was painted, a sure warning that danger was near. In + spite of all these things Mīka´pi determined to go on. He thought + of the poor widows mourning; he thought of welcome of the people if + he should return with scalps; he thought also of two young sisters + whom he wished to marry. If he could return with proof of brave + deeds, they would think well of him. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi travelled onward. +</p> +<hr class="short"> +<p> + The sun had already disappeared behind the sharp pointed dark peaks + of the mountains. It was nearly night. As the light grew dim, the + far stretching prairie began to be hidden. By a stream in a valley + where grew large and small trees were the lodges of a great camp. + For a long distance up and down the river rose the smokes of many + fires. +</p> +<p> + On a hill overlooking the valley sat a person alone. His robe was + drawn close about him, and he sat there without moving, looking down + on the valley and out on the prairie above it. Perhaps he was + watching for enemies; perhaps he was praying. +</p> +<p> + Creeping through the grass behind this person, something was slowly + drawing near to him. There was no noise, the watcher heard nothing; + still he sat there, looking out over the prairie, and turning his + head neither to the right nor the left. This thing behind him kept + creeping closer, and presently it was so near it could touch the + man. Perhaps then there was some little rustle of the grass, and the + watcher turned his head. It was too late. A strong arm around his + neck bent his head back, a hand covered his mouth, a long stone + knife was thrust into his breast, and he died in silence. The fading + light had kept people in the camp from seeing what had happened. +</p> +<p> + The man who had used the knife scalped his enemy, and slowly, + hidden by the grass, crept down the hill that he had just ascended, + and when he reached the cover of a low place Mīka´pi rose to his + feet and crept away. He had another Snake scalp tied to his belt. + His heart was glad, but he was not satisfied. +</p> +<p> + Several nights had passed since the signs warned him to turn back, + but notwithstanding the warnings, he had succeeded. Perhaps his + success had made him too confident. He longed for more of it. "One + more scalp I shall take," he said, "and then I will return to the + people." +</p> +<p> + He climbed far up the mountainside and hid among the pines and + slept, but when day came he awoke and crept out to a point where he + could see the camp. He saw the smoke rising as the women kindled + their morning fires; he saw the people going about through the camp, + and then presently he saw many people rush up on the hill where he + had left the dead enemy. He could not hear their angry cries, nor + their mournful wailings, but he knew how badly they felt, and he + sung a song, for he was happy. +</p> +<p> + Once more the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and as + darkness grew Mīka´pi came down from where he had been hiding and + carefully approached the camp. Now was a time of danger. Now + watchers might be hidden anywhere, looking for the approach of + enemies, ready to raise a cry to warn the camp. Each bush or clump + of rye grass or willow thicket might hide an enemy. Very slowly, + looking and listening, Mīka´pi crept around the outskirts of the + camp. He made no noise, he did not show himself. Presently he heard + some one clear his throat and then a cough, and a little bush moved. + Here was a watcher. Could he kill him and get away? He sat and + waited to see what would happen, for he knew where his enemy was, + but the enemy knew nothing of him. The great moon rose over the + eastern prairie and climbed high and began to travel across the sky. + Seven Persons swung around and pointed downward. It was about the + middle of the night. At length the person in the bush grew tired of + watching; he thought no enemy could be near and he rose and + stretched out his arms and yawned, but even as he stood an arrow + pierced him through, beneath the arms. He gave a loud cry and tried + to run, but another arrow struck him, and he fell. +</p> +<p> + And now from out the camp rushed the warriors toward the sound, but + even as they came Mīka´pi had taken the scalp from his enemy and + started to run away into the darkness. The moon was bright, and + close behind him were the Snakes. He heard arrows flying by him, and + presently one passed through his arm. He pulled it out and threw it + from him. Another struck his leg, and he fell, and a great shout + arose from the Snakes. Now their enemy was down and revenge for the + two lives lately taken was certain. +</p> +<p> + But Mīka´pi's helpers were not far off. It was at the very verge + of a high cut wall overhanging the river that Mīka´pi fell, and + even as the Snakes shouted he rolled over the brink into the dark + rushing water below. The Snakes ran along the edge of the river, + looking into the water, with bent bows watching for the enemy's head + or body to appear, but they saw nothing. Carefully they looked + along the shores and sandbars; they did not find him. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi had sunk deep in the water. The swift current carried him + along, and when he rose to the surface he was beyond his enemies. + For some time he floated on, but the arrow in his leg pained him and + at last he crept out on a sandbar. He managed to draw the arrow from + his leg, and finding at the edge of the bar a dry log, he rolled it + into the water, and keeping his hands on it, drifted down the river + with the current. Cold and stiff from his wounds, he crept out on + the bank and lay down in the warm sunshine. Soon he fell asleep. +</p> +<p> + When he awoke the sun was in the middle of the sky. His leg and arm + were swollen and pained him, yet he started to go home, and for a + time struggled onward; but at last, tired and discouraged, he sat + down. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," he said to himself, "true were the signs! How crazy I was to + go against them! Now my bravery has been useless, for here I must + stop and die. The widows will still mourn, and who will care for my + father and mother in their old age? Pity me now, O Sun; help me, O + Great Above Person! Give me life!" +</p> +<p> + Something was coming through the brush near him, breaking the sticks + as it walked. Was it the Snakes following his trail? Mīka´pi + strung his bow and drew his arrows from the quiver. He waited. +</p> +<p> + No, it was not a Snake; it was a bear, a big grizzly bear, standing + there looking down at Mīka´pi. "What is my brother doing here?" + said the bear. "Why does he pray for life?" +</p> +<p> + "Look at my leg," said Mīka´pi; "swollen and sore. See my wounded + arm; I can hardly hold the bow. Far away is the home of my people, + and my strength is gone. Surely here I must die, for I cannot walk, + and I have no food." +</p> +<p> + "Take courage, my brother," said the bear. "Keep up a strong heart, + for I will help you, and you shall have life." +</p> +<p> + When he had said this he lifted Mīka´pi in his arms and took him + to a place where there was thick mud, and there he took great + handfuls of the mud and plastered it on the wounds, and while he + was putting on the mud he sang a medicine song. Then he carried + Mīka´pi to a place where there were many service berries, and he + broke off great branches of the fruit and gave them to him, saying, + "Eat; my brother, eat." He kept breaking off branches full of large, + ripe berries until Mīka´pi was full and could eat no more. +</p> +<p> + Then said the bear, "Now lie down on my back and hold tight by my + hair and we will go on"; and when Mīka´pi had got on his back and + was ready the bear started. All through the night he travelled on + without stopping, and when morning came they rested for a time and + ate more berries, and again the bear put mud upon the man's wounds. + In this way they travelled on, until, on the fourth day, they had + come close to the lodges of the Piegans and the people saw them + coming, and wondered. +</p> +<p> + "Get off now, my brother, get off," said the bear. "There is the + camp of your people. I shall leave you"; and at once he turned and + went off up the mountain. +</p> +<p> + All the people came out to meet Mīka´pi, and they carried him to + his father's lodge. He untied the scalps from his belt and gave them + to the poor widows, saying, "These are the scalps of your enemies; I + wipe away your tears." Then every one rejoiced. All Mīka´pi's + women relations went through the camp, shouting out his name and + singing songs about him, and all prepared to dance the dance of + triumph and rejoicing. +</p> +<p> + First came the widows. They carried the scalps tied on poles, and + their faces were painted black. Then came the medicine men, with + their medicine pipes unwrapped, and then the bands of the All + Friends dressed in their war costumes; then came the old men; and, + last of all, the women and children. They went all through the + village, stopping here and there to dance, and Mīka´pi sat + outside the lodge and saw all the people dance by him. He forgot his + pain and was happy, and although he could not dance, he sung with + them. +</p> +<p> + Soon they made the medicine lodge, and first of all the warriors, + Mīka´pi was chosen to cut the rawhide to bind the poles, and as + he cut the strips he related the coups he had counted. He told of + the enemies he had killed, and all the people shouted his name and + the drummers struck the drum. The father of those two sisters gave + them to him. He was glad to have such a son-in-law. +</p> +<p> + Long lived Mīka´pi. Of all the great chiefs who have lived and + died he was the greatest. He did many other great things. It must be + true, as the old men have said, that he was helped by the ghosts, + for no one can do such things without help from those fearful and + terrible persons. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + RED ROBE'S DREAM +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Long, long ago, Red Robe and Talking Rock were young men in the + Blackfeet camp. In their childhood days and early youth their life + had been hard. Talking Rock was an orphan without a single relation + and Red Robe had only his old grandmother. +</p> +<p> + This old woman, by hard work and sacrifice, had managed to rear the + boys. She tanned robes for the hunters, made them moccasins worked + with porcupine quills, and did everything she could to get a little + food or worn out robes and hide, from which she made clothes for her + boys. They never had new, brightly painted calf robes, like other + children. They went barefoot in summer, and in winter their toes + often showed through the worn out skin of their moccasins. They had + no flesh. Their ribs could be counted beneath the skin; their cheeks + were hollow; they looked always hungry. +</p> +<p> + When they grew to be twelve or fifteen years old they began to do + better, for now they could do more and more for themselves. They + herded horses and performed small services for the wealthy men; + then, too, they hunted and killed a little meat. Now, for their + work, three or four dogs were given them, so with the two the old + woman owned, they were able to pack their small lodge and other + possessions when the camp moved, instead of carrying everything on + their backs. +</p> +<p> + Now they began to do their best to make life easier for the good old + woman who had worked so hard to keep them from starving and + freezing. +</p> +<p> + Time passed. The boys grew old enough to go out and fast. They had + their dreams. Each found his secret helper of mysterious power, and + each became a warrior. Still they were very poor, compared with + other young men of their age. They had bows, but only a few arrows. + They were not able to pay some great medicine man to make shields + for them. As yet they went to war only as servants. +</p> +<p> + About this time Red Robe fell in love. +</p> +<p> + In the camp was a beautiful girl named Mā-mĭn´—the + Wing—whom all the young men wished to marry, but perhaps Red Robe + loved her more than all the rest. Her father was a rich old medicine + man who never invited any except chiefs and great warriors to feast + with him, and Red Robe seldom entered his lodge. He used to dress as + well as he could, to braid his hair carefully, to paint his face + nicely, and to stand for a long time near the lodge looking + entreatingly at her as she came and went about her work, or fleshed + a robe under the shelter of some travois over which a hide was + spread. Then whenever they met, he thought the look she gave him in + passing was friendly—perhaps more than that. +</p> +<p> + Wherever Mā-mĭn´ went her mother or some woman of the family + went with her, so Red Robe could never speak to her, but he was + often near by. One day, when she was gathering wood for the lodge, + and her companion was out of sight behind some willow bushes some + distance away, Red Robe had a chance to tell Mā-mĭn´ what was + in his heart. He walked up to her and took her hands in his, and + she did not try to draw them away. He said to her, "I love you; I + cannot remember a time when I saw you that my heart did not beat + faster. I am poor, very poor, and it is useless to ask your father + to let me marry you, for he will not consent; but there is another + way, and if you love me, you will do what I ask. Let us go from + here—far away. We will find some tribe that will be kind to us, and + even if we fail in that we can live in some way. Now, if you love + me, and I hope you do, you will come." +</p> +<p> + "Ai," replied Mā-mĭn´, "I do love you; only you. All the other + young men pass before me as shadows. I scarcely see them, but I + cannot do what you ask. I cannot go away and leave my mother to + mourn; she who loves me so well. Let us wait a little. Go to war. Do + something great and brave. Then perhaps you will not uselessly ask + my father to give me to you." +</p> +<p> + In vain Red Robe tried to persuade the girl to do as he wished. She + was kind; she threw her arms about him and kissed him and cried, but + she would not run away to leave her mother to sorrow, to be beaten + by her father, who would blame the poor woman for all the disgrace; + and so, too soon, they parted, for they heard her companion + coming—the sound of her heavy footsteps. +</p> +<p> + Three Bulls, chief of the camp, was a great man. He had a fierce + temper, and when he spoke, people hurried to do what he ordered, for + they feared him. He never talked loud nor called any one by an ill + name. When any one displeased him or refused to do what he said he + just smiled and then killed the person. He was brave. In battle with + enemies he was the equal of twenty men, rushing here, there, into + the thickest of the fights, and killing—always with that silent, + terrible smile on his face. Because he was such a great warrior, and + also because he was generous, helping the poor, feasting any who + came to his lodge, he was the head chief of the Blackfeet. +</p> +<p> + Three Bulls had several wives and many children, some of them grown + and married. Gray hairs were now many in his head. His face wrinkles + showed that old age was not far distant. No one supposed that he + would ever take another wife; so when the news spread through the + camp that he had asked the old medicine man for his daughter + Mā-mĭn´, every one was surprised. When Red Robe heard the news + his heart nearly broke. The old medicine man agreed to let the chief + have the girl. He dared not refuse, nor did he wish to, for many + good presents were to be given him in three days' time. When that + was done, he told his daughter, she would be taken to the chief's + lodge; let her prepare for the change. +</p> +<p> + That day Red Robe had planned to start with a party to war; but when + he heard this news he asked his friend Talking Rock to take word to + the leader that he had changed his mind and would not go. He asked + his friend to stay with him, instead of joining the war party, and + Talking Rock agreed to do so. +</p> +<p> + Out in front of the camp was a large spring, and to that place Red + Robe went and stood leaning against a large stone and looking sadly + down into the blue water. Soon, as he had thought, Mā-mĭn´ + came to the spring for a skin of water. He took her hands, as he + had done before, and began to beg her to go away with him that very + night, before it was too late. The girl cried bitterly, but at first + she did not speak. +</p> +<p> + The two were standing in plain sight of the camp and the people in + it, and some one went to the chief's lodge and told him what was + taking place. +</p> +<p> + "Go to the spring," said the chief, "and tell that young man to let + the girl go; she is to be my wife." +</p> +<p> + The person did as he was told, but the two young people paid no + attention to him. They did not care what any one said, nor if the + whole camp saw them there together. All they could think about was + this terrible thing, which would make them unhappy so long as they + lived. Red Robe kept asking the girl to go, and at last she + consented to do as he wished. They had their arms about each other, + not thinking of the crowd that was watching them, and were quickly + planning for their meeting and for their going away that night, when + Three Bulls quietly walked up to them and stabbed the young man with + a flint-pointed lance. Red Robe sank down dying at the young girl's + feet, and she, looking down for an instant at her lover, turned and + ran to her father's lodge. +</p> +<p> + "Bring wood," the chief called out; "let every one bring some wood; + all you have at your lodges. Those who have none, let them go + quickly and bring some from the timber." +</p> +<p> + All the people hurried to obey. What Three Bulls ordered was soon + done, for the people feared him, and soon a great pile of wood was + heaped beside the dead man. +</p> +<p> + The chief lifted the slender young form, placed it on the pile of + wood, and told a woman to bring coals and set fire to the pile. When + this had been done, all left the place except Three Bulls, who + stayed there, tending the fire and poking it here and there, until + it was burnt out and no wood or trace of a human body was left. + Nothing remained except the little pile of ashes. These he + scattered. Still he was not satisfied. His medicine was strong; + perhaps his dream had warned him. Now he ordered that the lodges be + taken down, that everything be packed up, and that the trail of the + moving camp should pass over the heap of ashes. +</p> +<p> + Some time before this, after Red Robe had made his long fasting, and + his dream had come to him and he had returned to his grandmother's + lodge, he had told his true friend something of what had been said + to him by his dream. +</p> +<p> + "If I should die," he said, "and you are near, do not desert me. Go + to the place where I fell, and if my body should have been destroyed + look carefully around the place. If you can find even a shred of my + flesh or a bit of my bone, it will be well. So said my dream. Here + are four arrows, which the dream told me to make. If you can find a + bit of my body, flesh or bone, or even hair, cover it with a robe, + and standing over it, shoot three arrows one after another up into + the air, crying, as each one leaves the bow, 'Look out!' When you + fit the fourth arrow on the bowstring and shoot it upward, cry, + 'Look out, Red Robe, the arrow will strike you!' and as you say + this, turn and run away from the place, not looking back as you go. + If you do this, my friend, just as I have told you, I shall live + again." +</p> +<p> + As the camp moved, Three Bulls stood and watched it filing over the + place of the fire, and saw the ashes scattered by the trailing ends + of lodge poles and travois, and by the feet of hundreds of people + and dogs. Still he was not satisfied, and for a long time after the + last of the people had passed he remained there. Then he went on + across the flat and up and over a ridge, but presently he returned, + once, twice, four times, to the crest of the hill and looked back at + the place where the camp had been; but at last he felt sure that no + one remained at the place, and went on. +</p> +<p> + Yet Talking Rock was there. He had been hidden in the brush all the + time, watching the chief. Even after Three Bulls had passed over the + ridge, he remained crouched in the bushes, and saw him come back + again and again to peer over its crest. Still further on there was + another higher ridge, and when the young man saw Three Bulls climb + that and disappear on the trail of the camp, he came forth. +</p> +<p> + Going to the place where his friend had lain, Talking Rock sat down + and mourned, wailing long and loud. Back on the hills the wolves and + coyotes heard him and they too became sorrowful, adding their cries + to his. +</p> +<p> + The young man had little faith in the power of the four arrows that + he kept so carefully wrapped in a separate bundle in his quiver. He + looked at the place where Red Robe's body had been burnt. It was + like any other place on the great trail that had been made, dust and + grass blades mingled together, and scratches made by the dragging + poles. It did not seem possible that anything of his friend's body + remained; yet he must search, and breaking a green willow twig he + began carefully to work over the dust, stopping his crying, for the + tears blinded his eyes so that he could not see. +</p> +<p> + All the long morning and far into the afternoon, Talking Rock swept + the dust this way and that, turning it over and over, in a circle + that grew always wider, and just as he was about to give up the + search, he found a bit of charred and blackened bone. Was this a + part of his friend's frame? Was it not more likely a bit of bone of + buffalo or elk, which some dog had carried from one of the + fireplaces of the camp and dropped here? +</p> +<p> + Now for the test. Talking Rock covered the bit of bone with his robe + as he had been told to do. He even raised the robe along its middle, + making it look as if it really covered a person lying there. Then he + shot three of the arrows up in the air, each time crying, "Look + out." +</p> +<p> + Then with a hand that trembled a little, he drew the fourth arrow + from the quiver, shot it and cried, "Look out, Red Robe, the arrow + will strike you"; and, turning, ran from the place with all his + speed. +</p> +<p> + How he wanted to look back! How he longed to see if his friend was + really rising from that bit of blackened bone! But Talking Rock was + strong-hearted. He controlled his desires. On and on he ran, and + then—behind him the light tread of running feet, a firm hand + gripped his shoulder, and a loved voice said, "Why so fast, my + friend?" and stopping and turning, Talking Rock found himself face + to face with Red Robe. He could not believe what he saw, and had to + pinch himself and to hold his friend hard in his arms to believe + that all this was real. +</p> +<p> + The camp had not moved far, and the lodges were pitched on the next + stream to the south. Soon after dark, the two friends entered it and + went to their lodge. The poor old grandmother could not believe her + eyes when she saw the young man she had reared and loved so dearly; + but when he spoke she knew that it was he, and running over to him + she held him in her arms and kissed him, crying from joy. After a + little time, the young man said to her, "Grandmother, go to the + chief's lodge and say to him that I, Red Robe, need some dried + meat." The old woman hesitated at this strange request, but Red Robe + said: "Go, do not fear him; Three Bulls is now the one to know + fear." +</p> +<p> + When the old woman entered the great lodge and in reply to the + chief's look said, "Red Robe sent me here. He wants some dried + meat," only Three Bulls of all who were in the lodge, showed no + surprise. "It is what I expected," he said; "in spite of all my care + he lives again, and I can do nothing." Turning to his wives he + said, "Give her meat." +</p> +<p> + "Did you see Mā-mĭn´?" asked Red Robe, when his grandmother + had returned with the meat and had told him what the chief had said. +</p> +<p> + "No, she was not in the lodge, but two women were approaching as I + left it. I think they were the girl and her mother." +</p> +<p> + "Go back once more," said the young man, "and tell Three Bulls to + send me that young woman." +</p> +<p> + But now the poor old grandmother was afraid. "I dare not tell him + that," she exclaimed. "He would kill me, and you. His anger would be + fearful." +</p> +<p> + "Do not fear," said Red Robe, "do not fear, my mother, his anger and + his power are no longer to be feared. He is as feeble and as + helpless as one of those old bulls one sees on the sunny side of the + coulée, spending his last days before the wolves pull him down." +</p> +<p> + The old woman went to the lodge and told the chief what Red Robe + further wished. Mā-mĭn´ was there, her head covered with her + robe, crying quietly, and Three Bulls told her to arise and go with + the messenger. Timidly at first, and then with steps that broke into + a run, Mā-mĭn´ hurried toward the lodge of her sweetheart and + entered it. With a cry of joy she threw herself into his arms, and + Talking Rock went out and left them alone. +</p> +<p> + Great now was the happiness of these young people. Long was their + life, full of plenty and of great honor. Red Robe became a chief, + respected and loved by all the people. Mā-mĭn´ bore him many + children, who grew up to be the support of their old age. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE BLACKFEET CREATION +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The Blackfeet believe that the Sun made the earth—that he is the + creator. One of the names by which they call the Sun is Napi—Old + Man. This is how they tell of the creation: +</p> +<p> + In the beginning there was water everywhere; nothing else was to be + seen. There was something floating on the water, and on this raft + were Old Man and all the animals. +</p> +<p> + Old Man wished to make land, and he told the beaver to dive down to + the bottom of the water and to try to bring up a little mud. The + beaver dived and was under water for a long time, but he could not + reach the bottom. Then the loon tried, and after him the otter, but + the water was too deep for them. At last the muskrat was sent down, + and he was gone for a long time; so long that they thought he must + be drowned, but at last he came up and floated almost dead on the + water, and when they pulled him up on the raft and looked at his + paws, they found a little mud in them. When Old Man had dried this + mud, he scattered it over the water and land was formed. This is the + story told by the Blackfeet. It is very much like one told by some + Eastern Indians, who are related to the Blackfeet. +</p> +<p> + After the land had been made, Old Man travelled about on it, making + things and fixing up the earth so as to suit him. First, he marked + out places where he wished the rivers to run, sometimes making them + run smoothly, and again, in some places, putting falls on them. He + made the mountains and the prairie, the timber and the small trees + and bushes, and sometimes he carried along with him a lot of rocks, + from which he built some of the mountains—as the Sweet Grass + Hills—which stand out on the prairie by themselves. +</p> +<p> + Old Man caused grass to grow on the plains, so that the animals + might have something to feed on. He marked off certain pieces of + land, where he caused different kinds of roots and berries to + grow—a place for camas; and one for wild carrots; one for wild + turnips, sweet root and bitter root; one for service berries, + bullberries, cherries, plums, and rosebuds. +</p> +<p> + He made all kinds of animals that travel on the ground. When he made + the big-horn with its great horns, he put it out on the prairie. It + did not seem to travel easily there; it was awkward and could not go + fast, so he took it by one of its horns and led it up into the rough + hills and among the rocks, and let it go there, and it skipped about + among the cliffs and easily went up fearful places. So Old Man said + to the big-horn, "This is the place for you; this is what you are + fitted for; the rough country and the mountains." While he was in + the mountains he made the antelope, and turned it loose to see how + it travelled. The antelope ran so fast that it fell over some rocks + and hurt itself. He saw that this would not do, and took the + antelope down on the prairie and set it free there, and it ran away + fast and gracefully, and he said to it, "This is the place that + suits you." +</p> +<p> + At last, one day, Old Man decided that he would make a woman and a + child, and he modelled some clay in human shape, and after he had + made these shapes and put them on the ground, he said to the clay, + "You shall be people." He spread his robe over the clay figures and + went away. The next morning he went back to the place and lifted up + the robe, and saw that the clay shapes had changed a little. When he + looked at them the next morning, they had changed still more; and + when on the fourth day he went to the place and took off the + covering, he said to the images, "Stand up and walk," and they did + so. They walked down to the river with him who had made them, and he + told them his name. +</p> +<p> + As they were standing there looking at the water as it flowed by, + the woman asked Old Man, saying, "How is it; shall we live always? + Will there be no end to us?" +</p> +<p> + Old Man said, "I have not thought of that. We must decide it. I will + take this buffalo chip and throw it in the river. If it floats, + people will become alive again four days after they have died; they + will die for four days only. But if it sinks, there will be an end + to them." He threw the chip into the river, and it floated. +</p> +<p> + The woman turned and picked up a stone and said, "No, I will throw + this stone in the river. If it floats, we shall live always; if it + sinks, people must die, so that their friends who are left alive may + always remember them." The woman threw the stone in the water, and + it sank. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Old Man, "you have chosen; there will be an end to + them." +</p> +<p> + Not many nights after that the woman's child died, and she cried a + great deal for it. She said to Old Man, "Let us change this. The law + that you first made, let that be the law." +</p> +<p> + He said, "Not so; what is made law must be law. We will undo nothing + that we have done. The child is dead, but it cannot be changed. + People will have to die." +</p> +<p> + These first people did not have hands like a person; they had hands + like a bear with long claws. They were poor and naked and did not + know how to get a living. Old Man showed them the roots and the + berries, and showed them how to gather these, and told them how at + certain times of the year they should peel the bark off some trees + and eat it; that the little animals that live in the ground—rats, + squirrels, skunks, and beavers—were good to eat. He also taught + them something about the roots that were good for medicine to cure + sickness. +</p> +<p> + In those days there were buffalo, and these black animals were + armed, for they had long horns. Once, as the people were moving + about, the buffalo saw them and rushed upon them and hooked them and + killed them, and then ate them. One day, as the creator was + travelling about, he came upon some of his children that he had made + lying there dead, torn to pieces and partly eaten by the buffalo. + When he saw this, he felt badly. He said, "I have not made these + people right. I will change this; from now on the people shall eat + the buffalo." +</p> +<p> + He went to some of the people who were still alive, and said to + them, "How is it that you people do nothing to these animals that + are killing you?" The people replied, "What can we do? These animals + are armed and can kill us, and we have no way to kill them." +</p> +<p> + The creator said, "That is not hard. I will make you something that + will kill these animals." +</p> +<p> + He went out and cut some straight service-berry shoots, and brought + them in, and peeled the bark from them. He took a larger piece of + wood and flattened it, and tied a string to it, and made a bow. Now + he was the master of all birds and he went out and caught one, and + took feathers from its wings and tied them to the shaft of wood. He + tied four feathers along the shaft and tried the arrow at a mark and + found that it did not fly well. He took off these feathers and put + on three, and when he again tried it at the mark he found that it + went straight. He picked up some hard stones, and broke sharp pieces + from them. When he tried them he found that the black flint stones + made the best arrow points. He showed them how to use these things. +</p> +<p> + Then he spoke to the people, and said, "The next time you go out, + take these things with you, and use them as I tell you. Do not run + from these animals. When they rush at you, and have come pretty + close, shoot the arrows at them as I have taught you, and you will + see that they will run from you or will run around you in a circle." +</p> +<p> + He also broke off pieces of stone, and fixed them in a handle, and + told them that when they killed the buffalo they should cut up the + flesh with these stone knives. +</p> +<p> + One day after this, some people went on a little hill to look about, + and the buffalo saw them and called out to each other, "Ah, there is + some more of our food," and rushed upon them. The people did not + run. They began to shoot at the buffalo with the bows and arrows + that had been given them, and the buffalo began to fall. They say + that when the first buffalo hit with an arrow felt it prick him, he + called out to his fellows, "Oh, my friends, a great fly is biting + me." +</p> +<p> + With the flint knives that had been given them they cut up the + bodies of the dead buffalo. About this time Old Man came up and said + to them, "It is not healthful to eat raw flesh. I will show you + something better than that." He gathered soft, dry rotten wood and + made punk of it, and took a piece of wood and drilled a hole in it + with an arrow point, and gave them a pointed piece of hard wood, and + showed them how to make a fire with fire sticks, and to cook the + flesh of animals. +</p> +<p> + After this the people found a certain sort of stone in the land, and + took another harder stone, and worked one upon the other and + hollowed out the softer one, so as to make of it a kettle. +</p> +<p> + It is told also that the creator made people and animals at another + place, and in another way. At the Porcupine Mountains he made other + earthen images of people, and blew breath on the images, and they + became people. They were men and women. After a time they asked him, + "What are we to eat?" Then he took more earth and made many images + in the form of buffalo, and when he had blown on them they stood up, + and he made signs to them and they started to run. He said to the + people, "There is your food." +</p> +<p> + "Well, now," they replied; "we have those animals, how are we to + kill them?" +</p> +<p> + "I will show you," he said. +</p> +<p> + He took them to the edge of a cliff and showed them how to heap up + piles of stone, running back from the cliff like this <a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> + <img src="images/dots.gif" width="144" height="25" +alt="dots in long v"> + <!--IMAGE END-->, with the point of the V toward the cliff. He said to the people, + "Now, do you hide behind these piles of stones, and when I lead the + buffalo this way, as they get opposite to you, stand up." +</p> +<p> + Then he went on toward a herd of buffalo and began to call them, and + the buffalo started toward him and followed him, until they were + inside the arms of the V. Then he ran to one side and hid, and as + the people rose up the buffalo ran on in a straight line and jumped + over the cliff and some of them were killed by the fall. +</p> +<p> + "There," he said, "go and take the flesh of those animals." Then the + people tried to do so. They tried to tear the limbs apart, but they + could not. They tried to bite pieces out of the bodies, but they + could not do that. Old Man went to the edge of the cliff and broke + some pieces of stone with sharp edges, and showed them how to cut + the flesh with these. Of the buffalo that went over the cliff, some + were not dead, but were hurt, so they could not run away. The + people cut strips of green hide and tied stones in the middle, and + with these hammers broke in the skulls of the buffalo and killed + them. +</p> +<p> + When they had taken the skins from these animals, they set up poles + and put the hides over them, and so made a shelter to sleep under. +</p> +<p> + In later times the creator marked off a piece of land for the five + tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, Piegans, Gros Ventres, and Sarsis, and + said to these tribes, "When people come to cross this line at the + border of your land, take your bows and arrows, your lances and your + war clubs and give them battle, and keep them out. If they gain a + footing here, trouble for you will follow." +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + OLD MAN STORIES +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Under the name Na´pi, Old Man, have been confused two wholly + different persons talked of by the Blackfeet. The Sun, the creator + of the universe, giver of light, heat, and life, and reverenced by + every one, is often called Old Man, but there is another personality + who bears the same name, but who is very different in his character. + This last Na´pi is a mixture of wisdom and foolishness; he is + malicious, selfish, childish, and weak. He delights in tormenting + people. Yet the mean things he does are so foolish that he is + constantly getting himself into scrapes, and is often obliged to ask + the animals to help him out of his troubles. His bad deeds almost + always bring their own punishment. +</p> +<p> + Interpreters commonly translate this word Na´pi as Old Man, but it + is also the term for white man; and the Cheyenne and Arapahoe + tribes tell just such stories about a similar person whom they also + call "white man." Tribes of Dakota stock tell of a similar person + whom they call "the spider." +</p> +<p> + The stories about this Old Man are told by the Blackfeet for + entertainment rather than with any serious purpose, and when that + part of the story is reached where Old Man is in some difficulty + which he cannot get out of, the man who is telling the story, and + those who are listening to it, laugh delightedly. +</p> +<p> + Some stories of this kind are these: +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE WONDERFUL BIRD +</h3> +<p> + One day, as Old Man was walking about among the trees, he saw + something that seemed very queer. +</p> +<p> + A little bird was sitting on the branch of a tree. Every little + while it would make a strange noise, and every time it made this + noise its eyes flew out of its head and fastened on a branch of the + tree. Then after a little while the bird would make another sort of + noise and its eyes would go back to their places in its head. +</p> +<p> + Old Man called out to the bird, "Little brother, teach me how to do + that." +</p> +<p> + "If I show you how," the bird answered, "you must not send your eyes + out of your head more than four times in a day. If you do, you will + be sorry." +</p> +<p> + "It shall be as you say, little brother. It is for you to give, and + I will listen to what you say." +</p> +<p> + When the bird had taught Old Man how to do this, he was glad. He + began to do it, and did it four times right away. Then he said, "Why + did that bird tell me to do this only four times? He has no sense. I + will do it again." So once more he made his eyes go out, but now + when he called to them they would not come back. +</p> +<p> + He shouted out to the bird, "Little brother, come here, and help me + to get back my eyes." The little bird did not answer him; it had + flown away. Now Old Man felt all over the branches of the tree with + his hands, but he could not find his eyes. So he went away and + wandered over the prairie for a long time, crying and calling to the + animals to help him. +</p> +<p> + As he was blind, he could find nothing to eat, and he began to be + very hungry. +</p> +<p> + A wolf teased him a great deal and had much fun. It had found a dead + buffalo, and taking a piece of the meat, it would hold the meat + close to Old Man's face. Then Old Man would say, "I smell something + dead, I wish I could find it; I am almost starved." He felt all + around for it. +</p> +<p> + Once when the wolf was doing this, Old Man caught him, and plucking + out one of the wolf's eyes, he put it in his own head. Then he could + see, and was able to find his own eyes, but never again could he do + the trick the little bird had taught him. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE RABBITS' MEDICINE +</h3> +<p> + Once, when Old Man was travelling about, he heard some singing that + sounded very queer. He had never before heard anything like it, and + looked all about to see where it came from. After a time he saw that + the cottontail rabbits were singing and making medicine. They had + built a fire, and raked out some hot ashes, and they would lie down + in these ashes and sing, while one of the others covered them up. + They could stay there only for a short time, though, for the ashes + were hot. +</p> +<p> + "Little brothers," said Old Man, "here is something wonderful—that + you can lie in those hot ashes and coals without burning. I ask you + to teach me how to do this." +</p> +<p> + "We will show you how to do it, Old Man," said the rabbits. "You + must sing our song, and stay in the ashes only a short time." They + taught Old Man their song, and he began to sing and lay down, and + they covered him with coals and ashes, and the hot ashes did not + burn him. +</p> +<p> + "That is good," he said. "You have strong medicine. Now, so that I + may know it all, do you lie down and let me cover you up." +</p> +<p> + All the rabbits lay down in the ashes, and Old Man covered them up, + and then he pulled the whole fire over them. One old rabbit got out, + and Old Man was just about to put her back when she said, "Pity me; + my children need me." +</p> +<p> + "It is good," replied Old Man. "You may go, so that there will be + more rabbits; but these I will roast, and have a feast." He put + more wood on the fire, and when the rabbits were cooked he got some + red willow brush and put the rabbits on it to cool. The grease from + their bodies soaked into the branches, so that even to-day if red + willow is held over a fire one may see the grease on the bark. Ever + since that time, too, the rabbits have a burnt place on the back, + where the one that got away was singed. +</p> +<p> + Old Man sat down by the fire, waiting for the rabbits to get cool, + when a coyote came along, limping. He went on three legs. "Pity me, + Old Man," he said. "You have plenty of cooked rabbits, give me one + of them." +</p> +<p> + "Go away," said Old Man, very cross; "if you are too lazy to catch + food, I will not give you any." +</p> +<p> + "But my leg is broken," said the coyote; "I cannot run. I cannot + catch anything, and I am starving. Give me half a rabbit." +</p> +<p> + "I don't care what happens to you," said Old Man; "I worked hard to + catch and cook these rabbits, and I shall not give any of them away. + I'll tell you what I will do, though; I will run a race with you + out to that far butte on the prairie, and if you beat me you can + have a rabbit." +</p> +<p> + "Good," said the coyote, and they started. +</p> +<p> + Old Man ran very fast, and the coyote limped along behind him, but + pretty close, until they got near the butte. Then the coyote turned + around and ran back very fast, for he was not lame at all. It took + Old Man a long time to get back, and just before he reached the + fire, the coyote finished eating the last rabbit and ran away. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE LOST ELK MEAT +</h3> +<p> + Old Man had been a long time without food and was very hungry. He + was trying to think how he could get something to eat, when he saw a + band of elk come up on a ridge. He went over to them and spoke to + them and said, "Brothers, I am lonely because I have no one to + follow me." +</p> +<p> + "Go ahead, Old Man," said the elk; "we will follow you." Old Man led + them about for a long time, and when it was dark he came near a + high, steep cut bank. He ran around to one side, where the hill + sloped, and then went back right under the steep cliff and called + out, "Come on, that is a nice jump. You will laugh." So all the elk + jumped off and were killed, except one cow. +</p> +<p> + "They have all jumped but you," said Old Man. "Come on, you will + like it." +</p> +<p> + "Take pity on me," said the cow. "I am very heavy, and I am afraid + to jump." +</p> +<p> + "Go away, then," said Old Man; "go and live. Then some day there + will be plenty of elk again." +</p> +<p> + Old Man built a fire and cooked some of the meat, and then he + skinned all the elk, and cut up the meat and hung it up to dry. The + tongues he hung on a pole. +</p> +<p> + The next day he started off and was gone all day, and at night, as + he was coming home, he was very hungry. He was thinking to himself + that he would have some roasted ribs and a tongue and other good + things; but when he reached the place, the meat was all gone; the + wolves had eaten it. +</p> +<p> + "It was lucky I hung up those tongues," said Old Man, "or I should + not have had anything to eat." But when he took down the tongues + they were all hollow. The mice had eaten out the meat, leaving only + the skins. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0023"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE ROLLING ROCK +</h3> +<p> + Once when Old Man was travelling about and felt tired, he sat down + on a rock to rest. After he was rested he started on his way, and + because the sun was hot he threw his robe over the rock and said to + it, "Here, I give you my robe because you are poor and have let me + rest on you. Keep it always." +</p> +<p> + He had not gone far when it began to rain, and meeting a coyote, he + said to him, "Little brother, run back to that rock and ask him to + lend me his robe. We will cover ourselves with it and keep dry." +</p> +<p> + The coyote ran back to the rock, but presently returned without the + robe. +</p> +<p> + "Where is the robe?" asked Old Man. +</p> +<p> + "Why," said the coyote, "the rock said that you had given him the + robe and he was going to keep it." +</p> +<p> + This made Old Man angry, and he went back to the rock and snatched + the robe off it, saying, "I was only going to borrow this robe until + the rain was over, but now that you have acted so mean about it, I + will keep it. You don't need a robe, anyhow. You have been out in + the rain and snow all your life, and it will not hurt you to live so + always." +</p> +<p> + When he had said this he put the robe about his shoulders, and with + the coyote he went off into a ravine and they sat down there. The + rain was falling and they covered themselves with the robe, and were + warm and dry. +</p> +<p> + Pretty soon they heard a loud, rumbling noise, and Old Man said to + the coyote, "Little brother, go up on the hill and see what that + noise is." +</p> +<p> + The coyote went off, but presently he came back, running as hard as + he could, saying, "Run, run, the big rock is coming." They both + started, and ran away as fast as they could. The coyote tried to + creep into a badger-hole, but it was too small for him and he stuck + fast, and before he could get out the rock rolled over him and + crushed his hips. Old Man was frightened, and as he ran he threw + away his robe and everything that he had on, so that he might run + faster. The rock was gaining on him all the time. +</p> +<p> + Not far away on the prairie a band of buffalo bulls were feeding, + and Old Man cried out to them, saying, "Oh, my brothers, help me, + help me; stop that rock." The bulls ran and tried to stop it, + butting against it, but it crushed their heads. Some deer and + antelope tried to help Old Man, but they too were killed. Other + animals came to help him, but could not stop the rock; it was now + close to Old Man, so close that it began to hit his heels. He was + just going to give up when he saw circling over his head a flock of + night-hawks. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, my little brothers," he cried, "help me; I am almost dead." The + bull bats flew down one after another against the rock, and every + time one of them hit it he chipped off a piece, and at last one hit + it fair in the middle and broke it into two pieces. +</p> +<p> + Then Old Man was glad. He went to where there was a nest of + night-hawks and pulled their mouths out wide and pinched off their + bills, to make them pretty and queer looking. That is the reason + they look so to-day. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0024"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + BEAR AND BULLBERRIES +</h3> +<p> + Scattered over the prairie in northern Montana, close to the + mountains, are many great rocks—boulders which thousands of years + ago, when the great ice-sheet covered northern North America, were + carried from the mountains out over the prairie by the ice and left + there when it melted. +</p> +<p> + Around most of these great boulders the buffalo used to walk from + time to time, rubbing against the rough surface of the rock to + scratch themselves, as a cow rubs itself against a post or as a + horse rolls on the ground—for the pleasant feeling that the rubbing + of the skin gives it. +</p> +<p> + As the buffalo walked around these boulders their hoofs loosened the + soil, and this loosened soil—the dust—was blown away by the + constant winds of summer. So, around most of these boulders, much of + the soil is gone, leaving a deep trench, at the bottom of which are + stones and gravel, too large to be moved by the wind. +</p> +<p> + This story explains how these rocks came to be like that: +</p> +<p> + Once Old Man was crossing a river and the stream was deep, so that + he was carried away by the current, and lost his bow and arrows and + other weapons. When he got to the shore he began to look about for + something to use in making a bow and arrows, for he was hungry and + wanted to kill some food. +</p> +<p> + He took the first wood he could find and made a bow and arrows and a + handle for his knife. When he had finished these things he started + on his way. +</p> +<p> + Presently, as he looked over a hill he saw down below him a bear + digging roots. Old Man thought he would have some fun with the bear, + and he called out aloud, "He has no tail." Then he dodged back out + of sight. The bear looked all about, but saw no one, and again began + to dig roots. Then Old Man again peeped over the hill and saw the + bear at work, and again called out, "He has no tail." This time the + bear looked up more quickly, but Old Man dodged down, and the bear + did not see him, and pretty soon went on with his digging. +</p> +<p> + Four times Old Man did this, calling the bear names, but the fourth + time the bear was on the watch and saw Old Man, and started after + him. +</p> +<p> + Old Man ran away as hard as he could, but the bear followed fast. + Presently, Old Man tried to shoot the bear with his arrows, but they + were made of bad wood and would not fly well, and if they hit the + bear, they just broke off. All his weapons failed him, and now the + bear was close to him. Just in front was a great rock, and when Old + Man came to that, he dodged behind it and ran around to the other + side, and the bear followed him. They kept running around the rock + for a long time and wore a deep trail about it, and because Old Man + could turn more quickly, he kept just ahead of the bear. Old Man + kept calling to the animals to help him, but no one came. +</p> +<p> + He was almost out of breath, and the bear was close to him, when Old + Man saw lying on the ground a bull's horn. He picked it up and held + it on his head and turned around and bellowed loudly, and the bear + was frightened and turned around and ran away as hard as he could. + Then Old Man leaned up against the rock, and breathed hard for a + long time, but at last he got his wind back. He said to the rock, + "This is the way you rocks shall always be after this, with a big + hole all around you." +</p> +<p> + By this time he was pretty tired and thirsty, and he thought he + would go down to the river and drink. When he got to the edge of the + water he got down on his knees to drink, and there before him in the + water he saw bullberries, great bunches of them. He said to himself, + "I will dive in and get those bull-berries"; and he took off his + moccasins and clothing and dived in, but he could not find the + bullberries, and presently he came up. He looked into the water + again, and again saw the bullberries. He said to himself, "Those + bullberries must be very deep down." +</p> +<p> + He went along the shore looking for a heavy stone that would take + him down into the deep water where the bullberries were, and when he + found one he tied the stone to his neck and again dived in. This + time he sank to the bottom, for the stone carried him down. He felt + about with his hands trying to reach the bullberries, but could feel + nothing and began to drown. He tried to get free from the stone, but + that was hard to do; yet at last he broke the string and came to the + top of the water. He was almost dead, and it took him a long time to + get to the shore, and when he got there he crawled up on to the bank + and lay down to rest and get his breath. As he lay there on his + back, he saw above him the thick growing bullberries whose + reflections he had seen in the water. He said to himself, "And I was + almost drowned for these." Then he took a stick and with it began to + beat the bullberry bushes. He said to the bushes, "After this, the + people shall beat you in this way when they want to gather berries." +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet women, when gathering bullberries, spread robes under + the bushes and beat the branches with sticks, knocking off the + berries, which fall on the robes. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0025"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE THEFT FROM THE SUN +</h3> +<p> + One time when Old Man was on a journey, he came to the Sun's lodge, + and went in and sat down, and the Sun asked him to stay with him for + a time. Old Man was glad to do so. One day the meat was all gone, + and the Sun said, "Well, Old Man, what do you say if we go out and + kill some deer?" +</p> +<p> + "I like what you say," said Old Man. "Deer meat is good." +</p> +<p> + The Sun took down a bag, that was hanging from a lodge pole and took + from it a handsome pair of leggings, embroidered with porcupine + quills and pretty feathers. +</p> +<p> + "These are my hunting leggings," said the Sun; "they have great + power. When I want to kill deer, all I have to do is to put them on + and walk around a patch of brush, and the leggings set it on fire + and drive out the deer, so that I can shoot them." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well," exclaimed Old Man, "how wonderful that is!" He began + to think, "I wish I had such a pair of leggings as that"; and after + he had thought about it some more, he made up his mind that he + would have those leggings, if he had to steal them. +</p> +<p> + They went out to hunt, and when they came to a patch of brush, the + Sun set it on fire with his hunting leggings. A number of deer ran + out, and each shot one. +</p> +<p> + That night when they were going to bed the Sun pulled off his + leggings, and laid them aside. Old Man saw where he had put them, + and in the middle of the night, after every one was asleep, he took + the leggings and went away. He travelled a long time, until he had + gone far and was tired; then making a pillow of the leggings he lay + down and slept. After a while he heard some one speaking and woke up + and saw that it was day. Some one was talking to him. The Sun was + saying, "Old Man, why are my leggings under your head?" +</p> +<p> + Old Man looked about him and saw that he was in the Sun's lodge. He + thought he must have wandered around and got lost and returned + there. Again the Sun spoke, and asked, "What are you doing with my + leggings?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh," replied Old Man, "I could not find anything for a pillow, so + I put these leggings under my head." +</p> +<p> + When night came and all had gone to bed, again Old Man stole the + leggings and ran off. This time he did not walk at all. He kept + running until it was almost morning, and then lay down and slept. + When morning came he found himself still in the Sun's lodge. +</p> +<p> + You see what a fool he was; he did not know that the whole world is + the Sun's lodge. He did not know that, no matter how far he ran, he + could not get out of the Sun's sight. +</p> +<p> + This time the Sun said, "Old Man, since you like my leggings so + much, I give them to you. Keep them." Then Old Man was glad and he + went away. +</p> +<p> + One day his food was all gone, and he put on the hunting leggings + and went out and set fire to a piece of brush. He was just going to + kill some deer that were running out, when he saw that the fire was + getting close to him. He ran away as fast as he could, but the fire + gained on him and began to burn his legs. His leggings were all on + fire. He came to a river and jumped in and pulled off the leggings + as soon as he could. They were burnt to pieces. +</p> +<p> + Perhaps the Sun did this because Old Man tried to steal his + leggings. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0026"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF +</h3> +<p> + Long ago, they tell me, men and women did not know each other. Women + were put in one place and men in another. They were not together; + they were apart. +</p> +<p> + He who made us made women first. He did not make them very well. + That is why they are not so strong as men. The men he made better; + so that they were strong. +</p> +<p> + The women were the smartest. They knew the most. They were the first + to make piskuns, and to know how to tan hides and to make moccasins. + At that time men wore moccasins made from the shank of the buffalo's + leg, and robes made of wolfskin. This was all their clothing. +</p> +<p> + One day when Old Man was travelling about, he came to a camp of men, + and stayed there with them for a long time. It was after this that + he discovered there were such beings as women. +</p> +<p> + One time, as he was travelling along, he saw two women driving some + buffalo over a cliff. When Old Man got near them, the women were + very much frightened. They did not know what kind of animal it was + that was coming. Too much scared to run away, they lay down to hide. + When Old Man came up to them he thought they were dead, and said, + "Here are two women who are dead. It is not good for them to lie out + here on the prairie. I must take them to a certain place." He looked + them all over to see what had killed them, but could find no wound. + He picked up one of the women and carried her along with him in his + arms. She was wondering how she could get away. She let her arms + swing loose as if she were dead, and at every step Old Man took the + arm swung and hit him in the nose, and pretty soon his nose began to + bleed and to hurt, and at length he put the woman down on the ground + and went back to get the other woman; but while he was gone she had + run away, and when he came back to get the first one she was gone + too; so he lost them both. This made him angry, and he said to + himself, "If these two women will lie there again, I will get both + of them." +</p> +<p> + In this way women found out that there were men. +</p> +<p> + One day Old Man stood on a hill and looked over toward the piskun at + Woman's Falls, where the women had driven a band of buffalo over the + cliff, and afterward were cutting up the meat. The chief of the + women called him down to the camp, and sent word by him to the men, + asking if they wanted to get wives. Old Man brought back word that + they did, and the chief woman sent a message, calling all the men to + a feast in her lodge to be married. The woman asked Old Man, "How + many chiefs are there in that tribe?" He answered, "There are four + chiefs. But the real chief of all that tribe you will know when you + see him by this—he is finely dressed and wears a robe trimmed, and + painted red, and carries a lance with a bone head on each end." Old + Man wanted to marry the chief of the women, and intended to dress + in this way, and that is why he told her that. +</p> +<p> + Old Man had no moccasins; his were all worn out. The women gave him + some for himself, and also some to take back to give to the men, and + he went back to the men's camp. When he reached it, word went out + that he had returned, and all the men said to each other, "He has + got back; Old Man has come again." He gave the men the message that + the woman had sent, and soon the men started for the woman's camp to + get married. When they came near it, they went up on a bluff and + stood there, looking down on the camp. Old Man had dressed himself + finely, and had put on a trimmed robe painted red, and in his hand + held a lance with a bone head on each end. +</p> +<p> + When the women saw that the men had come they got ready to go and + select their husbands. The chief of the women said, "I am the chief. + I will go first and take the man I like. The rest wait here." +</p> +<p> + The woman chief started up the hill to choose the chief of the men + for her husband. She had been making dried meat, and her hands, + arms, and clothing were covered with blood and grease. She was + dirty, and Old Man did not know her. The woman went up to Old Man to + choose him, but he turned his back on her and would not go with her. +</p> +<p> + She went back to her camp and told the women that she had been + refused because her clothes were dirty. She said, "Now, I am going + to put on my nice clothes and choose a man. All of you can go up and + take men, but let no one take that man with the red robe and the + double-headed lance." +</p> +<p> + After she was nicely dressed the chief woman again went up on the + hill. Now, Old Man knew who she was, and he kept getting in front of + her and trying hard to have her take him, but she would not notice + him and took another man, the one standing next to Old Man. Then the + other women began to come, and they kept coming up and choosing men, + but no one took Old Man, and at last all the men were taken and he + was left standing there alone. +</p> +<p> + This made him so angry that he wanted to do something, and he went + down to the woman's piskun and began to break down its walls, so the + chief of the women turned him into a pine-tree. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0027"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE +</h3> +<p> + Once Old Man was travelling over the prairie, when he saw far off a + fire burning, and as he drew near it he saw many prairie-dogs + sitting in a circle around the fire. There were so many of them that + there was no place for any one to sit down. Old Man stood there + behind the circle, and presently he began to cry, and then he said + to the prairie-dogs, "Let me, too, sit by that fire." The + prairie-dogs said, "All right, Old Man, don't cry; come and sit by + the fire." They moved aside so as to make a place for him, and Old + Man sat down and looked on at what they were doing. +</p> +<p> + He saw that they were playing a game, and this was the way they did + it: they put one prairie-dog in the fire and covered him up with hot + ashes, and then, after he had been there a little while, he would + say, "<i>sk, sk</i>," and they pushed the ashes off him and pulled him + out. +</p> +<p> + Old Man said, "Little brothers, teach me how to do that." The + prairie-dogs told him what to do, and put him in the fire and + covered him up with the ashes, and after a little time he said, + "<i>sk, sk</i>," like a prairie-dog, and they pulled him out again. + Then he did it to the prairie-dogs. +</p> +<p> + At first he put them in one at a time, but there were many of them, + and soon he got tired and said, "I will put you all in at once." + They said, "Very well, Old Man," and all got in the ashes, but just + as Old Man was about to cover them up one of them, a female, said, + "Do not cover me up, for I fear the heat will hurt me." Old Man + said, "Very well; if you do not wish to be covered up, you may sit + over by the fire and watch the rest." Then he covered over all the + others. +</p> +<p> + At length the prairie-dogs said, "<i>sk, sk</i>," but Old Man did not + sweep off the ashes and pull them out of the fire. He let them stay + there and die. The she one that was looking on ran to a hole, and as + she went down in it, said, "<i>sk, sk</i>." Old Man chased her, but he + got to the hole too late to catch her. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, well, you can go," he said; "there will be more prairie-dogs + by and by." +</p> +<p> + When the prairie-dogs were roasted, Old Man cut some red willow + twigs to place them on, and then sat down and began to eat. He ate + until he was full, and then felt sleepy. +</p> +<p> + He said to his nose, "I am going to sleep now; watch out, and in + case any bad thing comes about, wake me up." Then Old Man slept. +</p> +<p> + Pretty soon his nose snored, and Old Man woke up and said, "What is + it?" The nose said, "A raven is flying by, over there." Old Man + said, "That is nothing," and went to sleep again. +</p> +<p> + Soon his nose snored again, and Old Man said, "What is it now?" The + nose said, "There is a coyote over there, coming this way." Old Man + said, "A coyote is nothing," and again went to sleep. +</p> +<p> + Presently his nose snored again, but Old Man did not wake up. Again + it snored, and called out, "Wake up, a bobcat is coming." Old Man + paid no attention; he slept on. +</p> +<p> + The bobcat crept up to the fire and ate all the roasted + prairie-dogs, and then went off and lay down on the flat rock and + went to sleep. All this time the nose kept trying to awaken Old Man, + and at last he awoke, and the nose said, "A bobcat is over there on + that flat rock. He has eaten all your food." Then Old Man was so + angry that he called out loud. +</p> +<p> + The tracks of the bobcat were all greasy from the food it had been + eating, and Old Man followed these tracks. He went softly over to + where the bobcat was sleeping, and seized it before it could wake up + to bite or scratch him. The bobcat cried out, "Wait, let me speak a + word or two," but Old Man would not listen. +</p> +<p> + "I will teach you to steal my food," he said. He pulled off the + lynx's tail, pounded his head against the rock so as to make his + face flat, pulled him out long so as to make him small-bellied, and + then threw him into the brush. As he went sneaking away, Old Man + said, "There, that is the way you bobcats shall always be." It is + for this reason that the lynxes to-day look like that. +</p> +<p> + Old Man went to the fire, and looked at the red willow sticks where + the roasted prairie-dogs had been, and when he saw them, and thought + how his food was all gone, it made him angry at his nose. He said, + "You fool, why did you not wake me?" He took the willow sticks and + thrust them in the coals, and when they had caught fire he burnt his + nose. This hurt, and he ran up on a hill and held his nose to the + wind, and called to the wind to blow hard and cool him. A hard wind + came, so hard that it blew him off the hill and away down to Birch + Creek. As he was flying along he caught at the weeds and brush to + stop himself, but nothing was strong enough to hold him. At last he + grasped a birch tree. He held fast, and it did not give way. + Although the wind whipped him about, this way and that, and tumbled + him up and down, the tree held him. He kept calling to the wind to + blow more softly, and at last it listened to him and went down. +</p> +<p> + Then he said, "This is a beautiful tree. It has saved me from being + blown away and knocked all to pieces. I will make it pretty, and it + shall always be like that." So he gashed the bark across with his + stone knife, as you see the marks to-day. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0028"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE RED-EYED DUCK +</h3> +<p> + Once, long ago, Old Man was travelling north along a river. He + carried a great pack on his back. After a time he came to a place + where the river spread out and the water was quiet, and here many + ducks were swimming about. Old Man did not look at the ducks, and + kept travelling along; but presently some of the ducks saw him and + looked at him and said to each other, "Who is that going along there + with a pack on his back?" One duck said to the others, "That must be + Old Man." +</p> +<p> + The duck that knew him called out, saying, "Hi, Old Man, where are + you going?" +</p> +<p> + "I am going on farther," replied Old Man, "I have been sent for." +</p> +<p> + "What have you got in your pack?" said the duck. +</p> +<p> + "Those are my songs," answered Old Man. "Some people have asked me + to come and sing for them." +</p> +<p> + "Stop for a while and sing for us," said the duck, "and we can have + a dance." +</p> +<p> + "No," said Old Man, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop now." +</p> +<p> + The duck kept persuading him to stop, and when it had asked him the + fourth time, Old Man stopped and said to the ducks, "Well, I will + stop for a little while and sing for you, and you can dance." +</p> +<p> + So the ducks all came out on the bank and stood in a circle, and Old + Man began to sing. He sang one song, and then said, "Now, this next + song is a medicine song, and while you dance you must keep your eyes + shut. No one must look. If any one opens his eyes and looks, his + eyes will turn red." +</p> +<p> + The ducks closed their eyes and Old Man began to sing, and they + danced around; but Old Man took a stick, and every time one of them + passed him, he knocked it on the head and threw it into the circle. +</p> +<p> + Presently one of the littlest ducks while dancing could not feel any + one on either side of him, and he opened his eyes and looked, and + saw what Old Man was doing. He cried out to the rest, "Run, run, + Old Man is killing us"; and all the other ducks flew away, but ever + since that time that little duck's eyes have been red. It is the + horned grebe. +</p> +<p> + Old Man took the ducks and went off a little way and built a fire + and hung some of the ducks up in front of it to roast, and after the + fire was burning well, he swept away the ashes and buried some of + the ducks in the ground and again swept back the fire over them. + Then he lay down to wait for the birds to cook, and while they were + cooking he fell asleep. +</p> +<p> + While he slept a coyote came sneaking along and saw Old Man sleeping + there, and the ducks roasting by the fire. Very quietly he crept up + to the fire and took the ducks one by one and ate them. Not one was + left. Pretty soon he found those that were roasting under the fire, + and dug them out, and opening them, ate the meat from the inside of + the skin and filled each one with ashes and buried them all again. + Then he went away. +</p> +<p> + Pretty soon Old Man woke up and saw that his ducks were gone, and + when he saw the tracks about the fire, he knew that the coyote had + taken them. +</p> +<p> + "It was lucky," said Old Man, "that I put some of those to roast + under the fire." He dug them up from under the ashes, but when he + took a big bite from one, his mouth and face were full of ashes. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0029"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Long, long ago, before our fathers or grandfathers were born, before + the white people knew anything about the western half of North + America, the Indians who told these stories lived on the Western + plains. To the west of their home rose high mountains, black with + pine-trees on their lower slopes and capped with snow, but their + tents were pitched on the rolling prairie. For a little while in + spring this prairie was green and dotted with flowers, but for most + of the year it stretched away brown and bare, north, east, and + south, farther than one could see. +</p> +<p> + On these plains were many kinds of wild animals. Sometimes the + prairie was crowded with herds of black buffalo running in fear; or, + again, the herds, unfrightened, fed scattered out; so that the hills + far and near were dotted with their dark forms. Among the buffalo + were yellow and white antelope—many of them—graceful and swift of + foot. Feeding on the high prairie or going down into the wooded + river valleys to drink were herds of elk, while the willow thickets, + the brushy ravines, and the lower timbered foot-hills sheltered + deer. The naked Bad Lands, the rocky slopes of the mountains, and + the tall buttes that often rise above the level prairie were the + refuge of the mountain sheep, which in those days, like all the + other grass eaters of the region, grazed on the prairie and sought + the more broken, higher country only when alarmed or when they + wished to rest. +</p> +<p> + These were the animals which the Blackfeet killed for food before + the white men came, and of these the buffalo was the chief. Buffalo, + more than any other animals, could be captured in numbers, and the + Blackfeet, like the other Indians of the plains, had devised a + method for taking them, so that when the buffalo were near the + Blackfeet never suffered from hunger. Yet sometimes it happened that + the buffalo went away, and that the lonely far travelling scouts + sent out by the tribe could not find them. Then the people had to + turn to the smaller animals—the elk, deer, antelope, and wild + sheep. +</p> +<p> + In those old days, before they had horses, they did not make long + marches when they moved. Their only domestic animal was the dog, + which was used chiefly as a beast of burden, either carrying loads + on its back or hauling a travois, formed by two long sticks crossing + above the shoulders and dragging on the ground behind. Behind the + dog these two sticks were united by a little platform, on which was + lashed some small burden—sometimes a little baby. +</p> +<p> + In those days, when the people moved from one place to another, all + who were large enough to walk and strong enough to carry a burden on + the shoulders, were laden. Usually men, women, and children alike + bore loads suited to their strength. Yet sometimes the men carried + no loads at all, for if journeying through a country where they + feared that some enemy might attack them, the men must be ready to + fight and to defend their wives and children. A man cannot fight + well if he is carrying a burden; he cannot use his arms readily, nor + run about lightly—forward to attack, backward in retreat. If he is + not free to fight well, his family will be in danger. White men who + have seen Indians journeying in this way, and who have not + understood why some women carried heavy loads and the men carried + nothing, have said that Indian men were idle and lazy, and forced + their women to do all the work. Those who wrote those things were + mistaken in what they said. They did not understand what they saw. + The truth is that these men were prepared for danger of attacks by + enemies, and were ready to do their best to save their families from + harm. +</p> +<p> + Carrying on their backs all their property, except the little which + the dogs might pack, it is evident that the Indians in those days + could not make long journeys. +</p> +<p> + In those days they had no buckets of wood or tin in which to carry + water. Instead, they used a vessel like a bag or sack, made from the + soft membrane of one of the stomachs of the buffalo. This, after it + had been cleansed and all the openings from it save one had been + tied up, the women filled at the stream with a spoon made of + buffalo horn or with a larger ladle of the horn of the wild sheep. + Because this water-skin was soft and flexible, it could not stand on + the ground, and they hung it up, sometimes on the limb of a tree, + more often on one of the poles of the lodge, or sometimes on a + tripod—three sticks coming together at the top and standing spread + out at the ground. +</p> +<p> + Most of the meat cooked for the family was roasted, yet much of it + was boiled, sometimes in a bowl of stone, sometimes in a kettle made + of a fresh hide or of the paunch of the buffalo. Sometimes these + skin or paunch kettles were supported at the sides by stakes stuck + in the ground, and sometimes a hole dug in the ground was lined with + the hide, which was so arranged as to be water-tight. They were not, + as may be imagined, put over a fire, but when filled with cold water + this water was heated in quite another way. Near by a fire was + built, in which were thrown large stones, and on top of the stones + more wood was piled; so that after a time, when the wood had burnt + down, the stones were very hot—sometimes red hot. With two rather + short-handled forked sticks, the women took from the fire one of the + hot stones, and put it in the water in the hide kettle, and as it + cooled, took it out and put in another hot stone. Thus the water was + soon heated, and boiled and cooked whatever was in the kettle. To be + sure, there were some ashes and a little dirt in the soup, but that + was not regarded as important. +</p> +<p> + This was long before the Indians knew of matches, or even of flint + and steel. In those days to make a fire was not easy and it took a + long time. By his knees or feet a man held in position on the ground + a piece of soft, dry wood in which two or three little hollows had + been dug out, and taking another slender stick of hard wood, and + pressing the point in one of the little hollows in the stick of soft + wood, he twirled the stick rapidly between the palms of his hands, + so fast and so long that presently the dust ground from the softer + stick, falling to one side in a little pile, began to smoke, and at + last a faint spark was seen at the top of the pile, which began to + glow, and, spreading, became constantly larger. He, or his + companion, for often two men twirled the stick, one relieving the + other, caught this spark in a bit of tinder—perhaps some dry punk + or a little fine grass—and by blowing coaxed it into flame, and + there was the fire. +</p> +<p> + This fire making was hard work, and the people tried to escape this + work by keeping a spark of fire always alive. To do this, men + sometimes carried, by a thong slung over the shoulder, the hollow + tip of a buffalo horn, the opening of which was closed by a wooden + plug. When going on a journey, the man lighted a piece of punk, and, + placing it in this horn, plugged up the open end, so that no air + could get into the horn. There the punk smouldered for a long time, + and neither went out nor was wholly consumed. Once in a while during + the day the man looked at this punk, and, if he saw that it was + almost consumed, he lighted another piece and put it in the horn and + replaced the plug. So at night when he reached camp the fire was + still in his horn, and he could readily kindle a blaze, and from + this blaze other fires were kindled. Often, if the camp was large, + the first young men who reached it gathered wood and perhaps kindled + four fires, and after the women had reached the camp, unpacked their + dogs, and put up their lodges, each woman would go to one of these + fires to get a brand or some coals with which to start her own lodge + fire. +</p> +<p> + In warm weather men and boys wore little clothing. They went almost + naked; yet in cold weather each man or woman was most of the time + wrapped in a warm robe of tanned buffalo skin. Even the little + children wore robes, the smallest ones those taken from the little + buffalo calves. All their clothing, like their beds and their homes, + was made of the skins of animals. Shirts, women's dresses, leggings, + and moccasins were made from the tanned skins of buffalo, deer, + antelope, and mountain sheep. Often the moccasins were made from the + smoked skin cut from the top of an old lodge, for this skin had been + smoked so much that it never dried hard and stiff, after it had been + wet. The moccasins had a stiff sole of buffalo rawhide; and in the + bottom of this sole were cut one or two holes, in order that the + water might run out if a man had to wade through a stream. +</p> +<p> + The homes of these Indians were lodges—tents made of tanned buffalo + skin supported on a cone of long, straight, slender poles. At the + top where the poles crossed was an opening for the smoke from the + fire built in the centre of the circular lodge floor, while about + the fire, and close under the lodge covering, were the beds where + the people slept or ate during the day. +</p> +<p> + These homes were warm and comfortable. The border of the lodge + covering did not come down quite to the ground, but inside the lodge + poles, and tied to them, was a long wide strip of tanned buffalo + skin four or five feet high, and long enough to reach around the + inside of the lodge, almost from one side of the door to the other. + This strip of tanned skin—made up of several pieces—was so wide + that one edge rested on the floor, and reached inward under the beds + and seats. Through the open space between the lodge covering and the + lodge lining, fresh air kept passing into the lodge close to the + ground and up over the lining and down toward the centre of the + lodge, and so furnished draught for the fire. The lodge lining kept + this cold air from blowing directly on the occupants of the lodge + who sat around the fire. Often the lodge lining was finely painted + with pictures of animals, people, and figures of mysterious beings + of which one might not speak. +</p> +<p> + The seats and beds in this home were covered with soft tanned + buffalo robes, and at the head and foot of each bed was an inclined + back-rest of straight willow twigs, strung together on long lines of + sinew and supported in an inclined position by a tripod. Buffalo + robes often hung over these back-rests. In the spaces between the + back-rests, which though they came together at the top were + separated at the ground, were kept many of the possessions of the + family; the pipe, sacks of tobacco, of paint, "possible + sacks"—parfleches for clothing or food, and many smaller articles. +</p> +<p> + The outside of the lodge was often painted with mysterious figures + which the lodge owner believed to have power to bring good luck to + him and to his family. Sometimes these figures represented + animals—buffalo, deer, and elk—or rocks, mountains, trees, or the + puff-balls that grow on the prairie. Sometimes a procession of + ravens, marching one after the other, was painted around the + circumference of the lodge. The painting might show the tracks of + animals, or a number of water animals, apparently chasing each other + around the lodge. On either side of the smoke hole at the top were + two flaps, or wings, each one supported by a single pole. These were + to regulate the draught of the fire in case of a change of wind, and + the poles were moved from side to side, changing as the direction of + the wind changed. On such wings were often painted groups of white + disks which represented some group of stars. At the back of the + lodge, high up, just below the place where the lodge poles cross, + was often a large round disk representing the sun, and above that a + cross, which was the sign of the butterfly, the power that they + believe brings sleep. From the ends of the wings, or tied to the + tips of the poles which supported them, hung buffalo tails, and + sometimes running down from one of these poles to the ground near + the door was a string of the sheaths of buffalo hooflets, which + rattled as it swung to and fro in the breeze. +</p> +<p> + Their arms were the bow and arrow, a short spear or lance, with a + head of sharpened stone or bone, stone hammers with wooden handles, + and knives made of bone or stone, and if of stone, lashed by rawhide + or sinew to a split wooden handle. +</p> +<p> + The hammers were of two sorts: one quite heavy, almost like a + sledge-hammer or maul, and with a short handle; the other much + lighter, and with a longer, more limber handle. This last was used + by men in war as a mace or war club, while the heavier hammer was + used by women as an axe to break up fallen trees for firewood; as a + hammer to drive tent-pins into the ground, to kill disabled animals, + or to break up heavy bones for the marrow they contained. These + mauls and hammers were usually made by choosing an oval stone and + pecking a groove about its shortest diameter. The handles were made + by green sticks fitted as closely as possible into the groove, + brought together and lashed in position by sinew, the whole being + then covered with wet rawhide tightly fitted and sewed. As the + rawhide dried, it shrunk and strongly bound together the parts of + the weapon. +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet bow was about four feet long. Its string was of + twisted sinew and it was backed with sinew. This gave the bow great + power, so that the arrow went with much force. The arrows were + straight shoots of the service berry or cherry, and the manufacture + of arrows was the chief employment of many of the men of middle + life. Each arrow by the same maker was precisely like every other + arrow he made. Each arrowmaker tried hard to make good arrows. It + was a fine thing to be known as a maker of good arrows. +</p> +<p> + The shoots for the arrow shafts were brought into the lodge, peeled, + smoothed roughly, tied up in bundles, and hung up to dry. After they + were dried, the bundles were taken down and each shaft was smoothed + and reduced to a proper thickness by the use of a grooved piece of + sand-stone, which acted on the arrow like sandpaper. After they were + of the right thickness, they were straightened by bending with the + hands, and sometimes with the teeth, and were then passed through a + circular hole drilled in a rib, or in a mountain sheep's horn, which + acted in part as a gauge of the size and also as a smoother, for if + in passing through the hole the arrow fitted tightly, the shaft + received a good polish. The three grooves which always were found in + the Blackfeet arrows were made by pushing the shaft through a round + hole drilled in a rib, which, however, had one or more projections + left on the inside. These projections pressed into the soft wood and + made the grooves, which were in every arrow. The feathers were three + in number. They were put on with a glue, made by boiling scraps of + dried rawhide, and were held in place by wrappings of sinew. The + heads of the arrows were made of stone or bone or horn. The flint + points were often highly worked and very beautiful, being broken + from larger flints by sharp blows of a stone hammer, and after they + had been shaped the edges were worked sharp by flaking with an + implement of bone or horn. The points made of horn or bone were + ground sharp by rubbing on a stone. A notch was cut in the end of + the arrow shaft and the shank of the arrow point set in that. The + arrow heads were firmly fixed to the shaft by glue and by sinew + wrapping. +</p> +<p> + Although the Blackfeet lived almost altogether on the flesh of birds + or animals, yet they had some vegetable food. This was chiefly + berries—of which in summer the women collected great quantities and + dried them for winter use—and roots, the gathering of which at the + proper season of the year occupied much of the time of women and + young girls. These roots were unearthed by a long, sharp-pointed + stick, called a root digger. Some of the roots were eaten as soon as + collected, while others were dried and stored for use in winter. +</p> +<p> + After they reached the plains, the main food of the Blackfeet was + the buffalo, which they killed in large numbers when everything went + right. Many of the streams in the Blackfeet country run through + wide, deep valleys bordered on either side by cliffs, or broken + precipices, falling sharply from the high prairie above. Long ago + the Blackfeet must have learned that it was possible to make the + buffalo jump over these cliffs, and that in the fall on the rocks + below numbers would be killed or crippled. No doubt after this had + been practised for a time, there came to some one the idea of + building at the foot of such a cliff where the buffalo were run + over, a fence which would form a corral or pound, and which would + hold all the buffalo that were jumped over the cliff. This corral + they called piskun. +</p> +<p> + It is often said that the buffalo were driven over these precipices, + but this is true only in part. Like most wild animals, buffalo are + inquisitive. It was not difficult to excite their curiosity, and + when they saw something they did not recognize, they were anxious to + find out what it was. +</p> +<p> + When run into the piskun, the buffalo were really drawn by curiosity + almost to the jumping point, and between two long diverging lines of + people, who kept hidden until after the buffalo had passed them, and + then rose and showed themselves and tried to frighten the animals. + Now, to be sure, for the short distance that remained between the + place where they were alarmed and the place where they jumped, the + buffalo were driven. Any attempt on the open prairie to drive + buffalo in one direction or another would be certain to fail. The + animals would go where they wished to. They would not be driven, + though often they might be led. +</p> +<p> + To the people the capture of food was the most important thing in + life, and they put forth every effort to accomplish it. For this + reason it came about that the effort to capture buffalo was preceded + usually by religious ceremonies, in which many prayers were offered + to the powers of the earth, the sky, and the waters, many sacrifices + made, and sacred objects, like the buffalo stone, were displayed. +</p> +<p> + When the day for the hunt came, the man who was to bring the buffalo + left the camp early in the morning, climbed the rocky bluffs to the + high prairie, and journeyed toward some near-by herd of buffalo, + that had been located the day before by himself or by other young + men. He approached the buffalo as nearly as he could without + frightening them, and then, attracting the attention of some of the + animals by uttering certain calls, tossed into the air his buffalo + robe or some smaller object. As soon as the buffalo began to look at + him, he retreated slowly in the direction of the piskun, but + continued to call and to attract their attention by showing himself + and then disappearing. Soon, some of the buffalo began to walk + toward him, and others began to look and to follow those that had + first started, so that before long the whole herd of fifty or a + hundred animals might be walking or sometimes trotting after him. + The more rapidly the buffalo came on, the faster the man ran—and + sometimes it was a hard matter for him to keep ahead of the + herd—until he had got far within the wings and near to the cliff. + If there seemed danger that he would be overtaken, he watched his + chance and either at some low place quickly dodged out of the line + in which the buffalo were running, or hid behind one of the piles of + stones of which the wings were formed, or, if he had time, slipped + over the rocky wall at the valley's edge, so as to get out of the + way of the approaching herd. +</p> +<p> + As soon as the buffalo had come well within the diverging lines of + people who were hidden behind the piles of stones called wings, + those whom the buffalo passed rose up from their places of + concealment, and by yells and shouts and the waving of their robes + frightened the buffalo, so that they quite forgot their curiosity in + the terror that now replaced it. When the leaders reached the brink + of the cliff, they could not stop. They were pushed over by those + behind, and most of the buffalo jumped over the cliff. Many were + crippled or injured by the fall, and all were kept within the fence + of the piskun below. About this fence the people were collected. The + buffalo raced round and round within the pen, the young and weak + being injured or killed in the crowding, while above the fence men + were shooting them with arrows until presently all in the pen were + dead, or so hurt that the women could go into the pen and kill them. + The people entered and took the flesh and hides. +</p> +<p> + Deer, elk, and antelope were shot with arrows, and antelope were + often captured in pitfalls roofed with slender poles and covered + with grass and earth. Such pitfalls were dug in a region where + antelope were plenty, and a long <b><big>></big></b> shaped pair of wings, made of + poles or bushes or even rock piles, led to the pit. The antelope is + very inquisitive and was easily led within the chute and there + frightened, as were the buffalo, by people who had been concealed + and who rose up and showed themselves after the antelope had passed. + This was done more in order to secure antelope skins for clothing + than their flesh for food. +</p> +<p> + Fish and reptiles were not eaten by the Blackfeet, nor were dogs, + although dogs, wolves, and coyotes are eaten by many tribes of + plains Indians. Most small animals, and practically all birds, were + eaten in case of need. In summer, when the wildfowl which bred + on so many of the lakes in the Blackfeet country lost their + flight-feathers, during the moult, and again in the late summer, + when the young ducks and geese were almost fullgrown but could not + yet fly, the Indians often went in large parties to the shallow + lakes which here and there dotted the prairie, and, driving the + birds to shore, killed them in large numbers. +</p> +<p> + Earlier in the season, when the fowl had begun to lay their eggs, + these were collected in great quantities for food. Sometimes they + were roasted in the hot ashes, but a more common way was to dig a + deep, narrow hole in the ground in which the eggs were to be cooked. + Several little platforms of small sticks or twigs were built in this + hole, one above another, and on these platforms they put the eggs. + Another much smaller hole was dug to one side of the large hole, + slanting down into it. The large hole was partly filled with water, + and was then roofed over by small sticks on which was placed grass + covered with earth. Stones were heated in a fire built near at hand, + and then were rolled down the side hole into the larger hole, + heating the water, which at last boiled and steamed, the steam + cooking the eggs. +</p> +<p> + When the Americans first met them on the prairie, the Blackfeet were + known as great warriors. But up to the time when they got from the + Hudson Bay traders better weapons than they had before known, + whether these were metal knives, steel arrow points, or guns, it is + probable that they did not do much fighting. There seems to have + been no reason why they should have fought, unless they quarrelled + about small matters with other tribes. It became quite different + when the Indians procured better arms and, above all, when they got + horses—a means of swiftly getting about over the country, something + that all people wanted to have and which all were so eager to obtain + that they would go into danger for them. In the old days of stone + arrow heads, when they had to travel on foot and to carry heavy + loads on their backs, the whole thought and effort of the tribe must + have been devoted to the work of procuring a supply of food. +</p> +<p> + The tribal and family life of the people was simple and friendly. + The man and his wives loved each other and loved their children. + Relationship counted for much in an Indian camp, and cousins of + remote degree were called brother and sister. Children were not + punished; they were trained by persuasion and advice. They were + told by older people how they ought to act in order to make their + lives happy and successful and to be well thought of by their + fellows. Young people had much respect for their elders, listened to + what they said, and strove more or less successfully to follow their + teachings. +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet were very religious. They feared many natural powers + and influences whose workings they did not understand, and they were + constantly praying to the Sun—regarded as the ruler of the + universe—as well as to those other powers which they believe live + in the stars, the earth, the mountains, the animals, and the trees. + The Blackfoot was constantly afraid that some evil thing might + happen to him, and he therefore prayed to all the powers for + help—for good fortune in his undertakings, for health, plenty, and + long life for himself and all his family. +</p> +<p> + Among these tribes there are a number of secret societies known as + the All Comrades or All Friends—groups of men of different ages, + which have been alluded to in the stories. Originally there were + about twelve of these societies, but a number have been abandoned + of recent years. +</p> +<p> + The tribe was divided into a number of clans, all the members of + which were believed to be related, and in old times no member of a + clan was permitted to marry another member of the clan. Relations + might not marry. +</p> +<p> + In olden times, when large numbers of people were together, the + lodges of the camp were pitched in a great circle, the opening + toward the southeast. In this circle each clan camped in its own + particular place with relation to the other clans. Within the circle + was often a smaller circle of lodges, each occupied by one or more + of the societies of the All Comrades. Sometimes it happened that + great numbers of the Blackfeet came together, perhaps even all of + the three tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, and Piegans. When this was the + case, each tribe camped by itself with its own circle, no matter how + near it might be to one or other of the tribal circles. +</p> +<p> + We read of some tribes of Indians which believed that after death + the spirits of the departed went to a happy hunting ground where + game was always plenty and life was full of joy. The Blackfeet + knew no such place as this. When they died their spirits + were believed to go to a barren, sandy region south of the + Saskatchewan, which they called the Sand Hills. Here, as shadows, + the ghosts lived a life much like their existence before death, + but all was unreal—unsubstantial. Riding on shadow horses they + hunted shadow buffalo. They lived in shadow camps and when they + moved shadow dogs hauled their travois. There are stories which + tell that living people have seen these hunters, their houses, and + their implements of the camp, but when the people got close they + found that what they thought they had seen was something + different. It reminds us a little of the old ballad of Alice + Brand, where Urgan tells of the things seen in fairy-land: +</p> +<p class="poem"> + "And gayly shines the Fairy-land— <br> + But all is glistening show, <br> + Like the idle gleam that December's beam<br> + Can dart on ice and snow. <br> +<p> +<p class="poem"> + "And fading, like that varied gleam, <br> + Is our inconstant shape, <br> + Who now like knight and lady seem, <br> + And now like dwarf and ape." +</p> +<p> + Books have been written about the Blackfeet Indians which tell much + more about how they lived than can be given here. +</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13833 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/13833-h/images/cover.jpg b/13833-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..14dfdf9 --- /dev/null +++ b/13833-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/13833-h/images/dots.gif b/13833-h/images/dots.gif Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf93b27 --- /dev/null +++ b/13833-h/images/dots.gif diff --git a/13833-h/images/front.jpg b/13833-h/images/front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1df33a --- /dev/null +++ b/13833-h/images/front.