{"collection":"Native American","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/nam/pla/ont/ont02.htm","path":"nam/pla/ont/ont02.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/nam/pla/ont/ont02.htm","text":"The Old North Trail, by Walter McClintock, [1910]\n| CHAPTER I. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| MY INTRODUCTION TO THE BLACKFEET | 6 | \n| Visit North Western Montana as member of a forestry expedition under Gifford Pinchot, Chief of the Forest Service of the United States.\u2014Meet with Siksikakoan, an Indian scout.\u2014He invites me to his home among the Blackfeet.\u2014Our journey eastward through the forests of the western slope of the Rocky Mountains.\u2014Cross the Continental Divide by the Cutbank Pass.\u2014Flora and Fauna of the country.\u2014Magnificent mountain scenery.\u2014Many glaciers and snow-capped peaks.\u2014Enter the Blackfeet country by an old Indian war-trail.\u2014First glimpse of the tribal camp of the Blackfeet on the plains.\u2014Siksikakoan introduces me to the Blackfeet leaders.\u2014Meet Chief Mad Wolf.\u2014Novel experiences in the big camp.\u2014Accompany Siksikakoan to his home on Cutbank River.\u2014My first summer among the Blackfeet. | | \n| CHAPTER II. | | \n| MY ADOPTION BY MAD WOLF | 26 | \n| Meet Mad Wolf on the plains.\u2014He proposes to adopt me as his son.\u2014Mad Wolf's camp.\u2014The ceremonial of adoption.\u2014Mad Wolf's prayer.\u2014Directs me to take part in the ceremonial.\u2014Appoints a second ceremonial for giving my Indian name. | | \n| CHAPTER III. | | \n| HUNTING IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS | 36 | \n| Our ride across the plains.\u2014Individuality of pack horses.\u2014Difficulties of mountain travel.\u2014A mountain camp.\u2014Fresh grizzly-bear tracks.\u2014Siksikakoan's bear story at the camp fire.\u2014Climbing for Rocky Mountain sheep.\u2014Thrilling adventure with a huge grizzly.\u2014Siksikakoan relates the legend of the Medicine grizzly of Cutbank Canyon.\u2014Story of Menepoka and the coyotes. | | \n| p. x | | \n| CHAPTER IV. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| A ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLIZZARD | 58 | \n| Preparations for a storm.\u2014Tying down our lodge.\u2014A fierce wind and a wild night.\u2014Siksikakoan's stories beside the lodge fire.\u2014Legends of the Home of the Wind Maker and of the Origin and Destruction of the Grizzly Bear Clan.\u2014Winter scenes in Cutbank Canyon.\u2014Stories told in the snow by the tracks of wild animals. | | \n| CHAPTER V. | | \n| MAD WOLF GIVES THE BEAVER MEDICINE CEREMONIAL | 76 | \n| Mad Wolf's summer camp on the plains.\u2014Preparations for the ceremonial.\u2014Maka's joke.\u2014Mad Wolf begins the ceremonial with seven chants.\u2014The buffalo song.\u2014Distribution of the rattles to the priests.\u2014Mad Wolf bids me join in the ceremonial.\u2014Prayers made by visiting Indians.\u2014Animal songs.\u2014Mad Wolf dances with the Sacred Pipe.\u2014Pipe Dancing songs.\u2014The Root Digger is brought forth.\u2014Opening the Sacred Beaver Bundle.\u2014Dance of four women representing beavers.\u2014Two weasel skins are taken from the Bundle.\u2014The head chief gives me the Indian name, A-pe-e-ech-eken, (White Weasel Moccasin).\u2014A medicine man decorates me with the sacred paint.\u2014Mad Wolf continues the ceremonial.\u2014I take part in the buffalo dance.\u2014Ceremonial closes with a feast. | | \n| CHAPTER VI. | | \n| LEGEND OF THE BEAVER MEDICINE | 103 | \n| Evening in Mad Wolf's lodge.\u2014His fatherly talk.\u2014Tells the origin of the Beaver Medicine.