Nevertheless, he recognizes rights in property. To steal from
one of his own tribe would be indeed disgrace, and if discovered,
the name of "Wamanon," or Thief, is fixed upon him forever as an
unalterable stigma. The only exception to the rule is in the case
of food, which is always free to the hungry if there is none by to
offer it. Other protection than the moral law there could
not be in an Indian community, where there were neither locks nor
doors, and everything was open and easy of access to all comers.

The property of the enemy is spoil of war, and it is always
allowable to confiscate it if possible. However, in the old days
there was not much plunder. Before the coming of the white man,
there was in fact little temptation or opportunity to despoil the
enemy; but in modern times the practice of "stealing horses" from
hostile tribes has become common, and is thought far from
dishonorable.

Warfare we regarded as an institution of the "Great Mystery"--
an organized tournament or trial of courage and skill, with
elaborate rules and "counts" for the coveted honor of the eagle
feather. It was held to develop the quality of manliness and its
motive was chivalric or patriotic, but never the desire for
territorial aggrandizement or the overthrow of a brother nation.
It was common, in early times, for a battle or skirmish to last all
day, with great display of daring and horsemanship, but with
scarcely more killed and wounded than may be carried from the field
during a university game of football.

The slayer of a man in battle was expected to mourn for thirty