THE MIDDLE FIVE [Illustration] THE MIDDLE FIVE Indian Boys at School BY FRANCIS LAFLESCHE [Illustration: Decoration] Boston Small, Maynard & Company 1909 _Copyright, 1900, by_ SMALL, MAYNARD AND COMPANY (INCORPORATED) Entered at Stationer's Hall THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S. A. TO THE UNIVERSAL BOY Contents CHAPTER PAGE PREFACE ix I. THE MISSION 1 II. BRUSH 15 III. EDWIN 30 IV. LITTLE BOB 45 V. WARREN 51 VI. LESTER 63 VII. THE SPLINTER, THE THORN, AND THE RIB 77 VIII. FRAUDULENT HOLIDAYS 93 IX. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN 104 X. A RUNAWAY 121 XI. A NEW STUDY 140 XII. PONKA BOYS 152 XIII. THE SECRET OF THE BIG SEVEN 163 XIV. A REBUKE 182 XV. JOE 195 XVI. THE BREAK 210 PREFACE _As the object of this book is to reveal the true nature and character of the Indian boy, I have chosen to write the story of my school-fellows rather than that of my other boy friends who knew only the aboriginal life. I have made this choice not because the influences of the school alter the qualities of the boys, but that they might appear under conditions and in an attire familiar to the reader. The paint, feathers, robes, and other articles that make up the dress of the Indian, are marks of savagery to the European, and he who wears them, however appropriate or significant they might be to himself, finds it difficult to lay claim to a share in common human nature. So while the school uniform did not change those who wore it, in this instance, it may help these little Indians to be judged, as are other boys, by what they say and do._ _It is not my purpose to give a continued story with a hero in the following pages, but, in a series of sketches, to present the companions of my own young days to the children of the race that has become possessed of the land of my fathers._