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-The Project Gutenberg eBook of Seneca Fiction, Legends, and Myths, by
-Jeremiah Curtin
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
-most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
-of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
-will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
-using this eBook.
-
-Title: Seneca Fiction, Legends, and Myths
- Thirty-Second Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology;
- 1910-1911
-
-Editor: Jeremiah Curtin
- J. N. B. Hewitt
-
-Release Date: December 30, 2020 [eBook #64176]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-Produced by: Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading
- Team at https://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg (This file
- was produced from images generously made available by The
- Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
-
-*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND
-MYTHS ***
-
-
-
- THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
- OF THE
- BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY
-
- TO THE
- SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
-
-
- 1910–1911
-
-
- WASHINGTON
- GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
- 1918
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
-
-
- Smithsonian Institution,
- Bureau of American Ethnology,
- Washington, D. C., August 17, 1911.
-
-
- Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the Thirty-second Annual
- Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology, comprising an account
- of the operations of the bureau during the fiscal year ended
- June 30, 1911.
-
- Permit me to express my appreciation of your aid in the work under
- my charge.
-
-
- Very respectfully, yours,
-
- F. W. Hodge,
- Ethnologist-in-Charge.
-
- Dr. Charles D. Walcott,
- Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-CONTENTS
-
-
-REPORT OF THE ETHNOLOGIST-IN-CHARGE
-
- Page
- Systematic researches 9
- Special researches 24
- Publications 29
- Illustrations 30
- Library 31
- Property 32
- Recommendations 32
-
-ACCOMPANYING PAPER
-
- Seneca Fiction, Legends, and Myths; collected by
- Jeremiah Curtin and J. N. B. Hewitt; edited by
- J. N. B. Hewitt 37
-
- Index 815
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY
-
-F. W. Hodge, Ethnologist-in-Charge
-
-
-The operations of the Bureau of American Ethnology for the fiscal year
-ended June 30, 1911, conducted in accordance with the provisions of the
-act of Congress approved June 25, 1910, authorizing the continuation of
-ethnological researches among the American Indians and the natives of
-Hawaii, under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, were
-carried forward in accordance with the plan of operation approved by
-the Secretary June 15, 1910.
-
-
-
-
-SYSTEMATIC RESEARCHES
-
-The systematic ethnological researches of the bureau were continued
-during the year with the regular scientific staff, consisting of nine
-ethnologists, as follows: Mr. F. W. Hodge, ethnologist-in-charge; Mr.
-James Mooney, Dr. J. Walter Fewkes, Mrs. Matilda Coxe Stevenson, Mr. J.
-N. B. Hewitt, Dr. John R. Swanton, Dr. Truman Michelson, Dr. Paul
-Radin, and Mr. Francis La Flesche. In addition, the services of several
-specialists in their respective fields were enlisted for special work,
-as follows:
-
-Dr. Franz Boas, honorary philologist, with several assistants, for
-research in connection with the preparation and publication of the
-Handbook of American Indian Languages.
-
-Miss Alice C. Fletcher and Mr. Francis La Flesche, for the final
-revision of the proofs of their monograph on the Omaha Indians for
-publication in the Twenty-seventh Annual Report.
-
-Miss Frances Densmore, for researches in Indian music.
-
-Mr. J. P. Dunn, for studies of the tribes of the Middle West.
-
-Mr. John P. Harrington, for researches among the Mohave Indians of the
-Colorado Valley.
-
-Rev. Dr. George P. Donehoo, for investigations in the history,
-geography, and ethnology of the tribes of Pennsylvania for
-incorporation in the Handbook of American Indians.
-
-Mr. William R. Gerard, for studies of the etymology of Algonquian place
-and tribal names and of terms that have been incorporated in the
-English language, for use in the same work.
-
-Prof. H. M. Ballou, for bibliographic research in connection with the
-compilation of the List of Works Relating to Hawaii.
-
-Mr. James R. Murie, for researches pertaining to the ethnology of the
-Pawnee Indians.
-
-The systematic ethnological researches by members of the regular staff
-of the bureau may be summarized as follows:
-
-Mr. F. W. Hodge, ethnologist-in-charge, in addition to conducting the
-administrative work of the bureau, devoted attention, with the
-assistance of Mrs. Frances S. Nichols, to the final revision of the
-remaining proofs of part 2 of the Handbook of American Indians
-(Bulletin 30), which was published in January, 1911. This work met with
-so great popular demand that the edition of the two parts became
-exhausted immediately after publication, causing the bureau much
-embarrassment owing to the thousands of requests that it has not been
-possible to supply. To meet this need in part, the Senate, on May 12,
-adopted a concurrent resolution authorizing the reprinting of the
-entire handbook, and at the close of the fiscal year the resolution was
-under consideration by the Committee on Printing of the House of
-Representatives. The Superintendent of Documents has likewise been in
-receipt of many orders for the work, necessitating the reprinting of
-part 1 some months after its appearance, and about the close of the
-fiscal year another reprint of this part was contemplated. Much
-material for incorporation in a revised edition for future publication
-was prepared during the year, but lack of funds necessary for the
-employment of special assistants prevented the prosecution of this work
-as fully as was desired.
-
-The bureau has been interested in and has conducted archeological
-explorations in the pueblo region of New Mexico and Arizona for many
-years. Since the establishment of the School of American Archæology in
-1907, following the revival of interest in American archeology, by the
-Archæological Institute of America, that body likewise commenced
-systematic work in the archeology of that great region. In order to
-avoid duplication of effort, arrangements were made between the bureau
-and the school for conducting archeological investigations in
-cooperation, the expense of the field work to be borne equally, a
-moiety of the collections of the artifacts and all the skeletal remains
-to become the property of the National Museum, and the bureau to have
-the privilege of the publication of all scientific results.
-
-Active work under this joint arrangement was commenced in the Rito de
-los Frijoles, northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in July, 1910, work
-having already been initiated there during the previous summer by the
-school independently, under the directorship of Dr. Edgar L. Hewett. In
-August, 1910, Mr. Hodge visited New Mexico for the purpose of
-participating in the work on the part of the bureau, and remained in
-the field for a month.
-
-The great prehistoric site in the Rito de los Frijoles is characterized
-by an immense circular many-celled pueblo ruin, most of the stone walls
-of which are still standing to a height of several feet, and a series
-of cavate dwellings hewn in the soft tufa throughout several hundred
-yards of the northern wall of the canyon. Accompanying the great
-community ruin and also the cavate dwellings are underground kivas, or
-ceremonial chambers. In front of the cavate lodges were originally
-structures of masonry built against the cliff and forming front rooms,
-but practically the only remains of these are the foundation walls and
-the rafter holes in the cliff face. The débris covering these
-structures has been largely cleared away and the foundations exposed,
-and the walls of about two-thirds of the great pueblo structure in the
-valley have been bared by excavation. At the western extremity of the
-canyon, far up in the northern wall, is a natural cavern, known as
-Ceremonial Cave, in which are a large kiva, remarkably well preserved,
-and other interesting remains of aboriginal occupancy. This great
-archeological site in the Rito de los Frijoles is important to the
-elucidation of the problem of the early distribution of the Pueblos of
-the Rio Grande Valley, and there is reason to believe that when the
-researches are completed much light will be shed thereon. There is a
-paucity of artifacts in the habitations uncovered, aside from stone
-implements, of which large numbers have been found.
-
-At the close of the work in the Rito de los Frijoles the joint
-expedition proceeded to the valley of the Jemez River, near the Hot
-Springs, where a week was spent in excavating the cemetery of the old
-Jemez village of Giusiwa. About 30 burials were disinterred here, and a
-few accompaniments of pottery vessels and other artifacts were
-recovered; but in the main the deposits had been completely destroyed
-by aboriginal disturbance, caused in part by covering the burials with
-heavy stones and partly by displacing the skeletons previously buried
-when subsequent interments were made. Giusiwa was inhabited in
-prehistoric times and also well within the historical period, as is
-attested by its massive, roofless church, built about the beginning of
-the seventeenth century. Nevertheless, no indication of Spanish
-influence was found in the ancient cemetery, and it is assumed that
-burial therein ceased with the coming of the missionaries and the
-establishment of the campo santo adjacent to the church. All
-collections gathered at Giusiwa have been deposited in the National
-Museum.
-
-Other immense ruins on the summits of the mesas bounding the valley on
-the west were examined with the view of their future excavation. The
-exact position of the Jemez tribe among the Pueblo peoples is a
-problem, and both archeological and ethnological studies thereof are
-essential to its determination.
-
-On completing this reconnaissance excavation was conducted in a
-cemetery at the great stone pueblo of Puye, on a mesa 8 miles west of
-the Tewa village of Santa Clara. About 50 burials were exhumed and sent
-to the National Museum, but artifacts were not found in abundance here,
-and as a rule they are not excellent in quality. In the joint work in
-the Rito de los Frijoles the expedition was fortunate in having the
-cooperation of Prof. Junius Henderson and Prof. W. W. Robbins, of the
-University of Colorado at Boulder, who, respectively, while the
-excavations were in progress, conducted studies in the ethnozoology and
-the ethnobotany of the Tewa Indians, and also on the influence of
-climate and geology on the life of the early inhabitants of the Rito de
-los Frijoles. At the same time Mr. J. P. Harrington continued his
-researches in Tewa geographic nomenclature and cooperated with
-Professors Henderson and Robbins in supplying the native terms for
-plants and animals used by these Indians as food and medicine in
-ceremonies and for other purposes. The expedition was also fortunate in
-having the services of Mr. Sylvanus G. Morley in connection with the
-excavations in the Rito, of Mr. K. M. Chapman in the study of the
-decoration of the pottery and of the pictographs of the entire upper
-Rio Grande region, of Mr. Jesse L. Nusbaum in the photographic work,
-and of Mr. J. P. Adams in the surveying. Valued aid was also rendered
-by Messrs. Neil M. Judd, Donald Beauregard, and Nathan Goldsmith.
-
-The scientific results of the joint research are rapidly nearing
-completion and will be submitted to the bureau for publication at an
-early date.
-
-Throughout almost the entire year Mr. James Mooney, ethnologist, was
-occupied in the office in compiling the material for his study of
-Indian population covering the whole territory north of Mexico from the
-first white occupancy to the present time. By request of the Nebraska
-State Historical Society he was detailed in January, 1911, to attend
-the joint session of that body and the Mississippi Valley Historical
-Association, at Lincoln, Nebraska, where he delivered three principal
-addresses bearing particularly on the method and results of the
-researches of the bureau with the view of their application in local
-historical and ethnological investigations.
-
-On June 4 Mr. Mooney started for the reservation of the East Cherokee
-in North Carolina to continue former studies of the sacred formulas and
-general ethnology of that tribe, and was engaged in this work at the
-close of the month.
-
-At the beginning of the fiscal year Dr. J. Walter Fewkes, ethnologist,
-was in northern Arizona examining the great cave pueblos and other
-ruins within the Navaho National Monument. He found that since his
-visit in 1909 considerable excavation had been done by others in the
-rooms of Betatakin, and that the walls of Kitsiel, the other large
-cliff-ruin, were greatly in need of repair. Guided by resident Navaho,
-he visited several hitherto undescribed cliff-dwellings and gathered a
-fairly good collection of objects illustrating prehistoric culture of
-this part of northern Arizona, which have been deposited in the
-National Museum. In order to facilitate the archeological work and to
-make the region accessible to students and visitors it was necessary to
-break a wagon road from Marsh Pass through the middle of the Navaho
-National Monument to the neighborhood of Betatakin, and by this means
-the valley was traversed with wagons for the first time.
-
-On the return journey to Flagstaff, Doctor Fewkes visited the ruins in
-Nitsi, or West Canyon, and examined Inscription House, a prehistoric
-cliff-dwelling of considerable size, hitherto undescribed, the walls of
-which are built of loaf-shaped adobes strengthened with sticks. On
-account of the size and great interest of these ruins, it is
-recommended that the area covered thereby be included in the Navaho
-National Monument and the ruins permanently preserved, and that either
-Betatakin or Kitsiel be excavated, repaired, and made a “type ruin” of
-this culture area. Along the road to Flagstaff from West Canyon, Doctor
-Fewkes observed several ruins and learned of many others ascribed to
-the ancient Hopi. He visited the Hopi pueblo of Moenkopi, near Tuba,
-and obtained considerable new ethnological material from an old priest
-of that village regarding legends of the clans that formerly lived in
-northern Arizona. He learned also of a cliff, or rock, covered with
-pictographs of Hopi origin, at Willow Spring, not far from Tuba, the
-figures of which shed light on Hopi clan migration legends.
-
-Returning to Flagstaff, Doctor Fewkes reoutfitted in order to conduct
-investigations of the ruins near Black Falls of the Little Colorado
-River, especially the one called Wukoki, reputed to have been the last
-habitation of the Snake clans of the Hopi in their stubborn migration
-before they finally settled near the East Mesa. A little more than a
-month was spent at these ruins, during which time extensive excavations
-were made in numerous subterranean rooms, or pit-dwellings, a new type
-of habitations found at the bases of many of the large ruined pueblos
-on the Little Colorado. Incidentally several other pueblo ruins,
-hitherto unknown, with accompanying reservoirs and shrines, were
-observed. The excavations at Wukoki yielded about 1,800 specimens,
-consisting of painted pottery, beautiful shell ornaments, stone
-implements, basketry, wooden objects, cane “cloud blowers,” prayer
-sticks, a prayer-stick box, an idol, and other objects. The results of
-the excavations at Wukoki will be incorporated in a forthcoming
-bulletin on Antiquities of the Little Colorado Basin.
-
-On the completion of his work at the Black Falls ruins, Doctor Fewkes
-returned to Washington in September and devoted the next three months
-to the preparation of a monograph on Casa Grande, Arizona.
-
-At the close of January, 1911, Doctor Fewkes again took the field,
-visiting Cuba for the purpose of gathering information on the
-prehistoric inhabitants of that island and their reputed
-contemporaneity with fossil sloths, sharks, and crocodiles. A fortnight
-was devoted to the study of collections of prehistoric objects in
-Habana, especially the material in the University Museum from caves in
-Puerto Principe Province, described by Doctors Montoné and Carlos de la
-Torre. With this preparation he proceeded to the Isle of Pines and
-commenced work near Nueva Gerona. In this island there are several
-caves from which human bones have been reported locally, but the Cueva
-de los Indios, situated in the hills about a mile from the city named,
-promised the greatest reward. A week’s excavation in this cave yielded
-four fragments of Indian skulls, not beyond repair; one undeformed,
-well-preserved human cranium; and many fragments of pelves, humeri, and
-femora. The excavations in the middle of the cave indicated that the
-soil there had previously been dug over; these yielded little of value,
-the best-preserved remains occurring near the entrance, on each side.
-The skulls were arranged in a row within a pocket sheltered by an
-overhanging side of the cave, and were buried about 2 feet in the guano
-and soil; beneath these crania were human long-bones, crossed. Several
-fragments of a single skull, or of several skulls, were embedded in a
-hard stalagmitic formation over the deposit of long-bones. No Indian
-implements or pottery accompanied the bones, and no fossils were found
-in association with them. So far as recorded this is the first instance
-of the finding of skeletal remains of cave man in the Isle of Pines.
-Their general appearance and mode of burial were the same as in the
-case of those discovered by Doctors Montoné and Carlos de la Torre.
-
-Doctor Fewkes also examined, in the Isle of Pines, about 30 structures
-known as cacimbas, their Indian name. These are vase-shaped,
-subterranean receptacles, averaging 6 feet in depth and 4 feet in
-maximum diameter, generally constricted to about 2 feet at the neck,
-and with the opening level with the surface of the ground. Although
-these cacimbas are generally ascribed to the Indians, they are thought
-by some to be of Spanish origin, and are connected by others with
-buccaneers, pirates, and slavers. They are built of masonry or cut in
-the solid rock; the sides are often plastered and the bottoms commonly
-covered with a layer of tar. On the ground near the openings there is
-generally a level, circular space, with raised periphery. The whole
-appearance supports the theory that these structures were used in the
-manufacture of turpentine or tar, the circular area being the oven and
-the cacimba the receptacle for the product.
-
-Doctor Fewkes found that the Pineros, or natives of the island, employ
-many aboriginal terms for animals, plants, and places, and in some
-instances two Indian words are used for the same object. An
-acknowledged descendant of a Cuban Indian explained this linguistic
-duality by saying that the Indians of the eastern end of the Isle of
-Pines spoke a dialect different from those of the western end, and that
-when those from Camaguey, who were Tainan and of eastern Cuban origin,
-came to the Isle of Pines at the instance of the Spanish authorities
-they brought with them a nomenclature different from that then in use
-on that island.
-
-Several old Spanish structures of masonry, the dates of which are
-unknown, were also examined in the neighborhood of Santa Fe, Isle of
-Pines. The roof of a cave at Punta de Este, the southeastern angle of
-the island, bears aboriginal pictographs of the sun and other objects,
-suggesting that it is comparable with the cave in Haiti, in which,
-according to Indian legend, the sun and the moon originated, and from
-which the races of man emerged.
-
-Doctor Fewkes has now collected sufficient material in Cuba to indicate
-that its western end, including the Isle of Pines, was once inhabited
-by a cave-dwelling people, low in culture and without agriculture. His
-observations support the belief that this people were in that condition
-when Columbus visited the Isle of Pines and that they were survivors of
-the Guanahatibibes, a cave-dwelling population formerly occupying the
-whole of Cuba and represented in Porto Rico and other islands of the
-West Indies.
-
-Doctor Fewkes also visited several of the coral keys southwest of the
-Isle of Pines, but, finding no aboriginal traces, he crossed the
-channel to Cayman Grande, about 250 miles from Nueva Gerona. The Cayman
-group consists of coral islands built on a submarine continuation of
-the mountains of Santiago Province, Cuba. A cave with Indian bones and
-pottery, probably of Carib origin, was found near Boddentown on the
-eastern end of the island, and a few stone implements were obtained
-from natives, but as these specimens may have been brought from
-adjacent shores they afford little evidence of a former aboriginal
-population of Cayman Grande. The elevation of the Cayman Islands,
-computed from the annual accretion, would indicate that Cayman Grande
-was a shallow reef when Columbus visited Cuba, and could not have been
-inhabited at that time. The discoverer passed very near it on his
-second voyage, when his course lay from the Isle of Pines to Jamaica,
-but he reported neither name nor people.
-
-Doctor Fewkes returned to Washington in April and spent the remainder
-of the year in completing his report on Casa Grande.
-
-Dr. John R. Swanton, ethnologist, devoted the first quarter of the year
-chiefly to collecting material from libraries and archives, as the
-basis of his study of the Creek Indians. From the latter part of
-September until early in December he was engaged in field research
-among the Creek, Natchez, Tonkawa, and Alibamu Indians in Oklahoma and
-Texas, and also remained a short time with the remnant of the Tunica
-and Chitimacha in Louisiana, and made a few side trips in search of
-tribes which have been lost to sight within recent years. On his return
-to Washington, Doctor Swanton transcribed the linguistic and ethnologic
-material collected during his field excursion, read the proofs of
-Bulletins 44, 46, and 47, added to the literary material regarding the
-Creek Indians, collected additional data for a tribal map of the
-Indians of the United States, and initiated a study of the Natchez
-language with the special object of comparing it with the other
-dialects of the Muskhogean family. Doctor Swanton also spent some time
-in studying the Chitimacha and Tunica languages.
-
-From July, 1910, until the middle of April, 1911, Mrs. M. C. Stevenson,
-ethnologist, was engaged in the completion of a paper on Dress and
-Adornment of the Pueblo Indians, in the elaboration of her report on
-Zuñi Plants and Their Uses, and in transcribing her field notes
-pertaining to Zuñi religious concepts and the mythology and ethnology
-of the Taos Indians.
-
-Mrs. Stevenson left Washington on April 12 and proceeded directly to
-the country of the Tewa Indians, in the valley of the Rio Grande in New
-Mexico, for the purpose of continuing her investigation of those
-people. Until the close of the fiscal year her energies were devoted to
-the pueblo of San Ildefonso and incidentally to Santa Clara,
-information particularly in regard to the Tewa calendar system,
-ceremonies, and material culture being gained. Mrs. Stevenson finds
-that the worship of the San Ildefonso Indians includes the same
-celestial bodies as are held sacred by the Zuñi and other Pueblos. From
-the foundation laid during her previous researches among the Tewa, Mrs.
-Stevenson reports that she has experienced little difficulty in
-obtaining an insight into the esoteric life of these people, and is
-daily adding to her store of knowledge respecting their religion and
-sociology. A complete record of obstetrical practices of the Tewa has
-been made, and it is found that they are as elaborate as related
-practices of the Taos people. The San Ildefonso inhabitants do not seem
-to have changed their early customs regarding land tenure, and they
-adhere tenaciously to their marriage customs and birth rites,
-notwithstanding the long period during which missionaries have been
-among them. It is expected that, of her many lines of study among the
-Tewa tribes, the subject of their material culture will produce the
-first results for publication.
-
-After completing some special articles on ethnologic topics for the
-closing pages of Part 2 of the Handbook of American Indians, Mr. J. N.
-B. Hewitt, ethnologist, pursued the study of the history of the tribes
-formerly dwelling in the Susquehanna and upper Ohio valleys. Progress
-in these researches was interrupted by the necessity of assigning him
-to the editorial revision and annotation of a collection of about 120
-legends, traditions, and myths of the Seneca Indians, recorded in 1884
-and 1885 by the late Jeremiah Curtin. At the close of the year this
-work was far advanced, only about 150 pages of a total of 1,400 pages
-remaining to be treated. As opportunity afforded, Mr. Hewitt also
-resumed the preparation of his sketch of the grammar of the Iroquois
-for incorporation in the Handbook of American Indian Languages.
-
-As in previous years, Mr. Hewitt prepared and collected data for
-replies to numerous correspondents requesting special information,
-particularly in regard to the Iroquois and Algonquian tribes. Mr.
-Hewitt also had charge of the important collection of 1,716 manuscripts
-of the bureau, cataloguing new accessions and keeping a record of those
-withdrawn in the progress of the bureau’s researches. During the year,
-378 manuscripts were thus made use of by the members of the bureau and
-its collaborators. Exclusive of the numerous manuscripts prepared by
-the staff of the bureau and by those in collaboration with it, referred
-to in this report, 12 items were added during the year. These pertain
-to the Pawnee, Chippewa, Zuñi, and Tewa tribes, and relate to music,
-sociology, economics, and linguistics.
-
-The beginning of the fiscal year found Dr. Truman Michelson,
-ethnologist, conducting ethnological and linguistic investigations
-among the Piegan Indians of Montana, whence he proceeded to the
-Northern Cheyenne and Northern Arapaho, thence to the Menominee of
-Wisconsin, and finally to the Micmac of Restigouche, Canada—all
-Algonquian tribes, the need of a more definite linguistic
-classification of which has long been felt. Doctor Michelson returned
-to Washington at the close of November and immediately commenced the
-elaboration of his field notes, one of the results of which is a
-manuscript bearing the title “A Linguistic Classification of the
-Algonquian Tribes,” submitted for publication in the Twenty-eighth
-Annual Report. Also in connection with his Algonquian work Doctor
-Michelson devoted attention to the further revision of the material
-pertaining to the Fox grammar, by the late Dr. William Jones, the
-outline of which is incorporated in the Handbook of American Indian
-Languages. During the winter Doctor Michelson took advantage of the
-presence in Washington of a deputation of Chippewa Indians from White
-Earth, Minnesota, by enlisting their services in gaining an insight
-into the social organization of that tribe and also in adding to the
-bureau’s accumulation of Chippewa linguistic data. Toward the close of
-June, 1911, Doctor Michelson proceeded to the Sauk and Fox Reservation
-in Iowa for the purpose of continuing his study of that Algonquian
-group.
-
-The months of July and August and half of September, 1910, were spent
-by Dr. Paul Radin, ethnologist, among the Winnebago Indians of Nebraska
-and Wisconsin, his efforts being devoted to a continuation of his
-studies of the culture of those people, with special reference to their
-ceremonial and social organization and their general social customs.
-Part of the time was devoted to a study of the Winnebago material
-culture, but little progress was made in this direction, as few objects
-of aboriginal origin are now possessed by these people, consequently
-the study must be completed by examination of their objects preserved
-in museums and private collections. A beginning in this direction was
-made by Doctor Radin during the latter half of September and in October
-at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City. During the
-remainder of the fiscal year Doctor Radin was engaged in arranging the
-ethnological material gathered by him during the several years he has
-devoted to the Winnebago tribe, and in the preparation of a monograph
-on the Medicine ceremony of the Winnebago and a memoir on the ethnology
-of the Winnebago tribe in general. In June, 1911, he again took the
-field in Wisconsin for the purpose of obtaining the data necessary to
-complete the tribal monograph. Both these manuscripts, it is expected,
-will be finished by the close of the present calendar year.
-
-By arrangement with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs the bureau was
-fortunate in enlisting the services of Mr. Francis La Flesche, who has
-been frequently mentioned in the annual reports of the bureau in
-connection with his studies, jointly with Miss Alice C. Fletcher, of
-the ethnology of the Omaha tribe of the Siouan family. Having been
-assigned the task of making a comparative study of the Osage tribe of
-the same family, Mr. La Flesche proceeded to their reservation in
-Oklahoma in September. The older Osage men, like the older Indians
-generally, are very conservative, and time and tact were necessary to
-obtain such standing in the tribe as would enable him to establish
-friendly relations with those to whom it was necessary to look for
-trustworthy information. Although the Osage language is similar to that
-of the Omaha, Mr. La Flesche’s native tongue, there are many words and
-phrases that sound alike but are used in different senses by the two
-tribes. Having practically mastered the language, Mr. La Flesche was
-prepared to devote several months to what is known as the Noⁿʹhoⁿzhiⁿga
-Ieʹta, the general term applied to a complex series of ceremonies which
-partake of the nature of degrees, but are not, strictly speaking,
-successive steps, although each one is linked to the other in a general
-sequence. While at the present stage of the investigation it would be
-premature to make a definite statement as to the full meaning and
-interrelation of these Osage ceremonies, there appear to be seven
-divisions of the Noⁿʹhoⁿzhiⁿga Ieʹta, the names, functions, and
-sequence of which have been learned, but whether the sequence thus far
-noted is always maintained remains to be determined. From Saucy Calf,
-one of the three surviving Osage regarded as past masters in these
-ceremonies, phonographic records of the first of the ceremonies, the
-Waxoʹbe-awathoⁿ, have been made in its entirety, consisting of 80 songs
-with words and music and 7 prayers. All these have been transcribed and
-in part translated into English, comprising a manuscript exceeding 300
-pages. In order to discuss with the Osage the meaning of these rituals,
-Mr. La Flesche found it necessary to commit them to memory, as reading
-from the manuscript disconcerted the old seer. At Saucy Calf’s
-invitation Mr. La Flesche witnessed in the autumn, at Grayhorse, a
-performance of the ceremony of the Waxoʹbe-awathoⁿ, the recitation of
-the rituals of which requires one day, part of a night, and more than
-half of the following day. It is Mr. La Flesche’s purpose to record, if
-possible, the rituals of the remaining six divisions of the
-Noⁿʹhoⁿzhiⁿga Ieʹta. He has already obtained a paraphrase of the
-seventh ceremony (the Nikʼinoⁿkʼoⁿ), and hopes soon to procure a
-phonographic record of all the rituals pertaining thereto.
-
-In connection with his ethnological work Mr. La Flesche has been so
-fortunate as to obtain for the National Museum four of the waxoʹbe, or
-sacred packs, each of which formed a part of the paraphernalia of the
-Noⁿʹhoⁿzhiⁿga Ieʹta, as well as a waxoʹbe-toⁿʹga, the great waxoʹbe
-which contains the instruments for tattooing. Only those Osage are
-tattooed who have performed certain acts prescribed in the rites of the
-Noⁿʹhoⁿzhiⁿga Ieʹta. The rites of the tattooing ceremony are yet to be
-recorded and elucidated. While the waxoʹbe is the most sacred of the
-articles that form the paraphernalia of the Noⁿʹhoⁿzhiⁿga Ieʹta rites,
-it is not complete in itself; other things are indispensable to their
-performance, and it is hoped that these may be procured at some future
-time.
-
-While not recorded as one of the ceremonial divisions of the
-Noⁿʹhoⁿzhiⁿga Ieʹta, there is a ceremony so closely connected with it
-that it might well be regarded as a part thereof; that is the
-Washaʹbeathiⁿ watsi, or the dance of the standards. The introductory
-part of this ceremony is called Akixage, or weeping over one another in
-mutual sympathy by the members of the two great divisions of the tribe.
-There is no regular time for the performance of the Washaʹbeathiⁿ
-ceremony. It is given only when a member of the tribe loses by death
-some specially loved and favored relative and seeks a ceremonial
-expression of sympathy from the entire tribe. It is the intention to
-procure the songs and rituals of this ceremony, and specimens of the
-standards employed in its performance.
-
-Altogether Mr. La Flesche has made excellent progress in his study of
-the Osage people, and the results are already shedding light on the
-organization and the origin and function of the ceremonies of this
-important tribe.
-
-
-
-
-SPECIAL RESEARCHES
-
-The special researches of the bureau in the field of linguistics were
-conducted by Dr. Franz Boas, honorary philologist, one of the immediate
-and tangible results of which was the publication of Part 1 of the
-Handbook of American Indian Languages. It seems desirable to restate at
-the present time the development of the plan and the object of this
-work.
-
-Through the efforts of the late Major Powell and his collaborators a
-great number of vocabularies and a few grammars of American Indian
-languages had been accumulated, but no attempt had been made to give a
-succinct description of the morphology of all the languages of the
-continent. In order to do this, a series of publications was necessary.
-The subject matter had to be represented by a number of grammatical
-sketches, such as are now being assembled in the Handbook of American
-Indian Languages. To substantiate the inductions contained in this
-grammar, collections of texts are indispensable to the student, and
-finally a series of extended vocabularies are required. The plan, as
-developed between 1890 and 1900, contemplated the assembling in the
-bulletin series of the bureau of a series of texts which were to form
-the basis of the handbook. Of this series, Doctor Boas’s Chinook,
-Kathlamet, and Tsimshian Texts, and Swanton’s Haida and Tlingit Texts,
-subsequently published, form a part, but at the time Swanton’s Texts
-appeared it was believed by Secretary Langley that material of this
-kind was too technical in character to warrant publication in a
-governmental series. It was, therefore, decided to discontinue the text
-series in the bulletins of the bureau and to divert them to the
-Publications of the American Ethnological Society and the Columbia
-University Contributions to Anthropology. Other series were commenced
-by the University of California and the University of Pennsylvania. The
-method of publication pursued at the present time, though different
-from that first planned, is acceptable, since all the material is
-accessible to students, and the bureau is saved the expense of
-publication.
-
-Doctor Boas has been enabled to base all the sketches in the first
-volume of his handbook on accompanying text series, as follows:
-
-
- (1) Athapascan. Texts published by the University of California.
- (2) Tlingit. Texts published by the Bureau of American Ethnology,
- but too late to be used systematically.
- (3) Haida. Texts published by the Bureau of American Ethnology.
- (4) Tsimshian. Texts published by the Bureau of American Ethnology
- and the American Ethnological Society.
- (5) Kwakiutl. Texts published by the Jesup Expedition and in the
- Columbia University series.
- (6) Chinook. Texts published by the Bureau of American Ethnology.
- (7) Maidu. Texts published by the American Ethnological Society,
- but too late to be used.
- (8) Algonquian. Texts published by the American Ethnological
- Society.
- (9) Sioux. Texts in Contributions to North American Ethnology.
- (10) Eskimo. Texts in “Meddelelser om Grønland,” but not used
- systematically.
-
-
-Although Doctor Boas has urged the desirability of undertaking the
-publication of the series of vocabularies, no definite steps have yet
-been taken toward the realization of this plan, owing largely to lack
-of funds for the employment of assistants in preparing the materials.
-It is hoped, however, that such a series of vocabularies, based on the
-published grammars and on the series of texts above referred to, may be
-prepared for publication in the near future. Much of the preliminary
-work has been done. There are, for example, extended manuscript
-dictionaries of the Haida, Tsimshian, Kwakiutl, Chinook, and Sioux, but
-none of them is yet ready for the printer.
-
-The work on Part 2 of the Handbook of American Indian Languages is
-progressing satisfactorily. The sketch of the Takelma is in page form
-(pp. 1–296), but Doctor Boas has undertaken the correlation of this
-sketch with the Takelma Texts, which meanwhile have been published by
-the University of Pennsylvania, and a considerable amount of work
-remains to be done to finish this revision. The Coos grammar is in
-galleys. The Coos Texts are at the present writing being printed by the
-American Ethnological Society, and here also references are being
-inserted. Dr. Leo J. Frachtenberg has continued his collection of
-material for the handbook with commendable energy and intelligence. The
-field work has been financially aided by Columbia University, partly
-through a gift made by Mrs. Henry Villard and partly through funds
-provided by Mr. Homer E. Sargent. It has also been possible to utilize
-for the work on the Alsea the collections made at a former time by
-Prof. Livingston Farrand on an expedition supported by the late Mr.
-Henry Villard. On his last expedition Doctor Frachtenberg was able to
-determine that the Siuslaw is an independent stock, although
-morphologically affiliated with the Alsea, Coos, and Siuslaw group. He
-also collected extensive material on the Alsea and Molala.
-
-The most important result, which is appearing more and more clearly
-from the investigations carried out under the direction of Doctor Boas,
-lies in the fact that it will be possible to classify American
-languages on a basis wider than that of linguistic stocks. In 1893
-Doctor Boas called attention to the fact that a number of languages in
-northern British Columbia seem to have certain morphological traits in
-common, by which they are sharply differentiated from all the
-neighboring languages, although the evidence for a common origin of the
-stocks is unsatisfactory. Doctor Boas and his assistants have followed
-this observation, and it can now be shown that throughout the continent
-languages may be classed in wider morphological groups. It is
-interesting to note that phonetic groups may be distinguished in a
-similar manner, but these do not coincide with the morphological
-groups. These observations are in accord with the results of modern
-inquiries in Africa and Asia, where the influence of Hamitic phonetics
-on languages of the Sudan and the influence of Sumerian on early
-Babylonian have been traced in a similar manner. Analogous conditions
-seem to prevail also in South Africa, where the phonetics of the
-Bushman languages have influenced the neighboring Bantu languages. In
-this way a number of entirely new and fundamental problems in
-linguistic ethnography have been formulated, the solution of which is
-of the greatest importance for a clear understanding of the early
-history of the American Continent.
-
-The Handbook of American Indian Languages as planned at the present
-time deals exclusively with an analytical study of the morphology of
-each linguistic family, without any attempt at a detailed discussion of
-phonetic processes, their influence upon the development of the
-language, and the relation of dialects. Doctor Boas recommends that the
-present Handbook of American Indian Languages be followed by a series
-of handbooks each devoted to a single linguistic stock, in which the
-development of each language, so far as it can be traced by comparative
-studies, should be treated.
-
-The study of aboriginal American music was conducted among the Chippewa
-Indians by Miss Frances Densmore, who extended her field of work
-previously begun among that people and elaborated the system of
-analyzing their songs. After spending several weeks on the Lac du
-Flambeau Reservation in Wisconsin she accompanied the Chippewa from
-that reservation to the Menominee Reservation in the same State, where
-the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa ceremonially presented two drums to the
-Menominee. This ceremony was closely observed, photographs being taken
-and the speeches of presentation translated, and the songs of the
-ceremony were recorded by Miss Densmore on a phonograph after the
-return of the drum party to Lac du Flambeau. Many of the songs are of
-Sioux origin, as the ceremony was adopted from that people;
-consequently the songs were analyzed separately from those of Chippewa
-origin. Numerous old war songs were recorded at Lac du Flambeau, also
-songs said to have been composed during dreams, and others used as
-accompaniments to games and dances. The analytical tables published
-during the year in Bulletin 45, Chippewa Music, have been combined by
-Miss Densmore with those of songs collected during the year 1910–11,
-making a total of 340 Chippewa songs under analysis. These are analyzed
-in 12 tables, showing the structure, tone material, melodic
-progression, and rhythm of the songs, the rhythm of the drum, the
-relation between the metric unit of the voice and drum, and other
-points bearing on the development and form of primitive musical
-expression. This material is now almost ready for publication. The
-Sioux songs of the Drum-presentation ceremony, similarly analyzed,
-constitute the beginning of an analytical study of the Sioux music,
-which will be continued and extended during the fiscal year 1911–12.
-
-Miss Alice C. Fletcher and Mr. La Flesche conducted the final proof
-revision of their monograph on the Omaha tribe, to accompany the
-Twenty-seventh Annual Report, which was in press at the close of the
-fiscal year. This memoir will comprise 658 printed pages and will form
-the most complete monograph of a single tribe that has yet appeared.
-
-Mr. J. P. Dunn, whose studies of the Algonquian tribes of the Middle
-West have been mentioned in previous reports, deemed it advisable,
-before continuing his investigation of the languages of the tribes
-comprising the former Illinois confederacy, to await the completion of
-the copying of the anonymous manuscript Miami-French Dictionary,
-attributed to Père Joseph Ignatius Le Boulanger, in the John Carter
-Brown Library at Providence, Rhode Island. Through the courteous
-permission of Mr. George Parker Winship, librarian, the bureau has been
-enabled to commence the copying of this manuscript, the difficult task
-being assigned to Miss Margaret Bingham Stillwell, under Mr. Winship’s
-immediate direction. At the close of the fiscal year 20½ pages of the
-original (comprising 95 pages of transcript), of the total of 155 pages
-of the dictionary proper, were finished and submitted to the bureau. It
-is hoped that on the completion of the copying the bureau will have a
-basis for the study of the Miami and related languages that would not
-be possible among the greatly modified remnant of the Indians still
-speaking them.
-
-Prof. Howard M. Ballou, of Honolulu, has continued the preparation of
-the List of Works Relating to Hawaii, undertaken in collaboration with
-the late Dr. Cyrus Thomas, and during the year submitted the titles of
-many early publications, including those of obscure books printed in
-the Hawaiian language.
-
-Mr. John P. Harrington, of the School of American Archæology, proceeded
-in March to the Colorado Valley in Arizona and California for the
-purpose of continuing his studies, commenced a few years before, among
-the Mohave Indians, and incidentally to make collections for the United
-States National Museum. Mr. Harrington was still among these Indians at
-the close of July, and the results of his studies, which cover every
-phase of the life of this interesting people, are to be placed at the
-disposal of the bureau for publication.
-
-
-
-
-PUBLICATIONS
-
-The general editorial work of the bureau continued in immediate charge
-of Mr. J. G. Gurley, editor. The editing of Part 2 of Bulletin 30,
-Handbook of American Indians, was conducted by Mr. Hodge, while the
-editorial supervision of Bulletin 40, Handbook of American Indian
-Languages, was in charge of Doctor Boas. At the close of the fiscal
-year the Twenty-seventh Annual Report was nearly ready for the bindery;
-more than one-third of Bulletin 40, Part 2, was in type (mostly in
-pages); and Bulletin 47, a Dictionary of the Biloxi and Ofo Languages,
-by Dorsey and Swanton, was in page form. Some progress had been made in
-the revision of the galley proof of Bulletin 46, Byington’s Choctaw
-Dictionary, a work requiring the expenditure of considerable time and
-labor. Much of Mr. Gurley’s time during the year was given to the work
-of editing and proof reading the Twenty-seventh Annual Report and its
-accompanying paper, the monograph on the Omaha tribe, by Miss Fletcher
-and Mr. La Flesche, above referred to. The following publications were
-issued during the year:
-
-Bulletin 30. Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico (F. W. Hodge,
-editor), Part 2.
-
-Bulletin 37. Antiquities of Central and Southeastern Missouri (Gerard
-Fowke).
-
-Bulletin 40. Handbook of American Indian Languages (Franz Boas,
-editor), Part 1.
-
-Bulletin 43. Indian Tribes of the Lower Mississippi Valley and Adjacent
-Coast of the Gulf of Mexico (J. R. Swanton).
-
-Bulletin 44. Indian Languages of Mexico and Central America and their
-Geographical Distribution (Cyrus Thomas and J. R. Swanton).
-
-Bulletin 45. Chippewa Music (Frances Densmore).
-
-Bulletin 50. Preliminary Report on a Visit to the Navaho National
-Monument, Arizona (J. Walter Fewkes).
-
-Bulletin 51. Antiquities of the Mesa Verde National Park: Cliff Palace
-(J. Walter Fewkes).
-
-
-
-
-ILLUSTRATIONS
-
-The preparation of the illustrations for the publications of the bureau
-and the making of photographic portraits of the members of visiting
-deputations of Indians were in charge of Mr. De Lancey Gill,
-illustrator. Of the 246 negatives made, 120 comprise portraits of
-visiting Indians. In addition, 372 photographic films, exposed by
-members of the bureau in connection with their field work, were
-developed and printed. Photographic prints for publication and exchange
-were made to the number of 1,469, and 22 drawings for use as
-illustrations were prepared. Mr. Gill was assisted, as in the past, by
-Mr. Henry Walther.
-
-
-
-
-LIBRARY
-
-The library of the bureau has continued in the immediate charge of Miss
-Ella Leary, librarian. During the year that part of the southeastern
-gallery of the lower main hall of the Smithsonian Building which was
-vacated by the National Museum was assigned to the use of the bureau
-library, and three additional stacks were built, providing shelf room
-for about 2,500 volumes. Nearly that number of books which had been
-stored, and consequently made inaccessible, were placed on the new
-shelves. The policy carried out from year to year of increasing the
-library by exchange with other institutions has been continued, and
-special effort made to complete the collection of serial publications.
-Especially to be noted is the completion of the sets of publications of
-the Maine Historical Society and the Archives of Pennsylvania, both
-rich in material pertaining to the Indians. As in the past, it has been
-necessary for the bureau to make use of the Library of Congress from
-time to time, about 200 volumes having been borrowed during the year.
-Twelve hundred books and approximately 650 pamphlets were received, in
-addition to the current numbers of more than 600 periodicals. Of the
-books and pamphlets received, 148 were acquired by purchase, the
-remainder by gift or exchange. Six hundred and eighty-nine volumes were
-bound by the Government Printing Office, payment therefor being made
-from the allotment “for printing and binding * * * annual reports and
-bulletins of the Bureau of American Ethnology, and for miscellaneous
-printing and binding,” authorized by the sundry civil act. This
-provision has enabled the bureau, during the last two years, to bind
-many volumes in almost daily use which were threatened with
-destruction. The catalogue of the bureau now records 17,250 volumes;
-there are also about 12,200 pamphlets, and several thousand unbound
-periodicals. The library is constantly referred to by students not
-connected with the bureau, as well as by various officials of the
-Government service.
-
-
-
-
-PROPERTY
-
-As noted in previous reports, the principal property of the bureau
-consists of its library, manuscripts, and photographic negatives. In
-addition, it possesses a number of cameras, phonographic machines, and
-ordinary apparatus and equipment for field work, stationery and office
-supplies, a moderate amount of office furniture, typewriters, etc., and
-the undistributed stock of its publications. The sum of $304.62 was
-expended for office furniture (including bookstacks at a cost of $205)
-during the fiscal year.
-
-
-
-
-RECOMMENDATIONS
-
-For the purpose of extending the systematic researches of the bureau
-and of affording additional facilities for its administration, the
-following recommendations are made:
-
-A question having arisen in the Committee on Appropriations of the
-House of Representatives as to the purpose for which an increase of
-$2,000 in the bureau’s appropriation in 1909 was intended, the work of
-excavating and repairing antiquities existing in national parks and
-monuments has been curtailed. The importance of elucidating the
-archeological problems connected with these ancient remains and of
-repairing the more important of them for visitors and for future
-students is so apparent that the need of continuing this work is
-generally recognized; consequently an estimate of $4,000 “for the
-exploration and preservation of antiquities” has been submitted for the
-next fiscal year.
-
-Ethnological research in Alaska is urgently needed by reason of the
-great changes taking place among the Indians and the Eskimo since the
-influx of white people a few years ago. Unless this investigation is
-undertaken at once the aboriginal inhabitants will have become so
-modified by contact with whites that knowledge of much of their
-primitive life will be lost. It is recommended that the sum of $4,500
-be appropriated for this work.
-
-The more speedy extension of ethnological researches among the remnants
-of the Algonquian tribes formerly occupying the Middle West is desired.
-In a number of cases these tribes are represented by only a few
-survivors who retain any knowledge of the traits, language, and customs
-of their people; hence it will be impossible to gather much of this
-information unless the work is extended more rapidly, as the funds now
-at the bureau’s disposal for this purpose are inadequate. The
-additional sum of $1,000 is recommended for this purpose.
-
-As previously stated, the demand for the Handbook of American Indians
-has been so great that many schools and libraries have necessarily been
-denied. The need of a revised edition is urgent, but the revision can
-not be satisfactorily undertaken and the latest information
-incorporated without the employment of special ethnologic
-assistants—those who have devoted special study to particular
-tribes—and editorial and clerical aid. It is recommended that the sum
-of $3,800 be appropriated for this purpose.
-
-The bureau is constantly in receipt of requests from schools,
-historical societies, compilers of textbooks, etc., for photographic
-prints of Indian subjects, since it is generally known that the bureau
-possesses many thousands of negatives accumulated in the course of its
-investigations. As no funds are now available for this purpose, it is
-recommended that a reasonable sum, say $1,000, be appropriated for the
-purpose of furnishing prints for educational purposes. In most cases
-applicants would doubtless be willing to pay the cost, but at present
-the bureau has no authority for selling photographs.
-
-The manuscripts accumulated by the bureau form a priceless collection;
-indeed many of them, if lost, could not be replaced, since they
-represent the results of studies of Indians who have become extinct or
-have lost their tribal identity. It is therefore urgently recommended
-that the sum of $1,350 be appropriated for fireproofing a room and for
-providing metal cases for the permanent preservation of the
-manuscripts.
-
-
- F. W. Hodge,
- Ethnologist-in-Charge.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-ACCOMPANYING PAPER
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS
-
-Part 1
-
-Collected by JEREMIAH CURTIN and J. N. B. HEWITT;
-edited by J. N. B. HEWITT
-
-
-
-
-
-CONTENTS
-
- Page
-
-Introduction 43
-
-Part 1. Material Collected by Jeremiah Curtin
-
-FICTION
-
- 1. The sister and her six elder brothers 75
- 2. The child and his uncle 81
- 3. Djogeon and his uncle 84
- 4. The woman who married a great serpent 86
- 5. The ghost woman and the hunter 90
- 6. Hahnowa and his forces on the warpath 92
- 7. The old man’s grandson and the chief of the
- deserted village 95
- 8. The man who married a buffalo woman 98
- 9. A woman and her bear lover 102
- 10. The fox and the rabbit 105
- 11. The snake with two heads 106
- 12. A hunter pursued by Genonsgwa 106
- 13. The grandmother and her granddaughter 111
- 14. The woman who became a snake from eating fish 111
- 15. Gaqga makes a journey and kills many people 113
- 16. Ohohwa and the two sisters 115
- 17. A great snake battle 117
- 18. The Ongwe Ias and his younger brother 118
- 19. Haieñdoñnis and Yenogeauns 121
- 20. The man with a panther-skin robe and his brother
- with a turkey-skin robe 127
- 21. Deadoeñdjadases and the old woman’s grandson 135
- 22. Hatʻhondas (the Listener) 139
- 23. The story of the Ohohwa people 144
- 24. The chestnut tree guarded by the seven sisters 147
- 25. The otter’s heart and the claw fetishes 151
- 26. The seven sisters who produce wampum 154
- 27. The forsaken infant and Gaha 160
- 28. The old man and the boy 162
- 29. The story of the girls who went for a husband 166
- 30. The creation of man 168
- 31. Ganiagwaihegowa 169
- 32. The man who became a fish, and a Ganiagwaihe 169
- 33. A dead man speaks to his mother through the fire 172
- 34. The potent boy 176
- 35. The faithless wife and the three old men 180
- 36. The Dagwanoenyent and her husband 187
- 37. A raccoon story 191
- 38. The self-sacrifice of two dogs for their master 193
- 39. The three young women 195
- 40. Hinon and the Seneca warriors 197
- 41. Hodadeñon and Yenyentʻhwus 199
- 42. The uncle and his nephew 223
- 43. Hinon saves a woman from suicide 228
- 44. The crawfish and the raccoon 229
- 45. The race between the turtle and the bear 229
- 46. The woman who became a man-eater through the
- orenda of her husband’s dogs 231
- 47. Ganyadjigowa 236
- 48. Hadentʻheni and Hanigongendatʻha 251
- 49. Dagwanoenyent 261
- 50. The shaman and his nephew 262
- 51. The horned snake and the young woman 268
- 52. The man pursued by his sister-in-law 270
- 53. The story of bloody hand 273
- 54. The seven stars of the dipper 276
- 55. The story of the two brothers 277
- 56. Hodionskon 283
- 57. The cannibal uncle, his nephew, and the nephew’s
- invisible brother 285
- 58. Doonongaes and Tsodiqgwadon 296
-
-LEGENDS
-
- 59. Genonsgwa 341
- 60. The grandmother and her grandson 347
- 61. Heart squeezing and the dance of naked persons 355
- 62. Hotʻho, the Winter God 356
- 63. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa and his three brothers 357
- 64. The moose wife 361
- 65. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa 365
- 66. The porcupine’s grandson and the bear 365
- 67. Genonsgwa 369
- 68. Hinon Hohawaqk and his grandmother 372
- 69. Hagowanen and Otʼhegwenhda 376
- 70. Okteondon and Haieñtʻhwus. Part I 389
- 71. Okteondon and Haieñtʻhwus. Part II 399
- 72. Uncle and nephew and the white otters 401
- 73. Deoyadastatʻhe and Hodjowiski 406
- 74. A genesis tradition 409
- 75. The two brothers and the mice fetishes 415
- 76. The orphan 417
- 77. The great worm and Hinon 420
- 78. The chipmunk and the bear 421
- 79. The great white beaver and the Lake of the
- Enchanted Waters 422
-
-TRADITIONS
-
- 80. Ganon, the Seneca war chief 428
- 81. Hatcinondon: A historical tradition 432
- 82. Godiont and the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa 436
- 83. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa 437
- 84. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa 437
- 85. Genonsgwa 437
- 86. Genonsgwa 439
- 87. Genonsgwa 440
- 88. Genonsgwa 440
- 89. Genonsgwa 441
- 90. Bald Eagle sends Mud Turtle around the world 450
- 91. The poor hunter and Djogeon 452
- 92. The man killed by the three hunters 453
- 93. Hinon and the Iroquois 456
-
-TALES
-
- 94. A shaman’s deed 457
- 95. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa (modern) 457
- 96. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa 458
- 97. The vampire skeleton 458
-
-MYTHS
-
- 98. A tale of the sky world 460
- 99. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa and Hotʻhoh 462
- 100. The morning star and the cannibal wife 464
- 101. The woman and the cannibal thunder 469
- 102. Gaqga and Sgagedi 472
- 103. Dagwanoenyent and Gaasyendietʻha 474
- 104. Dagwanoenyentgowa Sʻhagodigendji and Yenonsgwa 481
- 105. The twelve brothers and their uncle, Dagwanoenyent 485
- 106. Ongwe Ias and his brother, Dagwanoenyent 488
-
-MEDICAL NOTE
-
- 107. Notes on the medicine nikahnegaah 491
-
-
-Part 2. Seneca Legends and Myths, Collected by J. N. B. Hewitt
-
- 108. The legend of Hayanowe (He-the-fleet-footed) 495
- 109. Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ and Gajihsondis (Skin-of-man
- and Spike-hitter) 501
- 110. Gajihsondis, the Amulet-hitter 519
- 111. The legend of Honenhineh and his younger brothers 525
- 112. The legend of Godasiyo 537
- 113. A legend of an anthropomorphic tribe of
- rattlesnakes 539
- 114. The twins: grandsons of Gahoⁿʻdjiʼdāʹʻhoⁿk 543
- 115. The legend of the misogamist 555
- 116. The acts of the seventh son, Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ 565
- 117. The legend of Hodadeñon and his elder sister 573
- 118. The legend of Gādjĭsʹdodoʻ and Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs 586
- 119. The legend of Deodyatgaowen (Deodiăʼtgaōʹweĕⁿʻ
- = His-body-is-bifid or two-cleft) 607
- 120. An address of thanksgiving to the powers of the
- Master of Life 632
- 121. A corn legend and a flood story 636
- 122. The legend of man’s acquisition of corn 642
- 123. The bean woman (a fragment) 648
- 124. The legend of Onenha (the corn) 649
- 125. The origin of white corn, or kaneñhageñat 652
- 126. The origin of the Porcupine people or clan 654
- 127. The origin of the Bear songs and dances 658
- 128. The origin of the Pigeon songs and dances 663
- 129. The legend of Hahadodagwatʻha 666
- 130. The story of Hahskwahot (= It-standing-stone) 680
- 131. The legend of Genonsgwa 681
- 132. The legend of the Stone Coats (Genonsgwa) 682
- 133. The story of the white pigeon, the chief of
- the pigeons 694
- 134. The weeping of the Corn, and Bean, and
- Squash people 701
- 135. Sʻhagowenotʻha, the spirit of the tides 705
- 136. Sʻhagowenotʻha (text), with interlinear
- translation 715
- 137. The legend of Doädanegeñ and Hotkwisdadegeña 743
- 138. The legend of Doädanegeñ and Hotkwisdadegeña
- (text), with interlinear translation 756
-
-Notes 791
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS
-
-Collected by Jeremiah Curtin and J. N. B. Hewitt; edited by J. N. B.
-Hewitt
-
-
-INTRODUCTION
-
-
-THE SENECA
-
-The following brief description of the Seneca is taken, with slight
-alterations, from the article on that tribe in the Handbook of American
-Indians:
-
-
- The Seneca (= Place of the Stone) are a noted and influential tribe
- of the Iroquois, or the so-called Five Nations of New York. When
- first known they occupied a region in central New York, lying
- between the western watershed of the Genesee r. and the lands of
- the Cayuga about Seneca lake, having their council fire at
- Tsonontowan, near Naples, in Ontario co. After the political
- destruction of the Erie and Neuters, about the middle of the 17th
- century, the Seneca and other Iroquois people carried their
- settlements westward to L. Erie and southward along the Alleghany
- into Pennsylvania. They are now settled chiefly on the Allegany,
- Cattaraugus, and Tonawanda res., N. Y., and some live on Grand
- River res., Ontario. Various local bands have been known as
- Buffalo, Tonawanda, and Cornplanter Indians; and the Mingo,
- formerly in Ohio, have become officially known as Seneca from the
- large number of that tribe among them.
-
- In the third quarter of the 16th century the Seneca was the last
- but one of the Iroquois tribes to give its suffrage in favor of the
- abolition of murder and war, the suppression of cannibalism, and
- the establishment of the principles upon which the League of the
- Iroquois was founded. However, a large division of the tribe did
- not adopt at once the course of the main body, but, on obtaining
- coveted privileges and prerogatives, the recalcitrant body was
- admitted as a constituent member in the structure of the League.
- The two chiefships last added to the quota of the Seneca were
- admitted on condition of their exercising functions belonging to a
- sergeant-at-arms of a modern legislative body as well as those
- belonging to a modern secretary of state for foreign affairs, in
- addition to their duties as federal chieftains; indeed, they became
- the warders of the famous “Great Black Doorway” of the League of
- the Iroquois, called Kaʻnhoʻhwădjiʼgōʹnăʻ by the Onondaga.
-
- In historical times the Seneca have been by far the most populous
- of the five tribes originally composing the League of the Iroquois.
- The Seneca belong in the federal organization to the tribal phratry
- known by the political name Hoñdoñnīsʹʻĕⁿʼ, meaning, ‘they are
- clansmen of the fathers,’ of which the Mohawk are the other member,
- when the tribes are organized as a federal council; but when
- ceremonially organized the Onondaga also belong to this phratry. In
- the federal council the Seneca are represented by eight federal
- chiefs, but two of these were added to the original six present at
- the first federal council, to give representation to that part of
- the tribe which had at first refused to join the League. Since the
- organization of the League of the Iroquois, approximately in the
- third quarter of the 16th century, the number of Seneca clans,
- which are organized into two phratries for the performance of both
- ceremonial and civil functions, have varied. The names of the
- following nine have been recorded: Wolf, Hoñnatʻhaiioñʹnĭʻ; Bear,
- Hodidjioñniʹʼgā; Beaver, Hodigĕⁿʹʼgegāʼ; Turtle, Hadiniăʹʻdĕñʻ;
- Hawk, Hadisʻhweⁿʹʼgaiiuʼ; Sandpiper, Hodiʼneʻsiʹiuʼ, sometimes also
- called Snipe, Plover, and Killdeer; Deer, Hadinioñʹgwaiiuʼ; Doe,
- Hodinoⁿʹʼdeogāʼ, sometimes Hoñnoñtʹgoñdjĕⁿʻ; Heron, Hodidaioⁿʹʼgāʼ.
- In a list of clan names made in 1838 by Gen. Dearborn from
- information given him by Mr Cone, an interpreter of the Tonawanda
- band, the Heron clan is called the Swan clan with the native name
- given above. Of these clans only five had an unequal representation
- in the federal council of the League; namely, the Sandpiper, three,
- the Turtle, two, the Hawk, one, the Wolf, one, and the Bear, one.
-
- One of the earliest known references to the ethnic name Seneca is
- that on the Original Carte Figurative, annexed to the Memorial
- presented to the States-General of the Netherlands, Aug. 18, 1616,
- on which it appears with the Dutch plural as Sennecas. This map is
- remarkable also for the first known mention of the ancient Erie,
- sometimes called Gahkwas or Kahkwah; on this map they appear under
- the name last cited, Gachoi (ch = kh), and were placed on the N.
- side of the W. branch of the Susquehanna. The name did not
- originally belong to the Seneca, but to the Oneida, as the
- following lines will show.
-
- In the early part of December, 1634, three Dutchmen made a journey
- (the itinerary of which was duly recorded in a Journal [1]) in the
- interests of the fur-trade from Fort Orange, now Albany, N. Y., to
- the Mohawk and the “Sinnekens” to thwart French intrigue there.
- Strictly speaking, the latter name designated the Oneida, but at
- this time it was a general name, usually comprising the Onondaga,
- the Cayuga, and the Seneca, in addition. At that period the Dutch
- and the French commonly divided the Five Iroquois tribes into two
- identical groups; to the first, the Dutch gave the name Maquas
- (Mohawk), and to the latter, Sinnekens (Seneca, the final -ens
- being the Dutch genitive plural), with the connotation of the four
- tribes mentioned above. The French gave to the latter group the
- general name “les Iroquois Superieurs”, “les Hiroquois d’eu haut”,
- i.e. the Upper Iroquois, “les Hiroquois des pays plus hauts, nommés
- Sontouaheronnons” (literally, ‘the Iroquois of the upper country,
- called Sontouaheronnons’), the latter being only another form of
- “les Tsonnontouans” (the Seneca); and to the first group the
- designations “les Iroquois inférieurs” (the Lower Iroquois), and
- “les Hiroquois d’en bas, nommés Agnechronnons” (the Mohawk;
- literally, ‘the Iroquois from below, named Agnechronnons’). This
- geographical rather than political division of the Iroquois tribes,
- first made by Champlain and the early Dutch at Ft. Orange,
- prevailed until about the third quarter of the 17th century.
- Indeed, Governor Andros, two years after Greenhalgh’s visit to the
- several tribes of the Iroquois in 1677, still wrote, “Ye Oneidas
- deemed ye first nation of sineques:” The Journal of the Dutchmen,
- mentioned above, records the interesting fact that during their
- visit to the tribes they celebrated the New Year of 1635 at a place
- called Enneyuttehaga or Sinnekens. The first of these names was the
- Iroquois, and the second, the Mohegan, name for the place, or,
- preferably, the Mohegan translation of the Iroquois name. The Dutch
- received their first knowledge of the Iroquois tribes through the
- Mohegan. The name Enneyuttehaga is evidently written for
- Onĕñiuteʼagāʹʼgeʻ, ‘at the place of the people of the standing
- (projecting) stone.’ At that date this was the chief town of the
- Oneida. The Dutch Journal identifies the name Sinnekens with this
- town, which is presumptive evidence that it is the Mohegan
- rendering of the Iroquois local name Onĕñʹiuteʼ, ‘it is a standing
- or projecting stone’, employed as an ethnic appellative. The
- derivation of Sinnekens from Mohegan appears to be as follows:
- aʻsinni, ‘a stone, or rock’, -ika or -iga, denotive of ‘place of’,
- or ‘abundance of’, and the final -ens supplied by the Dutch
- genitive plural ending, the whole Mohegan synthesis meaning ‘place
- of the standing stone’; and with a suitable pronominal affix, like
- o- or wă-, which was not recorded by the Dutch writers, the
- translation signifies, ‘they are of the place of the standing
- stone.’ This etymology is confirmed by the Delaware name,
- Wʼtassone, for the Oneida, which has a similar derivation. The
- initial w- represents approximately an o-sound, and is the affix of
- verbs and nouns denotive of the third person; the intercalary -t-
- is merely euphonic, being employed to prevent the coalescence of
- the two vowel sounds; and it is evident that assone is only another
- form of aʻsinni, ‘stone’, cited above. Hence it appears that the
- Mohegan and Delaware names for the Oneida are cognate in derivation
- and identical in signification. Heckewelder erroneously translated
- Wʼtassone by ‘stone pipe makers.’
-
- Thus, the Iroquois Onĕñiuteʼāʹgăʼ, the Mohegan Sinnekens, and the
- Delaware Wʼtassone are synonymous and are homologous in derivation.
- But the Dutch, followed by other Europeans, used the Mohegan term
- to designate a group of four tribes, to only one of which, the
- Oneida, was it strictly applicable. The name Sinnekens, or
- Sennecaas (Visscher’s map, ca. 1660), became the tribal name of the
- Seneca by a process of elimination which excluded from the group
- and from the connotation of the general name the nearer tribes as
- each with its own proper native name became known to the Europeans.
- Obviously, the last remaining tribe of the group would finally
- acquire as its own the general name of the group. The Delaware name
- for the Seneca was Mexaxtĭnʹnĭ (the Maechachtinni of Heckewelder),
- which signifies ‘great mountain’; this is, of course, a Delaware
- rendering of the Iroquois name for the Seneca,
- Djiionoñdowānĕñʹʻākă, or Djiionoñdowānĕñʻroñʹnoⁿʼ, ‘People of the
- Great Mountain.’ This name appears disguised as Trudamani (Cartier,
- 1534–35), Entouhonorons, Chouontouaroüon = Chonontouaronon
- (Champlain, 1615), Onentouaronons (Champlain, 1627), and
- Tsonontouan or Sonontouan (Jes. Rel., passim).
-
- Previous to the defeat and despoliation of the Neuters in 1651 and
- the Erie in 1656, the Seneca occupied the territory drained by
- Genesee r., eastward to the lands of the Cayuga along the line of
- the watershed between Seneca and Cayuga lakes.
-
- The political history of the Seneca is largely that of the League
- of the Iroquois, although owing to petty jealousies among the
- various tribes the Seneca, like the others, sometimes acted
- independently in their dealings with aliens. But their independent
- action appears never to have been a serious and deliberate rupture
- of the bonds uniting them with the federal government of the
- League, thus vindicating the wisdom and foresight of its founders
- in permitting every tribe to retain and exercise a large measure of
- autonomy in the structure of the federal government. It was
- sometimes apparently imperative that one of the tribes should enter
- into a treaty or other compact with its enemies, while the others
- might still maintain a hostile attitude toward the alien
- contracting party.
-
- During 1622 the Montagnais, the Algonkin, and the Hurons sought to
- conclude peace with the Iroquois (Yroquois = Mohawk division?),
- because “they were weary and fatigued with the wars which they had
- had for more than 50 years.” The armistice was concluded in 1624,
- but was broken by the continued guerrilla warfare of the Algonkin
- warriors; for this reason the Seneca (“Ouentouoronons d’autre
- nation, amis desdits Yrocois”) killed in the “village of the
- Yrocois” the embassy composed of a Frenchman, Pierre Magnan, and
- three Algonquian ambassadors. This resulted in the renewal of the
- war. So in Sept. 1627, the Iroquois, including the Seneca, declared
- war against the Indians and the French on the St. Lawrence and its
- northern affluents by sending various parties of warriors against
- them.
-
- From the Jesuit Relation for 1635 (p. 34, 1858) it is learned that
- the Seneca, after defeating the Hurons in the spring of 1634, made
- peace with them. The Hurons in the following year sent an embassy
- to Sonontouan, the chief town of the Seneca, to ratify the peace,
- and while there learned that the Onondaga, the Oneida, the Cayuga,
- and the Mohawk were desirous of becoming parties to the treaty.
-
- In 1639 the war was renewed by the Hurons, who in May captured 12
- prisoners from the Seneca, then regarded as a powerful people. The
- war continued with varying success. The Jesuit Relation for 1641
- (p. 75, 1858) says the Seneca were the most feared of the enemies
- of the Hurons, and that they were only one day’s journey from
- Ongniaahra (Niagara), the most easterly town of the Neuters. [2]
- The Relation for 1643 (p. 61) says that the Seneca (i.e. “les
- Hiroquois d’en haut”), including the Cayuga, the Oneida, and the
- Onondaga, equaled, if they did not exceed, in number and power the
- Hurons, who previously had had this advantage; and that the Mohawk
- at this time had three villages with 700 or 800 men of arms who
- possessed 300 arquebuses that they had obtained from the Dutch and
- which they used with skill and boldness. According to the Jesuit
- Relation for 1648 (p. 49, 1858), 300 Seneca attacked the village of
- the Aondironnon, and killed or captured as many of its inhabitants
- as possible, although this people were a dependency of the Neuters
- who were at peace with the Seneca at this time. This affront nearly
- precipitated war between the Iroquois and the Neuters. [3]
-
- The Seneca warriors composed the larger part of the Iroquois
- warriors who in 1648–49 assailed, destroyed, and dispersed the
- Huron tribes; it was likewise they who in 1649 sacked the chief
- towns of the Tionontati, or Tobacco tribe; and the Seneca also took
- a leading part in the defeat and subjugation of the Neuters in 1651
- and of the Erie in 1656. From the Journal des PP. Jésuites for
- 1651–52 (Jes. Rel., Thwaites’ ed., XXXVII, 97, 1898) it is learned
- that in 1651 the Seneca, in waging war against the Neuters, had
- been so signally defeated that their women and children were
- compelled to flee from Sonontowan, their capital, to seek refuge
- among the neighboring Cayuga.
-
- In 1652 the Seneca were plotting with the Mohawk to destroy and
- ruin the French settlements on the St. Lawrence. Two years later
- the Seneca sent an embassy to the French for the purpose of making
- peace with them, a movement which was probably brought about by
- their rupture with the Erie. But the Mohawk not desiring peace at
- that time with the French, perhaps on account of their desire to
- attack the Hurons on Orleans id., murdered two of the three Seneca
- ambassadors, the other having remained as a hostage with the
- French. This act almost resulted in war between the two hostile
- tribes; foreign affairs, however, were in such condition as to
- prevent the beginning of actual hostility. On Sept. 19, 1655,
- Fathers Chaumonot and Dablon, after pressing invitations to do so,
- started from Quebec to visit and view the Seneca country, and to
- establish there a French habitation and teach the Seneca the
- articles of their faith.
-
- In 1657 the Seneca, in carrying out the policy of the League to
- adopt conquered tribes upon submission and the expression of a
- desire to live under the form of government established by the
- League, had thus incorporated eleven different tribes into their
- body politic.
-
- In 1652 Maryland bought from the Minqua, or Susquehanna Indians,
- i.e. the Conestoga, all their land claims on both sides of
- Chesapeake bay up to the mouth of Susquehanna r. In 1663, 800
- Seneca and Cayuga warriors from the Confederation of the Five
- Nations were defeated by the Minqua, aided by the Marylanders. The
- Iroquois did not terminate their hostilities until famine had so
- reduced the Conestoga that in 1675, when the Marylanders had
- disagreed with them and had withdrawn their alliance, the Conestoga
- were completely subdued by the Five Nations, who thereafter claimed
- a right to the Minqua lands to the head of Chesapeake bay.
-
- In 1744 the influence of the French was rapidly gaining ground
- among the Seneca; meanwhile the astute and persuasive Col. Johnson
- was gradually winning the Mohawk as close allies of the British,
- while the Onondaga, the Cayuga, and the Oneida, under strong
- pressure from Pennsylvania and Virginia, sought to be neutral.
-
- In 1686, 200 Seneca warriors went W. against the Miami, the
- Illinois in the meantime having been overcome by the Iroquois in a
- war lasting about five years. In 1687 the Marquis Denonville
- assembled a great horde of Indians from the region of the upper
- lakes and from the St. Lawrence—Hurons, Ottawa, Chippewa,
- Mississauga, Miami, Illinois, Montagnais, Amikwa, and others—under
- Durantaye, DuLuth, and Tonti, to serve as an auxiliary force to
- about 1,200 French and colonial levies, to be employed in attacking
- and destroying the Seneca. Having reached Irondequoit, the Seneca
- landing-place on L. Ontario, Denonville built there a stockade in
- which he left a garrison of 440 men. Thence advancing to attack the
- Seneca villages, he was ambushed by 600 or 800 Seneca, who charged
- and drove back the colonial levies and their Indian allies, and
- threw the veteran regiments into disorder. Only by the overwhelming
- numbers of his force was the traitorous Denonville saved from
- disastrous defeat.
-
- In 1763, at Bloody Run and the Devil’s Hole, situated on Niagara r.
- about 4 m. below the falls, the Seneca ambushed a British supply
- train on the portage road from Ft Schlosser to Ft Niagara, only
- three escaping from a force of nearly 100. At a short distance from
- this place the same Seneca ambushed a British force composed of two
- companies of troops who were hastening to the aid of the supply
- train, only eight of whom escaped massacre. These bloody and harsh
- measures were the direct result of the general unrest of the Six
- Nations and the western tribes, arising from the manner of the
- recent occupancy of the posts by the British, after the surrender
- of Canada by the French on Sept. 8, 1760. They contrasted the
- sympathetic and bountiful paternalism of the French régime with the
- neglect and niggardliness that characterized the British rule. Such
- was the state of affairs that on July 29, 1761, Sir Wm. Johnson
- wrote to General Amherst: “I see plainly that there appears to be
- an universal jealousy amongst every nation, on account of the hasty
- steps they look upon we are taking towards getting possession of
- this country, which measures, I am certain, will never subside
- whilst we encroach within the limits which you may recollect have
- been put under the protection of the King in the year 1726, and
- confirmed to them by him and his successors ever since and by the
- orders sent to the governors not to allow any one of his subjects
- settling thereon ... but that it should remain their absolute
- property.” But, by the beginning of the American Revolution, so
- well had the British agents reconciled them to the rule of Great
- Britain that the Seneca, together with a large majority of the
- people of the Six Nations, notwithstanding their pledges to the
- contrary, reluctantly espoused the cause of the British against the
- colonies. Consequently they suffered retribution for their folly
- when Gen. Sullivan, in 1779, after defeating their warriors, burned
- their villages and destroyed their crops.
-
- There is no historical evidence that the Seneca who were on the
- Ohio and the s. shore of L. Erie in the 18th and 19th centuries
- were chiefly an outlying colony from the Iroquois tribe of that
- name dwelling in New York. The significant fact that in historical
- times their affiliations were never with the Iroquois, but rather
- with tribes usually hostile to them, is to be explained on the
- presumption that they were rather some remnant of a subjugated
- tribe dependent on the Seneca and dwelling on lands under the
- jurisdiction of their conquerors. It is a fair inference that they
- were largely subjugated Erie and Conestoga.
-
- The earliest estimates of the numbers of the Seneca, in 1660 and
- 1677, give them about 5,000. Later estimates of the population are:
- 3,500 (1721); 1,750 (1736); 5,000 (1765); 3,250 (1778); 2,000
- (1783); 3,000 (1783), and 1,780 (1796). In 1825 those in New York
- were reported at 2,325. In 1850, according to Morgan, those in New
- York numbered 2,712, while about 210 more were on Grand River res.
- in Canada. In 1909 those in New York numbered 2,749 on the three
- reservations, which, with those on Grand r., Ontario, would give
- them a total of 2,962. The proportion of Seneca now among the 4,071
- Iroquois at Caughnawaga, St Regis, and Lake of Two Mountains,
- Quebec, can not be estimated.
-
-
-
-
-CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTENTS
-
-The Seneca material embodied in the following pages consists of two
-parts.
-
-Part 1 comprises the matter recorded in the field by the late Jeremiah
-Curtin in 1883, 1886, and 1887 on the Cattaraugus reservation, near
-Versailles, New York, including tales, legends, and myths, several
-being translations of texts belonging to this collection made by the
-editor. This work of Mr. Curtin represents in part the results of the
-first serious attempt to record with satisfactory fullness the folklore
-of the Seneca.
-
-The material consists largely of narratives or tales of fiction—naïve
-productions of the story-teller’s art which can lay no claim to be
-called myths, although undoubtedly they contain many things that
-characterize myths—narratives of the power and deeds of one or more of
-the personified active forces or powers immanent in and expressed by
-phenomena or processes of nature in human guise or in that of birds or
-beasts. They do not refer to the phenomena personified as things
-unique, but as equaled or fully initiated by human personages made
-potent by orenda, or magic power, hence they describe a period long
-after the advent of man on earth, and in this respect do not exhibit
-the character of myths.
-
-Again, in some of the narratives the same incident or device appears as
-common property; that is to say, these several stories employ the same
-episode for the purpose of expansion and to glorify the hero as well as
-his prowess. An instance in point is that in which the hero himself, or
-others at his order, gathers the bones of the skeletons of other
-adventurous heroes like himself, who failed in the tests of orenda and
-so forfeited their lives to the challenger, and, hastily placing them
-in normal positions with respect to one another, quickens them by
-exclaiming, “This tall hickory tree will fall on you, brothers, unless
-you arise at once,” while pushing against the tree itself. Sometimes it
-is a tall pine that so figures in these accounts. Again, a pupil of a
-sorcerer or a noted witch is forbidden to go in a certain direction,
-while permission is given to go in any other direction. But at a
-certain time the budding hero or champion wizard goes surreptitiously
-in the forbidden direction, and at once there is collision between his
-orenda, or magic power, and that of the well-known wizards and
-sorcerers dwelling in that quarter. This pupil is usually the only
-living agent for the preservation of the orenda of some noted family of
-wizards or witches. The hero, after performing certain set tasks,
-overcomes the enemies of his family and then brings to life those of
-his kindred who failed in the deadly strife of orendas.
-
-The identifications and interpretative field notes accompanying Mr.
-Curtin’s material by some mischance were not made a part of the present
-collection. Their loss, which has added greatly to the work of the
-editor, is unfortunate, as Mr. Curtin possessed in so marked a degree
-the power of seizing readily the motive and significance of a story
-that his notes undoubtedly would have supplied material for the
-intelligent explanation and analysis of the products of the Indian mind
-contained in this memoir.
-
-The texts recorded in the Seneca dialect by Mr. Curtin were very
-difficult to read, as they had been recorded with a lead pencil and had
-been carried from place to place until they were for the greater part
-almost illegible. The fact that these texts were the rough field notes
-of Mr. Curtin, unrevised and unedited, added to the difficulty of
-translating them. Fortunately, in editing a large portion of one of
-these manuscripts, the editor had the assistance of his niece, Miss
-Caroline G. C. Hewitt, who speaks fluently the Seneca dialect of the
-Iroquois languages.
-
-Part 2 also consists of Seneca legends and myths, which are
-translations made expressly for this work from native texts recorded by
-Mr. Hewitt in the autumn of 1896. Two of the texts so translated appear
-here, revised and edited, with a closely literal interlinear
-translation in English. The matter of Part 2 constitutes about
-two-fifths of the whole, containing only 31 items, while there are 107
-in Part 1; but the latter narratives are uniformly much longer than the
-former.
-
-The Seneca informants of Mr. Hewitt in the field were Mr. Truman
-Halftown, Mr. John Armstrong, and Chief Priest Henry Stevens, all of
-the Cattaraugus Reservation, N. Y. These worthy men, who have all
-passed away, were uniformly patient, kind, and interested. They were
-men whose faith in the religion of their ancestors ennobled them with
-good will, manliness, and a desire to serve.
-
-Special attention is drawn to the freedom of these Seneca narratives
-from coarseness of thought and expression, although in some respectable
-quarters obscenity seems to be regarded as a dominant characteristic of
-American Indian myths and legendary lore. This view is palpably
-erroneous and unjust, because it is founded on faulty and inadequate
-material; it is, moreover, governed largely by the personal equation.
-
-To form an impartial and correct judgment of the moral tone of the
-myths and legends of the American Indian, a distinction must be made
-between myths and legends on the one hand and tales and stories which
-are related primarily for the indecent coarseness of their thought and
-diction on the other; for herein lies the line of demarcation between
-narratives in which the rare casual references to indelicate matters
-are wholly a secondary consideration and not the motives of the
-stories, and those ribald tales in which the evident motive is merely
-to pander to depraved taste by detailing the coarse, the vulgar, and
-the filthy in life.
-
-It is, indeed, a most unfortunate circumstance in the present study of
-the spoken literature of the North American Indians that the headlong
-haste and nervous zeal to obtain bulk rather than quality in collecting
-and recording it are unfavorable to the discovery and acquisition of
-the philosophic and the poetic legends and myths so sacred to these
-thoughtful people. The inevitable result of this method of research is
-the wholly erroneous view of the ethical character of the myths and
-legends and stories of the American Indian, to which reference has
-already been made. The lamentable fact that large portions of some
-collections of so-called American Indian tales and narratives consist
-for the greater part of coarse, obscene, and indelicate recitals in no
-wise shows that the coarse and the indelicate were the primary motives
-in the sacred lore of the people, but it does indicate the need of
-clean-minded collectors of these narratives, men who know that the
-obscene can not be the dominant theme of the legendary lore of any
-people. Such men will take the necessary time and trouble to become
-sufficiently acquainted with the people whose literature they desire to
-record to gain the confidence and good will of the teachers and the
-wise men and women of the community, because these are the only persons
-capable of giving anything like a trustworthy recital of the legendary
-and the poetic narratives and the sacred lore of their people.
-
-Should one attempt to acquire standard specimens of the literature of
-the white people of America by consulting corner loafers and their ilk,
-thereby obtaining a mass of coarse and obscene tales and stories wholly
-misrepresenting the living thought of the great mass of the white
-people of the country, the procedure would in no wise differ,
-seemingly, from the usual course pursued by those who claim to be
-collecting the literature of the American Indian people by consulting
-immature youth, agency interpreters, and other uninformed persons,
-rather than by gaining the confidence of and consulting the native
-priests and shamans and statesmen.
-
-To claim that in American Indian communities their story-tellers, owing
-to alleged Christian influence, are editing the mythic tales and
-legends of their people into a higher moral tone is specious and is a
-sop thrown to religious prejudice for the purpose of giving color to
-the defense of an erroneous view of the moral tone of such myths and
-legends.
-
-It is notorious that in this transition period of American Indian life
-the frontiersman and the trader on the borderland have not been in
-general of such moral character as to reflect the highest ideals in
-thought or action. Few genuine native legends and myths show any
-so-called “moral” revision from contact with “white people.” It is, of
-course, undeniable that the coarse, the rude, and the vulgar in word,
-thought, and deed are very real and ever-present elements in the life
-of every so-called Christian community; and they are present in every
-other community. But this fact does not at all argue that it is useful
-to collect and record in detail the narratives of these indecent
-aspects of life in any community, because the wholesome, the
-instructive, and the poetic and beautiful are, forsooth, far more
-difficult to obtain.
-
-Except in the case of novices in the work it may be stated that the
-moral tone or quality of the mythic and legendary material collected in
-any community is measurably an unconscious reflex of the mental and
-moral attitude of the collector toward the high ideals of the race.
-
-It is a pleasure to make reference here to the work of Mr. Frank
-Hamilton Cushing, Dr. Washington Matthews, and Mr. Jeremiah Curtin,
-who, in order to study with discrimination and sympathy the spoken
-literature of the American Indians, took the necessary trouble to learn
-the motif of the narratives of mythic and legendary origin of these
-people; hence they did not feel it incumbent upon them to apologize for
-the moral tone of the legends and myths they recorded and published,
-for their own mental attitude toward the wholesome, the worthy, and the
-noble was such as to enable them to discover and to appreciate the same
-qualities in the thinking of the people they studied. To expound like
-the priest, to speak like the prophet, and to think like the
-myth-maker, were among the gifts of these men which enabled them to
-understand the motives underlying the myths and legends of the tribal
-men of the world, while they were at the same time fully alive to the
-scientific use and value of these same poetic narratives when analyzed
-and interpreted sympathetically.
-
-Mr. Curtin obtained his Seneca material from the following persons of
-the Seneca tribe, many of whom have since died: Abraham Johnny-John,
-Solomon O’Bail, George Titus, John Armstrong, Zachariah Jimeson, Andrew
-Fox, Henry Jacob, Henry Silverheels, Peter White, Black Chief, and
-Phoebe Logan. He recorded an extensive vocabulary of the Seneca, with
-which he had become familiar by intensive study of its structure.
-
-Mr. Curtin, with the mind of a master, fully grasped the importance and
-the paramount significance of the intelligent collection, and the
-deeper sympathetic study, of legends and myths in general, and of those
-of the American Indians in particular, in the final establishment of
-the science of mythology.
-
-To the editor it is one of the delightful memories of his early
-official life to recall the many instructive hours spent with Mr.
-Curtin in discussing the larger significance and the deeper
-implications which are found in the intelligent study and
-interpretation of legends, epics, and myths—the highest type of poetic
-and creative composition. And for this reason he has so freely cited
-from the writings of Mr. Curtin the meaning and the value which such a
-study and analysis had for Mr. Curtin and has for those who like him
-will fully appreciate that “the Indian tales reveal to us a whole
-system of religion, philosophy, and social polity. ... the whole mental
-and social life of the race to which they belong is evident in them.”
-
-The following quotations give all too briefly, perhaps, his philosophic
-views on these questions in his own deft, inimitable way. It is
-believed that these citations will enable the reader and the student to
-gain some clear idea of the pregnant lessons Mr. Curtin drew from the
-analysis and interpretation of the legends and myths which he recorded,
-as well as of his method of studying and expounding them. The Seneca
-collection herewith presented forms only a small portion of his
-recorded mythic material.
-
-
- A few tens of years ago it was all-important to understand and
- explain the brotherhood and blood-bond of Aryan nations, and their
- relation to the Semitic race; to discover and set forth the meaning
- of that which in mental work, historic strivings, and spiritual
- ideals ties the historic nations to one another. At the present
- time this work is done, if not completely, at least measurably
- well, and a new work awaits us, to demonstrate that there is a
- higher and a mightier bond, the relationship of created things with
- one another, and their inseverable connection with That which some
- men reverence as God, but which other men call the Unknowable, the
- Unseen.
-
- This new work, which is the necessary continuation of the first,
- and which alone can give it completeness and significance, will be
- achieved when we have established the science of mythology. [4]
-
-
-Again, he asks: “How is this science from which men may receive such
-service to be founded?”
-
-On this point Mr. Curtin is clear and instructive, maintaining that
-such a science of mythology can be founded—
-
-
- In one way alone: by obtaining from races outside of the Aryan and
- Semitic their myths, their beliefs, their view of the world; this
- done, the rest will follow as a result of intelligent labor. But
- the great battle is in the first part of the work, for the inherent
- difficulty of the task has been increased by Europeans, who have
- exterminated great numbers among the best primitive races,
- partially civilized or rather degraded others, and rendered the
- remainder distrustful and not easily approached on the subject of
- their myths and ethnic beliefs.
-
- Its weightiest service will be rendered in the domain of religion,
- for without mythology there can be no thorough understanding of any
- religion on earth, either in its inception or its growth. [5]
-
-
-The next citation shows Mr. Curtin’s complete mastery of the subject in
-hand, and his conclusions are well worth the careful consideration of
-every student of mythic and legendary lore. In reference to the
-collection of myths and tales and beliefs he presents the following
-wise conclusions:
-
-
- There is everywhere a sort of selvage of short tales and anecdotes,
- small information about ghosts and snakes, among all these races,
- which are easily obtained, and most Europeans seem to think that
- when they have collected some of these trivial things they have all
- that the given people possess. But they are greatly mistaken. All
- these people have something better. There was not a single stock of
- Indians in America which did not possess, in beautiful forms, the
- elements of an extensive literature with a religion and philosophy
- which would have thrown light on many beginnings of Aryan and
- Semitic thought, a knowledge of which in so many cases is now lost
- to us, but which we hope to recover in time ... if civilized men
- instead of slaying “savages,” directly and indirectly, will treat
- them as human beings, and not add to the labor of those workers who
- in the near future will surely endeavor, singly or in small groups,
- to study the chief primitive races of the earth and win from them,
- not short insignificant odds and ends of information but great
- masses of material; ... these races possess in large volume some of
- the most beautiful productions of the human mind, and facts that
- are not merely of great, but of unique, value. [6]
-
- But we have no tale in which it is clear who all the characters
- are; the modifying influences were too great and long-continued to
- permit that. Though myth-tales are, perhaps, more interesting ...
- in their present form, they will have not their full interest for
- science till it is shown who most of the actors are under their
- disguises.
-
- This is the nearest task of mythology.
-
- There are masterpieces in literature filled with myths, inspired
- with myth conceptions of many kinds, simply colored by the life of
- the time and the nations among which these masterpieces were
- written and moulded to shape by artists, made strong from the
- spirit of great, simple people, as unknown to us as the nameless
- heroes who perished before Agamemnon. How much mythology is there
- in the Iliad and the Odyssey, in the Æneid, in the Divine Comedy of
- Dante, in the works of the other three great Italian poets? How
- much in Paradise Lost? How could “King Lear” and “Midsummer Night’s
- Dream,” or the “Idylls of the King,” have been written without
- Keltic mythology? Many of these literary masterpieces have not
- merely myths in their composition as a sentence has words, but the
- earlier ones are enlarged or modified myth-tales of those periods,
- while the later ones are largely modeled on and inspired by the
- earlier. [7]
-
-
-Again he declares:
-
-
- It should be remembered that whatever be the names of the myth-tale
- heroes at present, the original heroes were not human. They were
- not men and women, though in most cases the present heroes or
- heroines bear the names of men and women, or children; they perform
- deeds which no man could perform, which only one of the forces of
- Nature could perform, if it had the volition and desires of a
- person. This is the great cause of wonderful deeds in myth-tales.
- [8]
-
-
-With reference to the work already done in American Indian mythology,
-Mr. Curtin remarks:
-
-
- We have now in North America a number of groups of tales obtained
- from the Indians which, when considered together, illustrate and
- supplement one another; they constitute, in fact, a whole system.
- These tales we may describe as forming collectively the creation
- myth of the New World.... In some cases, simple and transparent, it
- is not difficult to recognize the heroes; they are distinguishable
- at once either by their names or their actions or both. In other
- cases these tales are more involved, and the heroes are not so
- easily known, because they are concealed by names and epithets.
- Taken as a whole, however, the Indian tales are remarkably clear.
- [9]
-
-
-As to the content of these American Indian tales and legends, Mr.
-Curtin says:
-
-
- What is the substance and sense of these Indian tales, of what do
- they treat? To begin with, they give an account of how the present
- order of things arose in the world, and are taken up with the
- exploits, adventures, and struggles of various elements, animals,
- birds, reptiles, insects, plants, rocks, and other objects before
- they became what they are.... According to the earliest tales of
- North America, this world was occupied, prior to the appearance of
- man, by beings called variously “the first people,” “the outside
- people,” or simply “people,”—the same term in all cases being used
- for people that is applied to Indians at present.
-
- These people, who were very numerous, lived together for ages in
- harmony. There were no collisions among them, no disputes during
- that period; all were in perfect accord. In some mysterious
- fashion, however, each individual was changing imperceptibly; an
- internal movement was going on. At last a time came when the
- differences were sufficient to cause conflict, except in the case
- of a group to be mentioned hereafter, and struggles began. These
- struggles were gigantic, for the “first people” had mighty power;
- they had also wonderful perception and knowledge. They felt the
- approach of friends or enemies even at a distance; they knew the
- thought in another’s heart. If one of them expressed a wish, it was
- accomplished immediately; nay, if he even thought of a thing, it
- was there before him. Endowed with such powers and qualities, it
- would seem that their struggles would be endless and indecisive;
- but such was not the case. Though opponents might be equally
- dextrous, and have the power or the wish or the word in a similar
- degree, one of them would conquer in the end through wishing for
- more effective and better things, and thus become the hero of a
- higher cause; that is, a cause from which benefit would accrue to
- mankind, the coming race. [10]
-
- ... Among living creatures, we are not to reckon man, for man does
- not appear in any of those myth tales; they relate solely to
- extra-human existences, and describe the battle and agony of
- creation, not the adventures of anything in the world since it
- received its present form and office. According to popular modes of
- thought and speech, all this would be termed the fall of the gods,
- for the “first people” of the Indian tales correspond to the
- earliest gods of other races. [11]
-
- In the theory of spiritual evolution, worked out by the aboriginal
- mind of America, all kinds of moral quality and character are
- represented as coming from an internal movement through which the
- latent, unevolved personality of each individual of these “first
- people,” or gods, is produced. Once that personality is produced,
- every species of dramatic situation and tragic catastrophe follows
- as an inevitable sequence. There is no more peace after that; there
- are only collisions followed by combats which are continued by the
- gods till they are turned into all the things, animal, vegetable,
- and mineral—which are either useful or harmful to man, and thus
- creation is accomplished. During the period of struggles, the gods
- organize institutions, social and religious, according to which
- they live. These are bequeathed to man; and nothing that an Indian
- has is of human invention, all is divine. An avowed innovation,
- anything that we call reform, anything invented by man, would be
- looked on as sacrilege, a terrible, an inexpiable crime. The Indian
- lives in a world prepared by the gods, and follows in their
- footsteps—that is the only morality, the one pure and holy
- religion. [12]
-
- This creation myth of the New World is a work of great value, for
- by aid of it we can bring order into mythology, and reconstruct, at
- least in outline, and provisionally, that early system of belief
- which was common to all races: a system which, though expressed in
- many languages and in endlessly varying details, has one meaning,
- and was, in the fullest sense of the word, one—a religion truly
- catholic and œcumenical, for it was believed in by all people,
- wherever resident, and believed in with a vividness of faith, and a
- sincerity of attachment, which no civilized man can even imagine,
- unless he has had long experience of primitive races. [13]
-
- The war between the gods continued till it produced on land, in the
- water, and the air, all creatures that move, and all plants that
- grow. There is not a beast, bird, fish, reptile, insect, or plant
- which is not a fallen divinity; and for every one noted there is a
- story of its previous existence.
-
- This transformation of the former people, or divinities, of America
- was finished just before the present race of men—that is, the
- Indians—appeared. [14]
-
- In some mythologies a few personages who are left unchanged at the
- eve of man’s coming transform themselves voluntarily. The details
- of the change vary from tribe to tribe, but in all it takes place
- in some described way, and forms part of the general change, or
- metamorphosis, which is the vital element in the American system.
- In many, perhaps in all, the mythologies, there is an account of
- how some of the former people, or gods, instead of fighting and
- taking part in the struggle of creation and being transformed,
- retained their original character, and either went above the sky or
- sailed away westward to where the sky comes down, and passed out
- under it, and beyond, to a pleasant region where they live in
- delight. This is that contingent to which I have referred, that
- part of the “first people” in which no passion was developed; they
- remained in primitive simplicity, undifferentiated, and are happy
- at present. They correspond to those gods of classic antiquity who
- enjoyed themselves apart, and took no interest whatever in the
- sufferings or the joys of mankind. [15]
-
- Everything in nature had a tale of its own, if some one would but
- tell it, and during the epoch of constructive power in the
- race,—the epoch when languages were built up and great stories
- made,—few things of importance to people of that time were left
- unconsidered; hence there was among the Indians of America a volume
- of tales as immense, one might say, as an ocean river. This
- statement I make in view of materials which I have gathered myself,
- and which are still unpublished,—materials which, though
- voluminous, are comparatively meager, merely a hint of what in some
- tribes was lost, and of what in others is still uncollected....
-
- From what is known of the mind of antiquity, and from what data we
- have touching savage life in the present, we may affirm as a theory
- that primitive beliefs in all places are of the same system
- essentially as the American. In that system, every individual
- existence beyond man is a divinity, but a divinity under
- sentence,—a divinity weighed down by fate, a divinity with a
- history behind it, a history which is tragedy or comedy as the case
- may be. These histories extend along the whole line of experience,
- and include every combination conceivable to primitive man. [16]
-
- During eight years of investigation among Indian tribes in North
- America, I obtained the various parts of that Creation myth
- mentioned in this introduction, from tribes that were remote from
- one another, and in different degrees of development. Such tales I
- found in the east, in the central regions, and finally in
- California and Oregon. Over this space, the extreme points of which
- are 3,000 miles apart, each tribe has the Creation myth,—one
- portion being brought out with special emphasis in one tribe, and
- another portion in a different one. In tribes least developed, the
- earliest tales are very distinct, and specially valuable on some
- points relating to the origin and fall of the gods. Materials from
- the extreme west are more archaic and simple than those of the
- east. In fact the two regions present the two extremes, in North
- America, of least developed and most developed, aboriginal thought.
- In this is their interest. They form one complete system. [17]
-
- To sum up, we may say, that the Indian tales reveal to us a whole
- system of religion, philosophy, and social polity....
-
- Those tales form a complete series. The whole mental and social
- life of the race to which they belong is evident in them. [18]
-
- The results to be obtained from a comparison of systems of thought
- like the Indian and the Gaelic would be great, if made thoroughly.
- If extended to all races, such a comparison would render possible a
- history of the human mind in a form such as few men at present even
- dream of,—a history with a basis as firm as that which lies under
- geology.... We must make large additions indeed to our knowledge of
- primitive peoples. We must complete the work begun in America....
- The undertaking is arduous, and there is need to engage in it
- promptly. The forces of civilized society, at present, are
- destroying on all sides, not saving that which is precious in
- primitive people. Civilized society supposes that man, in an early
- degree of development, should be stripped of all that he owns, both
- material and mental, and then be refashioned to serve the society
- that stripped him. If he will not yield to the stripping and
- training, then slay him. [19]
-
- In the United States, little was accomplished till recent years; of
- late, however, public interest has been roused somewhat, and, since
- Major Powell entered the field, and became Director of the Bureau
- of Ethnology, more has been done in studying the native races of
- America than had been done from the discovery of the country up to
- that time.[18]
-
- Of course there is no true information in the American ethnic
- religion as to the real changes which affected the world around us;
- but there is in it, as in all systems like it, true information
- regarding the history of the human mind. Every ethnic religion
- gives us documentary evidence. It gives us positive facts which, in
- their own sphere, are as true as are facts of geology in the
- history of the earth’s crust and surface. They do not tell us what
- took place in the world without, in the physical universe, they had
- no means of doing so; but they do tell us what took place at
- certain periods in the world of mind, in the interior of man. [20]
-
- An ethnic or primitive religion is one which belongs to people of
- one blood and language, people who increased and developed together
- with the beliefs of every sort which belong to them. Such a
- religion includes every species of knowledge, every kind of custom,
- institution, and art. Every aboriginal nation or human brood has
- its gods. All people of one blood and origin are under the
- immediate care and supervision of their gods, and preserve
- continual communication and converse with them. According to their
- own beliefs, such people received from their gods all that they
- have, all that they practice, all that they know. Such people,
- while their blood is unmixed and their society unconquered, adhere
- to their gods with the utmost fidelity.
-
- The bonds which connect a nation with its gods, bonds of faith, and
- those which connect the individuals of that nation with one
- another, bonds of blood, are the strongest known to primitive man,
- and are the only social bonds in prehistoric ages. [21]
-
- A good deal has been given to the world of late on mythology by
- able writers who with good materials would attain good results; but
- as the materials at their disposal are faulty, much of their work
- with all its cleverness is mainly a persistent pouring of the empty
- into the void.
-
- We have seen attempts made to show that real gods have been
- developed by savage men from their own dead savage chiefs. Such a
- thing has never been done since the human race began, and it could
- never have been imagined by any man who knew the ideas of primitive
- races from actual experience or from competent testimony. The most
- striking thing in all savage belief is the low estimate put on man
- when unaided by divine, uncreated power. In Indian belief every
- object in the universe is divine except man. [22]...
-
- Vegetable gods, so called, have been scoffed at by writers on
- mythology. The scoff is baseless, for the first people were turned,
- or turned themselves, into trees and various plants as frequently
- as into beasts and other creatures. Maize or Indian corn is a
- transformed god who gave himself to be eaten to save man from
- hunger and death. When Spanish priests saw little cakes of meal
- eaten ceremonially by Indians, and when the latter informed them
- that they were eating their god, the good priests thought this a
- diabolical mockery of the Holy Sacrament, and a blasphemous trick
- of Satan to ruin poor ignorant Indians.
-
- I have a myth in which the main character is a violent and cruel
- old personage who is merciless and faith-breaking, who does no end
- of damage till he is cornered at last by a good hero and turned
- into the wild parsnip. Before transformation this old parsnip could
- travel swiftly, but now he must stay in one place, and of course
- kills people only when they eat him.
-
- The treasure saved to science by the primitive race of America is
- unique in value and high significance. The first result from it is
- to carry us back through untold centuries to that epoch when man
- made the earliest collective and consistent explanation of this
- universe and its origin.
-
- Occupying this vantage-ground, we can now throw a flood of light on
- all those mythologies and ethnic religions or systems of thought
- from which are lost in part, great or small, the materials needed
- to prove the foundation and beginnings of each of them. In this
- condition are all ancient recorded religions, whether of Greece,
- Rome, Egypt, Chaldea, Persia, or India. [23]
-
-
-Again, in speaking of the first people, the ancients, or the man-beings
-of the oldest myth, or rather cycle of myths, in America, Mr. Curtin
-continues his exposition of the significance of these poetic figures:
-
-
- After they had lived on an indefinite period, they appear as a vast
- number of groups, which form two camps, which may be called the
- good and the bad. In the good camp are the persons who originate
- all the different kinds of food, establish all institutions, arts,
- games, amusements, dances, and religious ceremonies for the coming
- race.
-
- In the other camp are cunning, deceitful beings, ferocious and
- hungry man-eaters—the harmful powers of every description. The
- heroes of the good camp overcome these one after another by
- stratagem, superior skill, swiftness, or the use of the
- all-powerful wish; but they are immortal, and, though overcome, can
- not be destroyed....
-
- When the present race of men (that is, Indians) appear on the
- scene, the people of the previous order of affairs have vanished.
- One division, vast in number, a part of the good and all the bad
- ones, have become the beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects,
- plants, stones, cold, heat, light, darkness, fire, rain, snow,
- earthquake, sun, moon, stars—have become, in fact, every living
- thing, object, agency, phenomenon, process, and power outside of
- man. Another party much smaller in number, who succeeded in
- avoiding entanglement in the struggle of preparing the world for
- man, left the earth. According to some myths they went beyond the
- sky to the upper land; according to others they sailed in boats
- over the ocean to the West—sailed till they went out beyond the
- setting sun, beyond the line where the sky touches the earth. There
- they are living now free from pain, disease, and death, which came
- into the world just before they left, but before the coming of man
- and through the agency of this first people....
-
- This earliest American myth cycle really describes a period in the
- beginning of which all things—and there was no thing then which was
- not a person—lived in company without danger to each other or
- trouble. This was the period of primæval innocence, of which we
- hear so many echoes in tradition and early literature, when that
- infinite variety of character and quality now manifest in the
- universe was still dormant and hidden, practically uncreated. This
- was the “golden age” of so many mythologies—the “golden age”
- dreamed of so often, but never seen by mortal man; a period when,
- in their original form and power, the panther and the deer, the
- wolf and the antelope, lay down together, when the rattlesnake was
- as harmless as the rabbit, when trees could talk and flowers sing,
- when both could move as nimbly as the swiftest on earth.
-
- Such, in a sketch exceedingly meager and imperfect, a hint rather
- than a sketch, is the first great cycle of American mythology—the
- creation-myth of the New World. From this cycle are borrowed the
- characters and machinery for myths of later construction and
- stories of inferior importance; myths relating to the action of all
- observed forces and phenomena; struggles of the seasons, winds,
- light and darkness; and stories in great numbers containing
- adventures without end of the present animals, birds, reptiles, and
- insects—people of the former world in their fallen state....
-
- To whatever race they may belong, the earliest myths, whether of
- ancient record or recent collection, point with unerring indication
- to the same source as those of America, for the one reason that
- there is no other source. The personages of any given body of myths
- are such manifestations of force in the world around them, or the
- result of such manifestations, as the ancient myth-makers observed;
- and whether they went backwards or forwards, these were the only
- personages possible to them, because they were the only personages
- accessible to their senses or conceivable to their minds....
-
- Since they had passions varying like those of men, the myth-makers
- narrate the origin of these passions, and carried their personages
- back to a period of peaceful and innocent chaos, when there was no
- motive as yet in existence. After a while the shock came. The
- motive appeared in the form of revenge for acts done through
- cupidity or ignorance; strife began, and never left the world of
- the gods till one quota of them was turned into animals, plants,
- heavenly bodies, everything in the universe, and the other went
- away unchanged to a place of happy enjoyment.
-
- All myths have the same origin, and all run parallel up to a
- certain point, which may be taken as the point to which the
- least-developed people have risen. [24]
-
-
-And Mr. Curtin further says:
-
-
- At that period the earth ... was occupied by personages who are
- called people, though it is well understood at all times that they
- were not human; they were persons, individuals. [25]
-
-
-To trace the ancestral sources of a people’s thought and character, a
-careful and critical study of the myths, and later of the mythology of
-that people, first exclusively and then comparatively, is required.
-This study deals with ideas and concepts expressed by three well-known
-Greek terms, mythos, epos, and logos, and also with those expressed by
-the term resulting from the combination of the first and the last of
-these words. These are among many words of human speech which comprise
-all human experience and history. It is remarkable also that each may
-be translated into English by the term “word.”
-
-The word “mythology” is a philosophic term composed of two very
-interesting and instructive Greek words, mythos and logos.
-
-The first term, mythos, denoted whatever was thoughtfully uttered by
-the mouth of savage and barbaric men—the expression of thought which
-had been shut in to mature—a story of prehistoric time, a naïve,
-creative concept stated in terms of human life and activity—a poem. In
-matters of religion and cosmogony such an utterance was final and
-conclusive to those men.
-
-The second term, logos, having at the beginning approximately the same
-meaning as mythos, became in Greek philosophic thinking the symbol or
-expression of the internal constitution as well as the external form
-and sign of thought, and so became “the expression of exact thought—...
-exact because it corresponds to universal and unchanging principles,”
-reaching “its highest exaltation in becoming not only reason in man but
-the reason in the universe—the Divine Logos, the thought of God, the
-Son of God, God himself” (Curtin). The logos is thus the expression of
-the philosophy of men measurably cultured; it is the intelligent
-exegesis of the content of the mythos in terms of objective and
-subjective reality; it is scientific because it is logical; it is the
-later literary criticism—the analytic and synthetic treatment of myths
-and epics. So, in the experience of every people having an ethnic past,
-mythos and logos represent two well-defined stages of human thought—the
-naïve and the philosophic—and also the elder time and the modern. So
-mythology may be defined as the science or the logic of the myth; it
-belongs to times of relatively high culture and does not flourish in
-savagery, for savages have only myths. It may be well to note that a
-third stage of thought is expressed in the Greek term epos, which is
-the adornment or garbing and dramatizing of the myth concepts in poetic
-form, in story, saga, and legend—the epic.
-
-Only modern research with its critical exegesis and sympathetic
-interpretation brings down the study of the concepts of the myths of
-the fathers measurably to the character of a science.
-
-The highest type of poetry expresses itself in myth, in the epos, and
-in the logos. For men of undeveloped thought, of inchoate mentation,
-this is the mental process through which they dimly apprehend the
-significance of the complex and closely interrelated phenomena of life
-and of environing nature, and the medium by which they harmonize the
-ceaseless functioning of these with their own experience, with the
-activity of their own subconscious mind, and with the divine promptings
-and visions vouchsafed them by the dawn of their own superconscious
-intellect.
-
-The initial step of the process is the ingenuous act of the imagination
-in personifying, yea, in ideally humanizing, the bodies, elements, and
-forces of environing nature; as, for instance, the picturing by the
-Iroquois and their neighbors, the Algonquian, of snow as the living
-body of a man formed by the God of Winter, whose breath was potent
-enough to drive animals and birds into their winter retreats and some
-even into hibernation, represented as the hiding of the animals from
-his brother, the Master or God of Life.
-
-The next step in the process is the socialization of this vast
-company—the imputation of life, soul, purpose, and a rational rôle to
-them constitutes the epic, which is also the poet’s handiwork.
-
-As the basis of religious expression, Seneca-Iroquoian myths and
-legends, in common with those of all other men, are to most people the
-empty tales of superstition, the foundations of idolatry, because its
-gods and deities, forsooth, have never actually existed. But myths are
-fictitious only in form and dress, while they are true in matter and
-spirit, for truth is congruity between reason and objects, and hence is
-eternal and universal.
-
-The human side of these personifications of the processes and phenomena
-of nature in some instances has become so real and so natural that
-these beings no longer act or function in terms of the processes of
-nature only, but as the thaumaturgic fetishes of potent sorcerers,
-performing wonderful feats of orenda, as they are represented as doing
-in a large number of these narratives. Now, these accounts are
-certainly not myths and are not legends in the true sense of the term,
-but are, rather, fictitious narratives or tales of reputed individual
-human achievement, quite incredible, of course, as authentic acts of
-mankind. They center about the reputed affairs of a human being, or do
-so at least in the view of the modern story-teller.
-
-In the collection of Seneca narratives of Mr. Curtin eight relate to
-the Genonsgwa (the Stone Coats or Stone Giants), six to Hiʹʼnoⁿʼ
-(Hinon) or the Thunder People, six to the Dagwanoenyent or Whirlwind
-People, five to the Shagodiioweq or Wind People, and three to the
-Djogeon or Dwarf People. It is probable that the two groups of “wind”
-peoples originally arose from a single personage. From single
-personages like Hiʹʼnoⁿʼ or Thunder, Shagodiioweq or the Wind, and
-Dagwanoenyent or the Cyclone or Whirlwind, the story-tellers of to-day
-have created large bodies of fictitious people, representing a reversal
-of the original process by which the first great concepts were formed.
-
-But truth seemingly was not readily appreciable by primal men until it
-was dramatized in saga, in legend, and in myth, in formulas, rites,
-ceremonies, customs, and material symbols based on those narratives; in
-short, it had to be couched in terms of human expression and activity.
-These symbols and figurative expressions bore the fashion and impress
-of the time and the place, and so before truth so dramatized can be
-fully understood it must be carefully freed from the garb and trappings
-of local and temporal use and need; in brief, the literal unreality of
-myth must be lifted from the substantive and the spiritual realities it
-symbolizes.
-
-And, for this reason, a deity embodying or representing one of the
-great recurrent processes of nature or one of the seemingly changeless
-features of the universe is something vastly more than a mere figment
-of the human brain; for, although conceived in terms of man, the
-“deity” in his own sphere and function is limitless in power,
-incomprehensible in mode of life and action, and abides without
-beginning of days or end of years—properties which make the god divine
-and infinitely superior to man, the creature of divine power.
-
-One of the fundamental teachings of the study of the myths of the
-American Indians is that the so-called Genesis or Creation myths relate
-the activities and exploits, in more or less detail, of the “elder
-people,” the “first people,” whom men later call the gods. Rightly
-understood and sympathetically conceived, these events are not
-predicated of human beings as such. These narrations explain in just
-what manner the present order of things in nature arose; they detail
-what took place in a condition of things different from the present,
-and which were, in the minds of their relators, the necessary
-antecedent processes resulting in the establishment of the present
-order of nature. They treat only of the “first people.” None relate to
-human beings and none treat of things done since man appeared on earth.
-
-Human in form and in feeling, and yet most divine, were the gods and
-deities of the ancient Seneca and the other Iroquoian peoples. While
-the divine social and political organization was necessarily for
-psychological reasons a close reflex or replica of the human, and
-although both gods and man derived descent from an original first
-parent, yet the first divine ancestor was a self-existing god, and the
-first man was the creature of one of these divine Powers.
-
-The expression of the mythic—the cosmogonic, the cosmologic—in terms of
-human function and attribute and activity is well illustrated in the
-legends and myths of the Iroquoian peoples. In these sagas the
-personifications of the elements and forces of nature are classified as
-human by the use of the term oñʹgwe, “a human being or mankind” (for
-the word has both a singular and a plural signification), to designate
-them.
-
-The task of classifying these narratives, even tentatively, is not an
-easy one, for the proportion of these stories which seem to be
-unquestionably fiction to those which are myths and legends is
-relatively much larger than might be suspected without some
-investigation. It is clearly wrong to call everything legend or myth
-when the evidence from the facts seems to forbid such action. For it is
-evident that very many of the narratives are fiction—stories composed
-and related to amuse, to mystify, or to glorify some hero, or perhaps
-to spread the fame of some noted sorcerer and his fetishes.
-
-The setting and the framework of the narrative or story may be taken
-from a myth and one or more myth episodes incorporated in it, but the
-result is a fabrication because it does not rest on facts of human
-experience.
-
-Now, for example, the narratives concerning the so-called Stone Coats,
-Stone Giants, or the Genonsgwa are not myths but legends. These beings
-do not figure in the Creation Myth of the Iroquois, but are a brood of
-beings whose connection with Stone is due to false etymology of a
-proper name in a myth. [26] This is an interesting and instructive
-example of forgotten derivations of words and names and the resultant
-new conceptions.
-
-In the Genesis myth of the Iroquoian peoples the Winter Season, by
-personification, was placed in the class of man-beings with the name,
-“He-who-is-clad-in-ice,” or “He-who-is-ice-clad.” Now it so happens
-that the word for ice and for chert or flint stone is derived from a
-common stem whose fundamental meaning is “glare,” “crystal,” or “what
-is ice-like.” But the myth-tellers, in order to add an air of the
-mystical to their recital, did not fail to play on the double meaning
-of the word for ice, and so represented the Winter Man-being as “The
-Flint-clad Man-being” rather than as “The Ice-clad Man-being.” And the
-results of Winter’s cold and frost were told in terms of flint or chert
-stone, and so bergs and cakes and blocks of ice became in the narration
-objects of flint and chert stone. Winter’s cold is conveyed from place
-to place by means of cakes and bergs of ice, which are transformed by
-the poet into canoes of flint or stone. And in time the stone canoe is
-transferred from myth to the realm of fiction and legend to glorify the
-fame of some human hero.
-
-And in the thinking of the Iroquois the Flint-clad Man-being became
-separated and distinct from the Man-being of the Winter. At this point
-the fictitious Man-being who was Stone-clad parted company forever with
-the personified nature force or process that was frost-bearing and
-ice-clad. The former was gradually reduced to a peculiar species of
-mankind—the stone giant, for he was represented as stone-clad, while
-the latter retained his first estate as one of the chief characters in
-the Genesis myth of the Iroquoian peoples.
-
-The ordinary Iroquoian concept of the Stone Coat or Stone Giant
-indicates, to the student at least, that the Winter God, the Great
-Frost Giant of the common Iroquoian Genesis myth, was its source. Aside
-from the evident etymologic connection, the most significant feature is
-the constant tradition that the home land of these anthropoid monsters
-is in the regions of the north where this same authority usually places
-the burial place of the Winter God after his defeat and death at the
-hands of his twin brother, the Life God, sometimes called the Master of
-Life.
