of tobacco, while the filled pipe was laid
beside the dead Ohitika.

She scattered paints and tobacco all about. Again they stood a few
moments silently; then she drew a deep breath and began her prayer to
the Great Mystery:

"O, Great Mystery, we hear thy voice in the rushing waters below us! We
hear thy whisper in the great oaks above! Our spirits are refreshed with
thy breath from within this cave. O, hear our prayer! Behold this little
boy and bless him! Make him a warrior and a hunter as great as thou
didst make his father and grandfather."

And with this prayer the little warrior had completed his first
offering.

V. FAMILY TRADITIONS

I: A Visit to Smoky Day

SMOKY DAY was widely known among us as a preserver of history and
legend. He was a living book of the traditions and history of his
people. Among his effects were bundles of small sticks, notched and
painted. One bundle contained the number of his own years. Another was
composed of sticks representing the important events of history, each
of which was marked with the number of years since that particular event
occurred. For instance, there was the year when so many stars fell from
the sky, with the number of years since it happened cut into the wood.
Another recorded the appearance of a comet; and from these heavenly
wonders the great national catastrophes and victories were reckoned.

But I will try to repeat some of his favorite narratives as I heard them
from his own lips. I went to him one day with a piece of tobacco and
an eagle-feather; not to buy his MSS., but hoping for the privilege
of hearing him tell of some of the brave deeds of our people in remote
times.

The tall and large old man greeted me with his usual courtesy and
thanked me for my present. As I recall the meeting, I well remember his
unusual stature, his slow speech and gracious manner.

"Ah, Ohiyesa!" said he, "my young warrior--for such you will be some
day! I know this by your seeking to hear of the great deeds of your
ancestors. That is a good sign, and I love to repeat these stories to
one who is destined to be a brave man. I do not wish to lull you
to sleep with sweet words; but I know the conduct of your paternal
ancestors. They have been and are still among the bravest of our
tribe. To prove this, I will relate what happened in your paternal
grandfather's family, twenty years ago.

"Two of his brothers were murdered by a jealous young man of their
own ba