IROQUOIS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 



133 



wampum known as the Ransom belt. If a murder has been com- 

 mitted the murderer sent the Ransom belt to the nearest relatives 

 of his victim with a petition for his life as he was "sorry." If the 

 belt was returned he submitted to his death sentence with the 

 stoicism of his race. It never occurred to him that the Great 

 Spirit could be appealed to for such forgiveness. He had an idea 

 of punishment in an after life but it was of a material, not spiritual 

 nature. The fundamental principle of his faith was a sublime 

 belief in the immortality of the soul, which on entering its eternal 

 life continued its former existence not progressively by the goodness 

 of its mortal life nor in punishment for its omissions. A mortal 

 evil was atoned for during the mortal life. Likewise a benevolent 

 or religious act was rewarded by compensations while on earth. 



It is only by the intimate social acquaintance of the Indian, 

 even of the present day, that his true religion is known. His moral 

 laws, according to his own conception, are stringent. His family 

 relationships are the universal spirit of affection and hospitality. 

 His children are taught obedience with their lessons of reverence 

 to parents. Indians never punish their children. If a child runs 

 too great riot they let him "get over it" first and then reason with 

 him about it afterwards. Notwithstanding the labors of the Indian 

 woman she is supreme in home authority, owns land in her own 

 right and frequently continues her maiden name after marriage, 

 which, by Indian law, is a mutual agreement for the man and 

 woman to live together until one or the other "scolds too much." 

 Incompatibility of temper argues a divorce if appealed for, as 

 "quarreling is a bad example to the children," who, in case of a 

 separation, are taken by the mother, the family descent being 

 from the maternal line. 



As an example of the moral commands of the Indian, I quote 

 the following precepts which are imperatively enjoined: 



"It is the will of the Great Spirit that you reverence the aged 

 even though they be as helpless as infants." 



"If you tie up the clothes of an orphan child the Great Spirit 

 will notice it and reward you for it." 



"To adopt orphans and bring them up in virtuous ways is pleas- 

 ing to the Great Spirit." 



"If a stranger wander about your abode, welcome him to your 

 home, be hospitable to him, speak to him with kind words, and 

 forget not always to mention the Great Spirit." 



As proof of the last precept at the latest census 1 there was but 



'The census of 1890 was used by Mrs Converse as a source of information. 