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d769704 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #13833 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13833) diff --git a/old/13833-8.txt b/old/13833-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..55ad5c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4720 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Blackfeet Indian Stories, by George Bird +Grinnell + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Blackfeet Indian Stories + +Author: George Bird Grinnell + +Release Date: October 22, 2004 [eBook #13833] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES*** + + +E-text prepared by Janet Kegg and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which + includes the original frontispiece and cover illustrations. + See 13833-h.htm or 13833-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833/13833-h/13833-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833/13833-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Many Blackfeet names and words in the printed book from which + this e-text is taken had vowels with breves or macrons over them, + diacritical marks that cannot be reproduced in this e-text. The + first time such a word appears within a story the marks are + represented using [=x] for a vowel with a macron and [)x] for + a vowel with a breve (example: M[=a]-m[)i]n´). Subsequent + appearances of the word do not have the vowels so marked. + + + + + +BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES + +by + +GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL + +Author of _Blackfeet Lodge Tales_, _Trails Of The Pathfinders_, etc. + +1915 + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cold Maker] + + + +TO THE READER + +Those who wish to know something about how the people lived who told +these stories will find their ways of life described in the last +chapter of this book. + +The Blackfeet were hunters, travelling from place to place on foot. +They used implements of stone, wood, or bone, wore clothing made of +skins, and lived in tents covered by hides. Dogs, their only tame +animals, were used as beasts of burden to carry small packs and drag +light loads. + +The stories here told come down to us from very ancient times. +Grandfathers have told them to their grandchildren, and these again +to their grandchildren, and so from mouth to mouth, through many +generations, they have reached our time. + + + + + +CONTENTS + + TWO FAST RUNNERS + THE WOLF MAN + KUT-O-YIS´, THE BLOOD BOY + THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER + THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS + THE BUFFALO STONE + HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME + COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE + THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES + THE BULLS SOCIETY + THE OTHER SOCIETIES + THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE + THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES + MIKA´PI--RED OLD MAN + RED ROBE'S DREAM + THE BLACKFEET CREATION + OLD MAN STORIES + THE WONDERFUL BIRD + THE RABBITS' MEDICINE + THE LOST ELK MEAT + THE ROLLING ROCK + BEAR AND BULLBERRIES + THE THEFT FROM THE SUN + THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF + BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE + THE RED-EYED DUCK + THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET + + + + + +TWO FAST RUNNERS + + +Once, a long time ago, the antelope and the deer happened to meet on +the prairie. They spoke together, giving each other the news, each +telling what he had seen and done. After they had talked for a time +the antelope told the deer how fast he could run, and the deer said +that he could run fast too, and before long each began to say that +he could run faster than the other. So they agreed that they would +have a race to decide which could run the faster, and on this race +they bet their galls. When they started, the antelope ran ahead of +the deer from the very start and won the race and so took the deer's +gall. + +But the deer began to grumble and said, "Well, it is true that out +here on the prairie you have beaten me, but this is not where I +live. I only come out here once in a while to feed or to cross the +prairie when I am going somewhere. It would be fairer if we had a +race in the timber. That is my home, and there I can run faster than +you. I am sure of it." + +The antelope felt so glad and proud that he had beaten the deer in +the race that he was sure that wherever they might run he could beat +him, so he said, "All right, I will run you a race in the timber. I +have beaten you out here on the flat and I can beat you there." On +this race they bet their dew-claws. + +They started and ran this race through the thick timber, among the +bushes, and over fallen logs, and this time the antelope ran slowly, +for he was afraid of hitting himself against the trees or of falling +over the logs. You see, he was not used to this kind of travelling. +So the deer easily beat him and took his dew-claws. + +Since that time the deer has had no gall and the antelope no +dew-claws. + + + + +THE WOLF MAN + + +A long time ago there was a man who had two wives. They were not +good women; they did not look after their home nor try to keep +things comfortable there. If the man brought in plenty of buffalo +cow skins they did not tan them well, and often when he came home at +night, hungry and tired after his hunting, he had no food, for these +women would be away from the lodge, visiting their relations and +having a good time. + +The man thought that if he moved away from the big camp and lived +alone where there were no other people perhaps he might teach these +women to become good; so he moved his lodge far off on the prairie +and camped at the foot of a high butte. + +Every evening about sundown the man used to climb up to the top of +this butte and sit there and look all over the country to see where +the buffalo were feeding and whether any enemies were moving about. +On top of the hill there was a buffalo skull, on which he used to +sit. + +One day one of the women said to the other, "It is very lonely here; +we have no one to talk with or to visit." + +"Let us kill our husband," said the other: "then we can go back to +our relations and have a good time." + +Early next morning the man set out to hunt, and as soon as he was +out of sight his wives went up on top of the butte where he used to +sit. There they dug a deep hole and covered it over with light +sticks and grass and earth, so that it looked like the other soil +near by, and placed the buffalo skull on the sticks which covered +the hole. + +In the afternoon, as they watched for their returning husband, they +saw him come over the hill loaded down with meat that he had killed. +When he threw down his load outside the lodge, they hurried to cook +something for him. After he had eaten he went up on the butte and +sat down on the skull. The slender sticks broke and he fell into the +hole. His wives were watching him, and when they saw him disappear, +they took down the lodge and packed their dogs and set out to go to +the main camp. As they drew near it, so that people could hear them, +they began to cry and mourn. + +Soon some people came to meet them and said, "What is this? Why are +you mourning? Where is your husband?" + +"Ah," they replied, "he is dead. Five days ago he went out to hunt +and he did not come back. What shall we do? We have lost him who +cared for us"; and they cried and mourned again. + +Now, when the man fell into the pit he was hurt, for the hole was +deep. After a time he tried to climb out, but he was so badly +bruised that he could not do so. He sat there and waited, thinking +that here he must surely die of hunger. + +But travelling over the prairie was a wolf that climbed up on the +butte and came to the hole and, looking in, saw the man and pitied +him. + +"Ah-h-w-o-o-o! Ah-h-w-o-o-o-o!" he howled, and when the other wolves +heard him they all came running to see what was the matter. +Following the big wolves came also many coyotes, badgers, and +kit-foxes. They did not know what had happened, but they thought +perhaps there was food here. + +To the others the wolf said, "Here in this hole is what I have +found. Here is a man who has fallen in. Let us dig him out and we +will have him for our brother." + +All the wolves thought that this talk was good, and they began to +dig, and before very long they had dug a hole down almost to the +bottom of the pit. + +Then the wolf who had found the man said, "Hold on; wait a little; I +want to say a few words." All the animals stopped digging and began +to listen, and the wolf said, "We will all have this man for our +brother; but I found him, and so I think he ought to live with us +big wolves." All the others thought that this was good, and the +wolf that had found the man went into the hole that had been dug, +and tearing down the rest of the earth, dragged out the poor man, +who was now almost dead, for he had neither eaten nor drunk anything +since he fell in the hole. They gave the man a kidney to eat, and +when he was able to walk the big wolves took him to their home. Here +there was a very old blind wolf who had great power and could do +wonderful things. He cured the man and made his head and his hands +look like those of a wolf. The rest of his body was not changed. + +In those days the people used to make holes in the walls of the +fence about the enclosure into which they led the buffalo. They set +snares over these holes, and when wolves and other animals crept +through them so as to get into the pen and feed on the meat they +were caught by the neck and killed, and the people used their skins +for clothing. + +One night all the wolves went down to the pen to get meat, and when +they had come close to it, the man-wolf said to his brothers, "Stop +here for a little while and I will go down and fix the places so +that you will not be caught." He went down to the pen and sprung all +the snares, and then went back and called the wolves and the +others--the coyotes, badgers, and kit-foxes--and they all went into +the pen and feasted and took meat to carry home to their families. +In the morning the people found the meat gone and all their snares +sprung, and they were surprised and wondered how this could have +happened. For many nights the nooses were pulled tight and the meat +taken; but once when the wolves went there to eat they found only +the meat of a lean and sickly bull. Then the man-wolf was angry, +and he cried out like a wolf, "Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o! +Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o-o!" + +When the people heard this they said to one another, "Ah, it is a +man-wolf who has done all this. We must catch him." So they took +down to the piskun[1] pemmican and nice back fat and placed it +there, and many of them hid close by. After dark the wolves came, +as was their custom, and when the man-wolf saw the good food, he ran +to it and began to eat. Then the people rushed upon him from every +side and caught him with ropes, and tied him and took him to a +lodge, and when they had brought him inside to the light of the +fire, at once they knew who it was. They said, "Why, this is the man +who was lost." + + [Footnote 1: A pen or enclosure, usually--among the + Blackfeet--at the foot of a cliff, over which the buffalo + were induced to jump. Pronounced p[)i]´sk[)u]n.] + +"No," said the man, "I was not lost. My wives tried to kill me. They +dug a deep hole and I fell into it, and I was hurt so badly I could +not get out; but the wolves took pity on me and helped me or I would +have died there." + +When the people heard this they were angry, and they told the man to +do something to punish these women. + +"You say well," he replied; "I give those women to the punishing +society. They know what to do." + +After that night the two women were never seen again. + + + + +KUT-O-YIS´, THE BLOOD BOY + + +As the children whose ancestors came from Europe have stories about +the heroes who killed wicked and cruel monsters--like Jack the Giant +Killer, for example--so the Indian children hear stories about +persons who had magic power and who went about the world destroying +those who treated cruelly or killed the Indians of the camps. Such a +hero was K[)u]t-o-y[)i]s´, and this is how he came to be alive and +to travel about from place to place, helping the people and +destroying their enemies. + +It was long, long ago, down where Two Medicine and Badger Rivers +come together, that an old man lived with his wife and three +daughters. One day there came to his camp a young man, good-looking, +a good hunter, and brave. He stayed in the camp for some time, and +whenever he went hunting he killed game and brought in great loads +of meat. + +All this time the old man was watching him, for he said in his +heart, "This seems a good young man and a good hunter. Perhaps I +will give him my daughters for wives, and then he will stay here and +help me always." + +After a time the old man decided to do this, and he gave the young +man his daughters; and because these three were his only children he +gave his son-in-law his dogs and all his property, and for himself +and his wife he kept only a little lodge. The young man's wives +tanned plenty of cow skins and made a big fine lodge, and in this +the son-in-law lived with his wives. + +For some time after this the son-in-law was very good and kind to +the old people. When he killed any animal he gave them part of the +meat, and gave them skins which his mother-in-law tanned for robes +or for clothing. + +As time went on the son-in-law began to grow stingy, and pretty soon +he gave nothing to his father-in-law's lodge, but kept everything +for his own. + +Now, the son-in-law was a person of much mysterious power, and he +kept the buffalo hidden under a big log-jam in the river. Whenever +he needed food and wished to kill anything, he would take his +father-in-law with him to help. He would send the old man out to +stamp on the log-jam and frighten the buffalo, and when they ran out +from under it the young man would shoot one or two with his arrows, +never killing more than he needed. But often he gave the old people +nothing at all to eat. They were hungry all the time, and at length +they began to grow thin and weak. + +One morning early the young man asked his father-in-law to come and +hunt with him. They went to the log-jam and the old man drove out +the buffalo and his son-in-law killed a fat buffalo cow. Then he +said to his father-in-law, "Hurry back now to the camp and tell your +daughters to come and carry home the meat, and then you can have +something to eat." The old man set out for the camp, thinking, as he +walked along, "Now, at last, my son-in-law has taken pity on me; he +will give me some of this meat." + +When he returned with his daughters they skinned the cow and cut it +up and, carrying it, went home. The young man had his wives leave +the meat at his own lodge and told his father-in-law to go home. He +did not give him even a little piece of the meat. The two older +daughters gave their parents nothing to eat, but sometimes the +youngest one had pity on them and took a piece of meat and, when she +could, threw it into the lodge to the old people. The son-in-law had +told his wives not to give the old people anything to eat. Except +for the good heart of the youngest daughter they would have died of +hunger. + +Another day the son-in-law rose early in the morning and went over +to the old man's lodge and kicked against the poles, calling to him, +"Get up now and help me; I want you to go and stamp on the log-jam +to drive out the buffalo." When the old man moved his feet on the +jam and a buffalo ran out, the son-in-law was not ready for it, and +it passed by him before he shot the arrow; so he only wounded it. It +ran away, but at last it fell down and died. + +The old man followed close after it, and as he ran along he came to +a place where a great clot of blood had fallen from the buffalo's +wound. When he came to where this clot of blood was lying on the +ground, he stumbled and fell and spilled his arrows out of his +quiver, and while he was picking them up he picked up also the clot +of blood and hid it in his quiver. + +"What are you picking up?" called the son-in-law. + +"Nothing," replied the old man. "I fell down and spilled my arrows, +and I am putting them back." + +"Ah, old man," said the son-in-law, "you are lazy and useless. You +no longer help me. Go back now to the camp and tell your daughters +to come down here and help carry in this meat." + +The old man went to the camp and told his daughters of the meat that +their husband had killed, and they went down to the killing ground. +Then he went to his own lodge and said to his wife, "Hurry, now, put +the stone kettle on the fire. I have brought home something from the +killing." + +"Ah," said the old woman, "has our son-in-law been generous and +given us something nice to eat?" + +"No," replied the old man, "but hurry and put the kettle on the +fire." + +After a time the water began to boil and the old man turned his +quiver upside down over the pot, and immediately there came from it +a sound of a child crying, as if it were being hurt. The old people +both looked in the kettle and there they saw a little boy, and they +quickly took him out of the water. They were surprised and did not +know where the child had come from. The old woman wrapped the child +up and wound a line about its wrappings to keep them in place, +making a lashing for the child. Then they talked about it, wondering +what should be done with it. They thought that if their son-in-law +knew it was a boy he would kill it; so they determined to tell their +daughters that the baby was a girl, for then their son-in-law would +think that he was going to have another wife. So he would be glad. +They called the child Kut-o-yis´--Clot of Blood. + +The son-in-law and his wives came home, bringing the meat, and +after a little time they heard the child in the next lodge crying. +The son-in-law said to his youngest wife, "Go over to your mother's +and see whether that baby is a boy or a girl. If it is a boy, tell +your parents to kill it." + +Soon the young woman came back and said to her husband, "It is a +girl baby. You are to have another wife." + +The son-in-law did not know whether to believe this, and sent his +oldest wife to ask the same question. When she came back and told +him the same thing he believed that it was really a girl. Then he +was glad, for he said to himself, "Now, when this child has grown +up, I shall have another wife." He said to his youngest wife, "Take +some back fat and pemmican over to your mother; she must be well fed +now that she has to nurse this child." + +On the fourth day after he had been born the child spoke and said to +his mother, "Hold me in turn to each one of these lodge poles, and +when I come to the last one I shall fall out of my lashings and be +grown up." The old woman did as he had said, and as she held him to +one pole after another he could be seen to grow; and finally when he +was held to the last pole he was a man. + +After Kut-o-yis´ had looked about the lodge he put his eye to a hole +in the lodge-covering and looked out. Then he turned around and said +to the old people, "How is it that in this lodge there is nothing to +eat? Over by the other lodge I see plenty of food hanging up." + +"Hush," said the old woman, raising her hand, "you will be heard. +Our son-in-law lives over there. He does not give us anything at all +to eat." + +"Well," said the young man, "where is your piskun--where do you kill +buffalo?" + +"It is down by the river," the old woman answered. "We pound on it +and the buffalo run out." + +For some time they talked together and the old man told Kut-o-yis´ +how his son-in-law had abused him. He said to the young man, "He has +taken from me my bow and my arrows and has taken even my dogs; and +now for many days we have had nothing to eat, except sometimes a +small piece of meat that our daughter throws to us." + +"Father," said Kut-o-yis´, "have you no arrows?" + +"No, my son," replied the old man, "but I still have four stone +arrow points." + +"Go out then," said Kut-o-yis´, "and get some wood. We will make a +bow and some arrows, and in the morning we will go down to where the +buffalo are and kill something to eat." + +Early in the morning Kut-o-yis´ pushed the old man and said, "Come, +get up now, and we will go down and kill, when the buffalo come +out." It was still very early in the morning. + +When they reached the river the old man said, "This is the place to +stand and shoot. I will go down and drive them out." + +He went down and stamped on the log-jam, and presently a fat cow ran +out and Kut-o-yis´ killed it. + +Now, after these two had gone to the river the son-in-law arose and +went over to the old man's lodge, and knocked on the poles and +called to the old man to get up and help him kill. The old woman +called out to the son-in-law, saying, "Your father-in-law has +already gone down to the piskun." This made the son-in-law angry, +and he began to talk badly to the old woman and to threaten to harm +her. + +Presently he went on down to the log-jam, and as he got near the +place he saw the old man at work there, bending over, skinning a +buffalo; for Kut-o-yis´, when he had seen the son-in-law coming, had +lain down on the ground and hidden himself behind the carcass. + +When the son-in-law had come pretty close to where the buffalo lay +he said to his father-in-law, "Old man, stand up and look all about +you. Look carefully and well, for it will be the last time that you +will ever see anything"; and while the son-in-law said this he took +an arrow from his quiver. + +Kut-o-yis´ spoke to the old man from his hiding-place and said, +"Tell your son-in-law that he must take his last look, for that you +are going to kill him now." The old man said this as he had been +told. + +"Ah," said the son-in-law, "you talk back to me. That makes me still +angrier at you." He put an arrow on the string and shot at the old +man, but did not hit him. Kut-o-yis´ said to the old man, "Pick up +that arrow and shoot it back at him"; and the old man did so. Now, +they shot at each other four times, and then the old man said to +Kut-o-yis´, "I am afraid now; get up and help me. If you do not, I +think he will kill me." Then Kut-o-yis´ rose to his feet and said to +the son-in-law, "Here, what are you doing? I think you have been +treating this old man badly for a long time. Why do you do it?" + +"Oh no," said the son-in-law, and he smiled at Kut-o-yis´ in a +friendly way, for he was afraid of him. "Oh no; no one thinks more +of this old man than I do. I have always been very good to him." + +"No," said Kut-o-yis´. "You are saying what is not true, and I am +going to kill you now." + +Kut-o-yis´ shot the son-in-law four times and he fell down and +died. Then the young man told his father to go and bring down to him +the daughters who had acted badly toward him. The old man did so and +Kut-o-yis´ punished them. Then he went up to the lodges and said to +the youngest woman, "Did you love your husband?" "Yes," said the +girl, "I loved him." So Kut-o-yis´ punished her too, but not so +badly as he had the other daughters, because she had been kind to +her parents. + +To the old people he said, "Go over now to that lodge and live +there. There is plenty of food, and when that is gone I will kill +more. As for me, I shall make a journey. Tell me where there are any +people. In what direction shall I go to find a camp?" + +"Well," said the old man, "up here on Two Medicine Lodge Creek there +are some people--up where the piskun is, you know." + +Kut-o-yis´ followed up the stream to where the piskun was and there +found many lodges of people. In the centre of the camp was a big +lodge, and painted on it the figure of a bear. He did not go to this +lodge, but went into a small lodge where two old women lived. When +he had sat down they put food before him--lean dried meat and some +belly fat. + +"How is this, grandmothers?" he said. "Here is a camp with plenty of +fat meat and back fat hanging up to dry; why do you not give me some +of that?" + +"Hush; be careful," said the old women. "In that big lodge over +there lives a big bear and his wives and children. He takes all the +best food and leaves us nothing. He is the chief of this place." + +Early in the morning Kut-o-yis´ said to the old women, "Harness up +your dogs to the travois now and go over to the piskun, and I will +kill some fat meat for you." + +When they got there, he killed a fat cow and helped the old women to +cut it up, and they took it to the lodge. One of those old women +said, "Ah me, the bears will be sure to come." + +"Why do you say that?" he asked. + +They said to him, "We shall be sorry to lose this back fat." + +"Do not fear," he said. "No one shall take this back fat from you. +Now, take all those best pieces and hang them up, so that those who +live in the bear lodge may see them." + +They did so. Pretty soon the old bear chief said to one of his +children, "By this time I think the people have finished killing. Go +out now and look about; see where the nicest pieces are, and bring +in some nice back fat." + +One of the young bears went out of the lodge and stood up and looked +about, and when it saw this meat hanging by the old women's lodge +close by, it went over toward it. + +"Ah," said the old women, "there are those bears." + +"Do not be afraid," said Kut-o-yis´. + +The young bear went over to where the meat was hanging and stood up +and began to pull it down. Kut-o-yis´ went out of the lodge and +said, "Wait; wait! What are you doing, taking the old women's meat?" + +The young bear answered, "My father told me that I should go out and +get this meat and bring it home to him." + +Kut-o-yis´ hit the young bear over the head with a stick and it ran +home crying. + +When it had reached the lodge it told what had happened and the +father bear said, "I will go over there myself; perhaps this person +will hit me over the head." + +When the old women saw the father and mother bear and all their +relations coming they were afraid, but Kut-o-yis´ jumped out of the +lodge and killed the bears one after another; all except one little +she-bear, a very small one, which got away. + +"Well," said Kut-o-yis´, "you may go and breed more bears." + +He told the old women to move over to the bear-painted lodge and +after this to live in it. It was theirs. + +To the old women Kut-o-yis´ then said, "Now, grandmothers, where are +there any more people? I want to travel about and see them." + +The old women said, "At the Point of Rocks--on Sun River--there is a +camp. There is a piskun there." + +So Kut-o-yis´ set off for that place, and when he came to the camp +he went into an old woman's lodge. + +The old woman gave him something to eat--a dish of bad food. + +"Why is this, grandmother?" asked Kut-o-yis´. "Have you no food +better than this to give to a visitor? Down there I see a piskun; +you must kill plenty of buffalo and must have good food." + +"Speak lower," said the old woman, "or you may be heard. We have no +good food because there is a great snake here who is the chief of +the camp. He takes all the best pieces. He lives over there in that +snake-painted lodge." + +The next morning when the buffalo were led in, Kut-o-yis´ killed +one, and they took the back fat and carried it to their lodge. Then +Kut-o-yis´ said, "I think I will visit that snake person." He went +over and went into the lodge, and there he saw many women that the +snake person had taken to be his wives. The women were cooking some +service berries. Kut-o-yis´ picked up the dish and ate the berries +and threw the dish away. Then he went up to the big snake, who was +lying there asleep, and pricked him with his knife, saying, "Here, +get up; I have come to visit you. Let us smoke together." + +Then the snake was angry and he raised up his head and began to +rattle, and Kut-o-yis´ cut off his head and cut him in pieces. He +cut off the heads of all the snake's wives and children; all except +one little female snake which got away by crawling into a crack in +the rocks. + +"Oh, well," said Kut-o-yis´, "you can go and breed snakes so there +will be more. The people will not be afraid of little snakes." + +Kut-o-yis´ said to the old woman, "Now, grandmother, go into this +snake lodge and take it for your own and everything that is in it." + +Then he said to them, "Where are there some more people?" They told +him there were some camps down the river and some up in the +mountains, but they said, "Do not go up there. It is bad because +there lives [=A]i-s[=i]n´-o-k[=o]-k[=i]--Wind Sucker. He will kill +you." + +Kut-o-yis´ was glad to know that there was such a person, and he +went to the mountains. + +When he reached the place where Wind Sucker lived, he looked into +his mouth and saw there many dead people. Some were skeletons and +some had only just died. He went in, and there he saw a fearful +sight. The ground was white as snow with the bones of those who had +died. There were bodies with flesh on them; some who had died not +long before and some who were still living. + +As he looked about, he saw hanging down above him a great thing that +seemed to move--to grow a little larger and then to grow a little +smaller. + +Kut-o-yis´ spoke to one of the people who was alive and asked, "What +is that hanging down above us?" + +The person answered him, "That is Wind Sucker's heart." + +Then Kut-o-yis´ spoke to all the living and said to them, "You who +still draw a little breath try to move your heads in time to the +song that I shall sing; and you who are still able to move stand up +on your feet and dance. Take courage now; we are going to dance to +the ghosts." + +Then Kut-o-yis´ tied his knife, point upward, to the top of his +head and began to dance, singing the ghost song, and all the others +danced with him; and as he danced up and down he kept springing +higher and higher into the air, and the point of his knife cut Wind +Sucker's heart and killed him. + +Then Kut-o-yis´, with his knife, cut a hole between Wind Sucker's +ribs, and he and all those who were able to move crawled out through +the hole. He said to those who could still walk that they should go +and tell their people to come here, to get the ones still alive but +unable to travel. + +To some of these people that he had freed he said, "Where are there +any other people? I want to visit all the people." + +"There is a camp to the westward, up the river," they replied; "but +you must not take the left-hand trail going up because on that trail +lives a woman who invites men to wrestle with her and then kills +them. Avoid her." + +Now, really, this was what Kut-o-yis´ was looking for. This was what +he was doing in the world, trying to kill off all the bad things. +He asked these people just where this woman lived and how it was +best for him to go so that he should not meet her. He did this +because he did not wish the people to know that he was going where +she was. + +He started, and after he had travelled some time he saw a woman +standing not far from the trail. She called to him, saying, "Come +here, young man, come here; I want to wrestle with you." + +"No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop." + +The woman called again, "No, no; do not go on; come now and wrestle +once with me." + +After she had called him the fourth time, Kut-o-yis´ went to her. + +Now on the ground where this woman wrestled with people she had +placed many sharp, broken flint-stones, partly hiding them by the +grass. The two seized each other and began to wrestle over these +sharp stones, but Kut-o-yis´ looked at the ground and did not step +on them. He watched his chance and gave the woman a quick wrench, +and threw her down on a large sharp flint which cut her in two; and +the parts of her body fell asunder. + +Kut-o-yis´ then went on, and after a time came to where a woman had +made a place for sliding downhill. At the far end of it she had +fixed a rope which, when she raised it, would trip people up, and +when they were tripped they fell over a high cliff into a deep +water, where a great fish ate them. + +When this woman saw Kut-o-yis´ coming she cried out to him, "Come +over here, young man, and slide with me." + +"No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot wait." She kept calling +to him, and when she had called him the fourth time he went over +where he was to slide with her. + +"This sliding," said the woman, "is very good fun." + +"Ah, yes," said Kut-o-yis´, "I will look at it." + +As he went near the place he looked carefully and saw the hidden +rope. He began to slide, and holding his knife in his hand, when he +reached the rope he cut it just as the woman raised it and pulled on +it, and the woman fell over backward into the water and was eaten +up by the big fish. + +From here he went on again, and after a time he came to a big camp. +A man-eater was the chief of this place. + +Before Kut-o-yis´ went to the chief's lodge he looked about and saw +a little girl and called her to him and said, "Child, I am going +into that lodge, to let that man-eater kill and eat me. Therefore, +be on the watch, and if you can get hold of one of my bones take it +out and call all the dogs to you, and when they have come to you +throw down the bone and say, 'Kut-o-yis´, the dogs are eating your +bones.'" + +Then Kut-o-yis´ entered the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he +called out, "Oki, oki!" (welcome, welcome!) and seemed glad to see +him, for he was a fat young man. The man-eater took a knife and +walked up to Kut-o-yis´ and cut his throat and put him into a great +stone pot to cook. When the meat was cooked he pulled the kettle +from the fire and ate the body, limb by limb, until it was all +eaten. + +After that the little girl who was watching came into the lodge and +said, "Pity me, man-eater, my mother is hungry and asks you for +those bones." The old man gathered them together and handed them to +her, and she took them out of the lodge. When she had gone a little +way, she called all the dogs to her and threw down the bones to the +dogs, crying out, "Look out, Kut-o-yis´, the dogs are eating you," +and when she said that, Kut-o-yis´ arose from the pile of bones. + +Again he went into the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he +cried out, "How, how, how! the fat young man has survived!" and he +seemed surprised. Again he took his knife and cut the throat of +Kut-o-yis´ and threw him into the kettle. Again when the meat was +cooked he ate it, and when the little girl asked for the bones again +he gave them to her. She took them out and threw them to the dogs, +crying, "Kut-o-yis´, the dogs are eating you," and again Kut-o-yis´ +arose from the bones. + +When the man-eater had cooked him four times Kut-o-yis´ again went +into the lodge, and seizing the man-eater, he threw him into the +boiling kettle, and his wives and all his children, and boiled them +to death. + +The man-eater was the seventh and last of the bad things to be +destroyed by Kut-o-yis´. + + + + +THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER + + +This happened long ago. + +In those days the people were hungry. No buffalo could be found, no +antelope were seen on the prairie. Grass grew in the trails where +the elk and the deer used to travel. There was not even a rabbit in +the brush. Then the people prayed, "Oh, Napi, help us now or we must +die. The buffalo and the deer are gone. It is useless to kindle the +morning fires; our arrows are useless to us; our knives remain in +their sheaths." + +Then Napi set out to find where the game was, and with him went a +young man, the son of a chief. For many days they travelled over the +prairies. They could see no game; roots and berries were their only +food. One day they climbed to the crest of a high ridge, and as they +looked off over the country they saw far away by a stream a lonely +lodge. + +"Who can it be?" asked the young man. "Who camps there alone, far +from friends?" + +"That," said Napi, "is he who has hidden all the animals from the +people. He has a wife and a little son." Then they went down near to +the lodge and Napi told the young man what to do. Napi changed +himself into a little dog, and he said, "This is I." The young man +changed himself into a root digger and he said, "This is I." Pretty +soon the little boy, who was playing about near the lodge, found the +dog and carried it to his father, saying, "See what a pretty little +dog I have found." + +The father said, "That is not a dog; throw it away!" The little boy +cried, but his father made him take the dog out of the lodge. Then +the boy found the root digger, and again picking up the dog, he +carried both into the lodge, saying, "Look, mother; see what a +pretty root digger I have found." + +"Throw them away," said his father; "throw them both away. That is +not a root digger; that is not a dog." + +"I want that root digger," said the woman. "Let our son have the +little dog." + +"Let it be so, then," replied the husband; "but remember that if +trouble comes, it is you who have brought it on yourself and on our +son." + +Soon after this the woman and her son went off to pick berries, and +when they were out of sight the man went out and killed a buffalo +cow and brought the meat into the lodge and covered it up. He took +the bones and the skin and threw them in the water. When his wife +came back he gave her some of the meat to roast, and while they were +eating, the little boy fed the dog three times, and when he offered +it more the father took the meat away. + +In the night, when all were sleeping, Napi and the young man arose +in their right shapes and ate some of the meat. + +"You were right," said the young man. "This is surely the person who +has hidden the buffalo." + +"Wait," said Napi; and when they had finished eating they changed +themselves again into the root digger and the dog. + +Next morning the wife and the little boy went out to dig roots, and +the woman took the root digger with her, while the dog followed the +little boy. + +As they travelled along looking for roots, they passed near a cave, +and at its mouth stood a buffalo cow. The dog ran into the cave, and +the root digger, slipping from the woman's hand, followed, gliding +along over the ground like a snake. In this cave were found all the +buffalo and the other game. They began to drive them out, and soon +the prairie was covered with buffalo, antelope, and deer. Never +before were so many seen. + +Soon the man came running up, and he said to his wife, "Who is +driving out my animals?" The woman replied, "The dog and the root +digger are in there now." + +"Did I not tell you," said her husband, "that those were not what +they looked like. See now the trouble that you have brought upon +us!" He put an arrow on his string and waited for them to come out, +but they were cunning, and when the last animal, a big bull, was +starting out the stick grasped him by the long hair under the neck +and coiled up in it, and the dog held on by the hair underneath +until they were far out on the prairie, when they changed into their +true shapes and drove the buffalo toward the camp. + +When the people saw the buffalo coming they led a big band of them +to the piskun, but just as the leaders were about to jump over the +cliff a raven came and flapped its wings in front of them and +croaked, and they turned off and ran down another way. Every time a +herd of buffalo was brought near to the piskun this raven frightened +them away. Then Napi knew that the raven was the person who had kept +the buffalo hidden. + +Napi went down to the river and changed himself into a beaver and +lay stretched out on a sandbar, as if dead. The raven was very +hungry and flew down and began to pick at the beaver. Then Napi +caught it by the legs and ran with it to the camp, and all the +chiefs were called together to decide what should be done with the +bird. Some said, "Let us kill it," but Napi said, "No, I will punish +it," and he tied it up over the lodge, right in the smoke hole. + +As the days went by the raven grew thin and weak and its eyes were +blinded by the thick smoke, and it cried continually to Napi asking +him to pity it. One day Napi untied the bird and told it to take its +right shape, and then said, "Why have you tried to fool Napi? Look +at me. I cannot die. Look at me. Of all peoples and tribes I am the +chief. I cannot die. I made the mountains; they are standing yet. I +made the prairies and the rocks; you see them yet. + +"Go home now to your wife and your child, and when you are hungry +hunt like any one else. If you do not, you shall die." + + + + +THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS + + +There was once a man who loved his wife dearly. After they had been +married for a time they had a little boy. Some time after that the +woman grew sick and did not get well. She was sick for a long time. +The young man loved his wife so much that he did not wish to take a +second woman. The woman grew worse and worse. Doctoring did not seem +to do her any good. At last she died. + +For a few days after this, the man used to take his baby on his back +and travel out away from the camp, walking over the hills, crying +and mourning. He felt badly, and he did not know what to do. + +After a time he said to the little child, "My little boy, you will +have to go and live with your grandmother. I shall go away and try +to find your mother and bring her back." + +He took the baby to his mother's lodge and asked her to take care +of it and left it with her. Then he started away, not knowing where +he was going nor what he should do. + +When he left the camp, he travelled toward the Sand Hills. On the +fourth night of his journeying he had a dream. He dreamed that he +went into a little lodge in which was an old woman. This old woman +said to him, "Why are you here, my son?" + +The young man replied, "I am mourning day and night, crying all the +while. My little son, who is the only one left me, also mourns." + +"Well," asked the old woman, "for whom are you mourning?" + +The young man answered, "I am mourning for my wife. She died some +time ago. I am looking for her." + +"Oh, I saw her," said the old woman; "she passed this way. I myself +have no great power to help you, but over by that far butte beyond, +lives another old woman. Go to her and she will give you power to +continue your journey. You could not reach the place you are seeking +without help. Beyond the next butte from her lodge you will find +the camp of the ghosts." + +The next morning the young man awoke and went on toward the next +butte. It took him a long summer's day to get there, but he found +there no lodge, so he lay down and slept. Again he dreamed. In his +dream he saw a little lodge, and saw an old woman come to the door +and heard her call to him. He went into the lodge, and she spoke to +him. + +"My son, you are very unhappy. I know why you have come this way. +You are looking for your wife who is now in the ghost country. It is +a very hard thing for you to get there. You may not be able to get +your wife back, but I have great power and I will do for you all +that I can. If you act as I advise, you may succeed." + +Other wise words she spoke to him, telling him what he should do; +also she gave him a bundle of mysterious things which would help him +on his journey. + +She went on to say, "You stay here for a time and I will go over +there to the ghosts' camp and try to bring back some of your +relations who are there. If it is possible for me to bring them +back, you may return there with them, but on the way you must shut +your eyes. If you should open them and look about you, you would +die. Then you would never come back. When you come to the camp you +will pass by a big lodge and they will ask you, 'Where are you going +and who told you to come here?' You must answer, 'My grandmother, +who is standing out here with me, told me to come.' They will try to +scare you; they will make fearful noises and you will see strange +and terrible things, but do not be afraid." + +The old woman went away, and after a time came back with one of the +man's relations. He went with this relation to the ghosts' camp. +When they came to the large lodge some one called out and asked the +man what he was doing there, and he answered as the old woman had +told him. As he passed on through the camp the ghosts tried to +frighten him with many fearful sights and sounds, but he kept up a +strong heart. + +Presently he came to another lodge, and the man who owned it came +out and spoke to him, asking where he was going. The young man said, +"I am looking for my dead wife. I mourn for her so much that I +cannot rest. My little boy too keeps crying for his mother. They +have offered to give me other wives, but I do not want them. I want +the one for whom I am searching." + +The ghost said, "It is a fearful thing that you have come here; it +is very likely that you will never go away. Never before has there +been a person here." + +The ghost asked him to come into his lodge, and he entered. + +This chief ghost said to him, "You shall stay here for four nights +and you shall see your wife, but you must be very careful or you +will never go back. You will die here in this very place." + +Then the chief ghost walked out of the lodge and shouted out for a +feast, inviting the man's father-in-law and other relations who were +in the camp to come and eat, saying, "Your son-in-law invites you +to a feast," as if he meant that the son-in-law had died and become +a ghost and arrived at the camp of the ghosts. + +Now when these invited ghosts had reached the lodge they did not +like to go in. They said to each other, "There is a person here"; it +seemed as if they did not like the smell of a human being. The chief +ghost burned sweet pine on the fire, which took away this smell, and +then the ghosts came in and sat down. + +The chief ghost said to them, "Now pity this son-in-law of yours. He +is looking for his wife. Neither the great distance that he has come +nor the fearful sights that he has seen here have weakened his +heart. You can see how tender-hearted he is. He not only mourns +because he has lost his wife, but he mourns because his little boy +is now alone, with no mother; so pity him and give him back his +wife." + +The ghosts talked among themselves, and one of them said to the man, +"Yes; you shall stay here for four nights, and then we will give you +a medicine pipe--the Worm Pipe--and we will give you back your wife +and you may return to your home." + +Now, after the third night the chief ghost called together all the +people, and they came, and with them came the man's wife. One of the +ghosts was beating a drum, and following him was another who carried +the Worm Pipe, which they gave to him. + +Then the chief ghost said, "Now be very careful; to-morrow you and +your wife will start on your journey homeward. Your wife will carry +the medicine pipe and for four days some of your relations will go +along with you. During this time you must keep your eyes shut; do +not open them, or you will return here and be a ghost forever. Your +wife is not now a person. But in the middle of the fourth day you +will be told to look, and when you have opened your eyes you will +see that your wife has become a person, and that your ghost +relations have disappeared." + +Before the man went away his father-in-law spoke to him and said, +"When you get near home you must not go at once into the camp. Let +some of your relations know that you have come, and ask them to +build a sweat-house for you. Go into that sweat-house and wash your +body thoroughly, leaving no part of it, however small, uncleansed. +If you fail in this, you will die. There is something about the +ghosts that it is difficult to remove. It can only be removed by a +thorough sweat. Take care now that you do what I tell you. Do not +whip your wife, nor strike her with a knife, nor hit her with fire. +If you do, she will vanish before your eyes and return here." + +They left the ghost country to go home, and on the fourth day the +wife said to her husband, "Open your eyes." He looked about him and +saw that those who had been with them had disappeared, and he found +that they were standing in front of the old woman's lodge by the +butte. She came out of her lodge and said to them, "Stop; give me +back those mysterious medicines of mine, whose power helped you to +do what you wished." The man returned them to her, and then once +more became really a living person. + +When they drew near to the camp the woman went on ahead and sat +down on a butte. Then some curious persons came out to see who this +might be. As they approached the woman called out to them, "Do not +come any nearer. Go and tell my mother and my relations to put up a +lodge for us a little way from the camp, and near by it build a +sweat-house." When this had been done the man and his wife went in +and took a thorough sweat, and then they went into the lodge and +burned sweet grass and purified their clothing and the Worm Pipe. +Then their relations and friends came in to see them. The man told +them where he had been and how he had managed to get his wife back, +and that the pipe hanging over the doorway was a medicine pipe--the +Worm Pipe--presented to him by his ghost father-in-law. + +That is how the people came to possess the Worm Pipe. That pipe +belongs to the band of Piegans known as the Worm People. + +Not long after this, once in the night, this man told his wife to do +something, and when she did not begin at once he picked up a brand +from the fire and raised it--not that he intended to strike her +with it, but he made as if he would--when all at once she vanished +and was never seen again. + + + + +THE BUFFALO STONE + + +A small stone, which is often a fossil shell, or sometimes only a +queer shaped piece of flint, is called by the Blackfeet +I-n[)i]s´k[)i]m, the buffalo stone. This stone has great power, and +gives its owner good luck in bringing the buffalo close, so that +they may be killed. The stone is found on the prairie, and any one +who finds one is thought to be very lucky. Sometimes a man who is +going along on the prairie will hear a queer faint chirp, such as a +little bird might make. He knows this sound is made by a buffalo +stone. He stops and searches for it on the ground, and if he cannot +find it, marks the place and comes back next day to look for it +again. If it is found, he and all his family are glad. The Blackfeet +tell a story about how the first buffalo stone was found. + +Long ago, one winter, the buffalo disappeared. The snow was deep, so +deep that the people could not move in search of the buffalo; so +the hunters went as far as they could up and down the river-bottoms +and in the ravines, and killed deer and elk and other small game, +and when these were all killed or driven away the people began to +starve. + +One day a young married man killed a prairie rabbit. He ran home as +fast as he could, and told one of his wives to hurry and get a skin +of water to cook it. She started down to the river for water, and as +she was going along she heard a beautiful song. She looked all +about, but could see no one who was singing. + +The song seemed to come from a big cotton-wood tree near the trail +leading down to the water. As she looked closely at this tree she +saw a queer stone jammed in a fork where the tree was split, and +with it a few hairs from a buffalo which had rubbed against the +tree. The woman was frightened and dared not pass the tree. Soon the +singing stopped and the I-nis´kim said to the woman, "Take me +to your lodge, and when it is dark call in the people and teach them +the song you have just heard. Pray, too, that you may not starve, +and that the buffalo may come back. Do this, and when day comes your +hearts will be glad." + +The woman went on and got the water, and when she came back she took +the stone and gave it to her husband, telling him about the song and +what the stone had said. + +As soon as it was dark, the man called the chiefs and old men to his +lodge, and his wife taught them the song that she had heard. They +prayed too, as the stone had said should be done. Before long they +heard far off a noise coming. It was the tramp of a great herd of +buffalo. Then they knew that the stone was powerful, and since that +time the people have taken care of it and have prayed to it. + + + + +HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME + + +You have heard the Thunder, for he is everywhere. He roars in the +mountains, and far out on the prairie is heard his crashing. He +strikes the high rocks, and they fall to pieces; a tree, and it is +broken in slivers; the people, and they die. He is bad. He does not +like the high cliff, the standing tree, or living man. He likes to +strike and crush them to the ground. Of all things he is the most +powerful. He cannot be resisted. But I have not told you the worst +thing about him. Sometimes he takes away women. + +Long ago, almost in the beginning, a man and his wife were sitting +in their lodge when Thunder came and struck them. The man was not +killed. At first he lay as if dead, but after a time he lived again, +and, standing up, looked about him. He did not see his wife. + +"Oh," he thought, "she has gone to get wood or water," and he sat +down again. But when night came he went out of the lodge and asked +the people about her. No one had seen her. He looked all through the +camp, but could not find her. Then he knew that the Thunder had +taken her away, and he went out on the hills and mourned. All night +he sat there, trying to think what he might do to get back his wife. + +When morning came he rose and wandered away, and whenever he met any +of the animals he asked if they could tell him where the Thunder +lived. The animals laughed, and most of them would not answer. + +The Wolf said to him, "Do you think that we would look for the home +of the only one we fear? He is our only danger. From all other +enemies we can run away, but from him no one can run. He strikes and +there we lie. Turn back; go home. Do not look for the place of that +dreadful one." + +The man kept on and travelled a long distance. At last, after many +days, he came to a lodge--a strange lodge, for it was made of +stone. Just like any other lodge it looked, only it was made of +stone. This was the home of the Raven chief. The man entered. + +"Welcome, friend," said the chief of the Ravens; "sit down there," +and he pointed to a place. Soon food was placed before the poor man. + +When he had finished eating, the Raven chief asked, "Why have you +come here?" + +"Thunder has stolen my wife," the man answered. "I am looking for +his dwelling-place that I may find her." + +"Are you brave enough to enter the lodge of that dreadful person?" +asked the Raven. "He lives near here. His lodge is of stone like +this one, and hanging in it are eyes--the eyes of those he has +killed or taken away. He has taken out their eyes and hung them in +his lodge. Now, then! Dare you enter there?" + +"No," answered the man, "I am afraid. Who could look at such +dreadful things and live?" + +"No man can," said the Raven; "there is only one old Thunder fears; +there is but one he cannot kill. It is we. It is the Ravens. Now I +will give you some medicine, and he shall not harm you. You shall +enter there and try to find among those eyes your wife's, and if you +find them tell the Thunder why you came and make him give them to +you. Here, now, is a raven's wing. Point this at him and he will be +afraid and start back; but if that should fail, take this arrow. Its +shaft is made of elk horn. Take this, I say, and shoot it through +the lodge." + +"Why make a fool of me?" the poor man asked. "My heart is sad. I am +crying." He covered his head with his robe and wept. + +"Oh," said the Raven, "you do not believe me. Come outside, come +outside, and I will make you believe." + +When they stood outside the Raven asked, "Is the home of your people +far?" + +"A great distance," said the man. + +"Can you tell how many days you have travelled?" + +"No," he replied, "my heart was sad; I did not count the days. +Since I left, the berries have grown and ripened." + +"Can you see your camp from here?" asked the Raven. + +The man did not answer. Then the Raven rubbed some medicine on his +eyes and said, "Look!" The man looked and saw the camp. It was near. +He saw the people; he saw the smoke rising from the lodges; he saw +the painting on some of the lodges. + +"Now you will believe," said the Raven. "Take, then, the arrow and +the wing, and go and get your wife." The man took these things and +went to the Thunder's lodge. He entered and sat down by the doorway. + +The Thunder sat at the back of the lodge and looked at him with +awful eyes. The man looked above and saw hanging there many pairs of +eyes. Among them were those of his wife. + +"Why have you come?" said the Thunder in a dreadful voice. + +"I seek my wife," said the man, "whom you have stolen. There hang +her eyes." + +"No man may enter my lodge and live," said the Thunder, and he rose +to strike him. Then the man pointed the raven wing at the Thunder, +and he fell back on his bed and shivered; but soon he recovered and +rose again, and then the man fitted the elk-horn arrow to his bow +and shot it through the lodge of stone. Right through that stone it +pierced a hole and let the sunlight in. + +"Wait," said the Thunder; "stop. You are the stronger, you have the +greater medicine. You shall have your wife. Take down her eyes." + +The man cut the string that held the eyes, and his wife stood beside +him. + +"Now," said the Thunder, "you know me. I have great power. In summer +I live here; but when winter comes I go far south. I go south with +the birds. Here is my pipe. It has strong power. Take it and keep +it. After this, when first I come in the spring you shall fill this +pipe and light it, and you shall smoke it and pray to me; you and +the people. I bring the rain which makes the berries large and ripe. +I bring the rain which makes all things grow, and for this you +shall pray to me; you and all the people." + +Thus the people got their first medicine pipe. It was long ago. + + + + +COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE + + +The last lodge had been set up in the Blackfeet winter camp. Evening +was closing over the travel-tired people. The sun had dropped beyond +the hills not far away. Women were bringing water from the river at +the edge of the great circle. Men gathered in quiet groups, weary +after the long march of the day. Children called sleepily to each +other, and the dogs sniffed about in well-fed content. + +Lone Feather wrapped his robe more closely around him and walked +slowly from his lodge door and from the camp, off toward the north. +He was thinking of many things, and hardly noticed where he was +going. Presently as he walked, he heard the sound of persons +talking. He stopped to listen. The sound came from a lodge made of +stone, close by the river. Quietly he went toward the lodge and saw +a thin blue line of smoke coming from the top. + +As he approached, an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came +from the lodge door and looked at him. + +"Will you come into my lodge?" she said, greeting him. + +Lone Feather looked at her for a moment in silence. She spoke again. +He could not understand her speech, for she belonged to another +tribe. By signs she made him know that she wished him to come into +her lodge and rest. Lone Feather entered. + +Far back from the door crouched two big grizzly bears. She made +signs to show that the bears were friendly, and Lone Feather sat +down near the door. She stirred the fire, and as she put on fresh +wood the sparks flew up toward the smoke hole, which was opened only +a little way. + +By signs she told him she would go out and open the smoke hole +wider, so that the fire might burn more brightly. She was gone for +some time, and Lone Feather sat looking into the fire, still +thinking of many things, when the air became thick with smoke. He +looked up and saw that the smoke hole was closed. He sprang up and +went to the door, but the door covering was down. He raised it, and +as he put his head out the old woman hit him with a large stone club +and he was dead. + +Before his spirit started for the Sand Hills he saw that with a +large knife she cut up his body and put the pieces into a pot. Soon +they were well cooked and the old woman and the two bears feasted on +his flesh. + +They threw his bones out of the door, where they fell among many +others like them. The ground was strewn with the bones of the +persons she had trapped and killed. + +Day by day other persons disappeared from the winter camp, and more +and more bones whitened on the ground outside the stone lodge on the +river bank. + +As Cold Maker was bringing the snow to the Blackfeet winter camp, he +passed the Sand Hills. Lone Feather and other ghosts from the +Blackfeet tribe were telling each other how the old woman had sent +them there. Cold Maker heard their stories and he was angry. + +When he reached the camp he went to the lodge of Broken Bow--a +brave young man, but very poor. + +He shivered when Cold Maker entered his lodge and drew his ragged +robe about him. They were close friends. + +"Would you like to have a new robe?" asked Cold Maker. + +"Yes," said Broken Bow. + +"Come with me. You may kill two grizzly bears," said Cold Maker. + +"My bow is broken. I cannot," said Broken Bow sadly. + +"I will help you. Bring only a knife." + +Together they went from the lodges toward the north. The sun was +already hidden behind the nearby hills. + +After they had travelled some distance they heard the sound of +voices. They listened. Two bears were complaining that they wanted +meat. A woman told them they must wait. The men saw the line of thin +blue smoke rising from the top of the lodge of stone. All about +whitening bones covered the ground. They went nearer. + +Soon an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came from the door +and smiled as she saw the two persons coming. + +"Come in and rest," she said. Broken Bow did not understand her +language, but Cold Maker, who understands all tribes, said, "We are +cold. Will you let us sit by your fire?" + +The old woman smiled again. + +"You are welcome," she said; "come in. Do not fear my bears. They +are friendly. They will not harm you." The two friends entered the +lodge, where a smouldering fire sent a feeble smoke up to the smoke +hole, that was partly open. She put fresh wood on the fire and said, +"I will open the smoke hole wider," and went out, dropping the door +covering as she went. + +Then she closed the smoke hole. The smoke began to fill the top of +the lodge. It settled lower and lower. Broken Bow was afraid. + +"Give me your pipe," said Cold Maker. + +Broken Bow filled his pipe and, handed it to him. He lighted it by a +brand from the fire, and sent great puffs of smoke curling upward. +This smoke met the other smoke and stopped it. It could not descend +any lower. + +Broken Bow saw the wonderful medicine of his friend. He was no +longer afraid, but wondered what Cold Maker would do next. The +grizzly bears growled low. + +The old woman outside called to them, "Friends, is it smoking in +there now?" + +"Not a bit," replied Cold Maker. "We are very comfortable." + +She waited. They did not come out. She stood near the door. Her +stone club was ready. She grew impatient. She wondered what had gone +wrong with her plans. The two friends were silent. She looked at the +smoke hole, but it was closed securely. She lifted the door covering +to see if the friends within had died. They sat perfectly still. She +entered to look more closely, and as soon as she was fairly inside +Cold Maker and Broken Bow rushed out and dropped the door covering. +Before she could move they piled great heaps of stone in the +door-way. The bears growled. She called for help. Cold Maker and +Broken Bow went on down the river. + +Then Cold Maker took from a little sack a few white eagle-down +feathers. He blew them from him. At once a fierce storm blew across +the valley. The bitter cold froze the water, but only in this one +place. It dammed the stream with fast forming ice. The water rose +higher and higher. It spread out over the banks. Cold Maker and +Broken Bow went far off on the hills and watched it. Little by +little it rose. It reached the stone lodge. The bears roared. The +woman screamed. The water reached the top and covered the lodge from +sight. All sound ceased. A moment more, and the water was quiet. +Once more Cold Maker blew from him a few white eagle-down feathers. +The storm subsided. It became warm again. The ice melted. The water +retreated to its channel. + +Cold Maker and Broken Bow went to the stone lodge. The woman was +lying beside the pot. The grizzly bears were close to the stones +which blocked the door-way. + +Cold Maker said, "Here is your new robe," and Broken Bow took from +the bears their thick, warm skins. + +On his way home Cold Maker again passed the Sand Hills. Entering +the country was an old woman bent with age and crippled. + +He hurried on. + + + + +THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES + + +In the Blackfeet tribe was an association known as the All Comrades. +This was made up of a dozen secret societies graded according to +age, the members of the younger societies passing, after a few +years, into the older ones. This association was in part benevolent +and helpful and in part to encourage bravery in war, but its main +purpose was to see that the orders of the chiefs were carried out, +and to punish offences against the tribe at large. There are stories +which explain how these societies came to be instituted, and this +one tells how the Society of Bulls began. + + +THE BULLS SOCIETY + +It was long, long ago, very far back, that this happened. In those +days the people used to kill the buffalo by driving them over a +steep place near the river, down which they fell into a great pen +built at the foot of the cliff, where the buffalo that had not been +killed by the fall were shot with arrows by the men. Then the people +went into the pen and skinned the buffalo and cut them up and +carried the meat away to their camp. This pen they called piskun. + +In those days the people had built a great piskun with high, strong +walls. No buffalo could jump over it; not even if a great crowd of +them ran against it, could they push it down. + +The young men kept going out, as they always did, to try to bring +the buffalo to the edge of the cliff, but somehow they would not +jump over into the piskun. When they had come almost to the edge, +they would turn off to one side or the other and run down the +sloping hills and away over the prairie. So the people could get no +food, and they began to be hungry, and at last to starve. + +Early one morning a young woman, the daughter of a brave man, was +going from her lodge down to the stream to get water, and as she +went along she saw a herd of buffalo feeding on the prairie, close +to the edge of the cliff above the great piskun. + +"Oh," she called out, "if you will only jump off into the piskun I +will marry one of you." She did not mean this, but said it just in +fun, and as soon as she had said it, she wondered greatly when she +saw the buffalo come jumping over the edge, falling down the cliff. + +A moment later a big bull jumped high over the wall of the piskun +and came toward her, and now truly she was frightened. + +"Come," he said, taking hold of her arm. + +"No, no," she answered, trying to pull herself away. + +"But you said if the buffalo would only jump over, you would marry +one of them. Look, the piskun is full." + +She did not answer, and without saying anything more he led her up +over the bluff and out on the prairie. + +After the people had finished killing the buffalo and cutting up the +meat, they missed this young woman. No one knew where she had gone, +and her relations were frightened and very sad because they could +not find her. So her father took his bow and quiver and put them on +his back and said, "I will go and find her"; and he climbed the +bluff and set out over the prairie. + +He travelled some distance, but saw nothing of his daughter. The sun +was hot, and at length he came to a buffalo wallow in which some +water was standing, and drank and sat down to rest. A little way off +on the prairie he saw a herd of buffalo. As the man sat there by the +wallow, trying to think what he might do to find his daughter, a +magpie came up and alighted on the ground near him. The man spoke to +it, saying, "M[)a]m-[=i]-[)a]t´s[=i]-k[)i]m[)i]--Magpie--you are a +beautiful bird; help me, for I am very unhappy. As you travel about +over the prairie, look everywhere, and if you see my daughter say to +her, 'Your father is waiting by the wallow.'" + +Soon the magpie flew away, and as he passed near the herd of buffalo +he saw the young woman there, and alighting on the ground near her, +he began to pick at things, turning his head this way and that, and +seeming to look for food. When he was close to the girl he said to +her, "Your father is waiting by the wallow." + +"Sh-h-h! Sh-h-h!" replied the girl in a whisper, looking about her +very much frightened, for her bull husband was sleeping close by. +"Do not speak so loud. Go back and tell him to wait." + +"Your daughter is over there with the buffalo. She says 'Wait,'" +said the magpie when he had flown back to the poor father. + +After a little time the bull awoke and said to his wife, "Go and +bring me some water." Then the woman was glad, and she took a horn +from her husband's head and went to the wallow for water. + +"Oh, why did you come?" she said to her father. "They will surely +kill you." + +"I came to take my daughter back to my lodge. Come, let us go." + +"No," said the girl, "not now. They will surely chase us and kill +us. Wait until he sleeps again and I will try to get away." Then she +filled the horn with water and went back to the buffalo. + +Her husband drank a swallow of the water, and when he took the horn +it made a noise. "Ah," he said, as he looked about, "a person is +somewhere close by." + +"No one," replied the girl, but her heart stood still. The bull +drank again. Then he stood up on his feet and moaned and grunted, +"M-m-ah-oo! Bu-u-u!" Fearful was the sound. Up rose the other bulls, +raised their tails in the air, tossed their heads and bellowed back +to him. Then they pawed the earth, thrust their horns into it, +rushed here and there, and presently, coming to the wallow, found +there the poor man. They rushed over him, trampling him with their +great hoofs, thrust their horns into his body and tore him to +pieces, and trampled him again. Soon not even a piece of his body +could be seen--only the wet earth cut up by their hoofs. + +Then his daughter mourned in sorrow. "_Oh! Ah! Ni-nah-ah! Oh! Ah! +Ni-nah-ah!_"--Ah, my father, my father. + +"Ah," said her bull husband; "now you understand how it is that we +feel. You mourn for your father; but we have seen our fathers, +mothers, and many of our relations fall over the high cliffs, to be +killed for food by your people. But now I will pity you, I will give +you one chance. If you can bring your father to life, you and he may +go back to your camp." + +Then said the woman, "Ah, magpie, pity me, help me; for now I need +help. Look in the trampled mud of the wallow and see if you can find +even a little piece of my father's body and bring it to me." + +Swiftly the magpie flew to the wallow, and alighting there, walked +all about, looking in every hole and even tearing up the mud with +his sharp beak. Presently he uncovered something white, and as he +picked the mud from about it, he saw it was a bone, and pulling +hard, he dragged it from the mud--the joint of a man's backbone. +Then gladly he flew back with it to the woman. + +The girl put the bone on the ground and covered it with her robe and +began to sing. After she had sung she took the robe away, and there +under it lay her father's body, as if he had just died. Once again +she covered the body with the robe and sang, and this time when she +took the robe away the body was breathing. A third time she covered +the body with the robe and sang, and when she again took away the +robe, the body moved its arms and legs a little. A fourth time she +covered it and sang, and when she took away the robe her father +stood up. + +The buffalo were surprised and the magpie was glad, and flew about +making a great noise. + +"Now this day we have seen a strange thing," said her bull husband. +"The people's medicine is strong. He whom we trampled to death, whom +our hoofs cut to pieces and mixed all up with the soil, is alive +again. Now you shall go to your home, but before you go we will +teach you our dance and our song. Do not forget them." + +The buffalo showed the man and his daughter their dance and taught +them the songs, and then the bull said to them, "Now you are to go +back to your home, but do not forget what you have seen. Teach the +people this dance and these songs, and while they are dancing it let +them wear a bull's head and a robe. Those who are to be of the +Bulls Society shall wear them." + +When the poor man returned with his daughter, all the people were +glad. Then after a time he called a council of the chiefs and told +them the things that had happened. The chiefs chose certain young +men to be Bulls, and the man taught them the dance and the song, and +told them everything that they should do. + +So began the Bull Society. + + +THE OTHER SOCIETIES + +For a long time the buffalo had not been seen. Every one was hungry, +for the hunters could find no food for the people. + +A certain man, who had two wives, a daughter, and two sons, as he +saw what a hard time they were having, said, "I shall not stop here +to die. To-morrow we will move toward the mountains, where we may +kill elk and deer and sheep and antelope, or, if not these, at least +we shall find beaver and birds, and can get them. In this way we +shall have food to eat and shall live." + +Next morning they caught their dogs and harnessed them to the +travois and took their loads on their backs and set out. It was +still winter, and they travelled slowly. Besides, they were weak +from hunger and could go only a short distance in a day. The fourth +night came, and they sat in their lodge, tired and hungry. No one +spoke, for people who are hungry do not care to talk. Suddenly, +outside, the dogs began to bark, and soon the door was pushed aside +and a young man entered. + +"Welcome," said the man, and he motioned to a place where the +stranger should sit. + +Now during this day there had been blowing a warm wind which had +melted the snow, so that the prairie was covered with water, yet +this young man's moccasins and leggings were dry. They saw this, and +were frightened. They sat there for a long time, saying nothing. + +Then the young man spoke and asked, "Why is this? Why do you not +give me food?" + +"Ah," replied the father, "you see here people who are truly poor. +We have no food. For many days the buffalo did not come in sight, +and we looked for deer and other animals, which people eat, and when +these had all been killed we began to starve. Then I said, 'We will +not stay here to die from hunger,' and we set out for the mountains. +This is the fourth night of our travels." + +"Ah," said the young man, "then your travels are ended. You need go +no farther. Close by here is our piskun. Many buffalo have been run +in, and our parfleches are filled with dried meat. Wait a little; I +will go and bring you some," and he went out. + +As soon as he had gone they began to talk about this strange person. +They were afraid of him and did not know what to do. The children +began to cry, and the women tried to quiet them. Presently the young +man came back, bringing some meat. + +"There is food," said he, as he put it down by the woman. "Now +to-morrow move your camp over to our lodges. Do not fear anything. +No matter what strange things you may see, do not fear. All will be +your friends. Yet about one thing I must warn you. In this you +should be careful. If you should find an arrow lying about +anywhere, in the piskun or outside, do not touch it, neither you nor +your wives nor your children." When he had said this he went out. + +The father took his pipe and filled it, and smoked and prayed to all +the powers, saying, "Hear now, Sun; listen, Above People; listen, +Underwater People; now you have taken pity; now you have given us +food. We are going to those mysterious ones who walk through water +with dry moccasins. Protect us among these to-be-feared people. Let +us live. Man, woman, and child, give us long life." + +Now from the fire again arose the smell of roasting meat. The +children ate and played. Those who so long had been silent now +talked and laughed. + +Early in the morning, as soon as the sun had risen, they took down +their lodge and packed their dogs and started for the camp of the +stranger. When they had come to where they could see it, they found +it a wonderful place. There around the piskun, and stretching far +up and down the valley, were pitched the lodges of the meat eaters. +They could not see them all, but near by they saw the lodges of the +Bear band, the Fox band, and the Raven band. The father of the young +man who had visited them and given them meat was the chief of the +Wolf band, and by that band they pitched their lodge. Truly that was +a happy place. Food was plenty. All day long people were shouting +out for feasts, and everywhere was heard the sound of drumming and +singing and dancing. + +The newly come people went to the piskun for meat, and there one of +the children saw an arrow lying on the ground. It was a beautiful +arrow, the stone point long, slender, and sharp, the shaft round and +straight. The boy remembered what had been said and he looked around +fearfully, but everywhere the people were busy. No one was looking. +He picked up the arrow and put it under his robe. + +Then there rose a terrible sound. All the animals howled and growled +and rushed toward him, but the chief Wolf got to him first, and +holding up his hand said, "Wait. He is young and not yet of good +sense. We will let him go this time." They did nothing to him. + +When night came some one shouted out, calling people to a feast and +saying, "Listen, listen, Wolf, you are to eat; enter with your +friend." + +"We are invited," said the chief Wolf to his new friend, and +together they went to the lodge from which the call came. + +Within the lodge the fire burned brightly, and seated around it were +many men, the old and wise of the Raven band. On the lodge lining, +hanging behind the seats, were the paintings of many great deeds. +Food was placed before the guests--pemican and berries and dried +back fat--and after they had eaten the pipe was lighted and passed +around the circle. Then the Raven chief spoke and said, "Now, Wolf, +I am going to give our new friend a present. What do you think of +that?" + +"It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf; "our new friend will be +glad." + +From a long parfleche sack the Raven chief took a slender stick, +beautifully ornamented with many-colored feathers. To the end of +the stick was tied the skin of a raven--head, wings, feet, and tail. + +"We," said the Raven chief, "are those who carry the raven +(M[)a]s-to-p[=a]h´-t[)a]-k[=i]ks). Of all the fliers, of all the +birds, what one is so smart as the raven? None. The raven's eyes are +sharp, his wings are strong. He is a great hunter and never hungry. +Far off on the prairie he sees his food, or if it is deep hidden in +the forest it does not escape him. This is our song and our dance." + +When he had finished singing and dancing he placed the stick in +the sack and gave it to the man and said, "Take it with you, +and when you have returned to your people you shall say, 'Now +there are already the Bulls, and he who is the Raven chief +said, "There shall be more. There shall be the All Friends +([=I]k[)u]n-[)u]h´-k[=a]h-ts[)i]), so that the people may live, +and of the All Friends shall be the Raven Bearers."' You shall +call a council of the chiefs and wise old men, and they shall +choose the persons who are to belong to the society. Teach them +the song and the dance, and give them the medicine. It shall be +theirs forever." + +Soon they heard another person shouting out the feast call, and, +going, they entered the lodge of the chief of the Kit-Foxes +(S[)i]n´-o-pah). Here, too, old men had gathered. After they had +eaten of the food set before them, the chief said, "Those among whom +you have just come are generous. They do not look carefully at the +things they have, but give to the stranger and pity the poor. The +kit-fox is a little animal, but what one is smarter? None. His hair +is like the dead grass of the prairie; his eyes are keen; his feet +make no noise when he walks; his brain is cunning. His ears receive +the far-off sound. Here is our medicine. Take it." He gave the man +the stick. It was long, crooked at one end, wound with fur, and tied +here and there with eagle feathers. At the end was a kit-fox skin. +Again the chief spoke and said, "Listen to our song. Do not forget +it, and the dance, too, you must remember. When you reach home teach +them to the people." He sang and danced. Then presently his guests +departed. + +Again they heard the feast shout, and he who called was the chief +of the Bear society. After they had eaten and smoked the chief said, + +"What is your opinion, friend Wolf? Shall we give our new friend a +present?" + +"It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf. "It is yours to give." + +Then spoke the Bear, saying, "There are many animals and some of +them are powerful; but the bear is the strongest and greatest of +all. He fears nothing and is always ready to fight." + +Then he put on a necklace of bear claws, a band of bear fur about +his head, and a belt of bear fur, and sang and danced. When he had +finished he gave the things he had worn to the man and said, "Teach +the people our song and our dance, and give them this medicine. It +is powerful." + +It was very late. The Seven Stars had come to the middle of the +night, yet again they heard the feast shout from the far end of the +camp. In this lodge the men were painted with streaks of red, and +their hair was all pushed to one side. After the feast the chief +said, "We are different from all others here. We are called the +Braves (M[)u]t´-s[)i]ks). We know not fear; we are death. Even if +our enemies are as many as the grass we do not turn away, but fight +and conquer. Bows are good weapons, lances are better; but our +weapon is the knife." + +Then the chief sang and danced, and afterward he gave the Wolf +chief's friend the medicine. It was a long knife and many scalps +were tied on the handle. "This," said he, "is for the All Friends." + +To one more lodge they were called that night and the lodge owner +taught the man his song and dance, and gave him his medicine. Then +the Wolf chief and his friend went home and slept. + +Early next day the Blackfeet women began to take down the lodge and +to get ready to move their camp. Many women came and made them +presents of food, dried meat, pemican, and berries. They were given +so much that they could not take it all with them. It was long +before they joined the main camp, for it had moved south, looking +for buffalo. + +When they reached the camp, as soon as the lodge was pitched, the +man called all the chiefs to come and feast with him, and told them +what he had seen, and showed them the different medicines. Then the +chiefs chose certain young men to belong to the different societies, +and this man taught them the songs and dances, and gave its medicine +to each society. + + + + +THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE + + +The chief god of the Blackfeet is the Sun. He made the world and +rules it, and to him the people pray. One of his names is Napi--old +man; but there is another Napi who is very different from the Sun, +and instead of being great, wise, and wonderful, is foolish, mean, +and contemptible. We shall hear about him further on. + +Every year in summer, about the time the berries ripen, the +Blackfeet used to hold the great festival and sacrifice which we +call the ceremony of the Medicine Lodge. This was a time of happy +meetings, of feasting, of giving presents; but besides this +rejoicing, those men who wished to have good-luck in whatever they +might undertake tried to prove their prayers sincere by sacrificing +their bodies, torturing themselves in ways that caused great +suffering. In ancient times, as we are told in books of history, +things like that used to happen among many peoples all over the +world. + +It was the law that the building of the Medicine Lodge must always +be pledged by a good woman. If a woman had a son or a husband away +at war and feared that he was in danger, or if she had a child that +was sick and might die, she might pray for the safety of the one she +loved, and promise that if he returned or recovered she would build +a Medicine Lodge. This pledge was made in a loud voice, publicly, in +open air, so that all might know the promise had been made. + +At the time appointed all the tribe came together and pitched their +lodges in a great circle, and within this circle the Medicine Lodge +was built. The ceremony lasted for four days and four nights, during +which time the woman who had promised to make the Medicine Lodge +neither ate nor drank, except once in sacrifice. Different stories +are told of how the first Medicine Lodge came to be built. This is +one of those stories: + +In the earliest times there was a man who had a very beautiful +daughter. Many young men wished to marry her, but whenever she was +asked she shook her head and said she did not wish to marry. + +"Why is this?" said her father. "Some of these young men are rich, +handsome, and brave." + +"Why should I marry?" replied the girl. "My father and mother take +care of me. Our lodge is good; the parfleches are never empty; there +are plenty of tanned robes and soft furs for winter. Why trouble me, +then?" + +Soon after, the Raven Bearers held a dance. They all painted +themselves nicely and wore their finest ornaments and each one tried +to dance the best. Afterward some of them asked for this girl, but +she said, "No." After that the Bulls, the Kit-Foxes, and others of +the All Comrades held their dances, and many men who were rich and +some great warriors asked this man for his daughter, but to every +one she said, "No." + +Then her father was angry, and he said, "Why is this? All the best +men have asked for you, and still you say 'No.'" Then the girl +said, "Father, listen to me. That Above Person, the Sun, said to me, +'Do not marry any of these men, for you belong to me. Listen to what +I say, and you shall be happy and live to a great age.' And again he +said to me, 'Take heed, you must not marry; you are mine.'" + +"Ah!" replied her father; "it must always be as he says"; and they +spoke no more about it. + +There was a poor young man. He was very poor. His father, his +mother, and all his relations were dead. He had no lodge, no wife to +tan his robes or make his moccasins. His clothes were always old and +worn. He had no home. To-day he stopped in one lodge; then to-morrow +he ate and slept in another. Thus he lived. He had a good face, but +on his cheek was a bad scar. + +After they had held those dances, some of the young men met this +poor Scarface, and they laughed at him and said, "Why do not you ask +that girl to marry you? You are so rich and handsome." + +Scarface did not laugh. He looked at them and said, "I will do as +you say; I will go and ask her." + +All the young men thought this was funny; they laughed a good deal +at Scarface as he was walking away. + +Scarface went down by the river and waited there, near the place +where the women went to get water. By and by the girl came there. +Scarface spoke to her, and said, "Girl, stop; I want to speak with +you. I do not wish to do anything secretly, but I speak to you here +openly, where the Sun looks down and all may see." + +"Speak, then," said the girl. + +"I have seen the days," said Scarface. "I have seen how you have +refused all those men, who are young and rich and brave. To-day some +of these young men laughed and said to me, 'Why do not you ask her?' +I am poor. I have no lodge, no food, no clothes, no robes. I have no +relations. All of them have died. Yet now to-day I say to you, take +pity. Be my wife." + +The girl hid her face in her robe and brushed the ground with the +point of her moccasin, back and forth, back and forth, for she was +thinking. + +After a time she spoke and said, "It is true I have refused all +those rich young men; yet now a poor one asks me, and I am glad. I +will be your wife, and my people will be glad. You are poor, but +that does not matter. My father will give you dogs; my mother will +make us a lodge; my relations will give us robes and furs; you will +no longer be poor." + +Then the young man was glad, and he started forward to kiss her, but +she put out her hand and held him back, and said, "Wait; the Sun has +spoken to me. He said I may not marry; that I belong to him; that if +I listen to him I shall live to great age. So now I say, go to the +Sun; say to him, 'She whom you spoke with has listened to your +words; she has never done wrong, but now she wants to marry. I want +her for my wife.' Ask him to take that scar from your face; that +will be his sign, and I shall know he is pleased. But if he refuses, +or if you cannot find his lodge, then do not return to me." + +"Oh!" cried Scarface; "at first your words were good. I was glad. +But now it is dark. My heart is dead. Where is that far-off lodge? +Where is the trail that no one yet has travelled?" + +"Take courage, take courage," said the girl softly, and she went on +to her lodge. + +Scarface was very unhappy. He did not know what to do. He sat down +and covered his face with his robe, and tried to think. At length he +stood up and went to an old woman who had been kind to him, and said +to her, "Pity me. I am very poor. I am going away, on a long +journey. Make me some moccasins." + +"Where are you going--far from the camp?" asked the old woman. + +"I do not know where I am going," he replied; "I am in trouble, but +I cannot talk about it." + +This old woman had a kind heart. She made him moccasins--seven +pairs; and gave him also a sack of food--pemican, dried meat, and +back fat. + +All alone, and with a sad heart, Scarface climbed the bluff that +overlooked the valley, and when he had reached the top, turned to +look back at the camp. He wondered if he should ever see it again; +if he should return to the girl and to the people. + +"Pity me, O Sun!" he prayed; and turning away, he set off to look +for the trail to the Sun's lodge. + +For many days he went on. He crossed great prairies and followed up +timbered rivers, and crossed the mountains. Every day his sack of +food grew lighter, but as he went along he looked for berries and +roots, and sometimes he killed an animal. These things gave him +food. + +One night he came to the home of a wolf. "Hah!" said the wolf; "what +are you doing so far from your home?" + +"I am looking for the place where the Sun lives," replied Scarface. +"I have been sent to speak with him." + +"I have travelled over much country," said the wolf; "I know all the +prairies, the valleys, and the mountains; but I have never seen the +Sun's home. But wait a moment. I know a person who is very wise, +and who may be able to tell you the road. Ask the bear." + +The next day Scarface went on again, stopping now and then to rest +and to pick berries, and when night came he was at the bear's lodge. + +"Where is your home?" asked the bear. "Why are you travelling so far +alone?" + +"Ah," replied the man, "I have come to you for help. Pity me. +Because of what that girl said to me, I am looking for the Sun. I +wish to ask him for her." + +"I do not know where he lives," said the bear. "I have travelled by +many rivers and I know the mountains, yet I have not seen his lodge. +Farther on there is some one--that striped face--who knows a great +deal; ask him." + +When the young man got there, the badger was in his hole. But +Scarface called to him, "Oh, cunning striped face! I wish to speak +with you." + +The badger put his head out of the hole and said, "What do you want, +my brother?" + +"I wish to find the Sun's home," said Scarface. "I wish to speak +with him." + +"I do not know where he lives," answered the badger. "I never +travel very far. Over there in the timber is the wolverene. He is +always travelling about, and knows many things. Perhaps he can tell +you." + +Scarface went over to the forest and looked all about for the +wolverene, but could not see him; so he sat down on a log to rest. +"Alas, alas!" he cried; "wolverene, take pity on me. My food is +gone, my moccasins are worn out; I fear I shall die." + +Some one close to him said, "What is it, my brother?" and looking +around, he saw the wolverene sitting there. + +"She whom I wish to marry belongs to the Sun," said Scarface; "I am +trying to find where he lives, so that I may ask him for her." + +"Ah," said the wolverene, "I know where he lives. It is nearly night +now, but to-morrow I will show you the trail to the big water. He +lives on the other side of it." + +Early in the morning they set out, and the wolverene showed Scarface +the trail, and he followed it until he came to the water's edge. +When he looked out over it, his heart almost stopped. Never before +had any one seen such a great water. The other side could not be +seen and there was no end to it. Scarface sat down on the shore. +This seemed the end. His food was gone; his moccasins were worn out; +he had no longer strength, no longer courage; his heart was sick. "I +cannot cross this great water," he said. "I cannot return to the +people. Here by this water I shall die." + +Yet, even as he thought this, helpers were near. Two swans came +swimming up to the shore and said to him, "Why have you come here? +What are you doing? It is very far to the place where your people +live." + +"I have come here to die," replied Scarface. "Far away in my country +is a beautiful girl. I want to marry her, but she belongs to the +Sun; so I set out to find him and ask him for her. I have travelled +many days. My food is gone. I cannot go back; I cannot cross this +great water; so I must die." + +"No," said the swans; "it shall not be so. Across this water is the +home of that Above Person. Get on our backs, and we will take you +there." + +Scarface stood up. Now he felt strong and full of courage. He waded +out into the water and lay down on the swans' backs, and they swam +away. It was a fearful journey, for that water was deep and black, +and in it live strange people and great animals which might reach up +and seize a person and pull him down under the water; yet the swans +carried Scarface safely to the other side. There was seen a broad, +hard trail leading back from the water's edge. + +"There," said the swans; "you are now close to the Sun's lodge. +Follow that trail, and soon you will see it." + +Scarface started to walk along the trail, and after he had gone a +little way he came to some beautiful things lying in the trail. +There was a war shirt, a shield, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. He +had never seen such fine weapons. He looked at them, but he did not +touch them, and at last walked around them and went on. A little +farther along he met a young man, a very handsome person. His hair +was long; his clothing was made of strange skins, and his moccasins +were sewed with bright feathers. + +The young man spoke to him and asked, "Did you see some weapons +lying in the trail?" + +"Yes," replied Scarface, "I saw them." + +"Did you touch them?" said the young man. + +"No," said Scarface; "I supposed some one had left them there, and I +did not touch them." + +"You do not meddle with the property of others," said the young man. +"What is your name, and where are you going?" Scarface told him. +Then said the young man, "My name is Early Riser (the morning star). +The Sun is my father. Come, I will take you to our lodge. My father +is not at home now, but he will return at night." + +At length they came to the lodge. It was large and handsome, and on +it were painted strange medicine animals. On a tripod behind the +lodge were the Sun's weapons and his war clothing. Scarface was +ashamed to go into the lodge, but Morning Star said, "Friend, do not +be afraid; we are glad you have come." + +When they went in a woman was sitting there, the Moon, the Sun's +wife and the mother of Morning Star. She spoke to Scarface kindly +and gave him food to eat, and when he had eaten she asked, "Why have +you come so far from your people?" + +So Scarface told her about the beautiful girl that he wished to +marry and said, "She belongs to the Sun. I have come to ask him for +her." + +When it was almost night, and time for the Sun to come home, the +Moon hid Scarface under a pile of robes. As soon as the Sun got to +the doorway he said, "A strange person is here." + +"Yes, father," said Morning Star, "a young man has come to see you. +He is a good young man, for he found some of my things in the trail +and did not touch them." + +Scarface came out from under the robes and the Sun entered the lodge +and sat down. He spoke to Scarface and said, "I am glad you have +come to our lodge. Stay with us as long as you like. Sometimes my +son is lonely. Be his friend." + +The next day the two young men were talking about going hunting and +the Moon spoke to Scarface and said, "Go with my son where you +like, but do not hunt near that big water. Do not let him go there. +That is the home of great birds with long, sharp bills. They kill +people. I have had many sons, but these birds have killed them all. +Only Morning Star is left." + +Scarface stayed a long time in the Sun's lodge, and every day went +hunting with Morning Star. One day they came near the water and saw +the big birds. + +"Come on," said Morning Star, "let us go and kill those birds." + +"No, no," said Scarface, "we must not go there. Those are terrible +birds; they will kill us." + +Morning Star would not listen. He ran toward the water and Scarface +ran after him, for he knew that he must kill the birds and save the +boy's life. He ran ahead of Morning Star and met the birds, which +were coming to fight, and killed every one of them with his spear; +not one was left. The young men cut off the heads of the birds and +carried them home, and when Morning Star's mother heard what they +had done, and they showed her the birds' heads, she was glad. She +cried over the two young men and called Scarface "My son," and when +the Sun came home at night she told him about it, and he too was +glad. + +"My son," he said to Scarface, "I will not forget what you have this +day done for me. Tell me now what I can do for you; what is your +trouble?" + +"Alas, alas!" replied Scarface, "Pity me. I came here to ask you for +that girl. I want to marry her. I asked her and she was glad, but +she says that she belongs to you, and that you told her not to +marry." + +"What you say is true," replied the Sun. "I have seen the days and +all that she has done. Now I give her to you. She is yours. I am +glad that she has been wise, and I know that she has never done +wrong. The Sun takes care of good women; they shall live a long +time, and so shall their husbands and children. + +"Now, soon you will go home. I wish to tell you something and you +must be wise and listen. I am the only chief; everything is mine; I +made the earth, the mountains, the prairies, the rivers, and the +forests; I made the people and all the animals. This is why I say +that I alone am chief. I can never die. It is true the winter makes +me old and weak, but every summer I grow young again. + +"What one of all the animals is the smartest?" the Sun went on. "It +is the raven, for he always finds food; he is never hungry. Which +one of all the animals is the most to be reverenced? It is the +buffalo; of all the animals I like him best. He is for the people; +he is your food and your shelter. What part of his body is sacred? +It is the tongue; that belongs to me. What else is sacred? Berries. +They too are mine. Come with me now and see the world." + +The Sun took Scarface to the edge of the sky and they looked down +and saw the world. It is flat and round, and all around the edge it +goes straight down. Then said the Sun, "If any man is sick or in +danger his wife may promise to build me a lodge if he recovers. If +the woman is good, then I shall be pleased and help the man; but if +she is not good, or if she lies, then I shall be angry. You shall +build the lodge like the world, round, with walls, but first you +must build a sweat-lodge of one hundred sticks. It shall be arched +like the sky, and one-half of it shall be painted red for me, the +other half you shall paint black for the night." He told Scarface +all about making the Medicine Lodge, and when he had finished +speaking, he rubbed some medicine on the young man's face and the +scar that had been there disappeared. He gave him two raven +feathers, saying: "These are a sign for the girl that I give her to +you. They must always be worn by the husband of the woman who builds +a Medicine Lodge." + +Now Scarface was ready to return home. The Sun and Morning Star gave +him many good presents; the Moon cried and kissed him and was sorry +to see him go. Then the Sun showed him the short trail. It was the +Wolf Road--the Milky Way. He followed it and soon reached the +ground. + + * * * * * + +It was a very hot day. All the lodge skins were raised and the +people sat in the shade. There was a chief, a very generous man, +who all day long was calling out for feasts, and people kept coming +to his lodge to eat and smoke with him. Early in the morning this +chief saw sitting on a butte near by a person close-wrapped in his +robe. All day long this person sat there and did not move. When it +was almost night the chief said, "That person has sat there all day +in the strong heat, and he has not eaten nor drunk. Perhaps he is a +stranger. Go and ask him to come to my lodge." + +Some young men ran up to the person and said to him, "Why have you +sat here all day in the great heat? Come to the shade of the lodges. +The chief asks you to eat with him." The person rose and threw off +his robe and the young men were surprised. He wore fine clothing; +his bow, shield, and other weapons were of strange make; but they +knew his face, although the scar was gone, and they ran ahead, +shouting, "The Scarface poor young man has come. He is poor no +longer. The scar on his face is gone." + +All the people hurried out to see him and to ask him questions. +"Where did you get all these fine things?" He did not answer. There +in the crowd stood that young woman, and, taking the two raven +feathers from his head, he gave them to her and said, "The trail was +long and I nearly died, but by those helpers I found his lodge. He +is glad. He sends these feathers to you. They are the sign." + +Great was her gladness then. They were married and made the first +Medicine Lodge, as the Sun had said. The Sun was glad. He gave them +great age. They were never sick. When they were very old, one +morning their children called to them, "Awake, rise and eat." They +did not move. + +In the night, together, in sleep, without pain, their shadows had +departed to the Sandhills. + + + + +THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES + + +The old lodges of the Piegans were made of buffalo skin and were +painted with pictures of different kinds--birds, or animals, or +trees, or mountains. It is believed that in most cases the first +painter of any lodge was taught how he should paint it in a dream, +but this was not always the case. + +Two of the most important lodges in the Blackfeet camp are known as +the [=I]n[)i]s´k[)i]m lodges. Both are painted with figures of +buffalo, one with black buffalo, and the other with yellow buffalo. +Certain of the Inis´kim are kept in these lodges and can be +kept in no others. + +This story tells how these two lodges came to be made. + +The painters were told what to do long, long ago, "in about the +second generation after the first people." + +In those days the old Piegans lived in the north, close to the Red +Deer River. The camp moved, and the lodges were pitched on the +river. One day two old men who were close friends had gone out from +the camp to find some straight cherry shoots with which to make +arrows. After they had gathered their shafts, they sat down on a +high bank by the river and began to peel the bark from the shoots. +The river was high. One of these men was named Weasel Heart and the +other Fisher. + +As they sat there, Weasel Heart chanced to look down into the water +and saw something. He said to his comrade, "Friend, do you not see +something down there where the water goes around?" + +Fisher said, "No; I see nothing except buffalo," for he was looking +across the river to the other side, and not down into the water. + +"No," said Weasel Heart; "I do not mean over there on the prairie. +Look down into that deep hole in the river, and you will see a lodge +there." + +Fisher looked as he had been told, and saw the lodge. + +Weasel Heart said, "There is a lodge painted with black +buffalo." As he spoke thus, Fisher said, "I see another lodge, +standing in front of it." Weasel Heart saw that lodge too--the +yellow-painted-buffalo lodge. + +The two men wondered at this and could not understand how it could +be, but they were both men of strong hearts, and presently Weasel +Heart said, "Friend, I shall go down to enter that lodge. Do you sit +here and tell me when I get to the place." Then Weasel Heart went up +the river and found a drift-log to support him and pushed it out +into the water, and floated down toward the cut bank. When he had +reached the place where the lodge stood Fisher told him, and he let +go the log and dived down into the water and entered the lodge. + +In it he found two persons who owned the lodge, a man and his wife. +The man said to him, "You are welcome," and Weasel Heart sat down. +Then spoke the owner of the lodge saying, "My son, this is my lodge, +and I give it to you. Look well at it inside and outside; and make +your lodge like this. If you do that, it may be a help to you." + +Fisher sat a long time waiting for his friend, but at last he +looked down the stream and saw a man on the shore walking toward +him. He came along the bank until he had reached his friend. It was +Weasel Heart. + +Fisher said to him, "I have been waiting a long time, and I was +afraid that something bad had happened to you." + +Weasel Heart asked him, "Did you see me?" + +"I saw you," said Fisher, "when you went into that lodge. Did you, +when you came out of the lodge, see there in the water another lodge +painted with yellow buffalo? Is it still there?" + +Weasel Heart said, "I saw it; it is there. Go you into the water as +I did." + +Then Fisher went up the stream as his friend had gone and entered +the water at the same place and swam down as Weasel Heart had done, +and when Weasel Heart showed him the place he dived down and +disappeared as Weasel Heart had disappeared. He entered the +yellow-painted-buffalo lodge, and his friend saw him go into it. + +In the lodge were two persons, a man and his wife. The man said to +him, "You are welcome; sit there." He spoke further, saying, "My +son, you have seen this lodge of mine; I give it to you. Look +carefully at it, inside and outside, and fix up your lodge in that +way. It may be a help to you hereafter." Then Fisher went out. + +Weasel Heart waited for his friend as long as Fisher had waited for +him, and when Fisher came out of the water it was at the place where +Weasel Heart had come out. Then the two friends went home to the +camp. + +When the two had come to a hill near the camp they met a young man, +and by him sent word that the people should make a sweat-house for +them. After the sweat-house had been made, word was sent to them, +and they entered the camp and went into the sweat-house and took a +sweat, and all the time while they were sweating, sand was falling +from their bodies. + +Some time after that the people moved camp and went out and killed +buffalo, and these two men made two lodges, and painted them just as +the lodges were painted that they had seen in the river. + +These two men had strong power which came to them from the +Under-water People. + +Once the people wished to cross the river, but the stream was deep +and it was always hard for them to get across. Often the dogs and +the travois were swept away and the people lost many of their +things. At this time the tribe wished to cross, and Fisher and +Weasel Heart said to each other, "The people want to cross the +river, but it is high and they cannot do so. Let us try to make a +crossing, so that it will be easier for them." So Weasel Heart alone +crossed the river and sat on the bank on the other side, and Fisher +sat opposite to him on the bank where the camp was. + +Then Fisher said to the people, "Pack up your things now and get +ready to cross. I will make a place where you can cross easily." + +Weasel Heart and Fisher filled their pipes and smoked, and then each +started to cross the river. As each stepped into the water, the +river began to go down and the crossing grew more and more shallow. +The people with all their dogs followed close behind Fisher, as he +had told them to do. Fisher and Weasel Heart met in the middle of +the river, and when they met they stepped to one side up the stream +and let the people pass them. Ever since that day this has been a +shallow crossing. + +These lodges came from the Under-water +People--S[=u]´y[=e]-t[)u]p´p[)i]. They were those who had owned them +and who had been kind to Weasel Heart and Fisher. + + + + +MIKA´PI--RED OLD MAN + + +In Montana, running into the Missouri River from the south, is a +little stream that the Blackfeet call "It Fell on Them." Once, long, +long ago, while a number of women were digging in a bank near this +stream for the red earth that they used as paint, the bank gave way +and fell on them, burying and killing them. The white people call +this Armell's Creek. + +It was on this stream near the mountains that the Piegans were +camped when M[=i]ka´pi went to war. This was long ago. + +Early in the morning a herd of buffalo had been seen feeding on the +slopes of the mountains, and some hunters went out to kill them. +Travelling carefully up the ravines, and keeping out of sight of the +herd, they came close to them, near enough to shoot their arrows, +and they began to kill fat cows. But while they were doing this a +war party of Snakes that had been hidden on the mountainside +attacked them, and the Piegans began to run back toward their camp. + +One of them, called Fox Eye, was a brave man, and shouted to the +others to stop and wait, saying, "Let us fight these people; the +Snakes are not brave; we can drive them back." But the other Piegans +would not listen to him; they made excuses, saying, "We have no +shields; our war medicine is not here; there are many of them; why +should we stop here to die?" They ran on to the camp, but Fox Eye +would not run. Hiding behind a rock he prepared to fight, but as he +was looking for some enemy to shoot at, holding his arrow on the +string, a Snake had crept up on the bank above him; the Piegan heard +the twang of the bowstring, and the long, fine arrow passed through +his body. His bow and arrow dropped from his hands, and he fell +forward, dead. Now, too late, the warriors came rushing out from the +Piegan camp to help him, but the Snakes scalped their enemy, +scattered up the mountain, and soon were hidden in the timber. + +Fox Eye had two wives, and their father and mother and all their +near relations were dead. All Fox Eye's relations had died. So it +happened that these poor widows had no one to help them--no one to +take vengeance for the killing of their husband. + +All day long, and often far into the night, these two sat on a +near-by hill and wailed, and their mourning was sad. + +There was a young man named Mika´pi. Every morning when he awoke +he heard the mourning of these poor widows, and all through the day +he could not forget their sorrow. He pitied them. One day he sent +his mother to them, to tell them that he wished to speak with them. +When they had come to the lodge they entered and sat down close by +the doorway and covered their heads. + +"Listen!" said Mika´pi. "For days and nights I have heard your +mourning, and I too have mourned. Your husband was my close friend, +and now he is dead, and no relations are left to avenge him. So now +I say to you, I will take the load from your hearts; I will go to +war and kill enemies and take scalps, and when I return they shall +be yours. I will wipe away your tears, and we shall be glad that Fox +Eye is avenged." + +When the people heard that Mika´pi was going to war many young +men wished to join him, but he refused. "I shall go alone," he said. +So when he had taken a medicine sweat and had asked a priest to pray +for him in his absence, he left the camp one evening, just as it was +growing dark. + +It is only the foolish warrior who travels in the day. The wise one +knows that war-parties may be out, or that some camp watcher sitting +on a hill may see him far off and may try to kill him. Mika´pi +was not one of these foolish persons. He was brave and cautious, and +he had powerful helpers. Some have said that he was helped by the +ghosts. When he started to war against the Snakes he travelled in +low places, and at sunrise he climbed some hill near by and looked +carefully over the country in all directions, and during all the +long day he lay there and watched, sleeping often, but only for a +short time. + +When Mika´pi had come to the Great Place of Falling Water,[A] it +began to rain hard, and, looking about for a place to sleep, he saw +a hole in the rocks and crept in and lay down at the farther end. +The rain did not stop, and when it grew dark he could not travel +because of the darkness and the storm, so he lay down to sleep +again; but before he had fallen asleep he heard something at the +mouth of the cave, and then something creeping toward him. Then soon +something touched his breast, and he put out his hand and felt a +person. Then he sat up. + + [Footnote A: The Great Falls of the Missouri.] + +Mika´pi stretched out his hand and put its palm on the person's +breast and moved his hand quickly from side to side, and then +touched the person with the point of his finger, which in sign +language means, "Who are you?" The stranger took Mika´pi's hand +and made him feel of his own right hand. The thumb and fingers were +closed except the forefinger, which was extended. When Mika´pi's +hand was on the stranger's hand the person moved his hand forward +with a zigzag motion, meaning Snake. + +Mika´pi was glad. Here had come to him one of the tribe he was +seeking, yet he thought it better to wait for a time before fighting +him; so when, in signs, the Snake asked Mika´pi who he was he +replied, by making the sign for paddling a canoe, that he was a +River person, for he knew that the Snakes and the River people, or +Pend d'Oreilles, were at peace. Then the two lay down for the night, +but Mika´pi did not sleep. Through the long night he watched for +the first light, so that he might kill his enemy; and just at +daybreak Mika´pi, without noise, strung his bow, fitted an arrow +to the string, and sent the thin shaft through his enemy's heart. +The Snake half rose up and fell back dead. Mika´pi scalped him, +took his bow and arrows and his bundle of moccasins, and went out of +the cave and looked all about. Daylight had come, but no one was in +sight. Perhaps, like himself, the Snake had gone to war alone. +Mika´pi did not forget to be careful because he had been +fortunate. He travelled only a little way, and then hid himself and +waited for night before going on. After drinking from the river he +ate and, climbing up on a high rock wall, he slept. + +He dreamed that he fought with strange people and was wounded. He +felt blood trickling from his wounds, and when he awoke he knew that +he had been warned to turn back. Other signs were bad. He saw an +eagle rising carrying a snake, which dropped from its claws. The +setting sun too was painted, a sure warning that danger was near. In +spite of all these things Mika´pi determined to go on. He thought +of the poor widows mourning; he thought of welcome of the people if +he should return with scalps; he thought also of two young sisters +whom he wished to marry. If he could return with proof of brave +deeds, they would think well of him. + +Mika´pi travelled onward. + + * * * * * + +The sun had already disappeared behind the sharp pointed dark peaks +of the mountains. It was nearly night. As the light grew dim, the +far stretching prairie began to be hidden. By a stream in a valley +where grew large and small trees were the lodges of a great camp. +For a long distance up and down the river rose the smokes of many +fires. + +On a hill overlooking the valley sat a person alone. His robe was +drawn close about him, and he sat there without moving, looking down +on the valley and out on the prairie above it. Perhaps he was +watching for enemies; perhaps he was praying. + +Creeping through the grass behind this person, something was slowly +drawing near to him. There was no noise, the watcher heard nothing; +still he sat there, looking out over the prairie, and turning his +head neither to the right nor the left. This thing behind him kept +creeping closer, and presently it was so near it could touch the +man. Perhaps then there was some little rustle of the grass, and the +watcher turned his head. It was too late. A strong arm around his +neck bent his head back, a hand covered his mouth, a long stone +knife was thrust into his breast, and he died in silence. The fading +light had kept people in the camp from seeing what had happened. + +The man who had used the knife scalped his enemy, and slowly, +hidden by the grass, crept down the hill that he had just ascended, +and when he reached the cover of a low place Mika´pi rose to his +feet and crept away. He had another Snake scalp tied to his belt. +His heart was glad, but he was not satisfied. + +Several nights had passed since the signs warned him to turn back, +but notwithstanding the warnings, he had succeeded. Perhaps his +success had made him too confident. He longed for more of it. "One +more scalp I shall take," he said, "and then I will return to the +people." + +He climbed far up the mountainside and hid among the pines and +slept, but when day came he awoke and crept out to a point where he +could see the camp. He saw the smoke rising as the women kindled +their morning fires; he saw the people going about through the camp, +and then presently he saw many people rush up on the hill where he +had left the dead enemy. He could not hear their angry cries, nor +their mournful wailings, but he knew how badly they felt, and he +sung a song, for he was happy. + +Once more the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and as +darkness grew Mika´pi came down from where he had been hiding and +carefully approached the camp. Now was a time of danger. Now +watchers might be hidden anywhere, looking for the approach of +enemies, ready to raise a cry to warn the camp. Each bush or clump +of rye grass or willow thicket might hide an enemy. Very slowly, +looking and listening, Mika´pi crept around the outskirts of the +camp. He made no noise, he did not show himself. Presently he heard +some one clear his throat and then a cough, and a little bush moved. +Here was a watcher. Could he kill him and get away? He sat and +waited to see what would happen, for he knew where his enemy was, +but the enemy knew nothing of him. The great moon rose over the +eastern prairie and climbed high and began to travel across the sky. +Seven Persons swung around and pointed downward. It was about the +middle of the night. At length the person in the bush grew tired of +watching; he thought no enemy could be near and he rose and +stretched out his arms and yawned, but even as he stood an arrow +pierced him through, beneath the arms. He gave a loud cry and tried +to run, but another arrow struck him, and he fell. + +And now from out the camp rushed the warriors toward the sound, but +even as they came Mika´pi had taken the scalp from his enemy and +started to run away into the darkness. The moon was bright, and +close behind him were the Snakes. He heard arrows flying by him, and +presently one passed through his arm. He pulled it out and threw it +from him. Another struck his leg, and he fell, and a great shout +arose from the Snakes. Now their enemy was down and revenge for the +two lives lately taken was certain. + +But Mika´pi's helpers were not far off. It was at the very verge +of a high cut wall overhanging the river that Mika´pi fell, and +even as the Snakes shouted he rolled over the brink into the dark +rushing water below. The Snakes ran along the edge of the river, +looking into the water, with bent bows watching for the enemy's head +or body to appear, but they saw nothing. Carefully they looked +along the shores and sandbars; they did not find him. + +Mika´pi had sunk deep in the water. The swift current carried him +along, and when he rose to the surface he was beyond his enemies. +For some time he floated on, but the arrow in his leg pained him and +at last he crept out on a sandbar. He managed to draw the arrow from +his leg, and finding at the edge of the bar a dry log, he rolled it +into the water, and keeping his hands on it, drifted down the river +with the current. Cold and stiff from his wounds, he crept out on +the bank and lay down in the warm sunshine. Soon he fell asleep. + +When he awoke the sun was in the middle of the sky. His leg and arm +were swollen and pained him, yet he started to go home, and for a +time struggled onward; but at last, tired and discouraged, he sat +down. + +"Ah," he said to himself, "true were the signs! How crazy I was to +go against them! Now my bravery has been useless, for here I must +stop and die. The widows will still mourn, and who will care for my +father and mother in their old age? Pity me now, O Sun; help me, O +Great Above Person! Give me life!" + +Something was coming through the brush near him, breaking the sticks +as it walked. Was it the Snakes following his trail? Mika´pi +strung his bow and drew his arrows from the quiver. He waited. + +No, it was not a Snake; it was a bear, a big grizzly bear, standing +there looking down at Mika´pi. "What is my brother doing here?" +said the bear. "Why does he pray for life?" + +"Look at my leg," said Mika´pi; "swollen and sore. See my wounded +arm; I can hardly hold the bow. Far away is the home of my people, +and my strength is gone. Surely here I must die, for I cannot walk, +and I have no food." + +"Take courage, my brother," said the bear. "Keep up a strong heart, +for I will help you, and you shall have life." + +When he had said this he lifted Mika´pi in his arms and took him +to a place where there was thick mud, and there he took great +handfuls of the mud and plastered it on the wounds, and while he +was putting on the mud he sang a medicine song. Then he carried +Mika´pi to a place where there were many service berries, and he +broke off great branches of the fruit and gave them to him, saying, +"Eat; my brother, eat." He kept breaking off branches full of large, +ripe berries until Mika´pi was full and could eat no more. + +Then said the bear, "Now lie down on my back and hold tight by my +hair and we will go on"; and when Mika´pi had got on his back and +was ready the bear started. All through the night he travelled on +without stopping, and when morning came they rested for a time and +ate more berries, and again the bear put mud upon the man's wounds. +In this way they travelled on, until, on the fourth day, they had +come close to the lodges of the Piegans and the people saw them +coming, and wondered. + +"Get off now, my brother, get off," said the bear. "There is the +camp of your people. I shall leave you"; and at once he turned and +went off up the mountain. + +All the people came out to meet Mika´pi, and they carried him to +his father's lodge. He untied the scalps from his belt and gave them +to the poor widows, saying, "These are the scalps of your enemies; I +wipe away your tears." Then every one rejoiced. All Mika´pi's +women relations went through the camp, shouting out his name and +singing songs about him, and all prepared to dance the dance of +triumph and rejoicing. + +First came the widows. They carried the scalps tied on poles, and +their faces were painted black. Then came the medicine men, with +their medicine pipes unwrapped, and then the bands of the All +Friends dressed in their war costumes; then came the old men; and, +last of all, the women and children. They went all through the +village, stopping here and there to dance, and Mika´pi sat +outside the lodge and saw all the people dance by him. He forgot his +pain and was happy, and although he could not dance, he sung with +them. + +Soon they made the medicine lodge, and first of all the warriors, +Mika´pi was chosen to cut the rawhide to bind the poles, and as +he cut the strips he related the coups he had counted. He told of +the enemies he had killed, and all the people shouted his name and +the drummers struck the drum. The father of those two sisters gave +them to him. He was glad to have such a son-in-law. + +Long lived Mika´pi. Of all the great chiefs who have lived and +died he was the greatest. He did many other great things. It must be +true, as the old men have said, that he was helped by the ghosts, +for no one can do such things without help from those fearful and +terrible persons. + + + + +RED ROBE'S DREAM + + +Long, long ago, Red Robe and Talking Rock were young men in the +Blackfeet camp. In their childhood days and early youth their life +had been hard. Talking Rock was an orphan without a single relation +and Red Robe had only his old grandmother. + +This old woman, by hard work and sacrifice, had managed to rear the +boys. She tanned robes for the hunters, made them moccasins worked +with porcupine quills, and did everything she could to get a little +food or worn out robes and hide, from which she made clothes for her +boys. They never had new, brightly painted calf robes, like other +children. They went barefoot in summer, and in winter their toes +often showed through the worn out skin of their moccasins. They had +no flesh. Their ribs could be counted beneath the skin; their cheeks +were hollow; they looked always hungry. + +When they grew to be twelve or fifteen years old they began to do +better, for now they could do more and more for themselves. They +herded horses and performed small services for the wealthy men; +then, too, they hunted and killed a little meat. Now, for their +work, three or four dogs were given them, so with the two the old +woman owned, they were able to pack their small lodge and other +possessions when the camp moved, instead of carrying everything on +their backs. + +Now they began to do their best to make life easier for the good old +woman who had worked so hard to keep them from starving and +freezing. + +Time passed. The boys grew old enough to go out and fast. They had +their dreams. Each found his secret helper of mysterious power, and +each became a warrior. Still they were very poor, compared with +other young men of their age. They had bows, but only a few arrows. +They were not able to pay some great medicine man to make shields +for them. As yet they went to war only as servants. + +About this time Red Robe fell in love. + +In the camp was a beautiful girl named M[=a]-m[)i]n´--the +Wing--whom all the young men wished to marry, but perhaps Red Robe +loved her more than all the rest. Her father was a rich old medicine +man who never invited any except chiefs and great warriors to feast +with him, and Red Robe seldom entered his lodge. He used to dress as +well as he could, to braid his hair carefully, to paint his face +nicely, and to stand for a long time near the lodge looking +entreatingly at her as she came and went about her work, or fleshed +a robe under the shelter of some travois over which a hide was +spread. Then whenever they met, he thought the look she gave him in +passing was friendly--perhaps more than that. + +Wherever Ma-min´ went her mother or some woman of the family +went with her, so Red Robe could never speak to her, but he was +often near by. One day, when she was gathering wood for the lodge, +and her companion was out of sight behind some willow bushes some +distance away, Red Robe had a chance to tell Ma-min´ what was +in his heart. He walked up to her and took her hands in his, and +she did not try to draw them away. He said to her, "I love you; I +cannot remember a time when I saw you that my heart did not beat +faster. I am poor, very poor, and it is useless to ask your father +to let me marry you, for he will not consent; but there is another +way, and if you love me, you will do what I ask. Let us go from +here--far away. We will find some tribe that will be kind to us, and +even if we fail in that we can live in some way. Now, if you love +me, and I hope you do, you will come." + +"Ai," replied Ma-min´, "I do love you; only you. All the other +young men pass before me as shadows. I scarcely see them, but I +cannot do what you ask. I cannot go away and leave my mother to +mourn; she who loves me so well. Let us wait a little. Go to war. Do +something great and brave. Then perhaps you will not uselessly ask +my father to give me to you." + +In vain Red Robe tried to persuade the girl to do as he wished. She +was kind; she threw her arms about him and kissed him and cried, but +she would not run away to leave her mother to sorrow, to be beaten +by her father, who would blame the poor woman for all the disgrace; +and so, too soon, they parted, for they heard her companion +coming--the sound of her heavy footsteps. + +Three Bulls, chief of the camp, was a great man. He had a fierce +temper, and when he spoke, people hurried to do what he ordered, for +they feared him. He never talked loud nor called any one by an ill +name. When any one displeased him or refused to do what he said he +just smiled and then killed the person. He was brave. In battle with +enemies he was the equal of twenty men, rushing here, there, into +the thickest of the fights, and killing--always with that silent, +terrible smile on his face. Because he was such a great warrior, and +also because he was generous, helping the poor, feasting any who +came to his lodge, he was the head chief of the Blackfeet. + +Three Bulls had several wives and many children, some of them grown +and married. Gray hairs were now many in his head. His face wrinkles +showed that old age was not far distant. No one supposed that he +would ever take another wife; so when the news spread through the +camp that he had asked the old medicine man for his daughter +Ma-min´, every one was surprised. When Red Robe heard the news +his heart nearly broke. The old medicine man agreed to let the chief +have the girl. He dared not refuse, nor did he wish to, for many +good presents were to be given him in three days' time. When that +was done, he told his daughter, she would be taken to the chief's +lodge; let her prepare for the change. + +That day Red Robe had planned to start with a party to war; but when +he heard this news he asked his friend Talking Rock to take word to +the leader that he had changed his mind and would not go. He asked +his friend to stay with him, instead of joining the war party, and +Talking Rock agreed to do so. + +Out in front of the camp was a large spring, and to that place Red +Robe went and stood leaning against a large stone and looking sadly +down into the blue water. Soon, as he had thought, Ma-min´ +came to the spring for a skin of water. He took her hands, as he +had done before, and began to beg her to go away with him that very +night, before it was too late. The girl cried bitterly, but at first +she did not speak. + +The two were standing in plain sight of the camp and the people in +it, and some one went to the chief's lodge and told him what was +taking place. + +"Go to the spring," said the chief, "and tell that young man to let +the girl go; she is to be my wife." + +The person did as he was told, but the two young people paid no +attention to him. They did not care what any one said, nor if the +whole camp saw them there together. All they could think about was +this terrible thing, which would make them unhappy so long as they +lived. Red Robe kept asking the girl to go, and at last she +consented to do as he wished. They had their arms about each other, +not thinking of the crowd that was watching them, and were quickly +planning for their meeting and for their going away that night, when +Three Bulls quietly walked up to them and stabbed the young man with +a flint-pointed lance. Red Robe sank down dying at the young girl's +feet, and she, looking down for an instant at her lover, turned and +ran to her father's lodge. + +"Bring wood," the chief called out; "let every one bring some wood; +all you have at your lodges. Those who have none, let them go +quickly and bring some from the timber." + +All the people hurried to obey. What Three Bulls ordered was soon +done, for the people feared him, and soon a great pile of wood was +heaped beside the dead man. + +The chief lifted the slender young form, placed it on the pile of +wood, and told a woman to bring coals and set fire to the pile. When +this had been done, all left the place except Three Bulls, who +stayed there, tending the fire and poking it here and there, until +it was burnt out and no wood or trace of a human body was left. +Nothing remained except the little pile of ashes. These he +scattered. Still he was not satisfied. His medicine was strong; +perhaps his dream had warned him. Now he ordered that the lodges be +taken down, that everything be packed up, and that the trail of the +moving camp should pass over the heap of ashes. + +Some time before this, after Red Robe had made his long fasting, and +his dream had come to him and he had returned to his grandmother's +lodge, he had told his true friend something of what had been said +to him by his dream. + +"If I should die," he said, "and you are near, do not desert me. Go +to the place where I fell, and if my body should have been destroyed +look carefully around the place. If you can find even a shred of my +flesh or a bit of my bone, it will be well. So said my dream. Here +are four arrows, which the dream told me to make. If you can find a +bit of my body, flesh or bone, or even hair, cover it with a robe, +and standing over it, shoot three arrows one after another up into +the air, crying, as each one leaves the bow, 'Look out!' When you +fit the fourth arrow on the bowstring and shoot it upward, cry, +'Look out, Red Robe, the arrow will strike you!' and as you say +this, turn and run away from the place, not looking back as you go. +If you do this, my friend, just as I have told you, I shall live +again." + +As the camp moved, Three Bulls stood and watched it filing over the +place of the fire, and saw the ashes scattered by the trailing ends +of lodge poles and travois, and by the feet of hundreds of people +and dogs. Still he was not satisfied, and for a long time after the +last of the people had passed he remained there. Then he went on +across the flat and up and over a ridge, but presently he returned, +once, twice, four times, to the crest of the hill and looked back at +the place where the camp had been; but at last he felt sure that no +one remained at the place, and went on. + +Yet Talking Rock was there. He had been hidden in the brush all the +time, watching the chief. Even after Three Bulls had passed over the +ridge, he remained crouched in the bushes, and saw him come back +again and again to peer over its crest. Still further on there was +another higher ridge, and when the young man saw Three Bulls climb +that and disappear on the trail of the camp, he came forth. + +Going to the place where his friend had lain, Talking Rock sat down +and mourned, wailing long and loud. Back on the hills the wolves and +coyotes heard him and they too became sorrowful, adding their cries +to his. + +The young man had little faith in the power of the four arrows that +he kept so carefully wrapped in a separate bundle in his quiver. He +looked at the place where Red Robe's body had been burnt. It was +like any other place on the great trail that had been made, dust and +grass blades mingled together, and scratches made by the dragging +poles. It did not seem possible that anything of his friend's body +remained; yet he must search, and breaking a green willow twig he +began carefully to work over the dust, stopping his crying, for the +tears blinded his eyes so that he could not see. + +All the long morning and far into the afternoon, Talking Rock swept +the dust this way and that, turning it over and over, in a circle +that grew always wider, and just as he was about to give up the +search, he found a bit of charred and blackened bone. Was this a +part of his friend's frame? Was it not more likely a bit of bone of +buffalo or elk, which some dog had carried from one of the +fireplaces of the camp and dropped here? + +Now for the test. Talking Rock covered the bit of bone with his robe +as he had been told to do. He even raised the robe along its middle, +making it look as if it really covered a person lying there. Then he +shot three of the arrows up in the air, each time crying, "Look +out." + +Then with a hand that trembled a little, he drew the fourth arrow +from the quiver, shot it and cried, "Look out, Red Robe, the arrow +will strike you"; and, turning, ran from the place with all his +speed. + +How he wanted to look back! How he longed to see if his friend was +really rising from that bit of blackened bone! But Talking Rock was +strong-hearted. He controlled his desires. On and on he ran, and +then--behind him the light tread of running feet, a firm hand +gripped his shoulder, and a loved voice said, "Why so fast, my +friend?" and stopping and turning, Talking Rock found himself face +to face with Red Robe. He could not believe what he saw, and had to +pinch himself and to hold his friend hard in his arms to believe +that all this was real. + +The camp had not moved far, and the lodges were pitched on the next +stream to the south. Soon after dark, the two friends entered it and +went to their lodge. The poor old grandmother could not believe her +eyes when she saw the young man she had reared and loved so dearly; +but when he spoke she knew that it was he, and running over to him +she held him in her arms and kissed him, crying from joy. After a +little time, the young man said to her, "Grandmother, go to the +chief's lodge and say to him that I, Red Robe, need some dried +meat." The old woman hesitated at this strange request, but Red Robe +said: "Go, do not fear him; Three Bulls is now the one to know +fear." + +When the old woman entered the great lodge and in reply to the +chief's look said, "Red Robe sent me here. He wants some dried +meat," only Three Bulls of all who were in the lodge, showed no +surprise. "It is what I expected," he said; "in spite of all my care +he lives again, and I can do nothing." Turning to his wives he +said, "Give her meat." + +"Did you see Ma-min´?" asked Red Robe, when his grandmother +had returned with the meat and had told him what the chief had said. + +"No, she was not in the lodge, but two women were approaching as I +left it. I think they were the girl and her mother." + +"Go back once more," said the young man, "and tell Three Bulls to +send me that young woman." + +But now the poor old grandmother was afraid. "I dare not tell him +that," she exclaimed. "He would kill me, and you. His anger would be +fearful." + +"Do not fear," said Red Robe, "do not fear, my mother, his anger and +his power are no longer to be feared. He is as feeble and as +helpless as one of those old bulls one sees on the sunny side of the +coulée, spending his last days before the wolves pull him down." + +The old woman went to the lodge and told the chief what Red Robe +further wished. Ma-min´ was there, her head covered with her +robe, crying quietly, and Three Bulls told her to arise and go with +the messenger. Timidly at first, and then with steps that broke into +a run, Ma-min´ hurried toward the lodge of her sweetheart and +entered it. With a cry of joy she threw herself into his arms, and +Talking Rock went out and left them alone. + +Great now was the happiness of these young people. Long was their +life, full of plenty and of great honor. Red Robe became a chief, +respected and loved by all the people. Ma-min´ bore him many +children, who grew up to be the support of their old age. + + + + +THE BLACKFEET CREATION + + +The Blackfeet believe that the Sun made the earth--that he is the +creator. One of the names by which they call the Sun is Napi--Old +Man. This is how they tell of the creation: + +In the beginning there was water everywhere; nothing else was to be +seen. There was something floating on the water, and on this raft +were Old Man and all the animals. + +Old Man wished to make land, and he told the beaver to dive down to +the bottom of the water and to try to bring up a little mud. The +beaver dived and was under water for a long time, but he could not +reach the bottom. Then the loon tried, and after him the otter, but +the water was too deep for them. At last the muskrat was sent down, +and he was gone for a long time; so long that they thought he must +be drowned, but at last he came up and floated almost dead on the +water, and when they pulled him up on the raft and looked at his +paws, they found a little mud in them. When Old Man had dried this +mud, he scattered it over the water and land was formed. This is the +story told by the Blackfeet. It is very much like one told by some +Eastern Indians, who are related to the Blackfeet. + +After the land had been made, Old Man travelled about on it, making +things and fixing up the earth so as to suit him. First, he marked +out places where he wished the rivers to run, sometimes making them +run smoothly, and again, in some places, putting falls on them. He +made the mountains and the prairie, the timber and the small trees +and bushes, and sometimes he carried along with him a lot of rocks, +from which he built some of the mountains--as the Sweet Grass +Hills--which stand out on the prairie by themselves. + +Old Man caused grass to grow on the plains, so that the animals +might have something to feed on. He marked off certain pieces of +land, where he caused different kinds of roots and berries to +grow--a place for camas; and one for wild carrots; one for wild +turnips, sweet root and bitter root; one for service berries, +bullberries, cherries, plums, and rosebuds. + +He made all kinds of animals that travel on the ground. When he made +the big-horn with its great horns, he put it out on the prairie. It +did not seem to travel easily there; it was awkward and could not go +fast, so he took it by one of its horns and led it up into the rough +hills and among the rocks, and let it go there, and it skipped about +among the cliffs and easily went up fearful places. So Old Man said +to the big-horn, "This is the place for you; this is what you are +fitted for; the rough country and the mountains." While he was in +the mountains he made the antelope, and turned it loose to see how +it travelled. The antelope ran so fast that it fell over some rocks +and hurt itself. He saw that this would not do, and took the +antelope down on the prairie and set it free there, and it ran away +fast and gracefully, and he said to it, "This is the place that +suits you." + +At last, one day, Old Man decided that he would make a woman and a +child, and he modelled some clay in human shape, and after he had +made these shapes and put them on the ground, he said to the clay, +"You shall be people." He spread his robe over the clay figures and +went away. The next morning he went back to the place and lifted up +the robe, and saw that the clay shapes had changed a little. When he +looked at them the next morning, they had changed still more; and +when on the fourth day he went to the place and took off the +covering, he said to the images, "Stand up and walk," and they did +so. They walked down to the river with him who had made them, and he +told them his name. + +As they were standing there looking at the water as it flowed by, +the woman asked Old Man, saying, "How is it; shall we live always? +Will there be no end to us?" + +Old Man said, "I have not thought of that. We must decide it. I will +take this buffalo chip and throw it in the river. If it floats, +people will become alive again four days after they have died; they +will die for four days only. But if it sinks, there will be an end +to them." He threw the chip into the river, and it floated. + +The woman turned and picked up a stone and said, "No, I will throw +this stone in the river. If it floats, we shall live always; if it +sinks, people must die, so that their friends who are left alive may +always remember them." The woman threw the stone in the water, and +it sank. + +"Well," said Old Man, "you have chosen; there will be an end to +them." + +Not many nights after that the woman's child died, and she cried a +great deal for it. She said to Old Man, "Let us change this. The law +that you first made, let that be the law." + +He said, "Not so; what is made law must be law. We will undo nothing +that we have done. The child is dead, but it cannot be changed. +People will have to die." + +These first people did not have hands like a person; they had hands +like a bear with long claws. They were poor and naked and did not +know how to get a living. Old Man showed them the roots and the +berries, and showed them how to gather these, and told them how at +certain times of the year they should peel the bark off some trees +and eat it; that the little animals that live in the ground--rats, +squirrels, skunks, and beavers--were good to eat. He also taught +them something about the roots that were good for medicine to cure +sickness. + +In those days there were buffalo, and these black animals were +armed, for they had long horns. Once, as the people were moving +about, the buffalo saw them and rushed upon them and hooked them and +killed them, and then ate them. One day, as the creator was +travelling about, he came upon some of his children that he had made +lying there dead, torn to pieces and partly eaten by the buffalo. +When he saw this, he felt badly. He said, "I have not made these +people right. I will change this; from now on the people shall eat +the buffalo." + +He went to some of the people who were still alive, and said to +them, "How is it that you people do nothing to these animals that +are killing you?" The people replied, "What can we do? These animals +are armed and can kill us, and we have no way to kill them." + +The creator said, "That is not hard. I will make you something that +will kill these animals." + +He went out and cut some straight service-berry shoots, and brought +them in, and peeled the bark from them. He took a larger piece of +wood and flattened it, and tied a string to it, and made a bow. Now +he was the master of all birds and he went out and caught one, and +took feathers from its wings and tied them to the shaft of wood. He +tied four feathers along the shaft and tried the arrow at a mark and +found that it did not fly well. He took off these feathers and put +on three, and when he again tried it at the mark he found that it +went straight. He picked up some hard stones, and broke sharp pieces +from them. When he tried them he found that the black flint stones +made the best arrow points. He showed them how to use these things. + +Then he spoke to the people, and said, "The next time you go out, +take these things with you, and use them as I tell you. Do not run +from these animals. When they rush at you, and have come pretty +close, shoot the arrows at them as I have taught you, and you will +see that they will run from you or will run around you in a circle." + +He also broke off pieces of stone, and fixed them in a handle, and +told them that when they killed the buffalo they should cut up the +flesh with these stone knives. + +One day after this, some people went on a little hill to look about, +and the buffalo saw them and called out to each other, "Ah, there is +some more of our food," and rushed upon them. The people did not +run. They began to shoot at the buffalo with the bows and arrows +that had been given them, and the buffalo began to fall. They say +that when the first buffalo hit with an arrow felt it prick him, he +called out to his fellows, "Oh, my friends, a great fly is biting +me." + +With the flint knives that had been given them they cut up the +bodies of the dead buffalo. About this time Old Man came up and said +to them, "It is not healthful to eat raw flesh. I will show you +something better than that." He gathered soft, dry rotten wood and +made punk of it, and took a piece of wood and drilled a hole in it +with an arrow point, and gave them a pointed piece of hard wood, and +showed them how to make a fire with fire sticks, and to cook the +flesh of animals. + +After this the people found a certain sort of stone in the land, and +took another harder stone, and worked one upon the other and +hollowed out the softer one, so as to make of it a kettle. + +It is told also that the creator made people and animals at another +place, and in another way. At the Porcupine Mountains he made other +earthen images of people, and blew breath on the images, and they +became people. They were men and women. After a time they asked him, +"What are we to eat?" Then he took more earth and made many images +in the form of buffalo, and when he had blown on them they stood up, +and he made signs to them and they started to run. He said to the +people, "There is your food." + +"Well, now," they replied; "we have those animals, how are we to +kill them?" + +"I will show you," he said. + +He took them to the edge of a cliff and showed them how to heap up +piles of stone, running back from the cliff like this [Illustration: +two lines of diverging dots in a narrow < shape], with the point of +the V toward the cliff. He said to the people, "Now, do you hide +behind these piles of stones, and when I lead the buffalo this way, +as they get opposite to you, stand up." + +Then he went on toward a herd of buffalo and began to call them, and +the buffalo started toward him and followed him, until they were +inside the arms of the V. Then he ran to one side and hid, and as +the people rose up the buffalo ran on in a straight line and jumped +over the cliff and some of them were killed by the fall. + +"There," he said, "go and take the flesh of those animals." Then the +people tried to do so. They tried to tear the limbs apart, but they +could not. They tried to bite pieces out of the bodies, but they +could not do that. Old Man went to the edge of the cliff and broke +some pieces of stone with sharp edges, and showed them how to cut +the flesh with these. Of the buffalo that went over the cliff, some +were not dead, but were hurt, so they could not run away. The +people cut strips of green hide and tied stones in the middle, and +with these hammers broke in the skulls of the buffalo and killed +them. + +When they had taken the skins from these animals, they set up poles +and put the hides over them, and so made a shelter to sleep under. + +In later times the creator marked off a piece of land for the five +tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, Piegans, Gros Ventres, and Sarsis, and +said to these tribes, "When people come to cross this line at the +border of your land, take your bows and arrows, your lances and your +war clubs and give them battle, and keep them out. If they gain a +footing here, trouble for you will follow." + + + + +OLD MAN STORIES + + +Under the name Na´pi, Old Man, have been confused two wholly +different persons talked of by the Blackfeet. The Sun, the creator +of the universe, giver of light, heat, and life, and reverenced by +every one, is often called Old Man, but there is another personality +who bears the same name, but who is very different in his character. +This last Na´pi is a mixture of wisdom and foolishness; he is +malicious, selfish, childish, and weak. He delights in tormenting +people. Yet the mean things he does are so foolish that he is +constantly getting himself into scrapes, and is often obliged to ask +the animals to help him out of his troubles. His bad deeds almost +always bring their own punishment. + +Interpreters commonly translate this word Na´pi as Old Man, but it +is also the term for white man; and the Cheyenne and Arapahoe +tribes tell just such stories about a similar person whom they also +call "white man." Tribes of Dakota stock tell of a similar person +whom they call "the spider." + +The stories about this Old Man are told by the Blackfeet for +entertainment rather than with any serious purpose, and when that +part of the story is reached where Old Man is in some difficulty +which he cannot get out of, the man who is telling the story, and +those who are listening to it, laugh delightedly. + +Some stories of this kind are these: + + +THE WONDERFUL BIRD + +One day, as Old Man was walking about among the trees, he saw +something that seemed very queer. + +A little bird was sitting on the branch of a tree. Every little +while it would make a strange noise, and every time it made this +noise its eyes flew out of its head and fastened on a branch of the +tree. Then after a little while the bird would make another sort of +noise and its eyes would go back to their places in its head. + +Old Man called out to the bird, "Little brother, teach me how to do +that." + +"If I show you how," the bird answered, "you must not send your eyes +out of your head more than four times in a day. If you do, you will +be sorry." + +"It shall be as you say, little brother. It is for you to give, and +I will listen to what you say." + +When the bird had taught Old Man how to do this, he was glad. He +began to do it, and did it four times right away. Then he said, "Why +did that bird tell me to do this only four times? He has no sense. I +will do it again." So once more he made his eyes go out, but now +when he called to them they would not come back. + +He shouted out to the bird, "Little brother, come here, and help me +to get back my eyes." The little bird did not answer him; it had +flown away. Now Old Man felt all over the branches of the tree with +his hands, but he could not find his eyes. So he went away and +wandered over the prairie for a long time, crying and calling to the +animals to help him. + +As he was blind, he could find nothing to eat, and he began to be +very hungry. + +A wolf teased him a great deal and had much fun. It had found a dead +buffalo, and taking a piece of the meat, it would hold the meat +close to Old Man's face. Then Old Man would say, "I smell something +dead, I wish I could find it; I am almost starved." He felt all +around for it. + +Once when the wolf was doing this, Old Man caught him, and plucking +out one of the wolf's eyes, he put it in his own head. Then he could +see, and was able to find his own eyes, but never again could he do +the trick the little bird had taught him. + + +THE RABBITS' MEDICINE + +Once, when Old Man was travelling about, he heard some singing that +sounded very queer. He had never before heard anything like it, and +looked all about to see where it came from. After a time he saw that +the cottontail rabbits were singing and making medicine. They had +built a fire, and raked out some hot ashes, and they would lie down +in these ashes and sing, while one of the others covered them up. +They could stay there only for a short time, though, for the ashes +were hot. + +"Little brothers," said Old Man, "here is something wonderful--that +you can lie in those hot ashes and coals without burning. I ask you +to teach me how to do this." + +"We will show you how to do it, Old Man," said the rabbits. "You +must sing our song, and stay in the ashes only a short time." They +taught Old Man their song, and he began to sing and lay down, and +they covered him with coals and ashes, and the hot ashes did not +burn him. + +"That is good," he said. "You have strong medicine. Now, so that I +may know it all, do you lie down and let me cover you up." + +All the rabbits lay down in the ashes, and Old Man covered them up, +and then he pulled the whole fire over them. One old rabbit got out, +and Old Man was just about to put her back when she said, "Pity me; +my children need me." + +"It is good," replied Old Man. "You may go, so that there will be +more rabbits; but these I will roast, and have a feast." He put +more wood on the fire, and when the rabbits were cooked he got some +red willow brush and put the rabbits on it to cool. The grease from +their bodies soaked into the branches, so that even to-day if red +willow is held over a fire one may see the grease on the bark. Ever +since that time, too, the rabbits have a burnt place on the back, +where the one that got away was singed. + +Old Man sat down by the fire, waiting for the rabbits to get cool, +when a coyote came along, limping. He went on three legs. "Pity me, +Old Man," he said. "You have plenty of cooked rabbits, give me one +of them." + +"Go away," said Old Man, very cross; "if you are too lazy to catch +food, I will not give you any." + +"But my leg is broken," said the coyote; "I cannot run. I cannot +catch anything, and I am starving. Give me half a rabbit." + +"I don't care what happens to you," said Old Man; "I worked hard to +catch and cook these rabbits, and I shall not give any of them away. +I'll tell you what I will do, though; I will run a race with you +out to that far butte on the prairie, and if you beat me you can +have a rabbit." + +"Good," said the coyote, and they started. + +Old Man ran very fast, and the coyote limped along behind him, but +pretty close, until they got near the butte. Then the coyote turned +around and ran back very fast, for he was not lame at all. It took +Old Man a long time to get back, and just before he reached the +fire, the coyote finished eating the last rabbit and ran away. + + +THE LOST ELK MEAT + +Old Man had been a long time without food and was very hungry. He +was trying to think how he could get something to eat, when he saw a +band of elk come up on a ridge. He went over to them and spoke to +them and said, "Brothers, I am lonely because I have no one to +follow me." + +"Go ahead, Old Man," said the elk; "we will follow you." Old Man led +them about for a long time, and when it was dark he came near a +high, steep cut bank. He ran around to one side, where the hill +sloped, and then went back right under the steep cliff and called +out, "Come on, that is a nice jump. You will laugh." So all the elk +jumped off and were killed, except one cow. + +"They have all jumped but you," said Old Man. "Come on, you will +like it." + +"Take pity on me," said the cow. "I am very heavy, and I am afraid +to jump." + +"Go away, then," said Old Man; "go and live. Then some day there +will be plenty of elk again." + +Old Man built a fire and cooked some of the meat, and then he +skinned all the elk, and cut up the meat and hung it up to dry. The +tongues he hung on a pole. + +The next day he started off and was gone all day, and at night, as +he was coming home, he was very hungry. He was thinking to himself +that he would have some roasted ribs and a tongue and other good +things; but when he reached the place, the meat was all gone; the +wolves had eaten it. + +"It was lucky I hung up those tongues," said Old Man, "or I should +not have had anything to eat." But when he took down the tongues +they were all hollow. The mice had eaten out the meat, leaving only +the skins. + + +THE ROLLING ROCK + +Once when Old Man was travelling about and felt tired, he sat down +on a rock to rest. After he was rested he started on his way, and +because the sun was hot he threw his robe over the rock and said to +it, "Here, I give you my robe because you are poor and have let me +rest on you. Keep it always." + +He had not gone far when it began to rain, and meeting a coyote, he +said to him, "Little brother, run back to that rock and ask him to +lend me his robe. We will cover ourselves with it and keep dry." + +The coyote ran back to the rock, but presently returned without the +robe. + +"Where is the robe?" asked Old Man. + +"Why," said the coyote, "the rock said that you had given him the +robe and he was going to keep it." + +This made Old Man angry, and he went back to the rock and snatched +the robe off it, saying, "I was only going to borrow this robe until +the rain was over, but now that you have acted so mean about it, I +will keep it. You don't need a robe, anyhow. You have been out in +the rain and snow all your life, and it will not hurt you to live so +always." + +When he had said this he put the robe about his shoulders, and with +the coyote he went off into a ravine and they sat down there. The +rain was falling and they covered themselves with the robe, and were +warm and dry. + +Pretty soon they heard a loud, rumbling noise, and Old Man said to +the coyote, "Little brother, go up on the hill and see what that +noise is." + +The coyote went off, but presently he came back, running as hard as +he could, saying, "Run, run, the big rock is coming." They both +started, and ran away as fast as they could. The coyote tried to +creep into a badger-hole, but it was too small for him and he stuck +fast, and before he could get out the rock rolled over him and +crushed his hips. Old Man was frightened, and as he ran he threw +away his robe and everything that he had on, so that he might run +faster. The rock was gaining on him all the time. + +Not far away on the prairie a band of buffalo bulls were feeding, +and Old Man cried out to them, saying, "Oh, my brothers, help me, +help me; stop that rock." The bulls ran and tried to stop it, +butting against it, but it crushed their heads. Some deer and +antelope tried to help Old Man, but they too were killed. Other +animals came to help him, but could not stop the rock; it was now +close to Old Man, so close that it began to hit his heels. He was +just going to give up when he saw circling over his head a flock of +night-hawks. + +"Oh, my little brothers," he cried, "help me; I am almost dead." The +bull bats flew down one after another against the rock, and every +time one of them hit it he chipped off a piece, and at last one hit +it fair in the middle and broke it into two pieces. + +Then Old Man was glad. He went to where there was a nest of +night-hawks and pulled their mouths out wide and pinched off their +bills, to make them pretty and queer looking. That is the reason +they look so to-day. + + +BEAR AND BULLBERRIES + +Scattered over the prairie in northern Montana, close to the +mountains, are many great rocks--boulders which thousands of years +ago, when the great ice-sheet covered northern North America, were +carried from the mountains out over the prairie by the ice and left +there when it melted. + +Around most of these great boulders the buffalo used to walk from +time to time, rubbing against the rough surface of the rock to +scratch themselves, as a cow rubs itself against a post or as a +horse rolls on the ground--for the pleasant feeling that the rubbing +of the skin gives it. + +As the buffalo walked around these boulders their hoofs loosened the +soil, and this loosened soil--the dust--was blown away by the +constant winds of summer. So, around most of these boulders, much of +the soil is gone, leaving a deep trench, at the bottom of which are +stones and gravel, too large to be moved by the wind. + +This story explains how these rocks came to be like that: + +Once Old Man was crossing a river and the stream was deep, so that +he was carried away by the current, and lost his bow and arrows and +other weapons. When he got to the shore he began to look about for +something to use in making a bow and arrows, for he was hungry and +wanted to kill some food. + +He took the first wood he could find and made a bow and arrows and a +handle for his knife. When he had finished these things he started +on his way. + +Presently, as he looked over a hill he saw down below him a bear +digging roots. Old Man thought he would have some fun with the bear, +and he called out aloud, "He has no tail." Then he dodged back out +of sight. The bear looked all about, but saw no one, and again began +to dig roots. Then Old Man again peeped over the hill and saw the +bear at work, and again called out, "He has no tail." This time the +bear looked up more quickly, but Old Man dodged down, and the bear +did not see him, and pretty soon went on with his digging. + +Four times Old Man did this, calling the bear names, but the fourth +time the bear was on the watch and saw Old Man, and started after +him. + +Old Man ran away as hard as he could, but the bear followed fast. +Presently, Old Man tried to shoot the bear with his arrows, but they +were made of bad wood and would not fly well, and if they hit the +bear, they just broke off. All his weapons failed him, and now the +bear was close to him. Just in front was a great rock, and when Old +Man came to that, he dodged behind it and ran around to the other +side, and the bear followed him. They kept running around the rock +for a long time and wore a deep trail about it, and because Old Man +could turn more quickly, he kept just ahead of the bear. Old Man +kept calling to the animals to help him, but no one came. + +He was almost out of breath, and the bear was close to him, when Old +Man saw lying on the ground a bull's horn. He picked it up and held +it on his head and turned around and bellowed loudly, and the bear +was frightened and turned around and ran away as hard as he could. +Then Old Man leaned up against the rock, and breathed hard for a +long time, but at last he got his wind back. He said to the rock, +"This is the way you rocks shall always be after this, with a big +hole all around you." + +By this time he was pretty tired and thirsty, and he thought he +would go down to the river and drink. When he got to the edge of the +water he got down on his knees to drink, and there before him in the +water he saw bullberries, great bunches of them. He said to himself, +"I will dive in and get those bull-berries"; and he took off his +moccasins and clothing and dived in, but he could not find the +bullberries, and presently he came up. He looked into the water +again, and again saw the bullberries. He said to himself, "Those +bullberries must be very deep down." + +He went along the shore looking for a heavy stone that would take +him down into the deep water where the bullberries were, and when he +found one he tied the stone to his neck and again dived in. This +time he sank to the bottom, for the stone carried him down. He felt +about with his hands trying to reach the bullberries, but could feel +nothing and began to drown. He tried to get free from the stone, but +that was hard to do; yet at last he broke the string and came to the +top of the water. He was almost dead, and it took him a long time to +get to the shore, and when he got there he crawled up on to the bank +and lay down to rest and get his breath. As he lay there on his +back, he saw above him the thick growing bullberries whose +reflections he had seen in the water. He said to himself, "And I was +almost drowned for these." Then he took a stick and with it began to +beat the bullberry bushes. He said to the bushes, "After this, the +people shall beat you in this way when they want to gather berries." + +The Blackfeet women, when gathering bullberries, spread robes under +the bushes and beat the branches with sticks, knocking off the +berries, which fall on the robes. + + + +THE THEFT FROM THE SUN + +One time when Old Man was on a journey, he came to the Sun's lodge, +and went in and sat down, and the Sun asked him to stay with him for +a time. Old Man was glad to do so. One day the meat was all gone, +and the Sun said, "Well, Old Man, what do you say if we go out and +kill some deer?" + +"I like what you say," said Old Man. "Deer meat is good." + +The Sun took down a bag, that was hanging from a lodge pole and took +from it a handsome pair of leggings, embroidered with porcupine +quills and pretty feathers. + +"These are my hunting leggings," said the Sun; "they have great +power. When I want to kill deer, all I have to do is to put them on +and walk around a patch of brush, and the leggings set it on fire +and drive out the deer, so that I can shoot them." + +"Well, well," exclaimed Old Man, "how wonderful that is!" He began +to think, "I wish I had such a pair of leggings as that"; and after +he had thought about it some more, he made up his mind that he +would have those leggings, if he had to steal them. + +They went out to hunt, and when they came to a patch of brush, the +Sun set it on fire with his hunting leggings. A number of deer ran +out, and each shot one. + +That night when they were going to bed the Sun pulled off his +leggings, and laid them aside. Old Man saw where he had put them, +and in the middle of the night, after every one was asleep, he took +the leggings and went away. He travelled a long time, until he had +gone far and was tired; then making a pillow of the leggings he lay +down and slept. After a while he heard some one speaking and woke up +and saw that it was day. Some one was talking to him. The Sun was +saying, "Old Man, why are my leggings under your head?" + +Old Man looked about him and saw that he was in the Sun's lodge. He +thought he must have wandered around and got lost and returned +there. Again the Sun spoke, and asked, "What are you doing with my +leggings?" + +"Oh," replied Old Man, "I could not find anything for a pillow, so +I put these leggings under my head." + +When night came and all had gone to bed, again Old Man stole the +leggings and ran off. This time he did not walk at all. He kept +running until it was almost morning, and then lay down and slept. +When morning came he found himself still in the Sun's lodge. + +You see what a fool he was; he did not know that the whole world is +the Sun's lodge. He did not know that, no matter how far he ran, he +could not get out of the Sun's sight. + +This time the Sun said, "Old Man, since you like my leggings so +much, I give them to you. Keep them." Then Old Man was glad and he +went away. + +One day his food was all gone, and he put on the hunting leggings +and went out and set fire to a piece of brush. He was just going to +kill some deer that were running out, when he saw that the fire was +getting close to him. He ran away as fast as he could, but the fire +gained on him and began to burn his legs. His leggings were all on +fire. He came to a river and jumped in and pulled off the leggings +as soon as he could. They were burnt to pieces. + +Perhaps the Sun did this because Old Man tried to steal his +leggings. + + +THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF + +Long ago, they tell me, men and women did not know each other. Women +were put in one place and men in another. They were not together; +they were apart. + +He who made us made women first. He did not make them very well. +That is why they are not so strong as men. The men he made better; +so that they were strong. + +The women were the smartest. They knew the most. They were the first +to make piskuns, and to know how to tan hides and to make moccasins. +At that time men wore moccasins made from the shank of the buffalo's +leg, and robes made of wolfskin. This was all their clothing. + +One day when Old Man was travelling about, he came to a camp of men, +and stayed there with them for a long time. It was after this that +he discovered there were such beings as women. + +One time, as he was travelling along, he saw two women driving some +buffalo over a cliff. When Old Man got near them, the women were +very much frightened. They did not know what kind of animal it was +that was coming. Too much scared to run away, they lay down to hide. +When Old Man came up to them he thought they were dead, and said, +"Here are two women who are dead. It is not good for them to lie out +here on the prairie. I must take them to a certain place." He looked +them all over to see what had killed them, but could find no wound. +He picked up one of the women and carried her along with him in his +arms. She was wondering how she could get away. She let her arms +swing loose as if she were dead, and at every step Old Man took the +arm swung and hit him in the nose, and pretty soon his nose began to +bleed and to hurt, and at length he put the woman down on the ground +and went back to get the other woman; but while he was gone she had +run away, and when he came back to get the first one she was gone +too; so he lost them both. This made him angry, and he said to +himself, "If these two women will lie there again, I will get both +of them." + +In this way women found out that there were men. + +One day Old Man stood on a hill and looked over toward the piskun at +Woman's Falls, where the women had driven a band of buffalo over the +cliff, and afterward were cutting up the meat. The chief of the +women called him down to the camp, and sent word by him to the men, +asking if they wanted to get wives. Old Man brought back word that +they did, and the chief woman sent a message, calling all the men to +a feast in her lodge to be married. The woman asked Old Man, "How +many chiefs are there in that tribe?" He answered, "There are four +chiefs. But the real chief of all that tribe you will know when you +see him by this--he is finely dressed and wears a robe trimmed, and +painted red, and carries a lance with a bone head on each end." Old +Man wanted to marry the chief of the women, and intended to dress +in this way, and that is why he told her that. + +Old Man had no moccasins; his were all worn out. The women gave him +some for himself, and also some to take back to give to the men, and +he went back to the men's camp. When he reached it, word went out +that he had returned, and all the men said to each other, "He has +got back; Old Man has come again." He gave the men the message that +the woman had sent, and soon the men started for the woman's camp to +get married. When they came near it, they went up on a bluff and +stood there, looking down on the camp. Old Man had dressed himself +finely, and had put on a trimmed robe painted red, and in his hand +held a lance with a bone head on each end. + +When the women saw that the men had come they got ready to go and +select their husbands. The chief of the women said, "I am the chief. +I will go first and take the man I like. The rest wait here." + +The woman chief started up the hill to choose the chief of the men +for her husband. She had been making dried meat, and her hands, +arms, and clothing were covered with blood and grease. She was +dirty, and Old Man did not know her. The woman went up to Old Man to +choose him, but he turned his back on her and would not go with her. + +She went back to her camp and told the women that she had been +refused because her clothes were dirty. She said, "Now, I am going +to put on my nice clothes and choose a man. All of you can go up and +take men, but let no one take that man with the red robe and the +double-headed lance." + +After she was nicely dressed the chief woman again went up on the +hill. Now, Old Man knew who she was, and he kept getting in front of +her and trying hard to have her take him, but she would not notice +him and took another man, the one standing next to Old Man. Then the +other women began to come, and they kept coming up and choosing men, +but no one took Old Man, and at last all the men were taken and he +was left standing there alone. + +This made him so angry that he wanted to do something, and he went +down to the woman's piskun and began to break down its walls, so the +chief of the women turned him into a pine-tree. + + +BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE + +Once Old Man was travelling over the prairie, when he saw far off a +fire burning, and as he drew near it he saw many prairie-dogs +sitting in a circle around the fire. There were so many of them that +there was no place for any one to sit down. Old Man stood there +behind the circle, and presently he began to cry, and then he said +to the prairie-dogs, "Let me, too, sit by that fire." The +prairie-dogs said, "All right, Old Man, don't cry; come and sit by +the fire." They moved aside so as to make a place for him, and Old +Man sat down and looked on at what they were doing. + +He saw that they were playing a game, and this was the way they did +it: they put one prairie-dog in the fire and covered him up with hot +ashes, and then, after he had been there a little while, he would +say, "_sk, sk_," and they pushed the ashes off him and pulled him +out. + +Old Man said, "Little brothers, teach me how to do that." The +prairie-dogs told him what to do, and put him in the fire and +covered him up with the ashes, and after a little time he said, +"_sk, sk_," like a prairie-dog, and they pulled him out again. +Then he did it to the prairie-dogs. + +At first he put them in one at a time, but there were many of them, +and soon he got tired and said, "I will put you all in at once." +They said, "Very well, Old Man," and all got in the ashes, but just +as Old Man was about to cover them up one of them, a female, said, +"Do not cover me up, for I fear the heat will hurt me." Old Man +said, "Very well; if you do not wish to be covered up, you may sit +over by the fire and watch the rest." Then he covered over all the +others. + +At length the prairie-dogs said, "_sk, sk_," but Old Man did not +sweep off the ashes and pull them out of the fire. He let them stay +there and die. The she one that was looking on ran to a hole, and as +she went down in it, said, "_sk, sk_." Old Man chased her, but he +got to the hole too late to catch her. + +"Oh, well, you can go," he said; "there will be more prairie-dogs +by and by." + +When the prairie-dogs were roasted, Old Man cut some red willow +twigs to place them on, and then sat down and began to eat. He ate +until he was full, and then felt sleepy. + +He said to his nose, "I am going to sleep now; watch out, and in +case any bad thing comes about, wake me up." Then Old Man slept. + +Pretty soon his nose snored, and Old Man woke up and said, "What is +it?" The nose said, "A raven is flying by, over there." Old Man +said, "That is nothing," and went to sleep again. + +Soon his nose snored again, and Old Man said, "What is it now?" The +nose said, "There is a coyote over there, coming this way." Old Man +said, "A coyote is nothing," and again went to sleep. + +Presently his nose snored again, but Old Man did not wake up. Again +it snored, and called out, "Wake up, a bobcat is coming." Old Man +paid no attention; he slept on. + +The bobcat crept up to the fire and ate all the roasted +prairie-dogs, and then went off and lay down on the flat rock and +went to sleep. All this time the nose kept trying to awaken Old Man, +and at last he awoke, and the nose said, "A bobcat is over there on +that flat rock. He has eaten all your food." Then Old Man was so +angry that he called out loud. + +The tracks of the bobcat were all greasy from the food it had been +eating, and Old Man followed these tracks. He went softly over to +where the bobcat was sleeping, and seized it before it could wake up +to bite or scratch him. The bobcat cried out, "Wait, let me speak a +word or two," but Old Man would not listen. + +"I will teach you to steal my food," he said. He pulled off the +lynx's tail, pounded his head against the rock so as to make his +face flat, pulled him out long so as to make him small-bellied, and +then threw him into the brush. As he went sneaking away, Old Man +said, "There, that is the way you bobcats shall always be." It is +for this reason that the lynxes to-day look like that. + +Old Man went to the fire, and looked at the red willow sticks where +the roasted prairie-dogs had been, and when he saw them, and thought +how his food was all gone, it made him angry at his nose. He said, +"You fool, why did you not wake me?" He took the willow sticks and +thrust them in the coals, and when they had caught fire he burnt his +nose. This hurt, and he ran up on a hill and held his nose to the +wind, and called to the wind to blow hard and cool him. A hard wind +came, so hard that it blew him off the hill and away down to Birch +Creek. As he was flying along he caught at the weeds and brush to +stop himself, but nothing was strong enough to hold him. At last he +grasped a birch tree. He held fast, and it did not give way. +Although the wind whipped him about, this way and that, and tumbled +him up and down, the tree held him. He kept calling to the wind to +blow more softly, and at last it listened to him and went down. + +Then