\u2014In this legend, Nopatsis is jealous of Akaiyan his younger brother and leaves him to die on a lonely island.\u2014The Chief of the Beavers rescues him and keeps him all winter in the lodge of the Beavers.\u2014Teaches him the ceremonial of the Beaver Medicine and the make-up of the Beaver Bundle, and bestows upon him supernatural power.\u2014His youngest child, Little Beaver, returns with Akaiyan to help in teaching the people.\u2014He creates the Beaver Medicine, to which many birds and animals contribute their power. | | \n| CHAPTER VII. | | \n| MY ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNT | 113 | \n| The St. Mary's Lakes.\u2014Magnificent mountain scenery.\u2014My mountain camp.\u2014Home of the mountain sheep and goat.\u2014Stalking a herd of five goats.\u2014An exciting climb.\u2014One goat killed.\u2014Following a wounded goat.\u2014Laborious task of skinning a goat on a narrow ledge.\u2014My dangerous climb.\u2014A mountain storm.\u2014The back trail.\u2014Ideal camp on the prairie.\u2014Return to Mad Wolf's winter home on Cutbank River. | | \n| p. xi | | \n| CHAPTER VIII. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| WINTER ON THE PLAINS | 125 | \n| A trip to the mountains for winter wood.\u2014Nature's signs of an early winter.\u2014Narrow escape from death in the forest.\u2014My struggle with a blizzard.\u2014Snow bound.\u2014Legend of the Snow Tipi.\u2014Na-toia-mon's vision.\u2014Power over a blizzard granted him by the Cold Maker.\u2014Supernatural power of the Snow Tipi. | | \n| CHAPTER IX. | | \n| GHOST STORIES | 139 | \n| Superstitious fears of my companions during the blizzard.\u2014Running Rabbit ghost story.\u2014Old Person ghost story.\u2014Strange story of Kattana's death.\u2014Methods used by different medicine men during his last illness.\u2014His visions and death-dream.\u2014Startling apparitions after Kattana's death.\u2014Story of Crow Eagle and the ghost.\u2014Blackfeet beliefs as to the future-life.\u2014Disposition of the dead.\u2014Burial customs.\u2014Mourning customs. | | \n| CHAPTER X. | | \n| REMINISCENCES OF FATHER DE SMET | 154 | \n| Clear skies.\u2014Big game close to the ranch.\u2014Tragedy of Red Rover, an Indian dog.\u2014Bitter cold.\u2014Starving cattle.\u2014A Chinook.\u2014Mad Wolf talks about former days.\u2014Tells how the Blackfeet first met Father De Smet.\u2014Taught the people to rest every seventh day.\u2014Fate of Motokis who scoffed at his ceremonial.\u2014Its salutary effect upon Blackfeet.\u2014Two Black Robes take the place of Father De Smet.\u2014One of these, Scar Cheek, goes to the Gros Ventres.\u2014Is badly treated and returns to the Blackfeet.\u2014Gros Ventres are routed by the Blackfeet.\u2014Legend of the Yellow Buffalo Tipi.\u2014Buffalo Bull bestows supernatural power upon Mastopeta.\u2014His death and farewell talk.\u2014His body disappears from the Death Lodge.\u2014Final message from his disembodied spirit.\u2014Father De Smet's tactful use of occurrences for converting the Blackfeet. | | \n| CHAPTER XI. | | \n| SUN WORSHIP | 167 | \n| Religious beliefs.\u2014Origin and meaning of \"medicine\" and \"medicine-man.\"\u2014The reasonableness of Sun Worship in the light of nature.\u2014Religious significance of the Sun-dance.\u2014Mad Wolf's letter inviting his white son to the Sun-dance.\u2014Reason for the vow to give the Sun-dance by Mad Wolf's wife.\u2014My return to attend Sun-dance.\u2014First-night impressions in Mad Wolf's camp. | | \n| p. xii | | \n| CHAPTER XII. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| BEGINNING OF THE SUN-DANCE | 178 | \n| Preparations of Mad Wolf and Gives-to-the-Sun.