-
-The tales which relate how the Stone Coat people are made from perverse
-men and women first by carefully covering the body with pitch and then
-by rolling and wallowing in sand and down sand banks repeatedly, shows
-how utterly forgotten is the true source of this interesting concept
-among the story tellers and their hearers. There is no doubt that the
-original “Stone Coat” was the “Ice-Clad Winter God.” In the Curtin
-collection there are eight stories which refer to the Genonsgwa, or
-Stone Coats, sometimes called Stone Giants, but there is nothing in
-them to connect these peculiar fictitious monsters with the original
-conception. In none are the operations of the winter process predicated
-of these fictitious beings. They are merely exaggerated human figures
-and not symbols of a process of nature, their deeds are the deeds of
-men, and are not the acts of a process of nature expressed in terms of
-human activity.
-
-And thus is founded the race of the Stone Giants or Stone Coats, or
-more popularly the Giants. When once these fictitious beings were
-regarded as human monsters they soon became confused with cruel hermits
-and bloodthirsty sorcerers who because of evil tastes were cannibals
-and dwelt apart from the habitations of men, who shunned and feared
-them, and the tales about them became narratives that do not detail the
-activities of the Winter God—the personified process of nature; and so,
-like their human prototypes, they increased and multiplied mightily,
-and so were as numerous as the leaves on the trees.
-
-The persons or figures produced by the attribution of human life and
-mind to all objective and subjective things were, by virtue of the
-reality of the elements they embodied, the deities or the gods of this
-system of thought. In brief, they were composed of both the
-metamorphosed and of the unchanged first or ancient people who in
-distinctive character were conceived of as the formal and outward
-expression of human mind. In the course of time these deities or gods
-are said to have taught their people the arts and crafts and the
-elements of their culture and their faith, thus revealing their will
-and the things which were to be in the future. This divine knowledge,
-this wisdom of the gods, was obtained or revealed in dreams or visions
-and by theophanies. But a knowledge of the activities of the people
-holding these views makes it evident that the doctrines and the arts
-and the crafts taught by the gods and the institutions founded by them
-for the people are in fact the activities of the people themselves
-which had been unconsciously imputed to these deities. Of course, the
-gods can teach and can reveal only what has been before imputed to them
-by the people.
-
-The original and chief person in the myth was not a human being,
-although he was represented as possessed of the form, the desires, and
-the volition of a person. He is reputed to have performed acts which no
-human being had the power to perform, acts which only the functioning
-of a process of nature or of life could accomplish.
-
-In some of these narratives human beings, bearing human names, have
-been substituted and the heroes and heroines of these stories are men,
-women, and children.
-
-The substitution of human beings in the stead of the personified forces
-or processes of nature supplies the reason that apparently wonderful
-superhuman deeds are accomplished by the human substitutes, whereas the
-acts portrayed are those of natural forces, not of human brain and
-brawn.
-
-The stories of the Dagwanoenyent, or Flying Heads, Cyclones, and
-Whirlwinds, of the Genonsgwa, or Stone Coats (the Frost Giants, or Gods
-of Winter, but originally named Tawiskaron), and of the
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, or Wind God, purport to relate historical events,
-although they are mythic and legendary in form. But unlettered peoples
-do not transmit history. The writing of history presupposes not only
-the art of writing but also some kind of permanent social and political
-organization. Individual experiences fade rapidly, for lacking the
-needful general interest they do not unite with others in forming even
-some phase of the local history of a group. The experiences of
-individuals and even of small unimportant groups of people also lack
-the interest necessary to bring about their transmission as history.
-Hence such uncivilized peoples leave to their posterity no authentic
-accounts of the events of their times, for only in song and saga, where
-poetry mingles with fact, do they attempt to transmit the narratives of
-historical events and experiences.
-
-But with the organization and development of society into greater
-complexity of social and governmental organization there arises the
-need for the transmission of a record of tribal or communal experiences
-in which a certain number of persons are intensely interested—tribal
-wars, feats and acts and sayings of great leaders and reformers, and
-other noteworthy public events claim permanency of record, and thus
-history is written.
-
-Popular tradition treats historical events in a naïve poetical way, and
-authentic historical experiences may thus be preserved. Through poetic
-treatment oral tradition becomes legend, so that one of the clearest
-criterions of legend is the fact that it frequently relates things that
-are not credible. Legend is the tradition of men who have not the art
-of writing and is a particular form of poetic narrative. So that in
-origin and nature history differs from legend because of difference of
-spheres of interest. Private and personal affairs and experiences and
-things that are of some interest to the common people and heroes, great
-personages, and public events and affairs are made attractive to the
-popular minds by means of poetic treatment. Legend is oral tradition in
-use among folk who do not make use of writing or other graphic art to
-secure permanency of record, while history is the written record of
-events and achievements and thoughts of men, which always presupposes
-the existence and the practice of graphic or scriptorial art.
-
-Now, oral tradition, or legend, is not transmitted without important
-variation in details from generation to generation, and so it is an
-untrustworthy medium for the conveyance of historical events.
-
-The saga, or popular story, may become sacred legend—that is, a
-characteristically “sacred” narrative about the “first people,” or the
-gods—or it may remain simply a story or tale. These two classes of
-story or narrative had specific names among the Seneca and their
-congeners of the Iroquoian stock. The sacred legend was called Kăʹkāāʼ,
-or Kăʹkarăʼ by the r-using dialects of the Iroquoian tribes. The
-literal meaning of this noun is not known; in the Onondaga dialect the
-k-sound would be replaced by the g-sound. These legends are “sacred” to
-the extent that they would not be related except during certain seasons
-of the year for the fear of breaking a religious taboo, forbidding
-strictly the telling of this class of narrative. The transgression of
-this prohibition was punished by the offended and vexed “first people,”
-concerning whom the myths or stories are related, although modern
-story-tellers, with scarce an exception, who have forgotten the true
-and logical reason for the inhibition mistakenly declare that the
-aforesaid penalty would be inflicted by the toads or snakes or by some
-other subtle animal.
-
-The myths of the American Indian refer to an order of things which
-preceded the present order, and to a race of man-beings who dwelt first
-in the world above the sky and later in small number only on this earth
-and who were the so-called “first people,” “the ancients.” It is
-evident that myths of origins project backward to an assumed condition
-of things the story of a day or of a year, and creation is described as
-Spring on a universal scale, that is, it explains the manner in which
-the order of things, existent where the stories are told, came about,
-as a Rebirth of Nature. But no one will contend that there were human
-eyewitnesses of what the narratives report.
-
-The wise men, prophets, and priests of tribal men painted these tales
-with the glamour and witchery of poetry. Myths are the poetic judgments
-of tribal men about the phenomena of life and the outside world and
-embody the philosophy of these men about the problems and mysteries of
-the universe around them and in their own lives. So, in order to
-understand these narratives, it is necessary to study them with the
-deepest sympathy. But our sympathy with the viewpoint of the myth
-narratives of tribal men should not veil the realities of science from
-our minds.
-
-Piloted by science in seeking to know the truth about the universe,
-scholars do not expect to discover it in the myth-lore or the folk-lore
-of tribal men. To study the birth and the growth of opinions forms one
-of the most instructive chapters in the science of mind or psychology.
-
-The Seneca name Sʻhagodiioweʹʻgōwā or Sʻhagodiioweʹqgōwā designates one
-of the famous “man-beings” who are of the lineage of the “first
-people.” Some unknowing Indian interpreters render this term
-erroneously by the English words “false face,” which is a translation
-which effectually conceals the literal meaning of the expression, which
-is freely “The Great Ones Who Defend Them.” But as an appellative the
-term is also applied to a single one of these fictitious beings. The
-plural concept is evidently a late development, and probably arose
-after the establishment of societies whose members, when ceremonially
-attired, must for one thing wear a wooden mask having as its essential
-mark a wry mouth. So it is clear that the expression “false face”
-applies to the members of such societies and not at all to the
-man-beings so impersonated. The Iroquoian myth of Creation knows only
-one man-being, who assumed the duty of protecting mankind from
-pestilence and disease. He was the God of the Air or the Wind,
-sometimes appearing as the Whirlwind. Ceremonially he is addressed as
-Sʻhedwásōʹdăʻ or as Etʻhiʻsōʹdăʻ, both meaning “He Who Is Our
-Grandfather.”
-
-It would seem that the pluralizing of the concept has resulted in a
-marked forgetting of the original objective reality represented in the
-concept, which in turn detracts from the high esteem in which the
-original Wind God was held. The Onondaga name of this personage is
-Haduʹʼiʼ; the Mohawk, Akoñʹwărăʼ. Both these names have arisen from
-something peculiar to members of the so-called “False Face Societies,”
-the first meaning, from the common postures assumed by the members,
-“hunch-backed,” and the second, “mask,” from the wooden mask worn by
-the members of the society when in session. So the expression of the
-evil side of the manifestations of the Power of the Wind or Air,
-Pestilence, Disease, and Death may safely be predicated of this member
-of the “first people.”
-
-A god or deity exerts or maintains its influence over the mind and
-heart of man because it is something more than a mere creature of the
-human brain. The god exercises certain attributes, peculiarities and
-forces which place him outside the sphere of human knowledge and
-experience and competence into a class by himself; he embodies in
-himself, according to belief, the power to function as a process or
-force of the universe plus the attributed human faculties and aspect.
-
-Some of the French writers among the early explorers in North America
-refer to a native belief in “the ancients of animals,” which, it was
-stated, were regarded as the type and the progenitors of each
-particular species of animal. But this statement gives only a glimpse
-of a larger faith. These so-called “ancients of animals” were indeed
-only a part of the great company of “the ancients,” “the ancestors,” or
-“the first people,” each being a personified element or process of life
-or of outside nature, who became by fated metamorphosis the reputed
-progenitors of all faunal and floral life on the earth.
-
-But an interpretative understanding of the Genesis myth of the American
-Indians shows that these “ancients,” these primal “ancestors,” were
-regarded as “human beings,” as belonging to that class of animate
-beings to which the Indian himself belonged. Yet, these “ancients” were
-the “gods,” “the beings,” or “the existences,” of anthropic form,
-character, and volition, whose metamorphosis later produced, according
-to the Indian philosophy, the present order of things on earth. So, the
-“first beings,” conceived as “human beings,” were indeed the gods—the
-personified agents of the powers, processes, and phenomena of nature.
-
-It is this principle of transformation, or metamorphosis, that in part
-explains why there are represented largely “anthropic gods” with
-“animal masks” in Central America, Mexico, India, China, Egypt,
-Babylonia, and Assyria, and not many true “animal gods” with “human
-masks.”
-
-But in some places there arose confusion between these poetic creations
-of a childlike faith and the lineal ancestors of men. When pride of
-birth and of position dominated the minds of aristocratic men they
-sought to trace their pedigree to the gods, and so they blindly claimed
-descent from these primal gods, who, in their anthropic aspect, were
-mere fictions of the mind, and so in time and in some lands this
-process resulted in what is usually called “ancestor worship.” This is,
-therefore, never a primitive faith, but only a decadent culture.
-
-All early men of inchoate mentation, of self-centered thinking, shared
-their needs and afflictions, their woes and ambitions, their sufferings
-and aspirations, and their joys and blessings with their gods, feeling
-that their gods who bore their own likeness by the unconscious
-imputation of human nature to them were endowed with the attributes,
-whims, virtues, and frailties of human nature. They believed that their
-gods must be men—man-beings, men like themselves—else these deities
-could not foresee and understand their necessities and so could not
-sympathize with men everywhere. Hence an Iroquois, thinking and
-speaking of their deities only in terms of human speech and thought,
-designates a god or other spirit of his faith by the word denoting man,
-human being, or mankind.
-
-Of the gods and deities of Iroquois myths the editor has written:
-
-
- Like most American Indian mythologies, the Iroquoian deals with
- three great mythic cosmical periods. In the first dwelt a race of
- gigantic anthropic beings—man-beings, let them be called, because
- though they were reputed to have been larger, purer, wiser, more
- ancient, and possessed of more potent orenda (q. v.), than man, and
- having superior ability to perform the great elemental functions
- characterizing definitely the things represented by them, they
- nevertheless had the form, mien, and mind of man, their creator;
- for unconsciously did man create the gods, the great primal beings
- of cosmic time—the controllers or directors, or impersonations, of
- the bodies and phenomena of nature—in his own image. To these
- man-beings, therefore, were imputed the thought, manners, customs,
- habits, and social organization of their creators; notwithstanding
- this, man regarded them as uncreated, eternal, and immortal; for by
- a curious paradox, man, mistaking his own mental fictions, his
- metaphors, for realities, explained his own existence, wisdom, and
- activities as the divine product of the creations of his own
- inchoate mind. The dwelling-place of the first great primal beings,
- characterized by flora and fauna respectively identical with the
- plant and animal life appearing later on the earth, was conceived
- to have been the upper surface of the visible sky, which was
- regarded as a solid plain. Here lived the first beings in peace and
- contentment for a very long period of time: no one knows or ever
- knew the length of this first cosmic period of tranquil existence.
- But there came a time when an event occurred which resulted in a
- metamorphosis in the state and aspect of celestial and earthly
- things; in fact, the seeming had to become or to assume the real,
- and so came to pass the cataclysmic change of things of the first
- period into that now seen on the earth and in the sky, and the
- close of this period was the dawn of the gods of this mythology.
- [27]
-
-
-So the character and the nature of the deities and spirits of the faith
-of the Iroquois peoples were a direct reflex of those attributes of the
-people themselves. It may be inferred in general that the more
-primitive and cultureless the people are the more crude, the more
-barbaric and savage will be their conceptions of their gods and the
-nature and functions of these naïve creations, but, conversely, it is
-only with the possession of a higher degree of intelligence that come
-nobler, more refined, grander, and more spiritual ideas of their gods.
-This admits of no exception.
-
-Whatever, therefore, the final terms are in which men at any time and
-place define their deities, the premises of their reasoning about them
-is always quite the same—namely, to define the unknown man in terms of
-the known men themselves—but this known quantity, man, is variable and
-inconstant, changing with time and place. All powers and functions and
-attributes of mind and body, inherent in man and distinctive of him—no
-matter whether beneficent or evil—men imputed to their gods in more or
-less idealized form.
-
-Guided by inchoate reasoning, the crude thinking of unscientific minds,
-all early men, responsive to external stimuli and the internal yearning
-for truth, ascribed to their gods and spirits not only all human
-functions and attributes measurably idealized, but also all their arts
-and social and religious institutions were likewise attributed,
-probably quite unconsciously, to their gods and deities. These
-anthropic features and activities and anthropopathic mind were not
-ascribed, of course, to other men, but rather to the so-called “first
-people”—the personified, animated and humanized phenomena and processes
-of nature, of the environments of their experience. Thus, the social
-and institutional organization of the gods becomes a somewhat idealized
-epitome or reflex of the human society as it existed and exists among
-the people in whose minds these divine organizations had their origin.
-By so doing men painted, either consciously or unconsciously, in their
-religious activities and in their god-lore a faithful picture of the
-earliest culture and civilization of their own ethnic progenitors.
-
-Hence, when authentic historical records are wanting the student may by
-close and sympathetic analysis and interpretation of the myths and the
-religion of a people acquire a fairly accurate knowledge of the history
-and culture of such a people. In this manner, indeed, the gods verily
-become the revealers of all history and the teachers of the arts and
-crafts and industries and the true founders of the institutions—human
-and divine—to that people. In this interaction of the human mind with
-the forces and phenomena of life and environing nature lies the true
-source of inspiration and prophecy. The history of the gods is the
-history of man. Because the gods, in general, symbolize universal
-processes in life and nature they and their attributes and functions in
-time become more or less highly idealized creations of the conscious,
-the subconscious, and the superconscious thinking of men.
-
-The lesson of these myths and legends is that man is other than the
-material world; that while he is in it he is not of it; that while he
-feels nature’s elemental activities impelling him and impinging on his
-senses, his apprehensive yearning heart sees the beckoning finger of a
-higher and nobler destiny.
-
-All bodies of myths agree perfectly on one fundamental principle,
-transformation, through which all things on this earth have become what
-they are.
-
-This principle of metamorphosis indicates the mental process by which
-these things were represented as becoming what they seemed to
-be—animated things, subjectively endowed with human form, thought, and
-volition, to explain the phenomena of life and surrounding nature.
-
-
-
-I desire to record here my grateful acknowledgment of the assistance
-rendered by Mr. F. W. Hodge, ethnologist in charge of the Bureau of
-American Ethnology, in the form of valuable suggestions in connection
-with the work and in other ways. I wish also to express my appreciation
-of the courtesy of Messrs. Little, Brown & Co., of Boston, in giving
-the bureau permission to use freely the material contained in the
-instructive “Introductions” written by the late Jeremiah Curtin for his
-interesting books, published by that company under the titles: “Myths
-and Folk-Tales of the Russians, Western Slavs, and Magyars”; “Myths and
-Folk-Lore of Ireland”; “Hero-Tales of Ireland”; and “Creation Myths of
-Primitive America.”
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-PHONETIC KEY
-
-
-a as in father
-ā preceding sound, prolonged
-ă as in what
-ä as in hat
-ǟ next preceding sound, prolonged
-â as in all
-ai as in aisle
-au as ou in out
-c as sh in shall
-ç as th in wealth
-d pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the upper teeth, as
- in enunciating English th in with; the only sound of d employed in
- writing native words
-e as in they
-ĕ as in met
-f as in waif
-g as in gig
-h as in hot
-i as in pique
-ī next preceding sound, prolonged
-ĭ as in pit
-k as in kick
-n as in run
-ñ as ng in ring
-o as in note
-q as ch in German ich
-r slightly trilled; this is its only sound
-s as in sop
-t pronounced with the tip of the tongue touching the upper teeth, as
- in enunciating the English th in with; this is its only sound
-u as in rule
-ŭ as in rut
-w as in wit
-y as in ye
-dj as j in judge
-hw as wh in what
-tc as ch in church
-ⁿ marks nasalized vowels, thus eⁿ, oⁿ, aiⁿ, ĕⁿ, äⁿ, âⁿ
-ʻ indicates an aspiration or soft emission of breath
-ʼ marks the glottal stop, äʼ, ĕⁿʼ
-tʻh In this combination t and h are separately uttered, as th in the
- English words hothouse, foothold.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-MATERIAL COLLECTED BY JEREMIAH CURTIN
-
-
-FICTION
-
-1. THE SISTER AND HER SIX ELDER BROTHERS
-
-Once there was a lodge, which extended east and west, with two doors,
-one at each end. The fire burned in the middle of the lodge, which was
-occupied by a sister and her six elder brothers. Three of the brothers
-used the eastern doorway, and the other three the western doorway, for
-entering and leaving the lodge, while the sister made use of both
-doorways.
-
-The eldest brother said, “What would you say, my brothers and sister,
-if I should take a wife?” “We do not know,” they replied; “perhaps
-nothing, if she does not abuse us.” So he went to bring the young
-woman. He addressed her old mother, saying, “Are you willing that thy
-daughter and I should marry?” She replied, “Certainly, if you will not
-ill-treat her, but have pity on her.” Then the young man went to his
-home, where he said, “She will come.”
-
-Now, the mother made marriage-bread for the occasion. When it was ready
-the maiden, bearing the bread on her back by means of the forehead
-strap, started for the place where abode the six brothers and their
-sister. They received her bread and ate it with a relish.
-
-Then the elder brother said to his wife: “Now, I will tell you. In this
-room you must never cross to the other side of the fire; and when you
-desire to go out of doors you must invariably leave by this eastern
-doorway. But when you desire to enter the lodge you must enter at the
-other side, through the western doorway.”
-
-Then it came to pass that the brothers began to hunt, as was their
-custom.
-
-Some time after this event the bride said, “Oh, pshaw! What the man
-[her husband] thinks is indeed of small account,” and went directly
-through the lodge to the western doorway, the thing which she had been
-forbidden to do.
-
-Now, her husband, the eldest brother, was hunting, and he came to a
-deep gully over which a log extended. In crossing on this log he fell
-off in such a way that his body was caught so that his head hung down
-into the gully.
-
-When night came on his brothers began to fear, saying, “Oh, why does
-not our elder brother return! Let us go seek him.” So they prepared
-torches and started. Following his tracks, in time they arrived at the
-place where the body of their elder brother was hanging. It was found
-that he was barely alive. After carefully extricating him from the
-perilous situation they carried him home, where they properly cared for
-him, giving him food and drink and dressing his wounds.
-
-The next morning the younger brothers said one to the other, “The woman
-who is dwelling here has abused us in this matter; therefore let her
-return to her home.” Overhearing this speech, the young woman replied,
-“It is well. Now, I shall go home.” And, arising in her place, she
-departed.
-
-The fifth brother started in pursuit of her; and as he was about to
-grasp her, she let her skin robe fly back in such a manner that it took
-out the eyes of her pursuer. When the other brothers became aware of
-this misfortune which had befallen him, they were very angry and
-started in pursuit of the young woman. Just as they were about to grasp
-her, again she let her skin robe fly back so that it took out the eyes
-of all the pursuing brothers. Then, indeed, they were very miserable.
-
-And now all the work about the lodge fell to the lot of the little
-girl, the young sister of these blind brothers. These ate whatever
-their young sister, all alone, was able to get for them—weeds and roots
-of various kinds. She was in the habit of running around out of doors.
-
-One day when she had gone for water she saw some boys coming, paddling
-in a canoe and making a great noise as they drew near, laughing and
-shouting. When they arrived where she was they exclaimed, “Come hither.
-Get aboard and let us have some fun.” But she replied, “No; it will not
-be possible for me to do so. I will not do so, because I am taking care
-of my elder brothers. They would become too miserable should I leave
-them.” But they persisted, saying, “Now, anyway, for a short distance
-you can leap into this canoe.” She finally decided to comply with their
-request, and saying, “Indeed, yes!” she got aboard the canoe at once.
-Then they started back, and when they arrived at a bend of the river
-the little girl said, “Now I will get out of the canoe.” But her
-captors, saying, “Come still a short distance farther,” started on.
-
-Matters continued in this wise until they had gone a long distance.
-Then the little girl began to weep. Looking back, she saw a man ugly
-beyond measure, being very filthy in body and exceedingly fat, with a
-very broad face and an enormous stomach. Then the little girl looked to
-the bow of the canoe to see the man who had been sitting there, but he
-was gone; and she wept aloud. The canoe went directly toward the middle
-of the lake. While paddling along they saw an island on which stood a
-lodge. On landing, the ugly man said: “Let us enter the place where thy
-grandmother has her lodge. And, moreover, you must continue to reside
-here. There lives here, too, another girl, who will be your companion.
-You two may play together.” The little girl entered this lodge, and the
-old woman said, “I am thankful that my granddaughter has arrived.”
-
-Some time after this event the little girl who was already in the lodge
-said to the newcomer: “Do you know what will happen to us in this
-place? We two shall die here, for they will kill us both and devour our
-bodies.” So the little girl who had just arrived began to think much
-about her situation.
-
-After a while the little girl who was first at the lodge said to the
-newcomer: “Now, verily, they are about to kill one of us. It is not
-certain which it will be—whether you or I. Tomorrow will decide. The
-one to be killed will be ordered to bring water, and will be killed
-here.” So when night came the newcomer could not sleep; she was
-thinking during the entire night.
-
-When day began to dawn the son of Dagwanoenyent [1] [28] looked down at
-her through the smoke-hole, and said to her: “It is I who will aid you.
-When you go after water you must look for three white chert stones as
-large as you can hold in your hands, and you must take a doll with you.
-When you dip up the water you must set up the doll nearby. Then your
-grandmother will think that it is you standing there when she shall go
-there to strike you with her club. Now, do not fail to do all these
-things as I have directed you.”
-
-In the morning the old woman raised her voice, saying to the little
-newcomer, “Hurry! Arise and draw water.” Then the old woman set the
-kettle over the fire. The girl went to the spring and began to draw
-water. While she was drawing water she carried the three white chert
-stones and placed them side by side in the designated place and set up
-the doll there, too. She did all that she had been directed to do by
-the son of Dagwanoenyent. She was surprised to see a canoe make a
-landing there; in it was a young man. Placing the stones in the canoe,
-she got aboard, as requested by the young man. Then the canoe started
-off.
-
-When the canoe was being paddled far from the island the old woman
-exclaimed, “Go-o-o-oh! My grandchild has been gone a long time,” and,
-calling loudly for her, she went out to search for her. She ran around
-over the entire island looking for her, but was not able to find her.
-Then it was that she saw the doll standing near the spring; on striking
-it a blow with her club she discovered that she had been tricked.
-Thereupon she said, “She is somewhat of a witch. Verily, the son of
-Dagwanoenyent has stolen her away from me; and he is a very ugly and
-filthy man.”
-
-Now she went to the lodge to procure her fishhook and then to the bank
-of the lake at the canoe landing. After unwinding the fishline she cast
-it after the fleeing canoe; the hook caught on the canoe and she began
-to pull on the line. So, while the two were paddling they felt the
-canoe going backward. The young man said, “Do you overturn the canoe
-for there is where the hook has caught on it.” So the young woman
-overturned the canoe and, seizing one of the white chert stones, she
-struck the hook, and while the old woman was pulling on the line it
-gave way. Then the old woman said, “Oh, it is sorrowful! The son of
-Dagwanoenyent and the young woman I shall soon punish for this.”
-
-Then the old woman made another fishhook and it caught on the fleeing
-canoe, and again the young man and the young woman felt the canoe going
-backward. Again the youth said, “Turn the canoe over again and you will
-find the fishhook.” So she did this, and taking one of the white chert
-stones, she struck and again broke the old woman’s fishhook. Once more
-the canoe went forward, and the old woman pulled on the line, which
-suddenly gave way, whereupon she said derisively, “Yeʹʼhe![2]
-Nevertheless I shall kill you both.”
-
-Then she made another fishhook and, going to the shore of the lake, she
-cast the line again toward the canoe, to which it became fast. Again
-the young man said to his young companion, “Overturn the canoe and
-there you will find the fishhook.” This she did quickly and, seizing a
-white chert stone, struck the fishhook a blow which broke it. This was
-the last of the three stones which the young man had told her to bring
-with her. They had now arrived at a point near the mainland.
-
-The old woman now resorted to drinking up [3] the water of the lake,
-and as she drew in the water the canoe started back toward her. When
-they drew near the young man, the son of Dagwanoenyent, seizing a
-knife, ripped the old woman’s body in two and she died. Then the two
-turned their canoe around and soon reached the mainland.
-
-They went together to the place where stood the lodge of the young
-man’s mother, who was an elderly woman of the Dagwanoenyent people.
-Near the lodge stood a large hollow stump, in which the young man
-concealed his wife for the time being, and then he alone went to the
-home of his mother. When he entered the lodge his mother’s pets, some
-wolves, began to howl. The young man reprimanded them, saying,
-“Djisʹnen! [Oh, stop it!] you miserable dogs,” and, seizing a club, he
-struck them several blows, whereupon they fled under the old woman’s
-couch. The old woman said, “They smell you, verily, for you smell like
-a human being.” The young man replied, “Oh, pshaw! You know, indeed,
-that I have been in places where human beings live;” he continued,
-saying, “I am not certain what your mind would think if I should marry
-a woman, a person of the human race.” The old woman said, “Aha!
-Certainly, I suppose. Where is she now?” The young man replied, “Over
-yonder, a short distance.” Then the old woman said, “It is well. In
-what place is she?” She went out of doors and her son pointed, saying,
-“Yonder, in that stump.” Going to the place, the old woman took her
-daughter-in-law out of the stump, and they two went into the lodge of
-the Dagwanoenyent woman, and then the wolves began to bark (howl). The
-young man scolded them, saying, “it is disagreeable. You wretched dogs!
-you wolves!” Thereupon these domestic animals ceased and went under the
-bed.
-
-Some time after this the young woman proved to be pregnant, and in the
-fullness of time she gave birth to male twins. It was not long before
-the twins were quite large.
-
-Then the old woman, their grandmother, said, “Let there be made for
-them sticks—lacrosse sticks for playing ball.” This was done and they
-began to play ball. Again their grandmother said, “Perhaps it is time
-that there should be made also bows and arrows;” and she added, “Now,
-you two must continue to shoot at this thing,” and she gave them a
-raccoon’s foot, taken from the bundle which she kept hidden away. And
-the two did shoot at it in great glee, and this continued for some
-time.
-
-Then the old woman, their grandmother, said to them, “Do not ever go
-toward the north. It will be dangerous for you.” But one of the boys
-said, “Let us go there.” So they went there. Now in that northern place
-there stood a very large and tall pine tree; in its top rested the nest
-of a Dagwanoenyent, who was an old man. As soon as the two boys arrived
-directly under the nest the old man shouted, “Yeʹʼhe! I have detected
-you two, my grandchildren.” Then this disobedient little boy in reply
-said, “So be it. What then shall happen?” Now it is reported that this
-old Dagwanoenyent answered, “Would you two be willing that it should
-rain, and that the raindrops should be mixed with spears (darts).”
-“Certainly,” replied this boy, and immediately he with his twin brother
-crawled far under a rock lying not far away, where they concealed
-themselves.
-
-Verily, it did rain and the raindrops were mingled with darts. As soon
-as this rainstorm ceased each of the boys picked up a spear, and then
-they started for the home of their grandmother, where they soon
-arrived. The boy said, “He shall suffer for this.” His grandmother saw
-the spear or dart that he had. The boy continued, “Tomorrow, he himself
-in his turn shall suffer for this. I in my turn shall detect this, my
-grandfather.”
-
-Next morning, when daylight came the boys started. When they had
-arrived near the tree the boy requested a mole to assist him, and it
-complied with his request. The two boys entered its body and it carried
-them unobserved to the place where stood the tree. Then the boy came
-forth and, leaping up, shouted, “Yeʹʼhe! Grandfather, I have detected
-you, Yeʹʼhe!” The old man asked, “What shall it be that shall happen?”
-The boy said in reply, “Would you be willing that it do so (it is hard
-to tell what you would think about it, should it rain fire).” The old
-man said, “Ho! Certainly, I can do nothing about it. Come then, so be
-it.” And the boy shouted, saying, “Let it rain fire,” and at once it
-began to rain fire.
-
-Then the boy hid himself with his brother under the rock. In a very
-short time the body of the old man took fire and the dead Dagwanoenyent
-fell down there. Then the boy and his twin brother went home again to
-their grandmother. Now the younger of the twins began to relate what
-had taken place on their journey. He said that his elder brother, the
-other twin, had killed Dagwanoenyent. The old woman said, “Now he was,
-indeed, my elder brother”; and she wept and kept saying, “You two have
-killed my elder brother.”
-
-After a while, as the twins were again going from place to place to
-play, they saw a cave which seemed to be a lodge. At once one of the
-boys said to his brother, “Let us enter it.” On going in they were
-surprised to find a number of persons who were all blind, and in very
-wretched condition, for indeed they were scarcely alive. The elder twin
-asked the inmates of the cave, “What great calamity has taken place
-that you are all blind?” One of them answered, “It is a fact that our
-eyes have been taken from us by those false women who are making a robe
-spangled with human eyes, and furthermore Shagowenotha has robbed us of
-our sister younger than we are.” The elder twin then asked the blind
-people, “In what direction do the eye-robe-making women live?” His
-uncle (his mother’s brother) replied, “Directly thither, toward the
-north.” The boy said, “I shall make the attempt to go to get them.”
-
-So they two, the twins, started. In time they arrived at the lodge of
-the women who were making a robe of human eyes; and one of the twins
-said, “I shall go there.” When they reached the place where these women
-obtained their water, he transformed himself, becoming a very small,
-young, blue duck. When the youngest of these sisters, the makers of the
-robe of human eyes, came to draw water she of course saw this pretended
-duck and chased it around, but failed in her attempt to catch it.
-Thereupon the water became turbid and she wholly lost sight of the
-duck. The young water girl started back to the lodge. Having arrived
-there, she related what she had seen, saying, “Verily, indeed, I think
-there must be something hidden here (in my body). I do not know what it
-is that stirs about inside.” The eldest of the sisters asked her, “How
-long has it been so?” The youngest sister answered, “Just now.” So the
-eldest sister examined her, and then said, “Indeed, you are pregnant,
-it would seem.” In a very short time she began to have labor pains, and
-it became evident that she would give birth to a child. She did give
-birth to a male child, a fine boy, and all the sisters were pleased.
-
-Then, it is said, the new-born infant began to cry, and to quiet him
-they showed him various things. They kept this up during the night, so
-they did not get any sleep. In the early morning all fell asleep from
-weariness. The infant, however, was covered with the unfinished robe of
-human eyes. Just as soon as all were asleep the pretended infant
-quickly rose, and, taking the robe of human eyes, he started away. He
-soon arrived where he had left his twin brother to await his coming.
-Then he said, “Come; let us start.”
-
-When they arrived at the place where the lodge of their uncles stood
-they at once began to put the eyes back into the heads of their owners.
-Everyone first made a selection from those on the robe of human eyes of
-the eyes which were his. They were able to put eyes back into the heads
-of all the blind uncles. Whereupon the latter were able to recognize
-one another—their nephews and their brother-in-law, the son of
-Dagwanoenyent, and also their sister.
-
-After this they began to hunt, and they dwelt there together. They were
-happy and contented. And finally, it is said, they became rabbits.[4]
-
-
-
-
-
-2. THE CHILD AND HIS UNCLE
-
-Once there was a child who was left alone in a lodge in a forest; he
-was enjoying himself by playing around the lodge. At last he was
-surprised to hear what seemed to him the voice of a man, which said:
-“Is there no tobacco? Is there no tobacco? I should like to smoke
-again.” Then the child said to himself: “It would seem, indeed, that
-there is some one around here saying, ‘Tobacco. Give me tobacco, for I
-want to smoke again.’ Yet I have always thought that I am alone here.
-In any event, I shall look around from place to place. It seems that
-there is another story (loft) in this lodge, and that it is from that
-place that this man is speaking.” But, forgetting his resolution to
-look for the man, he continued to play until nightfall.
-
-The next morning, while he was again playing around the lodge, he was
-once more surprised to hear the man saying, “Is there no tobacco? I
-should like to smoke again.” Then the boy said, “Oh, pshaw! I forgot
-this thing, but I think that I shall search this place tomorrow to
-learn what this talking may mean.”
-
-So the next morning he looked around in many places. Finding the loft
-in the lodge, he climbed up into it, and while he was searching the
-place he was surprised to find a man lying down who was so lean that he
-appeared to be merely dried bones covered with skin. The boy said to
-him, “What is it that you want?” And the skeletonlike man replied, “The
-only thing I desire is tobacco, for I want to smoke again.” The boy,
-answering, said, “Where is it that tobacco may be found in abundance?”
-The man replied: “It is to be found in a certain place which is, beyond
-measure, one of forbidding difficulties and frightful aspect; and I
-know that in that place dwell Seven Sisters and an old woman, their
-mother and tutor. These people are immune from the effects of normal
-orenda or magic power; and it is these people who have the tobacco.”
-After a pause he added: “Along the way through which the path thither
-goes are obstructions of the most appalling character. In the first
-place, there stands a Tree, a Pine Tree, whose leaves drop on the
-intruder, piercing his body and causing him to die. Some distance
-beyond this point are two living things, which are called Osigwaon;
-that is, two huge Rattlesnakes, which occupy each side of the path, and
-which bite with deadly effect any intruder. Still farther beyond stands
-a great rock, through an opening in which passes the path, and there
-stand two great living things, two Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, which also have
-the power to kill any intruder who may succeed in reaching this point.
-Farther on flows a river, on the other side of which stand two Blue
-Herons, whose duty it is to give an alarm by loud cries to the Seven
-Sisters and their mother on the approach of any intruder; and these, on
-hearing the alarm, issue from their lodge in great fury, carrying their
-war clubs, with which they quickly dispatch the unwelcome intruder.
-Still farther on toward the lodge stands a tree, on which hangs the
-dried skin of a human being, which, on the approach of an intruder,
-sings, thereby giving the inmates of the lodge warning of the approach
-of any person whatsoever, and these at once issue from their home,
-bearing their war clubs, to kill the unwelcome guest.” After a long
-pause the man of skin and bones continued: “This is the number of the
-things which have the power to kill persons along the pathway to the
-place where the tobacco is to be found.” [5]
-
-Then the boy replied: “That is all right, for it will not prevent me
-from going after the tobacco, and then you shall be able to smoke. At
-all events, I will go after the tobacco; I will start tomorrow.” Early
-the next morning he started on his perilous journey toward the place
-where the tobacco could be found.
-
-In time he arrived at the place where the first obstacle barred his
-way, the Pine Tree having the magic power (orenda); this he found had
-been transformed into a hickory tree. After looking at it for some
-time, he finally rushed past it just as it was, although he boastingly
-exclaimed, “It shall not fall on me.” And truly when he had got beyond
-the tree he stopped and found that not a thing had touched him.
-
-Continuing his course, finally he came to the spot where the two
-Rattlesnakes stood guard over the pathway. Going into the bushes which
-surrounded the path, to hunt for two chipmunks, he killed two.
-Returning to the two Rattlesnakes, he gave a chipmunk to each, saying,
-“You must not in any manner enchant me. I recompense you with these
-chipmunks for the favor I ask of you.” Seizing the proffered chipmunks,
-the Rattlesnakes began to swallow them.
-
-Starting onward again in his journey, the boy continued his course
-until startled by seeing the two Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa standing in the
-narrow opening of the great rock. Going into the forest, he procured
-some lichens, which he cut up. Making his way to the place where the
-two Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa were standing, he said to them, “Do not enchant
-me; for this favor I will recompense you with this tobacco,” and,
-casting it to them, they received it, and he passed them and kept on
-his journey.
-
-He had gone a long distance when he came to the place at which the two
-Blue Herons were on guard on the farther bank of the river, at the end
-of the log-crossing. Immediately he went along the river a short
-distance and then began fishing; soon he took two fish. Returning to
-the spot where the two Herons were, he said to them, “You must not give
-the alarm, for I will recompense you with these fish for the favor
-which I ask of you”; he gave each a fish and then passed on.
-
-Not far from there he came to the tree on which the entire dried skin
-of a woman hung. For a moment he stood there and then he said, “Come
-hither, thou mole; I am hungry (wearied).” Then the mole came forth
-from out of the ground and the boy said to it, “I am entering your body
-and I want you to go along beneath the surface of the ground and come
-out directly under the place where that woman’s skin hangs yonder.” So
-he entered the body of the mole, which went along at once under the
-surface of the ground. When it reached the place where stood the tree
-it came out directly under the woman’s skin. Then the boy came out of
-the body of the mole and, addressing the dried skin of the woman, said,
-“You must not tell that I am here. Do me this favor and I will
-recompense you with wampum.” Then he went into the forest and peeled
-off some slippery elm bark, which he formed into cylinders resembling
-wampum; placing these in his pouch he returned to the spot where the
-woman’s dried skin hung. When he arrived there he said to the dried
-skin, “Now, I am bringing you a wampum belt,” [6] and he attached the
-belt to the tree beside which she then stood, as he had requested her
-to descend from her usual position.
-
-Again entering the mole, the boy went to the lodge, into which he went
-without anyone knowing of his presence; no one of the Seven Sisters nor
-their Mother knew of his entrance into their lodge. There he found a
-kettle of hominy seasoned with the flesh of the bear (gan­nyaʹgwai-geon
-owa ne shaʹgat), which he began to eat. But he was surprised to hear a
-voice coming out of the fire say, Odegwiyo hodekhoni. Then the old
-woman said, “This is certainly provoking: it is perhaps true that
-Odegwiyo has indeed come into the lodge.” At once she got her war club,
-with which she furiously struck the burning fire a blow, saying that it
-was probable Odegwiyo was concealed therein, as the voice issued from
-the fire. Just then the boy was greatly surprised to hear outside of
-the lodge the voice of the dried woman’s skin singing, “I have detected
-(out-eyed) Odegwiyo.”
-
-The old woman shouted to her daughters, “Have courage, my children, and
-do your duty,” and then she derisively added, “Odegwiyo, you indeed
-have courage,” signifying her contempt for the orenda, or magic power,
-of the boy. Her children rushed out of the lodge, each one carrying her
-war club, and they sought for the boy outside of the lodge, but could
-find no trace of him. When they had about given up trying to find him,
-the dried-skin figure of the woman again began to sing, “Verily, I have
-told a falsehood”; and the old woman answered, “Forsooth, this is
-discouraging,” and struck the dried skin of the woman a terrible blow.
-The empty skin flew away, alighting on the top of another and larger
-tree.
-
-In the meantime the boy got possession of the tobacco and at once went
-out of the lodge, carrying it in a band which he had around his neck.
-He had not gone far when the old woman said, “I have been saying this
-for a long time. Now, Odegwiyo is yonder indeed carrying away the
-tobacco.” They pursued him for some distance, but as he had outwitted
-them and had shown them that he possessed as powerful orenda as they
-had, if not greater, they soon gave up the chase. [Text incomplete.]
-
-
-
-
-
-3. DJOGEON (DWARF-MAN) AND HIS UNCLE
-
-Djogeon lived in the woods with his uncle. When the boy was old enough
-to learn, his uncle taught him how to shoot; for this purpose he took
-him out to hunt. When the uncle grew too old to hunt the nephew then
-went alone.
-
-About noon one day while following an elk, a woman sitting on a log at
-the edge of an opening in the forest called to Djogeon, saying, “Come
-here and rest: I know you are tired.” At first he paid no attention to
-her, but after she had called to him the third time he went to her and
-sat by her side. She talked to him, and before he realized it she had
-his head in her lap and had begun searching therein for vermin.
-
-He soon fell asleep, and when she was satisfied that he was sleeping
-soundly she put him into a basket which she placed on her back and
-started off with great speed, traveling until the sun had almost set.
-Then stopping, she put her basket down and roused the young man, asking
-him, “Do you know this place?” “Oh, yes,” said he, “my uncle and I used
-to hunt here. I know the place very well.” They spent the night there.
-
-The next morning she searched again in his head until he fell asleep;
-then putting him into the basket again, she hurried on as before until
-late in the afternoon. She stopped at a lake and, putting the basket
-down, she again awakened the young man, asking him, “Do you know this
-lake?” “Yes; I have fished here many times with my uncle,” replied the
-young man. Then, taking out of her basket a canoe no larger than a
-walnut, she struck it with her hand repeatedly until it became large
-enough to hold both. Then they both boarded it and paddled across the
-lake. “We will now go home,” said she. “I have a mother and three
-sisters; all the latter are married and live in the same lodge. We will
-go to them,” she declared.
-
-Djogeon and his companion traveled on until they reached her mother’s
-lodge. When they stood at the door her mother saw the stranger with her
-daughter and cried out, “Welcome, son-in-law. I am glad you have come.”
-Djogeon became the young woman’s husband, and they lived happily until
-one night the old woman had a frightful dream, rolling out of her couch
-and over the floor to the edge of the fire. Then her son-in-law jumped
-up and asked his mother-in-law, “What is the matter? Are you dreaming,
-mother-in-law?” She paid no attention to him but rolled about,
-muttering to herself. Then he said, “I will make her listen,” and,
-taking the pestle for pounding corn, he hit her a heavy blow on the
-head. She started up, saying, “Oh! I have had such a bad dream. I
-dreamed that my son-in-law would kill the Ganiagwaihegowa.” “Oh,” said
-he, “I will attend to that in the morning. Now go to sleep,
-mother-in-law.” The next morning the old woman told her son-in-law he
-must kill the bear and bring it back quickly. So he sought and killed
-the bear without much trouble and brought it home.
-
-The next night she dreamed that he must make a great feast for the
-Dagwanoenyent,[7] and that he must invite them all to a feast and
-provide so much food that they would not be able to eat it all. The
-next day he hunted and killed a great many elk, deer, and bear. There
-was an abundance of food, the lodge being full of meat, and still there
-was more. Then he went out and called all the Dagwanoenyent to come to
-a great feast prepared for them to eat their fill. They answered him,
-all agreeing to be at the feast. Soon they began to appear, one after
-another; they came in such numbers that the shelves, the floor, and the
-seats were filled with them. They began to eat, and ate with a terrible
-appetite. The old woman went around urging them, saying, “Eat, eat your
-fill. I want all to have plenty to eat in my lodge.” They ate, and the
-old woman still urged them, hoping that the supply would run short and
-her son-in-law would be killed. The son-in-law, with his wife, her
-three sisters, and their husbands went out to have more food brought in
-case of need. At last the Dagwanoenyent ate until their jaws could move
-no longer and their tongues refused to stir. They said, “We have had
-enough. Mother, mother, enough.” When he heard these words the young
-son-in-law motioned to the walls and roof, saying, “I want the roof and
-walls of this lodge to become flint.” The old woman and the
-Dagwanoenyent, seeing that they were caught, flew around in every
-direction. The old woman begged for mercy. “Mother-in-law, you had no
-mercy on me, so I will not let you out,” answered Djogeon. Then he
-said, “I want this house to become red hot.” As it grew hot the
-Dagwanoenyent flew about with terrible speed, knocking around the walls
-and making such a noise as had never been heard in the world before. At
-last all was still in the lodge.
-
-Then the nephew with his wife and her three sisters and their husbands
-set out for the lodge of Djogeon’s uncle. They went by the road over
-which he and his wife had come. When they reached the lake it was
-covered with thin ice, which could barely hold up a small bird. The
-young man took eight puffballs from an oak tree and, making himself and
-his friends small, each one entered a ball; and when the eight balls
-stood side by side on the ice by the edge of the lake, he said, “Let
-the west wind blow,” and the west wind obeyed, sweeping them over the
-lake to the other side. Then they came out of the balls and, resuming
-their natural size, continued their way until they reached the lodge of
-Djogeon’s uncle.
-
-
-
-
-
-4. THE WOMAN WHO MARRIED A GREAT SERPENT
-
-A woman and her only daughter lived together in a fine bark lodge on
-the outskirts of a village. The daughter was attractive in form and
-feature, but haughty and proud in her bearing. Many young warriors had
-made proposals of marriage to her through her mother. Her customary
-reply was, “That man is not as fine looking and handsome as I want a
-man to be.” Her mother, however, remonstrated with her often on her too
-haughty manner and selfish pride, but she disdainfully disregarded her
-mother’s advice.
-
-One day the mother and daughter started off into the forest to gather
-wood. When they were far from home darkness came upon them, which was
-so intense that the mother said to her daughter, “I think we may as
-well gather bark to make a temporary shelter and wood to make a fire,
-so that we can remain overnight in this place.” So they constructed a
-temporary lodge and kindled a cheerful fire, and made the necessary
-preparations to stay there overnight. After preparing and eating their
-evening meal they sat down on opposite sides of the fire to rest and
-converse together.
-
-Suddenly, while the mother was dozing, a man came and stood beside the
-girl. When she looked up at him she was amazed and charmed by his great
-beauty of face and form. He wore a wampum sash around his body and a
-fine headdress with black eagle plumes waving over it. His entire
-person seemed to shine with paint and oil. Without ceremony he informed
-the young woman that he had come to marry her and that he would await
-her answer. Answering him, the young woman said, “I will first tell my
-mother what you have said, and when I get her reply I will talk to you
-again.” The strange man stood near the fire while waiting for an answer
-from the two women.
-
-The young woman told her mother what he had said to her, and her mother
-answered, “You must do as you yourself like. You have already refused a
-great many men without good cause, so far as I know. Now, therefore, it
-is for you to decide what you must do in this case. You must please
-yourself.” With this equivocal response the girl went back to the man
-and gave him her mother’s answer, adding, “I have decided to become
-your wife. You may follow me to my mother”; then she took her seat at
-his side. When they had been to talk to the mother they returned to the
-fireside. He seemed to the mother also a very handsome man; so she
-agreed to the marriage and the two became husband and wife.
-
-Then the young man said to his young wife, “I want you to accompany me
-to my own lodge tonight.” Then removing the beautiful wampum sash, he
-gave it to her for her mother, saying, “This shall be a sign for your
-mother that we are married.” The mother received it and hung it up, for
-she was much pleased with it. Then the man and his wife started off
-toward his lodge. As they traveled on the wife could see in the
-distance a large clearing, at one end of which she saw a lodge which
-her husband pointed out to her as his. They went into it, and the
-people within seemed to be delighted to see her; so she sat down in her
-husband’s seat. They passed that night and the next day together. On
-the second day the young husband said, “I am going out to hunt.”
-
-He went out. When he closed the door the young woman heard a very
-strange noise; she did not know what to think of it. Then all became
-still. In the evening she heard sounds of the same kind. Then the door
-was flung aside and a tremendous serpent, with his tongue darting from
-his mouth, entered the lodge and placed his head in the lap of the
-young woman, asking her to hunt in it for vermin. She found in his head
-a large number of bloodsuckers, angleworms, and other noisome
-insects.[8] She killed all she found, whereupon then the serpent slowly
-withdrew from the lodge and disappeared.
-
-In a moment the young woman’s husband came into the lodge and he
-appeared to her handsome as ever. He asked his wife, “Were you afraid
-of me when I came in a short time ago?” She replied, “No; I was not
-afraid at all.” The next day he went hunting again. As he started out
-of the lodge and closed the door she again heard the same strange
-sounds that she had heard the day before. About midday she went forth
-to get fuel for the fire and to bring water to the lodge. While thus
-engaged she saw a huge serpent sunning himself upon the rocks; then
-another, and soon another; and she began to be very homesick and
-disheartened.
-
-In the evening her husband came home as before. After he had gone out
-to hunt the third time she began seriously to think of escaping from
-the terrible place in which she found herself, and firmly resolved to
-try to do so. She went into the forest to gather wood, and while
-standing there she heard a voice; turning toward the direction from
-which it seemed to come she saw a very old man. When she looked into
-his face he said: “My poor grandchild, you are very unfortunate. The
-seeming man to whom you are married is evil and wicked. We have tried
-many times to kill him, but he is very cunning and crafty, hence we
-have not yet been able to destroy him. He is one of seven brothers.
-They are all great sorcerers, and like all such evil persons their
-hearts are not in their bodies. Their hearts are tied in a bunch of
-seven, which is carefully hidden [9] under the couch of the eldest one.
-You must now get it and escape with it. My friends and I will help you
-all we can. Do as I have instructed you.”
-
-Going quickly to the lodge, she found indeed the seven hearts tied in a
-bunch, which hung under the couch as the old man had said. Placing it
-under her robe, she fled out of the lodge as rapidly as possible and
-ran at top speed. Soon she heard a voice calling to her, “Stop! Come
-back!” but she rushed on as fast as she could. Then the voice said,
-“You may think that you can, but you can not escape me, no matter how
-you may try.” All her strength seemed to leave her: but at that moment
-her grandfather was at her side, saying, “I shall aid you now, my
-grandchild,” and, taking hold of her robe, he pulled her out of the
-water. Then for the first time she saw that she had been in the water
-all the time. A great black cloud was above them, and she saw the
-Lightning flash, and the Thunder began to shoot his arrows, and the
-Wind lashed the water into great foaming waves. In a few moments the
-young woman saw that her grandfather had killed a great and terrible
-serpent. She saw also standing on the shore men resembling her
-grandfather, who thanked her for the aid she had been to them in
-killing the great serpent and his progeny; for the old grandfather had
-blasted the bunch of hearts with the lightnings and had shot them with
-his arrows, thus killing the serpent and his offspring. These other men
-drew the great serpent out of the water and cut him in pieces. They
-stuck the head on a pole, whereupon the head appeared to her more
-fierce and ugly than before. Then her grandfather said, “Now, my
-grandchild, you must go home with us.” After packing suitable loads of
-the serpent’s flesh they started for home, each with a load of the meat
-on his back.[10]
-
-In a short time they came to what seemed to her to be a lodge, which
-they entered; there the young woman saw an old man whose hair was as
-white as snow and whose manner and voice were kind. To him the leader
-of the party said, “This woman of the human family has helped us to
-kill the great serpent and his progeny.” The old man, looking up at
-her, said, “My granddaughter, I am indeed thankful for the great help
-you have given us in killing that awful serpent and his wicked
-progeny.” While she was sitting there the old man said, “My
-granddaughter, come here to my side.” When she stood beside him he
-rubbed her body up and down with his hands, fortified with his orenda.
-Whereupon several young serpents crawled from her; these were killed at
-once by the men. Then the old man, remarking “You are now entirely
-well,” bade her to be seated.
-
-While she remained in this lodge the younger people went out to hunt
-when they had the inclination to do so. They would bring corn for her
-to eat, as they knew she could not eat their food, which was in large
-measure the flesh of the serpents. They would tell her where they had
-gathered the corn, and they told her also the names of the people from
-whom they had taken it; she recognized the names of some of the people
-mentioned.
-
-One day the old man said to his sons, “Perhaps it would be better for
-you to take the young woman with you to hunt. She shall thus secure
-more orenda.” The sons agreed to this, saying, “It is well.” They told
-her that one of their number was missing, saying, “Deep in the great
-waters there is a terrible bloodsucker lying on a rock. One of our
-number shot at it, but he was not quick enough to avoid the rush of the
-great bloodsucker, and he was caught by it. He lies there on the rock,
-and we can not save him, nor can we kill the bloodsucker. But you will
-go with us, will you not?” She consented to go, and they started for
-the place.
-
-When they arrived at the place they looked down into the water, far
-into its depths, and there they saw the great bloodsucker. All these
-men went high up into the clouds and shot arrows down into the water at
-the great bloodsucker, but they all failed to hit it. Then they asked
-the young woman to shoot an arrow. Willingly she took her bow and
-arrows and shot into the water at the monster. The great bloodsucker
-moved. At her second shot there was a terrible struggle and commotion
-in the water. When all became quiet again, and while she was still up
-in the clouds with the men, they saw that the great bloodsucker was
-dead. Just as soon as the monster died their brother got loose and came
-up to them, and they all rejoiced and then went to their home.
-
-After the woman had been with them about a year the old man said to his
-sons: “I think that it is time that this young woman should go home to
-her mother,” and to her the old man said, “You must not do any kind of
-work—pounding or chopping. You must keep quiet for ten days at your
-home.”
-
-When the time was up they took her toward home. She thought that they
-walked along as ordinary people do. When they neared her mother’s lodge
-they told her to do just as her grandfather had requested her to do.
-She then saw that she was standing in water. A heavy shower of rain had
-just passed over the earth. Her mother’s home was near at hand and,
-bidding her well-going, they left her. She reached home in due time and
-her mother was delighted to see her long-lost child.
-
-She observed her grandfather’s injunction for nine entire days without
-any desire to break his command. But on the tenth day the women of her
-family urged her to help them in their work. At first she refused,
-saying that she could not do so. They urged her so hard, however, that
-finally she struck one blow with the corn-pounder, whereupon the mortar
-split in two and the corn fell to the ground. The orenda of the
-Thunders had not entirely left her yet. This was why the old man had
-enjoined her not to work for ten days.
-
-
-
-
-
-5. THE GHOST WOMAN AND THE HUNTER
-
-Once there was a young man in a village who was an orphan; he had
-neither relatives nor home. He lived in first one lodge and then in
-another.
-
-Once in the fall of the year when warriors were preparing to go to hunt
-deer the orphan wanted to go but could not get a chance to do so; no
-one wanted him as a companion. So he was left alone in the village.
-When all the men had gone he determined to go, too, and he went off by
-himself. Toward night he came to a sort of clearing and saw a lodge on
-one side of it near the bushes; he looked into it but he could see no
-one. In the dooryard was a pile of wood and everything inside was
-comfortable; so the orphan decided to pass the night there. It looked
-as though the other hunters, too, had passed a night there. He made a
-fire, arranged a place to sleep, and lay down. About midnight he heard
-some one coming in and, looking up, he saw that it was a woman. She
-came in and stood gazing at him, but she said nothing. Finally she
-moved toward his couch but stopped; at last she said: “I have come to
-help you. You must not be afraid. I shall stay all night in the lodge.
-I know you are going out hunting.” The orphan said, “If you help me,
-you may stay.” “I have passed out of this world,” said she; “I know
-that you are poor; you have no relatives; you were left alone. None of
-the hunters would let you go with them. This is why I have come to help
-you. Tomorrow start on your journey and keep on until you think it is
-time to camp, and then I will be there.” Toward daybreak she went out,
-starting off in the direction from which she said she had come.
-
-In the morning after preparing and eating some food he started on. In
-the afternoon when he thought it was about time to stop he looked for a
-stream. He soon found one and had just finished his camp as it became
-dark. In the forepart of the night the woman came, saying, “We must now
-live together as man and wife, for I have been sent to live with you
-and help you.” The next day the man began to kill all kinds of game.
-The woman stayed with him all the time and did all the necessary work
-at the camp.
-
-When the hunting season was over, she said, “There is no hunter in the
-woods who has killed so much game as you have.” They started for home.
-“We shall stop,” said she, “at the first lodge, where we met”; and they
-slept at the lodge that night. The next morning she said: “I shall
-remain here, but you go on to the village, and when you get there
-everybody will find out that you have brought all kinds of meat and
-skins. One will come to you and say, ‘You must marry my daughter.’ An
-old woman will say, ‘You must marry my granddaughter,’ but do not
-listen to them. Remain true to me. Come back next year and you shall
-have the same good luck. [This was at a time when the best hunter was
-the best man, the most desirable husband.] The next year when getting
-ready to hunt, a man will try to come with you, do not take him. No one
-would take you. Come alone. We will meet here.” Before daylight they
-parted and he went on his journey with a great load of meat on his
-back.
-
-In the village he found that some of the hunters had got home, while
-others came soon after. All told how much they had killed. This lone
-man said, “I will give each man all he wants if he will go to my camp
-and get it.” Accepting his offer, many went and brought back all they
-could carry. Still there was much meat left. Everyone who had a
-daughter or a granddaughter now asked him to come and live with the
-family. At last the chief came and asked him to marry his daughter. The
-orphan was afraid if he refused harm would come to him, for the chief
-was a powerful man. At last he consented and married the chief’s
-daughter.
-
-The next fall the chief thought he had the best hunter for a son-in-law
-and a great many wanted to go with him, but the son-in-law said, “I do
-not think I shall go this year.” All started off, one after another.
-When all had gone he went alone to the lodge where he was to meet the
-woman. Arriving there he prepared the bed, and early in the night the
-woman came in; stopping halfway between the door and the couch, she
-said, “I am sorry you have not done as I told you to do. I can not stay
-with you, but I decided to come once more and tell you that I know
-everything you did at home and I can not stay.” She disappeared as
-suddenly as she came.
-
-Day after day the orphan went hunting, but he saw no game. He ate all
-his provisions, and had to shoot small game—squirrels and birds—to eat,
-for he was hungry. Returning home, he told the people that he had seen
-no game. This woman who had befriended the orphan, it was said, was a
-ghost woman.
-
-
-
-
-
-6. HAHNOWA (THE TURTLE) AND HIS FORCES ON THE WARPATH
-
-Hahnowa dwelt alone in his own lodge. He was a great warrior and had
-led many war parties successfully.
-
-One day the thought again came to him that he should go on the warpath.
-So following the lead of his desire, he made the necessary preparations
-and then boarded his canoe and paddled away along the river, singing as
-he went along, “I am on the warpath. I am on the warpath.” When he had
-gone but a short distance from his lodge he was hailed by a man who
-came running to the bank of the river calling out, “Hallo, friend! Stop
-a moment! I will go too. We will go on the warpath together.” So
-Hahnowa stopped at the landing, and there on the bank stood an elk,
-which said to Hahnowa, “I should like to go with you on the warpath.”
-Hahnowa replied: “Before giving my consent, I desire to see you run,
-for we might be defeated and then we shall have to run for our lives,
-and unless we can escape through our speed we shall be killed and
-scalped. Now, therefore, run to that mountain and return.” The elk ran
-with great swiftness to the mountain and was back again in a very short
-time. But Hahnowa said, “You can not go, for you do not run fast
-enough. Only swift runners may go with me.”
-
-Reentering his canoe, Hahnowa started off, singing, “I am on the
-warpath. I am on the warpath.” In a short time a man hailed him,
-saying, “Come back to the landing. I should like very much to go with
-you on the warpath.” So Hahnowa turned and made a landing. Then he said
-to his friend, “You must run to show me your speed, for you can not go
-with me unless you can run very swiftly. Therefore run to that second
-mountain and back at your highest speed.” Then Senon [11] showed his
-great orenda and started off, but he had not got fairly started before
-Hahnowa called him back, saying, “Come back; that is enough. You can
-go.” So they two got into the canoe and started off, the Hahnowa
-singing, “I am on the warpath. I am on the warpath. But you, brother,
-smell quite strong.”
-
-As they paddled along they saw another man, who hailed them. Making a
-landing, they asked the man what he desired. In reply he said, “I see
-that you are on the warpath and I want to accompany you.” The Turtle
-answered him, “If you are a good runner, I will take you. To test your
-speed you must run to yonder second mountain and back.” So Kahehda,[12]
-for it was he, turning, started on a run. In this attempt his feet
-crossed and he stumbled and fell. But he quickly arose and had taken
-but a few steps farther when Turtle called to him to stop, telling him,
-“You will do. Come to the canoe.”
-
-So the motley crew started off, with the Turtle singing, “We are on the
-warpath. You, brother, smell pretty strong. You, brother, have plenty
-of arrows.”
-
-They had not proceeded far when a man from the bank hailed them,
-saying, “Stop! Come to the land, for I want to go with you on the
-warpath.” So the Turtle and his friends landed and the Turtle informed
-Degiyahgon [13] that he must show great speed in running to be
-acceptable as a companion on the warpath, and he said, “Run as swiftly
-as you can to yonder second mountain and return.” Degiyahgon was
-instantly off, breaking and crashing through the boughs and shrubbery
-as he rushed headlong on his way. When Degiyahgon returned, the Turtle
-said, “You have failed in your trial of speed,” and he and his friends
-again got aboard of their canoe and sailed away, singing as before.
-
-They had not proceeded far when a man hailed them from the shore,
-saying, “Bring the canoe to the land, for I desire to accompany you on
-the warpath.” The Turtle replied, “I shall first come to see you run,
-for we can take only swift runners, as something may happen while we
-are gone which will make it necessary for us to run for our lives. So
-go to that second mountain yonder and return as speedily as it is
-possible for you to do so.” So Sigwaon [14] raised himself to run, when
-Turtle exclaimed, “Oh, you will do! You may come with me, too.”
-
-So the picked band of warriors again started, the Turtle singing, “We
-are on the warpath. You, brother, smell pretty strong. You, brother,
-have many arrows. And you, brother, have a black face.”
-
-It was now nearly night and they were going to make war on the Seven
-Sisters, whose dwelling place was not far distant. They soon arrived at
-the place and disembarked. The Turtle told his companions that each
-must choose the place best suited to his particular method of fighting.
-So Senon declared that he would sit near the fireplace and that he
-would attack with his odors the first person who approached the
-fireplace. Kahehda chose the pile of wood for fuel, boasting that he
-would attack with his arrows the first person who came out for wood.
-Sigwaon on his part chose the skin bucket in which the shelled corn was
-kept, declaring that he would assault the first person who should come
-for corn. Lastly, Turtle exclaimed that he would station himself near
-the spring and that if anyone went to draw water he would fight him.
-
-So in the early morning of the next day the mother of the Seven Sisters
-arose and took a fire poker to stir up the fire on the hearth. Then
-Senon, who was posted there, at once attacked her with his foul odors.
-The aged woman fell back nearly stifled and unable to open her eyes.
-Her daughters, the Seven Sisters, hearing the commotion, arose quickly
-to assist their mother. Seeing the man fighting their mother, they at
-once attacked him. At first he bravely repelled their assault, but they
-got clubs and fought until they had killed him, and they then threw his
-body out of doors.
-
-Now they started to make the fire, and one of their number went out to
-bring in firewood. When she reached down to pick up a piece of wood she
-felt a severe blow on the arm, and found her arm full of hedgehog
-quills. She at once repelled this attack, and while she was fighting
-Kahehda her sisters came to her assistance. On seeing what had caused
-the trouble they took up pieces of wood and attacked Kahehda standing
-among the logs. They hit him repeatedly on the head until they had
-killed him, and then they threw his body away.
-
-Then one of the sisters needed dried shelled corn to prepare for making
-bread for the day’s meal. Going to the bucket where it was kept and
-putting her hand into it, she instantly felt a sharp blow, and looking
-into the bucket she saw therein a huge Hagonsadji.[15] She called her
-sisters to her assistance, who at once responded. Arming themselves
-with clubs they struck Hagonsadji many blows until he was dead, but by
-this time the sister who had been bitten by Hagonsadji was dead.
-
-Then the aged mother of the Seven Sisters asked one of the daughters to
-bring water from the spring. Going to the spring, she stooped down to
-draw up the water, whereupon she was seized by Turtle. He caught her by
-the toe and held on persistently; she tried repeatedly, but she could
-not get him off. Then she walked backward, dragging him along. When she
-arrived at the lodge her mother was very angry and shouted, “Throw him
-into the fire and let him burn up.” Then Turtle laughed out loud and
-said, “You can not please me more than by casting me into the fire, for
-I came from fire and I like to be in it rather than in anything else.”
-So the old woman changed her mind and said, “I will take him to the
-creek and drown him.” Thereupon Turtle cried out in great agony, “Oh!
-do not do this. I shall die; I shall die if you do.” He begged hard for
-his life, but it apparently availed him nothing. So the old woman and
-the six living sisters, seizing Turtle, ruthlessly dragged him along to
-the neighboring creek and cast him into it, thinking that he would
-drown; he, of course, naturally sank to the bottom. But in a few
-moments he rose to the surface of the water in midstream and, holding
-out his claws as if exhibiting scalps, he exclaimed in derision, “I am
-a brave man, and here is where I live,” and he at once sank out of
-sight.
-
-
-
-
-
-7. THE OLD MAN’S GRANDSON AND THE CHIEF OF THE DESERTED VILLAGE
-
-A certain grandfather and his grandson lived together. They were the
-only people of their tribe left. All the others had been killed by
-sorcerers.
-
-When the boy became old enough he had bows and arrows given him by his
-grandfather, and he would go out hunting. As he grew older he hunted
-larger game, until he was old enough to kill deer. Each time the
-grandson brought home game the old man danced and rejoiced and told the
-youth the name of the game which he had brought in.
-
-One day the grandfather said: “Now, you are old enough to marry a wife.
-I should like to have a woman here to cook. You must go south and find
-a wife. The people there are good and healthy. None of them have been
-killed off. For an ordinary man to reach their village it is a journey
-of six years, but you will go much more quickly.” The grandfather gave
-the young man, among other things, a pair of moccasins and sent him
-off.
-
-About noon of the first day the youth came to an opening in the woods.
-There he found a large village in the opening. He went to one lodge and
-then to another, but he found that they were all vacant. Then he went
-to the Long Lodge,[16] and he looked in; there he saw the dead body of
-a young woman, well-dressed, with beautiful ornaments, lying on a bench
-in the middle of the room. As he looked in, he thought, “I will go in
-and take those things. They will be good presents for my wife when I
-find one.” So he went in, took off the bracelets and neck ornaments and
-then went out. After he was outside of the Long Lodge he said to
-himself, “I think I will go home now and look for a wife another day.”
-
-So he started northward, as he thought, running along quickly. After a
-while he came to a clearing, which, to his surprise, he found was the
-one he had just left; he saw the same village and Long Lodge, and he
-thought, “Well, I must have made some mistake in the direction.” He
-took his bearings again and hurried on toward home. Again he came out
-in the same village. “It must be that this woman brings me back because
-I have taken her ornaments. I will give them back to her.” So he went
-into the Long Lodge and put all the ornaments back on the dead body and
-hurried homeward. On the way he killed a bear. Skinning it and taking
-some of the best meat, he put it into the skin and carried it with him,
-running as fast as he could, hoping to reach home that night. Once more
-he came out at the same Long Lodge in the opening at the time it began
-to be dark. “Well, this is wonderful,” thought he.
-
-He made up his mind to spend the night in the Long Lodge, so he kindled
-a fire, spread out the skin, cooked his meat, and sat down to supper.
-As he ate he threw the bones behind him. Soon he heard back of him a
-noise which sounded like the gnawing of bones by a dog. “Perhaps it is
-a hungry ghost that does this,” thought the young man. “Well, I will
-give it some meat.” So he threw it pieces of meat and heard the sounds
-made as they were being eaten. After he had eaten his supper he got
-under the bearskin to sleep. But he soon felt something begin to pull
-the skin at his feet. When the fire began to die out he arose quickly
-and stirred up the embers, putting on more wood. All was quiet,
-however, and he lay down again. After a while, as the fire began to go
-down again, something crawled over his body and came up to his breast.
-He threw his arms around it, wrapping it in the bearskin covering, and
-sprang to his feet. A terrible struggle now began between the man and
-his unknown antagonist. They wrestled from that place to the other end
-of the Long Lodge and then down along the other side of the room. When
-they had almost reached the place where they started the gray of the
-dawn came; instantly the body in his arms dropped to the floor and lay
-still. He lashed the bearskin around it closely; then, leaving it on
-the floor, he cooked his breakfast.
-
-After breakfast he was curious to know what was under the bearskin, for
-he thought it must be something connected with the woman. Opening the
-bearskin carefully he found nothing but a blood-clot about the size of
-his fist. First, he made a wooden ladle with his flint knife. Then,
-heating water, he dissolved in it some of the blood. Forcing open the
-skeleton woman’s jaws, he poured down her throat some of the blood.
-Again he did the same thing.
-
-At length her breast began to heave. When he had given her half the
-blood she breathed, and when she had taken all the blood she said, “I
-am very hungry.” The young man pounded corn and made thin gruel, with
-which he fed her; soon she was able to sit up, and in a short time she
-was well again. Then she said: “This village was inhabited a short time
-ago. My father was the chief of it. He and all his people have gone
-south and they live now not far from here. Many men from the north
-wanted to marry me, and when I was unwilling to marry them they
-enchanted me in this place, so that my father and all his people had to
-leave, and I was left here for dead.” “Come! I will go with you to
-him,” said the young man.
-
-The young man and woman set out together for the south, and they soon
-came to the village. The first lodge on the edge of the village was
-inhabited by a Crow with a large family, who were very poor. The young
-man was left at a tree outside the lodge to converse with Crow. He told
-Crow the story of the Long Lodge and the recovery of the chief’s
-daughter. The Crow hurried over to the lodge of the chief and said to
-the chief and his wife, “Your daughter has come to life.” The old
-woman, taking a club, began to drive the Crow out of the lodge, saying:
-“You lying wretch! You know that no one has ever come to life after
-being dead more than ten days.” “Oh, well; do not beat him,” said the
-chief, “it may be true that our daughter has come to life, though dead
-twenty days.” “She has,” said the Crow, “for she is over by my lodge.”
-“Well, bring her here,” said the chief.
-
-The two young people then came on invitation, and, as they were both
-willing, the young man became the chief’s son-in-law. After they had
-been married a few days the young man told his wife to go and get the
-best bowl her father had, for he was sick at his stomach and wished to
-vomit. She brought the bowl, and he vomited it full of the most
-beautiful wampum. This was an act which young wizards are expected to
-perform after marriage. “Take that now to your father,” said he. She
-took the bowl of wampum to her father as a gift from her husband. The
-old chief was delighted, and said: “That is the finest man I have ever
-seen. I knew that he was of good stock. This wampum will do me great
-good.”
-
-Two or three days later the young man said to his wife: “You go and
-borrow your father’s bow and arrows, for I want to go to hunt. All the
-young men of the village are to hunt tomorrow, and I must go, too.”
-Starting very early, each one went out alone to hunt deer. The Crow
-went with the young man, and he said, “I will fly up high and look all
-around to see where the deer are.” The Crow saw ten deer some distance
-ahead, and, flying back, said to the young man: “I will fly behind
-those deer and drive them this way. You can kill all.” The young man
-stood behind and waited until the deer passed by; then he turned and,
-as all were in a line, he killed the ten with one arrow. The Crow said
-that in the village they never gave him anything but the refuse. “Oh!”
-said the young man, “you can have one deer for yourself today.” The
-Crow flew home with the news, and said: “What are all the other young
-men good for? The chief’s son-in-law has killed ten deer long before
-sunrise and the others have killed nothing.” None of the other hunters
-had good luck that day.
-
-At night there was a feast and a dance in the Long Lodge. The
-disappointed hunters planned to take vengeance on the young man, the
-chief’s son-in-law. When going around to dance he came to the middle of
-the Long Lodge, by means of witchcraft they made him sink deep down
-into the ground. But the Crow now called on his friend, the Turkey, to
-dig him up. The Turkey came and scratched until he dug down to the
-young man, and with the aid of a bark rope, which the Crow had made,
-together they drew him up.
-
-The old chief now made up his mind to leave the village and the bad
-people, who were enemies of his son-in-law, and to go with the good
-people of the village to live at the lodge of his son-in-law’s
-grandfather. They all went and settled down there and lived happily.
-
-
-
-
-
-8. THE MAN WHO MARRIED A BUFFALO WOMAN
-
-Near the river, at the place now called Corydon, in Pennsylvania, there
-lived a family of Indians. One of the boys arose very early one morning
-and went to the river. The air was foggy, but the boy heard paddling
-and soon saw two little people called Djogeon [17] in a canoe, who came
-to the place where he was and landed. One of them said: “We came on
-purpose to talk with you, for you are habitually up early in the
-morning. We are on a buffalo hunt. There are three buffaloes, two old
-and one young, which run underground. If they should stop in this part
-of the country they would destroy all the people, for they are full of
-witchcraft and sorcery. In two days you must be in this place very
-early.”
-
-When the time was up the boy went to the same spot on the river bank
-and in a short while the Djogeon came and said: “We have killed the two
-old buffaloes, but the young one has escaped to the west. We let him go
-because some one will kill him anyway. Now we are going home.” When
-they had said this they went away.
-
-On the Allegany reservation the Seneca collected a war party to go
-against the Cherokee. One of the company was the fastest runner of the
-Seneca. Before they got to the Cherokee country they met the Cherokee
-and all the Seneca were killed except the fast runner. He ran in the
-opposite direction until out of their reach; then he started home by a
-different road from the one on which the party had set out. The third
-day, near noon, he came to a deer lick, and while he sat there he saw
-tracks which looked like those of a very large bear; he followed these
-until they led to a large elm tree; he found that the animal was not an
-ordinary bear, but one of the old kind, the great Ganiagwaihegowa,[18]
-that eats people, and he said, “It matters not if I die, I must see
-it.” Climbing the tree and looking down into the hollow in the trunk he
-saw the creature. It had no hair; its skin was as smooth as a man’s. He
-thought: “I had better not attack that creature. I will go back to the
-deer lick.” Getting down, he ran to the lick. Then he heard a terrible
-noise and, looking back, he saw the animal come down from the tree.
-Drawing back, he ran and jumped into the middle of the deer lick,
-sinking almost to his waist in the mud; he could not get out, but he
-could with great difficulty take a single step forward. He saw the
-Ganiagwaihegowa coming toward the lick; when it got to the place whence
-he leaped, it jumped after him. He dragged himself along, pulling one
-leg after the other; the animal sank so it could scarcely move. The man
-at last got to solid ground, but the Ganiagwaihegowa sank deeper and
-deeper. When it reached the center of the lick it sank out of sight.
-
-The man ran some distance and sat down on a fallen tree. He did not
-know what to do; he was faint from hunger, having had nothing to eat,
-and was too tired to hunt. Soon a man approached and said, “You think
-you are going to die?” “Yes,” he answered. “No; you will not; I come to
-assist you. Go where I came from, off in this direction,” he said,
-pointing to one side. “You will find a fire and over it a pot; rest
-there and eat; men will come and trouble you, but pay no attention to
-them. When you sit down to eat one will say, ‘Throw a small piece over
-this way’; another will say, ‘Throw a bit over this way’; but pay no
-heed to them. If you throw even a bit, you are lost, for they will
-destroy you.”
-
-He went as directed and found meat and hulled corn in the kettle. As he
-ate, it seemed as though a crowd formed in a circle around him, all
-begging for a portion. They kept it up all night, but he paid no heed
-to their begging.
-
-In the morning, after he had traveled a short distance, he met the same
-man who sent him to the kettle, who now said to him: “I am glad that
-you did as I told you. Now you will live. Go toward the east, and when
-it is near night sit down by a tree. I will come to you.”
-
-He traveled all day, and near sunset he found a fallen tree and sat
-down. Soon the man came and said: “Follow my tracks a little way and
-you will find a fire and a kettle with meat and hulled corn in it; you
-will be troubled as you were last night, but pay no heed to the words;
-if you escape tonight, you will have no more trouble.”
-
-He went as directed; he found the fire and the kettle hanging over it;
-the kettle was filled with meat and hulled corn. That night a crowd
-around him begged for food as they did the night before, but he paid no
-attention to them. After he had started in the morning the man met him
-and said, “Keep on your way; you will meet no further danger, and will
-reach home safe and well.” After going on a little way he turned to
-look at his friend, and saw that instead of being a man it was
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa.[19] He went along, and toward night he began to
-think he had better look for game. He saw a deer, which he shot and
-killed; then, building a fire, he roasted and ate some pieces of
-venison. He was now in full strength.
-
-The next day he kept on, and in the afternoon he shot a deer. When
-night came he lay down by the fire, but he could not sleep. After a
-while he heard some persons coming to his fire—a couple of women, he
-thought. One asked, “Are you awake?” “Yes; I am awake,” he replied.
-“Well, my husband and I have decided to have you marry our daughter
-here,” came the rejoinder. When she said this he looked at them, and
-they were attractive women, especially the younger one. He consented to
-her proposal. He did not know where to go, and thought that if he
-married her he would have company and could find his way home after a
-time. The two women stayed all night. In the morning the mother said,
-“We will go to my home.” They walked on until noon, when they came to a
-village where he thought a goodly number of people were living. He
-stayed with them a long time.
-
-One night he heard a drum sounding near by and heard his father-in-law
-say, “Oh! Oh!” The old man seemed frightened by the call. It meant that
-the little Buffalo, which had escaped from the Djogeon and lived under
-the hill, was going to have a dance and that all must come. That
-morning they went to the place where the drum was beaten. The little
-Buffalo was chief of all these people. He had two wives. When they got
-to the place the whole multitude danced all night, and the little
-Buffalo and his two wives came out and danced. He had only one rib
-[19a] on each side of his body.
-
-The next morning the chief and his two wives came out and went around
-in the crowd. Being very jealous, he pushed the young Buffalo Man away
-from his wives and began fighting them; then he went away again. The
-next morning the old father-in-law said to the man, “The two wives will
-soon come out and go to the stream for water; they will pass near you,
-but you must not speak or smile, for their husband is a bad, jealous
-man, and if you smile or speak he will know it at once and will harm
-you.” He did not, however, obey the old man’s words. The two women went
-for water, and as they came back they smiled and looked pleased, and
-the young man asked them for a drink; they gave it to him and went on.
-His father-in-law said, “You have not done as I told you; now the man
-will come out and say he has challenged a man to a foot-race, and he
-will name you.” Soon the Buffalo Man came out and said: “I have
-challenged this man to run. If I am a better runner than he, I will
-take his life; if he is better than I, he may take mine.” They were to
-begin the race early in the morning and were to run around and around
-the hill. The one who was ahead at sundown was to be the winner. The
-father-in-law said, “You must have an extra pair of moccasins to put on
-if yours get worn out.”
-
-That morning the Buffalo Man came out, and saying, “Now start!” off he
-went. At noon his friends told his opponent to do his best, for the
-Buffalo Man was gaining on him, and had just gone around the turn
-ahead. Soon the man overheard the Buffaloes tell the Buffalo Man to do
-his best, for the other man was gaining on him. Shortly after noon the
-chief’s son-in-law was only a few rods behind, and the Buffalo Man was
-tired; the latter began to go zigzag and soon afterward his opponent
-overtook him.
-
-The latter did not know at first how to shoot the Buffalo Man. He could
-not shoot him in the side, for it was one immense rib; so he decided to
-shoot from behind. He shot and the arrow went in up to the feathers,
-only a little of it protruding. The two ran around once more, and as
-they came near the stopping place the people encouraged the man to
-shoot a second time. He did so, and the Buffalo fell dead. So the words
-of the Djogeon were fulfilled that some one would come who would kill
-the young Buffalo. The people crowded around the man and thanked him
-for what he had done.
-
-After this the old man said to the people, “All can go where they
-like.” They separated, but he and his wife with their son-in-law and
-daughter went home. Then the mother-in-law said to the man, “Now you
-must get ready and go to see your mother.” They started, the man, his
-wife, and mother-in-law. They were ten days on the road. It was the
-time of sugar making. When they got near his mother’s lodge his wife
-said, “My mother and I will stop in these woods; your mother is making
-maple sugar and we will help her all we can.” The young man saw his
-mother and at night went to the lodge, leaving his wife and her mother
-in the woods.
-
-In the night the wife and mother collected all the sap and brought a
-great pile of wood. The next morning when the mother and her son went
-to the woods they found no sap in the troughs under the trees, but when
-they got to the boiling place the big trough was full and a great pile
-of wood was near by. The work continued for some days. Then the old
-woman said to her son-in-law: “It is time for me to go home to my
-husband, and now you may be free. Have no hard feelings. I shall take
-my daughter with me. You must stay with your mother. There are many
-women about here who want to marry you, but do not marry them; there is
-but one that you should marry—the granddaughter of the woman who lives
-in the last lodge at the edge of the village. They are very poor and
-the girl takes care of her grandmother. You may tell the people when
-you get home that you saw buffalo tracks in the swamp; let them come
-out and shoot; the more they shoot the sooner we shall get home.”
-
-The man told the people that he saw tracks in the swamp. The people
-went out, but did not get far before they overtook the Buffaloes and
-killed them. The man knew all the time that they were Buffaloes, but in
-his eyes they seemed like people. As he had been absent from his people
-so long, and as the rest of his company had been killed, the Seneca
-thought him a great man. The women sought him as a husband for their
-daughters, but, refusing every offer, he married the granddaughter of
-the old woman who lived in the last lodge on the edge of the village.
-
-When the Buffaloes were shot the people thought they had killed them,
-but in reality they had not done so. The Buffaloes left their carcasses
-behind, which the people ate, but their spirits went back to the old
-man and they were Buffaloes again.[19b]
-
-
-
-
-
-9. A WOMAN AND HER BEAR LOVER
-
-A man and his wife with two sons—one on the cradle-board yet, and the
-other three or four years old—lived in the woods.
-
-After a while the elder boy became puny and sickly. The man was much
-troubled by this and began to think that his wife was to blame. Every
-day he set out to hunt, and the woman went to get wood and to dig wild
-potatoes.
-
-One day the man resolved to watch his wife; so he hid himself near the
-lodge instead of going to hunt. In a couple of hours the wife came out,
-gayly dressed, her face washed, and her hair oiled; she walked quickly
-to the woods. He followed her stealthily. She stopped at a large tree
-on which she tapped with a stick and said, “I am here again.” Presently
-a noise as of scrambling was heard in the tree, and a great Bear came
-out of the hollow in the trunk and slipped quickly to the foot of the
-tree. After a while the woman went away, and the Bear again climbed the
-tree. The man set off, seeking wild potatoes. Finding a place where
-there were many good ones, he dug up a large quantity.
-
-The next day he took the woman there and dug up as many as she could
-carry; he then sent her home, saying that he would go hunting so that
-they could have a good supper. The hunter then went straight to the
-tree in which lived his wife’s lover, the Bear, and, tapping twice on
-it, said, “I am here again.” The Bear soon stuck his head out, and the
-man shot an arrow at him which brought him to the ground. The hunter
-left the skin of the Bear; he merely opened his body and took out the
-entrails, which he carried home.
-
-The woman was glad and said to the little boy, “Your father has brought
-us a good dinner.” She cooked the entrails and the wild potatoes. They
-all sat down to eat, and the woman ate very heartily; but the man said
-that he was sick, and did not eat of the entrails. When she had nearly
-finished eating and her hands were full of fat, her husband said to
-her, “You seem to like to eat your lover.” “What?” she said. “Oh! eat
-more, eat plenty,” he replied. “I shall eat two or three mouthfuls
-more,” she said. As she was doing this, he said again, “You seem to
-like to eat your husband.” She heard him this time and knew what he
-meant. Jumping up, she ran out and vomited and vomited. Then she ran
-off into the woods to the westward. The next day she took medicine,
-which caused an abortion, resulting in delivery of two bear cubs.
-Leaving them on the ground, she cut off her breasts and hung them on an
-ironwood tree.
-
-A couple of days later the father said to the elder boy, “I think I
-must go after your mother; you stay in the lodge and take care of your
-little brother.” Then he brought a bowl of water and put feathers in
-it, saying, “If anything evil happens to me the feathers will be
-bloody.”
-
-He started west. The first day he found the cubs and breasts on the
-ironwood tree, which he knew came from his wife.
-
-After leaving the cubs the woman went on until she came to a village.
-She stopped in the first lodge at the edge of the village, where a
-family of Crows lived. The woman said that she was looking for a place
-to live, and, being a young woman, would like to get a husband. The old
-Crow said to one of his sons: “Run over to the chief’s lodge, and tell
-him that there is a young woman here who would like to get married.
-Perhaps one of his sons would like to have her.” The boy did as
-directed. “All right,” said the chief, “let her come over here.” The
-woman went over. She had her hair pulled back and tied tight at the
-back so there were no wrinkles on her face, and as her breasts were cut
-off, she looked like a young woman. One of the chief’s sons married
-her.
-
-Two days later her husband appeared at the lodge of the Crows, asking
-whether they had seen such and such a woman. “I have come looking for
-my wife, who left me four days ago,” said the man. “Yes, such a woman
-came here two days ago. She is married to one of the chief’s sons.” “Go
-over,” said the Gagahgowa [20] to one of his sons, “and tell the chief
-that his daughter-in-law’s husband has come.” The young Crow went over
-and delivered the message. “Have you ever been married before?” asked
-the chief of his daughter-in-law. “No,” replied the woman. “Then he
-lies,” said the chief to the Crow’s son. Turning to some of the
-warriors, he said: “We do not want such a fellow as that hanging
-around; go over and kill him.” The warriors went over to the Crow’s
-house, killed the man, and threw his body away.
-
-Immediately the feathers in the bowl were bloody, and the boy knew that
-his father was dead. The next day he started westward, carrying his
-little brother on his back. Following the trail, they found the two
-cubs lying on the ground. Then the little fellow on the cradle-board
-looked at them, then at the breasts on the tree, and he knew that they
-belonged to his mother. They went on until they reached the Crow’s
-lodge, where they inquired, “Have you seen our father, who came after
-our mother?” “Oh, yes; the chief has killed your father, and your
-mother is at the chief’s lodge. She is the wife of one of his sons. You
-run over and tell the chief that his daughter-in-law’s two sons have
-come after her.” He went and told his message. “Have you ever had any
-children?” asked her father-in-law and her husband. “No,” she said in a
-faint voice. “Go home,” said the chief, “and tell them my
-daughter-in-law never had any children. She is a young woman. How could
-she have two sons?” Then, turning to the warriors, he said: “Run over
-and kill those lying children. I do not want to have them around here.”
-When his sons came home the Gagahgowa said: “They will kill those two
-boys. It is a pity. Let us hide them.” When the warriors came the
-Gagahgowa said, “They have gone; they went back home, I think.”
-
-The Crows cared for the boys. After a while the old Crow said: “Let us
-go away from here. Let us go far away into the woods where there will
-be good hunting. These little boys will bring us luck.” The Crow family
-moved far away into the deep woods; they planted corn and beans and had
-good crops. The boys grew up and hunted; they had great luck and
-obtained much game. The whole Crow family were fat and happy.
-
-After several years the old chief at the village said one day: “I have
-not seen that Crow family for a long time. Run over, somebody, and see
-how they are getting along.” A runner, Haheshe,[21] went over and,
-finding the Crow place in ruins, came back and said that their lodge
-had tumbled down and that they had gone away somewhere. “Go,” said the
-chief, “a number of you, and find them. They must be somewhere. Do not
-come back until you know where they are living now.” After a long
-search they found the Crow family living in happiness and plenty, far
-away in the woods. When they told the chief he said, “Let us all go
-there. There must be good hunting in that place.”
-
-As soon as they were on the road it began to snow and to grow cold. It
-continued to snow heavier and faster, the snowflakes being almost as
-large as a man’s hand. The young chief and his wife hurried on ahead.
-She had a child on her back. They reached the Crows’ lodge almost
-frozen to death and covered with snow. The rest of the family were
-either frozen to death, buried in the snow, or forced to turn back. The
-snow was light near the Crows’ lodge, but as there was a great pile of
-deer carcasses near it, they had to carry them in. The elder brother
-was employed at this work when his mother and her husband came. Calling
-out, “My son!” she came near him. He pushed her back with a forked
-stick. She put her baby on him. He threw it on the ground in the snow.
-Just then the old woman of the Crows came out and said: “You should not
-do so. If your mother is wicked, you should not be likewise. Let them
-come in.” And Gagahgowa, the old Crow, allowed them to live there.
-
-
-
-
-
-10. THE FOX AND THE RABBIT
-
-One winter a man was going along quietly over a light, freshly fallen
-snow. All at once he saw another man coming toward him. The other man
-when within hailing distance shouted, “I am Ongwe Ias” (i.e., I am a
-man-eater). The first man decided to run for his life. Starting on a
-run, he circled round and round, trying to escape, but the other man,
-who was also a swift runner, was gaining on him. When the first man saw
-that he could not escape, he took off his moccasins and, saying to
-them, “You run on ahead as fast as you can,” he himself lay down and
-became a dead rabbit, half rotten, and all dirty and black.
-
-When the second man came up and saw the black, dirty old carcass and
-the tracks ahead, he ran along after the moccasins. When he caught up
-with them and saw that only moccasins had been running on ahead of him,
-he was very angry, thinking, “This fellow has surely fooled me. The
-next time I will eat the meat anyhow.”
-
-Thereupon the man-eater turned back. As expected, the dead rabbit was
-gone, and he followed the tracks. He soon came upon a man who sat
-rolling pieces of bark, making cords. The man-eater asked, “Have you
-seen a man pass by here?” No answer came from the cord-maker. Again he
-asked and then pushed the cord-maker until the latter fell over;
-whereupon he answered, “Yes; some one passed here just now.” The
-pretended cord-maker had sent his moccasins on again.
-
-The man-eater hurried on, and the cord-maker, springing up, ran on a
-little and then turned himself into an old tree with dry limbs. He had
-made a circuit and came in ahead of the man-eater. When the latter came
-to the tree, he said, “I believe that he has turned himself into a
-tree;” so, punching the tree, he broke off a limb that looked like a
-nose, and that fell like dead wood. Then the man-eater said, “I do not
-think that it is he,” and started off again on the trail of the
-moccasins.
-
-When he overtook the moccasins he thought, “I now believe that the tree
-was the man, and that he has fooled me again.” He hurried back; when he
-came to the spot where the tree had been it was gone, but where he had
-broken off the limb he found blood. Then he knew that the tree was the
-man he was seeking, and he followed the tracks.
-
-When the man saw that his enemy was after him again, he fled until he
-chanced to come upon the body of a dead man, which he pushed on the
-path. When the man-eater came up, he said, “I will eat him this time;
-he shall not fool me again. I will finish him.” Then he ate the putrid
-carcass. The other man thus escaped his enemy.
-
-[It is said that the man with the moccasins was a rabbit, while the
-man-eater was a fox.]
-
-
-
-
-
-11. THE SNAKE WITH TWO HEADS
-
-In olden times there was a boy who was in the habit of going out to
-shoot birds.
-
-One day in his excursions he saw a snake about 2 feet long with a head
-at each end of its body. It so happened that the boy had a bird and,
-dividing it in two parts, he gave a portion to the snake in each mouth.
-
-The next day he fed it again; and the youth made up his mind to do
-nothing but hunt birds to feed the snake. He went out every day and
-killed many birds and the snake grew wonderfully large. The boy, too,
-became a very good shot; he even killed black squirrels and larger game
-to feed the snake. One day the misguided youth took his little sister
-along with him and pushed her toward the snake, which caught her with
-one of its heads and ate her up.
-
-The snake kept growing and ate larger and larger game. It devoured
-anything the boy brought to it. At last it formed a circle around the
-entire village of his people. The two heads came near together at the
-palisade gate, and they ate up all the people who came out. At last
-only one man and his sister remained. When the snake had swallowed
-enough persons it dragged itself off to the top of a mountain and lay
-there.
-
-That night the man who was saved dreamed that he must make a bow and
-arrows and take certain hairs from his sister’s person and wind them
-around the head of each arrow; then he was to anoint the end of each
-arrow with blood from his sister’s catamenial flow.
-
-When the man arrived near the mountain he shot an arrow at the monster,
-which struck it and worked into its body; and every arrow that the man
-shot did likewise. Finally the snake began to vomit what he had eaten.
-Out came all the people in pieces—heads, arms, and bodies, and wooden
-bowls—for the people had tried to defend themselves with every kind of
-weapon that they could grasp. The snake then began to writhe and squirm
-violently and at last it rolled down into the valley and died.
-
-
-
-
-
-12. A HUNTER PURSUED BY GENONSGWA [22]
-
-Among a certain people in times past four warriors decided to go off on
-a hunting expedition. In order to reach their destination they had to
-ascend a large stream in canoes. Now, it is said these men were the
-inventors of bark canoes.
-
-The eldest member of the party said, “We will go and land at a point
-which is called Kingfisher’s Place.” They had then been out for several
-days, and so after he had told them this they felt glad to know that
-soon they would land somewhere. They entered the mouth of an affluent
-of the stream upon which they first started and, having arrived at
-their destination, the leader of the party said, “This is the place.”
-After they had landed and established their camp the leader said to his
-comrades, “Now, you must hunt and bring into the camp all the game you
-can.” It was then early in the summer. He told each one to do the best
-that lay in his power, with a strict command to observe the usual fasts
-and injunctions.
-
-In the morning of the day following their arrival at the Kingfisher’s
-Place the leader in behalf of his men and himself besought the Stars,
-the Moon, and the Sun to prosper them and to give them a large measure
-of success in killing an abundance of game for their larder. Being
-expert hunters, they soon had plenty of meat and furs; the meat was
-dressed and properly cured, while the skins were prepared for tanning
-later.
-
-One day one of the hunters said: “I am going a little farther away than
-usual. I am hunting elks.” But the leader said to him: “You must be
-careful in all that you undertake. No man must take any chances by
-going far out of the usual bounds, for I fear something evil may come
-to us.”
-
-Now, it so happened that one of the hunters was exceedingly stubborn
-and would not accept advice from any source. So, without regard for the
-timely caution of his chief, he went farther than he had intended to
-go, after an elk. When night came all the hunters reached camp safe,
-except this stubborn man. As the others gathered around their fire at
-night they discussed his probable fate if he had gone too great a
-distance, reaching the conclusion that he had gone farther away than he
-had intended to go.
-
-Now, the stubborn man had traveled all day. When night came on he
-erected a brush lodge and kindled a bright fire. He had encamped near a
-stream. Soon he heard in the distance voices which seemed to be those
-of human beings. Looking across the stream he saw on the farther bank
-what he believed to be two women, one carrying a baby which seemed to
-be very fretful, for the woman sat down and nursed it continually. The
-hunter, who was deceived as to the true character of the supposed
-women, was delighted to see people of any kind at that time.
-
-Now, the women saw him at the moment he looked across the stream to
-learn what kind of people were making the sounds he had heard; and one
-of them hailed him with “Brother, how did you cross the stream?” It
-seemed strange to him that these women should call to him from so great
-a distance, but he told them to cross just below the point at which
-they then were and to come directly toward his fire and camp. The women
-kept on asking him, however, how he had crossed, but he answered only
-as before. Nevertheless, the women continued to say, “Tell us. You must
-have crossed in some place.” The hunter, still dissembling, said, “Yes;
-I did cross right there where I have shown you.” While he talked to
-them he reached the conclusion that these women were not human beings,
-but that they must be Genonsgwa, of whom he had heard so much in the
-traditions of his people. Nevertheless, they were clothed like the
-women of his people, and one of them was quite beautiful in form and
-feature.
-
-One of the women asked him if she could not stop with him overnight.
-The young hunter replied, “Yes; if you will come across the stream.”
-After looking at them more closely, he was firmly convinced in his mind
-that they were not women of the human species. Then one of the women
-said to her companion, “We will go on a little farther; perhaps we may
-find a ford.” Ascending the stream a short distance, they came to a
-footbridge consisting of a fallen log, on which the man had crossed.
-One of the women said to the other, “This is surely the place where he
-crossed.”
-
-When the hunter saw them crossing on the footbridge, he went quickly
-some distance downstream and then, crossing at a ford, he again
-ascended the stream to a spot opposite his camp.
-
-The moment that the women arrived at his camp fire the hunter became
-afraid, because of their actions. On looking across the stream they
-soon saw that the man was then where they themselves had just been, and
-one of them at once called to him: “Why do you run from us? Nothing
-will happen to you, so come back here. We will do you no harm.” Making
-no reply to these challenges, the man saw one of the women pick up his
-tomahawk and draw her finger across its edge, saying, “I do wonder
-whether this would kill a person or not?” The hunter shouted to her,
-“Yes; it can take a person’s life, so put it down at once, lest it do
-you harm.” She laid down the tomahawk and became very angry, because
-she saw that the hunter was determined to keep out of her way. As these
-women showed so great anger, the hunter felt sure they were in fact
-Genonsgwa.
-
-Realizing that they were determined to reach him, the hunter told them
-to come across the stream directly to the point where he then stood,
-assuring them that he would remain there until they arrived. One of the
-women had requested him several times to return to the opposite side of
-the stream, but his only reply was, “You, yourself, come here.” This
-answer only made her angry. Finally the two women started for the
-footbridge, telling the hunter to wait for them, and again he assured
-them that he would do so. But when he saw them crossing he descended
-the stream and recrossed it at the ford; so when they arrived at the
-place where he had said he would await them, he was back at his own
-camp.
-
-The women could not walk side by side, but one had to follow the other.
-The younger one carried the baby. When they saw him back at his own
-fire, they became quite enraged, and one of them said to him, “A time
-will come when I shall get at you.” The hunter replied, “You kill human
-beings, and this is the reason why I do not want you to reach me.” One
-of the women tauntingly replied, “On the other hand, you are not able
-to kill anybody.” Then the hunter said, “You are very angry now, but I
-am about to show you that I can kill you.” Drawing his tomahawk, he
-struck a huge rock, which crumbled into small stones from the blow.
-“Well!” said one of the women, “I do believe that he can kill some
-persons.” Picking up his bow and arrows, the hunter aimed a shot at a
-tree, which he hit with terrific force. Seeing his skill, one of the
-women said, “There, he is really a man to be feared,” and she showed
-signs of astonishment at his feats. The younger woman exclaimed, “We
-have now come into contact with Thunder (i.e., Hinon), it seems.” But
-the elder one said: “Now, I am determined to work my will. He is
-dodging around in an attempt to escape, but I shall do what I intended
-to do at first.”
-
-While they were talking it grew dark and, night coming on, the hunter
-could not see them but he could still hear them converse together. The
-elder woman was angry to think that he had endeavored to avoid them in
-every way. Having discovered who they were, the hunter was very
-cautious in his movements and continually on his guard lest they come
-on him unawares. Finding that, under cover of the darkness, they were
-recrossing the stream on the footbridge, he went down under the water,
-where he remained, going up and down in the middle of the stream bed.
-
-When the elder woman could not find the hunter her anger was wrought up
-to a high pitch against him. He remained in the water until daylight,
-however, when coming up out of the stream he started off toward the
-camp of his fellow hunters. He was a very swift runner and possessed
-good staying powers on the race course; but when it was nearly midday
-he heard a voice behind him saying: “Now I have caught up with you. Now
-you are within my reach.” (The other members of this band were sad at
-the loss of this man, and so they had not gone out to hunt on this
-particular day.) When the fleeing hunter saw the woman overtaking him
-he put forth his best efforts to maintain his exhausting pace, but he
-felt his strength was fast failing him. At every sound of her voice he
-fell to the ground from the effect of her orenda.[23] He knew by her
-manner that she was greatly enraged at him for attempting to escape
-from her.
-
-Seeing that he could not possibly escape her by running he decided to
-climb a tree. He did this none too soon, for he had just reached a
-hiding place in the thick upper branches when the elder of the women
-came to the tree. Like all Genonsgwa she could not look up into the
-tree, for they are prevented from doing so because of the stony
-covering of their bodies. In a short time the younger of the women came
-up bearing the baby. Having nursed the child she said, “We will now
-hurry.” Like her mother she could not look up into the tree, and so she
-did not see the man. Then the elder said, “I shall keep on for the
-reason that he is probably only one of a large hunting party.” As soon
-as the child had finished nursing she desired to know how far the man
-was ahead of them.
-
-Taking a small, animate finger [24] from her bosom, the elder woman
-placed it on the palm of her hand and asked it where the man was at
-that time. In reply the finger stood on end, pointing directly at the
-man in the tree. But the women, not understanding this, were somewhat
-puzzled. While they were thus perplexed the hunter, realizing in a
-moment the priceless value to them of the animate finger, decided to
-steal it, if possible. So, slyly slipping down the tree, he struck the
-ground with a bound, and before the two women realized what had
-happened he had snatched the finger from them and had made good his
-escape. With a wail of despair the Genonsgwa women called to the man to
-give them back the finger, saying, “You will cause us much unnecessary
-trouble if you do not return the finger to us.” But, finding the finger
-of great service to him, he paid no heed to their pleadings.
-
-He could run much faster since he got possession of the finger, as it
-was his adviser and guide, indicating to him clearly the path to be
-taken. He consulted it to learn how far he was from the camp of his
-friends and in what direction the camp was located. After asking it
-these questions, he would place the finger on the palm of his hand,
-when it would point in a certain direction. After running some distance
-he would consult again this animate finger. At last it did not stand at
-an angle but pointed horizontally, and the hunter knew that he had
-arrived very near the camp of his fellows. Having reached the camp, he
-ate some food and regained his strength. He then told his comrades that
-two Genonsgwa women were following him closely, although it is said
-that after they lost the animate finger they could not go much faster
-than a slow run. When the hunter had told his story the chief of the
-party said, “We must gather up all our things and go home tomorrow.”
-
-The next day, just as they had placed all their things in the canoe and
-had pushed off from shore, they saw the elder of the women, who called
-from the bank: “Give me back what you have stolen from me. If you will
-return what belongs to me, you shall be successful; you shall always
-have good luck.” She was weeping and was evidently in great distress.
-Then the chief of the hunting party asked: “What did you take from her?
-It may be true that we shall have greater success if you return it to
-her. I think you would better do so. Show me what you took from her.”
-The young hunter then drew out the animate finger and showed it to him.
-The chief at once said, “Let her have it again.” The hunter replied:
-“It is well. I suppose she will never molest us again.”
-
-Now, all the party were aware that the woman was a Genonsgwa. Placing
-the animate finger on the palm of his hand, the hunter held it out as
-far as he could over the stream toward her. In reaching over the water
-she lost her balance and fell into the stream. She sank at once, and
-all that the hunters saw was bubbles arising from the water. Then the
-young hunter said, “Let us be off quickly.” He retained the animate
-finger, which he afterward used in all his hunting expeditions.
-
-The party reached home safe in due time. The young hunter became noted
-for his skill, owing to the animate finger, which he always consulted
-and which would always point out where he would find whatever game he
-wanted to kill—bear, elk, beaver, or pigeons.
-
-So it happened that ever afterward he had a great supply of all things
-good to eat and of many fine furs and feather robes.
-
-
-
-
-
-13. THE GRANDMOTHER AND HER GRANDDAUGHTER
-
-There was a grandmother living with her granddaughter. They had a skin
-of some kind for their blanket, the hair of which had largely worn off.
-Suddenly they found that the skin had become alive [24a] and was angry,
-and with all their might they ran for their lives. They heard the skin
-coming in fierce pursuit and it seemed very near to them. Then the
-grandmother began to sing, saying in her song, “My granddaughter and I
-are running our best for life; my granddaughter and I are running our
-best for life.” At the end of the song she could scarcely hear the
-sound of the animate skin following them. Not long afterward she heard
-it more plainly, but then they were near home. When they reached the
-lodge, the animate skin was so near it almost caught them. When they
-jumped through the door the skin clawed at them, scratching their
-backs, but they got in. The skin was a bear. The old woman and her
-granddaughter were chipmunks. Chipmunks now have stripes on their backs
-as the result of the scratches received by the two mentioned above.
-
-
-
-
-
-14. THE WOMAN WHO BECAME A SNAKE FROM EATING FISH [25]
-
-In the old times a young man and his wife lived together very happily
-in a village. The young man had a hunting ground one day’s journey from
-the village. There in the forest he had a lodge. He usually asked his
-wife to go with him. She replied always that she would be very glad to
-go and to have a good time there; thereupon he said, “Let us make ready
-and go.” They would set out on their journey and would reach the place
-in the evening. After making a fire and cooking their supper they would
-spend the evening pleasantly.
-
-The day after one such night the man went out and found plenty of game.
-He had like success on the second and third days. Everything seemed to
-be auspicious.
-
-On the fourth day, while the man was gone, the woman saw many fish in
-the neighboring stream when she went for water and decided that she
-could catch some. So she caught several in the water basket. “What good
-luck I have had,” said she; “my husband will be surprised to have fish
-for supper.” She cooked and ate half of the fish and put the rest away
-for her husband. After a while she began to be thirsty. Going to the
-water basket she found it empty, so getting down on her hands and knees
-she began to drink from the stream. After a while she thought that she
-would stop drinking, but being still very thirsty, she drank more; then
-she drank still more, and, on raising herself, she saw that she was
-turning into a snake.
-
-Meanwhile her husband came home. He did not find his wife in the lodge
-and seeing no water basket, he thought she had gone for water. Hurrying
-to the stream, he arrived there just in time to see her lower parts
-become those of a snake. She told him what had happened with regard to
-the fish—that she had had such a hunger for them that she had eaten a
-good many; and that she was sorry, very sorry, to leave him, but that
-she must go to the lake into which the stream flowed. She said,
-further, that in the lake was a serpent with which she had to fight a
-great battle, and that he might go to look on, and that he should burn
-tobacco for her success in the fight.
-
-The woman floated down the stream, and her husband followed her. He saw
-the great battle in the lake. During this struggle the serpents would
-raise their heads from the water higher than a great lodge, and they
-fought and fought fiercely. She conquered the other serpent, but her
-husband did not wait to see the end. He went home.
-
-After a while the husband was told in a dream that he must make a
-basswood woman and dress her up. He did this, using his wife’s clothes.
-The figure became just like his former wife. In another dream he was
-told that he must not touch the basswood woman for ten days. He
-refrained from touching her for nine days. But on the tenth day—she was
-so like his former wife—he touched her, whereupon she disappeared
-forever, there being nothing left in her place but a basswood stick.
-
-
-
-
-
-15. GAQGA (THE CROW) MAKES A JOURNEY AND KILLS MANY PEOPLE
-
-A man, a Gaqga, was traveling. He did not know whence he came, nor
-whither he was going. As he journeyed along he continually thought:
-“How did I come to be alive? Whence did I come? Whither am I going?”
-
-After traveling a long time, he saw smoke through the forest, and
-approaching it, he found four hunters, named Djodjogis.[26] Being
-afraid to go near them, he hid in the thickets and watched them. The
-next morning, after they had departed to hunt, Gaqga crept up to their
-camp and stole their meat, which he carried into the woods, where he
-made a camp for himself. He was lonely and said, “I wish there was some
-other people here.”
-
-One morning he saw that some person was living west of his camp. Going
-to the lodge, he found a man, his wife, and five children; they were
-Djoñiaik [27] people. Gaqga ate the youngest child first and then he
-ate the other four; in the meanwhile the father and the mother strove
-to drive him away, but they could not. Then, leaving old Djoñiaik and
-his wife crying for their children, he went home. Some time after this
-he saw another camp off in the southeast, where he found a family of
-Ganogeshegea28 people. Being afraid of the old people, he ran off, but
-they ran after him and beat him on the head until they had driven him
-far away. Then the man said, “Is it not a shame that such little
-fellows should beat me,” but he dared not go back.
-
-Now he roamed over all the forest, but he could not find his camp. At
-last, saying, “Well, let it go; I do not care,” he walked on toward the
-north. Just before dark he saw a camp. Going cautiously toward it, he
-saw therein four men and a large quantity of meat. That night he hid in
-the woods. Next morning, looking toward the camp, he again saw the four
-hunters, and thought, “I will wait until they have gone to hunt and
-then I will get their meat.”
-
-Soon after this he heard the hunters moving around; then all became
-quiet and he concluded that they had gone. He crept slowly toward the
-camp, but when he reached it he could not find a bite of meat. These
-were the same four brothers from whom he had stolen before. They had
-now finished hunting, and had packed their meat and started for home.
-Disappointed by this failure, he walked on; toward night he saw a camp,
-and, creeping near it, he again saw the four hunters. He listened to
-what they were saying. One said, “I wonder who stole our meat that
-day.” Another said: “I think that man is walking around in the woods. I
-think his name is Gaqga.” “Oh,” thought Gaqga, “they are talking about
-me. They will be on the watch. How can I get their meat?” Then he said,
-“I wish them all to sleep soundly.” They fell asleep, and he went up
-boldly and took all their meat and hid it in the woods, saying, “This
-is the kind of man I am.”
-
-The next morning the four hunters missed their meat. One said, “Who has
-stolen our meat?” Another said: “I dreamed that I saw Gaqga around
-here. I saw him go off toward the southwest.” Then all said, “Let us
-follow the direction given by the dream.” They started and soon came to
-the place where Gaqga was camped. He had been out all night and was now
-sleeping. One of the men said, “Let us kill him.” “No,” said another;
-“let him live; he did not kill us while we were asleep.” They took the
-meat and went away.
-
-When Gaqga awoke he was very hungry, but the meat was gone. “Well,”
-thought he, “I must go and hunt for more meat,” but he could find none.
-About midday he heard the noises made by people. He listened and then
-went on to a lodge. Some one inside was singing and the song said:
-“Gaqga is coming. Look out. Be careful, Gaqga is coming.” “Why does he
-sing about me?” thought Gaqga; “I will go inside and find out.” He
-found a man and his wife and four children. Gaqga said, “I have come to
-stay a few days with you.” “Very well,” replied the man of the lodge.
-During the night Gaqga ate all the children; then he lay down and
-slept. The next morning the old people said, “Where are our children?”
-Gaqga replied: “I dreamed somebody carried off your children, and my
-dream told which way he went. I will go with you to hunt them.” After
-they had gone some distance Gaqga said: “The man lives on that high
-cliff. I can not go with you for I do not like the man who lives there.
-I will wait here.” As soon as the father was out of sight Gaqga went
-away. Now he went on until he came to a place where he found many of
-his own people; they were having a great dance, and he sat down to
-watch them.
-
-Soon Hanisheonon [29] [the Muckworm] came from the east. The people
-stopped dancing and ran in every direction, but Hanisheonon pursued
-them, and, catching them one after another by the neck, threw them off
-dead. Gaqga, who sat watching, said: “What sort of a man is that? I
-wish he would see me; he can not throw me off dead in that way.” After
-killing many of the Gaqga people, Hanisheonon started toward the west,
-with Gaqga following him, but Hanisheonon kept on his course and did
-not regard the noise behind him. At last he stopped and, looking back,
-asked, “What do you want?” “I do not want anything,” said Gaqga; “I
-have just come to be company for you.” “I do not want your company,”
-said Hanisheonon. Gaqga was frightened. Both stood still. Suddenly
-Hanisheonon sprang at Gaqga and caught him, but Gaqga screamed so
-loudly that all his people who had run away from Hanisheonon heard the
-call and came to his aid. They flew at Hanisheonon and pecked him until
-he was dead.
-
-
-
-
-
-16. OHOHWA (THE OWL) AND THE TWO SISTERS
-
-Two sisters of a tribe lived near the edge of a village clearing. The
-chief dwelt near the center of it. The mother of these two sisters was
-accustomed to pick up deer droppings to put into the hominy instead of
-venison or fish. This was a custom practiced only by widows and by
-families who from some misfortune were too poor to obtain meat or fish.
-
-One day one of the sisters asked her mother to let her have some of the
-droppings to mix with the hominy which she was preparing. Her aged
-mother, who was a widow, replied, “You should be ashamed of yourself to
-ask for such things, for you are a fine-looking woman and should marry
-the chief’s son; then you would not be obliged to seek such things for
-meat, for you would have a good hunter to provide you with all the meat
-and fish you required.”
