1 8 The Book of Woodcraft 



ably distinguished than Tecumseh, the war chief of the 

 Shawnees; perhaps the greatest of all historic Indians. 

 Like a new incarnation of Hiawatha, he planned a de- 

 fensive federation of the whole red race, and led them in 

 war, that he might secure for them lasting peace. All 

 great Indians had taught the doctrine "Love your friend." 

 But Tecumseh was the first in authority to extend the 

 heaven-taught precept, so they should be kind, at least, to 

 their enemies ; for he put an end in his nation to all tortur- 

 ing of prisoners. 



Above all whose history is fully known, Tecumseh was 

 the ideal noble Redman realized; nevertheless, he was not 

 alone; Wabasha, Osceola, Kanakuk, and Wovoka must 

 be numbered among those whose great hearts reached out 

 in kindness even to those who hated them. 



Tecumseh taught, "Love your enemy after he is con- 

 quered"; Kanakuk preached non-resistance to evil; 

 Wovoka, "Be kind to all men." 



Second: The Indian had no property instincts. He was a 

 Sociahst in all matters of large property, such as land, its 

 fruits, rivers, fish, and game. 



So were the early Christians. "And all that believed 

 were together; had all things in common, and sold their 

 possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every 

 man had need." (Acts, ii., 44-45.) 



They considered that every child had a right to a bring- 

 ing up, and every old person to a free Hving from the 

 tribe. We know that it worked well, for there was neither 

 hunger nor poverty, except when the whole tribe was in 

 want. And we know also that there were among them no 

 men of shameful, monstrous wealth. 



Third: He was improvident. He is now, just like our 

 own drunkards. He was not, until after the Great Degra- 

 dation that we effected in him. All the old travelers, 



