The book of woodcraft

Preface

For over twenty-five years I have been giving the talks and demonstrations that are gathered together in this book. Many of them have appeared in magazines or in the "Birch-Bark Roll" that has come out annually for ten years. But this is the first time in which a comprehensive collection has been made of the activities, customs, laws, and amusements that have been developed in my camps.

Some of the related subjects I have treated at too great length for enclosure in one book. Of this class are the "Life Histories of Northern Animals," "Animal Stories," "Sign Language" and "Forestry," which appear as separate works. All are merely parts of a scheme that I have always considered my life work, namely, the development or revival of Woodcraft as a school for Manhood.

By Woodcraft I mean outdoor life in its broadest sense and the plan has ever been with me since boyhood.

Woodcraft is the first of all the sciences. It was Woodcraft that made man out of brutish material, and Woodcraft in its highest form may save him from decay.

As the model for outdoor life in this country I took the Indian, and have thus been obliged to defend him against the calumnies of those who coveted his possessions. In giving these few historical extracts to show the Indian character, it must be remembered that I could give hundreds, and that practically all the travelers who saw with their own eyes are of one mind in the matter.

Commissioner Robert G. Valentine, of the Indian Bureau, the first Indian Commissioner we have ever had who knew and sympathized with the Indians, writes after reading my manuscript:

Preface

"On the question of the character of the Indians I am in absolute accord with you on everything that I believe any one would consider a basic point. In speech after speech I have fought the idea that Indians were cruel or lazy or vicious, and dwelt on their positive virtues — among these their sense of humor, and their deep reverence."

The portions of the manuscript called "Spartans of the West, " and " Campfire Stories of Indian Character," have been submitted to George Bird Grinnell, of New York, whose life has been largely spent among the Indians, and have received from him a complete endorsement.

In a similar vein I have heard from Dr. Charles A. Eastman, and from nearly all of the many who have seen the manuscript. Some of my friends at the Smithsonian Institution take exception to certain details, but no one denies the main contentions in regard to the character of the Indian, or the historical accuracy of the "Campfire Stories."

Gen. Nelson A. Miles, for example, writes me: "History can show no parallel to the heroism and fortitude of the American Indians in the two hundred years' fight during which they contested inch by inch the possession of their country against a foe infinitely better equipped with inexhaustible resources, and in overwhelming numbers. Had they even been equal in numbers, history might have had a very different story to tell."

I was taught to glorify the names of Xenophon, Leonidas, Spartacus, the Founders of the Dutch Republic or the Noble Six Hundred at Balaclava, as the ideals of human courage and self-sacrifice, and yet I know of nothing in all history that will compare with the story of Dull Knife as a narrative of magnificent heroism and human fortitude.

While I set out only to justify the Indian as a model for our boys in camp, I am not without hope that this may lead to a measure of long-delayed justice being accorded him. He asks only the same rights as are allowed without question to all other men in America — the protection of the courts, the right to select his own religion, dress, amusements, and the equal

vi

Preface

right to the pursuit of happiness so long as his methods do not conflict with the greater law of the land.

This book is really the eleventh edition of the "Birch-Bark Roll," which I have published yearly and expanded yearly since 1902. On the first day of July that year I founded the first band of Woodcraft Indians. Since then the growth of the movement has called for constant revision and expansion. In the present volume, for the first time, I have fully set forth a justification of my Indian Ideal.

I am deeply indebted to my friend, Edgar Beecher Bronson, for permission to include the History of Chief Dull Knife's March, which appeared in his "Reminiscences of a Ranchman." It is a story that should be known to all the world.

I have also to express my obligations to Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons for permission to quote from Capt. J. O. Bourke's writings, to J. W. Schultz for the use of his charming story of "No-Heart," to Messrs. The Fleming H. Revell Co., for permission to quote F. W. Calkins' story of the "Two Wilderness Voyagers," to Miss Alice C. Fletcher for the use of two Indian songs from her book "Indian Story and Song," as noted, to Edward S. Curtis for the use of Sitting Bull's "War Song," to Miller Jordan and Geo. L. White for help in revising the parts on organization and honors; to Dr. Clinton L. Bagg for help in the " First Aid." To Dr. C. C. Curtis for the identification of toadstools; to Dr. Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa) for general criticism and for special assistance in the chapters on "The Indian's Creed," "Teepee Etiquette, " and the "Teachings of Wabasha I."

Also to Robert G. Valentine (Indian Commissioner) and George Bird Grinnell of New York for critical reading of the historical parts of the book.

