370 OMAHA SOCIOLOGY. 



was slain, they would say nothing, and no one tried to avenge him. The 

 murder of a child was as great a crime as the murder of a chief, a brave, 

 or a woman. There was no distinction in the price to be paid. 



Sbould the criminal escape to another tribe, and be absent for a year 

 or two, his crime would be remembered on his return, and he would be 

 in danger. 



§ 311. Accidental killing. — When one man killed another accidentally, 

 he was rescued by the interposition of the chiefs, and subsequently was 

 punished as if he were a murderer, but only for a year or two. 



§ 312. Profanity. — Cursing and swearing were unknown before the 

 white men introduced them. Not one of the (fegiha dialects contains an 

 oath. The Omahas are very careful not to use names which they re- 

 gard as sacred on ordinary occasions; and no one dares to sing sacred 

 songs except the chiefs and old men at the proper times. 



§ 313. Drunkenness became a crime, because it often led to murders; 

 so the Omaha policemen determined to punish each offender. Each one 

 of the ten gave him several blows with a whip, and the drunkard's 

 annuity for that year was taken from him. In 1854 this vice was broken 

 up, and since then there has been no instance of its occurrence among 

 the Omahas." 



§ 314. Falsehood. — In 1879 Standing Hawk and a few others were 

 noted for this vice; but in 1882 La Fleche said that there were many 

 who had lost all regard for the truth. Formerly, only two or three were 

 notorious liars ; but now, there are about twenty who do not lie. Scouts 

 were expected to speak the truth when they returned to report to the 

 directors, the keepers of the sacred tents, etc. (See§§ 23, 130, and 137.) 

 Warriors were obliged to undergo the ordeal of the wastegistu (Osage, 

 watse-5pstn), before receiving the rewards of bravery. If one told a lie, 

 he was detected, as the Indians believed that the stick always fell from 

 the sacred bag in such a case. (See § 214.) 



w The Indians also broke up gambling with cards, but it has been resumed, as the 

 police have not the power to punish the offenders. 



