The Wolf 311 



of their confraternity, but also, as in case of the fabled 

 founders of Rome, a protector of helpless innocence. In 

 the cycle of legends and myths that gather around the 

 culture-hero Hiawatha, we find the pretty tale of the 

 " Wolf -brother." When the orphan child had been for- 

 saken by all who were bound through natural affection to 

 cherish it, wolves admitted the deserted little creature to 

 their company, and gave the food that supported its life. 



With southern tribes the coyote takes the place of the 

 northern wolf ; and how it happened that this " miserable 

 little cur of an animal," as Colonel Dodge calls it (" Plains 

 of the Great West "), became the guardian of anybody or 

 anything, passes understanding, unless it be due to the 

 fact that there is more cunning and rascality wrapped up 

 in its skin than exists in that of any other creature what- 

 ever. Neverthele^ps, it is true that this jackal of the West 

 undoubtedly occupies, the position spoken of. Dr. Wash- 

 ington Mathews (" Gentile System of the Navajo Indians") 

 has shown that a coyote is the tutelar of at least three 

 gentes in this great tribe, and Captain John G. Bourke 

 (" Gentile Organization of the Apaches of Arizona ") traced 

 this animal in the same capacity through several branches 

 of the Tinneh family. He found coyote gentes in the 

 Apache, Apache-Mo jave, Maricopa tribes, and among the 

 Pueblo Indians as well ; at Zufii, San Filipe, Santana, Zia, 

 and other places. In his " Notes on the Apache Mythol- 

 ogy," Captain Bourke gives a clue to the undeserved hon- 

 ors which this beast has received. His researches make 

 it plain that these natives fully appreciated its astuteness. 

 The coyote made a bet with the bear and won it ; and by 