When I was a boy I hungered beyond expression for just such information as I have tried herein to impart. It would be a great joy to me if I could reach and help a considerable number of such heart-hungry boys tormented with an insatiate

vii

Preface

instinct for the woods, and if I fail of this, I shall at least have the lasting pleasures of having lived through these things myself and of having written about them.

vm

PAGE

Preface v

Tabic of the Seventeen Sections:

I, Principles of Scouting

Nine Important Principles 3

Recreation 4

Camp-life 4

Self-government, with Adult Guidance . 4

The Magic of the Campfire .... 4

Woodcraft Pursuits 5

Honors by Standards 6

Personal Decoration for Personal Achievements 6

A Heroic Ideal 6

Picturesqueness in Everything .... 7

The Ideal 7

II. The Spartans of the West

The Indian Way 9

The Indian's Creed 11

The Dark Side 13

The Bright Side 18

Reverence 20

Cleanliness 24

Chastity 27

Bravery 28

Thrift and Providence 29

-• Cheerfulness or the Merry Indian . . 31

[ Obedience 32

I Kindness 34

I Hospitality 36

I Treatment of Their Women .... 37

1^ Courtesy and Polite Behavior ... 41

j Honesty 43

ix

G)ntents

The Spartans of the \^ST—Co7ttinued

Truthfulness and Honor 45

Temperance and Sobriety 47

Physique 49

In General , 51

Summary . 55

Standard Indian Books , . . . . . 59

III. The Purpose and Laws of the Woodcraft Indians

The Redman's Way 61

Watchword 61

Totem o 61

War-cry 62

Sign 62

The Laws 62

The Rulers of the Nation 64

The Great Council 64

The High Council of Guidance ... 64 The Medicine Lodge or Lodge of the Old

Guides C4

The Initiation of a Brave 65

The Little Lodge 67

The Big Lodge 68

The Laws for the Ruling of the Tribe . . 69

1. Name 69

2. Purpose 69

3. Who May Enter 69

4. Councils 70

5. The Rulers of the Tribe .... 70 The Vow of the Head Chief ... 72 The Vow of Each Brave .... 72

6. Changes of the Law 72

7. Dues 72

8. Secret 72

9. Laws and Punishments 72

The Band or Clan 73

Costumes 73

Titles of Nobles 74

Badges of Rank 75

The Standard 76

Totems 77

X

Purpose and Laws of the Woodcraet Indians — Continued

Order of Doings in Council 7q

How to Begin ^g

The Tally Book and How to Keep It . . 8i

For Example 8i

The Indian Laws in Brief S3

The War-cry of the Band 85

IV. Honors and Degrbes and Indian Names:

Decorations for Individual Honors ■ • • 93

Decorations for Group Honors or Degrees , 93

Standards of Honors 94

Red Honors:

Heroism 95

Riding 95

General Athletics ....... 95

Athletic Specialties loi

Water Sports and Travel ic2

Mountain Climbing IC3

Target Shooting 105

Eyesight 105

Big-game Hunting 106

White Honors:

Campercraft and Scouting .... 107

Long Range, Clout, or Flight Shooting . 112

Fishing 113

Bait Casting 114

Blue Honors:

Nature Study — Vertebrates . . . . 115

Nature Study — Lower Forms of Life . 115

Geology, etc 116

Photography 116

The Degrees in Woodcraet 117

Athlete (Song-adis) iig

Camper (Gabeshiked) 120

Camp Cook (Chabakwed) 121

Camp Craftsman (Enokid) 121

Camp Doctor (Mashkild) 122

Degrees in Woodcraft — Continued

Canoeman (Chemaunigan) 124

Fisherman (Gagoiked) . 125

Forester (Mitigwakid) . 126

Frontier Scout (Gimab) 12S

Gleeman or Camp Conjurer (Nagamed) . 129

Herald or Crier (Bibaged) ., 129

Horseman (Bebamomigod) 130

Hunter (Gaossed) 131

Mountaineer (Wadjiwed) 132

Pathfinder or Scout (Mikan) 133

Scout Runner (Kee-mo-sah'-bee) . . . . 134

Sharpshooter (Godaakwed) 135

Star Wiseman (Gijiged) 136

Swimmer (Shingebis) 137

Traveler (Bebamadisid) 137

Village Scout or Big Village Scout (Odena-

winini) 13S

Whiteman's Woodcraft (Dibaakid) . . . 139

Wise Woodman (Nibwaka-winini) . . . 140

Winning a Name 141

Indian Names that Have Been Won by Scouts 142

English Names that Have Been Given . . 143

Indian Names Given in Ridicule .... 144

English Names Given in Ridicule . . . 144

Names Given to Women 144

V. Woodland Songs, Dances, and Ceremonies

Omaha Tribal Prayer 145

Sitting Bull's War Song 146

The Ghost Dance Song 147

The Peace Pipe Ceremony 148

The Scalp Dance ^-19

Bird Dance Song 150

The Mujje Mukesin 150

The Lament 152

The Caribou Dance 152

The Dance of the White Caribou .... 154

The Dog Dance 156

The Ojibwa Snake Dance 158

xii

GDntents

Woodland Songs, Dances, and Ceremonies — Continued

The Hunting of Mishi-Mokwa .... 159

Indian Song Books 164

The Weasel in the Wood 164

Le Furet 165

Rouser or Reveille 166

VI. Suggested Programs

A Series of Monthly Programs .... 167

Suggestions for Evenings 171

Animal Story Books for Evenings . . . 172

Indoor or Winter Activities 173

Handicraft 173

Games 173

Studies 174

Songs 174

Dances 174

Robe Contest ^ 174

Good Program of an Entertainment at a

Council 176

Indoor Competition for a Prize . . . . 176

One-day Hikes 177

VII. General Scouting Indoors

Handicraft Stunts 180

Fork and Spoon 180

Needle Case 180

Tackle Box 180

Peach Stone Basket 180

Turkey Call 180

Chicken Squawk 180

Picture Frames . ^ 180

Birch-bark Vessels 182

Souvenir Spoons 182

Knots 183

Fireside Trick 186

The Lone Star Trick 186

Bird Boxes or Houses 187

How to Raise Some Money 190

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VIII. General Scouting Outdoors

Rubbing-stick Fire 192

Hiking in the Snow 194

Weather Wisdom 199

Outdoor Proverbs 201

The Stars 202

The Pleiades as a Test of Eyesight . . . 208

The Twin Stars 211

The Planets 211

The Moon 213

Making a Dam 213

When Lost in the Woods 214

Indian Tweezers 215

A Home-made Compass 216

An Indian Clock, Shadow Clock or Sundial . 216

Lights 217

Hunter's Lamp 217

Woodman's Lantern 217

Camp Loom and Grass Mats 219

Navaho Loom , , 220

Camp Rake 222

Camp Broom 223

Building a Boat 224

A Dugout Canoe 225

Camp Horn 226

Sleep Outdoors 226

The Gee-string Camp 227

IX. Signaling and Indian Signs

Sign Language 228

Picture-writing 239

Blazes and Indian Signs 245

Blazes 245

Stone Signs 247

Grass and Twig Signs 247

Smoke Signals 248

Signal by Shots 249

Special Signs 249

Weather Signals 251

Signals on the Railway 252

The Code -253

xiv

G^ntents

Signaling and Indian Signs — Continued

Hand, Flag, and Lamp Signals Other Hand Signals ....

Signals by Engine Whistle .

Air Whistle or Cord-pull

253 253 253 254

X. Campercraft or the Summer Camp

Camping Out 256

Outfit for Six (one week) 257

Outfit for Each Brave 260

Tents 261

Teepee 261

The Camp Ground 262

Arriving on the Camp Ground .... 263

Camp Officers and Government .... 263

The Dog Soldiers • . . . 265

Inspection 265

The Horns of the High Hikers . . . . 266

Council-fire Circle 266

Totem-pole 267

Councils 268

Beds 269

Water or the Indian Well ...... 270

Mosquitoes, Black Flies, etc 270

Lice and Vermin 271

Campfires 271

Council-fire 274

Firearms 275

Camp Cookery 276

War-sack 278

Scout Buttons 278

Lace or Thong 279

XI. Games for the Camp

Interesting Pursuits 280

Tilting Spears 280

Tilting in the Water 281

Tub-Tilting on Land 282

XV

G)ntents

Games for the Camp — Continued

Still-hunting the Buck, or the Deer Hunt . . 283

The Bear Hunt 286

Spearing the Great Sturgeon 288

Canoe Tag 290

Quicksight 291

Far-sight or Spot-the-rabbit 292

Home Star or Pole Star 292

Rabbit Hunt 293

Arrow Fight 293

Hostile Spy 294

Scout Messenger 295

Challenge for Scout Messenger .... 295

Tree the Coon 296

Navajo Feather Dance 296

Feather Football or Feather-blow . . . 297

Cock-fighting 297

One-legged Chicken Fight 297

Stronghand 297

Badger-pulling 298

Stung, or Step-on- the-rattler 298

Buffalo Chips 298

Rat-on-his-lodge 299

Watching by the Trail 300

Apache Relay Race 301

The Weasel in the Wood 301

Throwing the Spear 301

Water-boiling Contest 302

Medley Scouting 302

XII. Health and Woodland Medicine First Aid:

To Revive from Drowning 305

Sunstroke 306

Burns and Scalds 306

Hemorrhage or Internal Bleeding . . . 306

Cuts and Wounds 307

Lightning 307

Shock or Nervous Collapse 307

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First Aid — Continued

Fainting 307

Mad Dog or Snake Bite 308

Insect Stings 308

Tests of Death 308

Cinders or Sand in the Eye .... 308

Wildwood Remedies or Simples:

Antiseptic or Wound Wash 309

Balm for Wounds 309

Bleeding, to Stop 309

Bowel Complaint 309

Bowel Tonic 309

Chills and Fever 309

Cold or Fever Cure 309

Cough Remedy 309

Cough and Irritated Throat . . . . 312

Cough and Lung Remedy 312

Diuretic 312

Face-ache 312

Inflammation of the Eyes or Skin . . . 312

Ink 312

Lung Balm 312

Nose-bleed 312

Nose Stopped up at Night 312

Pimples and Skin Rash 312

Poison Ivy Sting 312

Purge, Mild 314

" Strong 314

" Fierce 314

Rheumatism 314

Sores and Wounds 315

Sunburn 315

Sweater 316

Tapeworm 316

Throat Irritation (at night) 317

Tonic 317

Wash for Sore Throat 317

Worms 317

Worms and Tonic 318

xvii

Wild-wood Remedies or Simples — Continued

Wound Wash, (see Antiseptic) ... 318

Indian Bath or Sweat Lodge .... 318

The Keen Eyes of the Indian . . . . 319

Near-sightedness 319

The Remedy 319

Dry Socks 320

Shut Your Mouth and Save Your Life . .320

Don't Turn out Your Toes Much . . . 321

Tobacco 321

Sex Matters 323

Starvation Foods in the Northern Woods . 324

Rabbits 325

Mice 327

Ants 327

Insect Borers 327

Rawhide and Leather 327

Bark and Buds 328

Toadstools 328

Lichens 329

Iceland Moss 329

Reindeer Moss . 330

Rock Tripe 331

Drinks: Labrador Tea ^2)Z

XIII. Natural History

Our Common Birds, or Forty Birds that

Eveiy Boy Should Know 334

How to Stuff a Bird 352

Making a Skin 353

Mounting the Bird 359

Owl-stuflfing Plate 363

Stuffing an Animal 363

Preserving Small Mammal Skins . . . 365

Directions for Measurement .... 365

Directions for the Preparation of Skins . 367

Trapping Animals 369

The Secrets of the Trail 369

' Hard to Photograph Tracks 370

xviii

Natural History — Continued

No Two Tracks alike. . . . ' . . . 371

Dog and Cat 372

Wolf_ 375

Rabbits and Hares 377

The Newton Jack-rabbit 379

Fox 382

The Fox's Hunt 385

Closing In 388

Books and Articles Recommended . . . 390

XIV. Mushrooms, Fungi or Toadstools

Abundance 391

Dangers 392

Symptoms of Poisoning 392

Remedy 392

To Make Spore Prints for Study . . . 393

Poisonous Toadstools 394

Unwholesome but Not Deadly Toadstools . 399

Wholesome Toadstools 402

Uncertain Kinds 407

Cautions for the Inexperienced .... 409

Mushroom Growing 409

XV. Forestry

Fifty Common Forest Trees of Eastern North

America 411

Pines 411

Spruces 413

Cedars 415

Poplars 417

Walnuts 418

Birches 423

Hornbeams 425

Oaks 426

Chestnuts 431

Elms 431

Gums 436

Maples 438

Basswoods 440

xix

Forestry — Continued

Ashes 442

XVI. Some Indian Ways

Teepees 444

Storm-cap or Bull Boat 444

Putting up the Teepee . ■ 448

Teepee Life 449

Hairy- Wolf's Teepee 451

Art 454

Indian Seats 455

Head Band 458

Warbonnet or Headdress 459

Its Meaning 459

Plenty- Coups 461

Details of the Warbonnet 463

Making the Warbonnet 464

Indian Costume 465

War-shirt 465

Leggings 469

Moccasins 469

War-clubs 469

Paddles 469

Drum 469

Peace Pipe 469

The Indian or Willow Bed 471

Indian Paints 475

Indian Dyes 477

Naming the Camp or Keeping the Winter Count 478

How to Make a Bow 479

Holding and Drawing 481

The Warbow of the Penobscots . . . .481

Scalps 4S3

Indian Work 484

XVII. Campfire Stories or Glqipses of Indian Character

The Teachings of Winnemucca .... 485

The Teachings of Wabasha 1 485

XX

Campfire Stories or Glimpses of Indian Character — Continued

The Lessons of Lone Chief 486

The Teachings of Tshut-che-nau . . .' * 487

Courage or the Trained Scout. . . . '. 488

An Indian Prayer ] ^88

Genesis (Omaha) \ 488

The Quiche's Story of Creation . . . . 489

Clean Fatherhood 400

Omaha Proverbs ...... 400

The Medicine Man and His Ways .' .* '. 490

The Indian Silence 401

The Indian Babes in the Woods ! ! ! 492

The Story of No-Heart 40^

Tecumseh ' * ^