\u2014Rules and customs observed within the sacred lodge.\u2014Ceremonial of consecrating the tongues.\u2014Methods of medicine men for impressing their supernatural power upon the tribe.\u2014Sudden death of Good Hunter, sacred woman at a former Sun-dance. | | \n| CHAPTER XIII. | | \n| MARRIAGE CUSTOMS | 184 | \n| Immorality rare among Blackfeet women.\u2014Sanctity of marriage religiously taught.\u2014Severe penalty for marital infidelity.\u2014Purity of family life contributed to a high moral and physical development.\u2014Curious marriage customs.\u2014Wedding gifts and preparations.\u2014Considerations influencing the choice of a husband.\u2014Rules observed by the father-in-law and mother-in-law.\u2014Strange mother-in-law customs.\u2014Relations of a husband to his father-in-law.\u2014Feast at the birth of a child.\u2014Position of the first wife.\u2014Polygamy a necessity of the social organisation.\u2014Expedient to marry several sisters.\u2014The use of love-charms to win the affections of others and of anti-love-charms to resist their effect. | | \n| CHAPTER XIV. | | \n| FORMING THE SUN-DANCE CAMP | 192 | \n| Mad Wolf announces time for moving to the Sun-dance camp.\u2014Care of the sacred woman and the loading of her travois.\u2014My journey with Mad Wolf and his clan.\u2014An interesting and impressive procession.\u2014Mad Wolf selects a site for the Sun-dance camp.\u2014Formation of the camp according to clans.\u2014Origin of clan names.\u2014Pitching the Sacred Tipi.\u2014Guests in my tipi.\u2014Arrival of Running Crane with prominent chiefs from the South.\u2014Visitors from many Indian tribes.\u2014Mad Dog society as police. | | \n| CHAPTER XV. | | \n| PAINTED TIPIS | 207 | \n| The tipi as a dwelling.\u2014Impressive spectacle of the \"White City\" of the Blackfeet.\u2014Protective designs of tipis.\u2014Their sacred character and origin.\u2014Strict secrecy of the owners.\u2014I secure an Otter Tipi that was believed to have lost its protective power.\u2014The ceremonial of transfer and its rules.\u2014Special ceremonials and feasts.\u2014Transfer of the Cross Stripe Tipi to Wolf Tail.\u2014Methods of painting Tipis.\u2014Kinds of paint used.\u2014Manner of securing paints.\u2014Medicine Weasel's superstitious fear of copying an Otter design.\u2014Five different Otter Tipis in one camp.\u2014While guest in an Otter Tipi, I learn the symbols of its decorations.\u2014The War Tipi.\u2014Description of its picture writings.\u2014I secure a war and hunting tipi.\u2014Relation of Painted Tipis to Sun Worship. | | \n| p. xiii | | \n| CHAPTER XVI. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| THE SUN-DANCE CAMP | 225 | \n| Camp scenes of the first day.\u2014An Indian mother's happy disposition.\u2014Manner of inviting guests to a feast.\u2014Old Morning Eagle exhibits his war horse.\u2014His medicine songs at sunrise.\u2014Natosin, a visiting chief from the North Blackfeet.\u2014A Blackfoot cradle.\u2014Varied industries of the women.\u2014Their antipathy to the camera.\u2014Their manufacture of tipis.\u2014Training of girls by their mothers.\u2014Curing of meat and making of pemmican by women.\u2014Diet of the Blackfeet.\u2014A dog feast by visiting Assiniboines. | | \n| CHAPTER XVII. | | \n| EVENING SCENES IN THE CAMP | 240 | \n| A wonderful prairie sunset.\u2014Distant view of the big camp at night.\u2014Young men and women singing Riding songs.\u2014A love song and rendezvous of the lovers at the river.\u2014Ceremonial chants and Dance songs.\u2014Wolf song and an ancient war custom.\u2014The Kissing dance.\u2014Visit to the lodge of a sick friend.