40 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF INDIAN LANGUAGES. 
lects, are sometimes united into confederacies, and tribes or confederacies 
are sometimes united into leagues for temporary purposes. The boundary 
line between confederacy and league cannot be definitely drawn. The 
common noun for tribe and confederacy, or league, is not always discovered 
with ease. On the other hand, the proper noun for the tribe, confederacy, 
or league, is not always easily discovered. Perhaps the proper noun and 
common noun for confederacy and league are always the same. 
Indian people usually have a word signifying ‘one of us,” or “a per- 
son of our tribe, or confederacy ;” one signifying “Indian,” another signify- 
ing ‘white man.” Among southwestern tribes two such terms are used, 
one denoting those who came from the south—chiefly Spaniards—and 
another denoting those who came from the east. 
The institution of fellowhood is widely spread. This custom may be 
briefly described as follows: Two young men agree to be life friends, 
‘‘more than brothers” to each other, like David and Jonathan, and Damon 
and Pythias. They reveal to each other all their secrets, perform religious 
rites together, and eachis sworn to defend the other from all harm. 
§ 19.—GOV ERNMENT. 
In Indian government civil and military affairs are differentiated. 
The organization for civil government will first be explained. 
Among those tribes whose numbers are large, the gentile organization 
is at the basis of civil government. A council is the legislature and court 
of the gens, of the tribe, and the confederacy, respectively. It might be better 
to say that the council is the court whose decisions are law. The council of 
the gens is composed of the heads of its families, and selects the gentile 
chief. If mother-right prevails the gentile council may be composed of 
women, and the elected chief, who is a man. This chief will not be the 
husband of any of the heads of households, but must be a brother or 
son. If father-right prevails the council will be composed exclusively of 
men. ‘The council of the tribe seems to be constituted in various ways, 
sometimes of the gentile counselors united, sometimes of the gentile chiefs 
united, or in other ways. There may also be a grand council of the tribe 
composed of all of the heads of households. The presiding officer of the 
