ons will not let him play.
So the Indian boy learns early in life to bear pain without complaint.

Swift Elk's father made a little bow and arrow for his son as soon as
he was old enough to run out of the wigwam. Each summer he received a
larger bow and more destructive arrows.

Wherever the boy goes he carries his weapon, and he is always watching
for the chance to shoot a bird, rabbit, squirrel, or any wild animal.

How his mother and grandmother praise him when he brings home game!
"You will be a great hunter," they say. "Soon you will be able to go
with your father to shoot bear and deer."

Swift Elk sleeps on a bed of cedar boughs covered with skins. As the
first-born son, he has the place of honor. His bed is next to his
father's, close against the inner lining of the lodge, and nearly
opposite the entrance.

This is the boy's own place, and he is allowed to decorate it as he
wishes. Birds' wings, feathers, and squirrels' tails show his skill in
hunting.

[Illustration]

Here he keeps nearly everything that he owns. He has hung his bow and
arrows on the lodge pole above his bed. His snowshoes, tops, and balls
are in a bag of skin high above the reach of baby hands.

Swift Elk looks forward to the time when he shall be admitted to the
councils of his tribe and take part in their dances and yearly feasts.

Like other Indian children, he has been trained to count time by
winters, moons, and sleeps, and so he does not know his exact age. He
has never heard of keeping birthdays; but he has had many feasts given
in his honor, which are the same to him as a party would be to you.

When an Indian boy wins a game which requires great skill, or shows
himself brave in time of danger, his companions shout his praises.

They go with him to the door of his lodge, telling of the brave deed
he has performed. Then they sing and dance in his honor.

It is expected that the women of the lodge will show their pleasure by
giving each boy some dainty from the stores of food packed away for
feasts.

On the day that Swift Elk first shot a rabbit his father gave a feast
for him, inviting all his relatives. But the most important
celebration of his whole life was when he won a victory in racing and
received his name.

THE NAMING OF SWIFT ELK

Unlike their sisters, Indian boys are seldom named in babyhood. Some
are known only as the sons of their fathers. Others bear the nicknames
given by their companions. But of