ed
their people to be patient, for, said they, the land is vast, both races
can live on it, each in their own way. Let us therefore befriend them
and trust to their friendship. While they reasoned thus, the temptations
of graft and self-aggrandizement overtook some of the leaders.

Hole-in-the-Day (or Bug-o-nay-ki-shig) was born in the opening days of
this era. The word "ki-shig" means either "day" or "sky", and the name
is perhaps more correctly translated Hole-in-the-Sky. This gifted man
inherited his name and much of his ability from his father, who was a
war chief among the Ojibways, a Napoleon of the common people, and who
carried on a relentless warfare against the Sioux. And yet, as was our
custom at the time, peaceful meetings were held every summer, at which
representatives of the two tribes would recount to one another all the
events that had come to pass during the preceding year.

Hole-in-the-Day the younger was a handsome man, tall and symmetrically
formed, with much grace of manner and natural refinement. He was an
astute student of diplomacy. The Ojibways allowed polygamy, and whether
or not he approved the principle, he made political use of it by
marrying the daughter of a chief in nearly every band. Through these
alliances he held a controlling influence over the whole Ojibway nation.
Reverend Claude H. Beaulieu says of him:

"Hole-in-the-Day was a man of distinguished appearance and native
courtliness of manner. His voice was musical and magnetic, and with
these qualities he had a subtle brain, a logical mind, and quite a
remarkable gift of oratory. In speech he was not impassioned, but clear
and convincing, and held fast the attention of his hearers."

It is of interest to note that his everyday name among his tribesmen was
"The Boy." What a boy he must have been! I wonder if the name had the
same significance as with the Sioux, who applied it to any man who
performs a difficult duty with alertness, dash, and natural courage.
"The Man" applies to one who adds to these qualities wisdom and maturity
of judgment.

The Sioux tell many stories of both the elder and the younger
Hole-in-the-Day. Once when The Boy was still under ten years of age, he
was fishing on Gull Lake in a leaky birch-bark canoe. Presently there
came such a burst of frantic warwhoops that his father was startled. He
could not think of anything but an attack by the dreaded Sioux. Seizing
his weapons, he ran to the rescue of his so