308 INDIANS. 



a rule, more than one meal a day. A huge pot or kettle 

 full of meat is put on the fire. When done it is placed 

 in the middle of the lodge, and each person helps himself 

 with his fingers. When they have no flour, dried buffalo 

 meat is used for bread. When all are satisfied the kettle 

 is set aside, and those who get hungry oftener than once 

 a day go and help themselves. 



They are hospitable to each other and to strangers, 

 always offering something to eat to visitors If it is 

 known that there is anything specially good to eat in any 

 lodge, and wherever more than an ordinary smoke in- 

 dicates cooking, there is sure to be a lot of loafers drop 

 in. They always have the first chance at the pot, the 

 occupants of the lodge contenting themselves with what 

 is left. Tea, coffee, and sugar are exceptions, and are 

 only given to distinguished guests. 



A great deal has been said and written about the 

 stoicism of the Indians. Years of intercourse with them 

 has convinced me that this stoicism is only manner, the 

 result of a life of watchfulness and comparative solitude. 

 Of their wonderful endurance of pain and want I have 

 already spoken. But the Indian is really of a very ner- 

 vous and excitable temperament, easily acted upon. No 

 people who fight at all, fight so badly when surprised. 

 No people are more easily and thoroughly ' stampeded,' 

 or rendered senseless by fear. The Indian will talk himself 

 wild with excitement, vaunting his exploits in love, war, 

 or the chase, and will commit all sorts of extravagances, 

 when telling or listening to an exciting story. In their 

 everyday life Indians are vivacious, chatty, fond of telling 

 and hearing stories, indulge in broad wit, and are 

 specially fond of practical jokes. 



The nights are spent in song, and dance, and revelry, 

 and, for the number of people engaged, a permanent 

 Indian camp (safe from all danger of enemies) is at night 

 the noisiest place that can be found. 



Uneducated people of our own race feel no surprise 



