[Illustration: 9089]
HOSE who have had the best opportunities for knowing the real character
of the Indians, have remarked, among many other good traits, the great
affection they have for their children, and the respect which young
people pay, not only to their parents, but to all elderly people.
Before the little papoose can walk alone, it is confined in a cradle,
which is carried on the mother’s back while she is at her work, or set
upright against the wall, or a tree. The mother teaches her children how
to make leggins, moccasins, and many other things that have already been
described; and if she be a good mother, as many of the squaws are, she
is particular in keeping her daughters constantly employed, so that
they may have the reputation of being industrious girls, which is a
recommendation to the young men to marry them; Corporal punishment
is seldom used for the correction of children; but if they commit any
fault, it is common for the mother to blacken their faces, and send them
out of the lodge. Sometimes they are kept a whole day in this situation,
as a punishment for their misconduct. They think that corporal
punishment breaks the spirit of the child, and in this they appear to be
wiser than their white brethren. Parental love should persuade and guide
the bold of spirit, not destroy their courage.
When the boys are six or seven years of age, a small bow and arrows are
put into their hands, and they are sent out to shoot birds around the
lodge or village; this they continue to do for five or six years, and
then their father procures for them short guns, and they begin to hunt
ducks, geese, and small game. They are then gradually instructed in the
whole art of hunting, and lastly of warfare.
The Indians generally appear to be more afflicted at the loss of an
infant, or young child, than at that of a person of mature years. The
latter, they think, can provide for himself in the country whither he
has gone, but the former is too young to do so. The men appear ashamed
to show any signs of grief, at the loss of any relation, however dear
he might have been to them; but the women do not conceal their feelings;
and on the loss of either husband or child, they cut off their hair,
disfigure their face and limbs with black paint, and even with cuts, and
burn all their clothes except a few miserable rags.
[Illustration: 0092]