not brought directly upon the scene or conceived in anthropomorphic
fashion, but remains sublimely in the background. The Sun and the
Earth, representing the male and female principles, are the main
elements in his creation, the other planets being subsidiary.
The enkindling warmth of the Sun entered into the bosom
of our mother, the Earth, and forthwith she conceived and
brought forth life, both vegetable and animal.

Finally there appeared mysteriously Ish-na-e-cha-ge, the
"First-Born," a being in the likeness of man, yet more than man,
who roamed solitary among the animal people and understood their
ways and their language. They beheld him with wonder and awe, for
they could do nothing without his knowledge. He had pitched his
tent in the centre of the land, and there was no spot impossible
for him to penetrate.

At last, like Adam, the "First-Born" of the Sioux became weary
of living alone, and formed for himself a companion--not a mate,
but a brother--not out of a rib from his side, but from a splinter
which he drew from his great toe! This was the Little Boy Man, who
was not created full-grown, but as an innocent child, trusting and
helpless. His Elder Brother was his teacher throughout every stage
of human progress from infancy to manhood, and it is to the rules
which he laid down, and his counsels to the Little Boy Man, that we
trace many of our most deep-rooted beliefs and most sacred customs.

Foremost among the animal people was Unk-to-mee, the Spider,
the original trouble-maker, who noted keenly the growth of the boy
in wit and ingenuity, and presently advised the animals to make an
end of him; "for," said he, "if you do not, some day he will be the