283 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS OF THE INDIAN. 



THE Indian's idea of the future life in the Happy Hunting 

 Grounds is as vague, confused, indefinite, and inconsis- 

 tent, as can well be imagined. He believes that he will 

 be happy perfectly happy; but of the how, wh} 7 , or 

 wherefore, he pretends to know nothing. 



His creed is a wide one ; for all persons, of all ages, sexes, 

 colours, or beliefs, who die unscalped or unstrangled, 

 will meet in that final heaven of bliss. He goes there just 

 as he was here, with the same passions, feelings, wishes, 

 and needs. His favourite pony is killed at his burying 

 place, to enjoy an eternity of beautiful pasture and to 

 bear his master in war or in the chase. 



He will need arms to defend himself against enemies 

 (man or beast) : his rifle, pistol, bow, and quiver are 

 buried with him. He will need fire : so flint and steel 

 or a box of matches go towards the outfit for his final 

 journey. 



There is no death in that life ; but wounds and pain, 

 hunger and thirst, love, revenge, ambition, all the passions, 

 or incentives to action, are there. The Indian knows no 

 happiness in this life, except in the gratification of his 

 natural appetites. His future life will develope greater 

 capacity and wider opportunity for the enjoyment of the 

 appetites. 



He will meet enemies, whom, however, he strives to 

 make as few as possible in that world, by scalping as 

 many as possible in this. He will encounter dangerous 