-
-Somewhat abashed, the daughter answered, “Well, if my sister will go, I
-will go; and if he will take us both, it will be well.” So they set to
-work and prepared the usual marriage bread, and when they were ready to
-start they asked their mother how the young man looked. She replied:
-“He is a handsome man, with a hooked nose. Beside the fire he has two
-deer heads, which are alive and open and shut their eyes whenever fuel
-is placed on the fire. This young man is very strong in magic—is
-possessed of potent orenda, and so he has many wild deer around his
-lodge. You must be very careful lest you be deceived by his uncle, who
-also has a hooked nose and very closely resembles his nephew. He will
-attempt to seduce you on the way. The first large lodge you see is the
-one to which you must go.”
-
-So the daughters started and went along slowly. At last they saw a man
-running around old stumps trying to catch something. He did not see
-them coming. Shortly after they came in sight of him he stood
-up—protruding from his mouth was the tail of a mouse. Seeing the girls,
-he said, “Ho, ho, where are you two going?” “We are going to propose to
-the chief’s son,” they replied. “Well, what is his appearance?” was his
-next question. “Our mother said that he had a hooked nose,” came their
-answer. The wily old man said, “Look at me! Is not my nose hooked?”
-“Yes,” said the elder sister, “perhaps this is the man.” So they went
-to his lodge, which was an old, ugly-looking place. He said to them
-that he had to get his deer heads, so he got some old heads which his
-nephew had cast away. His mother and his little boy sat by the fire. He
-told them to keep quiet and they would have bread shortly. The child
-cried out, “Father, give me some bread.” The old man said, “Why do you
-not call me brother? I am your brother.” Then the old man shoved the
-little boy aside and sat down near the girls. One of them said, “We
-want to see the live deer you have around the lodge.” So they went
-outside. This place was not far from that of the nephew. The old man
-called the deer, but they ran away. Then he said to the girls, “You are
-not mystically pure enough to come near those deer, for they are very
-subtle.”
-
-The girls spent the night with the old man. His bed had but few skins,
-and one of the girls asked him, “Why do you not have a better bed?”
-“Oh, my mother is washing the turkey-feather blanket in the creek,” he
-declared.
-
-During the night some person came to the door and said, “Old man, you
-are wanted at the lodge of your nephew.” The old man paid no heed to
-the summons. He was again summoned by the words, “Come! your nephew
-wants you.” Then he declared that he supposed that the people had
-become frightened at something and wanted him to call a council; so he
-started off. After he had gone the girls said, “Let us go over and see
-what is happening.” When they arrived at the lodge they heard loud
-peals of laughter, and so they peeped through crevices in the bark
-walls; they saw the old man dancing and before the fire a number of
-mice roasting on spits. As the old man passed them in his dance he
-would grasp one and eat it hot and burning, and everybody would laugh.
-
-The girls ran back to the lodge of the old man and placed rotten logs
-full of ants in their bed in order to deceive him into thinking that
-they were lying there asleep. Then, taking their basket, which still
-contained some bread, they went outside the lodge to watch. When the
-old man returned they peered into the lodge to see what he would do.
-They saw him quietly creep into the bed between the two logs. Soon he
-began to be bitten by the ants. Thereupon he turned over, saying, “Do
-not be jealous of your sister”; but as the biting continued, he
-repeated his injunction. Finally, the ants made it so uncomfortable for
-him that he sprang out of bed, and then realizing that he had been
-lying between logs of wood full of ants, he bitterly upbraided his
-mother, although she knew nothing of the matter.
-
-The girls then went to the lodge of the nephew, who willingly took them
-for his wives.
-
-It was not long after this that the old man informed the people that
-they must close up the smoke-holes of their lodges, for a great
-pestilence was coming among them. So they did this. Then the old man,
-after sharpening a beech rod, carried it wherever he went. He made a
-great noise, saying: “Blue beech is coming. Blue beech is coming.” When
-he arrived at his nephew’s lodge he cast the beech rod down the
-smoke-hole, and it entered the breast of his nephew and killed him.
-
-The next morning, when the people heard of the death of their chief,
-everyone began to weep for him. By the death of the nephew the old man
-became the chief. He said that some one must marry the girl wives of
-the dead chief; so he called all the young men together, but before
-they could speak their minds the wily old reprobate exclaimed, “None of
-you will do.” He had asked each one for an expression of opinion, but
-would not permit anyone to answer him. Then he closed the conference by
-saying, “I must marry them myself.” But the girls would not remain and
-quickly escaped to their own home.
-
-The old man was an owl, but the nephew was an eagle.
-
-
-
-
-
-17. A GREAT SNAKE BATTLE
-
-In old times some Indians had a great battle with snakes, and this is
-how it happened.
-
-A certain man near the village of the Indians was hunting one day. He
-found a rattlesnake, which he mercilessly tormented. He tied a piece of
-bark around its body and passed another piece of bark through the body.
-Then, fastening the snake to the ground and building a fire, he said,
-“We shall fight,” as a challenge to the snake people. Afterward he
-burned up the snake and tormented many other snakes in this way, always
-challenging them to fight.
-
-One day a man heard a peculiar noise. As he went near the apparent
-source of the sound, he saw a large number of all kinds of snakes going
-in one direction. Listening to their words, he heard them say: “We will
-have a battle with them. Djisdaah [30] has challenged us.” They (the
-snakes) were going to hold a council. The man overheard them say, “In
-four days we shall have a battle.”
-
-The man went back to the village and told the people what he had seen
-and heard. The chief sent a number of men to the place, and as far as
-they could see in all directions were snakes three or four feet deep,
-all moving toward their rendezvous. The men ran back and told the chief
-what they had seen. The chief said: “We can not avoid it; we have got
-to fight, and so we must get ready.” To do this they cut great piles of
-wood and drove stakes close together in the ground; there were two rows
-of stakes the whole length of the village, and they stacked up the wood
-in long piles. On the fourth day the chief told the men to set fire to
-the wood in several places.
-
-When the snakes advanced to attack the village they came right on
-through the fire, and many of them were burned to death. So many rushed
-into the fire that they put it out. The live snakes climbed over the
-dead ones, and in spite of the resistance of the men, who were trying
-in every way to kill them, they reached the second row of stakes. Here
-again many were killed, but still the living climbed over the dead
-above the second row of stakes, and then the battle for life began in
-deep earnest. The first man they killed was Djisdaah, the man who had
-challenged them, and then the snakes made for the village, and the men
-stood and fought. Finally the chief shouted that he surrendered.
-
-Then a snake, whose body was as large as a mountain, and whose head was
-as large as a lodge, came right up out of the ground and said: “I am
-the chief of the snakes; we will go home if you agree that as long as
-the world stands you will not call any man Djisdaah and will not
-maltreat my people.” The chief agreed willingly to this, and the snakes
-went away.
-
-
-
-
-
-18. THE ONGWE IAS (THE CANNIBAL) AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHER
-
-Two brothers were in the woods on a hunting expedition, and after they
-had been on the hunt a good while they had success in finding game, and
-they had built a good sized lodge, in which they enjoyed everything in
-common.
-
-The elder said to the younger brother: “Now, for the future we must
-live apart; let us make a partition through the middle of the lodge and
-have a door at each end, so that you shall have a door to your part and
-I a door to mine.” The younger brother agreed, and they made the
-partition. The elder brother said further: “Now, each will live for
-himself. I will not come to your room and you shall not come to mine;
-when we want to say anything to each other we can talk through the
-partition. You may hunt game as before—birds and animals—and live on
-them, but I will hunt men and eat them. Neither of us will ever marry
-or bring a woman to the lodge; if I marry, you shall kill me, if you
-can, but if you marry I will try to kill you.” The brothers lived thus
-apart in the same lodge, each going out to hunt alone.
-
-One day while the brothers were out hunting, a woman came to the
-younger brother’s room. The elder brother tracked her to the lodge,
-caught her at the door, dragged her into his room, and killed and ate
-her. When the younger brother came home the elder said, “I have had
-good luck today near home.” The younger brother knew that he must have
-killed and eaten the woman, but he said merely, “It is well if you have
-had good luck.”
-
-On another day the elder brother tracked a woman to his brother’s part
-of the lodge and, going to the door, knocked, calling out, “Let me have
-a couple of arrows; there is an elk out here.” The woman brought the
-arrows, and the moment she opened the door he killed her and took her
-body to his part of the lodge, where he cooked and ate it. When his
-brother came back they talked through the partition as before. The
-younger brother warned the next woman against opening the door; he told
-her to open it for no one, not even for himself; that he would come in
-without knocking.
-
-The next time the elder brother ran to the door and knocked hurriedly,
-calling out, “Give me a couple of arrows; there is a bear out here,”
-the woman sat by the fire, but did not move. Again he called, “Hurry!
-Give me the arrows—the bear will be gone.” The woman did not stir, but
-sat quietly by the fire. After a while the elder brother went into his
-part of the lodge. When the younger brother came home the woman told
-him what had happened. While they were whispering the elder brother
-called out: “Well, brother, you are whispering to some one. Who is it?
-Have you a woman here?” “Oh,” answered the younger, “I am counting over
-my game.” All was silent now for a time. The younger brother then began
-whispering cautiously to the woman, saying, “My brother and I will have
-a life-and-death struggle in the morning, and you must help me; but it
-will be very difficult for you to do so, for he will make himself just
-like me in form and voice, but you must strike him if you can.” The
-woman tied to his hair a small squash shell so as to be able to
-distinguish him from his elder brother. The latter again called out,
-“You have a woman; you are whispering to her.” The younger brother
-denied it no longer.
-
-In the morning the brothers went out to fight with clubs and knives.
-After breaking their weapons they clenched and rolled on the ground;
-sometimes one was under and sometimes the other. The elder was exactly
-like the younger and repeated his words. Whenever the younger cried,
-“Strike him!” the elder cried out almost at the same time, “Strike
-him!” The woman was in agony, for she was unable to tell which to
-strike. At last she caught sight of the squash shell, and then she
-struck a heavy blow and finished the elder brother.
-
-They gathered a great pile of wood and, laying the body on the pile,
-set fire to the wood and burned up the flesh. When the flesh was
-consumed they scattered the burnt bones. Then the younger brother
-placed the woman in the core of a cat-tail flag, which he put on the
-point of his arrow and shot far away to the west. Running through the
-heart of the upper log of the lodge, he sprang after the woman and,
-coming to the ground, ran with great speed and soon found where the
-arrow had struck. The cat-tail flag had burst open and the woman was
-gone. He soon overtook her and they traveled on together. He told her
-she must make all speed, for the ghost of his brother would follow
-them.
-
-The next morning they heard the whooping of some one in pursuit. The
-younger brother said, “My brother has come to life again and is
-following; he will destroy us if he can overtake us.” Thereupon he
-turned the woman into a half-decayed stump and, taking off his
-moccasins and telling them to run on ahead,[31] he secreted himself a
-short distance away. “Go quickly through swamps and thicket and over
-mountains and ravines, and come to me by a round-about way at noon
-tomorrow,” he said to the moccasins.
-
-When the elder brother reached the rotten stump he looked at it and,
-seeing something like nostrils, put his finger in and almost made the
-woman sneeze. Though suspicious of the tree, he followed the moccasin
-tracks swiftly all day and night.
-
-At the break of day the younger brother and the woman continued their
-journey. At noon the elder brother came back to the place where he saw
-the stump and not finding it, he was in a terrible rage. He knew now
-that he had been deceived. He continued to follow the tracks, and on
-the second day the pursued couple heard his whoop again. Taking out of
-his pouch a part of the jaw of a beaver with a couple of teeth in it,
-the younger brother stuck it into the ground, saying, “Let all the
-beavers come and build a dam across the world, so that the waters may
-rise to his neck, and let all the beavers in the world bite him when he
-tries to cross.” Then he and the woman ran on.
-
-When the elder brother came up, the dam was built and the water
-neck-deep; finding that the tracks disappeared in the water, he said,
-“If they have gone through I, too, can go through.” When the water
-reached his breast all the beavers began to bite him, and he was forced
-to turn back and look for another crossing. All day he ran but could
-find no end to the dam and cried out, “I have never heard before of a
-beaver dam across the world.” He then ran to the place whence he had
-started. The dam was gone and all that remained was a bit of beaver jaw
-with two teeth in it. He saw his brother’s work in this and was now
-raving with anger. He rushed along with all speed.
-
-The second day after the younger brother and the woman heard his whoop
-again. Taking out a pigeon feather from his pouch, the younger brother
-placed it behind him on the ground, saying, “Let all the pigeons of the
-world come and leave their droppings here, so that my brother may not
-pass.” All the pigeons of the world came, and soon there was a ridge of
-droppings 6 feet high across the country. When the elder brother came
-up he saw the tracks disappearing in the ridge; thereupon he said, “If
-they have crossed I, too, can cross it.” He walked into it but he could
-not get through, and so he turned back with great difficulty and ran
-eastward to look for an opening; he ran all day, but the ridge was
-everywhere. He cried in anger, “I have never known such a thing.” Going
-back, he slept until morning, when he found that all was clean—nothing
-to be seen but a pigeon feather sticking in the ground. He hurried on
-in a frenzy of rage.
-
-After dropping the feather the younger brother and woman ran until they
-came to an old man mending a great fish net. The old man said: “I will
-stop as long as I can the man who is chasing you. You have an aunt who
-lives west of here, by the roadside. The path passes between two ledges
-of rock which move backward and forward so quickly that whoever tries
-to pass between is crushed, but if you beg of her to stop them for a
-moment she will do so and will give you information.” They hurried on
-until they came to the woman, their aunt, and prayed her to let them
-pass. She stopped the rocks long enough for them to spring through,
-saying: “Your path is through a river, on the other side of which is a
-man with a canoe; beckon to him and he will come and take you over;
-beyond the river is a whole army of Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, but they will
-not harm you. A little dog wagging his tail will run to meet you.
-Follow him and he will lead you to an opening in which is your mother’s
-lodge. The dog will enter—follow him.”
-
-When the elder brother came to the old man who was mending his net he
-passed, and, pushing him rudely, called out, “Did anyone pass here?”
-The old man did not answer. Then he struck him a blow on the head with
-his club. When he did that the old man threw the net over him and he
-became entangled and fell. After struggling to get out for a long time,
-he tore himself free and hurried on. When he reached the old woman
-where the rocks were opening and closing, he begged her to stop them,
-but she would not; so, waiting for a chance, he finally jumped, but was
-caught and half his body was crushed; he rubbed it with spittle and was
-cured. Then he hurried on in still greater fury. When he came to the
-river he shouted to the man in the canoe, but the man paid no heed;
-again he shouted, and then he swam across. On the other side he found
-an immense forest of withered trees, which for miles had been stripped
-of their bark and killed by the hammering of turtle-shell rattles by
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, keeping time with them while dancing. These
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, turning upon him immediately, hammered all the flesh
-off of him; they then hammered all his bones until there was not a
-trace of him left. When the mother saw her son and his wife she was
-very happy, and said: “I am so glad you have come. I was afraid your
-elder brother who took you away would kill you. I knew he would try to
-do so. Now you will always stay with me.”
-
-
-
-
-
-19. HAIEÑDOÑNIS AND YENOGEAUNS [29]
-
-One day Haieñdoñnis, carrying all his small effects, was walking along
-through the forest. It seems that he did not know where he came from,
-nor did he know to what particular place he was going, although he well
-knew that he was going in a northerly direction. Wherever evening
-overtook him there he would place his bundle on the ground and get into
-it, when he had no hollow tree to enter, and thus spend the night. In
-this way he traveled many days.
-
-One morning he came to a steep precipice; here he began to wonder how
-he might be able to descend its face with so large a pack on his back.
-At last he placed his pack on the ground, and, hastening to a basswood
-tree standing some distance away, he stripped all the bark from it,
-which he slit into fine strands. Tying the strips together, end to end,
-he made a long strand, one end of which he fastened to a hemlock tree
-standing on the brink of the precipice and the other he let down over
-the brink. Then taking hold of the strand near the hemlock tree, he
-carefully lowered himself over the edge of the cliff. He was soon at
-the end of the strand and there he hung. His bundle pulled down the
-upper part of his body until he was in an almost horizontal position,
-with his face turned upward, so he could not see just where he was.
-Although he was near the ground he did not know it. Feeling that his
-situation was critical, he thought: “What shall I do now? Would it not
-be better for me to kill myself by letting go of the strand, for I can
-not get up, nor can I in any manner descend.” Finally he decided to let
-go of the rope of basswood bark and fall to the bottom of the
-precipice; but, as he released his grip, his pack touched the ground
-and his head rested on the pack. He thought, however, that he was
-falling all the time. At last he felt weary of falling, and said, “I
-will try to turn over on one side, so that I can see whither I am
-going.” So turning himself on one side he found that he was on the
-ground, and he exclaimed, “I have been greatly delayed by not knowing
-that the ground was at the end of the strand of basswood bark.” So
-saying he arose and went on.
-
-When darkness came he found, after diligent search, a hollow tree, in
-which he spent the night. In this manner he traveled for many days.
-Finally he decided to find a place in which to dwell, and he resolved
-that it must be a place where the trees stood only a short distance
-apart. Having found such a spot, he built a small cabin, in which he
-put his pack. Then he began to arrange his things in order—skins and
-furs, ladles and bark bowls, pouch and weapons.
-
-The next morning he went out very early to hunt for food. Soon he saw a
-deer walking along, and on pointing his finger at it the deer fell
-dead. Then he carried its carcass home on his back. He then ordered
-that it skin itself, and this it did. He cut the carcass into suitable
-portions, some of which he hung up around the inside of the cabin and
-some he roasted for his meal. That night he found that he had no
-firewood. Going out of doors, he said in a loud voice, “Let wood for
-fuel come and pile itself beside my doorway.” The wish thus expressed
-was immediately accomplished.
-
-This remarkable man had an influence over every kind of game. When he
-desired a particular animal, all that he had to do was to point his
-finger at it, and the victim would fall dead. In this way he was able
-to kill much game in a day. When he returned to his small cabin he did
-not carry the game, but would stand at the door and say, “Let the game
-which I have killed be piled up beside my doorway.” When this was done
-he would say, “Let the skins come off and the meat be quartered, put up
-to dry, and be smoked.” Then he would enter his cabin, paying no
-further attention to the game. In the morning he would find the meat
-hanging up to dry and a large heap of skins lying at his door. He would
-then spend the day in tanning the skins.
-
-One day while he was out hunting he saw Gaasyendietʻha,[32] whereupon
-he pointed his finger at him and Gaasyendietʻha at once fell dead.
-Haieñdoñnis took off his skin for a pouch. Going some distance farther,
-he beheld a panther. On pointing his finger at it, the panther fell
-dead and he then skinned it. In like manner he killed and skinned a
-fox. With these three skins he was enabled to make three pouches,
-which, on his arrival at his home, he hung on the wall of his cabin.
-
-After a while the thought came to him, “What shall I do with these
-three pouches?” Then he took down the pouch made of the skin of
-Gaasyendietʻha and commanded it, saying, “Stand upright here.”
-Instantly Gaasyendietʻha stood there before him alive. Then Haieñdoñnis
-made the other two pouches come to life in the same manner, and there
-they stood inside his cabin. Meanwhile the rumor spread that
-Haieñdoñnis had settled down in that place and that he was possessed of
-potent orenda, or mighty magic power, and that he was a sorcerer
-through possession of this mysterious potency, which worked good for
-his friends and evil for his enemies.
-
-Not far from the cabin of the mysterious Haieñdoñnis stood the lodge of
-a woman and her three daughters. The mother was reputed to be a great
-witch, and it was said that she had come there to dwell because no one
-in the settlement of her tribe wanted to live near her.
-
-One day she said to her three daughters, “Let us pound corn for meal
-and make corn bread.” So, having prepared the corn for the mortar, they
-began to pound it, each using a pestle. The corn was soon reduced to
-meal and the mother made it into corn bread. Filling a basket with
-this, she said to her eldest daughter, Deyondennigongenyons,[33] who
-was a very handsome girl, “I want you to go to Haieñdoñnis’s lodge to
-learn whether he will marry you or not.” They lived one-half day’s
-journey from Haieñdoñnis. Willingly obeying her mother, the girl
-started with the basket of corn bread.
-
-Haieñdoñnis saw the woman coming with a basket on her back, and he
-exclaimed: “Hoho! There is a woman coming. I think that she is coming
-to see me. I do wonder if indeed she desires to marry me.” Then,
-addressing the pouch, Gaasyendietʻha, he said: “I want you to go yonder
-and to stand beside that tree there. You, Panther, stand a little
-nearer to the cabin, and you, Fox, stand in the doorway of the cabin.”
-
-As the woman drew near Haieñdoñnis sat smoking his pipe. She came quite
-close to Gaasyendietʻha, but as she walked with her head down at first
-she did not see him; but when just in front of him she noticed
-something, and, looking up, saw so fierce-looking a person that
-instinctively she turned back and fled. As she ran along the bread all
-fell out of her basket, so when she reached home there was none left.
-Her mother, Yenogeauns, asked her, “What is the matter?” But she was
-entirely out of breath and could not answer. Haieñdoñnis was laughing,
-for he saw her run all the way home.
-
-After several days the mother said to her daughters, “We will again
-make corn bread.” Soon the girls had prepared and pounded the corn into
-meal, which the mother made into bread. Then she addressed her second
-daughter, Yonwithahon,[34] saying: “Take this basket and go to the
-lodge of Haieñdoñnis and see if he will marry you. Your sister was a
-great coward, and so she failed.” Obeying her mother, the girl started
-on her journey.
-
-Haieñdoñnis saw her coming and said: “Here comes another woman. She
-will soon be scattering her corn bread, too.” So he stationed the
-living pouches as he had before. The girl came along with her head down
-until she reached Gaasyendietʻha, and, seeing him, she said, “I need
-not be afraid,” and passed on. In like manner she passed Panther, and
-came to the doorway; there before her stood a man rubbing something
-against the door which frightened her greatly, and she screamed and
-fled homeward. On her way she likewise lost all the bread out of her
-basket. Seeing her flight, Haieñdoñnis laughed at her, too.
-
-Haieñdoñnis hunted a good deal and was accustomed to clean intestines
-of the game he had killed and fill them with blood and pieces of fat
-and meat, and so cook them. He cooked many of these and hung them over
-his couch.
-
-After a few days had elapsed the old woman said to her daughters, “Let
-us make another trial.” It would seem that the mother well knew what
-had happened to her daughters who had made the journey to the lodge of
-Haieñdoñnis. So they made corn bread of such kind as was customary in
-proposals for marriage, and they filled a basket with it. Then the wily
-old mother said to her youngest daughter, Yenongäa: “You make the
-attempt this time. Do not notice anything or fear anything, but go
-directly to the lodge of Haieñdoñnis.” The dutiful daughter replied
-with some inward misgivings: “It is well. I will try,” and, taking up
-the basket of bread, she started.
-
-Now, Haieñdoñnis soon saw her coming, and he exclaimed: “Is it not
-wonderful what small value these people place on bread? They come here
-with it and then run off, scattering it along the path as they flee.
-Now this one is coming with a basketful on her back, and I suppose that
-she will run off, dropping it along the way behind her.” He watched her
-come up to Gaasyendietʻha, and saw her look at him and then strike him,
-so that he fell to the ground. She saw that this seemingly ferocious
-figure was only the animated skin of Gaasyendietʻha. So coming up to
-Panther, she dealt with him as she had with Gaasyendietʻha. On arriving
-at the door where her second sister had thought she saw a man, Yenongäa
-went up to Fox and struck him a blow with her hand; down he fell, for
-he, too, was nothing but a pouch of fox skin, the tail of which the
-wind had been brushing against the flap of the doorway, the occurrence
-which frightened her sister. The other sisters had thought that living
-beings stood before them.
-
-Now, when Haieñdoñnis saw her doing these things, he thought, “She will
-surely come into the lodge; so I must get my pipe and pretend to be an
-old man.” On entering the lodge, Yenongäa inquired, “Where is
-Haieñdoñnis?” Receiving no answer, she repeated her question, and then
-Haieñdoñnis replied in an old man’s accents. “It seems to me that I
-hear a woman’s voice.” So she called in a louder tone. Then he looked
-up, saying, “I do not think that he is at home, or that he will return
-before the end of ten days.” The unabashed young woman replied, “It is
-well. Then I will come in ten days,” and started for home.
-
-At the end of ten days the youngest daughter again set out for the
-lodge of Haieñdoñnis. When she drew near he saw her, and said to
-himself, “Now I shall change myself into a small boy.” On this visit
-the young woman paid no attention to the animated pouches representing
-Gaasyendietʻha, Panther, and Fox, but went directly to the doorway and
-stood there. On making her presence known, she heard the voice of a
-small boy say, “Come in.” After entering the lodge she asked, “Where is
-Haieñdoñnis?” The answer came: “He has just gone out. He has gone to
-the other side of the world.” “How long will he be gone?” was her next
-inquiry. “Oh!” came the reply, “he said that he would be gone about ten
-days.” Then she assured the small boy that she would return in that
-time.
-
-At the end of the time Haieñdoñnis saw her coming again, and resolved
-to make himself invisible this time, to deceive her. So when she had
-made her way into the lodge and set her basket down, she looked around
-but saw no one. Then, saying, “I will wait a while,” she sat down on
-the couch of Haieñdoñnis. The situation was so amusing that Haieñdoñnis
-laughed out loud, and the young woman, becoming frightened, arose and
-fled home, where she arrived quite ashamed of herself, for she had left
-her basket of corn bread. Her mother asked, “Where is the basket of
-corn bread?” but she made no reply, knowing that her mother was aware
-of what had taken place. The mother then heated water and prepared to
-wash her daughter clean, for she saw that some of the deer intestines
-which hung in the lodge of Haieñdoñnis were clinging to her daughter.
-The old woman took them with the remark: “I am thankful to you. These
-are good meat. You shall go there again to-morrow.”
-
-So the next morning she went again, and when Haieñdoñnis saw her he
-laughed, saying, “I think that all the intestines will go this time.”
-On entering the lodge she saw Haieñdoñnis in his real shape. He asked
-her what she was going to do with the basket of bread which she had
-left in his lodge. She replied, “My mother sent me to live with you as
-your wife.” He replied, “It is well, and I agree to it,” and from that
-time they lived together as man and wife. These two were evil-minded,
-wicked people, who were full of the orenda, or magic power, of
-sorcerers, and all wizards and witches in the world knew just the
-moment that they became man and wife.
-
-The next morning Yenongäa said to her husband that she desired to visit
-her mother. Haieñdoñnis readily gave his consent to her going; so she
-went to her home. At once her mother began to work over her for the
-purpose of endowing her with much more evil-working orenda, and she
-instructed her, too, how to enslave her husband. She also said to her,
-“You must urge him to come to live with us.” The young woman returned
-to her husband, who, on looking at her, discovered that she was being
-equipped to enslave him. But he foiled her this time and every
-succeeding time that she undertook to do so. She went to her mother’s
-lodge for a long time. Finally, Haieñdoñnis became wearied by this
-conduct of his wife and her mother, and said to himself: “I wonder why
-they act in this manner. I think that it would be well for me to
-destroy her people.” To this he made up his mind.
-
-The next morning she again told him that she was going to visit her
-mother. After she had started Haieñdoñnis followed her. By taking a
-circuitous route he got ahead of his wife, arriving at her mother’s
-lodge before she did. Rushing into the lodge, he faced the old woman.
-He said to her, “I have come to fight with you,” and the aged hag
-graciously accepted his challenge. So they at once began fighting with
-war clubs, and were fighting fiercely when the wife entered the lodge.
-She wondered how her husband had passed her. She stood there powerless
-to aid either one. The combatants kept on fighting until Haieñdoñnis
-was certain that the old mother and the two elder daughters were dead.
-Then addressing his wife, he said, “You go off yonder a little way,”
-and she willingly obeyed him. Thereupon he set the lodge on fire, and
-the flames were soon rising high. After the fire had died out somewhat
-there were a number of explosions among the embers, sounding pop! pop!
-Then up flew a horned owl, a common owl, and a screech owl to the upper
-limbs of a tree standing near the scene. These were owls in human form.
-
-Thus were the three women utterly destroyed. Then Haieñdoñnis said to
-his wife, “Let us go home now.” But she stood there looking in one
-direction; she seemed spellbound. At last her husband took her by the
-arm, again saying, “Let us go home,” and she turned and followed him.
-
-It seems that those who were most skilled in the arts of sorcery and
-enchantment, who dwelt even to the very edge of the world, knew the
-exact moment Haieñdoñnis had killed the old woman and her wicked
-daughters, for at that moment a great shout of joy went up from the
-people, which was heard all over the world; they rejoiced because these
-women so powerful in magic and so utterly wicked were dead and burned
-up.
-
-Now, Haieñdoñnis, putting spittle on his hands, rubbed with opposing
-orenda, or magic power, the head of Yenongäa,[35] his wife. He gently
-pulled and smoothed her hair, which had been short before that time,
-and it soon became long and glossy. He had neutralized her orenda
-through this manipulation. Thereafter they dwelt in the lodge of
-Haieñdoñnis in great contentment.
-
-
-
-
-
-20. THE MAN WITH THE PANTHER-SKIN ROBE AND HIS BROTHER WITH A
-TURKEY-SKIN ROBE
-
-In the olden time an uncle lived in a lodge together with two nephews,
-the one 2 or 3 and the other 15 or 16 years of age. They dwelt happily
-in a forest. When the uncle went out to hunt the elder nephew would
-remain at home and when the elder nephew was out hunting the uncle
-would not leave the lodge, for the younger nephew was too small to
-leave alone during the day.
-
-One day the elder nephew said to his uncle: “Mother’s brother, will you
-kindly kill a turkey gobbler for me? If you will, I will make a robe
-for my little brother.” “How will you do that?” queried the uncle. “Oh,
-I shall skin him and make a feather coat for my little brother,”
-declared the elder nephew.
-
-The next day the indulgent uncle brought home from his hunting a
-beautiful white wild turkey gobbler and his nephews were delighted to
-see it. Then the elder nephew skinned the fine bird, leaving the head,
-legs, wings, and tail attached to the skin. He rubbed and carefully
-prepared in the usual manner the skin with the feathers in place, and
-when it had been thoroughly cured and tanned with smoke he placed the
-turkey-skin robe on his little brother, whom it fitted very well. The
-boy thrust his feet into the skins of the legs and his arms into the
-skins of the wings. The skin was a close fit, because the little boy
-was just the size of a turkey gobbler, and now he looked just like one.
-The little fellow was able to walk around looking for beechnuts and he
-could also fly up into trees, so his uncle and elder brother called him
-“Turkey Brother.”
-
-The uncle and his two nephews lived together until the elder nephew was
-of an age to be married. Then the uncle said: “Oh, I am tired of
-cooking and of doing other kinds of woman’s work. I would like to have
-something prepared by a woman. You, my nephew, are now old enough to
-marry; so now go off among the people and seek a suitable wife. There
-is a chief living not far from here who has three excellent daughters,
-and you can get one of them for the asking.” The nephew, after a
-moment’s hesitation, replied, “It is well; I am willing to go to seek a
-wife.”
-
-Now it happened that the Turkey Brother earnestly desired to leave home
-in quest of a wife, but his elder brother deprecated his desire to go
-at this time, saying, “Oh, my Turkey Brother, it is better that you
-remain at home with our uncle, who is now in need of our company—how
-can we leave him entirely alone?” But the Turkey Brother, unmoved by
-this plea, answered, “I do not want to stay with my uncle; my wish is
-to accompany you.” No matter how much the elder brother coaxed or how
-bitterly he scolded him for his great desire to leave home at this
-time, the Turkey Brother was determined to go at all cost, so finally
-he was permitted to leave. The uncle said to him: “Now, my nephew, you
-must have a suitable outfit of raiment and a fitting stock of weapons,
-for people must see that you are a great man. I will now bring what I
-have prepared for you for an occasion of this character.”
-
-Then the uncle brought forth a fine coat or robe of wildcat skins and
-placed it on his nephew. Stepping back in order to see better how his
-nephew looked in it, he declared, “That is not good enough.” Then he
-brought out a beautiful lynx-skin robe and placed it on his nephew’s
-shoulders. Again stepping back to get a better notion of the set of it,
-he exclaimed: “This, too, is not befitting the occasion. Oh, I have
-another, which is just the thing for you.” Thereupon he took from his
-bark chest of treasures a magnificent panther-skin robe, with the head
-of the animal formed into a cap or hood. When the wearer of this
-remarkable robe became excited this head would cry out in anger. In
-this cap the uncle placed two loon feathers, which sang at all times.
-This fine robe the uncle put on the shoulders of his nephew and, after
-critically inspecting him, he exclaimed, “This is befitting and
-needful, and it will suit the purpose of your journey; now, the people
-will see you as you are.” To complete the outfit the uncle now brought
-out a pair of handsome moccasins and a pair of beautiful leggings to
-match them and an ornamented pouch of a whole fisher’s skin, which,
-whenever an enemy came near its wearer, snapped at and bit him. In this
-pouch was a stone pipe, the bowl of which represented a bullfrog and
-the stem a water snake; when this pipe was smoked the bullfrog would
-croak and the snake would wriggle and try to swallow the frog. Lastly
-the uncle gave his nephew a fine bow and a quiver full of arrows, and a
-war club.
-
-Then, addressing his nephew, the uncle said: “Now, my nephew, go
-directly toward the west. It is six years’ journey to the country
-whither you are going. For a long distance from here on all sides the
-people have been carried off, and we are the sole survivors of our
-tribe; this is the reason you must go so far to obtain a wife. There is
-a dangerous spring halfway between here and your destination; it is
-close to the path, but you must not under any circumstances stop there
-or touch the water. Farther on, about midway between the spring and the
-chief’s lodge, dwells an old man, a great sorcerer and robber. You must
-not pay any attention to him. Do not on any account stop with him or
-listen to him.”
-
-The two brothers started on their long journey at sunrise. By midday
-they had reached the spring, although it was distant three years’
-ordinary traveling. As soon as the elder brother saw the spring he
-became very thirsty and strongly desired to drink of the water, but the
-Turkey Brother exclaimed, “Our uncle warned us not to touch this
-spring, for it is dangerous to do so.” As they were passing on, the
-elder brother, looking again at the spring, became so thirsty that he
-went back to drink from it. Lying on his hands and face, he started to
-drink, when something caught him by the hair and pulled him into the
-water. Gripping the creature, he succeeded after a long struggle in
-drawing it upon the bank. It was a strange creature covered with hair
-and resembling a man in form and size. As it lay on the bank it gasped
-and piteously begged to be returned to the water, saying, “Oh,
-grandson, throw me back into the water!” “Oh, no! You must remain where
-you are,” he sullenly replied. He stooped the second time to drink,
-when another creature seized him, but this also he pulled out of the
-water. It, too, gasped, “Oh, grandson, throw me back into the water!”
-Without making a reply he stooped a third time to drink and was then
-undisturbed. The water was very sweet and wholesome. When he had drunk
-his fill he killed the two creatures. Then with the Turkey Brother’s
-help he collected a great pile of dry wood on which they placed the two
-creatures and soon burned them to ashes. Thereupon they continued their
-journey.
-
-In the middle of the afternoon they came to a place where there were
-many tall trees. There they saw a poor-looking old man, who kept
-running around in great haste, shouting: “Oh, grandson, shoot it! Look
-here! Such a fine raccoon! Oh, shoot it for me! Just one arrow you need
-spare me.” He begged so urgently that the elder brother shot an arrow
-at the raccoon, which struck its body. The raccoon ran into a hole in
-the tree, as the elder brother thought. The old man shouted: “Oh, you
-must get your arrow! We must find the raccoon; you must take off your
-garments, lest you should spoil them. You need not be afraid. I shall
-not touch them, for I shall go up the tree, too.” So the young man
-removed his robe, leggings, moccasins, and pouch and laid them at the
-foot of the tree, which he climbed, the old man following him closely.
-When they reached the hole in the tree the young man peered into it,
-and, thinking he saw right at hand the arrow sticking in the raccoon,
-he reached to pull it out; but the old man pushed him into the hole in
-the tree, and down he went through the hollow in the trunk to the
-bottom. There was there no raccoon, only an illusion.
-
-Now, the old man, quickly descending to the ground, donned the
-panther-skin robe, the leggings, and the moccasins, and he also took
-the pouch with the pipe. At once he began to grow younger in looks; he
-felt younger, too, and the cap began to roar. Taking the bow and
-arrows, he started off westward toward the lodge of the chief.
-
-The poor Turkey Brother began to weep and to scream for his lost
-brother whose clothes were stolen. He flew upon a tree and sat there
-weeping.
-
-On recovering his senses the elder brother thought: “Now I am certainly
-in trouble. My dear uncle warned me not to listen to this old man. How
-can I ever get out of this place? There is no way of climbing out of
-this den, for the opening is smooth on every side.” Under his feet he
-felt the bones of other unfortunate people who had been thrown in there
-before by the wicked old man, and he smelt the odor from them. He
-remained all night in the hollow of the tree. Toward morning he
-remembered that in his boyhood he had had a dream, in which a large
-spider appeared to him, saying, “When you get into trouble I will help
-you.” He therefore cried out, “Oh, great Spider, come to me and help me
-now!” At that moment a great Spider began to make a web in the tree,
-and soon it had made a large ladder woven of thick strands. “Now
-climb,” said the great Spider. But the young man had not gone up more
-than halfway when the web ladder broke. “Oh,” said he to the great
-Spider, “you are not able to help me at this time.”
-
-Then he remembered that he had had another dream, in which an enormous
-blacksnake had appeared to him and had promised to help him whenever he
-was in trouble. Therefore he cried out, “Oh! Blacksnake, come to me and
-help me now.” Straightway there came a great Blacksnake on the tree,
-which slipped its tail down into the hollow in the trunk until the
-young man was able to seize it; then the snake coiled itself up,
-bringing the young man to the top in safety; thereupon the great
-Blacksnake disappeared.
-
-The Turkey Brother greatly rejoiced to see his brother and, flying to
-the ground, said: “What can we do? Must we not go home to our uncle
-now?” “Oh, no!” said the elder brother; “we must go on. I will put on
-the old man’s clothes.” So he arrayed himself in the old man’s worn-out
-garments—his shabby robe, stiff leggings, old moccasins, and filthy
-headdress. He now looked like the old man, having a weak voice and a
-terrifying cough.
-
-Meanwhile the old man felt grand in the stolen panther-skin robe, for
-he had arrived at the chief’s village early in the evening. In front of
-the chief’s lodge was a broad river. The chief appeared to him on the
-opposite side, and the old man shouted across to him to be ferried
-over. The chief’s eldest daughter rowed across in a canoe and, seeing
-the fine-looking man wearing the panther-skin robe and moving around
-with a haughty bearing, asked him, “Who are you and whither are you
-going?” The old man coolly replied: “I come from the east, and I am
-going to the lodge across the river. The truth of the matter is, I am
-looking for a wife, and I hear that the chief has three marriageable
-daughters.” “Well, I am one of his daughters,” replied the young woman.
-Then the old thief answered, “Oh! I think that you would suit me very
-well.” “Then you are my husband, and we will live together,” rejoined
-the young woman. She brought him to her father’s lodge and showed him
-her couch, which was beautifully adorned with fine furs and skins,
-saying, “This is your place for repose.” He sat there quietly until his
-wife came to him.
-
-The next evening the elder brother and the Turkey Brother appeared on
-the opposite side of the river. The former attempted to shout, but his
-voice was so weak and thin that for a long time he could not make
-himself heard. At last, some one outside of the lodge said, “There are
-a man and a turkey on the other side of the river, who are trying to
-cross.” The youngest daughter of the chief went over and asked the man,
-who was old in appearance, whence he came and who he was. “I came from
-the east,” he replied, “and I am on my way to the chief’s lodge. I want
-to get married, and so I am looking for a wife.” “Looking for a wife?
-Why, you are too old to marry,” replied the chief’s daughter. “I am not
-old; I am quite young. Perhaps I look old, but here is my brother who
-is a little boy yet.” “You come from the east, you say; do you come
-from beyond the sorcerer’s spring?” she asked. “I am from beyond that
-spring,” he replied. “Did you pass the spring?” she persisted. “Yes, I
-did; and I cleared it of its monstrous denizens,” declared the elder
-brother. “Did you come past the little old man who runs around the
-tree?” was her next question. “Yes; and that is why I look as old as I
-do. He craftily stole my enchanted outfit—my garments and dress,”
-declared the elder brother. In her own mind the young woman thought
-that this was the man for whom they were waiting, so she resolved to
-marry him. Saying to him, “You may come along with me,” she ferried him
-with his brother across the river and took him to the lodge of her
-father, where she showed him to her couch, which was also beautifully
-adorned with skins and fine furs. She told him, “This is your place of
-rest.” Above it was a smaller bed, and she added, “Your brother can
-have that couch,” and they placed the Turkey Brother up there.
-
-That night the old thief opened the fisher-skin pouch to take out the
-pipe, but the fisher bit his finger and it was with the greatest
-difficulty that he released his finger from its mouth.
-
-After the youngest daughter brought her husband home there was great
-dissatisfaction in the lodge because of her seemingly poor choice of a
-husband. They tried to get the aged chief to dissuade her from living
-with her husband, but with a knowing look he would say, “Oh! she knows
-what she is doing; so let her alone.”
-
-For a number of days these families lived without any unusual incident.
-Then the husband of the youngest daughter informed her that he was ill
-with severe pains in the stomach, and that she must get from her father
-his best wampum bowl, because he, the sick man, desired to disgorge
-into it. Hurrying away, she brought the bowl. Her husband cast up
-enough beautiful black wampum to fill it completely. Then he bade her,
-“Take this to your father and give it to him for me.” In receiving it,
-the chief remarked: “Oh! thanks. I knew that he is a great man, for he
-came from a good country. He is the greatest man of whom I have ever
-heard. This is a beautiful present.” [36]
-
-When the eldest daughter’s husband heard of this he said to his wife,
-“Run to your father and get his wampum bowl. I too desire to use it.”
-When she had brought it, he filled it in a similar manner, but only
-with half-decayed lizards and worms and all manner of foul things of an
-intolerably offensive odor. He then bade her to take it to her father
-as a present from him. She did so, but her father was very angry,
-saying: “How dare you bring that vile stuff to me. Run to the creek
-with it, and thoroughly wash and scrape the bowl; wash it many times
-over. But never do this again.”
-
-A few days later the husband of the youngest daughter said again, “Go
-to your father and get that wampum bowl again.” This time he filled the
-bowl heaping full with beautiful white wampum. He then said, “Take this
-to your father as a present from me.” She ran with it to her father,
-and the old chief was delighted with it, saying: “Oh! he is a man. I
-thought that there was something great in him, for he comes of a
-powerful family of a great tribe in a good country.”
-
-When the husband of the eldest daughter heard of this present of white
-wampum he again sent for the wampum bowl and used it with such result
-that his devoted wife did not dare go with it to her father, but went
-quickly to the creek, where she spent an entire day in thoroughly
-cleansing it.
-
-At this time a Wildcat and a Fox came to visit the husband of the
-youngest daughter of the chief, for they were his friends. As they
-walked around, the Wildcat would rub against his legs and purr, and
-talk to him. It was not long before the Fox saw the Turkey Brother
-sitting on his couch over the bed, and said to the Wildcat, “That is a
-fine gobbler up there. Can you get him for us?” The next night the
-Wildcat, as the Turkey Brother’s bed was near the fire, crawled down
-the smoke-hole to a point from which it could reach him. But the Turkey
-Brother, sitting with his eyes open, saw the Wildcat, and, waiting
-until it got within reach, struck it on the head with a club which he
-kept and tumbled it into the fire, in which the Wildcat rolled about a
-number of times, with the result that it got a singed coat. It got out
-of the fire and began to cry, “Oh! I have fits.” “You can not have fits
-here,” cried the eldest sister, jumping out of her bed and kicking it
-out of doors. “That is not a turkey,” said the Wildcat to the Fox, “it
-is a wizard.”
-
-At this time the youngest daughter of the chief said to her husband,
-“Why do you not take your enchanted articles of dress from that old
-thief?” Her husband replied: “I shall do so when the proper time comes.
-But in the meantime, will you ask your father for his bow and arrows,
-for I much wish to go on a hunting trip?” So she went to her father
-with her husband’s request, and her father willingly gave his
-permission for the use of his bow and arrows, saying, “Yes; he shall
-have them if he needs them,” and his daughter carried them back to her
-husband.
-
-The next day her husband went on a hunting expedition, and he had the
-good fortune to kill a large number of deer; more, in fact, than had
-ever been killed before in that place. He called the Wildcat and the
-Fox and said to them, “I give you one deer from this pile.” So they
-gladly dragged the deer away and ate it. After the game was brought to
-the chief’s lodge it was distributed among the people, and all had an
-equal share. No one was left without venison, and every one wondered at
-the prowess of the hunter.
-
-Then the old chief notified the people that there would be a great
-council on the following day at the lodge of public assembly. Everyone
-else was up at the break of day, but the eldest daughter of the chief
-and her husband slept soundly. While they were asleep the husband of
-the chief’s youngest daughter took from the old thief the panther-skin
-robe, the moccasins, the leggings, and the pouch of fisher skin which
-had been stolen from him by craft. Having recovered his own garments
-and accouterments, he now donned them to attend the council.
-
-There remained in the chief’s lodge only the old woman, the servants,
-and the sleeping couple. Finally the old woman, the chief’s wife, went
-to the couch of the sleepers, and said, “Come! come! you two, arise,”
-at the same time shaking her daughter. Then looking more closely at her
-sleeping son-in-law she started back in utter disgust, with the
-exclamation, “That is a nice-looking husband you have in your arms!”
-When the covers were removed the true character of the man appeared.
-With the loss of the stolen enchanted garments he had immediately
-become old and shrunken, with the face of an owl. The unhappy woman
-awoke, and, looking at her husband, she was surprised to see what an
-ugly creature had been sleeping with her. So without any compunction
-she dragged him out of bed and pushed him with his own soiled garments
-out of the lodge, saying, “I shall never again have you for a husband.”
-The wily old owl at once disappeared and was never seen in that place
-again.
-
-When the husband of the chief’s youngest daughter came into the lodge
-he looked strong, young, and vigorous. The panther’s head on his robe
-cried out, the loon’s feathers sang. Opening his pouch and taking out
-the pipe, he lighted it and smoked; the bullfrog croaked, the
-blacksnake wriggled and tried to swallow the bullfrog. All the people
-looked on in wonder, and they said, “We have never before seen a man
-with orenda so powerful.” Then this magically potent son-in-law said to
-his father-in-law, “I must now go home to my uncle in the far east.”
-“We shall go, too,” replied the aged chief, and all the people shouted
-assent. They were soon ready to follow. The young husband replied: “It
-is well. My brother and I will go on ahead to prepare for you. You are
-welcome.”
-
-Then, calling his Turkey Brother, he said to him, “Now, my dear
-brother, I think that you may take off your turkey-skin robe and put on
-garments such as other boys wear.” His brother had grown to be a large
-boy, for he was nearing the age of puberty. So he removed his
-turkey-skin robe and put on his new style of garments, in which he
-looked well.
-
-The two brothers then started, and they reached home in one day. But
-the old chief and his people were six years on the way. They could not
-travel with the speed of men possessed of powerful orenda. They were
-welcomed with joy on their arrival in the country of the chief’s potent
-son-in-law, and the old chief and his people thereafter lived there in
-comfort and peace.
-
-
-
-
-
-21. DEADOEÑDJADASES (THE EARTH-GIRDLER) AND THE OLD WOMAN’S GRANDSON
-
-An old woman and her grandson lived together in a lodge in a large
-forest. They were both feeble and poor, for the old woman had no
-able-bodied person to help her and her grandson was still a very small
-boy. The old woman cried much of the time, therefore, on account of
-their needy condition. Every day, however, she went into the forest to
-gather firewood. She felled trees by burning, and when they were on the
-ground she burned them into pieces of such length that she would be
-able to carry them to her lodge; but whether she was going or coming
-from the forest she wept without ceasing.
-
-At last her little grandson said to her, “Grandmother, why do you cry
-all the time, both night and day? Tell me, will you?” In reply she
-said, “I had many brothers and relatives, but they are all dead now.”
-Then she took the little boy by the hand, and drawing him to a door,
-she opened it and led the boy into another room, in which he had never
-been before. This room was full of articles of dress of every kind and
-of weapons, ball clubs, balls painted (with symbols of) heads, and a
-drum. The boy wondered at what he saw here and wanted very much to
-touch the various articles, but his grandmother told him that he must
-not remain in the room, nor should he touch any of the things.
-
-The next day when she had again gone after wood for fuel the boy went
-to the forbidden room and beat the drum, whose sound was so pleasing
-that he was delighted. Taking a ball and a lacrosse club he went out of
-doors and began to play ball—that is, lacrosse. He threw the ball with
-the club and it flew far away toward the east. So he ran after the ball
-until he found it in a large clearing. And this place was so pleasant
-that he was very glad to be there. But he soon started for home,
-arriving there before the grandmother had returned with the wood to the
-lodge.
-
-On the following day, while his grandmother was absent in the forest,
-the little grandson again visited the mysterious room and played around
-in it; but he did not forget to be home before his grandmother
-returned. He did likewise for several days. But finally he beat the
-drum so heavily that the old woman heard him far away in the forest.
-She hastened home at once and scolded the lad for his disobedience,
-saying, “Why did you go into that room when I told you not to go there
-nor to touch any of the things?” “Oh, grandmother,” he replied, “do not
-talk about that, but tell me where are all our friends—my father and
-mother, my brothers and sisters, and my cousins?” The grandmother said
-deprecatingly: “Oh, you can never see them. There is a man dwelling far
-away in the east who carries off people and devours them. His name is
-Deadoeñdjadases, and it is he who has eaten all our friends and
-relations.” The lad with impatience replied: “Make me four pairs of
-moccasins. I will fetch them back.” His grandmother, weeping, refused
-his request, yet she prepared him for the journey.
-
-When he was ready he went eastward, traveling many days and nights
-until he arrived at a broad clearing in the forest. In the middle of it
-he saw a long lodge and a person who looked like the inflated skin of a
-man, watching this clearing, which was occupied by a large strawberry
-patch.[37] This sentinel guarded the field night and day. Oddly enough,
-the long lodge extended from north to south instead of from east to
-west.
-
-The lad, standing concealed within the edge of the woods and calling a
-mole, said to it, “I want to borrow your skin for a while.” The mole
-agreed to his request, and then the lad removed his own garments and
-laid them back of a tree. Then, after reducing his size sufficiently,
-he crawled into the skin of the mole. Making his way under the leaves
-and underground until he came to the spot above which was the skin man,
-he shouted to the sentinel: “Come down, my friend! I want to talk with
-you.”
-
-After the lad had promised to liberate the skin man, Hadjoqda, and to
-give him back his flesh body, Hadjoqda related to him all the secrets
-of this mysterious clearing and of the people who lived in it. He told
-him: “The man who dwells in that long lodge is called Deadoeñdjadases.
-He goes around the world every day, seizing and killing people, whose
-bodies he brings home to eat. Living in the lodge with him are three
-sisters, who are all great witches. Every day they are engaged in
-preparing human flesh and pounded green corn, for their ferocious
-brother will eat nothing else. When not so occupied, the three sisters
-spend their time driving elks out of the clearing, which is covered
-with the most beautiful strawberries.” Hadjoqda continued: “Neither
-Deadoeñdjadases (nor his sisters, for that matter) has a heart in his
-body; and no one can kill them by beating or cutting them up, for their
-lives are in another place. In the corner of the lodge is a bed; under
-this bed is a lake; in this lake a loon swims about; and under the
-right wing of this loon are the four hearts (the lives) of
-Deadoeñdjadases and his sisters. The largest heart is his own, the next
-in size is that of his eldest sister, and the smallest is that of his
-youngest sister. If you squeeze these hearts their owners will faint
-away; but if you crush them they will die.” [38]
-
-The lad gave Hadjoqda a piece of false wampum which he had made from a
-small reed and colored with strawberry juice, saying: “The sisters are
-calling you now. You must tell them that you were making this wampum as
-the reason why you have remained away so long. I shall become in person
-just like their brother and shall return home ill, as it were, and
-expectorate blood. When I am in their lodge I shall cause the elks to
-run into the strawberry patch, and you must give the usual alarm. While
-the sisters are out driving the elk I shall have time to take their
-hearts from under the wing of the loon.”
-
-The sisters, missing Hadjoqda, called to him many times. When he
-reached the lodge they angrily asked him: “Where have you been? What
-have you been doing?” “I have been making this piece of wampum,” said
-he. All three sisters wanted it, and they were satisfied, for he gave
-it to them. They pardoned him for his absence. Then he told them that
-their brother had come home earlier than usual, and that he was ill and
-spitting up blood.
-
-Now, the lad, going back to the mole, returned its coat and donned his
-own garments. Then, assuming the exact form and manner of
-Deadoeñdjadases, he walked through the clearing toward the lodge,
-spitting blood.
-
-When he entered the lodge none of the sisters except the youngest
-suspected any deceit. She looked at him sharply, saying, “This is not
-our brother.” Then they tried him with different kinds of food, but he
-would eat nothing until they brought him human flesh and pounded green
-corn, which he ate heartily. This satisfied them that there was no
-deception.
-
-While he was eating, the alarm came that the elks were in the
-strawberry patch, and the three sisters, armed with their war clubs,
-ran out to drive away the elks. The lad lost no time in going to the
-bed and raising its cover. There he saw a lake in which a loon was
-swimming. He called it to him and asked for the hearts. The loon raised
-its left wing, for it was in doubt whether to give up the hearts or
-not. “Oh, no,” declared the lad; “the hearts are under your right wing.
-So raise that wing.” Being satisfied as to his right to ask for the
-hearts, the loon did so; and the lad, seizing them, rushed out of the
-lodge just as the sisters returned from chasing the elks.
-
-Resuming his natural form, the lad ran around exultingly, crying, “I
-have taken your hearts. I have taken your hearts.” Then the three
-sisters pursued him with their war clubs. As the eldest was on the
-point of overtaking him, the lad squeezed her heart and she fell down
-in a faint. Then the second sister drew close to him, when he at once
-squeezed her heart and she, too, fell in a faint. The same thing
-happened to the third sister also. Then the lad came to a great round,
-flat rock, where Deadoeñdjadases was accustomed to kill his victims; he
-ran around this while the sisters, who had recovered from their
-fainting spells, sought to close with him. Every little while he would
-squeeze a heart and its owner would fall in a faint; but as soon as he
-stopped squeezing she would spring up again. When he had sufficiently
-tortured the sisters in this manner he ruthlessly dashed their hearts
-against the great rock, one after another, and thus all were killed.
-
-When the cannibal returned at the usual time and did not find his
-sisters at home he was very angry; but Hadjoqda assured him that they
-were pursuing the elks and that his dinner was left all prepared for
-him. Deadoeñdjadases sat down and began to eat. Emboldened by the fact
-that the lad stood beside him holding the heart of Deadoeñdjadases,
-Hadjoqda taunted Deadoeñdjadases, “the Earth-circler.” [39]
-
-At once Deadoeñdjadases rushed after the lad, who ran toward the great
-rock. When the man-eater drew near him the lad would squeeze the heart
-and the great Deadoeñdjadases would fall in a faint. When the lad
-ceased squeezing the heart the man-eater would rise again. So, no
-matter how he tried, he could get only as near the lad as the latter
-would let him. When tired of this kind of sport the lad dashed the
-heart of the man-eater against the rock, and Deadoeñdjadases fell dead
-in his tracks.
-
-Around the great rock on every hand the lad found heaps of human bones,
-which he carefully gathered together into a great pile. Placing
-Hadjoqda on the ground with his head toward the west and his feet
-toward the east, the youth went to a great hickory which was standing
-near and shouted, “Do you all rise and run or the tree will fall on
-you.” On the instant a great number of persons arose and ran in every
-direction. Hadjoqda received his body back and became at once as well
-as ever. But some had legs and arms which had belonged to others, and
-hence were deformed in these members.
-
-“Now,” said the lad to Hadjoqda, “there is no other such strawberry
-patch in the world. We must all come here to live. This field shall
-belong to you, and I and all my people shall settle around here. I
-shall go after my grandmother and you must go after your friends.”
-
-Among the people whom he had raised the youth found all his relations,
-and these persons accompanied him on his journey to bring his
-grandmother to that country. His grandmother was very glad to see all
-her relations again, as she had never expected this good fortune.
-Taking their garments and weapons which the grandmother had kept for
-them in the long room, all set out, with the aged grandmother, for the
-great strawberry patch of Deadoeñdjadases. With their friends and
-relations from far and near, all settled in villages around the great
-strawberry patch, they lived in great contentment thereafter. Among
-these people who were raised by the potent youth were the Okweson,
-Osoon, and the Goqgwaih [i.e., the Partridges, the Wild Turkeys, and
-the Quail]; the youth and his grandmother, and even Hadjoqda, belonged
-to the Osoon tribe.
-
-
-
-
-
-22. HATʻHONDAS (THE LISTENER) [40]
-
-Once upon a time an uncle and his nephew lived together in the forest.
-Being very needy, they gathered and cooked for food fungi which grow on
-trees. After they had lived some time in this way his uncle said one
-day to the boy, who had grown nearly to the age of puberty, “To-morrow
-you must go out yonder into the ravine to listen, and as soon as you
-hear something you must hurry back to tell me what it is.”
-
-The nephew did as he was ordered. The next morning as soon as he heard
-the song of a bird he hurried home, rushing almost breathless into the
-lodge and crying, “Oh, uncle, I have heard something!” “Wait a while,
-nephew,” said the uncle. “Wait until I light my pipe and the smoke
-rises from it.” [41]
-
-Soon the smoke arose from the pipe; then Hatʻhondas told what he had
-heard, imitating the call of a bird. “Oh, nephew! that is nothing. Go
-again to-morrow,” said the uncle. He went the next day, and heard a
-bird of some other kind. After rushing to the lodge as before, and
-after his uncle had lighted the pipe, he told his uncle what he had
-heard. Each day he heard a new bird and told his uncle what he had
-heard. After several such fruitless trips to the ravine he heard two
-women singing, “I am going [am on my way] to marry Dooehdanegen.” [42]
-The women were moving through the air coming toward his uncle’s lodge.
-Hatʻhondas rushed home almost breathless, crying, “Oh, uncle! I have
-heard it.” “Well, what is it?” asked the uncle, and straightway he
-lighted his pipe and the smoke arose from it. “I heard two women
-singing, ‘I am going to marry Dooehdanegen,’ and they are coming this
-way,” declared the nephew. “We must make ready to receive them,” said
-the uncle; “we must put the lodge in order.” He therefore smoothed the
-skins on his couch and put his nephew’s bed away from his own in the
-corner near the ashes, telling his nephew to lie there while the women
-were in the lodge, and to face the other way, and further to keep quiet
-and not to show his face. The old man then put on his best garments,
-with two feathers in his cap, and tried to be as nimble and bright as
-when a young man. He kept sending his nephew out to see how near the
-women were. When at last they reached the lodge the nephew ran in,
-crying, “Oh, uncle, they are here.” “Go to your bed; lie down, and do
-not stir,” said the uncle.
-
-The women entered the lodge, bringing a basket of marriage bread.[43]
-The old man hurried around to make it pleasant for them, but could not
-interest them, for their minds were elsewhere. They kept looking toward
-the corner where Hatʻhondas was lying. When night came the old man
-spread out the skins of his couch and told them there was the place for
-them to lie down; but, going over to the corner where the ashes were
-piled, they lay down with Hatʻhondas. They smoothed his hair and
-fondled him, speaking pleasant words to and about him. The old man was
-very angry and slept none that night. The women left the lodge at
-daybreak. When Hatʻhondas awoke, he had become a man in full vigor,
-strong and fine looking.
-
-The old uncle now called his nephew, saying: “You now have become a
-man. You must follow the women. The mother bears the most noted name in
-sorcery in her tribe. She is now seeking a husband for her daughter.
-Near her lodge grows a large hickory tree [44] on which sits an eagle
-as a target. Whoever can bring down that eagle will get the daughter.
-Men go there from every direction and place to shoot at it, but no one
-has yet hit it. You must shoot at it, too.”
-
-The old man then brought out from his chest an outfit consisting of a
-cap of otter skin, a panther-skin coat, leggings of wildcat skin,
-moccasins of owl skin, and a tobacco pouch of fawn skin. The garments,
-which were beautiful and endowed with rare orenda (magic power), fitted
-the young man well. Then the uncle took the garments off his nephew;
-and the cap became a live otter, the robe, or mantle, a live panther,
-the leggings a pair of live wildcats, and the moccasins two live owls.
-Again he put the garments on his nephew, telling him to sit down. The
-latter did so and, opening the pouch, took out a pipe, which he filled
-with tobacco. Immediately two girl sprites and two trick pigeons leaped
-out of the pouch; the girls brought fire to light the pipe, and as soon
-as he put it to his mouth the two pigeons, which were perched on the
-stem, rustled their wings and cooed, being very happy.
-
-“Now, my nephew,” said the old man, “spit.” He spat and the spittle
-fell to the ground in a shower of wampum beads. “That is enough,” said
-the uncle; “you shall always spit wampum from this pipe. Your outfit
-will always do what it has done to-day. Now you must start. Go directly
-east. About noon you will find a trail. Take that and keep on until you
-come to the great hickory tree. Here are a bow and arrows. The arrows
-will never miss the mark. On the road you must keep no man company.
-Sleep alone and hurry on your way.”
-
-So the young nephew set out. In an hour he came to a trail. Finding it
-so soon, he thought it could not be the right one and ran back to
-inquire. “Oh! you are a swift runner,” said the uncle; “you found the
-right trail. Follow it.” Hatʻhondas started again. Again he found the
-trail, which bore toward the east. Near evening he saw a man who was
-making a fire by the wayside, and who inquired of Hatʻhondas, “Where
-are you going?” “Oh! where all are going—to shoot at the eagle on the
-hickory tree,” replied the young man. “Stay with me. It is too late to
-go farther,” said the stranger. “No! I must go on,” answered
-Hatʻhondas, hurrying away. At night he built a fire and slept by
-himself. The next day he went on without interruption until evening,
-when a man who was building a fire beside the trail urged him to stop,
-but he refused to do so. Again the man urged him but Hatʻhondas would
-go on.
-
-The third evening he came on a man who insisted and coaxed so much that
-he remained with him overnight. Each occupied one side of the fire.
-After supper, Hatʻhondas took off his garments and soon fell asleep.
-The strange man attempted to steal the clothes, but the mantle,
-changing into a panther, would not let him come near. Then the man, bit
-by bit, fed meat to the panther until the animal was pacified, when he
-put the mantle on his own shoulders. So with the leggings and all the
-other things, until at last he got possession of the whole outfit of
-the young man, except the bow and arrows, which he forgot. When ready,
-he thrust a sharp dart of hickory bark down the backbone of Hatʻhondas,
-and at daylight hurried away to the company which had gathered at the
-great woman’s lodge to shoot at the eagle.
-
-Hatʻhondas awoke in terrible pain; he was doubled up like an old man
-and began to cough badly. After much effort and great suffering, he
-succeeded in putting on the other man’s garments and in dragging
-himself some distance to a log, on which he sat, holding his bow and
-arrows, with his head bowed in sorrow.
-
-After he had been sitting there a couple of hours, a poor,
-destitute-looking girl came to him, saying: “My mother lives not far
-from here. I will take you to her.” On going home with the girl he
-learned that her mother was his own sister and that she was therefore
-his niece. He told his sister about the visit of the two women, about
-setting out to shoot the eagle and being robbed on the road of
-everything but his bow and arrows, and, lastly, about becoming decrepit
-and aged-looking from the effects of the hickory bark thrust down his
-backbone. His sister and her daughter were very poor. They had no meat.
-As they were talking, a robin perched on the edge of the smoke-hole.
-Hatʻhondas drew his bow with great difficulty and shot an arrow which
-killed the bird. His sister cut it into small pieces and, bruising
-them, made some soup, which in a measure strengthened her brother. The
-next day a partridge came in like manner and he killed that, too; and
-then a turkey, so they had provision enough. Many days later his sister
-drew the bark from her brother’s back and he became well again.
-
-As he sat by the door one day he heard a great shouting and tumult, and
-asked what it meant. They told him that it was the sounds made by those
-who had assembled to shoot the eagle, and pointed out the great hickory
-tree, the top of which could be seen above the forest, seemingly not
-more than 200 or 300 rods away.
-
-The next day, on looking toward the tree, he could see that some arrows
-came very near the eagle, some not so near, and others far away from
-it. At last he said, “I must shoot an arrow at that eagle.” “Oh!” said
-the sister, “you can not hit it from here.” But he would have his own
-way, and going outside of the lodge with his bow and arrow, he said to
-his sister’s daughter: “Go out into the crowd. When I shoot the arrow
-and the bird falls to the ground run and bring it here with the arrow
-sticking in it, and let no one take it from you.” The girl went. Her
-uncle shot, and his arrow, flying through the air, struck the eagle.
-When she grasped the bird after it had fallen to the ground a man
-pushed her aside, and snatching the bird from her disappeared in the
-crowd. She cried out, but no one heeded her. Now, the crowd gathered at
-a mound, a short distance from the tree. On this mound the great witch
-woman was sitting with her friends to witness the shooting. The people
-stood in a circle. The stranger came up with the eagle and claimed her
-youngest daughter, who, insisting that he was not the right man,
-refused to marry him; but the old woman said her promise must be kept,
-and had the marriage proclaimed.
-
-When, in the evening, the young wife would not remove her designated
-husband’s clothing, the old woman did so. On taking off the moccasins,
-and throwing them, tied together, over a crossbar near the couch, they
-became owls, so wretchedly weak that they were barely able to hold on
-to their perch; and so with the panther, the wildcats, and the otter;
-they seemed scarcely alive.
-
-The young woman would not go near her designated husband, but, rolling
-herself up in a bearskin, slept apart. The next morning the
-mother-in-law, addressing her intended son-in-law, said: “What can you
-do for me [in thaumaturgy]?” He opened his pouch, from out of which
-came the girls, who were barely able to bring a coal of fire, and the
-pigeons, nearly lifeless. He smoked, and cast spittle on a deerskin
-which was spread before him, and spittle it remained. Again he tried,
-but with the same result. Then the mother-in-law, growing angry, went
-away in disgust and chagrin.
-
-The evening after Hatʻhondas was robbed the sky was red, and his uncle
-at home knew that his nephew was in great trouble—that his life was in
-danger. He sat down by the fire, throwing ashes on his head, and wept,
-saying, “Oh! nephew, I shall mourn for you ten summers.” But now the
-sky was not so red, and the old man knew that his nephew had gained
-some relief.
-
-The second night the young woman slept apart from her designated
-husband.
-
-The next day Hatʻhondas’s niece, the poor woman’s daughter, said, “I
-will visit the great witch woman, for she is a friend of mine.” When
-the girl went to the lodge, the great woman was glad to see her. She
-heard all the news of the marriage and that the young woman would not
-go near her designated husband. On reaching home she told her mother
-all she had heard. The next day very early, while the strange man was
-still asleep, Hatʻhondas’s sister went into the great witch woman’s
-lodge and, taking the panther-skin coat with the rest of the garments
-and having thrust the piece of hickory bark into the back of the
-sleeping husband, hurried home.
-
-Hatʻhondas now had his whole outfit. Putting on his garments and taking
-his bow and arrows he went to the lodge of the great witch woman. When
-the daughter saw him coming, she could scarcely retain herself for joy,
-crying out, “That is the man! That is the man!”
-
-It was now almost noon, and the designated husband had not appeared. On
-looking for him they found him on the couch all doubled up, old and
-miserable, and coughing terribly.
-
-As the arrow which was still sticking in the eagle was unlike his
-arrows but just like those which were in the quiver of Hatʻhondas, the
-people were convinced that the old man was a deceiver, so they threw
-him out without pity.
-
-Hatʻhondas was now married to the young woman and her mother proclaimed
-to all the people, “My youngest daughter is now married.” In the
-evening, when the young wife pulled off her husband’s moccasins and
-threw them on the crossbeam, they became a pair of fine owls with great
-eyes, and hooted; as soon as the panther-skin coat touched the beam it
-became a large panther; the leggings became two wildcats; and the cap
-an otter.
-
-The next evening the mother-in-law asked her son-in-law, “What can you
-do for me?” and spread a deerskin in front of him. As he opened his
-pouch the two girls jumped out of it, followed by the two pigeons. The
-girls, running nimbly to the fire, brought coals for lighting the pipe.
-The pigeons, perching on the pipe as he put it into his mouth, rustled
-their wings and cooed. As often as he spat the spittle fell on the skin
-in a shower of wampum beads.
-
-The next day he went hunting and killed so many deer, bear, and elk
-that all the people had enough, and he sent a great supply to his
-sister.
-
-After they had enjoyed life a while, he said, “Now, I must go to my
-uncle.” His sister prepared provisions for the journey. She would shake
-all the flesh of a deer until it became small as the end of her little
-finger, continuing this process until she had in a small pouch venison
-enough to fill a lodge. On the way when they wanted to eat venison all
-they had to do was to strike a very small portion, when the meat would
-resume its natural size. So they traveled till they came to the old
-uncle’s lodge.
-
-While his nephew had been away, animals had tormented him by coming to
-his door while he was sitting near the fire mourning for his nephew. He
-would hear a voice at the door cry, “Quick, Uncle! I have returned,”
-but on opening the door-flap he would find merely a fox, rabbit, or
-some other creature.
-
-Now, to make sure, he cut a hole in the skin door-flap saying, “Put
-your hand through the hole, if you are my nephew.” This being done, he
-tied a strong bark string around the wrist and fastened the other end
-to the pole at the fireplace; then, seizing the corn-pounder, he opened
-the door carefully, intending to strike the intruder. On discovering,
-however, that it was really his nephew, he rejoiced and cried out: “Oh!
-you have come at last with your wife. Wait, until I clean up a little.”
-Soon he let them in. The venison was increased in quantity again by
-striking it against the ground, and there was more than enough to fill
-the lodge, so they had to build a new lodge in which to store it.
-
-They lived on together happily. This is the story of Hatʻhondas, “The
-Listener.”
-
-
-
-
-
-23. THE STORY OF THE OHOHWA PEOPLE
-
-In a quiet forest, in a lodge of their own, a husband and his wife of
-the Ohohwa people lived in much contention. It was their invariable
-habit to quarrel all night long. In the morning, however, all was
-pleasant again.
-
-One night a visitor came to pay them a call. As soon as the man of the
-lodge saw the newcomer he went away from the lodge. Thereupon the
-would-be visitor remarked to the woman, “It is indeed strange that he
-should go out just as I came in, so I shall go, but will come again at
-another time.” With these words he left.
-
-In a short time the husband returned, and being very jealous of his
-wife, seized the occasion of this visit of a strange man to scold and
-quarrel with her until, becoming enraged, he beat her and finally she
-fought in defense of herself. At last, becoming tired of fighting, the
-husband started off with the remark: “I am going to get another wife. I
-will not be troubled in this way any longer.” Weeping bitterly, she
-followed him until, touched by her plight, the husband grew sorry for
-what he was doing and returned with her to their lodge.
-
-In the morning he told his wife that he had had a dream during the
-night. He said, “My dream spirit told me that I must kill a large bear
-and be back home before the dew is off the grass.” Ostensibly he
-started away to carry out this injunction, but when he got out of sight
-of the lodge he went to the lodge of another woman, who also was of the
-Ohohwa people, where he remained all day. Toward night he started for
-home. On his way he met a fine-looking woman. He addressed her, saying,
-“Where are you going, my cousin?” She replied, “Oh, I am only going
-home.” He asked, “Let me go home with you?” Answering coquettishly,
-“All right, if you can overtake me,” off she ran with great speed, with
-him in pursuit. This woman was of the Djohkwehyanih [45] people.
-
-All night long they ran toward the north. About midday they came to a
-lodge, which the woman entered. The Ohohwa man followed, but on
-entering the lodge he did not see the woman, but only two old men. He
-asked them, “Have you seen a woman pass here?” The two men sat with
-their heads down and did not answer the question. But on the question
-being repeated by the intruder, one of the men, looking up, said, “It
-seems to me that I heard some sound,” and the other made the same
-remark. Then he who spoke first said, “Then get our canoe.” Going to
-another part of the lodge, the second man returned with a bark canoe
-and two basswood knives. “Now,” said the other old man, “seize the game
-that has come to our lodge.” The intruder drew back as the old man
-advanced, cautioning the old men, saying: “Be very careful, old men.
-You are Nosgwais people, as I know. I came only to ask for
-information.” But as the two old men advanced the intruder turned and
-fled. The old men chased him with great speed. After a while, turning
-and running back to the lodge, he seized a wooden mallet and the first
-man that appeared at the doorway he knocked on the head, and he did
-likewise to the second man. As the old men picked themselves up they
-said, “It seems that there is a great deal of fun in the game animal
-that has come to us.” On their making another attempt to enter their
-lodge the intruder again knocked them down. Thereupon one of the old
-men said: “Get up and do the best you can [magically]. Are we to be
-beaten in this way? It would indeed be a singular occurrence for us to
-be overmatched by the game animal that has come to us.” But in making a
-third attempt to enter the lodge the old men were still again knocked
-down. But the intruder said to himself, however, “I can not kill these
-people, and so I would better try to escape.” So, passing out of the
-doorway at the opposite side of the lodge, he saw the tracks of the
-woman going directly northward. He followed them all day. When night
-came he still saw her tracks leading in the same direction. He remarked
-to himself, “I will soon overtake her, I think.” But these tracks were
-not those of the woman. He had made a circuit and at daybreak he was
-near the starting point. He looked down and, seeing his own tracks,
-said: “Oh, another man is following her! I will kill him when I
-overtake them.” Soon he came to the lodge of the two old men from which
-he had started. Again he inquired of the old men about the woman, but
-they caught him and threw him into their canoe. Then they began to
-dispute as to which should kill and quarter him. At last they said,
-“Push the canoe back and leave it, for the game animal can not run
-away.” Indeed, the man could not release himself, as he seemed to be
-fastened to the canoe.
-
-Toward night be heard a voice saying: “You think that you are going to
-die. You would be were it not for me.” The man in the canoe replied, “I
-do think so.” Then the invisible man said: “No; you shall not die. At
-the end of the canoe there is a string, to which hang the two hearts of
-the old men; and this is why you were not able to kill them by knocking
-them on the head when you were here before (he now knew for the first
-time that he was in the same lodge again). Wait until it is dusk; then
-try to move and you will work loose. Then get out of the canoe quietly,
-and I will give you light to see where the hearts are. Take them off
-the string and pound them up, and you will be free. You can then remain
-here all night. The canoe has great orenda (magic power), and these two
-old men use the canoe when they travel. If you wish, I will teach you
-the song that belongs to it.” The man in the canoe, being very weak,
-could hardly speak, but he replied, “Yes; I should like to learn the
-song.” Then the invisible man answered, “I will teach you the song,”
-and he began singing, “Tgâiiehe onĕⁿ o’waqdĕñdĭʼ neʼʹ akʻhoñwâⁿʼ.” When
-he finished singing “Correctly my canoe has started” the man in the
-canoe thanked him, saying that he had learned the song. After dusk he
-began to move, and as he moved he gained strength. Looking around, he
-saw a pale light in the end of the canoe. Having freed himself, he took
-the hearts from the cord, and as he crushed them he heard groans and
-wails of pain. Placing them under the canoe, he crushed them, and their
-cries ceased. Then the young man lay down and slept.
-
-The next morning he awoke and said: “Now I have something in which I
-can travel. I shall now soon overtake the woman.” Setting the canoe
-outside of the lodge, he turned its bow toward the north, and, getting
-into it, he sang the song which he had learned to cause it to fly. The
-canoe started off so rapidly that only the wind could be heard as it
-flowed past his ears. All the time the canoe kept going higher and
-higher and swifter and swifter, and the youth grew more and more
-frightened; he began to fear that the canoe might bear him off to some
-evil place. Suddenly he heard a scrambling sound at the stern of the
-canoe, as if some one were trying to board it from the rear. Looking
-around, the youth saw a man getting aboard, who said: “It is wonderful
-how fast you are going. I was bound to get aboard, so I leaped. You are
-afraid this canoe will carry you away. I am the person who was with you
-last night. It is my fault that you are frightened, for I did not give
-you full instructions. The reason the canoe goes faster and faster and
-higher and higher is that you keep repeating the song. You should
-change the words of the song, and then you can guide it. I came to tell
-you this.” As he stopped speaking, he stepped off the stern of the
-canoe into the air and disappeared.
-
-The youth now changed the words of the song, singing, “Tgāiiehe
-wa’tkĕⁿ’dioñʹdă’t ne’ʹ akʻhoñʹwãⁿʼ,” and at once the canoe began to
-descend, gradually coming to the ground. But the occupant of the canoe
-exclaimed, “Oh! this is not what I wanted. I desired to come down a
-little lower only, not to the ground.” So he sang again the first words
-of the song. At once the canoe shot upward like an arrow and, heading
-northward, flew faster than it did before. As it flew along the youth
-saw the woman’s tracks ahead. Higher and higher went the canoe, the
-wind whizzing past his ears in a frightful manner. The speed of the
-canoe troubled the youth, and finally he exclaimed, “Oh! I am getting
-too high again.” Then, recollecting that he must change the words of
-the song, he sang, “Tgāiiehe hehdageshon hohweson nakʻhoñʹwâⁿʼ.” The
-canoe descended, but its speed was so great that he was greatly
-disturbed and distressed. At last he said, “I have learned the music,
-and all I have to do is to sing, ‘My canoe must stop immediately.’”
-
-[The story ends here thus abruptly.]
-
-
-
-
-
-24. THE CHESTNUT TREE GUARDED BY THE SEVEN SISTERS
-
-In a small lodge, deep in a dense forest, a man lived alone with his
-nephew. It was the custom of the uncle to cook every day the food
-required by his nephew, but he never ate with him. There came a time,
-however, when the little nephew asked his uncle to eat with him. The
-only reply was, “No; I have already eaten my food.” Then, urging his
-nephew to be quiet, he would remark, “I have cooked this food for you
-alone.”
-
-As the little nephew grew older he began to wonder at this strange
-conduct of his uncle. Finally he asked him: “Oh, my uncle, I never see
-you eat! How is this?” But the uncle made him no reply. So the little
-nephew decided to try to catch his uncle eating by spying on him. One
-night after this, when the little nephew had eaten his supper, he said:
-“Oh, uncle, I am very tired and sleepy. I am now going to bed to get a
-good rest.” With this remark he lay down on his bed, and drawing over
-him the deerskin cover soon began to snore as if he were sound asleep.
-
-The wily old uncle waited a while, and then assuming that his nephew
-was fast asleep, he decided to begin getting his own evening meal.
-Going to his bed and carefully searching among the skins with which it
-was covered, he drew forth a small kettle and a very small bundle. Then
-placing the kettle on the bench near the fire and opening the bundle,
-he took out of it some substance, a small quantity of which he scraped
-into the kettle. After putting water into the kettle he hung it over
-the fire. When the water began to boil the old man, taking a wand from
-its wrappings of skin, began to strike gently on the kettle while he
-sang the words, “Now, my kettle, I want you to grow in size.” Obedient
-to the words of the song, the kettle began to increase in size and its
-contents grew in bulk. Repeating the words and continuing to tap gently
-on the kettle, the old man watched it becoming larger and larger. He
-kept up the singing until he decided that the kettle would hold enough
-of the mush which he was making to satisfy his hunger; then he stopped
-singing and tapping on the kettle. Carefully replacing the rod, or
-wand, in its skin wrapping, he removed the kettle from the fire and sat
-down to eat. After finishing his supper he carefully washed his kettle;
-then he shook it until it decreased to the size it was when he took it
-from the hiding place under the bed, to which place he now returned the
-rod, the bundle, and the kettle.
-
-The nephew, who was still feigning sleep, was watching his uncle
-through a hole in the bed covering. He decided to take breakfast with
-his uncle in the morning, and in order to do this he resolved to arise
-much earlier than usual. When he arose, however, the youth found that
-his uncle had finished breakfast and was preparing something for him to
-eat.
-
-After the uncle had gone out to hunt the youth brought into the lodge a
-large quantity of bark to make a good fire. About midday he said to
-himself: “I am going to be very kind and good. My uncle will be tired
-when he returns, so I shall have his supper all ready for him. I think
-that I can prepare it just as he does.” For a long time he searched in
-his uncle’s bed for the bundle; at last he found it. On opening it he
-discovered that it contained a small fragment of a chestnut. Beside the
-bundle he found the kettle, which was very small. These were the only
-articles he found under his uncle’s bed. He wondered and wondered at
-what he had discovered, for he could not understand how it was that
-with this bit of chestnut and the tiny kettle his uncle could make
-enough mush to feed him. Finally he decided on his course of action,
-saying to himself: “Well, I must do this exactly as my uncle did. This
-chestnut must be enough for one more meal.”
-
-Kindling a good fire, the youth carefully scraped all the chestnut into
-the kettle; and then he poured water into the kettle and set it over
-the fire. Then taking the wand from its skin wrapping, when the water
-began to boil he gently tapped on the kettle, saying, “I want you to
-grow, my kettle.” He was so much amused by the increase in size of the
-kettle that he kept on tapping it and repeating the magical words,
-until there was hardly room enough in the lodge for him, because the
-kettle and the mush which it contained had grown so large; so, climbing
-to the roof, he continued to tap the kettle until it touched the sides
-of the lodge. He was so busy that he did not see his uncle approaching.
-The latter from a distance saw him on the roof, and watched his
-actions. As he approached the lodge he heard the nephew say, “Oh, grow!
-my kettle. Oh, grow! my little kettle,” and then he knew that the youth
-had discovered everything. This made the uncle very sad and depressed.
-He called to his nephew: “What have you done now, my nephew?” The youth
-replied in delight: “Oh, I have so much pudding that we shall have a
-grand feast.” Then he told his uncle everything.
-
-The uncle asked, “Did you use all the chestnut?” The youth replied,
-“Yes. There was only a small bit here.” Thereupon the poor uncle
-exclaimed: “By doing this you kill me. That is the only kind of food I
-can eat. I shall die of hunger now. That kind of chestnut does not grow
-everywhere, and only a person who has great orenda (magic power) can
-get it.” “Oh, pshaw!” replied the nephew; “I know where there are whole
-trees full of chestnuts of this kind. I can get a large bagful for you,
-my uncle. So do not worry.” The uncle, unconsoled, replied: “No, it is
-not possible for you to do so. This is a bad thing that you have done.
-This chestnut would have lasted me for years. Now I never can get
-another; I shall starve to death. I may as well tell you about it, for
-I must soon die.”
-
-Then, shaking the kettle slightly to decrease its size so that he could
-get into the lodge, the uncle said: “There is but one tree in the world
-that bears such chestnuts. Seven sisters who are great sorcerers own
-that tree. Many men have lost their lives in trying to get these
-chestnuts.” The youth confidently replied, “I am sure that I can get
-you one.” The uncle answered: “No, you can not. You are yet only a
-small boy. You would lose your life. These seven women have a great
-eagle perched upon a very tall tree to watch it. Night and day he
-guards it. Not a living thing can come near the tree, for if even a man
-try his utmost the eagle would discover him and scream out a cry of
-distress. Thereupon the sisters would come forth and beat the intruder
-to death no matter who he might be. Men have often taken the forms of
-various birds and animals to try to deceive them, but so far they have
-all failed in their attempts. These seven sisters have beaten to death
-everything that has come near that chestnut tree.” But this kindly
-advice did not change the youth’s resolve to make the attempt to get
-some of these well-guarded chestnuts.
-
-The next morning he said to his uncle, “You must tell me where the tree
-stands, for I am going to try to find it.” When the fond uncle saw that
-he could not repress his nephew’s desire to go, he replied: “Go toward
-the rising sun, and after you have passed through the forests
-intervening you will come to a large open space. In the middle of this
-great clearing you will see a very tall tree near which stands a lodge.
-On the top of this tree sits the eagle with his sharp eyes looking in
-all directions; and it is in this lodge that the seven sisters dwell.”
-
-Taking a bag, the young nephew said: “Now, cheer up, uncle. I will
-bring you a whole bagful of chestnuts before you have finished eating
-the pudding in that kettle.” With this remark the youth started toward
-the sunrise. After traveling for some time he killed a deer, which he
-cut up, filling his bag with the venison.
-
-Finally the nephew came to a place where he began to see through the
-forests to an opening, whereupon he resolved that he must put forth all
-his caution and craft. So, having the mole as his fetish, he called out
-“Now, my friend, I want you to come to me; come to me, you mole!” In a
-short time the leaves began to rustle at his feet, and a mother mole
-appeared and asked him, “What do you want of me?” The youth replied: “I
-have done a great mischief to my uncle by scraping away all his
-chestnut. Now I want you to help me get more for him. I shall enter
-your body and you will carry me underground to that tall tree yonder on
-which the eagle is sitting. When you are under the tree thrust out your
-nose a little so that I can see. I shall have to carry my bag with me.
-Do you think that you can bear me and it, too?” The mole answered, “Oh,
-yes! I can carry all.”
-
-After reducing his size magically, the youth entered the body of the
-mole and then it made its way to the tree indicated. As the mole
-arrived directly under the tree, thrusting its nose out of the ground,
-it said, “The eagle is looking.” In a flash the youth, stepping out of
-the mole, scattered venison all over the ground under the tree. The
-eagle flew down and began to eat voraciously of the meat. In the
-meantime the youth stuffed his bag with the chestnuts, which he
-gathered in handfuls, and just as the eagle was finishing the last
-morsel, the mole was engaged in carrying the youth with his bag back to
-the forest. When the meat was all eaten the eagle uttered a loud
-scream, and out ran the seven sisters with their clubs. When they saw
-that the chestnuts were already stolen and that no one was in sight,
-they fell upon the eagle and beat it until they had nearly killed him.
-
-Arriving in the forest, the youth said to the mole: “Now, I will hide
-my chestnuts here, and you must then take me back to the lodge of the
-seven sisters, so I can hear what they say, in order to learn whether
-they intend to follow us in an attempt to recover the chestnuts.”
-Having again entered the body of the mole, the youth told it to go
-under the ground until it came to the lodge. The mole obeyed him
-literally. When the mole reached the lodge, it thrust out its nose and
-mouth. The youth then stuck his ear out of its mouth and listened to
-what was being said in the lodge. He finally overheard one of the
-sisters say: “It must be a young man just grown. No one has succeeded
-since his uncle in stealing the chestnuts. Perhaps he has a nephew now
-who is as crafty as he used to be, and it may be that he, too, is going
-to live on chestnuts.” Another answered her, saying: “Well, they are
-stolen. We may as well let them go.” After hearing this last speech the
-youth asked the mole to bear him back to the forest at once. After
-reaching the forest the youth dismissed the mole with thanks for its
-aid, and then hurried home.
-
-When the youth reached home he found his uncle sitting by the fire,
-singing his death song, “I must now die of hunger, for my nephew will
-never return to me.” Then the nephew rushed into the lodge, saying,
-“Oh, my uncle! I have brought you here a bag full of chestnuts.” The
-old man welcomed his nephew home and gave thanks to their guardian
-spirits for the latter’s success, and he was very, very happy. He is
-still making chestnut puddings. His nephew became a great hunter. He
-obtained whatever be desired, because he had the mole for his guardian
-spirit and aid.
-
-[Note.—There are several versions of the foregoing story. In one
-version the tree is guarded by geese. The lad entered one of the geese,
-and as the seven sisters were bathing he slipped from the goose into
-the person of the youngest sister, and she thereby became pregnant.
-Being born of her, he became the master of the chestnuts.]
-
-
-
-
-
-25. THE OTTER’S HEART AND THE CLAW FETISHES
-
-Once in the fall of the year in time long past, a prominent chief with
-six or seven families went on a hunting expedition far away from their
-village. Having arrived at their usual hunting grounds, they did not
-find any game for many days. At last the chief, whose fetish, or charm,
-was a fawn skin, calling the members of the party to his kanosʻha
-(temporary lodge), asked each person to lay hold of his pouch fetish,
-and to declare while touching the pouch what he or she intended to kill
-on the following day.
-
-The first one to touch the pouch was a man who said that he intended to
-kill a bear; the next said that he intended to kill a deer, and so on;
-and finally the chief’s wife declared that she intended to kill geese.
-But, as the pouch passed around, the chief’s daughter requested her
-husband not to touch it by any means; when it was nearing them on its
-round she grasped her husband’s arm to keep him the more effectually
-from putting his hand on the pouch. As he showed a disposition to touch
-it, she pushed him over on the ground, but he arose again while she
-still clung to him. In spite of her he finally placed his hand on the
-pouch, saying, “Tomorrow, I shall kill two otters before daylight.”
-
-At midnight the chief’s son-in-law, arising, went to a place where the
-neighboring stream made a very pronounced loop, and there he watched
-for the otters. Soon he saw two approaching and killed both. He was
-very hungry, and as it was not yet daylight he took out the hearts of
-the otters, which he roasted and ate. By doing this he unwittingly
-destroyed the power of the orenda (magic potency) of the pouch for
-those who had touched it; so that day all the other persons returned to
-the lodge without any game. The chief’s wife, who had said that she
-would kill geese, also returned empty handed. When she saw the geese on
-the wing and clapped her hands, shouting: “Let them fall dead! Let them
-fall dead!” the geese kept on flying; in fact the charm, or orenda, of
-the pouch had been broken or spoiled by some one. After these things
-had been reported to the chief, he examined the two otters slain by his
-son-in-law. When he saw that their hearts had been removed, he became
-very angry with him. His daughter, the wife of the culprit, becoming
-frightened for the welfare of her husband, concealed a piece of dog’s
-flesh and a knife, at the same time telling her husband where he could
-find them in case of need.
-
-The chief said to his retinue, “My son-in-law has nullified the orenda
-of the pouch by eating one of the taboos, which is the earnest of the
-compact with it; so I think we would better kill him.” But his daughter
-exclaimed, “If you kill him, you must first kill me.” As the chief was
-quite averse to killing his daughter, he said, “Then, instead of
-killing him we will leave him here naked and without provisions and we
-will go far away to avoid the consequences of his act.” So the chief
-and the people stripped the son-in-law of everything, even of his
-weapons, and then departed, taking his wife with them.
-
-At midnight, when all alone, the son-in-law heard some person
-approaching on snowshoes, for this was in the winter season. In a short
-time a man came to the lodge and said to the young man, “You feel that
-you are doomed to die, do you not?” The young man answered, “Yes; I do
-think so.” Then the stranger said: “You shall not die. I have come here
-to assist you. Tomorrow morning follow my tracks to a hollow tree.
-There you shall find a bear. Kill it and you will have plenty of meat
-and you can make yourself a robe and footwear from its skin.” Then the
-stranger went away. The next morning the young man could find no tracks
-other than those of a rabbit. These he followed to a large hollow tree,
-in which indeed he found a bear, which he killed. Carrying it home, he
-skinned and dressed it. From its skin he made himself a robe and a pair
-of moccasins.
-
-Again about midnight the young man heard some person approaching on
-snowshoes, for the snow was deep. Soon a man’s voice from outside his
-lodge said to him: “I sent you help last night. Tonight I have come to
-tell you that your wife will be here tomorrow about midday. She
-believes that you are dead from hunger and exposure and she has run
-away from her father’s camp to come to look for you. As soon as she has
-rested, send her on the following day for her father and his people.
-Instruct her to tell her father that you are alive and well. Let her
-say to him, ‘My husband has meat enough for all.’ They will be glad to
-come back to you, for they have no meat and are hungry. They have been
-punished enough for abandoning you.” Then the stranger departed.
-
-The next day about noontide the wife came and she was welcomed by her
-husband. After resting that night the young man in the morning sent her
-for her father. The night she was absent the stranger again came to the
-lodge and said to the young man: “Your father-in-law will be very glad
-to know that you have meat sufficient for yourself and for his people,
-and he will be very willing to come to you. When he has arrived here he
-will exhibit his fetishes, and ostensibly to repay you he will give you
-your choice. Among them is one which you must select; this is wrapped
-in bearskin. It is the claw which I lost when your father-in-law caught
-me in a trap. You must not pay heed to your father-in-law’s statement
-that it is not of much account. He will insist that you take some other
-which he will represent as of much greater potency than this. But take
-my advice and choose this one.” Then the stranger departed.
-
-The next morning toward midday the chief and all his people returned to
-the lodge of the chief’s son-in-law, who welcomed them and offered them
-what he had in the way of food.
-
-In a few days the chief unfolded all his fetishes, informing his
-son-in-law that he could take his choice. On his reaching over and
-taking the one wrapped in bearskin, his father-in-law said, “Oh,
-son-in-law! that is of no account; here is a better one.” But the young
-man, remembering the advice of his midnight visitor, replied, “No; I
-will keep this one,” so he retained the one wrapped in bearskin.
-
-Some time afterward the young man went into the forest to meet the
-strange man who had befriended him and to whom the claw, or finger,
-belonged. He had not gone far when he saw what appeared to be a lodge
-standing in the middle of a clearing. On going to this lodge he found a
-man in it who received from him the claw or finger. Thanking him for
-its return, the man said: “I shall always be your friend for this
-favor. You shall succeed in all that you may undertake.” As the young
-man turned to go home the strange man bade him farewell. Having
-proceeded a short distance toward home, the young man turned to take a
-look at the lodge, but to his surprise it had disappeared. What he had
-thought was an opening in the forest was now a large body of water.
-
-Ever after this circumstance the chief’s son-in-law enjoyed good
-fortune in all that he undertook. He became a great hunter and a great
-warrior. When his tribe waged a war against a neighboring people he
-took many scalps and many prisoners. Whatever he desired he obtained
-easily in abundance. It was said by those who knew the circumstances
-that his good luck came from the friendship of the otter, whose finger,
-or claw, the young man had so generously returned to it.
-
-
-
-
-
-26. THE SEVEN SISTERS WHO PRODUCED WAMPUM
-
-In the long ago there lived seven sisters who were endowed through
-their orenda with great skill in sorcery. These sisters lived together
-in a lodge situated on a high mountain. From this advantageous
-situation they were able to see a long distance in every direction.
-
-One of their chief occupations during berrying time was to gather large
-quantities of huckleberries for drying and storing. They would carry
-long baskets on their backs by means of the forehead strap and smaller
-ones in their hands, for collecting the berries from the plants and
-bushes. These berries they gathered in the neighboring patches which
-belonged to them and brought them home to dry in the sun.
-
-Now, it so happened that these seven sisters were misanthropes, and
-they boasted that they hated men. Each one of them sincerely and
-frequently said, “I can not bear the odor of a man.” True to their
-animosity to men, they would not permit one to come near their
-domicile. They carried this aversion to the presence of men to the
-extent that they would have no relations whatever with married women,
-even turning up their noses at them, with the contemptuous remark, “Oh,
-they smell of men.” So they would not allow either men or women near
-their huckleberry patch.
-
-Among the young men who heard of these peculiar sisters was one who
-determined to have a look at them. In order to see them he managed to
-conceal himself in their huckleberry patch about the time of their
-coming. When the sisters, therefore, came with their baskets into the
-berry patch the young man saw the youngest, with whom he immediately
-fell deeply in love, for she was very beautiful in face and attractive
-in figure. He then and there decided to approach stealthily the spot
-where she was picking berries by herself and to speak to her at all
-hazards. He did not get the opportunity until the next day.
-
-On going again to the spot he had chosen as the best place to meet her,
-he concealed himself and awaited the coming of the seven sisters to
-their daily task of gathering berries. By good fortune the youngest
-sister came directly to the place near which the ardent gallant was
-concealed, and he lost little time in making his presence known by
-speaking to her in very low tones lest the other sisters should hear
-him. The sister addressed, turning around, saw him and at once fell in
-love with him, for he was a fine-looking young man. He said to her, “I
-greatly desire to speak to you, but I do not want your sisters to
-overhear me, for I am afraid of them.” So she stopped picking berries
-and listened to what he had to say to her. They conversed together for
-a long time. At last he remarked: “I must go lest your sisters discover
-me. I will meet you here tomorrow.”
-
-After her lover had gone the youngest sister tried very diligently to
-fill her basket with huckleberries, but she did not have time to do so
-before the eldest sister called out, “Come, now, my sisters, our
-baskets are full, and we must go home.” They started toward their
-lodge, but missing their youngest sister, called her until she came.
-She acted shyly, being afraid to go very near them lest they should
-detect any odor which would let them know that she had been near a man.
-Then they asked her, “How is it that you have not filled your basket?”
-To deceive them she feigned illness, but the eldest sister, going near
-her, exclaimed in disgust: “Oh, pshaw! She emits the odor of a man.
-Indeed, she has been near a man.” The youngest sister attempted to deny
-this charge, for she was afraid of her sisters; but they would not
-believe her. Too well did they know the odor of a man. They were very
-angry, and they scolded and threatened her; but she was now thinking of
-the young man, and so did not care what they said or did.
-
-The next day they started out again to gather huckleberries, and the
-youngest sister went directly to the spot where the young man had
-promised to meet her. She was more than delighted to see him there
-awaiting her coming. She sat down with him and they made love to each
-other. The other sisters, being very busy, forgot to watch her, as they
-did not expect that anyone would have the temerity to lurk, unwelcome,
-in their huckleberry patch. Finally she told him how angry her sisters
-were on the preceding day because her basket was not full, and so they
-began to pick berries together. When her basket was nearly full, the
-eldest sister again called out: “Come, sisters! our baskets are full.
-We must now go home.”
-
-The youngest sister lagged behind as long as possible, and the other
-sisters waited for her until she came up to them. When she drew near
-they cried out in bitter anger: “Oh! she smells strong of a man. She
-can not deny that she has been talking again to a man.” Thereupon they
-threatened to turn her away and not to let her enter their lodge again.
-But she begged them not to do so, saying: “What if I do marry? I shall
-not bring my husband into this lodge, for he will take me away to his
-own lodge.” But they would not listen to her pleading, their only
-answer being, “Tomorrow we shall go once more to pick huckleberries,
-and if you again talk to a man we shall never permit you to come again
-into our home.”
-
-All that evening and night she sat pensively thinking of her situation
-and of the young man. She could not bring herself to the point of
-giving him up. Finally she decided to cast her lot with his people,
-saying to herself, “Well, they may do as they like, but as for me I
-shall accept the young man as my husband.” Collecting a small bundle of
-her belongings, she carefully concealed them outside the lodge, so that
-in case they would not let her return to the lodge she could get them.
-During that same evening and night her sisters kept saying: “Oh! what a
-disgusting smell that is. How can she stand it?” and they made fearful
-grimaces at the odor.
-
-The next day the seven sisters went again to gather huckleberries. The
-elder sisters were so incensed at their youngest sister that they paid
-little attention to her beyond murmuring continually against her
-reprehensible conduct.
-
-On her part she went directly to the usual place, where she met the
-young man, who was impatiently waiting for her. After hearing how
-bitterly opposed his sweetheart’s sisters were to her love-making, he
-said to her, “If they do not let you go to your home, come to me, and I
-will be most happy to care for you.”
-
-When the time came for the sisters to go home and they made the usual
-call, she would not go near them, telling them to go on and that she
-would make her way home by herself. Then they said: “She has been with
-that man again. She will indeed bring shame upon us.” At last some of
-the younger sisters, relenting a little, said: “What shall we do? She
-is our youngest sister. She is very proud. If we turn her away from
-home, she will never come back again. We shall then lose her forever”;
-and they were very sad and disconsolate. But the elder sister, more
-conservative than they, said, “We must turn her away from us, because
-if we do not do so, some other sister here will be doing the same thing
-as she has done.” She was able to bring them, as least outwardly, to
-her view, and so when the erring one came to the lodge, they said, “You
-must not come into this lodge any more.”
-
-Deeply grieved, the youngest sister replied, “If you have thus
-deliberately cast me out from you, I will go away,” and true to her
-answer, she started away. Weeping bitterly thus to leave her sisters,
-whom she loved dearly, she walked along, hardly knowing whither she was
-going. But in her grief she instinctively started back to the young
-man, who had promised to care for her should her sisters cast her out.
-Suddenly, while she was thus pensively walking along, she heard the
-voice of the young man addressing her, saying: “Lo! I followed you near
-enough to see for myself how your sisters would treat you. Now that
-they have cast you out, I ask you to come with me to my lodge and be my
-wife.” Having no other present resource, she accepted his offer and the
-young man led her home in triumph. Now it so happened that the young
-man was an only son, and his mother was delighted to learn that he had
-obtained a fine-looking young wife.
-
-For a time they were undisturbed in their happiness arising from their
-devotion to each other. But there came an evil day when the young man’s
-mother began to be jealous of her daughter-in-law, for she felt that
-the young wife had displaced her in her own son’s affections. She felt
-this the more keenly because up to the time of his marriage he had been
-devoted to his mother and had not passed his time in the company of
-other women and men. Now he was attentive to his wife and tried to
-grant her every wish, although he did not neglect his mother at all on
-this account. The young man and his wife were accustomed to go away on
-hunting trips for several days at a time, and on their return brought
-much game and meat. But the young man noticed that his mother’s manner
-had changed toward him and his wife, and this troubled him.
-
-His wife, being a prospective mother, did not accompany him when her
-term was approaching; but when her husband left he would say to her:
-“You must be very wary, as I am afraid that my mother may do you harm,
-for she is very jealous of my love for you. Before knowing you I loved
-only her; but now I love you, and of course she feels that you have
-taken her place. I am afraid that she may do you harm, although I do
-not think that she will attempt to poison you. But you must be kind to
-her, and do not let her know what I have told you. Be on your guard at
-all times.”
-
-At last, without telling his mother the reason, he took his wife away
-with him to the forest, where he built a lodge and remained. Soon a boy
-was born to them.
-
-After a while the young man, wishing to know whether his mother was in
-need, went to visit her, carrying a large quantity of game. He was not
-long absent. He made several such trips to his mother. It was his
-practice to tell his wife just when she should expect him to return,
-and he did not fail to keep his promise. At last, however, he did not
-return. Time passed; his wife anxiously waited for him day after day,
-but he never returned. She told her son, who had grown to be quite a
-lad, that his father must be dead or that his mother had made him a
-captive in such manner that he could not escape to return to them.
-
-Years passed and the boy grew into manhood. In looks and manner he was
-the exact double of his father. He had become a great hunter and was
-very fond of killing turkeys.
-
-One evening on his return from hunting he found only the upper half of
-his mother’s body lying on her bed, while the other half was gone. She
-told him that while she was bending over a kettle, cooking, two men
-came into the room and, stealing up behind her, with a single blow
-cleft her body in two; that they then fled with the lower half, leaving
-her to die. She had crawled on her hands to her bed.
-
-The youth, who was in terrible grief by reason of his mother’s
-misfortune, exclaimed: “Oh, mother! you can not live. Oh! you will
-surely die.” But she consoled him by telling him that she had healed
-her body and that she could live a long time as she was then; and that,
-if she could recover by any means the lower half of her body, she could
-cause the two parts to unite again, so that she would be as well as
-ever.
-
-Moreover, calling her son to her side, she said to him: “Now you are
-old enough to know about such things, I will tell you all that you
-should know. This misfortune has come upon me through the machinations
-of my sisters, who are six in number. There were seven of us. When I
-was unmarried wampum beads of great value passed from me. This was true
-also of my sisters. But when I married your father this ceased, and my
-sisters were very angry with me. This is the reason why my sisters do
-not marry, for they are becoming very rich by selling the wampum beads
-which they obtain in this manner. Since your father went away I again
-pass wampum beads; and this is the reason that the lower part of my
-body has been stolen by the two men, who were sent here by my sisters.
-It now hangs in the lodge of public assembly, so that the wampum beads
-may be gathered from it. You shall bring back my body to me. I will
-give you the magic power to do it—the orenda which will enable you to
-call to your assistance any being or thing that you may need.” Placing
-her head upon his shoulder and her hand on his head, she continued:
-“You are my son, and I am one of the Seven Sisters. Whatever you wish
-to do you will now always be able to do by such aid as you may call on
-to assist you.”
-
-After this annunciation she thrust her hand into her bosom and drew
-therefrom a tiny black dog. Giving it to her son, she said: “This
-little dog shall be a companion to you hereafter. It will aid you.” The
-youth exclaimed with delight, “Oh, mother! why did you not give me this
-beautiful little dog long ago?” The boy was delighted with the tiny
-dog, taking it up and caressing it in an exuberance of joy. When he put
-the dog down, it leaped around, trying to bark and seeming to be full
-of life. “Now,” said the mother, “I will show you what you have to do
-in this matter.” Taking a small wand from her bosom, she gently tapped
-the dog, accompanying the action with the words, “Grow! my dog. Grow!
-my dog.” With each blow of the wand the dog increased in size until he
-became an immense beast. Then she said to the boy: “Get on his back and
-you will see that he can carry you. You must be very kind to him and
-never neglect him. He will always fight for and protect you. Should you
-desire to make him small again, pull his ears and shake him gently, and
-he will assume any size you may wish, from a great dog to one so small
-that you can secrete him in your bosom.”
-
-The youth willingly accepted his mother’s commission, saying: “Mother,
-I shall not wait another day to perfect my preparations. I will go
-after the lower part of your body at once.” His mother told him that
-the oil of a wild turkey was the only thing which could make the parts
-of her body grow together again; that it must come from a gobbler; and
-that he should prepare this oil before he went after the lower part of
-her body. She told him further that the oil must be rubbed hot on the
-raw flesh, and that then the two parts would grow together again, and
-she would be well. The youth said, “I will kill the turkey gobbler on
-the way.” But his mother said to him, “Oh, no! The turkey must not be
-killed until we are ready to use the oil, for it must live until the
-last minute.”
-
-Then the youth started on his quest for the lower part of his mother’s
-body. While on the way he encountered a flock of wild turkeys and
-contrived to take a fine gobbler alive. He fastened it to a tree where
-it would not be devoured by prowling animals of prey and where he would
-find it on his return.
-
-When the youth drew near the lodge of public assembly, which was his
-destination, he heard loud laughing, screaming, and quarreling over
-wampum beads, which the people were getting from his mother’s body.
-This made him very angry and determined to accomplish his errand.
-Having made his dog very large, he said to it, “Remain here until I
-return”; then he went to the lodge of assembly. On his way there he
-called on the Chief of the Crows to come to his aid. In a moment the
-Black Chief was at his side ready for any command. To him the youth
-said: “Friend, my mother’s body is hanging on a post inside of the
-lodge and the people are getting wampum beads from it. Now, when the
-people stoop down to gather the beads I wish you to go in at the
-smoke-hole, draw up the body out of the lodge, and quickly bring it to
-me.” The Black Chief replied, “I will do your bidding at once.” Waiting
-until the people on the inside of the lodge began to scramble and fight
-for the wampum beads, he swooped down through the smoke-hole, and
-seizing the part of the body which he sought, he flew out with it to
-the waiting youth, who sat on the back of the monster dog. With an
-exclamation of thanks to his friend, the Black Chief of the Crows, the
-youth parted from him. The huge dog ran homeward with great speed,
-directing his way to the place where the turkey was fastened to the
-tree. Having obtained it, the dog soon brought the youth, the part of
-the mother’s body, and the turkey to the waiting mother, who hardly
-expected her son back so soon. At once the youth killed the turkey, and
-taking the oil from it, rubbed it on the severed surface of the lower
-part of the body.
-
-After treating likewise the surface of the upper part he brought the
-two parts of her body close together, whereupon they joined of
-themselves. Then the woman with her hands rubbed the place of juncture.
-Becoming then entirely whole, she arose and, standing, said, “I am well
-now, and no one shall come to trouble us again. I am thankful to you.”
-This prediction proved true, for they two lived in peace and
-contentment.
-
-The youth became a great hunter, famous for his great successes in the
-chase. His mother continued to pass wampum beads as in former years,
-and their lodge was richly ornamented with many strings of wampum, each
-of which was worth a man’s life and two that of a woman.[46] Although
-the youth was always looking for his father, the latter never returned.
-
-
-
-
-
-27. THE FORSAKEN INFANT AND GAHA (THE WIND)
-
-A number of Seneca went hunting. When they had finished their hunting
-and were ready to return home, they did not know what to do with a
-little boy whose father and mother had died while they were at the
-chase. They had so much meat that they could not well carry him, and,
-owing to his infancy, he could not walk. Finally they decided to leave
-him in the hunting lodge, with plenty of wood and meat. Learning this,
-the child cried bitterly.
-
-When the hunters reached home the report went around that a child had
-been left in the woods, and all feared that it would die. At once the
-chief sent a trusty man to see whether the child was alive. When he got
-outside the village the man turned himself into a great bear, so that
-he could run the faster.
-
-Meanwhile the child kept a good fire and cooked meat and lived fairly
-well. One cold night he began to cry, for the meat was nearly gone and
-all the wood had been burned. At last he heard some one come to the
-door, making a sound as if shaking the snow off his feet, and call out:
-“Well, little boy, you think you are going to die, but you will not. I
-am going to help you. The chief has sent a man to see whether you are
-still alive, but he will not be here for some time yet. I will be your
-friend. When you want me to aid you all you have to do is to think of
-me and I will come.” Soon after that the boy fell asleep. In the
-morning he found a pile of wood at his door, and on a low limb of a
-near-by tree hung a piece of meat. Now he was happy. Building a fire,
-he cooked and ate some of the meat.
-
-The next night this strange man came again. Stopping at the door, he
-shook his feet but he did not come in. He said: “The man who is coming
-will not help you; he is coming in the form of a great bear; he will be
-here tomorrow forenoon. In the morning you will find between the roots
-of the old stump in the dooryard a trusty knife. You must sharpen this
-knife to kill the bear. When he is near, you must run to the spring
-where the tall hemlock stands and climb the tree a little way; the
-great bear will follow you. Then slip down on the other side, and when
-he is coming down after you, stab him in the forefoot.”
-
-The next morning the boy did as the voice told him. After he had killed
-the bear, he went to the lodge and was very glad.
-
-The next night he awoke, and the stranger, knocking, said: “My friend,
-I want to say to you that men are coming for you; you must go with them
-for they will be fond of you. You must not be proud. The headman of the
-tribe will want you to stay with him. You will be one of the fastest
-runners among your people. Do not forget that I am your friend; you
-will not be able to see me, for I am the one whom you call Gaha. If you
-are in trouble just think of me and I will come and help you. Tomorrow
-afternoon four men will be in this lodge. They will ask you about the
-great bear, and you shall say, ‘I saw no great bear, but a strong wind
-went through the woods one morning.’”
-
-The next day four men came to the lodge with food; they saw that the
-boy had wood and meat but no bow nor arrow. They took him home the next
-day. The chief ordered them to bring him to his lodge for the lad’s
-relatives were all dead. The chief said, “You shall be my grandson and
-you shall live with me.” The boy wanted a club instead of a bow and
-arrows. “What do want a club for?” asked the chief. “To kill deer
-with,” replied the boy. The chief had a club made for him. Owing to his
-great speed, the youth used to chase deer, which he struck in the
-forehead with his club; he also killed birds by striking them before
-they could rise to fly.
-
-The last word that his friend Gaha said to him was: “Do not think that
-you are the swiftest runner living. Do not boast of your speed.” But
-the boy had this idea of running always in his mind; when he saw other
-boys running, he laughed, thinking, “That running is nothing; I can run
-faster than any other living man.”
-
-One night he heard some one come and strike the door post near the bed.
-He did not speak. Then a second knock, and the visitor spoke, saying,
-“Who is there?” “I am here,” answered the boy. “Well, I challenge you
-to run a race with me, because you think that you are the swiftest
-runner living. We will start from the second mountain and run from
-sunrise to sunset,” declared the stranger.
-
-In the morning the boy asked his grandfather whether he had heard a man
-talking in the night. “No,” came the answer. “Well, a man challenged me
-last night to run a race,” said the boy. “Oh! I do not believe it is a
-man. It is a beast. Perhaps you will get killed,” said the old man.
-“Well, I must be ready,” said the boy; “we run on the third morning
-from this.” The youth made ready ten pairs of moccasins, put flint on
-his arrows, and took prepared parched corn to eat.
