102

MOVING THE DOLLS' CAMP 106

FINDING A WAR FEATHER 114

THE LYNX AND THE HARE 117

HOW THE ANIMALS SAVED THE TRIBE 119

WINTER EVENINGS 125

THE GROUND-HOG DANCE 131

THE LUCKY HUNTER 134

HOW SICKNESS CAME 140

HOW SPRING CONQUERED WINTER 144

THE GIFT OF CORN 149

THE MAGIC CANOE 154

THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS 158

ABOUT THE BOOK 160

TWO
INDIAN CHILDREN
of LONG AGO

[Illustration]

THE FIRST AMERICANS

We are proud of being Americans. But we must not forget that the
Indians once owned all America, north and south and east and west.

The Indians were the first Americans of whom we read. No people ever
had a greater love for their land, and no race has ever taken more
pleasure in out-of-door life.

After Columbus found the New World, white men came from Europe to make
their homes here. As time went on they drove the Indians farther and
farther west and took away their hunting grounds.

Let us try to imagine our country as it was when the Indians owned it.
Can we picture our land without a house or a store or a railroad? Can
we think of great rivers with no cities on their banks and with no
bridges on which to cross from one side to the other?

Every boy we know likes to go camping. But who would be willing to set
up a camp far away in the deep woods without taking with him tent or
food or blankets?

Before trade with the white men began, the Indians found everything
they needed in the wild land about them. They could make their own
weapons and tools, their canoes and paddles, their houses and
clothing, and even build a fire without matches.

Your fathers leave home to earn money for your food and clothing. Your
mothers see that your meals are cooked and that your clothes are
bought or made.

The Indians took care of their children in much the same way. During
the hunting season the fathers and big brothers went away every
morning to hunt. The men provided all the meat for their families, and
all the skins for clothing and covers.

When a deer or a bear was shot, the hu