The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-27
AN INDIAN BROTHERHOOD
-------- "
Old Chivalry Yet Alive and Often
Demonstrated on This Western
--# *... Continent. ~45f
Selecting a Trusty Conf1dant and
Comrade to Be as q
Brother.
Evidences of This Choice, and tho Way u
IL Manifested by Young Indians
Highly Priced.

Written for tho HELENA ~INDEpENDEsrJ
nNE OF THE MANY CHIvALKOUs
Y1 features OF the natural Indian life il
- the institution of friendship or
brotherhood by which W. younp
men become partners in pleasure and
danger, in life and death. Now, however,
slnce tho government has put I'm end to
tribal wars. the com pact will not carry such
serious obligation. as formerly.
Readers of Parkman will remember that
at the massacre of Mackinaw, a British
trader was rescued by al Indian who had
formally chosen him as his friend some
time before in accordance with q dream, in
which he was told that he was to have a
white man for his brother" Although the
Englishman did not at the time understand
the nature Of the bond, the Indians held it
in such sacred regard that they allowed
Wawatam to lead the trader out from the
crowd OF sayages who were butchering his
comrades. #"=%#" S*%"=
When q young Indian is about the age OF
10. just verging on manhood, he looks about
to see which Of his playmates he shall select
to be his comrade through life in his games
and pleasure excursions. at tie dance, and
on the warpath.
Those Of US who were ever boys wellknow
that at this age every boy has hia comrAds
and confidant, for whom he has almost as
warm q feeling as comes to him in after
years for his sweetheart. Human nature is
the same in an Indian camp.
That Indian is indeed an unfortunate
y%oupgster who has not his ~inseparable boy
companion. But now he aspires to be a
man, and the bone between him and his
friend must receive the stamp of formal
recognition.
He selects the dearest Of his possessions
the finest pony in his herd-and putting
q laiiat around his head he goes to hia COM
rade and places the rope in his hand, and
saws:
my friend, ] give You q pony, let US be
friends" II
The other boy takes the pony and puts il
among HIS " horses. In a few days, or
weeks, he makes q return gift, perhaps q
fine rifle, TO the donor, and the compact is
sealed.
Thenceforth wherever one is the other ID
not far of. 2 5
At all tribal. gatherings the young men
will be found sitting or standing about in
pairs, and when moving camp or out on
the warpath each couple always keeps close
together.
The young men frequently take advan-
taRo of a dance or other large public as
aembly to make a display of their gener-
osity and affection toward each other.
once attended a dance among the Sioux.
at which several fine horses were given
away in this manner. Before the dance
began the public crier took his stand in the
center Of the circle, and IN n loud
voice announced that a certain young
man was about to show his love 70.
his friend by presenting him with a
horse. During tho proclamation the TWO
young men stood sid by side, the owner Of
the horse-a handsome white pony, with
name carefully ~baided-held the animal
loosely by a lariat. At the conclusion of
the announcement the old man turned to
the two ami, taking the lariat from the
hand of the giver, he gave it into the hand
of the othet who then led the horse away.
The other horses transferred on this ocoa-
sion we're represented by green sticks,
which were handed over in the same way
after each proclamation, to be redeemed
with ponies after tile dance.
As a further evidence of affection the
young men sometimes formally exchange
names. The announcement is made by
the public crier, and presents accompany
the transaction. From that time each is
known in the tribe by the former name of
own original name. They always address
each other simply as my Friend"
The gifts exchanged are always the things
most dearly priced by the owner. Among
Indians there is no such things as giving
for the sake of appearances. Presents with
them arc made only as tokens of genuine
affection, or in ratification of treaty agree
ments.
The entire property of a man belongs
equally to his friend. In making collec-
tons among Indian tribes I have frequently
found this to work to my advantage. Az
there is no regular business system among
them, no fixed valuations except on ponies,
they are apt tn raise the y ice of an article
according to the supposed eagerness
of the buyer. until the demand becomes
extortionate. TN more than ono occasion
my Indian interpreter has gone to the tepee
of his "frieEd.' who chanCed to be the
owner, and preferred him a reasonable
price, saying only: 'sl0u are my friend.
| want it for this friend" IN such Il case.
should no one be at home. he will take the
thing without ceremony, and arrange the
matter with the owner afterward.
When II young man mnrrlea he acquires n
right to the girl by making presents to the
parents commensurate with the attractions
OF the maiden. II unable to satisfy the de-
mands of her relatives, who are keen
matchmakers, he goes i'll his extremity to
his friend" and laws the case before him,
and receives from him the necessary ponies.
1t must be explained that among the prai-
rio tribes, who almost live ON horseback, a
pony is the standard OF value; every we'll
to-do man having from fifty to 100 or more,
rated at from $l5 to $50 apiece.
On the Warmth the two friends arc
pledged to stand by each other through
every danger. Should one hive his horse
shot in the engagement, or be wounded 40
rs to be unable to escape with tho rest, MS
friend" takes him upon his own horse and
brings him AVA safely. or if hard pressed
he faces about aud makes Il brave fight
until both are killed together.
JAMES MOONEY.
Copyright.
Excur sion Rates TO California.