-
-On the third morning he went to the appointed place. As he drew near he
-saw there a great dark mass. When nearer he saw an immense creature,
-but he did not know what it was. When daylight came, he saw that it was
-a great bear. When the sun appeared the bear said, “Now, we will
-start.” At once he leaped straight across the valley to the next hill.
-The ground sank where he struck. He leaped from hill to hill all the
-time, but the boy had to run through the valley. At noon the great bear
-was ahead, and the boy was falling behind. The latter began to think,
-“I am lost; I wish my friend Gaha would come.” At that moment Gaha came
-in a whirlwind and carried the boy far ahead of the bear. Gaha threw
-all the trees down, and the bear was delayed jumping over them. The boy
-called to the great bear, “You must do better than that.” The great
-bear then gave up, telling the boy that he might have his life; so the
-boy killed him. Then he took some burned tobacco to his friend Gaha,
-and, after doing this, asked to be taken home. His friend, carrying him
-in a whirlwind, set him down in front of his grandfather’s lodge. The
-boy said: “I have come, grandfather. I have killed the great bear, and
-you must send and get his body.” The grandfather sent eight men to get
-his body. They were twenty days going and twenty days returning. The
-boy was not one day coming, for Gaha carried him over the woods and
-under the clouds.
-
-
-
-
-
-28. THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY
-
-In the past an old man and a small boy lived together in a lodge by
-themselves. With great affection they passed the time. Each called the
-other “friend.” They were not blood relatives, only cousins.
-
-One day the old man dressed himself richly—sticking new feathers in his
-headdress, trimming his hair, and painting his face, and putting on new
-moccasins. The little boy, watching him, asked, “What are you going to
-do, my friend?” “Oh, I am going to see the world. I shall be gone a
-good while. I shall make a long journey,” the old man answered. “Can I
-not go with you?” asked the boy. “Well, if your father and mother will
-let you go, I will take you along,” said the old man.
-
-Going to his mother, the boy asked her if he might go. After thinking a
-minute, she said, “Yes; you may go,” and gave him a new pair of
-moccasins to wear on the journey.
-
-He returned to his friend, who washed him, trimmed his hair, painted
-his face, put new feathers in his headdress, and gave him a fine new
-bow and arrows. Then both set out together. They traveled until night,
-when they stopped and made their fire in the woods; then they ate their
-evening meal and slept.
-
-They traveled in this way for five days, until they came to a lake so
-broad that they could not see the other shore. “How can we get across?”
-asked the boy. “Oh! we shall have to make a canoe,” said the old man.
-“Will it take long?” asked the boy. “About one day,” the old man
-replied. He looked around in the woods until he found a large bitternut
-hickory tree; stripping off the bark he made a large canoe.
-
-The next morning the old man and the boy, putting their bows, arrows,
-and fur robes into the canoe, started across the lake. The boy was
-seated in front and the old man, who paddled, in the stern. In the
-evening they came in sight of a low island, and without landing they
-fastened their canoe to the bullrushes that grew around the shore. “How
-can we sleep here? Is it safe? Are there not things in the water that
-might kill us?” were some of the anxious queries of the boy. “Oh!” said
-the old man, “there are fish in the water, and there are in the world
-evil things reaching from the bottom of the water up to the home of the
-Master of Life.” [47] “If the wind blows we shall be carried off into
-the lake,” said the boy. “Oh, no! we are safe,” said the old man. So
-both lay down and soon fell asleep.
-
-About midnight the boy heard a rushing sound as of swiftly moving
-water, and it seemed to him that the canoe was moving rapidly. He
-thought that the wind must be blowing hard. On sitting up in the canoe
-he found that the weather was calm. Then he thought that the water must
-be running very fast, and putting his hand overboard he found this to
-be true. He roused the old man at once by shaking his feet and saying:
-“Get up, friend, and see what the trouble is. The water is running by
-very fast. Where is the lake going? What are we to do?” “Lie down,”
-said the old man, “no harm will come to you or me.”
-
-The boy then lay down, but he could not sleep. Just at daybreak a voice
-spoke to him. Opening his eyes, he saw a fine-looking, middle-aged man,
-beautifully decorated with paint and feathers, standing at the bow of
-the boat. The boy saw, too, that the canoe was on dry land. Now the
-stranger roused the old man saying, “Come with me.” Taking up their
-bows and arrows and other equipage, they followed the man, who took
-them to a long lodge. They entered it. There were, they saw, many
-persons inside, some asleep, some awake. When the old man of the lodge
-met them he said to the guide, “Oh! you have brought them,” and then,
-turning to the two friends, he said: “I am glad that you have come. I
-know you have heard of us before. We are the people whom you call Hinon
-in your home. We bring rain to make corn and beans and squashes grow.
-We sent our young man to the island for you. It is we who put it into
-your mind to come east. We want you to help us, for you are more
-powerful in orenda than is anything else. The world was made for you.
-You are more powerful in orenda in some respects than we are, and we
-want you to help us to kill some of your and our enemies.”
-
-Then they ate their morning meal. There were all kinds of food—corn,
-beans, squashes. “We have these things. We take a little from a great
-many fields,” said the old man. “When you see a small row of corn, or a
-withered squash, or bad kernels of corn on an ear, or dried-up beans in
-a pod, then you may know that we have taken our part from these. We
-have taken our part—that part is the spirit of these things—and we have
-left the shells, or husks. If you should see a whole field blasted and
-withered, then you would know that we had taken the whole field. But we
-seldom or never do that. We take only a little from each field.”
-
-After they had eaten, the youngest warrior of the long lodge said: “Now
-we will go and try to kill the great porcupine. Off there on the hill
-stands an immense hemlock tree, the largest tree in the whole country.
-On that tree dwells a terrible porcupine, of such size that his quills
-are as large as long darts. These he hurls in all directions, killing
-all who approach him. We Hinon can not kill him, and we are afraid to
-go near the tree.” So they all agreed to go together.
-
-As they went toward the tree the boy marched ahead with his little bow
-and arrows. The old man, his friend, and the Hinon laughed to see him,
-and the old man said in fun: “I think that our little friend might try
-his luck first.” “All right,” said the Hinon. The little boy was
-pleased with the suggestion. They stopped at a good distance from the
-great hemlock tree. No one would venture nearer.
-
-Then, the little boy going down into the ground, went forward until he
-was directly under the tree in which the porcupine lived. Putting his
-head and arms out of the ground, and taking aim, he sent an arrow into
-the porcupine’s body. It moved a little. Then he sent another and still
-another arrow in quick succession. Feeling something hit him, the
-porcupine, raising his quills, shot them in every direction. To avoid
-them the boy hid under the ground. Then the porcupine groaned and,
-rolling from the tree, fell to the ground dead. Thereupon all the Hinon
-with the old man came up. Cutting open the great porcupine, which was
-very fat, they took out his entrails, and then dragged his body home;
-they saved his quills and ate his flesh. All wondered at the orenda of
-the little boy.
-
-Old Hinon was delighted. “Now,” said he, “we have another enemy—a great
-and terrible sunfish, which lives in our river here and which lets no
-one come near for water; he devours everything, and he even springs up
-out of the water and catches birds as they fly over the river. The
-little boy said, “I can kill him without trouble, for he is in the
-water.”
-
-The next day the Hinon and the old man went near enough to show him
-where the sunfish lived. The trunk of a great tree had fallen into the
-river, and it was under this that the sunfish used to lie in wait. He
-was in his lurking place when they arrived there. The little fellow at
-once saw him; he shot his arrow straight into the heart of the sunfish,
-which came to the surface and died. Springing into the water, the whole
-party of Hinon pulled the sunfish to land and dragged him off to the
-lodge of old Hinon, who was overjoyed at seeing his second enemy dead.
-“He is good eating,” said old Hinon, and they feasted on him that day.
-
-The third day old Hinon said: “Now comes the turn of our last enemy.
-Every other day there flies past here an enormous butterfly, as big as
-a cloud. He brings sickness, and many of our people die because of him.
-If we could kill this butterfly, we should have good health and very
-few of us would die. He passes over here from the west early in the
-morning and goes back in the evening. Wherever he goes he carries
-sickness. He will come tomorrow morning.”
-
-The next morning very early they went out in the high grass, where they
-waited. Soon the great butterfly appeared, flying toward them. He was
-almost over the place where they were concealed when the little boy,
-drawing his bow, let an arrow fly. This struck the butterfly, whereupon
-the hind part of his body immediately dropped, hanging toward the
-ground. All expected to see him fall. Instead of that he turned and
-flew back slowly in the direction from which he came. Hinon said: “I am
-very glad. I do not think that he will come again to this place. Our
-last enemy is destroyed.”
-
-They then went back to the lodge and ate. As the day passed, the old
-man said to the two friends, “You may stay and live with us or go home,
-as you choose.” The old man said: “I am old and can not help you, but
-my young friend—the little boy—may stay. He is very powerful in orenda.
-He can do anything, and will be of great assistance to you.” “Well,”
-said the Hinon, “we are going to your place this evening. There will be
-a great dance there tonight. We will all go and have some sport, and
-will carry you as we pass along in the clouds.”
-
-After dark, when the council lodge was full of men and women dancing,
-the old man, the boy, and the Hinon went in. As the Hinon entered, they
-began to dance. When they shook their heads the lightnings began to
-play around the lodge. The chiefs said, “Our grandfathers are here
-tonight. They should behave themselves or they may do us harm.” Then
-for a little while the Hinon quieted down. Later, again becoming
-excited in the dance, they shook their heads until the lightning
-flashed everywhere and the people were afraid.
-
-After dancing as much as they wished the Hinon went home, leaving the
-old man but taking the boy with them, and today the little boy goes
-with them everywhere. “And after the great peals of thunder we hear the
-little fellow with his boyish voice, and we say, ‘That is the boy.’ We
-burn tobacco to him, saying, ‘This is all we have to give you,’ and we
-thank him for the rain that he and the Hinon bring,” say the Seneca.
-
-
-
-
-
-29. THE STORY OF THE GIRLS WHO WENT FOR A HUSBAND [48]
-
-There was an old woman Yegondji of the Awaeh people with three
-daughters who had grown to young womanhood. One day she said: “My
-daughters, I have had a great deal of trouble in rearing you, and thus
-far I have not eaten anything but onehsa [moss]; now I should like to
-have some meat to eat. You are old enough to get married. There is a
-rich woman of the Donyonda people, named Doendjowens, who has a son,
-Tagonsowes. He is a good young man and a great hunter. I want two of
-you to go to her lodge and marry this son.”
-
-The girls set to pounding corn for the marriage bread. The old woman
-baked 22 cakes in the ashes, which she wrapped in corn husks. The next
-morning she dressed the girls’ hair and painted their faces with red
-stripes. She told the elder to carry the basket, and cautioned them,
-saying, “Stop nowhere until you come to the lodge of Doendjowens, and
-do not inquire of anyone on the way, or speak to any man.” The elder
-daughter took the basket and the younger followed her.
-
-About midday they saw a middle-aged man of the Ohohwa people running
-across the road, who was saying: “I have lost my arrow. I was shooting
-a fisher on a tree and the arrow has gone so far that I can not find
-it.” The elder daughter put her basket on a log and both girls hunted
-for the arrow. The strange man ran around the girls, and seizing the
-basket of marriage bread, carried it home. The younger sister did not
-like hunting for the arrow and reminded her sister of what their mother
-had said, but still she had to follow her elder sister. After a while,
-failing to find the arrow, they returned to the log; discovering that
-the basket was gone, both girls went home. The mother asked them what
-had become of the bread. The younger said, “A man asked us to look for
-his arrow, and I think that he stole it.” The old woman scolded them,
-saying: “You do not love me. You know that I am suffering for meat, and
-still you disobey me.” Then she said to the younger girl, “We will make
-more marriage bread to-morrow and you and your youngest sister shall go
-this time.”
-
-The next day they made 22 loaves of marriage bread. The day following,
-after the old woman had dressed their hair and had given them the same
-cautioning as before, the two girls set out. Going by the same road,
-they again met the Ohohwa man, whom they asked how far it was to the
-lodge of Doendjowens. “Oh,” he said, “it is not so far. It is right
-over here,” showing them his own lodge. There they found Ohohwa’s wife
-and one little boy. The girls put down the marriage bread near the
-woman, thinking that she was Doendjowens.
-
-When the man came home he sent his wife to the other side of the fire,
-telling her to pretend that he was her brother. She did so. He sat
-between the girls, talking to them. Soon the little boy began to say,
-“Father! Father!” Thereupon Ohohwa said: “This is my sister’s son. His
-father was buried yesterday and the boy is calling for him.” Then
-Ohohwa began to cry for his brother-in-law.
-
-At last somebody was heard running. He came and kicked at the door,
-calling, “Ohohwa, they want you at Doendjowens’s long lodge.” Ohohwa
-said to the girls: “They are always using nicknames here. My real name
-is Tagonsowes.” He continued: “They are holding a council and can not
-get on without me, so I must go. You lie down here whenever you like,
-and I will come home soon.” Then he went away to attend the council.
-
-The younger girl whispered: “Let us go out. This is not Tagonsowes’s
-lodge. If we could get the basket we might go on.” When Ohohwa’s wife
-fell asleep the younger girl took the basket of marriage bread out of
-doors, saying: “We must go on. Let us put two elm logs in the bed.”
-They did so, and started away.
-
-Soon they came to an open place in the center of which stood a council
-lodge. They stood near the lodge and, peeping through a crack in the
-side of it, saw Doendjowens, a fine-looking woman and her son, who sat
-near her, a splendid young man. There were two fireplaces in the lodge.
-There were also many people, men and women. Ohohwa was in the lodge,
-and the people were singing for him to dance. As he danced they threw
-pieces of meat into his mouth and struck his blanket with fat. He was a
-sight to look at. The girls recognized him.
-
-The younger daughter now went into the lodge followed by the elder, who
-put the basket of marriage bread near Doendjowens. The two sisters sat
-on each side of the young man, and Doendjowens was glad, for she liked
-the two girls. All sat and looked at Ohohwa. Just as he looked at
-Doendjowens he had his mouth full of mush, and he saw the sisters
-there. Dropping his blanket in astonishment, he ran out. The people
-wondered what the matter was with him. Ohohwa ran home. There he saw,
-as he thought, the two girls in bed, so he sat down on the couch and
-smoked a while. As he sat there, he was pinched several times by black
-ants. Turning to the bed he said, “Wait a while. I shall be there
-soon.” At last, having finished smoking, he undressed; then he
-discovered that what he had taken for the girls were two logs.
-
-The daughters of the Awaeh Yegondji lived with Tagonsowes and were
-contented. He was a good hunter and they had plenty of everything to
-eat.
-
-After a time Doendjowens said to the wife, her daughter-in-law: “You
-must go home and take your mother some meat. She is suffering for it, I
-know.” So making ready a pack of meat, she caused it to become small.
-On reaching home she threw down the pack, and it became as large as
-ever. Before the sisters set out for home Doendjowens said: “You must
-bring your mother here. I will give her one fire in the lodge as her
-own to use.” After Awaeh Yegondji had eaten enough meat and was glad,
-her daughters brought her to Doendjowens’s lodge, where she lived happy
-and contented.
-
-
-
-
-
-30. THE CREATION OF MAN
-
-(MODERN FOLK EXPLANATION)
-
-God at first created the sun and the moon. One day while walking about
-on the earth, becoming lonely, he said, “I will make a human being to
-keep me company.” He held his way until he came to an uprooted hemlock,
-which had raised a great pile of earth with its upturned roots. Now,
-the roots of the hemlock are very numerous and slender and are covered
-with tufted rootlets for, as the tree grows on thin, pale, sandy soil,
-it needs many feeders to provide the necessary sustenance. God made a
-human being from the earth piled up among the roots of this tree. There
-were so many small fibers in this earth that the human being was
-seemingly hairy, and the soil was so poor and light-colored that he had
-a pale, sickly complexion. God breathed on him and he stood up and
-walked. Then God looked at him from behind the roots of the tree, but
-being not pleased with his creation, he resolved that he would try
-again.
-
-God soon came to a walnut tree lying uprooted, which had pulled up with
-its roots a mound of black earth. From this earth God made another
-human being. As he looked at him, he saw that, being black, he had too
-much color. So God was not satisfied with this piece of work, either.
-
-Going on farther, he came at last to an uprooted sugar maple. There the
-earth had a fine deep color; so out of this God made the third human
-being, whose body was smooth and firm and of a full rich tint. And God,
-pleased with his looks, said, “He will do; he looks like me.” This last
-human being was an Indian; thus the Indian was the native human being.
-
-
-
-
-
-31. GANIAGWAIHEGOWA
-
-Once a Seneca warrior was missing from his village. It was thought that
-his disappearance was due to witchcraft in the neighborhood. A party of
-skilled men was formed to find out the cause of his unexplained
-disappearance. They discovered great tracks near the village, which
-they followed to a cave in the woods. Making a large fire, they threw
-burning brands into the cave. In a short time a Ganiagwaihegowa came
-out. They shot arrows at the beast, but none of these injured him, for
-he was full of evil orenda. But, while the bear was rushing around, he
-happened to raise his fore feet, and when the men shot him there, he
-died instantly, for it is said that the life of the Ganiagwaihegowa is
-in the soles of his fore feet, and that this bear is vulnerable in no
-other spot.
-
-The Ganiagwaihegowa used to eat common bears. No bear but this would
-eat a bear and no other kind of bear could be killed by being shot in
-the feet.
-
-
-
-
-
-32. THE MAN WHO BECAME A FISH, AND A GANIAGWAIHE
-
-Two young warriors, who were cousins, started on a hunting expedition.
-Having arrived at their destination, they constructed a temporary camp.
-
-Some time after camping they heard a very peculiar noise, and one of
-the cousins said, “I am going to see what is making that sound.” On
-investigation he found that the sound came from a hollow tree, so he
-concluded naturally that it was caused by a bear. Going back to the
-camp, he said to his companion, “There must be a bear in that hollow
-tree, although the noise which it makes is like that of a whirlwind.”
-Then they both went to the tree to investigate further the cause of the
-peculiar sounds. One climbed the tree to take a look into the cavity.
-At first he could see nothing, but finally he saw at the bottom of the
-hollow cavity a spotted trout, which was leaping around swiftly in
-water collected there. Crawling into the hole, he captured the trout
-with his hand. On getting out, he threw the fish down to his cousin,
-who said: “This is a curious fish. Let us take it back to camp.” The
-other replied, “No! Do not touch it; it may be something that will
-bring us harm.” But the other young man would not heed this advice.
-Taking the fish to camp, he cleaned, cooked, and ate it. When he had
-finished eating, he began to be very thirsty, and said to his
-companion, “Go and get me some water, cousin.” The cousin brought him
-water, and the other drank and kept on drinking, seeming to be unable
-to get enough water.
-
-Then his cousin said to him, “Do you not think that the fish is making
-you ill?” The only reply was, “Oh! get me more water. Take my moccasins
-and get me plenty.” He brought both moccasins full of water, which the
-thirsty man drank at once. At last the man who was not ill said, “I am
-tired of getting water for you; go to the spring and there you can
-drink all you want.” Visiting the springs he drank until he was tired
-of drinking; then he rested, and then he began to drink still more.
-
-The cousin, being busy around the camp, did not pay much attention to
-the sick man, but after a while he went to the spring to look after his
-cousin. Arriving there, he was frightened when he saw him, for his
-mouth had become like that of a fish. He asked the sick man how he
-felt. The other replied, “Oh, about as usual.” Then came the query,
-“Does not your mouth feel queer?” Putting up his hand, the afflicted
-youth found that his mouth had grown large, but still kept on drinking.
-His companion hurried back to the camp in sorrow. The next time he went
-to the spring he found that his cousin had become a fish to the waist.
-Later, when he went again to the spring, his cousin had completely
-changed into a fish, and had gone into the spring. The following
-morning his cousin had become a great fish, dwelling far under the
-water, and the spring had grown into a large pond.
-
-The man sat down on the bank of the pond. Soon the great fish, raising
-its head out of the water, said: “My poor cousin, you see how I have
-turned into a fish. Go home and tell my parents what has become of me.
-When you need fish, come to this pond and you shall get all you want.
-This pond will always be full of fish.”
-
-The man went home, where he told everyone what had befallen his
-companion. The people then visited the pond, whereupon the great fish,
-lifting its head above the surface, said, “I shall not long be a fish,
-for I shall soon become a Ganiagwaihe.” Then the people departed.
-
-In a short time the great fish became a Ganiagwaihe, having hair only
-on its back and feet. It remained around the lake, and of those who
-came there to fish it always killed and ate one. The people did not see
-this done, but always missed one of their number at that place. They
-did not like this at all, knowing that if the fish continued to live
-there long it would kill many persons. The people therefore assembled
-in council to decide how to get rid of the great fish. At last two or
-three young men agreed to go there and try to kill the Ganiagwaihe; but
-they never returned. Men who went to find them recovered only their
-garments.
-
-Finally the cousin of the man who had become a Ganiagwaihe said: “I
-shall now go. Perhaps I may be able to kill it.” So they prepared for
-him parched corn, new moccasins, and a very good bow and twelve fine
-arrows. Having arrived at the pond, he camped there. That night he
-dreamed that his cousin, appearing to him in the form of a man, asked
-him: “Why did you come? I can kill you.” The other answered, “I have
-come to kill you because you are doing great harm to our people.” Then
-Ganiagwaihe said, “I shall start at daylight, and you pursue me and see
-if you can catch me.”
-
-Early the next morning the young man started in the direction the
-Ganiagwaihe had indicated it would flee, and, running as swiftly as he
-could, he kept up the pursuit until midday, when he saw the tracks of
-the Ganiagwaihe. Thereupon he shouted in triumph: “Now I shall kill
-you. I shall soon overtake you now.” Then he ran faster than he had
-been running before. He ran until night, when he camped and built a
-fire. On looking at his bundle of corn flour he found that it had
-become ants; so he had nothing to eat. This mishap was caused by the
-Ganiagwaihe in order to deprive the man of food. It was now night.
-While the young man sat there thinking about his situation he heard the
-approach of footsteps. He knew that it was his cousin, the Ganiagwaihe,
-and he was ready to take aim when the Ganiagwaihe called: “Stop,
-cousin! Hold, until I can have a talk with you. If you will permit me
-to escape this time, I will start early in the morning and will leave
-this part of the country forever, and I will injure your people no
-more.” The young man replied: “If you are in earnest in what you have
-just said, I will spare your life. You know that too many have already
-been killed by you, and you must stop killing our people at once.”
-Thoroughly frightened, the Ganiagwaihe agreed to this; and, having bade
-each other farewell, they parted.
-
-The next morning the young man went home, where he told the people what
-had occurred, adding: “You can now fish in the pond as much as you
-desire; there is no one to give you trouble now.” So it came to pass
-that the Ganiagwaihe kept his word to his cousin.
-
-
-
-
-
-33. A DEAD MAN SPEAKS TO HIS MOTHER THROUGH THE FIRE
-
-An old woman and her son lived in a lodge in a certain village, and a
-brother and his sister in another. The old woman’s son and the brother
-were of the same height and looked so much alike that they could
-scarcely be known from each other; they were great friends.
-
-The son often visited the brother and sister, and the brother found out
-that he thought of marrying his sister, who was yet very young, when
-she became old enough. The brother was not pleased with this prospect,
-so he made up his mind to kill his friend. The next time the latter
-came the brother killed him. Digging a deep hole under the fireplace
-and putting the body therein, he covered it with earth, and made a fire
-again over the spot.
-
-The mother waited for her son, but he did not come home. Then she went
-to the other lodge and asked, “Where is my son?” “He left here to go
-home. It may be he is in the woods now. He said he was going to cut
-wood for arrows,” answered the young man.
-
-When the woman went out the brother started off and, cutting wood,
-quickly ran to her lodge, where he sat down and began to whittle
-arrows. Soon afterward she came in. Turning to her, he asked, “Where
-have you been, mother?” “Oh! I have been over at your friend’s lodge.”
-She failed to detect any difference between her son’s voice and his. He
-said, “Well, mother, I am going over there a while.” Putting up the
-arrows and running home, he said: “I am afraid, my sister, that there
-is impending danger and that we are going to die. Hurry to the spring
-and leave your pail there: then run around in every direction so as to
-make many trails and come back to the lodge.”
-
-Going to the spring, the girl covered the ground with tracks and
-returned. The brother said, “I am now going to put you into the head of
-my arrow and send you off to a safe place.” Taking hold of his sister’s
-arm, he shook her until she became very small; then opening the
-arrowhead, he put her into the cavity, and after carefully securing her
-there, said: “I am going to shoot you toward the east. When the arrow
-strikes the ground you must jump out and run. I will soon overtake
-you.” Standing by the fireplace, he shot the arrow out of the
-smoke-hole. In due time it came down on a stone far off in the east,
-when the arrow burst and the girl came out and ran off.
-
-After running around in circles and making many tracks around the
-lodge, the brother then went up the smoke-hole and stood on the roof.
-There was visible a long streak, or trail, which the arrow had made
-through the air. Running under this trail, he soon came to the spot
-where the arrow had struck the stone, and then he followed his sister’s
-tracks.
-
-The old woman, the murdered man’s mother, growing tired of waiting for
-her son, went over to the neighboring lodge to see what he was doing.
-She found the lodge empty. While sitting there by the fire, a voice
-spoke to her out of the flames, saying: “My friend has killed me. My
-friend has killed me.” Thereupon she dug down under the hearth until
-she found her son’s body. On reaching home she became a
-Ganiagwaihegowa. Then she followed the girl’s tracks to the spring and
-back again to the lodge. She could find no one in the lodge. At last,
-looking up through the smoke-hole, she saw the trail of the arrow
-through the air. Hurrying out, she ran toward the east.
-
-In the meantime the young man had overtaken his sister before she had
-gone far from the stone. After a while they heard the roaring of
-Ganiagwaihegowa. The girl trembled from great fear and grew weak. Her
-brother encouraged her. Stopping at night, they lay down and slept a
-little. The young man dreamed that a woman came to him, saying: “You
-think you and your sister are about to die, but you are not; here is a
-stone with which to defend yourself. Tomorrow about noon throw this
-piece of stone behind you, with the words, ‘Let there be a ridge of
-rocks across the world so high that nothing can climb over or pass
-it.’”
-
-In the morning he saw near the brush lodge the very stone he had seen
-in his dream. He took this piece of stone with him. Before midday they
-heard the roaring of Ganiagwaihegowa. At noon the young man threw the
-piece of rock behind him, and at that moment a ridge of rocks, rising
-so high that no living thing could climb over it, stretched itself
-across the world.
-
-On coming to the ridge the Ganiagwaihegowa saw that the tracks of the
-brother and sister went through the wall. She clambered up and then
-fell backward, howling terribly and crying, “I will overtake and eat
-them both.” The young man’s sister heard the words of the monster. The
-Ganiagwaihegowa ran toward the north, but could find no end to or
-opening in the wall of rocks. Then, coming back, the monster ran to the
-south, but could find no end there. Once more returning, she lay down
-near the tracks by the wall. It was now night. The Ganiagwaihegowa
-staid there until morning. On rising she was greatly surprised at
-finding nothing but a small stone in her way. Picking up the stone, she
-ground it to powder in her mouth, and then, roaring terribly, went on.
-
-The brother and sister had now gone far ahead. Toward noon they heard
-the roaring of the Ganiagwaihegowa and knew that she was drawing near.
-Taking a pigeon feather from his pouch, the young man threw it behind
-him, saying, “Let there be a thick rampart of pigeon droppings across
-the world, so high that nothing can pass over it or go through it.”
-Then he hurried on with his sister. Soon the bear rushed up to the
-rampart in a fearful rage. She tried to climb the rampart, but could
-not do so. Then she tried to push through it, but went out of sight in
-the filth, nearly smothered, and had hard work to get out. Then the
-monster ran as fast as possible to find an opening, but without
-success; so, coming back at night, she lay down and slept until
-morning, when she found nothing in the way but a feather. This she bit
-and chewed to pieces.
-
-The brother and sister came to a great wood, all the trees of which
-were dried up and leafless. They found a lodge, which they entered. An
-old man, who was their uncle, was sitting inside. They told him their
-trouble; whereupon he said, “I will do all I can for you, but you have
-another uncle living not far from here who can help you much better
-than I can.” The old man was engaged in chipping flints. When he got a
-handful of flint chips he would fling them out at the trees; in this
-way he had killed the whole forest, for he had great powers of
-witchcraft.
-
-The brother and sister then went to the next lodge. The old uncle whom
-they had left had a heap of flint chips piled up near him. When he
-heard the Ganiagwaihegowa coming he struck it again and again with the
-chips. But the Ganiagwaihegowa did not turn away; coming up to the
-door, she asked the old man, “Have you seen a couple of persons pass
-here?” “No,” said he, “I pay no attention to anyone who comes.”
-Thereupon the monster crushed his head, thus killing him. Then,
-discovering the tracks, the Ganiagwaihegowa said, “They have gone
-ahead; it is too bad that I have killed the old man.” Roaring loudly,
-she rushed on. “I will overtake you and eat you,” she said.
-
-Soon the brother and sister came to the other uncle. After hearing of
-their troubles he said, “I will help you all I can, but hurry on until
-you come to another uncle.” Then he made a trap on the trail, and near
-that a second and a third. When the Ganiagwaihegowa came up, she rushed
-into the first trap, where she struggled a long time. Finally, breaking
-through this trap, the monster went on until she got into the second
-trap. After a longer struggle she broke through this, only to fall into
-the third trap, from which also she escaped at last. Coming soon to the
-third old man, the Ganiagwaihegowa asked, “Have you seen a couple of
-persons pass this way?” “I have not,” was the reply, whereupon the
-monster, seizing the old man, ground him to pieces with her teeth.
-Then, finding the tracks of the young couple, she said: “Here are the
-tracks again; they have passed on. I am sorry that I killed the old
-man.”
-
-The brother and sister went to the third uncle. Rushing into his lodge,
-they found him making a net. His eyes were closed and filled with
-matter, but still he was at work. He had long upper eyelids hanging
-down on his cheeks. Raising the lids he cleaned his eyes; then with a
-piece of buckskin he tied the lids across his forehead. When the
-brother and sister rushed in, they said, “Uncle!” but he did not hear
-them. They called again, “Uncle! we are running away and want your
-assistance,” but he did not stop, for he failed to hear them. Then the
-brother hit him on the head with a corn pounder, whereupon, raising his
-eyelids, he said, “I heard a voice.” The brother and sister exclaimed,
-“We are closely pursued by a Ganiagwaihegowa.” “I will help you as far
-as I can, but your grandfather, who lives near here, will do more than
-I. Run to him,” was his answer. They hurried on.
-
-The Ganiagwaihegowa came nearer and nearer. The old man laid a long net
-across the trail, in which the Ganiagwaihegowa was caught. After
-struggling somewhat, she cleared herself. On coming to the old man’s
-door she asked, “Have you seen two people pass this way?” “No!” said
-he. The old man had told them to run to their grandfather, and they had
-done so.
-
-On reaching their grandfather they found Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa there, who
-had rattles. When the brother and sister came up Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa told
-them to go on and that they would come to a lodge, and that the people
-in that lodge were very strong in sorcery, having great orenda.
-
-The boy and his sister went on. The bear came to the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa,
-whom she killed after a hard fight. The two fugitives reached the
-lodge, in front of which was an old Djogeon [49] woman, who was very
-small. She told them to go in and sit down. She had three sons inside
-and also a great deal of bear’s fat. The old woman told the boys to
-make a fire on the tracks of the brother and sister and to put over it
-to boil a kettle of bear’s oil. They made two fires, putting two
-kettles over them, into which they poured the oil. Then the three boys
-got red willow, from which they soon made a number of arrows.
-
-The Djogeon woman stood near the first kettle when the Ganiagwaihegowa
-came rushing along asking, “Are the two persons here who made these
-tracks?” “Yes; they are in the lodge,” was the reply. The
-Ganiagwaihegowa started to go around the kettles, but the woman said,
-“No, you must go the way they went, right through the fire, kettles and
-all; you must do the same as they did.” On starting to do so the
-Ganiagwaihegowa got her paws in the boiling oil and overturned the
-first kettle. Badly burned, the monster fell back, growling. In making
-for the second kettle, that too was upset in the same way and she was
-burned still more. Then the boys killed the Ganiagwaihegowa with their
-red-willow arrows, and, building a fire, they burned her bones to
-powder, so that the monster could not come to life again.
-
-The old Djogeon told the brother and sister to stay two or three days
-at her lodge and rest; then her sons would take them home. She told her
-sons that this old Ganiagwaihegowa woman stole a young boy and girl
-from them and took them away, wishing to make the girl marry her son.
-The boys took the brother and sister two days’ journey, which was as
-far as they could go. Then they directed the former fugitives so that
-they got home.
-
-It is said that the Ganiagwaihegowa woman’s boy had a tuft of yellow
-hair hanging down his back, and that when he was killed, his companion,
-having cut off this tuft, fastened it to the top of his own head. When
-the Ganiagwaihegowa woman’s boy went hunting, he would send his arrows
-home and they would go into the lodge just where they belonged; but
-after the other man obtained the hair, his arrows would go home in the
-same way, for the orenda was in the tuft of yellow hair.
-
-
-
-
-
-34. THE POTENT BOY [50]
-
-A man and his wife lived together in an ugly looking lodge in the
-woods. They had a son four or five years old.
-
-After a time the woman gave birth to another boy, not longer than one’s
-hand, who was very bright and lively. Wrapping the little fellow
-carefully, the father, thinking he could not live, placed him in a
-hollow tree outside the lodge. Then he burned the body of the mother,
-who had died when the baby came into the world.
-
-The man went hunting every day as before. The older boy played around
-the lodge by himself and was lonely. After some time had elapsed he
-heard the baby in the hollow log crying, for he, too, was lonely and
-had nothing to eat. The elder boy found his little brother and, making
-soup of deer intestines, gave it to him to drink. He drank the soup
-with great relish and became much strengthened. The brother gave him
-plenty of it. At last the little fellow came out of the log and the two
-boys played together.
-
-The elder brother made the little one a coat of fawn skin, which he put
-on him. This made the baby look like a chipmunk as he ran around. They
-went to the lodge and played there. Noticing a decrease in the stock of
-provisions, the father asked the boy what he did with the deer
-intestines. “Oh,” said the boy, “I ate a good deal of them.” Then
-looking around the fire and seeing a small track and very short steps,
-the father said: “Here are the tracks of a boy. Who is it?” The boy
-told him how he had found his little brother in a hollow tree, and that
-he had given him soup and had made him a fawn-skin coat, and that they
-had played together. “Go and bring him,” said the father. “He would not
-come for anything, for he is very timid,” was the answer. “Well, we
-will catch him. You ask him to go to hunt mice in an old stump there
-beyond the log. I will get him.” Catching a great many mice, the man
-put them in his bosom, in his clothes, and all around his body and,
-going beyond the log, turned himself into an old stump full of mice.
-
-Going to the hollow tree, the boy said, “Come, let us play catching
-mice.” The little fellow came out and running to the stump rushed
-around it, catching many mice. The little boy, wild with excitement,
-laughed and shouted with joy, for it seemed that he had never known
-such fun. All of a sudden the stump turned into a man, who, catching
-him in his arms, ran home. The boy screamed and struggled, but it was
-of no use; he could not get away, and he would not be pacified until
-his father put a small club into his hand, saying, “Now strike that
-tree.” He struck a great hickory which stood near. The tree fell.
-Everything he struck was crushed or killed; he was delighted and cried
-no more. The little boy stayed now with his brother and played with him
-while their father went hunting. “You must not go to the north while I
-am away,” said the father; “bad, dangerous people live there.” When the
-father was gone the little boy said, “Oh, let us go north; I should
-like to see what is there.” Starting in that direction, the boys went
-on until they came to wooded, marshy ground. Then the little boy heard
-many people call out, “My father! My father!” “Oh, these people want to
-hurt my father,” said he. Making ready a pile of red-hot stones, he
-hurled them at these people and killed all of them. They were frogs and
-sang nohqwa. When the boys came home their father was very angry and
-said, “You must not go again, and you must not go west; it is very
-dangerous there, too.”
-
-When their father had gone hunting the next day the little boy said, “I
-should like to see what there is in the west; let us go there.”
-Traveling westward, they went on until they came to a very tall pine
-tree. In the top of the tree was a bed made of skins. “Oh!” said the
-little boy, “that is a strange place for a bed. I should like to see
-it. I will climb up and look at it.” Up he went. He found in it two
-little naked children, a boy and a girl; they were frightened. On
-pinching the boy, the child called out: “Oh, father, father! some
-strange child has come and he has frightened me nearly to death.”
-Suddenly the voice of Thunder was heard in the far west. It came nearer
-and nearer, hurrying along until it reached the bed in the tree top.
-Raising his club, the little boy struck Thunder, crushing his head so
-that he fell dead to the ground. Then, by pinching her, he made the
-little girl call: “Mother, Mother! some strange boy has come and is
-playing with me.” Instantly the mother Thunder’s voice was heard in the
-west, and presently she stood by the nest. The boy struck her on the
-head with his club, and she, too, fell dead. Now, thought the boy:
-“This Thunder boy would make a splendid tobacco pouch for my father. I
-will take him home.” So, striking him with his club, he threw him down,
-and the little girl also. When the boy with the club reached the
-ground, he said to his brother, “Now, let us go.” On getting home, he
-said, “Oh, father! I have brought you a splendid pouch.” “What have you
-done?” said the father. When he saw the dead Thunder baby he said:
-“These Thunders have never done any harm. They bring rain and do us
-good, but now they will destroy us all in revenge for what you have
-done.” “Oh! they will not hurt us. I have killed that whole family.”
-The father took the skin for a pouch. “Now, my boy,” said the father,
-“you must never go north, to the country of the Stone Coats.” The elder
-brother would not go, so the little one went off alone. About noon he
-heard the loud barking of Stone Coat’s dog, which was as tall as a
-deer, so he knew the master was near. He jumped into the heart of a
-chestnut tree, where he found a hiding place.
-
-Presently Stone Coat came up, and, looking at the tree, said, “I think
-there is nothing here;” but the dog barked and looked up, so that
-finally he struck the tree with his club, splitting it open. “What a
-strange little fellow you are,” said Stone Coat, looking at the boy as
-he came out; “you are not big enough to fill a hole in my tooth.” “Oh!
-I did not come to fill holes in your teeth. I came to go home with you
-and see how you look and how you live,” said the boy. “All right. Come
-with me,” said Stone Coat. Stone Coat was of enormous size. He carried
-in his belt two great bears, which to him were as two squirrels to an
-ordinary man. Every little while, looking down, he would say to the
-little fellow running by his side, “Oh! you are such a funny little
-creature.”
-
-Stone Coat’s lodge was very large and long. The little boy had never
-seen anything like it. Stone Coat skinned the two bears; he put one
-before his visitor and took one for himself, saying to the boy, “Now
-you eat this bear, or I will eat you and him together.” “If you do not
-eat yours before I eat mine, may I kill you?” asked the boy. “Oh, yes,”
-said Stone Coat. The little boy cut off mouthfuls, and cleaning them as
-fast as he could, he put them into his mouth. He kept running in and
-out, so as to hide the meat. In a short time all the flesh of his bear
-had disappeared. “You have not eaten yours yet; I am going to kill
-you,” said the little fellow to the Stone Coat. “Wait until I show you
-how to slide down hill”—and Stone Coat took him to a long hillside,
-which was very slippery and which ended in a cave. Putting the little
-fellow in a wooden bowl, he sent him down at a great rate. Presently he
-ran up again to the place where he started. “Where did you leave the
-bowl?” asked Stone Coat. “Oh! I do not know; it has gone down there I
-suppose,” replied the little fellow. “Well, let us try to see who can
-kick this log highest,” said Stone Coat. “You try first,” said the
-little one. The log was two feet in diameter and six feet long. Putting
-his foot under it, Stone Coat lifted the log twice his own length. Then
-the little boy, placing his foot under the log, sent it whistling
-through the air. It was gone a long time; then it came down on Stone
-Coat’s head, crushing him to death. “Come here,” said the little fellow
-to Stone Coat’s dog. The dog came and the boy got on his back and rode
-home, saying, “Now my father will have a splendid hunting dog.” When
-the father saw the dog he cried out, “Oh! what have you done? Stone
-Coat will now kill us all.” “I have killed Stone Coat. He will not
-trouble us any more,” replied the Potent One.
-
-“Now, my boys, you must never go to the southwest, to the gambling
-place,” said the father. The next day about noon the little boy started
-off alone. He came to a beautiful opening in the woods, at the farther
-end of which was a lean-to, under which was a man with a very large
-head (far larger than the head of a buffalo), who played dice for the
-heads of all who came along. Crowds of people were there betting in
-threes. When the game was lost the big-headed man put the three persons
-on one side in reserve; then he played again with three more, and when
-they lost he put them with the first three, and so on until the number
-was large enough for his purpose; then, getting up, he cut all their
-heads off. As the boy approached, a number who had lost their bets were
-waiting to be killed. Hope came to them all, for they knew that this
-little fellow had great orenda. Immediately the game began. When the
-big-headed man threw the dice the boy caused some to remain in the dish
-and others to go high, so the dice in the throw were of different
-colors. When he himself threw, all the dice, turning into woodcocks,
-flew high and came down sitting, and all of one color in the bowl. The
-two played until the boy won back all the people and the big-headed man
-lost his own head, which the boy immediately cut off. The whole crowd
-shouted, “Now, you must be our chief.” “Oh! how could such a little
-fellow as I be a chief. Maybe my father would consent to be your chief.
-I will tell him,” said the boy. So the boy went home and told his
-father, but the latter would not go to the land of gambling.
-
-“Now,” said the father, “you must never go to the east; they play ball
-there; you must never go there.” The next day the boy, starting for the
-east, traveled until he came to beautiful plains, a great level
-country, where the wolf and the bear clans were playing on one side
-against the eagle, the turtle, and the beaver clans on the other. The
-little boy took the side of the wolf and the bear; they said, “If you
-win, you will own all this country.” They played, and he won for them.
-“Now,” they said, “you are the owner of all the country.” On reaching
-home the little boy said to his father, “I have won all the beautiful
-country of the east; you come and be the chief of it.” His father
-consented, and going to the country of the east with the two boys,
-there they lived. That is the story.
-
-
-
-
-
-35. THE FAITHLESS WIFE AND THE THREE OLD MEN
-
-A man and his wife went into the forest to hunt. They built a lodge of
-hemlock boughs, in which they lived very happily. In the course of time
-a boy was born to them. They had plenty of meat, for the man was a
-successful hunter. While he was away hunting in the forests his wife
-would busy herself in dressing the meat, in bringing bark to keep up
-the fire, and in taking care of the child. Later another child, a girl,
-was born.
-
-Everything went well until the boy was large enough to do errands. Then
-his mother began to send him for water, which was at some distance from
-the cabin. For some reason unknown to her the child was much afraid of
-going to the spring. Whenever his mother ordered him to go he would
-complain and try to beg off; but, taking him by the hair, she would
-lead him to the door, push him out, throwing the water vessel after
-him. Then the child knew he must pick up the vessel and go. When he had
-brought the water into the lodge the mother would wash herself, comb
-her hair carefully, and after donning her best robe she would take the
-forehead strap and hatchet and go away, telling the boy that she was
-going for bark for the fire and that he must stay with his sister.
-
-This conduct was repeated at the same time every day for a long while.
-Then the mother began to be very cruel to the boy. She did not feed him
-properly, and neglected him in every way, seeming almost to hate him.
-At last the boy told his father that his mother did not give him enough
-to eat. The father had noticed that she was cross and cruel to the
-child, and had begun to think that something was wrong. Finally as he
-and the son were lying down together one night on one side of the fire
-and the mother and the little girl on the other side, the father began
-to question the boy about what took place at home while he was away
-hunting. Then the boy told him that about the same time every day his
-mother sent him after water to a place where he was afraid to go; that
-then, after washing herself and combing her hair, she would go off into
-the woods for bark for the fire, and remain a long time.
-
-The next day when the father came home he asked whether the same thing
-had taken place. The boy replied, “Yes.” Then the man determined to
-watch his wife. The following day he started out to hunt, as usual.
-After going some distance, he crept back to a place whence he could see
-what took place around the cabin. Shortly he saw the skin door open and
-his boy thrust out and the water vessel thrown after him. He saw the
-boy pick up the vessel and start off, crying bitterly. This made the
-father very sad, but he waited as patiently as possible to see what
-would happen next.
-
-The boy brought the water. Soon after this his wife came out in new
-garments, carrying her strap and hatchet. She walked away from the
-lodge in a bee line, her husband following cautiously. Walking down a
-little hill, she went on until she came to a dry black ash tree, from
-which the bark could be stripped easily. There she stood, looking up at
-it. Her husband drew as near as he could without being seen by her.
-After gazing up into the tree for a moment, she struck it with the back
-of her hatchet, making a beautiful sound. After waiting a while, she
-struck it a second time. Again the same musical sound was heard. The
-third time she struck it he heard a bird on the top branches. As she
-struck it the fourth time the bird flew down. As it alighted on the
-ground it became a handsome man. The husband saw how his wife and her
-lover dallied together. At that moment, drawing his bow, he shot an
-arrow. In the twinkling of an eye the lover, turning himself into a
-bird, flew upward and disappeared in the air. The woman sprang up, and
-seeing her husband, said, “It is you, is it?” “Yes,” he replied, “now I
-know why you abuse our boy.” “Yes; I do abuse him, and I will abuse
-you, too,” she declared. Seizing a club, she beat him until he was
-helpless; then, leaving him on the ground, she ran home, put her
-children outside the cabin, and set fire to the hemlock boughs
-composing its roof. These blazed up and soon the lodge was in ashes.
-Then she said to her children, “You stay here; everything will be all
-right.” Then, taking up a handful of ashes, she threw them into the
-air, saying, “Let there be a snowstorm and let the snow lie as deep as
-these trees are high.” As the snow began to fall, she said to the boy,
-“Here is your dog; keep him with you, and take care of your sister.”
-Then she started off.
-
-The snow kept coming down. Soon the boy and girl were covered, but they
-felt as comfortable as if they were in a warm cabin.
-
-After a while the father, having recovered, dragged himself toward his
-home. When near, he saw there was no longer a lodge. He searched for
-his children and at last found and rescued them. Then he set about
-building a lodge of boughs. The boy told him what his mother had said
-and done, and he was very sad. When the lodge was finished, he said:
-“You must stay here and take care of your little sister and your dog,
-‘Beautiful Ears.’ [51] You must always give him plenty to eat, as much
-and as good food as you have yourself. When you go out you must always
-carry your sister on your back. Never put her down nor leave her for a
-moment, and when the dog shows himself uneasy, turn around and go home.
-Now I am going in pursuit of your mother.” So saying, he started off.
-
-In the morning when the brother and sister and dog woke up they found
-breakfast already cooked. The boy first gave the dog his share and then
-he and his little sister ate. At meal times their food was always ready
-for them to eat. Some time afterward the boy, becoming lonely, said to
-his sister and the dog, “We will go out to amuse ourselves.” He had a
-bow and arrows, but could not use them much, for he carried his sister
-on his back from place to place. The dog usually ran ahead, then it
-would run back, and it was in motion at all times. They kept looking
-around and enjoying themselves until the dog began to whine and tease,
-wishing to go home. Then the boy said, “I think our dog wants to go
-back home.” So they turned back, and when they got home their supper
-was ready.
-
-A few days later they went out again, a little farther than on the
-first day. Again on their return home supper was ready. The boy always
-gave the dog his share first. A third time they went out. They had
-already gone a considerable distance from the lodge when all at once
-the dog ran after some wild turkeys. The boy followed the dog, which at
-last chased them into the bushes. The boy could not get into the bushes
-to shoot them, for his sister was strapped on his back. Thereupon he
-said to himself, “I will unstrap her for just a moment. Then we shall
-have a good fat turkey to eat.” So he took her off for a minute, but
-almost before he had reached the bushes she screamed, and he saw a
-great bear run off with her. The boy and the dog followed the bear for
-three or four days. The boy heard the dog bark as it ran on. At last it
-got out of hearing and he lost all track of both dog and bear; now he
-was alone in the world. He had nothing to live for and wished to die.
-He tried several times to destroy himself, but he could not.
-
-One day he climbed the high banks of a great lake. Mounting a rock,
-with the thought, “Now I will end my life,” he leaped into the water.
-When he struck the surface he lost his senses. On coming to himself
-again he seemed to approach a beautiful country with the purpose to
-stay there, and he thought that he was very comfortable. But it turned
-out that a great fish had swallowed him when he had struck the water.
-
-After a few days the fish got into a small stream, on the banks of
-which two sisters had built a lodge; they had also made a dam to catch
-fish. One morning on going to the dam they were delighted to find a
-great fish there. The first said, “Let us dress it right away.” “Wait,”
-the other said, “until we get the water boiling to cook it. We must cut
-it up carefully. Such a fish must have much roe.”
-
-When everything was ready they opened the fish carefully; in the place
-of roe they found a beautiful boy. For a moment they forgot the fish.
-They washed the boy and cared for him, and were rejoiced that such a
-gift had come to their door. They said: “We will take good care of him.
-Perhaps he will become a great hunter and get meat for us when we are
-old.” The sisters and their son, as they called him, lived very happily
-together. He soon surprised them by killing large game and by becoming
-a great hunter. When they found, however, that while hunting he
-wandered off a long distance from home, they were alarmed and cautioned
-him to keep near the lodge and, above all, not to go near the setting
-sun. Finally he killed a great deer. While the sisters were pleased
-with his power and skill, they were afraid something might happen to
-him, since there were so many wicked people about. The fear worried
-them greatly. They kept warning him of danger, saying that he must
-never on any account go toward the setting sun.[52]
-
-After a time the youth killed any kind of game he wished. One day he
-said to himself: “I wonder what there is near the setting sun? I will
-go to see for myself.” He had not gone far before he came to a
-clearing, in which he saw a cabin that seemed to be empty. Everything
-was quiet around it. Creeping up cautiously, he peeped in; an old man
-was sitting there with his head bent upon his breast. The latter
-instantly called out, “Well, nephew,[53] have you come?” Knowing that
-he was discovered (by sorcery), the boy answered: “Yes; I have come. I
-thought I would see what you are doing.” “Well, come in and wait a
-moment. I will get my head up,” the old man replied. Taking up a mallet
-and a large wooden pin that lay at his side, he drove the pin down his
-spinal column. Up came his head, whereupon he said, “I have a rule that
-when one of my nephews comes I play a game with him, and we bet.” “What
-do you bet?” asked the boy. “I bet my head against his,” came the
-reply. “All right,” said the boy. The old man dusted off the fireplace
-and made it smooth; then he shook the bowl and plum pits. The agreement
-was that the first who turned the plum pits all of one color was to be
-the winner. The old man said, “You must throw first.” “No,” said the
-boy, “you proposed the game; now you must play first.” At last the old
-man agreed to this. As he shook the bowl the six plum pits flew out of
-the smoke hole. When they got outside they turned into birds, which
-flew off out of hearing. By and by the boy heard them again; down into
-the bowl they rolled as plum pits. Bending over, the old man stirred
-and stirred them, repeating, “Let them be white; let them be white!”
-But he could not get them all of one color. At last he ceased his
-efforts. Then the boy threw his own dice, and, like the others, they
-went out of the smoke hole and, turning into birds, flew off. Thereupon
-the old man began to stir the dish, saying, “I wish this, I wish that.”
-Down came the birds as plum pits. Then both stirred them, repeating, “I
-wish this, I wish that,” and they all turned to one color. When the old
-man saw that he had lost the game he wished to play once more. “Oh,
-no,” said the boy; “that is not the rule.” “Well, let me smoke once
-more,” begged the old man. “No,” the boy said, and, catching up a
-tomahawk, he cut off the old man’s forfeited head. Afterward he set the
-cabin afire. Later he went home, but said nothing about his adventure.
-
-After a few days he thought he would go again toward the setting sun.
-Passing the old man’s place, he soon came to another opening, in which
-he saw a second cabin. All around it the ground was very smooth as if
-it were a great playground. Seeing nobody, he walked up quietly and
-peeped into the cabin; an old man sitting within called out: “Is that
-you, nephew? Come in. I have been waiting for you now some time.” “Yes,
-I was going by, and I thought I would look in and see you,” said the
-boy. “Well, I have a way of passing time. I play a game when my nephews
-come,” declared the old man. “What is your game?” asked the boy.
-“Playing ball,” replied the old man. “I like that game,” answered the
-youth. “I bet my head against my nephew’s,” said the old man. “All
-right. Let us play, then,” was the boy’s reply. They went to the middle
-of the clearing. At each end was a stake. The young man said, “Are you
-ready?” Counting, “One, two, three,” they threw the ball. The old man
-beat the young man in throwing, but the young man struck the ball, and
-was the better runner. When he was getting far ahead, the old man threw
-a horn after him, which stuck into the middle of the boy’s foot. He had
-to stop, sit down, and pull out the horn. Just as he drew it out, the
-old man passed him. Spitting on his hand, the young man rubbed his
-foot, and it was healed. He then threw the horn, hitting the old man,
-who now had to sit down and pull the horn out of his own foot. The ball
-rolled on, passing between the stakes. At the next turn the result was
-the same, so the game was lost for the old man, who wanted to try
-again; but the young man said, “No; that is not the rule.” Thereupon
-with his knife he cut off the old man’s head, and, after burning his
-cabin, went home.
-
-A third time the youth went toward the setting sun, farther than
-before. Passing the first and second clearings, he came to a third, in
-which he saw a great pond covered with ice; near it was a cabin. As the
-young man peeped in, an old man sitting there called out: “Well,
-nephew, I knew you would come. I am glad to see you.” “Yes, I thought I
-would look in and see you. Now I must go,” added the youth. “Oh, no! I
-have a rule that when one of my nephews comes I play a game. I run a
-race on the ice, and whoever gets beaten to the end loses his head. No
-matter how he gets there; only let him get there first, he wins.” Just
-as he was ready to start, the young man, taking a ball off an oak tree,
-said, “Let there come a high wind!” He got into the ball (which grows
-on the oak tree at a certain time of the year) and in a moment he was
-over the ice. The old man was scarcely halfway across. The young man
-then pulled out of his pouch a white flint. As he threw it toward the
-middle of the pond, he said, “Let this stone melt the ice and boil the
-water.” In an instant the old man was sinking in boiling water and
-cried for mercy, but the young man said, “No!” As the water boiled it
-melted all the ice; thereupon then the water disappeared, dry land
-appeared, and the old man was left in the middle of it, a great stone
-monument. After setting fire to the cabin the young man went home. He
-had never forgotten his father and sister, and he knew where they were.
-
-One day a runner came to the lodge of the two sisters, announcing, “I
-have been sent by the chief to give notice of the marriage of a certain
-woman. The chief wishes all to come.” Knowing that the boy had orenda
-(magic powers), the sisters were careful of him. When he said, “I want
-to go to the gathering,” they raised many objections, saying, “Bad
-people will be there; all sorts of games will be played.” They were
-afraid to let him go. He replied: “You were afraid to have me go toward
-the setting sun. I have been there. I have destroyed the dice man,[54]
-the ball man, and the ice-pond man.” The sisters were greatly
-astonished. The youth added. “Now, I am going to the gathering. My
-mother, father, sister, and dog are there.” Yielding at last, they told
-him how to find his grandmother, and said that she would tell him what
-to do.
-
-He set out; after traveling a long way he struck another trail; then he
-began to meet many people, and as they journeyed the crowd kept
-increasing. When night came they all camped together and were very
-hungry. Going out, the youth killed game, which he told the men to
-bring in; this the women prepared. The next day all went on. The
-sisters had said to him before starting: “There will be one woman in
-the crowd who will seem to have power over all men. Do not notice her.”
-He saw the woman, for the men all crowded around her, and one after
-another she satisfied all their desires. He looked at her but passed
-on.
-
-At last he reached the place where his grandmother lived. She was very
-poor. He said, “Grandmother, I have come.” “Poor grandchild, I am
-sorry. I have so little to give. I am alone and poor,” murmured the
-grandmother. “Oh! do not mind; we shall be all right,” said he,
-bringing in game until the old woman was so glad that she was almost
-crying with joy. She hurried around like a young girl to prepare food.
-Then he began to question her. She told him: “There is a great
-gathering at the Long Lodge. The chief’s daughter is to be married. She
-has been married before, but she nearly destroyed her husband, her
-daughter, and their dog. She had a son, but nobody knows where he is.
-Now she is going to torture her husband to death. He is hung up at one
-end of the Long Lodge, and everyone can strike him with a burning
-brand; his tears become wampum beads. Her daughter is hanging on a peg
-over the fire, slowly roasting. The dog is at one end of the fire and
-everyone who passes gives him a kick. He has consumption and his hair
-is all singed off.”
-
-The boy was very angry. When night came he said to his grandmother, “I
-am going to the gathering.” She warned him to beware of evil men and
-women who played games and tried to deceive people. When he arrived at
-the gathering he pretended to be a little boy, playing around with the
-children and going into the Long Lodge with them. There he saw his
-mother decked out gaily, perched on a high seat in the middle of the
-room, where she could be seen by everybody. He saw his father secured
-to a stake. Over the fire his sister was roasting, and he heard his dog
-coughing, barely alive. Then he told his grandmother what he had come
-for; that the woman was his mother and the man his father. “Now, my
-mothers, the two sisters, told me to ask you to help me. Tell me what
-to do.” Consenting, she said: “I know everything and am ready to help
-you. I have a pair of moccasins you must wear. At certain intervals
-your mother orders your father to be branded. Now, you must stand near
-the fire. The moccasins, being made of the skin of a woman’s private
-parts, have sympathetic power over them. When your mother calls out,
-‘Brand him,’ you must stick your foot into the fire.” The boy obeyed
-her, sticking his foot into the flame as the woman gave the order
-“Brand him.” That instant his mother screamed with pain. All, wondering
-at this, questioned her, but she would not tell. She was ashamed. Then
-the boy ran out of doors, but when it was time for her to give the
-order again he was near the fire. As she was beginning to say “Brand
-him,” again he put his foot into the fire and at that moment she
-screamed with pain. He tormented her in this way until she died. Each
-time she suffered his father and sister felt great relief. When she was
-dead, he took his father and sister and dog out of the building. Then
-he said, “Let this building turn to red-hot flint.” Immediately the
-lodge was in flames. As some of the people of the lodge had magic
-powers, their heads burst, the pieces striking against the stone walls,
-while their spirits flew out through the top into the air in the form
-of owls and other birds of ill omen.
-
-Spitting on his hands, the young man rubbed his father and sister and
-dog, and they became as well as ever. Then he said, “Now, we will go
-home.” Thanking his grandmother, they started for the sisters’ cabin.
-When they came near, the sisters ran to meet them, saying, “We will be
-your father’s wives.” And they all lived happily together.
-
-
-
-
-
-36. THE DAGWANOENYENT (DAUGHTER OF THE WIND) AND HER HUSBAND
-
-There were a nephew and an uncle, who lived together in a bark lodge in
-the woods. The uncle gave the nephew nothing to eat, making him live on
-fungus. He told him he must not go north to collect fungus, but always
-south. The uncle himself went hunting every day but brought back no
-game. At home he lived on chestnut pudding and bear’s oil. The nephew
-could not find out for a long time how he made the pudding, but at last
-he discovered the process. The uncle had a little pot and a chestnut.
-He would put the least bit of chestnut into the pot, saying,
-“Watchisgwengo, Swell, Pudding.” Thereupon the mush would increase in
-quantity.
-
-The next day after his discovery the boy did just as he had seen his
-uncle do, with the result that he had a good meal of chestnut pudding.
-He did likewise every day while his uncle was hunting. Then he began to
-wonder why his uncle forbade him to go northward. After thinking over
-the matter a few days, he determined to go in that direction
-notwithstanding his uncle’s injunction.
-
-The boy started on his journey, traveling until he came to a Long
-Lodge. In the lodge was a great supply of venison and bear meat, and
-skin bags of bear’s oil were hanging all around the wall. The only
-person within was a woman, who was sitting in the middle of the room,
-with her head bent down. There was also a small boy toddling around,
-who clapped his hands and laughed when he saw the young man. The woman
-took no notice of him. The young man played a while with the child.
-After a time he started for home, taking with him a small piece of meat
-which he had filched. The uncle, returning home, prepared his pudding
-in secret as before.
-
-Thus it happened every day from year to year. It was the custom for the
-old man to set out to hunt and for the young man to go to the Long
-Lodge to play with the little boy. The woman never moved nor spoke.
-
-The little boy of the Long Lodge was about 15 when one day he said to
-the young man: “You and I are cousins. Your uncle is my father and that
-woman sitting there is my mother.” The nephew then asked, “Why does she
-never speak?” He asked her various questions, but she would not answer
-him a word. Thereupon with his bow and arrow he shot at a bag of bear’s
-oil which hung above her head. The arrow pierced the bag and the oil
-flowing out fell upon the woman’s head and face. This made her very
-angry, but she did not speak.
-
-Now, all the meat in the lodge was the game which the uncle of the
-young man killed and brought in every day. He never came there until
-late in the day while the nephew went home early, so that in all these
-years they had never met at the Long Lodge. When the uncle came that
-evening he found the bag broken and the oil spilt over the woman. He
-suspected that his nephew had been there. On reaching his own lodge
-that night he asked, “Have you been at the Long Lodge?” “Oh, yes,” said
-the nephew; “I have been going there for the last 13 years. I have
-always eaten of the meat there. I have not eaten fungus for many
-years.” The uncle was very angry, and asked him whether he broke the
-bag containing the bear’s oil. “Yes,” the young man answered. “Oh! you
-have destroyed us both, I fear. That woman is an awful witch. She can
-not be killed. She will ruin us both,” said the uncle.
-
-The next day the uncle went off again. But that time the nephew
-remained at home. During the day, raising the cover of his uncle’s
-couch, he found a great pot. This he filled with water, putting in also
-a good-sized piece of the chestnut, for he was very angry with his
-uncle. When the pot boiled, he began to strike it, saying, “Swell, Pot!
-Swell, Pot!” When it came up as high as the bed, he climbed on the bed.
-On the pot rising higher, he climbed on the shelf, which extended
-around the side of the lodge. When it rose as high as that, he climbed
-out of the smoke hole on the roof, enjoying immensely the increase of
-the pudding, knowing how terribly angry his uncle would be when he
-returned in the evening.
-
-When his uncle came home he said to the boy, “What have you been
-doing?” “Making chestnut pudding,” declared the nephew. “Oh! it is too
-bad,” exclaimed the uncle. “Oh! that is an old story with me. I have
-been eating chestnut pudding for 15 years,” declared the boy. “By doing
-this you will destroy us both,” said the uncle, who was more angry than
-ever before. “You have enraged that woman. She will never stop her
-revenge until she has killed us both,” continued the uncle.
-
-They went to bed, the old man feeling very bad. Just at daybreak the
-next morning they heard a terrible noise away off in the distance. The
-trees began to moan. The sound grew louder and louder. The two anxious
-watchers heard the cracking of branches and the falling of trees. They
-said the most awful tempest they had ever heard was coming, with the
-woman right in the midst of the storm. Sweeping down on the lodge and
-tearing it up from the ground, she caught up the uncle and bore him
-away. The nephew had hidden, so she did not find him.
-
-That day the boy, going to the Long Lodge as before, found the old
-woman sitting there, mute and motionless, as if nothing had happened in
-the meantime. He asked the other boy, “What has your mother done with
-your father?” “Oh! you will never see him again. She will come for you
-tomorrow morning. I do not know what she has done with my father, but
-she went off with him and came back without him,” declared the boy.
-
-The nephew of the man went home to prepare for the coming of the woman.
-He had a mole for his guardian. He got inside of the mole, which,
-instructed by him, went down into the ground under the lodge as deep as
-he could. The next morning the woman came again with terrible fury,
-raging worse than before. She uprooted all the trees in her path, but
-she could not find the nephew, so she had to go away without him.
-
-Soon afterward the nephew went again to the Long Lodge. There sat the
-woman, motionless as before. “Oh!” said the small boy, “she went for
-you this morning, but could not find you. Where were you?” “I was right
-there,” replied the nephew of the man.
-
-Then the nephew went home. The next morning at daybreak a similar
-tempest came; but the boy was down in the ground, inside the mole, so
-that the woman could not find him. Thereupon, making herself into a
-great whirlwind, and digging a deep hole in the ground, she lifted the
-earth to the sky, carrying the mole along in the dirt. The mole fell,
-but escaped, while the boy was killed. The old woman went home well
-satisfied.
-
-The mole went immediately to work, however, and by blowing the breath
-into the boy’s mouth and withdrawing it brought him back to life.
-
-After that the nephew set out to find where his uncle was, going
-northward. He went beyond the Long Lodge, traveling as fast as he could
-all day and night and carrying the mole with him. The next morning at
-daybreak the witch again came after him in a terrible tempest. Once
-more getting into the mole, he went into the ground, where she could
-not find him, so she went home to the Long Lodge. He traveled the
-second day as fast as he could. On the third morning the woman came
-still again in a roaring tempest. Finding that the nephew was in the
-mole, she made once more a whirlwind, which scooped up the earth,
-leaving a great hole, and carried him in the dirt far up into the
-clouds. The mole falling to the earth, the boy was killed. The witch
-went home satisfied. The mole, by again working over the dead nephew,
-brought him back to life. Whereupon the latter, putting the mole into
-his belt, ran on as fast as he could all the third day. That night he
-spent deep down in the great rocks of a mountain.
-
-On the fourth morning at daybreak the woman came in a tempest, as
-before, but could not find the nephew. The same day he traveled until
-he came upon a lodge in an opening, like the other Long Lodge, which
-was supplied with everything; there, under the roots of a great elm
-tree near the lodge he found his uncle. The tree was standing on his
-breast, and his feet were sticking out at one side and his head at the
-other. He was reduced to skin and bones. He begged for a smoke,
-exclaiming, “Oh, my nephew! if only I could have a smoke.” “Poor uncle!
-I will get you a smoke,” said the nephew, and pushing the tree down he
-gave him a smoke. After smoking, the uncle arose, well. He and the
-nephew then went into the lodge, where they remained together two or
-three days.
-
-One morning at daybreak the tempest came again. By watching the young
-man had found that the witch came in a narrow path and that it was
-possible to get out of her course. So he told his uncle to run
-westward, keeping out of her path, for she was the wind. The nephew
-himself stayed at home to meet her, going into the ground again, and
-again she dug him up and killed him. She went home contented, but the
-mole brought him to life. Then he followed her immediately to the
-lodge, where he found her sitting motionless. Shooting an arrow at the
-witch, he killed her. Then forming a great pile of dry bark, wood, and
-bear’s oil, he burned the body thereon, throwing the bones far away in
-every direction. When he had finished this task he said to the small
-boy, “We will go to my uncle, your father.” They went together to the
-old man and lived at the second Long Lodge for a few days.
-
-But the witch came to life, and suspecting that they were at the Long
-Lodge, she went there in a terrible rage. Now the nephew, determined to
-meet her alone, sent his uncle and the boy away. He himself kept out of
-her path, for he had discovered her habits and her strength. He had
-learned also that after a certain time her force was spent, so that she
-became weak and could not go fast. He kept swerving to one side,
-therefore, until she turned into a whirlwind, and even afterward. When
-all her strength was spent and she had not found him the witch turned
-to go home. She had to walk, for she could no longer go through the
-air. Then, following her, the nephew killed her with his arrows.
-Thereupon he called his uncle and cousin. They burned her body to ashes
-and taking all the larger bones to the second Long Lodge they there
-pounded them into powder. This powder the nephew divided into three
-portions, each one of which he put in one of three skin bags, which he
-tied tight. One bag he gave to his uncle, another he gave to his
-cousin, and the third he put into his own pouch, saying: “I will keep
-it here. She shall never come to life again. When we are in a storm we
-must always keep apart, so that the force that is in these powders can
-not unite.”
-
-Then the three went to the first Long Lodge, where there was a large
-supply of every kind of dried meat, and they lived together, prosperous
-and happy.
-
-
-
-
-
-37. A RACCOON STORY
-
-An uncle and a nephew lived together in a lodge in the forest. The
-nephew was a fine hunter. One day when the nephew was off in the woods
-hunting for game, a handsome woman, bringing a basket of bread, came to
-the lodge and said to the old man, the uncle, “My father and mother
-have sent me here to marry your nephew.” “Is it true that they sent
-you?” asked the uncle. “Yes,” said the young woman. “It is well,” said
-the old uncle. Lowering the basket, the girl set it before the old
-uncle. In it was the customary marriage bread. When the nephew came
-home, the old uncle said, “You are married now; here is your wife,”
-showing him the young woman. “It is well,” replied the nephew, and he
-and the young woman became man and wife.
-
-Every day the nephew went out hunting, always returning with a heavy
-load of game.
-
-One day while out hunting he came to a tree in the top of which was a
-large hole. In this he found a litter of raccoons. Climbing the tree,
-he threw one raccoon after another to the ground. All at once he heard
-a woman’s voice under the tree, saying, “Come down! come down! you are
-tired.” With that, she ran off through the forest. When he reached
-home, he told what had happened. His wife laughed at his perplexity,
-but said nothing.
-
-Not long afterward, on a hunting trip, while packing up his game and
-making ready to start home, a woman came up behind him, and taking him
-by the arm, led him to a neighboring log. They sat down on it,
-whereupon drawing his head on her lap, she began to look for vermin. He
-was soon asleep from her orenda (magic power). Putting him into a
-basket, which she threw on her back, the woman went to the rocks in the
-middle of a lake. Then she took him out, and awakening him, asked, “Do
-you know this place?” Looking around, he replied, “Yes. This is the
-place where my uncle and I used to fish,” and giving a sudden spring
-into the water, he became a bass and escaped in a flash.
-
-On reaching home, he told his wife what had happened to him. She
-laughed, but said nothing. He was so frightened at what had taken place
-that he remained at home for several days. At last the feeling of fear
-wore away and he started off to hunt.
-
-As he was packing up his game to return home, a woman’s voice said,
-“Stop! Wait a while, for you must be tired.” They sat down on a log,
-and she, drawing his head on her lap, began looking for vermin. The man
-was soon asleep. Putting him into a basket, the woman carried him off
-to a great ledge of rocks, where there was only a small foothold.
-Taking him out of the basket, she asked, “Do you know this place?” “I
-will tell you soon,” said he, looking around. But at that instant the
-woman disappeared. He soon saw some one farther along on the rock, and
-heard him say, “I am fish hungry. I will fish a while.” Then, throwing
-out his line into the water below, he began singing while he pulled up
-one fish after another. At last he said: “I have enough. I shall take a
-rest now and have something to eat. This is what we people eat when we
-are out all night in the rocks.” Then he took a baked squash out of his
-basket.
-
-The young man said to the rock, “Stand back a little, so that I can
-string my bow.” The rock stood back. Stringing his bow and saying, “Now
-boast again!” he shot the fisherman. The young man soon heard a loud
-noise, and looking in the direction from which it came, he saw an
-enormous bat pass a little to one side of him. Taking from his pouch a
-hemlock leaf, and dropping it over the rocks, he began to sing, “A tree
-must grow from the hemlock leaf.” Soon a tree came in sight. Then he
-talked to the tree, saying, “Come near to me and have many limbs.” As
-the tree came to a level with the place on the rocks where the young
-man was sitting, it stopped growing. He had seen along the narrow shelf
-on the rocks many other men. He called to the nearest one, asking him
-to tell all to come, so they could escape. Slowly creeping up, one
-after another, they went down the hemlock tree.
-
-When all had reached the ground, the young man, taking a strawberry
-leaf out of his pocket and laying it on the ground, said, “Grow and
-bear berries.” Then he began singing, “Ripen berries, ripen berries.”
-The vines grew, and were filled with berries, which ripened in a short
-time.[55] When they had all eaten as many berries as they wanted the
-young man picked off a leaf and put it into his pouch, whereupon all
-the vines and berries disappeared.
-
-Then he said, “Let us go to our wife” (meaning the woman). After
-traveling some distance the young man killed an elk. Cutting into
-strings the hide they made a “papoose board,” but big enough for an
-adult; then they started on. Soon they came near a lodge, where they
-saw a woman pounding corn. When she noticed them coming she began to
-scold and, holding up the corn pounder, was going to fight with them.
-When the young man said, however, “Let the corn pounder stop right
-there,” it stopped in the air, half raised. Seizing the woman, they
-strapped her to the board, saying, “You must be very cold.” Then they
-set the board up in front of the fire in order to broil her slowly.
-Just at this time the young man’s wife came. Finding that they were
-roasting the woman, she was angry and, freeing her, said, “You are now
-liberated and I shall go home.” Making her way to the lake, she called
-on the bloodsuckers to stretch across it so that she could walk over on
-them. Each man went to his own lodge. When the young man came home his
-wife was there.
-
-
-
-
-
-38. THE SELF-SACRIFICE OF TWO DOGS FOR THEIR MASTER
-
-In a certain village lived a man who was very fond of hunting; he had
-two dogs, which were so very strong and fierce that they would attack
-and kill a bear.
-
-One day the man started off from the village to hunt. After he had
-traveled for two days he pitched his camp. The next morning he began to
-hunt. He was very successful for many days, killing a great deal of
-game. One night as he was going to sleep his dogs began to bark
-furiously. Not far away from the camp was a very large elm tree, whose
-top had been broken off. Hitherto the man had thought it might be
-hollow, although he had never examined it. One dog ran in the direction
-of this tree. The other dog followed it, and by the sound of its
-barking the man knew that it had stopped near this tree.
-
-After a time one dog came back to the man, saying: “My brother, I
-believe that we are going to die to-night; we have seen a creature such
-as we have never beheld before. We think that it will come down from
-the tree to attack us. I will go and watch it; but first you must mark
-me with coal from the end of my mouth to my ear.” The man did as the
-dog wished. Then the dog said, “Now, I will go to the tree and my
-brother can come to be marked by you as I am marked.” Off he ran. The
-other dog soon came and the man marked him in the same way. Taking a
-torch, the man went to the tree. There on the broken top he saw a
-terrible creature; its head and part of its body were protruding out of
-the hollow in the trunk; it had very long teeth, enormous eyes, and
-long claws. The man had never before seen anything so dreadful. He went
-back to his camp. One of the dogs followed him, saying: “We two shall
-be destroyed, but we will do what we can to save you. You must hurry
-back to the village. Do not take a torch or a bow with you; it will
-only be in your way. Put on a pair of new moccasins, and carry also a
-second pair. I will lick the soles of your feet to give you speed.” The
-dog licked the soles of his feet; then the man, putting on the new
-moccasins, started toward home.
-
-He had been running a good while when he heard a sound, and one of the
-dogs, overtaking him, said: “Run as fast as you can! Our enemy has
-started in pursuit. It does not travel on the ground, but leaps from
-tree to tree. The only thing left for us to do is to get between the
-trees and spring at it as it leaps past. When you come to water, stick
-your feet in it, making it as muddy as you can; then drink that water.
-You have noticed that since we have been your dogs we have drunk such
-water; it is better for us.” The man soon got very thirsty. Coming to a
-place where there was water, he stirred it up with his feet; then,
-after drinking what he wanted, he went on. He had not gone far when a
-dog came up to him and said, “I think there is a hole in your
-moccasin.” (The man looked; there was indeed a hole in his moccasin.)
-“Put on new ones.” Again the dog licked his feet and put on new
-moccasins. Then the dog said, “My companion will come the next time.”
-Then the dog ran back and the man rushed on.
-
-Soon the other dog, rushing up, said to the man: “The enemy is coming
-very fast, and we are afraid it will overtake and kill you. When I go
-back my brother will come to aid you once more, whereupon the monster
-will kill him.”
-
-The dog disappeared. Listening, the man heard both dogs barking. As he
-listened the barking of one ceased, and he knew that a dog was coming
-to aid him. On coming up this dog said: “I am here merely to speak to
-you and see you once more. When I go back I will attack our enemy and
-do all I can to defeat it, but it will kill me.” The dog returned. Then
-the hunter heard both dogs barking and then a howl; he knew by the
-sounds that a terrible fight was going on. The cry of one dog died out;
-this told him that that dog was killed. Now only one dog barked and
-howled. The man tried to increase his speed. It was still dark. The
-barking ceased, and presently the dog spoke behind him, saying: “My
-brother is killed and I am left alone. You would better start the death
-cry; our village is not far away and the people may hear you.” The man
-began to scream out the death cry, Goʹweh, as he ran. There happened to
-be a dance at the Long Lodge that night, and some people were sitting
-outside. Suddenly a young man, hearing a voice of some one in distress,
-gave the alarm.
-
-Now, the dog came again to encourage the man with these words: “Do your
-best; you are near home, and perhaps you will escape. I will come once
-more. Then I will leap upon and draw the monster down and fight it.”
-The man heard the dog when the latter got back, and knew the monster
-was drawing near by the sound of the animal’s barking. Then the man ran
-on as fast as possible. The dog ceased barking and coming again said:
-“This is the last time I shall see you; I shall be destroyed now. If
-the people hear your cries and come to meet you, you will escape; if
-not, you will surely be killed.”
-
-The dog went back; he had but a short distance to go this time. As the
-man ran, screaming, he saw a torchlight ahead. The dog howled in
-distress; then his howl died away and the man knew that he was dead.
-Finally, seeing people coming to the rescue, he struggled on harder and
-harder. When he met the people he fell in a faint; he heard the sounds
-behind him as he fell, and that was all he knew.
-
-Holding up their torches the people saw a terrible animal; its fore
-legs seemed longer than the hind ones. They shot at it, whereupon it
-disappeared, and they returned to the village. The animal had made a
-journey during one night which it took the man two days to finish when
-he was going to hunt. As soon as he could talk he told the people what
-occurred from the time the dog first spoke to him. They decided to go
-to his camp and bring home the meat. Not far from the village they
-found the last dog torn to pieces, and farther on the other one. When
-they reached the camp they saw that the strange animal had eaten most
-of the meat; what remained they took home. They did not see the animal
-and never knew what it was.
-
-
-
-
-
-39. THE THREE YOUNG WOMEN, DAUGHTERS OF AWAEH YEGENDJI OR MOTHER SWAN
-
-There was an old woman who had three daughters, all of whom were young,
-good-looking, and clever.
-
-When the eldest was 16 years of age and the youngest 12, the old woman
-said: “We want some venison and bear meat. We have lived here a good
-many years, and have had no meat—nothing but bread, and corn, and
-beans, and I long very much for meat. And now,” said she to the eldest,
-“you are old enough to be married to a man who can get us some meat.”
-To the second daughter she said: “You must go with your sister; perhaps
-you will have to stay all night on the way. There are an old woman and
-her son living in a broad field where you must go. The young man is
-handsome and a successful hunter. The old woman’s name is Big Earth.”
-
-Both girls were willing to go, so the old woman continued: “To-morrow
-we must make marriage-bread.” After shelling and pounding corn, they
-made marriage-bread and some cakes, which they baked in the ashes. They
-made twenty-four of these cakes, which were put into a basket. The old
-woman painted the elder girl, combed her hair, and dressed her well.
-Then she told her: “Carry this basket on your back. You must take no
-notice of anyone you meet, and do not stop to talk with any person no
-matter what is said to you. When night comes, do not stop at any lodge
-but camp in the woods.”
-
-The girls started, going along in a narrow path. They saw no person and
-no lodges until the evening; when they noticed a man running on ahead
-of them. He had a bow and arrows and was trying to shoot a squirrel in
-a tree. On seeing the girls he stopped them, saying, “Put down your
-basket and watch my arrow; see where it goes,” adding that he was
-almost blind and could not follow its course. He was very pleasant, so
-the elder girl put down her basket, and both sisters ran for the arrow.
-When they got back the basket, which they had left on the log, was
-gone. “Now,” said the younger girl, “we have disobeyed our mother. She
-told us not to answer anyone who spoke to us.” They had then nothing to
-do but to go home.
-
-On reaching home they told their mother: “We met a man who begged us to
-bring his arrow. We put our basket on a log and when we got back it was
-gone.” The old woman did not scold much, although she was very sorry;
-she said that they could not love her or they would obey her words.
-Later she said to the youngest and to the second sister, “You must go
-for the young man.” Then they made more marriage-bread. The mother told
-the youngest: “If your sister wants to stop, make her go on. Do not
-speak to or answer any man.” The sisters traveled until they met the
-same old fellow. Thereupon the elder, who carried the basket, wanted to
-ask how far it was to the place where Big Earth lived, but the younger
-cautioned her, repeating her mother’s words. As they came up to him,
-however, he was so kind and pleasant and spoke so agreeably that the
-eldest asked how far it was to Big Earth’s lodge. “Oh,” he said, “she
-lives in the first lodge; it is not far from here.” Running around to
-the lodge, he told his wife to go to the other side of the fire with
-her child, as two girls were coming and he wanted the bread they
-brought, and, further, as he had informed them that Big Earth lived
-there. Then he threw ashes over his wife, making her look old.
-
-By and by the two girls came in and, as the old man was painted and
-looked fine, they sat down by him—they thought he was the young man
-they were seeking. In a short while they heard some one coming, who
-kicked the door, saying: “Gesagwe! Gesagwe! They want you at the Long
-Lodge.”
-
-Turning to the girls, the old man said: “My name is not Gesagwe. They
-always call me nicknames.” By and by the child cried out, “Oh, father!”
-Whereupon the old man explained, “The child’s father died yesterday and
-now he is calling for him.” After a time the runner came again, saying,
-“Gesagwe, the people are waiting for you.” Again he said, “They call me
-nicknames all the time.” The girls thought it was all right, and he
-told them to lie down and wait for him.
-
-But the younger sister thought something was wrong. When the old woman
-lay down the girls went out. She said to her sister: “Something is
-wrong. This is not the man. He is the man we met, and our mother told
-us not to speak to anyone.” The elder said, “I suppose we have done
-wrong.” Then, putting into the bed two slippery-elm sticks and covering
-them up, they started on with their basket of marriage-bread. They
-heard dancing, and as they approached the source of the sound they saw
-a Long Lodge. Peeping in, they saw Gesagwe in the middle of the floor.
-The singers sang to him. Then everyone, rising, threw corn into his
-mouth. He had a blanket around him. They threw what they had into his
-mouth. A woman and her son sat by the fire, and they, too, looked very
-attractive. The younger sister said, “That is the young man we want.”
-
-Going into the lodge, they walked up to the old woman, Big Earth, and
-put down the basket. Big Earth was pleased. When the dancing was over
-all the people went home. The man who was dancing went home. Seeing
-what he thought were two girls in his bed, he said: “Well, I must
-smoke. They have had a big council. They could not do anything. I was
-there.” Taking down a piece of deer’s tallow, he chewed it. Every time
-he spat it simmered on the fire. He lay down and one of the girls, he
-thought, pinched him. He said, “Wait until I get ready to lie down.”
-
-Undressing himself, he started to get into bed, whereupon he found two
-rotten logs and a bed full of ants. Awfully angry, he scolded his wife
-and threw the logs out of doors.
-
-The girls lived happily with Big Earth’s son for two months. At the end
-of that time he got bear meat and deer meat, which he put into very
-small packages. He made two loads of the meat, one for each of his
-wives. Then they all started with the meat to visit his mother-in-law.
-She had been very uneasy, thinking that her daughters had been deceived
-again. When she saw them coming with their husband she was pleased.
-After they had lived there some time, Big Earth’s son said he was going
-to take his mother-in-law to his own home. They all went to his place,
-where they lived happily together.
-
-
-
-
-
-40. HINON AND THE SENECA WARRIORS
-
-(A TALE OF THE WARS OF THE SENECA AND THE CHEROKEE)
-
-Once a war party of Seneca while on the warpath against the Cherokee
-became very hungry. Seeing a bear, they chased it into its den, one of
-the party following it. When he had gone some distance into the den he
-could no longer see the bear, but he saw instead a fire burning briskly
-and three men sitting around it. The eldest asked the Seneca warrior
-why he had tried to shoot one of his men whom he had sent to entice him
-into the den. He continued, “I want to send word to the eldest man at
-your camp to tell him that his friend is here and wants some tobacco,
-and that tomorrow as many of his warriors as wish may come to see me
-here.” So the warrior went back to the camp of his comrades and
-reported what he had heard.
-
-The next day, accompanied by five of his companions, each bearing a
-pouch of native tobacco, he returned to the den of the bears. When they
-gave the tobacco to the old man, he was very glad, and said to them: “I
-am thankful to you for this present of tobacco. I shall enjoy it a long
-time, for it will last me many days.” While in the den one of the
-warriors remarked, “Oh! I am very tired and sleepy.” Overhearing this
-remark, the old man said to him, “Lie down, then.”
-
-When the others also had laid themselves down the old man arose, and
-going over to the spot where the first warrior lay, rubbed his body
-from his feet to his head. Then setting down a vessel which he held in
-one hand he proceeded to dismember this warrior’s body joint by joint
-until he had taken him to pieces. Placing each piece in a mortar, with
-a pestle he pounded the bones to a jelly, which he poured into a bowl.
-Then he took the bowl and the other vessel into another part of the
-den, where he left them. Returning and sitting down, he began to smoke.
-
-After a while he called out: “My nephew, come out now. You have been
-there long enough.” When the young warrior came out, he appeared as
-light, fresh, and lithe as a boy. Then another of the Seneca warriors
-said, “Can you do this for me, too?” The old man answered, “Yes, if you
-wish me to do so.”
-
-Then the warrior laid himself down, and the old man went through the
-same process as he had with the other warrior. After he had carried the
-two vessels into the remote part of the den, the old man, returning,
-began to smoke. Shortly he called out, “Oh, my nephew, you have now
-slept long enough!” At once the warrior arose and came forth so fresh
-and lithe that he felt no weight in his body. Thereupon another Seneca
-warrior asked the old man to treat him in the same manner. The latter
-man consented and, after going through the same process as that which
-renewed the others, this warrior, too, was made young and as light as a
-feather, and consequently was very happy.
-
-Then a fourth warrior asked the old man to transform him likewise, but
-the old man refused, saying: “I have now done enough. I will tell you
-why I have taken the trouble to do this to four of your people. There
-is a large opening extending from one end of the world to the other. In
-this opening is a great rock, and in this rock is a man possessed of
-enormous horns. We have tried to kill him, but can not do so. Now, I
-want two of you to try to crush this rock and so kill him; but first
-you must go out and try your strength in orenda” (magic power). So,
-going out, they shot at a rock, which crumbled to pieces when they hit
-it. Then they shot at an enormous tree; this, too, they brought down
-when they hit it, leaving nothing but a stump. “Now,” said the old man,
-“you may go to the opening and see what you can do with that enchanted
-rock. Your companions may remain here; they will not die, for we never
-die here. I always help my grandchildren. I cover your trail whenever
-you need to conceal it. It is I who cause it to rain.”
-
-The two transfigured warriors went to the opening, as directed, and
-seeing the great enchanted rock, they shot at it; then, returning to
-the old man, they told him what they had done. He quickly asked them,
-“Did you use all your orenda?” They replied, “No. We could have struck
-the rock a harder blow”; whereupon the old man said, “Go back there and
-employ all your magical strength.” Returning to the opening where the
-great rock stood, the two warriors shot it with all their orenda. After
-waiting for some time, they heard a person coming toward them. Soon
-they saw that it was a man carrying the head of an enormous horned
-snake securely strapped to his back. This man was the old man who had
-transformed them. Returning to the den, the two warriors said, “Now our
-work is done; the great horned snake is dead.” Then they went back to
-their homes.
-
-
-
-
-
-41. HODADEÑON AND YENYENTʻHWUS [56]
-
-There was a little boy, Hodadeñon, who lived with his elder sister,
-Yenyentʻhwus, in a bark lodge.
-
-When the sister went out to plant, she would fasten the door of the
-lodge so that nothing might harm her brother. She did not allow him to
-go out alone. To amuse him she got a raccoon’s foot, and also brought
-him a bow and some arrows. In playing he tossed up the raccoon’s foot,
-telling the arrows to strike it, and the arrows always hit the foot
-before it fell to the ground.
-
-One day while Yenyentʻhwus was at home, a voice was heard in the upper
-part of the lodge, saying, “Mush, brother! Mush, brother!” Hodadeñon
-asked, “How is this? I thought we were alone in the lodge?” The sister
-said, “It is our poor brother; he is only just alive.” “Well, my
-sister, make him some mush,” said the little boy.
-
-Uncovering a place under her couch, the sister took out a very small
-pot and a little fragment of a chestnut. Putting the least bit of meal
-scraped from the chestnut into the pot with water, she boiled it. While
-doing this she stirred the meal and tapped the pot, which increased in
-size until it became as large as any pot. When the mush was cooked the
-sister took it off the fire and put it all into a bowl, saying to
-Hodadeñon, “Go up the ladder and feed your brother.” Climbing the
-ladder, he found a man lying in the upper room or attic. The little
-fellow said, “I have brought you mush, my brother.” The brother, whose
-name was Hadjisgwas,[57] took two or three mouthfuls of the mush and it
-was all eaten. Then, after exhaling his breath two or three times and
-rubbing his arms and legs, he began to sing.
-
-Hodadeñon heard the singing and the beating of time overhead. A little
-later they heard Hadjisgwas call out, “Tobacco!” and the little boy
-said, “My sister, our brother wants to smoke.” “Oh!” said she, “Our
-poor brother! he is barely alive; he lives on chestnut meal and
-tobacco.” Going aside, she got a big pipe, into which she put tobacco.
-Lighting it with a coal of fire, she gave it to the little boy, saying,
-“Take this up to your brother.” Hodadeñon went, with the words, “My
-brother, I have come with a pipe for you.” “Thank you,” said
-Hadjisgwas, and with one puff he so filled the room with smoke that he
-nearly smothered the boy, who had to hurry down to escape. Soon they
-who were below heard a sound as though Hadjisgwas blew through the
-pipestem and rapped out the ashes from the pipe. After rubbing his arms
-and legs, he began to sing. They thought his voice was stronger. Then
-Yenyentʻhwus went out planting, having first fastened the door so as to
-keep in her little brother.
-
-When his sister had gone, Hodadeñon thought he would like to make some
-chestnut mush for his brother in the loft and to sing and dance for
-him. Finding the little pot under his sister’s couch, he took from it
-the piece of chestnut, every bit of which he scraped into the kettle.
-As it boiled he tapped the pot, which grew as large as any vessel. When
-the meal was cooked he poured it out—a great bark bowl full of chestnut
-mush. This he took up to the loft, saying, “My brother, I have made you
-another bowl of mush.” “Thank you, brother,” said Hadjisgwas, who ate
-the mush and, after rubbing himself, began to sing. He was stronger
-now, so he could sing a regular song. After Hodadeñon had come down and
-put away the kettle, he thought, “My brother must have a smoke.”
-Therefore he cut up all the tobacco there was and put it into the pipe,
-which he carried to the loft, saying, “My brother, I have brought you a
-pipe.” His brother said, “Thank you.” “After you have smoked, I wish
-you would sing while I dance,” said Hodadeñon.
-
-Hadjisgwas sent out such a puff of smoke that the little boy had to
-hurry down the ladder to escape it. He had not been down long before
-his sister came in. He said to her, “Oh, my sister, I have made our
-brother some pudding.” “How did you make it?” she asked. “I cut up all
-the chestnut and boiled it,” he replied. “Oh, now he will die on your
-account,” she said. “After he ate the mush,” said Hodadeñon, “I gave
-him a smoke.” “How did you do that?” asked Yenyentʻhwus. “I shaved up
-the piece of tobacco, put it into the pipe, and gave it to him,” said
-he. “Now we shall surely lose our brother on your account,” said
-Yenyentʻhwus; “you have done great mischief.” “Well, my sister, where
-are the chestnuts? I will go and get more of them.”
-
-“Those chestnuts,” she said, “grow at the eastern end of the world; and
-on this side of them, where the tobacco grows, are many wizards. Before
-you come to the lodge of the wizards is a river, over which trees are
-thrown to walk upon. Just beyond the river are two great rattlesnakes,
-one on each side of the path, which attack every one who goes that way.
-If you pass them safely, you will come to a great rocky mountain, so
-steep that no mere man can climb it. There is but one pass through that
-mountain, and just beyond the pass stand two Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, each
-one half as tall as a tree. If you should succeed in passing these,
-going farther you would come upon two men at the edge of an opening or
-clearing, who give the alarm the moment they see anyone, whereupon the
-wizards run out to attack whomsoever they find approaching. If you
-should make your way past these men and reach a knoll from which the
-lodge of the wizards can be seen, you would find there a woman walking
-back and forth on a platform in front of the lodge, who begins to sing
-as soon as she sees a stranger; straightaway the wizards, rushing out,
-kill him who is approaching.”
-
-The next day when Yenyentʻhwus went to plant she fastened the door,
-shutting in Hodadeñon. While she was gone, hearing some living thing
-outside, he tried to get out to shoot it. Then he heard a noise on the
-lodge roof and, looking up, he saw some kind of creature—he did not
-know what—with its eyes fixed on him. Then he said, “You are
-Odyaqgweonion,[58] anyhow,” thinking to himself, “I will shoot at the
-game.” Drawing his bow, he said to the arrow, “I wish you to go
-straight to the game.” The arrow struck the creature, killing it;
-thereupon he rushed to bring it in. Not being able to open the door, he
-dug a hole in the earth close to the door, through which he got out.
-Bringing in the game, he put it into the corn mortar and covered it.
-When Yenyentʻhwus, his sister, came, he said, “My sister, I have killed
-game.” “Well, where is it?” she asked. “Here in the corn mortar,”
-answered Hodadeñon. Running thither, he brought the game to his sister.
-“Oh! that is a chickadee,” said she. Having dressed and cooked the
-bird, Yenyentʻhwus began to eat it. Hodadeñon stood there watching her
-eat, and asked, “Is it good?” “Yes,” she replied. After looking on a
-while longer, he asked, “Are you not going to give me some?” “No,” she
-replied, “this is the first game you have killed, and you must not eat
-of it; it would not be right.”59
-
-The next morning the boy said to his sister, “You will have to tie a
-belt around me now; I am going out.” She had to do what he asked, for
-she could not help doing it. Putting the belt on him and preparing him
-for the day, she said, “You must not go north nor far away; stay near
-the lodge.”
-
-Yenyentʻhwus then went to her work in the field. Soon the boy, seeing a
-bird on a tree, said, “You must be the bird they call Gwenhdaen
-nisedosyoden,” [60] whereupon he killed it with his arrow. Carrying in
-the game, he put it into the corn mortar. When his sister came he said,
-“I have some game, sister,” showing her the bird. “Oh!” said she, “that
-is the Gwenhdaen nisedosyoden.” She dressed, cooked, and ate the bird,
-but did not give him a bite.
-
-The next morning, getting up early and making a fire, he called his
-sister to get breakfast, so that he might go hunting in good time.
-After breakfast he said, “My sister, put on my belt and get me ready.”
-She girded him and made him ready for the day. Both went out, she to
-her planting and he to his hunting. After he had been out a while,
-seeing a bird, he said, “I do not know you, but I think you are
-Djeqgowa.” [61] He hit the bird with his arrow, killing it, and brought
-it home; putting it into the corn mortar, he covered it. When his
-sister came he said, “My sister, I have game; here it is.” “Thank you,”
-said she; “that is what we call a pigeon.” After dressing the bird she
-cut it into two parts, one of which she put away and the other cut into
-pieces, saying that she was going to make dumplings. She pounded corn
-meal and, mixing the meat with it, made dumplings, which both of them
-ate.
-
-The next morning before daylight Hodadeñon, having made a good fire,
-called up his sister to cook. After they had eaten she warned him not
-to go north nor far away. She then went out to plant while he went
-hunting.
-
-He went farther than before, and seeing a new kind of bird running
-along, said, “You look pretty well; you must be what they call
-Dyoyoqgwahacyon.” [62] He drew his bow and hit the bird with his arrow.
-It ran a while, and he called, “Hold on; do not break my best arrow.”
-The bird stopped and died.
-
-He had all he could do to carry it home. He put it in the corn mortar.
-When his sister saw it she said, “This is a partridge.”
-
-She dressed the bird, took half and hung it up on a stick; the other
-half she cooked for herself and brother.
-
-The next morning Hodadeñon was up early. His sister put on his belt for
-him, and both went out. She told him to stay near the lodge. Then she
-went to plant and he to hunt. He went farther than he had gone the day
-before. He saw a creature coming toward him; after watching it, he
-said, “I think it is you they call Shanoons­dehon.” [63] Looking again,
-he said, “I think you are the one they call Shadjinoqgyot.”64 The third
-time he said, “I think it is you they call Osoont.”65 At that moment
-the creature, seeing him, turned to run, but on Hodadeñon calling out,
-“Stop!” it stopped right there. Drawing his bow, he shot it. As the
-animal struggled he called, “Look out! do not break my best arrow.”
-Whereupon it stopped and died. Hodadeñon tried to carry the carcass,
-but could not lift it. Running to the place where his sister was
-planting, he said, “My sister, I have shot big game. I can not carry
-it.” She went with him to the game; when she saw it, she said, “That is
-what we call Osoont” (i.e., a turkey). She carried home the turkey, and
-after dressing it put half away and cooked the other half.
-
-The next morning Yenyentʻhwus put the belt on Hodadeñon. She warned him
-against going north, or far from the lodge. On going a few steps
-farther than the day before he found tracks, all pointing in the same
-direction; thereupon he said: “My sister never told me that people
-lived here and that there was a path.” Putting his feet in the tracks,
-he found they fitted exactly. Just before him in the trail he saw a
-game animal coming. He said to himself: “This must be what they call
-Spotted Face, what they call Dyoyoqgwahacyon, or Striped Tail.” Drawing
-his bow, he pierced the creature with an arrow. As it went staggering
-along he called out: “Here! do not break my arrow; that is my best
-arrow.” Running up to it, he pulled out the arrow. Finding he was not
-able to carry the game animal, he had to go for his sister. When she
-came she said, “That is called Djoeaga.” [66] After thanking her
-brother, she seized the raccoon by one leg and, throwing it over her
-shoulder, went toward home. She told her brother that she was going to
-make corn bread to eat with this kind of meat. When they reached home
-they cooked part of the raccoon and made corn bread. While the meat was
-cooking she skimmed off the oil, telling her brother that she had
-wanted oil for a long time. This oil she rubbed into her hair.
-
-The brother and sister had more meat from this Djoeaga than they could
-eat, and some was left. The next morning, after breakfast, they went
-out, the sister to plant and the brother to hunt. At parting she warned
-him, as she had done every day before. Hodadeñon went this time a few
-steps farther than before. When he saw game coming toward him, he said:
-“You are the one they call Hustoyowanen.” [67] Then, looking again, he
-said: “I think that you are the one they call Dodjenendogeni,”68 and as
-he looked, the animal, seeing him, turned to run. He called out to it:
-“Stop!” As it did so, drawing his bow, Hodadeñon pierced it with an
-arrow. The animal ran off out of sight, whereupon Hodadeñon screamed:
-“Stop! Stop! You are breaking my arrow!” But the game animal was not to
-be seen. Still the boy cried: “Stop! Stop! That is my best arrow.
-Stop!” Then he thought: “I have lost my arrow, but I will follow a
-little farther. If I can not catch the game animal, I shall go for my
-sister, who will find it.”
-
-Going on a short distance, he found the game animal lying dead. He ran
-for his sister, who came, and thanking him, said: “This time you have
-brought me Onogengowa.” [69] She brought a strap braided out of hemp
-bark, so as to carry the meat home on her shoulders. Having skinned and
-cut up the deer, she divided it into pieces. Hodadeñon wanted to carry
-a part, so his sister, cutting off the feet, tied them together, and
-gave them to him. She carried half the meat home at one time and then
-went back for the other half.
-
-The next day Hodadeñon went a little farther than before. On seeing a
-game animal walking along, he said to it, “You must be what they call
-Dasidowanes.” [70] The game animal, seeing him, jumped, but he said,
-“Keep still.” It stopped, whereupon, drawing his bow, he shot an arrow
-into the animal, which rushed through the woods and out of sight.
-Hodadeñon cried, “Look out! that is my best arrow.” Following, he found
-the animal dead, with the arrow point sticking out of its body. He said
-to it, “You are Dasidowanes”; then he ran for his sister. When she
-came, she said, “This is Ganiagwaihe.”71 She skinned the bear and cut
-off the feet. She gave her brother the fore feet to carry, while she
-herself took half the meat home, and then went for the rest. They had a
-good supper that night, and the sister got more hair oil.
-
-The next day they went out again, as usual, Hodadeñon to hunt and
-Yenyentʻhwus to plant. The brother went to the spot where he had killed
-the bear, but could see no game. Then he traveled in a circle, but
-could see nothing. As he looked toward the north it seemed very
-pleasant. There was an opening, or clearing, in front of him, and he
-thought he would go into it, hoping that he would find game there. In
-the middle of the clearing was a lodge. On peeping through a crack in
-the wall he saw a crowd of naked men of the Odjineowa [72] people,
-dancing. Very soon one of these men said, “Some one is looking at us,”
-and then another said, “Let us kill him.”
-
-Hodadeñon ran back to the woods, the men chasing him to the edge of the
-opening, where they turned back. Hodadeñon went a short distance toward
-home; then, taking a long stick of wood from a pile which his sister
-had made, he carried it to the edge of the opening, where he stuck it
-into the ground, saying, “When the men in that lodge run after me with
-their clubs, do you fight against them to help me.” Then he brought
-another stick, which he put down by the side of the first, with the
-same words. He kept on in this way until he had a great many sticks
-standing in the ground.
-
-Then, running to the lodge, he looked in again. The Odjineowa men,
-seeing him, said, “Let us be sure to kill him this time,” and rushed
-out with their clubs. The boy escaped, however, to the woods, and when
-the naked men came to the edge of the woods the sticks of Hodadeñon
-became people and fought, killing all the men. Thereupon Hodadeñon
-came, and after dragging the men one after another into their lodge, he
-set fire to it, burning them all up.
-
-Having taken the sticks back to his sister’s woodpile, Hodadeñon went
-on until he came to the tall stump of a broken tree on which stood a
-man, who called out “Ogongaqgeni hiwaden, My eyes have outmatched
-yours, my nephew,” but the boy thought, “He does not see me,” so he
-passed by. The uncle did not see him. When the boy walked up, the uncle
-said: “You have come to me. I am an Hodiadatgon, a great wizard. What
-would you do if it should rain spears upon you?” “Oh,” said the boy, “I
-think my sister and I would be very glad, for we have no spears to fish
-with now.” Then he ran home with all his speed. When near the lodge he
-saw his sister go into it, whereupon he ran around it, saying, “Let our
-lodge be stone,” and straightway it was stone. Just then he heard a
-terrible roar, and a great rain of spears came down; some broke on the
-roof, others fell on the ground. When the shower of spears was over,
-his sister said, “You have gone toward the north.” “Yes, but I shall
-not go again,” replied the boy.
-
-After a while he went out to play. While playing he thought, “I will go
-to my uncle and be the first to say, ‘Ogongaqgeni, My eyes outmatch
-yours.’” So he went on until he came as near his uncle as he could
-without being seen. Then he called a mole and, entering his body, he
-traveled underground up to the roots of the stump on which his uncle
-was standing. Coming out, he cried, “Ogongaqgeni hawknosen, What would
-you say if a fire should come and burn up that stump and the woods and
-all else there is about here?” “Oh, nephew, that is too much,” answered
-the uncle. “I did not say that is too much,” replied Hodadeñon, “when
-you sent a rain of darts on my sister and me.” At that moment thick
-smoke was seen coming, and soon the woods were in a blaze on every
-side. The fire spread to the spot where Hodadeñon’s uncle was. He fell
-off the stump, and, his head bursting, an owl came out of it and flew
-away.
-
-Hodadeñon thought, “Now, I will go farther.” He had not traveled far
-through the woods before he came to another clearing, in which there
-was a lodge. Peeping through a crack, he saw within an old man with
-both eyes closed. All at once he called, “Come in, nephew! come in!”
-When the boy went in the old man said. “I always play a game of dice
-with people who come here. If I win, I shall have your head; if you
-win, you shall have mine.” The old man brought out six night owls’ eyes
-(hihi ogasʻhoon) for dice, saying, “If they all turn up the same color,
-the throw will count five; if not, it will count one.” The uncle wanted
-the boy to play first, but he refused; the uncle insisted, but the boy
-would not. At last the old man agreed. Putting the six eyes into a bowl
-of wood, he shook it, throwing them up; they went out through the
-smoke-hole into the air. When they returned, they counted but one.
-“Now,” said the nephew, “take your dice out of the bowl. I have dice of
-my own.” The uncle did not wish to take out his dice, but the boy
-insisted, so he had to do so. Then Hodadeñon put in his dice, which
-were woodcocks’ eyes, and threw them up. They went high in the air and
-came down, calling out, “I think she is not setting, Nondjoqgwen.” [73]
-The boy said, “Let them all come one color,” but the uncle said, “No,
-let them come in different colors.” All came alike in color, so the old
-man lost. “Now, nephew,” said he, “let me have one smoke more.” “Oh,
-no!” said Hodadeñon, “I can not do that.” Thereupon he cut off the old
-man’s head and went on farther.
-
-“This is good sport,” said Hodadeñon, “I shall find another uncle,
-perhaps.” He traveled through the woods for a while until he came to a
-third opening. Far ahead in the center of it was a great rock, on which
-sat a Dagwanoenyent. Near the opposite side of the opening was a lodge.
-As Hodadeñon went up to the rock, the Dagwanoenyent called out, “Oh!
-you are my nephew. I have been wishing for a long time that you would
-come to see me; now we will play hide and seek.” Hodadeñon was to hide
-first. Dagwanoenyent faced the other way, and at that moment Hodadeñon,
-making himself into a flea (dewaqsentwus), jumped into the long bushy
-hair of Dagwanoenyent, where he hid. Then he called out, “You can not
-find me, uncle; you can not find me.” Dagwanoenyent looked all
-around—up in the air, in the trees, everywhere. At last, noticing a
-weed with a knot on its stem, he said, “Nephew, you are in that knot;”
-but the nephew was not there. Looking around a second time, he saw a
-knot on one of the trees. “You are in the knot on that tree, nephew.”
-“I am not,” answered Hodadeñon. When Dagwanoenyent saw that he had not
-found the boy he was terribly frightened. “There is danger,” said he,
-flying far away from the rock. Rising above the clouds, he sat on them.
-Then Hodadeñon called out from the long shaggy hair, “You can not see
-me, uncle; you can not see me.” “Oh!” said the uncle to himself, “I
-have come just by accident on the place where he is.” Then, flying off
-to an island in the sea, the old man stood there. Again Hodadeñon
-called out, “You can not see me, uncle; you can not see me.” He could
-not indeed see the boy, so he flew back to his place in the opening in
-the forest. Once more Hodadeñon cried, “You can not see me, uncle.”
-Dagwanoenyent replied: “I have lost the game, but I did not bet my
-head. Now, you may have control of these three witches,” pointing to
-three women who were pounding corn outside the lodge at the edge of the
-clearing. The women, who were man-eaters, were very angry when they
-heard the words of Dagwanoenyent, their servant, and ran to strike him
-with their clubs. They had the clubs raised to give the blow, when
-Hodadeñon willed their death, and they dropped lifeless. The boy and
-his uncle cut their heads off and burned their lodge. Now Dagwanoenyent
-and Hodadeñon became friends, and the uncle said, “Nephew, if ever you
-get into trouble, all you have to do is to think of me, and I will come
-and help you.”
-
-The boy thought, “I have had sport enough, and shall now go to my
-sister.” After he had come in and sat down he began to laugh. His
-sister asked, “Why do you laugh?” “Oh, I laugh about what I have seen,”
-he said. “I have put an end to my uncle on the stump and my uncle who
-played dice; I have beaten my uncle Dagwanoenyent and frightened him
-terribly; and I have killed the three witches and cut off their heads
-and burned their lodge. This is why I laugh.” “Now,” said the sister,
-“I thank you, my brother, for many people have been deceived and killed
-by these persons.”
-
-That night he said to his sister, “Make me parched corn meal and two
-dumplings with bear’s fat in them. Tomorrow I am going to get the
-chestnuts.” She did all that he wished. Setting out the next morning,
-he kept on his way until he came to the river over which the tree was
-thrown. When halfway across on the tree, two rattlesnakes began to
-rattle. Thereupon, going back, he caught two Tsohoqgwais.[74] Returning
-by way of the tree again, when he came to the snakes, he gave a
-chipmunk to each, saying, “You are free now. I shall kill you unless
-you leave this place.” The snakes ran away.
-
-Hodadeñon went on until he came to the opening in the forest, at the
-farther end of which was the mountain wall. When he came to the wall he
-found the pass. As he was coming out on the other side he heard all at
-once hoⁿ hoⁿ hoⁿ hoⁿ, and saw the two Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, half as tall
-as the highest tree. “Keep still! Keep still!” said Hodadeñon: “I have
-brought you dumplings. You like dumplings.” So saying, he gave each
-one. Then he said: “You are free now. You need not guard this place any
-longer.” Thereupon they ran away.
-
-Hodadeñon went on until he saw two Djoasha.[75] Then, going into the
-woods, he dug up wild beans, which he brought as near as he could to
-the herons, calling out, “Pur! Pur! Stop! Stop! Here are beans for you
-to eat.” So saying, he set them free, with the words, “Go from here and
-be free,” and they left the place.
-
-Hodadeñon went on until he came to the woman’s skin walking along on a
-platform. Turning back, he peeled bark from a slippery-elm tree. Marked
-off into small pieces, he made it turn to wampum. Then he called a mole
-and, getting into it, said, “Carry me to the platform yonder.” The mole
-took him under the ground to the platform, whereupon he put his head
-out and gave the woman wampum, saying, “Keep quiet!” Leaving the mole,
-he went to a tree where there were great piles of chestnuts. Here he
-took up a nut and, splitting it, put one-half into his bag and hurried
-back. He had almost reached the woods when the woman on watch cried, “I
-have seen some one!” One of the three sisters, running out, looked at
-the woman, who changed her words, calling, “I have lied, Ogenowent.”
-The three sisters were very angry and had a mind to kill the watch.
-When the latter called again, “I have seen some one,” then the mother
-said, “Do your best, my daughters; do your best. It must be Hodadeñon;
-kill him and finish his family.”
-
-The three sisters saw Hodadeñon far off in the distance. The eldest
-sister ran ahead. As she raised her club to strike, Hodadeñon
-disappeared into the ground and the woman, striking her kneepan with
-the club, fell and could go no farther. The next moment Hodadeñon was
-up, walking along again slowly. The second sister came up enraged, but
-as she raised her club to strike he disappeared into the ground. She,
-too, striking her kneepan, fell. The youngest sister tried, but with
-the same result, and then the old woman. All four were disabled, while
-Hodadeñon went back to his sister unharmed. He gave Yenyentʻhwus the
-half chestnut, saying, “Make plenty of mush for our brother, as much as
-he wants, and give it to him often.”
-
-One day when Hodadeñon was playing near the lodge, he cried out
-suddenly and fell to the ground screaming. His sister ran to him,
-asking, “What is the matter? Where are you hurt?” “Nowhere,” he
-answered. “Why do you cry then?” she asked. “I heard my brother
-Hotgoendaqsais [76] sing a song and call on my name; he says I am his
-brother,” said he. “That is true,” said Yenyentʻhwus; “and he is in the
-east, at the place where the sun comes up. He is tied to a stake there
-and people burn him with firebrands and torment him to make him cry,
-for his tears are wampum, and when they fall the people run to pick
-them up.” “Well, where does tobacco grow?” asked Hodadeñon. “On the
-other side of the world, where Deagahgweoses77 lives. This man stole
-our tobacco from us and carried it off. No one can conquer him, for he
-is a great wizard, i.e., Hotgongowa.”
-
-That night Hodadeñon told his sister to pound parched corn and make
-meal for him. In the morning he got ready for the road. Yenyentʻhwus
-put the food in a bundle on her brother’s back. It was so heavy that at
-noon he had only reached the edge of the clearing where their lodge
-was. Sitting down there, he ate his lunch. Yenyentʻhwus, who was
-watching him all the time, said, “Poor brother, I think he will come
-back soon.” She looked again, but he was gone.