\u2014Scenes by the lodge fire.\u2014A pet coyote.\u2014Gossip of the women.\u2014I assist a medicine man and his wife in doctoring their patient and have permission to photograph the performance.\u2014Indian methods of doctoring. | | \n| CHAPTER XVIII. | | \n| AN INITIATION INTO THE MEDICINE PIPE SOCIETY | 251 | \n| Mysterious methods used in securing a new member.\u2014Medicine Pipe given to the Blackfeet ages ago by the Thunder Chief.\u2014Disturbing sounds in the big camp at night.\u2014Excitement at daybreak caused by herald announcing an election to the Medicine Pipe Society.\u2014Initiation of the new member.\u2014Initiation ceremonial given in Tearing Lodge's tipi because of a superstition.\u2014Large fee for membership. | | \n| CHAPTER XIX. | | \n| CEREMONIAL TRANSFERRING THE MEDICINE PIPE | 262 | \n| Bird and animal dances.\u2014The Grizzly Bear dance.\u2014Many varieties of songs.\u2014The Woman's Pipe.\u2014Four chants towards the cardinal points.\u2014Rules governing ownership of the Pipe. Care of the Pipe a heavy burden.\u2014The Indian firmly held in mental slavery by his medicine superstitions. | | \n| p. xiv | | \n| CHAPTER XX. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| DANCE OF THE KISAPA SOCIETY | 271 | \n| Striking costume of Elk Horn the herald.\u2014Fine dress of the Kisapa (Hair Partners).\u2014Figures of the dance.\u2014Black Weasel, an efficient dance leader.\u2014Dance of little Nokoa.\u2014Speech of Running Crane to the dancers.\u2014Mountain Chief urges generous gifts to the Sioux.\u2014Return of a victorious war expedition.\u2014Warriors re-enacting former battles.\u2014An exciting horse race.\u2014Parade of the Sioux warriors.\u2014They dance at Ahkiona's lodge.\u2014The great camp at night.\u2014Riding songs.\u2014Travelling song of the Sioux.\u2014Celebration song.\u2014Sepe-nama and his wife mounted on the same horse sing a Night song of remarkable beauty.\u2014Originality of Blackfeet music.\u2014Importance of its preservation. | | \n| CHAPTER XXI. | | \n| CEREMONIAL OF THE SUN-DANCE | 284 | \n| Mad Dogs build the Sweat-lodge.\u2014Ceremonial of the Sweat-lodge.\u2014Tribal parade of men and women on horseback.\u2014Elaborate and interesting costumes.\u2014Impressive evening ceremonial in Mad Wolf's tipi.\u2014Prayer of the head chief.\u2014Indian humour.\u2014Practical jokes.\u2014Dance of the Brave Dogs.\u2014Bringing in the poles and branches for constructing the Sun-lodge.\u2014Ceremonial of felling a tree for the Centre Pole, and transporting it to the Sun-lodge. | | \n| CHAPTER XXII. | | \n| RAISING THE CENTRE POLE | 302 | \n| Ceremonial of painting Mad Wolf and clothing the sacred woman.\u2014The priests and sacred women appear before the tribe.\u2014The Feast of Tongues.\u2014Making vows on behalf of the sick.\u2014Awasaki's prayer for her grandchildren.\u2014Ceremonial of \"Cutting-the-hide.\"\u2014Warriors assemble according to clans.\u2014They march holding long poles aloft.\u2014The tribe sing the Hymn to the Pole in unison.\u2014An impressive scene.\u2014The priests and sacred women bless the Centre Pole.\u2014The warriors raise the Pole and complete the Sun-lodge.\u2014Points of resemblance in the Feast of Tongues to feast of the Jewish and Christian Churches. | | \n| CHAPTER XXIII. | | \n| INSIDE THE SUN-LODGE | 312 | \n| Three medicine men have charge of ceremonies.\u2014Bull Child's famous medicine robe.\u2014Sacred booth of the medicine men.\u2014Great crowd of people at Sun-lodge.\u2014People are painted by | | \n| p. xv | | \n| | PAGE | \n| medicine men.\u2014Society dances and \"counting of coups.\"\u2014Big Beaver tells of his vow.