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terrors for him； he meets it with simplicity and perfect calm； seeking only
an honorable end as his last gift to his family and descendants。 Therefore
he courts death in battle； on the other hand； he would regard it as
disgraceful to be killed in a private quarrel。 If one be dying at home； it is
customary to carry his bed out of doors as the end approaches； that his
spirit may pass under the open sky。
Next to this； the matter that concerns him most is the parting with his
dear ones； especially if he have any little children who must be left behind
to suffer want。 His family affections are strong； and he grieves intensely
for the lost； even though he has unbounded faith in a spiritual
companionship。
The outward signs of mourning for the dead are far more spontaneous
and convincing than is the correct and well…ordered black of civilization。
Both men and women among us loosen their hair and cut it according to
the degree of relationship or of devotion。 Consistent with the idea of
sacrificing all personal beauty and adornment； they trim off likewise from
the dress its fringes and ornaments； perhaps cut it short； or cut the robe or
blanket in two。 The men blacken their faces； and widows or bereaved
parents sometimes gash their arms and legs till they are covered with
blood。 Giving themselves up wholly to their grief； they are no longer
concerned about any earthly possession； and often give away all that they
have to the first comers； even to their beds and their home。 Finally； the
wailing for the dead is continued night and day to the point of utter
voicelessness； a musical； weird； and heart…piercing sound； which has been
compared to the； 〃keening〃 of the Celtic mourner。
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The old…time burial of the Plains Indians was upon a scaffold of poles；
or a platform among the boughs of a treetheir only means of placing the
body out of reach of wild beasts； as they had no implements with which to
dig a suitable grave。 It was prepared by dressing in the finest clothes；
together with some personal possessions and ornaments； wrapped in
several robes； and finally in a secure covering of raw…hide。 As a special
mark of respect； the body of a young woman or a warrior was sometimes
laid out in state in a new teepee； with the usual household articles and
even with a dish of food left beside it； not that they supposed the spirit
could use the implements or eat the food but merely as a last tribute。
Then the whole people would break camp and depart to a distance； leaving
the dead alone in an honorable solitude。
There was no prescribed ceremony of burial； though the body was
carried out with more or less solemnity by selected young men； and
sometimes noted warriors were the pall…bearers of a man of distinction。
It was usual to choose a prominent hill with a commanding outlook for the
last resting…place of our dead。 If a man were slain in battle； it was an old
custom to place his body against a tree or rock in a sitting position； always
facing the enemy； to indicate his undaunted defiance and bravery； even in
death。
I recall a touching custom among us； which was designed to keep the
memory of the departed near and warm in the bereaved household。 A
lock of hair of the beloved dead was wrapped in pretty clothing； such as it
was supposed that he or she would like to wear if living。 This 〃spirit
bundle；〃 as it was called； was suspended from a tripod； and occupied a
certain place in the lodge which was the place of honor。 At every meal
time； a dish of food was placed under it； and some person of the same sex
and age as the one who was gone must afterward be invited in to partake
of the food。 At the end of a year from the time of death； the relatives
made a public feast and gave away the clothing and other gifts； while the
lock of hair was interred with appropriate ceremonies。
Certainly the Indian never doubted the immortal nature of the spirit or
soul of man； but neither did he care to speculate upon its probable state or
condition in a future life。 The idea of a 〃happy hunting…ground〃 is
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modern and probably borrowed； or invented by the white man。 The
primitive Indian was content to believe that the spirit which the 〃Great
Mystery〃 breathed into man returns to Him who gave it； and that after it is
freed from the body； it is everywhere and pervades all nature； yet often
lingers near the grave or 〃spirit bundle〃 for the consolation of friends； and
is able to hear prayers。 So much of reverence was due the disembodied
spirit； that it was not customary with us even to name the dead aloud。
It is well known that the American Indian had somehow developed
occult power； and although in the latter days there have been many
impostors； and； allowing for the vanity and weakness of human nature； it
is fair to assume that there must have been some even in the old days； yet
there are well…attested instances of remarkable prophecies and other
mystic practice。
A Sioux prophet predicted the coming of the white man fully fifty
years before the event； and even described accurately his garments and
weapons。 Before the steamboat was invented； another prophet of our
race described the 〃Fire Boat〃 that would swim upon their mighty river；
the Mississippi； and the date of this prophecy is attested by the term used；
which is long since obsolete。 No doubt； many predictions have been
colored to suit the new age； and unquestionably false prophets； fakirs； and
conjurers have become the pest of the tribes during the transition period。
Nevertheless； even during this period there was here and there a man of
the old type who was implicitly believed in to the last。
Notable among these was Ta…chank…pee Ho…tank…a； or His War Club
Speaks Loud； who foretold a year in advance the details of a great war…
party against the Ojibways。 There were to be seven battles； all successful
except the last； in which the Sioux were to be taken at a disadvantage and
suffer crushing defeat。 This was carried out to the letter。 Our people
surprised and slew many of the Ojibways in their villages； but in turn were
followed and cunningly led into an ambush whence but few came out alive。
This was only one of his remarkable prophecies。
Another famous 〃medicine…man〃 was born on the Rum River about
one hundred and fifty years ago； and lived to be over a century old。 He
was born during a desperate battle with the Ojibways； at a moment when；
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as it seemed； the band of Sioux engaged were to be annihilated。
Therefore the child's grandmother exclaimed： 〃Since we are all to perish；
let him die a warrior's death in the field！〃 and she placed his cradle under
fire； near the spot where his uncle and grandfathers were fighting； for he
had no father。 But when an old man discovered the new…born child； he
commanded the women to take care of him； 〃for；〃 said he； 〃we know not
how precious the strength of even one warrior may some day become to
his nation！〃
This child lived to become great among us； as was intimated to the
superstitious by the circumstances of his birth。 At the age of about
seventy…five years； he saved his band from utter destruction at the hands of
their ancestral enemies； by suddenly giving warning received in a dream
of the approach of a large war…party。 The men immediately sent out
scouts； and felled trees for a stockade； barely in time to meet and repel the
predicted attack。 Five years later； he repeated the servi