-
-In the evening Hodadeñon looked for a hollow tree in which to spend the
-night. Having found one, he crawled in, and was lying there at his ease
-when in the early part of the night he heard a man coming up. When he
-reached the tree, the man called out, “Hodadeñon, are you here?” “I
-am,” answered Hodadeñon. “Well,” asked the stranger, “what would you do
-if one of the Ganiagwaihe should come to eat you up?” “Oh, I should
-have fun with him,” said Hodadeñon.
-
-The other went away and soon a very large Ganiagwaihe came. Pointing
-his arrow at it, Hodadeñon shot the bear in the neck. Then away ran the
-bear. The boy said, “I will go to sleep now, for there is no use in
-being troubled by such creatures.” The next morning when Hodadeñon came
-out he found that the trees had been torn up by the roots all along the
-track of the bear. At last coming to the place where the bear lay dead
-he thought, “I shall have nothing to do with such an ugly creature,”
-and drawing out his arrow, he left the bear’s carcass lying there.
-
-The next evening he found another hollow tree, into which he crawled,
-prepared to sleep. But early in the night he heard some one come up to
-the tree and say: “Hodadeñon, you are now here. What would you do if a
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa should come to kill you?” “Oh! I should have sport
-with him,” replied Hodadeñon. “It is well,” the other returned, going
-away.
-
-Very soon a Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, a very large one, came up to the tree.
-At once Hodadeñon, drawing his bow, shot it with his magic arrow; then,
-retiring into the hollow tree again, he went to sleep. In the morning
-he saw a trail along which the trees were broken down and torn up by
-the roots. Following this trail he soon came to a point where he found
-the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa lying dead. This being had a face of most
-terrifying aspect. Hodadeñon, remarking to himself, “I will not have
-anything to do with a creature of so malign aspect,” drew out his arrow
-from the body and went on his way.
-
-During that day Hodadeñon came to a great lake on the farther side of
-which was a village. He searched until he found an oak puffball, which
-he placed at the water’s edge. Entering this ball, he caused the wind
-to blow it across the lake to the village on the opposite shore.
-Hodadeñon went through this village without stopping until he came to
-the last lodge on the side farthest from the lake shore, in which lived
-an old widow and her grandson. Addressing the grandson, Hodadeñon said,
-“Well, little boy, may I remain with you to-night?” The boy answered,
-“I do not know. I will speak to my grandmother.” Running into the
-lodge, the boy told his grandmother what the strange man had asked him.
-The grandmother, whose name was Yeqsinye,[78] directed the little boy
-to tell the visitor how poor and needy they themselves were. “Tell him
-that I have nothing to give him to eat except scraps of food, for we
-are, indeed, unfortunate people.” Going to Hodadeñon, the little
-grandson repeated to him what his grandmother had said. “Oh!” replied
-Hodadeñon, “all I want is a place in which to stay. I do not want
-food.” “Well,” said the little boy, “I will tell my grandmother what
-you have just told me.” Answering the little boy further, the old woman
-said, “Let him do as he pleases; he knows, now, our circumstances and
-what he must endure while with us.” Having received this message from
-the little boy, Hodadeñon decided to stay there.
-
-The next morning Hodadeñon said to the old woman’s grandson, “Let us go
-to hunt game.” Agreeing to the proposition, the little boy made
-suitable preparations to accompany Hodadeñon. After going a long
-distance into the woods they found a large hollow tree frequented by a
-bear. Hodadeñon tapped the tree, saying to the occupant, “Thou who
-dwellest in this tree, come forth.” At once the bear came out,
-whereupon Hodadeñon shot it with an arrow, and the bear fell to the
-ground, dead. Together the two carried home the carcass of the bear.
-When they threw it on the ground in front of the door it made a great
-noise, causing the old woman to call out in fear, “What is that?” But
-when she learned what it was she was overjoyed. Having carefully
-dressed the bear, they cooked enough meat to make a good meal for all.
-As they gathered around the steaming bark bowl of meat and broth a
-young girl came in. The old woman asked her to eat with them, and she
-willingly accepted the invitation. The boys ate together and the girl
-and the old woman by themselves, as was the custom. When they had eaten
-their meal the strange girl asked for a piece of the meat to take home,
-and the old woman gave her a generous portion for her mother. On
-receiving it, the mother said, “Do you now give them corn bread and get
-some of the meat in exchange.” The girl did as her mother requested,
-receiving two good-sized pieces of meat for the corn bread. Feeling
-that others might like to have meat in exchange for bread, Hodadeñon
-said, “Let them have the meat for the corn bread, for corn bread is
-what we want now.”
-
-Toward evening a man came to the doorway, and kicking aside the door
-flap, said: “I notify you to come to the Long Lodge, where the man
-sheds wampum instead of tears from his eyes. If you can pick up wampum
-after it has fallen to the ground, it is yours. If you can gather more
-than other people, it is your good fortune.” The name of the herald was
-Hadyuswus.[79] He then hurried on to the other lodges.
-
-Toward evening of the next day Hodadeñon, with the old woman and her
-grandson, went to the Long Lodge, where Hotgoendaqsais, tied to a post,
-was being tormented with firebrands. Before going into the assembly
-hall the boys gathered a bundle of dry reeds for the purpose of
-lighting the pipes of those who desired to smoke. Hodadeñon then said
-to his young companion, “You go to one of the fires in the Long Lodge
-and I will go to the other.” Passing into the assembly hall they found
-that there were already many people inside. When Hotgoendaqsais saw
-Hodadeñon he smiled as he seemed to recall him to his mind. One of the
-old women saw this and said: “The bound man smiled when these boys came
-into the room. It would seem that one of them is Hodadeñon.” After the
-old woman spoke Hotgoendaqsais turned his face away. At this time one
-of the chief men present said, “It is well that these boys have come in
-to bring coals for our pipes.” He said this because all the men who
-were smoking continually called the boys to bring them fire, and the
-boys carried the torches to all.
-
-In the Long Lodge were two women who had two firebrands, and it was
-they who took the lead in torturing the man. First one of these two
-women would burn Hotgoendaqsais on one side from one of the fires, and
-then the other would burn him on the other side from the other fire;
-and each time a brand touched the victim he would cry out, and
-thereupon wampum fell in showers from his eyes instead of tears. Then
-all the people would rush forward to gather as much of the wampum as
-they could; one and all struggled and fought for it. When all had
-enough for that day they were dismissed by the chief, and then the
-chief herald would say, “Tomorrow you must all come and we shall have a
-much better time.”
-
-The boy friends went home together, and on their way Hodadeñon said to
-his companion, “The young man whom they are torturing is my brother.
-Tomorrow I shall destroy the place and all the people who are in it.”
-
-The next day, as he had done before, the herald Hadyuswus came with the
-invitation to the lodgehold (household) to be present in the torture
-chamber that evening; then he hurried away. Thereupon Hodadeñon told
-his boy friend to caution his grandmother with these words: “Do you go
-to the back part of the village to warn all our relations not to go to
-the Long Lodge this evening, for my good brother is going to destroy
-all the maneaters and their home this very night.” So, going forth, the
-old woman informed all her relations to remain at home that night, for
-her grandson was going to destroy all the maneaters and their home. In
-the evening Hodadeñon said to his little brother, “Do not go into the
-Long Lodge. I shall go in alone. You must remain outside.”
-
-When Hodadeñon entered the torture chamber he heard the people saying
-that the two torturing brands would not burn, surmising that they were
-not dry enough. But the wizards knew well why they would not burn—they
-themselves were being overmatched by superior orenda (magic power).
-Finally the chief said: “We might as well take a rest, and in the
-meantime the firebrands will get dry and burn again. So let us lie
-down.” Hodadeñon then brought deep sleep on all who were inside the
-chamber of death. When they were all fast asleep, quickly unbinding his
-brother from the post where he had been tied, he carried him out to his
-new brother—the old widow’s grandson; then, closing the door of the
-Long Lodge, he fastened it securely. Thereupon he ran around the lodge,
-saying aloud, “I want this Long Lodge to become flint, so strong that
-the greatest wizard can not escape from it, and then I want it to
-become red-hot at once.”
-
-Instantly the Long Lodge became flint. When it was red-hot the wizards
-ran around on the inside in an attempt to escape, but they could not.
-One said, “I shall go out of the smoke hole,” while another shouted, “I
-shall get out through the ground,” but not one was able to escape from
-his doom. After a while the roof fell in upon the devoted wizards,
-whose heads burst with the intense heat; from out the chief’s head
-there flew a horned owl; from the heads of others, owls of various
-kinds; and from those of still others, a red fox, a gray fox, and a
-nighthawk.
-
-After the annihilation of the wizards Hodadeñon took his brother,
-Hotgoendaqsais, to the old widow’s lodge. The old woman was very glad
-and said: “He is my own grandson. I came for him years ago, but I was
-myself captured by the wizards and I have had to remain here in
-captivity.”
-
-The next morning Hodadeñon said to his grandmother, “Tell all the
-prisoners to come here, lest evil befall the innocent.” When they had
-all come to the lodge of the old woman, Hodadeñon said, “We will now go
-through the village and kill all the children of the wizards and anyone
-else who is left of the maneaters, for some of them may not have been
-present in the Long Lodge last night.” So, going forth they killed all
-the relations of the maneaters and burned their lodges.
-
-After that they went outside of the village, where they found great
-piles of bones which once belonged to persons whom the wizards had
-killed. These they collected near a great hickory tree. When all had
-been gathered together, Hodadeñon pushed against the tree, crying out
-to the bones, “Rise, my friends, or this tree will fall on you!”
-Instantly from the heap of bones living men sprang up. In the confusion
-of the moment sufficient care had not been taken to put together the
-bones belonging to the same persons, hence one had an arm too short,
-another a leg; but Hodadeñon went around among them stretching and
-arranging these defective limbs. Then he said to their possessors: “I
-have now brought you to life again. You must remain in one place for
-two days while I go to get meat for you.”
-
-So, selecting a comfortable spot, they patiently waited. Hodadeñon went
-out to hunt and killed a great quantity of game. He sent men to bring
-it into the camp. These were gone all day, but they brought in an
-abundance of meat. When all had returned, Hodadeñon said: “Now, my
-brother is tired. Stay here and rest. I must go away for a short time,
-for I have much work to do.”
-
-Thereupon Hodadeñon started away. As he hurried along he heard the
-sound, “Dum, dum, dum!” This, he knew, was caused by the man whose name
-was Deagahgweoses, in making tobacco, which he pounded with a mallet.
-When he arrived at the lodge he found the old man sitting inside
-hammering tobacco and singing, He yondyengonni goyengwayen gens,
-signifying “Wherever one makes tobacco, one possesses tobacco
-customarily.” And when the tobacco rolls were ready he would tie them
-with bark cords. Addressing him, Hodadeñon said several times, “Well,
-uncle, I have come to your lodge,” but the old man gave him no
-recognition. Then Hodadeñon struck the old man a blow on the head with
-a small mallet which was lying near, saying at the same time, “I have
-come to visit you, uncle.” But even then Deagahgweoses paid no
-attention to the visitor. Again Hodadeñon struck him a blow, saying,
-“Uncle, I have come to visit you.” Then the old man exclaimed, “I do
-think that the mice have thrown down the stone bowl,” but he kept on at
-work pounding his tobacco. So Hodadeñon struck him still another severe
-blow, whereupon the old man raised his upper lids, which hung down over
-his face to his chin. Carefully tying them back with bark cords, he
-scraped out the filth from his eyes with a clamshell, saying, “I think
-that some one has come into the lodge.” Then, looking around and seeing
-Hodadeñon, he asked him, “For what do you come here? What do you want?”
-Hodadeñon replied, “I have come for tobacco.” The old man refused
-tobacco to his visitor, saying, “You will get no tobacco here.” Then
-starting up, exclaiming, “I will kill you!” he pursued Hodadeñon with a
-large club out of doors and around the lodge. Hodadeñon outran him and
-was soon far ahead of him. Finally, turning and facing the old man, he
-shot two arrows into his body. Thus died Deagahgweoses.
-
-Then Hodadeñon cast into the air toward the west a large quantity of
-tobacco, saying as he did so, “Go ye to the lodge of my sister,
-Yenyentʻhwus.” Far off in the west Yenyentʻhwus picked up the rolls of
-tobacco which fell on her doorstep, with the words, “I thank you,
-brother; I am so thankful to you, brother.” When Hodadeñon had sent
-home all the tobacco he burned up the lodge of Deagahgweoses. Then he
-went back to the place where he had left his newly recovered brother
-and the other men whom he had brought to life. Having arrived there, he
-told the men to go home if they so wished. Those who remembered whence
-they had come started, but those who did not know said, “You must take
-us with you.”
-
-The next morning they set out for home. After journeying for some time,
-Hodadeñon, halting the company, said to them, “You have with you two of
-my uncles, who can show you the rest of the way, for I must go on by
-myself.” It was his desire to go on alone and thus to reach home first.
-When he arrived at the lodge of his sister, he told her that he had
-brought to life all their relatives who had been captives, and that he
-had also saved their brother from the tortures of the wizards. He
-informed her that these were coming with others who were not relatives.
-“Now,” said he, “we must make preparations to receive them and to
-welcome them to our place.”
-
-Hodadeñon thought that he would make a number of commodious lodges of
-equal size and of like appointments; so he marked out certain spaces
-with his feet, walking sidewise, each area being as large as the lodge
-he desired to stand therein. Then he wished for the lodge with suitable
-provisions and whatever else was needed. As soon as he wished it, the
-lodge came into being with everything in it as he desired. In this
-peculiar way he made a long row of lodges. He made his own lodge also
-in the same way, but he caused it to be larger than any of the others.
-When he had prepared everything he went to meet the people who were
-coming. Having joined them, he brought them to the place he had made
-ready, where he gave each one his own home. Hodadeñon gave each of his
-relations a couch in his own lodge; but there were not people enough to
-occupy the place, so Hodadeñon said, “All who belong here have not yet
-come home.” Here he referred to his father, mother, and sister, who had
-been killed at the chestnut trees, and it was his intention to go after
-them; but he could not mention this lest he should put those who had
-killed them on their guard. They would have heard his words and so
-would have learned exactly what were his intentions.
-
-After being home about a year Hodadeñon began to hear again at frequent
-intervals the peculiar sound, “Dum, dum, dum!” He thought how strange
-it was to hear this sound. Then he remembered about the agreement made
-by Yeqsinye Honwande [80] concerning the use of human flesh for food.
-He decided to learn this, saying: “I shall go and see whether he keeps
-his word; see what he is doing.”
-
-So he started, and as he went on he heard this same sound from time to
-time. Directing his course toward the spot whence came the sound, at
-last he reached the edge of a village. Entering the first lodge he
-encountered, he met nobody there. He then went to a second lodge, and
-that, too, was empty. Thus he entered every lodge until he came to the
-center of the village; there was no one in any of them. He stood
-looking on every hand, quite discouraged. At last, seeing smoke arising
-from the opposite side of the village, he directed his way toward it.
-On reaching it he entered the lodge, where he saw an old man on a
-couch. Raising himself and throwing off the skin mantles which covered
-him, the old man said to Hodadeñon: “You must take my life at once, for
-you have caused all my pain and misery.” Hodadeñon replied: “It is not
-I who have done this. It may be my companion, who looks exactly like
-me. I am here to see whether it is he who is making all this trouble.”
-The old man said: “It is time for him to come now; and on this account
-I made my niece hide in that room yonder. We are now the only persons
-left in this place.” Hodadeñon, going to the room indicated, said to
-the young woman in there: “I have come to see how that man keeps the
-agreement he made with me. If he has taken to eating human flesh, he
-must kill me before he eats more, and to aid me you must do just what I
-tell you to do. So help me all you can. I shall fight with him for 10
-days. We shall begin here, and shall continue fighting westward. At the
-end of 10 days we shall return, fighting as we come. At that time there
-will be nothing left of us except our heads. You must kill your dog and
-try out its fat, and when the tenth day comes you must have it ready in
-a vessel, boiling hot. But you must not mistake me for him, for if you
-do I shall be lost and you will die.”
-
-At this moment he heard the old man cry out. Running to him at once, he
-found that the man whom he called friend, the old widow’s grandson, had
-already taken flesh from the legs and thighs of the old man. There he
-stood with his flint knife, ready to cut off more flesh, saying, “I do
-not know where to take off the next piece of flesh,” when Hodadeñon
-came into the room. The latter at once declared, “My friend, you agreed
-when we parted last that if you would eat human flesh you would first
-kill the person before eating him, and you have not kept your word.”
-[81] The other man defiantly replied, “Let us go out and fight to
-decide who shall rule.” At once they went out, and they began to fight,
-going westward as they struggled, and soon disappeared in the woods.
-The young woman heard their cries and groans for several days. Killing
-the dog, she tried out its fat, and when the 10 days had passed and she
-heard them coming back toward the lodge she heated the fat and had it
-ready.
-
-As they came out of the woods into the opening there was nothing left
-of them but the skeletons and the skulls—frightful to look at as they
-rushed at each other and then fell back exhausted. When they closed
-again the skeletons were gone; nothing remained except the skulls,
-naked and bloody. After the encounter one of the skulls, rolling up to
-the young woman, said, “Now is the time to do what I told you.” Then
-the other skull, rolling up immediately, said the same thing; but she
-kept her eyes on the second skull, on which she poured hot dog fat.
-“Now you have killed me,” said the other skull. She paid no heed to
-this charge, but, taking up the skull on which she had poured dog fat,
-she carried it into the lodge. In a short time Hodadeñon had regained
-his flesh and he was again in good health. To the young woman he said,
-“I thank you for what you have done for me, for you have faithfully
-performed what I asked and have thus saved my life.”
-
-The old man, recognizing an obligation to him, said to Hodadeñon: “I
-have made up my mind to say that since you have delivered us from a
-horrible death you should have my niece for a wife if she suits you.
-What is your pleasure in the matter?” Without hesitation Hodadeñon
-replied: “It is well. I accept your niece as a wife, but I must cure
-you first.” So, spitting on his hands to endue them with the healing
-power of his orenda (magic power), he rubbed the body of the old man
-where the flesh had been cut away, and immediately it was made whole
-and well.
-
-“Now,” said Hodadeñon to his two companions, “I want your assistance in
-what I am about to do.” Then he led them to the edge of the forest,
-where lay a great quantity of human bones scattered around on the
-ground. These they proceeded to gather together in some kind of order
-near a large hickory tree. When they had collected all the bones,
-Hodadeñon pushed against the tree, shouting, “Oh, you dry bones!
-Behold, the great hickory is about to fall on those who sleep here.
-Arise, friends.” At that moment the bones arose as living men, and
-Hodadeñon said to them: “Be ye alive now, and go back to your several
-homes. There is now nothing to trouble you.” So each man went his way.
-
-Hodadeñon took the old man’s niece for a wife, and they started for
-home. But after going some distance Hodadeñon said, “I have one more
-thing to do. I must go after the chestnuts, so you go on and I will
-overtake you.”
-
-So starting off, he changed his course and continued his journey until
-he came to the ridge of a hill, near which was a woman on watch, whose
-task required her to walk back and forth on a kind of raised platform.
-Before going up to her and revealing himself Hodadeñon got slippery-elm
-bark, which he turned into wampum. Then hailing a mole, he said to it,
-“Take me to that woman on the platform, but do not let her see us; so
-pass beneath the surface of the ground and emerge under the platform.”
-The mole, obeying, took Hodadeñon, who had reduced his size by magic,
-into its body and, going underneath the surface, did as it was ordered.
-It emerged very near the place where the woman was passing to and fro.
-Coming out of the body of the mole, Hodadeñon said to her, “Friend, I
-give you this wampum as a reward to you not to give the usual alarm on
-my account.” She accepted the wampum.
-
-Then Hodadeñon called on the moles to go into the lodge of the four
-women to discover their hearts, and he accompanied them in the search.
-It so chanced that he was able to discover the hearts fastened to a
-string under a couch on which slept the elder of the four women.
-Seizing them at once he fled out of the lodge. At that moment the woman
-on watch gave the alarm, shouting, “Hodadeñon has come! Ho, there!” The
-mother of the witches screamed to her daughters: “Hurry after him my
-children! Kill him! for he is the last of the family.” The eldest
-daughter outfooted the others and, as she was overtaking Hodadeñon, he
-bruised one of the hearts on the string and she fell dead. When the
-second daughter came up, he bruised another heart, and she also fell
-dead; and a like fate befell the youngest daughter. Now the old mother
-alone was left of the brood of witches. She hurried up to him,
-whereupon he bruised the fourth heart, and she, too, fell lifeless.
-When the four were dead, Hodadeñon ground their hearts to powder; then
-dragging the bodies to the lodge, he burned lodge, bodies, and powdered
-hearts.
-
-Now, the woman watch, who was walking to and fro on the platform
-continually, was the own sister of Hodadeñon. At this time she was a
-mere pouch of human skin for her bones and flesh were wanting. Near
-this platform was a large heap of bones of dead persons. Hodadeñon
-carried these bones to the foot of a very large hickory tree, and upon
-the pile he placed the skin of his sister. He then pushed against the
-tree shouting, “Ho! friends and sister, arise, for the tree is about to
-fall on you now.” Instantly all leaped up alive, among them his sister.
-
-Then Hodadeñon went to the chestnut trees and taking a nut, he threw it
-to his other sister in the west, telling the rest of the nuts to
-follow. They did so, and as they entered the end of the lodge his
-sister Yenyentʻhwus collected and stored them away.
-
-Hodadeñon now went home with his parents and sister and friends. When
-they had all taken their places it was seen that one of their number
-was missing, that there was still a vacant place.
-
-The next morning they found that they were living in a chestnut grove,
-for the trees were standing all around the lodge.
-
-Later two men came to get some chestnuts for a person who was in danger
-of death. Replying to their request Hodadeñon said: “It is well. I will
-give you a chestnut, but you must be very careful not to lose it. Give
-me your arrow and I will hide the chestnut in the arrow. Be very
-careful of a man whom you will meet not far from this place. He will
-say to you, ‘Stop, nephew!’ and then he will come toward you. At that
-moment you must say, ‘Let us see who can shoot the farther,’ and before
-he can come near you, do you shoot away your arrows as far as you can,
-and you will thus save the chestnut. If you lose this one I will not
-give any more.”
-
-The two men went their way. Soon they saw a man who said to them, “Oh,
-nephews! I have waited long to see you.” Thereupon he started toward
-them, but they at once said, “Let us see who can shoot the farther.”
-Rushing forward the stranger tried to grasp their arrows, and nearly
-succeeded in doing so. On failing in this attempt, he was very angry,
-and said, “You are not my nephews at all. Go your way at once.”
-Willingly they hurried away from him, and after finding their arrows,
-made their way home.
-
-The next day Hodadeñon said: “There is still one more labor for me to
-perform. There is yet one empty seat in our lodge. I shall go west this
-time. Now I go.” He had not gone very far on his journey before he saw
-an opening, or clearing, in the forest ahead of him. When he came out
-of the forest into this clearing, he saw a large lake before him, the
-opposite shore of which he could not see. Between him and this lake was
-a lodge from which smoke was issuing. Walking up to this and pushing
-aside the doorflap, he entered; within he found an old man mending
-moccasins.
-
-Raising his head, the old man said: “Well, nephew, I have been looking
-for you a long time. I knew that you would come. I am ready to go home.
-I am from the same place from which you come. The first thing for us to
-do now will be to eat together.” The old man had a pot of corn and
-beans with plenty of bear’s meat for seasoning. After they had eaten,
-the old man said, “Now is our time. We will now go hunting on the
-little island.”
-
-Going to a canoe, they got aboard of it. The old man, whose name was
-Shagowenotha Onononda Sowek,[82] began to paddle the canoe, but he
-finally called the Onononda Sowek to come and do so. At once small
-white ducks with black heads came and paddled the canoe over to the
-island. During all this time the old man sang. When they landed the old
-man said, “Let us land.”
-
-Then Shagowenotha said to his companion, “Now you go to the lower end
-and I will go to the upper end of this island. Then we shall meet in
-the middle of the island, and shall see how much game each of us will
-have.” Hodadeñon started for the lower end of the island, but in a
-short time he heard the song of the old man. Turning around, he saw him
-sailing back to the mainland. Hodadeñon called to him, but received no
-reply. The old man, however, called out to the creatures in the lake,
-“If the man on the island tries to swim, eat him at once,” and great
-hoarse voices out of the water answered, “We will.”
-
-While standing and watching the canoe going over the lake, Hodadeñon
-heard a voice near him, saying, “Oh, my nephew! come to me.” Hodadeñon
-went toward the spot whence came the sound of the voice; when he drew
-near it, he found nothing but a pile of bones covered with moss. The
-bones asked, “Do you think, nephew, that you are going to die?” “I do,”
-answered Hodadeñon. The bones, answering, said: “There is a maneater, a
-cannibal, coming to-night to kill you, but do me a favor, and I will
-tell you how to save yourself. Go to that great tree and bring me my
-pouch, and let me smoke, and I will explain all to you.” Going after
-the pouch, as directed, Hodadeñon brought it to his uncle; then cutting
-up tobacco, he filled the pipe and lighted it for his uncle. When the
-latter began to use the pipe, smoke issued from all the orifices in his
-skull—from the eyeless sockets, the nostrils, the ear openings, and the
-sutures. When the uncle had finished he asked Hodadeñon to take the
-pouch back to the place whence he had brought it, whereupon Hodadeñon
-returned it to the pile of bones. Then the voice from the bones said:
-“You must go now to cut red willows for material for making manikins
-and bows and arrows. Run from here to various places on the island; put
-the manikins in crotches high up in the trees far from one another.
-Give each manikin a bow and arrow, and when you place each one, say to
-it, ‘Shoot the dog when it comes.’ When you have put up a number of
-these come back to me. Then you must go out with manikins a second
-time; and when you have set these up you must return to me; and you
-must go out a third time with manikins. When putting up these you must
-instruct them to shoot the dogs; after doing this, you must return to
-me. From here you must go to the end of the island, where you must step
-into the water and walk along in it until you come to an overhanging
-cliff, which is opposite the landing place. There they can not find
-you.”
-
-Hodadeñon did as his uncle, the bones, advised him to do. When the
-manikins were all completed and placed in their places he went to the
-overhanging bank and there hid himself.
-
-At evening came the Ongwe Ias [83] in a canoe; he landed on the island.
-He was accompanied by three dogs, which he urged at once to find the
-game, Hodadeñon, who now heard the hue and cry of the pursuit. Starting
-from the bones, they went to the tree where the pouch was hidden and
-thence returned. Then they went on farther until they came to the tree
-on which was placed the first manikin. The Ongwe Ias followed his dogs
-closely, singing as he ran, “There are no dogs like mine; there are no
-dogs like mine.” Suddenly the dogs stopped, and the Ongwe Ias saw a boy
-in the tree pointing an arrow at one of them. At once shooting an arrow
-at the supposed boy, he brought him down. As the dogs sprang forward to
-seize the falling manikin, the Ongwe Ias shouted at them, “Do not eat
-the body! Do not eat the body!” But when he was able to see what he had
-killed, he found that the dogs were tearing nothing but red willow
-twigs. Then he was very angry and, calling off his dogs, he urged them
-to follow the tracks elsewhere.
-
-It was not long before the dogs found another tree on which there was a
-manikin with drawn bow and arrow. When Ongwe Ias saw it, he exclaimed,
-“Oh! he will kill one of my dogs;” thereupon he shot an arrow, which
-brought down the manikin. The dogs, rushing at the falling body, seized
-it, but the Ongwe Ias shouted at them, “Do not eat the flesh! Do not
-eat the flesh!” as he hurried forward to take it from the dogs. When he
-saw that they were throwing only bits of red willow from their mouths
-he was indeed very angry; but he set the dogs on the trail again.
-
-They ran on with Ongwe Ias following them closely. After a while he
-heard them growling fiercely and found that they had stopped at a pile
-of bones. Seizing his club, Ongwe Ias pounded the bones, saying, “I
-have eaten your flesh long ago and still you try to deceive me.” Then,
-calling his dogs, he set them on the trail made by Hodadeñon when he
-went to put up the second lot of manikins. The dogs ran around with
-Ongwe Ias closely following them and singing, “There are no dogs like
-mine; there are no dogs like mine.” It was not long before they came to
-a manikin in the crotch of a tree. Seeing the drawn bow and arrow Ongwe
-Ias said, “Oh, he will kill one of my dogs.” At that instant the
-manikin shot an arrow and one of the dogs dropped dead. Then Ongwe Ias
-shot an arrow into the manikin, which fell to the ground. He shouted at
-the dogs, “Do not eat the flesh! Do not eat the flesh!” Thereupon they
-let the body go, but he found that it was made merely of bits of red
-willow.
-
-Starting again on the trail, the dogs ran around for a long time in
-every direction over the island. Finally Ongwe Ias heard the two
-surviving dogs barking fiercely; they were at the bones again. Coming
-up, he shouted: “Why do you deceive me? Long ago I ate your flesh. Why
-do you trouble me now?” and, seizing his club, he pounded the bones
-savagely.
-
-A third time he set out with his two dogs on a trail. The dogs followed
-this until they came to a tree in which was a manikin. This figure shot
-one of the dogs, killing it. Then Ongwe Ias shot the manikin, which
-fell to the ground a mass of rotten wood.
-
-At this time day began to dawn. The Ongwe Ias said to himself, “I shall
-go home now. When it is night again I shall return and I shall be sure
-of the game.” So bringing his dead dogs to life and taking them into
-his canoe he sailed away.
-
-Hodadeñon in his hiding place heard the chasing during the entire
-night, the barking of the dogs and the shouting of the Ongwe Ias; also
-the sounds made by the club striking his uncle, the bones. When
-daylight had come and all was quiet Hodadeñon, emerging from his hiding
-place, returned to his uncle, who welcomed him with the words: “Well,
-my nephew, you are alive yet. So will you now go to bring my pouch to
-me, and let me have a smoke, and I will tell you then what to do next.”
-Hodadeñon quickly fetched the pouch and filled the pipe with tobacco
-and, lighting it, he placed it in the mouth of his uncle, who smoked
-with great pleasure, letting the smoke come out of every suture in his
-skull and through its eye sockets and nose and ear openings. The uncle
-said to his nephew, “I thank you for this smoke. Now take the pouch
-back, and when you return we will talk over our troubles.” Hodadeñon
-carefully concealed the pouch, and when he returned to his uncle he was
-ready to hear what he must do next.
-
-The uncle then said to him, “Now go to the place where the canoe of
-Ongwe Ias usually makes a landing; there dig a hole in the shore and
-bury yourself in the sand, leaving only the tip of your nose out. When
-Shagowenotha lands and hurries away to the opposite side of the island,
-you must get up quickly and board the canoe and have the ducks paddle
-you back to the mainland. So, nephew, take courage and you will win.”
-
-While Hodadeñon was covering himself he heard Shagowenotha singing to
-the ducks as they paddled him over the water. Soon he heard the canoe
-ground on the sandy shore and a voice saying, “I shall now go to the
-place where my nephew has spilled his blood.” Paying strict attention
-to the advice of his uncle, the bones, Hodadeñon knew exactly what to
-do next. As soon as Shagowenotha was out of sight Hodadeñon arose
-quickly, and, calling the ducks, he pushed the canoe back into the
-water; then he began to sing, “Now we paddle, my ducks; now we paddle,
-my ducks.” The ducks paddled so swiftly that the canoe fairly flew over
-the water. The canoe was far out on the lake when Ongwe Ias saw it. At
-once he rushed to the beach and called out, “Let me get aboard! Let me
-get aboard!”
-
-Hodadeñon heard but paid no attention to this entreaty; on the
-contrary, turning to the monsters dwelling in the depths of the lake,
-he said, “If Shagowenotha should try to swim after me, do you devour
-him.” Then from the water came a confusion of voices saying hoarsely,
-“It shall be done; it shall be done.”
-
-Shagowenotha ran up and down the shore, but he could not make his
-escape. When night came he climbed a tall tree. With the coming of
-thick darkness the Ongwe Ias came with his three dogs—he had restored
-to life the two that had been killed by the manikins—and he began at
-once to chase around with them to find traces of Hodadeñon, for he
-thought that he was still on the island. At last the dogs led him to
-the tree in which Shagowenotha had sought shelter. The dogs barked
-furiously at Shagowenotha in the tree. When Ongwe Ias came up
-Shagowenotha cried out, “Oh, do not shoot me! I am Shagowenotha.” Ongwe
-Ias tauntingly replied, “You may call yourself Shagowenotha, but you
-can not fool me,” and let fly an arrow at the Shagowenotha, who tumbled
-to the ground dead. Then Ongwe Ias carried off the body and cast it
-into the canoe, after which he paddled away.
-
-The next morning Hodadeñon said, “Now I shall go to the lodge of Ongwe
-Ias.” Pushing the canoe out from the shore, he began to sing for the
-ducks, which came and paddled the canoe until almost evening, when
-Hodadeñon saw woods on the shore and a lodge standing near the water.
-Bringing the canoe to the beach, he hid it under the water; then he
-said to the ducks, “You may go your way until I call for you.” A woman
-came out of the lodge carrying two pieces of bark, and called to
-Hodadeñon to remain in the water, where he had sunk the canoe. Going to
-him, she placed a piece of bark at the water’s edge, telling Hodadeñon
-to step on it; then putting down the next piece of bark, she asked him
-to step on that. Then she put the first piece before the second, and
-then the second before the first, and Hodadeñon kept stepping on bark
-until at last he reached the lodge without leaving a single track on
-the ground. When they were in the lodge Hodadeñon said to the woman: “I
-have come after you. I am your brother. What will you do?” She replied,
-“I will go with you, but you must remain here until midday to-morrow.”
-Under her couch was a smaller one, in which she put her brother; then
-replacing her own over it, she sat on the top.
-
-Soon the yelping of the dogs told of the arrival of Ongwe Ias, and his
-footsteps were heard. When the first dog came in, with his mouth open,
-the woman threw a bone into it, and afterward hit him on the head. The
-Ongwe Ias at once shouted at her, “Oh, you have killed my dog.” In
-reply she asked, “Why do they run at me as they do? I have done nothing
-to them.” Calling them off, he said, “I have had bad luck to-day. I
-have found nothing but a small cub.” Thereupon he prepared his game,
-which he cooked with pounded corn. When he had finished eating it he
-said, “My food was very tender and good, and now I shall take a smoke.”
-Soon he added, “It seems to me, my niece, that you have two breaths.”
-She answered sharply: “That is too much to say. You might as well kill
-me. You should not talk that way.”
-
-The next morning Ongwe Ias said: “I shall not go hunting on that island
-again. I shall go to the other side of the country.” Then he went away,
-much to the relief of his prisoners.
-
-After he had been gone some time the woman said, “He must be at his
-destination by this time, so you may come out.” Hodadeñon came out from
-under the couch and went with the woman to the lake. There he raised
-the canoe; getting aboard, the two paddled away as quickly as possible.
-When they had reached the middle of the lake they suddenly heard Ongwe
-Ias shouting to them, “You can not escape from me! You can not escape
-from me!” Running into the lodge, he seized a hook and line, which he
-hurled at Hodadeñon, at the same time saying, “Catch the canoe!” At
-once the hook did so and Ongwe Ias was pulling the canoe swiftly back
-to shore. Suddenly the woman saw that the forest on the shore seemed to
-be coming nearer and nearer, and then she saw the hook and line and
-Ongwe Ias at the other end of the line. She screamed to Hodadeñon to
-break the hook. This he quickly did and they were again free; thereupon
-they speedily paddled back to the middle of the lake. Then Ongwe Ias,
-in a great rage, screaming, “You shall not escape from me,” started to
-run along the bottom of the lake toward his intended victims; but at
-the moment he was at the bottom Hodadeñon said, “Let there be ice all
-over the lake so thick that nothing can break through it, and let our
-canoe be on the top of the ice.”
-
-When Ongwe Ias thought that he was under the canoe he sprang upward
-toward the surface with all his might, striking the ice with such force
-that it cracked all over the lake. The force of the blow crushed the
-head of Ongwe Ias, so that he died.
-
-At once Hodadeñon willed that the ice melt away as rapidly as it had
-formed. When the ice was gone he and his sister paddled to the shore.
-On landing, they traveled on homeward. When they reached home they
-entered the lodge by the western doorway; then going around by the way
-of the south to the eastern side, Hodadeñon took his sister to the last
-couch, which was at the northwestern corner, where he seated her. The
-family was now complete and happy.
-
-
-
-
-
-42. THE UNCLE AND HIS NEPHEW
-
-An uncle and his nephew lived together in a bark lodge in the woods.
-They had no neighbors.
-
-The uncle went every day to hunt and to dig wild potatoes. During the
-day and evening the boy sat by the fire and parched corn to eat. Though
-the uncle brought home plenty of good potatoes, he gave his nephew only
-small, poor ones to eat.
-
-The nephew wondered why they were always alone, so he asked his uncle
-whether there were other people living in that region. In reply the
-uncle said: “Far off in the west there are people powerful in sorcery,
-who took all our tribe captive except us two. This is the reason we are
-alone and have no neighbors.”
-
-Then the boy wondered why his uncle gave him such small, poor potatoes
-to eat. He saw his uncle put large ones into the pot, but in the
-morning only small ones were left. So one night the nephew made a hole
-in the skin cover under which he slept, to watch his uncle. Toward
-midnight he saw his uncle get up and strike a light, and then going to
-an old couch in the corner of the lodge, in which no one seemingly
-slept, raise the top and call out a young man, who was beautiful to
-look upon, strong, and active. Both the uncle and the strange young man
-sat down by the fire. The potatoes, covered with moss, were simmering
-over the flames. The uncle uncovered them, picked out the best for his
-nephew, and brought him also meat and other food. After they had eaten
-heartily, the uncle sang and kept time for the young man with a turtle
-rattle while the latter danced. The little boy looked intently all the
-time at the young man, saying to himself, “I suppose that is my
-brother; now we will have some fun.” After the young man had finished
-dancing the uncle put him under the couch again and, banking the fire,
-lay down on his own couch.
-
-The next morning, as soon as the uncle had gone to hunt and to dig
-potatoes, the little boy went to the couch, and raising the corner of
-the cover, said, “Come out! come out here! brother, to me.” “Oh, no!”
-said the young man, “I can not go out in the daytime; those women off
-there in the west, the Wadiʻoniondies, would hear me.” “Oh, never mind;
-they will not hear you,” said the boy. “Oh, yes; they will hear me, and
-the moment I come out they will carry me off. They do not know now that
-I am here, but the moment I make a noise they will hear it and will
-come for me.” The little follow teased and begged so hard, however,
-that his brother came out at last. After eating together, one danced
-and then the other, until at last the young man heard the women calling
-in the distance, “Ween, Ween.” Instantly the elder brother, jumping
-under the couch, covered himself.
-
-All this time the little boy kept shaking the rattle and dancing with
-all his might. Soon two women appeared from the west, sailing in a
-canoe through the air. “Oh! where is he?” cried they. “Your brother!
-where is he?” said one of the women. “I have only an uncle, who is old.
-He is now off hunting,” said the boy. “There is somebody here with you
-in the lodge,” said one of the women. “Oh, no!” said the boy, “I am
-alone.” “Oh! you little rogue, you lie,” said the woman. “If I should
-lie, that is my business,” answered the child. “Well, we will let you
-off this time, but you shall suffer if you lie again to us.”
-
-In the evening when the old uncle came home, he inquired what he had
-been doing. “Have you found a brother?” he asked. “I have no brother,
-have I?” asked the little boy. “Was not there anyone here to-day?”
-queried the uncle. “No,” said the lad. “Well, what did those women come
-for? I heard them,” said the uncle. “There was no one here,” said the
-child. The uncle said no more.
-
-The next morning, when going off to hunt, the uncle said, “You would
-better go out of doors to play, instead of turning everything upside
-down in the lodge; go out of doors to play.” His uncle had scarcely
-disappeared when the boy ran to his brother, begging him to come out,
-until at last he did so. Again they amused themselves; but in the midst
-of the dancing the elder brother heard two of the women coming. “Now,”
-said he, “I must go; there is no use to hide or to deny that I am here.
-I must go.” Presently the two women arrived in their canoe, which,
-grazing the top of the lodge, came to the ground. The elder brother got
-into the canoe, and away they went to the west.
-
-When the uncle came home at night he was bowed down with grief, for he
-knew what had happened. He sat down, crying bitterly. “Oh! do not cry
-so, uncle,” said his little nephew; “do not cry; I will go and bring
-him back.” Running out quickly, he gathered a lot of red-willow twigs,
-from which he scraped the bark. On throwing this into the fire
-straightway a thick column of smoke rose and shot off toward the west.
-Jumping into the smoke, the boy was borne away after his brother. He
-overtook the canoe when it was about halfway to its destination in the
-west. The youth in the canoe knew that his little brother was following
-to rescue him. One of the women was sitting in the bow of the canoe
-paddling, while the other sat in the stern steering. The young man
-turned to look at his little brother, whereupon one of the women in the
-canoe struck him on the side of the head with the paddle, crying out:
-“Sit still! do not look around.” As she struck him he turned his head
-slightly, so as to look again; he saw that his brother, on noticing the
-blow, sprang forward and jumped into the canoe, shouting: “Do not
-strike my brother.” Then he cried: “Let this boat turn around and take
-my brother home.” Instantly the canoe, turning around in spite of all
-that the women could do, sailed back faster than it had come.
-
-As they were nearing the uncle’s lodge the women begged the little boy
-to let his brother go with them, saying: “We will give you whatever you
-wish, only let him go.” He thought of what he might ask in payment for
-letting his brother go again. Then the young woman inquired: “Is there
-anything we might give to induce you to let him go?” He said: “Yes; if
-each of you will give me her sexual organ for a moccasin, I will let
-him go.” On their consenting, he cut out with his knife what he wanted
-and put the moccasins on his feet; they fitted well. Immediately he was
-at home.
-
-In answer to his old uncle’s inquiry he said: “I brought my brother
-home, but let him go again; the women gave me these beautiful moccasins
-to get him back. I can do everything with them.” After a few days the
-little boy had such power because of his moccasins that he told his
-uncle how the women were tormenting his brother, and that he was
-resolved to rescue him. Bringing a lot of red-willow twigs, he scraped
-off the bark, which he threw on the fire. Then jumping into the rising
-smoke, he shot off toward the west, where he came down at the edge of a
-clearing in a great wood. Just opposite, at the other end, was a Long
-Lodge, and at the right hand, at the edge of the wood, was a small
-lodge, in which a grandmother lived with three grandchildren, a boy and
-two girls.
-
-After thinking a while, he said, “I will go over to the little lodge.”
-Going there he met a boy of his own age and size, just like himself in
-every way; half of his hair (the crown) was black and half (the sides)
-red. “Oh! how do you do?” said the strange little boy. “Who are you?
-You must be my brother?” The boys looked at each other, and seeing that
-they were just about the same size they became brothers. “Now, you will
-come and live here with me, little boy,” said the lad; “I have two
-sisters and a grandmother; my grandmother has gone out.”
-
-When the old woman came home the little boy said, “I have a brother
-here; he is going to live with us.” “How could he live with us, we are
-so poor?” said the grandmother. “I think he can; he is poor himself and
-will be satisfied with what you have to give him,” replied the lad. At
-last she consented to let him stay. The other boy, drawing near the old
-woman, asked: “Are you going to the chief’s lodge? Have you heard what
-is going on there?” “Oh, yes!” said the old woman; “the chief’s two
-daughters brought a man from the east, from that great wampum people;
-they hung him up last night and made him cry. His tears are wampum.
-Tonight they will do the same thing.” “Can we not go over there?” asked
-the boy. “I suppose so,” said his grandmother; “I will get some
-wampum.”
-
-When evening came the old woman, her grandchildren, and the little boy
-went to the Long Lodge. The people had already assembled, and the man
-was hanging from a post. The two sisters were sitting on couches, one
-on each side. The boy said to his friend, “Now we will get some dry
-rushes to light the pipes of the chiefs and of the people standing
-around, if they will let us in.”
-
-When the old woman came to the Long Lodge she asked whether she might
-not have a chance to get some wampum. They asked the chief, who said,
-“Yes; she is a good woman. Let her have a chance, too.” “My little
-grandson and his friend,” said the old woman, “will come in and carry
-lights to those who want to smoke.” “Oh, yes,” said the chief, “let the
-little boys come.”
-
-As they went into the lodge the young man who was tied to the post
-smiled when he saw his brother. All who saw him wondered what the man
-was smiling at. Presently the chief gave orders to apply the
-firebrands. Thereupon they burned him on one side and then on the
-other; he cried bitterly, and as the tears fell they turned into wampum
-beads, falling in a shower. All the people ran to collect the wampum,
-and the old grandmother got some too. After the man had cried a while
-they rested and smoked.[84] When the order was given to begin the
-torture a second time, the little brother gave one moccasin to his
-friend and kept the other himself. As they were about to begin the
-burning he said to the boy, “Now stick your foot into the fire.” When
-he did so, one of the sisters screamed, as though in the agony of
-death, and never stopped until the boy took out his foot. All the
-people wondered what was the matter, but she would not tell.
-
-Again, as they were going to apply the fire to the man, the little
-nephew put his foot into the fire and the other sister screamed in
-terrible pain. After they had gotten some wampum and rested, the boy
-said, “Let them all sleep soundly.” His grandmother and the little boy
-went outside with his friend, and the grandmother said, too, “Let them
-all sleep soundly.” When all were asleep the lad cut down his brother,
-whom he took outside; then, walking around the lodge, he said, “Let
-this lodge be turned into flint and let it become red-hot.” At once
-this came to pass and all within the lodge were burned up. “Now,” said
-the boy, “I think you would better come home with me, grandmother; you
-would be a good wife for my uncle.”
-
-All went to the uncle’s lodge, where they found him crying for his lost
-nephew. He had been tormented by foxes, who had knocked at the door,
-saying, “We have come, uncle.” After the nephews and the rest of the
-company had come into the old uncle’s lodge, a fox who did not know of
-the new arrivals knocked at the door, saying, “Uncle, I have come.”
-“Let him in,” said the boy, while all hid themselves. On coming in the
-fox ran toward the fire to get ashes to throw into the old man’s face,
-but the boy caught him. Saying, “Oh, you rascal! I will fix you now,”
-he tied together the fox’s forelegs with a bark rope and hung him up;
-thereupon the tears came out of his eyes, his face and—[Here the story
-ends abruptly.]
-
-
-
-
-
-43. HINON SAVES A WOMAN FROM SUICIDE
-
-In a certain village a young man and a young woman were married. Soon
-after their marriage they set out on a hunting expedition. After
-traveling some distance they came to a dense wood, where they stopped
-and built a brush lodge. Every morning the young man, leaving his wife
-at the lodge, always with the warning not to sleep during the day, went
-out in pursuit of game.
-
-One afternoon, coming back earlier than usual, the young man found her
-asleep. He saw a great rattlesnake among the skins on which she lay.
-While trying to pull the snake away, it disappeared into her body
-through her pudendum. When she awoke the young man, without saying
-anything of what had occurred, proposed that they should go back to the
-village, as he was tired of hunting. On reaching home, he told his wife
-to go her way and he would go his.
-
-Not long after this she married another man. On the following morning
-her new husband was found dead. She soon married still another man, who
-was also found dead on the morning after the marriage. Her people then
-resolved to find out from the first husband why he had put her away.
-After much persuasion he told them why, saying, “While hunting I often
-asked her never to sleep in the daytime, but one afternoon on returning
-to my camp I found her asleep; there was also a rattlesnake in the bed,
-which, when I tried to drive it away, disappeared into her body.”
-
-The mother of the young woman told her what they had heard from the
-first husband. She was so ashamed and troubled that she determined to
-kill herself by going over Niagara Falls. Getting into her canoe a mile
-or so above the Falls, she pushed out into the middle of the river. The
-mother followed her, but too late to stop her daughter. As the canoe
-neared the Falls the latter, lying down and covering her face with her
-mantle, disappeared over the brink. But Hinon, who dwells under the
-Falls, taking the young woman from the water, carried her to his home,
-where he prepared medicine which he gave to her; then, looking at her,
-he raised her by the shoulders and let her down on her feet. The second
-time he did this a dead snake dropped out of her person on the ground.
-Hinon said, “I am glad to see this snake. Now I shall have something to
-eat.” Roasting the snake on the hot coals of his hearth he ate it.
-
-The young woman lived with Hinon for some time. As she could not eat
-his food, he often brought ears of corn, saying, “Here is some corn
-from your mother’s field.” Then he would bring a roasted squash with
-the words, “I brought this from your mother’s coals,” having taken it
-from her fireside.
-
-They lived in this way until the woman was far advanced in pregnancy.
-Then Hinon said to some of his companions, “It is now time to deliver
-this woman to her mother. You must take her only to her mother’s
-field.” So, taking her to the field, they left her. Soon she heard some
-one crying, and then she saw her mother. The mother was frightened, but
-she stopped crying and called out, “Are you in your natural life?” The
-young woman assured her that she was, and together they went to the
-mother’s lodge. Not long after her arrival there the young woman gave
-birth to a boy.
-
-When the boy was large enough to run around they often heard Hinon
-coming, and then it would rain very hard. The boy would go out into the
-storm and he would be gone some time, but when he came back he would be
-perfectly dry. At last he said, “The next time my father comes I shall
-go away with him, and not return.” So he went and he was never seen
-again; but he is always with his father, and it is he who thunders in
-the sharp voice of a young man.
-
-
-
-
-
-44. THE CRAWFISH AND THE RACCOON
-
-The chief of the Crawfish settlement one day told his people that he
-was going about to inspect things and to see if the Ongwe Ias was
-around.
-
-Starting out, he went to every lodge; he found that every one was in
-and well. On his way home, as he was walking along the edge of the
-water he found what he judged to be the body of Ongwe Ias. “Oh! this is
-good luck,” said he; “I will go and tell all the people to come to see
-Ongwe Ias lying here dead.” So he invited all to turn out and see their
-enemy, whom he supposed was dead.
-
-The whole multitude came and saw the Ongwe Ias lying on the ground with
-his face black and covered with flies. One of them went up and pinched
-his lips hard, but he did not move. Then saying, “We will sing a song
-of rejoicing,” they formed in a circle around the Ongwe Ias to dance.
-While they were dancing and singing, all at once their enemy, the Ongwe
-Ias, springing up, ate the whole tribe except two or three who escaped.
-The Ongwe Ias knew the fondness of the Crawfish for dead meat of any
-kind, so his ruse was successful in providing him with a meal.
-
-
-
-
-
-45. THE RACE BETWEEN THE TURTLE AND THE BEAR
-
-There was once an old man going along slowly but surely by himself.
-After traveling some distance he met another man, who asked him, “Where
-are you going?” “Oh, I am going east to see the people,” the old man
-replied. “You will never get there; it is so far away, and you are too
-fat for the road,” answered the stranger. Thereupon they parted
-company.
-
-Soon the old man met another person, a slender young man, who asked,
-“Where are you going?” “I am going to the east to see how people live
-in that region,” answered the old man. “You can not get there; you are
-too fat, and so you can not travel so far,” said the young man. “How do
-you keep so fat?” “Well, when I come to a village and find people lying
-around, I bore a hole in each one I like and suck the fat out; that is
-the way to get fat,” said the old man. “I must try this plan. I am so
-lean that I must try to get fat,” said the other.
-
-Each went his own road. Soon the thin man came to an opening, or
-clearing, in the forest, where he found an animal lying asleep at the
-edge of the woods. Crawling up to it carefully he tried to make a hole
-in its body near the tail, in order to suck out the fat. But the
-animal, springing up, hit him a great blow with his heels and ran off.
-“I shall pay that old man the next time I meet him,” said the slim man.
-
-Going on farther he met the fat old fellow again. “How do you get so
-fat?” asked the slim man. “Oh, I do it by eating fish,” said the old
-man; “I put my tail through a hole in the ice, and when a fish bites I
-pull him out and eat him. That is how I get fat.” “I will try that
-plan,” said the slim young man. He went on until he came to where there
-was a good place to fish. Making a hole in the ice, he stuck his tail
-through and waited until it was frozen in; then he pulled until his
-tail came off.
-
-The young man went on his way and was magically changed into another
-kind of person through losing his tail. He traveled around until the
-next summer, when again he met the old man. “Where are you going?” he
-asked of the latter. “I am going east,” said the old man. “You will
-never get there; you are so fat you can not travel fast enough. You
-would better run a race with me.” “Very well,” said the fat man; “you
-may run on land but I will run on water. We will run to-morrow.”
-
-The fat man collected a great number of his people, whom he posted in
-the river all along the course to the starting place, telling each one
-to stick up his head when the land runner had come almost up to him. As
-was customary in the contests of great sorcerers, the wager in this
-race was the head of the loser.
-
-The racers started. The slim young man ran with all his might, but
-every little while the fat man, as he thought, stuck his head out of
-the water in advance of him. When he returned to the starting place the
-fat man was there before him. “You have won the race,” said the young
-man. “Of course I have,” said the fat man, and seizing the young fellow
-by the neck he led him to a stone where he cut off his head.
-
-Then the fat man’s friends, all coming out of the water, went to the
-starting place. When they looked at the dead land runner they said:
-“Oh, what a fool! Oh, what a fool!”
-
-Now, the old man, the water runner, was a mud turtle. The land runner
-was a bear, but he had been a fox until he lost his tail in the ice.
-Bears are all stub-tailed since the fox lost his tail in the ice.
-
-
-
-
-
-46. THE WOMAN WHO BECAME A MANEATER THROUGH THE ORENDA OF HER
-HUSBAND’S DOGS
-
-There was once a man who, in company with his wife and little daughter,
-went hunting in a distant region. Having arrived at his destination,
-the man built a brush lodge in the woods. Every day he went in pursuit
-of game.
-
-The man had three dogs, who were his brothers, and of whom he was fond.
-He shared his food with them and felt bad if they were ill-used. When
-he left them at home he always told his wife to feed them well and to
-take good care of them, but in spite of this she abused the dogs; no
-matter how long he was away, she would give them nothing to eat. At
-last, the smallest of the three dogs told the man how badly they were
-treated, saying, “Our sister-in-law never gives us anything to eat;
-whatever she cooks, she herself eats; if you will watch her, you will
-see how it is.” When her husband was around the woman was kind to the
-dogs in order to deceive him. The little dog, however, told him all
-that happened in the lodge while he was away hunting.
-
-Now, the little dog was fond of good things; so one night he said to
-his brothers, “I will get some food without asking, if only you will
-help me.” He had noticed that the woman kept food for herself, which
-she hid under the skins on which she slept, and had seen her hide there
-a skin bag of roasted corn. He said further to his brothers, “You are
-large and strong and can get it while she is asleep.” “No,” said the
-large dog; “we are heavy and awkward, and we would only awaken her; but
-you are light and small, and so can lie down by her without being
-noticed.” “Very well; I will try,” was the little dog’s answer to this.
-
-So at midnight, when all were sound asleep, the little dog, making his
-way to the bag of roasted corn hidden under the woman’s head, pulled it
-carefully until he got it out. The large dogs had drawn the door flap
-aside for him, and all three, well pleased, ran off toward the spring,
-where they could obtain water to wash down the roasted corn. The little
-dog said to one of his brothers, “You can carry the bag now.” In taking
-it he tore it open, when they found it was merely a pouch of roots,
-bark, and leaves instead of a bag of corn; so they had got into trouble
-for nothing. Then the large dog said, “The safest way for us is to
-carry this bag back, and you who got it must return it.” So, taking it
-back, the little dog placed it with the torn side down, near the
-woman’s head. The next morning when the woman shook the skins she found
-the pouch torn and laid the blame on the mice.
-
-A few days after this the little dog said to the man, “We are going to
-punish our sister-in-law for the bad treatment she gives us.” The man
-decided that he would say nothing, and that they might punish her if
-they wished. The next morning he said to his dogs, “You must stay at
-home, for I shall be away all night.” After he had gone the woman began
-cooking, and the little dog watched all her movements. When she took
-the meat down his mouth watered for a piece of it. The dogs sat around
-watching her as she cut it up, but she did not give them even a
-mouthful. It so chanced that she cut her finger badly and was not able
-to stanch the bleeding. In attempting to do so she even thrust the
-finger into her mouth and began sucking it. She found that she liked
-the taste of her own blood, and later even the meat she was cooking did
-not taste so good. So she sucked all the blood out of that finger; then
-she cut another finger and sucked that, for she had forgotten all about
-the cooking. Next she cut one arm and sucked it, then the other; then
-one leg and then the other. Finally, when she had sucked all the blood
-out of her body, she cut off her flesh, piece after piece, and ate it.
-The dogs sat around watching her, and her little girl also was looking
-on. After she had eaten all her own flesh she seized her daughter and,
-though the child cried and begged for mercy, the unnatural mother,
-paying no heed to her pleadings, killed her and ate her.
-
-Then the woman ran off in the direction her husband had taken. Suddenly
-the hunter heard something behind him. Turning, he saw the little dog,
-who said to him: “I have come to tell you that your wife has become a
-man-eater; she has eaten the flesh off her own body and has eaten your
-child, and is now on your trail. We must run for our lives. We will go
-to the settlement and you must tell the people to leave the place and
-run, for one is following us who will devour them all. Those who
-believe you will escape, but those who do not will die. We must run
-with all speed, for she is following us fast.”
-
-Now, it was through the orenda of the dogs and their influence that the
-woman had become a man-eater.
-
-When they reached the settlement, the man told the people of their
-danger. Some escaped, but the woman quickly ate all who remained. Again
-she followed on her husband’s trail. The little dog told the man when
-the woman reached the settlement, and soon after said, “Now do your
-best, for she is coming with greater speed than before; we are near a
-large river.” The fugitives reached the river and the man, making a
-small raft, quickly got on it with his dogs. He was in the middle of
-the stream when the woman reached the bank and called out, “Your flesh
-is mine. I am going to eat it.” Thereupon she made a great leap with
-the intention of landing on the raft, but missing it, she was drowned.
-After the fugitives had crossed the river and had given thanks for
-their escape, the little dog said, “We shall soon come to a village,
-and you must do my bidding.”
-
-When they came to an opening or clearing in the forest they saw near by
-a wretched-looking lodge, and the little dog said, “We are going there;
-a couple of poor old people live in that lodge.” On entering, the
-hunter asked the old man of the lodge whether he could stay with him
-for a short time. The old man answered: “It is difficult to grant your
-request. We have as much as we can do to live ourselves.” “It is true,”
-said the man, “you are very poor; so are we. I am not in search of a
-good home. I am looking for people in my own circumstances.” “Very
-well,” said the old man, “you can stay with us, but the chief of the
-place knows already that you have come; he has great magic power and I
-am afraid that he will take your life.”
-
-Some time passed. Every night the old man would spend a long time in
-relating the history of the chief and the people. As the visiting man
-was a good hunter, he brought in much game and soon the old man’s lodge
-was full of meat. After a while the old man said, “We have decided to
-adopt you, and you shall be one of our children.”
-
-The chief knew that there was a stranger in the place, and the old man
-said: “He will be here in two days; he is coming to see who is with us.
-He will tell you that he is your uncle, and will challenge you to a
-foot race. You must ask for two days’ time for preparation.” “Very
-well,” said the man, and as usual he started off to hunt. His dog
-seemed to know where all the bears were. When he had killed as many as
-he wanted he went home. The old man said, “The chief has been here, and
-he challenges you to a foot race.”
-
-When the time came for the race, the old man and his wife and
-granddaughter started for the race course. The man had said to him, “I
-will come as soon as I can make my preparations.” The second dog
-volunteered to take the man’s place in the race, but the little one
-said, “You stay at home and I will do the hunting”; and to the man he
-said, “Take off your garments and let me have them.” When the dog had
-put on the garments, he looked just like the man. The other dog said to
-the man, “We will go off hunting while he is doing the running.” The
-hunter and the dog were very happy, for they knew that their little
-brother would win the race.
-
-When the people had assembled on the race course and the old man saw
-his supposed son coming, he said, “See how well our son is prepared for
-the race.” They saw no difference whatever between the person before
-them and their adopted son. There were many people present, for the
-village seemed to be very large. Meanwhile the hunter who had accepted
-the challenge was off in the woods. One of the dogs said to him, “They
-are now ready to start. They have started.” Though far off in the
-woods, the dogs seemed to see everything. All at once they called out:
-“Owe! Owe! Our brother has won the race. Did we not tell you that he
-would never be outrun? Now we may as well go home.” So they started
-homeward. They had been at the lodge but a short time when the runner
-came in, and, taking off the garments of the hunter, who then put them
-on again, the three dogs laid down by the fire.
-
-It is said that during the race the chief, seeing that he was
-outstripped, threw a horn after the dog-man, which stuck into his foot.
-While the dog-man was trying to pull out the horn, the chief passed
-him, calling, “What are you doing there? Get up!” By the time the
-dog-man had drawn the horn out of his foot, his enemy was near the
-goal. But, springing up, he threw the horn at his enemy; it stuck into
-the chief’s foot, causing him to fall to the ground. Then the dog-man
-ran ahead, calling out, “Why do you not get up? You can not sit there
-and beat me.” But before the chief could pull out the horn, the dog-man
-had passed the goal.
-
-When the old man came home he said to his son, “I thank you for
-outrunning your enemy; there has never been anyone to outrun him; all
-have been beaten. Since the wager was heads, you can take his life
-whenever you wish.” Then he asked the man whether he had done his best.
-“No,” said he, “I used about half my strength.” “Very well,” said the
-old man; “he has another game to propose; he will never stop proposing
-trials of strength, skill, or speed until he has taken your life. To be
-beaten this time makes him very angry; in two days he will challenge
-you to play ball with him.” “All right,” replied the man, “I am ready
-to meet him.”
-
-In two days they saw the chief coming, and as he entered the lodge, he
-said: “I am sick for a game of ball, and I challenge you to play a game
-against me; you won in one game, so now try another. I will wager all I
-have, and if you win, you shall be chief in my place.” The man replied:
-“I also am sick from lack of amusement and I accept your challenge. I
-have never met the man who could beat me in a game of ball. But give me
-time. You have come unexpectedly, and I must make a ball club.” “Very
-well,” said the chief, going away.
-
-The bent ball club the hunter hung up to season, and the old man made
-strings; the next day they netted the club. They were ready just in
-time to go to the ball ground. The time appointed for the game was at
-midday, and the old man and woman said, “We shall now start.” “Very
-well; I shall come soon,” said the adopted son. Then the little dog
-said, “Let it be our eldest brother who shall take part in this game.”
-So the man removed his garments, and the dog put them on; there he
-stood, looking just like the man. The little dog said, “We shall surely
-win the game.” The hunter and the other dogs went to the woods to hunt,
-while the dog-man went to the ball ground.
-
-The chief was on the spot watching impatiently for the man. At last he
-saw him coming, with his long hair tied back; he carried his club well
-and looked splendid. The old man, supposing it was his son, said: “Now,
-you must use all your strength and must not be beaten.” The dog-man saw
-that his antagonist was walking around in the crowd, with a very proud
-and haughty manner. The dog-man seemed very mild and without strength
-enough for the game.
-
-Seeing that it was time to begin, the people fell back and gave room to
-the players. When the word was given the players came forward, and the
-chief said: “I will take my place on this side.” “No; you shall not,”
-said the other; “you gave the challenge, and I will choose my place.”
-The chief had to yield, the dog-man choosing the side the chief wanted.
-They then began to play. “Now,” said the little dog to the hunter in
-the woods, “our brother has begun the game, which will be a very close
-contest.” Soon he said: “The chief’s ball has missed the goal; they
-play well; our brother has caught and sent the ball back. Oh! now he
-has won an inning. They will play one more inning.” All at once he
-called out: “They have begun again. It is a very close game. Our
-brother is having all he can do. We may be beaten, however.” Then he
-called out: “Owe! Owe! Our brother has won the game. You are chief, and
-all the old chief has is ours.”
-
-As the dog-man had won two straight games, he caught the chief by the
-hair and cut his head off. Many of the people thanked him. They said
-that the old chief had never spared them; that when he had been the
-loser he had always given the people up to slaughter and saved his own
-life. The winner seemed to have won many friends among those who
-witnessed the game. The little dog said: “Now we shall go home.” They
-had been there but a short time when the ball player came in; giving
-back the man’s garments, he immediately became a dog again.
-
-When the old people came into the lodge they thanked their son, saying:
-“You have done more than anyone else was ever able to do before. You
-are the chief now.” As they praised their son they did not know that it
-was a dog that had done the work.
-
-The next morning the little dog said: “Let us go to live in the chief’s
-lodge.” So the hunter, with the old man and his family, moved into the
-new lodge. All the old chief’s things had been left in their places, as
-they were part of the wager. Now, as the dogs were so full of orenda,
-he became a great chief and had much power and influence among the
-people.
-
-[The narrator of the foregoing story said: “It is true that whenever a
-person loves a dog he derives great power from it. Dogs still know all
-we say, only they are not at liberty to speak. If you do not love a
-dog, he has power to injure you by his orenda.”]
-
-
-
-
-
-47. GANYADJIGOWA [85]
-
-There was a man named Ganyadjigowa who lived in a lodge on a bay
-opening into a lake. One morning he went out in a bark canoe to fish,
-but catching no fish he came home and put the canoe away. Soon after
-this he said, “Well, I must go somewhere,” so he walked along the shore
-of the lake until he came to its outlet, where he saw a lodge, which he
-entered. Finding no one at home and seeing plenty of meat, he ate what
-he wanted, and was starting off with a supply when he saw somebody with
-a big load of meat coming up from the lake. This was an old man named
-Twentgowa. They met and greeted each other, Ganyadjigowa saying, “I
-came to visit you; I have been in your lodge.” “Well, come back with
-me,” said Twentgowa.[86] “No, I must go on,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Come
-again,” said Twentgowa.
-
-Ganyadjigowa did not go back, because he had stolen some of the meat.
-He swam across the outlet of the lake, and, keeping along the bank, he
-soon saw another lodge. Peeping into it he saw a large family—two old
-people and their children; these were Hongak people. After standing a
-while he thought, “I will go in,” and he did so. The inmates greeted
-him with, “Where do you come from?” “From the other side of the lake,”
-answered Ganyadjigowa. “What do you come for?” they asked him. “Oh! to
-look around; it is so pleasant to-day,” Ganyadjigowa replied. “How far
-will you go?” he was asked. “Around the lake,” he answered.
-
-The two men became good friends. Then Hongak [87] said, “I must go with
-you, my friend.” “Very well,” said Ganyadjigowa, and they started along
-the shore. At midday they came to the mouth of a river and Ganyadjigowa
-asked, “How can we cross the river?” “Let us swim,” said Hongak; “I
-suppose you know how to swim.” “Very well, indeed,” said Ganyadjigowa.
-So they swam across the river and then walked on till they saw a rock,
-then many rocks. As they went along the path grew narrower and
-narrower. Hongak was ahead. Ganyadjigowa picked up a stone, and tying a
-bark string around it hung it on Hongak’s back, so that he could not
-walk, for he kept slipping back. Ganyadjigowa said to him, “Go on! I am
-in a hurry. I want to get home before dark.” “Let me go, then,” said
-Hongak; “do not pull me back.” “I am not pulling you back,” replied
-Ganyadjigowa; “I will go ahead if you like. Wait and I will pass you.”
-
-When Ganyadjigowa got ahead, he said, “Now, come on!” Hongak could not
-go, for he was unable to walk. Ganyadjigowa went on, leaving him
-behind. The path grew narrower and narrower until he came to a place
-where there was not room to walk, and he thought, “How am I to get by
-these rocks?” The name of this place was Heiosdenoon (“the rocks go to
-the water”).
-
-Here Ganyadjigowa resolved to go back, but there was not room to turn
-around. Then he said, “I must go backward.” After a few steps in this
-way, he fell into the water and went under. When he thought he was past
-the rocks he came out of the water and walked on again. The sun was
-near the horizon and he thought, “When shall I get home?” It was soon
-dark. Finding a hollow tree, he crawled into it.
-
-Not long after this Ganyadjigowa heard footsteps in the leaves outside.
-The sound stopped at the tree. Ganyadjigowa kept very still. A voice
-said, “Well, you are sleeping in here?” “Yes; I am,” replied
-Ganyadjigowa. “I want you to come out and talk with me,” was the
-challenge. Ganyadjigowa crawled out. There stood Hongak, the man he had
-left behind. “Well,” Hongak asked, “do you know who I am?” “Why are you
-angry? I thought you wanted to stay. I urged you to come but you would
-not,” said Ganyadjigowa. Hongak said: “No. You did something to make me
-stop. Look at my back.” The feathers were all off where the stone had
-been secured.
-
-Now Hongak began to fight with Ganyadjigowa, who soon ran away, for he
-did not want to fight. Speedily overtaking him, Hongak began to fight
-again. Ganyadjigowa now grew angry. They fought till dark the next day.
-“Let us rest,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Well, you stay here; I will be back
-to-morrow,” said Hongak. As soon as Hongak was out of sight
-Ganyadjigowa ran away. Coming to a river he decided to try to swim, but
-the water ran too swiftly. He was carried downstream into rough water,
-where he could not help himself. In the water was a stone against which
-he was driven; he thought, “Now I am going to die.” He was on the stone
-all night.
-
-Hongak came back in the morning and, not finding his enemy, tracked him
-to the water. Then, saying, “I will catch him,” he went into the water
-and tried to swim. But the water ran so fast that it carried him down
-to the stone where Ganyadjigowa was. Hongak said, “I am going to die
-this time.” Ganyadjigowa heard someone talking, and he knew who it was.
-Now he tried to get away. After struggling a long time he freed himself
-and came to shore. Hongak became filled with water and died. Then his
-body floated to shore, whereupon Ganyadjigowa said: “Oh! there is my
-friend. Did he think he could kill me? I have more orenda than he had.”
-Traveling on, Ganyadjigowa soon got home.
-
-One night he dreamed he was on the way to the west. Coming to a large
-opening and looking around, he saw a Ganiagwaihe approaching from the
-southeast. He thought, “I am going to die. That bear will eat me.” It
-came nearer and nearer. He went back and farther back. Soon from the
-northwest came a Djainosgowa.[88] Ganyadjigowa continued going backward
-as fast as he could. At last the two animals met and began to fight. He
-stood and watched them, wondering which would overcome his antagonist.
-As they fought they drew near him. He began to go backward again until
-he fell into a hole in the ground, with the two animals on him. Then he
-screamed: “Hurry up! Help me! I am going to die under these terrible
-creatures.” Awaking, he found himself alone with his skin blankets
-wrapped around him; he had rolled off his couch to the floor. He said,
-“What a bad dream I have had!”
-
-Falling asleep again, again he dreamed of the same creatures, but
-thought they were in the woods and belonged to him. He made them stand
-near each other, and, laying a stick across them, he sat on it. Then he
-told the animals to go westward; they did so, whereupon he said, “Oh,
-this is fun.” They reached the end of the earth very quickly. Then he
-jumped off, saying, “Stay here until I come back.” He went south till
-he found a lodge; going in, he saw a fine-looking old man. “I have come
-to see you; I am traveling around the earth,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Where
-do you come from?” asked the old man. “I came from the Great Lake,”
-replied Ganyadjigowa. “What do you travel for?” queried the old man.
-“Oh, just to see how the earth is and what people are living on it,”
-said Ganyadjigowa. “What is your name?” asked the old man. “My name is
-Ganyadjigowa,” was the young man’s reply. “What is yours?” “My name is
-Djothowandon.[89] My master lives not far away. You must see him before
-you visit me,” was the old man’s reply.
-
-Going in the direction pointed out, Ganyadjigowa came to a lodge
-standing on a big rock. He stood by the rock, thinking, “How am I going
-to get up there?” Then he saw a narrow ledge running around and around;
-following this, he came to the lodge. On looking about he saw an old
-man sitting by the fire. They greeted each other, the old man saying,
-“Why did you come here?” “Just to see all the world,” said
-Ganyadjigowa. “Where do you come from?” said the old man. “I came from
-the Great Lake,” said Ganyadjigowa. “What is your name?” continued the
-occupant of the lodge. “Ganyadjigowa,” the young man declared. “What is
-yours?” Ganyadjigowa asked in turn. “I am called Dagwanoenyent,” said
-the old man. Then Ganyadjigowa said, “Will you let me visit you?” “Oh,
-yes! you can stay with me as long as you like,” said the old man. “I
-will stay several days,” said the visitor.
-
-One morning Dagwanoenyent asked, “Would you like to go down to see my
-servant?” “Yes; I should like to go,” said Ganyadjigowa. They soon came
-to Djothowandon’s lodge, when Dagwanoenyent said, “This is my servant’s
-lodge. Let us go in.” On going in Dagwanoenyent said, “My servant is
-not at home. I believe he has gone to the southern end of the world.”
-Dagwanoenyent said, “A very cross people live there. My servant is
-trying to make them peaceful.” “Now you would better go home. Something
-will come and chase you if you are down here at midday,” said the old
-man. “Very well,” said Ganyadjigowa, starting after his animals.
-
-Soon, on seeing Dahdahwat [90] approaching, Ganyadjigowa tried to hide,
-but he could find no place of concealment. Dahdahwat chased him, and,
-seizing him, threw him down and began to bite him. Ganyadjigowa could
-not get away. He tried so hard that the sweat came out like rain. Then
-he awoke. He was all wet and the sun was pouring in on him. He felt sad
-and worried about his dreams. About noon, becoming hungry, he said, “I
-must take my canoe and try to catch some fish.” He went far out into
-the lake, keeping a sharp lookout for fish. Seeing one, he jumped
-overboard after it, but could not find it. On seeing another he dived
-again—once more, no fish. He looked down again. Yes; there it was. He
-looked and looked. Then he found that there was a fish on the right
-side of his canoe, the shadow of which was visible down in the water.
-He caught the fish, and after eating it started to go home, but he was
-far out in the lake and did not know which way he had come. He made way
-very fast, however, in the right direction, as he thought, and reached
-the shore, but saw no lodge.
-
-Leaving his canoe, he walked toward home, as he supposed. He walked all
-day until night. Then he saw a hut in the woods. Going near it, he
-stood and listened. There was a man talking in the hut, who said: “This
-is the way to get great magic power. I know all about what to do to get
-great magic power, and I can show anyone who comes here. I know the
-whole world and I can give magic power to whomsoever wants it. I wish
-Ganyadjigowa would come. I could show him how strong magically I am. He
-thinks he is the strongest man under the Blue Sky.” Ganyadjigowa
-thought, “Why does he say this? Does he know that I am the strongest? I
-have been all over the world” (he had only dreamed that he had been).
-He still listened. Gaasyendietʻha [91] (for this was the name of the
-old man) continued: “I am the greatest runner and the greatest flyer in
-the world. I can make light go through the world. I have greater
-strength magically than anyone else. For several years the Duck people
-tried to chase me. I killed them all. I am the man appointed many, many
-years ago to be chief of all the people under the Blue Sky.”
-Ganyadjigowa said: “I would kill that man if he followed me. He must be
-crazy. He talks to himself all the time.”
-
-Then Ganyadjigowa, entering the lodge, said, “You are talking about me,
-are you not?” “Oh, no,” replied the strange man. “Well, I will go. I
-thought you were talking about me,” repeated Ganyadjigowa.
-
-Going outside the hut, Ganyadjigowa picked up two stones and striking
-them together, said, “I would do that way with that man if he came
-after me.” Gaasyendietʻha, coming out of the hut, asked, “What are you
-saying?” “Oh, I was saying this is the best friend I have,” declared
-Ganyadjigowa. “What did you say about the stone?” asked Gaasyendietʻha.
-“I said when my friend traveled he had to carry these stones, and if he
-went into the water he had to throw them away,” declared Ganyadjigowa.
-
-Half believing what was told him, Gaasyendietʻha went back into the
-lodge. Ganyadjigowa laughed and laughed, thinking, “Oh, what a fool he
-is! He believes what I say.” Then he went into the hut again.
-Gaasyendietʻha said, “Why do you come here? Why do you not go home?”
-“Oh, I want to visit you until to-morrow morning,” said Ganyadjigowa.
-“No, I do not want such a man as you are around,” declared
-Gaasyendietʻha. “I will not trouble you. I will not chase you,” said
-Ganyadjigowa. “Go on home! I do not like you. You are too mean,”
-Gaasyendietʻha declared. Ganyadjigowa answered, “Oh, no! I am not.”
-Gaasyendietʻha said, “Well, stay then; but you must not talk to me.”
-“Very well,” said Ganyadjigowa.
-
-Night came. Sitting down by the fire with his pipe, Gaasyendietʻha put
-coals into it and began to puff clouds of smoke. Ganyadjigowa said,
-“How do you get tobacco?” Turning around, Gaasyendietʻha looked at him.
-“Do not speak to me,” commanded Gaasyendietʻha. Soon Ganyadjigowa
-asked, “Does it taste good?” Gaasyendietʻha did not answer, but kept on
-smoking. Soon afterward Ganyadjigowa spoke again, saying, “How
-strangely the smoke is rolling around the room.” Gaasyendietʻha said,
-angrily, “Go out of this hut! I tell you I do not want you here.” “But
-you said I might stay until morning,” pleaded Ganyadjigowa. “I will be
-quiet now; do not put me out.” “Very well,” said Gaasyendietʻha, and
-smoked on.
-
-Ganyadjigowa laughed. After a while he said: “I want to ask you a
-question. What is the world made of?” Gaasyendietʻha turned around,
-feeling cross, but he did not answer. Then Ganyadjigowa continued, “Do
-you believe people who say a man lives up in the Blue Sky?”
-Gaasyendietʻha looked at him but did not answer and kept on smoking.
-Then Ganyadjigowa said, “Do you believe this world stands on the
-Turtle’s back?” Gaasyendietʻha, now angry, said, “Did I not tell you
-not to talk to me?” Ganyadjigowa said, “Yes; I am going to be quiet
-now.” Gaasyendietʻha kept on smoking. Then Ganyadjigowa said, “Do you
-believe Hawenniyo [92] made the things of the world?” There was no
-answer. Ganyadjigowa spoke again, saying, “Well, do you believe the old
-folks who say that Dagwanoenyent is still alive?” Gaasyendietʻha said
-nothing; he merely turned and looked at him, then he turned back, still
-smoking. Ganyadjigowa said once more, “Do you believe the old folks who
-say that wind goes everywhere?” Gaasyendietʻha sprang up, saying, “I
-will throw you out. I told you not to talk to me.” Ganyadjigowa said,
-“I am going to be quiet now; do not throw me out.” Believing him,
-Gaasyendietʻha sat down. But after a while Ganyadjigowa began once
-more, “Well, do you believe the old people who say that Hinon makes
-rain?” He received no answer. Soon again he asked, “Do you believe the
-old folks who say that trouble comes to those who do not answer? Do you
-believe the old people who say that Hanisheonon93 is alive?” Picking up
-a club, Gaasyendietʻha began to strike Ganyadjigowa, who begged off
-with promises to be quiet. “No! get out! I do not want you here,” said
-Gaasyendietʻha. Ganyadjigowa begged hard. Gaasyendietʻha became cool
-and quiet again. Ganyadjigowa, laughing, said, “Whenever I say anything
-people get cool.” In the middle of the night Ganyadjigowa spoke again.
-While Gaasyendietʻha was still sitting by the fire smoking, he asked,
-“Do you believe old folks who say that water runs day and night?”
-Gaasyendietʻha did not answer. After a while Ganyadjigowa said, “Do you
-believe that trees grow?” Gaasyendietʻha stood up; he was very mad.
-Ganyadjigowa said, “Oh, do not be mad. I merely want to know things.”
-Gaasyendietʻha asked, “Do you believe Hawenniyo is alive?” “No,”
-replied Ganyadjigowa. “I do,” said Gaasyendietʻha. “Do you not believe
-he made the woods?” Gaasyendietʻha asked. “No; Hawenniyo does not make
-anything because he is not alive,” declared Ganyadjigowa. “Do you not
-believe the wind goes everywhere?” asked Gaasyendietʻha. “He goes only
-just outside of my person,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Oh! what a fool you
-are; the wind blows all over the world,” said Gaasyendietʻha.
-Ganyadjigowa said, “Oh, no; it goes merely around this lake.”
-Gaasyendietʻha said, “You can go way off there to that high mountain
-(pointing toward the east). You can not stand there.” “Oh, yes, I can,”
-said Ganyadjigowa. “Do you not believe water runs all the time?”
-Gaasyendietʻha persisted in questioning. “Oh, no,” said Ganyadjigowa;
-“when it is night, water stops.” Gaasyendietʻha said, “Well, what do
-you believe?”
-
-Now, Ganyadjigowa began seemingly to believe just as Gaasyendietʻha
-did. Then Ganyadjigowa inquired, “Do you believe trouble will come if I
-tell you something, and you do not mind me?” “How can you make trouble
-for me? You have to die before I do,” declared Gaasyendietʻha. “I do
-not want to make trouble for you. Other things will do that,” said
-Ganyadjigowa. Gaasyendietʻha replied, “Go to sleep. I do not want to
-talk all night.” Gaasyendietʻha still sat by the fire smoking. Soon
-Ganyadjigowa said, “Do you know anything when you are asleep?” No
-answer. Again he asked, “What would you do if Wind should come here?”
-Flashing up, Gaasyendietʻha said, “Now go! I do not like you.”
-Ganyadjigowa began to beg, but Gaasyendietʻha, seizing him by the hair,
-pushed him outside. “Oh! let me go in. I will stop talking now,”
-pleaded Ganyadjigowa. Gaasyendietʻha would not listen. “Go away! or I
-will kill you,” he said. Ganyadjigowa started off. Then he thought:
-“That man did me ill. I wish I had magic power to blow down his lodge”;
-but he kept on. Gaasyendietʻha began to follow. Ganyadjigowa heard
-somebody coming. Looking back and seeing Gaasyendietʻha, he went into a
-hollow tree. Gaasyendietʻha knew where Ganyadjigowa was, but to fool
-him he went back a short distance and hid himself. Thereupon
-Ganyadjigowa said: “That is the kind of man I am. He did not see me.”
-So he started on. Gaasyendietʻha followed again, and seeing
-Ganyadjigowa, said, “Now I have you, and I am going to kill you.” “Oh,
-no! I do not want to make trouble for you,” replied Ganyadjigowa. “Yes,
-you do!”—and they began to dispute. Gaasyendietʻha said: “I will ask
-you a question. How can you make Wind blow down my lodge?” Ganyadjigowa
-answered, “Oh! I do not know how.” “Well, why did you ask the question,
-‘What will you do if a heavy wind blows away your lodge?’” inquired
-Gaasyendietʻha. “I did not say that,” declared Ganyadjigowa. “What did
-you say?” demanded Gaasyendietʻha. “I said there was a wind around the
-lake,” was Ganyadjigowa’s reply.
-
-“Do you believe that the earth can go down into the water?” asked
-Gaasyendietʻha. “No; the earth is always on top of the water,” said
-Ganyadjigowa. “Do you believe the earth is on the Turtle’s back?”
-inquired Gaasyendietʻha. “No; the Turtle is not strong enough to keep
-it up,” declared Ganyadjigowa. “How is it kept up?” came the question.
-“Oh! the earth is very thick; nobody knows how thick,” asserted
-Ganyadjigowa. “I believe the Turtle is strong enough to keep the earth
-up, and when he gets tired the earth will sink down,” Gaasyendietʻha
-said. “Why, that is just what I believe,” Ganyadjigowa said. “No; it is
-different. You do not believe as I do,” declared Gaasyendietʻha. “Well,
-do you know what I believe?” asked Gaasyendietʻha. “The old folks used
-to say that you believed the earth never goes into the water,” was
-Ganyadjigowa’s rejoinder. Gaasyendietʻha asked, “Well, do you believe
-that I can kill you?” “Yes, yes!” said Ganyadjigowa, while he kept
-backing away. Gaasyendietʻha threatened, “I will kill you now.” “What
-have I done that you should kill me?” demanded Ganyadjigowa. “You told
-me that I believe the earth is very thick,” said Gaasyendietʻha,
-turning to go home. Ganyadjigowa kept on laughing, and said, “That is
-the kind of a man I am.” Now, Gaasyendietʻha, on hearing this, came
-back quickly, and shaking him, threw him on the ground, whereupon he
-cried out: “Oh, my friend! do not kill me. I am always on your side.”
-“No; I will not stop until I kill you,” said Gaasyendietʻha. Then he
-thought: “Why do I kill this man? Soon Hanisheonon will come around and
-punish me for it,” so he let Ganyadjigowa go. Ganyadjigowa, laughing,
-said, “That is the kind of a man I am.”
-
-Now Gaasyendietʻha grew very angry, and caught him by the neck, saying,
-“Go far away west.” Going through the air, Ganyadjigowa fell just where
-the sun sets. As he fell he said: “Oh! what fun to be in the air. Now,
-where is that man? He does not believe anything.” Gaasyendietʻha heard
-him, and, flying through the air, came to the spot where he was and
-asked, “What were you saying?” “Oh! I was saying what a nice place this
-is,” replied Ganyadjigowa.
-
-Gaasyendietʻha now caused Ganyadjigowa to become Sʻhodieonskon. Then
-Ganyadjigowa traveled north, saying, “I must go and see where my friend
-lives.” Seeing a great rock on which stood a lodge, he thought, “This
-must be the place I dreamed of.” He went to a hut near by. A man sat
-there, who greeted him with, “Where do you come from?” “I come from the
-Great Lake,” said Ganyadjigowa. Then the man asked, “Why did you come
-here?” “Oh! I was lonely at home,” answered Ganyadjigowa. “Very well;
-what is your name?” he was asked. “Ganyadjigowa,” he replied. “What is
-your name?” demanded Ganyadjigowa. “Djothowandon,” was the answer. “Can
-I visit you?” he was asked. “No; you must go to my master first,” said
-Djothowandon. “Where does he live?” inquired Ganyadjigowa. “You will
-see his lodge on a great rock not far from here,” was the old man’s
-answer.
-
-On reaching the rock Ganyadjigowa saw the lodge that stood on it.
-Looking in he saw an old man sitting by the fire; he thought to
-himself, “This is the same man who threw me off west.” The man turned,
-and, looking at Ganyadjigowa, said, “Well, who are you?” “I am
-Ganyadjigowa,” replied the visitor. “What is your name?” asked
-Ganyadjigowa. “I am Dagwanoenyent,” replied the man. “Will you let me
-stay with you a few days?” asked Ganyadjigowa. “Oh, yes! you may stay
-as long as you like. I am always glad to have somebody with me. I am
-lonely sometimes,” said the old man.
-
-One morning Dagwanoenyent said, “Do you not want to go to see my
-servant?” “Oh, yes!” said Ganyadjigowa. They went to Djothowandon’s.
-Dagwanoenyent, looking around, said: “My servant is not at home. I
-think he has gone to the southern end of the earth. A very churlish
-people live there. He is going to try to make them good and quiet. If
-they do not obey him, I must go to eat them all.” “How far is it from
-here?” asked Ganyadjigowa. “Oh! you would not get there in fifty
-winters,” declared Dagwanoenyent. “If that is true,” retorted
-Ganyadjigowa, “it will be a hundred winters before your servant will
-come back.” “Oh, no!” said Dagwanoenyent; “my servant travels very
-fast. He will be in a place as soon as he thinks of it.” “I do not
-believe that,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Get out of here!” said
-Dagwanoenyent; “some people are coming this morning who will bewitch
-you if you are around here.”
-
-Ganyadjigowa started off. Soon he saw Dahdahwat coming. When Dahdahwat
-came near he was going to strike Ganyadjigowa, but the latter said, “Do
-not kill me. I am not strong enough in orenda to fight you.” Dahdahwat
-chased him and kept biting him until he was dead. Then said Dahdahwat,
-“I have killed Sʻhodieonskon,[94] who has great power magically. I will
-go home now.” While on the way he saw a man coming toward him. When
-they met Dahdahwat greeted him with, “Where are you going?” “Oh! I am
-going to see the man who was killed this morning,” said the stranger.
-“Well, what is your name?” said Dahdahwat. “My name is Djoñiaik,”
-replied the stranger. “What are you going to do when you get there?”
-asked Dahdahwat. “Oh, nothing!” and they passed on. When Djoñiaik came
-to the spot where Ganyadjigowa lay and saw how Dahdahwat had bitten
-him, he dug many kinds of roots, and, making a powder of them, began to
-doctor Ganyadjigowa; he rubbed the powder over his body, and soon
-Ganyadjigowa was alive again. Ganyadjigowa said: “That is the kind of
-man I am. Where is the Dahdahwat?” Djoñiaik answered: “Do not say that.
-He must be near by.” Ganyadjigowa would not stop, but kept scolding and
-scolding, getting more angry all the time. Djoñiaik went off.
-
-“Now, I must go to my friend, Dagwanoenyent,” said Ganyadjigowa. When
-he got to his friend’s lodge Dagwanoenyent laughed, saying, “A man came
-here to notify me that I should go to see the spot where you lay dead.”
-“Oh, pshaw!” said Ganyadjigowa; “I shall never die. Have you never
-heard the old folks say that if Sʻhodieonskon died he would soon come
-to life again?” “Yes,” said Dagwanoenyent, “I have heard so. Is that
-why you came to life?” “Yes,” declared Ganyadjigowa. “Well,” said the
-old man, “I want you to go where the churlish people live. My servant
-has come, and he says they will never be quiet. I have heard old men
-say that Sʻhodieonskon can make churlish people quiet.” “All right, I
-will go,” answered the young man. When he came down from the rock on
-which Dagwanoenyent’s lodge was built, Sʻhodieonskon, taking hold of
-the rock, tried to turn it over. Dagwanoenyent, feeling his lodge move,
-declared, “This must be my friend who disturbs me.” Ganyadjigowa kept
-at work, and at last over went the rock, breaking the lodge to pieces.
-The old man, who was wounded on the head, cried, “Oh! my dear friend; I
-must kill him now”; and, getting up, he tried to run after him, but his
-head was so dizzy that he soon fell. Ganyadjigowa came around the rock,
-and seeing the old man with blood flowing from his head, began to
-laugh, saying: “What does he think? Does he not know that I am stronger
-magically than he is?” Having rolled the rock over on Dagwanoenyent, he
-went on.
-
-When he came to the place where the churlish people lived, he stood
-near the earth lodge in which they all dwelt, thinking, “I will roll
-this lodge over.” Taking hold of the end, he lifted it up. The people
-ran out, and, seeing a man standing there holding up the end of their
-lodge, they began to bite him. Then Ganyadjigowa ran with all his speed
-to get outside of the crowd. The people pursued him, but he escaped.
-“That is the kind of a man I am,” Sʻhodieonskon exclaimed.
-
-He walked westward until night, when he came to a cliff. Descending a
-short distance on one side, he saw a hole in the cliff wall. “Somebody
-seems to be living here,” thought he; “I will go in and see.” Inside he
-found a large room in which sat an old man; then another room, and
-another, until he saw seven. “Well,” asked Ganyadjigowa, “what are you
-folk doing in the cliff?” “Why do you want to know?” they demanded.
-“Oh! I go around the world to make all quiet and happy,” said the young
-man. “We do not believe you, and we do not want you here,” they
-continued. These were all brothers—seven Sigweont. “Do you believe that
-Hanisheonon is alive?” asked Ganyadjigowa. “Oh, no!” they said. “What
-do you believe?” the young man inquired. “We believe that Hanisheonon
-is Hayadagwennio.” [95] Then Ganyadjigowa said, “Well, do you believe
-that the earth is thin and stands on a Turtle?” “No; the earth is
-thick,” they declared. “Do you believe that Hanisheonon made the
-earth?” asked Ganyadjigowa. “No; we believe that Hayadagwennio made the
-world,” they replied. “Did you ever hear of anyone living covered up in
-the earth?” the young man asked. “No,” was the response. “Now we will
-tell you that we are the fathers of Hanisheonon,” said Sigweont.96
-These old men would not believe Ganyadjigowa, who, becoming
-discouraged, said, “I am going away.”
-
-While turning around Ganyadjigowa saw a lodge in the woods. Disdis [97]
-lived here. Hearing a thumping noise from within, Ganyadjigowa, looking
-through a crack, saw an old man who had a thin piece of wood into which
-he was pounding something. Then he would put the wooden object into his
-face. “Well, I have never seen such a man as that. He is making a
-mask,” thought Ganyadjigowa. “I will take the roof off his lodge and
-afterward make it rain.” Getting into the lodge he threw off the roof.
-The old man did not know the roof was off. Then going into the spring
-near by, Ganyadjigowa shook his wings so that the water flew high and
-came back just to the spot where the old man’s lodge was. “My lodge is
-getting old,” said the old man; “the rain comes into it. I must go to
-sit where it is dry;” but he could find no dry place. “Well, what is
-the reason of this?” thought he. Then he left his work, saying, “I will
-go to find somebody to make a new cover for my lodge.” He heard a noise
-at the spring and saw somebody standing in the water. Going to the
-spring, he asked, “Well, what are you doing?” “Oh! I am trying to
-fish,” replied Ganyadjigowa; “when I get the water away it will be
-easy.” “Get out!” said the old man; “that is my spring. If you do not
-go I will kill you.” “Oh! I am not afraid of you. You are too old. You
-are not strong magically now,” was the young man’s answer. “Well, I can
-kill you quickly,” retorted the old man. “No; you are too old,”
-Ganyadjigowa declared. “Say, old man, I want to ask you a question. Do
-you believe Hanisheonon is alive?” “Oh, no! I am Hanisheonon myself,”
-said the old man. “Oh, no! you are not. Do you believe the earth is
-resting on the back of a Turtle?” inquired Ganyadjigowa. “No; I am
-holding up this earth myself,” said Disdis. “Do you believe water
-always runs?” demanded the young man. “That is not true; when it gets
-to the lake it stops,” said the old man. “If that is what water does,
-the lake would be more than full,” asserted the young man. “Oh! the
-water goes into the ground again and comes out in the springs,” replied
-the old man. “Oh!” said Ganyadjigowa, “I told you the water was always
-going.” The old man held his head down. Ganyadjigowa asked again, “If
-mud goes into swamps will it stay there?” “No; I do not think so,” said
-the old man. Then Ganyadjigowa said: “I will give you another question:
-Do you believe what the old folk say—that they went all over the
-world?” “Oh, no!” answered the old man; “I do not think so.” “Well, I
-must go away,” said Ganyadjigowa; “I do not think I can do anything
-with you.”
-
-After traveling a long while, one morning Ganyadjigowa came to a lodge.
-Looking in, he saw an old man, Ganenaitha,[98] sitting by the fire.
-Soon the old man said: “It seems to me that my nephew is around here.
-Yes, I think my nephew is around here somewhere. Well, my nephew, come
-in. Why do you stay outside? I suppose you have come to visit me. Come
-in.” “Well,” answered Ganyadjigowa, “this is the first time I have
-found my uncle. I will go in, for my uncle wants me to do so.” Entering
-the lodge, he asked. “Well, uncle, what do you want?” “Oh! I just want
-to see you to have a very amusing game which I always play when anyone
-comes to visit me. We wager our necks. I have splendid canoes made of
-white flint with which to race on the waters.” “Very well,” said
-Ganyadjigowa, “that is what I used to play with.” The old man started
-to get the canoes, and bringing them all out, said, “Now, take your
-choice.” Looking carefully and seeing a poor old canoe, Ganyadjigowa
-said, “This will do for me.” “Oh, pshaw!” answered the old man; “that
-is the worst one I have; you ought to take something better. That canoe
-can not help you. It will tip over when you sail it.” This was,
-however, the boat possessed of the greatest power, which the old man
-wanted to use himself. “Well,” said the old man, “let us go there.” Now
-the lake was a little way inland. When at the edge of the lake, they
-put the boats on the water, the old man saying, Hau onen. The two
-canoes started. Ganyadjigowa’s canoe having the greater magic power,
-the old man was left behind. When Ganyadjigowa got to the other end of
-the lake he said, “Where is my uncle,” and sat waiting. After a great
-while he saw the old man coming, away behind. When the latter came up,
-he said, “Let us rest until to-morrow.” After a while Ganyadjigowa
-pretended to go to sleep. The old man looking at him, said, “He is
-asleep now;” so getting into Ganyadjigowa’s boat, he said to it, “I
-want you to go where the sun goes down.” Ganyadjigowa heard all. The
-boat rushed off through the air. Ganyadjigowa, getting up, looked at
-his uncle’s boat. “What a mean boat my uncle has,” he said, then
-exclaiming, “I want you to go where my uncle has gone.” Thereupon with
-a white flint stone he struck the bow of the boat. The canoe, becoming
-alive, went very fast, faster than his uncle in the old boat. While
-flying Ganyadjigowa commenced his song, “Now we are in the race of my
-uncle—Onen daon­diyentadon nhaknosen.”
-
-In a little while he saw a small speck ahead. As he drew nearer, the
-speck became larger and larger. At last they arrived at the place where
-the sun goes down, and the old man reaching there first, Ganyadjigowa
-said: “You cheated me. I am going to cut your head off.” The old man
-answered: “Oh! I have not cheated you. I tried to wake you, but I could
-not, so I let it go.” “Why did you come so far? You live way back at
-the other end of the earth,” declared the young man. “Oh, that is
-nothing; I came to see how the sun goes down,” was the reply. “No; I
-think you tried to get away from me,” said Ganyadjigowa. “No; I was
-going back soon,” retorted the old man. “Well, let us go,” said
-Ganyadjigowa. “Very well,” said the old man. Soon they went back,
-whereupon Ganenaitha said: “Now go to sleep. I want you to stay until
-morning.” But Ganyadjigowa did not sleep, but watched the old man until
-morning. Then he said, “Now, let us start. Wait until I say ‘Go.’”
-Having gotten into their canoes, the old man said “Go!” They both went
-very fast—the new boat faster than the other. Getting back to the
-starting place first, Ganyadjigowa looked back—away off was a speck;
-this was the old man returning. When he came in the latter asked, “Do
-you know what this lake is called?” “No,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Its name
-is Ganyodaigowane, ‘Great Lake.’” Taking out a basswood knife,
-Ganyadjigowa thereupon cut off the old man’s head.
-
-Then Ganyadjigowa went northwestward in his own boat until he came to
-the edge of some rocks, where he saw a lodge. Soon a man came out and
-greeted him. “Well, what are you living around here for?” asked
-Ganyadjigowa. “Oh! so I can see down the valley where people live. When
-they kill game I go and steal some of it,” came the reply. “I will give
-you a name,” said Ganyadjigowa; “I will call you Gaga.” [99] “Very
-well. I like that. I can steal better now,” replied the man.
-
-As Ganyadjigowa walked along the edge of the rock he saw a great
-hemlock forest. While standing among the trees he heard some one saying
-Hihi. “Well, who is Hihi?” [100] he wondered. Soon he saw someone in a
-tree. “Oh! what an evil-looking man you are,” said Ganyadjigowa; “shall
-I give you a good name?” “What can you call me? My name is good
-enough,” said the man. “I will call you Hihi.” Hihi laughed, for he was
-glad he had a name. Ganyadjigowa came to a brook with rocky banks, and,
-going down to the water, he saw an ugly-looking old man, who said: “I
-am glad you are here. I am very hungry, so I will eat you.” “Oh! I am
-not good eating. I taste very insipid. Do not kill me,” replied
-Ganyadjigowa. “Why do you come here, then?” he demanded. Ganyadjigowa
-answered, “What would you do if the rocks should fall upon you?” “Oh! I
-should be glad. I have wanted for a long time to be covered up,” was
-the rejoinder. “Do you believe that Hanisheonon is alive?” asked
-Ganyadjigowa. “Yes,” he responded. Ganyadjigowa’s next question was,
-“Do you believe the earth rests on the Turtle’s back?” “Yes; I am
-standing on the Turtle,” the man answered. “I did not ask you where you
-were standing,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Well, then, what did you ask me?”
-said the man. “Nothing. I tell you that Hanisheonon was killed last
-night,” said Ganyadjigowa. The man began to cry. He cried louder and
-louder until many of his people, hearing him, came and asked, “Did that
-man make you cry?” “Oh! I heard that Hanisheonon was dead,” he replied.
-Now all began to cry. Ganyadjigowa said: “Why do you cry? You are free
-now. I should be glad.” “Well, I am not glad,” said the man. “I will
-give you a name,” said Ganyadjigowa; “I will call you Genonsgwa (“Stone
-Giant”).”
-
-Ganyadjigowa started off, after saying to Genonsgwa and to his people,
-“I should be glad if you caught me.” The Genonsgwa, who were angry,
-followed him. They ran hard but they could not catch him. Ganyadjigowa
-began to fly, going up, up, up, until he reached the clouds. There he
-saw people. “Well, who are living here? I never before heard that
-people were living here,” he mused. Soon a man came near him who wore
-beautiful, downy clothes. He greeted Ganyadjigowa with, “Where are you
-from?” “From below,” was the answer. “How did you come?” was the next
-question. “Through the air,” was the response. “I suppose you bring
-news?” “No; I came for amusement,” said Ganyadjigowa. “What is your
-name?” he was asked. “Ganyadjigowa,” he replied. “I will give you a
-name.” “Very well,” said the man. “I will call you Sʻhadahgeah. This
-place where you live is strange,” declared Ganyadjigowa. “Yes; I can
-see all over the world,” came the answer. “Well, how can I see?” said
-Ganyadjigowa. “Look right straight down,” the man said. Ganyadjigowa,
-looking straight down, saw all over the world. It did not seem far
-down. Ganyadjigowa asked, “Do you know the man who lives by the side of
-the lake down there? He is a very mean man.” “You must not do anything
-to that man,” responded Sʻhadahgeah;[101] “he has great orenda (magic
-power). He is chief of all gods. We are afraid of him. You must go now.
-The Wind is coming. It will kill you if you stay here.”
-
-Thereupon Ganyadjigowa went straight down. Then looking around, he saw
-somebody coming out of the ground. Going to the spot, he said: “What
-are you doing? Why do you live in the ground?” “Oh! I have always lived
-there. You need not bother me,” came the reply. “I will not bother
-you,” said Ganyadjigowa; “I came merely to ask you a question: Is
-Hanisheonon alive?” “No; Hanisheonon is, I think, not alive. I believe
-Hanisheonon is magically a great power,” said the man. “Well, do you
-know where Hanisheonon lives?” inquired Ganyadjigowa. “Yes,” was the
-reply. “Where is the place?” continued Ganyadjigowa. “Right in the
-ground. That is why I live in the ground,” said the man. “Well, do you
-think you have the same power as Hanisheonon?” he was asked. “Oh, no!”
-he replied. “Can you kill the people?” again queried Ganyadjigowa. He
-answered, “Yes.” “Have you a name?” asked Ganyadjigowa. “I do not want
-a name,” he said. “Well, I will give you a name anyhow. I will call you
-Onoqgontgowa,” [102] said the young man. The man hung down his head;
-then, raising it again, he said, “Can you call me another name?” “No;
-that is the name that suits you best. You are bad-looking,” said
-Ganyadjigowa. The man cried (i.e., buzzed)—he was a winged
-Djihonsdonqgwen.103 “Well,” said Onoqgontgowa, “when they talk about
-me, they shall say Onoqgontgowa.”
-
-Traveling on, Ganyadjigowa came to the lodge of Gaasyendietʻha, in
-which he saw an old man asleep. Ganyadjigowa went in. The old man,
-waking up, began to sing, “Now he has come.” Ganyadjigowa thought, “Why
-does he sing about me?” Gaasyendietʻha said to himself: “Oh! I have the
-backache. Why have I got it? Where is my friend, Ganyadjigowa? I would
-like to see him—he is such a strange fellow.” Ganyadjigowa looked
-around the room, and seeing a mallet, began to hit the old man on the
-head with it. The latter said, “I believe mosquitoes are biting my
-head,” whereupon Ganyadjigowa hit him again. “Well, it seems to me I
-hear Ganyadjigowa talking,” said the man. He turned over—sure enough
-there was Ganyadjigowa. The old man said: “What are you doing to my
-head? Why did you hit me? Do you suppose I will let you pound me?” “Oh,
-no! I did not strike you. I will call you my grandfather, and we will
-be good friends,” said Ganyadjigowa. “Very well; sit at the other end
-of the fire and be quiet,” replied Gaasyendietʻha. Ganyadjigowa sat
-down. After a while he asked, “Do you know who planted the trees?”
-“Yes; the man in the blue sky,” was the reply. “Oh, no! I planted them
-all,” said Ganyadjigowa. The men talked along as they had done the
-first time at Gaasyendietʻha’s house. At length Ganyadjigowa asked,
-“What can kill you?” “Oh! a flag stalk that grows in swamps. If you
-strike me with that it will kill me,” answered the old man.
-Ganyadjigowa went out to hunt for the flag and found a stalk. When he
-came back, the old man was eating wild cranberries. Ganyadjigowa hit
-him with the flag, which he thought went into his body, for the old
-man’s face was all red from the cranberries. Turning, Gaasyendietʻha
-asked: “Why do you strike me? You hurt me.” Ganyadjigowa, laughing,
-said, “The old man’s mouth is all bloody.” Thereupon he ran away
-because he thought the old man was going to die.
-
-Soon Ganyadjigowa saw a lodge in the side of a high rock. He stood
-before it, thinking, “How can I throw that lodge down?” Soon the man
-living there came down and they greeted each other. Ganyadjigowa asked,
-“Why do you live in the rock? Will it not fall?” “No,” the man replied.
-“What would you do if a hard rain should come? Can you live on the
-level land?” was Ganyadjigowa’s next query. “No; I always live on the
-rocks. When I talk everybody hears me,” said the old man. “Go up and
-let me hear you talk,” commanded Ganyadjigowa. Going up, the man said,
-Wiahah. Ganyadjigowa replied: “That will do. Come down. I am traveling
-and giving names. I will give you one, so whosoever speaks of you
-hereafter will call you Gwiyee.[104] Now I want you to be quiet and not
-chase the people.” This is why Gwiyee never chases others.
-
-Ganyadjigowa now went home. He was proud and said: “I killed the old
-man who was called so powerful magically. I must go to-morrow to see
-him.” The next morning he went to Gaasyendietʻha’s lodge, where he
-heard singing. “What kind of man is he? I thought I killed him,” mused
-Ganyadjigowa. The song ran, “I shall kill Ganyadjigowa as soon as I see
-him.” In a little while the old man, ceasing his song, began to talk.
-“Now I will go to see Ganyadjigowa and kill him.” Thereupon
-Ganyadjigowa said, “My grandfather means to kill me, but I will burn
-his lodge,” and piling up a great quantity of brush, he set the lodge
-on fire. The blaze mounted very high. Gaasyendietʻha said: “I believe
-the lodge is burning. I think Ganyadjigowa is doing this.” He was very
-angry, and sprang through the fire. The first thing Ganyadjigowa knew
-there was the old man, who asked, “Why did you make this fire?” “Oh! I
-did not make it. I came to blow it out,” he answered. Gaasyendietʻha
-continued, “Who made it?” “I do not know. I have just come,” said
-Ganyadjigowa. They kept on talking, but the old man did not believe
-Ganyadjigowa and pounded him to death. Thereupon Gaasyendietʻha
-whooped: “That is the kind of a man I am. I am the most powerful man
-under the blue sky because I have the most powerful orenda.” The people
-all over the world, hearing his outcry, exclaimed, “Ganyadjigowa is
-dead!”
-
-
-
-
-
-48. HADENTʻHENI AND HANIGONGENDATʻHA [105]
-
-In old times two young men living in a village were great friends, and
-on this account everybody disliked and shunned them. They could find no
-lodge in which to live, hence they said to each other: “Since everyone
-dislikes us, the sooner we get out of this place the better.” So at
-last they went toward the south.
-
-On the way, whenever night overtook them they looked around for some
-place where dry leaves had fallen, so that there they might rest
-comfortably. All they had to eat at first was evergreens and lichens.
-Having made bows and arrows, they killed small birds. The young men
-were at this time about 20 years old. After they got out of the thick
-woods they came to marshy ground, but they still kept on. Occasionally
-one would say to the other, “I am afraid we shall never get through
-this rough place,” but his companion would encourage him, and on they
-would go.
-
-One day about noon they came to a large hemlock tree. “Climb up and
-look around,” said one; “see if there are any people in sight.” The
-limbs of the tree came almost to the ground, hence he climbed it
-easily. From the top he saw a beautiful trail leading from the tree
-through the air. He called to his companion, “Throw down your bow and
-arrows and come up to see what a splendid trail I have found.” The
-latter went up, and looking at the trail, said, “Let us try it and see
-where it leads.” They looked in every direction but saw no woods in any
-direction. It had been necessary that in whatever they undertook to do
-they should be of one mind. As they were now of one mind, they started
-off. The trail proceeding from the tree seemed as solid as if on the
-earth, and it extended as far away as they could see.
-
-The young men traveled on without knowing that they were going up until
-they had reached another world, which seemed very pleasant. The leader
-said, however: “Do not stop. Let us go on and see where the trail will
-take us.” On the road there was plenty of game, but they gave no heed
-to it. After a while they came to a bark lodge out of which smoke was
-rising. One of the young men said, “It is customary for travelers to
-call at a lodge on the road and find who is living there; let us look
-in here.” The elder went in first. The lodge was of bark with a piece
-of bark suspended for a door. Pulling this aside, they saw an old man
-sitting within, who saluted them with: “I know the trouble you have had
-to undergo and how people disliked you; it is I who have called you.
-You shall stay with me a short time. You have come from the lower
-world. When there, you often spoke of the higher world, and I
-influenced you to follow the trail that leads up here. Now, come into
-my lodge and make a short stay, for I have promised to go elsewhere. As
-soon as you are gone, I shall go.” The young men went into the lodge.
-The speaker, who seemed about middle-aged, continued: “You people down
-there often speak of an Elder Brother in the sky. I am he who makes
-light for you. I am Kaahkwa, the Sun. Hawenniyo commands me, saying
-that I must give you light. This is my resting place, but I can stay
-here only a short time. Whenever you come this way, you must stop. I am
-always here at midday.” Thereupon he started toward the west, saying,
-“I go under the earth and come out in the east, and when you reach the
-next lodge you must stop.”
-
-They parted, and the two men soon came to the second lodge. One said to
-the other, “We must call at this lodge, as the Sun told us to do.” The
-lodge looked exactly like the other. Entering, the young men saw an old
-woman, to whom they said, “How do you do, grandmother?” “I am thankful
-that you have come,” said she; “it was your brother who sent you here.
-It is now time for you to eat. You have been long without food.” In one
-part of the room they saw a bark bowl containing boiled squash, which
-was evidently just out of the pot. They sat down, and the old woman
-gave each of them half a squash and a quarter of a loaf of corn bread,
-saying, “This will be enough for both.” “No,” answered one of the young
-men; “there is not more here than I can eat.” The old woman replied:
-“It is enough; when you return, stop and I will give you more. It is I
-whom people down below call the Moon.” When they entered her lodge, she
-was sewing skins. She continued: “It is the order of Hawenniyo that I
-make light for people on the earth, so that they can see at night. It
-is only at certain times that you see me completely. I tell you now
-that you must be on your guard, for the path before you is full of
-danger and difficulties. You must be brave and must never look at
-anything not in your path, for your enemy is outside of it; never heed
-anything you see or hear, for if you do, you are lost. You will soon
-pass this dangerous path, but remember my advice.”
-
-As the young men traveled on they saw all kinds of fruit and game. The
-first would call out,[106] “Stop! come and eat; this is very good.” But
-keeping in mind the old woman’s words, they paid no heed. Each fruit
-had a phrase of its own, with which it begged the young men to come and
-eat it. After they had passed this place, they said, “Perhaps we are
-out of trouble now; we shall soon come to the lodge where the old woman
-told us to stop.”
-
-After passing the first place they came to another. The first fruit was
-full of witchcraft or enchantment; if they had eaten of it, they would
-have become bewitched. At the second place, however, after eating plums
-and huckleberries they felt refreshed. The old woman had told them that
-animals were numerous along their path, but they passed these without
-harm.
-
-After a while they saw another lodge in the distance, whereupon one of
-the young men said: “We are now in the place where we shall meet the
-greatest difficulty. We have no idea of our own except to follow the
-advice given; since we have set out to come and are here, we must
-endure what we meet.” They talked in this way until they came to the
-lodge. Finding a man who called himself their uncle, they saluted him.
