the soul of the indian(尤安人之魂)-第14章
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much to go back to his Elder Brother and to show him his wife and child。
But the beaver…woman refused to go； so at last he went alone for a short
visit。 When he returned； there was only a trickle of water beside the
broken dam； the beautiful home was left desolate； and wife and child were
gone forever！
The deserted husband sat alone upon the bank； sleepless and faint with
grief； until he was consoled by a comely young woman in glossy black；
who took compassion upon his distress and soothed him with food and
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
loving attentions。 This was the bear…woman； from whom again he was
afterward separated by some mishap。 The story goes that he had children
by each of his many wives； some of whom resembled their father； and
these became the ancestors of the human race； while those who bore the
characteristics of their mother returned to her clan。 It is also said that
such as were abnormal or monstrous in form were forbidden to reproduce
their kind； and all love and mating between man and the animal creation
was from that time forth strictly prohibited。 There are some curious
traditions of young men and maidens who transgressed this law
unknowingly； being seduced and deceived by a magnificent buck deer；
perhaps； or a graceful doe； and whose fall was punished with death。
The animal totems so general among the tribes were said to have
descended to them from their great…grandmother's clan； and the legend
was often quoted in support of our close friendship with the animal people。
I have sometimes wondered why the scientific doctrine of man's descent
has not in the same way apparently increased the white man's respect for
these our humbler kin。
Of the many later heroes or Hiawathas who appear in this voluminous
unwritten book of ours； each introduced an epoch in the long story of man
and his environment。 There is； for example； the Avenger of the Innocent；
who sprang from a clot of blood； the ragged little boy who won fame and
a wife by shooting the Red Eagle of fateful omen； and the Star Boy； who
was the off…spring of a mortal maiden and a Star。
It was this last who fought for man against his strongest enemies； such
as Wazeeyah； the Cold or North…Wind。 There was a desperate battle
between these two； in which first one had the advantage and then the other；
until both were exhausted and declared a truce。 While he rested； Star
Boy continued to fan himself with his great fan of eagle feathers； and the
snow melted so fast that North…Wind was forced to arrange a treaty of
peace； by which he was only to control one half the year。 So it was that
the orderly march of the seasons was established； and every year Star Boy
with his fan of eagle feathers sets in motion the warm winds that usher in
the spring。
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
VI ON THE BORDER…LAND OF
SPIRITS
Death and Funeral Customs。 The Sacred Lock of Hair。
Reincarnation and the Converse of Spirits。 Occult and Psychic Powers。
The Gift of Prophecy。
The attitude of the Indian toward death； the test and background of life；
is entirely consistent with his character and philosophy。 Death has no
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；〃