\u2014Kit-sta-ka's son; to her dead lover and suicide from a high cliff.\u2014Self torture by warriors at the Sun-dance in former days.\u2014Story of the fulfilment of a vow by Two Bears.\u2014An approaching storm.\u2014Interesting contest between two medicine men as weather-makers.\u2014Mad Wolf's farewell speech.\u2014The tribe breaks camp.\u2014Death of Mad Wolf. | | \n| CHAPTER XXIV. | | \n| ALONG THE OLD NORTH TRAIL | 325 | \n| Our camp on Two Medicine River.\u2014Sudden plans to start for Canada.\u2014Members composing our expedition and its object.\u2014First camp at foot of Hudson's Bay Divide.\u2014Evening visit to tipi of the widow of Screaming Owl, a former head chief.\u2014She talks about former days and of her dead son.\u2014His ghost makes a night visit to our camp.\u2014Crossing the Hudson's Bay Divide.\u2014Descent of its northern slope into the beautiful valley of the North Fork.\u2014Arrival at Spotted Eagle's camp on St. Mary's River. | | \n| CHAPTER XXV. | | \n| SPOTTED EAGLE'S MYTHICAL STORIES OF OLD MAN | 335 | \n| The camp of Spotted Eagle, a noted medicine man.\u2014His jovial disposition and reputation for wit and humour.\u2014He relates mythical adventures of Old Man.\u2014Old Man plays with the ground squirrels.\u2014Punishes the lynx and the birch tree.\u2014Takes part in an elk dance.\u2014Joins in the mouse dance and gets into trouble.\u2014Travels with a fox and punishes a rock.\u2014His adventures with coyotes.\u2014He flies with the cranes and falls to the earth.\u2014He is tricked by a small bird.\u2014He dives for berries reflected in the water.\u2014Starts the custom of scalping dead enemies.\u2014Induces men and women to mate.\u2014Steals the magical fire leggings.\u2014Spotted Eagle's morning bath.\u2014His remarkable weather prediction followed by a violent electrical storm. | | \n| CHAPTER XXVI. | | \n| ONESTA AND THE BEAR SPEAR | 352 | \n| Gift of supernatural power conveyed through certain animals.\u2014Onesta's watchful care of the Bear Spear.\u2014Gives the ceremonial for an auspicious entrance into a new country.\u2014Relates legend of the origin of the Bear Spear.\u2014The Mink Ceremonial.\u2014Curiosity of white emigrants visiting our camp.\u2014Extreme heat.\u2014Changed outlook after crossing the International Line.\u2014Indian theories for \"Fairy Rings\" on the plains.\u2014My botanical collection of herbs and plants used by the Blackfeet.\u2014Perfumes used by women.\u2014Our arrival in the Blood country. | | \n| p. xvi | | \n| CHAPTER XXVII. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| CAMP OF THE BLOODS | 368 | \n| Reserve and haughtiness of the Bloods.\u2014Pathetic mourning of a mother for her son.\u2014Tragedy of Opiowan, \"The Mad Indian.\"\u2014Journey along the Okoan River.\u2014Onesta and Nitana pray for a prosperous journey and my success.\u2014Onesta teaches me two queer Blackfeet songs.\u2014Beautiful valley of the North Piegans.\u2014The trail along the Crow Lodge River.\u2014Interesting Indian names for local topography.\u2014Lookout Butte and the Indian watchers.\u2014Camp of Brings-down-the-Sun.\u2014His dignified and hospitable welcome.\u2014Our attractive camp under the cottonwoods.\u2014Indian custom of exchanging gifts.\u2014Ideal camp of a happy and contented Indian clan. | | \n| CHAPTER XXVIII. | | \n| CAMP OF BRINGS-DOWN-THE-SUN | 383 | \n| We dine with Brings-down-the-Sun.\u2014Onesta introduces me to the old chief.\u2014He declines to impart his knowledge.\u2014Recites the wrongs which caused his mistrust of the white race.\u2014Allows me to remain in his camp.\u2014I meet his wife and youngest daughter.