-He said: “I am glad that your brother has sent you. You are going to a
-large assembly, but you can not join it unless I transform you.” [107]
-One of the young men responded: “How so? We are men. Why should we be
-transformed? We have come here in our proper forms. Why should we
-change?” “You have come here as you are, but it is my duty to prepare
-you to enter the assembly of this upper world,” replied the man.
-
-The other young man, looking steadfastly at his uncle, was not
-frightened nor discouraged. The old man, going to another part of the
-lodge, brought a long strip of bark, which he laid out lengthwise,
-saying, “The first that came shall be transformed first.” Thereupon he
-called him to come and lie on the bark. When the latter had done so,
-the man asked, “Are you ready?” “Yes,” was the young man’s reply. At
-that moment the uncle blew through his hand on the young man’s head,
-separating the bones and flesh, which fell in two heaps. The other
-nephew, who stood looking on, saw that the uncle separated the parts of
-every bone, and after wiping them, put them aside, cleaned; and he
-thought, “My luck is hard. I am alone here; my friend is gone. That
-must have been very painful.” After every bone had been wiped and put
-in place, the old man said to the one yet unchanged, “Now, be ready.”
-Then he blew through his hands on the head of the skeleton with force
-sufficient to send the skeleton a long distance. Thereupon the skeleton
-again became a man, ready for the assembly. This was the way in which
-each man had to be purified.
-
-The second nephew, not wishing to be treated in that manner, did not go
-forward willingly. But when the uncle was ready he gave the word, when
-it seemed that the nephew could not hold back. Lying on the bark, he
-was treated as his friend had been, while the latter in turn looked on.
-Because he was not so willing to submit, the body of the second youth
-was more difficult to clean. The old man washed and wiped each bone.
-The flesh remained in a heap by itself. The uncle took more uncleanness
-from this nephew than from the first. After he had finished the
-cleaning, he put the bones in place again, and saying, “Take care,”
-blew on the skull with such force that the skeleton was shot off a long
-distance, becoming a beautiful young man. The uncle said: “Sit down.
-You are now transformed. Now let us go outdoors and I will try you.”
-
-Going outside the lodge, the three stood in the clearing. At that time
-a deer was feeding on the grass, and the uncle told one of the young
-men to catch it, while to the deer he called out, “Be on your guard; my
-nephew is going to kill you.” The deer sprang off, but had made only a
-few bounds when the young man seized it. Seeing how he caught the deer,
-and knowing that if he could catch a deer he was fit for any race, the
-uncle said, “You are now ready to join the people of this world.” Then
-he told the second nephew to catch the deer, at the same time calling
-to the deer, “Look out! if you are caught, you will lose your life.”
-The deer sprang off, but the young man, soon overtaking it, brought the
-animal to the old man, who said: “You also are ready. You can now go to
-this great assembly and see what you can do.”
-
-They started but had not gone far when they saw a man approaching. They
-saw him go down into a little hollow ahead and come up, walking very
-fast. As they met he said to them: “You have come, brothers, and the
-object of your mission shall be accomplished. Your Elder Brother wished
-you to come, so now you shall go with me to this great assembly. He who
-has charge of it is the same person who made the lower world, from
-which you have come. As you can not well go alone, I have been sent to
-conduct you.” They went at what seemed to the young men incredible
-speed. Soon they could hear a noise as of a great many voices, which
-increased continually. The man said: “It is the sound of mirth from the
-assembly.” When they drew near there seemed to be a large settlement.
-The man said: “Your sister has her lodge off at one end of the
-settlement, and your brothers are there, too; but you can not go into
-their lodge. You have not died [108] yet, so you must pass through the
-same change as they have done in order to enter their dwellings.” As
-they went along they felt a great desire to go in but knew they would
-not be admitted. They inhaled the odor of every flower on their path.
-After a while their guide pointed to a Long Lodge, saying: “That is the
-lodge of Hawenniyo,109 who made the world below and who allowed you to
-come here. We will sit on the threshold, and afterward we will go in.”
-The Long Lodge, which was built with very low walls, was hung inside
-with boughs, which gave out a delightful odor. As the air moved a
-perfume came from the flowers and herbs within. On entering they saw a
-great many people who had come to praise Hawenniyo and to have part in
-the Green Corn dance. These people never noticed that two beings of
-human flesh and form were present, because the young men had been
-purified. A man came out of the assembly and proclaimed from a high
-place what things were to be done. The guide said: “This is the one
-whom you call Hawenniyo.” The young men looked on with great wonder to
-see so many dancing together. During an interval in the dance the guide
-said: “You understand, probably, why you have been allowed to visit
-this place. It is here that those who are good in the other world come
-when they die. Now, I will go back with you. When you reach home you
-shall tell your people what you have seen since I first met you.”110
-The guide then turned back, and the young men went on alone.
-
-The youths traveled very swiftly, calling at each place at which they
-had stopped when coming, but only to return thanks, as they were now on
-the way home. On reaching the Sun’s lodge, the Sun said: “You are going
-home now. It is I who caused you to come hither. You have been
-traveling 10 days. What we call one day here is a year in the other
-world. Ten years ago you started from your home below.” When they got
-back to the lower world they were 30 years old. The 10 years seemed no
-longer than the interval between going in the morning and coming in the
-evening. The Sun took them as far as the hemlock tree from which the
-trail began, where they found their bows and arrows sticking in the
-ground, covered with moss. As the Sun took them in his hand he wiped
-off the moss, and immediately they were as new as if just made. He said
-that the people of the place where these travelers lived had moved
-away, adding: “I will direct you to them.” In those times a mile was as
-far as a man could see, and it was 12 “looks” from the hemlock tree to
-the site of the settlement. When they came to the end of 12 “looks” the
-Sun said, “This is where you started.” Here clearings and little
-hillocks where corn had grown were still to be seen where formerly
-grass was growing everywhere. The Sun said: “You will find your people
-12 ‘looks’ farther on; when you come to the first lodge you must ask
-the old man whether he had heard years ago of two boys who were lost,
-and learn the number of years from that time until the settlement
-moved. If he gives you no information, go to the next lodge, where you
-will find an old woman; ask her the same questions. Now we must part.”
-
-The Sun turned back and the boys went forward. After a time they came
-to a clearing, in which they saw a village. As the Sun had commanded,
-they entered the first lodge. They called the old man sitting there
-grandfather and talked with him about many things. At last one asked,
-“Do you remember that in times past two young men went from your
-village and were lost?” The old man held his head down for a long time
-as if thinking; finally, raising it, he said: “For what reason you ask
-me this question I do not know, but two young men did disappear. It was
-said that they were lost, but it was never known in what way.” “How
-long ago did this happen?” the young men asked. “At the time they were
-lost the settlement was forsaken; it is 10 years ago,” said the old
-man. The old chief told the young men that they must not stay any
-longer in that place because their grandchildren might suffer the same
-kind of loss. The old man continued, “There is a woman in the next
-lodge who can tell you more than I can.” The young men went there. “How
-do you do, grandmother? We have come on a visit,” said one of them.
-Their first question was, “Why did the people leave the old village?”
-“Two young men did not die, but they disappeared,” replied the old
-woman; “the country was blamed for it; the people thought it must be
-inhabited by some evil thing, which took off their children.” The young
-men listened, thinking they could perform what had been given them to
-do. Then they said, “We are the two whom you lost then, and now we have
-returned.” “How far did you go, and where?” asked the old woman. “It is
-against our orders to tell you alone, but let an assembly be called,
-and we will tell there all that we have seen. Let the people know this,
-and that there will be dancing; then they will be sure to come. There
-was nothing but mirth where we went.” The old woman said: “It is the
-duty of the man who lives in that lodge yonder to notify the people of
-such gatherings. I will go and tell him.” “Very well,” replied the
-young men; “the account of our journey is very important, for none of
-our people will ever see what we have seen and return to tell the
-tale.” [111] Thereupon the woman told the old man that two men had
-entered their village with important news, and that a meeting of the
-people must be called. The old man started out, and on coming to a
-certain spot he called, Goʹwe! Goʹwe! and continued to call thus until
-he reached the end of the village.
-
-Soon all the people assembled, whereupon the chief went to the two
-strangers. Entering the old woman’s lodge, he said, “Let the work be
-done.” As they came to the place of the gathering, the people looked
-upon the young men, who seemed to them a different kind of people. They
-did not recognize them. The chief said: “These men are here with
-messages. Whence they have come no one knows, for we are not aware of
-any people living in the world but ourselves” (this was true, for they
-did not know that other people existed, and therefore were surprised).
-The chief having sat down, one of the men rising, said, “Listen all.”
-(He was the one first transformed, had been first in all things,
-afterward, and so was now first to speak.) After thanking the people
-for assembling, he said: “I wish to ask you a question. Did you, while
-living in the old village, lose two young men?” Then he sat down. An
-old woman, rising, replied: “I will answer that question. Two young
-men, despised and shunned by all, disappeared and have not been seen
-since,” and she took her seat. Then the old man whom they had visited
-rose, but he could not say much. The young man last transformed,
-standing up, said: “We are the two who disappeared. No one cared for
-us; we felt grieved and we departed. We have been to the other world,
-and also in the southern world, and we have now returned. A guide came
-with us to our starting place. It was through your wickedness that you
-left your old homes. You are like animals of the forest; when their
-young are old enough they are left to themselves. As soon as we were
-large enough, we were left alone and desolate. The birds build homes
-for their children but soon leave them; you will see that whenever the
-young bird meets the mother it will flutter its wings, but the mother
-passes it by. We, like the young bird, were happy to meet you, but you
-did not want to see us. At the time we went away we were young, but we
-are now men. What is your opinion of what has happened? Will it be
-customary hereafter to desert homeless children?” (It appeared that the
-two wanted to be received into the gens.) His companion, having
-listened to his speech, said: “Let this be the starting point. Whenever
-a poor family are rearing children and the parents die, never forsake
-them.” The men then told all their adventures to the great assembly;
-that they had visited the Long Lodge and had seen Hawenniyo; that they
-had been directed to describe to their friends in the lower world all
-that they had seen. Then they told the people that they must learn the
-dances which Hawenniyo wishes his children to know, namely, the Green
-Corn dances. One young man was to sing the songs he had heard in the
-upper world, while the other was to teach the people how to dance to
-the songs. The second one to be transformed became Hadentʻheni, the
-Speaker, and the first, Hanigongendatʻha,[112] he who was to explain
-the meaning of everything touching Hawenniyo. The transformed said
-further, “Let it be that whatever was done in the upper world shall be
-done down here.” So they danced, and the people adopted the rules laid
-down for them at this time. Thus their religion was formed and the
-people grew prosperous.
-
-After a time the two young men said, “Let us continue our journey.”
-Going on, they found many villages, and spoke to their people. This is
-why the people are religious today. These men were good, doing right in
-all things that the people might follow their example. At length they
-said: “We have finished our work, for we have been over the entire
-land. We have spoken righteousness and justice to all the tribes.”
-
-After returning to their birthplace they said: “Let us go
-southward—south of the hemlock tree. All the people north of it have
-been visited.” On the journey they said, “Our food must be game.” They
-built a fire after deciding to camp and to go out to hunt. Then they
-hunted in many places. On one of these expeditions the speaker saw
-among the trees a strange being dodging around somewhat like a man. As
-he approached, the stranger stopped, saying, “I am glad to see you,
-grandson; let us sit down. (The stranger was very youthful in looks,
-though he thus indicated himself as grandfather.) I have been sent to
-tell you that you and the other people are in great danger. This is all
-I am permitted to tell you; but come!—we will visit an old man, who
-will answer all questions.” The speaker, arising, followed the
-stranger, for he was curious to know whether there were really people
-so near. On coming to a cliff, the stranger said, “We live down there.”
-Looking closely, the man saw an almost invisible trail, which they
-followed to the bottom of the ravine, where they came to an opening in
-the rocks. When about to enter, the stranger said, “Leave your bows and
-arrows as you do when you go into other lodges.” They went through the
-first opening, then through a second. In the second room they found
-sitting an old man and woman, to whom the stranger said, “I have
-brought your grandson.” The old man answered: “We have met several
-times, but you have never been able to know it. I wish now to caution
-you, for you and your people are in great danger. The danger comes from
-your companion, who has gone far into the forest. The Ganiagwaihegowa
-is on his trail, and is coming to devour you. You are in my lodge now,
-so I may tell you to defend yourselves. Tomorrow at noon the enemy will
-be at your camp. He is filled with powerful orenda (magic power), and
-we shall have to suffer on your account. If you do not act as I tell
-you, we shall all die. We have tried many times to destroy this
-Ganiagwaihegowa, but he is so filled with magic power that we can not
-kill him. My advice is this: ‘Go home and make some basswood manikins;
-your friend has returned to camp and will help you. When the manikins
-are finished, put them at the door in front of your brush lodge, each
-holding a bow and arrows. When Ganiagwaihegowa approaches you will know
-the creature by his roar. Be ready with your bows and arrows; you must
-have trees felled in the path in front of the manikins.
-Ganiagwaihegowa’s life is assailable only in the soles of his feet.
-When he comes near, he will be raving with anger. As he raises his foot
-in crossing the log piles, you will see a white spot in the sole; there
-is his heart. Strike it, if you can, for there only will a shot take
-effect.’”
-
-Going back to camp, the man cut down a basswood tree, from which, with
-the aid of his friend, he made two manikins, obeying the old man in
-everything. They sat in their brush lodge until noon the next day. Then
-they heard Ganiagwaihegowa roaring far off in the ravine, whereupon
-they grew weak. Gadjiqsa [113] had told them to keep on the leeward of
-Ganiagwaihegowa so that he might not scent them. They were frightened
-but said: “We can not run away; we can not escape, as the only chance
-we have for our lives is to kill the bear. If he overcomes us, he will
-scent the way to our village and kill everybody.” As the bear came in
-sight, he looked frightful. Whenever he came to a tree, he would jump
-at it, tearing it to pieces. The smaller trees fell merely at his
-touch. Every time Ganiagwaihegowa roared the men, losing their
-strength, were ready to drop to the ground. When, however, he passed
-their hiding place on his way toward the manikins, in a terrible rage,
-and raised his feet in crossing the logs, one of the men shot at the
-white spot, and as he was going over the second log, the other man shot
-him through the other foot. The pain made Ganiagwaihegowa rage
-fearfully. He bit the manikins through the body; then, turning, he went
-through the lodge, tearing it to fragments, but a little farther on he
-fell dead. Coming out from their hiding place, the men cut off his hind
-legs. Gadjiqsa had said that if they failed to do this, Ganiagwaihegowa
-would come to life again. As they cut off the feet, they saw that the
-whole body was quivering. The ribs were not like those in other animals
-but formed one solid bone. After skinning the bear, the men cut his
-hind quarters into pieces, which they burned to ashes together with all
-the bones, for the old man Gadjiqsa had said, “If even one particle of
-bone is left, Ganiagwaihegowa will come to life again.” He had said
-also, “The hide must be smoked thoroughly over a fire, otherwise it
-will retain life and become Ganiagwaihegowa himself again.” The youths
-did exactly as they had been told.
-
-After this adventure the young men continued to hunt. While one of them
-was out he met a man, who said to him, “Come with me.” Going with him,
-he found that the stranger was one of the Gadjiqsa people. The old man
-who had told him how to kill the great bear had said: “You have saved
-all the people; after killing you the bear would have killed us and
-would have gone to your village and destroyed everybody. Hawenniyo has
-given us power to aid men; it is my wish that you and your people
-should prosper. If this bear had destroyed you, he would have destroyed
-all the people in the world. If I had not told you, we should all be
-dead now. It is for you to thank us, as well as for us to thank you.”
-He added: “But there is another enemy to conquer. When you leave your
-present camp you will go on until you come to a river. There you will
-camp again, but be on your guard as you travel.”
-
-The young men soon set out again. When they reached the river they put
-up a little lodge. As one was building a fire the other went to look
-for game. The man making the fire could hear someone talking very loud,
-as though making a speech. Going in the direction of the sound, when he
-came near he saw the speaker in a valley below the hill. He looked
-cautiously, so as not to be seen by those below. There were many
-people. In the center on an elevated place stood the speaker, who said:
-“Tomorrow we start on the trail leading to the place from which the two
-men have come. At the journey’s end we shall have a great feast.” The
-man on the hill listening understood that these people were Stone Coats
-[114] and that they were going to his village to eat all the
-inhabitants; he drew back, frightened at the great number of them.
-Scattering the brands of the fire, he put it out. When his friend, on
-coming back, asked why he had no fire he said: “Do not talk so loud.
-There are many people down under the hill; they are Stone Coats, who
-intend to destroy us. We must get out of their way.” Peeping over the
-hills, the hunter was so frightened that he said, “We must hurry home,”
-whereupon, making a start, they went as far as they could that night.
-Soon they heard the sound of the approach of the Stone Coats—the noise
-was like thunder. It was evident that they traveled faster than the two
-men, for when they camped that night the men were but a short distance
-ahead of them. The chief of the Stone Coats said, “Tomorrow we must be
-at the village.” One of the men said, “Run with all speed and tell the
-people what is coming.” The other, hastening to the village, said, “The
-Stone Coats are coming and you shall surely die, but do not die without
-a struggle.” Returning, he reached his comrade that day, so fast could
-he run. The comrade said, “I shall stay near the Stone Coats, stopping
-when they stop. They have but one more halting place, and at each place
-they hunt.” That night the Stone Coats’ chief said, “No one must go
-far; if he does and is away, he will lose his share of the feast.” The
-two men were listening and heard what the chief said. They could devise
-no way of saving themselves or their people. The people in the
-settlement, bewildered with fright, ran from place to place, not
-knowing what to do. The Stone Coats were near the village, when the
-chief said, “Let us halt and rest a little.”
-
-The two friends sat on the bank of the river, on the leeward side so
-that they could not be scented. All at once they saw a man with a
-smiling face. When he came up, he said: “I will help you; I will save
-your people. I will conquer the Stone Coats, for Hawenniyo has sent me
-to aid you. I will go alone and fight for your people.” Telling the
-people who were running for their lives not to be afraid if they heard
-a frightful noise, with a smiling face he went down the bank into the
-valley where the Stone Coat army had halted to rest. Soon a terrible
-noise was heard, as of a desperate battle, and the two men, who had
-been commanded not to move, but to sit and listen, could see steam
-rising above the hill from the sweat of the Stone Coats.[115] Then the
-sounds came only at intervals and were not so loud, and finally they
-ceased altogether. The watchers saw the stranger with the smiling face
-coming up the hill. He said: “I am thankful that I have destroyed them.
-The Stone Coats are all dead, and the people now alive will live in
-peace. I am appointed by Hawenniyo to open the way and the paths to his
-people on earth. Wherever there is sorcery among your people, I am
-always sent against it. We are sure to kill all we pursue. If a witch
-crawls into a tree, we shoot the tree until it opens and the witchcraft
-comes out. It is I whom you always hear called Lightning or Hinon,”
-i.e., Thunder.
-
-He left them, whereupon the two men went to the place where the Stone
-Coat army had been. Only piles of stone remained. The stones found all
-over the earth are remains of this battle and the killing of the Stone
-Coats. Thus, it was through the two transformed young men that our
-forefathers were saved from death and enabled to live to a great age.
-They foretold what was to be as it is today, and at the present time we
-hold to the teaching of these men, who had their religion from the
-upper world.
-
-
-
-
-
-49. DAGWANOENYENT
-
-Once some men in a village were preparing to go on a hunting
-expedition. Now, in the old times, as far as can be traced back to the
-forefathers, some men had luck and others had not.
-
-Now, in the village in which these men lived was a young man who was
-somewhat foolish—not strong in mind—as people thought. Knowing that the
-men were getting ready, he went to one and another asking leave to go
-with them, but no one would let him go, for they considered him
-foolish, and hence unlucky.
-
-After all had left, a young woman, who took pity on him, went to him
-and said, “Let us be married and go hunting.” They got married and went
-to hunt, camping in the woods. The man could not kill any big game;
-only squirrels and such creatures. He made traps to catch deer, which
-he placed around so that the deer might get their feet into them. One
-morning when he went to look at his traps he heard some one crying like
-a woman. The sound came nearer and nearer. At last he saw a woman
-coming with two little boys. She was crying, and as they came up she
-said: “Help me! for we are going to die. One of my little boys stole a
-feather, which he pulled to pieces. Now we are going to die for that
-feather. I want you to kill that hawk on the tree over there, and when
-the person whose feather my little boy took comes, throw the hawk at
-him, saying, ‘This is your feather.’”
-
-The man killed the hawk, and had no sooner done so than he heard a
-terrible roar and noise, and the trees fell, and a man came and stood
-on one of them. This man had terrible eyes and long hair; that was all
-there was to him—just a great head without a body.[116] The young man
-flung the hawk at him with the enjoined remark. Catching it, the latter
-said, “Thank you,” and was satisfied. This woman was a panther and the
-children were her cubs, but she seemed to the man to be of the human
-kind. She said that she lived among the rocks and that Dagwanoenyent
-lived near her, being her neighbor. Once while he was away from home
-her little boy went into his place, and getting his feathers, spoiled
-them. When Dagwanoenyent came home he was very angry and chased them.
-Then the panther told the man that she knew he was poor and that no man
-would hunt with him, adding, “Now, I will help you, and you will get
-more game than any of them. I do this because you helped me.” After
-that he killed more game than any other hunter in the woods.
-
-
-
-
-
-50. THE SHAMAN AND HIS NEPHEW
-
-In times past a noted shaman and his nephew dwelt together in a lodge
-in the forest.
-
-One day, when the nephew had grown to manhood, the uncle said to him:
-“Now, my nephew, you must go to the lodge of the chief, who has two
-daughters whom you shall marry. When you go you must wear those things
-endowed with orenda (magic power) which I wore when I was a young man.”
-The shaman here referred to a panther-skin robe, a pouch of spotted
-fawn skin, and a pipe decorated with a manikin. Among other things the
-uncle brought out these, bidding his nephew: “Now, test your ability to
-use them. See what you can do with them.” First the nephew placed in
-the bowl of the pipe red-willow bark which had been dried for the
-purpose. Then he took out the manikin, which at once ran to the fire
-and, bringing an ember, put it into the pipe. Now the nephew began to
-smoke, and as he smoked he expectorated wampum, first on one side and
-then on the other. The uncle said to him: “That will do very well. Now
-you must don the feather headdress that I wore when I was a young man.”
-On the top of this headdress was a duck which, when the headdress was
-not worn, drooped its head, seeming not to be alive, but which, as soon
-as the headdress was put on, held up its head and became alive. After
-the nephew had put on the headdress the uncle said to him, “Now you
-must tell the duck to speak.” Addressing it, the nephew said, “Oh, my
-duck, speak!” and at once the duck called out in a loud voice.
-Thereupon the uncle said: “Nephew, the two young women are thinking of
-you at all times, for they feel that they will prosper if you marry and
-live with them. When you are at their father’s lodge you must go on a
-hunting trip and must take one of the young women with you. When you
-are out in the woods the woman must lie down and must not see anything.
-She must lie with her head carefully covered. Then you shall sing, and
-all the wild animals will come around to listen to your singing. You
-may kill only such as you desire.” “But,” he added, “the young woman
-must not look at them; if she does, something evil will happen.” [117]
-
-The nephew, wearing his uncle’s garments and feather headdress, started
-for the chief’s lodge. It was night when he drew near the village in
-which lived the chief, and thinking it would not look well for him to
-arrive at the lodge after dark, he decided to camp for the night in the
-forest. For this purpose he chose a fallen tree, near which he kindled
-a fire. Early in the night a man came to the fire, saying: “My nephew,
-I am traveling. I am going to the village near here, but it being now
-late, I think I will stop with you at your fire. In the morning we can
-go on together. So I will remain on this side of the fire, opposite
-you, and I will relate stories of what has happened to me during my
-life to pass the time away.” The young man unwarily agreed to this
-proposition of the stranger. Then the man who called himself uncle
-began to tell stories, and the young man would respond at times. But at
-last, growing sleepy, the latter stopped making responses, whereupon
-the self-styled uncle remarked, “Nephew, I think that you are asleep.”
-The young man did not make reply. Then the stranger stirred the fire,
-and blowing sparks from it on the young man, called out, “Nephew, I
-think that sparks of fire are falling on you.” But as the young man did
-not move, the uncle saw that he was fast asleep. Going over to the side
-of the young man the stranger shook him, saying, “You are asleep and
-sparks of fire are falling on your clothes; so you would better remove
-them so that they will be safe.” This awakened the young man, who arose
-and undressed himself, and laying his garments in a safe place,
-carefully covered them with hemlock boughs. The stranger had an old
-skin robe with the fur all worn off, which he told the young man to use
-as a covering for the night; this he did. Returning to his side of the
-fire, the self-styled uncle began again to tell stories, to which the
-young man responded for a while, after which he again became silent.
-Knowing that the young man was asleep, the stranger went to the place
-where he had concealed his garments and, after removing his own, put
-them on, leaving his own soiled things in their stead. The stranger
-knew where the young man was going, and knew also the orenda (magic
-power) of the garments and pouch belonging to the latter, so he had
-determined to secure them for his own use. In the morning when the
-young man awoke he discovered that he was alone, that his garments and
-pouch were gone, and that in their stead remained the well-worn and
-soiled things of the wily old stranger who had visited him the night
-before. Naturally, he was sad and deeply humiliated, but he determined
-to don the shabby garments of the stranger and to finish his journey to
-the lodge of the chief.
-
-When the old man was dressed in the garments and headdress of the young
-man, he looked well, so when the sisters saw him coming, they said, “At
-last, our man is coming to us.” But on looking more closely at him, the
-younger sister, becoming suspicious, decided that he was not the man
-they had expected. Hence, when he entered the lodge, leaving the side
-of her sister, she went over to the other side of the fire. The man
-took his seat beside her elder sister, who said to her: “Why do you
-leave me now? You have been wishing that he would come, and now that he
-has come, you leave and go to the other side of the fire.” The younger
-sister, however, remained firm in her conviction that he was not the
-right man. The chief notified the people to go to the lodge of public
-assembly to meet his new son-in-law and to see him smoke. In response
-to this invitation all the people assembled. The man arrayed himself in
-the stolen garments for the purpose of convincing the people and the
-chief that he was possessed of great orenda; but for him the times were
-out of joint and ill-omened. A beautiful piece of buckskin was spread
-on each side of him to receive the expected wampum. But the duck that
-surmounted the stolen headdress appeared to be lifeless, for its head
-hung limp. Drawing the pipe out of the pouch and filling it with dried
-red-willow bark, the man told the manikin to bring an ember to light
-the pipe. The manikin, however, did not move. He spoke to it a second
-time, but it did not move. Then he said to the people, “My manikin is
-shy because of the great concourse of people.” Reaching out, the man
-took an ember which he placed in the hand of the manikin, but without
-result; finally he himself put it into the pipe. Then he began to
-smoke, but he spat no wampum, and merely soiled the piece of buckskin.
-
-After the people had left the assembly lodge and returned to their
-homes, the chief’s younger daughter went out to gather wood. While
-walking leisurely along looking for fuel, she saw smoke arising in the
-distance. When she reached the spot, she found there what was
-apparently an old man, who was fast asleep with his head drooping
-against a log. Spittle was flowing from his mouth, which, when it fell
-on the ground, became wampum. Astonished, the younger daughter ran home
-to tell her father what she had seen. He at once sent her back to bring
-the strange man to the lodge. Carefully gathering the wampum, she
-informed the man that her father had sent for him, and that he must
-therefore accompany her to the lodge.
-
-Soon after the elder sister and her husband reached home from the
-assembly lodge, they seated themselves on one side of the fire. In a
-few moments the younger daughter and the man, old in appearance,
-entered the lodge and took seats on the opposite side of the fire. Then
-the husband of the elder daughter said to his wife, “Your sister should
-be ashamed of herself for having that old man.” Thus all spent the
-night together. The next morning the husband of the elder daughter went
-to hunt. In the evening he returned with a dead bloodsucker rolled up
-in leaves, which he told his wife to cook. Slicing it into small bits,
-she did so, and prepared some burnt cornmeal to go with it. Her husband
-told her to take the fat from the top of the kettle and pour it on the
-meal. This she did, and then passed some of the meal to her sister; but
-as the latter was taking it, the elder sister drew it back, with the
-remark, “I would willingly give it to you, but I do not like the looks
-of your man.”
-
-In the morning of the next day the husband of the younger daughter said
-to the other man: “I should like to change garments with you. I shall
-wear them only part of the time, and you part of the time. Hereafter
-you shall be called by my name.” The other person agreed to the
-proposition. As soon as the change was made, the husband of the younger
-daughter became a fine-looking man. He told his wife to have her father
-assemble the people in the lodge of assembly, for he was going to
-smoke. All the people gathered at their accustomed place of meeting.
-The floor was swept clean, for there was no buckskin to put down, as
-the other husband had soiled such pieces as were available, which were
-still hanging up to dry. The husband of the younger daughter sat down,
-with his wife on his left side and with his pouch leaning against the
-seat. As he threw back his head, his pouch came to life and held up its
-head, and he said, “Speak, my duck!” At once the duck came to life,
-and, holding up its head, began to sound its usual note. Then, taking
-his pipe from his pouch and filling it with dried red-willow bark, he
-sent the manikin to bring him an ember for a light. The manikin brought
-the ember, and after the pipe was lighted, the young man smoked. While
-doing so, he spat first on one side and then on the other; the spittle
-at once turned into beautiful dark wampum, which rolled all over the
-floor. The people scrambled after it, picking up as much as they could.
-
-When the husband of the elder daughter, who had gone on a hunt,
-returned, the young man said to him, “I shall keep the garments, for
-tomorrow I shall take my wife and go to hunt.” So in the morning he
-went into the woods. After reaching his destination in the forest, he
-said to his wife, “I will show you something.” Having found her a fine
-place for a shelter, he bade her lie down and cover her head, and
-refrain from looking out at what was going on; for if she did so,
-something evil would certainly befall him. Obeying her husband, she
-covered her head. Then he sang, “Now, all you wild beasts, come here to
-this place.” In obedience to his song they all came—bear, elk, and
-deer—jumping, hurrying, and rushing on. All the young man had to do in
-order to kill them was to point his magical finger at any one he
-desired to secure, whereupon it fell dead. Then he sang another song,
-“Now, all you wild beasts, go to your homes”—all vanished as quickly as
-they had come. When they had gone, he said to his wife, “Now you may
-arise and uncover your head.” On getting up and looking around she saw
-on every side all kinds of game lying dead. Her husband said to her,
-“Now, let us go home. You may tell the people that they may have as
-much meat as they desire.”
-
-On their return home the younger daughter informed the people of her
-husband’s invitation to take all the meat they required. So many people
-went to the place of the hunt, where after skinning and cutting up the
-game which the young man had killed, they carried it home. Seeing every
-man in the village carrying meat and venison, the elder daughter asked
-her sister, “How does your husband kill so much game?” Her sister
-answered, “Your husband stole his garments, but now he has recovered
-them, and you see what he can do with their aid.” The elder sister
-replied, “I will turn my husband away and marry yours.” So when her
-husband returned she charged him, saying: “You stole this young man’s
-garments. Are you not ashamed of your conduct?” Then, taking a pestle
-used for pounding corn, she drove him out of the lodge.
-
-When the people had eaten the meat the young man again went to hunt.
-The elder sister said, “I must go with him,” but the younger sister
-answered: “You are too careless; you would not obey him. You are too
-foolish. You took the other man when I knew that he was not the right
-one. So you should not go.” But when the young man was ready to start
-she cried like a child to be permitted to go; and finally her younger
-sister said, “Go, if you will obey him in everything.” Although he did
-not accept her as his wife, she followed him into the forest. He chose
-the place of their lodge. When it was ready he told her to lie down and
-cover her head, and not to look out until he should call her. Then he
-began to sing, “Now, all you wild beasts, come here to this place.”
-With a terrifying sound they came from all directions, leaping and
-gamboling as they rushed onward. The young man sang all the time. But
-the woman, becoming afraid of being trampled to death, peeped out to
-see what was going on. As she did so one of the larger animals, running
-up to the young man, said Ho, ho, ho! and then carried him off on its
-back. Frightened, the sister-in-law leaped up and ran home. When she
-arrived there her younger sister said, “Where is my husband?” “The
-animals carried him off,” came the answer. Thereupon the younger sister
-replied: “I told you that you are too foolish to go to such a place,
-and I did not want you to accompany him. Now see what you have done.”
-
-Distracted with grief, the young wife hastened to the place where her
-husband was wont to hunt. There she could see the tracks around and
-could also hear her husband’s voice far in the distance singing, “I am
-deceived by my sister-in-law.” Knowing just what she must do, she
-called the white deer to come to her aid. Obeying her pleading, the
-white deer [118] in a moment was at her side. Addressing it, she said,
-“I wish to borrow your coat at once.” The white deer answered, “If you
-will place my body in a safe place and take good care of me, I will
-gladly lend it to you.” The young wife consenting willingly to the
-conditions, the white deer lent her its coat. Thereupon she placed the
-deer’s body in a safe place, covering it carefully so that it could not
-be found. Quickly putting on the coat, she became at once a beautiful
-white deer; then she ran swiftly after the animals, passing first the
-hedgehog, a slow runner; then one after another. As she passed each
-would call out, Hai, hai, hai! It would seem that they were becoming
-tired. They thought that she was a deer, and that she would help them.
-Her husband was carried first by one, then by another animal. It was
-while he was on the bear’s back that she overtook him. Leaving the
-bear, the young husband leaped on the back of the white deer, whereupon
-off she ran ahead of all the other animals. Making a large circuit, she
-returned to the place where she had left the body of the white deer.
-There she became herself again, and giving back the deer its coat, all
-returned home in good condition and lived happily.
-
-
-
-
-
-51. THE HORNED SNAKE AND THE YOUNG WOMAN
-
-A woman living near Cayuga Lake had been asked many times by young men
-to marry her, but she would never consent. The knowledge that she was
-good-looking made her very proud and haughty.
-
-During the warm weather the family slept out of doors. One night,
-however, the young woman remained inside the lodge. As was customary in
-those days, a skin mantle was hung up for a door. In the night the
-young woman, awaking, saw some one looking through the doorway, whose
-face glistened and whose eyes shone. The face disappeared and a man
-walked into the lodge; coming to the bed, he sat down at the side of
-the young woman and began to talk. His conversation was very enticing,
-and she could not help listening to him, but she did not answer.
-Thinking she was asleep, the strange man, shaking her, asked, “Are you
-asleep?” She did not answer. After putting sticks on the fire to make a
-light, he again asked, “Are you asleep?” She could not longer resist,
-and drawing the mantle down from her face, said, “No.” She saw that he
-was very handsome and that even his raiment glistened. He spoke of
-taking her for his wife, promising to give her all he had, and saying,
-“You will find plenty of fine things in my lodge and you shall have
-them all.” While he talked she was fast becoming of his mind, and at
-last she consented to be his wife. One man after another had failed to
-win her, but this stranger was so engaging that she was willing to go
-to him. When he left her, he said, “I will come for you in two days.”
-
-The next morning the young woman’s family wondered why they did not see
-her, for she was usually the first to be up. Her mother said, “I wonder
-what the matter is.” Going to the lodge, she found her asleep. She
-shook her but could not arouse her. Her people came to see her from
-time to time, but still she slept. At last, on looking in, they saw her
-sitting with her head down, as though in deep thought. They wondered
-what her trouble was—had she had evil dreams? Finally she got up, but
-seemed sad, not as cheerful as usual. They saw that something serious
-was on her mind.
-
-As the time approached for the husband to come, the young woman
-thought, “I will put on my best clothes that I may look as nearly as
-possible like him.” When the time came he appeared before her, saying,
-“I have come for you.” Arising, she followed him without hesitation.
-Pointing to a hill, he said, “I live on the other side of that hill.”
-On the way the young woman thought that she might be possessed of
-something evil and almost resolved to go back. The man seemed to know
-her thoughts, for looking at her he said, “You are mine, and we are on
-our way home.” So she continued to put her feet in his footprints. At
-last he said, as if in answer to her thoughts: “You have become my
-wife; you can not help yourself. My home is near.” They descended the
-wall of a precipice until they reached a large opening in the rocks.
-She was glad at any rate to be so near the lodge. Stopping again, she
-took council with herself and almost resolved to go back, but an inward
-feeling that she must keep on prevailed.
-
-As they entered the hole in the rocks, which led into what seemed to
-her to be a lodge, she saw many fine things which she thought would be
-a comfort to her. In one corner was a beautiful skin couch; her husband
-said to her, “This is your couch.” She was well pleased with her new
-home.
-
-Some time passed. She did not discover that the man was different from
-other men. As soon as the sun rose every day, he went away.
-
-One day he told her that he was going a long distance, whereupon she
-thought: “Now he will be gone a good while. I will look around and see
-where I am.” On going out she found that she did not know where the
-place was, nor in what direction they had come. She went on and on,
-more for amusement than anything else, thinking perhaps that she should
-find the way out, and that then she could reach home. At last she
-decided to go back into the lodge. She had not gone far when she heard
-some noise behind her, at which she was greatly frightened. “You need
-not be frightened,” said a man; “I was looking for you. Stand still, my
-grandchild, and do not be afraid of me; I am sent to tell you of your
-danger; you must do my bidding, for I pity you. Your husband is a great
-horned snake. I am going to kill him and destroy his lodge. You must go
-up in that high place yonder; sit down and watch. Nothing will happen
-to you. When you see your husband, keep your eyes on him and learn to
-know what he is.” On going up into the place indicated and looking
-around, she could see no clouds in the sky—all was bright and clear.
-Suddenly, however, she saw beyond the place a large body of water
-rising, and soon it was as high as the hole in the rocks which led to
-her home. Then she saw approaching the rocks a great horned snake with
-glistening face. She was frightened when she looked on this creature
-and knew it was her husband. Just as its head was inside the rocks, she
-heard a terrible thunder clap; lightning struck the rocks and they were
-all blown to bits. Then the water subsided. After a while the old man
-came, saying: “Your husband is killed. There are three of us. We know
-that you are under evil influences now, but we will try to save you.
-You can go home, but you must be purified first.” While he was talking
-the other two came. The old man told her to take off her clothes. She
-knew that she had to do as he had requested. Taking up a small vessel,
-he gave her to drink a portion of what it contained, and then rubbed
-the rest of the contents on her back about the loins. In a short time
-three large snakes passed from her reproductive organs, whereupon the
-old man remarked, “You are now saved from the evil orenda with which
-you have been afflicted.” To purify her further he gave her a beverage
-which caused vomiting. The matter which she threw up consisted of
-worms, ants, maggots, and all kinds of foul creeping things. While
-living with her husband her mind had been so much under his spell that
-she had believed that the food which he gave her was good and
-wholesome. The three men, now satisfied, said to her: “You are at last
-thoroughly purified and freed from the evil power of your husband and
-his people; so you can return to your home, which is seven days’
-journey from here” (when she made the journey with her husband it
-seemed to her but a short distance). Then the old man said to her: “I
-am he whom your people call Hinon. You must marry one of your own
-people, one who is older than you are, for the younger ones are filled
-with witchcraft; and you must tell your friends all that has happened
-to you, for if you do not do so, you will undergo the same misfortunes
-again.” Thereupon they took her home; while on the way it seemed to her
-that they were flying through the air.
-
-The morning after returning home her people found her lying in the
-lodge. Her family were all delighted that she had returned to them
-safe. When they had found she was missing they had searched for her
-everywhere, but had never been able to find even a trace of her. She
-related to them her adventures, telling them how she had become the
-wife of a great horned snake, and how she had been rescued from it by
-Hinon, their grandfather.
-
-When her grandfather, Hinon, had left her at the lodge doorway he had
-given her a basket, telling her to fill it with native Indian tobacco,
-saying, “For with this plant we cleanse ourselves.” He told her further
-that from time to time she should leave a small quantity of the tobacco
-in the woods, which he would get as a grateful offering to him.
-
-
-
-
-
-52. THE MAN PURSUED BY HIS SISTER-IN-LAW
-
-Two brothers lived together in the forest. Every day the elder went out
-to hunt, but he never brought home game or flesh of any description.
-The younger brother noticed, however, that his brother’s back bore
-bloody stains just as if he had been carrying freshly killed game; so
-he decided to watch him, that he might see what he did with the game he
-killed.
-
-One day while the younger brother was watching he found that, when
-returning with game, a woman approached from a side path and took from
-the elder brother the game, which she carried away. So the next day the
-younger brother started off in the direction the strange woman had
-taken. He soon came to a lodge, and on entering he found a young woman,
-who smiled and began talking to him.
-
-In the afternoon he started for home; but after he had gone some
-distance he saw that he was returning to the lodge which he had just
-left, and was greatly disturbed about himself. Thereupon he went in an
-opposite direction. While he was walking along, his elder brother,
-coming up behind him, said, “My brother, it is strange that you do not
-know that there is a fishhook caught in your neck.” Having removed the
-fishhook and fastened it to a near-by bush, the elder brother said to
-his younger brother: “Your only safe course now is to escape from this
-place as quickly as possible. I will aid you to escape.” Then the elder
-brother, causing the younger to become small, after opening one of his
-arrows introduced him into it, and after securing him there, told him,
-“When the arrow strikes the ground, quickly get out of this arrow and
-then run for your life.” Then he shot the arrow off into the air.
-
-When the young woman drew on the fishhook she found that she could not
-pull it to her; following along the line, she found that the hook was
-fastened to a bush. This caused her to get very angry, and she said,
-“Young man, you can not escape from me; this world is too small for
-that.” Thence she quickly went to the young man’s lodge but he was not
-there, so she tracked him to her own lodge and back again to the bush.
-There she found the trail of the arrow, which she followed to the spot
-where it fell. On finding there the tracks of the young man, she
-pursued his trail with great speed. As she approached the young man he
-heard her footsteps and, pulling off his moccasins, he told them to run
-ahead to the end of the country;[119] further, he transformed himself
-into a stump right where he stood. The pursuing woman soon came up to
-the stump. Halting there, she looked up and said, “Why, this looks like
-a man”; but, as the tracks of the young man apparently passed on,
-exclaiming “Why do I waste time here?” she ran on. When she reached the
-end of the country, behold! there stood the young man’s moccasins. Then
-she hurried back to the place where she had seen the stump, but it was
-no longer there. Finding, however, fresh tracks made by the young man,
-she followed them. Soon the young man heard her approaching again,
-whereupon he cast a stone behind him, with the remark, “Let a high rock
-extend from one end of the country to the other.” As soon as he had
-spoken the words the great ridge of rock was there.
-
-When the young woman came to the rock she could go neither through it
-nor over it. Finally she said, “I have never heard of this high rock;
-surely it can not extend across the country. I will go around it.” So
-she ran to the end of the country without success; then she ran to the
-other end of the country, but with no greater success in getting around
-the ridge of rocks. Coming back to the spot whence she had started, she
-stepped back a short distance and then, rushing forward, she butted her
-head against the solid rock to break it down; but she fell back
-seemingly dead. After a long time she recovered consciousness and,
-looking around her, Lo!—the rock ridge had disappeared; only a small
-stone lay there. “Oh! he is exerting his magic power,” she exclaimed,
-and again she hurried on after him.
-
-When the youth once more heard her footsteps and knew that she was fast
-gaining on him he took a pigeon’s feather out of his pouch, and casting
-it down back of him commanded, “Let there be a pigeon roost across the
-country and let there be so many pigeons in it that their droppings
-shall be so deep and high that nothing can get through them.” Soon the
-young woman came to the roost and started to go through it, but could
-not do so; then she drew back, saying, “I never heard that a pigeon
-roost could extend across the world. I shall go around it.” Thereupon
-she followed the roost, first to one end of the world, then to the
-other, but was not able to go around it. Returning to the spot whence
-she had started she attempted to break through the mass of droppings by
-butting her head against it, but she fell back seemingly dead. After a
-long time she regained consciousness, and on opening her eyes found a
-small feather lying on the ground. The roost had disappeared. She was
-now very angry and took up the pursuit with great speed.
-
-In his flight the young man came to a lake where he saw people bathing
-and playing in the water. Stopping there he said, “Let one of those men
-become just like me and let me become an old stump.” Presently the
-young woman came up to the stump, but hearing the laughter of the
-bathers she saw on looking at them that the man farthest out in the
-lake was the one she was following. Seeing her standing there the
-people called to her, “Come! help us catch this man who outswims us.”
-Quickly springing into the water, after a long chase she caught him,
-but the moment she had done so he took his own form, whereupon she knew
-that she had been deceived again. Going back to the shore she found
-that the stump had gone.
-
-Again she followed the tracks of the young man. Just as he heard her
-approaching, a man stood before him who asked, “What is the trouble?”
-The young man replied, “A woman is pursuing me.” The stranger answered,
-“I will try to aid you.” Stooping down, he added: “Get on my back. I
-will throw you on a hillside. You must run along the hill until you are
-forced to descend.” The young man stepped on the back of the man
-Nosgwais,[120] who stretched his legs to an enormous length, throwing
-the young man off to a great distance on a side hill. The young woman
-came to the trail, where she found the ground soft and resilient. As
-she tried to advance it would fly up, throwing her backward. On looking
-around she found that she was standing on a toad’s back. She made great
-circles in search of the tracks of the young man. At last she reached
-the hill. When the young man reached the hill he ran along its top for
-a considerable time until he slipped and fell. Being unable to help
-himself, he slid down the hill with great rapidity, so fast that he did
-not realize anything until he struck a lodge, a voice within which
-said, “I think there must be something in our trap.”
-
-A young woman came out and, seeing the young man, lifted him up and
-took him into the lodge. “What is the trouble?” asked an old woman. He
-replied: “A woman is following me. I have long been trying to escape
-from her.” “Keep out of sight and I will help you,” said the old woman.
-Then the old woman, filling a kettle with bear’s oil, set it over the
-fire. Soon it began to boil, whereupon she said, “Let this young man’s
-face be looking up from the bottom of this kettle.” At that moment they
-heard a noise outside of the lodge door, which opened. In came the
-young woman, who asked, “Where is the man I am following?” The old
-woman said, “He ran into the kettle.” Looking into the kettle and
-seeing the face of the man, she exclaimed, “I knew I should conquer you
-at last;” and plunged into the boiling oil in order to seize him. But
-the boiling oil killed her. Then the old woman called the young man,
-saying, “The woman who was pursuing you is dead.” The daughter said to
-her mother, “I will have this man for my husband.”
-
-In the course of time twin boys were born to the young people. When
-they were large enough to run around, their father said to them, “You
-must now go after your uncle.” After traveling a very long distance
-they reached a lodge, in which they found a man. One of the boys said,
-“Uncle, we have come for you.” The old man, after making ready,
-accompanied them. When they arrived at the home of the boys, the
-younger brother greeted his elder brother with, “I am glad we are able
-to see each other again.” Then one of the boys said, “Grandmother, we
-want you to marry this man, our uncle.” She replied, “So it shall be.”
-So they were married and all lived happily together.
-
-
-
-
-
-53. THE STORY OF BLOODY HAND
-
-According to tradition several tribes of the Iroquois claim the honor
-of having produced a great man, whose name was Bloody Hand, and whose
-fame as a hunter was not less than his reputation as a bold and
-resolute war captain.
-
-Now, Bloody Hand had great love for the birds of the air and the
-animals on the earth that eat flesh. He greatly respected them and paid
-them marked attention. When he had killed a deer while out hunting he
-would skin it and cut the meat into small pieces; then he would call
-Gaqga [121] to come to eat the flesh. When he killed another animal, he
-would dress it in like manner and call Nonhgwatgwa122 and his people to
-come to eat the flesh which he had given them. Sometimes he would carry
-home a portion of the game he had killed, but generally he gave it all
-to the various birds and animals whose chief food is flesh.
-
-According to a Seneca legend a number of Seneca warriors went on a
-warlike expedition against a tribe which was hostile to them, and it so
-happened that Bloody Hand was one of this warlike band. In an encounter
-with the enemy he and a number of others were killed and their remains
-were left on the ground. The body of Bloody Hand lay in the forest
-stark naked; the enemy, having scalped him, had borne away the scalp as
-a great trophy.
-
-The birds of the air, having seen Bloody Hand killed and mutilated,
-held a council at which they bemoaned the death of their human friend.
-Finally one of the assembly said: “Let us try to bring him back to
-life. But before we can begin to resuscitate his body we must recover
-his scalp, which hangs before the door of the chief of the enemy who
-killed him. Let us send for it.” The assembly after agreeing to what
-had been proposed with regard to the preparations necessary to bring
-their friend back to life, first sent the Black Hawk to secure the
-scalp. Having arrived at the place where hung the scalp, Black Hawk was
-able by means of his sharp and powerful bill to break easily the cords
-that held the scalp; thus securing it, he bore it in triumph to the
-council of the birds. Then one among them said, “Let us first try our
-medicine to see whether it has retained its virtue or not. We must try
-first to bring to life that dead tree which lies there on the ground.”
-Thereupon they proceeded to prepare their medicine. To make it, each
-representative placed in the pot a piece of his own flesh. (These
-representatives were, of course, birds of the elder time, not such as
-live now.[123]) In experimenting with their medicine they caused a
-stalk of corn to grow out of the ground without sowing seed. In this
-stalk there was blood. After noting the efficacy of the medicine they
-broke the stalk, and after obtaining blood from it, caused it to
-disappear. With this medicine is compounded the seed of the squash.
-
-When the medicine was made they held a sanctifying council, in which
-part of the assembly sat on one side of the tree, and the other part on
-the opposite side. The wolves and the snakes attended, also other
-animals and birds of great orenda (magic power). The birds sang and the
-rattlesnakes rattled; all present made music, every one in his own way.
-
-Above the clouds and mists of the sky dwells a bird who is the chief of
-all the birds. His name is Sʻhadahgeah. This assembly of bird and
-animal sorcerers chose the chief of the crows to notify him of all that
-was taking place. This is the reason, according to the tradition, the
-crow today sings the note “caw, caw.” The eagle is another chief who is
-under this great bird that dwells above the clouds and mists of the
-firmament.
-
-When the leaders of this assembly saw that the trees and plants were
-coming to life and putting forth green leaves and waxen buds,[124] the
-presiding chief said to his associates: “This is enough. We have sung
-enough. Out medicine will now act, and we must select someone to put it
-into the man’s body.” For this purpose they chose the chickadee. This
-canny bird first drank the medicine; then going by way of the man’s
-mouth into his stomach, it emitted the medicine. While this was taking
-place the others were engaged in rubbing the body of the dead man with
-the medicine. When his body was well anointed they all sat down and
-began to sing. For two days and two nights they did not cease from
-singing, until they perceived that the body was becoming warm again.
-After his resuscitation125 the man reported that he felt suddenly as
-though he had just been aroused from a sound sleep; he heard the
-singing of the birds and the various sounds made by the beasts around
-him, and finally came to life again. Remaining silent, he merely
-listened to the singing of the songs of orenda that arose on all sides.
-He listened because he could understand the words that were used in
-these chants of the sorcerers. As soon as his body began to show signs
-of motion the birds and the beasts drew back a little, but continued to
-sing and chant.
-
-When the chief of the assembly saw that the man had fully recovered his
-life, he said to him: “We bestow this medicine on you and your people.
-Your people shall have it for their healing. If it so happens that one
-of them is injured by a fall, by a blow, or by an arrow shot, he must
-have recourse to this medicine. You must make use of it at once. You
-must also from time to time strengthen and renew this medicine by
-giving a feast in its honor.[126] When you make use of it you must burn
-tobacco in our behalf and turn your thoughts toward us. As long as you
-shall have this medicine, you shall assemble at intervals at appointed
-feasts to strengthen it, and for this purpose you shall burn tobacco of
-the old kind. While doing this you shall say, among the other things:
-‘Let all the birds and the beasts on the earth and above the earth
-share this fragrant smell of the tobacco.’ As long as people live and
-are born this ceremony must be maintained to fix the use of this
-medicine.” Thus, after the birds and beasts had brought the man to
-life, they taught him how to make use of the medicine and how to sing
-the songs that put it in action. Then they dismissed him, telling him
-to go to his home, where he must inform his people, through their
-appointed authorities, what he had learned for their benefit and
-welfare. Thereupon the man went to his home.
-
-The men who had seen him scalped and killed had related the story to
-their people, who believed him dead. So, when they saw him return
-alive, they quickly gathered around him, asking, “How has it come to
-pass that you have returned alive?” Then the man gave them, in detail,
-an account of how he had been killed, and how the birds and the
-animals, in return for the kindness which he had shown them at all
-times, had concocted the medicine which had brought him back to life.
-Then, selecting a small number of wise men of great experience, he
-taught them how to use this medicine and confided its preservation to
-their custody. He strictly enjoined them not to make light of the songs
-which belonged to it; should they so far forget themselves as to do so,
-they would suffer great misfortune, for the songs possessed great
-orenda, which would become active against them. He told them, further,
-that no one should sing the songs unless he had some of this powerful
-medicine (which is called nigahnegahah, “small dose”). This medicine is
-still held in great repute among the Iroquois. (See Medical Note, p.
-491.)
-
-
-
-
-
-54. THE SEVEN STARS OF THE DIPPER
-
-Long ago six men went out hunting many days’ journey from home. For a
-long time they found no game. One of their number said that he was sick
-(in fact he was very lazy), so they had to make a litter of two poles
-and a skin, by means of which four men carried him. Each man had his
-own load to bear besides. The sixth member of the party came behind,
-carrying the kettle.
-
-At last, when they were getting very hungry, they came on the track of
-a bear, whereupon they dropped their sick companion and their burdens,
-each running on as fast as he could after the bear. At first the track
-was so old that they thought merely, “We shall overtake the bear at
-some future time anyway.” Later they said, “The track can not be more
-than three days old,” and as it grew fresher and fresher each day, they
-finally said, “Tomorrow, it seems, we shall overtake the bear.” Now,
-the man whom they had carried so long was not tired, and when they
-dropped him, knowing that he was to be left behind, he ran on after
-them. As he was fresher than they were, he soon passed them, and
-overtaking the bear, he killed it.
-
-His companions never noticed in their hurry that they were going upward
-all the time. Many persons saw them in the air, always rising as they
-ran. When they overtook the bear they had reached the heavens, where
-they have remained to this day, and where they can be seen any starlit
-night near the Polar Star.
-
-The man who carried the kettle is seen in the bend of the Great Dipper,
-the middle star of the handle, while the only small star near any other
-of the Dipper stars is the kettle. The bear may be seen as a star at
-the lower outside corner.
-
-Every autumn when the first frost comes there may be seen on the leaves
-of the oak tree blood and drops of oil—not water, but oil—the oil and
-blood of the bear. On seeing this the Indians say, “The lazy man has
-killed the bear.”
-
-
-
-
-
-55. THE STORY OF THE TWO BROTHERS
-
-Two brothers living by themselves in the forest believed that they were
-the only persons in the world. They were greatly devoted to each other.
-The younger did the thinking and the planning for both, for whatever he
-said the elder brother did.
-
-One day the younger brother exclaimed, “Go yonder and kill that turkey,
-for I want its feathers.” “I will,” answered the elder. So going to the
-point indicated, the elder killed the turkey and brought its carcass to
-his brother, asking, “What do you want to do with its feathers?” “I
-want to wear them, because it will be a pleasure to know that I have
-them on my head,” declared the younger brother, plucking two feathers
-from the body of the turkey, for he required no more for his purpose.
-Then he ordered his brother to fasten these in a socket attached to a
-chin band, so that they would turn with the wind when worn on the head.
-Having done this, the elder brother placed the socket so fastened on
-his brother’s head. This gave the younger brother a distinguished
-aspect.
-
-Every night before retiring the younger brother would remove the chin
-band with the socket containing the two plumes and hang it on the side
-of the lodge. When daylight came the first thing he did was to fasten
-on his head the chin band with the socket with its latchet of buckskin
-thongs, exclaiming, “I take pleasure in these feathers, for I am going
-to have a festival in their honor.”
-
-One day the younger brother went into the forest adjoining the lodge.
-His brother, watching from a distance, saw him go back to a fallen
-tree. In a short time the elder brother heard singing and the sound of
-dancing, whereupon he said, “I verily believe that my younger brother
-is crazy,” for he had never seen such things done before. When the
-younger brother returned to the lodge his brother asked him bluntly:
-“What were you doing? Were you not dancing behind the tree? Why do you
-go so far away from the lodge? You should have your dance right here in
-this lodge. Why should you go off alone?” “You do not know the tune I
-sing, and so I must sing alone,” was the answer. The elder brother
-replied, “I should learn the tune, too, so that I could take part in
-the singing of the song.” “No,” declared the younger brother, “I know
-the tune, and if you want to take part with me, you may dance.” The
-elder brother rejoined: “No; it is not right that I should dance while
-I have no feathers in my headgear.” Answering, the brother said: “You
-may change places with me if you wish. Then you shall hunt the smaller
-game. I kill birds, and it is from them that I learn the songs. The
-animals which you hunt and kill do not sing; but, perhaps, I could not
-kill the large game because I am so small, and it may be that you could
-not kill the birds because you are so large.” “Well,” replied the
-elder, “you may have it all to yourself, and I will merely watch you
-sing and dance.”
-
-So the elder brother continued to hunt large game, and at times he
-would hear the singing and the dancing as he came near their home. When
-the younger brother would hear him approaching he would pretend to be
-doing something quite different from dancing and singing. This conduct
-caused the elder brother to wonder and to fear that something peculiar
-was about to happen to both of them. Often he would say to his brother:
-“Why did you stop hunting? You do not go to hunt any more.” The younger
-brother answered: “I listen to the singing of the birds and so learn
-their songs; this is why I do not shoot them.” “It is well,” rejoined
-the elder brother, who continued to hunt such game as he required. But
-one day his younger brother said to him, “My feathers are nearly worn
-out, and I want you to kill another turkey for me.” So the elder
-brother killed the largest turkey he could find, and then said to his
-brother, “Skin this turkey instead of plucking its feathers.” He did as
-requested, and the elder brother having made a pouch of the skin, asked
-his brother, “Do you like this robe?” “I like it very much, and I am
-thankful to you, brother,” was the answer. As the skin of the turkey
-began to dry, the younger brother, getting into the pouch, would walk
-around looking just like a turkey, and he seemed to enjoy greatly this
-new form of dress. When he walked into the lodge, he would come out of
-the skin, which he would hang up among his belongings. The elder one
-said to him: “Brother, you must not go far from the lodge; it will not
-be safe for you to do so.” “No,” said the younger brother, “I will stay
-at home and take care of our things.” Matters continued thus for some
-time.
-
-One day the younger brother said: “You must stay at home, not going to
-hunt today. Instead, you must learn to sing my songs. What I do now
-shall be the practice of our people hereafter, if we ever have any
-people or kindred; hence you must learn these songs.” So he made a rule
-that people of his tribe should wear feathers as insignia. The elder
-meditated on this matter, wondering how the younger brother could have
-such prophetic thoughts. “Now,” said the youth to his brother, “I am
-going to sing, and you must listen and must learn what I sing.” So he
-sang a war song. His elder brother asked him, “What kind of a song is
-that?” The youth replied: “It is a war song.”
-
-From the time that the youth had commenced to study the singing of the
-birds he had begun to grow wise and had become experienced in the ways
-of the world (i.e., of the world of daimons). He kept saying, “These
-are songs which the people shall sing, and they, too, shall wear
-feathers on their heads.” The people had never heard anyone else sing,
-but the youth had studied out the matter from hearing the birds sing.
-He declared to his brother the dangers connected with singing the
-songs, saying, “You must be very careful about singing this song; if
-you are not, it will bring you senseless to the ground.” Then he added:
-“I am singing praises, for I have learned to sing from the birds. I
-give thanks as I have heard them given in my hunting expeditions. I
-dance to my own songs because I hear the birds sing, and I see them
-dance. You and I must do the same, for it will rouse a feeling of joy
-in our hearts.” Thus, the youth was the wiser of the two brothers.
-
-Once when they were out hunting the younger brother saw a large bird
-sitting over them on a large tree. When the bird began to sing the
-elder brother knew that his brother must have learned a song from this
-bird, for he recognized a song which had been taught to him. “You are
-wise,” said he to the youth, “and now I shall believe that a higher
-magic power directs the birds to teach us songs which possess powerful
-orenda (magic power).” Thereupon he began to sing a song of his own,
-which was different from that of his brother. “Do you think that I can
-dance to your song?” asked the youth. “I shall try, at any rate.”
-Instead of singing it, the elder said, “I will tell you the words of
-the song, namely: ‘I am glad to see the day dawn. I am thankful for the
-beautiful sunbeams.’” “I know what that song is,” said the youth; “it
-is different from mine, and it has not so much joy in it; whenever we
-are sad we will draw our words from it; we will sing it and gain
-courage and strength thereby.”
-
-Then the youth said, “You would better go to your hunting, and I will
-go to mine.” As the elder brother was starting off, the youth leaped
-into his turkey-skin pouch, saying, “Brother, let me go with you.” “I
-go so far away,” he replied, “that it would tire you out, so I do not
-think you should go.” But as the youth insisted on going, finally the
-elder said, “I will let you go part of the way, but I can not let you
-go all the way, for that would be too much for you to undertake.” So
-they started, the youth dressed in the turkey-skin garb following his
-brother far into the forest, whereupon the elder said, “I think this is
-as far from home as you should go; now you would better return
-thither.” So the youth, prancing around like a turkey, went home. The
-elder brother had noticed that lately the youth never removed his
-turkey-skin robe, wearing it even at night. Not liking to have the
-little fellow wear this robe all the time, he asked him to take it off
-when retiring for the night. But the youth replied, “You made it for
-me, and I like to wear it constantly.” He always gave this same answer.
-As he dearly loved his younger brother, the elder did not order him to
-take it off.
-
-The youth played just as turkeys play, and when he saw wild turkeys he
-would imitate the noises made by them; he was learning all the habits
-of the turkey, and no longer wore feathers on his head; his voice began
-to change and it did not sound to his brother as it formerly had. The
-elder brother wondered about and worried over this conduct of the
-youth. At last he commanded the younger one to remove his turkey-skin
-robe. He replied, “I can not take it off, so you will have to take it
-off of me.” On trying to do this, the elder brother found he could not
-remove the robe, which had grown to the little fellow’s body, so he let
-it alone.
-
-The brothers always ate together when encamped in the same lodge. One
-day the brother with the turkey-skin robe declared, “I will now go with
-you, but you must be strictly on your guard, for something strange is
-about to happen.” The youth was very wise; his counsel and advice
-seemed superior to the opinions of any other man and beyond the
-comprehension of his elder brother. Once when the elder brother,
-returning, failed to find his brother at home he went to bed. But in
-the morning he heard his brother on the roof of the lodge making the
-noises which turkeys make at the break of day, whereupon he was
-convinced that the youth had really turned into a turkey. This
-conviction made him feel very strange. Soon he heard his brother jump
-to the ground and come into the lodge. On entering he exclaimed:
-“Brother! brother! a woman is coming. I think she desires to see you,
-but you must be exceedingly cautious, for something may happen to us.
-By all means you must not accompany her if she asks you to do so; but
-if you do go I shall follow you.” That day when the woman came she saw
-in front of the lodge what she took to be a turkey, and eyed it
-carefully. Thereupon the youth acted as much as possible like a turkey
-in order to deceive her the more completely. On entering the lodge the
-woman found the elder brother, whom she had come to take away, and said
-to him, “I have come purposely to have you accompany me home.” In
-replying, he said, “I shall ask my brother, to learn what he will think
-about this matter.” Going out, he consulted with his younger brother,
-who had in appearance become a turkey, saying, “That woman has come.
-What is to be done?” The answer came: “Have I not told you that she
-would come? She is a great sorceress whose purpose is to destroy us.
-You must tell her that you are not ready to go today, but that you and
-your brother will go tomorrow. I foresee that if we go something evil
-will happen to us if we are not very cautious.” Going into the lodge,
-the elder brother said to the woman, “We will start as soon as we can
-get ready.” She did not once suspect that what she had taken for a
-turkey was the other brother. The brother with the turkey-skin robe
-decided to remain in the lodge that night, lest something evil might
-befall his elder brother; so he placed himself on a convenient perch,
-the woman thinking he was a tame turkey. The next morning neither of
-the brothers thought of eating anything. The elder said, “I think that
-I shall have to accompany this woman,” to which the Turkey Brother
-replied: “It is very wrong of you to go. She is a great sorceress, and
-we can not overcome her orenda.”
-
-The woman had come from the west, where the two brothers had never
-been. When the Turkey Brother saw the woman and his brother leave the
-lodge together, he followed them for some time, noting that they went
-westward. He said to himself, “I do not see why you agreed to go.” The
-Turkey Brother was now alone. Toward evening he felt very lonely, and
-he spent an anxious night. In the morning he mused with a heavy heart,
-saying, “My poor brother! The woman has taken him away; and if anything
-happens to him, I shall dream of it.” After the lapse of some time he
-said, “Well, I must go after my brother.” Traveling westward, the
-Turkey Brother came to an opening in the forest in which stood a lodge,
-whereupon he said, “This must be the place.” The old woman of the lodge
-said: “There is a turkey outside. Perhaps it has come to stay with us;
-it is very tame.” The elder brother now knew that his Turkey Brother
-had come after him, and going out of the lodge, he met him. The
-sorceress took a fancy to the Turkey Brother and did not think of
-killing him. Toward night one of the women sought to place the Turkey
-Brother by himself for the night, but he perched on an open gable end
-of a lodge in order to be able to see and hear what was taking place on
-the inside. After the two women had gone a short distance from the
-lodge, the Turkey Brother said: “Brother, how can you endure the abuse
-which these women heap upon you? They never give you a mouthful to eat,
-for they intend to kill you. I have come to tell you this, for I have
-discovered what they are going to do. I am going home now, but I will
-take you away from them.” So saying, he started eastward. As his
-captive brother watched him, he remarked, “It is fortunate that he can
-go where he likes.”
-
-On the way homeward the Turkey Brother became so anxious about his
-brother that be grew enraged at the woman. When he reached home he
-thought of some scheme by which he might be able to cast off his
-turkey-skin robe, for he had definitely decided in his own mind that he
-had worn the disguise long enough. But how to get rid of it was the
-question, for it had grown to him. At last, however, he was able to
-free himself from the garment. Hanging it up, he put his plumed
-chin-band on his head. While eating his meal he kept thinking of his
-brother. Finally, he exclaimed, “Now is the time!” and being in his
-human form, he called on his tutelary, the Moose, for aid. The words of
-appeal had scarcely left his mouth before the Moose stood before him,
-awaiting his pleasure. He said to the Moose: “You must go westward to
-the place where live the old woman and her daughters, who hold my
-brother captive. This is the time of day that he goes out of the lodge.
-I want you to save him—you can do so by carrying him in this way
-(jumping on the Moose’s back)—and when you have him on your back, you
-must run with all your speed, being careful not to let my brother fall
-off. You must also take off your plumes (meaning his horns), put mine
-in their place; yours are too heavy for running swiftly.” Thereupon the
-Moose said, “Let us try it,” and after running with the little fellow
-on his back and completing a large circle, the Moose returned to the
-starting point. Then the Moose held down its head and the little
-fellow, taking off the horns, placed in their stead his own plumed
-chin-band, saying: “When you return I will put back your plumes. Now,
-my brother has come out of the lodge and is looking for a place in
-which to die, for he has determined not to die in the lodge of the old
-woman. So go!” With a bound the Moose was off in the direction of the
-lodge, and the little fellow remarked to himself, “The Moose will soon
-be back with my brother.” Before very long he heard a noise outside his
-lodge, and looking out, saw his brother hanging on the neck of the
-Moose, so weak that he could scarcely get him off. The little fellow
-pulled him by the feet until he dropped to the ground. Although he
-landed on his feet, he could not stand, but the younger brother managed
-to get him into the lodge. Coming out, he gave back to the Moose his
-horns, receiving in return his own plumes; thereupon he dismissed the
-Moose. Then he chided his brother, saying: “I told you not to go with
-that woman, but you would not listen to me. Now you have suffered a
-great punishment, but I am glad that you are back home. Your journey
-has caused me great trouble. We are now free from the woman and can now
-live happily together.”
-
-
-
-
-
-56. SʻHODIEONSKON [127] (THE TRICKSTER)
-
-Sʻhodieonskon went on a journey to distant places in visits of
-adventure. In the first place he came to he found a large number of
-lodges. Here he told the people that in his village everyone was ill of
-a certain disease; that the same disease would come to them, too; and
-that his people had discovered but one cure for it—all persons who were
-married slept with other men’s wives and other women’s husbands, and
-this saved them. Believing this, the people did as he had told them.
-
-Then Sʻhodieonskon started off in another direction. When he came in
-sight of the second village he began to call out according to the
-custom of runners, Goʹweh! goʹweh! so the people knew that news of some
-kind was coming. As they gathered around him after his arrival, he told
-them that a plague was upon the place from which he had come, and that
-if they wished to prevent or cure this plague they must cut holes in
-the bark walls of their lodges and close these by putting their
-buttocks into them, and that all the families must do this. Going home,
-the people defecated into their lodges through these holes in the
-walls, whereupon Sʻhodieonskon mocked them for being fools, and thrust
-his walking-stick through the holes as he went, jeering at them, from
-lodge to lodge, before his departure.
-
-In the next adventure he met a crowd of men; this time he wore long
-hair reaching to the ground. All looked at his hair, wondering how he
-got it. When they asked him, he said that he had climbed a tree and,
-after tying his hair to a limb, jumped off. In this way the hair became
-stretched as much as he wanted. Further, they could do likewise if they
-wished. After Sʻhodieonskon had gone his way one of the men, saying, “I
-am going to make my hair long,” climbed a tree and, having tied his
-hair to a limb, jumped down. His scalp was torn off, and, falling to
-the ground, he was killed. The other people, enraged, said, “That man
-is Sʻhodieonskon; we must overtake and kill him.” Running after him,
-they soon came in sight of a creek, in which they saw a man spearing
-fish. Every little while, raising his foot, he would pull off a fish,
-for he had sharpened his leg and was using it for a spear. They watched
-him take several fish from his leg. When they reached the bank he came
-up out of the water. They were astonished at the number of fish he had
-caught and asked him how he had taken so many. “You can all see,” he
-replied, “I have sharpened my leg and use it for a spear; when I get
-all the fish I want I spit on my leg, and it becomes as well as
-before.” Then he showed them how he did it. He put the fish he had
-speared on a string. Then the men wanted to spear fish, so they asked
-him, “Can not you sharpen our legs, so that we may spear fish?” After
-he had sharpened their legs, entering the water, they went to work,
-while he disappeared. Presently they began to feel sore and had caught
-nothing. So they all came up, and sitting on the bank, they spat on
-their legs and rubbed them, but this treatment was of no efficacy in
-healing their wounds. Meanwhile Sʻhodieonskon was far out of sight on
-his way to a new village.
-
-When Sʻhodieonskon drew near to the third village he called out,
-Goʹweh! goʹweh! The people gathered around him, asking what had
-happened. He told them that in the place whence he had come the young
-men were killing all the old ones, who could be saved only if the women
-would give themselves to the young men; so the women did so, and
-nothing happened to the old men.
-
-Sʻhodieonskon then hurried to another place. When he arrived there, all
-asked what the matter was in his place. “Another sickness,” he said,
-but he had the medicine to cure it. This medicine was bear’s oil, which
-he carried in a bark bowl (it was his urine). He sold it to the
-villagers to be drunk with their food. When warm it crackled like salt.
-Although they knew it was not oil, they drank it. As he left the
-village he said that he had never seen such stuff eaten before, and
-ridiculed them.
-
-Continuing his journey, Sʻhodieonskon met a man, and they sat down by
-the trail. He offered the man a cake which corresponded to the oil he
-had just sold, but the man refused to eat it and went his way.
-
-Sʻhodieonskon, not to be baffled, called up a couple of bears. When
-they came to him he said: “I want you to carry me. I will rest one foot
-on one of you and the other foot on the other. We will go in this
-direction, running around until we meet a man. I will tell this man
-that I will give you to him to mount, and when he places one foot on
-each of you his feet will become fastened to your backs, whereupon you
-must go in opposite directions, tearing him apart.” Having agreed to do
-this, they soon ran around ahead of the man, to whom Sʻhodieonskon
-said, “I have ridden these bears so long that I am tired of them; if
-you would like, I will give them to you.” They seemed so tame and were
-so fine-looking that the man gladly took them and jumped on their
-backs, whereupon his feet grew fast to them in a moment. After running
-together a little way the bears ran in different directions. The man,
-badly injured and half dead, finally became free from the bears. He
-said to himself, “Well, I have found Sʻhodieonskon.”
-
-Sʻhodieonskon, having journeyed farther, met a party of young women.
-Stopping them, he said: “It is not best for you to continue on that
-road—it is dangerous, for when you meet a man dressed in hemlock boughs
-you must not be afraid, but must do everything he wants you to do, so
-as to keep on friendly terms with him.” Going on through the woods, the
-women soon saw something moving in front of them, which they noticed
-was covered with hemlock boughs. They were frightened, but after a
-while one of them, saying “I will not be afraid,” went straight up to
-him and talked with him some time behind a tree. Then she came back,
-telling the others to go, that there was nothing to be afraid of. So
-they went, one by one, and after all had been there he went away. One
-of the women whistled out his name and called him, but he had gone
-after fooling them all. Sʻhodieonskon and the man in the hemlock boughs
-were one.
-
-Sʻhodieonskon went on again, soon coming to an opening where there was
-a number of bark lodges. Going into the lodges he said, “There is a man
-coming to destroy all the people, and to escape him they must cover all
-the smoke-holes, for he has a long spear which he thrusts into them to
-spear the people.” Then he invented a name for the man. All went to
-work covering the smoke-holes of their lodges. The chief of the village
-had two beautiful wives. Sʻhodieonskon coveted them and did not tell
-the chief the story of the man with the spear. When all the other
-lodges were covered and full of smoke, Sʻhodieonskon ran over the
-roofs, frightening everybody almost to death; not daring to go out, all
-remained half stifled in the smoke. At last Sʻhodieonskon, climbing the
-roof of the chief’s lodge, speared him to death and took his wives and
-all he had.
-
-In due time the funeral of the chief was held, and all came to bury
-him. Sʻhodieonskon, appearing among the mourners, cried, saying: “I am
-sorry for the chief; he was a friend of mine, and now he is dead and
-gone. I am so sad. I do not wish to live. You must bury me with him.”
-So they put Sʻhodieonskon in the ground beside the chief. The next day
-some boys who were out at play heard a man calling for help, his voice
-seeming to come from the graveyard, whereupon they went to the spot.
-The voice seeming to come out of the grave, they ran and told the
-people. The people agreed to dig him up. When they had done so
-Sʻhodieonskon, standing on the ground, said: “There is a very important
-thing to be done. I came back because the chief had two wives; they
-mourn for their husband, and I feel sorry for them. I am sent back to
-marry the two widows.” After talking over the affair the people said it
-was a great thing that a man should be sent back from the other world
-to marry the widows of their chief, so they consented to the
-arrangement, and Sʻhodieonskon, having married them, settled down.
-
-
-
-
-
-57. THE CANNIBAL UNCLE, HIS NEPHEW, AND THE NEPHEW’S INVISIBLE BROTHER
-
-An uncle and his nephew dwelt together in a forest, subsisting by
-hunting. They lived in a lodge which had a partition through the middle
-and a door at each end. Neither one ever entered the part occupied by
-the other, all communication between them being held by means of
-conversation carried on through the partition. Each went in and out of
-his own part of the lodge whenever he liked, but never dared to cross
-the threshold of the other’s room.
-
-After a time the nephew, a handsome young man, discovered his uncle’s
-true nature—he was a man-eater, an Ongwe Ias.
-
-One day a woman came to the nephew’s room. The next morning at dawn the
-uncle exclaimed, “My nephew has two ways of breathing.” The young man,
-speaking to himself, said: “My uncle is mistaken. I am only talking to
-myself.” “Oh!” said the old man, “My nephew can not deceive me. There
-are two in his room, and I am glad that some wild game has come to
-visit him.”
-
-The old man then said that he was going out to hunt. When the uncle had
-gone the young man said to his wife: “My uncle knows that you are here,
-and now you must heed my words, or he will kill and eat you. Three
-other women have been here before you. He killed and devoured them all,
-for they disregarded my warnings. Now, before I go, I will bring water
-and wood and everything else you want, so you will not need to go out.
-I will also get a vessel for your use. If you go out you are lost; my
-uncle will surely kill you. As soon as I leave the lodge, he will come
-back, for he knows you are here.” After he left the door, the young man
-turned back and again warned his wife not to disobey him.
-
-The moment the husband was out of sight in the woods the uncle came to
-the door. Having the power of commanding things to be done which he did
-not see, the uncle said, “Let it be necessary for the woman to go out.”
-When he saw that she did not come out he said, “Let the water with
-which she is cooking boil away.” The water boiled away, but as she had
-plenty more she did not go out. Seeing this, the uncle became terribly
-angry, and said, “I will get her out in one way or another.” Now the
-old uncle was a man-eater, and the nephew had discovered that instead
-of hunting beasts and birds he hunted human beings, and that every man
-or woman he met, he killed, and having brought home the body on his
-shoulders, he cooked and ate the flesh. The nephew hunted game, for the
-uncle had always made him find his own food.
-
-This day, as the young man was returning, he saw smoke rising from his
-end of the lodge, whereupon he thought, “All is well; my uncle has not
-been able to kill my wife.” When he entered he thanked her for her
-obedience. In the evening about dusk they heard the old man come in and
-knew that he had brought nothing. He called out: “What luck has my
-nephew had to-day?” “I have had good luck,” replied the nephew. The
-uncle said, “I found nothing.” Now he muttered to himself about his
-nephew, blaming him for hiding his uncle’s game in his part of the
-lodge, and saying that he would have his own. He heard the two
-breathing and could not be deceived. Determined to have something to
-eat, the old man pounded bones into small pieces and putting them into
-a large kettle which he filled with water, he made soup. The husband
-and wife on the other side of the partition did not talk.
-
-The nephew decided to leave the place. As he had been thinking of doing
-so for some time, he had his plans well laid. Unobserved by his uncle
-he had walked in circles around the lodge, going farther and farther
-each day. When he had made paths three days’ journey in circuit he told
-his wife what he intended to do. That night the uncle said: “I am going
-to be absent two or three days. I can find no game in all this country
-about here.” “Well,” said the nephew, “hunters go where they can find
-something to kill and are often gone many days. I, too, am going
-farther. Game is getting scarce in our neighborhood.”
-
-The young man, being possessed of orenda (magic power), had caused a
-lodge to be built in a place distant six days’ journey. He told his
-wife that he had an invisible brother in that lodge, to whom he would
-send her; that this brother was then under the lodge, and that no
-stranger had ever seen him. Hitherto this invisible brother had always
-accompanied him, but in the future would assist her. Taking an arrow
-from his quiver he removed the head. Then, after shaking his wife until
-she was only a couple of inches long, he put her into the arrow and
-replaced the point, saying, “In three days I will follow you.” Then
-sending the arrow toward the east, at the same instant he heard the
-calling of the Gwenhgwenhonh [128] (the feathers on the arrow were
-taken from this bird), and all the way the arrow sang with the voice of
-the Gwenhgwenhonh. He could see the trail of the arrow as it went
-through the air.
-
-The nephew remained in his part of the lodge, waiting, and in three
-days the old man appeared without game. When he came in, talking with
-himself, he said: “What luck has my nephew had?” “Very good. I have
-plenty to eat,” answered the nephew. The old man continued: “I found
-nothing; this hunting ground is barren, and my eyes see no more game.
-But though I have no fresh food, I have plenty of bones here in this
-pile, which I shall break up and have a soup.” Then the young man heard
-his uncle breaking up the bones; there was a terrible racket and
-crushing. At last the young man said, “My uncle makes too much noise.”
-“My nephew would not find fault if he were in my place. I am trying to
-get something to eat,” came the retort, and the old man, paying no heed
-to what his nephew said, kept hard at work. The next morning at
-daybreak he said, “I am going to hunt, and I shall be away for three
-days.” “I am glad,” thought the nephew; he was very angry with his
-uncle and ready to fight.
-
-Taking the trail he had made, the nephew followed it for three days
-before he made a straight line for his new lodge. Glancing up, he saw
-the arrow’s trail,[129] which looked like a rainbow in the sky. He took
-a long leap, and as he leaped he ran up in the air, far over the woods
-and on a level which still kept him in the air. As he was going along,
-he looked back to see whether he could discover his own trail. The
-trail of the arrow, which was in the form of a rainbow, seemed to roll
-up and dissolve in a mist as he passed along, ending in the dooryard,
-where he had told his wife the arrow would strike. Entering the lodge,
-there he found his wife.
-
-One day the invisible brother saw an arrow come into the dooryard;
-striking the ground, it burst asunder and a woman came out. She went
-into the lodge, where she saw her bother-in-law, who said: “I knew you
-were coming. I am glad you obeyed your husband, for your obedience has
-enabled you to accomplish this great journey.” He continued: “You have
-never seen me before; no one but my brother has ever seen me, and he
-only two or three times. I know what will come to us from the wrath of
-our uncle; he will pursue us and if possible will destroy you.” The
-husband was six days making the journey to the lodge where his brother
-was, which was situated near a lake.
-
-When uncle got home and was talking to his nephew in the other room he
-received no answer; at this he grew very angry. Making up his mind that
-his nephew was not at home, he went out to look for his trail in order
-to learn which way he had gone. Finally, on striking the trail, he
-found it was some time since he had left; the footprints looked about
-as old as his own made three days before. Going back to the lodge he
-muttered: “I will follow him tomorrow; the world is so small that he
-can not escape me. I will follow him everywhere.” Now, the invisible
-brother, though a great way off, heard the uncle talking to himself,
-heard his threats: “My daughter-in-law will never get out of my reach.
-I will go to the outskirts of the world very quickly. I do not see why
-he takes her away, thinking she can escape; he will never succeed, for
-I will have her flesh.” The invisible brother told his brother what the
-uncle said.
-
-The next morning the uncle set out. After following the trail until
-night he determined to go home, trying again the next day. Looking up,
-he saw his lodge was near. He had been going round and round. At this
-he was angry, and said, “Tomorrow I will get on the trail again.” As
-soon as it was daylight he started. As he went on he found the trail
-was almost extinct, but he continued to follow it. He kept on until
-midday, when he found that he had not made much progress. He was near
-his lodge again. “Be it so,” he said; “let my nephew be possessed of
-the sorcery of all the animals, I will have his wife’s flesh for all
-that.” The uncle followed the trail three days more until at last he
-reached the end, whereupon he cried out exultingly, “My
-daughter-in-law’s flesh is mine.” Looking up in the air, he discovered
-his nephew’s trail. While the trail of the arrow was lost, the
-footprints of the nephew remained on the clouds.[130]
-
-After the old man had traveled one day, the nephew said to his wife:
-“Now, we must go; our uncle is on our trail, and he is determined to
-have your life. Therefore be cautious. Do exactly as I bid you.” As the
-uncle followed on the ground the trail that he saw in the air, he
-muttered to himself. The invisible brother heard him. All started for
-the beach, the woman taking the lead, and the husband stepping in her
-footprints. As they looked across the lake they could see smoke. The
-husband said, “We will go yonder to that lodge and stop there for the
-night.” As they were going along the beach he halted, and, taking a
-clamshell from his bosom, threw it toward the other side of the lake.
-At once the banks came so close together that the woman could step
-over. After they had crossed, on looking back they could scarcely see
-the other shore. The nephew had crossed to a new lodge in order to
-delay his uncle, thinking that when the old man came to the water he
-would be long in crossing and would lose the trail. Telling his wife to
-say nothing, the young man left her, to hunt.
-
-Soon the uncle appeared on the opposite bank, running back and forth
-searching everywhere. Feeling sure that they had crossed, he called
-out, “Daughter-in-law! daughter-in-law! how did you cross the lake?” As
-he labored up and down the woman stood watching him from the other
-bank. Taking pity on the weary old man, though knowing he wished to
-devour her, she said in her mind (she did not speak), “Why does he not
-throw the shell?” [131] As she thought this, he heard distinctly what
-she said in her mind. So he stooped, and picking up a shell, threw it.
-The banks came together, and when she looked to see where he was, she
-was terrified to find him at her heels. Catching her by the hair, he
-said: “I knew that I should eat you.132 My nephew had no right to keep
-the game from me. He took my game and held it as his wife.” With one
-blow the old man cut her head off. She had been left alone, as her
-husband was hunting, and the invisible brother was not near to warn
-her, so she was lost.
-
-The lake had now expanded to its proper width. Taking off her raiment,
-the old man threw it into his nephew’s lodge, saying, “Be you a
-helpmate to my nephew.” He then cut the body open, finding that it
-contained twins. He hid the children with the head and breast of the
-mother in a hollow tree, and gave thanks that his nephew had preserved
-the game so long, for he would have a second meal at another time.
-After washing the bloodstains from the body in the lake he put the body
-on his back and then threw the shell. When the banks closed together,
-he stepped over, and as he looked back, he saw the lake spread out
-again.
-
-On coming home soon after, the nephew expected to see smoke rising from
-his lodge, but saw none. “There! my word has come true; she has
-forgotten my warning.” Looking around, he saw his uncle’s tracks,
-whereupon he said, “Such is my luck. I can not help it.” Then he began
-to cook his meal. Shortly he discovered his wife’s clothing. Having
-become accustomed to his uncle’s behavior, he was not much astonished,
-nor did he feel very badly because his uncle had now killed his fourth
-wife. While cooking supper he had to go for water. As he stooped down
-to get it, he heard a voice say, “Your uncle has killed me. Your uncle
-has killed me, has killed me.” On looking toward the willows out of
-which the voice came, he saw them bespattered with his wife’s blood,
-whereupon he knew that she had been murdered. He had two proofs now—his
-uncle’s tracks and the speaking blood. Becoming disheartened, he
-decided never to go back to his uncle’s lodge. He continued hunting
-with two dogs, and being successful, took pleasure in doing this. On
-returning to camp one day he discovered tracks around his fire—two
-little trails. For some time he paid no attention to these, though he
-found them whenever he came home. They looked like children’s tracks,
-but he could not believe they were such, thinking that perhaps some
-little animal had gotten into the lodge. At last, looking at his store
-of meat, he saw that one of the pieces was gone from the row; he
-thought some animal must have taken it. Things continued in this way
-until finally the meat was carried away at such a rate that he resolved
-to find out what was going on at home. The next day still more meat was
-taken. He found that the stolen piece had struck the ground, and having
-been dragged out of doors, had been drawn along. He followed the trail
-until he came to a big hollow log, at the opening in which the trail
-disappeared. While sure that some animal lived in the tree, he made no
-further discovery.
-
-The next day the nephew started off to hunt, but after going a short
-distance into the woods, he stopped to watch his lodge. Looking down
-from a hill near by, he saw two little children run into the lodge.
-Thereupon, hurrying back, he continued his watch. He soon saw them come
-out, dragging a piece of meat. (They used to go to where the meat was
-hanging, and climbing up as best they could, throw it to the ground.)
-They had all they could drag, for two pieces were tied together. Going
-straight to the farther end of the log, they disappeared, dragging the
-meat after them. He thought, “Tomorrow I will catch them.” He had
-learned that they could talk, for as they pulled the meat along, he
-heard one say, “Hurry up; father will soon come.”
-
-The next morning, after going a short distance, he hid himself and
-waited. The time seemed long. At last the children came from the log,
-and entering the lodge, closed the door. Then the father ran up and
-went in himself, fastening the door after him. The moment the children
-saw him, they began to cry. “Why do you cry,” he asked, “I am your
-father. Do not cry.” At this they stopped crying. Then he said, “You
-will stay here with me.” As he had overheard them calling him father,
-he asked, “How do you know that I am your father?” As he questioned
-them, sitting by the fire, he on one side and the two children together
-on the other, one of them, who was slightly larger than the other,
-said: “Your uncle came over here and killed our mother, cutting off her
-head and her breasts. Then he threw her intestines into a hollow log.
-We were among the intestines, and as the breasts were there, we drew
-milk from them and so were able to live. Her head is there with us now.
-As the boy answered readily, the father asked him what they did with
-the meat they took from the lodge. “We come,” said the boy, “to get the
-meat to feed our mother.” The father said, “You must now live with me.”
-He then made little ball clubs and a ball for them to play with in the
-dooryard; he was so kind that they were willing to stay.
-
-Whenever their father went hunting they would go and feed their mother.
-Once when the father came home, one of the boys said to him, “Our
-mother is very hungry, for we have not fed her today.” The father
-replied: “Feed her; give her all she will take. I have no objection. As
-you know, we always have plenty of meat, so you may take as much as you
-please to feed your mother.” He was very kind to the children, because
-he loved them, and to keep them from running away, he let them do as
-they liked with what was in the lodge. He soon discovered, however,
-that his stock of meat was disappearing very fast, faster than he could
-bring in more. This continued until he began to feel discouraged and
-frightened. The boy said to his father when the latter returned one
-day, “My mother eats all the time,” telling how much she ate, and asked
-his father to go and see her. The father went to the tree with the
-boys, and on looking in, saw two great eyes in a skull from which the
-teeth were projecting and the flesh had disappeared, and the bones of
-which were somewhat bruised.
-
-The boys asked, “Now, father, what do you think?” “I am afraid,” he
-answered, “that after she has eaten all our meat she will eat us.”
-
-“Let us go to some other part of the world, so she will have to travel
-far to overtake us,” said one of the boys; “we can not feed her any
-longer, for she never gets enough now, and we are tired.” The man saw
-that, do what they might, she would not be satisfied. The boys said,
-“We will go away first if you like.” The father answered: “You may go.
-Your mother has become a man-eater. You may escape.” The next morning
-the boys started westward with the dogs. The father said he would not
-go just then, but that he would follow. He had to go in another
-direction and therefore would go southward first. When the children
-were a short distance from the lodge the dogs looked at them, and
-thinking how hard it was for them to trudge along, the larger dog said
-to the larger boy, “Come! get on my back;” and the smaller dog said to
-the smaller boy, “Come! get on my back.” Both mounting the dogs, away
-they went. The dogs ran so swiftly that the hair of the boys’ heads
-streamed backward, and they enjoyed the ride so much that the woods
-were full of their laughter. After they had gone a long distance, for
-the dogs went like the wind, they saw traces of human beings. There
-were places where the trees had been cut down. The dogs said, “Now you
-would better slip off and go on foot to the settlement.” The boys were
-unwilling to go, but the dogs were determined, and shaking themselves,
-as if they had just been in water, the children tumbled off. Telling
-the children again to go on to the settlement, the dogs went back to
-their master. He had told them that he would leave in two days, for
-then the Head would come out of the tree and go into the lodge; then
-climbing up to the place where the meat was kept, the Head would eat it
-all.
-
-The boys had told their father that by going southward he would find
-uncles who might help him escape, for they were just such powerful men
-as his old uncle was. When the dogs got back to their master they said
-that he must make every effort he could to escape; that they would
-remain until the last piece of meat was gone, but that he must go at
-once. The lives of all were in danger, for when the meat was all eaten
-the Head would fly in the direction of her people, although they (the
-dogs) would stay and detain the Head as long as possible. “In three
-days all the meat will be devoured: flee for your life; go south toward
-your other uncles, for she will follow you,” the dogs said.
-
-The man did as the dogs advised, starting off southward and going with
-great speed, for he was a good runner. Two days after he had left home
-one of the dogs overtook him and said: “The meat is all gone and she is
-now trying to find the trail of her children. She can follow it as far
-as they walked, but no farther, for we took them on our backs at a
-certain distance from the lodge and carried them far away. They are now
-in the west. Be on your guard. She will soon strike your trail and
-pursue you. Follow me! The Head is very angry.” As the dog looked back
-he said: “The Head has started and is coming. We have never seen so
-great witchcraft as she has, although we have seen much, but this we
-are not able to comprehend. As you have always said, there is no one
-living who can outrun you; now use all your strength.”
-
-When the Head started, the dogs left behind did all they could to delay
-her, biting her whenever she turned to pursue them, and dodging into
-the ground. As the Head went on again they would spring at her; and
-when she turned on them they would again escape into the ground. Her
-track could be seen plainly, for the bark was all bitten from the
-trees, where the dogs kept her back and prevented her from flying
-ahead.
-
-All at once, one of the little boys, far off in the west, said to his
-brother, “Our father is to be pitied; our mother has turned into some
-strange being and is pursuing him.” Soon a second dog came up to the
-man, saying, “Your wife has changed into a Flying Head and is possessed
-of such power that we do not know how to detain her any longer. My
-brother dog and I are doing all we can, but you must hurry; you must
-keep straight ahead. Go always toward the south.” The man ran with all
-his might. Seeing a lodge at a distance he ran up to it, and entering,
-said to an old man sitting there: “Uncle, help me! Something is after
-me that is going to take my life. Help me!” “All right. Although I do
-not know what it is, I will help you all I can; but hurry on to the
-next lodge; there you will find your aunts,” replied the old man. The
-man had got about halfway between the two lodges when he heard a
-terrible noise. Looking back, he saw that the Flying Head had reached
-his uncle’s lodge, and that they were fighting with all their strength.
-There was a terrible struggle about the lodge. Soon he saw that his
-uncle was killed, and that a great black cloud rose up into the sky
-from the spot.[133] The uncle had told his nephew that after the Head
-had killed him a dark cloud would go up to the very heavens. At that
-moment the dog came up again, saying, “Your uncle is killed; he was
-never beaten before in his life.” When she had killed his uncle the
-Head rushed after the husband, for she had eaten every bit of the
-uncle’s flesh in a moment. “Hurry!” said the dog; “we are sure to die;
-we have but two places of refuge left, it is through your uncle who
-killed her that she has become a witch.”
-
-As the man ran on, nearly exhausted, he saw a lodge, and running into
-it, he called to his aunts, “Help me! Help me! Something is after me to
-take my life.” “Poor man,” said his aunts, “hurry on; we will do what
-we can to delay the Head. Go to the next lodge, where your mothers
-live; if we can not detain her, perhaps they will be able to help you.”
-He was not out of sight when he heard his aunts call to their children
-to have courage, and then he heard a great tumult. When the Head flew
-into the lodge, it bit at everything with which it came in contact,
-tearing it to pieces. The women attacked the Head with clubs, and there
-came to his ears the sound of the blows of the clubs on the skull. When
-halfway to the other place, all was still at his aunts’ lodge.
-
-Suddenly he heard his brother calling out, “Run! or we are lost.” The
-invisible brother who urged him forward pushed him by the neck whenever
-he was near, and then they seemed to run faster. They were in a great
-hurry to reach the lodge, and he pushed him on until they were there.
-Thereupon the man called on his mothers, saying, “Mothers, help me!
-help me!” “Oh, poor son! you are in trouble; go on—we will do what we
-can.” He hurried through the lodge. The Head came in as he went out,
-and the dog, running around the lodge, urged him on. The brother was
-invisible when they passed through the lodge. The mothers called out to
-all their children, “Kill the Head if you can!” All got their most
-deadly and potent weapons, and the two brothers heard the old mothers
-urge their children to fight with all their strength. The dogs remained
-outside the door, ready to fly at the Head when she came out. One of
-the women stumbled and fell, whereupon the Head, after catching and
-hurling her out, devoured her in an instant.
-
-The old mothers now cautioned their children again to take great care
-and make no missteps. Now the youngest one thought of some bear’s fat
-they had in the lodge, and the idea came to her that the only way they
-could kill the Head was by use of this. After the Head had eaten the
-first girl and was chasing the others through the lodge the bear’s oil
-began to boil.[134] As they threw the boiling oil, it singed and burned
-the Head, killing it (the animated Head was merely the skull with long
-projecting teeth).
-
-All wishing to give thanks, the mothers said: “We ought to have a game
-of ball. Your brother is free. It is our duty to give thanks. The ball
-shall be this Head.” Picking up the Head, she carried it out, calling
-in a loud voice, “Here, warriors! is a ball you can have to play with.”
-Soon a great crowd of people came together with their netted clubs and
-began to play. All the players were wild beasts of the woods. The man
-stood near and saw the wild beasts playing ball with his wife’s head.
-All tried to get the ball, and in this way they wore it out.
-
-The dog now came up to his master and told him that his wife was dead;
-and when it said “Your wife is dead,” his strength seemed to leave him;
-his arms dropped down, and he was sad. The invisible brother said: “You
-feel grieved; for my part I am glad. I do not see why you should be
-sad; she would have devoured you if they had not killed her. Now there
-is nothing to harm us. Your old uncle has gone back to his own home and
-will not trouble us now that he has eaten your wife’s flesh.” He added:
-“Your children are living in this direction (pointing westward); be of
-good courage, and go after them. I shall return. You will continue in
-one direction with your dogs until you reach the boys. You need never
-fear to suffer such hardships again.” So saying, he went home, and when
-the brother looked after him he had disappeared.
-
-The man and his dogs went toward the west. The dogs had left the
-children in a place near a village where an old woman lived with her
-granddaughter. While the young girl was in the woods gathering fuel she
-heard the sound of voices. On listening, as the wind came directly to
-her, she discovered that they were human voices, and thought, “I will
-ask grandmother what to do.” When she reached home with her wood she
-told the old woman that she had heard children crying and asked her to
-go to the woods to hear for herself. The old woman asked: “In what
-direction were the voices? It is a pleasure to know that there are
-children yet alive; they must be for us.” They went to the place. “Now
-listen!” said the girl. “True,” said the grandmother. “Look everywhere
-and find these children; they may be sent to us, as we are alone.” The
-girl followed the sound, which she could hear distinctly as coming from
-the ground. She kept on until she found the two children, seemingly a
-year old, one slightly larger than the other. Going up to them she told
-them to stop crying; that she would be their mother. As she stood there
-talking her grandmother came, who pitied the children; she found that
-they were clothed with skins. The grandmother said: “Now stop crying.
-You shall be our children. I will be your grandmother and my
-granddaughter will be your mother.” The girl added: “All we have shall
-be yours. I will love you as a mother.” The boys stopped crying. Each
-had his little bow and arrows and ball club. The children went home
-with the women. The old woman said: “We will take care of these
-children. There are many people in the village, but not a child among
-them all. I lived here a long time, but have never seen a little
-child.” The children soon seemed larger and sometimes would go to hunt
-birds. They were never gone long at a time, and never went out of sight
-of the lodge. “Grandmother,” called one of the boys one day, “come and
-see what we have killed; it is all spotted and lies yonder in the
-weeds.” “Where is it? Where is it?” she asked. The boys led the way,
-but she could hardly keep in sight of them, as the weeds were tall. On
-reaching the spot she found a fawn, a few hours old, which they had
-killed. She carried it home, saying to herself: “I am thankful to have
-these children; they will be great hunters in time; their game is
-getting larger. First they kill birds, now a fawn.” When they did not
-feel like hunting they would play out near the lodge and then go in and
-sit down.
-
-One day one of the boys said, “Our father is coming.” The other said,
-“I hardly think our father is alive.” The old grandmother overhearing
-this, told the boys to go out and shoot birds, for she wanted some to
-roast and eat. The next day while the children were out a man came into
-the lodge. The invisible brother had told him where he would find his
-children, and that he must say when he came to the old woman’s lodge,
-“Grandmother, I am thankful to see you,” and to the girl, “Sister, I am
-very glad to see you.” As he went in he saw the old woman and saluted
-her as grandmother; to the girl he said, “Sister.” One of the boys
-outside said, “Our father has come.” The other replied: “I do not
-believe this is he, for our father had two dogs. There are no dogs with
-this man.” As the boy was bound to know, raising the doorflap slightly,
-he saw his father sitting with his elbows on his knees and his face in
-his hands. Noticing a red spot on his jaw, the boy said further: “Look
-for yourself; see, he has a mark on his face; it is really he. Let us
-go and see which way he came; we can tell his trail, and we will follow
-it and see whether we can find the dogs.”
-
-They had gone but a short distance when they found that the dogs had
-gone in another direction, whereupon one of the boys said: “Let us
-follow their tracks; father loves those dogs; let us find them.” In the
-evening they found one dog sitting on a fallen tree. The larger boy
-said: “There sits one of the dogs.” “Let us go and see if it is really
-father’s dog,” said the other. On hearing the children’s voices the
-dogs were as much pleased to see them as the boys were to see the dogs.
-The boys now said, “Let us all go home.” The boys did not know the way,
-however, so the dogs took the lead. It was late at night and very dark,
-and the people at home were frightened and very anxious about the
-children, not knowing where to look for them. When the boys came back,
-the grandmother asked: “Why were you gone so long? Why did you frighten
-us so?” “We were looking for our father’s dogs,” said they. Thereupon
-they went into the lodge, the dogs following. The man was lying down,
-so all went to sleep. All were now together again.
-
-The young woman was the man’s own sister and the grandmother was his
-grandmother. They all lived very happily together. And this is the
-story.
-
-
-
-
-
-58. DOONONGAES [135] AND TSODIQGWADON
-
-Doonongaes, who lived at one end of Ganyodaes,[136] or Long Lake, had
-such orenda (magic power) that no one in that region could influence or
-control him. He claimed the lake and all that lived in its waters.
-
-Doonongaes had a servant, Skahnowa,[137] who lived at the other end of
-Ganyodaes, which was so long that one end of it could not be seen from
-the other. Skahnowa’s work was to patrol the lake and keep off
-intruders. One morning early he jumped up, saying, “I must be on my
-rounds, for if I do not I shall be punished.” So he hurried along the
-shore; soon he saw some one with a pole, evidently fishing. Skahnowa
-approached and, seeing him eating a fish, he asked, “What are you doing
-here?” “Oh! there is a great deal of fungus138 growing on the hickory
-trees here,” replied the intruder. “If you are getting fungus from the
-trees, why do you go to the water?” asked Skahnowa. “You see,” said the
-man, who was Djidjogwen,139 “the fungus is sandy and I go to the lake
-to wash it.” “Well,” said Skahnowa: “I think you have stolen something,
-and you better give up one of your own people as a gift in payment140
-for what you have taken. The owner of this lake will come soon and he
-will settle with you. I am going on.” Djidjogwen stood on the bank and
-kept thinking: “Can this be true? It is very strange if it be true that
-one person owns this lake.” Going to his master, Skahnowa said: “I have
-news for you. There is a man yonder at Dediosteniagon141 who is getting
-fish out of the water very fast.” “I will stop him. I like to amuse
-myself in this way,” said Doonongaes, who got his kettle ready at once
-and, taking his club, started for the place.
-
-Skahnowa continued his journey around the lake. When Doonongaes came in
-sight of Dediosteniagon, looking around carefully, he saw a man [142]
-some distance off. “Oh! that is the one,” thought he, and diving under
-the water he came out right in front of Djidjogwen, who had pulled out
-a great fish a moment before. “What are you doing?” asked Doonongaes.
-“What business have you to meddle with my game animals?” “Oh! you are
-mistaken. I am not meddling with them. I am merely eating the fungus143
-that grows around here,” replied Djidjogwen. “Then how came that fish
-here?” asked Doonongaes. “As I stood here a small bird flew along above
-the water, and a fish, leaping up to catch the bird, perhaps, jumped
-out here on the shore,” said Djidjogwen. “Oh! that is not true; I will
-punish you,” snapped Doonongaes. Djidjogwen started to run. Doonongaes
-followed and, striking him on the head with his club, killed him,
-remarking, “That is the way I treat intruders on Ganyodaes.” He then
-threw the body of the dead man over his shoulder and, after reaching
-home, cooked his flesh. When the flesh was cool he ate the meat, which
-he enjoyed much, and thanked Skahnowa for what he had done.
-
-One morning Doonongaes said to his servant: “I am going on a long
-journey, and I want you to be faithful in the performance of your duty.
-If you find a trespasser, kill and eat him.” “Very well,” replied
-Skahnowa, “it shall be done as you say.”
-
-Doonongaes went westward, traveling day and night for a month. He
-traveled till he came to a broad opening.[144] In the middle of the
-opening he saw a lodge, which he could not reach without being seen.
-“Very well,” thought he, “I will go underground.” He went into the
-ground, and going forward until he thought he was at the right place he
-came out. Peeping through a crack in the lodge wall, he heard singing,
-and saw that there were two very old women inside. The words of the
-song were, Onen waongiʹons ne ganio.145 “That does not sound well,”
-thought Doonongaes; “I may get killed here. I will see whether I can
-not steal this lodge.” So he pushed his horns under the lodge; then
-lifting it on his head, he rushed away, carrying it on his horns. He
-came very soon to the edge of the woods and ran into it. Finally he
-heard a noise in the lodge. “Well,” said a voice, “it seems to me that
-there is a terrible wind blowing.” (He went at such speed as to give
-the impression of wind blowing past the lodge.) The other woman said:
-“You must do all you can to stop it. Let us stand, you in one corner
-and I in the other and sing our wind song.” Taking their places, they
-said: “We beg you who have care of us to stop this wind. Our lodge is
-so small that we are afraid it will blow away.” Then they sang Gaintho,
-Gaintho.146 One of them, seeing the lodge moving, called out, “Hwu,147
-our lodge is moving.” “Well,” said the other, “maybe Doonongaes has
-come; he always troubles poor people; hurry up, go out and see.” So she
-went out through the smoke-hole, and, looking around, saw that they
-were far out in the dense woods. On taking an observation to see
-whither the wind was going, she saw a long black body moving, and she
-saw that their lodge was on it. Going in, she said, “As I looked down
-the wind I saw a very black thing, which was so long that I could not
-see the end of it.” “It is just as I said to you,” said the other
-woman; “this is Doonongaes, who is making sport of us. Now, do your
-best to punish him.”
-
-These two old women, who were Gwidogwido [148] people, and sisters,
-were possessed of such very powerful orenda (magic power) that it was
-hard to conquer them by sorcery. Taking their clubs, therefore, they
-went out of the smoke-hole. Then the elder of the two said: “Go to the
-end of his tail; something is sticking out there. Strike it, and I will
-try to cut its head off.” While the younger sister went to the tail,
-the elder went to the neck joint. The younger sister, seeing objects
-which resembled fins sticking out, began to pound these; soon she saw
-that she was driving them in. “What shall I do,” thought she; “my
-sister said these things would crumble to pieces.” She kept on
-pounding, however, until she saw that something like milk began to come
-out. She stopped striking them, whereupon the milklike fluid turned
-into foam and came out stronger and stronger. At last, becoming
-frightened, she ran to her sister, whom she found lying down, doing
-nothing. She said, “Oh! my sister, what is the matter?” “Oh!” said the
-elder, “I can not do anything; he has overpowered me by his orenda
-(magic power); do the best you can.” The younger, driving their flint
-knife into the neck joint, began to hammer it; finally the knife went
-out of sight. Then she asked her sister, “What shall we do now?” “Our
-only safety is to run away,” was the answer. The younger sister, going
-down the smoke-hole, got a narrow strip of the skin of Djainosgowa.
-This was the container of their magic power, or fetish. Coming back to
-her sister, she said, “Now I am ready.” The elder answered: “Take hold
-of one end of the skin and I will take the other. Then let us run to
-the end of Doonongaes’ tail, where we will jump off and get away as
-fast as we can.” It was a good while before they came to the end of the
-tail. Then jumping off, they hurried along, not on the straight trail
-but somewhat to one side of it.
-
-Doonongaes, who was running all this time with great speed, said at
-last, “I do not hear anyone talking.” Then his neck began to feel
-tired, and he said, “This lodge wearies me,” and jerking his head, off
-went the lodge, falling some distance away. On going up to it he found
-it empty. “Very well. We shall soon see about this,” thought he: “No
-one has ever been able to get away from me. I will put these two out of
-the way.” Thereupon he ran back as fast as he could, saying, “When
-could they have escaped? Oh! my neck is sore.” As he went he snuffed
-the air to find the women. Halting and looking around he saw tracks
-where they had jumped from his tail, for the earth was torn up. “Ha,
-ha! you think you are going to escape me,” he said, starting with
-lightning speed on their track. He ran until night. Toward morning he
-said: “The pain in my neck is increasing. I wonder if I should better
-go back. No; I can not give up this chase. I have always thought I
-could allow no one to overpower me, so I will keep on.” At midday he
-came to the end of the women’s trail, and could track them no farther.
-Now, he thought, “What shall I do, for I am determined to put them out
-of the world?”
-
-Standing up, he became taller and taller until at last he stood on the
-tip of his tail with his head high in the air. He saw a smoke far off
-on one side, so he came down and shot off in that direction, reaching
-the place in a few moments. Halting by the lodge, he thought: “I hear
-some one inside. Very likely magically powerful people live here.” On
-peeping in, he saw a very old man sitting down smoking, with his head
-bowed. Doonongaes watched him for some time; at last the old man,
-looking up, said: “Hwu, my nephew has come! Well, nephew come in. Why
-do you stand outside?” “This is my uncle’s lodge; it seems he knows
-me,” thought Doonongaes; so he went in. “Well, nephew,” said the old
-man, “I am glad to see you. I have been expecting you for a long time.”
-“Well, I have come. What do you want?” said Doonongaes. “Oh! you and I
-will fight against each other,” replied the old man. “That suits me
-exactly,” answered Doonongaes; “it is the very game I amuse myself
-with.” “We will wait until noon tomorrow, when the fight will begin;
-you can stay here with me until then,” said the old man. This old man
-was the grandfather of the two women who were trying to escape. His
-name was Gwidogwido. The next day the old man said, “Now, let us go.”
-They went through the woods until they came to an opening, whereupon
-the old man said, “Here is where I always fight.” Seeing the ground was
-covered with bones, Doonongaes became greatly frightened and asked, “Is
-there not some way to annul our pact, for I want to continue my
-journey?” “No,” replied the old man, “we have agreed to it.” “What
-would happen if I should refuse to play?” said Doonongaes. “Well, if
-you do not want to fight, give yourself up to me, and I will do what I
-like with you,” answered the old man. “If I do that I suppose you will
-kill me; so we may as well fight,” replied Doonongaes.
-
-Thereupon the fight began. Doonongaes had a basswood club, while the
-old man had a mallet. As they fought they moved around the opening
-until they came to the farther end, striking at each other all the
-time. At the end of the clearing they began to tear up trees, which
-they hurled at one another. They opened a broad road through the
-forest, uprooting the trees as they fought. They advanced until they
-came to another clearing, at the farther end of which they saw a
-village. Doonongaes now got another basswood club, for they had thrown
-away their weapons when they began to hurl trees. The old man had to
-defend himself with his hands and arms until they reached the village.
-There he picked up a lodge, which he threw at Doonongaes, whereupon
-Doonongaes threw another lodge at the old man. Thus they continued
-throwing lodges as they went along, until a great cry was raised by the
-people as they saw their lodges smashed on the heads of the combatants,
-and so all attacked the two men.
-
-The people of the village were Djihonsdonqgwen [149] people, who were
-great fighters. They determined to punish the two men, so with their
-flint knives they killed the old man Gwidogwido, but Doonongaes ran out
-of sight, shouting, “I have always said that nobody could conquer me.”
-He added: “It seems to me that there is something in my neck. Can it be
-that a limb fell on it, and a splinter stuck into my neck?”
-
-Doonongaes went on until he came to a new lodge. “Perhaps,” thought he,
-“another uncle of mine lives here. I will have a look.” Peeping through
-a crack, he saw two little boys playing with a man’s head, and heads
-all around the lodge with flesh on them. He wondered where the boys got
-these for they were too small to go out to hunt. “Perhaps they will be
-able to cut my head off,” thought he, running away. A few moments later
-one of the boys said to the other, “Did not you think some game came to
-the lodge just now?” “Yes,” replied the other. “Well, let us hurry out;
-we will soon bring it back,” said the other. Taking their knives, they
-ran out and around the lodge. Seeing the trail, they ran along it until
-they were at Doonongaes’s heels. When he turned and saw the two boys
-behind him, each with an uplifted knife ready to strike, he seized the
-first boy and threw his knife away. Then he did the same with the other
-boy, and putting a boy under each arm, he hurried on. As he went along,
-he saw a high precipice, whereupon he said, “Perhaps I had better throw
-these boys over, for they annoy me.” After throwing them over the
-precipice, he walked on. Presently he heard “Tcu! Tcu! that man walking
-over there falls (is about to fall).” Doonongaes turned around to see
-where the voice came from, with the remark, “This sounds as though they
-meant me.” He stood looking around; soon he heard some one laughing,
-and saw a man high up on the cliff. “It is absurd that he should make
-sport of me,” said Doonongaes; “I will punish him.” Doonongaes hurried
-toward the man, who was ahead. When he came to the spot where he
-thought the man was, he could not find him, and could see no one. Soon
-he saw far ahead the man peep from behind a tree, then dart back and
-peep out again. Doonongaes ran to the tree, and going around it, said,
-“Now, I will punish you, you scoundrel”; but he found no one there. He
-looked everywhere. At last he saw another tree far ahead with the man
-peeping from behind it. He hurried to the place, saying as he ran after
-the man around the tree, “I have caught you”; but when he got around,
-he could see no one. “This is provoking,” said Doonongaes, “he is
-making sport of me; I must punish him without fail.”
