In  his  natural  state  the  Indian  was  probably  the  most
independent  being  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  His  wants
were  few  and  easily  satisfied.  From  his  standpoint,  the
influences  of  civilization  were  detrimental  and  demoraliz
ing.  He  recognized  no  temporal  power  superior  to  his
own  will,  and  breathed  an  air  of  freedom  no  other  race
on  earth  enjoyed.  There  was  no  landlord  to  torment  him  ;
no  interest-hunting  money  shark  to  demand  a  pound  of
flesh  or  his  soul.  He  measured  the  length  of  the  day  by
the  sun,  the  night  by  the  moon.  So  many  nights  were
so  many  sleeps ;  the  months  and  years  were  moons  and
snows.  Yesterday  and  today  were  time  ;  tomorrow,  eter
nity.  He  was  the  uncrowned  monarch  of  the  western
hemisphere.  He  feasted  when  it  pleased  him,  and  fasted
according  to  the  traditions  of  his  race.  Bound  in  by  no
saucy  doubts  and  fears,  he  paid  no  heed  to  the  flight  of
time,  and  welcomed  dissolution  as  the  key  to  eternal  hap
piness  in  the  Hunting  Grounds  of  the  Great  Spirit.  He
had  no  cares  beyond  the  satisfying  of  his  daily  wants.
He  knew  that  somewhere,  and  at  some  time,  in  the
dim  past,  his  people  dwelt  together  in  one  mighty  family  ;


128  INDIAN  CHARACTERISTICS  AND  CUSTOMS.
