488 The Book of Woodcraft 



Obey and venerate the old people, particularly your parents. 



Fear and propitiate the Bad Spirit, that he may do you no 

 harm. 



Love and adore the Good Spirit, who made us all, who sup- 

 plies our hunting grounds, and keeps us alive, — ("Captivity 

 Among the Indians," 1798-1816; John D. Hunterj p. 21.) 



COURAGE OR THE TRAINED SCOUT 



"With the Indian courage is absolute self-control. The 

 truly brave man, we contend, yields neither to fear nor 

 anger, desire nor agony. He is at all times master of 

 himself. His courage rises to the heights of chivalry, 

 patriotism, and real heroism. 



" 'Let neither cold, hunger, nor pain, nor the fear of them, 

 neither the bristling teeth of danger nor the very jaws of death 

 itself, prevent you from doing a good deed,' said an old chief 

 to a Scout who was about to seek the buffalo in midwinter for 

 the relief of a starving people." (" Soul of the Indian," p. 115; 

 by Ohiyesa.) 



AN INDIAN PRAYER 



(Supplied by Miss Natalie Curtis) 



O Powers that be, make me sufficient to my own occasions. 



Give to me to mind my own business at all times and to 

 lose no good opportunity for holding my tongue. 



When it is appointed for me to suffer let me take example 

 from the dear well-bred beasts and go away in solitude to 

 bear my suffering by myself. 



Help me to win, if win I may, but — and this especially, 

 O Powers — if I may not win, make me a good loser. 



GENESIS (oMAHA) 



From the ritual of the Omaha Pebble Society 

 (Fletcher — LaFlesche, Eth. Ann. 27; p. 570) 



"At the beginning all things were in the mind of Wa- 