-
-Doonongaes sat down under the tree to rest from the chase and closed
-his eyes; in a little while he was sound asleep. The man came back and,
-seeing Doonongaes asleep, said, “I thought this man said he was going
-to beat me.” As he stood looking at Doonongaes he resolved to kill him.
-Taking out a flint knife he cut his throat. At first foam came from the
-cut but no blood; then it seemed as if Doonongaes blew a great breath,
-whereupon out came the blood streaming in every direction. Then
-Doonongaes died. “I did not have much trouble,” thought the murderer,
-who was one of the Djoñiaik [150] people, “though he called himself
-powerful”; and sitting on the tree above the body he continued to
-laugh.
-
-When Doonongaes was killed his blood ran down the precipice. The people
-who lived in the ravine below said they saw it. “This looks like the
-blood of our people, like the blood of our great chief.” They all
-gathered at the place where the blood was coming, and one of the
-tallest men said, “I will try to look over.” He stretched himself up,
-but could see nothing except the bare cliff. Then another man got on
-his shoulders, a third on the shoulder of the second, another and
-another doing likewise until in this way they reached the top. Djoñiaik
-saw men coming, and noticing that they were the same kind of people as
-Doonongaes, he said, “They are so many I will run away.” So, slipping
-down from the tree, he was off.
-
-The men looked around—there lay the great chief of their people. One of
-them, who became chief for the time, said: “Every one of us must do his
-best (in the exercise of orenda). We will try to make him alive again.
-Let two of you build a very large fire and two of you go to the end of
-a lake for a thing that has been of great aid to our people—the white
-pebble. Go quickly; and two more go to Doonongaes’s lodge at the end of
-Ganyodaes, to get his fisher-skin pouch and bring it here; and two of
-you go to the end of the earth and notify our grandfather, who lives
-there. Tell him what has happened and find out what he thinks about it.
-Let two go to the place where the rocks are the highest in the world,
-for in that place lives a man who is master of the thing that has the
-greatest power in the world. Let two get on the trail of the man who
-killed our chief, Doonongaes; when they overtake him, let them kill him
-if necessary, but if not let them bring him here and we will do what we
-like with him.” In a short time the two appointed to make a fire had an
-enormous one burning. The two sent for the white pebble reached a lake
-surrounded by a hemlock forest that seemed to grow on rocks without any
-earth. On looking around, the two men saw many stones of the kind for
-which they were sent. Having picked up the right one, they went back
-immediately, saying on their return, “We have brought what we were sent
-for.” The new chief thanked them. Now all the people waited.
-
-The two men sent to Doonongaes’s lodge reached the lake, and as they
-went along the bank, one of them said: “I am getting hungry. Let us
-have some fish.” “Very well, we will catch some,” replied the other.
-Soon they had a number of fish, and sitting down on the bank, they
-began to eat them raw. Skahnowa saw these men eating fish, so he came
-near and asked: “What are you doing? You are stealing my fish.” “Oh,
-no!” replied the men; “this lake does not belong to you.” “Well, to
-whom does it belong?” asked Skahnowa. “It belongs to the Controlling
-Power,” was the reply. “No, the man who owns this lake has ordered me
-to watch it,” said Skahnowa. “What is his name?” he was asked. “His
-name is Doonongaes,” he replied. “Well,” said the two men, “Doonongaes
-was killed some time ago.” “Are you sure of that,” asked Skahnowa.
-“Yes; we have just come from the spot where his body is,” they said.
-“Where is that?” asked Skahnowa. “At Broken Land, where the laughing
-man lives. You know where that is,” they said. “Oh, yes,” answered
-Skahnowa; “I will go and see. If he is dead, I suppose I shall get
-possession of this lake and own it myself.” “Take the trail we came
-on,” said the men. Then they went their way, while Skahnowa took the
-trail along which they had come.
-
-The two men searched Doonongaes’s lodge, but for a long time they could
-find nothing. At last they found in the smoke hole the pouch they
-wanted. They took it out with them, and running very fast, they
-overtook Skahnowa when he was almost at Broken Land. The three went on
-together and in time came to the place where Doonongaes lay. Skahnowa,
-looking at the remains, said, “It is true that he is dead, and yet he
-thought no man could kill him, so greatly did he esteem himself.” The
-two men delivered the pouch, and then sat down, waiting for the others
-to come.
-
-The two men who went to their grandfather arrived at the place they
-thought was the end of the earth, whereupon one of them said: “We are
-here. Now how are we to find where our grandfather lives?” The other
-answered, “I wonder if this is really the place?” They went along the
-edge of the water, which was only a small lake, not the end of the
-earth. Keeping on, at length they went around the lake. Seeing their
-own tracks ahead, they said: “The other two men have passed here. Let
-us go this way.” After going around again, they said: “Two more men
-have come up. Now let us hurry and overtake them.” The two had not gone
-far when one of them fell down with a great cry, saying: “I can not go
-any farther. There is something in my foot. You finish the journey
-alone. On the way back you can stop for me.” “Very well,” said the
-other. On running around the lake still again, he said, “There are six
-men running; now I will do the best I can. Why! there is a man sitting
-ahead on the bank. Well, I thought I would overtake those people soon.”
-The man who was sitting down, on turning to see who was running up, saw
-his friend. The runner said to himself, “Why, it looks like my friend
-who hurt his foot.” On coming to him, he asked, “What are you doing
-here?” “I am resting; my foot is nearly well now, and I will start at
-once. Did you go around and come back?” he asked. “Oh, no! I was on the
-trail all the time,” came the reply. They set out together. One said:
-“This must be a small lake. When we come to the other end we will go on
-in a straight line.”
-
-They now watched the sun, and when it was at the other end of the lake,
-they took their course from it, and then traveled a long time straight
-ahead. Again they reached the limit of the land. Once more they said:
-“It seems that we have come to the end of the earth. Let us look for
-our grandfather’s lodge.” They saw an opening or clearing, and on the
-farther side smoke arising. They found a lodge there, and on looking in
-saw an old man, at which they said one to the other, “I wonder whether
-that is our grandfather.” While they were looking, the old man,
-straightening himself up, called out: “Come in, grandsons. Why do you
-stay outside?” They looked at each other, saying, “How did he see us,
-for his back is toward us?” Going around the lodge, they entered. The
-old man said, “You have a message, otherwise you would not have come;
-but let me get my pipe first.” [151] Taking his pipe and beginning to
-smoke, he said, “Now I am ready.” “Well,” said the two men, “our people
-are assembled in an important condoling council, and they said to us:
-‘Go to our grandfather; tell him that our chief has fallen and that we
-want to make him alive again.’” “Very well,” replied the old man, who
-was one of the Ganos (Spring-frog people); “you have come on a very
-important errand and I will give you something that will be of great
-use to you, in fact the only thing that can bring your chief to life
-again.” Going into a hole in the ground, the old man returned with a
-white flint in the form of a canoe, about as long as a finger. In one
-end of this white flint canoe was some black paint and in the other end
-was a powder—a medicine of some mysterious kind. The old man said:
-“When you go to use what I give you now, color your faces with this
-paint, then paint your dead chief’s face with it also; and after that,
-put this powder on the edges of the wound and wash his face with cold
-water. Then blow on him and he shall come to life. When he opens his
-eyes, put this powder into water and give it to him to drink.” Hurrying
-off in the boat, they arrived at Broken Land without delay. They said:
-“We were hindered by the lake.152 We kept going around it.” The new
-chief replied, “People seldom get away from that lake, which is called
-Ganigonhadontha Ganiodae152 (the delirium-making lake); it puts men out
-of their minds.”
-
-The people now waited for the next two men. Those two went ahead till
-they came to an opening lengthwise in the trail. On looking around,
-they could see people sitting here and there. One of the men said: “I
-wonder what they are doing. Are they watching and guarding the opening?
-We must pass.” They passed by unharmed and traveled till night, when
-they came to a hollow tree lying on the ground. They crawled into this
-and had been there only a short time when some one rapped and said,
-“Well, are you here for the night?” One answered, “Yes; we are.” “What
-would you do if the Ganiagwaihegowa should come?” was asked them. “Oh!
-we should like it; we should play tag and have a good time,” they
-replied. Soon they heard a voice saying: “Come out as quickly as you
-can. I have come to help you, for this is a very dangerous spot. The
-magic power (orenda) of the man you are looking for extends to this
-place, and he has a great many other places under his control. You must
-follow me, or you will not live through the night.” They went with the
-owner of the voice, seeming to rise in the air as they journeyed. After
-a while the guide said, “Stop here and see what would have happened to
-you if you had stayed in the tree.” As they looked back, they saw
-Ganiagwaihegowa [153] tear the tree into bits, which flew around in
-every direction. Ganiagwaihegowa looked for the men, saying: “He who
-notified me said that two men were here. He always disappoints me, but
-if he does this once more, I will cut his head off.” Then
-Ganiagwaihegowa went away. The guide said, “Ganiagwaihegowa has gone
-home, and you are now safe.”
-
-They spent the night in another hollow tree. The next morning they
-hurried on and at midday came to the place where the rocks were
-high—the highest rocks in the whole world—on the summit of which lived
-the old man. As they stood at the foot and looked up, they said, “How
-is it possible to get up where that old man lives?” but they went. They
-searched until they found a ledge that seemed to ascend in a spiral;
-this they began to climb, one ahead of the other. Sometimes they
-slipped, almost falling off. At length the man ahead slipped on a round
-stone, and over he went, striking on the rocks as he fell and going
-down out of sight. “Well,” thought the other man, “my friend is dead;”
-thereupon he kicked the round stone from the ledge. In falling it
-struck the fallen man, who was just regaining consciousness, on the top
-of his head, killing him.
-
-The man above went on until he reached the top of the rocks. At the
-lodge of the old man, whose name was Hasʻhonyot (i.e., “his back is
-turned”), of the Odjieqdah [154] (Crayfish or Lobster) people, he stood
-a while, thinking, “this man is at home, I suppose.” Looking down among
-the rocks, he said, “See where I would fall if he were to kill me.”
-Peeping into the lodge, he said: “Sure enough, he is at home; he is
-looking toward me and must have been looking at me ever since I came
-up. I wonder where that thing is for which I have come. I wonder
-whether that is it hanging up there. How shall I manage to get inside?
-Perhaps I would better turn the lodge over and let it fall among the
-rocks.” He overturned the lodge—down it went over the precipice,
-whereupon he thought: “What will happen when it strikes? I will go and
-see. I have overturned the lodge of the most magically powerful person
-in the world, and did not have much trouble in doing so.” When the man
-got halfway down he slipped. The farther he fell the faster he went. At
-last, slipping over the edge of the rocks, he fell till he struck on
-the topmost limbs of a great hickory tree; the limbs threw him upward,
-so that he landed on a ledge on the side of the precipice. Not knowing
-how to get down, he said: “I must die anyhow. I may as well jump.” So
-jumping off, he came down the same hickory tree, to the branches of
-which he clung; then he slipped to the ground, where he found his
-friend’s body with the skull crushed. “I think it was I who killed him
-by kicking off that round stone,” he said; “well, I could not help it.”
-
-The old man’s lodge stood all right on level land. He peeped into
-it—there sat the old man. “This is dismal. I will burn the lodge,” said
-he; so he piled up sticks until he had it covered, whereupon he set
-fire to it. After the fire was well started, the old man said: “It is
-getting rather hot here. I wonder what is the matter. Perhaps
-Sʻhodieonskon [155] is playing tricks with me. It seems there is fire;
-it feels like that. I wonder whether he is burning my lodge?” After a
-while, hearing the noise of burning timbers, he was sure that there was
-fire. “Very well,” said he; “if that is the case, I will call on
-Hasdeaundyetʻha.”156 Then, taking native Indian tobacco out of a basket
-made of corn husks, he began to burn the tobacco and to call on
-Hasdeaundyetʻha, saying, “I ask you to make it rain so hard that the
-rain shall put out every spark of fire around my lodge.” The moment he
-finished speaking rain began to fall. It rained so hard that the man
-outside had to run for safety. In a few moments the sky cleared off,
-the fire was out, and no traces of rain were left.
-
-“I wonder how things are where I set the fire,” thought the messenger.
-On returning to the place he found everything quiet—no fire; all in
-order. “Pshaw! what can I do?” said he; “I might take the lodge along,
-as it is not very heavy.” Picking it up and putting it on top of his
-head, he started for Broken Land. Traveling with great speed, he soon
-came near to his destination; but before coming in sight of it, taking
-the lodge off his head, he said, “I will leave it here and let the new
-chief say what shall be done with it.” After setting it down, he went
-to Broken Land. “You have come, but where is your companion?” asked the
-chief. “He fell from the rocks and was killed,” he replied. “Did you
-bring what you went for?” he was asked. “Yes,” he answered. “Where is
-it?” was the next question. “Not far from here, and I want you to say
-what shall be done with it.” The chief replied, “Well, let us all go
-there.” Thereupon all went to the spot where Hasʻhonyot’s lodge was
-left. The chief said, “You stay outside while I go into the lodge.”
-When inside he looked at the old man, who sat there smoking with his
-head down. The chief thought “He is a very magically powerful man; he
-could kill me in a moment if he liked;” then he said, “My friend, I
-have come to your lodge.” The old man kept on smoking, not seeming to
-hear. The chief called again louder, when the old man said, “It seems
-as though someone is talking.” Then scooping the matter out of one of
-his eyes with half of a clamshell, he threw it away; then he cleaned
-the other eye in the same way. Having done this, he looked up, and,
-seeing the man, said: “What are you standing there for? Go out! I do
-not want you in my lodge. I live on the top of these rocks so as to be
-alone,” said the old man. “I came out here,” answered the other, “in a
-friendly way. Come out, look around, and see where you live.” On going
-out and looking around, Hasʻhonyot saw that he was in a level country
-and that many people lived about him, and he wondered how he got there.
-“Did I bring it,” thought he, “from where the wind blows, or not? I
-wonder whether my lodge was moving when my head was moving and bumping
-here and there.” “Well,” he finally said to the chief, “what do you
-want?” “I came,” replied the chief, “to see whether you would lend us
-that thing which has so great and wonderful magic power?” “What do you
-want it for?” the old man asked. “Our chief has been overpowered and
-killed. We want to bring him to life,” said the chief. “I can bring him
-to life,” said Hasʻhonyot, “in a very short time.” “How shall we pay
-you?” the chief asked. “Find two of your best-looking women and send
-them to me. I ask no more,” he replied. “I will talk with my friends,”
-answered the chief.
-
-Thereupon the chief went out and told his people what the old man said.
-They talked together a good while, saying: “The most beautiful women
-are married; how can they be given away? Perhaps we should never see
-them again?” At last the people said: “Let them go. If their husbands
-are angry, we will settle with them.” They told the women that the old
-man would have control of them thenceforth. The women said: “We all
-want to have the chief come back to life. We must consent. Perhaps it
-will turn out to be all right.” The chief went back to Hasʻhonyot and
-said: “All is settled. The women are willing.” “Bring them here, then,”
-said the old man. The women were brought to him. Now Hasʻhonyot had
-five bloodsuckers as attendants, and he said to them: “Tie these women.
-Do not let them go farther away than your own length.” The old man
-carried these bloodsuckers under his tail. They fastened on the women
-at once, but still held to Hasʻhonyot’s back. “All right now,” said
-Hasʻhonyot; “your chief will be alive tomorrow, but in the meanwhile I
-do not want any of your people around here.” The people dispersed, but
-stayed around at a safe distance to see whether the chief would come to
-life. During the night the old man went to the spot where the body of
-Doonongaes lay, and as the women were tied to him, they had to
-accompany him. He said, “There is no need of bringing this
-terrible-looking man to life.” Nevertheless he went to work, cleaning
-and washing the wound and putting upon it a certain weed pounded soft.
-Then reaching down for water, he poured it on the mouth of the corpse
-(there was no water near by, and the women never knew where he got it);
-then he blew into Doonongaes’s mouth and talked to him (the women could
-not understand what he said). Having done this, he built a small fire
-and told one of the women to run to the lodge and get what was under
-his couch. As she ran along the bloodsucker stretched out, but as soon
-as she picked up the bark basket of tobacco and started back, the
-bloodsucker began to contract. Hasʻhonyot took the tobacco and burned
-it, saying, “I burn this to you, the Complete Power,[157] and ask you
-to bring this man to life.” Then he sang, “Onen dondaʹwe né diiohegoⁿ
-(what keeps alive is coming back here).” When he had finished singing
-he sat a good while watching. Doonongaes did not come to life then. The
-old man sent the woman again for tobacco, which he burned, repeating
-the same words. Then he sang, Onen sagaion ne honhehgon, da onen
-denshadat hehioendjade.158 When he had finished singing he blew into
-the mouth of the dead man,159 who thereupon came to life. “You are well
-now,” said the old man. Doonongaes did not speak. Again the old man
-said, “You are well now.” Then Doonongaes answered, “I believe I am
-well.” Hasʻhonyot said: “I will go home. You stay here until your
-people come in the morning.” Hasʻhonyot went home, and the women went
-to bed with him.
-
-The next morning the people came to Doonongaes and found him alive.
-They were very glad. “How did you bring me back to life?” he asked. “We
-sent a man to Hasʻhonyot’s lodge and he brought back the lodge and the
-old man, who promised to restore you to life if we would give him the
-two most beautiful women of our people. Therefore we gave them to him.”
-“That was not right,” said Doonongaes; “I will kill that old man.” The
-people said: “Do what you like. You are alive now, and we will go
-home.”
-
-Going to the old man’s lodge, Doonongaes cried out, “Hallo, old man!
-what are you going to do with these women—keep them for life?” “Of
-course I will; they are mine now,” Hasʻhonyot replied. “I wish you
-would let them go,” said Doonongaes; “why should you keep them?” “I got
-them as pay for bringing you to life,” was the answer. “No matter; you
-must give them up,” replied Doonongaes. “Oh, no,” replied Hasʻhonyot.
-“You must,” said Doonongaes. “Well, then you must get out of my lodge,”
-retorted the old man. “No, I will not go until you free the women,”
-answered Doonongaes. Hasʻhonyot rejoined: “You must go at once; if you
-do not I will kill you. I did not think you would annoy me, if I
-brought you to life.” “Well, why did you bring me back to life?” asked
-Doonongaes. “Go out of here,” said Hasʻhonyot. “I will not go. I want
-those women,” said Doonongaes. The old man, springing up, drew his
-flint knife. “Now, I say you must go,” said he. Doonongaes, drawing
-back slightly, thought, “Pshaw! what a coward I am! I can play tricks
-on the old man.” Going outside, he put his horns under the lodge—up it
-flew in the air and then fell to the ground. (The lodge was of
-stone.[160]) “Very well,” said the old man, “I will kill you.” So he
-went out. “What are you doing?” he asked; “I think you are trying to
-throw my lodge over. Do you want me to cut your head off again? I can
-do it very easily,” he added. “All I want,” replied Doonongaes, “is
-that you release the women.” “I will not release them,” declared
-Hasʻhonyot. “You must,” said Doonongaes, and taking a reed, called
-owl’s arrow, he hit him on the back; the blow glanced off without
-hurting the old man a bit. Again Doonongaes asked, “Will you let me
-have the women?” “No,” exclaimed Hasʻhonyot. “Well, I am going over
-there a short distance. I will come back soon,” said Doonongaes.
-
-Going into the lodge, Hasʻhonyot asked his attendants, the
-bloodsuckers: “What shall we do? I think he intends to kill us. Do you
-think he can do it?” “Yes; we think he has gone for help,” they
-rejoined. Doonongaes had gone to find the Djihonsdonqgwen [161] people.
-He came to the place in which they all lived, one great lodge—a mound
-lodge. Peeping in, he saw a great many people walking around.
-Immediately one spoke to the others, saying, “Hurry up! we have some
-game here.” Straightway there were great confusion and crowding and
-rushing to and fro. There seemed to be rooms all over this immense
-lodge, above and below and on every side. Entering, Doonongaes said:
-“Let us have peace. I came here to lead to a work which you will like;
-I know you will. I have come to hire you to kill a man over there.”
-They said to one another, “Let us get ready to go.” Their chief lived
-on a hill near by, but they did not notify him. Doonongaes led them to
-Hasʻhonyot’s lodge, saying, “I want you to kill this old man, but do
-not harm the women.” A great many went into the lodge, filling it, and
-there was a vast crowd outside. Some time passed, and then Doonongaes
-heard the old man scream and saw him run out. When outside the crowd
-around the lodge caught him. They released the women. They hurried
-home, accompanied by Doonongaes, who left the Djihonsdonqgwen to fight
-with the old man until they thought he was dead. When the women reached
-home they said, “We are now the wives of our great chief, Doonongaes.”
-“Thank you, my daughters,” said their mother; “he has saved you, and it
-is right that you should live with him.” So Doonongaes went to the
-lodge of the two women and did not return to Ganyodaes.
-
-After a long time had passed both women had children, and he continued
-to live with them until one day he said, “I am going to the place where
-my friend, Hasʻhonyot, used to live on the high rocks.” When he reached
-the foot of the rocks, he saw something lying on the ground, whereupon
-he said, “He looks like some of our people.” It was the man who had
-fallen over the precipice while climbing up to Hasʻhonyot’s lodge. At
-last Doonongaes, having found the ledge on which the men had climbed,
-reached the summit where the lodge had been; there he saw the
-footprints of the man who had overturned it. On looking around, he
-could see to the end of the earth,[162] in all directions. He looked
-toward the west. Seeing far off a man killing people, he exclaimed,
-“Pshaw, that man is a fool!” Descending the cliff, he hurried to the
-place, where he found a great many people. To the man who was killing
-them, he said, “What are you doing?” “Oh! I am guarding the land under
-my control,” was the reply. “Yes. What is your name?” asked Doonongaes.
-“My name is Tsodiqgwadon,”163 was his answer. “You and I belong to the
-same people, then,” said Doonongaes; “we will therefore decide the
-matter of supremacy164 in this way: Whichever one of us has the orenda
-(magic power) to command the great rocks of the cliff on the south side
-of this village to fall, shall own this place.” Then Doonongaes said,
-“Let the rocks fall and fall this way.” He had barely spoken when the
-rocks began to fall toward him. “Only half the rocks have fallen,” said
-Tsodiqgwadon. “Now command them to go back to their places.” It was
-done. Now it was the turn of Tsodiqgwadon. He said, “I command every
-rock of the cliff to fall,” and every stone fell with a great noise,
-only a mound of earth remaining where the cliff had just stood. Then
-Doonongaes said: “You have won. You have more orenda than I have. You
-are more magically powerful than I. I can do nothing more. Now, tell me
-what I can do to satisfy you.”165 Tsodiqgwadon said, “I want you to let
-women alone. Every woman living is mine.” Going home to his wives,
-Doonongaes said to them, “You are not mine any longer.” “Why not,” they
-asked; “have you sold us, or have you been beaten in a game in which
-you wagered us?” “No; I met a man who claimed you,” he replied. “Who is
-he?” they persisted. “Tsodiqgwadon!” exclaimed Doonongaes. “We do not
-know him; how can we be his wives?” they asked. “Well, that is what he
-said. I did all I could but he magically overpowered me. Now, I will go
-to my old home, where I shall be better off,” answered Doonongaes.
-
-Thereupon Doonongaes went to Ganyodaes and, after seeing that all was
-in order, he began to cook. When he had finished he heard footsteps. A
-man kicked at the door, and in came his servant, Skahnowa, who said:
-“What are you doing in my lodge?” “How came this lodge to belong to
-you?” asked Doonongaes. “Get out of here!” said Skahnowa; “I do not
-want you.” “I wish,” said Doonongaes, “you would tell me by what right
-you claim this lodge.” “My master, the former owner, was killed, and I
-took possession of it after his death,” replied Skahnowa. “Ah! that is
-it. Do you not know me? I have come back,” said Doonongaes. “You
-Doonongaes? No; I am sure my master was killed and that his body has
-decayed by this time,” said Skahnowa. “No; it is I. I have come to
-life,” answered Doonongaes. For a time Skahnowa was silent; at last he
-said: “We will test this matter. Go to my lodge and bring the hind
-quarter of a bear.” “Very well,” replied Doonongaes, and he started,
-disappearing in the water of the lake. Coming out at a distance from
-the lodge, he killed a bear and, without having gone to Skahnowa’s
-lodge, brought a hind quarter. Skahnowa said: “You went quickly. Did
-you bring what I sent you for?” “Yes. Here it is,” replied Doonongaes.
-“This is fresh. All the bear meat I had home was roasted. You are not
-Doonongaes. Go out of this lodge,” said Skahnowa. Beginning to cry,
-Doonongaes went out. Skahnowa then started on his round of the lake.
-Doonongaes had not gone far when he said, “What a coward I am! It would
-be stupid of me to give up my lodge.” He went back but did not find
-Skahnowa there, so he took possession. The next day at noon Skahnowa
-returned just as Doonongaes was ready to eat. “What are you here for?”
-asked Skahnowa. “I told you to go away.” “Why should I give up my
-lodge?” asked Doonongaes. “If you do not go away, I will beat you,”
-said Skahnowa. They began to quarrel, and then, going outside, began to
-fight, moving along the lake. They fought the rest of the day and all
-night. The next morning Skahnowa said: “This is a hard task. It may be
-that he is my master. The only thing that makes me doubt it is that he
-did not do what I asked him to do. He did not go to my lodge.” Finally
-he said to Doonongaes: “Let us give up fighting.” “No,” replied
-Doonongaes, “let us have it out. A man has to be killed, one way or
-another.” “Very well,” said Skahnowa, so they fought again in good
-earnest. Being of equal magical strength, they fought day and night for
-one month.[166] Then Skahnowa said: “We would better stop fighting. I
-think neither of us can conquer.” “Yes,” replied Doonongaes, “it is
-useless to fight longer; but I want you to promise not to order me out
-of my own lodge again.” “Very well,” answered Skahnowa, “you may keep
-the lodge; the owner of it was killed long ago.” Doonongaes asked: “Do
-you not really know me?” “I know my master is dead,” said Skahnowa.
-
-Doonongaes now went back to the lodge, thinking: “How can I get
-possession of my lake? I must manage to control it again.” The next
-night as he lay thinking, he fell asleep and had a dream, and in the
-dream a man said: “I have come to say that you have been fighting with
-your servant Skahnowa. We people of orenda, or magic power,[167] know
-immediately what is going on. All the people of magic power are stirred
-up now, and if you wish to live, you must go to Tsodiqgwadon. All these
-people fear him. You must get up and go now, for these people will be
-here exactly as the sun comes up in the east. Start immediately, and
-try to be there before daylight.” Doonongaes was astonished at his
-dream, but said, “I want to live, so I will go.” Starting about
-midnight, and going to his wives, he slept with them. Then he arose
-very early in the morning and journeyed on. He found Tsodiqgwadon at
-the same place where he had seen him killing people. He had barely sat
-down when a man, kicking aside the door flap, asked: “Have you seen
-Doonongaes?” “What do you want of him?” asked Tsodiqgwadon. “We want to
-have a trial of our orenda, or magical strength,” came the answer.
-“Yes; I have seen him, but it was a good while ago,” said Tsodiqgwadon.
-“There are fresh tracks coming here. Why do you try to hide him?” said
-the stranger. “I am not trying to hide him, and do you go out of my
-lodge,” replied Tsodiqgwadon. “I want to see Doonongaes,” said the
-other. “Have I not said that I have not seen him? Do you understand
-me?” declared Tsodiqgwadon. “Well, I did not come with any evil
-intent,” said the other. “But why do you insist, when I tell you I have
-not seen him?” retorted Tsodiqgwadon. “But the tracks made by him are
-fresh,” was the other’s reply. “Pshaw,” said Tsodiqgwadon, “do you not
-know what kind of man I am?” The visitor, who was a Dagwanoenyent,168
-ran out, screaming: “Oh! do not touch me. I do not want to fight.”
-“Well, if you do not, then go home,” said Tsodiqgwadon. The man then
-started for home.
-
-This man was barely out of sight when they heard a second man coming.
-Kicking aside the door flap and jumping in, he inquired for Doonongaes,
-saying, “I will eat him should I find him.” This was Niagwaihe.[169]
-Tsodiqgwadon said, “I have not seen him.” “That is always the way with
-this man,” muttered the other; “he is always hiding bad people. How
-comes it otherwise that his tracks are here?” “I have not seen him.
-What do you come for? I do not want you in my lodge,” declared
-Tsodiqgwadon. “Why do you hide Doonongaes?” rejoined Niagwaihe. “I told
-you I have not seen him,” said Tsodiqgwadon. “His fresh trail comes in
-at your door,” replied the other. “Well, perhaps he came in and went
-off another way,” said Tsodiqgwadon. The man went out to look; then,
-coming back, he said, “No; it is as I told you; his trail comes in
-here.” “Do you want to fight him?” asked Tsodiqgwadon. “No; I merely
-came to see him,” was the reply. “If you do not go away I will kill
-you,” said Tsodiqgwadon. “You know what sort of person I am; the best
-way for you and me is to have it out.” Tsodiqgwadon then went outside,
-whereupon Niagwaihe screamed: “Do not beat me. I did not come with any
-ill feeling.” “Well, go home or I will fight you,” said Tsodiqgwadon.
-Niagwaihe disappeared. “Now,” said Tsodiqgwadon to Doonongaes, who was
-standing just behind him, “come out of your hiding place.”
-
-They had barely sat down in the lodge when footsteps were heard again
-and Djainosgowa [170] rushed into the lodge, saying, “Yes; this is the
-man for whom I have come.” Seizing Doonongaes by the hair he pulled him
-out of doors. Tsodiqgwadon followed them. When outside he saw
-Djainosgowa walking off with Doonongaes on his shoulder. “He has taken
-away my friend, who came to live with me. Never mind,” said
-Tsodiqgwadon to himself, going back into the lodge and beginning to
-smoke. Then he thought: “Perhaps I would better go to help him. They
-may kill him.” So, following Djainosgowa’s trail, he found him sitting
-down talking with Doonongaes, and asking, “How did you come to think
-that you have orenda? Why did you want to kill your servant?”
-Tsodiqgwadon listened. Doonongaes answered, “Let us have peace. Why
-should we fight?” “No,” replied Djainosgowa; “I am going to try your
-strength in orenda.” Tsodiqgwadon was there, but had made himself
-invisible to them. All at once Tsodiqgwadon seized Doonongaes and,
-putting him on his back, said, “Let us go home. What is the use of
-being here?”
-
-After Tsodiqgwadon had gone a few steps Djainosgowa found, on looking
-around, that Doonongaes had disappeared. He searched everywhere for
-him. At last he said, “Pshaw! I think Tsodiqgwadon took him away,”
-whereupon he started back. When Tsodiqgwadon reached home, he said to
-Doonongaes, “We will sit right down here. Djainosgowa will be back
-soon.” Almost immediately Djainosgowa came in and asked, “Have you seen
-Doonongaes?” “No; you jerked him out of my lodge. That is the last I
-have seen of him,” declared Tsodiqgwadon. Djainosgowa said, “I believe
-you are playing tricks on me. Where did you leave him?” “Why do you
-accuse me? Go home! I am tired of you,” said Tsodiqgwadon. “I want to
-see Doonongaes,” replied Djainosgowa. “Go out of here!” exclaimed
-Tsodiqgwadon. “I will not go until I am satisfied,” persisted the
-visitor. “I tell you to go. Can you not understand?” said Tsodiqgwadon,
-getting up and going toward Djainosgowa, who jumped out of the lodge,
-saying, “Oh! do not be angry. I did not come with any bad feelings.”
-“Go home,” replied Tsodiqgwadon, “or I will beat you.” Djainosgowa had
-to go, for he was conquered by superior orenda. Then Tsodiqgwadon said
-to Doonongaes, “What have you done to all these people that they come
-here after you?” “I had fought with Skahnowa, who had taken my lodge,”
-replied Doonongaes. “We fought for one month, and because we fought so
-long all the people having magic power around the world are excited;
-that is all.” “Let us go to your lodge,” said Tsodiqgwadon. “I should
-like to see your servant who is so powerful in orenda.”
-
-Thereupon they went directly to the place. Skahnowa was on his daily
-rounds. “Where has he gone?” asked Tsodiqgwadon. “Oh! he has gone
-around the lake. He will be here soon,” said Doonongaes, who began to
-cook. Just as they were sitting down to eat, they heard footsteps, and
-a man sprang into the lodge, calling out, “What are you doing in here?
-Go out!” “Oh! be quiet,” said Tsodiqgwadon. “Well, what right have you
-in my lodge?” answered Skahnowa. “Be reasonable,” said Tsodiqgwadon.
-Skahnowa dropped his head; then, raising it again, he asked: “What are
-you doing? Are you on some errand of importance?” “We have come to see
-what you have been doing with your master,” replied Tsodiqgwadon. “It
-is a great annoyance to have people come to try the strength of
-Doonongaes since your fight with him took place.” “Is that man there my
-master?” asked Skahnowa. “Yes; he is,” replied Tsodiqgwadon. “How came
-he to be alive again?” Skahnowa asked. “That is nothing strange among
-us people of great magic power—persons who are possessed of potent
-orenda. We die and become alive again;[171] that is the way it was with
-Doonongaes,” said Tsodiqgwadon. “Now I understand,” said Skahnowa. “I
-will not quarrel with him; he can have his own lodge. I will never
-trouble him again.” Tsodiqgwadon said to Doonongaes, “Let us go.”
-
-So they went along the lake shore and were soon at home. The ground
-about was covered with tracks. Everything had been eaten; not a scrap
-was left. “What are you going to do now?” asked Tsodiqgwadon. “The best
-I can do,” said Doonongaes, “is to go home with you and you can give me
-a couple of women to live with. Skahnowa will forget his promise and
-will attack me if I stay here.” “Very well; come along and I will take
-you to a woman,” Tsodiqgwadon said, so he brought him to a filthy,
-ugly-looking creature of the Hanondon [172] people. “Here is a woman—I
-want you to stay with her,” said Tsodiqgwadon. Doonongaes replied, “I
-want another.” “Well, let us go on a little farther,” declared
-Tsodiqgwadon. They soon came to a lodge in which was a woman of the
-Hawiqson(t)173 people, dirty, and so badly deformed that one of her
-feet was on her forehead. “Well,” said Doonongaes, “I suppose I shall
-have to live with these women. You are the ruler here.”
-
-Tsodiqgwadon left him. Night came and Doonongaes hung his head, saying:
-“I think my friend Tsodiqgwadon has treated me badly. I will not stay
-with these women. I will go away.” He traveled all that night and the
-next day; he traveled southward 10 whole days and nights. When 10 days
-had passed Tsodiqgwadon went to the place where the women, Hanondon and
-Hawiqson(t), lived, saying, “I will see how my friend Doonongaes is
-getting on.” He asked the women, “Is Doonongaes at home?” “No,” they
-replied. “Where has he gone?” asked Tsodiqgwadon. “We do not know,”
-said they, “he did not stay here; he went off the first night you left
-him.” “Pshaw! let him go,” said he, and Tsodiqgwadon went home.
-
-At the end of 10 days Doonongaes came to a large village in which all
-the people wore feather headdresses. The chief of the village,
-Gasaisdowanen,[174] asked Doonongaes, “What did you come here for?” “To
-make a visit,” replied Doonongaes. “Who will take this man to his
-lodge?” asked the chief. “He may go with me,” called out one man, so
-Doonongaes lived with him. After a few days news came to the chief that
-the people from the far west were going to make war on him; then a
-challenge came. The chief asked his people to volunteer to fight the
-western people. In two days he had 500 volunteers, among whom was
-Doonongaes. They started, women going with them until the night of the
-first day. The next morning when the warriors went on the women
-returned to their homes. The warriors continued their journey until
-they began to see signs of danger and to hear war whoops here and there
-in the distance. When they stopped for the night the chief said, “Let
-one man be on guard all night.” Doonongaes volunteered to do this
-sentinel duty. He kept the fires burning and watched. About midnight he
-heard a great war whoop and, saying to himself, “I do not want to die,”
-he ran off. The western people, who were Dagwanoenyents, came to the
-spot where the people were asleep and killed and scalped every one of
-them. After getting away to a safe distance Doonongaes lay down and
-slept. In the morning he said, “I will go and see what has happened to
-my friends.” He found them all dead and scalped, whereupon he thought,
-“I will go to the wives of these men and take them all.”
-
-When Doonongaes returned to the village he called the women together,
-and said, “I wish to tell you that your husbands are killed, and that I
-will marry all of you.” After talking the matter over all the women
-except one were finally willing to accept the proposal. Doonongaes
-said, “Very well; I will settle with the unwilling one.” He stayed one
-night at each woman’s lodge. When he came to the unwilling one he said,
-“If you do not marry me, I will cut your head off.” “Well,” she
-answered, “you will have to overpower me first.” She was a great woman;
-her name was Diagoisiowanens.[175] Doonongaes continued, “I am
-magically the most powerful man in the world,” referring to his orenda,
-or magic power. “Well, you must try me,” said she. Thereupon he went
-out, saying, “I will be ready in the afternoon,” but he never returned.
-
-Going southward, Doonongaes traveled until evening. That night he spent
-in a hollow tree. He went on for eight days. The ninth night he said,
-“Diagoisiowanens thought she could overpower me, but I am too far off
-now.” He was just going to sleep when he heard someone walking on the
-leaves who, coming to the opening of his camp, said: “Doonongaes, are
-you here? What would you do if Hononeowanen [176] should come here?”
-“Oh! I should like it,” answered Doonongaes. The man went off, as it
-seemed, and soon a great noise of falling trees was heard—a terrible
-noise—the earth was torn up on every side. When Hononeowanen reached
-the tree he said, “Come out!” Turning himself into a snake,177
-Doonongaes went out. When the other one saw him, he said, “Why, you are
-one of my people.” “Yes, I am the chief of our people, the most
-powerful person on earth,” was the reply of Doonongaes. “I think not,”
-said Hononeowanen. “Yes, I am. In the west lives a man of our kind,
-pretending to be the most powerful person magically in the whole world.
-I met and overpowered him (Doonongaes lied; he meant Tsodiqgwadon).
-“Well,” said Hononeowanen, “that man has more orenda than I, so if you
-have more orenda than he, I do not want to meddle with you, so I will
-go away.” So saying, he went off. Doonongaes stood a while thinking:
-“Why did Hononeowanen come over here? I suppose he forgot that I am
-second in magic power among my people. Well, I will go back to my
-wives, but there is no use in doing that, as Diagoisiowanens might kill
-me. I will go southward.”
-
-Doonongaes then walked two nights and days without sleep, until he came
-to a great plain on the eastern side of which there was smoke arising.
-Thereupon he turned himself into a man.[178] Soon he reached a village,
-but he saw no one, though smoke was rising from every lodge. Entering a
-lodge, he found a kettle full of meat over a good fire, but there was
-no one at home. Going around the village, he waited. Just at noon he
-thought, “I would better go again and see whether anyone has come
-back.” He found no one. “This is very mysterious,” said he. “I will go
-away—perhaps this is a place of the arts of sorcery.”
-
-Doonongaes next went westward. In the evening he saw another “opening”
-and smoke arising, as before. “If I do not find anyone here,” said he,
-“I will go back to the two women whom Tsodiqgwadon gave me.” He reached
-the place, where he had been but a short time when he saw coming toward
-him a splendid-looking man with great feathers on his head. This was
-Hostoyowanen,[179] the chief of the village. Doonongaes greeted him
-with, “Do you know the village off there in the east? Where have all
-the people gone?” “They are dead,” answered the man. “Niagwaihe has
-eaten them all. Tomorrow, perhaps, he will come here and destroy us.”
-“I should like to stay here a few days,” said Doonongaes. “Very well,”
-replied the chief, “tomorrow I will show you my village.” The next day
-they went all around. Doonongaes saw that the people had beautiful
-things—wampum, shells, and valuable skins; there were many people and
-lodges. After they had seen all the village, Hostoyowanen said: “Now,
-you must not stay any longer. I do not want you to die here. Run
-southward and you may be saved.” The chief went home and Doonongaes
-went southward. He ran fast, and when night came he slept in a hollow
-tree. The next morning he said, “I am going westward. I do not mind
-what that chief said.” Toward midday he was hungry. He said: “Oh! my
-neck is sore; it has been sore for a long time and feels as though
-something were in it. How can I cure it?” Having found a spring, he lay
-down to drink from it, but saw the reflection of someone in the water.
-“Oh! that looks like my wife, Hawiqson(t). Why is her face reflected in
-this water? I am far from her now. This is strange,” mused Doonongaes.
-Being frightened, he did not drink but, jumping up, he ran toward the
-south, forgetting which way he was going. He ran all night. Just at
-daylight he fell down from weakness. “Why,” thought he, “am I getting
-so heavy and weak? Is it because I am hungry?” He lay there and could
-not rise; he was too hungry, for he had not eaten anything for a whole
-year.180 He thought: “Well, there is no need of my standing up. I am a
-snake.” Changed from a man into a great snake, he went on, saying,
-“Well, I am traveling again.” At noon, coming to a village, he went
-into the last lodge, in which lived an old woman and her granddaughter,
-who were very poor. “I want to stay with you a few days,” said
-Doonongaes. “I have nothing to eat,” answered the old woman. “I want
-merely to sleep; I do not care for eating,” Doonongaes replied. “Then
-you may stay,” said the old woman. The next morning, before she was out
-of bed, Doonongaes asked, “Had you a family long ago?” “Yes,” she
-answered, “a long time ago I was married and had a large family, but
-only two are living now.” “Well,” said Doonongaes, “you must have kept
-a bow and arrows.” “Look around,” said the old woman to her
-granddaughter, “and see whether you can find a bow and arrows.” After
-hunting for them, at last she found a bow and arrows. Doonongaes
-straightened the arrows and strung the bow. Then he shot through the
-smoke hole, saying to the arrow, “Go for a large bear.” Soon they heard
-the sound of approaching footsteps and then of something falling in
-front of the door, at which the old woman said: “I think that man
-Dagadiye has come again, for he is always rushing through the village.
-He does not kill, but he chases our people.” Doonongaes laughed at her
-words. “Why do you laugh?” asked the old widow. “I laugh at what you
-say,” replied Doonongaes. “Well, what do you think the noise was?” she
-asked. “I do not know,” said Doonongaes. “Go and see.” Going to the
-door, she exclaimed, “Hwu! Hwu! There is a great bear here!” The old
-woman made a hole under the jaw of the bear and, putting her thumb into
-the incision, she tore off the skin. Then cutting open the body, she
-took out the intestines, after which she hung up the meat. Then she
-began to think: “Why did this bear come? Who sent it?” Finally she
-asked, “My grandson, can you tell me why this bear came?” Doonongaes
-said, laughing: “Did you not see me shoot? I told the arrow to bring a
-bear and the bear came.”
-
-Doonongaes staid there all day, while the grandmother cooked. The next
-morning he heard a noise. A messenger came in, saying: “I have come to
-notify you that the daughter of our chief, Deyenegonsdasden,[181] is to
-be married to the man who can shoot the black eagle perched on the top
-of a pole that reaches to the clouds; the shooting begins at midday.”
-Doonongaes said, “I can marry the chief’s daughter, for I can kill any
-one of the eagles, even when flying high.” He straightened his arrows
-and strung his bow as he lay by the fire. Looking through the smoke
-hole, he could see the eagle on the pole.182 At midday all the people
-were around the pole, when the chief said, “Now, do you begin.”
-Doonongaes saw through the smoke-hole how the arrows flew. Each man
-tried twice, but none of the arrows went near the target. He watched
-until night, and then the chief said, “Tomorrow we will try again.” The
-next morning Doonongaes said, “None of these men can kill that eagle.”
-Stringing his bow, he shot an arrow through the smoke-hole, which he
-saw go straight to the eagle and pierce it. The eagle fell, while the
-arrow transfixing it stuck into the ground, taking root so deep that no
-one was able to pull it out. Every man said, “I did it.” But the chief
-replied, “Then take the arrow out.” Each tried but could not draw out
-the arrow. Now Doonongaes said to the old woman’s granddaughter:183 “Go
-after my arrow. Somebody may break it.” She went to the place, saying,
-“A man at our lodge sent me to get his arrow.” Thereupon, taking hold
-of it, she pulled it out easily.
-
-“My daughter is married now,” said Deyenegonsdasden, so he sent two men
-for Doonongaes. They found him by the fire at the widow’s lodge. When
-they told him to come to the chief’s lodge, he asked, “Why does the
-chief send for me?” [184] “He wants you to marry his daughter, for you
-killed the black eagle on the top of the pole,” he was told, “Oh! I do
-not want any more wives. I have more than 100 now,” returned
-Doonongaes. They insisted, but he refused. On their return this was
-told to Deyenegonsdasden, who said, “Now let 8 or 10 of you go, and if
-he won’t come willingly, tie him and bring him here.” Going back, they
-said, “You must come.” “I will not,” replied Doonongaes; “I am not
-going there for nothing,” declared Doonongaes. “Well,” answered the
-men, “it is not for nothing. The chief wants you to marry his
-daughter.” “Is she good looking?” asked Doonongaes. “Oh, yes! she is
-very beautiful,” the men replied. “Well,” said Doonongaes, “it would be
-a shame for me to marry her; I am too nasty a man.” They tried hard to
-persuade him, but he would not go. Then they tried to tie him, but he
-hurled them away. Even after trying all day they could not bind him.
-When night came they said, “We might as well give up and go home.” When
-they went back they told the chief, “We can do nothing with him.” Then
-the chief said to his daughter, “You must go to him.” As her father
-told her that she must go, the girl went. She entered the old woman’s
-hut, but Doonongaes paid no attention to her. After a while she said,
-“I came to stay with you.” “Where do you live?” asked Doonongaes. “I
-live in the center185 of the village,” the girl replied. “Who is your
-father?” he asked. “The chief,” she said. “Oh! I will not marry you,”
-said Doonongaes. “Are you sure you will not marry me?” asked the girl.
-“Yes; I have too many wives,” he replied. “Are you married at home?
-Where do you live?” she inquired. The reply was: “Sixteen186 days’
-journey from here I have more than a hundred wives. Farther on I have
-two more.” “Where did you come from?” she continued. “I think you know
-the place,” he said; it is called Dedyosdenhon.”187 “Yes,” he replied,
-“I know where that place is; it is far away, near the end of the earth.
-I suppose you will not go back there. It is too far, and you will marry
-me.” “No, I am not looking for a wife here. Such people as you are188
-would not help me.” The beautiful girl began to cry. Doonongaes,
-looking at her, asked, “What is the matter?” Whereupon she cried harder
-and harder. Now Doonongaes himself began to cry. The old woman asked:
-“What is the matter? Why do you cry?” No answer. Then she herself began
-to cry. Her granddaughter, coming in and seeing that all were crying,
-began to get lonely and to cry, too. Now all were crying, and they
-cried louder and louder. Just as it became dark the chief heard the
-sound of crying, and sent men to find out where it was. They went
-through the whole village, but found no one crying. At last one said,
-“Let us go over to the old widow’s hut.” On nearing it they heard the
-sound of crying, so they returned to the chief and said, “The crying is
-at the lodge of the old widow, Deienensowanens.”189 Hearing this, the
-chief said: “My daughter is at that lodge. I must go over there.” When
-near, he, too, heard the sound of crying, at which his heart grew weak,
-and he thought to himself, “I can not go into that poor hut.” So he
-remained outside, and soon he also began to cry, and he cried until he
-forgot everything. When he came to his senses he was sitting at the
-side of the old widow, “Broad-Shoulders.” He did not know where he was.
-He was not crying, merely thinking why the others were crying. After a
-while he said, “Let us all be of good cheer and stop crying.” Now the
-old woman thought, “Who said that?” and, on looking up, she saw the
-chief of the village, whereupon she asked, “Why are you here? I never
-saw you near me before.” “I came to cheer you up,” he replied. “Very
-well,” said the widow, “but tell your daughter to stop crying. I
-thought it was the rule to cry, for when she got here she began to do
-so.” The chief said to his daughter: “Stop crying! It is not right for
-you to cry. If you do not stop, I will cut your head off.” Being
-afraid, she stopped. Doonongaes cried on as before until finally the
-old woman said, “My grandson, every one has stopped crying; so do not
-cry.” He paid no heed. The chief tried to stop him, but he cried the
-more, and continued to cry until morning. He was sitting on a block
-with his elbows on his knees and his head resting on the palms of his
-hands. In the morning his companions saw a great pile of wampum in
-front of him. All his tears were beautiful wampum. The chief asked:
-“What are those things? Are they not good for something?” “Yes,”
-replied Doonongaes, “if they are strung together. If a man is sad and
-cries, and a string of them is given to him, all will be well again.”
-Doonongaes had now stopped crying. The chief said, “I want you to be
-the chief of this place, and I will be the second, or vice, chief.”
-Doonongaes sat with drooping head for a while, after which, looking up,
-he said: “I do not want to be a chief. I am great enough now. I am
-known everywhere. I am second in magic power in the entire world—that
-is enough for me.” The chief asked, “Do you know who is first in magic
-power in this world?” “I do,” he replied. “Who is he?” was the next
-question. “Tsodiqgwadon, who lives at Dedyosdenhon,” he answered. “Very
-well,” said the chief, “I can say no more. I will go home, taking my
-daughter with me.” “Yes; go! I do not want you here,” Doonongaes added.
-
-The chief and his daughter then returned home, whereupon Doonongaes
-began to laugh. The old woman asked, “Why do you laugh?” “Oh! I am
-laughing at the chief, for his daughter very much wants to get
-married.” The old woman replied, “You would better stop laughing and
-appoint some one to marry her instead of yourself.” “Well, grandmother,
-you must go and find some poor man to marry her,” said Doonongaes.
-“Very well, grandson. I will go to a ‘Shabby Man’ who lives on the
-other side of the village and speak to him about it.” When she got to
-the place she said to the “Shabby Man,” “I have come to have you
-marry?” “Who would marry me? Nobody wants me,” said the man. “Oh, yes!
-I can find you a wife, a beautiful one, too,” was her answer. The
-“Shabby Man” said, “All right,” and went home with the old woman.
-Doonongaes asked: “Are you the man? Do you want to marry?” “Yes. I
-should like to marry, if anybody would have me,” replied the man.
-Doonongaes said to the widow’s granddaughter, “Go to the chief and say
-that Doonongaes will marry his daughter now.” So she told the chief
-what he said. “Very well,” he answered, sending his daughter to the old
-woman’s hut. Doonongaes asked her, “Do you want to marry me?” “Yes; for
-you killed the eagle,” she replied. “Would it please you if I should
-appoint a man to marry you?” Doonongaes added. “Yes,” was the girl’s
-answer. “This is the man I appoint,” declared Doonongaes. Turning to
-the “Shabby Man,” the girl said, “Come, we will go home to my father’s
-lodge.” At this the man laughed for gladness.
-
-Doonongaes spent a whole year with the old woman. One morning he said:
-“Now, I am going to the southern end of the earth. I want to know how
-things are there.” “Very well,” replied the grandmother. “Come in on
-your way back,” she said. “I will,” said Doonongaes. He left all the
-wampum with the old woman, for if he wanted any he had only to cry in
-order to get it. After traveling all day and all night, in the morning
-he came to a great opening in the woods. As he stood looking around the
-place, he saw some dark object in the west. Looking very sharply, he
-said: “What is that dark thing? Is some one watching?” He stood there a
-good while. Just at midday, seeing that the object was lying down, he
-thought: “What can that be? I must go there and see.” He ran thither as
-swiftly as he could, and on coming to a piece of smooth ground, there
-he found one of the Djainosgowa family. The one that had been standing
-up was the old man who guarded the opening; he was now lying down to
-sleep, for it was just midday. There were two old Djainosgowa persons
-and five children. Doonongaes, frightened, ran into the woods,
-thinking: “I must go home. I do not want these Djainos people to kill
-me.”
-
-So Doonongaes ran a whole month, day and night, until he reached the
-lodge of Tsodiqgwadon, whom he found sitting by the fire with his head
-hanging down. When he looked up and saw Doonongaes he said, “Oh, my
-friend! are you alive?” “Yes; I have been traveling,” said Doonongaes.
-“Why did you leave your two wives?” asked Tsodiqgwadon. “Oh! I do not
-think those women good enough for me; they are too ugly,” was his
-answer. “Why did you tell me you wanted them?” he was asked. “I did not
-want them. I wanted good-looking women,” he said. “Well, you can not
-have two beautiful women,” declared his questioner. Soon they heard a
-noise, at which Tsodiqgwadon said, “Sit down behind me.” A stranger,
-entering, asked, “Have you seen Doonongaes?” “I have not,” answered
-Tsodiqgwadon. “Well, I have tracked him to this lodge,” came the reply.
-“What of it? I have not seen him,” was the reply. “You must have hidden
-him,” persisted the stranger. “No; I tell you I have not seen him.” The
-stranger, who was Djainosgowa, and who had followed Doonongaes from the
-great opening, now said, “I must go home.” “You would better do so,”
-replied Tsodiqgwadon. As he started off, Tsodiqgwadon said to
-Doonongaes: “Come out here. I want you to go to the northern end of the
-earth and see how my father is getting on. He lives at the edge of the
-earth. Ask him if he will not come here. Tell him we are to have a
-great council at Broken Land. All the people of the world are to meet
-there.” “What is your father’s name?” asked Doonongaes. Tsodiqgwadon
-said, “Deanohdjes.[190] He is of the Geia191 people.”
-
-Doonongaes immediately started on the journey. He traveled day and
-night for a whole year,[192] but could not reach the northern end of
-the earth. One morning he said, “I do not believe I shall ever get to
-the place where Deanohdjes lives.” Sitting on a large stone he wondered
-what he should do. At last he thought, “Well, I must go on; if I do not
-Tsodiqgwadon may kill me, for he is greater in sorcery than I.” So he
-traveled on for another whole year. Then he thought again: “How much
-farther must I go? I am very far away from Hanging Rock.” (Tsodiqgwadon
-was so magically powerful that he caused Doonongaes to lose his course,
-and hence to go round and round without ever drawing nearer the place
-to which he was sent.) One morning Doonongaes heard a voice from some
-village near by. There sat Tsodiqgwadon, who turned, and, looking at
-him, asked, “Well, have you come back?” “Yes,” said Doonongaes. “Have
-you seen my father?” continued his questioner. “No; I could not find
-his lodge,” replied Doonongaes. “Well, you have been gone a long time.
-Where have you been?” said Tsodiqgwadon. To this Doonongaes rejoined:
-“I thought I was on my way north, and that I was a great distance from
-here, and I wanted to know how far I was from your father’s lodge.”
-Tsodiqgwadon began to laugh and to make sport of him, saying, “I want
-you to go straight ahead this time, not in a circle.”
-
-Doonongaes now set out the second time. He traveled northward for 10
-days and nights, when he came to a narrow opening which was so long
-that he could not see the farther end. This was called
-Nitgendasadieha.[193] He started to cross this opening. At night he
-slept soundly on the grass. The next morning he traveled on. He was
-10194 days in crossing this opening. Going on farther, he came to a
-second opening, through which he saw a lodge at the farther end.
-Peeping through the cracks in the wall, he saw sitting inside by the
-fire with his head down, smoking, an old man. The old man, who was of
-the Osigweon195 people, raising his head, said: “I smell a human being.
-My nephew must have come. Well, nephew, come in. Why do you stand
-outside?” Thereupon Doonongaes, thinking, “How did he know I was here?”
-went in. The old man continued: “I have been wishing for a long time
-that you would arrive, for I knew you were coming. Now, nephew, I have
-a game which I always play when anyone visits me—it is a foot race. We
-run from one end to the other of the narrow opening.” “I have nothing
-to bet,” replied Doonongaes. “Oh!” replied the old man, “bet your
-head.” “Very well,” said Doonongaes. “Wait a while,” said the old man;
-“I will tell you when I am ready,” and he went into another room.
-Doonongaes, making himself invisible, followed him. The old man had a
-bark canoe there, in which was a living thing that seemed to be without
-bones, being a mass of flesh about 2 feet long, in the shape of a
-lizard. As the old man rubbed his hand over it, a fluid resembling milk
-came out of the living object, with which the old man rubbed his hands
-and his whole body. Doonongaes also rubbed himself with the juice
-before going out. Then the contestants placed themselves at the end of
-the opening, whereupon the old man said, “I will start just as the sun
-comes to the middle of the sky.” They stood watching until the sun was
-exactly in the middle of the sky. Then they started. The old man,
-throwing out his arms, pushed Doonongaes far back. The latter,
-springing up, however, soon overtook the old man, and catching him by
-the neck, threw him back, saying, “That is what I do when I want to
-win.” They ran on until the middle of the afternoon, when they reached
-the other end of the opening. At sunset Doonongaes was back at the
-starting place, where he staid all night. In the morning the old man
-came, and Doonongaes said: “I have won. Now I will take off your head.”
-“Well,” said the old man, “I will have a smoke first.”196 “Oh, no,”
-said Doonongaes, cutting off the old man’s head at once.
-
-Then Doonongaes continued his journey northward, traveling for two days
-and nights. When he tired of walking he turned into a long horned
-snake. Soon, seeing a great black cloud coming with rain and thunder,
-he thought, “Hinon [197] wants to kill me”; hence he went down into the
-earth so far that Hinon could not reach him. After staying there a good
-while, he said, “I must go on”; so he changed himself into a man again
-on account of his dread of Hinon. He soon came to a river, on the bank
-of which he stood, wondering how he was to cross. He went along the
-bank to the point where the river entered a lake. There he thought, “I
-must change myself into a snake and go into the water.” After crossing
-he became a man again so Hinon would not pursue him.
-
-Doonongaes journeyed on a whole month. One morning he came to an
-opening called Gendagwen(t),[198] where he saw nothing. Having passed
-through this he saw a woman. He ran forward swiftly, but could not
-overtake her. She went with such speed that they were the same distance
-apart at night, when he thought, “I can not catch her, so I may as well
-camp.” Picking up some dry sticks, he made a fire. On looking around he
-saw that the woman had camped just ahead. “Oh, pshaw!” thought he, “I
-will go there.” He started, but as he advanced so did she. When he came
-to her fire there was no one there, so he said, “I will stay here.”
-Soon he saw another fire ahead, which he knew to be the fire of the
-woman whom he was following, whereupon he said: “I am ashamed to stop
-here, so I will go on.” He reached the second fire, but no one was
-there. Then he said, “I will go back to my own fire and stay there.”
-When he reached his camping place the woman was back again at her first
-fire. He followed her all the next day, always at the same distance. On
-reaching an opening she went into a lodge. Following, he found her
-sitting on one side of the fire, and an old man on the other side with
-his head bowed. Seating himself near the woman, Doonongaes asked her,
-“Do you not want to marry me?” She made no reply. He asked again, “Will
-you marry me?” He asked three times, but received no reply. Then the
-old man, who was a Dagwanoenyent (i.e., Cyclone), raising his head,
-said to the girl: “You have brought home game. Wash my big kettle,
-granddaughter, and boil some water, and I will kill the game.” At this
-he began to sharpen his flint knife, whereupon Doonongaes ran out, with
-the old man following him. Doonongaes mused: “What trouble comes to me:
-I shall die now. This is because I tried to catch the girl.” The old
-man was close upon him now, and as he lifted his knife to strike,
-Doonongaes stepped aside, so the old man cut his own knee. He fell down
-on account of the pain, but spitting on his hands, he rubbed the wound,
-thus curing it instantly. Then springing up, he ran on. All day he
-followed Doonongaes. Many times he cut himself as he did the first
-time, but always healed the wound with spittle. At sunset Doonongaes
-said, “What a shame! I ought to kill that man.” Turning himself into a
-snake, he tore him to pieces. As he threw off the legs, he said, “I
-want you to become owls,” and away they flew, owls. He made the old
-man’s flesh into all kinds of birds.199
-
-Then he said, “Now, I will go back to the girl; it may be that she will
-marry me.” Reaching the lodge just at midnight, he went in and said to
-the girl, “Your grandfather is dead.” “Is that true?” she asked. “Yes,
-I have killed him,” said Doonongaes. “Well, what do you want?” she
-demanded. “I want to live with you,” said Doonongaes. “Very well,” she
-replied; “I was afraid of the old man—this is why I did not answer your
-questions at first.” Doonongaes stayed with Ganos,[200] for that was
-the girl’s name, a whole month. Then he said one morning, “I must
-continue my journey.”
-
-So Doonongaes set out, and after traveling northward for 16 days and
-nights, he came to the edge [201] of the earth. It was very cold there.
-As he looked around, he saw a lodge in which he found a very old man
-with white hair reaching to the ground all around him as he sat there.
-Doonongaes said, “I have come to visit you.” The old man did not hear.
-Thrice Doonongaes spoke but received no answer. Then he looked for a
-club. Finding one, he hit the old man on the top of the head, saying,
-“Do you not hear me?” The old man never moved, but muttered, “Mice must
-have fallen from above my head. No matter.” Doonongaes, thinking what
-kind of man is this, struck him again. Thereupon the old man, lifting
-up his hair and tying it back so that he could see, asked, “What are
-you here for?” “I came to visit you,” said Doonongaes. “I do not want a
-visit from you. Be off!” he commanded. Doonongaes, who was nearly
-freezing to death from the extreme cold, retorted: “Be quiet! do not
-get excited.” “Oh! I do not care for other people,” said the old man.
-“What did you come here for?” “I came to ask a question. Do you know
-where Deanohdjes lives?” asked Doonongaes. “Yes; he lives in the middle
-of the ice lake over yonder,” said the old man. “Do you know whether he
-is at home today?” said Doonongaes. “Oh, you could not go to him today;
-it used to take me 10202 days and nights to go to his place,” said the
-old man. “Is there a trail?” inquired Doonongaes. “Yes, you will find
-my tracks,” said the old man, who was a white bear.
-
-Now it grew colder and colder while Doonongaes traveled half a day
-before he reached the place where Tsodiqgwadon’s father lived. He found
-an open space in the ice. After standing there a while he saw a man
-with great teeth rising from the water. The man said to Doonongaes,
-“What do you come here for?” “Your son sent me. There is to be a great
-council at Broken Land. All the people of the world will be there,”
-answered Doonongaes. “What is the council for?” asked Deanohdjes. “I do
-not know; your son has not told me,” replied Doonongaes. “Well, I will
-start in 20 days from now,” rejoined the elder man.
-
-Trembling with cold, Doonongaes turned back without delay. In 10 [203]
-days he was at Hanging Rock. Tsodiqgwadon asked, “Have you seen my
-father?” “Yes,” replied Doonongaes. “Well, what did he say?” was the
-next question. “He said that he would start in 20 days,” answered
-Doonongaes. “Let us go to Broken Land,” said Tsodiqgwadon. They
-started, but as they had 10 days’ time and it was only one day’s
-journey to Broken Land, they went southward to look around. The next
-day near sunset they saw a man coming toward them. “Who is that
-coming?” asked Tsodiqgwadon; “he looks like a chief. What a great
-headdress he has! [He had long feathers and much wampum.] He looks like
-a great man, for his face is painted red and black.” Doonongaes said,
-“Let us chase him.” “What shall we do with him if we catch him?” asked
-Tsodiqgwadon. “I will take hold of his head and you of his feet, and
-thus we will stretch him,” answered Doonongaes. “Very well,” said
-Tsodiqgwadon. When they met, Doonongaes asked the stranger, “Where are
-you going?” “To the north, to see the place where White Hair lives,”
-was the reply. “What would you do if I should wrestle with you?”
-inquired Doonongaes. “Oh! I should like that,” he said. So they began
-to wrestle. Doonongaes threw his adversary; and then, taking hold of
-his head and Tsodiqgwadon of his feet, the two began to pull, and they
-pulled until his legs and arms were stretched out to a great length.
-Thereupon Doonongaes said, “We will call you Gaisonhe.”204
-
-Leaving him, the two traveled on. The second morning they saw some one
-ahead, an ugly-looking man who had a great deal of wampum wound around
-his body. He was shooting arrows as he sat on a stone. Doonongaes and
-Tsodiqgwadon looked in the direction his arrows were going and saw many
-deer standing there, but they noted that his arrows never struck one of
-them. Going up to the man, Doonongaes asked, “What are you doing?” “I
-am trying to kill deer. I have tried all the morning, but I can not
-kill one,” said he. “Such a shot as you are can never hit anything even
-if he were to shoot 10 days,” said Tsodiqgwadon, adding, “I will help
-you.” As the man shot, Tsodiqgwadon blew on the arrow, which went into
-the ground, at which Tsodiqgwadon said, “You will never see that arrow
-again.” Immediately it took root and turned to Ohohwa Ohnoh.[205]
-Tsodiqgwadon changed the man into an owl, after which they went on.
-
-Just at midday the two came to a cliff. As they stood on the edge,
-looking down, Doonongaes said, “It seems as if some people live down
-there.” Tsodiqgwadon replied: “I think so. Let us go down.” When they
-reached the bottom, they saw that under the cliff was a plain, or
-opening, with the cliff hanging over one side of it. The plain had
-three points—a northern, a southern, and an eastern. At each point
-there was a lodge. Doonongaes went south and Tsodiqgwadon went north.
-Looking into the lodge that stood on the southern point, Doonongaes saw
-an old man working at something. “What is he doing making such a
-noise?” thought Doonongaes. The old man, looking up, said: “This odor
-is like that of a man. How could anyone get in here, for my master
-guards the entrance to the cliff?” The old man, who was of the Odjieqda
-[206] people, was making a wooden bowl. He went to work again, saying,
-“I will not waste time smelling.” Doonongaes heard him, and, saying “I
-will make him waste his time,” he thrust his horns under the lodge,
-and, lifting it into the air, threw it down so that it broke into
-pieces. The old man, however, still sat on the ground in the same
-place. Doonongaes laughed. The old man thought to himself, “Who is that
-laughing?” and, looking up, he said: “Oh! that is Sʻhodieonskon.207
-Well, I will not do anything. I will go and tell my master”; with this
-remark he started toward the entrance, while Doonongaes hurried off to
-the lodge at the eastern point of the opening. There he heard the sound
-of pounding, and peeping into the lodge, he saw four Odjieqda women
-pounding Odauhdjah208 in stone mortars. The eldest asked, “Do you not
-smell the flesh of man?” “Yes,” replied the others. “Well, hurry up,
-take your clubs and try to kill him,” she continued. Doonongaes ran
-off, frightened. The women came out, but could see nothing but tracks.
-The old woman, whose name was Deiehnies,209 said, “Never mind; he will
-come back.” “That is a strange place,” thought Doonongaes; “I will go
-back and see what they will do”; so saying, he returned to the lodge.
-The women immediately knew of his return, and old Deiehnies said, “Make
-haste, my daughter, and kill the game.” When they came out they saw a
-man standing near the lodge. Then the old woman changed her mind,
-saying: “Do not bother him. It must be that he wants to marry—that is
-why he comes.” One of the girls added, “Yes; let him alone,” but the
-eldest said, “No; let us kill him.” The two younger girls returned to
-the lodge, but the eldest, running up to Doonongaes, lifted her club to
-hit him; he dodged, however, with the result that she struck herself210
-on the knee, whereupon she fell down crying. At this the old woman came
-out, and taking hold of her by the hair, shook her, saying: “What are
-you doing? If you want to kill the game, run after it.” Then the old
-woman ran up to and struck at Doonongaes, likewise hitting her own knee
-and falling down crying. Doonongaes now went to the lodge where the two
-younger girls were and they stood up near him, for they liked him. As
-old Deiehnies and the eldest girl came in, the women began to fight.
-Going outside, Doonongaes watched the fight. They fought long and hard,
-but had not finished when Doonongaes set fire to the lodge; before the
-women knew it, the flames were so fierce that they could not escape, so
-all were burned to death. Thereupon Doonongaes said to himself: “Why
-did they try to kill me? They did not know what kind of a man I am.
-Everyone ought to be kind when I come. I will go to find Tsodiqgwadon.”
-
-Doonongaes now went to the lodge in the north, but he found no one. He
-heard, however, a sound as of ball-playing. Following the sound he came
-to an opening, where he saw his friend playing ball with two old men of
-the Dagwennigonhge [211] people. It was a close game, and Doonongaes
-stood watching it. Soon they ran past him, and Tsodiqgwadon called out,
-“Why do you not help me? There are two against me”; so Doonongaes
-joined in. The old men played well, but Doonongaes and Tsodiqgwadon
-won. Then Tsodiqgwadon said, “Take the wager. Cut their heads off.”
-“Very well,” replied Doonongaes, “that is what I like.” So he cut off
-their heads, and throwing them into the lodge, then burned it up. The
-heads burst and Dagwanoenyents212 rushed forth. Now the cliff began to
-crumble, at which Doonongaes exclaimed: “Let us go quickly! This cliff
-may fall and bury us under it.” Doonongaes and Tsodiqgwadon ran out as
-quickly as possible and were barely outside when down came the cliff.
-Doonongaes said, “The man from the first lodge ran out at this
-opening.” As they stood there looking carefully around they saw a
-lodge, in the doorway of which sat a man, whereupon Tsodiqgwadon said:
-“That man’s name is Hahnyusdais.213 He is the master of the dwellers
-under the cliff, and he kept them as prisoners.” “Let us go up and see
-the fellow,” answered Doonongaes. When they went to the lodge,
-Hahnyusdais asked, “What did you come here for?” “I came to ask you a
-question,” retorted Doonongaes. “Well, wait until I smoke,” Hahnyusdais
-replied, and taking out a stone pipe, he began to smoke. Doonongaes
-continued, “I came to ask you what has become of the men you had under
-the cliff which has just fallen in?” “I will go and see,” replied
-Hahnyusdais. As the place was full of earth he could not look in, and
-he said to Doonongaes, “Do you not belong to the Dagwennigonhge
-people?” “No, I do not,” was the answer. The old man then inquired:
-“Why is this place full of earth? I went in some time ago, but I can
-not go in now. A man named Deagonstwihes214 came out of here a little
-while ago and then went back. I suppose he was buried in there.”
-Doonongaes began to laugh at what he had done, saying to Tsodiqgwadon,
-“Let us chase and catch Hahnyusdais.” “What shall we do with him?”
-asked Tsodiqgwadon. “Oh! stretch him,” came the reply. Thereupon they
-caught him, and Doonongaes taking him by the head and Tsodiqgwadon by
-the feet, they pulled in order to stretch him out. Hahnyusdais
-screamed: “Oh, stop! I do not want long legs. I want to be as I am.”
-But they only pulled the harder, Hahnyusdais growing longer and longer,
-until Doonongaes said, “This man now belongs to our people; he will be
-Haunhdji.”215
-
-Leaving their victim, the two then went toward the east. At midday they
-met the two men who had been sent to track the Laughing Man [216] after
-he had killed Doonongaes. “What are you doing?” asked Doonongaes. They
-replied: “We are tracking the Laughing Man, who killed our chief. We
-were sent to track and to kill him. We shall never stop until we catch
-him. Here are his tracks.” “Who was your chief?” said Doonongaes.
-“Doonongaes,” they replied. Doonongaes, laughing, said, “Do you not
-know that when Sʻhodieonskon dies he comes to life again in a short
-time?” “No,” replied the men, whose names were, respectively,
-Hatkwisdowanen217 and Hushewathen.218 “We do not know that. We never
-heard the old people say that,” they answered. “Well, two days after I
-died I came to life. It is no use to pursue the Laughing Man any
-longer. You will not catch him, but he will never kill me again. You
-would better go home,” added Doonongaes. The two men said, “Thank you
-for our freedom; we are at liberty now to go where we please.” “I
-should like to take a smoke,” said Doonongaes; “I used to have a
-pouch,219 but I do not know now where it is.” “Well,” said
-Hatkwisdowanen, “when you died two men were sent to your lodge to get
-your pouch. I think that the chief, Hagondowanen,220 has it now.” “I
-will be at his place tomorrow,” replied Doonongaes. “We are going to
-have a great time at Broken Land. Will you not be there?” “It may be
-that I shall, if I do not get killed. I suppose my wife is enraged
-because I have been away so long,” answered Hatkwisdowanen.
-
-Hatkwisdowanen and his friend now started for home, while Doonongaes
-and Tsodiqgwadon went on eastward. At nightfall the latter came to a
-lodge, within which they heard some one singing, Onen gagwégon
-sawadiyon heníyon ganyoh.[221] “Why does that old woman sing so?” asked
-Doonongaes. “Let us run through this hut,” he added. “Oh, pshaw!”
-answered Tsodiqgwadon; “what is the use of chasing people all the
-time?” “I will tell you why I like to do it,” answered Doonongaes. “All
-people get angry when they see me and try to kill me, so now I am going
-to kill all the people I can.” Tsodiqgwadon remained outside while
-Doonongaes went into the lodge, crying out, “Now I have come back.” The
-old woman, whose name was Gonyahsgweont222 and who belonged to the
-Nosgwais223 people, raising her head, said, “It seems as if some game
-creature was talking in my lodge.” Looking around and seeing
-Doonongaes, she said: “What are you doing in here? There is no use
-troubling me, for I have never chased you.” She knew he was
-Sʻhodieonskon, and that he always chased and killed people. She began
-to beg, but, going behind her, he held her by the shoulders when she
-tried to turn around. Then catching her by the feet, he pulled her out
-of the lodge. “Do not make sport of and trouble me,” cried the old
-woman; “I am poor, but I have never harmed anyone.” “Why do you sing in
-that way, then?” asked Doonongaes; “I thought you were the woman who
-killed all kinds of game.” “I was feeling happy, that is why I sang,”
-answered the old woman. At this Tsodiqgwadon said, “You would better
-let that old woman alone.”
-
-So Doonongaes left the old woman and the two went on. When they met
-people they changed themselves to resemble those people. They were
-magically the most powerful persons living. Tsodiqgwadon was greatly
-superior to his friend in this respect, possessing the greatest orenda
-in this world. All were afraid of him because he could do anything he
-liked. All at once Doonongaes said: “My neck feels bad. It has been
-sore for a long time.” “When did it become sore?” asked Tsodiqgwadon.
-Then Doonongaes told about the two old sisters Gwidogwido, and said
-that ever since he had lifted and carried away their lodge his neck had
-troubled him. “You must have been bewitched by their lodge,” replied
-Tsodiqgwadon; “let me feel your neck?” When Doonongaes held his head
-down Tsodiqgwadon saw the end of a flint knife. He tried to pull it
-out; he continued to try all night long, and just as the sun [224]
-arose he drew it out. “There! I have it,” said he. “The wizards
-bewitched you. There are many more wizards than you know of. I have
-cured you now for life.” Taking up the knife, Doonongaes looked at it
-and said, “How strong I am to carry so long a knife in my neck so many
-years.”
-
-Continuing their journey, Doonongaes and his companion soon came to a
-village where no one was found, although smoke arose from every lodge’s
-smoke-hole. “This must be the place I visited once before,” said
-Doonongaes; “there is something very mysterious about it.” “No, there
-is nothing mysterious here,” replied Tsodiqgwadon. “The place is always
-kept this way. It is kept for people who are traveling around the
-world, so that when they come to this village they can eat whatever
-they like. It is called Yondekhonyatha Ganondayen.” [225] “Who has
-arranged all this?” asked Doonongaes. “A Great Power226 in the Blue Sky
-made this village, so every man could eat here,” answered Tsodiqgwadon.
-“Very well, let us eat, then,” said Doonongaes. So, going into one of
-the lodges, they took meat in a bowl. When they were ready to eat,
-Tsodiqgwadon began to laugh. “Why do you laugh?” asked Doonongaes; “you
-said this belonged to all people who are on the trail.” Tsodiqgwadon
-had now become what Doonongaes was—that is, Sʻhodieonskon—and he said,
-“I will go outside for a moment.” While Tsodiqgwadon went out,
-Doonongaes began to eat. At that moment he felt that someone was there.
-On turning around, he saw a Stone Coat227 sharpening his chert
-knife—yes, he saw several sitting around, all sharpening their chert
-knives. “What are you sharpening your knives for?” asked Doonongaes.
-“We are going to kill you,” came the reply. “Wait until I am ready.
-Give me fair play,” said Doonongaes. “All right,” was the reply, “but
-you must hurry up.” He went to the woods where he found Tsodiqgwadon,
-who, laughing, asked, “Did you see anything to frighten you?” “Yes; I
-have a fight on my hands,” answered Doonongaes. “Well, I am going on,”
-said Tsodiqgwadon; “all the help I will give you is to tell you what
-kind of a weapon these people are afraid of. It is a basswood228
-knife.” “Should I not make a flint club?” asked Doonongaes. “No; that
-would not hurt them a bit. Make a basswood club,” came the answer.
-Doonongaes made, therefore, both a basswood knife and a club, and then,
-going back to the Stone Coats, he said, “I am ready.” When they saw his
-basswood knife and club they were terribly frightened, and ran off as
-fast as they could toward the north, chased by Doonongaes. The first
-one he overtook he hit on the head with his club, whereupon the Stone
-Coat crumbled down to the ground, dead, with his body and coat smashed
-to pieces. Doonongaes treated the next one in a like manner and so on
-until he had overtaken and killed them all—men, women, and children.
-Then he said: “This is the kind of man I am. Why did Tsodiqgwadon leave
-me? I can chase him, too, when I find him.” At that moment, hearing
-someone behind him, he looked around only to see Tsodiqgwadon, who
-asked, “What are you talking about?” Doonongaes replied, “Oh! I was
-saying that you are the best friend I have in the world.”
-
-Once more the two went on together, and the next morning they came to a
-rock which was so high that they could not see the top of it.
-Doonongaes now changed himself into a buck, and rubbing his horns on
-the rock said, “I can kill Hinon [229] if I see him.” At that moment
-Hinon came out of the rock, and standing before him, asked, “What were
-you saying?” “Oh! I said that the man who lives in here is the best
-friend I have,” answered Doonongaes. Tsodiqgwadon stood on one side,
-laughing. Believing Doonongaes, Hinon went back into the rock.
-
-The two friends now continued journeying toward the north. Tsodiqgwadon
-said to his companion, “I want you to stop fooling everybody, for you
-do not know what orenda other persons have; you may get into trouble
-some time.” Toward night they came to a lodge in which many old men
-lived. These were singing a war song, Ogwenion denkenoonk ganyohshon
-enkhegen heyoendjadeh.[230] All sang the same song. Assuming the form
-of this people, who were Gendagahadenyatha,231 Doonongaes, going into
-the lodge, began singing a war song, too, but with different words. He
-sang, Deaun ni daegwanoenk Onen neho agyon heonwe niswaiiyon.232
-Thereupon the old men began to talk, and the chief of them said: “What
-does this man sing? He is an enemy. Let us scalp him.” Springing up and
-seizing their flint knives, they ran after him. Tsodiqgwadon stood
-outside, laughing. Doonongaes became a snake, and when they saw this
-the old people ran back, for they were too small to fight such a man.
-Tsodiqgwadon said to Doonongaes, “Let them alone.” “No; I will settle
-this people,” answered Doonongaes. “You would better let them alone. It
-is not right to act in this way all the time,” replied Tsodiqgwadon.
-“Let us go on then; there is no use in standing here if you will not
-harass these people with me,” said Doonongaes.
-
-Traveling toward the east, the two companions soon saw a large man
-coming in their direction. When they met him they spoke to him, and the
-man said to Doonongaes: “I have come to tell you that you are not doing
-right in attacking people. You may strike your friend.” At this
-Doonongaes struck Tsodiqgwadon, knocking him down. The large man
-laughed, saying, “That is what I like.” Tsodiqgwadon jumped up,
-whereupon the stranger said: “You must strike back,” so Tsodiqgwadon
-struck Doonongaes. “Now, you must say bad words to each other and
-scold,” said he. They began to scold, and threaten, and talk fiercely.
-“That is enough,” said the large man. “You can go now, and whatever
-people you see as you go around the world, pursue them; that is what I
-like. I am always near you as you go along.” Then the large man, whose
-name was Nanisheonon,[233] went off toward the west.
-
-Tsodiqgwadon and Doonongaes now started for Broken Land. The former
-said: “That is why I always tell you to stop chasing people. You see
-now. We met this large man on account of your hurting people. He likes
-such things. Stop your fooling and be like me. Tomorrow is the day of
-our council meeting.” When they reached Broken Land Doonongaes said:
-“Here is where I was killed, and I will show you where the man lived
-who brought me to life, and to whose lodge I went and killed him.” “Is
-that what you do to people who help you?” said Tsodiqgwadon. “That is
-what I did to him because he was trying to keep our two most beautiful
-women,” Doonongaes replied. “What did you do with the women?” asked
-Tsodiqgwadon. “I lived with them until you told me to go with you, and
-that all women belonged to you,” was the reply. “Did I tell you that?”
-said Tsodiqgwadon. “Yes, you did,” retorted Doonongaes. At this
-Tsodiqgwadon laughed. “What are you laughing at?” asked Doonongaes. “I
-am laughing because I fooled you so when I said that to you,” rejoined
-Tsodiqgwadon. “You will not be angry, then, if I go to them?” said
-Doonongaes. “Oh! you can go if you like,” was the reply. “Very well, I
-will go now,” declared Doonongaes. “May I visit you until tomorrow?”
-asked Tsodiqgwadon. “No; I think you would better not,” was the answer.
-“All right; I can stay here until the time comes for the council,” said
-Tsodiqgwadon. Going to his mother-in-law’s lodge, Doonongaes asked,
-“Where are your daughters?” “Oh! they have gone back to their first
-husbands,” said the old woman. “Have they forgotten me?” asked
-Doonongaes. “You know,” answered the old woman, “that you have been
-gone a long time. They waited two years for you.” “Well, I have been
-all over the world. I thought they would wait until my return,”
-declared Doonongaes. “Stay here and I will go for them,” said the old
-woman. She went to her elder daughter, to whom she said, “Your husband,
-the great chief, has come back.” “I will go to him,” replied the woman.
-Then going to her second daughter, she said, “I have come for you; your
-husband has returned.” The daughter said, “My husband is here.” “Not
-that one,” replied her mother; “I mean the great chief.” “I know; but I
-waited a long time for him. I should be ashamed to go from this husband
-now,” she added. “Oh!” said the old woman, “this man you have now is
-not worth anything; he has not a bit of wampum.” “I will go, then,”
-said the girl, “but do not tell my husband.” So she dressed up and made
-a bundle of her things in preparation to go away. “Where are you
-going?” asked her husband. “To my mother’s lodge.” “Very well,” said
-he, and off she went.
-
-When the two girls reached their mother’s lodge, after greeting
-Doonongaes, they began to talk to him. One asked, “Where have you been
-for so long a time?” “Oh! I have been to the northern, southern, and
-western ends of this earth,” replied Doonongaes. “Do you know what
-there is going to be tomorrow?” she asked. “No; what is it?” asked
-Doonongaes. “They are going to have a great council,” she replied.
-“What kind of council?” he inquired. “Oh! to appoint another chief.
-They will take the chieftaincy away from Tsodiqgwadon and put somebody
-else in your place as second chief,” was the answer. “Why so?” demanded
-Doonongaes. “Because you chase all the people living in the world,” she
-replied. Now Doonongaes began to feel sad; he sat there with his head
-down, thinking until night. Then he made up his mind, saying, “Well, if
-they do put me out I will always be Sʻhodieonskon.” The next morning he
-felt better, because his mind was made up. As soon as they were through
-eating, all the people went to Broken Land.
-
-When they had assembled Doonongaes arose, saying, “I believe all are
-now present.” Thereupon Tsodiqgwadon arose. He told them what the
-council was for, and said to the people, “You now have to choose a head
-chief and a second chief for the whole world, and every village is to
-choose a chief for itself.” But Deanohdjes had not yet come. Then one
-man, arising, said, “I should like to make Deanohdjes [234] head
-chief.” They talked the question over; one-half were for Deanohdjes and
-the other half against him. Only one man remained silent. Remarking,
-“Well, I can say nothing until tomorrow,” Tsodiqgwadon then adjourned
-the meeting. The next morning Deanohdjes arrived. When the council
-assembled Tsodiqgwadon arose and said: “All are now present. Now, my
-father, are you willing to be the head chief of the whole world?”
-Deanohdjes hung his head, while the people all were silent. Then,
-raising his head, he said, “I can say nothing for 10 days.” So the
-council adjourned and met again in 10 days. Thereupon Deanohdjes said:
-“I will tell you my mind. Put this duty on Doonongaes; make him head
-chief of all the world.” Doonongaes was delighted, but Tsodiqgwadon
-said, “He is too mean a man for that; he is Sʻhodieonskon.” “If he is
-made head chief of the world he will change,” replied Deanohdjes. “He
-who is most powerful in orenda should be head chief,” said
-Tsodiqgwadon; “Doonongaes has not much power.” “Well, you have more
-orenda than anyone else in the world,” said Deanohdjes, to which
-Tsodiqgwadon retorted: “I do what the people wish. They said they were
-going to appoint another chief, and I supposed they had found some one
-who is magically more powerful than I am.” Then Tsodiqgwadon,
-addressing the meeting, said, “Take the person who you think has the
-greatest orenda.” Some one then said: “Let us adjourn for 10 days, for
-only our own people are present now, while others who are coming should
-be here. Let Haiwanenqgwi235 be sent to all the people of every kind in
-the world to notify them of the council.” Accordingly he was sent, and
-the council was adjourned. After going all over the world, as he
-thought, he came back. “Have you been everywhere?” asked Tsodiqgwadon.
-“Yes; the world is not so large that I had need of many days to visit
-all its parts,” replied Haiwanenqgwi. “Have you found every known
-people?” was asked him. “Yes, excepting one; I have not seen these,” he
-answered. “Who are they?” asked Tsodiqgwadon. “The Dagwanoenyents,”
-Haiwanenqgwi said. “Oh! did you not go to Gaha Gastende,236 where the
-high rocks are in the east?” inquired Tsodiqgwadon. “No; I thought no
-one lived there,” he replied. “Well, you must go there, for that is the
-place where the Dagwanoenyents live,” declared Tsodiqgwadon.
-
-Haiwanenqgwi started again. On reaching the foot of the mountain he met
-some of the Dagwanoenyents, who roam all over the region of Wind Cliff,
-and to them he said, “I have come to notify your people that a council
-is to be held at Broken Land in 10 days from now.” The chief answered,
-“You stay here until I call a meeting, so you can tell all the people,
-for if I should deliver the message they might not believe me.” So
-saying, he went on the mountain to a place where these people always
-held their meetings; it was a smooth place without trees or grass. Soon
-the people began to appear, and when all had come, there were hundreds
-and hundreds of them. Haiwanenqgwi, rising, said, “I have come to
-notify your people that a council will be held at Broken Land 10 days
-hence and that you must all be present.” In response all said, “We will
-be there at the appointed time.” Then the meeting adjourned and all
-went home. When Haiwanenqgwi returned to his home Tsodiqgwadon asked
-him, “Have you now notified all kinds of people?” He replied, “Yes; all
-those whom I have ever seen.” Thereupon he was asked, “Have you
-notified the Stone Coats?” To which he answered, “No; where do they
-live?” Tsodiqgwadon told him, saying: “They live on Gahsgwaa
-Tgawenot,[237] far off in the west. After you have been there go to an
-island in a southerly direction therefrom called Othegwenhdah
-Tgawenot;238 there you will find other people. Thence you must go in a
-southeasterly direction until you come to Oosah Tgawenot.239 The people
-of this island are called Gaisonhe.240 Thence go southward again and
-you will come to Nitgawenosatieha,241 where the Djinonhsanon242 people
-live. Just beyond Nitgawenosatieha you will find Tgawenogwen,243 where
-the Onowehda244 people dwell. Be sure to notify all the people on these
-islands. Then go toward the east and you will reach a large island, on
-which you will find the Djisdaah people; this island is called Djisdaah
-Tgawenot.245 Thence go northward and then return here as soon as
-possible. Do not delay on the way.” These were the instructions of
-Tsodiqgwadon. Haiwanenqgwi, answering, “Very well,” started westward.
-
-When he came to the end of the earth at the west he remarked to
-himself, “What shall I do to reach Gahsgwaa Tgawenot?” [246] Then he
-quickly assumed the form of a snake, and, going into the water, swam
-about half way to the island, when loud thunder and vivid lightnings
-made him halt, whereupon he said, “I think that Hinon wants to kill me,
-so I will change myself into a Hahnowa.” As soon as he had become a
-Hahnowa, Hinon stopped his threatenings, and the sky cleared off, and
-everything became as bright as ever. He reached the Gahsgwaa Tgawenot,
-or Stone Island, when he again assumed the form of a man. Going on, he
-met a person to whom he said, “I have come to notify your people that
-we are going to have a great council at Broken Land 10 days from now.”
-“Well, where is your wampum?” he was asked. “I have none,” said
-Haiwanenqgwi, who asked in turn, “Where is your chief?” “Go westward,”
-he was told, “and you will come to a large opening in the rocks—there
-you will find our chief.” He came to this opening, and on looking in,
-saw a very old man sitting there. As soon as he stopped at the edge of
-the opening, the old man, looking up, said, “What do you want here?”
-Haiwanenqgwi replied, “I have come to notify you that our people will
-hold a great council at Broken Land, and that our head chief sends for
-you to come there in 10 days from now.” “Very well, I will come with
-all my people,” answered the old man.
-
-Assuming the form of a Hahnowa, Haiwanenqgwi now went over the water
-until he came to the next island, which was called Othegwenhdah
-Tgawenot. Here he assumed the form of a man, and going to the chief,
-whose name was Hoonkgowanen,[247] he said, “I have come to invite you
-to a great council, which is to be held at Broken Land in 10 days.” The
-chief replied, “Very well; we will be there on time.”
-
-Then Haiwanenqgwi, again assuming the form of a Hahnowa, went over the
-water to Oosah Tgawenot.[248] At this place he found Shayades,249 the
-chief of the people who dwelt there. To him Haiwanenqgwi gave the
-invitation to be at the great council at Broken Land in 10 days, and
-then he went on to Nitgawenosatieha. Soon he met some men who took him
-to their chief, whose name was Deanohsgwis.250 Having given him the
-invitation, the chief accepted it, saying, “We will go to the council.”
-
-Haiwanenqgwi next went to Tgawenogwen.[251] Changing himself into
-Onowehda,252 he stood around for a time, but, not seeing anyone, mused
-to himself: “When shall I be able to see these people? It must be that
-I have missed the place.” But as he stood waiting, some of the people
-appeared. He learned that they dwelt in the ground, and that their
-chief’s name was Hononhengwen.253 On receiving the invitation, the
-chief promised in the name of his people to go to the great council at
-Broken Land.
-
-Then Haiwanenqgwi went to Ganehdaiikhon Tgahadayen [254] Tgawenot,
-where the Degatengowa255 people lived. There he saw one of the men
-standing in the air, at which he wondered what he was standing there
-for, concluding at last that this man must be possessed of the most
-powerful orenda to be found on the island. Soon a person came to him
-and conducted him to the chief, to whom he announced the invitation to
-the great council at Broken Land. The name of this chief was
-Henhgadji.256 The invitation was willingly accepted.
-
-Haiwanenqgwi now went to Djisdaah Tgawenot,[257] where the Djisdaah
-people lived. There he assumed the form of one of these people. Having
-met a man, he said to him, “I have come to notify you of a great
-council to be held in 10 days at Broken Land.” But the man told him
-that he must go to the chief. “Well, take me to him, then,” he replied.
-“Go straight ahead,” was the answer; “you will find the lodge yourself,
-for I can not go with you.” So Haiwanenqgwi went along farther and soon
-came to a lodge in which sat an old man, large and solemn in
-appearance; this was the Djisdaah chief. When he drew near, the old
-man, raising his head, said “Well, what news do you bring?” “I bring an
-important message to you and your people,” he answered. “Oh! wait then.
-Let me get some tobacco and light my pipe.”258 So saying, he took a
-large bunch of oak leaves—these were his tobacco—and beginning to chew
-them, he said, “Now, I am ready to listen to your message.” Thereupon
-Haiwanenqgwi gave him the invitation to the great council. The chief,
-whose name was Hodehondasiowanen,259 said, “We will be there at the
-appointed time.”
-
-Haiwanenqgwi then ran homeward all night, reaching Broken Land in the
-morning. Once there he declared, “I have now visited all the peoples on
-the earth.” But Tsodiqgwadon asked, “Have you visited Gaasyendietʻha
-[260] yet?” “No, I do not know where he lives,” he replied. “You must,
-however, go to him. Bring me an arrow,” said Tsodiqgwadon. The arrow
-having been brought, Tsodiqgwadon split the head, and after making
-Haiwanenqgwi small, placed him in the head and closed it, fastening it
-securely. Then Tsodiqgwadon said to the arrow: “I want you to go to the
-place where Gaasyendietʻha dwells. There you will find a Great Rock of
-white chert or flint, which is red-hot; under this stone is a cavern in
-which Gaasyendietʻha lives. This rock is on the edge of the Blue Sky,
-where it meets the waters, just where the sun sets. Gaasyendietʻha
-carries this stone with him when he travels in winter so that he can
-break the ice as he goes; it is called Gaonhiahge Tgastendeh.261 There
-is no earth there; only stone. I want you to go directly to the Rock in
-the Blue Sky.” Then stringing the bow, he shot the arrow westward. The
-arrow, now alive, went flying through the air until it came to the end
-of the sky, where it saw the Rock in the Blue Sky. On coming down it
-struck the hot rock. The man who lived under the rock said, “Something
-has come down on my ball,” and pushing off the hot rock, he came forth.
-Thereupon Haiwanenqgwi, coming out of the arrowhead, said to
-Gaasyendietʻha, “Tsodiqgwadon sent me to ask you to be present at a
-council to be held in nine days from now at Broken Land.” “What is the
-council for?” asked the host. “To appoint a new chief for all the
-people under the Blue Sky,” came the reply. “Very well,” said he, “I
-will go.” Gaasyendietʻha asked, “How did you come, for I have never
-known any man to be able to come up to the Rock in the Blue Sky
-before?” “Oh! I came in the arrow,” answered his visitor. “Well, then,
-I must send you back in the same manner,” replied Gaasyendietʻha. “All
-right; I will have to return that way,” said Haiwanenqgwi. In picking
-up the arrow Gaasyendietʻha found that its head was split, so seizing
-Haiwanenqgwi and shaking him to reduce his size, he was finally able to
-reinsert him in the arrowhead, wherein he carefully secured him. Having
-done this, he cast the arrow eastward and it flew away. In a short time
-it came down at the feet of Tsodiqgwadon, who had not moved from that
-place since he had shot the arrow westward. When Haiwanenqgwi came
-forth he was asked, “Have you notified all the people now?” He replied,
-“Yes; I have, so far as I know, notified all the peoples under the Blue
-Sky.” But Tsodiqgwadon declared: “No; you have not; there are a large
-number yet who have not been notified of the great council. You must
-now go eastward to the place where Tkwendahen Niohsiowesiohden262
-lives. This place is situated on an island called Gaahgwa Tgawenot,263
-which is located just where the sun rises. The chief of this place is
-called Djahgwiyu.264 When you have performed your errand here you must
-go northward until you find another island, which is called
-Ohnonqgon(t)265 Tgawenot. The name of the chief of the people who dwell
-here is called Djihtkwahen Niothwahasyohden.266 When you have finished
-your errand here you must go northeastward, and you will reach an
-island which is called Gainhdoya267 Tgawenot; and the name of the chief
-who lives on this island is Djihtkwahen268 Haos. After you have
-notified him, take a westerly course, visiting an island which is
-called Hahnowa269 Tgawenot, and on which all kinds of Hahnowa people
-live. The name of their chief is Honohtsagagiyit.270 After giving him
-your message you must go northward to Ohneqsah271 Tgawenot, where all
-kinds of Sowekshohon272 people live, the name of whose chief is
-Hahnyahses,273 who is of the Awaeh274 people; and when you have
-delivered your message to all these people, thence start southwestward
-and return home.”
-
-Haiwanenqgwi then set out for Sun Island. There he saw after a while
-one of the Djahgwiyu [275] people coming toward him, whereupon he
-thought: “What can this mean? Is the world going to burn up?” But soon
-he saw that it was Tkwendahen276 Niohsiowesiohden himself, who said,
-“What have you come for?” Haiwanenqgwi replied, “Oh! Tsodiqgwadon, the
-chief of the world, has sent me to notify you and your people of a
-council to be held at Broken Land in eight days from now.” “Very well;
-we will be there,” declared Tkwendahen Niohsiowesiohden.
-
-Then Haiwanenqgwi went to Ohnonqgon(t) Tgawenot, and after that he
-reached Gainhdoya Tgawenot. When he arrived there he saw five men
-fishing. For a while he stood watching them, thinking, “What beautiful
-belts these men have.” When they saw him coming they threw reeds [277]
-at him to bewitch him, to make him sore, and to cause him to swell up.
-When the reeds pierced his body, at once he began to swell and to
-suffer great pain. At last, to escape from them, he leaped into the
-water, where he remained until the pain was gone, and then, coming out,
-he said to these men: “Be quiet! I have not come to harm you, but I
-have been sent to you to notify you that there will be a great council
-at Broken Land eight days from now, and that Tsodiqgwadon wishes to
-have you come.” In reply these men said, “Well, we must first go to
-tell our chief before we can give you an answer.” When the chief was
-told of Haiwanenqgwi’s mission he promised faithfully to be present
-with his advisers.
-
-Haiwanenqgwi went next to Hahnowa Tgawenot, where he delivered his
-message, and then he retraced his steps homeward. Having arrived there,
-Tsodiqgwadon asked him, “Have you now notified all the peoples of the
-world?” “Yes; I have notified all,” was his reply. “No; you have
-notified only half of the tribes of men. You must now go up to the Land
-in the Blue Sky, called Gaonyahge [278] Diyoendjadeh, and you must go
-in a southerly direction. This land is very high, and you can not get
-there until orenda for that purpose is given you. The Sʻhadahgeah279
-people dwell in that land, the name of whose chief is Odahnoqgwiyah280
-Haos. You will tell him first, and then go westward, where you will
-find seven281 men living on the clouds; these seven men are Hinon
-people. The elder one and chief of these people we call Shedwaqsot.282
-After you have given your message to these seven men, you must go
-straight up until you reach the central part of the Blue Sky, and
-directly above the Blue Sky you will find a man whose name is
-Hahasdensyowanen.283 And when you have told him your message come
-straight down to the ground. Directly under the door in the center of
-the Blue Sky you will find an opening in the earth. In this opening you
-will find an Odonseh284 man, whose name is Shagoewatha;285 notify him
-also. A short distance from this opening you will see a high rock, on
-which you will find the tallest of men, whose name is
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa.286 You must summon him, too. Thence go farther along
-the rocks, and you will reach the dwelling place of the chief
-Ganiagwaihegowa.287 You must notify him also, and then you must return
-here.” Tsodiqgwadon gave Haiwanenqgwi a small piece of a substance
-which resembled flesh, and which possessed great orenda. In giving it
-to him, Tsodiqgwadon said, “When you desire to use this, you must chew
-it,” adding further directions as to the manner of its use.
-
-Placing this mysterious substance in his mouth, Haiwanenqgwi at once
-mounted higher and higher. In a very short time he had reached the Land
-in the Blue Sky. When he arrived there he looked around, and while
-doing this Sʻhadahgeah saw him, and an Oqtcihgah [288] Ongwe asked him
-whence he came. “Oh! I came from below,” was the answer of
-Haiwanenqgwi. “How did you get up here?” was asked him. “I walked on
-the air,” he answered; “and I have come to notify you that there will
-be a great council at Broken Land to be held seven days from now. You
-must all come.”
-
-Thence Haiwanenqgwi went westward, passing through the air, and soon
-came to a lodge situated on a cloud. Entering the lodge, he saw therein
-seven men of the Hinon people, who were all smoking, so the lodge was
-filled with smoke. He gave his message to the elder man, whose title
-was Shedwaqsot, and who assured him that they would all go to the
-council.
-
-From that place Haiwanenqgwi went straight to the middle of the Blue
-Sky, where there was a door. Passing through this, he saw an old man
-sitting there, whose name was Sadjawiski;[289] he also was smoking.
-Haiwanenqgwi said to him, “I came to notify you of a great council to
-be held at Broken Land seven days from now.” “Very well; I will go,”
-said the old man. “I have been waiting a long time for you, because I
-knew that you were coming and knew what your message would be. My
-brother, Shagoewatha,290 knows that you are coming to see him, too.
-Wait a few moments; a man291 will pass here soon; tell him too of the
-council.” Soon a man came on the run from the east; when he arrived
-where the old man was he stopped. This man was Odjisdanohgwah,292 but
-the people whence Haiwanenqgwi came call him Gaaqgwaah,293 for he gives
-light to the world. In reply to the invitation to attend the council he
-said, “It is well; I will attend,” and continued on his journey; he did
-not seem to care for Haiwanenqgwi or for Sadjawiski.
-
-Now Haiwanenqgwi came to an opening directly under the door in the Blue
-Sky, far down into which he went. There he saw an old man called
-Shagoewatha, to whom he said, “I have come to notify you of the great
-council to be held at Broken Land in seven days from now.” The old man
-replied, “It is well; I will attend it.”
-
-Next Haiwanenqgwi went up and notified Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, who said in
-reply, “I have been wishing for a long time to meet all kinds of
-people, so I will surely go.” Later Niagwaihegowa [294] also promised
-to be at the great council at the appointed time.
-
-Now Haiwanenqgwi went home feeling quite happy, thinking that he had
-completed his task. But when he reached home, Tsodiqgwadon asked him,
-“Have you now notified everybody?” He replied, “Yes; so far as I know.”
-“No; you have not. You must go to another country, situated directly
-east of this, which is a great island on which are many people,”
-declared Tsodiqgwadon. “It is well,” said Haiwanenqgwi (who did not
-desire to go, although he could not help doing as he was commanded); “I
-will rest tonight and start in the morning.” “You may do so,” added
-Tsodiqgwadon.
-
-Early the next morning Haiwanenqgwi started, walking on the ground, but
-when he came to the water at the end of the earth he walked on the air
-until he arrived at Tgawenosdenh,[295] where he saw many kinds of
-people, whom he notified, and then returned home. On his arrival there,
-Tsodiqgwadon asked him, “Are you now through with your task?” “Yes,”
-replied the messenger. “No; you have not yet finished your work,”
-declared his questioner. “You must go to Othowege,296 where the chief
-Hathogowa297 dwells, in the far regions of the north. You will have to
-travel on the air in order to go there and return in one day.”
-
-So Haiwanenqgwi went on the air until he reached Othowege, which was a
-very cold place, for the wind was blowing and the snow was falling all
-the time. Hathogowa, the chief, was naked (he looked like a human
-being), and there were a great number of the Otho [298] people.
-Haiwanenqgwi delivered his message to all. In reply to the invitation
-they said, “It is well; we will go to Broken Land.”
-
-Haiwanenqgwi thence returned home. When he arrived there Tsodiqgwadon
-said to him, “You are not yet through with your task.” “Well,” replied
-the messenger, “I will wait until tomorrow, for I am so tired that I
-can not start today.” So then next morning Tsodiqgwadon gave him
-further instructions, saying to him: “I want you to go to
-Onenonhge,[299] where Dedioshwineqdon300 lives. To get there you must
-go directly to the southern end of the earth.”
-
-The messenger started, following the course indicated. At last he found
-a beautiful country, which was very warm and full of flowers, and he
-saw there a large number of people who looked like Ongwe Honwe.[301] He
-gave them his message. “It is well,” they said; “we will attend the
-council.”
-
-When Haiwanenqgwi reached home he declared that he was not able to go
-anywhere else. Thereupon Tsodiqgwadon, laughing, said to him, “Now, my
-friend, your work is done.”
-
-When the 10 days were expired all the people from all parts of the
-world came in great numbers—from the four quarters and from above and
-from below—from the east and west, north and south. They gathered about
-their several stations around the great council fire. At noon, when the
-sun was high in the blue sky, Tsodiqgwadon arose and asked, “Are you,
-the peoples of all the world, now present?” They answered him in
-chorus, “We are present.” Thereupon Tsodiqgwadon said: “I will tell you
-what this council is called for. A chief of all the peoples dwelling
-above and below is to be chosen, and it is for you to select one.” Now
-the tribes of people talked among themselves and one with another; but
-Tsodiqgwadon sat still, listening to what was said. They talked until
-night and then they talked all night. They remained a whole year,
-talking day and night. At the end of the year they chose Gaasyendietʻha
-[302] as chief of all the people of the world above and below. All
-agreed to this choice, and Gaasyendietʻha himself was willing. When
-this was done they had to select a second chief. Another year was
-passed in talking. Tsodiqgwadon sat in the midst of the vast throng,
-listening all the time. At last Hinon was chosen as the second chief.
-Then Tsodiqgwadon said, “Who shall be chief of each locality?” Then
-each tribe sat together, talking among themselves. The first to
-complete their deliberations were the Stone Coats,303 who chose Ongwe
-Hanyos,304 one of their own people. The Ongwehonwe were the next; they
-chose one of their principal men, and the other peoples chose the same
-chiefs as they had before. Tsodiqgwadon was chosen chief of the Snake
-People only. The council then closed and all went to their homes.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-LEGENDS
-
-
-59. GENONSGWA [305]
-
-Once there was a village in which it was the custom of the people to
-fight a great deal, for they were very warlike. A strange boy came to
-this village; he was small and perhaps 4 years old. No one knew whence
-he came. He could do nothing for himself, but he wandered around the
-village, staying here and there in the several lodges. First one family
-then another would keep him for a little while. The people did not care
-much for him, nor pay much attention to him. Finally he grew to be a
-young man. There was at this time a good deal of talk among the people
-about getting up a party to go on the warpath. At last 20 men were
-found who were willing to go. This young man, hearing about the party,
-asked permission to go, too. He asked one and then another, but all
-refused his request. Thereupon he said: “I do not care. I will go
-anyhow.” He was so peculiar that no one really liked him.
-
-The 20 warriors started and he went along with them. When night came,
-fires were built; there were two men at each fire, but the boy built a
-fire for himself. Several days passed in this way. One night, however,
-when all were asleep, the young man had a dream. A man appeared to him,
-who said: “I have come to warn you that if you do not change your
-course somewhat you shall all perish tomorrow at noon. Tell this to the
-headman of the party and urge him to change his course.” They were then
-going northward. The boy told his dream the next morning to the
-headman, who scolded, saying: “I did not want this fellow; he is
-nothing but a hindrance, nothing but a coward. We have come to meet an
-enemy. Why should we turn back even if we know there is one in our
-path?” So, after eating their morning meal, they continued northward,
-paying no heed to the warning in the young man’s dream.
-
-When the sun was near the middle of his path across the sky, the party,
-which was going in Indian file, noticed that the headman stopped, then
-the next one, then the next. The boy, who brought up the rear, found
-that they were looking at a track, saying: “It is Ganiagwaihegowa,
-which always kills the people it meets. Its magic power is so great
-that the instant anyone looks at its tracks, no matter how far off,
-Ganiagwaihegowa knows it, and returns to destroy that person.” As the
-boy listened, he said: “I am very anxious to see this bear. I have
-never seen such a thing.” The men said, “You do not want to see so
-terrible a thing;” but he insisted. The chief said: “If this is really
-your wish, you must not follow us. We shall turn off here and go in a
-different direction, and you can go on northward; but if you meet this
-bear you must run in some direction, some course different from ours.”
-They tried to make him go with them, but he would not do so.
-
-Breaking a small tree that stood near, the young man hung his bundle in
-the crotch; then he went on. Soon he saw a tremendous object ahead of
-him; when near it, he recognized it as a great bear, sitting on the
-trail, with its back toward him. Creeping up, the young man stood
-looking at it. It had no hair on its body, only a little on the end of
-its tail.[306] He struck it with his arrow, whereupon the bear rushed
-after the youngster, who ran away. The bear drew so near as they ran
-that the youngster could feel its breath. Now he dodged from tree to
-tree, then, darting off straight, he ran on swiftly, with the bear
-close behind him, until he came to a stream which looked very deep.
-They two could just jump over it. So the youngster sprang across, and
-the bear leaped after him. Then the youngster sprang back to the other
-side and the bear did the same. Thus they jumped across many times. Now
-as the young man ran he felt that his strength was growing greater,
-while he saw that that of the bear was failing. Seeing the bear failing
-fast, the youth, making a great loop, sprang once more across the
-stream, with the bear after him. Then he made a loop on the other side,
-and on going across the river, he saw the bear still weakening.
-Pursuing the same course once again, he passed the bear about the
-middle of the stream—he going one way, and the bear the other. The bear
-did not follow by sight but by scent alone. Lastly, the bear did not
-cross the stream, but followed all the boy’s tracks. Now, the beast had
-failed so much that the youth was just behind it as it kept tracking
-him. As the bear almost failed in trying to jump across the river, it
-scrambled to get a footing. Then the boy shot from the bank behind, the
-arrow entering the middle of one of the animal’s forefeet.307 At this
-the great bear scrambled to the bank; then reeling from tree to tree,
-it staggered and fell. Rising again, the beast struggled for a time,
-but at last it rolled over dead.
-
-The young man left the bear’s carcass after he had taken three hairs
-from its “whiskers” and one tooth out of its mouth. Then going back to
-the spot where he had left his bundle and getting it, he followed the
-trail of the twenty men. Running fast, he overtook them, whereupon he
-said, “I have killed Ganiagwaihegowa, of which you were so much
-afraid.” They were naturally greatly astonished, for no man had ever
-been able to kill this creature, so they said: “If he has done this, he
-must have great orenda. Let us go back and see.” So they turned back,
-and after traveling until sunset they came to the place where the body
-of Ganiagwaihegowa lay. They saw that it was of enormous size, and
-said: “We will burn up the body; we will keep up the fire all night
-until it is burned. Then each man shall take a little of the ashes and
-a few of the bones, just enough for medicine to give him its magical
-power.” After the fire had gone out, the men went to sleep; in the
-latter part of the night they stirred the ashes with sticks until each
-found a piece of bone. The chief said: “You must be very careful about
-taking the remnants of this bear. Let each one before taking up his
-bone say what gift he wants, what power he desires.” Most of the men
-desired to be good hunters and brave warriors and some to be fast
-runners. One man said, however, “I want to be admired by all women.”
-
-The things the young man had chosen were good for every purpose, but he
-did not let the others know that he had taken anything. The headman
-said, “We will go on in the same direction; that is, toward the north.”
-The men had changed their opinion of the young man; they now looked on
-him with respect as a person of great magical powers. The party
-traveled many days.