he said, "This is a beautiful tree. It has saved me from being +blown away and knocked all to pieces. I will make it pretty, and it +shall always be like that." So he gashed the bark across with his +stone knife, as you see the marks to-day. + + +THE RED-EYED DUCK + +Once, long ago, Old Man was travelling north along a river. He +carried a great pack on his back. After a time he came to a place +where the river spread out and the water was quiet, and here many +ducks were swimming about. Old Man did not look at the ducks, and +kept travelling along; but presently some of the ducks saw him and +looked at him and said to each other, "Who is that going along there +with a pack on his back?" One duck said to the others, "That must be +Old Man." + +The duck that knew him called out, saying, "Hi, Old Man, where are +you going?" + +"I am going on farther," replied Old Man, "I have been sent for." + +"What have you got in your pack?" said the duck. + +"Those are my songs," answered Old Man. "Some people have asked me +to come and sing for them." + +"Stop for a while and sing for us," said the duck, "and we can have +a dance." + +"No," said Old Man, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop now." + +The duck kept persuading him to stop, and when it had asked him the +fourth time, Old Man stopped and said to the ducks, "Well, I will +stop for a little while and sing for you, and you can dance." + +So the ducks all came out on the bank and stood in a circle, and Old +Man began to sing. He sang one song, and then said, "Now, this next +song is a medicine song, and while you dance you must keep your eyes +shut. No one must look. If any one opens his eyes and looks, his +eyes will turn red." + +The ducks closed their eyes and Old Man began to sing, and they +danced around; but Old Man took a stick, and every time one of them +passed him, he knocked it on the head and threw it into the circle. + +Presently one of the littlest ducks while dancing could not feel any +one on either side of him, and he opened his eyes and looked, and +saw what Old Man was doing. He cried out to the rest, "Run, run, +Old Man is killing us"; and all the other ducks flew away, but ever +since that time that little duck's eyes have been red. It is the +horned grebe. + +Old Man took the ducks and went off a little way and built a fire +and hung some of the ducks up in front of it to roast, and after the +fire was burning well, he swept away the ashes and buried some of +the ducks in the ground and again swept back the fire over them. +Then he lay down to wait for the birds to cook, and while they were +cooking he fell asleep. + +While he slept a coyote came sneaking along and saw Old Man sleeping +there, and the ducks roasting by the fire. Very quietly he crept up +to the fire and took the ducks one by one and ate them. Not one was +left. Pretty soon he found those that were roasting under the fire, +and dug them out, and opening them, ate the meat from the inside of +the skin and filled each one with ashes and buried them all again. +Then he went away. + +Pretty soon Old Man woke up and saw that his ducks were gone, and +when he saw the tracks about the fire, he knew that the coyote had +taken them. + +"It was lucky," said Old Man, "that I put some of those to roast +under the fire." He dug them up from under the ashes, but when he +took a big bite from one, his mouth and face were full of ashes. + + + + +THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET + + +Long, long ago, before our fathers or grandfathers were born, before +the white people knew anything about the western half of North +America, the Indians who told these stories lived on the Western +plains. To the west of their home rose high mountains, black with +pine-trees on their lower slopes and capped with snow, but their +tents were pitched on the rolling prairie. For a little while in +spring this prairie was green and dotted with flowers, but for most +of the year it stretched away brown and bare, north, east, and +south, farther than one could see. + +On these plains were many kinds of wild animals. Sometimes the +prairie was crowded with herds of black buffalo running in fear; or, +again, the herds, unfrightened, fed scattered out; so that the hills +far and near were dotted with their dark forms. Among the buffalo +were yellow and white antelope--many of them--graceful and swift of +foot. Feeding on the high prairie or going down into the wooded +river valleys to drink were herds of elk, while the willow thickets, +the brushy ravines, and the lower timbered foot-hills sheltered +deer. The naked Bad Lands, the rocky slopes of the mountains, and +the tall buttes that often rise above the level prairie were the +refuge of the mountain sheep, which in those days, like all the +other grass eaters of the region, grazed on the prairie and sought +the more broken, higher country only when alarmed or when they +wished to rest. + +These were the animals which the Blackfeet killed for food before +the white men came, and of these the buffalo was the chief. Buffalo, +more than any other animals, could be captured in numbers, and the +Blackfeet, like the other Indians of the plains, had devised a +method for taking them, so that when the buffalo were near the +Blackfeet never suffered from hunger. Yet sometimes it happened that +the buffalo went away, and that the lonely far travelling scouts +sent out by the tribe could not find them. Then the people had to +turn to the smaller animals--the elk, deer, antelope, and wild +sheep. + +In those old days, before they had horses, they did not make long +marches when they moved. Their only domestic animal was the dog, +which was used chiefly as a beast of burden, either carrying loads +on its back or hauling a travois, formed by two long sticks crossing +above the shoulders and dragging on the ground behind. Behind the +dog these two sticks were united by a little platform, on which was +lashed some small burden--sometimes a little baby. + +In those days, when the people moved from one place to another, all +who were large enough to walk and strong enough to carry a burden on +the shoulders, were laden. Usually men, women, and children alike +bore loads suited to their strength. Yet sometimes the men carried +no loads at all, for if journeying through a country where they +feared that some enemy might attack them, the men must be ready to +fight and to defend their wives and children. A man cannot fight +well if he is carrying a burden; he cannot use his arms readily, nor +run about lightly--forward to attack, backward in retreat. If he is +not free to fight well, his family will be in danger. White men who +have seen Indians journeying in this way, and who have not +understood why some women carried heavy loads and the men carried +nothing, have said that Indian men were idle and lazy, and forced +their women to do all the work. Those who wrote those things were +mistaken in what they said. They did not understand what they saw. +The truth is that these men were prepared for danger of attacks by +enemies, and were ready to do their best to save their families from +harm. + +Carrying on their backs all their property, except the little which +the dogs might pack, it is evident that the Indians in those days +could not make long journeys. + +In those days they had no buckets of wood or tin in which to carry +water. Instead, they used a vessel like a bag or sack, made from the +soft membrane of one of the stomachs of the buffalo. This, after it +had been cleansed and all the openings from it save one had been +tied up, the women filled at the stream with a spoon made of +buffalo horn or with a larger ladle of the horn of the wild sheep. +Because this water-skin was soft and flexible, it could not stand on +the ground, and they hung it up, sometimes on the limb of a tree, +more often on one of the poles of the lodge, or sometimes on a +tripod--three sticks coming together at the top and standing spread +out at the ground. + +Most of the meat cooked for the family was roasted, yet much of it +was boiled, sometimes in a bowl of stone, sometimes in a kettle made +of a fresh hide or of the paunch of the buffalo. Sometimes these +skin or paunch kettles were supported at the sides by stakes stuck +in the ground, and sometimes a hole dug in the ground was lined with +the hide, which was so arranged as to be water-tight. They were not, +as may be imagined, put over a fire, but when filled with cold water +this water was heated in quite another way. Near by a fire was +built, in which were thrown large stones, and on top of the stones +more wood was piled; so that after a time, when the wood had burnt +down, the stones were very hot--sometimes red hot. With two rather +short-handled forked sticks, the women took from the fire one of the +hot stones, and put it in the water in the hide kettle, and as it +cooled, took it out and put in another hot stone. Thus the water was +soon heated, and boiled and cooked whatever was in the kettle. To be +sure, there were some ashes and a little dirt in the soup, but that +was not regarded as important. + +This was long before the Indians knew of matches, or even of flint +and steel. In those days to make a fire was not easy and it took a +long time. By his knees or feet a man held in position on the ground +a piece of soft, dry wood in which two or three little hollows had +been dug out, and taking another slender stick of hard wood, and +pressing the point in one of the little hollows in the stick of soft +wood, he twirled the stick rapidly between the palms of his hands, +so fast and so long that presently the dust ground from the softer +stick, falling to one side in a little pile, began to smoke, and at +last a faint spark was seen at the top of the pile, which began to +glow, and, spreading, became constantly larger. He, or his +companion, for often two men twirled the stick, one relieving the +other, caught this spark in a bit of tinder--perhaps some dry punk +or a little fine grass--and by blowing coaxed it into flame, and +there was the fire. + +This fire making was hard work, and the people tried to escape this +work by keeping a spark of fire always alive. To do this, men +sometimes carried, by a thong slung over the shoulder, the hollow +tip of a buffalo horn, the opening of which was closed by a wooden +plug. When going on a journey, the man lighted a piece of punk, and, +placing it in this horn, plugged up the open end, so that no air +could get into the horn. There the punk smouldered for a long time, +and neither went out nor was wholly consumed. Once in a while during +the day the man looked at this punk, and, if he saw that it was +almost consumed, he lighted another piece and put it in the horn and +replaced the plug. So at night when he reached camp the fire was +still in his horn, and he could readily kindle a blaze, and from +this blaze other fires were kindled. Often, if the camp was large, +the first young men who reached it gathered wood and perhaps kindled +four fires, and after the women had reached the camp, unpacked their +dogs, and put up their lodges, each woman would go to one of these +fires to get a brand or some coals with which to start her own lodge +fire. + +In warm weather men and boys wore little clothing. They went almost +naked; yet in cold weather each man or woman was most of the time +wrapped in a warm robe of tanned buffalo skin. Even the little +children wore robes, the smallest ones those taken from the little +buffalo calves. All their clothing, like their beds and their homes, +was made of the skins of animals. Shirts, women's dresses, leggings, +and moccasins were made from the tanned skins of buffalo, deer, +antelope, and mountain sheep. Often the moccasins were made from the +smoked skin cut from the top of an old lodge, for this skin had been +smoked so much that it never dried hard and stiff, after it had been +wet. The moccasins had a stiff sole of buffalo rawhide; and in the +bottom of this sole were cut one or two holes, in order that the +water might run out if a man had to wade through a stream. + +The homes of these Indians were lodges--tents made of tanned buffalo +skin supported on a cone of long, straight, slender poles. At the +top where the poles crossed was an opening for the smoke from the +fire built in the centre of the circular lodge floor, while about +the fire, and close under the lodge covering, were the beds where +the people slept or ate during the day. + +These homes were warm and comfortable. The border of the lodge +covering did not come down quite to the ground, but inside the lodge +poles, and tied to them, was a long wide strip of tanned buffalo +skin four or five feet high, and long enough to reach around the +inside of the lodge, almost from one side of the door to the other. +This strip of tanned skin--made up of several pieces--was so wide +that one edge rested on the floor, and reached inward under the beds +and seats. Through the open space between the lodge covering and the +lodge lining, fresh air kept passing into the lodge close to the +ground and up over the lining and down toward the centre of the +lodge, and so furnished draught for the fire. The lodge lining kept +this cold air from blowing directly on the occupants of the lodge +who sat around the fire. Often the lodge lining was finely painted +with pictures of animals, people, and figures of mysterious beings +of which one might not speak. + +The seats and beds in this home were covered with soft tanned +buffalo robes, and at the head and foot of each bed was an inclined +back-rest of straight willow twigs, strung together on long lines of +sinew and supported in an inclined position by a tripod. Buffalo +robes often hung over these back-rests. In the spaces between the +back-rests, which though they came together at the top were +separated at the ground, were kept many of the possessions of the +family; the pipe, sacks of tobacco, of paint, "possible +sacks"--parfleches for clothing or food, and many smaller articles. + +The outside of the lodge was often painted with mysterious figures +which the lodge owner believed to have power to bring good luck to +him and to his family. Sometimes these figures represented +animals--buffalo, deer, and elk--or rocks, mountains, trees, or the +puff-balls that grow on the prairie. Sometimes a procession of +ravens, marching one after the other, was painted around the +circumference of the lodge. The painting might show the tracks of +animals, or a number of water animals, apparently chasing each other +around the lodge. On either side of the smoke hole at the top were +two flaps, or wings, each one supported by a single pole. These were +to regulate the draught of the fire in case of a change of wind, and +the poles were moved from side to side, changing as the direction of +the wind changed. On such wings were often painted groups of white +disks which represented some group of stars. At the back of the +lodge, high up, just below the place where the lodge poles cross, +was often a large round disk representing the sun, and above that a +cross, which was the sign of the butterfly, the power that they +believe brings sleep. From the ends of the wings, or tied to the +tips of the poles which supported them, hung buffalo tails, and +sometimes running down from one of these poles to the ground near +the door was a string of the sheaths of buffalo hooflets, which +rattled as it swung to and fro in the breeze. + +Their arms were the bow and arrow, a short spear or lance, with a +head of sharpened stone or bone, stone hammers with wooden handles, +and knives made of bone or stone, and if of stone, lashed by rawhide +or sinew to a split wooden handle. + +The hammers were of two sorts: one quite heavy, almost like a +sledge-hammer or maul, and with a short handle; the other much +lighter, and with a longer, more limber handle. This last was used +by men in war as a mace or war club, while the heavier hammer was +used by women as an axe to break up fallen trees for firewood; as a +hammer to drive tent-pins into the ground, to kill disabled animals, +or to break up heavy bones for the marrow they contained. These +mauls and hammers were usually made by choosing an oval stone and +pecking a groove about its shortest diameter. The handles were made +by green sticks fitted as closely as possible into the groove, +brought together and lashed in position by sinew, the whole being +then covered with wet rawhide tightly fitted and sewed. As the +rawhide dried, it shrunk and strongly bound together the parts of +the weapon. + +The Blackfeet bow was about four feet long. Its string was of +twisted sinew and it was backed with sinew. This gave the bow great +power, so that the arrow went with much force. The arrows were +straight shoots of the service berry or cherry, and the manufacture +of arrows was the chief employment of many of the men of middle +life. Each arrow by the same maker was precisely like every other +arrow he made. Each arrowmaker tried hard to make good arrows. It +was a fine thing to be known as a maker of good arrows. + +The shoots for the arrow shafts were brought into the lodge, peeled, +smoothed roughly, tied up in bundles, and hung up to dry. After they +were dried, the bundles were taken down and each shaft was smoothed +and reduced to a proper thickness by the use of a grooved piece of +sand-stone, which acted on the arrow like sandpaper. After they were +of the right thickness, they were straightened by bending with the +hands, and sometimes with the teeth, and were then passed through a +circular hole drilled in a rib, or in a mountain sheep's horn, which +acted in part as a gauge of the size and also as a smoother, for if +in passing through the hole the arrow fitted tightly, the shaft +received a good polish. The three grooves which always were found in +the Blackfeet arrows were made by pushing the shaft through a round +hole drilled in a rib, which, however, had one or more projections +left on the inside. These projections pressed into the soft wood and +made the grooves, which were in every arrow. The feathers were three +in number. They were put on with a glue, made by boiling scraps of +dried rawhide, and were held in place by wrappings of sinew. The +heads of the arrows were made of stone or bone or horn. The flint +points were often highly worked and very beautiful, being broken +from larger flints by sharp blows of a stone hammer, and after they +had been shaped the edges were worked sharp by flaking with an +implement of bone or horn. The points made of horn or bone were +ground sharp by rubbing on a stone. A notch was cut in the end of +the arrow shaft and the shank of the arrow point set in that. The +arrow heads were firmly fixed to the shaft by glue and by sinew +wrapping. + +Although the Blackfeet lived almost altogether on the flesh of birds +or animals, yet they had some vegetable food. This was chiefly +berries--of which in summer the women collected great quantities and +dried them for winter use--and roots, the gathering of which at the +proper season of the year occupied much of the time of women and +young girls. These roots were unearthed by a long, sharp-pointed +stick, called a root digger. Some of the roots were eaten as soon as +collected, while others were dried and stored for use in winter. + +After they reached the plains, the main food of the Blackfeet was +the buffalo, which they killed in large numbers when everything went +right. Many of the streams in the Blackfeet country run through +wide, deep valleys bordered on either side by cliffs, or broken +precipices, falling sharply from the high prairie above. Long ago +the Blackfeet must have learned that it was possible to make the +buffalo jump over these cliffs, and that in the fall on the rocks +below numbers would be killed or crippled. No doubt after this had +been practised for a time, there came to some one the idea of +building at the foot of such a cliff where the buffalo were run +over, a fence which would form a corral or pound, and which would +hold all the buffalo that were jumped over the cliff. This corral +they called piskun. + +It is often said that the buffalo were driven over these precipices, +but this is true only in part. Like most wild animals, buffalo are +inquisitive. It was not difficult to excite their curiosity, and +when they saw something they did not recognize, they were anxious to +find out what it was. + +When run into the piskun, the buffalo were really drawn by curiosity +almost to the jumping point, and between two long diverging lines of +people, who kept hidden until after the buffalo had passed them, and +then rose and showed themselves and tried to frighten the animals. +Now, to be sure, for the short distance that remained between the +place where they were alarmed and the place where they jumped, the +buffalo were driven. Any attempt on the open prairie to drive +buffalo in one direction or another would be certain to fail. The +animals would go where they wished to. They would not be driven, +though often they might be led. + +To the people the capture of food was the most important thing in +life, and they put forth every effort to accomplish it. For this +reason it came about that the effort to capture buffalo was preceded +usually by religious ceremonies, in which many prayers were offered +to the powers of the earth, the sky, and the waters, many sacrifices +made, and sacred objects, like the buffalo stone, were displayed. + +When the day for the hunt came, the man who was to bring the buffalo +left the camp early in the morning, climbed the rocky bluffs to the +high prairie, and journeyed toward some near-by herd of buffalo, +that had been located the day before by himself or by other young +men. He approached the buffalo as nearly as he could without +frightening them, and then, attracting the attention of some of the +animals by uttering certain calls, tossed into the air his buffalo +robe or some smaller object. As soon as the buffalo began to look at +him, he retreated slowly in the direction of the piskun, but +continued to call and to attract their attention by showing himself +and then disappearing. Soon, some of the buffalo began to walk +toward him, and others began to look and to follow those that had +first started, so that before long the whole herd of fifty or a +hundred animals might be walking or sometimes trotting after him. +The more rapidly the buffalo came on, the faster the man ran--and +sometimes it was a hard matter for him to keep ahead of the +herd--until he had got far within the wings and near to the cliff. +If there seemed danger that he would be overtaken, he watched his +chance and either at some low place quickly dodged out of the line +in which the buffalo were running, or hid behind one of the piles of +stones of which the wings were formed, or, if he had time, slipped +over the rocky wall at the valley's edge, so as to get out of the +way of the approaching herd. + +As soon as the buffalo had come well within the diverging lines of +people who were hidden behind the piles of stones called wings, +those whom the buffalo passed rose up from their places of +concealment, and by yells and shouts and the waving of their robes +frightened the buffalo, so that they quite forgot their curiosity in +the terror that now replaced it. When the leaders reached the brink +of the cliff, they could not stop. They were pushed over by those +behind, and most of the buffalo jumped over the cliff. Many were +crippled or injured by the fall, and all were kept within the fence +of the piskun below. About this fence the people were collected. The +buffalo raced round and round within the pen, the young and weak +being injured or killed in the crowding, while above the fence men +were shooting them with arrows until presently all in the pen were +dead, or so hurt that the women could go into the pen and kill them. +The people entered and took the flesh and hides. + +Deer, elk, and antelope were shot with arrows, and antelope were +often captured in pitfalls roofed with slender poles and covered +with grass and earth. Such pitfalls were dug in a region where +antelope were plenty, and a long > shaped pair of wings, made of +poles or bushes or even rock piles, led to the pit. The antelope is +very inquisitive and was easily led within the chute and there +frightened, as were the buffalo, by people who had been concealed +and who rose up and showed themselves after the antelope had passed. +This was done more in order to secure antelope skins for clothing +than their flesh for food. + +Fish and reptiles were not eaten by the Blackfeet, nor were dogs, +although dogs, wolves, and coyotes are eaten by many tribes of +plains Indians. Most small animals, and practically all birds, were +eaten in case of need. In summer, when the wildfowl which bred +on so many of the lakes in the Blackfeet country lost their +flight-feathers, during the moult, and again in the late summer, +when the young ducks and geese were almost fullgrown but could not +yet fly, the Indians often went in large parties to the shallow +lakes which here and there dotted the prairie, and, driving the +birds to shore, killed them in large numbers. + +Earlier in the season, when the fowl had begun to lay their eggs, +these were collected in great quantities for food. Sometimes they +were roasted in the hot ashes, but a more common way was to dig a +deep, narrow hole in the ground in which the eggs were to be cooked. +Several little platforms of small sticks or twigs were built in this +hole, one above another, and on these platforms they put the eggs. +Another much smaller hole was dug to one side of the large hole, +slanting down into it. The large hole was partly filled with water, +and was then roofed over by small sticks on which was placed grass +covered with earth. Stones were heated in a fire built near at hand, +and then were rolled down the side hole into the larger hole, +heating the water, which at last boiled and steamed, the steam +cooking the eggs. + +When the Americans first met them on the prairie, the Blackfeet were +known as great warriors. But up to the time when they got from the +Hudson Bay traders better weapons than they had before known, +whether these were metal knives, steel arrow points, or guns, it is +probable that they did not do much fighting. There seems to have +been no reason why they should have fought, unless they quarrelled +about small matters with other tribes. It became quite different +when the Indians procured better arms and, above all, when they got +horses--a means of swiftly getting about over the country, something +that all people wanted to have and which all were so eager to obtain +that they would go into danger for them. In the old days of stone +arrow heads, when they had to travel on foot and to carry heavy +loads on their backs, the whole thought and effort of the tribe must +have been devoted to the work of procuring a supply of food. + +The tribal and family life of the people was simple and friendly. +The man and his wives loved each other and loved their children. +Relationship counted for much in an Indian camp, and cousins of +remote degree were called brother and sister. Children were not +punished; they were trained by persuasion and advice. They were +told by older people how they ought to act in order to make their +lives happy and successful and to be well thought of by their +fellows. Young people had much respect for their elders, listened to +what they said, and strove more or less successfully to follow their +teachings. + +The Blackfeet were very religious. They feared many natural powers +and influences whose workings they did not understand, and they were +constantly praying to the Sun--regarded as the ruler of the +universe--as well as to those other powers which they believe live +in the stars, the earth, the mountains, the animals, and the trees. +The Blackfoot was constantly afraid that some evil thing might +happen to him, and he therefore prayed to all the powers for +help--for good fortune in his undertakings, for health, plenty, and +long life for himself and all his family. + +Among these tribes there are a number of secret societies known as +the All Comrades or All Friends--groups of men of different ages, +which have been alluded to in the stories. Originally there were +about twelve of these societies, but a number have been abandoned +of recent years. + +The tribe was divided into a number of clans, all the members of +which were believed to be related, and in old times no member of a +clan was permitted to marry another member of the clan. Relations +might not marry. + +In olden times, when large numbers of people were together, the +lodges of the camp were pitched in a great circle, the opening +toward the southeast. In this circle each clan camped in its own +particular place with relation to the other clans. Within the circle +was often a smaller circle of lodges, each occupied by one or more +of the societies of the All Comrades. Sometimes it happened that +great numbers of the Blackfeet came together, perhaps even all of +the three tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, and Piegans. When this was the +case, each tribe camped by itself with its own circle, no matter how +near it might be to one or other of the tribal circles. + +We read of some tribes of Indians which believed that after death +the spirits of the departed went to a happy hunting ground where +game was always plenty and life was full of joy. The Blackfeet +knew no such place as this. When they died their spirits +were believed to go to a barren, sandy region south of the +Saskatchewan, which they called the Sand Hills. Here, as shadows, +the ghosts lived a life much like their existence before death, +but all was unreal--unsubstantial. Riding on shadow horses they +hunted shadow buffalo. They lived in shadow camps and when they +moved shadow dogs hauled their travois. There are stories which +tell that living people have seen these hunters, their houses, and +their implements of the camp, but when the people got close they +found that what they thought they had seen was something +different. It reminds us a little of the old ballad of Alice +Brand, where Urgan tells of the things seen in fairy-land: + + "And gayly shines the Fairy-land-- + But all is glistening show, + Like the idle gleam that December's beam + Can dart on ice and snow. + + "And fading, like that varied gleam, + Is our inconstant shape, + Who now like knight and lady seem, + And now like dwarf and ape." + +Books have been written about the Blackfeet Indians which tell much +more about how they lived than can be given here. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES*** + + +******* This file should be named 13833-8.txt or 13833-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: +https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/13833-8.zip b/old/13833-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bc5be75 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833-8.zip diff --git a/old/13833-h.zip b/old/13833-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..79702e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833-h.zip diff --git a/old/13833-h/13833-h.htm b/old/13833-h/13833-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3582c64 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833-h/13833-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5629 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Blackfeet Indian Stories, by George Bird Grinnell</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {font-size: 100%; } + p { margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%; + text-indent: 1.5em; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } + hr { width: 50%; } + hr.short {width: 10%; } + hr.long {width: 70%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; } + p.toc {margin-left: 30%; text-indent: 0em; text-align: left; + font-size: 90%; margin-bottom: .25em; margin-top: .25em; } + p.stoc {margin-left: 33%; text-indent: 0em; text-align: left; + margin-bottom: .25em; margin-top: .25em; font-size: 80%; } + p.foot { margin-left: 30%; text-indent: -1em; text-align: justify; + font-size: 80%; } + p.foot2 { margin-right: 20%; text-align: right; font-size: 80%; + margin-top: 0em; } + p.poem { text-indent: -.5em; margin-left: 30%; text-align: left; } + div.tp { margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; height: 360px; } + center { padding: .5em;} + pre {font-size: 8pt; margin-left: 15%; } + hr.pg { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook,<br> + Blackfeet Indian Stories,<br> + by George Bird Grinnell</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Blackfeet Indian Stories</p> +<p>Author: George Bird Grinnell</p> +<p>Release Date: October 22, 2004 [eBook #13833]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES***</p> +<br><br><h3>E-text prepared by Janet Kegg<br> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h3><br><br> +<hr class="pg" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/front.jpg" width="342" height="450" +alt="Cold Maker"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<h5>Cold Maker</h5> +<hr class="long"> +<br> +<div class="tp"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="231" height="350" align="left" alt="Cover"> +<h1> + BLACKFEET +</h1> +<h1> +INDIAN STORIES +</h1> +<h5> + BY +</h5> +<h3> +GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL +</h3> +<center> + <small>AUTHOR OF<br> + <i>BLACKFEET LODGE TALES</i>, <i>TRAILS OF THE PATHFINDERS</i>, ETC.</small> +</center> +<br> +<br> +<h5>1915</h5> +</div> +<br> +<hr class="long"> +<a name="2H_4_0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + TO THE READER +</h3> +<p> + Those who wish to know something about how the people lived who told + these stories will find their ways of life described in the last + chapter of this book. +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet were hunters, travelling from place to place on foot. + They used implements of stone, wood, or bone, wore clothing made of + skins, and lived in tents covered by hides. Dogs, their only tame + animals, were used as beasts of burden to carry small packs and drag + light loads. +</p> +<p> + The stories here told come down to us from very ancient times. + Grandfathers have told them to their grandchildren, and these again + to their grandchildren, and so from mouth to mouth, through many + generations, they have reached our time. +</p> +<br> + +<hr class="short"> +<br> + +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0003"> +TWO FAST RUNNERS +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0004"> +THE WOLF MAN +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0005"> +KŬT-O-YĬS´, THE BLOOD BOY +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0006"> +THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0007"> +THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0008"> +THE BUFFALO STONE +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0009"> +HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0010"> +COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0011"> +THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES +</a></p> +<p class="stoc"><a href="#2H_4_0012"> +THE BULLS SOCIETY</a><br> + <a href="#2H_4_0013"> +THE OTHER SOCIETIES +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0014"> +THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0015"> +THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0016"> +MĪKA´PI—RED OLD MAN +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0017"> +RED ROBE'S DREAM +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0018"> +THE BLACKFEET CREATION +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0019"> +OLD MAN STORIES +</a></p> +<p class="stoc"><a href="#2H_4_0020"> +THE WONDERFUL BIRD</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0021"> +THE RABBITS' MEDICINE</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0022"> +THE LOST ELK MEAT</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0023"> +THE ROLLING ROCK</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0024"> +BEAR AND BULLBERRIES</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0025"> +THE THEFT FROM THE SUN</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0026"> +THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0027"> +BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE</a><br> +<a href="#2H_4_0028"> +THE RED-EYED DUCK</a> +</p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0029"> +THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET +</a></p> + +<br> +<hr> + +<a name="2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h2> + Blackfeet Indian Stories +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + TWO FAST RUNNERS +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Once, a long time ago, the antelope and the deer happened to meet on + the prairie. They spoke together, giving each other the news, each + telling what he had seen and done. After they had talked for a time + the antelope told the deer how fast he could run, and the deer said + that he could run fast too, and before long each began to say that + he could run faster than the other. So they agreed that they would + have a race to decide which could run the faster, and on this race + they bet their galls. When they started, the antelope ran ahead of + the deer from the very start and won the race and so took the deer's + gall. +</p> +<p> + But the deer began to grumble and said, "Well, it is true that out + here on the prairie you have beaten me, but this is not where I + live. I only come out here once in a while to feed or to cross the + prairie when I am going somewhere. It would be fairer if we had a + race in the timber. That is my home, and there I can run faster than + you. I am sure of it." +</p> +<p> + The antelope felt so glad and proud that he had beaten the deer in + the race that he was sure that wherever they might run he could beat + him, so he said, "All right, I will run you a race in the timber. I + have beaten you out here on the flat and I can beat you there." On + this race they bet their dew-claws. +</p> +<p> + They started and ran this race through the thick timber, among the + bushes, and over fallen logs, and this time the antelope ran slowly, + for he was afraid of hitting himself against the trees or of falling + over the logs. You see, he was not used to this kind of travelling. + So the deer easily beat him and took his dew-claws. +</p> +<p> + Since that time the deer has had no gall and the antelope no + dew-claws. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE WOLF MAN +</h2> +<br> +<p> + A long time ago there was a man who had two wives. They were not + good women; they did not look after their home nor try to keep + things comfortable there. If the man brought in plenty of buffalo + cow skins they did not tan them well, and often when he came home at + night, hungry and tired after his hunting, he had no food, for these + women would be away from the lodge, visiting their relations and + having a good time. +</p> +<p> + The man thought that if he moved away from the big camp and lived + alone where there were no other people perhaps he might teach these + women to become good; so he moved his lodge far off on the prairie + and camped at the foot of a high butte. +</p> +<p> + Every evening about sundown the man used to climb up to the top of + this butte and sit there and look all over the country to see where + the buffalo were feeding and whether any enemies were moving about. + On top of the hill there was a buffalo skull, on which he used to + sit. +</p> +<p> + One day one of the women said to the other, "It is very lonely here; + we have no one to talk with or to visit." +</p> +<p> + "Let us kill our husband," said the other: "then we can go back to + our relations and have a good time." +</p> +<p> + Early next morning the man set out to hunt, and as soon as he was + out of sight his wives went up on top of the butte where he used to + sit. There they dug a deep hole and covered it over with light + sticks and grass and earth, so that it looked like the other soil + near by, and placed the buffalo skull on the sticks which covered + the hole. +</p> +<p> + In the afternoon, as they watched for their returning husband, they + saw him come over the hill loaded down with meat that he had killed. + When he threw down his load outside the lodge, they hurried to cook + something for him. After he had eaten he went up on the butte and + sat down on the skull. The slender sticks broke and he fell into the + hole. His wives were watching him, and when they saw him disappear, + they took down the lodge and packed their dogs and set out to go to + the main camp. As they drew near it, so that people could hear them, + they began to cry and mourn. +</p> +<p> + Soon some people came to meet them and said, "What is this? Why are + you mourning? Where is your husband?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah," they replied, "he is dead. Five days ago he went out to hunt + and he did not come back. What shall we do? We have lost him who + cared for us"; and they cried and mourned again. +</p> +<p> + Now, when the man fell into the pit he was hurt, for the hole was + deep. After a time he tried to climb out, but he was so badly + bruised that he could not do so. He sat there and waited, thinking + that here he must surely die of hunger. +</p> +<p> + But travelling over the prairie was a wolf that climbed up on the + butte and came to the hole and, looking in, saw the man and pitied + him. +</p> +<p> + "Ah-h-w-o-o-o! Ah-h-w-o-o-o-o!" he howled, and when the other wolves + heard him they all came running to see what was the matter. + Following the big wolves came also many coyotes, badgers, and + kit-foxes. They did not know what had happened, but they thought + perhaps there was food here. +</p> +<p> + To the others the wolf said, "Here in this hole is what I have + found. Here is a man who has fallen in. Let us dig him out and we + will have him for our brother." +</p> +<p> + All the wolves thought that this talk was good, and they began to + dig, and before very long they had dug a hole down almost to the + bottom of the pit. +</p> +<p> + Then the wolf who had found the man said, "Hold on; wait a little; I + want to say a few words." All the animals stopped digging and began + to listen, and the wolf said, "We will all have this man for our + brother; but I found him, and so I think he ought to live with us + big wolves." All the others thought that this was good, and the + wolf that had found the man went into the hole that had been dug, + and tearing down the rest of the earth, dragged out the poor man, + who was now almost dead, for he had neither eaten nor drunk anything + since he fell in the hole. They gave the man a kidney to eat, and + when he was able to walk the big wolves took him to their home. Here + there was a very old blind wolf who had great power and could do + wonderful things. He cured the man and made his head and his hands + look like those of a wolf. The rest of his body was not changed. +</p> +<p> + In those days the people used to make holes in the walls of the + fence about the enclosure into which they led the buffalo. They set + snares over these holes, and when wolves and other animals crept + through them so as to get into the pen and feed on the meat they + were caught by the neck and killed, and the people used their skins + for clothing. +</p> +<p> + One night all the wolves went down to the pen to get meat, and when + they had come close to it, the man-wolf said to his brothers, "Stop + here for a little while and I will go down and fix the places so + that you will not be caught." He went down to the pen and sprung all + the snares, and then went back and called the wolves and the + others—the coyotes, badgers, and kit-foxes—and they all went into + the pen and feasted and took meat to carry home to their families. + In the morning the people found the meat gone and all their snares + sprung, and they were surprised and wondered how this could have + happened. For many nights the nooses were pulled tight and the meat + taken; but once when the wolves went there to eat they found only + the meat of a lean and sickly bull. Then the man-wolf was angry, + and he cried out like a wolf, "Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o! + Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o-o!" +</p> +<p> + When the people heard this they said to one another, "Ah, it is a + man-wolf who has done all this. We must catch him." So they took + down to the piskun<a name="f1"></a><a href="#note-1"><small><sup>1</sup></small></a> pemmican and nice back fat and placed it + there, and many of them hid close by. After dark the wolves came, + as was their custom, and when the man-wolf saw the good food, he ran + to it and began to eat. Then the people rushed upon him from every + side and caught him with ropes, and tied him and took him to a + lodge, and when they had brought him inside to the light of the + fire, at once they knew who it was. They said, "Why, this is the man + who was lost." +</p> +<p> + "No," said the man, "I was not lost. My wives tried to kill me. They + dug a deep hole and I fell into it, and I was hurt so badly I could + not get out; but the wolves took pity on me and helped me or I would + have died there." +</p> +<p> + When the people heard this they were angry, and they told the man to + do something to punish these women. +</p> +<p> + "You say well," he replied; "I give those women to the punishing + society. They know what to do." +</p> +<p> + After that night the two women were never seen again. +</p> +<br> +<a name="note-1"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot"> +<a href="#f1"><u>1</u></a> A pen or enclosure, usually—among the Blackfeet—at + the foot of a cliff, over which the buffalo were induced to jump. + Pronounced <big>pĭ´skŭn</big>. +</p> + +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + KŬT-O-YĬS´, THE BLOOD BOY +</h2> +<br> +<p> + As the children whose ancestors came from Europe have stories about + the heroes who killed wicked and cruel monsters—like Jack the Giant + Killer, for example—so the Indian children hear stories about + persons who had magic power and who went about the world destroying + those who treated cruelly or killed the Indians of the camps. Such a + hero was Kŭt-o-yĭs´, and this is how he came to be alive and + to travel about from place to place, helping the people and + destroying their enemies. +</p> +<p> + It was long, long ago, down where Two Medicine and Badger Rivers + come together, that an old man lived with his wife and three + daughters. One day there came to his camp a young man, good-looking, + a good hunter, and brave. He stayed in the camp for some time, and + whenever he went hunting he killed game and brought in great loads + of meat. +</p> +<p> + All this time the old man was watching him, for he said in his + heart, "This seems a good young man and a good hunter. Perhaps I + will give him my daughters for wives, and then he will stay here and + help me always." +</p> +<p> + After a time the old man decided to do this, and he gave the young + man his daughters; and because these three were his only children he + gave his son-in-law his dogs and all his property, and for himself + and his wife he kept only a little lodge. The young man's wives + tanned plenty of cow skins and made a big fine lodge, and in this + the son-in-law lived with his wives. +</p> +<p> + For some time after this the son-in-law was very good and kind to + the old people. When he killed any animal he gave them part of the + meat, and gave them skins which his mother-in-law tanned for robes + or for clothing. +</p> +<p> + As time went on the son-in-law began to grow stingy, and pretty soon + he gave nothing to his father-in-law's lodge, but kept everything + for his own. +</p> +<p> + Now, the son-in-law was a person of much mysterious power, and he + kept the buffalo hidden under a big log-jam in the river. Whenever + he needed food and wished to kill anything, he would take his + father-in-law with him to help. He would send the old man out to + stamp on the log-jam and frighten the buffalo, and when they ran out + from under it the young man would shoot one or two with his arrows, + never killing more than he needed. But often he gave the old people + nothing at all to eat. They were hungry all the time, and at length + they began to grow thin and weak. +</p> +<p> + One morning early the young man asked his father-in-law to come and + hunt with him. They went to the log-jam and the old man drove out + the buffalo and his son-in-law killed a fat buffalo cow. Then he + said to his father-in-law, "Hurry back now to the camp and tell your + daughters to come and carry home the meat, and then you can have + something to eat." The old man set out for the camp, thinking, as he + walked along, "Now, at last, my son-in-law has taken pity on me; he + will give me some of this meat." +</p> +<p> + When he returned with his daughters they skinned the cow and cut it + up and, carrying it, went home. The young man had his wives leave + the meat at his own lodge and told his father-in-law to go home. He + did not give him even a little piece of the meat. The two older + daughters gave their parents nothing to eat, but sometimes the + youngest one had pity on them and took a piece of meat and, when she + could, threw it into the lodge to the old people. The son-in-law had + told his wives not to give the old people anything to eat. Except + for the good heart of the youngest daughter they would have died of + hunger. +</p> +<p> + Another day the son-in-law rose early in the morning and went over + to the old man's lodge and kicked against the poles, calling to him, + "Get up now and help me; I want you to go and stamp on the log-jam + to drive out the buffalo." When the old man moved his feet on the + jam and a buffalo ran out, the son-in-law was not ready for it, and + it passed by him before he shot the arrow; so he only wounded it. It + ran away, but at last it fell down and died. +</p> +<p> + The old man followed close after it, and as he ran along he came to + a place where a great clot of blood had fallen from the buffalo's + wound. When he came to where this clot of blood was lying on the + ground, he stumbled and fell and spilled his arrows out of his + quiver, and while he was picking them up he picked up also the clot + of blood and hid it in his quiver. +</p> +<p> + "What are you picking up?" called the son-in-law. +</p> +<p> + "Nothing," replied the old man. "I fell down and spilled my arrows, + and I am putting them back." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, old man," said the son-in-law, "you are lazy and useless. You + no longer help me. Go back now to the camp and tell your daughters + to come down here and help carry in this meat." +</p> +<p> + The old man went to the camp and told his daughters of the meat that + their husband had killed, and they went down to the killing ground. + Then he went to his own lodge and said to his wife, "Hurry, now, put + the stone kettle on the fire. I have brought home something from the + killing." +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the old woman, "has our son-in-law been generous and + given us something nice to eat?" +</p> +<p> + "No," replied the old man, "but hurry and put the kettle on the + fire." +</p> +<p> + After a time the water began to boil and the old man turned his + quiver upside down over the pot, and immediately there came from it + a sound of a child crying, as if it were being hurt. The old people + both looked in the kettle and there they saw a little boy, and they + quickly took him out of the water. They were surprised and did not + know where the child had come from. The old woman wrapped the child + up and wound a line about its wrappings to keep them in place, + making a lashing for the child. Then they talked about it, wondering + what should be done with it. They thought that if their son-in-law + knew it was a boy he would kill it; so they determined to tell their + daughters that the baby was a girl, for then their son-in-law would + think that he was going to have another wife. So he would be glad. + They called the child Kŭt-o-yĭs´—Clot of Blood. +</p> +<p> + The son-in-law and his wives came home, bringing the meat, and + after a little time they heard the child in the next lodge crying. + The son-in-law said to his youngest wife, "Go over to your mother's + and see whether that baby is a boy or a girl. If it is a boy, tell + your parents to kill it." +</p> +<p> + Soon the young woman came back and said to her husband, "It is a + girl baby. You are to have another wife." +</p> +<p> + The son-in-law did not know whether to believe this, and sent his + oldest wife to ask the same question. When she came back and told + him the same thing he believed that it was really a girl. Then he + was glad, for he said to himself, "Now, when this child has grown + up, I shall have another wife." He said to his youngest wife, "Take + some back fat and pemmican over to your mother; she must be well fed + now that she has to nurse this child." +</p> +<p> + On the fourth day after he had been born the child spoke and said to + his mother, "Hold me in turn to each one of these lodge poles, and + when I come to the last one I shall fall out of my lashings and be + grown up." The old woman did as he had said, and as she held him to + one pole after another he could be seen to grow; and finally when he + was held to the last pole he was a man. +</p> +<p> + After Kŭt-o-yĭs´ had looked about the lodge he put his eye to + a hole in the lodge-covering and looked out. Then he turned around + and said to the old people, "How is it that in this lodge there is + nothing to eat? Over by the other lodge I see plenty of food hanging + up." +</p> +<p> + "Hush," said the old woman, raising her hand, "you will be heard. + Our son-in-law lives over there. He does not give us anything at all + to eat." +</p> +<p> + "Well," said the young man, "where is your piskun—where do you kill + buffalo?" +</p> +<p> + "It is down by the river," the old woman answered. "We pound on it + and the buffalo run out." +</p> +<p> + For some time they talked together and the old man told + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ how his son-in-law had abused him. He said to the + young man, "He has taken from me my bow and my arrows and has taken + even my dogs; and now for many days we have had nothing to eat, + except sometimes a small piece of meat that our daughter throws to + us." +</p> +<p> + "Father," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "have you no arrows?" +</p> +<p> + "No, my son," replied the old man, "but I still have four stone + arrow points." +</p> +<p> + "Go out then," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "and get some wood. We will + make a bow and some arrows, and in the morning we will go down to + where the buffalo are and kill something to eat." +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning Kŭt-o-yĭs´ pushed the old man and said, + "Come, get up now, and we will go down and kill, when the buffalo + come out." It was still very early in the morning. +</p> +<p> + When they reached the river the old man said, "This is the place to + stand and shoot. I will go down and drive them out." +</p> +<p> + He went down and stamped on the log-jam, and presently a fat cow ran + out and Kŭt-o-yĭs´ killed it. +</p> +<p> + Now, after these two had gone to the river the son-in-law arose and + went over to the old man's lodge, and knocked on the poles and + called to the old man to get up and help him kill. The old woman + called out to the son-in-law, saying, "Your father-in-law has + already gone down to the piskun." This made the son-in-law angry, + and he began to talk badly to the old woman and to threaten to harm + her. +</p> +<p> + Presently he went on down to the log-jam, and as he got near the + place he saw the old man at work there, bending over, skinning a + buffalo; for Kŭt-o-yĭs´, when he had seen the son-in-law + coming, had lain down on the ground and hidden himself behind the + carcass. +</p> +<p> + When the son-in-law had come pretty close to where the buffalo lay + he said to his father-in-law, "Old man, stand up and look all about + you. Look carefully and well, for it will be the last time that you + will ever see anything"; and while the son-in-law said this he took + an arrow from his quiver. +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ spoke to the old man from his hiding-place and + said, "Tell your son-in-law that he must take his last look, for + that you are going to kill him now." The old man said this as he + had been told. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the son-in-law, "you talk back to me. That makes me still + angrier at you." He put an arrow on the string and shot at the old + man, but did not hit him. Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said to the old man, + "Pick up that arrow and shoot it back at him"; and the old man did + so. Now, they shot at each other four times, and then the old man + said to Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "I am afraid now; get up and help me. If + you do not, I think he will kill me." Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ rose to + his feet and said to the son-in-law, "Here, what are you doing? I + think you have been treating this old man badly for a long time. Why + do you do it?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh no," said the son-in-law, and he smiled at Kŭt-o-yĭs´ in a + friendly way, for he was afraid of him. "Oh no; no one thinks more + of this old man than I do. I have always been very good to him." +</p> +<p> + "No," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´. "You are saying what is not true, and I + am going to kill you now." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ shot the son-in-law four times and he fell down + and died. Then the young man told his father to go and bring down to + him the daughters who had acted badly toward him. The old man did so + and Kŭt-o-yĭs´ punished them. Then he went up to the lodges + and said to the youngest woman, "Did you love your husband?" "Yes," + said the girl, "I loved him." So Kŭt-o-yĭs´ punished her too, + but not so badly as he had the other daughters, because she had been + kind to her parents. +</p> +<p> + To the old people he said, "Go over now to that lodge and live + there. There is plenty of food, and when that is gone I will kill + more. As for me, I shall make a journey. Tell me where there are any + people. In what direction shall I go to find a camp?" +</p> +<p> + "Well," said the old man, "up here on Two Medicine Lodge Creek there + are some people—up where the piskun is, you know." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ followed up the stream to where the piskun was and + there found many lodges of people. In the centre of the camp was a + big lodge, and painted on it the figure of a bear. He did not go to + this lodge, but went into a small lodge where two old women lived. + When he had sat down they put food before him—lean dried meat and + some belly fat. +</p> +<p> + "How is this, grandmothers?" he said. "Here is a camp with plenty of + fat meat and back fat hanging up to dry; why do you not give me some + of that?" +</p> +<p> + "Hush; be careful," said the old women. "In that big lodge over + there lives a big bear and his wives and children. He takes all the + best food and leaves us nothing. He is the chief of this place." +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said to the old women, + "Harness up your dogs to the travois now and go over to the piskun, + and I will kill some fat meat for you." +</p> +<p> + When they got there, he killed a fat cow and helped the old women to + cut it up, and they took it to the lodge. One of those old women + said, "Ah me, the bears will be sure to come." +</p> +<p> + "Why do you say that?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + They said to him, "We shall be sorry to lose this back fat." +</p> +<p> + "Do not fear," he said. "No one shall take this back fat from you. + Now, take all those best pieces and hang them up, so that those who + live in the bear lodge may see them." +</p> +<p> + They did so. Pretty soon the old bear chief said to one of his + children, "By this time I think the people have finished killing. Go + out now and look about; see where the nicest pieces are, and bring + in some nice back fat." +</p> +<p> + One of the young bears went out of the lodge and stood up and looked + about, and when it saw this meat hanging by the old women's lodge + close by, it went over toward it. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the old women, "there are those bears." +</p> +<p> + "Do not be afraid," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´. +</p> +<p> + The young bear went over to where the meat was hanging and stood up + and began to pull it down. Kŭt-o-yĭs´ went out of the lodge + and said, "Wait; wait! What are you doing, taking the old women's + meat?" +</p> +<p> + The young bear answered, "My father told me that I should go out and + get this meat and bring it home to him." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ hit the young bear over the head with a stick and + it ran home crying. +</p> +<p> + When it had reached the lodge it told what had happened and the + father bear said, "I will go over there myself; perhaps this person + will hit me over the head." +</p> +<p> + When the old women saw the father and mother bear and all their + relations coming they were afraid, but Kŭt-o-yĭs´ jumped out + of the lodge and killed the bears one after another; all except one + little she-bear, a very small one, which got away. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "you may go and breed more bears." +</p> +<p> + He told the old women to move over to the bear-painted lodge and + after this to live in it. It was theirs. +</p> +<p> + To the old women Kŭt-o-yĭs´ then said, "Now, grandmothers, + where are there any more people? I want to travel about and see + them." +</p> +<p> + The old women said, "At the Point of Rocks—on Sun River—there is a + camp. There is a piskun there." +</p> +<p> + So Kŭt-o-yĭs´ set off for that place, and when he came to the + camp he went into an old woman's lodge. +</p> +<p> + The old woman gave him something to eat—a dish of bad food. +</p> +<p> + "Why is this, grandmother?" asked Kŭt-o-yĭs´. "Have you no + food better than this to give to a visitor? Down there I see a + piskun; you must kill plenty of buffalo and must have good food." +</p> +<p> + "Speak lower," said the old woman, "or you may be heard. We have no + good food because there is a great snake here who is the chief of + the camp. He takes all the best pieces. He lives over there in that + snake-painted lodge." +</p> +<p> + The next morning when the buffalo were led in, Kŭt-o-yĭs´ + killed one, and they took the back fat and carried it to their + lodge. Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said, "I think I will visit that snake + person." He went over and went into the lodge, and there he saw many + women that the snake person had taken to be his wives. The women + were cooking some service berries. Kŭt-o-yĭs´ picked up the + dish and ate the berries and threw the dish away. Then he went up to + the big snake, who was lying there asleep, and pricked him with his + knife, saying, "Here, get up; I have come to visit you. Let us smoke + together." +</p> +<p> + Then the snake was angry and he raised up his head and began to + rattle, and Kŭt-o-yĭs´ cut off his head and cut him in pieces. + He cut off the heads of all the snake's wives and children; all + except one little female snake which got away by crawling into a + crack in the rocks. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, well," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "you can go and breed snakes so + there will be more. The people will not be afraid of little snakes." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ said to the old woman, "Now, grandmother, go into + this snake lodge and take it for your own and everything that is in + it." +</p> +<p> + Then he said to them, "Where are there some more people?" They told + him there were some camps down the river and some up in the + mountains, but they said, "Do not go up there. It is bad because + there lives Āi-sīn´-o-kō-kī—Wind Sucker. He will kill + you." +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ was glad to know that there was such a person, and + he went to the mountains. +</p> +<p> + When he reached the place where Wind Sucker lived, he looked into + his mouth and saw there many dead people. Some were skeletons and + some had only just died. He went in, and there he saw a fearful + sight. The ground was white as snow with the bones of those who had + died. There were bodies with flesh on them; some who had died not + long before and some who were still living. +</p> +<p> + As he looked about, he saw hanging down above him a great thing that + seemed to move—to grow a little larger and then to grow a little + smaller. +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ spoke to one of the people who was alive and asked, + "What is that hanging down above us?" +</p> +<p> + The person answered him, "That is Wind Sucker's heart." +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ spoke to all the living and said to them, "You + who still draw a little breath try to move your heads in time to the + song that I shall sing; and you who are still able to move stand up + on your feet and dance. Take courage now; we are going to dance to + the ghosts." +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ tied his knife, point upward, to the top of + his head and began to dance, singing the ghost song, and all the + others danced with him; and as he danced up and down he kept + springing higher and higher into the air, and the point of his knife + cut Wind Sucker's heart and killed him. +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´, with his knife, cut a hole between Wind + Sucker's ribs, and he and all those who were able to move crawled + out through the hole. He said to those who could still walk that + they should go and tell their people to come here, to get the ones + still alive but unable to travel. +</p> +<p> + To some of these people that he had freed he said, "Where are there + any other people? I want to visit all the people." +</p> +<p> + "There is a camp to the westward, up the river," they replied; "but + you must not take the left-hand trail going up because on that trail + lives a woman who invites men to wrestle with her and then kills + them. Avoid her." +</p> +<p> + Now, really, this was what Kŭt-o-yĭs´ was looking for. This + was what he was doing in the world, trying to kill off all the bad + things. He asked these people just where this woman lived and how + it was best for him to go so that he should not meet her. He did + this because he did not wish the people to know that he was going + where she was. +</p> +<p> + He started, and after he had travelled some time he saw a woman + standing not far from the trail. She called to him, saying, "Come + here, young man, come here; I want to wrestle with you." +</p> +<p> + "No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop." +</p> +<p> + The woman called again, "No, no; do not go on; come now and wrestle + once with me." +</p> +<p> + After she had called him the fourth time, Kŭt-o-yĭs´ went to + her. +</p> +<p> + Now on the ground where this woman wrestled with people she had + placed many sharp, broken flint-stones, partly hiding them by the + grass. The two seized each other and began to wrestle over these + sharp stones, but Kŭt-o-yĭs´ looked at the ground and did not + step on them. He watched his chance and gave the woman a quick + wrench, and threw her down on a large sharp flint which cut her in + two; and the parts of her body fell asunder. +</p> +<p> + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ then went on, and after a time came to where a + woman had made a place for sliding downhill. At the far end of it + she had fixed a rope which, when she raised it, would trip people + up, and when they were tripped they fell over a high cliff into a + deep water, where a great fish ate them. +</p> +<p> + When this woman saw Kŭt-o-yĭs´ coming she cried out to him, + "Come over here, young man, and slide with me." +</p> +<p> + "No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot wait." She kept calling + to him, and when she had called him the fourth time he went over + where he was to slide with her. +</p> +<p> + "This sliding," said the woman, "is very good fun." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, yes," said Kŭt-o-yĭs´, "I will look at it." +</p> +<p> + As he went near the place he looked carefully and saw the hidden + rope. He began to slide, and holding his knife in his hand, when he + reached the rope he cut it just as the woman raised it and pulled on + it, and the woman fell over backward into the water and was eaten + up by the big fish. +</p> +<p> + From here he went on again, and after a time he came to a big camp. + A man-eater was the chief of this place. +</p> +<p> + Before Kŭt-o-yĭs´ went to the chief's lodge he looked about + and saw a little girl and called her to him and said, "Child, I am + going into that lodge, to let that man-eater kill and eat me. + Therefore, be on the watch, and if you can get hold of one of my + bones take it out and call all the dogs to you, and when they have + come to you throw down the bone and say, 'Kŭt-o-yĭs´, the dogs + are eating your bones.'" +</p> +<p> + Then Kŭt-o-yĭs´ entered the lodge, and when the man-eater saw + him he called out, "Oki, oki!" (welcome, welcome!) and seemed glad + to see him, for he was a fat young man. The man-eater took a knife + and walked up to Kŭt-o-yĭs´ and cut his throat and put him + into a great stone pot to cook. When the meat was cooked he pulled + the kettle from the fire and ate the body, limb by limb, until it + was all eaten. +</p> +<p> + After that the little girl who was watching came into the lodge and + said, "Pity me, man-eater, my mother is hungry and asks you for + those bones." The old man gathered them together and handed them to + her, and she took them out of the lodge. When she had gone a little + way, she called all the dogs to her and threw down the bones to the + dogs, crying out, "Look out, Kŭt-o-yĭs´, the dogs are eating + you," and when she said that, Kŭt-o-yĭs´ arose from the pile + of bones. +</p> +<p> + Again he went into the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he + cried out, "How, how, how! the fat young man has survived!" and he + seemed surprised. Again he took his knife and cut the throat of + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ and threw him into the kettle. Again when the meat + was cooked he ate it, and when the little girl asked for the bones + again he gave them to her. She took them out and threw them to the + dogs, crying, "Kŭt-o-yĭs´, the dogs are eating you," and again + Kŭt-o-yĭs´ arose from the bones. +</p> +<p> + When the man-eater had cooked him four times Kŭt-o-yĭs´ again + went into the lodge, and seizing the man-eater, he threw him into + the boiling kettle, and his wives and all his children, and boiled + them to death. +</p> +<p> + The man-eater was the seventh and last of the bad things to be + destroyed by Kŭt-o-yĭs´. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER +</h2> +<br> +<p> + This happened long ago. +</p> +<p> + In those days the people were hungry. No buffalo could be found, no + antelope were seen on the prairie. Grass grew in the trails where + the elk and the deer used to travel. There was not even a rabbit in + the brush. Then the people prayed, "Oh, Napi, help us now or we must + die. The buffalo and the deer are gone. It is useless to kindle the + morning fires; our arrows are useless to us; our knives remain in + their sheaths." +</p> +<p> + Then Napi set out to find where the game was, and with him went a + young man, the son of a chief. For many days they travelled over the + prairies. They could see no game; roots and berries were their only + food. One day they climbed to the crest of a high ridge, and as they + looked off over the country they saw far away by a stream a lonely + lodge. +</p> +<p> + "Who can it be?" asked the young man. "Who camps there alone, far + from friends?" +</p> +<p> + "That," said Napi, "is he who has hidden all the animals from the + people. He has a wife and a little son." Then they went down near to + the lodge and Napi told the young man what to do. Napi changed + himself into a little dog, and he said, "This is I." The young man + changed himself into a root digger and he said, "This is I." Pretty + soon the little boy, who was playing about near the lodge, found the + dog and carried it to his father, saying, "See what a pretty little + dog I have found." +</p> +<p> + The father said, "That is not a dog; throw it away!" The little boy + cried, but his father made him take the dog out of the lodge. Then + the boy found the root digger, and again picking up the dog, he + carried both into the lodge, saying, "Look, mother; see what a + pretty root digger I have found." +</p> +<p> + "Throw them away," said his father; "throw them both away. That is + not a root digger; that is not a dog." +</p> +<p> + "I want that root digger," said the woman. "Let our son have the + little dog." +</p> +<p> + "Let it be so, then," replied the husband; "but remember that if + trouble comes, it is you who have brought it on yourself and on our + son." +</p> +<p> + Soon after this the woman and her son went off to pick berries, and + when they were out of sight the man went out and killed a buffalo + cow and brought the meat into the lodge and covered it up. He took + the bones and the skin and threw them in the water. When his wife + came back he gave her some of the meat to roast, and while they were + eating, the little boy fed the dog three times, and when he offered + it more the father took the meat away. +</p> +<p> + In the night, when all were sleeping, Napi and the young man arose + in their right shapes and ate some of the meat. +</p> +<p> + "You were right," said the young man. "This is surely the person who + has hidden the buffalo." +</p> +<p> + "Wait," said Napi; and when they had finished eating they changed + themselves again into the root digger and the dog. +</p> +<p> + Next morning the wife and the little boy went out to dig roots, and + the woman took the root digger with her, while the dog followed the + little boy. +</p> +<p> + As they travelled along looking for roots, they passed near a cave, + and at its mouth stood a buffalo cow. The dog ran into the cave, and + the root digger, slipping from the woman's hand, followed, gliding + along over the ground like a snake. In this cave were found all the + buffalo and the other game. They began to drive them out, and soon + the prairie was covered with buffalo, antelope, and deer. Never + before were so many seen. +</p> +<p> + Soon the man came running up, and he said to his wife, "Who is + driving out my animals?" The woman replied, "The dog and the root + digger are in there now." +</p> +<p> + "Did I not tell you," said her husband, "that those were not what + they looked like. See now the trouble that you have brought upon + us!" He put an arrow on his string and waited for them to come out, + but they were cunning, and when the last animal, a big bull, was + starting out the stick grasped him by the long hair under the neck + and coiled up in it, and the dog held on by the hair underneath + until they were far out on the prairie, when they changed into their + true shapes and drove the buffalo toward the camp. +</p> +<p> + When the people saw the buffalo coming they led a big band of them + to the piskun, but just as the leaders were about to jump over the + cliff a raven came and flapped its wings in front of them and + croaked, and they turned off and ran down another way. Every time a + herd of buffalo was brought near to the piskun this raven frightened + them away. Then Napi knew that the raven was the person who had kept + the buffalo hidden. +</p> +<p> + Napi went down to the river and changed himself into a beaver and + lay stretched out on a sandbar, as if dead. The raven was very + hungry and flew down and began to pick at the beaver. Then Napi + caught it by the legs and ran with it to the camp, and all the + chiefs were called together to decide what should be done with the + bird. Some said, "Let us kill it," but Napi said, "No, I will punish + it," and he tied it up over the lodge, right in the smoke hole. +</p> +<p> + As the days went by the raven grew thin and weak and its eyes were + blinded by the thick smoke, and it cried continually to Napi asking + him to pity it. One day Napi untied the bird and told it to take its + right shape, and then said, "Why have you tried to fool Napi? Look + at me. I cannot die. Look at me. Of all peoples and tribes I am the + chief. I cannot die. I made the mountains; they are standing yet. I + made the prairies and the rocks; you see them yet. +</p> +<p> + "Go home now to your wife and your child, and when you are hungry + hunt like any one else. If you do not, you shall die." +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS +</h2> +<br> +<p> + There was once a man who loved his wife dearly. After they had been + married for a time they had a little boy. Some time after that the + woman grew sick and did not get well. She was sick for a long time. + The young man loved his wife so much that he did not wish to take a + second woman. The woman grew worse and worse. Doctoring did not seem + to do her any good. At last she died. +</p> +<p> + For a few days after this, the man used to take his baby on his back + and travel out away from the camp, walking over the hills, crying + and mourning. He felt badly, and he did not know what to do. +</p> +<p> + After a time he said to the little child, "My little boy, you will + have to go and live with your grandmother. I shall go away and try + to find your mother and bring her back." +</p> +<p> + He took the baby to his mother's lodge and asked her to take care + of it and left it with her. Then he started away, not knowing where + he was going nor what he should do. +</p> +<p> + When he left the camp, he travelled toward the Sand Hills. On the + fourth night of his journeying he had a dream. He dreamed that he + went into a little lodge in which was an old woman. This old woman + said to him, "Why are you here, my son?" +</p> +<p> + The young man replied, "I am mourning day and night, crying all the + while. My little son, who is the only one left me, also mourns." +</p> +<p> + "Well," asked the old woman, "for whom are you mourning?" +</p> +<p> + The young man answered, "I am mourning for my wife. She died some + time ago. I am looking for her." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I saw her," said the old woman; "she passed this way. I myself + have no great power to help you, but over by that far butte beyond, + lives another old woman. Go to her and she will give you power to + continue your journey. You could not reach the place you are seeking + without help. Beyond the next butte from her lodge you will find + the camp of the ghosts." +</p> +<p> + The next morning the young man awoke and went on toward the next + butte. It took him a long summer's day to get there, but he found + there no lodge, so he lay down and slept. Again he dreamed. In his + dream he saw a little lodge, and saw an old woman come to the door + and heard her call to him. He went into the lodge, and she spoke to + him. +</p> +<p> + "My son, you are very unhappy. I know why you have come this way. + You are looking for your wife who is now in the ghost country. It is + a very hard thing for you to get there. You may not be able to get + your wife back, but I have great power and I will do for you all + that I can. If you act as I advise, you may succeed." +</p> +<p> + Other wise words she spoke to him, telling him what he should do; + also she gave him a bundle of mysterious things which would help him + on his journey. +</p> +<p> + She went on to say, "You stay here for a time and I will go over + there to the ghosts' camp and try to bring back some of your + relations who are there. If it is possible for me to bring them + back, you may return there with them, but on the way you must shut + your eyes. If you should open them and look about you, you would + die. Then you would never come back. When you come to the camp you + will pass by a big lodge and they will ask you, 'Where are you going + and who told you to come here?' You must answer, 'My grandmother, + who is standing out here with me, told me to come.' They will try to + scare you; they will make fearful noises and you will see strange + and terrible things, but do not be afraid." +</p> +<p> + The old woman went away, and after a time came back with one of the + man's relations. He went with this relation to the ghosts' camp. + When they came to the large lodge some one called out and asked the + man what he was doing there, and he answered as the old woman had + told him. As he passed on through the camp the ghosts tried to + frighten him with many fearful sights and sounds, but he kept up a + strong heart. +</p> +<p> + Presently he came to another lodge, and the man who owned it came + out and spoke to him, asking where he was going. The young man said, + "I am looking for my dead wife. I mourn for her so much that I + cannot rest. My little boy too keeps crying for his mother. They + have offered to give me other wives, but I do not want them. I want + the one for whom I am searching." +</p> +<p> + The ghost said, "It is a fearful thing that you have come here; it + is very likely that you will never go away. Never before has there + been a person here." +</p> +<p> + The ghost asked him to come into his lodge, and he entered. +</p> +<p> + This chief ghost said to him, "You shall stay here for four nights + and you shall see your wife, but you must be very careful or you + will never go back. You will die here in this very place." +</p> +<p> + Then the chief ghost walked out of the lodge and shouted out for a + feast, inviting the man's father-in-law and other relations who were + in the camp to come and eat, saying, "Your son-in-law invites you + to a feast," as if he meant that the son-in-law had died and become + a ghost and arrived at the camp of the ghosts. +</p> +<p> + Now when these invited ghosts had reached the lodge they did not + like to go in. They said to each other, "There is a person here"; it + seemed as if they did not like the smell of a human being. The chief + ghost burned sweet pine on the fire, which took away this smell, and + then the ghosts came in and sat down. +</p> +<p> + The chief ghost said to them, "Now pity this son-in-law of yours. He + is looking for his wife. Neither the great distance that he has come + nor the fearful sights that he has seen here have weakened his + heart. You can see how tender-hearted he is. He not only mourns + because he has lost his wife, but he mourns because his little boy + is now alone, with no mother; so pity him and give him back his + wife." +</p> +<p> + The ghosts talked among themselves, and one of them said to the man, + "Yes; you shall stay here for four nights, and then we will give you + a medicine pipe—the Worm Pipe—and we will give you back your wife + and you may return to your home." +</p> +<p> + Now, after the third night the chief ghost called together all the + people, and they came, and with them came the man's wife. One of the + ghosts was beating a drum, and following him was another who carried + the Worm Pipe, which they gave to him. +</p> +<p> + Then the chief ghost said, "Now be very careful; to-morrow you and + your wife will start on your journey homeward. Your wife will carry + the medicine pipe and for four days some of your relations will go + along with you. During this time you must keep your eyes shut; do + not open them, or you will return here and be a ghost forever. Your + wife is not now a person. But in the middle of the fourth day you + will be told to look, and when you have opened your eyes you will + see that your wife has become a person, and that your ghost + relations have disappeared." +</p> +<p> + Before the man went away his father-in-law spoke to him and said, + "When you get near home you must not go at once into the camp. Let + some of your relations know that you have come, and ask them to + build a sweat-house for you. Go into that sweat-house and wash your + body thoroughly, leaving no part of it, however small, uncleansed. + If you fail in this, you will die. There is something about the + ghosts that it is difficult to remove. It can only be removed by a + thorough sweat. Take care now that you do what I tell you. Do not + whip your wife, nor strike her with a knife, nor hit her with fire. + If you do, she will vanish before your eyes and return here." +</p> +<p> + They left the ghost country to go home, and on the fourth day the + wife said to her husband, "Open your eyes." He looked about him and + saw that those who had been with them had disappeared, and he found + that they were standing in front of the old woman's lodge by the + butte. She came out of her lodge and said to them, "Stop; give me + back those mysterious medicines of mine, whose power helped you to + do what you wished." The man returned them to her, and then once + more became really a living person. +</p> +<p> + When they drew near to the camp the woman went on ahead and sat + down on a butte. Then some curious persons came out to see who this + might be. As they approached the woman called out to them, "Do not + come any nearer. Go and tell my mother and my relations to put up a + lodge for us a little way from the camp, and near by it build a + sweat-house." When this had been done the man and his wife went in + and took a thorough sweat, and then they went into the lodge and + burned sweet grass and purified their clothing and the Worm Pipe. + Then their relations and friends came in to see them. The man told + them where he had been and how he had managed to get his wife back, + and that the pipe hanging over the doorway was a medicine pipe—the + Worm Pipe—presented to him by his ghost father-in-law. +</p> +<p> + That is how the people came to possess the Worm Pipe. That pipe + belongs to the band of Piegans known as the Worm People. +</p> +<p> + Not long after this, once in the night, this man told his wife to do + something, and when she did not begin at once he picked up a brand + from the fire and raised it—not that he intended to strike her + with it, but he made as if he would—when all at once she vanished + and was never seen again. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE BUFFALO STONE +</h2> +<br> +<p> + A small stone, which is often a fossil shell, or sometimes only a + queer shaped piece of flint, is called by the Blackfeet + I-nĭs´kĭm, the buffalo stone. This stone has great power, and + gives its owner good luck in bringing the buffalo close, so that + they may be killed. The stone is found on the prairie, and any one + who finds one is thought to be very lucky. Sometimes a man who is + going along on the prairie will hear a queer faint chirp, such as a + little bird might make. He knows this sound is made by a buffalo + stone. He stops and searches for it on the ground, and if he cannot + find it, marks the place and comes back next day to look for it + again. If it is found, he and all his family are glad. The Blackfeet + tell a story about how the first buffalo stone was found. +</p> +<p> + Long ago, one winter, the buffalo disappeared. The snow was deep, so + deep that the people could not move in search of the buffalo; so + the hunters went as far as they could up and down the river-bottoms + and in the ravines, and killed deer and elk and other small game, + and when these were all killed or driven away the people began to + starve. +</p> +<p> + One day a young married man killed a prairie rabbit. He ran home as + fast as he could, and told one of his wives to hurry and get a skin + of water to cook it. She started down to the river for water, and as + she was going along she heard a beautiful song. She looked all + about, but could see no one who was singing. +</p> +<p> + The song seemed to come from a big cotton-wood tree near the trail + leading down to the water. As she looked closely at this tree she + saw a queer stone jammed in a fork where the tree was split, and + with it a few hairs from a buffalo which had rubbed against the + tree. The woman was frightened and dared not pass the tree. Soon the + singing stopped and the I-nĭs´kĭm said to the woman, "Take me + to your lodge, and when it is dark call in the people and teach them + the song you have just heard. Pray, too, that you may not starve, + and that the buffalo may come back. Do this, and when day comes your + hearts will be glad." +</p> +<p> + The woman went on and got the water, and when she came back she took + the stone and gave it to her husband, telling him about the song and + what the stone had said. +</p> +<p> + As soon as it was dark, the man called the chiefs and old men to his + lodge, and his wife taught them the song that she had heard. They + prayed too, as the stone had said should be done. Before long they + heard far off a noise coming. It was the tramp of a great herd of + buffalo. Then they knew that the stone was powerful, and since that + time the people have taken care of it and have prayed to it. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME +</h2> +<br> +<p> + You have heard the Thunder, for he is everywhere. He roars in the + mountains, and far out on the prairie is heard his crashing. He + strikes the high rocks, and they fall to pieces; a tree, and it is + broken in slivers; the people, and they die. He is bad. He does not + like the high cliff, the standing tree, or living man. He likes to + strike and crush them to the ground. Of all things he is the most + powerful. He cannot be resisted. But I have not told you the worst + thing about him. Sometimes he takes away women. +</p> +<p> + Long ago, almost in the beginning, a man and his wife were sitting + in their lodge when Thunder came and struck them. The man was not + killed. At first he lay as if dead, but after a time he lived again, + and, standing up, looked about him. He did not see his wife. +</p> +<p> + "Oh," he thought, "she has gone to get wood or water," and he sat + down again. But when night came he went out of the lodge and asked + the people about her. No one had seen her. He looked all through the + camp, but could not find her. Then he knew that the Thunder had + taken her away, and he went out on the hills and mourned. All night + he sat there, trying to think what he might do to get back his wife. +</p> +<p> + When morning came he rose and wandered away, and whenever he met any + of the animals he asked if they could tell him where the Thunder + lived. The animals laughed, and most of them would not answer. +</p> +<p> + The Wolf said to him, "Do you think that we would look for the home + of the only one we fear? He is our only danger. From all other + enemies we can run away, but from him no one can run. He strikes and + there we lie. Turn back; go home. Do not look for the place of that + dreadful one." +</p> +<p> + The man kept on and travelled a long distance. At last, after many + days, he came to a lodge—a strange lodge, for it was made of + stone. Just like any other lodge it looked, only it was made of + stone. This was the home of the Raven chief. The man entered. +</p> +<p> + "Welcome, friend," said the chief of the Ravens; "sit down there," + and he pointed to a place. Soon food was placed before the poor man. +</p> +<p> + When he had finished eating, the Raven chief asked, "Why have you + come here?" +</p> +<p> + "Thunder has stolen my wife," the man answered. "I am looking for + his dwelling-place that I may find her." +</p> +<p> + "Are you brave enough to enter the lodge of that dreadful person?" + asked the Raven. "He lives near here. His lodge is of stone like + this one, and hanging in it are eyes—the eyes of those he has + killed or taken away. He has taken out their eyes and hung them in + his lodge. Now, then! Dare you enter there?" +</p> +<p> + "No," answered the man, "I am afraid. Who could look at such + dreadful things and live?" +</p> +<p> + "No man can," said the Raven; "there is only one old Thunder fears; + there is but one he cannot kill. It is we. It is the Ravens. Now I + will give you some medicine, and he shall not harm you. You shall + enter there and try to find among those eyes your wife's, and if you + find them tell the Thunder why you came and make him give them to + you. Here, now, is a raven's wing. Point this at him and he will be + afraid and start back; but if that should fail, take this arrow. Its + shaft is made of elk horn. Take this, I say, and shoot it through + the lodge." +</p> +<p> + "Why make a fool of me?" the poor man asked. "My heart is sad. I am + crying." He covered his head with his robe and wept. +</p> +<p> + "Oh," said the Raven, "you do not believe me. Come outside, come + outside, and I will make you believe." +</p> +<p> + When they stood outside the Raven asked, "Is the home of your people + far?" +</p> +<p> + "A great distance," said the man. +</p> +<p> + "Can you tell how many days you have travelled?" +</p> +<p> + "No," he replied, "my heart was sad; I did not count the days. + Since I left, the berries have grown and ripened." +</p> +<p> + "Can you see your camp from here?" asked the Raven. +</p> +<p> + The man did not answer. Then the Raven rubbed some medicine on his + eyes and said, "Look!" The man looked and saw the camp. It was near. + He saw the people; he saw the smoke rising from the lodges; he saw + the painting on some of the lodges. +</p> +<p> + "Now you will believe," said the Raven. "Take, then, the arrow and + the wing, and go and get your wife." The man took these things and + went to the Thunder's lodge. He entered and sat down by the doorway. +</p> +<p> + The Thunder sat at the back of the lodge and looked at him with + awful eyes. The man looked above and saw hanging there many pairs of + eyes. Among them were those of his wife. +</p> +<p> + "Why have you come?" said the Thunder in a dreadful voice. +</p> +<p> + "I seek my wife," said the man, "whom you have stolen. There hang + her eyes." +</p> +<p> + "No man may enter my lodge and live," said the Thunder, and he rose + to strike him. Then the man pointed the raven wing at the Thunder, + and he fell back on his bed and shivered; but soon he recovered and + rose again, and then the man fitted the elk-horn arrow to his bow + and shot it through the lodge of stone. Right through that stone it + pierced a hole and let the sunlight in. +</p> +<p> + "Wait," said the Thunder; "stop. You are the stronger, you have the + greater medicine. You shall have your wife. Take down her eyes." +</p> +<p> + The man cut the string that held the eyes, and his wife stood beside + him. +</p> +<p> + "Now," said the Thunder, "you know me. I have great power. In summer + I live here; but when winter comes I go far south. I go south with + the birds. Here is my pipe. It has strong power. Take it and keep + it. After this, when first I come in the spring you shall fill this + pipe and light it, and you shall smoke it and pray to me; you and + the people. I bring the rain which makes the berries large and ripe. + I bring the rain which makes all things grow, and for this you + shall pray to me; you and all the people." +</p> +<p> + Thus the people got their first medicine pipe. It was long ago. