Thus the expression "Long-Blades" in these poems means soldiers and white men.
LITTLE-CARIBOU MAKES "BIG TALK"
The American Indian is usually very deferential and courteous to the aged, not only at councils but at all ceremonies. In this poem, therefore, the interruptions by the young Indians, the "asides," and the sallies (represented in the poem by the indented stanzas in italics and parentheses) and the ensuing amusing colloquy between the shrewd patriarch, LittleCaribou, and his young hecklers, are rather unusual.
It is commonly believed that the Indian lacks humor; that he never laughs or jokes; that he is always the taciturn, sullen, stern type of the theatrical Indian. The idea is erroneous. Although in formal meetings and in his dealings with the white man the Indian is generally a man of a few simple, dignified, stern words, among his own people he laughs often and loud. Moreover, the women and children seem to be forever laughing and joking and giggling over nothing. Among the Indians, especially among the older folk, there are many droll characters that have a subtle sense of humor in addition to the dignity, the shrewdness, and the vigor which most of the better types of Indian possess. The poem, "Little-Caribou Makes 'Big Talk,'" illustrates this little-known side of Indian character and this not uncommon Indian type.
