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134 THE INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA. 
When the Indians leave their houses a branch is left in the 
door to show that no one is athome. The California Indians 
were more provident than most of the aborigines of this 
country. Large, round, upright cribs, made of poles and 
reeds, perhaps eight or nine feet high, contained their sup- 
plies of acorns. These cribs were neatly made and had a 
floor of loose reeds to keep the acorns from contact with the 
ground; they were estimated to hold two years supply of 
breadstuff, and were filled when acorns were abundant to 
_ provide for a short crop if the next year should prove un- 
fruitful. The whole tribe, men, women and children, 
worked together in gathering acorns in the fall for these 
public granaries. The hunting and fishing were done wholly 
by men, and some of the fishing was done at night when the 
women were sleeping at home. Much of the drudgery came 
to the women and seemingly with their consent. They said 
that a hunter needed a keen eye, a firm hand and a fleet foot ; 
if he became stiff from hard work or lost his skill, his wife 
must suffer with him in his misfortunes, and it was best for 
each to do what each could do best. 
The position of honor among the Indians is the recogni- 
tion of excellence in some quality or acquirement. This 
induces every young man to improve himself by every 
opportunity offered, so that he may become the first in use- 
fulness and be called on to meet chiefs in council. When 
the customs of the Indians are learned the charge of indo- 
lence, as often made against them, does not seem wholly 
merited. One of the early settlers in New York asked a 
chief why he did not work and lay up money. The chief 
replied that he wanted one good reason given him why he 
should make a slave of himself all of his life to make his 
children lazy for the whole of theirs. The labor performed 
is often great and exhaustive and must be shared by many. 
As no one gains any advantage over his fellows, excepting as 
he may prove himself more useful to them by the exercise 
of superior skill, he has less inducement to work alone, as a 
