Woodcraft and Indian Lore : A Classic Guide from a Founding Father of the Boy Scouts of America

PREFACE v I. PRINCIPLES OF WOODCRAFT 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 20 Reverence 20 Cleanliness 24 Chastity 27 Bravery 28 Thrift and Providence 29 Cheerfulness or the Merry Indian 31 Obedience 32 Kindness 34 Hospitality 36 Treatment of Their Women 37 Courtesy and Polite Behavior 41 Honesty 43 Truthfulness and Honor 45 Temperance and Sobriety 47 Physique 49 In General 51 Summary 55 Standard Indian Books 59 III. WOODLAND SONGS, DANCES, AND CEREMONIES Omaha Tribal Prayer 61 Sitting Bull's War Song 62 The Ghost Dance Song 63 The Peace Pipe Ceremony 64 The Scalp Dance 65 Bird Dance Song 66 The Mujje Mukesin 66 The Lament 68 The Caribou Dance 68 The Dance of the White Caribou 70 The Dog Dance 72 The Ojibwa Snake Dance 74 The Hunting of Mishi-Mokwa 75 Indian Song Books 80 The Weasel in the Wood 80 Le Furet 81 Rouser or Reveille 82 IV. SUGGESTED PROGRAMS A Series of Monthly Programs 83 Suggestions for Evenings 87 Animal Story Books for Evenings 88 Indoor or Winter Activities 89 Handicraft 89 Games 89 Studies 90 Songs 90 Dances 90 Robe Contest 92 Suggested Camp Routine 92 Good Program of an Entertainment at a Council 92 Indoor Competition for a Prize 92 One-day Hikes 93 V. GENERAL SCOUTING INDOORS Handicraft Stunts 96 Fork and Spoon 96 Needle Case 96 Tackle Box 96 Peach Stone Basket 96 Turkey Call 96 Chicken Squawk 96 Picture Frames 97 Birch-bark vessels 98 Souvenir Spoons 98 Knots 99 Fireside Trick 102 The Lone Star Trick 102 Bird Boxes or Houses 103 How to Raise Some Money 106 VI. GENERAL SCOUTING OUTDOORS Rubbing-stick Fire 108 Hiking in the Snow 110 Weather Wisdom 115 Outdoor Proverbs 117 The Stars 118 The Pleiades as a Test of Eyesight 124 The Twin Stars 127 The Planets 127 The Moon 129 Making a Dam 129 When Lost in the Woods 130 Indian Tweezers 131 A Home-made Compass 132 An Indian Clock, Shadow Clock or Sundial 132 Lights 133 Hunter's Lamp 133 Woodman's Lantern 133 Camp Loom and Grass Mats 135 Navaho Loom 136 Camp Rake 138 Camp Broom 139 Building a Boat 140 A Dugout Canoe 141 Camp Horn 142 Sleep Outdoors 142 The Gee-string Camp 143 VII. SIGNALING AND INDIAN SIGNS Sign Language 144 Picture-writing 155 Blazes and Indian Signs 161 Blazes 161 Stone Signs 163 Grass and Twig Signs 163 Smoke Signals 164 Signal by Shots 165 Special Signs 165 Weather Signals 167 Signals on the Railway 168 The Code 169 Colors 169 Hand, Flag, and Lamp Signals 169 Other Hand Signals 169 Signals by Engine Whistle 169 Air Whistle or Cord-pull 170 VIII. CAMPERCRAFT OR THE SUMMER CAMP Camping Out 172 Outfit for Six (one week) 173 Outfit for Each Brave 176 Tents 177 Teepee 177 The Camp Ground