\u2014He offers us free use of their wild berry supply.\u2014His statesmanlike reasons for preserving their natural resources of trees and berry bushes.\u2014First thunder of the summer is heard marking time for opening Medicine Pipes.\u2014Meet my friend Bull Plume conducting a Pipe ceremonial.\u2014Hospitality of Brings-down-the-Sun.\u2014Indian children's fear of white men.\u2014Interesting scenes along a stream.\u2014A contented family of beavers.\u2014A miniature camp with complete doll outfit.\u2014Games of boys and girls.\u2014\"Wheel and arrow,\" a gambling game of men.\u2014An extended sunset view from Lookout Butte. | | \n| CHAPTER XXIX. | | \n| PROPER NAMES | 395 | \n| Various methods used in obtaining proper names.\u2014Interesting illustrations of naming children.\u2014Manner of changing men's names.\u2014Women's names.\u2014Names for strangers.\u2014Names for animals.\u2014Extended use of sign language among plains-tribes. | | \n| CHAPTER XXX. | | \n| ONESTA GIVES THE CROW BEAVER CEREMONIAL | 406 | \n| North Piegans gathering around our camp fire.\u2014Dances by the children E-mo-nissi and Yellow Mink.\u2014Embarrassing relations between mother-in-law and son-in-law.\u2014Jealous anger of Bull Plume towards his rival Brings-down-the-Sun.\u2014Running Wolf | | \n| p. xvii | | \n| | PAGE | \n| and myself entertain a gathering with Blackfeet songs.\u2014At Onesta's request I sleep in the sacred Thunder Tipi.\u2014Story of my vision has an advantageous result. | | \n| CHAPTER XXXI. | | \n| THE RIVAL LEADERS | 414 | \n| Bull Plume urges me to visit him in his camp.\u2014Brings-down-the-Sun is angered by the intrusion.\u2014Onesta explains the cause of the rivalry.\u2014Brings-down-the-Sun makes a friendly visit.\u2014He agrees to impart his knowledge.\u2014Stories of his father Running Wolf.\u2014Origin of the name.\u2014\"Winter counts\" kept by him as head chief of the tribe.\u2014His initiation into the Medicine Pipe society.\u2014Discovers cavern of the Thunderbird on Chief Mountain, who gives him a Sacred Pipe. | | \n| CHAPTER XXXII. | | \n| EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF BRINGS-DOWN-THE-SUN | 427 | \n| Death of his father.\u2014The Sacred Pipe and leadership of the tribe were handed down to him.\u2014He chose instead to become a medicine man.\u2014His wise and benevolent manner of dealing with the people.\u2014Eagle-catching his means of livelihood.\u2014His method of trapping eagles.\u2014The Spirit of the Mountain gives him a Medicine Robe.\u2014His reasons for not using the Sweat-lodge.\u2014He tells the names of his children and of their remarkable deliverance from a dangerous flood. | | \n| CHAPTER XXXIII. | | \n| THE OLD NORTH TRAIL | 434 | \n| Brings-down-the-Sun explains meaning of the name Running Wolf.\u2014He tells about the Old North Trail formerly used by Indian tribes.\u2014The Lone Pine Tree land-mark.\u2014A former Blackfoot expedition into Mexico along the Old North Trail.\u2014It returns with the Dancing Pipe.\u2014Blackfeet names for rivers, mountains and other land-marks along the trail. | | \n| CHAPTER XXXIV. | | \n| BLACKFEET SOCIETIES | 441 | \n| A practical joke at my expense.\u2014Irregularity in time of meals.\u2014How women bake camass roots.\u2014Brings-down-the-Sun receives present of medicinal plants.\u2014He asks for my family history.\u2014In return he gives the origins of the Blackfeet Societies.\u2014The Sinopaix (Kit-foxes) and their society dance.\u2014He describes Tsin-ksi-six (Mosquitoes).\u2014Kuko (Doves).\u2014Muto-ka-iks (Buffaloes).\u2014Knut-some-taix (Mad Dogs). | | \n| p. xviii | | \n| CHAPTER XXXV. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| THE MUTSAIX (SOCIETY OF BRAVE DOGS) | 455 | \n| Brings-down-the-Sun tells of its origin.\u2014Weapons and characteristic dress of members.\u2014Their society dance and customs.\u2014A courageous mother saves the life of a Brave Dog.\u2014Usefulness of Blackfeet Societies. | | \n| CHAPTER XXXVI. | | \n| LEGENDS OF THE FRIENDLY MEDICINE GRIZZLY AND THE FRIENDLY MEDICINE WOLF | 466 | \n| The North Piegans gather their winter supply of berries.\u2014Brings-down-the-Sun tells the legend of Nis-ta-e and the Medicine Grizzly.\u2014A sole survivor and wounded after a fight with the Snakes, he faces death in the mountains.\u2014A supernatural grizzly feeds him and carries him back home.\u2014Legend of Itsa-pich-kaupe and the Medicine Wolf.\u2014The community of spirit between animals and men.\u2014Some animals can read the future.\u2014Coyote barks an omen of death.\u2014Owls are dreaded because they are the unhappy spirits of evildoers. | | \n| CHAPTER XXXVII. | | \n| BRINGS-DOWN-THE-SUN TALKS ABOUT BIRDS AND THE STARS | 479 | \n| Variety of song birds in the Blackfoot country.\u2014Brings-down-the-Sun tells of the habits of the birds and explains their songs.\u2014He gives the Blackfeet names for the moons.\u2014How to read the signs in the skies.\u2014He tells the ancient star-legends of the Seven Brothers (Great Bear), and the Lost Children (Pleiades). | | \n| CHAPTER XXXVIII. | | \n| LEGEND OF PO\u00cfA, THE CHRIST STORY OF THE BLACKFEET | 491 | \n| Brings-down-the-Sun tells the beautiful star legend of Po\u00efa, who was born in the sky as Star Boy, came down to earth, lived in poverty among the Blackfeet, and was called Po\u00efa (Scarface) in derision.\u2014Through his bravery he reached the home of the Sun where his scar was removed.\u2014The Sun God sends him back to earth to instruct the Blackfeet in Sun worship.\u2014After establishing the ceremonial of the Sun-dance, Po\u00efa returned to the hone of the Sun and became a Morning Star.\u2014Brings-down-the-Sun explains the conjunction of two Morning Stars.\u2014Tells about the constellations.\u2014Sacred articles brought from the home of the Sun.\u2014Explains the portent of a brilliant meteor.\u2014Interruptions to my slumber.\u2014At early dawn on Lookout Butte I see Venus and Jupiter in conjunction.\u2014Sunrise on the plains.\u2014An early start.\u2014Farewell of Brings-down-the-Sun. | | \n| p. xix | | \n| CHAPTER XXXIX. | | \n| | PAGE | \n| THE PRESENT CONDITION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF THE BLACKFEET | 506 | \n| Appalling inroads of death upon the Blackfeet chiefs.\u2014Decline in the tribal spirit and religion.\u2014Pathetic appeal of an old chief to the young men to \"keep up their old religion.\"\u2014A Government gent's prohibition of the Sun-dance causes despondency and indignation.\u2014I attend a council of the Chiefs.\u2014Stock-schi's speech in behalf of the Sun-dance.\u2014Challenges me to name anything harmful in its observance.\u2014My reply.\u2014Changed conditions bring to an end the development of the noble line of patriotic Blackfeet Chiefs.\u2014The passing of the buffalo gave the death-blow to their tribal organisation, causing poverty, suffering, Government relief, and a rapid moral decline.\u2014Encouraging results from radical changes in the National Indian policy, inaugurated by President Roosevelt and Francis E. Leupp, former Commissioner of Indian Affairs.\u2014Christian missions among the Blackfeet.\u2014The Christian medical missionary greatly needed. | |","title":"The Old North Trail: Contents","type":"page"}