CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.--INDIAN TRIBES EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

_General Characteristics.--Tribal Divisions.--Mode of Government.-- Social Harmony.--The Totem.--Classification of Tribes.--The Iroquois.-- Their Position and Character.--Their Political Organization.-- Traditions of their Confederacy.--Their Myths and Legends.--Their Eloquence and Sagacity.--Arts.--Agriculture.--Their Dwellings, Villages, and Forts.--Their Winter Life.--The War Path.--Festivals and Pastimes.--Pride of the Iroquois.--The Hurons or Wyandots.--Their Customs and Character.--Their Dispersion.--The Neutral Nation. Its Fate.--The Eries and Andastes.--Triumphs of the Confederacy.--The Adoption of Prisoners.--The Tuscaroras.--Superiority of the Iroquois Race.--The Algonquins.--The Lenni Lenape.--Their changing Fortunes.-- The Shawanoes.--The Miamis and the Illinois.--The Ojibwas, Pottawattamies, and Ottawas.--The Sacs and Foxes.--The Menomonies and Knisteneaux.--Customs of the Northern Algonquins.--Their Summer and Winter Life.--Legends of the Algonquins.--Religious Faith of the Indians.--The Indian Character.--Its Inconsistencies.--Its Ruling Passions.--Pride.--Hero-worship.--Coldness, Jealousy, Suspicion.-- Self-control.--Intellectual Traits.--Inflexibility.--Generous Qualities._ 15