548 The Book of Woodcraft 



The Message of the Indian 



The message of the Indian for us is sixfold: 



ist. He was the great prophet of outdoor life. He was 

 strong when he hved in the sun; and when, under pressure, 

 he took to a house, he was Kke Samson shorn of his hair. 

 By the physical perfection of his body, he showed the truth 

 of his way. He was a hving protest against house-life. 

 He, above all others, can show us how to get the joys, and 

 escape the dangers, of life in the open air. 



2nd. He was a master of woodcraft — woodcraft, the 

 oldest of all the sciences; the one, that, above all, makes for 

 manhood. Strength, speed, skill, courage, knowledge of the 

 woods and its creatures, star-wisdom, water-wisdom, plant 

 lore, and everything that makes for the well-built man in 

 masterful touch with a large environment of blue air, is part 

 of woodcraft. And in this above all other men, the Indian 

 can be our guide. 



3rd. He taught the sacred duty of reverencing, beautify- 

 ing and perfecting the body. 



4th. He sought for the beautiful in everything. He 

 teaches us that, if we have the spirit of beauty within, we 

 may beautify everything in every office and walk of our 

 lives. Every weapon, tool, utensil, garment and house; 

 yes, every gesture — he has taught us how to make beau- 

 tiful. His songs, stories, dances, ceremonies, his system of 