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The last lodge had been set up in the Blackfeet winter camp. Evening + was closing over the travel-tired people. The sun had dropped beyond + the hills not far away. Women were bringing water from the river at + the edge of the great circle. Men gathered in quiet groups, weary + after the long march of the day. Children called sleepily to each + other, and the dogs sniffed about in well-fed content. +</p> +<p> + Lone Feather wrapped his robe more closely around him and walked + slowly from his lodge door and from the camp, off toward the north. + He was thinking of many things, and hardly noticed where he was + going. Presently as he walked, he heard the sound of persons + talking. He stopped to listen. The sound came from a lodge made of + stone, close by the river. Quietly he went toward the lodge and saw + a thin blue line of smoke coming from the top. +</p> +<p> + As he approached, an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came + from the lodge door and looked at him. +</p> +<p> + "Will you come into my lodge?" she said, greeting him. +</p> +<p> + Lone Feather looked at her for a moment in silence. She spoke again. + He could not understand her speech, for she belonged to another + tribe. By signs she made him know that she wished him to come into + her lodge and rest. Lone Feather entered. +</p> +<p> + Far back from the door crouched two big grizzly bears. She made + signs to show that the bears were friendly, and Lone Feather sat + down near the door. She stirred the fire, and as she put on fresh + wood the sparks flew up toward the smoke hole, which was opened only + a little way. +</p> +<p> + By signs she told him she would go out and open the smoke hole + wider, so that the fire might burn more brightly. She was gone for + some time, and Lone Feather sat looking into the fire, still + thinking of many things, when the air became thick with smoke. He + looked up and saw that the smoke hole was closed. He sprang up and + went to the door, but the door covering was down. He raised it, and + as he put his head out the old woman hit him with a large stone club + and he was dead. +</p> +<p> + Before his spirit started for the Sand Hills he saw that with a + large knife she cut up his body and put the pieces into a pot. Soon + they were well cooked and the old woman and the two bears feasted on + his flesh. +</p> +<p> + They threw his bones out of the door, where they fell among many + others like them. The ground was strewn with the bones of the + persons she had trapped and killed. +</p> +<p> + Day by day other persons disappeared from the winter camp, and more + and more bones whitened on the ground outside the stone lodge on the + river bank. +</p> +<p> + As Cold Maker was bringing the snow to the Blackfeet winter camp, he + passed the Sand Hills. Lone Feather and other ghosts from the + Blackfeet tribe were telling each other how the old woman had sent + them there. Cold Maker heard their stories and he was angry. +</p> +<p> + When he reached the camp he went to the lodge of Broken Bow—a + brave young man, but very poor. +</p> +<p> + He shivered when Cold Maker entered his lodge and drew his ragged + robe about him. They were close friends. +</p> +<p> + "Would you like to have a new robe?" asked Cold Maker. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," said Broken Bow. +</p> +<p> + "Come with me. You may kill two grizzly bears," said Cold Maker. +</p> +<p> + "My bow is broken. I cannot," said Broken Bow sadly. +</p> +<p> + "I will help you. Bring only a knife." +</p> +<p> + Together they went from the lodges toward the north. The sun was + already hidden behind the nearby hills. +</p> +<p> + After they had travelled some distance they heard the sound of + voices. They listened. Two bears were complaining that they wanted + meat. A woman told them they must wait. The men saw the line of thin + blue smoke rising from the top of the lodge of stone. All about + whitening bones covered the ground. They went nearer. +</p> +<p> + Soon an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came from the door + and smiled as she saw the two persons coming. +</p> +<p> + "Come in and rest," she said. Broken Bow did not understand her + language, but Cold Maker, who understands all tribes, said, "We are + cold. Will you let us sit by your fire?" +</p> +<p> + The old woman smiled again. +</p> +<p> + "You are welcome," she said; "come in. Do not fear my bears. They + are friendly. They will not harm you." The two friends entered the + lodge, where a smouldering fire sent a feeble smoke up to the smoke + hole, that was partly open. She put fresh wood on the fire and said, + "I will open the smoke hole wider," and went out, dropping the door + covering as she went. +</p> +<p> + Then she closed the smoke hole. The smoke began to fill the top of + the lodge. It settled lower and lower. Broken Bow was afraid. +</p> +<p> + "Give me your pipe," said Cold Maker. +</p> +<p> + Broken Bow filled his pipe and, handed it to him. He lighted it by a + brand from the fire, and sent great puffs of smoke curling upward. + This smoke met the other smoke and stopped it. It could not descend + any lower. +</p> +<p> + Broken Bow saw the wonderful medicine of his friend. He was no + longer afraid, but wondered what Cold Maker would do next. The + grizzly bears growled low. +</p> +<p> + The old woman outside called to them, "Friends, is it smoking in + there now?" +</p> +<p> + "Not a bit," replied Cold Maker. "We are very comfortable." +</p> +<p> + She waited. They did not come out. She stood near the door. Her + stone club was ready. She grew impatient. She wondered what had gone + wrong with her plans. The two friends were silent. She looked at the + smoke hole, but it was closed securely. She lifted the door covering + to see if the friends within had died. They sat perfectly still. She + entered to look more closely, and as soon as she was fairly inside + Cold Maker and Broken Bow rushed out and dropped the door covering. + Before she could move they piled great heaps of stone in the + door-way. The bears growled. She called for help. Cold Maker and + Broken Bow went on down the river. +</p> +<p> + Then Cold Maker took from a little sack a few white eagle-down + feathers. He blew them from him. At once a fierce storm blew across + the valley. The bitter cold froze the water, but only in this one + place. It dammed the stream with fast forming ice. The water rose + higher and higher. It spread out over the banks. Cold Maker and + Broken Bow went far off on the hills and watched it. Little by + little it rose. It reached the stone lodge. The bears roared. The + woman screamed. The water reached the top and covered the lodge from + sight. All sound ceased. A moment more, and the water was quiet. + Once more Cold Maker blew from him a few white eagle-down feathers. + The storm subsided. It became warm again. The ice melted. The water + retreated to its channel. +</p> +<p> + Cold Maker and Broken Bow went to the stone lodge. The woman was + lying beside the pot. The grizzly bears were close to the stones + which blocked the door-way. +</p> +<p> + Cold Maker said, "Here is your new robe," and Broken Bow took from + the bears their thick, warm skins. +</p> +<p> + On his way home Cold Maker again passed the Sand Hills. Entering + the country was an old woman bent with age and crippled. +</p> +<p> + He hurried on. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES +</h2> +<br> +<p> + In the Blackfeet tribe was an association known as the All Comrades. + This was made up of a dozen secret societies graded according to + age, the members of the younger societies passing, after a few + years, into the older ones. This association was in part benevolent + and helpful and in part to encourage bravery in war, but its main + purpose was to see that the orders of the chiefs were carried out, + and to punish offences against the tribe at large. There are stories + which explain how these societies came to be instituted, and this + one tells how the Society of Bulls began. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE BULLS SOCIETY +</h3> +<p> + It was long, long ago, very far back, that this happened. In those + days the people used to kill the buffalo by driving them over a + steep place near the river, down which they fell into a great pen + built at the foot of the cliff, where the buffalo that had not been + killed by the fall were shot with arrows by the men. Then the people + went into the pen and skinned the buffalo and cut them up and + carried the meat away to their camp. This pen they called piskun. +</p> +<p> + In those days the people had built a great piskun with high, strong + walls. No buffalo could jump over it; not even if a great crowd of + them ran against it, could they push it down. +</p> +<p> + The young men kept going out, as they always did, to try to bring + the buffalo to the edge of the cliff, but somehow they would not + jump over into the piskun. When they had come almost to the edge, + they would turn off to one side or the other and run down the + sloping hills and away over the prairie. So the people could get no + food, and they began to be hungry, and at last to starve. +</p> +<p> + Early one morning a young woman, the daughter of a brave man, was + going from her lodge down to the stream to get water, and as she + went along she saw a herd of buffalo feeding on the prairie, close + to the edge of the cliff above the great piskun. +</p> +<p> + "Oh," she called out, "if you will only jump off into the piskun I + will marry one of you." She did not mean this, but said it just in + fun, and as soon as she had said it, she wondered greatly when she + saw the buffalo come jumping over the edge, falling down the cliff. +</p> +<p> + A moment later a big bull jumped high over the wall of the piskun + and came toward her, and now truly she was frightened. +</p> +<p> + "Come," he said, taking hold of her arm. +</p> +<p> + "No, no," she answered, trying to pull herself away. +</p> +<p> + "But you said if the buffalo would only jump over, you would marry + one of them. Look, the piskun is full." +</p> +<p> + She did not answer, and without saying anything more he led her up + over the bluff and out on the prairie. +</p> +<p> + After the people had finished killing the buffalo and cutting up the + meat, they missed this young woman. No one knew where she had gone, + and her relations were frightened and very sad because they could + not find her. So her father took his bow and quiver and put them on + his back and said, "I will go and find her"; and he climbed the + bluff and set out over the prairie. +</p> +<p> + He travelled some distance, but saw nothing of his daughter. The sun + was hot, and at length he came to a buffalo wallow in which some + water was standing, and drank and sat down to rest. A little way off + on the prairie he saw a herd of buffalo. As the man sat there by the + wallow, trying to think what he might do to find his daughter, a + magpie came up and alighted on the ground near him. The man spoke to + it, saying, "Măm-ī-ăt´sī-kĭmĭ—Magpie—you are a + beautiful bird; help me, for I am very unhappy. As you travel about + over the prairie, look everywhere, and if you see my daughter say to + her, 'Your father is waiting by the wallow.'" +</p> +<p> + Soon the magpie flew away, and as he passed near the herd of buffalo + he saw the young woman there, and alighting on the ground near her, + he began to pick at things, turning his head this way and that, and + seeming to look for food. When he was close to the girl he said to + her, "Your father is waiting by the wallow." +</p> +<p> + "Sh-h-h! Sh-h-h!" replied the girl in a whisper, looking about her + very much frightened, for her bull husband was sleeping close by. + "Do not speak so loud. Go back and tell him to wait." +</p> +<p> + "Your daughter is over there with the buffalo. She says 'Wait,'" + said the magpie when he had flown back to the poor father. +</p> +<p> + After a little time the bull awoke and said to his wife, "Go and + bring me some water." Then the woman was glad, and she took a horn + from her husband's head and went to the wallow for water. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, why did you come?" she said to her father. "They will surely + kill you." +</p> +<p> + "I came to take my daughter back to my lodge. Come, let us go." +</p> +<p> + "No," said the girl, "not now. They will surely chase us and kill + us. Wait until he sleeps again and I will try to get away." Then she + filled the horn with water and went back to the buffalo. +</p> +<p> + Her husband drank a swallow of the water, and when he took the horn + it made a noise. "Ah," he said, as he looked about, "a person is + somewhere close by." +</p> +<p> + "No one," replied the girl, but her heart stood still. The bull + drank again. Then he stood up on his feet and moaned and grunted, + "M-m-ah-oo! Bu-u-u!" Fearful was the sound. Up rose the other bulls, + raised their tails in the air, tossed their heads and bellowed back + to him. Then they pawed the earth, thrust their horns into it, + rushed here and there, and presently, coming to the wallow, found + there the poor man. They rushed over him, trampling him with their + great hoofs, thrust their horns into his body and tore him to + pieces, and trampled him again. Soon not even a piece of his body + could be seen—only the wet earth cut up by their hoofs. +</p> +<p> + Then his daughter mourned in sorrow. "<i>Oh! Ah! Ni-nah-ah! Oh! Ah! + Ni-nah-ah!"</i>—Ah, my father, my father. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said her bull husband; "now you understand how it is that we + feel. You mourn for your father; but we have seen our fathers, + mothers, and many of our relations fall over the high cliffs, to be + killed for food by your people. But now I will pity you, I will give + you one chance. If you can bring your father to life, you and he may + go back to your camp." +</p> +<p> + Then said the woman, "Ah, magpie, pity me, help me; for now I need + help. Look in the trampled mud of the wallow and see if you can find + even a little piece of my father's body and bring it to me." +</p> +<p> + Swiftly the magpie flew to the wallow, and alighting there, walked + all about, looking in every hole and even tearing up the mud with + his sharp beak. Presently he uncovered something white, and as he + picked the mud from about it, he saw it was a bone, and pulling + hard, he dragged it from the mud—the joint of a man's backbone. + Then gladly he flew back with it to the woman. +</p> +<p> + The girl put the bone on the ground and covered it with her robe and + began to sing. After she had sung she took the robe away, and there + under it lay her father's body, as if he had just died. Once again + she covered the body with the robe and sang, and this time when she + took the robe away the body was breathing. A third time she covered + the body with the robe and sang, and when she again took away the + robe, the body moved its arms and legs a little. A fourth time she + covered it and sang, and when she took away the robe her father + stood up. +</p> +<p> + The buffalo were surprised and the magpie was glad, and flew about + making a great noise. +</p> +<p> + "Now this day we have seen a strange thing," said her bull husband. + "The people's medicine is strong. He whom we trampled to death, whom + our hoofs cut to pieces and mixed all up with the soil, is alive + again. Now you shall go to your home, but before you go we will + teach you our dance and our song. Do not forget them." +</p> +<p> + The buffalo showed the man and his daughter their dance and taught + them the songs, and then the bull said to them, "Now you are to go + back to your home, but do not forget what you have seen. Teach the + people this dance and these songs, and while they are dancing it let + them wear a bull's head and a robe. Those who are to be of the + Bulls Society shall wear them." +</p> +<p> + When the poor man returned with his daughter, all the people were + glad. Then after a time he called a council of the chiefs and told + them the things that had happened. The chiefs chose certain young + men to be Bulls, and the man taught them the dance and the song, and + told them everything that they should do. +</p> +<p> + So began the Bull Society. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE OTHER SOCIETIES +</h3> +<p> + For a long time the buffalo had not been seen. Every one was hungry, + for the hunters could find no food for the people. +</p> +<p> + A certain man, who had two wives, a daughter, and two sons, as he + saw what a hard time they were having, said, "I shall not stop here + to die. To-morrow we will move toward the mountains, where we may + kill elk and deer and sheep and antelope, or, if not these, at least + we shall find beaver and birds, and can get them. In this way we + shall have food to eat and shall live." +</p> +<p> + Next morning they caught their dogs and harnessed them to the + travois and took their loads on their backs and set out. It was + still winter, and they travelled slowly. Besides, they were weak + from hunger and could go only a short distance in a day. The fourth + night came, and they sat in their lodge, tired and hungry. No one + spoke, for people who are hungry do not care to talk. Suddenly, + outside, the dogs began to bark, and soon the door was pushed aside + and a young man entered. +</p> +<p> + "Welcome," said the man, and he motioned to a place where the + stranger should sit. +</p> +<p> + Now during this day there had been blowing a warm wind which had + melted the snow, so that the prairie was covered with water, yet + this young man's moccasins and leggings were dry. They saw this, and + were frightened. They sat there for a long time, saying nothing. +</p> +<p> + Then the young man spoke and asked, "Why is this? Why do you not + give me food?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah," replied the father, "you see here people who are truly poor. + We have no food. For many days the buffalo did not come in sight, + and we looked for deer and other animals, which people eat, and when + these had all been killed we began to starve. Then I said, 'We will + not stay here to die from hunger,' and we set out for the mountains. + This is the fourth night of our travels." +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the young man, "then your travels are ended. You need go + no farther. Close by here is our piskun. Many buffalo have been run + in, and our parfleches are filled with dried meat. Wait a little; I + will go and bring you some," and he went out. +</p> +<p> + As soon as he had gone they began to talk about this strange person. + They were afraid of him and did not know what to do. The children + began to cry, and the women tried to quiet them. Presently the young + man came back, bringing some meat. +</p> +<p> + "There is food," said he, as he put it down by the woman. "Now + to-morrow move your camp over to our lodges. Do not fear anything. + No matter what strange things you may see, do not fear. All will be + your friends. Yet about one thing I must warn you. In this you + should be careful. If you should find an arrow lying about + anywhere, in the piskun or outside, do not touch it, neither you nor + your wives nor your children." When he had said this he went out. +</p> +<p> + The father took his pipe and filled it, and smoked and prayed to all + the powers, saying, "Hear now, Sun; listen, Above People; listen, + Underwater People; now you have taken pity; now you have given us + food. We are going to those mysterious ones who walk through water + with dry moccasins. Protect us among these to-be-feared people. Let + us live. Man, woman, and child, give us long life." +</p> +<p> + Now from the fire again arose the smell of roasting meat. The + children ate and played. Those who so long had been silent now + talked and laughed. +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning, as soon as the sun had risen, they took down + their lodge and packed their dogs and started for the camp of the + stranger. When they had come to where they could see it, they found + it a wonderful place. There around the piskun, and stretching far + up and down the valley, were pitched the lodges of the meat eaters. + They could not see them all, but near by they saw the lodges of the + Bear band, the Fox band, and the Raven band. The father of the young + man who had visited them and given them meat was the chief of the + Wolf band, and by that band they pitched their lodge. Truly that was + a happy place. Food was plenty. All day long people were shouting + out for feasts, and everywhere was heard the sound of drumming and + singing and dancing. +</p> +<p> + The newly come people went to the piskun for meat, and there one of + the children saw an arrow lying on the ground. It was a beautiful + arrow, the stone point long, slender, and sharp, the shaft round and + straight. The boy remembered what had been said and he looked around + fearfully, but everywhere the people were busy. No one was looking. + He picked up the arrow and put it under his robe. +</p> +<p> + Then there rose a terrible sound. All the animals howled and growled + and rushed toward him, but the chief Wolf got to him first, and + holding up his hand said, "Wait. He is young and not yet of good + sense. We will let him go this time." They did nothing to him. +</p> +<p> + When night came some one shouted out, calling people to a feast and + saying, "Listen, listen, Wolf, you are to eat; enter with your + friend." +</p> +<p> + "We are invited," said the chief Wolf to his new friend, and + together they went to the lodge from which the call came. +</p> +<p> + Within the lodge the fire burned brightly, and seated around it were + many men, the old and wise of the Raven band. On the lodge lining, + hanging behind the seats, were the paintings of many great deeds. + Food was placed before the guests—pemican and berries and dried + back fat—and after they had eaten the pipe was lighted and passed + around the circle. Then the Raven chief spoke and said, "Now, Wolf, + I am going to give our new friend a present. What do you think of + that?" +</p> +<p> + "It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf; "our new friend will be + glad." +</p> +<p> + From a long parfleche sack the Raven chief took a slender stick, + beautifully ornamented with many-colored feathers. To the end of + the stick was tied the skin of a raven—head, wings, feet, and tail. +</p> +<p> + "We," said the Raven chief, "are those who carry the raven + (Măs-to-pāh´-tă-kīks). Of all the fliers, of all the + birds, what one is so smart as the raven? None. The raven's eyes are + sharp, his wings are strong. He is a great hunter and never hungry. + Far off on the prairie he sees his food, or if it is deep hidden in + the forest it does not escape him. This is our song and our dance." +</p> +<p> + When he had finished singing and dancing he placed the stick in + the sack and gave it to the man and said, "Take it with you, and + when you have returned to your people you shall say, 'Now there + are already the Bulls, and he who is the Raven chief said, + "There shall be more. There shall be the All Friends + (Īkŭn-ŭh´-kāh-tsĭ), so that the people may live, + and of the All Friends shall be the Raven Bearers."' You shall + call a council of the chiefs and wise old men, and they shall + choose the persons who are to belong to the society. Teach them + the song and the dance, and give them the medicine. It shall be + theirs forever." +</p> +<p> + Soon they heard another person shouting out the feast call, and, + going, they entered the lodge of the chief of the Kit-Foxes + (Sĭn´-o-pah). Here, too, old men had gathered. After they had + eaten of the food set before them, the chief said, "Those among whom + you have just come are generous. They do not look carefully at the + things they have, but give to the stranger and pity the poor. The + kit-fox is a little animal, but what one is smarter? None. His hair + is like the dead grass of the prairie; his eyes are keen; his feet + make no noise when he walks; his brain is cunning. His ears receive + the far-off sound. Here is our medicine. Take it." He gave the man + the stick. It was long, crooked at one end, wound with fur, and tied + here and there with eagle feathers. At the end was a kit-fox skin. + Again the chief spoke and said, "Listen to our song. Do not forget + it, and the dance, too, you must remember. When you reach home teach + them to the people." He sang and danced. Then presently his guests + departed. +</p> +<p> + Again they heard the feast shout, and he who called was the chief + of the Bear society. After they had eaten and smoked the chief said, +</p> +<p> + "What is your opinion, friend Wolf? Shall we give our new friend a + present?" +</p> +<p> + "It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf. "It is yours to give." +</p> +<p> + Then spoke the Bear, saying, "There are many animals and some of + them are powerful; but the bear is the strongest and greatest of + all. He fears nothing and is always ready to fight." +</p> +<p> + Then he put on a necklace of bear claws, a band of bear fur about + his head, and a belt of bear fur, and sang and danced. When he had + finished he gave the things he had worn to the man and said, "Teach + the people our song and our dance, and give them this medicine. It + is powerful." +</p> +<p> + It was very late. The Seven Stars had come to the middle of the + night, yet again they heard the feast shout from the far end of the + camp. In this lodge the men were painted with streaks of red, and + their hair was all pushed to one side. After the feast the chief + said, "We are different from all others here. We are called the + Braves (Mŭt´-sĭks). We know not fear; we are death. Even if + our enemies are as many as the grass we do not turn away, but fight + and conquer. Bows are good weapons, lances are better; but our + weapon is the knife." +</p> +<p> + Then the chief sang and danced, and afterward he gave the Wolf + chief's friend the medicine. It was a long knife and many scalps + were tied on the handle. "This," said he, "is for the All Friends." +</p> +<p> + To one more lodge they were called that night and the lodge owner + taught the man his song and dance, and gave him his medicine. Then + the Wolf chief and his friend went home and slept. +</p> +<p> + Early next day the Blackfeet women began to take down the lodge and + to get ready to move their camp. Many women came and made them + presents of food, dried meat, pemican, and berries. They were given + so much that they could not take it all with them. It was long + before they joined the main camp, for it had moved south, looking + for buffalo. +</p> +<p> + When they reached the camp, as soon as the lodge was pitched, the + man called all the chiefs to come and feast with him, and told them + what he had seen, and showed them the different medicines. Then the + chiefs chose certain young men to belong to the different societies, + and this man taught them the songs and dances, and gave its medicine + to each society. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The chief god of the Blackfeet is the Sun. He made the world and + rules it, and to him the people pray. One of his names is Napi—old + man; but there is another Napi who is very different from the Sun, + and instead of being great, wise, and wonderful, is foolish, mean, + and contemptible. We shall hear about him further on. +</p> +<p> + Every year in summer, about the time the berries ripen, the + Blackfeet used to hold the great festival and sacrifice which we + call the ceremony of the Medicine Lodge. This was a time of happy + meetings, of feasting, of giving presents; but besides this + rejoicing, those men who wished to have good-luck in whatever they + might undertake tried to prove their prayers sincere by sacrificing + their bodies, torturing themselves in ways that caused great + suffering. In ancient times, as we are told in books of history, + things like that used to happen among many peoples all over the + world. +</p> +<p> + It was the law that the building of the Medicine Lodge must always + be pledged by a good woman. If a woman had a son or a husband away + at war and feared that he was in danger, or if she had a child that + was sick and might die, she might pray for the safety of the one she + loved, and promise that if he returned or recovered she would build + a Medicine Lodge. This pledge was made in a loud voice, publicly, in + open air, so that all might know the promise had been made. +</p> +<p> + At the time appointed all the tribe came together and pitched their + lodges in a great circle, and within this circle the Medicine Lodge + was built. The ceremony lasted for four days and four nights, during + which time the woman who had promised to make the Medicine Lodge + neither ate nor drank, except once in sacrifice. Different stories + are told of how the first Medicine Lodge came to be built. This is + one of those stories: +</p> +<p> + In the earliest times there was a man who had a very beautiful + daughter. Many young men wished to marry her, but whenever she was + asked she shook her head and said she did not wish to marry. +</p> +<p> + "Why is this?" said her father. "Some of these young men are rich, + handsome, and brave." +</p> +<p> + "Why should I marry?" replied the girl. "My father and mother take + care of me. Our lodge is good; the parfleches are never empty; there + are plenty of tanned robes and soft furs for winter. Why trouble me, + then?" +</p> +<p> + Soon after, the Raven Bearers held a dance. They all painted + themselves nicely and wore their finest ornaments and each one tried + to dance the best. Afterward some of them asked for this girl, but + she said, "No." After that the Bulls, the Kit-Foxes, and others of + the All Comrades held their dances, and many men who were rich and + some great warriors asked this man for his daughter, but to every + one she said, "No." +</p> +<p> + Then her father was angry, and he said, "Why is this? All the best + men have asked for you, and still you say 'No.'" Then the girl + said, "Father, listen to me. That Above Person, the Sun, said to me, + 'Do not marry any of these men, for you belong to me. Listen to what + I say, and you shall be happy and live to a great age.' And again he + said to me, 'Take heed, you must not marry; you are mine.'" +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" replied her father; "it must always be as he says"; and they + spoke no more about it. +</p> +<p> + There was a poor young man. He was very poor. His father, his + mother, and all his relations were dead. He had no lodge, no wife to + tan his robes or make his moccasins. His clothes were always old and + worn. He had no home. To-day he stopped in one lodge; then to-morrow + he ate and slept in another. Thus he lived. He had a good face, but + on his cheek was a bad scar. +</p> +<p> + After they had held those dances, some of the young men met this + poor Scarface, and they laughed at him and said, "Why do not you ask + that girl to marry you? You are so rich and handsome." +</p> +<p> + Scarface did not laugh. He looked at them and said, "I will do as + you say; I will go and ask her." +</p> +<p> + All the young men thought this was funny; they laughed a good deal + at Scarface as he was walking away. +</p> +<p> + Scarface went down by the river and waited there, near the place + where the women went to get water. By and by the girl came there. + Scarface spoke to her, and said, "Girl, stop; I want to speak with + you. I do not wish to do anything secretly, but I speak to you here + openly, where the Sun looks down and all may see." +</p> +<p> + "Speak, then," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + "I have seen the days," said Scarface. "I have seen how you have + refused all those men, who are young and rich and brave. To-day some + of these young men laughed and said to me, 'Why do not you ask her?' + I am poor. I have no lodge, no food, no clothes, no robes. I have no + relations. All of them have died. Yet now to-day I say to you, take + pity. Be my wife." +</p> +<p> + The girl hid her face in her robe and brushed the ground with the + point of her moccasin, back and forth, back and forth, for she was + thinking. +</p> +<p> + After a time she spoke and said, "It is true I have refused all + those rich young men; yet now a poor one asks me, and I am glad. I + will be your wife, and my people will be glad. You are poor, but + that does not matter. My father will give you dogs; my mother will + make us a lodge; my relations will give us robes and furs; you will + no longer be poor." +</p> +<p> + Then the young man was glad, and he started forward to kiss her, but + she put out her hand and held him back, and said, "Wait; the Sun has + spoken to me. He said I may not marry; that I belong to him; that if + I listen to him I shall live to great age. So now I say, go to the + Sun; say to him, 'She whom you spoke with has listened to your + words; she has never done wrong, but now she wants to marry. I want + her for my wife.' Ask him to take that scar from your face; that + will be his sign, and I shall know he is pleased. But if he refuses, + or if you cannot find his lodge, then do not return to me." +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" cried Scarface; "at first your words were good. I was glad. + But now it is dark. My heart is dead. Where is that far-off lodge? + Where is the trail that no one yet has travelled?" +</p> +<p> + "Take courage, take courage," said the girl softly, and she went on + to her lodge. +</p> +<p> + Scarface was very unhappy. He did not know what to do. He sat down + and covered his face with his robe, and tried to think. At length he + stood up and went to an old woman who had been kind to him, and said + to her, "Pity me. I am very poor. I am going away, on a long + journey. Make me some moccasins." +</p> +<p> + "Where are you going—far from the camp?" asked the old woman. +</p> +<p> + "I do not know where I am going," he replied; "I am in trouble, but + I cannot talk about it." +</p> +<p> + This old woman had a kind heart. She made him moccasins—seven + pairs; and gave him also a sack of food—pemican, dried meat, and + back fat. +</p> +<p> + All alone, and with a sad heart, Scarface climbed the bluff that + overlooked the valley, and when he had reached the top, turned to + look back at the camp. He wondered if he should ever see it again; + if he should return to the girl and to the people. +</p> +<p> + "Pity me, O Sun!" he prayed; and turning away, he set off to look + for the trail to the Sun's lodge. +</p> +<p> + For many days he went on. He crossed great prairies and followed up + timbered rivers, and crossed the mountains. Every day his sack of + food grew lighter, but as he went along he looked for berries and + roots, and sometimes he killed an animal. These things gave him + food. +</p> +<p> + One night he came to the home of a wolf. "Hah!" said the wolf; "what + are you doing so far from your home?" +</p> +<p> + "I am looking for the place where the Sun lives," replied Scarface. + "I have been sent to speak with him." +</p> +<p> + "I have travelled over much country," said the wolf; "I know all the + prairies, the valleys, and the mountains; but I have never seen the + Sun's home. But wait a moment. I know a person who is very wise, + and who may be able to tell you the road. Ask the bear." +</p> +<p> + The next day Scarface went on again, stopping now and then to rest + and to pick berries, and when night came he was at the bear's lodge. +</p> +<p> + "Where is your home?" asked the bear. "Why are you travelling so far + alone?" +</p> +<p> + "Ah," replied the man, "I have come to you for help. Pity me. + Because of what that girl said to me, I am looking for the Sun. I + wish to ask him for her." +</p> +<p> + "I do not know where he lives," said the bear. "I have travelled by + many rivers and I know the mountains, yet I have not seen his lodge. + Farther on there is some one—that striped face—who knows a great + deal; ask him." +</p> +<p> + When the young man got there, the badger was in his hole. But + Scarface called to him, "Oh, cunning striped face! I wish to speak + with you." +</p> +<p> + The badger put his head out of the hole and said, "What do you want, + my brother?" +</p> +<p> + "I wish to find the Sun's home," said Scarface. "I wish to speak + with him." +</p> +<p> + "I do not know where he lives," answered the badger. "I never + travel very far. Over there in the timber is the wolverene. He is + always travelling about, and knows many things. Perhaps he can tell + you." +</p> +<p> + Scarface went over to the forest and looked all about for the + wolverene, but could not see him; so he sat down on a log to rest. + "Alas, alas!" he cried; "wolverene, take pity on me. My food is + gone, my moccasins are worn out; I fear I shall die." +</p> +<p> + Some one close to him said, "What is it, my brother?" and looking + around, he saw the wolverene sitting there. +</p> +<p> + "She whom I wish to marry belongs to the Sun," said Scarface; "I am + trying to find where he lives, so that I may ask him for her." +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said the wolverene, "I know where he lives. It is nearly night + now, but to-morrow I will show you the trail to the big water. He + lives on the other side of it." +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning they set out, and the wolverene showed Scarface + the trail, and he followed it until he came to the water's edge. + When he looked out over it, his heart almost stopped. Never before + had any one seen such a great water. The other side could not be + seen and there was no end to it. Scarface sat down on the shore. + This seemed the end. His food was gone; his moccasins were worn out; + he had no longer strength, no longer courage; his heart was sick. "I + cannot cross this great water," he said. "I cannot return to the + people. Here by this water I shall die." +</p> +<p> + Yet, even as he thought this, helpers were near. Two swans came + swimming up to the shore and said to him, "Why have you come here? + What are you doing? It is very far to the place where your people + live." +</p> +<p> + "I have come here to die," replied Scarface. "Far away in my country + is a beautiful girl. I want to marry her, but she belongs to the + Sun; so I set out to find him and ask him for her. I have travelled + many days. My food is gone. I cannot go back; I cannot cross this + great water; so I must die." +</p> +<p> + "No," said the swans; "it shall not be so. Across this water is the + home of that Above Person. Get on our backs, and we will take you + there." +</p> +<p> + Scarface stood up. Now he felt strong and full of courage. He waded + out into the water and lay down on the swans' backs, and they swam + away. It was a fearful journey, for that water was deep and black, + and in it live strange people and great animals which might reach up + and seize a person and pull him down under the water; yet the swans + carried Scarface safely to the other side. There was seen a broad, + hard trail leading back from the water's edge. +</p> +<p> + "There," said the swans; "you are now close to the Sun's lodge. + Follow that trail, and soon you will see it." +</p> +<p> + Scarface started to walk along the trail, and after he had gone a + little way he came to some beautiful things lying in the trail. + There was a war shirt, a shield, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. He + had never seen such fine weapons. He looked at them, but he did not + touch them, and at last walked around them and went on. A little + farther along he met a young man, a very handsome person. His hair + was long; his clothing was made of strange skins, and his moccasins + were sewed with bright feathers. +</p> +<p> + The young man spoke to him and asked, "Did you see some weapons + lying in the trail?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," replied Scarface, "I saw them." +</p> +<p> + "Did you touch them?" said the young man. +</p> +<p> + "No," said Scarface; "I supposed some one had left them there, and I + did not touch them." +</p> +<p> + "You do not meddle with the property of others," said the young man. + "What is your name, and where are you going?" Scarface told him. + Then said the young man, "My name is Early Riser (the morning star). + The Sun is my father. Come, I will take you to our lodge. My father + is not at home now, but he will return at night." +</p> +<p> + At length they came to the lodge. It was large and handsome, and on + it were painted strange medicine animals. On a tripod behind the + lodge were the Sun's weapons and his war clothing. Scarface was + ashamed to go into the lodge, but Morning Star said, "Friend, do not + be afraid; we are glad you have come." +</p> +<p> + When they went in a woman was sitting there, the Moon, the Sun's + wife and the mother of Morning Star. She spoke to Scarface kindly + and gave him food to eat, and when he had eaten she asked, "Why have + you come so far from your people?" +</p> +<p> + So Scarface told her about the beautiful girl that he wished to + marry and said, "She belongs to the Sun. I have come to ask him for + her." +</p> +<p> + When it was almost night, and time for the Sun to come home, the + Moon hid Scarface under a pile of robes. As soon as the Sun got to + the doorway he said, "A strange person is here." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, father," said Morning Star, "a young man has come to see you. + He is a good young man, for he found some of my things in the trail + and did not touch them." +</p> +<p> + Scarface came out from under the robes and the Sun entered the lodge + and sat down. He spoke to Scarface and said, "I am glad you have + come to our lodge. Stay with us as long as you like. Sometimes my + son is lonely. Be his friend." +</p> +<p> + The next day the two young men were talking about going hunting and + the Moon spoke to Scarface and said, "Go with my son where you + like, but do not hunt near that big water. Do not let him go there. + That is the home of great birds with long, sharp bills. They kill + people. I have had many sons, but these birds have killed them all. + Only Morning Star is left." +</p> +<p> + Scarface stayed a long time in the Sun's lodge, and every day went + hunting with Morning Star. One day they came near the water and saw + the big birds. +</p> +<p> + "Come on," said Morning Star, "let us go and kill those birds." +</p> +<p> + "No, no," said Scarface, "we must not go there. Those are terrible + birds; they will kill us." +</p> +<p> + Morning Star would not listen. He ran toward the water and Scarface + ran after him, for he knew that he must kill the birds and save the + boy's life. He ran ahead of Morning Star and met the birds, which + were coming to fight, and killed every one of them with his spear; + not one was left. The young men cut off the heads of the birds and + carried them home, and when Morning Star's mother heard what they + had done, and they showed her the birds' heads, she was glad. She + cried over the two young men and called Scarface "My son," and when + the Sun came home at night she told him about it, and he too was + glad. +</p> +<p> + "My son," he said to Scarface, "I will not forget what you have this + day done for me. Tell me now what I can do for you; what is your + trouble?" +</p> +<p> + "Alas, alas!" replied Scarface, "Pity me. I came here to ask you for + that girl. I want to marry her. I asked her and she was glad, but + she says that she belongs to you, and that you told her not to + marry." +</p> +<p> + "What you say is true," replied the Sun. "I have seen the days and + all that she has done. Now I give her to you. She is yours. I am + glad that she has been wise, and I know that she has never done + wrong. The Sun takes care of good women; they shall live a long + time, and so shall their husbands and children. +</p> +<p> + "Now, soon you will go home. I wish to tell you something and you + must be wise and listen. I am the only chief; everything is mine; I + made the earth, the mountains, the prairies, the rivers, and the + forests; I made the people and all the animals. This is why I say + that I alone am chief. I can never die. It is true the winter makes + me old and weak, but every summer I grow young again. +</p> +<p> + "What one of all the animals is the smartest?" the Sun went on. "It + is the raven, for he always finds food; he is never hungry. Which + one of all the animals is the most to be reverenced? It is the + buffalo; of all the animals I like him best. He is for the people; + he is your food and your shelter. What part of his body is sacred? + It is the tongue; that belongs to me. What else is sacred? Berries. + They too are mine. Come with me now and see the world." +</p> +<p> + The Sun took Scarface to the edge of the sky and they looked down + and saw the world. It is flat and round, and all around the edge it + goes straight down. Then said the Sun, "If any man is sick or in + danger his wife may promise to build me a lodge if he recovers. If + the woman is good, then I shall be pleased and help the man; but if + she is not good, or if she lies, then I shall be angry. You shall + build the lodge like the world, round, with walls, but first you + must build a sweat-lodge of one hundred sticks. It shall be arched + like the sky, and one-half of it shall be painted red for me, the + other half you shall paint black for the night." He told Scarface + all about making the Medicine Lodge, and when he had finished + speaking, he rubbed some medicine on the young man's face and the + scar that had been there disappeared. He gave him two raven + feathers, saying: "These are a sign for the girl that I give her to + you. They must always be worn by the husband of the woman who builds + a Medicine Lodge." +</p> +<p> + Now Scarface was ready to return home. The Sun and Morning Star gave + him many good presents; the Moon cried and kissed him and was sorry + to see him go. Then the Sun showed him the short trail. It was the + Wolf Road—the Milky Way. He followed it and soon reached the + ground. +</p> +<hr class="short"> +<p> + It was a very hot day. All the lodge skins were raised and the + people sat in the shade. There was a chief, a very generous man, + who all day long was calling out for feasts, and people kept coming + to his lodge to eat and smoke with him. Early in the morning this + chief saw sitting on a butte near by a person close-wrapped in his + robe. All day long this person sat there and did not move. When it + was almost night the chief said, "That person has sat there all day + in the strong heat, and he has not eaten nor drunk. Perhaps he is a + stranger. Go and ask him to come to my lodge." +</p> +<p> + Some young men ran up to the person and said to him, "Why have you + sat here all day in the great heat? Come to the shade of the lodges. + The chief asks you to eat with him." The person rose and threw off + his robe and the young men were surprised. He wore fine clothing; + his bow, shield, and other weapons were of strange make; but they + knew his face, although the scar was gone, and they ran ahead, + shouting, "The Scarface poor young man has come. He is poor no + longer. The scar on his face is gone." +</p> +<p> + All the people hurried out to see him and to ask him questions. + "Where did you get all these fine things?" He did not answer. There + in the crowd stood that young woman, and, taking the two raven + feathers from his head, he gave them to her and said, "The trail was + long and I nearly died, but by those helpers I found his lodge. He + is glad. He sends these feathers to you. They are the sign." +</p> +<p> + Great was her gladness then. They were married and made the first + Medicine Lodge, as the Sun had said. The Sun was glad. He gave them + great age. They were never sick. When they were very old, one + morning their children called to them, "Awake, rise and eat." They + did not move. +</p> +<p> + In the night, together, in sleep, without pain, their shadows had + departed to the Sandhills. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The old lodges of the Piegans were made of buffalo skin and were + painted with pictures of different kinds—birds, or animals, or + trees, or mountains. It is believed that in most cases the first + painter of any lodge was taught how he should paint it in a dream, + but this was not always the case. +</p> +<p> + Two of the most important lodges in the Blackfeet camp are known as + the Īnĭs´kĭm lodges. Both are painted with figures of + buffalo, one with black buffalo, and the other with yellow buffalo. + Certain of the Īnĭs´kĭm are kept in these lodges and can be + kept in no others. +</p> +<p> + This story tells how these two lodges came to be made. +</p> +<p> + The painters were told what to do long, long ago, "in about the + second generation after the first people." +</p> +<p> + In those days the old Piegans lived in the north, close to the Red + Deer River. The camp moved, and the lodges were pitched on the + river. One day two old men who were close friends had gone out from + the camp to find some straight cherry shoots with which to make + arrows. After they had gathered their shafts, they sat down on a + high bank by the river and began to peel the bark from the shoots. + The river was high. One of these men was named Weasel Heart and the + other Fisher. +</p> +<p> + As they sat there, Weasel Heart chanced to look down into the water + and saw something. He said to his comrade, "Friend, do you not see + something down there where the water goes around?" +</p> +<p> + Fisher said, "No; I see nothing except buffalo," for he was looking + across the river to the other side, and not down into the water. +</p> +<p> + "No," said Weasel Heart; "I do not mean over there on the prairie. + Look down into that deep hole in the river, and you will see a lodge + there." +</p> +<p> + Fisher looked as he had been told, and saw the lodge. +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart said, "There is a lodge painted with black buffalo." + As he spoke thus, Fisher said, "I see another lodge, standing + in front of it." Weasel Heart saw that lodge too—the + yellow-painted-buffalo lodge. +</p> +<p> + The two men wondered at this and could not understand how it could + be, but they were both men of strong hearts, and presently Weasel + Heart said, "Friend, I shall go down to enter that lodge. Do you sit + here and tell me when I get to the place." Then Weasel Heart went up + the river and found a drift-log to support him and pushed it out + into the water, and floated down toward the cut bank. When he had + reached the place where the lodge stood Fisher told him, and he let + go the log and dived down into the water and entered the lodge. +</p> +<p> + In it he found two persons who owned the lodge, a man and his wife. + The man said to him, "You are welcome," and Weasel Heart sat down. + Then spoke the owner of the lodge saying, "My son, this is my lodge, + and I give it to you. Look well at it inside and outside; and make + your lodge like this. If you do that, it may be a help to you." +</p> +<p> + Fisher sat a long time waiting for his friend, but at last he + looked down the stream and saw a man on the shore walking toward + him. He came along the bank until he had reached his friend. It was + Weasel Heart. +</p> +<p> + Fisher said to him, "I have been waiting a long time, and I was + afraid that something bad had happened to you." +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart asked him, "Did you see me?" +</p> +<p> + "I saw you," said Fisher, "when you went into that lodge. Did you, + when you came out of the lodge, see there in the water another lodge + painted with yellow buffalo? Is it still there?" +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart said, "I saw it; it is there. Go you into the water as + I did." +</p> +<p> + Then Fisher went up the stream as his friend had gone and entered + the water at the same place and swam down as Weasel Heart had done, + and when Weasel Heart showed him the place he dived down and + disappeared as Weasel Heart had disappeared. He entered the + yellow-painted-buffalo lodge, and his friend saw him go into it. +</p> +<p> + In the lodge were two persons, a man and his wife. The man said to + him, "You are welcome; sit there." He spoke further, saying, "My + son, you have seen this lodge of mine; I give it to you. Look + carefully at it, inside and outside, and fix up your lodge in that + way. It may be a help to you hereafter." Then Fisher went out. +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart waited for his friend as long as Fisher had waited for + him, and when Fisher came out of the water it was at the place where + Weasel Heart had come out. Then the two friends went home to the + camp. +</p> +<p> + When the two had come to a hill near the camp they met a young man, + and by him sent word that the people should make a sweat-house for + them. After the sweat-house had been made, word was sent to them, + and they entered the camp and went into the sweat-house and took a + sweat, and all the time while they were sweating, sand was falling + from their bodies. +</p> +<p> + Some time after that the people moved camp and went out and killed + buffalo, and these two men made two lodges, and painted them just as + the lodges were painted that they had seen in the river. +</p> +<p> + These two men had strong power which came to them from the + Under-water People. +</p> +<p> + Once the people wished to cross the river, but the stream was deep + and it was always hard for them to get across. Often the dogs and + the travois were swept away and the people lost many of their + things. At this time the tribe wished to cross, and Fisher and + Weasel Heart said to each other, "The people want to cross the + river, but it is high and they cannot do so. Let us try to make a + crossing, so that it will be easier for them." So Weasel Heart alone + crossed the river and sat on the bank on the other side, and Fisher + sat opposite to him on the bank where the camp was. +</p> +<p> + Then Fisher said to the people, "Pack up your things now and get + ready to cross. I will make a place where you can cross easily." +</p> +<p> + Weasel Heart and Fisher filled their pipes and smoked, and then each + started to cross the river. As each stepped into the water, the + river began to go down and the crossing grew more and more shallow. + The people with all their dogs followed close behind Fisher, as he + had told them to do. Fisher and Weasel Heart met in the middle of + the river, and when they met they stepped to one side up the stream + and let the people pass them. Ever since that day this has been a + shallow crossing. +</p> +<p> + These lodges came from the Under-water + People—Sū´yē-tŭp´pĭ. They were those who had owned them + and who had been kind to Weasel Heart and Fisher. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + MĪKA´PI—RED OLD MAN +</h2> +<br> +<p> + In Montana, running into the Missouri River from the south, is a + little stream that the Blackfeet call "It Fell on Them." Once, long, + long ago, while a number of women were digging in a bank near this + stream for the red earth that they used as paint, the bank gave way + and fell on them, burying and killing them. The white people call + this Armell's Creek. +</p> +<p> + It was on this stream near the mountains that the Piegans were + camped when Mīka´pi went to war. This was long ago. +</p> +<p> + Early in the morning a herd of buffalo had been seen feeding on the + slopes of the mountains, and some hunters went out to kill them. + Travelling carefully up the ravines, and keeping out of sight of the + herd, they came close to them, near enough to shoot their arrows, + and they began to kill fat cows. But while they were doing this a + war party of Snakes that had been hidden on the mountainside + attacked them, and the Piegans began to run back toward their camp. +</p> +<p> + One of them, called Fox Eye, was a brave man, and shouted to the + others to stop and wait, saying, "Let us fight these people; the + Snakes are not brave; we can drive them back." But the other Piegans + would not listen to him; they made excuses, saying, "We have no + shields; our war medicine is not here; there are many of them; why + should we stop here to die?" They ran on to the camp, but Fox Eye + would not run. Hiding behind a rock he prepared to fight, but as he + was looking for some enemy to shoot at, holding his arrow on the + string, a Snake had crept up on the bank above him; the Piegan heard + the twang of the bowstring, and the long, fine arrow passed through + his body. His bow and arrow dropped from his hands, and he fell + forward, dead. Now, too late, the warriors came rushing out from the + Piegan camp to help him, but the Snakes scalped their enemy, + scattered up the mountain, and soon were hidden in the timber. +</p> +<p> + Fox Eye had two wives, and their father and mother and all their + near relations were dead. All Fox Eye's relations had died. So it + happened that these poor widows had no one to help them—no one to + take vengeance for the killing of their husband. +</p> +<p> + All day long, and often far into the night, these two sat on a + near-by hill and wailed, and their mourning was sad. +</p> +<p> + There was a young man named Mīka´pi. Every morning when he awoke + he heard the mourning of these poor widows, and all through the day + he could not forget their sorrow. He pitied them. One day he sent + his mother to them, to tell them that he wished to speak with them. + When they had come to the lodge they entered and sat down close by + the doorway and covered their heads. +</p> +<p> + "Listen!" said Mīka´pi. "For days and nights I have heard your + mourning, and I too have mourned. Your husband was my close friend, + and now he is dead, and no relations are left to avenge him. So now + I say to you, I will take the load from your hearts; I will go to + war and kill enemies and take scalps, and when I return they shall + be yours. I will wipe away your tears, and we shall be glad that Fox + Eye is avenged." +</p> +<p> + When the people heard that Mīka´pi was going to war many young + men wished to join him, but he refused. "I shall go alone," he said. + So when he had taken a medicine sweat and had asked a priest to pray + for him in his absence, he left the camp one evening, just as it was + growing dark. +</p> +<p> + It is only the foolish warrior who travels in the day. The wise one + knows that war-parties may be out, or that some camp watcher sitting + on a hill may see him far off and may try to kill him. Mīka´pi + was not one of these foolish persons. He was brave and cautious, and + he had powerful helpers. Some have said that he was helped by the + ghosts. When he started to war against the Snakes he travelled in + low places, and at sunrise he climbed some hill near by and looked + carefully over the country in all directions, and during all the + long day he lay there and watched, sleeping often, but only for a + short time. +</p> +<p> + When Mīka´pi had come to the Great Place of Falling Water,<a name="f2"></a><a href="#note-2"><sup>*</sup></a> it + began to rain hard, and, looking about for a place to sleep, he saw + a hole in the rocks and crept in and lay down at the farther end. + The rain did not stop, and when it grew dark he could not travel + because of the darkness and the storm, so he lay down to sleep + again; but before he had fallen asleep he heard something at the + mouth of the cave, and then something creeping toward him. Then soon + something touched his breast, and he put out his hand and felt a + person. Then he sat up. +</p> +<a name="note-2"><!--Note--></a> +<p class="foot2"> +<a href="#f2">*</a> The Great Falls of the Missouri. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi stretched out his hand and put its palm on the person's + breast and moved his hand quickly from side to side, and then + touched the person with the point of his finger, which in sign + language means, "Who are you?" The stranger took Mīka´pi's hand + and made him feel of his own right hand. The thumb and fingers were + closed except the forefinger, which was extended. When Mīka´pi's + hand was on the stranger's hand the person moved his hand forward + with a zigzag motion, meaning Snake. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi was glad. Here had come to him one of the tribe he was + seeking, yet he thought it better to wait for a time before fighting + him; so when, in signs, the Snake asked Mīka´pi who he was he + replied, by making the sign for paddling a canoe, that he was a + River person, for he knew that the Snakes and the River people, or + Pend d'Oreilles, were at peace. Then the two lay down for the night, + but Mīka´pi did not sleep. Through the long night he watched for + the first light, so that he might kill his enemy; and just at + daybreak Mīka´pi, without noise, strung his bow, fitted an arrow + to the string, and sent the thin shaft through his enemy's heart. + The Snake half rose up and fell back dead. Mīka´pi scalped him, + took his bow and arrows and his bundle of moccasins, and went out of + the cave and looked all about. Daylight had come, but no one was in + sight. Perhaps, like himself, the Snake had gone to war alone. + Mīka´pi did not forget to be careful because he had been + fortunate. He travelled only a little way, and then hid himself and + waited for night before going on. After drinking from the river he + ate and, climbing up on a high rock wall, he slept. +</p> +<p> + He dreamed that he fought with strange people and was wounded. He + felt blood trickling from his wounds, and when he awoke he knew that + he had been warned to turn back. Other signs were bad. He saw an + eagle rising carrying a snake, which dropped from its claws. The + setting sun too was painted, a sure warning that danger was near. In + spite of all these things Mīka´pi determined to go on. He thought + of the poor widows mourning; he thought of welcome of the people if + he should return with scalps; he thought also of two young sisters + whom he wished to marry. If he could return with proof of brave + deeds, they would think well of him. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi travelled onward. +</p> +<hr class="short"> +<p> + The sun had already disappeared behind the sharp pointed dark peaks + of the mountains. It was nearly night. As the light grew dim, the + far stretching prairie began to be hidden. By a stream in a valley + where grew large and small trees were the lodges of a great camp. + For a long distance up and down the river rose the smokes of many + fires. +</p> +<p> + On a hill overlooking the valley sat a person alone. His robe was + drawn close about him, and he sat there without moving, looking down + on the valley and out on the prairie above it. Perhaps he was + watching for enemies; perhaps he was praying. +</p> +<p> + Creeping through the grass behind this person, something was slowly + drawing near to him. There was no noise, the watcher heard nothing; + still he sat there, looking out over the prairie, and turning his + head neither to the right nor the left. This thing behind him kept + creeping closer, and presently it was so near it could touch the + man. Perhaps then there was some little rustle of the grass, and the + watcher turned his head. It was too late. A strong arm around his + neck bent his head back, a hand covered his mouth, a long stone + knife was thrust into his breast, and he died in silence. The fading + light had kept people in the camp from seeing what had happened. +</p> +<p> + The man who had used the knife scalped his enemy, and slowly, + hidden by the grass, crept down the hill that he had just ascended, + and when he reached the cover of a low place Mīka´pi rose to his + feet and crept away. He had another Snake scalp tied to his belt. + His heart was glad, but he was not satisfied. +</p> +<p> + Several nights had passed since the signs warned him to turn back, + but notwithstanding the warnings, he had succeeded. Perhaps his + success had made him too confident. He longed for more of it. "One + more scalp I shall take," he said, "and then I will return to the + people." +</p> +<p> + He climbed far up the mountainside and hid among the pines and + slept, but when day came he awoke and crept out to a point where he + could see the camp. He saw the smoke rising as the women kindled + their morning fires; he saw the people going about through the camp, + and then presently he saw many people rush up on the hill where he + had left the dead enemy. He could not hear their angry cries, nor + their mournful wailings, but he knew how badly they felt, and he + sung a song, for he was happy. +</p> +<p> + Once more the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and as + darkness grew Mīka´pi came down from where he had been hiding and + carefully approached the camp. Now was a time of danger. Now + watchers might be hidden anywhere, looking for the approach of + enemies, ready to raise a cry to warn the camp. Each bush or clump + of rye grass or willow thicket might hide an enemy. Very slowly, + looking and listening, Mīka´pi crept around the outskirts of the + camp. He made no noise, he did not show himself. Presently he heard + some one clear his throat and then a cough, and a little bush moved. + Here was a watcher. Could he kill him and get away? He sat and + waited to see what would happen, for he knew where his enemy was, + but the enemy knew nothing of him. The great moon rose over the + eastern prairie and climbed high and began to travel across the sky. + Seven Persons swung around and pointed downward. It was about the + middle of the night. At length the person in the bush grew tired of + watching; he thought no enemy could be near and he rose and + stretched out his arms and yawned, but even as he stood an arrow + pierced him through, beneath the arms. He gave a loud cry and tried + to run, but another arrow struck him, and he fell. +</p> +<p> + And now from out the camp rushed the warriors toward the sound, but + even as they came Mīka´pi had taken the scalp from his enemy and + started to run away into the darkness. The moon was bright, and + close behind him were the Snakes. He heard arrows flying by him, and + presently one passed through his arm. He pulled it out and threw it + from him. Another struck his leg, and he fell, and a great shout + arose from the Snakes. Now their enemy was down and revenge for the + two lives lately taken was certain. +</p> +<p> + But Mīka´pi's helpers were not far off. It was at the very verge + of a high cut wall overhanging the river that Mīka´pi fell, and + even as the Snakes shouted he rolled over the brink into the dark + rushing water below. The Snakes ran along the edge of the river, + looking into the water, with bent bows watching for the enemy's head + or body to appear, but they saw nothing. Carefully they looked + along the shores and sandbars; they did not find him. +</p> +<p> + Mīka´pi had sunk deep in the water. The swift current carried him + along, and when he rose to the surface he was beyond his enemies. + For some time he floated on, but the arrow in his leg pained him and + at last he crept out on a sandbar. He managed to draw the arrow from + his leg, and finding at the edge of the bar a dry log, he rolled it + into the water, and keeping his hands on it, drifted down the river + with the current. Cold and stiff from his wounds, he crept out on + the bank and lay down in the warm sunshine. Soon he fell asleep. +</p> +<p> + When he awoke the sun was in the middle of the sky. His leg and arm + were swollen and pained him, yet he started to go home, and for a + time struggled onward; but at last, tired and discouraged, he sat + down. +</p> +<p> + "Ah," he said to himself, "true were the signs! How crazy I was to + go against them! Now my bravery has been useless, for here I must + stop and die. The widows will still mourn, and who will care for my + father and mother in their old age? Pity me now, O Sun; help me, O + Great Above Person! Give me life!" +</p> +<p> + Something was coming through the brush near him, breaking the sticks + as it walked. Was it the Snakes following his trail? Mīka´pi + strung his bow and drew his arrows from the quiver. He waited. +</p> +<p> + No, it was not a Snake; it was a bear, a big grizzly bear, standing + there looking down at Mīka´pi. "What is my brother doing here?" + said the bear. "Why does he pray for life?" +</p> +<p> + "Look at my leg," said Mīka´pi; "swollen and sore. See my wounded + arm; I can hardly hold the bow. Far away is the home of my people, + and my strength is gone. Surely here I must die, for I cannot walk, + and I have no food." +</p> +<p> + "Take courage, my brother," said the bear. "Keep up a strong heart, + for I will help you, and you shall have life." +</p> +<p> + When he had said this he lifted Mīka´pi in his arms and took him + to a place where there was thick mud, and there he took great + handfuls of the mud and plastered it on the wounds, and while he + was putting on the mud he sang a medicine song. Then he carried + Mīka´pi to a place where there were many service berries, and he + broke off great branches of the fruit and gave them to him, saying, + "Eat; my brother, eat." He kept breaking off branches full of large, + ripe berries until Mīka´pi was full and could eat no more. +</p> +<p> + Then said the bear, "Now lie down on my back and hold tight by my + hair and we will go on"; and when Mīka´pi had got on his back and + was ready the bear started. All through the night he travelled on + without stopping, and when morning came they rested for a time and + ate more berries, and again the bear put mud upon the man's wounds. + In this way they travelled on, until, on the fourth day, they had + come close to the lodges of the Piegans and the people saw them + coming, and wondered. +</p> +<p> + "Get off now, my brother, get off," said the bear. "There is the + camp of your people. I shall leave you"; and at once he turned and + went off up the mountain. +</p> +<p> + All the people came out to meet Mīka´pi, and they carried him to + his father's lodge. He untied the scalps from his belt and gave them + to the poor widows, saying, "These are the scalps of your enemies; I + wipe away your tears." Then every one rejoiced. All Mīka´pi's + women relations went through the camp, shouting out his name and + singing songs about him, and all prepared to dance the dance of + triumph and rejoicing. +</p> +<p> + First came the widows. They carried the scalps tied on poles, and + their faces were painted black. Then came the medicine men, with + their medicine pipes unwrapped, and then the bands of the All + Friends dressed in their war costumes; then came the old men; and, + last of all, the women and children. They went all through the + village, stopping here and there to dance, and Mīka´pi sat + outside the lodge and saw all the people dance by him. He forgot his + pain and was happy, and although he could not dance, he sung with + them. +</p> +<p> + Soon they made the medicine lodge, and first of all the warriors, + Mīka´pi was chosen to cut the rawhide to bind the poles, and as + he cut the strips he related the coups he had counted. He told of + the enemies he had killed, and all the people shouted his name and + the drummers struck the drum. The father of those two sisters gave + them to him. He was glad to have such a son-in-law. +</p> +<p> + Long lived Mīka´pi. Of all the great chiefs who have lived and + died he was the greatest. He did many other great things. It must be + true, as the old men have said, that he was helped by the ghosts, + for no one can do such things without help from those fearful and + terrible persons. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + RED ROBE'S DREAM +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Long, long ago, Red Robe and Talking Rock were young men in the + Blackfeet camp. In their childhood days and early youth their life + had been hard. Talking Rock was an orphan without a single relation + and Red Robe had only his old grandmother. +</p> +<p> + This old woman, by hard work and sacrifice, had managed to rear the + boys. She tanned robes for the hunters, made them moccasins worked + with porcupine quills, and did everything she could to get a little + food or worn out robes and hide, from which she made clothes for her + boys. They never had new, brightly painted calf robes, like other + children. They went barefoot in summer, and in winter their toes + often showed through the worn out skin of their moccasins. They had + no flesh. Their ribs could be counted beneath the skin; their cheeks + were hollow; they looked always hungry. +</p> +<p> + When they grew to be twelve or fifteen years old they began to do + better, for now they could do more and more for themselves. They + herded horses and performed small services for the wealthy men; + then, too, they hunted and killed a little meat. Now, for their + work, three or four dogs were given them, so with the two the old + woman owned, they were able to pack their small lodge and other + possessions when the camp moved, instead of carrying everything on + their backs. +</p> +<p> + Now they began to do their best to make life easier for the good old + woman who had worked so hard to keep them from starving and + freezing. +</p> +<p> + Time passed. The boys grew old enough to go out and fast. They had + their dreams. Each found his secret helper of mysterious power, and + each became a warrior. Still they were very poor, compared with + other young men of their age. They had bows, but only a few arrows. + They were not able to pay some great medicine man to make shields + for them. As yet they went to war only as servants. +</p> +<p> + About this time Red Robe fell in love. +</p> +<p> + In the camp was a beautiful girl named Mā-mĭn´—the + Wing—whom all the young men wished to marry, but perhaps Red Robe + loved her more than all the rest. Her father was a rich old medicine + man who never invited any except chiefs and great warriors to feast + with him, and Red Robe seldom entered his lodge. He used to dress as + well as he could, to braid his hair carefully, to paint his face + nicely, and to stand for a long time near the lodge looking + entreatingly at her as she came and went about her work, or fleshed + a robe under the shelter of some travois over which a hide was + spread. Then whenever they met, he thought the look she gave him in + passing was friendly—perhaps more than that. +</p> +<p> + Wherever Mā-mĭn´ went her mother or some woman of the family + went with her, so Red Robe could never speak to her, but he was + often near by. One day, when she was gathering wood for the lodge, + and her companion was out of sight behind some willow bushes some + distance away, Red Robe had a chance to tell Mā-mĭn´ what was + in his heart. He walked up to her and took her hands in his, and + she did not try to draw them away. He said to her, "I love you; I + cannot remember a time when I saw you that my heart did not beat + faster. I am poor, very poor, and it is useless to ask your father + to let me marry you, for he will not consent; but there is another + way, and if you love me, you will do what I ask. Let us go from + here—far away. We will find some tribe that will be kind to us, and + even if we fail in that we can live in some way. Now, if you love + me, and I hope you do, you will come." +</p> +<p> + "Ai," replied Mā-mĭn´, "I do love you; only you. All the other + young men pass before me as shadows. I scarcely see them, but I + cannot do what you ask. I cannot go away and leave my mother to + mourn; she who loves me so well. Let us wait a little. Go to war. Do + something great and brave. Then perhaps you will not uselessly ask + my father to give me to you." +</p> +<p> + In vain Red Robe tried to persuade the girl to do as he wished. She + was kind; she threw her arms about him and kissed him and cried, but + she would not run away to leave her mother to sorrow, to be beaten + by her father, who would blame the poor woman for all the disgrace; + and so, too soon, they parted, for they heard her companion + coming—the sound of her heavy footsteps. +</p> +<p> + Three Bulls, chief of the camp, was a great man. He had a fierce + temper, and when he spoke, people hurried to do what he ordered, for + they feared him. He never talked loud nor called any one by an ill + name. When any one displeased him or refused to do what he said he + just smiled and then killed the person. He was brave. In battle with + enemies he was the equal of twenty men, rushing here, there, into + the thickest of the fights, and killing—always with that silent, + terrible smile on his face. Because he was such a great warrior, and + also because he was generous, helping the poor, feasting any who + came to his lodge, he was the head chief of the Blackfeet. +</p> +<p> + Three Bulls had several wives and many children, some of them grown + and married. Gray hairs were now many in his head. His face wrinkles + showed that old age was not far distant. No one supposed that he + would ever take another wife; so when the news spread through the + camp that he had asked the old medicine man for his daughter + Mā-mĭn´, every one was surprised. When Red Robe heard the news + his heart nearly broke. The old medicine man agreed to let the chief + have the girl. He dared not refuse, nor did he wish to, for many + good presents were to be given him in three days' time. When that + was done, he told his daughter, she would be taken to the chief's + lodge; let her prepare for the change. +</p> +<p> + That day Red Robe had planned to start with a party to war; but when + he heard this news he asked his friend Talking Rock to take word to + the leader that he had changed his mind and would not go. He asked + his friend to stay with him, instead of joining the war party, and + Talking Rock agreed to do so. +</p> +<p> + Out in front of the camp was a large spring, and to that place Red + Robe went and stood leaning against a large stone and looking sadly + down into the blue water. Soon, as he had thought, Mā-mĭn´ + came to the spring for a skin of water. He took her hands, as he + had done before, and began to beg her to go away with him that very + night, before it was too late. The girl cried bitterly, but at first + she did not speak. +</p> +<p> + The two were standing in plain sight of the camp and the people in + it, and some one went to the chief's lodge and told him what was + taking place. +</p> +<p> + "Go to the spring," said the chief, "and tell that young man to let + the girl go; she is to be my wife." +</p> +<p> + The person did as he was told, but the two young people paid no + attention to him. They did not care what any one said, nor if the + whole camp saw them there together. All they could think about was + this terrible thing, which would make them unhappy so long as they + lived. Red Robe kept asking the girl to go, and at last she + consented to do as he wished. They had their arms about each other, + not thinking of the crowd that was watching them, and were quickly + planning for their meeting and for their going away that night, when + Three Bulls quietly walked up to them and stabbed the young man with + a flint-pointed lance. Red Robe sank down dying at the young girl's + feet, and she, looking down for an instant at her lover, turned and + ran to her father's lodge. +</p> +<p> + "Bring wood," the chief called out; "let every one bring some wood; + all you have at your lodges. Those who have none, let them go + quickly and bring some from the timber." +</p> +<p> + All the people hurried to obey. What Three Bulls ordered was soon + done, for the people feared him, and soon a great pile of wood was + heaped beside the dead man. +</p> +<p> + The chief lifted the slender young form, placed it on the pile of + wood, and told a woman to bring coals and set fire to the pile. When + this had been done, all left the place except Three Bulls, who + stayed there, tending the fire and poking it here and there, until + it was burnt out and no wood or trace of a human body was left. + Nothing remained except the little pile of ashes. These he + scattered. Still he was not satisfied. His medicine was strong; + perhaps his dream had warned him. Now he ordered that the lodges be + taken down, that everything be packed up, and that the trail of the + moving camp should pass over the heap of ashes. +</p> +<p> + Some time before this, after Red Robe had made his long fasting, and + his dream had come to him and he had returned to his grandmother's + lodge, he had told his true friend something of what had been said + to him by his dream. +</p> +<p> + "If I should die," he said, "and you are near, do not desert me. Go + to the place where I fell, and if my body should have been destroyed + look carefully around the place. If you can find even a shred of my + flesh or a bit of my bone, it will be well. So said my dream. Here + are four arrows, which the dream told me to make. If you can find a + bit of my body, flesh or bone, or even hair, cover it with a robe, + and standing over it, shoot three arrows one after another up into + the air, crying, as each one leaves the bow, 'Look out!' When you + fit the fourth arrow on the bowstring and shoot it upward, cry, + 'Look out, Red Robe, the arrow will strike you!' and as you say + this, turn and run away from the place, not looking back as you go. + If you do this, my friend, just as I have told you, I shall live + again." +</p> +<p> + As the camp moved, Three Bulls stood and watched it filing over the + place of the fire, and saw the ashes scattered by the trailing ends + of lodge poles and travois, and by the feet of hundreds of people + and dogs. Still he was not satisfied, and for a long time after the + last of the people had passed he remained there. Then he went on + across the flat and up and over a ridge, but presently he returned, + once, twice, four times, to the crest of the hill and looked back at + the place where the camp had been; but at last he felt sure that no + one remained at the place, and went on. +</p> +<p> + Yet Talking Rock was there. He had been hidden in the brush all the + time, watching the chief. Even after Three Bulls had passed over the + ridge, he remained crouched in the bushes, and saw him come back + again and again to peer over its crest. Still further on there was + another higher ridge, and when the young man saw Three Bulls climb + that and disappear on the trail of the camp, he came forth. +</p> +<p> + Going to the place where his friend had lain, Talking Rock sat down + and mourned, wailing long and loud. Back on the hills the wolves and + coyotes heard him and they too became sorrowful, adding their cries + to his. +</p> +<p> + The young man had little faith in the power of the four arrows that + he kept so carefully wrapped in a separate bundle in his quiver. He + looked at the place where Red Robe's body had been burnt. It was + like any other place on the great trail that had been made, dust and + grass blades mingled together, and scratches made by the dragging + poles. It did not seem possible that anything of his friend's body + remained; yet he must search, and breaking a green willow twig he + began carefully to work over the dust, stopping his crying, for the + tears blinded his eyes so that he could not see. +</p> +<p> + All the long morning and far into the afternoon, Talking Rock swept + the dust this way and that, turning it over and over, in a circle + that grew always wider, and just as he was about to give up the + search, he found a bit of charred and blackened bone. Was this a + part of his friend's frame? Was it not more likely a bit of bone of + buffalo or elk, which some dog had carried from one of the + fireplaces of the camp and dropped here? +</p> +<p> + Now for the test. Talking Rock covered the bit of bone with his robe + as he had been told to do. He even raised the robe along its middle, + making it look as if it really covered a person lying there. Then he + shot three of the arrows up in the air, each time crying, "Look + out." +</p> +<p> + Then with a hand that trembled a little, he drew the fourth arrow + from the quiver, shot it and cried, "Look out, Red Robe, the arrow + will strike you"; and, turning, ran from the place with all his + speed. +</p> +<p> + How he wanted to look back! How he longed to see if his friend was + really rising from that bit of blackened bone! But Talking Rock was + strong-hearted. He controlled his desires. On and on he ran, and + then—behind him the light tread of running feet, a firm hand + gripped his shoulder, and a loved voice said, "Why so fast, my + friend?" and stopping and turning, Talking Rock found himself face + to face with Red Robe. He could not believe what he saw, and had to + pinch himself and to hold his friend hard in his arms to believe + that all this was real. +</p> +<p> + The camp had not moved far, and the lodges were pitched on the next + stream to the south. Soon after dark, the two friends entered it and + went to their lodge. The poor old grandmother could not believe her + eyes when she saw the young man she had reared and loved so dearly; + but when he spoke she knew that it was he, and running over to him + she held him in her arms and kissed him, crying from joy. After a + little time, the young man said to her, "Grandmother, go to the + chief's lodge and say to him that I, Red Robe, need some dried + meat." The old woman hesitated at this strange request, but Red Robe + said: "Go, do not fear him; Three Bulls is now the one to know + fear." +</p> +<p> + When the old woman entered the great lodge and in reply to the + chief's look said, "Red Robe sent me here. He wants some dried + meat," only Three Bulls of all who were in the lodge, showed no + surprise. "It is what I expected," he said; "in spite of all my care + he lives again, and I can do nothing." Turning to his wives he + said, "Give her meat." +</p> +<p> + "Did you see Mā-mĭn´?" asked Red Robe, when his grandmother + had returned with the meat and had told him what the chief had said. +</p> +<p> + "No, she was not in the lodge, but two women were approaching as I + left it. I think they were the girl and her mother." +</p> +<p> + "Go back once more," said the young man, "and tell Three Bulls to + send me that young woman." +</p> +<p> + But now the poor old grandmother was afraid. "I dare not tell him + that," she exclaimed. "He would kill me, and you. His anger would be + fearful." +</p> +<p> + "Do not fear," said Red Robe, "do not fear, my mother, his anger and + his power are no longer to be feared. He is as feeble and as + helpless as one of those old bulls one sees on the sunny side of the + coulée, spending his last days before the wolves pull him down." +</p> +<p> + The old woman went to the lodge and told the chief what Red Robe + further wished. Mā-mĭn´ was there, her head covered with her + robe, crying quietly, and Three Bulls told her to arise and go with + the messenger. Timidly at first, and then with steps that broke into + a run, Mā-mĭn´ hurried toward the lodge of her sweetheart and + entered it. With a cry of joy she threw herself into his arms, and + Talking Rock went out and left them alone. +</p> +<p> + Great now was the happiness of these young people. Long was their + life, full of plenty and of great honor. Red Robe became a chief, + respected and loved by all the people. Mā-mĭn´ bore him many + children, who grew up to be the support of their old age. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE BLACKFEET CREATION +</h2> +<br> +<p> + The Blackfeet believe that the Sun made the earth—that he is the + creator. One of the names by which they call the Sun is Napi—Old + Man. This is how they tell of the creation: +</p> +<p> + In the beginning there was water everywhere; nothing else was to be + seen. There was something floating on the water, and on this raft + were Old Man and all the animals. +</p> +<p> + Old Man wished to make land, and he told the beaver to dive down to + the bottom of the water and to try to bring up a little mud. The + beaver dived and was under water for a long time, but he could not + reach the bottom. Then the loon tried, and after him the otter, but + the water was too deep for them. At last the muskrat was sent down, + and he was gone for a long time; so long that they thought he must + be drowned, but at last he came up and floated almost dead on the + water, and when they pulled him up on the raft and looked at his + paws, they found a little mud in them. When Old Man had dried this + mud, he scattered it over the water and land was formed. This is the + story told by the Blackfeet. It is very much like one told by some + Eastern Indians, who are related to the Blackfeet. +</p> +<p> + After the land had been made, Old Man travelled about on it, making + things and fixing up the earth so as to suit him. First, he marked + out places where he wished the rivers to run, sometimes making them + run smoothly, and again, in some places, putting falls on them. He + made the mountains and the prairie, the timber and the small trees + and bushes, and sometimes he carried along with him a lot of rocks, + from which he built some of the mountains—as the Sweet Grass + Hills—which stand out on the prairie by themselves. +</p> +<p> + Old Man caused grass to grow on the plains, so that the animals + might have something to feed on. He marked off certain pieces of + land, where he caused different kinds of roots and berries to + grow—a place for camas; and one for wild carrots; one for wild + turnips, sweet root and bitter root; one for service berries, + bullberries, cherries, plums, and rosebuds. +</p> +<p> + He made all kinds of animals that travel on the ground. When he made + the big-horn with its great horns, he put it out on the prairie. It + did not seem to travel easily there; it was awkward and could not go + fast, so he took it by one of its horns and led it up into the rough + hills and among the rocks, and let it go there, and it skipped about + among the cliffs and easily went up fearful places. So Old Man said + to the big-horn, "This is the place for you; this is what you are + fitted for; the rough country and the mountains." While he was in + the mountains he made the antelope, and turned it loose to see how + it travelled. The antelope ran so fast that it fell over some rocks + and hurt itself. He saw that this would not do, and took the + antelope down on the prairie and set it free there, and it ran away + fast and gracefully, and he said to it, "This is the place that + suits you." +</p> +<p> + At last, one day, Old Man decided that he would make a woman and a + child, and he modelled some clay in human shape, and after he had + made these shapes and put them on the ground, he said to the clay, + "You shall be people." He spread his robe over the clay figures and + went away. The next morning he went back to the place and lifted up + the robe, and saw that the clay shapes had changed a little. When he + looked at them the next morning, they had changed still more; and + when on the fourth day he went to the place and took off the + covering, he said to the images, "Stand up and walk," and they did + so. They walked down to the river with him who had made them, and he + told them his name. +</p> +<p> + As they were standing there looking at the water as it flowed by, + the woman asked Old Man, saying, "How is it; shall we live always? + Will there be no end to us?" +</p> +<p> + Old Man said, "I have not thought of that. We must decide it. I will + take this buffalo chip and throw it in the river. If it floats, + people will become alive again four days after they have died; they + will die for four days only. But if it sinks, there will be an end + to them." He threw the chip into the river, and it floated. +</p> +<p> + The woman turned and picked up a stone and said, "No, I will throw + this stone in the river. If it floats, we shall live always; if it + sinks, people must die, so that their friends who are left alive may + always remember them." The woman threw the stone in the water, and + it sank. