the soul of the indian(尤安人之魂)-第4章
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second year of life； which was the ordinary duration of lactation； it was
supposed by us that the mother's spiritual influence counted for most。
Her attitude and secret meditations must be such as to instill into the
receptive soul of the unborn child the love of the 〃Great Mystery〃 and a
sense of brotherhood with all creation。 Silence and isolation are the rule
of life for the expectant mother。 She wanders prayerful in the stillness
of great woods； or on the bosom of the untrodden prairie； and to her poetic
mind the immanent birth of her child prefigures the advent of a master…
mana hero； or the mother of heroesa thought conceived in the virgin
breast of primeval nature； and dreamed out in a hush that is only broken
by the sighing of the pine tree or the thrilling orchestra of a distant
waterfall。
And when the day of days in her life dawnsthe day in which there is
to be a new life； the miracle of whose making has been intrusted to her；
she seeks no human aid。 She has been trained and prepared in body and
mind for this her holiest duty； ever since she can remember。 The ordeal
is best met alone； where no curious or pitying eyes embarrass her； where
all nature says to her spirit： 〃'Tis love！ 'tis love！ the fulfilling of life！〃
When a sacred voice comes to her out of the silence； and a pair of eyes
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open upon her in the wilderness； she knows with joy that she has borne
well her part in the great song of creation！
Presently she returns to the camp； carrying the mysterious； the holy；
the dearest bundle！ She feels the endearing warmth of it and hears its
soft breathing。 It is still a part of herself； since both are nourished by the
same mouthful； and no look of a lover could be sweeter than its deep；
trusting gaze。
She continues her spiritual teaching； at first silentlya mere pointing
of the index finger to nature； then in whispered songs； bird…like； at
morning and evening。 To her and to the child the birds are real people；
who live very close to the 〃Great Mystery〃； the murmuring trees breathe
His presence； the falling waters chant His praise。
If the child should chance to be fretful； the mother raises her hand。
〃Hush！ hush！〃 she cautions it tenderly； 〃the spirits may be disturbed！〃
She bids it be still and listenlisten to the silver voice of the aspen； or the
clashing cymbals of the birch； and at night she points to the heavenly；
blazed trail； through nature's galaxy of splendor to nature's God。 Silence；
love； reverence；this is the trinity of first lessons； and to these she later
adds generosity； courage； and chastity。
In the old days； our mothers were single…eyed to the trust imposed
upon them； and as a noted chief of our people was wont to say： 〃Men may
slay one another； but they can never overcome the woman； for in the
quietude of her lap lies the child！ You may destroy him once and again；
but he issues as often from that same gentle lapa gift of the Great Good
to the race； in which man is only an accomplice！〃
This wild mother has not only the experience of her mother and
grandmother； and the accepted rules of her people for a guide； but she
humbly seeks to learn a lesson from ants； bees； spiders； beavers； and
badgers。 She studies the family life of the birds； so exquisite in its
emotional intensity and its patient devotion； until she seems to feel the
universal mother…heart beating in her own breast。 In due time the child
takes of his own accord the attitude of prayer； and speaks reverently of the
Powers。 He thinks that he is a blood brother to all living creatures； and
the storm wind is to him a messenger of the 〃Great Mystery。〃
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At the age of about eight years； if he is a boy； she turns him over to his
father for more Spartan training。 If a girl； she is from this time much
under the guardianship of her grandmother； who is considered the most
dignified protector for the maiden。 Indeed； the distinctive work of both
grandparents is that of acquainting the youth with the national traditions
and beliefs。 It is reserved for them to repeat the time…hallowed tales with
dignity and authority； so as to lead him into his inheritance in the stored…up
wisdom and experience of the race。 The old are dedicated to the service
of the young； as their teachers and advisers； and the young in turn regard
them with love and reverence。
Our old age was in some respects the happiest period of life。
Advancing years brought with them much freedom； not only from the
burden of laborious and dangerous tasks； but from those restrictions of
custom and etiquette which were religiously observed by all others。 No
one who is at all acquainted with the Indian in his home can deny that we
are a polite people。 As a rule； the warrior who inspired the greatest terror
in the hearts of his enemies was a man of the most exemplary gentleness；
and almost feminine refinement； among his family and friends。 A soft；
low voice was considered an excellent thing in man； as well as in woman！
Indeed； the enforced intimacy of tent life would soon become intolerable；
were it not for these instinctive reserves and delicacies； this unfailing
respect for the established place and possessions of every other member of
the family circle； this habitual quiet； order； and decorum。
Our people； though capable of strong and durable feeling； were not
demonstrative in their affection at any time； least of all in the presence of
guests or strangers。 Only to the aged； who have journeyed far； and are in
a manner exempt from ordinary rules； are permitted some playful
familiarities with children and grandchildren； some plain speaking； even to
harshness and objurgation； from which the others must rigidly refrain。 In
short； the old men and women are privileged to say what they please and
how they please； without contradiction； while the hardships and bodily
infirmities that of necessity fall to their lot are softened so far as may be
by universal consideration and attention。
There was no religious ceremony connected with marriage among us；
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while on the other hand the relation between man and woman was
regarded as in itself mysterious and holy。 It appears that where marriage
is solemnized by the church and blessed by the priest； it may at the same
time be surrounded with customs and ideas of a frivolous； superficial； and
even prurient character。 We believed that two who love should be united
in secret； before the public acknowledgment of their union； and should
taste their apotheosis alone with nature。 The betrothal might or might not
b
