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boys to chase them and capture the food。 Once we were engaged in this
sport when a real hunt by the men was in progress； yet we did not realize
that it was so near until； in the midst of our play； we saw an immense
buffalo coming at full speed directly toward us。 Our mimic buffalo hunt
turned into a very real buffalo scare。 Fortunately； we were near the edge
of the woods and we soon disappeared among the leaves like a covey of
young prairie…chickens and some hid in the bushes while others took
refuge in tall trees。
We loved to play in the water。 When we had no ponies； we often had
swimming matches of our own and sometimes made rafts with which we
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crossed lakes and rivers。 It was a common thing to 〃duck〃 a young or
timid boy or to carry him into deep water to struggle as best he might。
I remember a perilous ride with a companion on an unmanageable log；
when we were both less than seven years old。 The older boys had put us
on this uncertain bark and pushed us out into the swift current of the river。
I cannot speak for my comrade in distress； but I can say now that I would
rather ride on a swift bronco any day than try to stay on and steady a short
log in a river。 I never knew how we managed to prevent a shipwreck on
that voyage and to reach the shore。
We had many curious wild pets。 There were young foxes； bears；
wolves； raccoons； fawns； buffalo calves and birds of all kinds； tamed by
various boys。 My pets were different at different times； but I particularly
remember one。 I once had a grizzly bear for a pet and so far as he and I
were concerned； our relations were charming and very close。 But I
hardly know whether he made more enemies for me or I for him。 It was
his habit to treat every boy unmercifully who injured me。 He was
despised for his conduct in my interest and I was hated on account of his
interference。
II： My Playmates
CHATANNA was the brother with whom I passed much of my early
childhood。 From the time that I was old enough to play with boys； this
brother was my close companion。 He was a handsome boy； and an
affectionate comrade。 We played together； slept together and ate together；
and as Chatanna was three years the older； I naturally looked up to him as
to a superior。
Oesedah was a beautiful little character。 She was my cousin； and
four years younger than my… self。 Perhaps none of my early playmates
are more vividly remembered than is this little maiden。
The name given her by a noted medicine…man was Makah…oesetopah…
win。 It means The…four… corners…of…the…earth。 As she was rather small；
the abbreviation with a diminutive termination was considered more
appropriate； hence Oesedah became her common name。
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Although she had a very good mother； Un… cheedah was her efficient
teacher and chaperon Such knowledge as my grandmother deemed suit…
able to a maiden was duly impressed upon her susceptible mind。 When I
was not in the woods with Chatanna； Oesedah was my companion at home；
and when I returned from my play at evening； she would have a hundred
questions ready for me to answer。 Some of these were questions
concerning our every…day life； and others were more difficult problems
which had suddenly dawned upon her active little mind。 Whatever had
occurred to interest her during the day was immediately repeated for my
benefit。
There were certain questions upon which Oese… dah held me to be
authority； and asked with the hope of increasing her little store of
knowledge。 I have often heard her declare to her girl compan… ions： 〃I
know it is true； Ohiyesa said so！〃 Uncheedah was partly responsible for
this； for when any questions came up which lay within the sphere of man's
observation； she would say：
〃Ohiyesa ought to know that： he is a man I am not！ You had better
ask him。〃
The truth was that she had herself explained to me many of the
subjects under discussion。
I was occasionally referred to little Oesedah in the same manner； and I
always accepted her child… ish elucidations of any matter upon which I had
been advised to consult her； because I knew the source of her wisdom。 In
this simple way we were made to be teachers of one another。
Very often we discussed some topic before our common instructor； or
answered her questions to… gether； in order to show which had the readier
mind。
〃To what tribe does the lizard belong？〃 inquired Uncheedah； upon
one of these occasions。
〃To the four…legged tribe；〃 I shouted。
Oesedah； with her usual quickness； flashed out the answer：
〃It belongs to the creeping tribe。〃
The Indians divided all animals into four gen… eral classes： 1st； those
that walk upon four legs； 2nd； those that fly； 3rd； those that swim with fins；
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4th； those that creep。
Of course I endeavored to support my assertion that the lizard belongs
where I had placed it； be…。 cause he has four distinct legs which propel him
everywhere； on the ground or in the water。 But my opponent claimed
that the creature under dispute does not walk； but creeps。 My strongest
argument was that it had legs； but Oesedah insisted that its body touches
the ground as it moves。 As a last resort； I volunteered to go find one； and
demon… strate the point in question。
The lizard having been brought； we smoothed off the ground and
strewed ashes on it so that we could see the track。 Then I raised the
question： 〃What constitutes creeping； and what constitutes walking？〃
Uncheedah was the judge； and she stated； with… out any hesitation； that
an animal must stand clear of the ground on the support of its legs； and
walk with the body above the legs； and not in contact with the ground； in
order to be termed a walker； while a creeper is one that； regardless of its
legs； if it has them； drags its body upon the ground。 Upon hearing the
judge's decision； I yielded at once to my opponent。
At another time； when I was engaged in a sim… ilar discussion with my
brother Chatanna； Oesedah came to my rescue。 Our grandmother had
asked us：
〃What bird shows most judgment in caring for its young？〃
Chatanna at once exclaimed：
〃The eagle！〃 but I held my peace for a mo… ment； because I was
confusedso many birds came into my mind at once。 I finally declared：
〃It is the oriole！〃
Chatanna was asked to state all the evidence that he had in support of
the eagle's good sense in rearing its young。 He proceeded with an air
of confidence：
〃The eagle is the wisest of all birds。 Its nest is made in the safest
possible place； upon a high and inaccessible cliff。 It provides its young
with an abundance of fresh meat。 They have the fresh… est of air。 They
are bro