od to the wild Indian; at least we thought so then.

I have referred to the opportunities for courting upon the wild rice
fields. Indian courtship is very peculiar in many respects; but when you
study their daily life you will see the philosophy of their etiquette
of love-making. There was no parlor courtship; the life was largely
out-of-doors, which was very favorable to the young men

In a nomadic life where the female members of the family have entire
control of domestic affairs, the work is divided among them all. Very
often the bringing of the wood and water devolves upon the young maids,
and the spring or the woods become the battle-ground of love's warfare.
The nearest water may be some distance from the camp, which is all the
better. Sometimes, too, there is no wood to be had; and in that case,
one would see the young women scattered all over the prairie, gathering
buffalo chips for fuel.

This is the way the red men go about to induce the aboriginal maids
to listen to their suit. As soon as the youth has returned from the
war-path or the chase, he puts on his porcupine-quill embroidered
moccasins and leggings, and folds his best robe about him. He brushes
his long, glossy hair with a brush made from the tail of the porcupine,
perfumes it with scented grass or leaves, then arranges it in two plaits
with an otter skin or some other ornament. If he is a warrior, he adds
an eagle feather or two.

If he chooses to ride, he takes his best pony. He jumps upon its bare
back, simply throwing a part of his robe under him to serve as a saddle,
and holding the end of a lariat tied about the animal's neck. He guides
him altogether by the motions of his body. These wily ponies seem to
enter into the spirit of the occasion, and very often capture the eyes
of the maid by their graceful movements, in perfect obedience to their
master.

The general custom is for the young men to pull their robes over their
heads, leaving only a slit to look through. Sometimes the same is done
by the maiden--especially in public courtship.

He approaches the girl while she is coming from the spring. He takes up
his position directly in her path. If she is in a hurry or does not care
to stop, she goes around him; but if she is willing to stop and listen
she puts down on the ground the vessel of water she is carrying.

Very often at the first meeting the maiden does not know who her lover
is. He does not introduce himself immediately, but wa