BOYHOOD THE ORDEAL. 257 



BOYHOOD. 



At twelve or thirteen the boy begins to be a man, and 

 yearns for some opportunity of signalising his courage or 

 his craft. Banded together, the youths of from twelve to 

 sixteen years roam over the country (restricted only as 

 will hereafter appear), and some of the most daring and 

 desperate attacks have been made by these children, in 

 pursuit of Indian fame. 



These excursions teach the boy all that is necessary to 

 his savage life. Privation teaches endurance. When he 

 has food, he eats to repletion ; when none, he hunts for it. 

 If he has clothing, he wears it ; if not, he is happy and 

 contented in breech-clout and paint. 



He is patient, for time is nothing to him ; never home- 

 sick, because all places are equally his home. His eye 

 becomes keen for every mark on earth, or tree, or blade 

 of grass ; and he puts in practice all he has heard from the 

 elders around the camp fires, as to how to conceal his 

 trail, or hide his camp, or of the best method of approach 

 to, or attack upon, an unsuspecting enemy. Virtue, morality, 

 generosity, honour, are words not only absolutely without 

 significance to him, but are not accurately translatable 

 into 'the Indian language of the plains. 



THE ORDEAL. 



From each of these excursions return, with crest erect, 

 and backbone stiffened, one, two, or more youngsters, 

 whose airs and style proclaim that each has made his 

 coup, and is henceforth candidate for the distinction of 

 warrior. 



The chiefs and warriors assemble in general council, 

 and with the utmost gravity listen to the claims of the 

 candidates. Each in turn, frenzied with excitement, 

 with bounds and yells, and frantic gestures, pours forth 



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