of Mexico and western prairies of Texas, hunting with the
Comanches, and occasionally unmasking some rascally Texans, who, under
the paint of an Indian, would commit their murders and depredations upon
the remote settlements of their own countrymen.

CHAPTER IX.

In the remarks which I am about to make relative to the Shoshones, I may
as well observe that the same observations will equally apply to the
Comanches, Apaches, and Arrapahoes, as they are but subdivisions and
offsets from the original stock--the Shoshones. The Wakoes, who have not
yet been mentioned, or even seen, by any other travellers, I shall
hereafter describe.

I may as well here observe, that although the Shoshones are always at
peace with the Comanches and Apaches, they had for a long while been at
war with their descendants, the Arrapahoes, as well as the whole of the
Dacotah and Algonquin tribes, as the Crows and Rickarees, Black-feet,
Nez-perces, and others.

First, as to their religion--a question highly interesting, and perhaps
throwing more light upon their origin than can be collected from
tradition, manners, and customs. From my knowledge of the Indians, I
believe them, if not more religious, most certainly to be more
conscientious, than most Christians. They all believe in one
God--Manitou, the author of good, and worship him as such; but believing
that human nature is too gross to communicate with the Arbitrator of all
things, they pray generally through the intervention of the elements or
even of certain animals, in the same manner that the Catholics address
themselves to their saints.

The great Manitou is universal among this family, and indeed among all
the savage tribes of North America. The interceding spirit alone varies,
not with the tribe and nation, but according to individual selection.
Children are taught to know "Kishe Manito" (the Almighty), but no more.
When the boy is verging upon manhood, he selects his own personal deity,
or household god, which is made known to him in his dreams. When he
states his intention of seeking the spirit, the parents of the young man
order him to fast for three days; then they take away his bow and
arrows, and send him far into the woods, the mountains, or the prairies,
to wait for the visitation.

An empty stomach and inaction in the lone wilderness are certain to
produce reveries and waking dreams. If the young man is thirsty, he
thinks of water; of fire or sunshine, if he feels c