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said Old Man, "you have chosen; there will be an end to + them." +</p> +<p> + Not many nights after that the woman's child died, and she cried a + great deal for it. She said to Old Man, "Let us change this. The law + that you first made, let that be the law." +</p> +<p> + He said, "Not so; what is made law must be law. We will undo nothing + that we have done. The child is dead, but it cannot be changed. + People will have to die." +</p> +<p> + These first people did not have hands like a person; they had hands + like a bear with long claws. They were poor and naked and did not + know how to get a living. Old Man showed them the roots and the + berries, and showed them how to gather these, and told them how at + certain times of the year they should peel the bark off some trees + and eat it; that the little animals that live in the ground—rats, + squirrels, skunks, and beavers—were good to eat. He also taught + them something about the roots that were good for medicine to cure + sickness. +</p> +<p> + In those days there were buffalo, and these black animals were + armed, for they had long horns. Once, as the people were moving + about, the buffalo saw them and rushed upon them and hooked them and + killed them, and then ate them. One day, as the creator was + travelling about, he came upon some of his children that he had made + lying there dead, torn to pieces and partly eaten by the buffalo. + When he saw this, he felt badly. He said, "I have not made these + people right. I will change this; from now on the people shall eat + the buffalo." +</p> +<p> + He went to some of the people who were still alive, and said to + them, "How is it that you people do nothing to these animals that + are killing you?" The people replied, "What can we do? These animals + are armed and can kill us, and we have no way to kill them." +</p> +<p> + The creator said, "That is not hard. I will make you something that + will kill these animals." +</p> +<p> + He went out and cut some straight service-berry shoots, and brought + them in, and peeled the bark from them. He took a larger piece of + wood and flattened it, and tied a string to it, and made a bow. Now + he was the master of all birds and he went out and caught one, and + took feathers from its wings and tied them to the shaft of wood. He + tied four feathers along the shaft and tried the arrow at a mark and + found that it did not fly well. He took off these feathers and put + on three, and when he again tried it at the mark he found that it + went straight. He picked up some hard stones, and broke sharp pieces + from them. When he tried them he found that the black flint stones + made the best arrow points. He showed them how to use these things. +</p> +<p> + Then he spoke to the people, and said, "The next time you go out, + take these things with you, and use them as I tell you. Do not run + from these animals. When they rush at you, and have come pretty + close, shoot the arrows at them as I have taught you, and you will + see that they will run from you or will run around you in a circle." +</p> +<p> + He also broke off pieces of stone, and fixed them in a handle, and + told them that when they killed the buffalo they should cut up the + flesh with these stone knives. +</p> +<p> + One day after this, some people went on a little hill to look about, + and the buffalo saw them and called out to each other, "Ah, there is + some more of our food," and rushed upon them. The people did not + run. They began to shoot at the buffalo with the bows and arrows + that had been given them, and the buffalo began to fall. They say + that when the first buffalo hit with an arrow felt it prick him, he + called out to his fellows, "Oh, my friends, a great fly is biting + me." +</p> +<p> + With the flint knives that had been given them they cut up the + bodies of the dead buffalo. About this time Old Man came up and said + to them, "It is not healthful to eat raw flesh. I will show you + something better than that." He gathered soft, dry rotten wood and + made punk of it, and took a piece of wood and drilled a hole in it + with an arrow point, and gave them a pointed piece of hard wood, and + showed them how to make a fire with fire sticks, and to cook the + flesh of animals. +</p> +<p> + After this the people found a certain sort of stone in the land, and + took another harder stone, and worked one upon the other and + hollowed out the softer one, so as to make of it a kettle. +</p> +<p> + It is told also that the creator made people and animals at another + place, and in another way. At the Porcupine Mountains he made other + earthen images of people, and blew breath on the images, and they + became people. They were men and women. After a time they asked him, + "What are we to eat?" Then he took more earth and made many images + in the form of buffalo, and when he had blown on them they stood up, + and he made signs to them and they started to run. He said to the + people, "There is your food." +</p> +<p> + "Well, now," they replied; "we have those animals, how are we to + kill them?" +</p> +<p> + "I will show you," he said. +</p> +<p> + He took them to the edge of a cliff and showed them how to heap up + piles of stone, running back from the cliff like this <a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> + <img src="images/dots.gif" width="144" height="25" +alt="dots in long v"> + <!--IMAGE END-->, with the point of the V toward the cliff. He said to the people, + "Now, do you hide behind these piles of stones, and when I lead the + buffalo this way, as they get opposite to you, stand up." +</p> +<p> + Then he went on toward a herd of buffalo and began to call them, and + the buffalo started toward him and followed him, until they were + inside the arms of the V. Then he ran to one side and hid, and as + the people rose up the buffalo ran on in a straight line and jumped + over the cliff and some of them were killed by the fall. +</p> +<p> + "There," he said, "go and take the flesh of those animals." Then the + people tried to do so. They tried to tear the limbs apart, but they + could not. They tried to bite pieces out of the bodies, but they + could not do that. Old Man went to the edge of the cliff and broke + some pieces of stone with sharp edges, and showed them how to cut + the flesh with these. Of the buffalo that went over the cliff, some + were not dead, but were hurt, so they could not run away. The + people cut strips of green hide and tied stones in the middle, and + with these hammers broke in the skulls of the buffalo and killed + them. +</p> +<p> + When they had taken the skins from these animals, they set up poles + and put the hides over them, and so made a shelter to sleep under. +</p> +<p> + In later times the creator marked off a piece of land for the five + tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, Piegans, Gros Ventres, and Sarsis, and + said to these tribes, "When people come to cross this line at the + border of your land, take your bows and arrows, your lances and your + war clubs and give them battle, and keep them out. If they gain a + footing here, trouble for you will follow." +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + OLD MAN STORIES +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Under the name Na´pi, Old Man, have been confused two wholly + different persons talked of by the Blackfeet. The Sun, the creator + of the universe, giver of light, heat, and life, and reverenced by + every one, is often called Old Man, but there is another personality + who bears the same name, but who is very different in his character. + This last Na´pi is a mixture of wisdom and foolishness; he is + malicious, selfish, childish, and weak. He delights in tormenting + people. Yet the mean things he does are so foolish that he is + constantly getting himself into scrapes, and is often obliged to ask + the animals to help him out of his troubles. His bad deeds almost + always bring their own punishment. +</p> +<p> + Interpreters commonly translate this word Na´pi as Old Man, but it + is also the term for white man; and the Cheyenne and Arapahoe + tribes tell just such stories about a similar person whom they also + call "white man." Tribes of Dakota stock tell of a similar person + whom they call "the spider." +</p> +<p> + The stories about this Old Man are told by the Blackfeet for + entertainment rather than with any serious purpose, and when that + part of the story is reached where Old Man is in some difficulty + which he cannot get out of, the man who is telling the story, and + those who are listening to it, laugh delightedly. +</p> +<p> + Some stories of this kind are these: +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE WONDERFUL BIRD +</h3> +<p> + One day, as Old Man was walking about among the trees, he saw + something that seemed very queer. +</p> +<p> + A little bird was sitting on the branch of a tree. Every little + while it would make a strange noise, and every time it made this + noise its eyes flew out of its head and fastened on a branch of the + tree. Then after a little while the bird would make another sort of + noise and its eyes would go back to their places in its head. +</p> +<p> + Old Man called out to the bird, "Little brother, teach me how to do + that." +</p> +<p> + "If I show you how," the bird answered, "you must not send your eyes + out of your head more than four times in a day. If you do, you will + be sorry." +</p> +<p> + "It shall be as you say, little brother. It is for you to give, and + I will listen to what you say." +</p> +<p> + When the bird had taught Old Man how to do this, he was glad. He + began to do it, and did it four times right away. Then he said, "Why + did that bird tell me to do this only four times? He has no sense. I + will do it again." So once more he made his eyes go out, but now + when he called to them they would not come back. +</p> +<p> + He shouted out to the bird, "Little brother, come here, and help me + to get back my eyes." The little bird did not answer him; it had + flown away. Now Old Man felt all over the branches of the tree with + his hands, but he could not find his eyes. So he went away and + wandered over the prairie for a long time, crying and calling to the + animals to help him. +</p> +<p> + As he was blind, he could find nothing to eat, and he began to be + very hungry. +</p> +<p> + A wolf teased him a great deal and had much fun. It had found a dead + buffalo, and taking a piece of the meat, it would hold the meat + close to Old Man's face. Then Old Man would say, "I smell something + dead, I wish I could find it; I am almost starved." He felt all + around for it. +</p> +<p> + Once when the wolf was doing this, Old Man caught him, and plucking + out one of the wolf's eyes, he put it in his own head. Then he could + see, and was able to find his own eyes, but never again could he do + the trick the little bird had taught him. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE RABBITS' MEDICINE +</h3> +<p> + Once, when Old Man was travelling about, he heard some singing that + sounded very queer. He had never before heard anything like it, and + looked all about to see where it came from. After a time he saw that + the cottontail rabbits were singing and making medicine. They had + built a fire, and raked out some hot ashes, and they would lie down + in these ashes and sing, while one of the others covered them up. + They could stay there only for a short time, though, for the ashes + were hot. +</p> +<p> + "Little brothers," said Old Man, "here is something wonderful—that + you can lie in those hot ashes and coals without burning. I ask you + to teach me how to do this." +</p> +<p> + "We will show you how to do it, Old Man," said the rabbits. "You + must sing our song, and stay in the ashes only a short time." They + taught Old Man their song, and he began to sing and lay down, and + they covered him with coals and ashes, and the hot ashes did not + burn him. +</p> +<p> + "That is good," he said. "You have strong medicine. Now, so that I + may know it all, do you lie down and let me cover you up." +</p> +<p> + All the rabbits lay down in the ashes, and Old Man covered them up, + and then he pulled the whole fire over them. One old rabbit got out, + and Old Man was just about to put her back when she said, "Pity me; + my children need me." +</p> +<p> + "It is good," replied Old Man. "You may go, so that there will be + more rabbits; but these I will roast, and have a feast." He put + more wood on the fire, and when the rabbits were cooked he got some + red willow brush and put the rabbits on it to cool. The grease from + their bodies soaked into the branches, so that even to-day if red + willow is held over a fire one may see the grease on the bark. Ever + since that time, too, the rabbits have a burnt place on the back, + where the one that got away was singed. +</p> +<p> + Old Man sat down by the fire, waiting for the rabbits to get cool, + when a coyote came along, limping. He went on three legs. "Pity me, + Old Man," he said. "You have plenty of cooked rabbits, give me one + of them." +</p> +<p> + "Go away," said Old Man, very cross; "if you are too lazy to catch + food, I will not give you any." +</p> +<p> + "But my leg is broken," said the coyote; "I cannot run. I cannot + catch anything, and I am starving. Give me half a rabbit." +</p> +<p> + "I don't care what happens to you," said Old Man; "I worked hard to + catch and cook these rabbits, and I shall not give any of them away. + I'll tell you what I will do, though; I will run a race with you + out to that far butte on the prairie, and if you beat me you can + have a rabbit." +</p> +<p> + "Good," said the coyote, and they started. +</p> +<p> + Old Man ran very fast, and the coyote limped along behind him, but + pretty close, until they got near the butte. Then the coyote turned + around and ran back very fast, for he was not lame at all. It took + Old Man a long time to get back, and just before he reached the + fire, the coyote finished eating the last rabbit and ran away. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE LOST ELK MEAT +</h3> +<p> + Old Man had been a long time without food and was very hungry. He + was trying to think how he could get something to eat, when he saw a + band of elk come up on a ridge. He went over to them and spoke to + them and said, "Brothers, I am lonely because I have no one to + follow me." +</p> +<p> + "Go ahead, Old Man," said the elk; "we will follow you." Old Man led + them about for a long time, and when it was dark he came near a + high, steep cut bank. He ran around to one side, where the hill + sloped, and then went back right under the steep cliff and called + out, "Come on, that is a nice jump. You will laugh." So all the elk + jumped off and were killed, except one cow. +</p> +<p> + "They have all jumped but you," said Old Man. "Come on, you will + like it." +</p> +<p> + "Take pity on me," said the cow. "I am very heavy, and I am afraid + to jump." +</p> +<p> + "Go away, then," said Old Man; "go and live. Then some day there + will be plenty of elk again." +</p> +<p> + Old Man built a fire and cooked some of the meat, and then he + skinned all the elk, and cut up the meat and hung it up to dry. The + tongues he hung on a pole. +</p> +<p> + The next day he started off and was gone all day, and at night, as + he was coming home, he was very hungry. He was thinking to himself + that he would have some roasted ribs and a tongue and other good + things; but when he reached the place, the meat was all gone; the + wolves had eaten it. +</p> +<p> + "It was lucky I hung up those tongues," said Old Man, "or I should + not have had anything to eat." But when he took down the tongues + they were all hollow. The mice had eaten out the meat, leaving only + the skins. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0023"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE ROLLING ROCK +</h3> +<p> + Once when Old Man was travelling about and felt tired, he sat down + on a rock to rest. After he was rested he started on his way, and + because the sun was hot he threw his robe over the rock and said to + it, "Here, I give you my robe because you are poor and have let me + rest on you. Keep it always." +</p> +<p> + He had not gone far when it began to rain, and meeting a coyote, he + said to him, "Little brother, run back to that rock and ask him to + lend me his robe. We will cover ourselves with it and keep dry." +</p> +<p> + The coyote ran back to the rock, but presently returned without the + robe. +</p> +<p> + "Where is the robe?" asked Old Man. +</p> +<p> + "Why," said the coyote, "the rock said that you had given him the + robe and he was going to keep it." +</p> +<p> + This made Old Man angry, and he went back to the rock and snatched + the robe off it, saying, "I was only going to borrow this robe until + the rain was over, but now that you have acted so mean about it, I + will keep it. You don't need a robe, anyhow. You have been out in + the rain and snow all your life, and it will not hurt you to live so + always." +</p> +<p> + When he had said this he put the robe about his shoulders, and with + the coyote he went off into a ravine and they sat down there. The + rain was falling and they covered themselves with the robe, and were + warm and dry. +</p> +<p> + Pretty soon they heard a loud, rumbling noise, and Old Man said to + the coyote, "Little brother, go up on the hill and see what that + noise is." +</p> +<p> + The coyote went off, but presently he came back, running as hard as + he could, saying, "Run, run, the big rock is coming." They both + started, and ran away as fast as they could. The coyote tried to + creep into a badger-hole, but it was too small for him and he stuck + fast, and before he could get out the rock rolled over him and + crushed his hips. Old Man was frightened, and as he ran he threw + away his robe and everything that he had on, so that he might run + faster. The rock was gaining on him all the time. +</p> +<p> + Not far away on the prairie a band of buffalo bulls were feeding, + and Old Man cried out to them, saying, "Oh, my brothers, help me, + help me; stop that rock." The bulls ran and tried to stop it, + butting against it, but it crushed their heads. Some deer and + antelope tried to help Old Man, but they too were killed. Other + animals came to help him, but could not stop the rock; it was now + close to Old Man, so close that it began to hit his heels. He was + just going to give up when he saw circling over his head a flock of + night-hawks. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, my little brothers," he cried, "help me; I am almost dead." The + bull bats flew down one after another against the rock, and every + time one of them hit it he chipped off a piece, and at last one hit + it fair in the middle and broke it into two pieces. +</p> +<p> + Then Old Man was glad. He went to where there was a nest of + night-hawks and pulled their mouths out wide and pinched off their + bills, to make them pretty and queer looking. That is the reason + they look so to-day. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0024"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + BEAR AND BULLBERRIES +</h3> +<p> + Scattered over the prairie in northern Montana, close to the + mountains, are many great rocks—boulders which thousands of years + ago, when the great ice-sheet covered northern North America, were + carried from the mountains out over the prairie by the ice and left + there when it melted. +</p> +<p> + Around most of these great boulders the buffalo used to walk from + time to time, rubbing against the rough surface of the rock to + scratch themselves, as a cow rubs itself against a post or as a + horse rolls on the ground—for the pleasant feeling that the rubbing + of the skin gives it. +</p> +<p> + As the buffalo walked around these boulders their hoofs loosened the + soil, and this loosened soil—the dust—was blown away by the + constant winds of summer. So, around most of these boulders, much of + the soil is gone, leaving a deep trench, at the bottom of which are + stones and gravel, too large to be moved by the wind. +</p> +<p> + This story explains how these rocks came to be like that: +</p> +<p> + Once Old Man was crossing a river and the stream was deep, so that + he was carried away by the current, and lost his bow and arrows and + other weapons. When he got to the shore he began to look about for + something to use in making a bow and arrows, for he was hungry and + wanted to kill some food. +</p> +<p> + He took the first wood he could find and made a bow and arrows and a + handle for his knife. When he had finished these things he started + on his way. +</p> +<p> + Presently, as he looked over a hill he saw down below him a bear + digging roots. Old Man thought he would have some fun with the bear, + and he called out aloud, "He has no tail." Then he dodged back out + of sight. The bear looked all about, but saw no one, and again began + to dig roots. Then Old Man again peeped over the hill and saw the + bear at work, and again called out, "He has no tail." This time the + bear looked up more quickly, but Old Man dodged down, and the bear + did not see him, and pretty soon went on with his digging. +</p> +<p> + Four times Old Man did this, calling the bear names, but the fourth + time the bear was on the watch and saw Old Man, and started after + him. +</p> +<p> + Old Man ran away as hard as he could, but the bear followed fast. + Presently, Old Man tried to shoot the bear with his arrows, but they + were made of bad wood and would not fly well, and if they hit the + bear, they just broke off. All his weapons failed him, and now the + bear was close to him. Just in front was a great rock, and when Old + Man came to that, he dodged behind it and ran around to the other + side, and the bear followed him. They kept running around the rock + for a long time and wore a deep trail about it, and because Old Man + could turn more quickly, he kept just ahead of the bear. Old Man + kept calling to the animals to help him, but no one came. +</p> +<p> + He was almost out of breath, and the bear was close to him, when Old + Man saw lying on the ground a bull's horn. He picked it up and held + it on his head and turned around and bellowed loudly, and the bear + was frightened and turned around and ran away as hard as he could. + Then Old Man leaned up against the rock, and breathed hard for a + long time, but at last he got his wind back. He said to the rock, + "This is the way you rocks shall always be after this, with a big + hole all around you." +</p> +<p> + By this time he was pretty tired and thirsty, and he thought he + would go down to the river and drink. When he got to the edge of the + water he got down on his knees to drink, and there before him in the + water he saw bullberries, great bunches of them. He said to himself, + "I will dive in and get those bull-berries"; and he took off his + moccasins and clothing and dived in, but he could not find the + bullberries, and presently he came up. He looked into the water + again, and again saw the bullberries. He said to himself, "Those + bullberries must be very deep down." +</p> +<p> + He went along the shore looking for a heavy stone that would take + him down into the deep water where the bullberries were, and when he + found one he tied the stone to his neck and again dived in. This + time he sank to the bottom, for the stone carried him down. He felt + about with his hands trying to reach the bullberries, but could feel + nothing and began to drown. He tried to get free from the stone, but + that was hard to do; yet at last he broke the string and came to the + top of the water. He was almost dead, and it took him a long time to + get to the shore, and when he got there he crawled up on to the bank + and lay down to rest and get his breath. As he lay there on his + back, he saw above him the thick growing bullberries whose + reflections he had seen in the water. He said to himself, "And I was + almost drowned for these." Then he took a stick and with it began to + beat the bullberry bushes. He said to the bushes, "After this, the + people shall beat you in this way when they want to gather berries." +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet women, when gathering bullberries, spread robes under + the bushes and beat the branches with sticks, knocking off the + berries, which fall on the robes. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0025"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE THEFT FROM THE SUN +</h3> +<p> + One time when Old Man was on a journey, he came to the Sun's lodge, + and went in and sat down, and the Sun asked him to stay with him for + a time. Old Man was glad to do so. One day the meat was all gone, + and the Sun said, "Well, Old Man, what do you say if we go out and + kill some deer?" +</p> +<p> + "I like what you say," said Old Man. "Deer meat is good." +</p> +<p> + The Sun took down a bag, that was hanging from a lodge pole and took + from it a handsome pair of leggings, embroidered with porcupine + quills and pretty feathers. +</p> +<p> + "These are my hunting leggings," said the Sun; "they have great + power. When I want to kill deer, all I have to do is to put them on + and walk around a patch of brush, and the leggings set it on fire + and drive out the deer, so that I can shoot them." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well," exclaimed Old Man, "how wonderful that is!" He began + to think, "I wish I had such a pair of leggings as that"; and after + he had thought about it some more, he made up his mind that he + would have those leggings, if he had to steal them. +</p> +<p> + They went out to hunt, and when they came to a patch of brush, the + Sun set it on fire with his hunting leggings. A number of deer ran + out, and each shot one. +</p> +<p> + That night when they were going to bed the Sun pulled off his + leggings, and laid them aside. Old Man saw where he had put them, + and in the middle of the night, after every one was asleep, he took + the leggings and went away. He travelled a long time, until he had + gone far and was tired; then making a pillow of the leggings he lay + down and slept. After a while he heard some one speaking and woke up + and saw that it was day. Some one was talking to him. The Sun was + saying, "Old Man, why are my leggings under your head?" +</p> +<p> + Old Man looked about him and saw that he was in the Sun's lodge. He + thought he must have wandered around and got lost and returned + there. Again the Sun spoke, and asked, "What are you doing with my + leggings?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh," replied Old Man, "I could not find anything for a pillow, so + I put these leggings under my head." +</p> +<p> + When night came and all had gone to bed, again Old Man stole the + leggings and ran off. This time he did not walk at all. He kept + running until it was almost morning, and then lay down and slept. + When morning came he found himself still in the Sun's lodge. +</p> +<p> + You see what a fool he was; he did not know that the whole world is + the Sun's lodge. He did not know that, no matter how far he ran, he + could not get out of the Sun's sight. +</p> +<p> + This time the Sun said, "Old Man, since you like my leggings so + much, I give them to you. Keep them." Then Old Man was glad and he + went away. +</p> +<p> + One day his food was all gone, and he put on the hunting leggings + and went out and set fire to a piece of brush. He was just going to + kill some deer that were running out, when he saw that the fire was + getting close to him. He ran away as fast as he could, but the fire + gained on him and began to burn his legs. His leggings were all on + fire. He came to a river and jumped in and pulled off the leggings + as soon as he could. They were burnt to pieces. +</p> +<p> + Perhaps the Sun did this because Old Man tried to steal his + leggings. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0026"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF +</h3> +<p> + Long ago, they tell me, men and women did not know each other. Women + were put in one place and men in another. They were not together; + they were apart. +</p> +<p> + He who made us made women first. He did not make them very well. + That is why they are not so strong as men. The men he made better; + so that they were strong. +</p> +<p> + The women were the smartest. They knew the most. They were the first + to make piskuns, and to know how to tan hides and to make moccasins. + At that time men wore moccasins made from the shank of the buffalo's + leg, and robes made of wolfskin. This was all their clothing. +</p> +<p> + One day when Old Man was travelling about, he came to a camp of men, + and stayed there with them for a long time. It was after this that + he discovered there were such beings as women. +</p> +<p> + One time, as he was travelling along, he saw two women driving some + buffalo over a cliff. When Old Man got near them, the women were + very much frightened. They did not know what kind of animal it was + that was coming. Too much scared to run away, they lay down to hide. + When Old Man came up to them he thought they were dead, and said, + "Here are two women who are dead. It is not good for them to lie out + here on the prairie. I must take them to a certain place." He looked + them all over to see what had killed them, but could find no wound. + He picked up one of the women and carried her along with him in his + arms. She was wondering how she could get away. She let her arms + swing loose as if she were dead, and at every step Old Man took the + arm swung and hit him in the nose, and pretty soon his nose began to + bleed and to hurt, and at length he put the woman down on the ground + and went back to get the other woman; but while he was gone she had + run away, and when he came back to get the first one she was gone + too; so he lost them both. This made him angry, and he said to + himself, "If these two women will lie there again, I will get both + of them." +</p> +<p> + In this way women found out that there were men. +</p> +<p> + One day Old Man stood on a hill and looked over toward the piskun at + Woman's Falls, where the women had driven a band of buffalo over the + cliff, and afterward were cutting up the meat. The chief of the + women called him down to the camp, and sent word by him to the men, + asking if they wanted to get wives. Old Man brought back word that + they did, and the chief woman sent a message, calling all the men to + a feast in her lodge to be married. The woman asked Old Man, "How + many chiefs are there in that tribe?" He answered, "There are four + chiefs. But the real chief of all that tribe you will know when you + see him by this—he is finely dressed and wears a robe trimmed, and + painted red, and carries a lance with a bone head on each end." Old + Man wanted to marry the chief of the women, and intended to dress + in this way, and that is why he told her that. +</p> +<p> + Old Man had no moccasins; his were all worn out. The women gave him + some for himself, and also some to take back to give to the men, and + he went back to the men's camp. When he reached it, word went out + that he had returned, and all the men said to each other, "He has + got back; Old Man has come again." He gave the men the message that + the woman had sent, and soon the men started for the woman's camp to + get married. When they came near it, they went up on a bluff and + stood there, looking down on the camp. Old Man had dressed himself + finely, and had put on a trimmed robe painted red, and in his hand + held a lance with a bone head on each end. +</p> +<p> + When the women saw that the men had come they got ready to go and + select their husbands. The chief of the women said, "I am the chief. + I will go first and take the man I like. The rest wait here." +</p> +<p> + The woman chief started up the hill to choose the chief of the men + for her husband. She had been making dried meat, and her hands, + arms, and clothing were covered with blood and grease. She was + dirty, and Old Man did not know her. The woman went up to Old Man to + choose him, but he turned his back on her and would not go with her. +</p> +<p> + She went back to her camp and told the women that she had been + refused because her clothes were dirty. She said, "Now, I am going + to put on my nice clothes and choose a man. All of you can go up and + take men, but let no one take that man with the red robe and the + double-headed lance." +</p> +<p> + After she was nicely dressed the chief woman again went up on the + hill. Now, Old Man knew who she was, and he kept getting in front of + her and trying hard to have her take him, but she would not notice + him and took another man, the one standing next to Old Man. Then the + other women began to come, and they kept coming up and choosing men, + but no one took Old Man, and at last all the men were taken and he + was left standing there alone. +</p> +<p> + This made him so angry that he wanted to do something, and he went + down to the woman's piskun and began to break down its walls, so the + chief of the women turned him into a pine-tree. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0027"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE +</h3> +<p> + Once Old Man was travelling over the prairie, when he saw far off a + fire burning, and as he drew near it he saw many prairie-dogs + sitting in a circle around the fire. There were so many of them that + there was no place for any one to sit down. Old Man stood there + behind the circle, and presently he began to cry, and then he said + to the prairie-dogs, "Let me, too, sit by that fire." The + prairie-dogs said, "All right, Old Man, don't cry; come and sit by + the fire." They moved aside so as to make a place for him, and Old + Man sat down and looked on at what they were doing. +</p> +<p> + He saw that they were playing a game, and this was the way they did + it: they put one prairie-dog in the fire and covered him up with hot + ashes, and then, after he had been there a little while, he would + say, "<i>sk, sk</i>," and they pushed the ashes off him and pulled him + out. +</p> +<p> + Old Man said, "Little brothers, teach me how to do that." The + prairie-dogs told him what to do, and put him in the fire and + covered him up with the ashes, and after a little time he said, + "<i>sk, sk</i>," like a prairie-dog, and they pulled him out again. + Then he did it to the prairie-dogs. +</p> +<p> + At first he put them in one at a time, but there were many of them, + and soon he got tired and said, "I will put you all in at once." + They said, "Very well, Old Man," and all got in the ashes, but just + as Old Man was about to cover them up one of them, a female, said, + "Do not cover me up, for I fear the heat will hurt me." Old Man + said, "Very well; if you do not wish to be covered up, you may sit + over by the fire and watch the rest." Then he covered over all the + others. +</p> +<p> + At length the prairie-dogs said, "<i>sk, sk</i>," but Old Man did not + sweep off the ashes and pull them out of the fire. He let them stay + there and die. The she one that was looking on ran to a hole, and as + she went down in it, said, "<i>sk, sk</i>." Old Man chased her, but he + got to the hole too late to catch her. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, well, you can go," he said; "there will be more prairie-dogs + by and by." +</p> +<p> + When the prairie-dogs were roasted, Old Man cut some red willow + twigs to place them on, and then sat down and began to eat. He ate + until he was full, and then felt sleepy. +</p> +<p> + He said to his nose, "I am going to sleep now; watch out, and in + case any bad thing comes about, wake me up." Then Old Man slept. +</p> +<p> + Pretty soon his nose snored, and Old Man woke up and said, "What is + it?" The nose said, "A raven is flying by, over there." Old Man + said, "That is nothing," and went to sleep again. +</p> +<p> + Soon his nose snored again, and Old Man said, "What is it now?" The + nose said, "There is a coyote over there, coming this way." Old Man + said, "A coyote is nothing," and again went to sleep. +</p> +<p> + Presently his nose snored again, but Old Man did not wake up. Again + it snored, and called out, "Wake up, a bobcat is coming." Old Man + paid no attention; he slept on. +</p> +<p> + The bobcat crept up to the fire and ate all the roasted + prairie-dogs, and then went off and lay down on the flat rock and + went to sleep. All this time the nose kept trying to awaken Old Man, + and at last he awoke, and the nose said, "A bobcat is over there on + that flat rock. He has eaten all your food." Then Old Man was so + angry that he called out loud. +</p> +<p> + The tracks of the bobcat were all greasy from the food it had been + eating, and Old Man followed these tracks. He went softly over to + where the bobcat was sleeping, and seized it before it could wake up + to bite or scratch him. The bobcat cried out, "Wait, let me speak a + word or two," but Old Man would not listen. +</p> +<p> + "I will teach you to steal my food," he said. He pulled off the + lynx's tail, pounded his head against the rock so as to make his + face flat, pulled him out long so as to make him small-bellied, and + then threw him into the brush. As he went sneaking away, Old Man + said, "There, that is the way you bobcats shall always be." It is + for this reason that the lynxes to-day look like that. +</p> +<p> + Old Man went to the fire, and looked at the red willow sticks where + the roasted prairie-dogs had been, and when he saw them, and thought + how his food was all gone, it made him angry at his nose. He said, + "You fool, why did you not wake me?" He took the willow sticks and + thrust them in the coals, and when they had caught fire he burnt his + nose. This hurt, and he ran up on a hill and held his nose to the + wind, and called to the wind to blow hard and cool him. A hard wind + came, so hard that it blew him off the hill and away down to Birch + Creek. As he was flying along he caught at the weeds and brush to + stop himself, but nothing was strong enough to hold him. At last he + grasped a birch tree. He held fast, and it did not give way. + Although the wind whipped him about, this way and that, and tumbled + him up and down, the tree held him. He kept calling to the wind to + blow more softly, and at last it listened to him and went down. +</p> +<p> + Then he said, "This is a beautiful tree. It has saved me from being + blown away and knocked all to pieces. I will make it pretty, and it + shall always be like that." So he gashed the bark across with his + stone knife, as you see the marks to-day. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0028"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 2em;"><br><br></div> + +<h3> + THE RED-EYED DUCK +</h3> +<p> + Once, long ago, Old Man was travelling north along a river. He + carried a great pack on his back. After a time he came to a place + where the river spread out and the water was quiet, and here many + ducks were swimming about. Old Man did not look at the ducks, and + kept travelling along; but presently some of the ducks saw him and + looked at him and said to each other, "Who is that going along there + with a pack on his back?" One duck said to the others, "That must be + Old Man." +</p> +<p> + The duck that knew him called out, saying, "Hi, Old Man, where are + you going?" +</p> +<p> + "I am going on farther," replied Old Man, "I have been sent for." +</p> +<p> + "What have you got in your pack?" said the duck. +</p> +<p> + "Those are my songs," answered Old Man. "Some people have asked me + to come and sing for them." +</p> +<p> + "Stop for a while and sing for us," said the duck, "and we can have + a dance." +</p> +<p> + "No," said Old Man, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop now." +</p> +<p> + The duck kept persuading him to stop, and when it had asked him the + fourth time, Old Man stopped and said to the ducks, "Well, I will + stop for a little while and sing for you, and you can dance." +</p> +<p> + So the ducks all came out on the bank and stood in a circle, and Old + Man began to sing. He sang one song, and then said, "Now, this next + song is a medicine song, and while you dance you must keep your eyes + shut. No one must look. If any one opens his eyes and looks, his + eyes will turn red." +</p> +<p> + The ducks closed their eyes and Old Man began to sing, and they + danced around; but Old Man took a stick, and every time one of them + passed him, he knocked it on the head and threw it into the circle. +</p> +<p> + Presently one of the littlest ducks while dancing could not feel any + one on either side of him, and he opened his eyes and looked, and + saw what Old Man was doing. He cried out to the rest, "Run, run, + Old Man is killing us"; and all the other ducks flew away, but ever + since that time that little duck's eyes have been red. It is the + horned grebe. +</p> +<p> + Old Man took the ducks and went off a little way and built a fire + and hung some of the ducks up in front of it to roast, and after the + fire was burning well, he swept away the ashes and buried some of + the ducks in the ground and again swept back the fire over them. + Then he lay down to wait for the birds to cook, and while they were + cooking he fell asleep. +</p> +<p> + While he slept a coyote came sneaking along and saw Old Man sleeping + there, and the ducks roasting by the fire. Very quietly he crept up + to the fire and took the ducks one by one and ate them. Not one was + left. Pretty soon he found those that were roasting under the fire, + and dug them out, and opening them, ate the meat from the inside of + the skin and filled each one with ashes and buried them all again. + Then he went away. +</p> +<p> + Pretty soon Old Man woke up and saw that his ducks were gone, and + when he saw the tracks about the fire, he knew that the coyote had + taken them. +</p> +<p> + "It was lucky," said Old Man, "that I put some of those to roast + under the fire." He dug them up from under the ashes, but when he + took a big bite from one, his mouth and face were full of ashes. +</p> +<hr> +<a name="2H_4_0029"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET +</h2> +<br> +<p> + Long, long ago, before our fathers or grandfathers were born, before + the white people knew anything about the western half of North + America, the Indians who told these stories lived on the Western + plains. To the west of their home rose high mountains, black with + pine-trees on their lower slopes and capped with snow, but their + tents were pitched on the rolling prairie. For a little while in + spring this prairie was green and dotted with flowers, but for most + of the year it stretched away brown and bare, north, east, and + south, farther than one could see. +</p> +<p> + On these plains were many kinds of wild animals. Sometimes the + prairie was crowded with herds of black buffalo running in fear; or, + again, the herds, unfrightened, fed scattered out; so that the hills + far and near were dotted with their dark forms. Among the buffalo + were yellow and white antelope—many of them—graceful and swift of + foot. Feeding on the high prairie or going down into the wooded + river valleys to drink were herds of elk, while the willow thickets, + the brushy ravines, and the lower timbered foot-hills sheltered + deer. The naked Bad Lands, the rocky slopes of the mountains, and + the tall buttes that often rise above the level prairie were the + refuge of the mountain sheep, which in those days, like all the + other grass eaters of the region, grazed on the prairie and sought + the more broken, higher country only when alarmed or when they + wished to rest. +</p> +<p> + These were the animals which the Blackfeet killed for food before + the white men came, and of these the buffalo was the chief. Buffalo, + more than any other animals, could be captured in numbers, and the + Blackfeet, like the other Indians of the plains, had devised a + method for taking them, so that when the buffalo were near the + Blackfeet never suffered from hunger. Yet sometimes it happened that + the buffalo went away, and that the lonely far travelling scouts + sent out by the tribe could not find them. Then the people had to + turn to the smaller animals—the elk, deer, antelope, and wild + sheep. +</p> +<p> + In those old days, before they had horses, they did not make long + marches when they moved. Their only domestic animal was the dog, + which was used chiefly as a beast of burden, either carrying loads + on its back or hauling a travois, formed by two long sticks crossing + above the shoulders and dragging on the ground behind. Behind the + dog these two sticks were united by a little platform, on which was + lashed some small burden—sometimes a little baby. +</p> +<p> + In those days, when the people moved from one place to another, all + who were large enough to walk and strong enough to carry a burden on + the shoulders, were laden. Usually men, women, and children alike + bore loads suited to their strength. Yet sometimes the men carried + no loads at all, for if journeying through a country where they + feared that some enemy might attack them, the men must be ready to + fight and to defend their wives and children. A man cannot fight + well if he is carrying a burden; he cannot use his arms readily, nor + run about lightly—forward to attack, backward in retreat. If he is + not free to fight well, his family will be in danger. White men who + have seen Indians journeying in this way, and who have not + understood why some women carried heavy loads and the men carried + nothing, have said that Indian men were idle and lazy, and forced + their women to do all the work. Those who wrote those things were + mistaken in what they said. They did not understand what they saw. + The truth is that these men were prepared for danger of attacks by + enemies, and were ready to do their best to save their families from + harm. +</p> +<p> + Carrying on their backs all their property, except the little which + the dogs might pack, it is evident that the Indians in those days + could not make long journeys. +</p> +<p> + In those days they had no buckets of wood or tin in which to carry + water. Instead, they used a vessel like a bag or sack, made from the + soft membrane of one of the stomachs of the buffalo. This, after it + had been cleansed and all the openings from it save one had been + tied up, the women filled at the stream with a spoon made of + buffalo horn or with a larger ladle of the horn of the wild sheep. + Because this water-skin was soft and flexible, it could not stand on + the ground, and they hung it up, sometimes on the limb of a tree, + more often on one of the poles of the lodge, or sometimes on a + tripod—three sticks coming together at the top and standing spread + out at the ground. +</p> +<p> + Most of the meat cooked for the family was roasted, yet much of it + was boiled, sometimes in a bowl of stone, sometimes in a kettle made + of a fresh hide or of the paunch of the buffalo. Sometimes these + skin or paunch kettles were supported at the sides by stakes stuck + in the ground, and sometimes a hole dug in the ground was lined with + the hide, which was so arranged as to be water-tight. They were not, + as may be imagined, put over a fire, but when filled with cold water + this water was heated in quite another way. Near by a fire was + built, in which were thrown large stones, and on top of the stones + more wood was piled; so that after a time, when the wood had burnt + down, the stones were very hot—sometimes red hot. With two rather + short-handled forked sticks, the women took from the fire one of the + hot stones, and put it in the water in the hide kettle, and as it + cooled, took it out and put in another hot stone. Thus the water was + soon heated, and boiled and cooked whatever was in the kettle. To be + sure, there were some ashes and a little dirt in the soup, but that + was not regarded as important. +</p> +<p> + This was long before the Indians knew of matches, or even of flint + and steel. In those days to make a fire was not easy and it took a + long time. By his knees or feet a man held in position on the ground + a piece of soft, dry wood in which two or three little hollows had + been dug out, and taking another slender stick of hard wood, and + pressing the point in one of the little hollows in the stick of soft + wood, he twirled the stick rapidly between the palms of his hands, + so fast and so long that presently the dust ground from the softer + stick, falling to one side in a little pile, began to smoke, and at + last a faint spark was seen at the top of the pile, which began to + glow, and, spreading, became constantly larger. He, or his + companion, for often two men twirled the stick, one relieving the + other, caught this spark in a bit of tinder—perhaps some dry punk + or a little fine grass—and by blowing coaxed it into flame, and + there was the fire. +</p> +<p> + This fire making was hard work, and the people tried to escape this + work by keeping a spark of fire always alive. To do this, men + sometimes carried, by a thong slung over the shoulder, the hollow + tip of a buffalo horn, the opening of which was closed by a wooden + plug. When going on a journey, the man lighted a piece of punk, and, + placing it in this horn, plugged up the open end, so that no air + could get into the horn. There the punk smouldered for a long time, + and neither went out nor was wholly consumed. Once in a while during + the day the man looked at this punk, and, if he saw that it was + almost consumed, he lighted another piece and put it in the horn and + replaced the plug. So at night when he reached camp the fire was + still in his horn, and he could readily kindle a blaze, and from + this blaze other fires were kindled. Often, if the camp was large, + the first young men who reached it gathered wood and perhaps kindled + four fires, and after the women had reached the camp, unpacked their + dogs, and put up their lodges, each woman would go to one of these + fires to get a brand or some coals with which to start her own lodge + fire. +</p> +<p> + In warm weather men and boys wore little clothing. They went almost + naked; yet in cold weather each man or woman was most of the time + wrapped in a warm robe of tanned buffalo skin. Even the little + children wore robes, the smallest ones those taken from the little + buffalo calves. All their clothing, like their beds and their homes, + was made of the skins of animals. Shirts, women's dresses, leggings, + and moccasins were made from the tanned skins of buffalo, deer, + antelope, and mountain sheep. Often the moccasins were made from the + smoked skin cut from the top of an old lodge, for this skin had been + smoked so much that it never dried hard and stiff, after it had been + wet. The moccasins had a stiff sole of buffalo rawhide; and in the + bottom of this sole were cut one or two holes, in order that the + water might run out if a man had to wade through a stream. +</p> +<p> + The homes of these Indians were lodges—tents made of tanned buffalo + skin supported on a cone of long, straight, slender poles. At the + top where the poles crossed was an opening for the smoke from the + fire built in the centre of the circular lodge floor, while about + the fire, and close under the lodge covering, were the beds where + the people slept or ate during the day. +</p> +<p> + These homes were warm and comfortable. The border of the lodge + covering did not come down quite to the ground, but inside the lodge + poles, and tied to them, was a long wide strip of tanned buffalo + skin four or five feet high, and long enough to reach around the + inside of the lodge, almost from one side of the door to the other. + This strip of tanned skin—made up of several pieces—was so wide + that one edge rested on the floor, and reached inward under the beds + and seats. Through the open space between the lodge covering and the + lodge lining, fresh air kept passing into the lodge close to the + ground and up over the lining and down toward the centre of the + lodge, and so furnished draught for the fire. The lodge lining kept + this cold air from blowing directly on the occupants of the lodge + who sat around the fire. Often the lodge lining was finely painted + with pictures of animals, people, and figures of mysterious beings + of which one might not speak. +</p> +<p> + The seats and beds in this home were covered with soft tanned + buffalo robes, and at the head and foot of each bed was an inclined + back-rest of straight willow twigs, strung together on long lines of + sinew and supported in an inclined position by a tripod. Buffalo + robes often hung over these back-rests. In the spaces between the + back-rests, which though they came together at the top were + separated at the ground, were kept many of the possessions of the + family; the pipe, sacks of tobacco, of paint, "possible + sacks"—parfleches for clothing or food, and many smaller articles. +</p> +<p> + The outside of the lodge was often painted with mysterious figures + which the lodge owner believed to have power to bring good luck to + him and to his family. Sometimes these figures represented + animals—buffalo, deer, and elk—or rocks, mountains, trees, or the + puff-balls that grow on the prairie. Sometimes a procession of + ravens, marching one after the other, was painted around the + circumference of the lodge. The painting might show the tracks of + animals, or a number of water animals, apparently chasing each other + around the lodge. On either side of the smoke hole at the top were + two flaps, or wings, each one supported by a single pole. These were + to regulate the draught of the fire in case of a change of wind, and + the poles were moved from side to side, changing as the direction of + the wind changed. On such wings were often painted groups of white + disks which represented some group of stars. At the back of the + lodge, high up, just below the place where the lodge poles cross, + was often a large round disk representing the sun, and above that a + cross, which was the sign of the butterfly, the power that they + believe brings sleep. From the ends of the wings, or tied to the + tips of the poles which supported them, hung buffalo tails, and + sometimes running down from one of these poles to the ground near + the door was a string of the sheaths of buffalo hooflets, which + rattled as it swung to and fro in the breeze. +</p> +<p> + Their arms were the bow and arrow, a short spear or lance, with a + head of sharpened stone or bone, stone hammers with wooden handles, + and knives made of bone or stone, and if of stone, lashed by rawhide + or sinew to a split wooden handle. +</p> +<p> + The hammers were of two sorts: one quite heavy, almost like a + sledge-hammer or maul, and with a short handle; the other much + lighter, and with a longer, more limber handle. This last was used + by men in war as a mace or war club, while the heavier hammer was + used by women as an axe to break up fallen trees for firewood; as a + hammer to drive tent-pins into the ground, to kill disabled animals, + or to break up heavy bones for the marrow they contained. These + mauls and hammers were usually made by choosing an oval stone and + pecking a groove about its shortest diameter. The handles were made + by green sticks fitted as closely as possible into the groove, + brought together and lashed in position by sinew, the whole being + then covered with wet rawhide tightly fitted and sewed. As the + rawhide dried, it shrunk and strongly bound together the parts of + the weapon. +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet bow was about four feet long. Its string was of + twisted sinew and it was backed with sinew. This gave the bow great + power, so that the arrow went with much force. The arrows were + straight shoots of the service berry or cherry, and the manufacture + of arrows was the chief employment of many of the men of middle + life. Each arrow by the same maker was precisely like every other + arrow he made. Each arrowmaker tried hard to make good arrows. It + was a fine thing to be known as a maker of good arrows. +</p> +<p> + The shoots for the arrow shafts were brought into the lodge, peeled, + smoothed roughly, tied up in bundles, and hung up to dry. After they + were dried, the bundles were taken down and each shaft was smoothed + and reduced to a proper thickness by the use of a grooved piece of + sand-stone, which acted on the arrow like sandpaper. After they were + of the right thickness, they were straightened by bending with the + hands, and sometimes with the teeth, and were then passed through a + circular hole drilled in a rib, or in a mountain sheep's horn, which + acted in part as a gauge of the size and also as a smoother, for if + in passing through the hole the arrow fitted tightly, the shaft + received a good polish. The three grooves which always were found in + the Blackfeet arrows were made by pushing the shaft through a round + hole drilled in a rib, which, however, had one or more projections + left on the inside. These projections pressed into the soft wood and + made the grooves, which were in every arrow. The feathers were three + in number. They were put on with a glue, made by boiling scraps of + dried rawhide, and were held in place by wrappings of sinew. The + heads of the arrows were made of stone or bone or horn. The flint + points were often highly worked and very beautiful, being broken + from larger flints by sharp blows of a stone hammer, and after they + had been shaped the edges were worked sharp by flaking with an + implement of bone or horn. The points made of horn or bone were + ground sharp by rubbing on a stone. A notch was cut in the end of + the arrow shaft and the shank of the arrow point set in that. The + arrow heads were firmly fixed to the shaft by glue and by sinew + wrapping. +</p> +<p> + Although the Blackfeet lived almost altogether on the flesh of birds + or animals, yet they had some vegetable food. This was chiefly + berries—of which in summer the women collected great quantities and + dried them for winter use—and roots, the gathering of which at the + proper season of the year occupied much of the time of women and + young girls. These roots were unearthed by a long, sharp-pointed + stick, called a root digger. Some of the roots were eaten as soon as + collected, while others were dried and stored for use in winter. +</p> +<p> + After they reached the plains, the main food of the Blackfeet was + the buffalo, which they killed in large numbers when everything went + right. Many of the streams in the Blackfeet country run through + wide, deep valleys bordered on either side by cliffs, or broken + precipices, falling sharply from the high prairie above. Long ago + the Blackfeet must have learned that it was possible to make the + buffalo jump over these cliffs, and that in the fall on the rocks + below numbers would be killed or crippled. No doubt after this had + been practised for a time, there came to some one the idea of + building at the foot of such a cliff where the buffalo were run + over, a fence which would form a corral or pound, and which would + hold all the buffalo that were jumped over the cliff. This corral + they called piskun. +</p> +<p> + It is often said that the buffalo were driven over these precipices, + but this is true only in part. Like most wild animals, buffalo are + inquisitive. It was not difficult to excite their curiosity, and + when they saw something they did not recognize, they were anxious to + find out what it was. +</p> +<p> + When run into the piskun, the buffalo were really drawn by curiosity + almost to the jumping point, and between two long diverging lines of + people, who kept hidden until after the buffalo had passed them, and + then rose and showed themselves and tried to frighten the animals. + Now, to be sure, for the short distance that remained between the + place where they were alarmed and the place where they jumped, the + buffalo were driven. Any attempt on the open prairie to drive + buffalo in one direction or another would be certain to fail. The + animals would go where they wished to. They would not be driven, + though often they might be led. +</p> +<p> + To the people the capture of food was the most important thing in + life, and they put forth every effort to accomplish it. For this + reason it came about that the effort to capture buffalo was preceded + usually by religious ceremonies, in which many prayers were offered + to the powers of the earth, the sky, and the waters, many sacrifices + made, and sacred objects, like the buffalo stone, were displayed. +</p> +<p> + When the day for the hunt came, the man who was to bring the buffalo + left the camp early in the morning, climbed the rocky bluffs to the + high prairie, and journeyed toward some near-by herd of buffalo, + that had been located the day before by himself or by other young + men. He approached the buffalo as nearly as he could without + frightening them, and then, attracting the attention of some of the + animals by uttering certain calls, tossed into the air his buffalo + robe or some smaller object. As soon as the buffalo began to look at + him, he retreated slowly in the direction of the piskun, but + continued to call and to attract their attention by showing himself + and then disappearing. Soon, some of the buffalo began to walk + toward him, and others began to look and to follow those that had + first started, so that before long the whole herd of fifty or a + hundred animals might be walking or sometimes trotting after him. + The more rapidly the buffalo came on, the faster the man ran—and + sometimes it was a hard matter for him to keep ahead of the + herd—until he had got far within the wings and near to the cliff. + If there seemed danger that he would be overtaken, he watched his + chance and either at some low place quickly dodged out of the line + in which the buffalo were running, or hid behind one of the piles of + stones of which the wings were formed, or, if he had time, slipped + over the rocky wall at the valley's edge, so as to get out of the + way of the approaching herd. +</p> +<p> + As soon as the buffalo had come well within the diverging lines of + people who were hidden behind the piles of stones called wings, + those whom the buffalo passed rose up from their places of + concealment, and by yells and shouts and the waving of their robes + frightened the buffalo, so that they quite forgot their curiosity in + the terror that now replaced it. When the leaders reached the brink + of the cliff, they could not stop. They were pushed over by those + behind, and most of the buffalo jumped over the cliff. Many were + crippled or injured by the fall, and all were kept within the fence + of the piskun below. About this fence the people were collected. The + buffalo raced round and round within the pen, the young and weak + being injured or killed in the crowding, while above the fence men + were shooting them with arrows until presently all in the pen were + dead, or so hurt that the women could go into the pen and kill them. + The people entered and took the flesh and hides. +</p> +<p> + Deer, elk, and antelope were shot with arrows, and antelope were + often captured in pitfalls roofed with slender poles and covered + with grass and earth. Such pitfalls were dug in a region where + antelope were plenty, and a long <b><big>></big></b> shaped pair of wings, made of + poles or bushes or even rock piles, led to the pit. The antelope is + very inquisitive and was easily led within the chute and there + frightened, as were the buffalo, by people who had been concealed + and who rose up and showed themselves after the antelope had passed. + This was done more in order to secure antelope skins for clothing + than their flesh for food. +</p> +<p> + Fish and reptiles were not eaten by the Blackfeet, nor were dogs, + although dogs, wolves, and coyotes are eaten by many tribes of + plains Indians. Most small animals, and practically all birds, were + eaten in case of need. In summer, when the wildfowl which bred + on so many of the lakes in the Blackfeet country lost their + flight-feathers, during the moult, and again in the late summer, + when the young ducks and geese were almost fullgrown but could not + yet fly, the Indians often went in large parties to the shallow + lakes which here and there dotted the prairie, and, driving the + birds to shore, killed them in large numbers. +</p> +<p> + Earlier in the season, when the fowl had begun to lay their eggs, + these were collected in great quantities for food. Sometimes they + were roasted in the hot ashes, but a more common way was to dig a + deep, narrow hole in the ground in which the eggs were to be cooked. + Several little platforms of small sticks or twigs were built in this + hole, one above another, and on these platforms they put the eggs. + Another much smaller hole was dug to one side of the large hole, + slanting down into it. The large hole was partly filled with water, + and was then roofed over by small sticks on which was placed grass + covered with earth. Stones were heated in a fire built near at hand, + and then were rolled down the side hole into the larger hole, + heating the water, which at last boiled and steamed, the steam + cooking the eggs. +</p> +<p> + When the Americans first met them on the prairie, the Blackfeet were + known as great warriors. But up to the time when they got from the + Hudson Bay traders better weapons than they had before known, + whether these were metal knives, steel arrow points, or guns, it is + probable that they did not do much fighting. There seems to have + been no reason why they should have fought, unless they quarrelled + about small matters with other tribes. It became quite different + when the Indians procured better arms and, above all, when they got + horses—a means of swiftly getting about over the country, something + that all people wanted to have and which all were so eager to obtain + that they would go into danger for them. In the old days of stone + arrow heads, when they had to travel on foot and to carry heavy + loads on their backs, the whole thought and effort of the tribe must + have been devoted to the work of procuring a supply of food. +</p> +<p> + The tribal and family life of the people was simple and friendly. + The man and his wives loved each other and loved their children. + Relationship counted for much in an Indian camp, and cousins of + remote degree were called brother and sister. Children were not + punished; they were trained by persuasion and advice. They were + told by older people how they ought to act in order to make their + lives happy and successful and to be well thought of by their + fellows. Young people had much respect for their elders, listened to + what they said, and strove more or less successfully to follow their + teachings. +</p> +<p> + The Blackfeet were very religious. They feared many natural powers + and influences whose workings they did not understand, and they were + constantly praying to the Sun—regarded as the ruler of the + universe—as well as to those other powers which they believe live + in the stars, the earth, the mountains, the animals, and the trees. + The Blackfoot was constantly afraid that some evil thing might + happen to him, and he therefore prayed to all the powers for + help—for good fortune in his undertakings, for health, plenty, and + long life for himself and all his family. +</p> +<p> + Among these tribes there are a number of secret societies known as + the All Comrades or All Friends—groups of men of different ages, + which have been alluded to in the stories. Originally there were + about twelve of these societies, but a number have been abandoned + of recent years. +</p> +<p> + The tribe was divided into a number of clans, all the members of + which were believed to be related, and in old times no member of a + clan was permitted to marry another member of the clan. Relations + might not marry. +</p> +<p> + In olden times, when large numbers of people were together, the + lodges of the camp were pitched in a great circle, the opening + toward the southeast. In this circle each clan camped in its own + particular place with relation to the other clans. Within the circle + was often a smaller circle of lodges, each occupied by one or more + of the societies of the All Comrades. Sometimes it happened that + great numbers of the Blackfeet came together, perhaps even all of + the three tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, and Piegans. When this was the + case, each tribe camped by itself with its own circle, no matter how + near it might be to one or other of the tribal circles. +</p> +<p> + We read of some tribes of Indians which believed that after death + the spirits of the departed went to a happy hunting ground where + game was always plenty and life was full of joy. The Blackfeet + knew no such place as this. When they died their spirits + were believed to go to a barren, sandy region south of the + Saskatchewan, which they called the Sand Hills. Here, as shadows, + the ghosts lived a life much like their existence before death, + but all was unreal—unsubstantial. Riding on shadow horses they + hunted shadow buffalo. They lived in shadow camps and when they + moved shadow dogs hauled their travois. There are stories which + tell that living people have seen these hunters, their houses, and + their implements of the camp, but when the people got close they + found that what they thought they had seen was something + different. It reminds us a little of the old ballad of Alice + Brand, where Urgan tells of the things seen in fairy-land: +</p> +<p class="poem"> + "And gayly shines the Fairy-land— <br> + But all is glistening show, <br> + Like the idle gleam that December's beam<br> + Can dart on ice and snow. <br> +<p> +<p class="poem"> + "And fading, like that varied gleam, <br> + Is our inconstant shape, <br> + Who now like knight and lady seem, <br> + And now like dwarf and ape." +</p> +<p> + Books have been written about the Blackfeet Indians which tell much + more about how they lived than can be given here. +</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="pg" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 13833-h.txt or 13833-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/8/3/13833</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +<a href="https://gutenberg.org/license">https://gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: +https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">https://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/13833-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/13833-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..14dfdf9 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/old/13833-h/images/dots.gif b/old/13833-h/images/dots.gif Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf93b27 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833-h/images/dots.gif diff --git a/old/13833-h/images/front.jpg b/old/13833-h/images/front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1df33a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833-h/images/front.jpg diff --git a/old/13833.txt b/old/13833.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e43287 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4720 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Blackfeet Indian Stories, by George Bird +Grinnell + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Blackfeet Indian Stories + +Author: George Bird Grinnell + +Release Date: October 22, 2004 [eBook #13833] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES*** + + +E-text prepared by Janet Kegg and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which + includes the original frontispiece and cover illustrations. + See 13833-h.htm or 13833-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833/13833-h/13833-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833/13833-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's Note: + + Many Blackfeet names and words in the printed book from which + this e-text is taken had vowels with breves or macrons over them, + diacritical marks that cannot be reproduced in this e-text. The + first time such a word appears within a story the marks are + represented using [=x] for a vowel with a macron and [)x] for + a vowel with a breve (example: M[=a]-m[)i]n'). Subsequent + appearances of the word do not have the vowels so marked. + + + + + +BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES + +by + +GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL + +Author of _Blackfeet Lodge Tales_, _Trails Of The Pathfinders_, etc. + +1915 + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cold Maker] + + + +TO THE READER + +Those who wish to know something about how the people lived who told +these stories will find their ways of life described in the last +chapter of this book. + +The Blackfeet were hunters, travelling from place to place on foot. +They used implements of stone, wood, or bone, wore clothing made of +skins, and lived in tents covered by hides. Dogs, their only tame +animals, were used as beasts of burden to carry small packs and drag +light loads. + +The stories here told come down to us from very ancient times. +Grandfathers have told them to their grandchildren, and these again +to their grandchildren, and so from mouth to mouth, through many +generations, they have reached our time. + + + + + +CONTENTS + + TWO FAST RUNNERS + THE WOLF MAN + KUT-O-YIS', THE BLOOD BOY + THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER + THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS + THE BUFFALO STONE + HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME + COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE + THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES + THE BULLS SOCIETY + THE OTHER SOCIETIES + THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE + THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES + MIKA'PI--RED OLD MAN + RED ROBE'S DREAM + THE BLACKFEET CREATION + OLD MAN STORIES + THE WONDERFUL BIRD + THE RABBITS' MEDICINE + THE LOST ELK MEAT + THE ROLLING ROCK + BEAR AND BULLBERRIES + THE THEFT FROM THE SUN + THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF + BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE + THE RED-EYED DUCK + THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET + + + + + +TWO FAST RUNNERS + + +Once, a long time ago, the antelope and the deer happened to meet on +the prairie. They spoke together, giving each other the news, each +telling what he had seen and done. After they had talked for a time +the antelope told the deer how fast he could run, and the deer said +that he could run fast too, and before long each began to say that +he could run faster than the other. So they agreed that they would +have a race to decide which could run the faster, and on this race +they bet their galls. When they started, the antelope ran ahead of +the deer from the very start and won the race and so took the deer's +gall. + +But the deer began to grumble and said, "Well, it is true that out +here on the prairie you have beaten me, but this is not where I +live. I only come out here once in a while to feed or to cross the +prairie when I am going somewhere. It would be fairer if we had a +race in the timber. That is my home, and there I can run faster than +you. I am sure of it." + +The antelope felt so glad and proud that he had beaten the deer in +the race that he was sure that wherever they might run he could beat +him, so he said, "All right, I will run you a race in the timber. I +have beaten you out here on the flat and I can beat you there." On +this race they bet their dew-claws. + +They started and ran this race through the thick timber, among the +bushes, and over fallen logs, and this time the antelope ran slowly, +for he was afraid of hitting himself against the trees or of falling +over the logs. You see, he was not used to this kind of travelling. +So the deer easily beat him and took his dew-claws. + +Since that time the deer has had no gall and the antelope no +dew-claws. + + + + +THE WOLF MAN + + +A long time ago there was a man who had two wives. They were not +good women; they did not look after their home nor try to keep +things comfortable there. If the man brought in plenty of buffalo +cow skins they did not tan them well, and often when he came home at +night, hungry and tired after his hunting, he had no food, for these +women would be away from the lodge, visiting their relations and +having a good time. + +The man thought that if he moved away from the big camp and lived +alone where there were no other people perhaps he might teach these +women to become good; so he moved his lodge far off on the prairie +and camped at the foot of a high butte. + +Every evening about sundown the man used to climb up to the top of +this butte and sit there and look all over the country to see where +the buffalo were feeding and whether any enemies were moving about. +On top of the hill there was a buffalo skull, on which he used to +sit. + +One day one of the women said to the other, "It is very lonely here; +we have no one to talk with or to visit." + +"Let us kill our husband," said the other: "then we can go back to +our relations and have a good time." + +Early next morning the man set out to hunt, and as soon as he was +out of sight his wives went up on top of the butte where he used to +sit. There they dug a deep hole and covered it over with light +sticks and grass and earth, so that it looked like the other soil +near by, and placed the buffalo skull on the sticks which covered +the hole. + +In the afternoon, as they watched for their returning husband, they +saw him come over the hill loaded down with meat that he had killed. +When he threw down his load outside the lodge, they hurried to cook +something for him. After he had eaten he went up on the butte and +sat down on the skull. The slender sticks broke and he fell into the +hole. His wives were watching him, and when they saw him disappear, +they took down the lodge and packed their dogs and set out to go to +the main camp. As they drew near it, so that people could hear them, +they began to cry and mourn. + +Soon some people came to meet them and said, "What is this? Why are +you mourning? Where is your husband?" + +"Ah," they replied, "he is dead. Five days ago he went out to hunt +and he did not come back. What shall we do? We have lost him who +cared for us"; and they cried and mourned again. + +Now, when the man fell into the pit he was hurt, for the hole was +deep. After a time he tried to climb out, but he was so badly +bruised that he could not do so. He sat there and waited, thinking +that here he must surely die of hunger. + +But travelling over the prairie was a wolf that climbed up on the +butte and came to the hole and, looking in, saw the man and pitied +him. + +"Ah-h-w-o-o-o! Ah-h-w-o-o-o-o!" he howled, and when the other wolves +heard him they all came running to see what was the matter. +Following the big wolves came also many coyotes, badgers, and +kit-foxes. They did not know what had happened, but they thought +perhaps there was food here. + +To the others the wolf said, "Here in this hole is what I have +found. Here is a man who has fallen in. Let us dig him out and we +will have him for our brother." + +All the wolves thought that this talk was good, and they began to +dig, and before very long they had dug a hole down almost to the +bottom of the pit. + +Then the wolf who had found the man said, "Hold on; wait a little; I +want to say a few words." All the animals stopped digging and began +to listen, and the wolf said, "We will all have this man for our +brother; but I found him, and so I think he ought to live with us +big wolves." All the others thought that this was good, and the +wolf that had found the man went into the hole that had been dug, +and tearing down the rest of the earth, dragged out the poor man, +who was now almost dead, for he had neither eaten nor drunk anything +since he fell in the hole. They gave the man a kidney to eat, and +when he was able to walk the big wolves took him to their home. Here +there was a very old blind wolf who had great power and could do +wonderful things. He cured the man and made his head and his hands +look like those of a wolf. The rest of his body was not changed. + +In those days the people used to make holes in the walls of the +fence about the enclosure into which they led the buffalo. They set +snares over these holes, and when wolves and other animals crept +through them so as to get into the pen and feed on the meat they +were caught by the neck and killed, and the people used their skins +for clothing. + +One night all the wolves went down to the pen to get meat, and when +they had come close to it, the man-wolf said to his brothers, "Stop +here for a little while and I will go down and fix the places so +that you will not be caught." He went down to the pen and sprung all +the snares, and then went back and called the wolves and the +others--the coyotes, badgers, and kit-foxes--and they all went into +the pen and feasted and took meat to carry home to their families. +In the morning the people found the meat gone and all their snares +sprung, and they were surprised and wondered how this could have +happened. For many nights the nooses were pulled tight and the meat +taken; but once when the wolves went there to eat they found only +the meat of a lean and sickly bull. Then the man-wolf was angry, +and he cried out like a wolf, "Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o! +Bad-food-you-give-us-o-o-o-o!" + +When the people heard this they said to one another, "Ah, it is a +man-wolf who has done all this. We must catch him." So they took +down to the piskun[1] pemmican and nice back fat and placed it +there, and many of them hid close by. After dark the wolves came, +as was their custom, and when the man-wolf saw the good food, he ran +to it and began to eat. Then the people rushed upon him from every +side and caught him with ropes, and tied him and took him to a +lodge, and when they had brought him inside to the light of the +fire, at once they knew who it was. They said, "Why, this is the man +who was lost." + + [Footnote 1: A pen or enclosure, usually--among the + Blackfeet--at the foot of a cliff, over which the buffalo + were induced to jump. Pronounced p[)i]'sk[)u]n.] + +"No," said the man, "I was not lost. My wives tried to kill me. They +dug a deep hole and I fell into it, and I was hurt so badly I could +not get out; but the wolves took pity on me and helped me or I would +have died there." + +When the people heard this they were angry, and they told the man to +do something to punish these women. + +"You say well," he replied; "I give those women to the punishing +society. They know what to do." + +After that night the two women were never seen again. + + + + +KUT-O-YIS', THE BLOOD BOY + + +As the children whose ancestors came from Europe have stories about +the heroes who killed wicked and cruel monsters--like Jack the Giant +Killer, for example--so the Indian children hear stories about +persons who had magic power and who went about the world destroying +those who treated cruelly or killed the Indians of the camps. Such a +hero was K[)u]t-o-y[)i]s', and this is how he came to be alive and +to travel about from place to place, helping the people and +destroying their enemies. + +It was long, long ago, down where Two Medicine and Badger Rivers +come together, that an old man lived with his wife and three +daughters. One day there came to his camp a young man, good-looking, +a good hunter, and brave. He stayed in the camp for some time, and +whenever he went hunting he killed game and brought in great loads +of meat. + +All this time the old man was watching him, for he said in his +heart, "This seems a good young man and a good hunter. Perhaps I +will give him my daughters for wives, and then he will stay here and +help me always." + +After a time the old man decided to do this, and he gave the young +man his daughters; and because these three were his only children he +gave his son-in-law his dogs and all his property, and for himself +and his wife he kept only a little lodge. The young man's wives +tanned plenty of cow skins and made a big fine lodge, and in this +the son-in-law lived with his wives. + +For some time after this the son-in-law was very good and kind to +the old people. When he killed any animal he gave them part of the +meat, and gave them skins which his mother-in-law tanned for robes +or for clothing. + +As time went on the son-in-law began to grow stingy, and pretty soon +he gave nothing to his father-in-law's lodge, but kept everything +for his own. + +Now, the son-in-law was a person of much mysterious power, and he +kept the buffalo hidden under a big log-jam in the river. Whenever +he needed food and wished to kill anything, he would take his +father-in-law with him to help. He would send the old man out to +stamp on the log-jam and frighten the buffalo, and when they ran out +from under it the young man would shoot one or two with his arrows, +never killing more than he needed. But often he gave the old people +nothing at all to eat. They were hungry all the time, and at length +they began to grow thin and weak. + +One morning early the young man asked his father-in-law to come and +hunt with him. They went to the log-jam and the old man drove out +the buffalo and his son-in-law killed a fat buffalo cow. Then he +said to his father-in-law, "Hurry back now to the camp and tell your +daughters to come and carry home the meat, and then you can have +something to eat." The old man set out for the camp, thinking, as he +walked along, "Now, at last, my son-in-law has taken pity on me; he +will give me some of this meat." + +When he returned with his daughters they skinned the cow and cut it +up and, carrying it, went home. The young man had his wives leave +the meat at his own lodge and told his father-in-law to go home. He +did not give him even a little piece of the meat. The two older +daughters gave their parents nothing to eat, but sometimes the +youngest one had pity on them and took a piece of meat and, when she +could, threw it into the lodge to the old people. The son-in-law had +told his wives not to give the old people anything to eat. Except +for the good heart of the youngest daughter they would have died of +hunger. + +Another day the son-in-law rose early in the morning and went over +to the old man's lodge and kicked against the poles, calling to him, +"Get up now and help me; I want you to go and stamp on the log-jam +to drive out the buffalo." When the old man moved his feet on the +jam and a buffalo ran out, the son-in-law was not ready for it, and +it passed by him before he shot the arrow; so he only wounded it. It +ran away, but at last it fell down and died. + +The old man followed close after it, and as he ran along he came to +a place where a great clot of blood had fallen from the buffalo's +wound. When he came to where this clot of blood was lying on the +ground, he stumbled and fell and spilled his arrows out of his +quiver, and while he was picking them up he picked up also the clot +of blood and hid it in his quiver. + +"What are you picking up?" called the son-in-law. + +"Nothing," replied the old man. "I fell down and spilled my arrows, +and I am putting them back." + +"Ah, old man," said the son-in-law, "you are lazy and useless. You +no longer help me. Go back now to the camp and tell your daughters +to come down here and help carry in this meat." + +The old man went to the camp and told his daughters of the meat that +their husband had killed, and they went down to the killing ground. +Then he went to his own lodge and said to his wife, "Hurry, now, put +the stone kettle on the fire. I have brought home something from the +killing." + +"Ah," said the old woman, "has our son-in-law been generous and +given us something nice to eat?" + +"No," replied the old man, "but hurry and put the kettle on the +fire." + +After a time the water began to boil and the old man turned his +quiver upside down over the pot, and immediately there came from it +a sound of a child crying, as if it were being hurt. The old people +both looked in the kettle and there they saw a little boy, and they +quickly took him out of the water. They were surprised and did not +know where the child had come from. The old woman wrapped the child +up and wound a line about its wrappings to keep them in place, +making a lashing for the child. Then they talked about it, wondering +what should be done with it. They thought that if their son-in-law +knew it was a boy he would kill it; so they determined to tell their +daughters that the baby was a girl, for then their son-in-law would +think that he was going to have another wife. So he would be glad. +They called the child Kut-o-yis'--Clot of Blood. + +The son-in-law and his wives came home, bringing the meat, and +after a little time they heard the child in the next lodge crying. +The son-in-law said to his youngest wife, "Go over to your mother's +and see whether that baby is a boy or a girl. If it is a boy, tell +your parents to kill it." + +Soon the young woman came back and said to her husband, "It is a +girl baby. You are to have another wife." + +The son-in-law did not know whether to believe this, and sent his +oldest wife to ask the same question. When she came back and told +him the same thing he believed that it was really a girl. Then he +was glad, for he said to himself, "Now, when this child has grown +up, I shall have another wife." He said to his youngest wife, "Take +some back fat and pemmican over to your mother; she must be well fed +now that she has to nurse this child." + +On the fourth day after he had been born the child spoke and said to +his mother, "Hold me in turn to each one of these lodge poles, and +when I come to the last one I shall fall out of my lashings and be +grown up." The old woman did as he had said, and as she held him to +one pole after another he could be seen to grow; and finally when he +was held to the last pole he was a man. + +After Kut-o-yis' had looked about the lodge he put his eye to a hole +in the lodge-covering and looked out. Then he turned around and said +to the old people, "How is it that in this lodge there is nothing to +eat? Over by the other lodge I see plenty of food hanging up." + +"Hush," said the old woman, raising her hand, "you will be heard. +Our son-in-law lives over there. He does not give us anything at all +to eat." + +"Well," said the young man, "where is your piskun--where do you kill +buffalo?" + +"It is down by the river," the old woman answered. "We pound on it +and the buffalo run out." + +For some time they talked together and the old man told Kut-o-yis' +how his son-in-law had abused him. He said to the young man, "He has +taken from me my bow and my arrows and has taken even my dogs; and +now for many days we have had nothing to eat, except sometimes a +small piece of meat that our daughter throws to us." + +"Father," said Kut-o-yis', "have you no arrows?" + +"No, my son," replied the old man, "but I still have four stone +arrow points." + +"Go out then," said Kut-o-yis', "and get some wood. We will make a +bow and some arrows, and in the morning we will go down to where the +buffalo are and kill something to eat." + +Early in the morning Kut-o-yis' pushed the old man and said, "Come, +get up now, and we will go down and kill, when the buffalo come +out." It was still very early in the morning. + +When they reached the river the old man said, "This is the place to +stand and shoot. I will go down and drive them out." + +He went down and stamped on the log-jam, and presently a fat cow ran +out and Kut-o-yis' killed it. + +Now, after these two had gone to the river the son-in-law arose and +went over to the old man's lodge, and knocked on the poles and +called to the old man to get up and help him kill. The old woman +called out to the son-in-law, saying, "Your father-in-law has +already gone down to the piskun." This made the son-in-law angry, +and he began to talk badly to the old woman and to threaten to harm +her. + +Presently he went on down to the log-jam, and as he got near the +place he saw the old man at work there, bending over, skinning a +buffalo; for Kut-o-yis', when he had seen the son-in-law coming, had +lain down on the ground and hidden himself behind the carcass. + +When the son-in-law had come pretty close to where the buffalo lay +he said to his father-in-law, "Old man, stand up and look all about +you. Look carefully and well, for it will be the last time that you +will ever see anything"; and while the son-in-law said this he took +an arrow from his quiver. + +Kut-o-yis' spoke to the old man from his hiding-place and said, +"Tell your son-in-law that he must take his last look, for that you +are going to kill him now." The old man said this as he had been +told. + +"Ah," said the son-in-law, "you talk back to me. That makes me still +angrier at you." He put an arrow on the string and shot at the old +man, but did not hit him. Kut-o-yis' said to the old man, "Pick up +that arrow and shoot it back at him"; and the old man did so. Now, +they shot at each other four times, and then the old man said to +Kut-o-yis', "I am afraid now; get up and help me. If you do not, I +think he will kill me." Then Kut-o-yis' rose to his feet and said to +the son-in-law, "Here, what are you doing? I think you have been +treating this old man badly for a long time. Why do you do it?" + +"Oh no," said the son-in-law, and he smiled at Kut-o-yis' in a +friendly way, for he was afraid of him. "Oh no; no one thinks more +of this old man than I do. I have always been very good to him." + +"No," said Kut-o-yis'. "You are saying what is not true, and I am +going to kill you now." + +Kut-o-yis' shot the son-in-law four times and he fell down and +died. Then the young man told his father to go and bring down to him +the daughters who had acted badly toward him. The old man did so and +Kut-o-yis' punished them. Then he went up to the lodges and said to +the youngest woman, "Did you love your husband?" "Yes," said the +girl, "I loved him." So Kut-o-yis' punished her too, but not so +badly as he had the other daughters, because she had been kind to +her parents. + +To the old people he said, "Go over now to that lodge and live +there. There is plenty of food, and when that is gone I will kill +more. As for me, I shall make a journey. Tell me where there are any +people. In what direction shall I go to find a camp?" + +"Well," said the old man, "up here