22 The Book of Woodcraft 



" Every Indian of standing has his sacred place, such as a 

 tree, rock, fountain, etc., to which he resorts for devotional ex- 

 ercise, whenever his feelings prompt to the measure; some- 

 times many resort to the same place. " (P. 221). 



A typical prayer is recorded for us by Grinnell. 



A Pawnee, in dire distress and despair, through a strong 

 enemy, decided to sacrifice his horse to the unseen powers, 

 that they might intercede for him with the Creator, and 

 thus prayed beforehand: 



"My Father [who dwells] in all places, it is through you that 

 I am li\-ing. Perhaps it was through you that this man put me 

 in this condition. You are the Ruler. Nothing is impossible 

 with you. If you see fit, take this [trouble] away from me. 

 Now you, all fish of the rivers, and you, all birds of the air, and 

 all animals that move upon the earth, and you, O Sun! I present 

 to you this animal. You, birds in the air, and you, animals 

 upon the earth, we are related; we are alike in this respect, that 

 one Ruler made us all. You see how unhappy I am. If you 

 have any power, intercede for me." (Grinnell's ''Story of the 

 Indian," p. 213.) 



Capt. W. P. Clark, one of our best authorities on the 

 Plains Indians, says: "There are no people who pray more 

 than Indians." ("Indian Sign Language," 1885, p. 309.) 



And, again, he says: 



" Indians make vocal petitions to the God or Force which they 

 wish to assist them, and also make prayer by pointing the long 

 stem of the pipe. The Poncas call the sun God or Grandfather, 

 and the earth Grandmother, and pray to both when making 

 supphcations. Running Antelope, a chief of the Uncapapa 

 Band of SioiLx, said in regard to pointing the pipestem, that the 

 mere motion meant, 'To the Great Spirit: give me plenty of 

 ponies; plenty of meat; let me live in peace and comfort with 

 my wife, and stay long with my children. To the Earth, my 



