The Life and Adventures of a Quaker Among the Indians (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1903. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. SOCIAL LIFE AND RELATIONS OF THE INDIANS. It may be thought that, in a work of this kind, more light might have been thrown upon the social life of the Indians than has been done in the foregoing pages; but it should be borne in mind that the writer was almost entirely ignorant of the different features of Indian life when first going among them, and the little knowledge he may have gained since was incidentally picked up, from time to time, as circumstances brought them to view. These, so far as related to the foregoing narrative, have been mentioned as the work progressed. It should al*o be borne in mind that the work was not designed as a dissertation on Indian manners and customs, but a simple narrative of the life of the writer among them. Yet, as something more particularly relating to these subjects may be generally interesting, a few pages here, in conclusion, will be devoted thereto, -- premising this, that my observations apply only to the Indians of the southwestern Indian Territory, and more particularly to the Kiowas, Comanches, and Apaches. Man, in whatever position he may be found, whether in savage, barbarous, or civilized nations, is pre-eminently 319 a social being. He finds that associated action gives power and leads to success, where individual exertion would be expended for nought. Hence he gathers into clans, tribes, or nations, according to the degree of civilization or associative power attained. Every clan, tiibe, or nation, having its own ends in view, whatever jealousies may exist towards others, must of necessity act in concert in all important matters relating to other tribes or nations. The Indian is no exception to this rule. However savage he may appear to others, among his own people he is a man. The same qualities, to a very great extent, ...