And they became the Idols, The Man, and Woman, and Dog of Stone, That stood on the willow bank. 'Tis thither the tribes of the land resort, To make their offerings; Thither the warrior carries his bow, His arrow, and his spear, And the hunter, the juicy flesh of the elk; The priest, the shaggy skins of the bear, And she of the fair and youthful form, The gifts of the favour'd Brave. All bear thither a valued gift, And lay it at their feet; No Ricara takes his bow, till he Has oft besought their aid, No Ricara paints as a warrior paints, Red on the cheek, Red on the brow, Till he has thrice before them bow'd, And said to them, "Make me strong!" And the maiden and the priest Petition there for aid. [Footnote A: The North Star.] [Footnote B: Clear sky, domestic peace, absence of family brawls.] [Footnote C: The Indian warriors shave off all their hair, except a single lock on the top, of the head, which is left for the enemy to take the scalp, in case he overcomes.] [Footnote D: Maize, Indian corn--"Cobbett's corn."] [Footnote E: The tree-toad is an object that impresses the Indians with great fear.] [Footnote F: Rocky Mountains.] [Footnote G: The Indians suppose the shooting of stars to be occasioned by spirits who are at war with the moon, and assail her in this way.] NOTES. (1) _Okkis._--p. 175. The particular object of the devotion of an Indian is termed his "Okkis," or "Medicine," or "Manitou," all meaning the same thing, which is neither more nor less than a "household God." The latter, however, may mean a spirit of the air; the former is tied to one predicament. It is selected by himself, sometimes at a very early age, but generally at the period when he enters the duties of life, and is some invisible being, or, more commonly, some animal, which thenceforward becomes his protector or intercessor with the Great Spirit. The Indians place unbounded confidence in these Okkis, and always carry them wherever they go, being persuaded that they take upon them the office of sentinels. Hence, they sleep in perfect security, convinced of the entire good faith of the guardian. There is no possible form which they have not permitted these "medicines" to take. Birds, beasts, and especially of the carnivorous species, are most frequently the adopted sentinels; but sticks, trees, stones, &c., have been known to be selected for that responsible office. If they prove treacherous, and permit any disaster to happen to their charge, they are frequently soundly whipped, and sometimes committed to the flames.