on Two Medicine Lodge Creek there +are some people--up where the piskun is, you know." + +Kut-o-yis' followed up the stream to where the piskun was and there +found many lodges of people. In the centre of the camp was a big +lodge, and painted on it the figure of a bear. He did not go to this +lodge, but went into a small lodge where two old women lived. When +he had sat down they put food before him--lean dried meat and some +belly fat. + +"How is this, grandmothers?" he said. "Here is a camp with plenty of +fat meat and back fat hanging up to dry; why do you not give me some +of that?" + +"Hush; be careful," said the old women. "In that big lodge over +there lives a big bear and his wives and children. He takes all the +best food and leaves us nothing. He is the chief of this place." + +Early in the morning Kut-o-yis' said to the old women, "Harness up +your dogs to the travois now and go over to the piskun, and I will +kill some fat meat for you." + +When they got there, he killed a fat cow and helped the old women to +cut it up, and they took it to the lodge. One of those old women +said, "Ah me, the bears will be sure to come." + +"Why do you say that?" he asked. + +They said to him, "We shall be sorry to lose this back fat." + +"Do not fear," he said. "No one shall take this back fat from you. +Now, take all those best pieces and hang them up, so that those who +live in the bear lodge may see them." + +They did so. Pretty soon the old bear chief said to one of his +children, "By this time I think the people have finished killing. Go +out now and look about; see where the nicest pieces are, and bring +in some nice back fat." + +One of the young bears went out of the lodge and stood up and looked +about, and when it saw this meat hanging by the old women's lodge +close by, it went over toward it. + +"Ah," said the old women, "there are those bears." + +"Do not be afraid," said Kut-o-yis'. + +The young bear went over to where the meat was hanging and stood up +and began to pull it down. Kut-o-yis' went out of the lodge and +said, "Wait; wait! What are you doing, taking the old women's meat?" + +The young bear answered, "My father told me that I should go out and +get this meat and bring it home to him." + +Kut-o-yis' hit the young bear over the head with a stick and it ran +home crying. + +When it had reached the lodge it told what had happened and the +father bear said, "I will go over there myself; perhaps this person +will hit me over the head." + +When the old women saw the father and mother bear and all their +relations coming they were afraid, but Kut-o-yis' jumped out of the +lodge and killed the bears one after another; all except one little +she-bear, a very small one, which got away. + +"Well," said Kut-o-yis', "you may go and breed more bears." + +He told the old women to move over to the bear-painted lodge and +after this to live in it. It was theirs. + +To the old women Kut-o-yis' then said, "Now, grandmothers, where are +there any more people? I want to travel about and see them." + +The old women said, "At the Point of Rocks--on Sun River--there is a +camp. There is a piskun there." + +So Kut-o-yis' set off for that place, and when he came to the camp +he went into an old woman's lodge. + +The old woman gave him something to eat--a dish of bad food. + +"Why is this, grandmother?" asked Kut-o-yis'. "Have you no food +better than this to give to a visitor? Down there I see a piskun; +you must kill plenty of buffalo and must have good food." + +"Speak lower," said the old woman, "or you may be heard. We have no +good food because there is a great snake here who is the chief of +the camp. He takes all the best pieces. He lives over there in that +snake-painted lodge." + +The next morning when the buffalo were led in, Kut-o-yis' killed +one, and they took the back fat and carried it to their lodge. Then +Kut-o-yis' said, "I think I will visit that snake person." He went +over and went into the lodge, and there he saw many women that the +snake person had taken to be his wives. The women were cooking some +service berries. Kut-o-yis' picked up the dish and ate the berries +and threw the dish away. Then he went up to the big snake, who was +lying there asleep, and pricked him with his knife, saying, "Here, +get up; I have come to visit you. Let us smoke together." + +Then the snake was angry and he raised up his head and began to +rattle, and Kut-o-yis' cut off his head and cut him in pieces. He +cut off the heads of all the snake's wives and children; all except +one little female snake which got away by crawling into a crack in +the rocks. + +"Oh, well," said Kut-o-yis', "you can go and breed snakes so there +will be more. The people will not be afraid of little snakes." + +Kut-o-yis' said to the old woman, "Now, grandmother, go into this +snake lodge and take it for your own and everything that is in it." + +Then he said to them, "Where are there some more people?" They told +him there were some camps down the river and some up in the +mountains, but they said, "Do not go up there. It is bad because +there lives [=A]i-s[=i]n'-o-k[=o]-k[=i]--Wind Sucker. He will kill +you." + +Kut-o-yis' was glad to know that there was such a person, and he +went to the mountains. + +When he reached the place where Wind Sucker lived, he looked into +his mouth and saw there many dead people. Some were skeletons and +some had only just died. He went in, and there he saw a fearful +sight. The ground was white as snow with the bones of those who had +died. There were bodies with flesh on them; some who had died not +long before and some who were still living. + +As he looked about, he saw hanging down above him a great thing that +seemed to move--to grow a little larger and then to grow a little +smaller. + +Kut-o-yis' spoke to one of the people who was alive and asked, "What +is that hanging down above us?" + +The person answered him, "That is Wind Sucker's heart." + +Then Kut-o-yis' spoke to all the living and said to them, "You who +still draw a little breath try to move your heads in time to the +song that I shall sing; and you who are still able to move stand up +on your feet and dance. Take courage now; we are going to dance to +the ghosts." + +Then Kut-o-yis' tied his knife, point upward, to the top of his +head and began to dance, singing the ghost song, and all the others +danced with him; and as he danced up and down he kept springing +higher and higher into the air, and the point of his knife cut Wind +Sucker's heart and killed him. + +Then Kut-o-yis', with his knife, cut a hole between Wind Sucker's +ribs, and he and all those who were able to move crawled out through +the hole. He said to those who could still walk that they should go +and tell their people to come here, to get the ones still alive but +unable to travel. + +To some of these people that he had freed he said, "Where are there +any other people? I want to visit all the people." + +"There is a camp to the westward, up the river," they replied; "but +you must not take the left-hand trail going up because on that trail +lives a woman who invites men to wrestle with her and then kills +them. Avoid her." + +Now, really, this was what Kut-o-yis' was looking for. This was what +he was doing in the world, trying to kill off all the bad things. +He asked these people just where this woman lived and how it was +best for him to go so that he should not meet her. He did this +because he did not wish the people to know that he was going where +she was. + +He started, and after he had travelled some time he saw a woman +standing not far from the trail. She called to him, saying, "Come +here, young man, come here; I want to wrestle with you." + +"No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop." + +The woman called again, "No, no; do not go on; come now and wrestle +once with me." + +After she had called him the fourth time, Kut-o-yis' went to her. + +Now on the ground where this woman wrestled with people she had +placed many sharp, broken flint-stones, partly hiding them by the +grass. The two seized each other and began to wrestle over these +sharp stones, but Kut-o-yis' looked at the ground and did not step +on them. He watched his chance and gave the woman a quick wrench, +and threw her down on a large sharp flint which cut her in two; and +the parts of her body fell asunder. + +Kut-o-yis' then went on, and after a time came to where a woman had +made a place for sliding downhill. At the far end of it she had +fixed a rope which, when she raised it, would trip people up, and +when they were tripped they fell over a high cliff into a deep +water, where a great fish ate them. + +When this woman saw Kut-o-yis' coming she cried out to him, "Come +over here, young man, and slide with me." + +"No," he replied, "I am in a hurry; I cannot wait." She kept calling +to him, and when she had called him the fourth time he went over +where he was to slide with her. + +"This sliding," said the woman, "is very good fun." + +"Ah, yes," said Kut-o-yis', "I will look at it." + +As he went near the place he looked carefully and saw the hidden +rope. He began to slide, and holding his knife in his hand, when he +reached the rope he cut it just as the woman raised it and pulled on +it, and the woman fell over backward into the water and was eaten +up by the big fish. + +From here he went on again, and after a time he came to a big camp. +A man-eater was the chief of this place. + +Before Kut-o-yis' went to the chief's lodge he looked about and saw +a little girl and called her to him and said, "Child, I am going +into that lodge, to let that man-eater kill and eat me. Therefore, +be on the watch, and if you can get hold of one of my bones take it +out and call all the dogs to you, and when they have come to you +throw down the bone and say, 'Kut-o-yis', the dogs are eating your +bones.'" + +Then Kut-o-yis' entered the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he +called out, "Oki, oki!" (welcome, welcome!) and seemed glad to see +him, for he was a fat young man. The man-eater took a knife and +walked up to Kut-o-yis' and cut his throat and put him into a great +stone pot to cook. When the meat was cooked he pulled the kettle +from the fire and ate the body, limb by limb, until it was all +eaten. + +After that the little girl who was watching came into the lodge and +said, "Pity me, man-eater, my mother is hungry and asks you for +those bones." The old man gathered them together and handed them to +her, and she took them out of the lodge. When she had gone a little +way, she called all the dogs to her and threw down the bones to the +dogs, crying out, "Look out, Kut-o-yis', the dogs are eating you," +and when she said that, Kut-o-yis' arose from the pile of bones. + +Again he went into the lodge, and when the man-eater saw him he +cried out, "How, how, how! the fat young man has survived!" and he +seemed surprised. Again he took his knife and cut the throat of +Kut-o-yis' and threw him into the kettle. Again when the meat was +cooked he ate it, and when the little girl asked for the bones again +he gave them to her. She took them out and threw them to the dogs, +crying, "Kut-o-yis', the dogs are eating you," and again Kut-o-yis' +arose from the bones. + +When the man-eater had cooked him four times Kut-o-yis' again went +into the lodge, and seizing the man-eater, he threw him into the +boiling kettle, and his wives and all his children, and boiled them +to death. + +The man-eater was the seventh and last of the bad things to be +destroyed by Kut-o-yis'. + + + + +THE DOG AND THE ROOT DIGGER + + +This happened long ago. + +In those days the people were hungry. No buffalo could be found, no +antelope were seen on the prairie. Grass grew in the trails where +the elk and the deer used to travel. There was not even a rabbit in +the brush. Then the people prayed, "Oh, Napi, help us now or we must +die. The buffalo and the deer are gone. It is useless to kindle the +morning fires; our arrows are useless to us; our knives remain in +their sheaths." + +Then Napi set out to find where the game was, and with him went a +young man, the son of a chief. For many days they travelled over the +prairies. They could see no game; roots and berries were their only +food. One day they climbed to the crest of a high ridge, and as they +looked off over the country they saw far away by a stream a lonely +lodge. + +"Who can it be?" asked the young man. "Who camps there alone, far +from friends?" + +"That," said Napi, "is he who has hidden all the animals from the +people. He has a wife and a little son." Then they went down near to +the lodge and Napi told the young man what to do. Napi changed +himself into a little dog, and he said, "This is I." The young man +changed himself into a root digger and he said, "This is I." Pretty +soon the little boy, who was playing about near the lodge, found the +dog and carried it to his father, saying, "See what a pretty little +dog I have found." + +The father said, "That is not a dog; throw it away!" The little boy +cried, but his father made him take the dog out of the lodge. Then +the boy found the root digger, and again picking up the dog, he +carried both into the lodge, saying, "Look, mother; see what a +pretty root digger I have found." + +"Throw them away," said his father; "throw them both away. That is +not a root digger; that is not a dog." + +"I want that root digger," said the woman. "Let our son have the +little dog." + +"Let it be so, then," replied the husband; "but remember that if +trouble comes, it is you who have brought it on yourself and on our +son." + +Soon after this the woman and her son went off to pick berries, and +when they were out of sight the man went out and killed a buffalo +cow and brought the meat into the lodge and covered it up. He took +the bones and the skin and threw them in the water. When his wife +came back he gave her some of the meat to roast, and while they were +eating, the little boy fed the dog three times, and when he offered +it more the father took the meat away. + +In the night, when all were sleeping, Napi and the young man arose +in their right shapes and ate some of the meat. + +"You were right," said the young man. "This is surely the person who +has hidden the buffalo." + +"Wait," said Napi; and when they had finished eating they changed +themselves again into the root digger and the dog. + +Next morning the wife and the little boy went out to dig roots, and +the woman took the root digger with her, while the dog followed the +little boy. + +As they travelled along looking for roots, they passed near a cave, +and at its mouth stood a buffalo cow. The dog ran into the cave, and +the root digger, slipping from the woman's hand, followed, gliding +along over the ground like a snake. In this cave were found all the +buffalo and the other game. They began to drive them out, and soon +the prairie was covered with buffalo, antelope, and deer. Never +before were so many seen. + +Soon the man came running up, and he said to his wife, "Who is +driving out my animals?" The woman replied, "The dog and the root +digger are in there now." + +"Did I not tell you," said her husband, "that those were not what +they looked like. See now the trouble that you have brought upon +us!" He put an arrow on his string and waited for them to come out, +but they were cunning, and when the last animal, a big bull, was +starting out the stick grasped him by the long hair under the neck +and coiled up in it, and the dog held on by the hair underneath +until they were far out on the prairie, when they changed into their +true shapes and drove the buffalo toward the camp. + +When the people saw the buffalo coming they led a big band of them +to the piskun, but just as the leaders were about to jump over the +cliff a raven came and flapped its wings in front of them and +croaked, and they turned off and ran down another way. Every time a +herd of buffalo was brought near to the piskun this raven frightened +them away. Then Napi knew that the raven was the person who had kept +the buffalo hidden. + +Napi went down to the river and changed himself into a beaver and +lay stretched out on a sandbar, as if dead. The raven was very +hungry and flew down and began to pick at the beaver. Then Napi +caught it by the legs and ran with it to the camp, and all the +chiefs were called together to decide what should be done with the +bird. Some said, "Let us kill it," but Napi said, "No, I will punish +it," and he tied it up over the lodge, right in the smoke hole. + +As the days went by the raven grew thin and weak and its eyes were +blinded by the thick smoke, and it cried continually to Napi asking +him to pity it. One day Napi untied the bird and told it to take its +right shape, and then said, "Why have you tried to fool Napi? Look +at me. I cannot die. Look at me. Of all peoples and tribes I am the +chief. I cannot die. I made the mountains; they are standing yet. I +made the prairies and the rocks; you see them yet. + +"Go home now to your wife and your child, and when you are hungry +hunt like any one else. If you do not, you shall die." + + + + +THE CAMP OF THE GHOSTS + + +There was once a man who loved his wife dearly. After they had been +married for a time they had a little boy. Some time after that the +woman grew sick and did not get well. She was sick for a long time. +The young man loved his wife so much that he did not wish to take a +second woman. The woman grew worse and worse. Doctoring did not seem +to do her any good. At last she died. + +For a few days after this, the man used to take his baby on his back +and travel out away from the camp, walking over the hills, crying +and mourning. He felt badly, and he did not know what to do. + +After a time he said to the little child, "My little boy, you will +have to go and live with your grandmother. I shall go away and try +to find your mother and bring her back." + +He took the baby to his mother's lodge and asked her to take care +of it and left it with her. Then he started away, not knowing where +he was going nor what he should do. + +When he left the camp, he travelled toward the Sand Hills. On the +fourth night of his journeying he had a dream. He dreamed that he +went into a little lodge in which was an old woman. This old woman +said to him, "Why are you here, my son?" + +The young man replied, "I am mourning day and night, crying all the +while. My little son, who is the only one left me, also mourns." + +"Well," asked the old woman, "for whom are you mourning?" + +The young man answered, "I am mourning for my wife. She died some +time ago. I am looking for her." + +"Oh, I saw her," said the old woman; "she passed this way. I myself +have no great power to help you, but over by that far butte beyond, +lives another old woman. Go to her and she will give you power to +continue your journey. You could not reach the place you are seeking +without help. Beyond the next butte from her lodge you will find +the camp of the ghosts." + +The next morning the young man awoke and went on toward the next +butte. It took him a long summer's day to get there, but he found +there no lodge, so he lay down and slept. Again he dreamed. In his +dream he saw a little lodge, and saw an old woman come to the door +and heard her call to him. He went into the lodge, and she spoke to +him. + +"My son, you are very unhappy. I know why you have come this way. +You are looking for your wife who is now in the ghost country. It is +a very hard thing for you to get there. You may not be able to get +your wife back, but I have great power and I will do for you all +that I can. If you act as I advise, you may succeed." + +Other wise words she spoke to him, telling him what he should do; +also she gave him a bundle of mysterious things which would help him +on his journey. + +She went on to say, "You stay here for a time and I will go over +there to the ghosts' camp and try to bring back some of your +relations who are there. If it is possible for me to bring them +back, you may return there with them, but on the way you must shut +your eyes. If you should open them and look about you, you would +die. Then you would never come back. When you come to the camp you +will pass by a big lodge and they will ask you, 'Where are you going +and who told you to come here?' You must answer, 'My grandmother, +who is standing out here with me, told me to come.' They will try to +scare you; they will make fearful noises and you will see strange +and terrible things, but do not be afraid." + +The old woman went away, and after a time came back with one of the +man's relations. He went with this relation to the ghosts' camp. +When they came to the large lodge some one called out and asked the +man what he was doing there, and he answered as the old woman had +told him. As he passed on through the camp the ghosts tried to +frighten him with many fearful sights and sounds, but he kept up a +strong heart. + +Presently he came to another lodge, and the man who owned it came +out and spoke to him, asking where he was going. The young man said, +"I am looking for my dead wife. I mourn for her so much that I +cannot rest. My little boy too keeps crying for his mother. They +have offered to give me other wives, but I do not want them. I want +the one for whom I am searching." + +The ghost said, "It is a fearful thing that you have come here; it +is very likely that you will never go away. Never before has there +been a person here." + +The ghost asked him to come into his lodge, and he entered. + +This chief ghost said to him, "You shall stay here for four nights +and you shall see your wife, but you must be very careful or you +will never go back. You will die here in this very place." + +Then the chief ghost walked out of the lodge and shouted out for a +feast, inviting the man's father-in-law and other relations who were +in the camp to come and eat, saying, "Your son-in-law invites you +to a feast," as if he meant that the son-in-law had died and become +a ghost and arrived at the camp of the ghosts. + +Now when these invited ghosts had reached the lodge they did not +like to go in. They said to each other, "There is a person here"; it +seemed as if they did not like the smell of a human being. The chief +ghost burned sweet pine on the fire, which took away this smell, and +then the ghosts came in and sat down. + +The chief ghost said to them, "Now pity this son-in-law of yours. He +is looking for his wife. Neither the great distance that he has come +nor the fearful sights that he has seen here have weakened his +heart. You can see how tender-hearted he is. He not only mourns +because he has lost his wife, but he mourns because his little boy +is now alone, with no mother; so pity him and give him back his +wife." + +The ghosts talked among themselves, and one of them said to the man, +"Yes; you shall stay here for four nights, and then we will give you +a medicine pipe--the Worm Pipe--and we will give you back your wife +and you may return to your home." + +Now, after the third night the chief ghost called together all the +people, and they came, and with them came the man's wife. One of the +ghosts was beating a drum, and following him was another who carried +the Worm Pipe, which they gave to him. + +Then the chief ghost said, "Now be very careful; to-morrow you and +your wife will start on your journey homeward. Your wife will carry +the medicine pipe and for four days some of your relations will go +along with you. During this time you must keep your eyes shut; do +not open them, or you will return here and be a ghost forever. Your +wife is not now a person. But in the middle of the fourth day you +will be told to look, and when you have opened your eyes you will +see that your wife has become a person, and that your ghost +relations have disappeared." + +Before the man went away his father-in-law spoke to him and said, +"When you get near home you must not go at once into the camp. Let +some of your relations know that you have come, and ask them to +build a sweat-house for you. Go into that sweat-house and wash your +body thoroughly, leaving no part of it, however small, uncleansed. +If you fail in this, you will die. There is something about the +ghosts that it is difficult to remove. It can only be removed by a +thorough sweat. Take care now that you do what I tell you. Do not +whip your wife, nor strike her with a knife, nor hit her with fire. +If you do, she will vanish before your eyes and return here." + +They left the ghost country to go home, and on the fourth day the +wife said to her husband, "Open your eyes." He looked about him and +saw that those who had been with them had disappeared, and he found +that they were standing in front of the old woman's lodge by the +butte. She came out of her lodge and said to them, "Stop; give me +back those mysterious medicines of mine, whose power helped you to +do what you wished." The man returned them to her, and then once +more became really a living person. + +When they drew near to the camp the woman went on ahead and sat +down on a butte. Then some curious persons came out to see who this +might be. As they approached the woman called out to them, "Do not +come any nearer. Go and tell my mother and my relations to put up a +lodge for us a little way from the camp, and near by it build a +sweat-house." When this had been done the man and his wife went in +and took a thorough sweat, and then they went into the lodge and +burned sweet grass and purified their clothing and the Worm Pipe. +Then their relations and friends came in to see them. The man told +them where he had been and how he had managed to get his wife back, +and that the pipe hanging over the doorway was a medicine pipe--the +Worm Pipe--presented to him by his ghost father-in-law. + +That is how the people came to possess the Worm Pipe. That pipe +belongs to the band of Piegans known as the Worm People. + +Not long after this, once in the night, this man told his wife to do +something, and when she did not begin at once he picked up a brand +from the fire and raised it--not that he intended to strike her +with it, but he made as if he would--when all at once she vanished +and was never seen again. + + + + +THE BUFFALO STONE + + +A small stone, which is often a fossil shell, or sometimes only a +queer shaped piece of flint, is called by the Blackfeet +I-n[)i]s'k[)i]m, the buffalo stone. This stone has great power, and +gives its owner good luck in bringing the buffalo close, so that +they may be killed. The stone is found on the prairie, and any one +who finds one is thought to be very lucky. Sometimes a man who is +going along on the prairie will hear a queer faint chirp, such as a +little bird might make. He knows this sound is made by a buffalo +stone. He stops and searches for it on the ground, and if he cannot +find it, marks the place and comes back next day to look for it +again. If it is found, he and all his family are glad. The Blackfeet +tell a story about how the first buffalo stone was found. + +Long ago, one winter, the buffalo disappeared. The snow was deep, so +deep that the people could not move in search of the buffalo; so +the hunters went as far as they could up and down the river-bottoms +and in the ravines, and killed deer and elk and other small game, +and when these were all killed or driven away the people began to +starve. + +One day a young married man killed a prairie rabbit. He ran home as +fast as he could, and told one of his wives to hurry and get a skin +of water to cook it. She started down to the river for water, and as +she was going along she heard a beautiful song. She looked all +about, but could see no one who was singing. + +The song seemed to come from a big cotton-wood tree near the trail +leading down to the water. As she looked closely at this tree she +saw a queer stone jammed in a fork where the tree was split, and +with it a few hairs from a buffalo which had rubbed against the +tree. The woman was frightened and dared not pass the tree. Soon the +singing stopped and the I-nis'kim said to the woman, "Take me +to your lodge, and when it is dark call in the people and teach them +the song you have just heard. Pray, too, that you may not starve, +and that the buffalo may come back. Do this, and when day comes your +hearts will be glad." + +The woman went on and got the water, and when she came back she took +the stone and gave it to her husband, telling him about the song and +what the stone had said. + +As soon as it was dark, the man called the chiefs and old men to his +lodge, and his wife taught them the song that she had heard. They +prayed too, as the stone had said should be done. Before long they +heard far off a noise coming. It was the tramp of a great herd of +buffalo. Then they knew that the stone was powerful, and since that +time the people have taken care of it and have prayed to it. + + + + +HOW THE THUNDER PIPE CAME + + +You have heard the Thunder, for he is everywhere. He roars in the +mountains, and far out on the prairie is heard his crashing. He +strikes the high rocks, and they fall to pieces; a tree, and it is +broken in slivers; the people, and they die. He is bad. He does not +like the high cliff, the standing tree, or living man. He likes to +strike and crush them to the ground. Of all things he is the most +powerful. He cannot be resisted. But I have not told you the worst +thing about him. Sometimes he takes away women. + +Long ago, almost in the beginning, a man and his wife were sitting +in their lodge when Thunder came and struck them. The man was not +killed. At first he lay as if dead, but after a time he lived again, +and, standing up, looked about him. He did not see his wife. + +"Oh," he thought, "she has gone to get wood or water," and he sat +down again. But when night came he went out of the lodge and asked +the people about her. No one had seen her. He looked all through the +camp, but could not find her. Then he knew that the Thunder had +taken her away, and he went out on the hills and mourned. All night +he sat there, trying to think what he might do to get back his wife. + +When morning came he rose and wandered away, and whenever he met any +of the animals he asked if they could tell him where the Thunder +lived. The animals laughed, and most of them would not answer. + +The Wolf said to him, "Do you think that we would look for the home +of the only one we fear? He is our only danger. From all other +enemies we can run away, but from him no one can run. He strikes and +there we lie. Turn back; go home. Do not look for the place of that +dreadful one." + +The man kept on and travelled a long distance. At last, after many +days, he came to a lodge--a strange lodge, for it was made of +stone. Just like any other lodge it looked, only it was made of +stone. This was the home of the Raven chief. The man entered. + +"Welcome, friend," said the chief of the Ravens; "sit down there," +and he pointed to a place. Soon food was placed before the poor man. + +When he had finished eating, the Raven chief asked, "Why have you +come here?" + +"Thunder has stolen my wife," the man answered. "I am looking for +his dwelling-place that I may find her." + +"Are you brave enough to enter the lodge of that dreadful person?" +asked the Raven. "He lives near here. His lodge is of stone like +this one, and hanging in it are eyes--the eyes of those he has +killed or taken away. He has taken out their eyes and hung them in +his lodge. Now, then! Dare you enter there?" + +"No," answered the man, "I am afraid. Who could look at such +dreadful things and live?" + +"No man can," said the Raven; "there is only one old Thunder fears; +there is but one he cannot kill. It is we. It is the Ravens. Now I +will give you some medicine, and he shall not harm you. You shall +enter there and try to find among those eyes your wife's, and if you +find them tell the Thunder why you came and make him give them to +you. Here, now, is a raven's wing. Point this at him and he will be +afraid and start back; but if that should fail, take this arrow. Its +shaft is made of elk horn. Take this, I say, and shoot it through +the lodge." + +"Why make a fool of me?" the poor man asked. "My heart is sad. I am +crying." He covered his head with his robe and wept. + +"Oh," said the Raven, "you do not believe me. Come outside, come +outside, and I will make you believe." + +When they stood outside the Raven asked, "Is the home of your people +far?" + +"A great distance," said the man. + +"Can you tell how many days you have travelled?" + +"No," he replied, "my heart was sad; I did not count the days. +Since I left, the berries have grown and ripened." + +"Can you see your camp from here?" asked the Raven. + +The man did not answer. Then the Raven rubbed some medicine on his +eyes and said, "Look!" The man looked and saw the camp. It was near. +He saw the people; he saw the smoke rising from the lodges; he saw +the painting on some of the lodges. + +"Now you will believe," said the Raven. "Take, then, the arrow and +the wing, and go and get your wife." The man took these things and +went to the Thunder's lodge. He entered and sat down by the doorway. + +The Thunder sat at the back of the lodge and looked at him with +awful eyes. The man looked above and saw hanging there many pairs of +eyes. Among them were those of his wife. + +"Why have you come?" said the Thunder in a dreadful voice. + +"I seek my wife," said the man, "whom you have stolen. There hang +her eyes." + +"No man may enter my lodge and live," said the Thunder, and he rose +to strike him. Then the man pointed the raven wing at the Thunder, +and he fell back on his bed and shivered; but soon he recovered and +rose again, and then the man fitted the elk-horn arrow to his bow +and shot it through the lodge of stone. Right through that stone it +pierced a hole and let the sunlight in. + +"Wait," said the Thunder; "stop. You are the stronger, you have the +greater medicine. You shall have your wife. Take down her eyes." + +The man cut the string that held the eyes, and his wife stood beside +him. + +"Now," said the Thunder, "you know me. I have great power. In summer +I live here; but when winter comes I go far south. I go south with +the birds. Here is my pipe. It has strong power. Take it and keep +it. After this, when first I come in the spring you shall fill this +pipe and light it, and you shall smoke it and pray to me; you and +the people. I bring the rain which makes the berries large and ripe. +I bring the rain which makes all things grow, and for this you +shall pray to me; you and all the people." + +Thus the people got their first medicine pipe. It was long ago. + + + + +COLD MAKER'S MEDICINE + + +The last lodge had been set up in the Blackfeet winter camp. Evening +was closing over the travel-tired people. The sun had dropped beyond +the hills not far away. Women were bringing water from the river at +the edge of the great circle. Men gathered in quiet groups, weary +after the long march of the day. Children called sleepily to each +other, and the dogs sniffed about in well-fed content. + +Lone Feather wrapped his robe more closely around him and walked +slowly from his lodge door and from the camp, off toward the north. +He was thinking of many things, and hardly noticed where he was +going. Presently as he walked, he heard the sound of persons +talking. He stopped to listen. The sound came from a lodge made of +stone, close by the river. Quietly he went toward the lodge and saw +a thin blue line of smoke coming from the top. + +As he approached, an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came +from the lodge door and looked at him. + +"Will you come into my lodge?" she said, greeting him. + +Lone Feather looked at her for a moment in silence. She spoke again. +He could not understand her speech, for she belonged to another +tribe. By signs she made him know that she wished him to come into +her lodge and rest. Lone Feather entered. + +Far back from the door crouched two big grizzly bears. She made +signs to show that the bears were friendly, and Lone Feather sat +down near the door. She stirred the fire, and as she put on fresh +wood the sparks flew up toward the smoke hole, which was opened only +a little way. + +By signs she told him she would go out and open the smoke hole +wider, so that the fire might burn more brightly. She was gone for +some time, and Lone Feather sat looking into the fire, still +thinking of many things, when the air became thick with smoke. He +looked up and saw that the smoke hole was closed. He sprang up and +went to the door, but the door covering was down. He raised it, and +as he put his head out the old woman hit him with a large stone club +and he was dead. + +Before his spirit started for the Sand Hills he saw that with a +large knife she cut up his body and put the pieces into a pot. Soon +they were well cooked and the old woman and the two bears feasted on +his flesh. + +They threw his bones out of the door, where they fell among many +others like them. The ground was strewn with the bones of the +persons she had trapped and killed. + +Day by day other persons disappeared from the winter camp, and more +and more bones whitened on the ground outside the stone lodge on the +river bank. + +As Cold Maker was bringing the snow to the Blackfeet winter camp, he +passed the Sand Hills. Lone Feather and other ghosts from the +Blackfeet tribe were telling each other how the old woman had sent +them there. Cold Maker heard their stories and he was angry. + +When he reached the camp he went to the lodge of Broken Bow--a +brave young man, but very poor. + +He shivered when Cold Maker entered his lodge and drew his ragged +robe about him. They were close friends. + +"Would you like to have a new robe?" asked Cold Maker. + +"Yes," said Broken Bow. + +"Come with me. You may kill two grizzly bears," said Cold Maker. + +"My bow is broken. I cannot," said Broken Bow sadly. + +"I will help you. Bring only a knife." + +Together they went from the lodges toward the north. The sun was +already hidden behind the nearby hills. + +After they had travelled some distance they heard the sound of +voices. They listened. Two bears were complaining that they wanted +meat. A woman told them they must wait. The men saw the line of thin +blue smoke rising from the top of the lodge of stone. All about +whitening bones covered the ground. They went nearer. + +Soon an old woman, bent with age and crippled, came from the door +and smiled as she saw the two persons coming. + +"Come in and rest," she said. Broken Bow did not understand her +language, but Cold Maker, who understands all tribes, said, "We are +cold. Will you let us sit by your fire?" + +The old woman smiled again. + +"You are welcome," she said; "come in. Do not fear my bears. They +are friendly. They will not harm you." The two friends entered the +lodge, where a smouldering fire sent a feeble smoke up to the smoke +hole, that was partly open. She put fresh wood on the fire and said, +"I will open the smoke hole wider," and went out, dropping the door +covering as she went. + +Then she closed the smoke hole. The smoke began to fill the top of +the lodge. It settled lower and lower. Broken Bow was afraid. + +"Give me your pipe," said Cold Maker. + +Broken Bow filled his pipe and, handed it to him. He lighted it by a +brand from the fire, and sent great puffs of smoke curling upward. +This smoke met the other smoke and stopped it. It could not descend +any lower. + +Broken Bow saw the wonderful medicine of his friend. He was no +longer afraid, but wondered what Cold Maker would do next. The +grizzly bears growled low. + +The old woman outside called to them, "Friends, is it smoking in +there now?" + +"Not a bit," replied Cold Maker. "We are very comfortable." + +She waited. They did not come out. She stood near the door. Her +stone club was ready. She grew impatient. She wondered what had gone +wrong with her plans. The two friends were silent. She looked at the +smoke hole, but it was closed securely. She lifted the door covering +to see if the friends within had died. They sat perfectly still. She +entered to look more closely, and as soon as she was fairly inside +Cold Maker and Broken Bow rushed out and dropped the door covering. +Before she could move they piled great heaps of stone in the +door-way. The bears growled. She called for help. Cold Maker and +Broken Bow went on down the river. + +Then Cold Maker took from a little sack a few white eagle-down +feathers. He blew them from him. At once a fierce storm blew across +the valley. The bitter cold froze the water, but only in this one +place. It dammed the stream with fast forming ice. The water rose +higher and higher. It spread out over the banks. Cold Maker and +Broken Bow went far off on the hills and watched it. Little by +little it rose. It reached the stone lodge. The bears roared. The +woman screamed. The water reached the top and covered the lodge from +sight. All sound ceased. A moment more, and the water was quiet. +Once more Cold Maker blew from him a few white eagle-down feathers. +The storm subsided. It became warm again. The ice melted. The water +retreated to its channel. + +Cold Maker and Broken Bow went to the stone lodge. The woman was +lying beside the pot. The grizzly bears were close to the stones +which blocked the door-way. + +Cold Maker said, "Here is your new robe," and Broken Bow took from +the bears their thick, warm skins. + +On his way home Cold Maker again passed the Sand Hills. Entering +the country was an old woman bent with age and crippled. + +He hurried on. + + + + +THE ALL COMRADES SOCIETIES + + +In the Blackfeet tribe was an association known as the All Comrades. +This was made up of a dozen secret societies graded according to +age, the members of the younger societies passing, after a few +years, into the older ones. This association was in part benevolent +and helpful and in part to encourage bravery in war, but its main +purpose was to see that the orders of the chiefs were carried out, +and to punish offences against the tribe at large. There are stories +which explain how these societies came to be instituted, and this +one tells how the Society of Bulls began. + + +THE BULLS SOCIETY + +It was long, long ago, very far back, that this happened. In those +days the people used to kill the buffalo by driving them over a +steep place near the river, down which they fell into a great pen +built at the foot of the cliff, where the buffalo that had not been +killed by the fall were shot with arrows by the men. Then the people +went into the pen and skinned the buffalo and cut them up and +carried the meat away to their camp. This pen they called piskun. + +In those days the people had built a great piskun with high, strong +walls. No buffalo could jump over it; not even if a great crowd of +them ran against it, could they push it down. + +The young men kept going out, as they always did, to try to bring +the buffalo to the edge of the cliff, but somehow they would not +jump over into the piskun. When they had come almost to the edge, +they would turn off to one side or the other and run down the +sloping hills and away over the prairie. So the people could get no +food, and they began to be hungry, and at last to starve. + +Early one morning a young woman, the daughter of a brave man, was +going from her lodge down to the stream to get water, and as she +went along she saw a herd of buffalo feeding on the prairie, close +to the edge of the cliff above the great piskun. + +"Oh," she called out, "if you will only jump off into the piskun I +will marry one of you." She did not mean this, but said it just in +fun, and as soon as she had said it, she wondered greatly when she +saw the buffalo come jumping over the edge, falling down the cliff. + +A moment later a big bull jumped high over the wall of the piskun +and came toward her, and now truly she was frightened. + +"Come," he said, taking hold of her arm. + +"No, no," she answered, trying to pull herself away. + +"But you said if the buffalo would only jump over, you would marry +one of them. Look, the piskun is full." + +She did not answer, and without saying anything more he led her up +over the bluff and out on the prairie. + +After the people had finished killing the buffalo and cutting up the +meat, they missed this young woman. No one knew where she had gone, +and her relations were frightened and very sad because they could +not find her. So her father took his bow and quiver and put them on +his back and said, "I will go and find her"; and he climbed the +bluff and set out over the prairie. + +He travelled some distance, but saw nothing of his daughter. The sun +was hot, and at length he came to a buffalo wallow in which some +water was standing, and drank and sat down to rest. A little way off +on the prairie he saw a herd of buffalo. As the man sat there by the +wallow, trying to think what he might do to find his daughter, a +magpie came up and alighted on the ground near him. The man spoke to +it, saying, "M[)a]m-[=i]-[)a]t's[=i]-k[)i]m[)i]--Magpie--you are a +beautiful bird; help me, for I am very unhappy. As you travel about +over the prairie, look everywhere, and if you see my daughter say to +her, 'Your father is waiting by the wallow.'" + +Soon the magpie flew away, and as he passed near the herd of buffalo +he saw the young woman there, and alighting on the ground near her, +he began to pick at things, turning his head this way and that, and +seeming to look for food. When he was close to the girl he said to +her, "Your father is waiting by the wallow." + +"Sh-h-h! Sh-h-h!" replied the girl in a whisper, looking about her +very much frightened, for her bull husband was sleeping close by. +"Do not speak so loud. Go back and tell him to wait." + +"Your daughter is over there with the buffalo. She says 'Wait,'" +said the magpie when he had flown back to the poor father. + +After a little time the bull awoke and said to his wife, "Go and +bring me some water." Then the woman was glad, and she took a horn +from her husband's head and went to the wallow for water. + +"Oh, why did you come?" she said to her father. "They will surely +kill you." + +"I came to take my daughter back to my lodge. Come, let us go." + +"No," said the girl, "not now. They will surely chase us and kill +us. Wait until he sleeps again and I will try to get away." Then she +filled the horn with water and went back to the buffalo. + +Her husband drank a swallow of the water, and when he took the horn +it made a noise. "Ah," he said, as he looked about, "a person is +somewhere close by." + +"No one," replied the girl, but her heart stood still. The bull +drank again. Then he stood up on his feet and moaned and grunted, +"M-m-ah-oo! Bu-u-u!" Fearful was the sound. Up rose the other bulls, +raised their tails in the air, tossed their heads and bellowed back +to him. Then they pawed the earth, thrust their horns into it, +rushed here and there, and presently, coming to the wallow, found +there the poor man. They rushed over him, trampling him with their +great hoofs, thrust their horns into his body and tore him to +pieces, and trampled him again. Soon not even a piece of his body +could be seen--only the wet earth cut up by their hoofs. + +Then his daughter mourned in sorrow. "_Oh! Ah! Ni-nah-ah! Oh! Ah! +Ni-nah-ah!_"--Ah, my father, my father. + +"Ah," said her bull husband; "now you understand how it is that we +feel. You mourn for your father; but we have seen our fathers, +mothers, and many of our relations fall over the high cliffs, to be +killed for food by your people. But now I will pity you, I will give +you one chance. If you can bring your father to life, you and he may +go back to your camp." + +Then said the woman, "Ah, magpie, pity me, help me; for now I need +help. Look in the trampled mud of the wallow and see if you can find +even a little piece of my father's body and bring it to me." + +Swiftly the magpie flew to the wallow, and alighting there, walked +all about, looking in every hole and even tearing up the mud with +his sharp beak. Presently he uncovered something white, and as he +picked the mud from about it, he saw it was a bone, and pulling +hard, he dragged it from the mud--the joint of a man's backbone. +Then gladly he flew back with it to the woman. + +The girl put the bone on the ground and covered it with her robe and +began to sing. After she had sung she took the robe away, and there +under it lay her father's body, as if he had just died. Once again +she covered the body with the robe and sang, and this time when she +took the robe away the body was breathing. A third time she covered +the body with the robe and sang, and when she again took away the +robe, the body moved its arms and legs a little. A fourth time she +covered it and sang, and when she took away the robe her father +stood up. + +The buffalo were surprised and the magpie was glad, and flew about +making a great noise. + +"Now this day we have seen a strange thing," said her bull husband. +"The people's medicine is strong. He whom we trampled to death, whom +our hoofs cut to pieces and mixed all up with the soil, is alive +again. Now you shall go to your home, but before you go we will +teach you our dance and our song. Do not forget them." + +The buffalo showed the man and his daughter their dance and taught +them the songs, and then the bull said to them, "Now you are to go +back to your home, but do not forget what you have seen. Teach the +people this dance and these songs, and while they are dancing it let +them wear a bull's head and a robe. Those who are to be of the +Bulls Society shall wear them." + +When the poor man returned with his daughter, all the people were +glad. Then after a time he called a council of the chiefs and told +them the things that had happened. The chiefs chose certain young +men to be Bulls, and the man taught them the dance and the song, and +told them everything that they should do. + +So began the Bull Society. + + +THE OTHER SOCIETIES + +For a long time the buffalo had not been seen. Every one was hungry, +for the hunters could find no food for the people. + +A certain man, who had two wives, a daughter, and two sons, as he +saw what a hard time they were having, said, "I shall not stop here +to die. To-morrow we will move toward the mountains, where we may +kill elk and deer and sheep and antelope, or, if not these, at least +we shall find beaver and birds, and can get them. In this way we +shall have food to eat and shall live." + +Next morning they caught their dogs and harnessed them to the +travois and took their loads on their backs and set out. It was +still winter, and they travelled slowly. Besides, they were weak +from hunger and could go only a short distance in a day. The fourth +night came, and they sat in their lodge, tired and hungry. No one +spoke, for people who are hungry do not care to talk. Suddenly, +outside, the dogs began to bark, and soon the door was pushed aside +and a young man entered. + +"Welcome," said the man, and he motioned to a place where the +stranger should sit. + +Now during this day there had been blowing a warm wind which had +melted the snow, so that the prairie was covered with water, yet +this young man's moccasins and leggings were dry. They saw this, and +were frightened. They sat there for a long time, saying nothing. + +Then the young man spoke and asked, "Why is this? Why do you not +give me food?" + +"Ah," replied the father, "you see here people who are truly poor. +We have no food. For many days the buffalo did not come in sight, +and we looked for deer and other animals, which people eat, and when +these had all been killed we began to starve. Then I said, 'We will +not stay here to die from hunger,' and we set out for the mountains. +This is the fourth night of our travels." + +"Ah," said the young man, "then your travels are ended. You need go +no farther. Close by here is our piskun. Many buffalo have been run +in, and our parfleches are filled with dried meat. Wait a little; I +will go and bring you some," and he went out. + +As soon as he had gone they began to talk about this strange person. +They were afraid of him and did not know what to do. The children +began to cry, and the women tried to quiet them. Presently the young +man came back, bringing some meat. + +"There is food," said he, as he put it down by the woman. "Now +to-morrow move your camp over to our lodges. Do not fear anything. +No matter what strange things you may see, do not fear. All will be +your friends. Yet about one thing I must warn you. In this you +should be careful. If you should find an arrow lying about +anywhere, in the piskun or outside, do not touch it, neither you nor +your wives nor your children." When he had said this he went out. + +The father took his pipe and filled it, and smoked and prayed to all +the powers, saying, "Hear now, Sun; listen, Above People; listen, +Underwater People; now you have taken pity; now you have given us +food. We are going to those mysterious ones who walk through water +with dry moccasins. Protect us among these to-be-feared people. Let +us live. Man, woman, and child, give us long life." + +Now from the fire again arose the smell of roasting meat. The +children ate and played. Those who so long had been silent now +talked and laughed. + +Early in the morning, as soon as the sun had risen, they took down +their lodge and packed their dogs and started for the camp of the +stranger. When they had come to where they could see it, they found +it a wonderful place. There around the piskun, and stretching far +up and down the valley, were pitched the lodges of the meat eaters. +They could not see them all, but near by they saw the lodges of the +Bear band, the Fox band, and the Raven band. The father of the young +man who had visited them and given them meat was the chief of the +Wolf band, and by that band they pitched their lodge. Truly that was +a happy place. Food was plenty. All day long people were shouting +out for feasts, and everywhere was heard the sound of drumming and +singing and dancing. + +The newly come people went to the piskun for meat, and there one of +the children saw an arrow lying on the ground. It was a beautiful +arrow, the stone point long, slender, and sharp, the shaft round and +straight. The boy remembered what had been said and he looked around +fearfully, but everywhere the people were busy. No one was looking. +He picked up the arrow and put it under his robe. + +Then there rose a terrible sound. All the animals howled and growled +and rushed toward him, but the chief Wolf got to him first, and +holding up his hand said, "Wait. He is young and not yet of good +sense. We will let him go this time." They did nothing to him. + +When night came some one shouted out, calling people to a feast and +saying, "Listen, listen, Wolf, you are to eat; enter with your +friend." + +"We are invited," said the chief Wolf to his new friend, and +together they went to the lodge from which the call came. + +Within the lodge the fire burned brightly, and seated around it were +many men, the old and wise of the Raven band. On the lodge lining, +hanging behind the seats, were the paintings of many great deeds. +Food was placed before the guests--pemican and berries and dried +back fat--and after they had eaten the pipe was lighted and passed +around the circle. Then the Raven chief spoke and said, "Now, Wolf, +I am going to give our new friend a present. What do you think of +that?" + +"It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf; "our new friend will be +glad." + +From a long parfleche sack the Raven chief took a slender stick, +beautifully ornamented with many-colored feathers. To the end of +the stick was tied the skin of a raven--head, wings, feet, and tail. + +"We," said the Raven chief, "are those who carry the raven +(M[)a]s-to-p[=a]h'-t[)a]-k[=i]ks). Of all the fliers, of all the +birds, what one is so smart as the raven? None. The raven's eyes are +sharp, his wings are strong. He is a great hunter and never hungry. +Far off on the prairie he sees his food, or if it is deep hidden in +the forest it does not escape him. This is our song and our dance." + +When he had finished singing and dancing he placed the stick in +the sack and gave it to the man and said, "Take it with you, +and when you have returned to your people you shall say, 'Now +there are already the Bulls, and he who is the Raven chief +said, "There shall be more. There shall be the All Friends +([=I]k[)u]n-[)u]h'-k[=a]h-ts[)i]), so that the people may live, +and of the All Friends shall be the Raven Bearers."' You shall +call a council of the chiefs and wise old men, and they shall +choose the persons who are to belong to the society. Teach them +the song and the dance, and give them the medicine. It shall be +theirs forever." + +Soon they heard another person shouting out the feast call, and, +going, they entered the lodge of the chief of the Kit-Foxes +(S[)i]n'-o-pah). Here, too, old men had gathered. After they had +eaten of the food set before them, the chief said, "Those among whom +you have just come are generous. They do not look carefully at the +things they have, but give to the stranger and pity the poor. The +kit-fox is a little animal, but what one is smarter? None. His hair +is like the dead grass of the prairie; his eyes are keen; his feet +make no noise when he walks; his brain is cunning. His ears receive +the far-off sound. Here is our medicine. Take it." He gave the man +the stick. It was long, crooked at one end, wound with fur, and tied +here and there with eagle feathers. At the end was a kit-fox skin. +Again the chief spoke and said, "Listen to our song. Do not forget +it, and the dance, too, you must remember. When you reach home teach +them to the people." He sang and danced. Then presently his guests +departed. + +Again they heard the feast shout, and he who called was the chief +of the Bear society. After they had eaten and smoked the chief said, + +"What is your opinion, friend Wolf? Shall we give our new friend a +present?" + +"It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf. "It is yours to give." + +Then spoke the Bear, saying, "There are many animals and some of +them are powerful; but the bear is the strongest and greatest of +all. He fears nothing and is always ready to fight." + +Then he put on a necklace of bear claws, a band of bear fur about +his head, and a belt of bear fur, and sang and danced. When he had +finished he gave the things he had worn to the man and said, "Teach +the people our song and our dance, and give them this medicine. It +is powerful." + +It was very late. The Seven Stars had come to the middle of the +night, yet again they heard the feast shout from the far end of the +camp. In this lodge the men were painted with streaks of red, and +their hair was all pushed to one side. After the feast the chief +said, "We are different from all others here. We are called the +Braves (M[)u]t'-s[)i]ks). We know not fear; we are death. Even if +our enemies are as many as the grass we do not turn away, but fight +and conquer. Bows are good weapons, lances are better; but our +weapon is the knife." + +Then the chief sang and danced, and afterward he gave the Wolf +chief's friend the medicine. It was a long knife and many scalps +were tied on the handle. "This," said he, "is for the All Friends." + +To one more lodge they were called that night and the lodge owner +taught the man his song and dance, and gave him his medicine. Then +the Wolf chief and his friend went home and slept. + +Early next day the Blackfeet women began to take down the lodge and +to get ready to move their camp. Many women came and made them +presents of food, dried meat, pemican, and berries. They were given +so much that they could not take it all with them. It was long +before they joined the main camp, for it had moved south, looking +for buffalo. + +When they reached the camp, as soon as the lodge was pitched, the +man called all the chiefs to come and feast with him, and told them +what he had seen, and showed them the different medicines. Then the +chiefs chose certain young men to belong to the different societies, +and this man taught them the songs and dances, and gave its medicine +to each society. + + + + +THE FIRST MEDICINE LODGE + + +The chief god of the Blackfeet is the Sun. He made the world and +rules it, and to him the people pray. One of his names is Napi--old +man; but there is another Napi who is very different from the Sun, +and instead of being great, wise, and wonderful, is foolish, mean, +and contemptible. We shall hear about him further on. + +Every year in summer, about the time the berries ripen, the +Blackfeet used to hold the great festival and sacrifice which we +call the ceremony of the Medicine Lodge. This was a time of happy +meetings, of feasting, of giving presents; but besides this +rejoicing, those men who wished to have good-luck in whatever they +might undertake tried to prove their prayers sincere by sacrificing +their bodies, torturing themselves in ways that caused great +suffering. In ancient times, as we are told in books of history, +things like that used to happen among many peoples all over the +world. + +It was the law that the building of the Medicine Lodge must always +be pledged by a good woman. If a woman had a son or a husband away +at war and feared that he was in danger, or if she had a child that +was sick and might die, she might pray for the safety of the one she +loved, and promise that if he returned or recovered she would build +a Medicine Lodge. This pledge was made in a loud voice, publicly, in +open air, so that all might know the promise had been made. + +At the time appointed all the tribe came together and pitched their +lodges in a great circle, and within this circle the Medicine Lodge +was built. The ceremony lasted for four days and four nights, during +which time the woman who had promised to make the Medicine Lodge +neither ate nor drank, except once in sacrifice. Different stories +are told of how the first Medicine Lodge came to be built. This is +one of those stories: + +In the earliest times there was a man who had a very beautiful +daughter. Many young men wished to marry her, but whenever she was +asked she shook her head and said she did not wish to marry. + +"Why is this?" said her father. "Some of these young men are rich, +handsome, and brave." + +"Why should I marry?" replied the girl. "My father and mother take +care of me. Our lodge is good; the parfleches are never empty; there +are plenty of tanned robes and soft furs for winter. Why trouble me, +then?" + +Soon after, the Raven Bearers held a dance. They all painted +themselves nicely and wore their finest ornaments and each one tried +to dance the best. Afterward some of them asked for this girl, but +she said, "No." After that the Bulls, the Kit-Foxes, and others of +the All Comrades held their dances, and many men who were rich and +some great warriors asked this man for his daughter, but to every +one she said, "No." + +Then her father was angry, and he said, "Why is this? All the best +men have asked for you, and still you say 'No.'" Then the girl +said, "Father, listen to me. That Above Person, the Sun, said to me, +'Do not marry any of these men, for you belong to me. Listen to what +I say, and you shall be happy and live to a great age.' And again he +said to me, 'Take heed, you must not marry; you are mine.'" + +"Ah!" replied her father; "it must always be as he says"; and they +spoke no more about it. + +There was a poor young man. He was very poor. His father, his +mother, and all his relations were dead. He had no lodge, no wife to +tan his robes or make his moccasins. His clothes were always old and +worn. He had no home. To-day he stopped in one lodge; then to-morrow +he ate and slept in another. Thus he lived. He had a good face, but +on his cheek was a bad scar. + +After they had held those dances, some of the young men met this +poor Scarface, and they laughed at him and said, "Why do not you ask +that girl to marry you? You are so rich and handsome." + +Scarface did not laugh. He looked at them and said, "I will do as +you say; I will go and ask her." + +All the young men thought this was funny; they laughed a good deal +at Scarface as he was walking away. + +Scarface went down by the river and waited there, near the place +where the women went to get water. By and by the girl came there. +Scarface spoke to her, and said, "Girl, stop; I want to speak with +you. I do not wish to do anything secretly, but I speak to you here +openly, where the Sun looks down and all may see." + +"Speak, then," said the girl. + +"I have seen the days," said Scarface. "I have seen how you have +refused all those men, who are young and rich and brave. To-day some +of these young men laughed and said to me, 'Why do not you ask her?' +I am poor. I have no lodge, no food, no clothes, no robes. I have no +relations. All of them have died. Yet now to-day I say to you, take +pity. Be my wife." + +The girl hid her face in her robe and brushed the ground with the +point of her moccasin, back and forth, back and forth, for she was +thinking. + +After a time she spoke and said, "It is true I have refused all +those rich young men; yet now a poor one asks me, and I am glad. I +will be your wife, and my people will be glad. You are poor, but +that does not matter. My father will give you dogs; my mother will +make us a lodge; my relations will give us robes and furs; you will +no longer be poor." + +Then the young man was glad, and he started forward to kiss her, but +she put out her hand and held him back, and said, "Wait; the Sun has +spoken to me. He said I may not marry; that I belong to him; that if +I listen to him I shall live to great age. So now I say, go to the +Sun; say to him, 'She whom you spoke with has listened to your +words; she has never done wrong, but now she wants to marry. I want +her for my wife.' Ask him to take that scar from your face; that +will be his sign, and I shall know he is pleased. But if he refuses, +or if you cannot find his lodge, then do not return to me." + +"Oh!" cried Scarface; "at first your words were good. I was glad. +But now it is dark. My heart is dead. Where is that far-off lodge? +Where is the trail that no one yet has travelled?" + +"Take courage, take courage," said the girl softly, and she went on +to her lodge. + +Scarface was very unhappy. He did not know what to do. He sat down +and covered his face with his robe, and tried to think. At length he +stood up and went to an old woman who had been kind to him, and said +to her, "Pity me. I am very poor. I am going away, on a long +journey. Make me some moccasins." + +"Where are you going--far from the camp?" asked the old woman. + +"I do not know where I am going," he replied; "I am in trouble, but +I cannot talk about it." + +This old woman had a kind heart. She made him moccasins--seven +pairs; and gave him also a sack of food--pemican, dried meat, and +back fat. + +All alone, and with a sad heart, Scarface climbed the bluff that +overlooked the valley, and when he had reached the top, turned to +look back at the camp. He wondered if he should ever see it again; +if he should return to the girl and to the people. + +"Pity me, O Sun!" he prayed; and turning away, he set off to look +for the trail to the Sun's lodge. + +For many days he went on. He crossed great prairies and followed up +timbered rivers, and crossed the mountains. Every day his sack of +food grew lighter, but as he went along he looked for berries and +roots, and sometimes he killed an animal. These things gave him +food. + +One night he came to the home of a wolf. "Hah!" said the wolf; "what +are you doing so far from your home?" + +"I am looking for the place where the Sun lives," replied Scarface. +"I have been sent to speak with him." + +"I have travelled over much country," said the wolf; "I know all the +prairies, the valleys, and the mountains; but I have never seen the +Sun's home. But wait a moment. I know a person who is very wise, +and who may be able to tell you the road. Ask the bear." + +The next day Scarface went on again, stopping now and then to rest +and to pick berries, and when night came he was at the bear's lodge. + +"Where is your home?" asked the bear. "Why are you travelling so far +alone?" + +"Ah," replied the man, "I have come to you for help. Pity me. +Because of what that girl said to me, I am looking for the Sun. I +wish to ask him for her." + +"I do not know where he lives," said the bear. "I have travelled by +many rivers and I know the mountains, yet I have not seen his lodge. +Farther on there is some one--that striped face--who knows a great +deal; ask him." + +When the young man got there, the badger was in his hole. But +Scarface called to him, "Oh, cunning striped face! I wish to speak +with you." + +The badger put his head out of the hole and said, "What do you want, +my brother?" + +"I wish to find the Sun's home," said Scarface. "I wish to speak +with him." + +"I do not know where he lives," answered the badger. "I never +travel very far. Over there in the timber is the wolverene. He is +always travelling about, and knows many things. Perhaps he can tell +you." + +Scarface went over to the forest and looked all about for the +wolverene, but could not see him; so he sat down on a log to rest. +"Alas, alas!" he cried; "wolverene, take pity on me. My food is +gone, my moccasins are worn out; I fear I shall die." + +Some one close to him said, "What is it, my brother?" and looking +around, he saw the wolverene sitting there. + +"She whom I wish to marry belongs to the Sun," said Scarface; "I am +trying to find where he lives, so that I may ask him for her." + +"Ah," said the wolverene, "I know where he lives. It is nearly night +now, but to-morrow I will show you the trail to the big water. He +lives on the other side of it." + +Early in the morning they set out, and the wolverene showed Scarface +the trail, and he followed it until he came to the water's edge. +When he looked out over it, his heart almost stopped. Never before +had any one seen such a great water. The other side could not be +seen and there was no end to it. Scarface sat down on the shore. +This seemed the end. His food was gone; his moccasins were worn out; +he had no longer strength, no longer courage; his heart was sick. "I +cannot cross this great water," he said. "I cannot return to the +people. Here by this water I shall die." + +Yet, even as he thought this, helpers were near. Two swans came +swimming up to the shore and said to him, "Why have you come here? +What are you doing? It is very far to the place where your people +live." + +"I have come here to die," replied Scarface. "Far away in my country +is a beautiful girl. I want to marry her, but she belongs to the +Sun; so I set out to find him and ask him for her. I have travelled +many days. My food is gone. I cannot go back; I cannot cross this +great water; so I must die." + +"No," said the swans; "it shall not be so. Across this water is the +home of that Above Person. Get on our backs, and we will take you +there." + +Scarface stood up. Now he felt strong and full of courage. He waded +out into the water and lay down on the swans' backs, and they swam +away. It was a fearful journey, for that water was deep and black, +and in it live strange people and great animals which might reach up +and seize a person and pull him down under the water; yet the swans +carried Scarface safely to the other side. There was seen a broad, +hard trail leading back from the water's edge. + +"There," said the swans; "you are now close to the Sun's lodge. +Follow that trail, and soon you will see it." + +Scarface started to walk along the trail, and after he had gone a +little way he came to some beautiful things lying in the trail. +There was a war shirt, a shield, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. He +had never seen such fine weapons. He looked at them, but he did not +touch them, and at last walked around them and went on. A little +farther along he met a young man, a very handsome person. His hair +was long; his clothing was made of strange skins, and his moccasins +were sewed with bright feathers. + +The young man spoke to him and asked, "Did you see some weapons +lying in the trail?" + +"Yes," replied Scarface, "I saw them." + +"Did you touch them?" said the young man. + +"No," said Scarface; "I supposed some one had left them there, and I +did not touch them." + +"You do not meddle with the property of others," said the young man. +"What is your name, and where are you going?" Scarface told him. +Then said the young man, "My name is Early Riser (the morning star). +The Sun is my father. Come, I will take you to our lodge. My father +is not at home now, but he will return at night." + +At length they came to the lodge. It was large and handsome, and on +it were painted strange medicine animals. On a tripod behind the +lodge were the Sun's weapons and his war clothing. Scarface was +ashamed to go into the lodge, but Morning Star said, "Friend, do not +be afraid; we are glad you have come." + +When they went in a woman was sitting there, the Moon, the Sun's +wife and the mother of Morning Star. She spoke to Scarface kindly +and gave him food to eat, and when he had eaten she asked, "Why have +you come so far from your people?" + +So Scarface told her about the beautiful girl that he wished to +marry and said, "She belongs to the Sun. I have come to ask him for +her." + +When it was almost night, and time for the Sun to come home, the +Moon hid Scarface under a pile of robes. As soon as the Sun got to +the doorway he said, "A strange person is here." + +"Yes, father," said Morning Star, "a young man has come to see you. +He is a good young man, for he found some of my things in the trail +and did not touch them." + +Scarface came out from under the robes and the Sun entered the lodge +and sat down. He spoke to Scarface and said, "I am glad you have +come to our lodge. Stay with us as long as you like. Sometimes my +son is lonely. Be his friend." + +The next day the two young men were talking about going hunting and +the Moon spoke to Scarface and said, "Go with my son where you +like, but do not hunt near that big water. Do not let him go there. +That is the home of great birds with long, sharp bills. They kill +people. I have had many sons, but these birds have killed them all. +Only Morning Star is left." + +Scarface stayed a long time in the Sun's lodge, and every day went +hunting with Morning Star. One day they came near the water and saw +the big birds. + +"Come on," said Morning Star, "let us go and kill those birds." + +"No, no," said Scarface, "we must not go there. Those are terrible +birds; they will kill us." + +Morning Star would not listen. He ran toward the water and Scarface +ran after him, for he knew that he must kill the birds and save the +boy's life. He ran ahead of Morning Star and met the birds, which +were coming to fight, and killed every one of them with his spear; +not one was left. The young men cut off the heads of the birds and +carried them home, and when Morning Star's mother heard what they +had done, and they showed her the birds' heads, she was glad. She +cried over the two young men and called Scarface "My son," and when +the Sun came home at night she told him about it, and he too was +glad. + +"My son," he said to Scarface, "I will not forget what you have this +day done for me. Tell me now what I can do for you; what is your +trouble?" + +"Alas, alas!" replied Scarface, "Pity me. I came here to ask you for +that girl. I want to marry her. I asked her and she was glad, but +she says that she belongs to you, and that you told her not to +marry." + +"What you say is true," replied the Sun. "I have seen the days and +all that she has done. Now I give her to you. She is yours. I am +glad that she has been wise, and I know that she has never done +wrong. The Sun takes care of good women; they shall live a long +time, and so shall their husbands and children. + +"Now, soon you will go home. I wish to tell you something and you +must be wise and listen. I am the only chief; everything is mine; I +made the earth, the mountains, the prairies, the rivers, and the +forests; I made the people and all the animals. This is why I say +that I alone am chief. I can never die. It is true the winter makes +me old and weak, but every summer I grow young again. + +"What one of all the animals is the smartest?" the Sun went on. "It +is the raven, for he always finds food; he is never hungry. Which +one of all the animals is the most to be reverenced? It is the +buffalo; of all the animals I like him best. He is for the people; +he is your food and your shelter. What part of his body is sacred? +It is the tongue; that belongs to me. What else is sacred? Berries. +They too are mine. Come with me now and see the world." + +The Sun took Scarface to the edge of the sky and they looked down +and saw the world. It is flat and round, and all around the edge it +goes straight down. Then said the Sun, "If any man is sick or in +danger his wife may promise to build me a lodge if he recovers. If +the woman is good, then I shall be pleased and help the man; but if +she is not good, or if she lies, then I shall be angry. You shall +build the lodge like the world, round, with walls, but first you +must build a sweat-lodge of one hundred sticks. It shall be arched +like the sky, and one-half of it shall be painted red for me, the +other half you shall paint black for the night." He told Scarface +all about making the Medicine Lodge, and when he had finished +speaking, he rubbed some medicine on the young man's face and the +scar that had been there disappeared. He gave him two raven +feathers, saying: "These are a sign for the girl that I give her to +you. They must always be worn by the husband of the woman who builds +a Medicine Lodge." + +Now Scarface was ready to return home. The Sun and Morning Star gave +him many good presents; the Moon cried and kissed him and was sorry +to see him go. Then the Sun showed him the short trail. It was the +Wolf Road--the Milky Way. He followed it and soon reached the +ground. + + * * * * * + +It was a very hot day. All the lodge skins were raised and the +people sat in the shade. There was a chief, a very generous man, +who all day long was calling out for feasts, and people kept coming +to his lodge to eat and smoke with him. Early in the morning this +chief saw sitting on a butte near by a person close-wrapped in his +robe. All day long this person sat there and did not move. When it +was almost night the chief said, "That person has sat there all day +in the strong heat, and he has not eaten nor drunk. Perhaps he is a +stranger. Go and ask him to come to my lodge." + +Some young men ran up to the person and said to him, "Why have you +sat here all day in the great heat? Come to the shade of the lodges. +The chief asks you to eat with him." The person rose and threw off +his robe and the young men were surprised. He wore fine clothing; +his bow, shield, and other weapons were of strange make; but they +knew his face, although the scar was gone, and they ran ahead, +shouting, "The Scarface poor young man has come. He is poor no +longer. The scar on his face is gone." + +All the people hurried out to see him and to ask him questions. +"Where did you get all these fine things?" He did not answer. There +in the crowd stood that young woman, and, taking the two raven +feathers from his head, he gave them to her and said, "The trail was +long and I nearly died, but by those helpers I found his lodge. He +is glad. He sends these feathers to you. They are the sign." + +Great was her gladness then. They were married and made the first +Medicine Lodge, as the Sun had said. The Sun was glad. He gave them +great age. They were never sick. When they were very old, one +morning their children called to them, "Awake, rise and eat." They +did not move. + +In the night, together, in sleep, without pain, their shadows had +departed to the Sandhills. + + + + +THE BUFFALO-PAINTED LODGES + + +The old lodges of the Piegans were made of buffalo skin and were +painted with pictures of different kinds--birds, or animals, or +trees, or mountains. It is believed that in most cases the first +painter of any lodge was taught how he should paint it in a dream, +but this was not always the case. + +Two of the most important lodges in the Blackfeet camp are known as +the [=I]n[)i]s'k[)i]m lodges. Both are painted with figures of +buffalo, one with black buffalo, and the other with yellow buffalo. +Certain of the Inis'kim are kept in these lodges and can be +kept in no others. + +This story tells how these two lodges came to be made. + +The painters were told what to do long, long ago, "in about the +second generation after the first people." + +In those days the old Piegans lived in the north, close to the Red +Deer River. The camp moved, and the lodges were pitched on the +river. One day two old men who were close friends had gone out from +the camp to find some straight cherry shoots with which to make +arrows. After they had gathered their shafts, they sat down on a +high bank by the river and began to peel the bark from the shoots. +The river was high. One of these men was named Weasel Heart and the +other Fisher. + +As they sat there, Weasel Heart chanced to look down into the water +and saw something. He said to his comrade, "Friend, do you not see +something down there where the water goes around?" + +Fisher said, "No; I see nothing except buffalo," for he was looking +across the river to the other side, and not down into the water. + +"No," said Weasel Heart; "I do not mean over there on the prairie. +Look down into that deep hole in the river, and you will see a lodge +there." + +Fisher looked as he had been told, and saw the lodge. + +Weasel Heart said, "There is a lodge painted with black +buffalo." As he spoke thus, Fisher said, "I see another lodge, +standing in front of it." Weasel Heart saw that lodge too--the +yellow-painted-buffalo lodge. + +The two men wondered at this and could not understand how it could +be, but they were both men of strong hearts, and presently Weasel +Heart said, "Friend, I shall go down to enter that lodge. Do you sit +here and tell me when I get to the place." Then Weasel Heart went up +the river and found a drift-log to support him and pushed it out +into the water, and floated down toward the cut bank. When he had +reached the place where the lodge stood Fisher told him, and he let +go the log and dived down into the water and entered the lodge. + +In it he found two persons who owned the lodge, a man and his wife. +The man said to him, "You are welcome," and Weasel Heart sat down. +Then spoke the owner of the lodge saying, "My son, this is my lodge, +and I give it to you. Look well at it inside and outside; and make +your lodge like this. If you do that, it may be a help to you." + +Fisher sat a long time waiting for his friend, but at last he +looked down the stream and saw a man on the shore walking toward +him. He came along the bank until he had reached his friend. It was +Weasel Heart. + +Fisher said to him, "I have been waiting a long time, and I was +afraid that something bad had happened to you." + +Weasel Heart asked him, "Did you see me?" + +"I saw you," said Fisher, "when you went into that lodge. Did you, +when you came out of the lodge, see there in the water another lodge +painted with yellow buffalo? Is it still there?" + +Weasel Heart said, "I saw it; it is there. Go you into the water as +I did." + +Then Fisher went up the stream as his friend had gone and entered +the water at the same place and swam down as Weasel Heart had done, +and when Weasel Heart showed him the place he dived down and +disappeared as Weasel Heart had disappeared. He entered the +yellow-painted-buffalo lodge, and his friend saw him go into it. + +In the lodge were two persons, a man and his wife. The man said to +him, "You are welcome; sit there." He spoke further, saying, "My +son, you have seen this lodge of mine; I give it to you. Look +carefully at it, inside and outside, and fix up your lodge in that +way. It may be a help to you hereafter." Then Fisher went out. + +Weasel Heart waited for his friend as long as Fisher had waited for +him, and when Fisher came out of the water it was at the place where +Weasel Heart had come out. Then the two friends went home to the +camp. + +When the two had come to a hill near the camp they met a young man, +and by him sent word that the people should make a sweat-house for +them. After the sweat-house had been made, word was sent to them, +and they entered the camp and went into the sweat-house and took a +sweat, and all the time while they were sweating, sand was falling +from their bodies. + +Some time after that the people moved camp and went out and killed +buffalo, and these two men made two lodges, and painted them just as +the lodges were painted that they had seen in the river. + +These two men had strong power which came to them from the +Under-water People. + +Once the people wished to cross the river, but the stream was deep +and it was always hard for them to get across. Often the dogs and +the travois were swept away and the people lost many of their +things. At this time the tribe wished to cross, and Fisher and +Weasel Heart said to each other, "The people want to cross the +river, but it is high and they cannot do so. Let us try to make a +crossing, so that it will be easier for them." So Weasel Heart alone +crossed the river and sat on the bank on the other side, and Fisher +sat opposite to him on the bank where the camp was. + +Then Fisher said to the people, "Pack up your things now and get +ready to cross. I will make a place where you can cross easily." + +Weasel Heart and Fisher filled their pipes and smoked, and then each +started to cross the river. As each stepped into the water, the +river began to go down and the crossing grew more and more shallow. +The people with all their dogs followed close behind Fisher, as he +had told them to do. Fisher and Weasel Heart met in the middle of +the river, and when they met they stepped to one side up the stream +and let the people pass them. Ever since that day this has been a +shallow crossing. + +These lodges came from the Under-water +People--S[=u]'y[=e]-t[)u]p'p[)i]. They were those who had owned them +and who had been kind to Weasel Heart and Fisher. + + + + +MIKA'PI--RED OLD MAN + + +In Montana, running into the Missouri River from the south, is a +little stream that the Blackfeet call "It Fell on Them." Once, long, +long ago, while a number of women were digging in a bank near this +stream for the red earth that they used as paint, the bank gave way +and fell on them, burying and killing them. The white people call +this Armell's Creek. + +It was on this stream near the mountains that the Piegans were +camped when M[=i]ka'pi went to war. This was long ago. + +Early in the morning a herd of buffalo had been seen feeding on the +slopes of the mountains, and some hunters went out to kill them. +Travelling carefully up the ravines, and keeping out of sight of the +herd, they came close to them, near enough to shoot their arrows, +and they began to kill fat cows. But while they were doing this a +war party of Snakes that had been hidden on the mountainside +attacked them, and the Piegans began to run back toward their camp. + +One of them, called Fox Eye, was a brave man, and shouted to the +others to stop and wait, saying, "Let us fight these people; the +Snakes are not brave; we can drive them back." But the other Piegans +would not listen to him; they made excuses, saying, "We have no +shields; our war medicine is not here; there are many of them; why +should we stop here to die?" They ran on to the camp, but Fox Eye +would not run. Hiding behind a rock he prepared to fight, but as he +was looking for some enemy to shoot at, holding his arrow on the +string, a Snake had crept up on the bank above him; the Piegan heard +the twang of the bowstring, and the long, fine arrow passed through +his body. His bow and arrow dropped from his hands, and he fell +forward, dead. Now, too late, the warriors came rushing out from the +Piegan camp to help him, but the Snakes scalped their enemy, +scattered up the mountain, and soon were hidden in the timber. + +Fox Eye had two wives, and their father and mother and all their +near relations were dead. All Fox Eye's relations had died. So it +happened that these poor widows had no one to help them--no one to +take vengeance for the killing of their husband. + +All day long, and often far into the night, these two sat on a +near-by hill and wailed, and their mourning was sad. + +There was a young man named Mika'pi. Every morning when he awoke +he heard the mourning of these poor widows, and all through the day +he could not forget their sorrow. He pitied them. One day he sent +his mother to them, to tell them that he wished to speak with them. +When they had come to the lodge they entered and sat down close by +the doorway and covered their heads. + +"Listen!" said Mika'pi. "For days and nights I have heard your +mourning, and I too have mourned. Your husband was my close friend, +and now he is dead, and no relations are left to avenge him. So now +I say to you, I will take the load from your hearts; I will go to +war and kill enemies and take scalps, and when I return they shall +be yours. I will wipe away your tears, and we shall be glad that Fox +Eye is avenged." + +When the people heard that Mika'pi was going to war many young +men wished to join him, but he refused. "I shall go alone," he said. +So when he had taken a medicine sweat and had asked a priest to pray +for him in his absence, he left the camp one evening, just as it was +growing dark. + +It is only the foolish warrior who travels in the day. The wise one +knows that war-parties may be out, or that some camp watcher sitting +on a hill may see him far off and may try to kill him. Mika'pi +was not one of these foolish persons. He was brave and cautious, and +he had powerful helpers. Some have said that he was helped by the +ghosts. When he started to war against the Snakes he travelled in +low places, and at sunrise he climbed some hill near by and looked +carefully over the country in all directions, and during all the +long day he lay there and watched, sleeping often, but only for a +short time. + +When Mika'pi had come to the Great Place of Falling Water,[A] it +began to rain hard, and, looking about for a place to sleep, he saw +a hole in the rocks and crept in and lay down at the farther end. +The rain did not stop, and when it grew dark he could not travel +because of the darkness and the storm, so he lay down to sleep +again; but before he had fallen asleep he heard something at the +mouth of the cave, and then something creeping toward him. Then soon +something touched his breast, and he put out his hand and felt a +person. Then he sat up. + + [Footnote A: The Great Falls of the Missouri.] + +Mika'pi stretched out his hand and put its palm on the person's +breast and moved his hand quickly from side to side, and then +touched the person with the point of his finger, which in sign +language means, "Who are you?" The stranger took Mika'pi's hand +and made him feel of his own right hand. The thumb and fingers were +closed except the forefinger, which was extended. When Mika'pi's +hand was on the stranger's hand the person moved his hand forward +with a zigzag motion, meaning Snake. + +Mika'pi was glad. Here had come to him one of the tribe he was +seeking, yet he thought it better to wait for a time before fighting +him; so when, in signs, the Snake asked Mika'pi who he was he +replied, by making the sign for paddling a canoe, that he was a +River person, for he knew that the Snakes and the River people, or +Pend d'Oreilles, were at peace. Then the two lay down for the night, +but Mika'pi did not sleep. Through the long night he watched for +the first light, so that he might kill his enemy; and just at +daybreak Mika'pi, without noise, strung his bow, fitted an arrow +to the string, and sent the thin shaft through his enemy's heart. +The Snake half rose up and fell back dead. Mika'pi scalped him, +took his bow and arrows and his bundle of moccasins, and went out of +the cave and looked all about. Daylight had come, but no one was in +sight. Perhaps, like himself, the Snake had gone to war alone. +Mika'pi did not forget to be careful because he had been +fortunate. He travelled only a little way, and then hid himself and +waited for night before going on. After drinking from the river he +ate and, climbing up on a high rock wall, he slept. + +He dreamed that he fought with strange people and was wounded. He +felt blood trickling from his wounds, and when he awoke he knew that +he had been warned to turn back. Other signs were bad. He saw an +eagle rising carrying a snake, which dropped from its claws. The +setting sun too was painted, a sure warning that danger was near. In +spite of all these things Mika'pi determined to go on. He thought +of the poor widows mourning; he thought of welcome of the people if +he should return with scalps; he thought also of two young sisters +whom he wished to marry. If he could return with proof of brave +deeds, they would think well of him. + +Mika'pi travelled onward. + + * * * * * + +The sun had already disappeared behind the sharp pointed dark peaks +of the mountains. It was nearly night. As the light grew dim, the +far stretching prairie began to be hidden. By a stream in a valley +where grew large and small trees were the lodges of a great camp. +For a long distance up and down the river rose the smokes of many +fires. + +On a hill overlooking the valley sat a person alone. His robe was +drawn close about him, and he sat there without moving, looking down +on the valley and out on the prairie above it. Perhaps he was +watching for enemies; perhaps he was praying. + +Creeping through the grass behind this person, something was slowly +drawing near to him. There was no noise, the watcher heard nothing; +still he sat there, looking out over the prairie, and turning his +head neither to the right nor the left. This thing behind him kept +creeping closer, and presently it was so near it could touch the +man. Perhaps then there was some little rustle of the grass, and the +watcher turned his head. It was too late. A strong arm around his +neck bent his head back, a hand covered his