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himself could not be entirely destroyed； but he was overcome by his
enemies and left half buried in the earth； condemned never to walk again；
and there we find him to this day。
〃This was because he abused his strength； and destroyed for mere
amusement the lives of the creatures given him for use only。〃
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VI Evening in the Lodge
I： Evening in the Lodge
I HAD been skating on that part of the lake where there was an
overflow； and came home some… what cold。 I cannot say just how cold it
was； but it must have been intensely so； for the trees were cracking all
about me like pistol shots。 I did not mind； because I was wrapped up in
my buffalo robe with the hair inside； and a wide leather belt held it about
my loins。 My skates were nothing more than strips of basswood bark
bound upon my feet。
I had taken off my frozen moccasins and put on dry ones in their
places。
〃Where have you been and what have you been doing？〃 Uncheedah
asked as she placed before me some roast venison in a wooden bowl。 〃Did
you see any tracks of moose or bear ？〃
〃No； grandmother； I have only been playing at the lower end of the
lake。 I have something to ask you；〃 I said； eating my dinner and supper
to… gether with all the relish of a hungry boy who has been skating in the
cold for half a day。
〃I found this feather； grandmother； and I could not make out what tribe
wear feathers in that shape。〃
〃Ugh； I am not a man； you had better ask your uncle。 Besides； you
should know it yourself by this time。 You are now old enough to think
about eagle feathers。〃
I felt mortified by this reminder of my ignor… ance。 It seemed a
reflection on me that I was not ambitious enough to have found all such
matters out before。
〃Uncle； you will tell me； won't you？〃 I said； in an appealing tone。
〃I am surprised； my boy； that you should fail to recognize this feather。
It is a Cree medicine feather； and not a warrior's。〃
〃Then；〃 I said； with much embarrassment； you had better tell me again；
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uncle； the lan… guage of the feathers。 I have really forgotten it all。〃
The day was now gone； the moon had risen； but the cold had not
lessened； for the trunks of the trees were still snapping all around our tee…
pee； which was lighted and warmed by the im… mense logs which
Uncheedah's industry had pro… vided。 My uncle； White Foot…print； now
under… took to explain to me the significance of the eagle's feather。
〃The eagle is the most war…like bird；〃 he be… gan； 〃and the most kingly
of all birds； besides； his feathers are unlike any others； and these are the
reasons why they are used by our people to signify deeds of bravery。
〃It is not true that when a man wears a feather bonnet； each one of the
feathers represents the kill… ing of a foe or even a coup。 When a man
wears an eagle feather upright upon his head； he is sup… posed to have
counted one of four coups upon his enemy。〃
〃Well； then； a coup does not mean the killing of an enemy？〃
〃No； it is the after…stroke or touching of the body after he falls。 It is so
ordered； because often… times the touching of an enemy is much more dif…
ficult to accomplish than the shooting of one from a distance。 It requires
a strong heart to face the whole body of the enemy； in order to count the
coup on the fallen one； who lies under cover of his kinsmen's fire。 Many
a brave man has been lost in the attempt。
〃When a warrior approaches his foe； dead or alive； he calls upon the
other warriors to wit… ness by saying： 'I； Fearless Bear； your brave； again
perform the brave deed of counting the first （or second or third or fourth）
coup upon the body of the bravest of your enemies。' Naturally； those who
are present will see the act and be able to testify to it。 When they return；
the heralds； as you know； announce publicly all such deeds of valor； which
then become a part of the man's war record。 Any brave who would wear
the eagle's feather must give proof of his right to do so。
〃When a brave is wounded in the same battle where he counted his
coup； he wears the feather hanging downward。 When he is wounded； but
makes no count； he trims his feather and in that case； it need not be an
eagle feather。 All other feathers are merely ornaments。 When a warrior
wears a feather with a round mark； it means that he slew his enemy。
When the mark is cut into the feather and painted red； it means that he
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took the scalp。
〃A brave who has been successful in ten bat… tles is entitled to a war…
bonnet； and if he is a rec… ognized leader； he is permitted to wear one with
long； trailing plumes。 Also those who have counted many coups may tip
the ends of the feath… ers with bits of white or colored down。 Some…
times the eagle feather is tipped with a strip of weasel skin； that means the
wearer had the honor of killing； scalping and counting the first coup upon
the enemy all at the same time。
〃This feather you have found was worn by a Creeit is
indiscriminately painted。 All other feathers worn by the common Indians
mean noth… ing；〃 he added。
〃Tell me； uncle； whether it would be proper for me to wear any
feathers at all if I have never gone upon the war…path。〃
〃You could wear any other kind of feathers； but not an eagle's；〃 replied
my uncle； 〃although sometimes one is worn on great occasions by the
child of a noted man； to indicate the father's dig… nity and position。〃
The fire had gone down somewhat； so I pushed the embers together
and wrapped my robe more closely about me。 Now and then the ice on
the lake would burst with a loud report like thunder。 Uncheedah was
busy re…stringing one of uncle's old snow…shoes。 There were two