Stránka:book 1922.djvu/542

512 The Book of Woodcraft Obey and venerate the old people, particularly your parents. Fear and propitiate the Bad Spirit, that he may do you no harm. Love and adore the Good Spirit, who made us all, who sup- plies our hunting grounds, and keeps us alive. — ("Captivity Among the Indians," 1798-1816; John D. Hunter, p. 21.) COURAGE OR THE TRAINED SCOUT "With the Indian courage is absolute self-control. The truly brave man, we contend, yields neither to fear nor anger, desire nor agony. He is at all times master of himself. His courage rises to the heights of chivalry, patriotism, and real heroism. "'Let neither cold, hunger, nor pain, nor the fear of them, neither the bristling teeth of danger nor the very jaws of death itself, prevent you from doing a good deed,' said an old chief to a Scout who was about to seek the buffalo in midwinter for the relief of a starving people." (" Soul of the Indian," p. 115; by Ohiyesa.) AN INDIAN PRAYER (Supplied by Miss Natalie Curtis) Powers that be, make me sufficient to my own occasions. Give to me to mind my own business at all times and to lose no good opportunity for holding my tongue. When it is appointed for me to suffer let me take example from the dear well-bred beasts and go away in solitude to bear my suffering by myself. Help me to win, if win I may, but — and this especially, O Powers — if I may not win, make me a good loser. GENESIS (oMAHA) From the ritual of the Omaha Pebble Society (Fletcher — LaFlesche, Eth. Ann. 27; p. 570) "At the beginning all things were in the mind of Wa-