mouth, a long stone +knife was thrust into his breast, and he died in silence. The fading +light had kept people in the camp from seeing what had happened. + +The man who had used the knife scalped his enemy, and slowly, +hidden by the grass, crept down the hill that he had just ascended, +and when he reached the cover of a low place Mika'pi rose to his +feet and crept away. He had another Snake scalp tied to his belt. +His heart was glad, but he was not satisfied. + +Several nights had passed since the signs warned him to turn back, +but notwithstanding the warnings, he had succeeded. Perhaps his +success had made him too confident. He longed for more of it. "One +more scalp I shall take," he said, "and then I will return to the +people." + +He climbed far up the mountainside and hid among the pines and +slept, but when day came he awoke and crept out to a point where he +could see the camp. He saw the smoke rising as the women kindled +their morning fires; he saw the people going about through the camp, +and then presently he saw many people rush up on the hill where he +had left the dead enemy. He could not hear their angry cries, nor +their mournful wailings, but he knew how badly they felt, and he +sung a song, for he was happy. + +Once more the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and as +darkness grew Mika'pi came down from where he had been hiding and +carefully approached the camp. Now was a time of danger. Now +watchers might be hidden anywhere, looking for the approach of +enemies, ready to raise a cry to warn the camp. Each bush or clump +of rye grass or willow thicket might hide an enemy. Very slowly, +looking and listening, Mika'pi crept around the outskirts of the +camp. He made no noise, he did not show himself. Presently he heard +some one clear his throat and then a cough, and a little bush moved. +Here was a watcher. Could he kill him and get away? He sat and +waited to see what would happen, for he knew where his enemy was, +but the enemy knew nothing of him. The great moon rose over the +eastern prairie and climbed high and began to travel across the sky. +Seven Persons swung around and pointed downward. It was about the +middle of the night. At length the person in the bush grew tired of +watching; he thought no enemy could be near and he rose and +stretched out his arms and yawned, but even as he stood an arrow +pierced him through, beneath the arms. He gave a loud cry and tried +to run, but another arrow struck him, and he fell. + +And now from out the camp rushed the warriors toward the sound, but +even as they came Mika'pi had taken the scalp from his enemy and +started to run away into the darkness. The moon was bright, and +close behind him were the Snakes. He heard arrows flying by him, and +presently one passed through his arm. He pulled it out and threw it +from him. Another struck his leg, and he fell, and a great shout +arose from the Snakes. Now their enemy was down and revenge for the +two lives lately taken was certain. + +But Mika'pi's helpers were not far off. It was at the very verge +of a high cut wall overhanging the river that Mika'pi fell, and +even as the Snakes shouted he rolled over the brink into the dark +rushing water below. The Snakes ran along the edge of the river, +looking into the water, with bent bows watching for the enemy's head +or body to appear, but they saw nothing. Carefully they looked +along the shores and sandbars; they did not find him. + +Mika'pi had sunk deep in the water. The swift current carried him +along, and when he rose to the surface he was beyond his enemies. +For some time he floated on, but the arrow in his leg pained him and +at last he crept out on a sandbar. He managed to draw the arrow from +his leg, and finding at the edge of the bar a dry log, he rolled it +into the water, and keeping his hands on it, drifted down the river +with the current. Cold and stiff from his wounds, he crept out on +the bank and lay down in the warm sunshine. Soon he fell asleep. + +When he awoke the sun was in the middle of the sky. His leg and arm +were swollen and pained him, yet he started to go home, and for a +time struggled onward; but at last, tired and discouraged, he sat +down. + +"Ah," he said to himself, "true were the signs! How crazy I was to +go against them! Now my bravery has been useless, for here I must +stop and die. The widows will still mourn, and who will care for my +father and mother in their old age? Pity me now, O Sun; help me, O +Great Above Person! Give me life!" + +Something was coming through the brush near him, breaking the sticks +as it walked. Was it the Snakes following his trail? Mika'pi +strung his bow and drew his arrows from the quiver. He waited. + +No, it was not a Snake; it was a bear, a big grizzly bear, standing +there looking down at Mika'pi. "What is my brother doing here?" +said the bear. "Why does he pray for life?" + +"Look at my leg," said Mika'pi; "swollen and sore. See my wounded +arm; I can hardly hold the bow. Far away is the home of my people, +and my strength is gone. Surely here I must die, for I cannot walk, +and I have no food." + +"Take courage, my brother," said the bear. "Keep up a strong heart, +for I will help you, and you shall have life." + +When he had said this he lifted Mika'pi in his arms and took him +to a place where there was thick mud, and there he took great +handfuls of the mud and plastered it on the wounds, and while he +was putting on the mud he sang a medicine song. Then he carried +Mika'pi to a place where there were many service berries, and he +broke off great branches of the fruit and gave them to him, saying, +"Eat; my brother, eat." He kept breaking off branches full of large, +ripe berries until Mika'pi was full and could eat no more. + +Then said the bear, "Now lie down on my back and hold tight by my +hair and we will go on"; and when Mika'pi had got on his back and +was ready the bear started. All through the night he travelled on +without stopping, and when morning came they rested for a time and +ate more berries, and again the bear put mud upon the man's wounds. +In this way they travelled on, until, on the fourth day, they had +come close to the lodges of the Piegans and the people saw them +coming, and wondered. + +"Get off now, my brother, get off," said the bear. "There is the +camp of your people. I shall leave you"; and at once he turned and +went off up the mountain. + +All the people came out to meet Mika'pi, and they carried him to +his father's lodge. He untied the scalps from his belt and gave them +to the poor widows, saying, "These are the scalps of your enemies; I +wipe away your tears." Then every one rejoiced. All Mika'pi's +women relations went through the camp, shouting out his name and +singing songs about him, and all prepared to dance the dance of +triumph and rejoicing. + +First came the widows. They carried the scalps tied on poles, and +their faces were painted black. Then came the medicine men, with +their medicine pipes unwrapped, and then the bands of the All +Friends dressed in their war costumes; then came the old men; and, +last of all, the women and children. They went all through the +village, stopping here and there to dance, and Mika'pi sat +outside the lodge and saw all the people dance by him. He forgot his +pain and was happy, and although he could not dance, he sung with +them. + +Soon they made the medicine lodge, and first of all the warriors, +Mika'pi was chosen to cut the rawhide to bind the poles, and as +he cut the strips he related the coups he had counted. He told of +the enemies he had killed, and all the people shouted his name and +the drummers struck the drum. The father of those two sisters gave +them to him. He was glad to have such a son-in-law. + +Long lived Mika'pi. Of all the great chiefs who have lived and +died he was the greatest. He did many other great things. It must be +true, as the old men have said, that he was helped by the ghosts, +for no one can do such things without help from those fearful and +terrible persons. + + + + +RED ROBE'S DREAM + + +Long, long ago, Red Robe and Talking Rock were young men in the +Blackfeet camp. In their childhood days and early youth their life +had been hard. Talking Rock was an orphan without a single relation +and Red Robe had only his old grandmother. + +This old woman, by hard work and sacrifice, had managed to rear the +boys. She tanned robes for the hunters, made them moccasins worked +with porcupine quills, and did everything she could to get a little +food or worn out robes and hide, from which she made clothes for her +boys. They never had new, brightly painted calf robes, like other +children. They went barefoot in summer, and in winter their toes +often showed through the worn out skin of their moccasins. They had +no flesh. Their ribs could be counted beneath the skin; their cheeks +were hollow; they looked always hungry. + +When they grew to be twelve or fifteen years old they began to do +better, for now they could do more and more for themselves. They +herded horses and performed small services for the wealthy men; +then, too, they hunted and killed a little meat. Now, for their +work, three or four dogs were given them, so with the two the old +woman owned, they were able to pack their small lodge and other +possessions when the camp moved, instead of carrying everything on +their backs. + +Now they began to do their best to make life easier for the good old +woman who had worked so hard to keep them from starving and +freezing. + +Time passed. The boys grew old enough to go out and fast. They had +their dreams. Each found his secret helper of mysterious power, and +each became a warrior. Still they were very poor, compared with +other young men of their age. They had bows, but only a few arrows. +They were not able to pay some great medicine man to make shields +for them. As yet they went to war only as servants. + +About this time Red Robe fell in love. + +In the camp was a beautiful girl named M[=a]-m[)i]n'--the +Wing--whom all the young men wished to marry, but perhaps Red Robe +loved her more than all the rest. Her father was a rich old medicine +man who never invited any except chiefs and great warriors to feast +with him, and Red Robe seldom entered his lodge. He used to dress as +well as he could, to braid his hair carefully, to paint his face +nicely, and to stand for a long time near the lodge looking +entreatingly at her as she came and went about her work, or fleshed +a robe under the shelter of some travois over which a hide was +spread. Then whenever they met, he thought the look she gave him in +passing was friendly--perhaps more than that. + +Wherever Ma-min' went her mother or some woman of the family +went with her, so Red Robe could never speak to her, but he was +often near by. One day, when she was gathering wood for the lodge, +and her companion was out of sight behind some willow bushes some +distance away, Red Robe had a chance to tell Ma-min' what was +in his heart. He walked up to her and took her hands in his, and +she did not try to draw them away. He said to her, "I love you; I +cannot remember a time when I saw you that my heart did not beat +faster. I am poor, very poor, and it is useless to ask your father +to let me marry you, for he will not consent; but there is another +way, and if you love me, you will do what I ask. Let us go from +here--far away. We will find some tribe that will be kind to us, and +even if we fail in that we can live in some way. Now, if you love +me, and I hope you do, you will come." + +"Ai," replied Ma-min', "I do love you; only you. All the other +young men pass before me as shadows. I scarcely see them, but I +cannot do what you ask. I cannot go away and leave my mother to +mourn; she who loves me so well. Let us wait a little. Go to war. Do +something great and brave. Then perhaps you will not uselessly ask +my father to give me to you." + +In vain Red Robe tried to persuade the girl to do as he wished. She +was kind; she threw her arms about him and kissed him and cried, but +she would not run away to leave her mother to sorrow, to be beaten +by her father, who would blame the poor woman for all the disgrace; +and so, too soon, they parted, for they heard her companion +coming--the sound of her heavy footsteps. + +Three Bulls, chief of the camp, was a great man. He had a fierce +temper, and when he spoke, people hurried to do what he ordered, for +they feared him. He never talked loud nor called any one by an ill +name. When any one displeased him or refused to do what he said he +just smiled and then killed the person. He was brave. In battle with +enemies he was the equal of twenty men, rushing here, there, into +the thickest of the fights, and killing--always with that silent, +terrible smile on his face. Because he was such a great warrior, and +also because he was generous, helping the poor, feasting any who +came to his lodge, he was the head chief of the Blackfeet. + +Three Bulls had several wives and many children, some of them grown +and married. Gray hairs were now many in his head. His face wrinkles +showed that old age was not far distant. No one supposed that he +would ever take another wife; so when the news spread through the +camp that he had asked the old medicine man for his daughter +Ma-min', every one was surprised. When Red Robe heard the news +his heart nearly broke. The old medicine man agreed to let the chief +have the girl. He dared not refuse, nor did he wish to, for many +good presents were to be given him in three days' time. When that +was done, he told his daughter, she would be taken to the chief's +lodge; let her prepare for the change. + +That day Red Robe had planned to start with a party to war; but when +he heard this news he asked his friend Talking Rock to take word to +the leader that he had changed his mind and would not go. He asked +his friend to stay with him, instead of joining the war party, and +Talking Rock agreed to do so. + +Out in front of the camp was a large spring, and to that place Red +Robe went and stood leaning against a large stone and looking sadly +down into the blue water. Soon, as he had thought, Ma-min' +came to the spring for a skin of water. He took her hands, as he +had done before, and began to beg her to go away with him that very +night, before it was too late. The girl cried bitterly, but at first +she did not speak. + +The two were standing in plain sight of the camp and the people in +it, and some one went to the chief's lodge and told him what was +taking place. + +"Go to the spring," said the chief, "and tell that young man to let +the girl go; she is to be my wife." + +The person did as he was told, but the two young people paid no +attention to him. They did not care what any one said, nor if the +whole camp saw them there together. All they could think about was +this terrible thing, which would make them unhappy so long as they +lived. Red Robe kept asking the girl to go, and at last she +consented to do as he wished. They had their arms about each other, +not thinking of the crowd that was watching them, and were quickly +planning for their meeting and for their going away that night, when +Three Bulls quietly walked up to them and stabbed the young man with +a flint-pointed lance. Red Robe sank down dying at the young girl's +feet, and she, looking down for an instant at her lover, turned and +ran to her father's lodge. + +"Bring wood," the chief called out; "let every one bring some wood; +all you have at your lodges. Those who have none, let them go +quickly and bring some from the timber." + +All the people hurried to obey. What Three Bulls ordered was soon +done, for the people feared him, and soon a great pile of wood was +heaped beside the dead man. + +The chief lifted the slender young form, placed it on the pile of +wood, and told a woman to bring coals and set fire to the pile. When +this had been done, all left the place except Three Bulls, who +stayed there, tending the fire and poking it here and there, until +it was burnt out and no wood or trace of a human body was left. +Nothing remained except the little pile of ashes. These he +scattered. Still he was not satisfied. His medicine was strong; +perhaps his dream had warned him. Now he ordered that the lodges be +taken down, that everything be packed up, and that the trail of the +moving camp should pass over the heap of ashes. + +Some time before this, after Red Robe had made his long fasting, and +his dream had come to him and he had returned to his grandmother's +lodge, he had told his true friend something of what had been said +to him by his dream. + +"If I should die," he said, "and you are near, do not desert me. Go +to the place where I fell, and if my body should have been destroyed +look carefully around the place. If you can find even a shred of my +flesh or a bit of my bone, it will be well. So said my dream. Here +are four arrows, which the dream told me to make. If you can find a +bit of my body, flesh or bone, or even hair, cover it with a robe, +and standing over it, shoot three arrows one after another up into +the air, crying, as each one leaves the bow, 'Look out!' When you +fit the fourth arrow on the bowstring and shoot it upward, cry, +'Look out, Red Robe, the arrow will strike you!' and as you say +this, turn and run away from the place, not looking back as you go. +If you do this, my friend, just as I have told you, I shall live +again." + +As the camp moved, Three Bulls stood and watched it filing over the +place of the fire, and saw the ashes scattered by the trailing ends +of lodge poles and travois, and by the feet of hundreds of people +and dogs. Still he was not satisfied, and for a long time after the +last of the people had passed he remained there. Then he went on +across the flat and up and over a ridge, but presently he returned, +once, twice, four times, to the crest of the hill and looked back at +the place where the camp had been; but at last he felt sure that no +one remained at the place, and went on. + +Yet Talking Rock was there. He had been hidden in the brush all the +time, watching the chief. Even after Three Bulls had passed over the +ridge, he remained crouched in the bushes, and saw him come back +again and again to peer over its crest. Still further on there was +another higher ridge, and when the young man saw Three Bulls climb +that and disappear on the trail of the camp, he came forth. + +Going to the place where his friend had lain, Talking Rock sat down +and mourned, wailing long and loud. Back on the hills the wolves and +coyotes heard him and they too became sorrowful, adding their cries +to his. + +The young man had little faith in the power of the four arrows that +he kept so carefully wrapped in a separate bundle in his quiver. He +looked at the place where Red Robe's body had been burnt. It was +like any other place on the great trail that had been made, dust and +grass blades mingled together, and scratches made by the dragging +poles. It did not seem possible that anything of his friend's body +remained; yet he must search, and breaking a green willow twig he +began carefully to work over the dust, stopping his crying, for the +tears blinded his eyes so that he could not see. + +All the long morning and far into the afternoon, Talking Rock swept +the dust this way and that, turning it over and over, in a circle +that grew always wider, and just as he was about to give up the +search, he found a bit of charred and blackened bone. Was this a +part of his friend's frame? Was it not more likely a bit of bone of +buffalo or elk, which some dog had carried from one of the +fireplaces of the camp and dropped here? + +Now for the test. Talking Rock covered the bit of bone with his robe +as he had been told to do. He even raised the robe along its middle, +making it look as if it really covered a person lying there. Then he +shot three of the arrows up in the air, each time crying, "Look +out." + +Then with a hand that trembled a little, he drew the fourth arrow +from the quiver, shot it and cried, "Look out, Red Robe, the arrow +will strike you"; and, turning, ran from the place with all his +speed. + +How he wanted to look back! How he longed to see if his friend was +really rising from that bit of blackened bone! But Talking Rock was +strong-hearted. He controlled his desires. On and on he ran, and +then--behind him the light tread of running feet, a firm hand +gripped his shoulder, and a loved voice said, "Why so fast, my +friend?" and stopping and turning, Talking Rock found himself face +to face with Red Robe. He could not believe what he saw, and had to +pinch himself and to hold his friend hard in his arms to believe +that all this was real. + +The camp had not moved far, and the lodges were pitched on the next +stream to the south. Soon after dark, the two friends entered it and +went to their lodge. The poor old grandmother could not believe her +eyes when she saw the young man she had reared and loved so dearly; +but when he spoke she knew that it was he, and running over to him +she held him in her arms and kissed him, crying from joy. After a +little time, the young man said to her, "Grandmother, go to the +chief's lodge and say to him that I, Red Robe, need some dried +meat." The old woman hesitated at this strange request, but Red Robe +said: "Go, do not fear him; Three Bulls is now the one to know +fear." + +When the old woman entered the great lodge and in reply to the +chief's look said, "Red Robe sent me here. He wants some dried +meat," only Three Bulls of all who were in the lodge, showed no +surprise. "It is what I expected," he said; "in spite of all my care +he lives again, and I can do nothing." Turning to his wives he +said, "Give her meat." + +"Did you see Ma-min'?" asked Red Robe, when his grandmother +had returned with the meat and had told him what the chief had said. + +"No, she was not in the lodge, but two women were approaching as I +left it. I think they were the girl and her mother." + +"Go back once more," said the young man, "and tell Three Bulls to +send me that young woman." + +But now the poor old grandmother was afraid. "I dare not tell him +that," she exclaimed. "He would kill me, and you. His anger would be +fearful." + +"Do not fear," said Red Robe, "do not fear, my mother, his anger and +his power are no longer to be feared. He is as feeble and as +helpless as one of those old bulls one sees on the sunny side of the +coulee, spending his last days before the wolves pull him down." + +The old woman went to the lodge and told the chief what Red Robe +further wished. Ma-min' was there, her head covered with her +robe, crying quietly, and Three Bulls told her to arise and go with +the messenger. Timidly at first, and then with steps that broke into +a run, Ma-min' hurried toward the lodge of her sweetheart and +entered it. With a cry of joy she threw herself into his arms, and +Talking Rock went out and left them alone. + +Great now was the happiness of these young people. Long was their +life, full of plenty and of great honor. Red Robe became a chief, +respected and loved by all the people. Ma-min' bore him many +children, who grew up to be the support of their old age. + + + + +THE BLACKFEET CREATION + + +The Blackfeet believe that the Sun made the earth--that he is the +creator. One of the names by which they call the Sun is Napi--Old +Man. This is how they tell of the creation: + +In the beginning there was water everywhere; nothing else was to be +seen. There was something floating on the water, and on this raft +were Old Man and all the animals. + +Old Man wished to make land, and he told the beaver to dive down to +the bottom of the water and to try to bring up a little mud. The +beaver dived and was under water for a long time, but he could not +reach the bottom. Then the loon tried, and after him the otter, but +the water was too deep for them. At last the muskrat was sent down, +and he was gone for a long time; so long that they thought he must +be drowned, but at last he came up and floated almost dead on the +water, and when they pulled him up on the raft and looked at his +paws, they found a little mud in them. When Old Man had dried this +mud, he scattered it over the water and land was formed. This is the +story told by the Blackfeet. It is very much like one told by some +Eastern Indians, who are related to the Blackfeet. + +After the land had been made, Old Man travelled about on it, making +things and fixing up the earth so as to suit him. First, he marked +out places where he wished the rivers to run, sometimes making them +run smoothly, and again, in some places, putting falls on them. He +made the mountains and the prairie, the timber and the small trees +and bushes, and sometimes he carried along with him a lot of rocks, +from which he built some of the mountains--as the Sweet Grass +Hills--which stand out on the prairie by themselves. + +Old Man caused grass to grow on the plains, so that the animals +might have something to feed on. He marked off certain pieces of +land, where he caused different kinds of roots and berries to +grow--a place for camas; and one for wild carrots; one for wild +turnips, sweet root and bitter root; one for service berries, +bullberries, cherries, plums, and rosebuds. + +He made all kinds of animals that travel on the ground. When he made +the big-horn with its great horns, he put it out on the prairie. It +did not seem to travel easily there; it was awkward and could not go +fast, so he took it by one of its horns and led it up into the rough +hills and among the rocks, and let it go there, and it skipped about +among the cliffs and easily went up fearful places. So Old Man said +to the big-horn, "This is the place for you; this is what you are +fitted for; the rough country and the mountains." While he was in +the mountains he made the antelope, and turned it loose to see how +it travelled. The antelope ran so fast that it fell over some rocks +and hurt itself. He saw that this would not do, and took the +antelope down on the prairie and set it free there, and it ran away +fast and gracefully, and he said to it, "This is the place that +suits you." + +At last, one day, Old Man decided that he would make a woman and a +child, and he modelled some clay in human shape, and after he had +made these shapes and put them on the ground, he said to the clay, +"You shall be people." He spread his robe over the clay figures and +went away. The next morning he went back to the place and lifted up +the robe, and saw that the clay shapes had changed a little. When he +looked at them the next morning, they had changed still more; and +when on the fourth day he went to the place and took off the +covering, he said to the images, "Stand up and walk," and they did +so. They walked down to the river with him who had made them, and he +told them his name. + +As they were standing there looking at the water as it flowed by, +the woman asked Old Man, saying, "How is it; shall we live always? +Will there be no end to us?" + +Old Man said, "I have not thought of that. We must decide it. I will +take this buffalo chip and throw it in the river. If it floats, +people will become alive again four days after they have died; they +will die for four days only. But if it sinks, there will be an end +to them." He threw the chip into the river, and it floated. + +The woman turned and picked up a stone and said, "No, I will throw +this stone in the river. If it floats, we shall live always; if it +sinks, people must die, so that their friends who are left alive may +always remember them." The woman threw the stone in the water, and +it sank. + +"Well," said Old Man, "you have chosen; there will be an end to +them." + +Not many nights after that the woman's child died, and she cried a +great deal for it. She said to Old Man, "Let us change this. The law +that you first made, let that be the law." + +He said, "Not so; what is made law must be law. We will undo nothing +that we have done. The child is dead, but it cannot be changed. +People will have to die." + +These first people did not have hands like a person; they had hands +like a bear with long claws. They were poor and naked and did not +know how to get a living. Old Man showed them the roots and the +berries, and showed them how to gather these, and told them how at +certain times of the year they should peel the bark off some trees +and eat it; that the little animals that live in the ground--rats, +squirrels, skunks, and beavers--were good to eat. He also taught +them something about the roots that were good for medicine to cure +sickness. + +In those days there were buffalo, and these black animals were +armed, for they had long horns. Once, as the people were moving +about, the buffalo saw them and rushed upon them and hooked them and +killed them, and then ate them. One day, as the creator was +travelling about, he came upon some of his children that he had made +lying there dead, torn to pieces and partly eaten by the buffalo. +When he saw this, he felt badly. He said, "I have not made these +people right. I will change this; from now on the people shall eat +the buffalo." + +He went to some of the people who were still alive, and said to +them, "How is it that you people do nothing to these animals that +are killing you?" The people replied, "What can we do? These animals +are armed and can kill us, and we have no way to kill them." + +The creator said, "That is not hard. I will make you something that +will kill these animals." + +He went out and cut some straight service-berry shoots, and brought +them in, and peeled the bark from them. He took a larger piece of +wood and flattened it, and tied a string to it, and made a bow. Now +he was the master of all birds and he went out and caught one, and +took feathers from its wings and tied them to the shaft of wood. He +tied four feathers along the shaft and tried the arrow at a mark and +found that it did not fly well. He took off these feathers and put +on three, and when he again tried it at the mark he found that it +went straight. He picked up some hard stones, and broke sharp pieces +from them. When he tried them he found that the black flint stones +made the best arrow points. He showed them how to use these things. + +Then he spoke to the people, and said, "The next time you go out, +take these things with you, and use them as I tell you. Do not run +from these animals. When they rush at you, and have come pretty +close, shoot the arrows at them as I have taught you, and you will +see that they will run from you or will run around you in a circle." + +He also broke off pieces of stone, and fixed them in a handle, and +told them that when they killed the buffalo they should cut up the +flesh with these stone knives. + +One day after this, some people went on a little hill to look about, +and the buffalo saw them and called out to each other, "Ah, there is +some more of our food," and rushed upon them. The people did not +run. They began to shoot at the buffalo with the bows and arrows +that had been given them, and the buffalo began to fall. They say +that when the first buffalo hit with an arrow felt it prick him, he +called out to his fellows, "Oh, my friends, a great fly is biting +me." + +With the flint knives that had been given them they cut up the +bodies of the dead buffalo. About this time Old Man came up and said +to them, "It is not healthful to eat raw flesh. I will show you +something better than that." He gathered soft, dry rotten wood and +made punk of it, and took a piece of wood and drilled a hole in it +with an arrow point, and gave them a pointed piece of hard wood, and +showed them how to make a fire with fire sticks, and to cook the +flesh of animals. + +After this the people found a certain sort of stone in the land, and +took another harder stone, and worked one upon the other and +hollowed out the softer one, so as to make of it a kettle. + +It is told also that the creator made people and animals at another +place, and in another way. At the Porcupine Mountains he made other +earthen images of people, and blew breath on the images, and they +became people. They were men and women. After a time they asked him, +"What are we to eat?" Then he took more earth and made many images +in the form of buffalo, and when he had blown on them they stood up, +and he made signs to them and they started to run. He said to the +people, "There is your food." + +"Well, now," they replied; "we have those animals, how are we to +kill them?" + +"I will show you," he said. + +He took them to the edge of a cliff and showed them how to heap up +piles of stone, running back from the cliff like this [Illustration: +two lines of diverging dots in a narrow < shape], with the point of +the V toward the cliff. He said to the people, "Now, do you hide +behind these piles of stones, and when I lead the buffalo this way, +as they get opposite to you, stand up." + +Then he went on toward a herd of buffalo and began to call them, and +the buffalo started toward him and followed him, until they were +inside the arms of the V. Then he ran to one side and hid, and as +the people rose up the buffalo ran on in a straight line and jumped +over the cliff and some of them were killed by the fall. + +"There," he said, "go and take the flesh of those animals." Then the +people tried to do so. They tried to tear the limbs apart, but they +could not. They tried to bite pieces out of the bodies, but they +could not do that. Old Man went to the edge of the cliff and broke +some pieces of stone with sharp edges, and showed them how to cut +the flesh with these. Of the buffalo that went over the cliff, some +were not dead, but were hurt, so they could not run away. The +people cut strips of green hide and tied stones in the middle, and +with these hammers broke in the skulls of the buffalo and killed +them. + +When they had taken the skins from these animals, they set up poles +and put the hides over them, and so made a shelter to sleep under. + +In later times the creator marked off a piece of land for the five +tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, Piegans, Gros Ventres, and Sarsis, and +said to these tribes, "When people come to cross this line at the +border of your land, take your bows and arrows, your lances and your +war clubs and give them battle, and keep them out. If they gain a +footing here, trouble for you will follow." + + + + +OLD MAN STORIES + + +Under the name Na'pi, Old Man, have been confused two wholly +different persons talked of by the Blackfeet. The Sun, the creator +of the universe, giver of light, heat, and life, and reverenced by +every one, is often called Old Man, but there is another personality +who bears the same name, but who is very different in his character. +This last Na'pi is a mixture of wisdom and foolishness; he is +malicious, selfish, childish, and weak. He delights in tormenting +people. Yet the mean things he does are so foolish that he is +constantly getting himself into scrapes, and is often obliged to ask +the animals to help him out of his troubles. His bad deeds almost +always bring their own punishment. + +Interpreters commonly translate this word Na'pi as Old Man, but it +is also the term for white man; and the Cheyenne and Arapahoe +tribes tell just such stories about a similar person whom they also +call "white man." Tribes of Dakota stock tell of a similar person +whom they call "the spider." + +The stories about this Old Man are told by the Blackfeet for +entertainment rather than with any serious purpose, and when that +part of the story is reached where Old Man is in some difficulty +which he cannot get out of, the man who is telling the story, and +those who are listening to it, laugh delightedly. + +Some stories of this kind are these: + + +THE WONDERFUL BIRD + +One day, as Old Man was walking about among the trees, he saw +something that seemed very queer. + +A little bird was sitting on the branch of a tree. Every little +while it would make a strange noise, and every time it made this +noise its eyes flew out of its head and fastened on a branch of the +tree. Then after a little while the bird would make another sort of +noise and its eyes would go back to their places in its head. + +Old Man called out to the bird, "Little brother, teach me how to do +that." + +"If I show you how," the bird answered, "you must not send your eyes +out of your head more than four times in a day. If you do, you will +be sorry." + +"It shall be as you say, little brother. It is for you to give, and +I will listen to what you say." + +When the bird had taught Old Man how to do this, he was glad. He +began to do it, and did it four times right away. Then he said, "Why +did that bird tell me to do this only four times? He has no sense. I +will do it again." So once more he made his eyes go out, but now +when he called to them they would not come back. + +He shouted out to the bird, "Little brother, come here, and help me +to get back my eyes." The little bird did not answer him; it had +flown away. Now Old Man felt all over the branches of the tree with +his hands, but he could not find his eyes. So he went away and +wandered over the prairie for a long time, crying and calling to the +animals to help him. + +As he was blind, he could find nothing to eat, and he began to be +very hungry. + +A wolf teased him a great deal and had much fun. It had found a dead +buffalo, and taking a piece of the meat, it would hold the meat +close to Old Man's face. Then Old Man would say, "I smell something +dead, I wish I could find it; I am almost starved." He felt all +around for it. + +Once when the wolf was doing this, Old Man caught him, and plucking +out one of the wolf's eyes, he put it in his own head. Then he could +see, and was able to find his own eyes, but never again could he do +the trick the little bird had taught him. + + +THE RABBITS' MEDICINE + +Once, when Old Man was travelling about, he heard some singing that +sounded very queer. He had never before heard anything like it, and +looked all about to see where it came from. After a time he saw that +the cottontail rabbits were singing and making medicine. They had +built a fire, and raked out some hot ashes, and they would lie down +in these ashes and sing, while one of the others covered them up. +They could stay there only for a short time, though, for the ashes +were hot. + +"Little brothers," said Old Man, "here is something wonderful--that +you can lie in those hot ashes and coals without burning. I ask you +to teach me how to do this." + +"We will show you how to do it, Old Man," said the rabbits. "You +must sing our song, and stay in the ashes only a short time." They +taught Old Man their song, and he began to sing and lay down, and +they covered him with coals and ashes, and the hot ashes did not +burn him. + +"That is good," he said. "You have strong medicine. Now, so that I +may know it all, do you lie down and let me cover you up." + +All the rabbits lay down in the ashes, and Old Man covered them up, +and then he pulled the whole fire over them. One old rabbit got out, +and Old Man was just about to put her back when she said, "Pity me; +my children need me." + +"It is good," replied Old Man. "You may go, so that there will be +more rabbits; but these I will roast, and have a feast." He put +more wood on the fire, and when the rabbits were cooked he got some +red willow brush and put the rabbits on it to cool. The grease from +their bodies soaked into the branches, so that even to-day if red +willow is held over a fire one may see the grease on the bark. Ever +since that time, too, the rabbits have a burnt place on the back, +where the one that got away was singed. + +Old Man sat down by the fire, waiting for the rabbits to get cool, +when a coyote came along, limping. He went on three legs. "Pity me, +Old Man," he said. "You have plenty of cooked rabbits, give me one +of them." + +"Go away," said Old Man, very cross; "if you are too lazy to catch +food, I will not give you any." + +"But my leg is broken," said the coyote; "I cannot run. I cannot +catch anything, and I am starving. Give me half a rabbit." + +"I don't care what happens to you," said Old Man; "I worked hard to +catch and cook these rabbits, and I shall not give any of them away. +I'll tell you what I will do, though; I will run a race with you +out to that far butte on the prairie, and if you beat me you can +have a rabbit." + +"Good," said the coyote, and they started. + +Old Man ran very fast, and the coyote limped along behind him, but +pretty close, until they got near the butte. Then the coyote turned +around and ran back very fast, for he was not lame at all. It took +Old Man a long time to get back, and just before he reached the +fire, the coyote finished eating the last rabbit and ran away. + + +THE LOST ELK MEAT + +Old Man had been a long time without food and was very hungry. He +was trying to think how he could get something to eat, when he saw a +band of elk come up on a ridge. He went over to them and spoke to +them and said, "Brothers, I am lonely because I have no one to +follow me." + +"Go ahead, Old Man," said the elk; "we will follow you." Old Man led +them about for a long time, and when it was dark he came near a +high, steep cut bank. He ran around to one side, where the hill +sloped, and then went back right under the steep cliff and called +out, "Come on, that is a nice jump. You will laugh." So all the elk +jumped off and were killed, except one cow. + +"They have all jumped but you," said Old Man. "Come on, you will +like it." + +"Take pity on me," said the cow. "I am very heavy, and I am afraid +to jump." + +"Go away, then," said Old Man; "go and live. Then some day there +will be plenty of elk again." + +Old Man built a fire and cooked some of the meat, and then he +skinned all the elk, and cut up the meat and hung it up to dry. The +tongues he hung on a pole. + +The next day he started off and was gone all day, and at night, as +he was coming home, he was very hungry. He was thinking to himself +that he would have some roasted ribs and a tongue and other good +things; but when he reached the place, the meat was all gone; the +wolves had eaten it. + +"It was lucky I hung up those tongues," said Old Man, "or I should +not have had anything to eat." But when he took down the tongues +they were all hollow. The mice had eaten out the meat, leaving only +the skins. + + +THE ROLLING ROCK + +Once when Old Man was travelling about and felt tired, he sat down +on a rock to rest. After he was rested he started on his way, and +because the sun was hot he threw his robe over the rock and said to +it, "Here, I give you my robe because you are poor and have let me +rest on you. Keep it always." + +He had not gone far when it began to rain, and meeting a coyote, he +said to him, "Little brother, run back to that rock and ask him to +lend me his robe. We will cover ourselves with it and keep dry." + +The coyote ran back to the rock, but presently returned without the +robe. + +"Where is the robe?" asked Old Man. + +"Why," said the coyote, "the rock said that you had given him the +robe and he was going to keep it." + +This made Old Man angry, and he went back to the rock and snatched +the robe off it, saying, "I was only going to borrow this robe until +the rain was over, but now that you have acted so mean about it, I +will keep it. You don't need a robe, anyhow. You have been out in +the rain and snow all your life, and it will not hurt you to live so +always." + +When he had said this he put the robe about his shoulders, and with +the coyote he went off into a ravine and they sat down there. The +rain was falling and they covered themselves with the robe, and were +warm and dry. + +Pretty soon they heard a loud, rumbling noise, and Old Man said to +the coyote, "Little brother, go up on the hill and see what that +noise is." + +The coyote went off, but presently he came back, running as hard as +he could, saying, "Run, run, the big rock is coming." They both +started, and ran away as fast as they could. The coyote tried to +creep into a badger-hole, but it was too small for him and he stuck +fast, and before he could get out the rock rolled over him and +crushed his hips. Old Man was frightened, and as he ran he threw +away his robe and everything that he had on, so that he might run +faster. The rock was gaining on him all the time. + +Not far away on the prairie a band of buffalo bulls were feeding, +and Old Man cried out to them, saying, "Oh, my brothers, help me, +help me; stop that rock." The bulls ran and tried to stop it, +butting against it, but it crushed their heads. Some deer and +antelope tried to help Old Man, but they too were killed. Other +animals came to help him, but could not stop the rock; it was now +close to Old Man, so close that it began to hit his heels. He was +just going to give up when he saw circling over his head a flock of +night-hawks. + +"Oh, my little brothers," he cried, "help me; I am almost dead." The +bull bats flew down one after another against the rock, and every +time one of them hit it he chipped off a piece, and at last one hit +it fair in the middle and broke it into two pieces. + +Then Old Man was glad. He went to where there was a nest of +night-hawks and pulled their mouths out wide and pinched off their +bills, to make them pretty and queer looking. That is the reason +they look so to-day. + + +BEAR AND BULLBERRIES + +Scattered over the prairie in northern Montana, close to the +mountains, are many great rocks--boulders which thousands of years +ago, when the great ice-sheet covered northern North America, were +carried from the mountains out over the prairie by the ice and left +there when it melted. + +Around most of these great boulders the buffalo used to walk from +time to time, rubbing against the rough surface of the rock to +scratch themselves, as a cow rubs itself against a post or as a +horse rolls on the ground--for the pleasant feeling that the rubbing +of the skin gives it. + +As the buffalo walked around these boulders their hoofs loosened the +soil, and this loosened soil--the dust--was blown away by the +constant winds of summer. So, around most of these boulders, much of +the soil is gone, leaving a deep trench, at the bottom of which are +stones and gravel, too large to be moved by the wind. + +This story explains how these rocks came to be like that: + +Once Old Man was crossing a river and the stream was deep, so that +he was carried away by the current, and lost his bow and arrows and +other weapons. When he got to the shore he began to look about for +something to use in making a bow and arrows, for he was hungry and +wanted to kill some food. + +He took the first wood he could find and made a bow and arrows and a +handle for his knife. When he had finished these things he started +on his way. + +Presently, as he looked over a hill he saw down below him a bear +digging roots. Old Man thought he would have some fun with the bear, +and he called out aloud, "He has no tail." Then he dodged back out +of sight. The bear looked all about, but saw no one, and again began +to dig roots. Then Old Man again peeped over the hill and saw the +bear at work, and again called out, "He has no tail." This time the +bear looked up more quickly, but Old Man dodged down, and the bear +did not see him, and pretty soon went on with his digging. + +Four times Old Man did this, calling the bear names, but the fourth +time the bear was on the watch and saw Old Man, and started after +him. + +Old Man ran away as hard as he could, but the bear followed fast. +Presently, Old Man tried to shoot the bear with his arrows, but they +were made of bad wood and would not fly well, and if they hit the +bear, they just broke off. All his weapons failed him, and now the +bear was close to him. Just in front was a great rock, and when Old +Man came to that, he dodged behind it and ran around to the other +side, and the bear followed him. They kept running around the rock +for a long time and wore a deep trail about it, and because Old Man +could turn more quickly, he kept just ahead of the bear. Old Man +kept calling to the animals to help him, but no one came. + +He was almost out of breath, and the bear was close to him, when Old +Man saw lying on the ground a bull's horn. He picked it up and held +it on his head and turned around and bellowed loudly, and the bear +was frightened and turned around and ran away as hard as he could. +Then Old Man leaned up against the rock, and breathed hard for a +long time, but at last he got his wind back. He said to the rock, +"This is the way you rocks shall always be after this, with a big +hole all around you." + +By this time he was pretty tired and thirsty, and he thought he +would go down to the river and drink. When he got to the edge of the +water he got down on his knees to drink, and there before him in the +water he saw bullberries, great bunches of them. He said to himself, +"I will dive in and get those bull-berries"; and he took off his +moccasins and clothing and dived in, but he could not find the +bullberries, and presently he came up. He looked into the water +again, and again saw the bullberries. He said to himself, "Those +bullberries must be very deep down." + +He went along the shore looking for a heavy stone that would take +him down into the deep water where the bullberries were, and when he +found one he tied the stone to his neck and again dived in. This +time he sank to the bottom, for the stone carried him down. He felt +about with his hands trying to reach the bullberries, but could feel +nothing and began to drown. He tried to get free from the stone, but +that was hard to do; yet at last he broke the string and came to the +top of the water. He was almost dead, and it took him a long time to +get to the shore, and when he got there he crawled up on to the bank +and lay down to rest and get his breath. As he lay there on his +back, he saw above him the thick growing bullberries whose +reflections he had seen in the water. He said to himself, "And I was +almost drowned for these." Then he took a stick and with it began to +beat the bullberry bushes. He said to the bushes, "After this, the +people shall beat you in this way when they want to gather berries." + +The Blackfeet women, when gathering bullberries, spread robes under +the bushes and beat the branches with sticks, knocking off the +berries, which fall on the robes. + + + +THE THEFT FROM THE SUN + +One time when Old Man was on a journey, he came to the Sun's lodge, +and went in and sat down, and the Sun asked him to stay with him for +a time. Old Man was glad to do so. One day the meat was all gone, +and the Sun said, "Well, Old Man, what do you say if we go out and +kill some deer?" + +"I like what you say," said Old Man. "Deer meat is good." + +The Sun took down a bag, that was hanging from a lodge pole and took +from it a handsome pair of leggings, embroidered with porcupine +quills and pretty feathers. + +"These are my hunting leggings," said the Sun; "they have great +power. When I want to kill deer, all I have to do is to put them on +and walk around a patch of brush, and the leggings set it on fire +and drive out the deer, so that I can shoot them." + +"Well, well," exclaimed Old Man, "how wonderful that is!" He began +to think, "I wish I had such a pair of leggings as that"; and after +he had thought about it some more, he made up his mind that he +would have those leggings, if he had to steal them. + +They went out to hunt, and when they came to a patch of brush, the +Sun set it on fire with his hunting leggings. A number of deer ran +out, and each shot one. + +That night when they were going to bed the Sun pulled off his +leggings, and laid them aside. Old Man saw where he had put them, +and in the middle of the night, after every one was asleep, he took +the leggings and went away. He travelled a long time, until he had +gone far and was tired; then making a pillow of the leggings he lay +down and slept. After a while he heard some one speaking and woke up +and saw that it was day. Some one was talking to him. The Sun was +saying, "Old Man, why are my leggings under your head?" + +Old Man looked about him and saw that he was in the Sun's lodge. He +thought he must have wandered around and got lost and returned +there. Again the Sun spoke, and asked, "What are you doing with my +leggings?" + +"Oh," replied Old Man, "I could not find anything for a pillow, so +I put these leggings under my head." + +When night came and all had gone to bed, again Old Man stole the +leggings and ran off. This time he did not walk at all. He kept +running until it was almost morning, and then lay down and slept. +When morning came he found himself still in the Sun's lodge. + +You see what a fool he was; he did not know that the whole world is +the Sun's lodge. He did not know that, no matter how far he ran, he +could not get out of the Sun's sight. + +This time the Sun said, "Old Man, since you like my leggings so +much, I give them to you. Keep them." Then Old Man was glad and he +went away. + +One day his food was all gone, and he put on the hunting leggings +and went out and set fire to a piece of brush. He was just going to +kill some deer that were running out, when he saw that the fire was +getting close to him. He ran away as fast as he could, but the fire +gained on him and began to burn his legs. His leggings were all on +fire. He came to a river and jumped in and pulled off the leggings +as soon as he could. They were burnt to pieces. + +Perhaps the Sun did this because Old Man tried to steal his +leggings. + + +THE SMART WOMAN CHIEF + +Long ago, they tell me, men and women did not know each other. Women +were put in one place and men in another. They were not together; +they were apart. + +He who made us made women first. He did not make them very well. +That is why they are not so strong as men. The men he made better; +so that they were strong. + +The women were the smartest. They knew the most. They were the first +to make piskuns, and to know how to tan hides and to make moccasins. +At that time men wore moccasins made from the shank of the buffalo's +leg, and robes made of wolfskin. This was all their clothing. + +One day when Old Man was travelling about, he came to a camp of men, +and stayed there with them for a long time. It was after this that +he discovered there were such beings as women. + +One time, as he was travelling along, he saw two women driving some +buffalo over a cliff. When Old Man got near them, the women were +very much frightened. They did not know what kind of animal it was +that was coming. Too much scared to run away, they lay down to hide. +When Old Man came up to them he thought they were dead, and said, +"Here are two women who are dead. It is not good for them to lie out +here on the prairie. I must take them to a certain place." He looked +them all over to see what had killed them, but could find no wound. +He picked up one of the women and carried her along with him in his +arms. She was wondering how she could get away. She let her arms +swing loose as if she were dead, and at every step Old Man took the +arm swung and hit him in the nose, and pretty soon his nose began to +bleed and to hurt, and at length he put the woman down on the ground +and went back to get the other woman; but while he was gone she had +run away, and when he came back to get the first one she was gone +too; so he lost them both. This made him angry, and he said to +himself, "If these two women will lie there again, I will get both +of them." + +In this way women found out that there were men. + +One day Old Man stood on a hill and looked over toward the piskun at +Woman's Falls, where the women had driven a band of buffalo over the +cliff, and afterward were cutting up the meat. The chief of the +women called him down to the camp, and sent word by him to the men, +asking if they wanted to get wives. Old Man brought back word that +they did, and the chief woman sent a message, calling all the men to +a feast in her lodge to be married. The woman asked Old Man, "How +many chiefs are there in that tribe?" He answered, "There are four +chiefs. But the real chief of all that tribe you will know when you +see him by this--he is finely dressed and wears a robe trimmed, and +painted red, and carries a lance with a bone head on each end." Old +Man wanted to marry the chief of the women, and intended to dress +in this way, and that is why he told her that. + +Old Man had no moccasins; his were all worn out. The women gave him +some for himself, and also some to take back to give to the men, and +he went back to the men's camp. When he reached it, word went out +that he had returned, and all the men said to each other, "He has +got back; Old Man has come again." He gave the men the message that +the woman had sent, and soon the men started for the woman's camp to +get married. When they came near it, they went up on a bluff and +stood there, looking down on the camp. Old Man had dressed himself +finely, and had put on a trimmed robe painted red, and in his hand +held a lance with a bone head on each end. + +When the women saw that the men had come they got ready to go and +select their husbands. The chief of the women said, "I am the chief. +I will go first and take the man I like. The rest wait here." + +The woman chief started up the hill to choose the chief of the men +for her husband. She had been making dried meat, and her hands, +arms, and clothing were covered with blood and grease. She was +dirty, and Old Man did not know her. The woman went up to Old Man to +choose him, but he turned his back on her and would not go with her. + +She went back to her camp and told the women that she had been +refused because her clothes were dirty. She said, "Now, I am going +to put on my nice clothes and choose a man. All of you can go up and +take men, but let no one take that man with the red robe and the +double-headed lance." + +After she was nicely dressed the chief woman again went up on the +hill. Now, Old Man knew who she was, and he kept getting in front of +her and trying hard to have her take him, but she would not notice +him and took another man, the one standing next to Old Man. Then the +other women began to come, and they kept coming up and choosing men, +but no one took Old Man, and at last all the men were taken and he +was left standing there alone. + +This made him so angry that he wanted to do something, and he went +down to the woman's piskun and began to break down its walls, so the +chief of the women turned him into a pine-tree. + + +BOBCAT AND BIRCH TREE + +Once Old Man was travelling over the prairie, when he saw far off a +fire burning, and as he drew near it he saw many prairie-dogs +sitting in a circle around the fire. There were so many of them that +there was no place for any one to sit down. Old Man stood there +behind the circle, and presently he began to cry, and then he said +to the prairie-dogs, "Let me, too, sit by that fire." The +prairie-dogs said, "All right, Old Man, don't cry; come and sit by +the fire." They moved aside so as to make a place for him, and Old +Man sat down and looked on at what they were doing. + +He saw that they were playing a game, and this was the way they did +it: they put one prairie-dog in the fire and covered him up with hot +ashes, and then, after he had been there a little while, he would +say, "_sk, sk_," and they pushed the ashes off him and pulled him +out. + +Old Man said, "Little brothers, teach me how to do that." The +prairie-dogs told him what to do, and put him in the fire and +covered him up with the ashes, and after a little time he said, +"_sk, sk_," like a prairie-dog, and they pulled him out again. +Then he did it to the prairie-dogs. + +At first he put them in one at a time, but there were many of them, +and soon he got tired and said, "I will put you all in at once." +They said, "Very well, Old Man," and all got in the ashes, but just +as Old Man was about to cover them up one of them, a female, said, +"Do not cover me up, for I fear the heat will hurt me." Old Man +said, "Very well; if you do not wish to be covered up, you may sit +over by the fire and watch the rest." Then he covered over all the +others. + +At length the prairie-dogs said, "_sk, sk_," but Old Man did not +sweep off the ashes and pull them out of the fire. He let them stay +there and die. The she one that was looking on ran to a hole, and as +she went down in it, said, "_sk, sk_." Old Man chased her, but he +got to the hole too late to catch her. + +"Oh, well, you can go," he said; "there will be more prairie-dogs +by and by." + +When the prairie-dogs were roasted, Old Man cut some red willow +twigs to place them on, and then sat down and began to eat. He ate +until he was full, and then felt sleepy. + +He said to his nose, "I am going to sleep now; watch out, and in +case any bad thing comes about, wake me up." Then Old Man slept. + +Pretty soon his nose snored, and Old Man woke up and said, "What is +it?" The nose said, "A raven is flying by, over there." Old Man +said, "That is nothing," and went to sleep again. + +Soon his nose snored again, and Old Man said, "What is it now?" The +nose said, "There is a coyote over there, coming this way." Old Man +said, "A coyote is nothing," and again went to sleep. + +Presently his nose snored again, but Old Man did not wake up. Again +it snored, and called out, "Wake up, a bobcat is coming." Old Man +paid no attention; he slept on. + +The bobcat crept up to the fire and ate all the roasted +prairie-dogs, and then went off and lay down on the flat rock and +went to sleep. All this time the nose kept trying to awaken Old Man, +and at last he awoke, and the nose said, "A bobcat is over there on +that flat rock. He has eaten all your food." Then Old Man was so +angry that he called out loud. + +The tracks of the bobcat were all greasy from the food it had been +eating, and Old Man followed these tracks. He went softly over to +where the bobcat was sleeping, and seized it before it could wake up +to bite or scratch him. The bobcat cried out, "Wait, let me speak a +word or two," but Old Man would not listen. + +"I will teach you to steal my food," he said. He pulled off the +lynx's tail, pounded his head against the rock so as to make his +face flat, pulled him out long so as to make him small-bellied, and +then threw him into the brush. As he went sneaking away, Old Man +said, "There, that is the way you bobcats shall always be." It is +for this reason that the lynxes to-day look like that. + +Old Man went to the fire, and looked at the red willow sticks where +the roasted prairie-dogs had been, and when he saw them, and thought +how his food was all gone, it made him angry at his nose. He said, +"You fool, why did you not wake me?" He took the willow sticks and +thrust them in the coals, and when they had caught fire he burnt his +nose. This hurt, and he ran up on a hill and held his nose to the +wind, and called to the wind to blow hard and cool him. A hard wind +came, so hard that it blew him off the hill and away down to Birch +Creek. As he was flying along he caught at the weeds and brush to +stop himself, but nothing was strong enough to hold him. At last he +grasped a birch tree. He held fast, and it did not give way. +Although the wind whipped him about, this way and that, and tumbled +him up and down, the tree held him. He kept calling to the wind to +blow more softly, and at last it listened to him and went down. + +Then he said, "This is a beautiful tree. It has saved me from being +blown away and knocked all to pieces. I will make it pretty, and it +shall always be like that." So he gashed the bark across with his +stone knife, as you see the marks to-day. + + +THE RED-EYED DUCK + +Once, long ago, Old Man was travelling north along a river. He +carried a great pack on his back. After a time he came to a place +where the river spread out and the water was quiet, and here many +ducks were swimming about. Old Man did not look at the ducks, and +kept travelling along; but presently some of the ducks saw him and +looked at him and said to each other, "Who is that going along there +with a pack on his back?" One duck said to the others, "That must be +Old Man." + +The duck that knew him called out, saying, "Hi, Old Man, where are +you going?" + +"I am going on farther," replied Old Man, "I have been sent for." + +"What have you got in your pack?" said the duck. + +"Those are my songs," answered Old Man. "Some people have asked me +to come and sing for them." + +"Stop for a while and sing for us," said the duck, "and we can have +a dance." + +"No," said Old Man, "I am in a hurry; I cannot stop now." + +The duck kept persuading him to stop, and when it had asked him the +fourth time, Old Man stopped and said to the ducks, "Well, I will +stop for a little while and sing for you, and you can dance." + +So the ducks all came out on the bank and stood in a circle, and Old +Man began to sing. He sang one song, and then said, "Now, this next +song is a medicine song, and while you dance you must keep your eyes +shut. No one must look. If any one opens his eyes and looks, his +eyes will turn red." + +The ducks closed their eyes and Old Man began to sing, and they +danced around; but Old Man took a stick, and every time one of them +passed him, he knocked it on the head and threw it into the circle. + +Presently one of the littlest ducks while dancing could not feel any +one on either side of him, and he opened his eyes and looked, and +saw what Old Man was doing. He cried out to the rest, "Run, run, +Old Man is killing us"; and all the other ducks flew away, but ever +since that time that little duck's eyes have been red. It is the +horned grebe. + +Old Man took the ducks and went off a little way and built a fire +and hung some of the ducks up in front of it to roast, and after the +fire was burning well, he swept away the ashes and buried some of +the ducks in the ground and again swept back the fire over them. +Then he lay down to wait for the birds to cook, and while they were +cooking he fell asleep. + +While he slept a coyote came sneaking along and saw Old Man sleeping +there, and the ducks roasting by the fire. Very quietly he crept up +to the fire and took the ducks one by one and ate them. Not one was +left. Pretty soon he found those that were roasting under the fire, +and dug them out, and opening them, ate the meat from the inside of +the skin and filled each one with ashes and buried them all again. +Then he went away. + +Pretty soon Old Man woke up and saw that his ducks were gone, and +when he saw the tracks about the fire, he knew that the coyote had +taken them. + +"It was lucky," said Old Man, "that I put some of those to roast +under the fire." He dug them up from under the ashes, but when he +took a big bite from one, his mouth and face were full of ashes. + + + + +THE ANCIENT BLACKFEET + + +Long, long ago, before our fathers or grandfathers were born, before +the white people knew anything about the western half of North +America, the Indians who told these stories lived on the Western +plains. To the west of their home rose high mountains, black with +pine-trees on their lower slopes and capped with snow, but their +tents were pitched on the rolling prairie. For a little while in +spring this prairie was green and dotted with flowers, but for most +of the year it stretched away brown and bare, north, east, and +south, farther than one could see. + +On these plains were many kinds of wild animals. Sometimes the +prairie was crowded with herds of black buffalo running in fear; or, +again, the herds, unfrightened, fed scattered out; so that the hills +far and near were dotted with their dark forms. Among the buffalo +were yellow and white antelope--many of them--graceful and swift of +foot. Feeding on the high prairie or going down into the wooded +river valleys to drink were herds of elk, while the willow thickets, +the brushy ravines, and the lower timbered foot-hills sheltered +deer. The naked Bad Lands, the rocky slopes of the mountains, and +the tall buttes that often rise above the level prairie were the +refuge of the mountain sheep, which in those days, like all the +other grass eaters of the region, grazed on the prairie and sought +the more broken, higher country only when alarmed or when they +wished to rest. + +These were the animals which the Blackfeet killed for food before +the white men came, and of these the buffalo was the chief. Buffalo, +more than any other animals, could be captured in numbers, and the +Blackfeet, like the other Indians of the plains, had devised a +method for taking them, so that when the buffalo were near the +Blackfeet never suffered from hunger. Yet sometimes it happened that +the buffalo went away, and that the lonely far travelling scouts +sent out by the tribe could not find them. Then the people had to +turn to the smaller animals--the elk, deer, antelope, and wild +sheep. + +In those old days, before they had horses, they did not make long +marches when they moved. Their only domestic animal was the dog, +which was used chiefly as a beast of burden, either carrying loads +on its back or hauling a travois, formed by two long sticks crossing +above the shoulders and dragging on the ground behind. Behind the +dog these two sticks were united by a little platform, on which was +lashed some small burden--sometimes a little baby. + +In those days, when the people moved from one place to another, all +who were large enough to walk and strong enough to carry a burden on +the shoulders, were laden. Usually men, women, and children alike +bore loads suited to their strength. Yet sometimes the men carried +no loads at all, for if journeying through a country where they +feared that some enemy might attack them, the men must be ready to +fight and to defend their wives and children. A man cannot fight +well if he is carrying a burden; he cannot use his arms readily, nor +run about lightly--forward to attack, backward in retreat. If he is +not free to fight well, his family will be in danger. White men who +have seen Indians journeying in this way, and who have not +understood why some women carried heavy loads and the men carried +nothing, have said that Indian men were idle and lazy, and forced +their women to do all the work. Those who wrote those things were +mistaken in what they said. They did not understand what they saw. +The truth is that these men were prepared for danger of attacks by +enemies, and were ready to do their best to save their families from +harm. + +Carrying on their backs all their property, except the little which +the dogs might pack, it is evident that the Indians in those days +could not make long journeys. + +In those days they had no buckets of wood or tin in which to carry +water. Instead, they used a vessel like a bag or sack, made from the +soft membrane of one of the stomachs of the buffalo. This, after it +had been cleansed and all the openings from it save one had been +tied up, the women filled at the stream with a spoon made of +buffalo horn or with a larger ladle of the horn of the wild sheep. +Because this water-skin was soft and flexible, it could not stand on +the ground, and they hung it up, sometimes on the limb of a tree, +more often on one of the poles of the lodge, or sometimes on a +tripod--three sticks coming together at the top and standing spread +out at the ground. + +Most of the meat cooked for the family was roasted, yet much of it +was boiled, sometimes in a bowl of stone, sometimes in a kettle made +of a fresh hide or of the paunch of the buffalo. Sometimes these +skin or paunch kettles were supported at the sides by stakes stuck +in the ground, and sometimes a hole dug in the ground was lined with +the hide, which was so arranged as to be water-tight. They were not, +as may be imagined, put over a fire, but when filled with cold water +this water was heated in quite another way. Near by a fire was +built, in which were thrown large stones, and on top of the stones +more wood was piled; so that after a time, when the wood had burnt +down, the stones were very hot--sometimes red hot. With two rather +short-handled forked sticks, the women took from the fire one of the +hot stones, and put it in the water in the hide kettle, and as it +cooled, took it out and put in another hot stone. Thus the water was +soon heated, and boiled and cooked whatever was in the kettle. To be +sure, there were some ashes and a little dirt in the soup, but that +was not regarded as important. + +This was long before the Indians knew of matches, or even of flint +and steel. In those days to make a fire was not easy and it took a +long time. By his knees or feet a man held in position on the ground +a piece of soft, dry wood in which two or three little hollows had +been dug out, and taking another slender stick of hard wood, and +pressing the point in one of the little hollows in the stick of soft +wood, he twirled the stick rapidly between the palms of his hands, +so fast and so long that presently the dust ground from the softer +stick, falling to one side in a little pile, began to smoke, and at +last a faint spark was seen at the top of the pile, which began to +glow, and, spreading, became constantly larger. He, or his +companion, for often two men twirled the stick, one relieving the +other, caught this spark in a bit of tinder--perhaps some dry punk +or a little fine grass--and by blowing coaxed it into flame, and +there was the fire. + +This fire making was hard work, and the people tried to escape this +work by keeping a spark of fire always alive. To do this, men +sometimes carried, by a thong slung over the shoulder, the hollow +tip of a buffalo horn, the opening of which was closed by a wooden +plug. When going on a journey, the man lighted a piece of punk, and, +placing it in this horn, plugged up the open end, so that no air +could get into the horn. There the punk smouldered for a long time, +and neither went out nor was wholly consumed. Once in a while during +the day the man looked at this punk, and, if he saw that it was +almost consumed, he lighted another piece and put it in the horn and +replaced the plug. So at night when he reached camp the fire was +still in his horn, and he could readily kindle a blaze, and from +this blaze other fires were kindled. Often, if the camp was large, +the first young men who reached it gathered wood and perhaps kindled +four fires, and after the women had reached the camp, unpacked their +dogs, and put up their lodges, each woman would go to one of these +fires to get a brand or some coals with which to start her own lodge +fire. + +In warm weather men and boys wore little clothing. They went almost +naked; yet in cold weather each man or woman was most of the time +wrapped in a warm robe of tanned buffalo skin. Even the little +children wore robes, the smallest ones those taken from the little +buffalo calves. All their clothing, like their beds and their homes, +was made of the skins of animals. Shirts, women's dresses, leggings, +and moccasins were made from the tanned skins of buffalo, deer, +antelope, and mountain sheep. Often the moccasins were made from the +smoked skin cut from the top of an old lodge, for this skin had been +smoked so much that it never dried hard and stiff, after it had been +wet. The moccasins had a stiff sole of buffalo rawhide; and in the +bottom of this sole were cut one or two holes, in order that the +water might run out if a man had to wade through a stream. + +The homes of these Indians were lodges--tents made of tanned buffalo +skin supported on a cone of long, straight, slender poles. At the +top where the poles crossed was an opening for the smoke from the +fire built in the centre of the circular lodge floor, while about +the fire, and close under the lodge covering, were the beds where +the people slept or ate during the day. + +These homes were warm and comfortable. The border of the lodge +covering did not come down quite to the ground, but inside the lodge +poles, and tied to them, was a long wide strip of tanned buffalo +skin four or five feet high, and long enough to reach around the +inside of the lodge, almost from one side of the door to the other. +This strip of tanned skin--made up of several pieces--was so wide +that one edge rested on the floor, and reached inward under the beds +and seats. Through the open space between the lodge covering and the +lodge lining, fresh air kept passing into the lodge close to the +ground and up over the lining and down toward the centre of the +lodge, and so furnished draught for the fire. The lodge lining kept +this cold air from blowing directly on the occupants of the lodge +who sat around the fire. Often the lodge lining was finely painted +with pictures of animals, people, and figures of mysterious beings +of which one might not speak. + +The seats and beds in this home were covered with soft tanned +buffalo robes, and at the head and foot of each bed was an inclined +back-rest of straight willow twigs, strung together on long lines of +sinew and supported in an inclined position by a tripod. Buffalo +robes often hung over these back-rests. In the spaces between the +back-rests, which though they came together at the top were +separated at the ground, were kept many of the possessions of the +family; the pipe, sacks of tobacco, of paint, "possible +sacks"--parfleches for clothing or food, and many smaller articles. + +The outside of the lodge was often painted with mysterious figures +which the lodge owner believed to have power to bring good luck to +him and to his family. Sometimes these figures represented +animals--buffalo, deer, and elk--or rocks, mountains, trees, or the +puff-balls that grow on the prairie. Sometimes a procession of +ravens, marching one after the other, was painted around the +circumference of the lodge. The painting might show the tracks of +animals, or a number of water animals, apparently chasing each other +around the lodge. On either side of the smoke hole at the top were +two flaps, or wings, each one supported by a single pole. These were +to regulate the draught of the fire in case of a change of wind, and +the poles were moved from side to side, changing as the direction of +the wind changed. On such wings were often painted groups of white +disks which represented some group of stars. At the back of the +lodge, high up, just below the place where the lodge poles cross, +was often a large round disk representing the sun, and above that a +cross, which was the sign of the butterfly, the power that they +believe brings sleep. From the ends of the wings, or tied to the +tips of the poles which supported them, hung buffalo tails, and +sometimes running down from one of these poles to the ground near +the door was a string of the sheaths of buffalo hooflets, which +rattled as it swung to and fro in the breeze. + +Their arms were the bow and arrow, a short spear or lance, with a +head of sharpened stone or bone, stone hammers with wooden handles, +and knives made of bone or stone, and if of stone, lashed by rawhide +or sinew to a split wooden handle. + +The hammers were of two sorts: one quite heavy, almost like a +sledge-hammer or maul, and with a short handle; the other much +lighter, and with a longer, more limber handle. This last was used +by men in war as a mace or war club, while the heavier hammer was +used by women as an axe to break up fallen trees for firewood; as a +hammer to drive tent-pins into the ground, to kill disabled animals, +or to break up heavy bones for the marrow they contained. These +mauls and hammers were usually made by choosing an oval stone and +pecking a groove about its shortest diameter. The handles were made +by green sticks fitted as closely as possible into the groove, +brought together and lashed in position by sinew, the whole being +then covered with wet rawhide tightly fitted and sewed. As the +rawhide dried, it shrunk and strongly bound together the parts of +the weapon. + +The Blackfeet bow was about four feet long. Its string was of +twisted sinew and it was backed with sinew. This gave the bow great +power, so that the arrow went with much force. The arrows were +straight shoots of the service berry or cherry, and the manufacture +of arrows was the chief employment of many of the men of middle +life. Each arrow by the same maker was precisely like every other +arrow he made. Each arrowmaker tried hard to make good arrows. It +was a fine thing to be known as a maker of good arrows. + +The shoots for the arrow shafts were brought into the lodge, peeled, +smoothed roughly, tied up in bundles, and hung up to dry. After they +were dried, the bundles were taken down and each shaft was smoothed +and reduced to a proper thickness by the use of a grooved piece of +sand-stone, which acted on the arrow like sandpaper. After they were +of the right thickness, they were straightened by bending with the +hands, and sometimes with the teeth, and were then passed through a +circular hole drilled in a rib, or in a mountain sheep's horn, which +acted in part as a gauge of the size and also as a smoother, for if +in passing through the hole the arrow fitted tightly, the shaft +received a good polish. The three grooves which always were found in +the Blackfeet arrows were made by pushing the shaft through a round +hole drilled in a rib, which, however, had one or more projections +left on the inside. These projections pressed into the soft wood and +made the grooves, which were in every arrow. The feathers were three +in number. They were put on with a glue, made by boiling scraps of +dried rawhide, and were held in place by wrappings of sinew. The +heads of the arrows were made of stone or bone or horn. The flint +points were often highly worked and very beautiful, being broken +from larger flints by sharp blows of a stone hammer, and after they +had been shaped the edges were worked sharp by flaking with an +implement of bone or horn. The points made of horn or bone were +ground sharp by rubbing on a stone. A notch was cut in the end of +the arrow shaft and the shank of the arrow point set in that. The +arrow heads were firmly fixed to the shaft by glue and by sinew +wrapping. + +Although the Blackfeet lived almost altogether on the flesh of birds +or animals, yet they had some vegetable food. This was chiefly +berries--of which in summer the women collected great quantities and +dried them for winter use--and roots, the gathering of which at the +proper season of the year occupied much of the time of women and +young girls. These roots were unearthed by a long, sharp-pointed +stick, called a root digger. Some of the roots were eaten as soon as +collected, while others were dried and stored for use in winter. + +After they reached the plains, the main food of the Blackfeet was +the buffalo, which they killed in large numbers when everything went +right. Many of the streams in the Blackfeet country run through +wide, deep valleys bordered on either side by cliffs, or broken +precipices, falling sharply from the high prairie above. Long ago +the Blackfeet must have learned that it was possible to make the +buffalo jump over these cliffs, and that in the fall on the rocks +below numbers would be killed or crippled. No doubt after this had +been practised for a time, there came to some one the idea of +building at the foot of such a cliff where the buffalo were run +over, a fence which would form a corral or pound, and which would +hold all the buffalo that were jumped over the cliff. This corral +they called piskun. + +It is often said that the buffalo were driven over these precipices, +but this is true only in part. Like most wild animals, buffalo are +inquisitive. It was not difficult to excite their curiosity, and +when they saw something they did not recognize, they were anxious to +find out what it was. + +When run into the piskun, the buffalo were really drawn by curiosity +almost to the jumping point, and between two long diverging lines of +people, who kept hidden until after the buffalo had passed them, and +then rose and showed themselves and tried to frighten the animals. +Now, to be sure, for the short distance that remained between the +place where they were alarmed and the place where they jumped, the +buffalo were driven. Any attempt on the open prairie to drive +buffalo in one direction or another would be certain to fail. The +animals would go where they wished to. They would not be driven, +though often they might be led. + +To the people the capture of food was the most important thing in +life, and they put forth every effort to accomplish it. For this +reason it came about that the effort to capture buffalo was preceded +usually by religious ceremonies, in which many prayers were offered +to the powers of the earth, the sky, and the waters, many sacrifices +made, and sacred objects, like the buffalo stone, were displayed. + +When the day for the hunt came, the man who was to bring the buffalo +left the camp early in the morning, climbed the rocky bluffs to the +high prairie, and journeyed toward some near-by herd of buffalo, +that had been located the day before by himself or by other young +men. He approached the buffalo as nearly as he could without +frightening them, and then, attracting the attention of some of the +animals by uttering certain calls, tossed into the air his buffalo +robe or some smaller object. As soon as the buffalo began to look at +him, he retreated slowly in the direction of the piskun, but +continued to call and to attract their attention by showing himself +and then disappearing. Soon, some of the buffalo began to walk +toward him, and others began to look and to follow those that had +first started, so that before long the whole herd of fifty or a +hundred animals might be walking or sometimes trotting after him. +The more rapidly the buffalo came on, the faster the man ran--and +sometimes it was a hard matter for him to keep ahead of the +herd--until he had got far within the wings and near to the cliff. +If there seemed danger that he would be overtaken, he watched his +chance and either at some low place quickly dodged out of the line +in which the buffalo were running, or hid behind one of the piles of +stones of which the wings were formed, or, if he had time, slipped +over the rocky wall at the valley's edge, so as to get out of the +way of the approaching herd. + +As soon as the buffalo had come well within the diverging lines of +people who were hidden behind the piles of stones called wings, +those whom the buffalo passed rose up from their places of +concealment, and by yells and shouts and the waving of their robes +frightened the buffalo, so that they quite forgot their curiosity in +the terror that now replaced it. When the leaders reached the brink +of the cliff, they could not stop. They were pushed over by those +behind, and most of the buffalo jumped over the cliff. Many were +crippled or injured by the fall, and all were kept within the fence +of the piskun below. About this fence the people were collected. The +buffalo raced round and round within the pen, the young and weak +being injured or killed in the crowding, while above the fence men +were shooting them with arrows until presently all in the pen were +dead, or so hurt that the women could go into the pen and kill them. +The people entered and took the flesh and hides. + +Deer, elk, and antelope were shot with arrows, and antelope were +often captured in pitfalls roofed with slender poles and covered +with grass and earth. Such pitfalls were dug in a region where +antelope were plenty, and a long > shaped pair of wings, made of +poles or bushes or even rock piles, led to the pit. The antelope is +very inquisitive and was easily led within the chute and there +frightened, as were the buffalo, by people who had been concealed +and who rose up and showed themselves after the antelope had passed. +This was done more in order to secure antelope skins for clothing +than their flesh for food. + +Fish and reptiles were not eaten by the Blackfeet, nor were dogs, +although dogs, wolves, and coyotes are eaten by many tribes of +plains Indians. Most small animals, and practically all birds, were +eaten in case of need. In summer, when the wildfowl which bred +on so many of the lakes in the Blackfeet country lost their +flight-feathers, during the moult, and again in the late summer, +when the young ducks and geese were almost fullgrown but could not +yet fly, the Indians often went in large parties to the shallow +lakes which here and there dotted the prairie, and, driving the +birds to shore, killed them in large numbers. + +Earlier in the season, when the fowl had begun to lay their eggs, +these were collected in great quantities for food. Sometimes they +were roasted in the hot ashes, but a more common way was to dig a +deep, narrow hole in the ground in which the eggs were to be cooked. +Several little platforms of small sticks or twigs were built in this +hole, one above another, and on these platforms they put the eggs. +Another much smaller hole was dug to one side of the large hole, +slanting down into it. The large hole was partly filled with water, +and was then roofed over by small sticks on which was placed grass +covered with earth. Stones were heated in a fire built near at hand, +and then were rolled down the side hole into the larger hole, +heating the water, which at last boiled and steamed, the steam +cooking the eggs. + +When the Americans first met them on the prairie, the Blackfeet were +known as great warriors. But up to the time when they got from the +Hudson Bay traders better weapons than they had before known, +whether these were metal knives, steel arrow points, or guns, it is +probable that they did not do much fighting. There seems to have +been no reason why they should have fought, unless they quarrelled +about small matters with other tribes. It became quite different +when the Indians procured better arms and, above all, when they got +horses--a means of swiftly getting about over the country, something +that all people wanted to have and which all were so eager to obtain +that they would go into danger for them. In the old days of stone +arrow heads, when they had to travel on foot and to carry heavy +loads on their backs, the whole thought and effort of the tribe must +have been devoted to the work of procuring a supply of food. + +The tribal and family life of the people was simple and friendly. +The man and his wives loved each other and loved their children. +Relationship counted for much in an Indian camp, and cousins of +remote degree were called brother and sister. Children were not +punished; they were trained by persuasion and advice. They were +told by older people how they ought to act in order to make their +lives happy and successful and to be well thought of by their +fellows. Young people had much respect for their elders, listened to +what they said, and strove more or less successfully to follow their +teachings. + +The Blackfeet were very religious. They feared many natural powers +and influences whose workings they did not understand, and they were +constantly praying to the Sun--regarded as the ruler of the +universe--as well as to those other powers which they believe live +in the stars, the earth, the mountains, the animals, and the trees. +The Blackfoot was constantly afraid that some evil thing might +happen to him, and he therefore prayed to all the powers for +help--for good fortune in his undertakings, for health, plenty, and +long life for himself and all his family. + +Among these tribes there are a number of secret societies known as +the All Comrades or All Friends--groups of men of different ages, +which have been alluded to in the stories. Originally there were +about twelve of these societies, but a number have been abandoned +of recent years. + +The tribe was divided into a number of clans, all the members of +which were believed to be related, and in old times no member of a +clan was permitted to marry another member of the clan. Relations +might not marry. + +In olden times, when large numbers of people were together, the +lodges of the camp were pitched in a great circle, the opening +toward the southeast. In this circle each clan camped in its own +particular place with relation to the other clans. Within the circle +was often a smaller circle of lodges, each occupied by one or more +of the societies of the All Comrades. Sometimes it happened that +great numbers of the Blackfeet came together, perhaps even all of +the three tribes, Blackfeet, Bloods, and Piegans. When this was the +case, each tribe camped by itself with its own circle, no matter how +near it might be to one or other of the tribal circles. + +We read of some tribes of Indians which believed that after death +the spirits of the departed went to a happy hunting ground where +game was always plenty and life was full of joy. The Blackfeet +knew no such place as this. When they died their spirits +were believed to go to a barren, sandy region south of the +Saskatchewan, which they called the Sand Hills. Here, as shadows, +the ghosts lived a life much like their existence before death, +but all was unreal--unsubstantial. Riding on shadow horses they +hunted shadow buffalo. They lived in shadow camps and when they +moved shadow dogs hauled their travois. There are stories which +tell that living people have seen these hunters, their houses, and +their implements of the camp, but when the people got close they +found that what they thought they had seen was something +different. It reminds us a little of the old ballad of Alice +Brand, where Urgan tells of the things seen in fairy-land: + + "And gayly shines the Fairy-land-- + But all is glistening show, + Like the idle gleam that December's beam + Can dart on ice and snow. + + "And fading, like that varied gleam, + Is our inconstant shape, + Who now like knight and lady seem, + And now like dwarf and ape." + +Books have been written about the Blackfeet Indians which tell much +more about how they lived than can be given here. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKFEET INDIAN STORIES*** + + +******* This file should be named 13833.txt or 13833.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/3/13833 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: +https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/13833.zip b/old/13833.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e37bbf2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13833.zip |