-
-One night they camped and lay down to sleep. The young man dreamed
-again, and his dream said: “Tomorrow at noon you will meet an enemy of
-greater number than your own party, and among them will be a very large
-man of great magic power; he is so much larger than the rest that you
-will easily know him. You must all fight him. If your party does not
-believe you, when you tell the dream to them, do not mind that, but
-keep on in the same direction you are going, and at noon they will know
-the truth. When you see the enemy let every man hang up his bundle; let
-no one keep his bundle. Then begin to fight, and keep on until you
-conquer.” In the morning the young man did not tell his dream. He
-thought that it was useless to do so. They started on after eating
-their morning meal. When the sun was well up in the sky, they saw a
-bear get up, stretch himself, and look at them, saying, “We have now
-met, and we shall get what we want.” Thereupon the bear turned and
-disappeared. It was evidently one of the enemy, who had come to warn
-them. The headman talked to his men, saying that the enemy was probably
-near, and that they should be of good courage, and that they would
-conquer the enemy. So they went on. Before very long they saw the
-enemy, and the enemy saw them. A war whoop was heard; then the arrows
-began to fly. The young man said: “Now let every man hang up his bundle
-on the tree.” After this was done, the fight began. The young man,
-remembering his dream, watched for the large man. Soon he saw him, and
-noticed that he had a sort of medicine which he held up in front of his
-face like a shield, a little to one side, to ward off the arrows. The
-young man also saw that the man’s defense was larger [308] than the one
-he himself had (it was known that the smaller it was, the more power it
-possessed), and the youth felt sure of success when he became aware of
-this fact. (The magic power, or orenda, was born with the boy, as it
-was with all the Genonsgwas—a tiny hand to be put in the palm of his
-own hand.) Just at that moment the large man of the enemy, discovering
-the young man, said: “You will get what you deserve now, you Stone
-Coat. I will kill you, and thus punish you (for treachery).” They
-watched each other, paying no attention to the rest of the people, for
-each was eager to kill the other, but they could not hit until they
-came hand to hand. They began to strike with clubs and made a terrible
-fight.
-
-Finally, the young man, snatching the stranger’s club, hurled it away
-and threw him down. When the enemy saw their chief man overpowered,
-they began to run. The youth kept on until he had killed the big man. A
-large number of the enemy were killed, but not one of the 20 men was
-injured. Having piled up the dead of the enemy, they burned them. The
-victors secured a great string of scalps (the big man was not a
-Genonsgwa; he was merely a very large and strong man with magical
-powers).
-
-The warriors now had great respect for the young man, and when they
-came home and told everything, the respect of the people increased so
-that he was made a chief. The people thought of him as a Genonsgwa,
-though he did not look like one; they remembered only the big man’s
-words.
-
-Now, another expedition was spoken of and many volunteered, but only 30
-were taken, for that was as large a party as was required. All were
-ready. The women had provisions prepared for them. Starting out, they
-went toward the north, as before.
-
-On the third night the young man, now a chief, dreamed that some one
-came to him, saying: “Tomorrow night when you camp the enemy will be
-camped near by, and you will discover each other. (It was not the
-custom of Indians in those days to attack in the night, but always just
-at daybreak.) Now be you ready, all of you, as soon as daylight is
-dawning and attack the enemy. Be sure that you attack and not they.”
-The next morning Stone Coat, the chief, told his dream (he knew the
-warriors believed him then) word for word. That night when they camped,
-they discovered the enemy not far away, also arranging a camp. During
-the night few of the warriors slept, for they felt anxious, and some
-were afraid of an attack, though it was not the rule to attack in the
-night.
-
-Toward day the chief told all to get ready. When light was dawning they
-started. On stealing up they saw that the enemy also were making ready,
-whereupon Stone Coat told his men to make a circle around the camp,
-saying at the same time, “When we are almost around I will raise a
-whoop; then let all give the war cry and attack.” The chief discovered
-that the enemy had a warrior among them, who was a larger man than the
-others, and saw that he had a shield to ward off arrows. Noticing that
-it was about the same size as his own, he said to the men, “You must
-fight desperately, for I do not know how we shall come out.” The
-headman of the enemy shouted to him: “You are among these men; you are
-a Stone Coat! I am determined to kill you.” (The big man had no name.
-The chief did not hold up his shield.) As they came nearer and nearer
-and finally met, the chief and the big man first used their peculiar
-clubs. Then they grappled, and the chief of the 30, seizing his
-antagonist, pulled out his arm,[309] which he threw away; but
-immediately it flew back. The man in turned pulled off the chief’s arm,
-hurling it away, but it flew back to its place and it was as it was
-before. While they fought, the shouting of the enemy died away; once in
-a while there was a shout and it could be known from the sound that the
-people were being killed. Now the chief pulled off the man’s head and
-tore off the flesh; then he kept kicking away the pieces as they came
-back. It so happened that if the fragments of flesh could be kept away
-until cool, their strength died, so that they could not come back.
-Hence the chief continued to fight in this manner until at last he
-killed the big man. When the fight was over, and the few of the enemy
-remaining had run away, only 15 of the chief’s men were left, as 15 had
-been killed. The survivors piled up the bodies, and this time they
-threw earth over them, as so many of their own people were among the
-dead. Then all started for home, where they remained a long time.
-
-When the chief had reached the prime of life he said: “I am getting
-well advanced in years and delight in warfare. I want to have one more
-expedition, then I shall be satisfied.” People volunteered to go and 40
-were made ready, for that number constituted as large a party as was
-wanted. These started, going toward the south. (The people they fought
-with came from the south.) The young man had a dream, in which a man
-said: “I have come to tell you that you are to have a difficult time,
-for a man will be among the enemy who is very powerful, and I am unable
-to tell you whether you will conquer him or not. Tomorrow at noon you
-will meet the enemy, and just before noon an owl will come on your
-trail, saying, ‘Be ready; your enemy is at hand.’ Then you can get
-ready to fight.” Having told his dream in the morning, they started on.
-Toward noon they heard the hooting of an owl; it flew along their
-trail, and alighting on a tree, said: “The enemy is near, and they have
-made this expedition to fight, as you have. Then each of you will be
-satisfied.” The chief said: “Get ready immediately. Hang up your
-bundles. I do not know how we shall come out if the man keeps on
-throwing me; if he throws me twice, run.” While they were hanging up
-their bundles the war whoop was given by the advancing enemy. Now, as
-the dream had foretold, the chief saw the strong man, and realized that
-he was stronger than he was himself. As they were nearing each other,
-the opposite side kept calling out: “We have come to destroy you. You
-have destroyed all our other expeditions; now we will finish you.” The
-chief and the strong man met and fought first with clubs. Then,
-clinching, they struggled a long time. At last the chief was thrown;
-then the strong man struggled to keep him down, but the chief, arising,
-threw his enemy, who barely touched the ground before he was up again.
-The next time the chief was thrown his men began to run, but turning to
-look, they stood watching the two men fight. They saw their chief’s arm
-pulled off, but it flew back into place; then his head was thrown off,
-whereupon they saw he was weakening; so some ran home, but five
-remained in hiding. The enemy began to walk around, gathering up the
-pieces of the head, for they thought all the opposing party had run
-away. The five who were concealed saw them gather the flesh and limbs
-of the chief, for now they had killed him. Then the five heard the
-voice of the enemy saying, “We will hold a council and give thanks for
-conquering this man, who has destroyed so many of our people.” So
-saying, they began to get ready to do this; they made a circle and the
-pieces of the chief’s body were placed in the center. They were to give
-thanks by singing the war song. A man rose and sang, and as he sang he
-went toward the chief’s feet; when the song was ended he went to the
-head, saying: “You have been conquered. We shall have peace now.” Then
-he struck the pieces of the chief’s body with his club, saying, “Thus I
-will punish you.” At that moment the pieces flew together, becoming the
-chief again, who, springing up, killed five persons, and then, lying
-down, fell apart. Each one of the enemy said: “I think this man did
-wrong in wishing to punish a warrior after he was dead;[310] this is
-why we have lost five of our men. We would better kill this man before
-he brings us more bad luck”; thereupon they cut off his head. Then they
-sang the war song again, but no one raised a club or other weapon
-against any dead man while they were gathering up the corpses. Of the
-chief’s men 10 of the 40 got home. They said: “The friend whom we
-depended on is killed, and we would better remain at home hereafter and
-only defend ourselves. If our enemies desire to fight, they must come
-here to fight with us.” These people lived in peace after that.
-
-
-
-
-
-60. THE GRANDMOTHER AND HER GRANDSON
-
-An aged grandmother and her grandson lived by themselves in a lodge in
-the forest. When the grandson had grown to be quite a large boy his
-grandmother said to him: “Here are a bow and a quiver of arrows. They
-were formerly used by your uncle, who was killed by a great witch. So
-take the bow and the quiver of arrows and learn to use them.”
-
-The next morning the grandmother said to her young charge: “Now, go out
-and try to kill some birds. You may go as far as you like, but do not
-go northward.” [311] Then she gave him a breakfast of parched corn,
-which hunters were accustomed to eat, for on such a meal they would not
-become hungry so soon as on any other kind of food. Starting out, the
-young grandson went through the woods shooting birds. By the middle of
-the day he decided to go home, feeling that his grandmother would be
-delighted because he had killed so many birds for their meat. Having
-returned to his home, the lad showed his grandmother the string of
-birds which he had killed. She was much pleased with his success, and
-dressed the birds, pounded corn for bread, and made hominy, in which
-she cooked the birds. When these things were done they two ate their
-evening meal.
-
-The next morning the grandmother again gave her grandson parched corn
-to eat, and when he had eaten she cautioned him once more against going
-northward. By the middle of the day he had killed a larger string of
-birds than on the previous day, so he went home to his grandmother. She
-greeted him at the doorway with the words, “I thank you, grandson, for
-your success, for we are well off now and shall have plenty to eat.”
-That night, however, she talked seriously with him, cautioning him in
-these words: “My grandson, you must always hunt only to the southward
-from here. You must never go to the northward, for many dangers lurk
-there which may cut us both off, for you and I are the only persons of
-our family who are left from destruction by sorcery. So if you are
-obedient and listen to my words of caution to you, we shall probably
-live.”
-
-The next morning after his usual breakfast of parched cornmeal the
-grandson started off. On that day he went farther away than on any
-previous days, and he saw many different kinds of game, such as he had
-not seen before. While animals of a certain kind were feeding he
-managed to get around in front of them, and taking good aim, he killed
-one with an arrow. The rest of these animals escaped. He went up to the
-dead game animal, and pulling out his arrow, cleaned it in the manner
-in which he had been instructed by his grandmother. Then stripping off
-bark from a neighboring tree and tying the game animal, so as to carry
-it the more easily on his shoulders, he started for home. When he
-reached the doorway of his home, he said to his grandmother, “I have
-larger game this time.” She was delighted with what he had brought home
-and thanked him for his prowess, saying, “This is what is called
-Ohsoon.” [312] Having carefully dressed the game animal, the
-grandmother, after reserving part of it for future use, cooked the
-remainder. When it was cooked they sat down together and ate it, while
-the grandmother continued praising her grandson.
-
-The next morning she sent him off again, as she had done so many
-mornings before. But he had to go a long way this day before he was
-able to find any game. By the middle of the day, however, he again met
-with an Ohsoon, which he killed. Having secured it to his body with a
-bark sling, he started for home, remarking to himself, “Oh! how far
-away the game animals have gone from home.”
-
-As usual, the next morning he started off to hunt. But after he had
-gone a short distance he began to think and wonder: “Why does
-grandmother forbid my going to the north? Yet game is getting scarce in
-the south?” Finally he came to the conclusion that he would then and
-there disregard the injunction of his grandmother. So he changed his
-course to the northward. Soon he found a large number of birds. But he
-had not gone much farther before he heard some one call: “Hallo,
-nephew! I have caught you.” Looking up, he saw a man sitting on a
-resting place formed of the tops of several trees, which had been drawn
-and tied together in a tuft or sheaf of branches. There the man sat as
-if he were in a basket. “Well, my nephew,” he continued, “what would
-you do if it should rain spears?” The young man replied, “Oh! we should
-be very thankful for them, for we need some.” Then the young man ran
-homeward as fast as he could. Having arrived there, grasping his
-grandmother by the hand, he dragged her along with the remark, “Oh!
-grandmother, we must run and hide.” She answered him, “Oh! my grandson,
-you have been to the north, where I told you not to go.” But he pulled
-her along as fast as she could go, until finally they came to a spring;
-leaping into this, they went along underground until they came to a
-rock. There they sat down and silently waited a long time. At last the
-boy said: “I think that the storm is over. Let us go home now.” When
-they reached home they found the lodge leveled to the ground. The poor
-old grandmother said, “This, indeed, comes of your going to the
-northward, where I told you not to go.” But the grandson coolly
-remarked: “Never mind. Oh! grandmother, I will soon have a lodge here.”
-Then walking around an area as large as he desired the lodge to be, he
-exclaimed, “Let a lodge at once fill this space of ground.” Hardly had
-his words died away before a lodge, complete in all its appointments,
-stood there. Then the grandmother and her potent grandson entered it
-and they two lived in it, more comfortable than they were before.
-
-The next morning, after having eaten his breakfast of parched corn, the
-youth again started off southward to hunt. But taking a circuitous
-course, he finally headed toward the north, remarking to himself, “I
-had some fun with my uncle yesterday, so I must go to see what he will
-say this time.” Soon he saw so many birds and was so much occupied in
-killing them that he had forgotten about the man in the sheaf of
-tree-tops. Suddenly he was halted with the challenge, “Oh, nephew! I
-have caught you. What would you do if I should send a shower of
-stones?” The youth replied, “We should be much pleased, for my
-grandmother often needs stones for pounding her corn for meal.” So
-saying, the young man fled homeward. Having arrived there, he grasped
-his grandmother by the arms and rushed her to the river, and then up
-the river to the spring. The grandmother scolded him as they fled,
-saying, “Oh! this is too bad, grandson; you have gone northward again.”
-Then she would weep bitterly. At last, coming to the spring and
-descending into it, they crept along until they came again to the rock
-under which they took shelter before. There they sat until finally the
-youth said, “I think the storm is now over; let us go home.” On
-reaching home they found their lodge in ruins again. But the youth
-encouraged his grandmother with comforting words and commanded the
-erection of another lodge as he had done in the first instance.
-
-The next morning after he had eaten his parched corn, he started out
-again to hunt. Taking a southward course for a time, he soon turned
-toward the north. As he went along he soliloquized, “I shall not hunt,
-but I shall make it my business to catch my uncle.” After going some
-distance farther, he called a mole, to which he said, when it came to
-him: “I want you to take me to that tree yonder. You must go almost up
-to the man who sits on it. After I shall have spoken to him, you must
-bring me back to this place.” The mole at once agreed to aid him. By
-shaking himself the youth reduced his size until he became as small as
-a flea; then he got on the mole. The mole went to the foot of the tree
-indicated, whereupon the youth called out, “Oh, uncle! I have caught
-you.” The man looked all around but saw nothing. Again the youth
-shouted, “What would you do if a whirlwind should come?” The man
-pleaded, “Oh, nephew! do not be so hard on me as that.” The youth
-replied, “Oh! I did not beg that way when you asked me about spears and
-stones.” Then the mole ran back to the place where he had found the
-youth, and the latter, assuming his natural size, ran home. Grasping
-his grandmother’s arm, he rushed her to the spring. They both
-disappeared in its waters, going to their shelter under the rock. The
-grandmother kept scolding her grandson, saying, “It is too bad; you
-have been at the north again.” There under the rock they sat until the
-youth had calmed the whirlwind, when they came up out of the water.
-They found the trees uprooted and their lodge in ruins. But the youth
-soon had a lodge in the place of the other by merely commanding his
-fetishes and walking around the space of ground, as he had previously
-done.
-
-The next morning, after his usual preparations, the youth started out
-southward from his home. When out of sight of the lodge he suddenly
-turned toward the north, with the remark: “I must see my uncle. I find
-the trees are all uprooted, and it must be that my uncle is buried
-under these fallen trees. So I can go to hunt in safety now.” After
-keeping on his journey for some time he found a large number of
-partridges, which he killed; then he started home. His grandmother was
-pleased to see him return quietly with game. After laying aside his
-weapons he remarked: “Well, grandmother, I have destroyed my uncle. He
-is no longer on the tree.” The grandmother replied, warmly, “Well, you
-need not think that he was alone in the world. He has a brother, who
-lives in a lodge farther north.” The youth made no reply, but resolved
-what he would do in the matter.
-
-Early the next morning the young man ate his breakfast of parched
-cornmeal, after which he started off, determined to find his other
-uncle, who lived in a lodge. Reaching the place where the trees were
-uprooted, he found his first uncle dead. But he kept on his course
-until he came to an opening in the forest, in which he saw a lodge with
-smoke rising from the smoke-hole. Somewhat pleased, the youth said,
-“Well, I must go over there and take a look into that lodge, for that
-must be the place where my second uncle lives.” Going directly to the
-lodge and opening the door-flap, he peered in, and said to an old man
-sitting inside, “Well, uncle, I have come to visit you.” The old man
-calmly replied: “Come in, nephew. I have a rule which all who come here
-to visit me follow; that is, that we must run a race across this field
-and back again. We bet our heads on this race.” The youth answered,
-“Well, if that is your rule, we will run the race at once.” So they
-went out of doors. Drawing a mark across the opening, the old man said
-to the youth: “We will run to that red post over there at the end of
-this opening. If I can get back and across this line first I will cut
-off your head; but if you return and cross it first you shall cut off
-my head. So be ready.” At the line they stood side by side; then the
-old man shouted, “Now, go!” They were off instantly and ran to the
-post. When halfway back to the line the youth suddenly fell to the
-ground, a sharpened deer’s horn having pierced his foot.[313] He sat
-down to pull it out. Having pulled it out, he threw it far ahead, and
-it came down right in the path of the old man, who had made
-considerable headway while the boy was sitting down. Now the old man,
-stepping on the horn, fell to the ground. While he was pulling out the
-horn, the youth, passing him, crossed the line ahead of the uncle,
-saying, “Oh, my uncle! I have won the race.” The uncle disputed this,
-but when he found that it was of no use he begged for another smoke,
-but the nephew refusing him, he subsided. The youth took out of his
-pouch a sharp flint knife and, seizing his uncle’s hair, cut off his
-head. Dragging the body into the lodge, he burned both lodge and body.
-As the fire died out the old man’s head burst and out of it flew an
-owl. Then the youth went home and told his grandmother what he had
-done. But she replied, “You still have a third uncle, who is also a
-great sorcerer.”
-
-The next morning the youth started off again, this time to visit his
-third uncle. On his way he passed the uprooted trees and then the
-burned lodge. Keeping on, he saw some distance ahead a lodge standing
-in a clearing in the forest. When he came to the edge of the woods, he
-found that the opening was large and that the lodge stood on the
-farther side of it. This, he thought, must be the lodge of his third
-uncle. When he reached the lodge, he looked in it, saying to a man
-sitting inside, “Well, uncle, I am here to visit you.” The man replied:
-“Oh nephew! I am glad you have come. I have a game to play. Everyone
-who comes here plays it with me. We bet our heads on the issue of the
-game.” The youth replied, “Well, uncle, what is this game?” “We hide
-right here in this room,” answered the uncle. “I will hide, and if you
-do not find me before midday, you lose, and I will cut off your head;
-but if you find me, you will win, and then you shall cut off my head.”
-The youth replied, “It is well.” Then the uncle said: “Now you must lie
-down here on the ground, and I will cover you with an elk skin. When I
-am ready I will let you know.” Thereupon the youth lay down, but after
-he had been carefully covered with the elk skin by his uncle, changing
-himself into a woodtick, he got on his uncle’s neck. When the old man
-said, “I am ready,” the woodtick called out, “I have found you, my
-uncle.” The old man thought the voice came from behind, so he hid
-again. Again the woodtick called out, “I have found you, my uncle.” The
-old man looked everywhere, but he could not see his nephew; he saw no
-one. Once more the old man hid and was discovered. Thus he kept on
-until midday, as was his right. The old man, thinking all the time that
-the youth was still under the elk skin, wondered how he could find him
-so easily. He frequently ran outside to see by the sun how near midday
-it was; then he would hurry back to hide. At last he decided to hide
-outside the lodge, but the youth called out, “That will not do, uncle;
-you said that we must hide in the lodge.” It now being nearly midday,
-the old man was frightened, so with a long pole he pushed the sun off
-toward the east. Then running in, he hid again. But the youth shouted,
-“I have found you, my uncle.” Again the sun was nearly overhead, and
-again the old man, running out, with the long pole pushed [314] the sun
-toward the east and kept on hiding, but without success. He was
-discovered each time. At last when the sun was directly at midday,
-directly “at mid-sky,” the youth called out to his victim: “Oh, uncle!
-I have found you. I have won the game.” Thereupon the old man begged
-for one more smoke, but the youth, knowing his purpose, would not let
-him have another. Instead, he proceeded to cut off his head; then he
-dragged the old man’s body into the lodge, where he burned it. When the
-flesh had burned from the head of the old man, the head burst open and
-out flew an owl. Looking around this place, the youth saw large heaps
-of bones of persons whom the old man, having deceived, had killed and
-eaten.
-
-Then the youth went home and told his grandmother what he had done. Her
-only reply was: “My grandson, you still have a fourth uncle, who is
-more evil and more potent in orenda than the others. I advise you not
-to go near him, for I greatly fear that harm will come to you.” The
-grandson said, “I shall not go, grandmother.”
-
-The next morning, after eating his repast of parched cornmeal, he
-started, directing his course southward. But when he was out of sight
-of his lodge he changed his course toward the north. Making a circuit
-around his home, he passed all three places where he had visited his
-uncles, and finally came to a fourth opening with a lodge standing in
-its center. Arriving at the lodge, he peeped into it; there he saw a
-man who was still older than his other uncles. Making his presence
-known, he said, “Well, uncle, I have come to visit you.” The old man
-answered, saying: “It is well, my nephew. Come in and sit down. I have
-a game which I play with all those who come to visit me. I play the
-bone-dice game. Each has only one throw, and we bet our heads on the
-result. So get ready.” The youth replied: “It is well, uncle; I will
-play with you. I will go out for a moment, but will return in as short
-a time as possible.” Going to the river bank, and seeing a flock of
-ducks, the youth called them to come to him. When they did so, he said
-to them: “I have a bet, and I want you to aid me with your magic power.
-I desire six of you to lend me your right eyes [315] for a short time.
-I will bring them back as soon as I make my throw.” At once six of the
-ducks, removing their right eyes, gave them to the youth. On his way
-back to the lodge the youth said to the eyes, “When the old man throws,
-some of you drop into the bowl with your sight down, but when I play
-you must all drop with your sights turned up.” When he entered the
-lodge, he said to the old man, “We will play with my dice.” The old man
-objected to the use of the dice belonging to the youth, but the latter
-insisted on his right to use his own dice, as the person challenged.
-They spread a deerskin on the ground, on which they placed a bowl. When
-the youth had put his dice into the bowl, he asked his uncle to take
-the first throw, but the old man was not willing to do so. After
-disputing for some time, however, the old man shook the bowl, whereupon
-the eyes, as ducks quacking as they flew, rose slowly to the
-smoke-hole, and then fell back into the bowl as dice, some right side
-up and others the wrong side up. Then the youth shook the bowl, and the
-dice flew up as ducks, quacking loudly, and going out of the
-smoke-hole, they disappeared in the clouds. The old man, as was the
-custom, sat, saying: “Let there be no count. Let there be no count,”
-while the youth cried out: “Let the count be five. Let the count be
-five.” In a short time they heard the ducks coming in the distance, and
-then they soon dropped into the dish as dice again, all being right
-side up, at which the youth cried out, “I have won the game.” The old
-man begged to be permitted to take one smoke more, but the nephew,
-refusing him, proceeded to cut off the old man’s head with his flint
-knife. Then placing the head and body of the old man in the lodge, he
-set it on fire. When the head burst open, out flew an owl. Then the
-youth took the six eyes back to the river, and calling up the ducks to
-him, he moistened the eyes with spittle and replaced them in the heads
-of the ducks. Thanking the ducks for the aid they had given him, he
-dismissed them, and they flew far away.
-
-The youth now went home, where he told his grandmother what he had
-done. After hearing his story she said: “I am well pleased with what
-you have done, my grandson. You can now hunt with freedom in all
-directions, for there is now no one to harm you. You had a number of
-brothers, but their uncles destroyed them without mercy.”
-
-She sent him to hunt, as usual. Being now quite a man, he could kill
-deer, bear, and other large game, but he had to go so far away to find
-them that he always returned late at night. Not liking this, he thought
-of a method by which this might be avoided. He went into the forest,
-after telling his grandmother that he was tired of going so far to
-hunt, that he would merely sing, and that the game would come to him.
-In the forest he made arrows, and by the time night came he had as many
-white-ash arrows as he could well carry.
-
-The next morning, bringing out a deerskin, he caused his grandmother to
-sit on it. Then, covering her head with the skin, he said to her: “Now,
-you must not look out. If you do I shall leave here, never to return.”
-First, placing the great bundle of arrows on the ground outside the
-lodge, he began to sing: “Come to me, you elk. Come to me, you bears.
-Come to me, you raccoons. Come to me, you deer.” As he stood singing,
-soon there arose a great commotion in the forest, caused by the sound
-of many feet running toward the singer. The animals were coming from
-every direction. As they were drawn near him by his singing he began to
-shoot his arrows. When he had shot away about half of his arrows, and
-while the animals were near him—bears, raccoons, deer, and elk—and
-while hedgehogs were climbing the lodge roof, the grandmother, becoming
-frightened at the strange sounds, removing the buckskin covering from
-her head, looked up through the smoke-hole to see what was the cause of
-the tumult. In an instant a great white deer sprang over the other
-animals, and, taking the youth on his antlers, ran off with him into
-the forest.[316] All the other animals followed the man, who was
-singing as they ran. Then the grandmother rushed to the doorway, and,
-looking out, saw all the game killed, but she did not see her grandson
-anywhere. Then she remembered his words, but it was too late.
-
-While the great white deer was rushing through the forest a pack of
-black wolves came upon its tracks, and, soon overtaking it, killed both
-it and the man. The next morning the aged grandmother, in an attempt to
-repair the damage done through her lapse of memory and great curiosity,
-followed the tracks of the game in order to find her grandson. The game
-had beaten a broad trail through the forest as they ran. In the
-afternoon of the day the youth disappeared the sky and clouds in the
-west appeared very red.[317] Seeing this, the grandmother exclaimed:
-“This is certainly an evil sign. My grandson is surely in trouble.”
-This was the very time at which the great white deer and the man were
-killed. The grandmother followed the trail all that day until the
-evening at about the time she had seen the red sky and clouds the day
-before. Then she came on the spot where her grandson and the deer had
-been killed. There she saw pieces of bloody deerskin, but not a bone,
-nor a bit of his body. Then she returned home in despair, weeping all
-the way.
-
-
-
-
-
-61. HEART SQUEEZING AND THE DANCE OF NAKED PERSONS
-
-A woman and her son lived together in a lodge situated not far from a
-small settlement. The boy began his career by hunting small game, but
-he soon killed such large game that everyone was astonished at his
-prowess. As he grew older, he went farther and farther into the woods.
-His mother, however, always warned him against going toward the
-northeast, saying that an evil woman lived there.
-
-One day while hunting the boy thought, “I do not believe there is
-anyone who can overcome me magically,” whereupon he determined to go
-toward the northeast. Starting thither, he soon came to an opening,
-where he saw a woman who sang out, “I have caught you, my brother,” and
-at that moment the boy, feeling her in his body squeezing his heart,
-screamed with pain. Then the woman stopped an instant and then squeezed
-his heart harder than before, causing him intense pain. Just then he
-heard a woman’s voice say, “Hurry home, and as you go, sing, ‘I am
-going to have a naked dance [318] and a pot.’” The young man did this,
-and as he sang he felt easier. When he got home his mother said, “You
-have been toward the northeast, although I told you that you would get
-into trouble if you went there.” The mother immediately sent a
-messenger to tell her uncle, her mother’s brother, what had happened,
-and he inquired what the boy sang. The messenger told him, and he
-replied, “Tell his mother to notify everyone that she is going to have
-a dance of naked persons.”
-
-All the people were notified accordingly. The old man came, and one by
-one all the rest assembled. Then the old man asked whether all the
-guests were there who had been invited. The woman, the youth’s mother,
-after looking around, said, “Yes.” Telling the people to take off their
-garments, and to dance facing the wall, the old man, seating himself in
-the center of the room, began to sing. When he had finished the song,
-he said, “That will do.” Thereupon the dance broke up, the people
-dressing themselves and going home.
-
-The young man felt better, but he was angry with the woman who had
-tormented him; so he decided to go again and say to her, “I have caught
-you,” before she had time to say it. The next morning he started off
-without telling his mother where he was going. When near the opening,
-halting, he called for a mole. In a short time the mole came, whereupon
-the boy said, “You must carry me to the spot where the woman is, but
-she must not see us.” Reducing his size until he was quite small, the
-young man entered the body of the mole, which went beneath the surface
-of the ground. After a while they peeped out, but the woman was still
-far off. They went on again, and when they looked out a second time,
-they were quite near the woman. She had large eyes, twice as large as
-those of anyone else, which were red as blood, and whenever she said,
-“I have caught you,” nothing had power over her.
-
-The boy told the mole to go underground, so as to come out just beneath
-her feet. The mole did so, and then the boy, exclaiming, “I have caught
-you!” at that instant going into her body, squeezed her heart. She
-cried out with pain, “Do not squeeze so hard.” He answered, “I did not
-say, ‘Do not squeeze so hard,’ when you squeezed my heart.” Thereupon
-the woman hurried home. When near home she saw that her sisters were
-pounding corn for bread, and they noticed that she was crying, so one
-of them said, “I told you that that young man could not be beaten; you
-should not have touched him.”
-
-One of the sisters, going to the same old man who had cured the boy,
-said, “Uncle, our youngest sister is very sick; she is singing, ‘I am
-going to have a dance of naked persons and a pot.’” The old man told
-her to invite the people to her pot. She did so, and when they were
-assembled the dance began. At the moment the old man said, “My song is
-finished,” the young man squeezed the girl’s heart so hard that she
-fell down dead. Coming out of her body, the young man went some
-distance before he became visible. He went home and was tormented no
-more. He could now hunt in any direction.
-
-
-
-
-
-62. HOTʻHO, THE WINTER GOD [319]
-
-One day a man while out hunting met Hotʻho and said to him, “You can
-not make me freeze, no matter how cold you can make it.” Hotʻho
-replied, “I can do that without much trouble.” They had a long
-discussion of the matter and at last agreed that they would have that
-night a trial of strength.
-
-After reaching home the man carried in wood enough to burn all night;
-then building a huge fire, he made a large kettle full of hemlock tea.
-When night came he stood before the fire ready for the contest. All
-night long there he stood, turning first one side and then the other to
-the fire and often drinking a cup of the boiling hemlock tea. It was a
-terribly cold night and continued to grow colder until near morning.
-Just at the break of day Hotʻho, naked, and carrying his hatchet in a
-slit in the skin above his hip, came into the lodge, and sitting down
-on a pile of bark by the fire, said to the man, “You have beaten me;”
-and at that moment, growing warmer, it began to thaw.
-
-This shows that man can conquer Hotʻho, the god of cold weather.
-
-
-
-
-
-63. SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA AND HIS THREE BROTHERS [320]
-
-There lived in a lodge in the forest Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa and three
-brothers. In their larder they had an abundance of oil, venison, and
-bear’s meat. Of the brothers Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa was the eldest. Not far
-from their lodge lived a brother and his sister. The brother, who was
-the elder, was also a turtle.
-
-One day the youngest brother of Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa said to his brothers,
-“I am going over to the lodge where the Turtle lives.” His brothers,
-knowing the motive of the visit, replied: “It is well. You may go,” for
-they thought it best that he should get married. So after making
-suitable preparations, he started, and soon he arrived at the lodge of
-their neighbors. He found the Turtle’s sister at home. The visitor had
-slung over his shoulder a pouch that contained bear’s oil. Sitting down
-near Turtle’s sister, he said to her, “I want to marry you,” but she
-made him no answer nor any sign of recognition. While he sat there
-waiting for her reply, he would dip his finger into the pouch on his
-back, afterward sucking off the oil. He patiently waited all day for
-her reply, and when it was nearly night she answered, “I have decided
-not to marry you.” He did not press his suit, but said, “It is well;”
-then he went to his home. Having arrived there, his brothers asked him
-what success he had, and he told them. They answered, “It is well.”
-
-Then the next elder brother said, “It must be I about whom she is
-thinking.” The next morning he said, “I shall now go there;” so he
-started. He found the sister of Turtle at home, and sitting down beside
-her, he said: “I have come for the purpose of marrying you. Will you
-consent to be my wife?” Like his younger brother, he waited the entire
-day for her reply. When it was nearly night she made him the same
-answer as she had given his brother; he then went home. Having reached
-there, his brothers asked him what success he had, and he told them.
-They answered, “It is well.” Then the third brother said, “It must be I
-of whom she is thinking. I shall go there tomorrow.” So the next
-morning he went to the lodge of Turtle, and finding the sister at home,
-he sat down beside her, saying, “I am here to know whether we can
-become man and wife.” She acted toward him just as she had toward his
-brothers; so he returned to his home, where he related to them how she
-had answered him.
-
-Then Turtle, her brother, said: “I think that we are now about to die.
-The next man who will come is Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, the eldest of the four
-brothers. You have made a great mistake. You should have accepted the
-youngest brother. I would have consented had you asked me. The youngest
-brother is a good man, and he possesses great orenda. But the time is
-now past. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa has volunteered to come to ask you tomorrow
-to be his wife.”
-
-The next morning Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, saying to his brothers, “It has
-become evident that it is I of whom she is thinking,” started to call
-on her at the lodge of Turtle. Finding her at home, he said, “My wife,
-I have come after you, so you must go home with me;” thereupon, seizing
-her arm, he attempted to pull her along with him. Being very angry, she
-bitterly resisted him. Turtle, her brother, was at one end of the fire,
-concealed under the ashes. While Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa was struggling with
-the young woman as he held her by the arm, she managed her defense in
-such manner as to cause her captor to step on her brother, who at once
-bit his toe, causing him to release her. Then Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa said,
-“Brother-in-law, let go of my toe,” but Turtle still hung to it. At
-that moment the visitor, taking his staff and putting his foot on the
-end of the firelog, struck Turtle on the head with the staff. As he did
-so, Turtle at once grew magically in size and in the strength of his
-bite. As Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa struck him again Turtle increased in size as
-before and his bite grew more painful. But Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa kept on
-pounding him, seemingly unaware that Turtle’s size increased with his
-blows. Turtle continued to grow larger and larger and continued drawing
-in Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa until he had swallowed his entire body.
-
-Two days later Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa came away, passing through Turtle’s
-bowels. Thereupon Turtle said to his sister: “In 10 [321] days
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa will regain his consciousness, and then he will
-pursue us. To run away is our only safety; so let us flee hence.”
-Placing him in a basket, which she put on her back, Turtle’s sister
-started away as fast as she could go.
-
-After the expiration of 10 days, as Turtle had predicted,
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa regained consciousness and, looking around, saw no
-one there. Then finding the young woman’s tracks, he pursued her. The
-fugitives had gone a long way when Turtle said to his sister,
-“Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa is fast overtaking us and is now near us.” So the
-sister kept on in her flight, and as she got over a fallen tree Turtle
-said to her, “Leave me here, and you continue your course.” Obeying her
-brother, she hastened on her way.
-
-Not long after her departure Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa came along. As he walked
-over the fallen tree he stepped on Turtle without seeing him, whereupon
-Turtle promptly bit him again. At this Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa exclaimed,
-“Brother-in-law! let go of my foot; you are greatly delaying me on my
-course.” But as Turtle gave no heed to what his brother-in-law had said
-to him, Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa decided to kill him, and raising his foot
-with Turtle hanging to it, he beat him against the fallen tree. But as
-before, striking Turtle only caused him to grow in size, until he
-finally became large enough to swallow his enemy again. Turtle waited
-there for two days until he had excreted Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa; then he
-started on his way again. While the sister was walking along she was
-surprised to find her brother, Turtle, on a fallen tree. He had arrived
-there ahead of her by means of his orenda.
-
-After the expiration of 10 days Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa regained
-consciousness, and arising, said to himself, “I have now been asleep a
-very long time and must continue my hunt”; so saying, he started in
-pursuit once more. The young woman was now growing faint and exhausted,
-and her brother said to her as she carried him along in the basket:
-“Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa is again overtaking us, and is now very near to us.
-Once more drop me by the first fallen tree that we come to.” She obeyed
-and, leaving her brother near a fallen tree, kept on her way.
-
-When Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa came along in due time the orenda of Turtle
-caused him to pass within reach of the latter, who again seized his
-foot in his teeth. At this Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa said to his
-brother-in-law, “You are indeed hindering me greatly in my journey, so
-let go of my foot,” but Turtle paid no attention to this remonstrance.
-So Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa decided again to beat him to death against the
-fallen tree. So he began to do this, but Turtle only grew in size until
-he was again able to swallow his brother-in-law. Turtle waited there
-for two days, and then having gotten rid of Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa as
-before, he went on in his flight.
-
-At the expiration of 10 days Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, on regaining
-consciousness, said to himself, “I have now been asleep a very long
-time, and I must continue my hunt”; so he resumed at once pursuit of
-Turtle and his sister. In time the young woman again grew faint and
-exhausted, so her brother said to her as she carried him along in a
-basket: “Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa is again overtaking us and is now quite near
-us. Still again drop me beside the first fallen tree to which you come
-on our way.” She was willing to obey him, so she did as he said, and
-kept on her way. Once more, when Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa came along, Turtle,
-by means of his orenda, causing his adversary to pass within reach of
-his teeth, again seized him by the foot. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa thereupon
-said to his brother-in-law, “You are indeed greatly hindering me from
-continuing my journey in peace; so let go of my foot.” But Turtle did
-not free him, holding fast to his foot. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa therefore
-decided to kill him. Raising his foot with Turtle hanging to it, he
-beat Turtle against the fallen tree; but as he beat him, Turtle grew so
-rapidly in size that he was soon large enough to swallow him again.
-Then Turtle waited there two entire days, and when he had excreted
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa he continued his journey.
-
-At the expiration of 10 days, when Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa had again regained
-consciousness, he arose, saying, “I have been sleeping now a long time
-and must continue my journey”; so he once more resumed his pursuit of
-Turtle and his sister. When Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa was again overtaking the
-woman, and while she was running onward, she saw a light ahead, which
-seemed to indicate that there might be an opening there. But she soon
-learned that this was a lake; and, having arrived on its shore, she
-looked over the water but could see nothing on the farther side. So she
-said to herself, “It seems that I have got to die; therefore I might as
-well die here.” With this remark she seated herself on a stone.
-
-In a short time Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa reached her, and seeing her sitting
-there, he exclaimed, “My wife, you are waiting for me,” and he seemed
-to be very glad. He took out his pouch, from which he obtained a
-quantity of tobacco; this he began to burn as an offering to the stone
-on which the young woman was seated. Moreover, he addressed the stone,
-saying, “I thank you, because you have been the cause that has made my
-wife wait for me here.” He kept on thanking the stone as he went back
-toward the forest, also burning tobacco to the other stones.
-
-Just then a man arose out of the waters of the lake, and addressing
-himself to the young woman, said, “Be quick! Come with me!” She
-immediately followed him into the water. When Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa turned
-toward the lake again, he saw at once that the woman was gone; all he
-found were her tracks, which led into the water.
-
-Now, the strange man and the young woman soon came to a lodge in the
-depths, which they entered. The strange man had a sister, who lived in
-the lodge. The young woman hung up her basket, which contained Turtle.
-Whenever she ate anything she would drop pieces of food into the basket
-for her brother, Turtle. Noticing this, the young man’s sister said,
-“Why do you place food in there?” The young woman replied, “My brother
-is in there; that is why I place food there.” Then came the question,
-“Can I see him?” The newly arrived woman said: “Wait two days, and you
-can see him; then he will come out as a full-fledged man. He shall be a
-Turtle no longer.” This lodge was situated at the bottom of the lake.
-The young woman’s brother did come out a full-grown man. Afterward he
-lived with the strange man’s sister as her husband, and his sister
-became the wife of the strange man who had rescued her from
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa on the shore of the lake.
-
-[It is not known by the story-teller who this man and his sister were,
-nor who the four brothers were, with the exception of one,
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa. These four brothers are Whirlwinds.—Editor.]
-
-
-
-
-
-64. THE MOOSE WIFE
-
-A young man living alone with his mother concluded to go into the
-forest to hunt for a whole year, collecting and drying meat, and
-intending at the end of that period to return to visit his mother. So
-he traveled a long way into the forest to a region in which he thought
-there was plenty of deer and other game. There, having built a cabin,
-he began housekeeping by himself. His daily routine was to make a fire,
-get breakfast, and then start off to hunt. He would stay away hunting
-all day. Often when he got home at night he was so tired that he would
-not take the trouble to prepare supper, but throwing himself on his
-couch, he would go to sleep. He was collecting a great quantity of
-cured meat.
-
-One evening when he was returning from a long tramp he saw as he neared
-his cabin smoke issuing from the smoke-hole in the roof. At this he
-became greatly troubled, for he thought that the fire may have spread
-and ignited his lodge. Running into the lodge as quickly as possible,
-what was his surprise to find a bright fire burning in the fire-pit,
-and his kettle, which had been suffered to boil, hanging on the crook
-in such a way as to keep its contents hot. He wondered who had come to
-cook for him, for during the time he had lived there and during his
-journeys he had never found a cabin, nor had he seen a human being. He
-searched all around to see whether he could find a trace of a person’s
-visit. He saw that the deer he had brought home the evening before was
-dressed and hung up, that a pile of wood that he had cut had been
-brought in, that everything had been put in order, and that even corn
-bread had been made. On the way home he had thought of going to bed the
-moment he set foot in the cabin, so he was greatly rejoiced to find a
-warm supper awaiting him. He sat down and ate the supper,
-soliloquizing, “Surely the person who got this ready will come back,”
-but no one came.
-
-The next morning he started as usual to hunt. When he returned in the
-evening he looked to see whether smoke was coming out of the smoke-hole
-of his cabin. There was smoke issuing from it, and again he found
-supper ready for him. On discovering a partially finished braid of
-fibers of bark, he knew that a woman had been at work. He saw,
-moreover, that she had also put a large number of his green deerskins
-to soak, preparatory to making buckskin. Thereupon he thought how good
-she was, and he resolved to see her, whomsoever she might be, even if
-he had to give up hunting in order to do so.
-
-In the morning he started off as though he were going to hunt, but went
-only a short way into the woods to a place whence he could watch the
-cabin. He had built no fire that morning, so that he might be able to
-tell the moment smoke began to rise from the lodge. Stealthily creeping
-back toward his home, he soon saw smoke rising from the cabin. As he
-drew nearer, he saw what to him was a woman come out of the lodge and
-take up an armful of wood. When she went into the lodge he followed her
-as quickly as possible. There he found a beautiful young woman, to whom
-he said: “You have been very kind to me, and I am very thankful to
-you.” She said in reply, “I knew you were starving for lack of a
-woman’s aid, so I came to see whether you would take me as your wife.”
-He accepted her offer, for he was very happy that she was willing to
-remain. She never left him after that. Every day she tanned the
-deerskins and cooked for him, working hard all the time. His wife was
-beautiful and he loved her dearly.
-
-Before the end of a year a boy was born to them, and they were
-perfectly happy. When the time was near to fulfill his promise to visit
-his mother, she said to him: “I know you promised to visit your mother,
-and the time is now here. I have everything ready for you. I have made
-moccasins for you and for your mother.” He said in reply, “I wonder how
-I can carry her some meat, for she lives a long way off.” “You have
-only to choose the meat you want,” she replied; “I know how you can
-carry it.” He decided to take some of every kind. She warned him to be
-true and faithful to her while away, for many women when they saw what
-a good hunter he was would ask him of his mother. She said: “You must
-be true to me as I will be to you. You must never yield to temptation,
-for I shall know if you do, and you will never see me again.” He
-promised her everything she asked. Early the next morning she asked him
-to go to the river with her; it was not far from the cabin. She knew
-how he came, and that he would reach his mother’s home sooner by going
-on the river. When they reached the bank, she took out of her bosom a
-tiny canoe. He wondered what she was going to do with so little a
-plaything. She told him to take hold of one end and to pull away from
-her. On doing so, the canoe stretched out until it was a very large
-one. Then they brought on their backs basketful after basketful of
-meat, which they packed away in the canoe. Giving him a package, she
-said: “I have made these moccasins for your mother. Here is another
-package for you. I wish you to put on a pair every morning, throwing
-away the old ones.”
-
-He promised to return in the fall, and then they parted. When he
-reached his mother’s lodge the news spread that a certain woman’s son
-had returned after a year’s hunting, and many came to see him and the
-great amount of meat he had brought. He did not tell even his mother
-that he was married, and many young girls asked for him as a husband.
-His mother had a beautiful girl in view for him, and continually urged
-him to marry her, but he would not consent. After a while he said to
-his mother: “I am going to the woods again. I have a cabin there, and
-sometime you will know why I do not wish to marry.” So saying, he
-started off.
-
-When he reached the river he shook his boat as his wife had instructed
-him to do, whereupon it again stretched out. Getting aboard, he started
-up the river. When he neared his cabin, he saw his wife waiting for him
-and his little boy running around at play and they were very happy
-again. She told him she loved him better than ever, for he had
-withstood temptation.
-
-Another year passed. They had all the meat they could take care of, and
-another boy had been born to them.
-
-Again she got him ready to carry meat to his mother, just as she had
-done before. She seemed, however, to feel that this time he would yield
-to temptation, so she said to him: “If you marry another woman, you
-will never see me again, but if you love me and your children, you will
-be true to us and come back. If you are not true, I shall not be
-surprised if your new wife will soon be sucking her moccasins from
-hunger, for your magic power or orenda for hunting will vanish.” He
-promised her everything.
-
-As before, on reaching home his fame as a hunter brought many beautiful
-girls to ask for him in marriage. Again his mother urged him to marry,
-and the temptation to yield then was far greater than the first time,
-but he resisted and was ready to start for his cabin, when one day a
-beautiful stranger, appearing in the village, came to his mother’s
-lodge. The mother urged him to marry her, as she was so lovely, and he
-finally yielded.
-
-The wife in the woods, knowing the conditions, said: “Now children, we
-must be getting ready to go away. Your father does not love us and will
-never come back to us.” Though the children were troubled by their
-mother’s tears, still they were full of play and fun, but the poor
-mother was always weeping while preparing to leave her home.
-
-After the man had taken a second wife, the meat in his lodge began to
-fall away strangely. He could almost see it disappear, though there was
-a good supply when he married. In a few days but little was left. He
-went hunting but could kill nothing; he went day after day, but always
-had the same ill luck, for he had lost his magic power (orenda) for
-hunting, as his wife had foretold. One day when he came home from
-hunting, he found his new wife sucking her moccasin, for she was
-famishing with hunger. He cried and sobbed, saying, “This is my
-punishment; she warned me that this would happen if I was untrue to
-her.” Thereupon he decided to go back to his first wife and children at
-once and never to leave them again.
-
-He set out without saying a word to the starving wife or to his anxious
-mother. When he reached his cabin not a single footprint was to be
-seen. He went in, but only to find it empty—wife and children were not
-there, nor any meat, but their worn moccasins were hanging up. The
-sight of these made him very sad. As he was nearly starved, he searched
-everywhere for food. On the hearth he found three small mounds of
-ashes, of different sizes, the third being very small. Sitting down, he
-wondered what this could mean, for he knew that it must have been left
-by his wife as a sign to him should he ever come to the cabin. At last
-he made up his mind that he had three children now, and he determined
-to find them even if he had to follow them to the end of the world.
-
-He mused, “My boys are very playful, and as they followed their mother
-they must have hacked the trees as they went.” Indeed, as the mother
-and the boys were starting away, the boys said, “We will make some
-sign, so that if our father ever thinks of us and comes back, he will
-be able to follow us.” But the mother said: “No, children, you must
-not; he will never come, for he has another wife, and will never think
-of his children in the woods.” Nevertheless, as they went on and played
-by the way, the boys hacked the trees and shot arrows in sport, so the
-father was soon able to trace them. He found that after a day’s journey
-they had camped for the night, for he discovered the remains of a fire,
-and on a tree nearby, four pairs of worn-out moccasins. Tying these in
-a bundle, he hung it on his arm.
-
-Again he walked all day, finally coming to the remains of a fire, near
-which he saw four pairs of worn moccasins hanging up as before. He was
-very tired and hungry.
-
-The next morning he traveled on and, as before, found the remains of a
-fire and four pairs of worn moccasins hanging on a tree. He always took
-these with him. Near noon the next day he saw smoke in the distance,
-seeming to rise from a cabin, and so it proved to be. He saw also two
-boys playing around, running, and shooting arrows; on seeing him they
-ran to tell their mother that a man was coming. On looking out, she
-recognized her husband, whereupon she told the boys to stay inside the
-lodge. He had not recognized the children as his sons, but supposed
-they belonged to people living in the cabin.
-
-As he was very hungry and tired, he thought he would go in and ask for
-food. The woman turned her back as he entered, but the eldest boy,
-recognizing his father, ran to him and put his hand on his knee. The
-father, however, not recognizing the child, gently pushed his hand
-away. At this moment the mother, turning around, saw this action.
-“There,” she said, “I told you to keep away from him, for he does not
-love you.” Now the man, recognizing his wife, cried out, begging her to
-forgive him and to receive him home again. He seemed to be sorry, and
-begged so hard that she forgave him and brought him his little
-daughter, born after he had gone away. Ever afterward he was true to
-his Moose wife (for she was a Moose woman), and never again left his
-home in the woods. He and his little family were always very happy.
-
-
-
-
-
-65. SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA
-
-[Modern]
-
-A number of Indians traveling northward from their village met a
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, with whom they talked. He said, “Hawenniyo caused me
-to be around to assist you.” His mouth was drawn up on one side and
-down on the other. Continuing, he said: “If anyone mocks us in earnest,
-we will enchant him by sorcery. You may go to work making a mask
-representing a face like mine, and then you can cure by means of it the
-sick who are troubled by us, the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa. In this way you may
-take my place.” So the people made wooden masks, to be used as
-directed. This, it is said, is the origin of the Society of False
-Faces, or Maskers, so prominent among the Seneca.[322]
-
-
-
-
-
-66. THE PORCUPINE’S GRANDSON AND THE BEAR
-
-A widower, who had a small son, married a second time. Soon after this
-event he took his wife and child into the forest to hunt. They lived
-very happily until the new wife began to think that her husband loved
-his child better than he did her. This troubled her beyond measure, so
-that she became very uneasy, thinking of nothing else. Then she began
-to study how to get rid of the boy, and at last resolved to destroy
-him.
-
-So one day while her husband was out hunting, she took the boy into the
-woods to a cave, whose mouth was closed with a rock. She rolled away
-the stone from in front of the opening, at the same time telling the
-boy that there were bears in the cave, and that he must run in and
-scare them, so that they would run out at the other end. He crept in,
-and immediately the woman rolled the stone back over its mouth, and
-then deserted him.
-
-When night came the father returned from hunting, and immediately
-missing his boy, asked where he was. The woman answered that he was at
-play when she went to gather bark, and that when she came home she
-could not find him, asserting further that she had been hunting in all
-directions for him, and that she was afraid he had been carried off by
-some wild beast. The father was nearly crazed by this event, and for
-many days hunted for his boy, but he could find only the tracks made by
-his little moccasins far into the woods—tracks which the wicked
-stepmother had (artificially) made to mislead and deceive the father.
-
-When the child found himself fastened in the cave he began to scream
-and cry, and his strength was giving way and he was near fainting when
-he thought he heard a voice saying: “Poor child, stop crying! I am your
-grandmother. I will give you food.” This was a Mother Porcupine. Wiping
-away his tears with her paw, she brought him food, which he thought was
-very good, though it was only hemlock burs. She gave him some of the
-food which she had saved for herself. After eating he was contented,
-whereupon she said, “You are very tired, my dear little grandson; come
-and lie down.” In this way she fed and cared for him a long time.
-
-One day she said: “My stock of food is exhausted, and as it is now
-spring, we should not be cold out of doors. Your stepmother has
-fastened us in here. I must call on our neighbors to let us out, and
-when we are out, I will leave you in their care and go in search of
-food for myself.” Approaching the opening, the Porcupine called aloud
-for help. Afterward the boy thought they went back into the cave, and
-the Porcupine said: “My dear grandson, we must now part. I feel very
-sad but it can not be avoided. I will give you this advice. They will
-come and let us out, and you will go with them. You must be obedient
-and do just as you are told to do, and all will be well in the end.”
-Soon they heard noises with the sound of voices outside the cave, and
-after a while a great crowd seemed to be collected. The imprisoned ones
-heard the chief of the assembly say: “All who heard the call have
-come.[323] Now we want to know who will roll the stone away?” Birds
-came and pecked at it in vain; they could do nothing. Then the smaller
-animals scratched at it. One after another failed. At last a wolf came
-forward, saying, “I can pull the stone away; I am the man to do it.”
-Pushing his long claws under it, he pulled and pulled, until at length
-he exerted so much strength that his hold gave way and he fell over on
-his back. Then the deer tried with his long horns to raise the stone.
-All tried, every one in his own way, from the smallest to the largest
-animal (for all were present that had heard the call), except the
-she-bear; she sat at a short distance with her little family around
-her, consisting of three young cubs. When all the rest had failed, she
-said, “Well, I will try.” Walking up slowly and majestically to the
-blocking stone, she examined the scratches made by the other animals
-until she made up her mind how to act, and then she very quickly got
-the stone away. Then peeping in, she saw a Porcupine and a human being,
-whereupon she hurried away from the opening as though she was greatly
-frightened. As the other animals looked in, they, too, took to their
-heels until they were far enough away to make sure of escape; then they
-waited to see what was to take place.
-
-The Porcupine, coming out, told them not to be frightened. Said she,
-“We are very poor, my grandson and I.” She told them further how he
-came there and that her stock of food was exhausted, adding, “Many of
-you are well able to care for him, so I want you to take charge of my
-grandson.” All, even the birds, announced their willingness to do so.
-“Now,” she continued, “I want to know what you will give him to eat,
-and when I make up my mind that my grandson can live on the food that
-any one of you can supply, I will give him to that one. To my faithful
-friends, the birds, I give thanks; you may go, for I do not think my
-grandson could live on anything you could give him.”
-
-All had brought specimens of what they could furnish and had laid them
-before the Porcupine. The wolf, coming forward, laid down what he had.
-The Porcupine examined it and then asked, “What would you do in case of
-danger?” “Of course we should run,” the wolf replied, thereupon running
-off to show her, and then coming back. “No, my grandson can not go with
-you; he could not run fast enough.” The deer came forward with the most
-suitable food, but when the Porcupine asked, “What would you do in case
-of danger?” the deer ran off at such speed that his horns could be
-heard rattling through the woods. Last of all the old bear came
-forward, saying: “You have all failed. Though I have a large family of
-my own, I will take the boy and will feed him as I feed my cubs, on
-blackberries, chestnuts, and fruit.” When asked what she would do in
-danger, going back to her little cubs, she gave them the sign of
-danger, at which they all crouched down beside a log while she lay at
-their side watching. She said: “That is what I do, and thus we lie
-still until I think the danger is past. I know where the berries grow
-in abundance, and I will take them there. I know also where my winter
-quarters will be; there my cubs will get nourishment by sucking my fat
-paws.” The Porcupine then said: “You are the one to care for my
-grandchild. I wish you to take good care of him. I am now going for
-food.” The boy never saw the Porcupine again. The child thought the
-bear took him by the hand, and that she was like a human being, and
-that they were all like real people.
-
-She led the boy and the cubs to the place where the berries and
-chestnuts were abundant. They played as they went along. The young
-bears became very fond of the boy. When the old mother bear was lying
-asleep in the sun, and they were at play, the cubs would pull the boy’s
-nails to make them long like theirs, and they tried to teach him how to
-climb and run up the trees as they did. At last he was almost equal to
-them in skill in these exercises, his nails having grown long and
-sharp.
-
-One day the old bear woke up and could not see the boy. At last she saw
-him high up in a tree a long way off. Then she scolded her cubs and was
-angry with them, and made the boy’s nails as they originally were. So
-the many days of summer passed. The cubs and the boy were great friends
-and they had him sleep between them and their mother.
-
-When winter came, the old bear said, “It is time to go to our winter
-quarters”; so she took them to a tall, hollow tree, into which they all
-climbed, finding therein a comfortable place. Here they remained; and
-the boy thought they had plenty of room. He and the cubs played
-together and were very happy. The old bear slept most of the time, but
-when she heard a sound she would awake instantly and would say, “You
-must keep very still; there is a hunter near.” In the tree was an
-opening from which she had an outlook. Soon after the warning they
-would see a man coming toward the tree. Then the boy thought he saw the
-mother bear, putting her paw into her pocket, draw out an object that
-had two prongs. As the hunter approached she would thrust this out
-through the hole, moving it to and fro until he passed; then she would
-draw it in again.
-
-All went well until one day toward spring, when the fatal moment came.
-The mother bear heard a hunter approaching again and, although they all
-kept very still, she said, addressing the child: “I think our time has
-come; our separation is near; you can remain here, but we must go, for
-we are bears, but you are a human being. They will take you out and
-care for you.” Then the child and the cubs saw the hunter coming. She
-put out her two-pronged bough but could do nothing; all her magic power
-was gone. When the hunter came up, seeing the claw marks on the bark of
-the tree, he concluded there must be bears within. The old bear knew
-all was over, so she said to the eldest of her cubs, “You must go first
-and the others must follow.” At this the eldest climbed up and out, and
-at that instant the boy heard the twang of the bowstring and impact of
-the arrow, and as he watched the little bear it seemed to throw off a
-burden, which fell to the ground, while the little bear itself [324]
-went straight on without stopping. Then the other little bears
-followed, one and all sharing the fate of the first; each time one
-emerged the boy heard the same sounds and saw the burden fall, but as
-he saw the little bears still running on, he was not frightened. Then
-the old bear said: “Now, I have to go. You must be good and obedient
-and all will be well with you”; then she went out. He heard the same
-sounds as before and saw her drop on the ground; knowing she was
-killed, he began to scream. The hunter, hearing him, was astonished.
-Then, remembering having heard that a child had been lost, he though it
-might be the child in this tree. So he set to work to get the boy out,
-and soon succeeded in doing so. He found the child naked and unable to
-speak a word, having forgotten how to talk. Skinning the largest cub,
-the hunter made leggings for the child from the skin. The boy was
-grieved to see his companions dead and cut up, but he could not speak
-to let his rescuer know how dear they were to him. The hunter took the
-boy to his father, who was overjoyed to see his child again. Ever
-afterward he kept the boy near himself, and in the future all was well.
-
-
-
-
-
-67. GENONSGWA
-
-An old woman, the eldest of her people, lived in the forest with two
-grandchildren, a boy and a girl. One day while the old woman was away a
-female Genonsgwa came into the lodge and picked up the younger child,
-the girl. After speaking kindly to her, saying that she was a good
-little thing, she swallowed her. Then she began to talk to the boy,
-telling him how well he looked, and that he was wholesome, but she did
-not kill him. Sitting on the bed, she told the boy that if he would get
-on her back, she would take him out to find his grandmother. After
-climbing on her back, he soon became frightened, whereupon he grasped
-her so tightly that he became fastened to her back so that he could not
-get off, though he tried hard to do so. The Genonsgwa, rising, went in
-a direction different from that in which his grandmother had gone. The
-boy told her of her mistake, but she said, “Oh! we shall come to the
-place where she is.” The Genonsgwa went very far into the woods. The
-boy began to cry for his grandmother, and cried so hard that the
-Genonsgwa told him to get off her back; she did not like to hear him
-cry, she said, but as she wanted to eat him, he did not get off; in
-fact, he could not do so. Fortunately, the Genonsgwa could neither get
-her hands around to pull him off, nor turn her head to bite him. She
-could not get at him in any way. Knowing this, the boy clung to the
-middle of her back, realizing that she would eat him up if he slipped
-down. They traveled on thus for many days.
-
-When the grandmother came back to her lodge and found that the boy and
-the girl were not there, she became very uneasy. She searched for them
-but found no trace of either. After a while, finding the tracks of the
-Genonsgwa around the lodge, she guessed what the trouble was. The old
-woman followed the trail of the Genonsgwa, saying that she was bound to
-get her grandchildren back.
-
-Genonsgwa tried to get the boy off by rubbing him against a hickory
-tree. The boy said, “Oh! I like that. Rub harder!” At this she stopped
-rubbing him against the tree and went on. The grandmother followed in
-the form of a Whirlwind, whereupon Genonsgwa said to the boy, “Your
-grandmother is coming as a Whirlwind, and she will strike and kill us
-both.” The boy was silent. Looking for refuge, she found a hiding place
-in a deep ravine, in which she dug a hole, and going in, covered
-herself with the earth which slipped down from above. The two heard
-Dagwanoenyent, the grandmother, coming. “Now,” Genonsgwa said, “you can
-hear your grandmother coming.” The Dagwanoenyent rushed over the place
-where they lay hidden. The boy shouted to his grandmother, who, hearing
-him, changed her course, coming straight back to the place they were
-in. She blew off the earth from the hiding place, so that Genonsgwa
-became just visible above the surface. Then the grandmother asked the
-boy whether he was there. He answered, “Yes.” The Genonsgwa lay still,
-whispering to the boy, “Be quiet! Your grandmother will see us.” The
-grandmother then called the boy by name, “Dagwanoenyentgowa,[325] get
-off Genonsgwa’s back.” Having done so, he went a short distance from
-the cliff. Then the old woman hurled rocks at the Genonsgwa, and after
-breaking all her clothes of rock, killed her.
-
-The old woman now went toward home with her grandson. On the path she
-said: “Never allow yourself to be treated this way again. Never allow
-yourself to be maltreated by anyone. You can master all those
-Genonsgwashonon,[326] if you will only use your power, for you, too,
-are a Dagwanoenyentgowa.” The old woman remained at home a few days
-with her grandson. Meanwhile some of the Genonsgwa’s people found the
-trail of the Genonsgwa woman, which they followed until they came to
-the place where her stone clothes were rent, and she was killed. When
-they asked of it, the spirit of the Genonsgwa told how she had been
-killed and how her coat had been rent.
-
-The headman of the Genonsgwa now resolved to muster a large company of
-their people and kill the old woman, Dagwanoenyentgowa. While they were
-preparing for this, the old woman found out their plans when she was
-out on her journeys and said to her grandson, “We must go to get your
-sister out of the belly of the Genonsgwa woman, for she is sitting
-there crying for me all the time.” So they set out for home, and when
-they reached the place where the Genonsgwa woman lay dead, the
-grandmother, having built a small fire, began to burn tobacco on it for
-her granddaughter, saying, “This is what we like; this is what we
-like.” They burned perhaps half a pouch full of tobacco, meanwhile
-fanning the smoke toward the Genonsgwa woman all the time, and saying:
-“This is what we like. Do you come out of Genonsgwa’s belly.” There was
-no sign yet of her granddaughter. She had not yet come forth. At last
-the old woman said to her grandson: “We must have more help. You have a
-great many relatives—uncles, aunts, and cousins. We must call them
-here.” Thereupon the old woman, Dagwanoenyentgowa, called repeatedly.
-They came one by one. Soon there was a great number of them. Having
-broken up and removed all the clothes of the Genonsgwa, they threw them
-away, leaving the dead body naked. Then the old woman, building a fire
-at Genonsgwa’s head, burned tobacco on it. All the Dagwanoenyent people
-walked around the fire, each throwing tobacco on it and saying, “This
-is what we like.” After each one had gone around once and had thrown
-tobacco into the fire once, the young girl started up in the
-Genonsgwa’s belly, and panting for breath, walked out, saying, “How
-long have I been here?” They gave her more tobacco smoke, which she
-inhaled until she gained full strength. Then all went home, the old
-woman and her two grandchildren to her own lodge, and the other
-Dagwanoenyents each to his or her lodge.
-
-After they had been home a while a Genonsgwa came to the old woman’s
-lodge, who talked pleasantly, inquiring how they were. Having found out
-that they were only three in number, the Genonsgwa went back home,
-thinking it would be a small work to kill them all. After the Genonsgwa
-went away the old woman said: “We are in trouble now. There is a great
-number of these Genonsgwa people leagued against us. They are assembled
-somewhere, not far away. When this struggle commences we do not know
-whether we shall be able to come home here again or not.” As soon as
-she had finished talking with her grandchildren, the old woman, going
-out, called, “Dagwanoenyents!” The girl, not knowing what that meant,
-asked her grandmother, who said: “I am calling your relations to help
-us. You are a Dagwanoenyent, too.” The Dagwanoenyents came one by one.
-When all had come, there were 60 besides the old woman and her two
-grandchildren. Dagwanoenyentgowa now said: “Each one must have a stone
-to strike with, just heavy enough to handle with ease.” When they had
-gathered stones the Genonsgwa began to come, thousands upon thousands
-in number. The Dagwanoenyents were frightened when they saw them, but
-the old woman who led them said: “We must separate and attack them
-singly. Have faith to kill each one with but one blow, and you will do
-it. You must keep the stones in your hands. Be firm and retreat slowly
-in different directions.” The Dagwanoenyents took her advice. Whenever
-they had a chance, they struck and killed a Genonsgwa, retreating all
-the time and killing the Genonsgwa for a long distance. The old woman
-then told all her people to go up a high mountain toward the south,
-ahead of them, fighting as they went. She continued: “When we all reach
-the top, we shall go down a short distance on the other side. The
-Genonsgwa will come to the top and we shall strike them. One lot of us
-must strike from the east, and the other from the west side, and we
-must get behind them and drive them forward into the great ravine on
-the south side of the mountain, where a river runs by. There they will
-all perish.” The Genonsgwa came to the mountain top, where there was a
-large clear space. Looking around on every side, they saw nothing of
-the Dagwanoenyents, hence they thought the Dagwanoenyents had gone for
-food. They had not stood there long, however, when they heard the sound
-of the wind below them on both sides of the mountain. The noise grew
-louder and louder, until presently the Dagwanoenyents struck them on
-both sides, and uniting in their rear, fell upon them from behind also.
-So terrible were the attack and the power of the Dagwanoenyents, that
-they tore all the trees out by the roots and swept the earth off the
-top of the mountain, hurling the rocks and trees and Genonsgwa into the
-ravine and river below. The Genonsgwa were piled upon one another like
-the rocks on the banks and in the bed of the river. The Dagwanoenyents
-were now dancing on the mountain top, and the old woman said: “We have
-hurled the Genonsgwa down there and we would better finish them. Half
-of you go along the ridge running south from this mountain east of the
-river, and the other half along the western ridge, and blow all the
-trees and stones and earth into the great ravine.” They did this, and
-when they came together they had stripped the mountain spurs naked.
-Meanwhile the river forced everything to the end of the ravine, where
-it piled up the débris of fallen trees in a great dam, so that the
-river became a lake on the south side of the mountain. This lake is
-called Hadiqsadon genonsgwa ganyudae; that is, the grave of the
-Genonsgwashonon, or Genonsgwa people.
-
-
-
-
-
-68. HINON, HOHAWAQK [327] AND HIS GRANDMOTHER
-
-There was a very poor little old woman, who lived in the woods. She was
-so destitute that she was nothing but skin and bones. She dwelt in a
-smoky little lodge and cried all the time, both day and night. Her robe
-of skins was so old and dirty that one could not tell without
-difficulty of what material it was made. She had seven daughters, six
-of whom were carried off one after another by hostile people, while the
-seventh died.
-
-The daughter who died had been buried some time when one night the old
-woman heard crying at the grave. Going to the grave with a torch, she
-found there a naked baby. The child had crawled up out of the grave
-through a hole in the earth. Wrapping the baby in her blanket, the old
-woman took it home. She did not know, she did not even suspect, that
-her daughter was with child when she died.
-
-The little boy grew very rapidly. When he was of good size the old
-woman came home one day from gathering wood but could not find him.
-That night it stormed, with thunder and lightning raging. In the
-morning the child returned to her. His grandmother asked, “Where have
-you been, my grandson?” “Grandmother,” said he, “I have been with my
-father; he took me to his home.” “Who is your father?” “Hinon is my
-father; he took me home first, then we came back and were all about
-here last night.” The old woman asked, “Was my daughter, your mother,
-in the grave?” “Yes,” said the boy, “and Hinon used to come to see my
-mother.” The old woman believed what he said.
-
-As the boy grew he used to make a noise like that of thunder, and
-whenever Hinon came to the neighborhood he would go out and thunder,
-thus helping his father, for he was Hinon Hohawaqk, the son of Hinon.
-
-Some time after this the boy asked his grandmother where his six aunts
-were, and the grandmother answered: “There are an old woman and her
-son, whose lodge is far away; they live by playing dice and betting.
-Your aunts went one by one with a company of people, and played dice
-(plum pits); being beaten, their heads were cut off. Many men and women
-have gone to the same place and have lost their heads.” Hinon Hohawaqk
-answered, “I will go, too, and will kill that woman and her son.” The
-old woman tried to keep him home, but he would not remain with her. He
-told her to make two pairs of moccasins for him. He was very ragged and
-dirty, so she made the moccasins and got him the skin of a
-flying-squirrel for a pouch.
-
-Setting off toward the west, soon he came to a great opening where
-there was a large bark lodge with a pole in front of it, and on the
-pole a skin robe. He saw boys playing ball in the opening, and going on
-a side path, he heard a great noise. After a while the people saw him,
-whereupon one of them said, “I do not know where that boy comes from.”
-The old people were betting and the boys were playing ball. Soon an old
-man came up to Hinon Hohawaqk and gave him a club; he played so well
-that the old man came again, saying, “We want you to play dice; all the
-people will bet on you.” A bowl was placed on an elk skin lying under
-the pole. The woman and her son were there and the other people stood
-around. Hinon Hohawaqk answered, “I do not know how to play the game.”
-The old man replied, “We will risk our heads on you;” so he followed
-the old man. He saw a white stone bowl as smooth as glass. The old
-woman was sitting there on the elk skin, ready to play, and Hinon
-Hohawaqk knelt down beside the bowl. She said, “You play first.” “No,”
-answered he, “you play first.” So she took out her dice, which were
-round and made from plum stones, and blowing on them, cast them into
-the bowl, which she shook, at the same time calling out, “Game! game!”
-The dice flew up into the air, all becoming crows and cawing as they
-went out of sight. After a while they came down, still cawing, and
-resumed the form of plum stones as they settled in the bowl. The old
-woman had three plays to make a count of seventeen. She threw three
-times but got nothing. Then Hinon Hohawaqk in order to win took dice
-out of his pouch of flying-squirrel skin. The old woman wanted him to
-use her dice, but he would not touch them. Placing his dice in the
-bowl, he shook, whereupon the dice, becoming ducks, flew upward. They
-went very high, and all the people heard them as they rose; when they
-touched the bowl again they were plum stones, and scored 10. Then Hinon
-Hohawaqk shook the bowl again, calling, “Game! game!” while the old
-woman called out, “No game!” Back came the dice, scoring another 10. He
-cast the third time and scored 10 more. He had won. Then he called the
-people to see him cut off the heads of the old woman and her son. “No,”
-said the old woman, “you must play again. Here is my son; you must play
-ball with him, and if he loses we shall both forfeit our heads.” At
-this Hinon Hohawaqk asked the old man what he thought. The people,
-seeing how skillful he was, said “Play!” whereupon he went to the
-ball-ground, ragged and looking poor. There were but two playing, one
-on each side. Hinon Hohawaqk jumped, knocking the club far out of his
-opponent’s hand. Then the old woman’s son ran for his club, but before
-he could get it back Hinon Hohawaqk had sent the ball through the goal
-posts. This was repeated seven times and Hinon Hohawaqk won the game.
-“Now,” said he to all the people, “you can have the heads of the old
-woman and her son.” The two heads were cut off, and the boys played
-with the old woman’s head over the whole field.
-
-“Now,” said Hinon Hohawaqk; “I am going to bring my grandmother to this
-place, and we must all come here to stay and have this long dwelling in
-which to live.” All went home to their lodges, and as the Son of
-Thunder went, he sang praises of himself, and his grandmother heard him
-on his way. He told her what he had done, saying, “We must all go there
-and live in that fine dwelling and field.” She prepared provisions and
-they went. It took them a long time to reach the place. All the other
-people having reached there also, they built dwellings around the
-field. When all had settled down, Hinon Hohawaqk called them to the
-council lodge to have a dance. After they had finished the dance, all
-went to their homes. Putting away her old blanket, the grandmother
-began to dress. Having put on the clothes left by the old woman who
-lost her head, soon she looked like a young woman and lived happily.
-After a time Hinon Hohawaqk went off with Hinon, his father, with whom
-he stayed all winter.
-
-In the spring the old woman was uneasy in her mind. She heard thunder
-in the west, and soon afterward her grandson came to the lodge. She was
-very glad to see him. “Where have you been?” she asked. He answered:
-“At the great mountain far off in the west. I have been with my father
-helping the nations and protecting men.” After that he remained with
-his grandmother all summer. Once in a while he would go away when it
-began to storm but would come back again when the turbulence of the
-weather ceased.
-
-He lived a long time in this way, until at last he said to his
-grandmother: “I have an uncle living in the west; some witch stole him
-from you. I must go to find him.” So he went to the west to search for
-his uncle. He went on till he came to a lodge in which he saw a woman
-sitting by a fire, with her head resting on her hands. She would not
-answer when he asked where his uncle was. Soon afterward he went out,
-and taking his war club from his pouch, he knocked her on the head,
-killing her. When he had killed the woman he went out and walked all
-around the lodge, mourning and looking for his uncle. At last he heard
-the moaning of a man. He looked into the trees, for he could not see
-any one on the ground, but could not find him. Soon he came to a large
-slippery-elm tree, the great roots of which held down a man, his head
-coming out between two roots on one side and his feet between two on
-the other side, while the tree stood just on the middle of his body. He
-was calling to his nephew to give him a smoke. The latter answered:
-“Oh, poor uncle! how badly off you are. Oh, poor uncle! I will give you
-a smoke very soon.” Then he kicked over the tree, saying, “Rise,
-uncle!” at which the uncle rose, well. Taking out his pouch, Hinon
-Hohawaqk gave the old man a smoke, which pleased and strengthened the
-uncle very much. He told his nephew how the woman had beguiled him to
-go with her, pretending that she wanted to marry him. When she had him
-at her lodge, however, she ate him, putting his bones under the elm
-tree. Then both the uncle and the nephew went home to the long lodge.
-The old grandmother was surprised and glad to see them.
-
-All lived happily in their home till one day when the Son of Thunder
-went off in a storm. When it was over he brought home a wife. After
-that, when he went away in a storm his wife was uneasy, not knowing
-where he was, for her husband had brought her home on his back such a
-long distance in the storm. In due time she gave birth to a son. When
-the boy was large enough to run about, the old man, the uncle of the
-Son of Thunder, whose bones had lain under the elm tree, began to teach
-him, and soon he was able to make a noise like thunder. One day the boy
-followed his mother out of the lodge. They had a small dog, and as the
-boy was running after his mother, somebody seized him and rushed away;
-but the dog ran after him, and, contriving to seize his feet, pulled
-off his moccasins, which he carried home. This was the first indication
-the woman had that her boy was gone. Hinon Hohawaqk was off with a
-storm at the time, and when he came home his wife asked whether he had
-taken the boy. “No,” said he. “Oh! he is lost,” cried she. “Oh, no! he
-is all right,” said Hinon Hohawaqk; “he has many relations around the
-world—uncles and cousins.” The boy stayed away all winter. One day when
-the winter was over he came home with his father. Then Hinon Hohawaqk
-said to the people of his family, “We must all move away and live with
-my father.” The old woman said, “No, we can not go; it is so far and I
-am so old.” “I will carry you there in a little while,” said the
-grandson. Thereupon Hinon Hohawaqk began to thunder, and lightnings
-flew around. The lodge was torn to pieces and blazed up in flames. All
-the rocks and lodges in the opening were broken to pieces. Hinon
-Hohawaqk and all of his people rose in the air. The east wind began to
-blow, bearing them to lofty mountains in the west, where they found old
-grandfather Hinon. All live there in the caves of the rocks to this
-day.
-
-
-
-
-
-69. HAGOWANEN AND OTʻHEGWENHDA [328]
-
-At Hetgen Tgastende [329] lived a man named Hagowanen, who possessed
-potent orenda (magic power), and who belonged to the Donyonda people.
-One day he set out to hunt. In his canoe he sailed across a broad lake
-in front of his lodge, and then, leaving his canoe on the other side,
-he traveled five days toward the west. Then he collected wood and made
-a camp.
-
-On the first day of his hunting he killed five bears and deer, which he
-brought into his camp, saying, “What bad luck I have had today!” On the
-second day he killed 10 bears and 12 deer and brought them home and
-skinned and roasted them to dry the meat of the 15 bears and 18 deer
-which he had killed, finishing the work before daylight. The next
-morning he said, “I must go after more meat.” That day he killed 24
-deer and 20 bears and brought them into camp, and skinned them and
-finished roasting the meat precisely at midnight. Then he said, “I
-think I have enough now.” Putting all the meat into one heap, he tied
-it up with bark ropes. Then he shook the package, saying, “I want you
-to be small,” at which it shrank into a small package, which he hung in
-his belt. In the same way be made the skins into similar bundles, which
-he hung to his belt, and then set out for home.
-
-When Hagowanen reached the lake he could not find his canoe; he looked
-everywhere, but he could see nothing of it. At last, he saw on the
-shore a man whose name was Handjoias.[330] When they met, this man
-asked, “What have you lost?” “My canoe,” answered Hagowanen. “Well, the
-man who lives on that island yonder was here yesterday, and he took
-your canoe,” replied Handjoias. “Who is the man on the island?” said
-Hagowanen. “He is one of the Ganyaqden331 people,” was the answer. “How
-am I to get my canoe back?” inquired Hagowanen. “Give me what meat you
-have, and I will get it for you,” said Handjoias. “What am I to eat if
-I do that?” replied Hagowanen. “I will do better, I will bring the
-canoe. Take your meat home, and roast it, keeping half and putting the
-other half outside of the door of the lodge for me,” declared
-Handjoias. “Very well,” answered Hagowanen. Handjoias, who himself had
-taken the canoe to the island, now brought it back, saying: “That man
-on the island is a very ugly fellow. He almost killed me.” Getting into
-his canoe, Hagowanen sailed home; on arriving he drew up his canoe
-safely on the rocks. Then he untied and threw down the bundle of meat,
-which in a moment regained its natural size. The meat he piled up
-inside of the lodge, and tanned the skins, but he never paid Handjoias
-for bringing back the canoe.
-
-After a time a woman of the Hongak (Wild Goose) people came to
-Hagowanen’s lodge, bringing a basket of marriage bread, and saying, “My
-mother has sent me to Hagowanen to ask him to take me to wife.”
-Hagowanen hung his head a while thinking, and mused, “I suppose nothing
-ill-starred will come of this.” Then, looking at her, he said, “It is
-well; I am willing to do what your mother wants me to do.” On hearing
-this reply the woman was glad. She placed the basket of nuptial corn
-bread before him. In accepting it he said: “I am thankful. For many
-years I have not tasted bread which was made by a woman.” So he ate
-some of the bread, whereupon they became husband and wife.
-
-At the end of the first year the Hongak woman bore a son to Hagowanen,
-and so she did every year until at last they had ten sons, whom they
-named in their order from the eldest to the youngest, as follows: (a)
-Tgwendahenh Niononeoden;[332] (b) Hononhwaes; (c) Haniodaqses; (d)
-Hagondes; (e) Dahsihdes; (f) Dahsinongwadon; (g) Daheqdes; (h)
-Oeqdowanen; (i) Donoengwenhden; and (j) Otʻhegwenhda.
-
-They lived together for some time at Hetgen Tgastende, until one
-morning when Hagowanen, who was sitting on a stone outside the lodge
-with drooping head, said to himself: “Well, I have many children now. I
-did not think that woman would have so many. I must go home again.” So
-he rose, and going aboard his canoe, sailed away across Ganyodaeowanen
-(“The Big Lake”). After a while his wife, missing him, said, “Where is
-my husband?” She looked out and around everywhere but could not find
-him. The eldest son was then a youth and the youngest a lively little
-boy.
-
-One day the eldest said, “I am going to look for my father, and see
-where he is.” The mother rejoined, “You will get lost on the way.” “Oh,
-no! I will not get lost,” he replied. At this the mother continued,
-“Then you may go.” So he set out, traveling northward. While going
-across a rocky place he found a trail. “This looks just like my
-father’s trail,” said he, following it. Soon he came to a cross-trail,
-and after examining it, he said: “I wonder where this path comes from
-and where it goes. Well, when I return, I shall find out.” Not far from
-the cross-trail he came to a lodge, and as the trail led up to it, he
-entered. Looking around, he saw an old man in the southeast corner of
-the room; another in the southwest; a third, in the northwest; and a
-fourth, in the northeast. All sat smoking. The youth looked for his
-father, saying, “He must be here somewhere.” The first old man, raising
-his head, looked at him and asked: “Well, my grandson, what are you
-doing here? Come this way, if you want to see your father. I will show
-him to you; he is right here.” On the youth approaching, the old man
-took him by the hair, and bending his head forward over a bark bowl,
-cut it off, saying: “I am glad that a young game animal has come. It
-must be good eating, as it is just the right age.” So saying, he began
-to quarter the body.
-
-After the people at Hetgen Tgastende had waited for some time without
-tidings of the eldest brother, Hononhwaes, the second son of the Hongak
-woman, said, “I want to follow my elder brother.” “Oh, my son!” said
-the mother, “do not go away; something evil has befallen your brother.”
-“I must go,” said the boy; “I can not resist the desire. I must see my
-brother and father.” So he began to prepare for the journey, putting on
-a hunting shirt, leggings, and moccasins of buckskin, and taking his
-bow and arrows. His mother cried all the time, but she could not stop
-him from going. He went northward, as his brother had done, going over
-the same trail, until he arrived at the cross-trail and the lodge,
-where he saw the four old men smoking in the four corners of the room.
-He of the northwest corner spoke, saying, “My grandson, do you want to
-see your father? Come here and you shall see him.” He went forward and,
-looking into a large bark bowl half full of water, he saw the faces of
-his father and brother. As he was gazing on them, the old man cut off
-his head also, rejoicing as before.
-
-Nine of the Hongak brothers went, one after another, in search of their
-father and brothers, and all were killed by the four old men in the
-same lodge. At last the tenth and youngest, Othegwenhda, who was still
-small and young, said to his mother, “I should like to follow my
-brothers.” “Oh, my son!” said the mother, “you must not go. There are
-four brothers, old men, living on the road, who are called Hadiiades
-(Blacksnakes). They have great magic power.” “But,” said he, “I must
-go. I want to see my brothers very much.” “You will never see them,”
-she replied. “They are dead.” “Well, can not I kill the old men?” he
-said. “Maybe you can,” she replied, “if you take my orenda (magic
-power) with you.” “Well, mother,” said Otʻhegwenhda, “give me your
-magic power. I want to kill these men.” “I will go and bring my magic
-power, my son,” said his mother. Thereupon the Hongak woman went
-westward to a rough and rocky place, where she got a small figurine of
-slate rock, about half the length of her little finger, with which she
-returned to her home. When she had reached home the boy was ready to
-start. He had armed himself with a bow of hickory and arrows of red
-willow pointed with wasp stings. “Here,” said the mother, “I will tell
-you what to do. Gird on a belt and put this fetish in it.” He placed
-the fetish between his buckskin belt and his body. “You are now ready,”
-said the mother. “Now you can do what you like. You can change yourself
-to whatever form you please.”
-
-Otʻhegwenhda, going northward as his brothers had done, found a fresh
-trail looking as if made only a few minutes before. “This must be my
-father’s trail,” thought he; “perhaps I will find him somewhere.” After
-a while he came to the cross-trail running east and west; he stood
-thinking whence it came and whither it led. “I will see,” said he.
-Going toward the east, he soon reached a wide opening in the forest,
-near the end of which was a cloud of dust moving in his direction. “I
-will hurry back,” thought he, “or something may happen to me.” The
-moment he turned back the great dust cloud approached very quickly, and
-when it touched him, from weakness he fell to the ground. Soon after
-this he heard a noise, and, looking up, saw a person with long legs,
-rushing on toward him. Springing to his feet, the youth climbed a tree;
-and then he shot his wasp-sting pointed arrows, thus killing the
-stranger in the cloud of dust. This stranger was a Djieien (Spider).
-
-Now Otʻhegwenhda went eastward again, and another cloud of dust rushed
-against him, but he got outside of it, and after the cloud had passed,
-he hastened westward to the point where the trails crossed. Thence,
-going northward, he soon reached the lodge where the four old brothers,
-Hadiiades (Blacksnakes), sat smoking. After standing outside a while,
-he found a crack in the lodge; peeping in, he saw the four old men in
-the four corners, at which he soliloquized: “I wonder whether these are
-the men of whom my mother spoke. I will kill them if I can, and if I
-can not, I will burn the lodge.” Taking out the fetish, he placed it on
-his head, whereupon it stood up, and he said, “I am going to ask you a
-question; I want you to tell me what to do; I want to kill these old
-men.” The fetish answered: “If you want to kill them, you must get on
-that high rock and call out, ‘I, Otʻhegwenhda, am on this high rock.’
-You will find very sharp flint stones up there; take a handful of these
-and throw them this way, saying, ‘I want it to be hot.’ This is your
-only course to succeed.” As Otʻhegwenhda put back the fetish in his
-belt, he heard the old men talking. “It seems Otʻhegwenhda is about
-here,” said the old man in the northwest corner to the one in the
-southeast. “Oh!” replied the other, “I thought you said all that family
-were killed.” Then the old man in the southwest remarked, “It was my
-opinion that one was left.” “Well, I think they are all gone except the
-old woman Hongak,” said the old man in the northeast. “Well,” added the
-old man in the northwest, “it seems to me that Otʻhegwenhda is lurking
-around here somewhere.” “If you think so, you should look for him,”
-replied the old man of the southwest. “Yes, I must look to see if I can
-find him,” rejoined the man of the northwest. Otʻhegwenhda, leaping on
-the lodge, sat with his feet hanging through the smoke-hole. The old
-man looked everywhere but could not see him.
-
-Otʻhegwenhda with his bow and arrows now shot down through the
-smoke-hole at each of the four old men, the arrows piercing their
-bodies deeply, but the old men were not hurt; they did not even know
-that they were hit. Leaping off the lodge and landing about forty rods
-away, Otʻhegwenhda went into the rock, whence he called out, “My name
-is Otʻhegwenhda.” As he stood there a while one of the old men said:
-“My back is sore. It feels as though my bones were broken.” Picking up
-a handful of sharp fragments of flint, Otʻhegwenhda threw them at the
-lodge, saying, “I want you to be red hot and burn up these old men and
-their lodge.” The flint went straight to the lodge, a few pieces flying
-beyond. Those that struck the lodge set it on fire, and those that fell
-beyond set the forest on fire. Everything was blazing in and around the
-lodge. Then the boy threw another handful of flints, saying, “I want
-you to cut these old men’s heads off,” whereupon the flints pierced
-their necks, causing their heads to fall off.
-
-Otʻhegwenhda stood on the rock, watching the fire burn until nothing
-but coals remained. Suddenly he heard an explosion—a Dagwanoenyent flew
-toward him, knocking him off the rock; then rising high in the air, it
-went straight west. Quickly springing to his feet and looking up, the
-boy saw the Dagwanoenyent going higher and higher. Soon he heard a
-crash as it struck the Blue (Sky),[333] after which it came rushing
-down again, soon reaching the earth. Thereupon the youth crushed its
-head with a white flint.
-
-Otʻhegwenhda now searched all through the coals with a pointed stick,
-but he found nothing but fire. At the northwestern corner of the burnt
-heap he found a trail leading toward the northwest, and following this,
-he came to an opening in the forest where he saw a cloud of dust
-rushing toward him. Swerving aside into the woods, he peeped out from
-some sheltering shrubbery; presently the cloud stopped at the edge of
-the woods. Then he saw a Djieien (Spider) 6 feet tall. “Oh! I thought,”
-said Djieien, “somebody was on the trail. It must be my master fooling
-me. I thought he was here and had found some more of the Hongak
-family.” The Djieien, turning back, ran as fast as he could,
-Otʻhegwenhda following closely until Djieien reached the lodge, which
-was slightly sunken into the ground. When the Djieien went into the
-lodge Otʻhegwenhda listened outside. Soon he heard crying within and
-thought that the sound resembled that of his father’s voice, and that
-his father must be in there. Then he took out the fetish, which came to
-life, and stood up; he asked of it, “How am I to kill the Djieien who
-lives in here?” The fetish answered: “Go to that tree just west of
-here, and climbing high upon it, call out, ‘I am Otʻhegwenhda, and more
-powerful than anything under the Blue (Sky). I can kill any kind of
-game (ganyo) on earth.’ When you have spoken, cut a limb from the tree
-and throw it with the command to split the Spider’s heart in two (the
-heart was in the ground under the lodge). When Djieien is killed, you
-can come down and see your father before burning the lodge.”
-Otʻhegwenhda did as directed by the fetish. He cut off a limb of the
-tree, and spat on it; straightway it became alive, and he cast it
-toward the lodge, saying, “Split Djieien’s heart in two.” The limb went
-under the lodge to the place where the heart was hidden, and the
-instant its heart was split Djieien stretched out, saying, “This is the
-end of me,” and died. The boy heard the words and laughed. Then he
-slipped down, and entering the lodge, said: “I must go in to see my
-father. I heard him cry, so he must be inside.” So saying, he went in.
-There Djieien lay dead in the middle of the room. Under the couch was
-someone nearly dead. On raising the couch, he found his father in a
-dying condition with the flesh gone from his legs and arms.
-Otʻhegwenhda exclaimed, “Oh, my father! you must go home; my mother
-wishes to see you.” Hagowanen whispered (he had lost his voice), “My
-son, you will die if you come in here.” “Oh, no!” answered the boy;
-“there is no danger now.” Putting the fetish on his hand, he asked it,
-“What shall be done with my father?” The fetish answered: “He is only a
-skeleton now. Spit on your hands and rub the spittle all over him, and
-flesh shall come on his bones again.” Otʻhegwenhda did this, and his
-father became as well as ever, whereupon he said: “Now, I have become
-Sʻhodieonskon. I have heard old people say that when Sʻhodieonskon dies
-he comes to life again immediately.” The boy laughed, and Hagowanen
-added, “Let us go home.” “You go, but I must find my brothers,” replied
-the youth.
-
-When Hagowanen reached home, his wife, looking at him, began to cry:
-“Oh! my dear son, I wish you were here. I think I have seen something
-mysterious.” Hagowanen asked, “Why do you talk so?” She cried the more,
-and he added: “Why do you cry? Are you sorry that I have returned?”
-“No, but you are not alive,” she said. “Oh, yes! I am,” he replied.
-“No; I can not believe that you are,” and, thinking he was a ghost, she
-drove him out to the rocks, where he sat down.
-
-After his father had gone Otʻhegwenhda burned Djieien’s lodge. When
-nothing but coals were left, something shot up out of them, and flying
-westward, it finally alighted on the plain, becoming a Dowisdowi
-(Sandpiper). “That is the way I do, and that is why I claimed, ‘I can
-kill anybody,’” said the boy. Going around the edge of the clearing on
-the eastern side, he found a broad trail on which he traveled for half
-a day, until he came to a cross-trail leading from north to south. He
-stood at the four corners made by the trails, and putting the fetish on
-his hand said, “You are the one I need.” “What do you wish?” asked the
-fetish. “I wish you to tell me what I am to do now.” “If you go to the
-foot of that pine tree,” answered the fetish, “you shall find a bark
-bowl, beyond the tree a medicine spring, on the other side of the
-spring, a plant. Dig up this plant, put it into the bowl, which you
-shall fill with water from the spring, and then at this spot where the
-trails intersect, dig a hole, and in it put the bowl with the plant
-standing in the water. This done, step aside and see what will happen.
-Now, be quick!” Hurrying to the pine tree which grew in the northwest
-between the northern and western trails, Otʻhegwenhda found the spring,
-and farther on, the plant awéaundagon (in full bloom), with bright red
-blossoms. He did as directed, putting the bowl with the plant therein
-in the ground at the crossing of the trails; then stepping aside, he
-watched and listened. Presently he heard a noise in the forest like
-that made by a heavy wind from the north. Nearer and nearer it came,
-accompanied with a great cloud of dust. Nothing could be distinguished
-until the cloud stopped at the crossing. Then, in the middle of the
-cloud he saw the skeleton of Djainosgowa standing near the bowl. The
-skeleton, walking up to the plant, ate one of its red blossoms. Though
-it had no stomach, no place to hide the blossom, it nevertheless
-vanished, at which the boy wondered greatly, saying: “It is nothing but
-bones. Where does the food go?” Presently, the skeleton growing sick,
-jumped around until it fell to pieces—arms, legs, head, ribs, all the
-bones falling apart. Now Otʻhegwenhda laughed, standing in his hiding
-place. But before he had stopped laughing he heard the rushing of
-another wind from the south; after it came a cloud of dust, which
-stopped at the crossing, and he saw the skeleton of Tsodiqgwadon near
-the bowl. This also, going straight to the plant, ate a blossom. In a
-moment it began to shake all over; soon it fell to pieces, becoming a
-pile of bones. Soon the sound of a third wind was heard approaching
-from the east with a great cloud of dust. This came rushing on until it
-stopped at the crossing. In the middle of the cloud was the skeleton of
-Ganiagwaihegowa, which ate a blossom, after doing which it began to
-tremble and to become disjointed until, finally, it was a mere heap of
-bones, like the other three.
-
-Taking out the fetish again, Otʻhegwenhda asked it, “Is the work all
-finished now?” “Yes,” said the fetish; “all the trails are clear. Now
-you can go to the end of the southern trail. Perhaps you may find your
-brother there. If you do, treat him as you did your father.”
-Immediately he started toward the south. When he reached the end of the
-trail, he could see nothing; but he searched until at last he found a
-rock with an opening in it. Entering this opening, he went down into
-the ground, looking around very closely. It was dark, and he thought,
-“There may be more skeletons here, but I must go on.” At last he came
-to a room. There was no fire in it; only plenty of light. He saw also
-another room, on entering which he found three of his brothers—the
-eldest and the two next to him. The eldest called out: “Oh, my brother!
-are you here? You would better run away. The skeleton will come soon.”
-“Oh! I will kill it,” he said. “My brother, I do not think you can live
-if you stay here,” the elder brother continued. “I have come to take
-you away,” answered Otʻhegwenhda. “We can not walk,” answered the three
-brothers; “the skeleton has eaten our flesh.” On looking at them, he
-saw that their limbs were bare bones. After he had rubbed them with his
-spittle, they were covered with flesh as before, and his brothers were
-well and strong again. Thereupon he said: “I want you to start home
-now. I will go to find our other brothers.”
-
-The three brothers now went home. When their mother saw them, she began
-to cry, thinking they were ghosts, and, seizing a club, she drove them
-out. They found their father, who was very glad to see them, and they
-sat down on the rocks with him.
-
-Otʻhegwenhda, now returning to the crossing, went along the eastern
-trail to the end. There he saw nothing and wondered whence
-Ganiagwaihegowa came. At last he noticed an opening in the ground, and,
-entering it, he went down. It was very dark within. “There must be a
-skeleton here,” thought he, looking around. Going farther, he came to a
-room in which was abundant light from rotten wood all around. Farther
-on he came to a second room, in which were three of his brothers too
-weak to move, all their flesh having been eaten away. Having brought
-flesh to their limbs by means of his spittle, he sent them home. Their
-mother, thinking that they were ghosts, cried; then she drove them out
-to the rocks, where they found their father and brothers.
-
-Otʻhegwenhda now went along the northern trail until he came to a small
-opening, where he stopped a moment. At this time a whirlwind came
-straight upon him, causing him to run to the shelter of a great maple
-tree near by. In a short time he heard the sound of a blow on the other
-side of the tree. Looking toward the spot, he saw an Onwi (Winged
-Snake) lying dead, for coming in the whirlwind, it had struck the tree
-and in this way had been killed. The boy now went to the edge of the
-opening, where he heard the noise caused by a second great whirlwind.
-“I shall die this time surely,” thought he, as he saw a multitude of
-winged snakes borne by the whirlwind. Again as he stood behind a tree,
-they rushed far beyond. Thereupon he ran to the other side of the
-opening. Presently the whirlwind of snakes [334] came back; this time
-he lay down on the roots, on the opposite side of the tree, until the
-snakes rushed by and far away. Now, putting the fetish on his hand, it
-stood up alive; he asked, “What am I to do with these snakes that are
-chasing me?” “Oh! make a large fire across their trail,” was the reply.
-Gathering boughs and sticks into a great pile, he set fire to the
-western end of it, saying to the wind, “Oh, my grandfather! send a
-breeze on the western end of this pile.” His grandfather heard him, and
-soon there was a mighty fire. When well kindled, he said, “Let the
-breeze be still.” Immediately it died out. Very soon the snakes came on
-again in the whirlwind, and rushing into the fire, every one was
-killed.
-
-Now free, Otʻhegwenhda hurried along the northern trail again until he
-came to a second one leading toward the northeast. Once more taking out
-the fetish, he asked, “Which way shall I go?” “North,” was the answer.
-So he went on. Soon he saw a trail going toward the northwest, but he
-kept straight on his own trail to the end. At first he saw nothing
-there, but after a long search he found an opening near a birch tree
-which stood at the end of the trail. On entering, he came to a room in
-which an old man sat smoking. “What can that old man be doing,” thought
-he. Presently the old man straightened up, saying: “I am weak this
-morning. It seems to me somebody is around here. I thought the man who
-guarded the opening said the Hongak family were all dead.” Raising his
-head, the old man looked, and as he looked, his eyes seemed to stand
-out from his head. At length he saw the boy, to whom he said: “My
-nephew, I am glad you have come to visit me. I am going to try whether
-I can find what luck (or orenda) you have. So saying, he shook a rattle
-made of Dagwanoenyent, saying sáwa. “No,” said Otʻhegwenhda, “I will
-try your orenda or magic power.” “Oh, no! I will try first,” said the
-old man, whose name was Dewaqsentʻhwûs (Flea). Thereupon they disputed
-until they came to blows. Throwing down the rattle, the old man struck
-the boy with one hand. Immediately the old man’s arm fell off; he
-struck with the other hand, whereupon the other arm fell off. Then he
-kicked at the youth with one leg, and that broke off; he kicked with
-the other leg, which likewise dropped off. The old man was now merely
-head and body. The arms and the legs tried to get back into their
-places, but Otʻhegwenhda rushed around to push them away, and shot an
-arrow through the old man. Immediately the arrow, taking root, became a
-small tree. Though fastened to the earth, the old man tried to bite
-Otʻhegwenhda, but the moment he did so, his head flew off. The boy
-pounded the body to bits. Jumping and dancing around, he said, “Oh! my
-uncle is all in pieces.” In the old man’s lodge he found a second room,
-in which were the last three of his brothers, who were as weak and
-wretched as were the others. These he cured in like manner and sent
-home. Their mother drove them out of the lodge, whence they went and
-sat down on the rocks with their father and six brothers.
-
-After his brothers had gone home Otʻhegwenhda, taking out the fetish,
-asked it, “Is there anything on the northeastern trail?” “Not much.
-Still you will save some people, if you go there,” was the reply. “Is
-there trouble in the northwest?” the youth asked. “Yes; but not very
-much,” was the answer. Keeping on to the end of the northwestern trail,
-Otʻhegwenhda found a lodge without a door, at which he thought, “How
-can I get into this lodge?” Peeping through a crack, he saw within an
-old woman of the Onweaunt people, who was singing, “Otʻhegwenhda is
-coming, Otʻhegwenhda is coming.” “Well, she knows I am here,” thought
-the boy. Presently, saying, “I will go out and play,” she went into a
-small but very deep lake, called Dyunyudenodes, also
-Dedyoendjongoqden,[335] going way down into the water. After a while
-her tail appeared moving around in a circle on the water. As the lake
-was very small she was near the shore. The boy saw on the tail two
-small objects like fins, which in rubbing against each other made
-music. After the old woman had played a while, she started to come out.
-Seeing the boy, she said, “My grandson, do not kill me; I never killed
-any of your people.” “If you give me something, I won’t kill you,”
-answered the boy. “Well, I will give you one of these points on my
-tail;” and taking off one, she said, “Keep this; it is good to find out
-your luck with.” “What shall I do when I want to use it?” asked the
-youth. “Put it under your head when you go to sleep; you will have a
-dream, and the dream will tell you what you want to know,” she replied.
-
-Now the boy went home with the old woman. On entering her lodge and
-looking around, he saw an opening in the ground; going through this, he
-found a great many people almost dead. To these he said, “My friends, I
-have come to help you, so you may live a little longer.” Having spat on
-his hands, he rubbed each one of them, whereupon all were well
-straightway, and went out into the open air. He asked all where they
-came from and told them what direction to take to go home. One said, “I
-came from Hetgen Tgastende.” There were ten with him; they were
-Donyonda people. “Go toward the southwest for five days,” the youth
-told him. Another said, “We came from Gawenogowanenne.” “Go westward
-five days’ journey,” he ordered. Twenty followed him; they were Teqdoon
-people. A third person said, “We came from Dyoenhdanódes;” these were
-Díhdih people.[336] “Go toward the northeast,” he directed them. A
-fourth person said, “We live in Dyonondadenyon;337 our chief’s name is
-Honigonowanen.” These were Djoqgweani338 people. Otʻhegwenhda said: “I
-must go to pay you a visit. You have twenty days’ journey before you.”
-
-All went home. When they were gone, Otʻhegwenhda went back to the old
-woman, whom he asked, “Why did you shut up these people?” “I did not
-shut them up,” she replied. “Well, they were in your lodge,” he
-continued. “Yes, but my husband, who is a man-eater, did it,” she
-responded. “Does he live here? What is his name?” he asked. “He lives
-on another trail,” she replied; “his name is Dewaqsentʻhwûs (the
-Weeper, or Flea).” The boy, laughing, asked, “Was that old man your
-husband? Oh! I killed him some time ago.” “Are you sure?” “Yes,” he
-said. “Well, then I am glad. I never liked him. Your people are safe
-now, for you killed the man who always hunted them.” The boy said, “I
-will let you live this time, but I will kill you if you ever chase my
-people.”
-
-Otʻhegwenhda now went on the northeastern trail until he came to a
-lodge in which he heard singing in a very low voice: “The youngest son
-of Hongak is going all over the world. We wish he would come to visit
-us.” Then the song ceased, and a woman’s voice said, “I feel worse this
-morning.” “Let us go out and play and feel well,” answered the man’s
-voice. Coming out, with the boy following them, they went to some white
-flints as large as a lodge. Picking up one of these stones, the woman
-threw it into the air. It fell on her head but did not hurt her a bit.
-Then she threw it to the man who, having caught it, threw it back. Thus
-they played some time until the woman said, “Let us go home.” “Very
-well,” answered the man. Otʻhegwenhda hurried on before them. After
-they had entered the lodge, the man said: “It seems as though some one
-were here. I will go and look outside.” On going out and finding the
-boy, he said, “My grandson, what are you doing here?” The youth
-replied, “I have come just to visit you.” “Come inside then,” was the
-response. “Otʻhegwenhda has come,” said the man to his wife, who
-turned, saying: “My grandson, I am glad you have come. We have been
-waiting for a long time to see you. Now we will tell you why we wish
-you to be powerful. We know that you have killed the man-eater,
-Dewaqsentʻhwûs, and the skeletons of Tsodiqgwadon and Ganiagwaihegowa.
-There are many people under our lodge and we want you to free them.” At
-one corner of the room was an opening through which the boy passed into
-a second very large room, in which he found a multitude of people
-without flesh and almost dead. He rubbed them with spittle, thus curing
-them, after which he brought them out. “Now,” said he, “you are all
-free and need have no further fear, for the evil people are all dead.”
-He then asked all where they came from. One party, the Djoñiaik people,
-said they came from Diogegas he Tgawenonde (Hickory Point). “You go
-southward fifty days,” he told them; and they went. The second party,
-the Gaisgense people, said they came from Gendowane (Great Meadow).
-“You go toward the southeast,” he told them. A third party, the Djagwiu
-people, said they came from Gahadowane (Great Forest). “You go toward
-the southeast,” he told them. A fourth party, the Ogenhwan people, said
-they came from Diodonhwendjíagon (Broken Land). A fifth party, the
-Gwaqgwa people, said they came from Hehdon dyóondaien (Juneberry Tree
-Grove). “Go directly westward a day and a half,” was the command. A
-sixth party, the Guro [339] people, said that they came from
-Nitgendasédyea (Beyond the Narrow Opening). “You travel toward the
-south five days’ journey,” he said. Three were left who did not
-remember at first where they came from. Then they said, “We think that
-the old people called the place we came from Steep Opening.” “Then you
-go northeastward,” said the youth. Otʻhegwenhda was left there alone.
-The man and woman who had been guarding the people just liberated now
-thanked him; they, too, were then free from Dewaqsentʻhwûs, the
-man-eater, who, being master of the skeletons, had forced them all to
-work for him in capturing and confining people for him to eat. “Now,”
-said Otʻhegwenhda, “let all the trails disappear. Trails are not to be
-made across the world to deceive people.” Thereupon the trails all
-vanished.
-
-Then the youth went to his own lodge, where he found his father and his
-nine brothers, sitting on a great flat stone. “Oh!” said the youth,
-“why do you not go inside where my mother is?” Hagowanen answered,
-“Your mother drove us out.” Otʻhegwenhda, going into the lodge, asked:
-“Mother, what have you done? Are you not glad that I brought my father
-and brothers back?” “Did you find and bring them home?” asked his
-mother. “Yes, I did,” he replied. Then the woman was sorry. She invited
-them in, and they came into the lodge and all were happy. After he had
-been home a while Otʻhegwenhda said to his family: “I must visit my
-friends, the Djoqgweani in Dionondadenion. It is not far from here,” he
-said. They had to let him go and do what he liked, for he possessed the
-most potent orenda.
-
-Otʻhegwenhda soon came to a lake called Onyudetdji (Rough Lake).
-Putting on the water a piece of slate, he said, “I want you to take me
-across.” Sitting upon the slate, it carried him quickly over the water
-to the other side, where he left it, saying: “Wait here until I return.
-Then I shall need your help again.” Soon reaching Dionondadenion, a
-beautiful country, he inquired until he found the chief’s lodge. When
-he entered he saw an old man, to whom he said: “I have come to see
-you.” The old man was silent. The youth spoke again, but received no
-answer. “Why do you not speak?” thought he. A third time he spoke,
-whereupon the old man replied, “Why do you not hurry and eat up all my
-people?” “I have never killed any of your people. I have saved many of
-them from Dewaqsentʻhwûs, and I thought you would be glad,” said the
-youth. “Well, there is a man around here eating up all my people. He
-looks like you, though he is an old man.” “I came to help you,” said
-Otʻhegwenhda, “and I will kill this man.” “Well, he is coming now,”
-said Honigoneowanen. Presently a man kicked the door open and came in,
-saying, “I have come to see you a few moments.” His mouth was smeared
-with fresh blood. Otʻhegwenhda, standing up, said: “I have come to
-fight with you. You will have to conquer me before you kill these
-people.” “Very well,” said the man-eater, whose name was
-Djiniondaqses;[340] “come out.” Thereupon they went out, and they
-fought until night; then until dawn. Next morning Otʻhegwenhda was
-nothing but bones, while the man-eater, too, had lost all his flesh.
-The two skeletons fought all that day, and when night came, their
-bodies were broken up, nothing being left but the two skulls. The
-skulls fought all night, and when daylight came the skull of
-Djiniondaqses was crushed to pieces. The skull of Otʻhegwenhda was
-sound, and it kept on rolling over the ground where he had fought. As
-it rolled around, the bones of his body began to reattach themselves to
-it, and soon the skeleton was complete. Then the skeleton rolled in the
-blood and flesh where he had fought, and straightway the flesh and
-blood grew to it, until at last Otʻhegwenhda stood up sound and well as
-ever.
-
-When Otʻhegwenhda went into the chief’s lodge, Honigoneowanen said: “I
-am very glad and thank you. I will now give you my daughter, and when
-you are old enough, you shall marry her.” Otʻhegwenhda took the chief’s
-daughter to Hetgen Tgastende and they lived there.
-
-
-
-
-
-70. OKTEONDON AND HAIEÑTʻHWUS [341] (THE PLANTERS)
-
-Okteondon was a youth who lived with his maternal uncle, Haieñtʻhwus,
-in an arborlike lodge in the forest. From his earliest babyhood
-Okteondon lay carefully hidden from the eyes of the people, having been
-for this purpose securely fastened under the roots of a large tree,
-around which his uncle had erected his lodge.[341a] Okteondon had now
-reached the age of puberty.
-
-One day while Haieñtʻhwus was in the neighboring field planting corn,
-he heard his nephew singing in a loud voice: “Now, I am rising. Now, I
-am rising.” Dropping his planting-stick and shouting, “No, my nephew,
-you are not ready yet; you are in too great a hurry,” Haieñtʻhwus ran
-home, where he found that Okteondon had raised his head by partially
-uprooting and overturning the sheltering tree. Haieñtʻhwus therefore
-pushed him back into his place, admonishing him, “I will tell you when
-it is time for you to arise.”
-
-The next day Haieñtʻhwus again went out to plant corn. He had hardly
-reached the field when he heard once more his nephew begin to sing and
-to strive to arise. Haieñtʻhwus at once started for the lodge, running
-with so much haste that he lost on the way all his seed corn from his
-seeding basket. When he reached home he found the tree half uprooted
-and leaning far over to one side. So he pushed his nephew back into his
-place, but he was unable to reset the tree as firmly or as nearly
-upright as it was before.
-
-On the third day Haieñtʻhwus again went out to finish his corn
-planting, but the moment that he began to drop the grains of corn he
-heard still again the singing of his nephew. So Haieñtʻhwus without
-delay rushed back to the lodge, but while running he heard an awful
-crash and crackling of limbs, from which he knew that the tree had
-fallen. When he reached the lodge he found Okteondon sitting on the
-ground. Haieñtʻhwus did not return to the field to complete his corn
-planting, but remained in his home to look after his nephew and to make
-the necessary preparations for the coming marriage of the young man.
-
-Early the next morning they heard sounds outside the lodge, and shortly
-afterward a woman and a beautiful younger woman, who were
-Wadiʻoniondies, entered the lodge. One of the women, addressing
-Okteondon, said, “I have come purposely to take you home with me.” “It
-is well. I consent,” answered the youth, who started at once to cross
-the lodge to accompany her and her companion. But Haieñtʻhwus stopped
-him with the remark: “You must not go yet. You have friends who are
-coming to escort you, and must wait for them.” Then “The Planter”
-hastened to prepare some food to eat, and for this purpose placed a
-large kettle of hominy over the fire. About the time that the hominy
-was ready three young men came into the lodge, who were invited by
-Haieñtʻhwus to eat. When Okteondon, the young men, and Haieñtʻhwus had
-eaten the boiled hominy, the old man began to pack some garments in a
-small bundle. When he had finished his parcel, he said to his nephew,
-“When any one of your friends is in need of things such as these you
-will find them in this parcel.”
-
-Then Okteondon, after putting on his snowshoes, instructed his friends,
-saying: “You must follow me, and in doing so you must step in my
-tracks;” then he started. The three young men in stepping in his tracks
-found that it was like walking on solid ground, although the earth was
-covered deep with snow. Toward evening they came to a place where they
-saw smoke floating like clouds among the trees. When they drew near to
-an opening they saw a number of fires, around which were four young
-women. Thereupon Okteondon, addressing his companions, said: “We will
-stop here and kindle our fires near these women.” When their fires were
-burning briskly Okteondon, going up to the four young women, who had
-kettles of hominy boiling over their fires, overturned the kettles and
-scattered the fires with his feet. This greatly angered the women
-except the last, who was the youngest. After doing this Okteondon
-returned to his friends, and remarking that he was going out to hunt
-for fresh meat, started off into the forest. He had not gone far when
-he came to a tree on which he saw marks made by the claws of a bear.
-Walking up to the tree he exclaimed: “Thou who art in this tree, come
-forth.” In a moment a bear came forth, which he killed; after dressing
-it he brought the meat to the camp. Then he said, “I am going to fetch
-my uncle’s kettle,” and passing around a big tree standing near the
-camp, he returned with a large kettle. In this kettle they placed the
-meat to cook over their fire. When the meat was cooked they sat down
-and ate it. After they were through eating Okteondon said: “Let us now
-go to our wives. I wish you to follow my advice, too. Take none of this
-meat to your wives, for if you do we shall have bad luck. Some
-misfortune will befall us.” When they reached the camp of the young
-women they found that the latter had hominy cooked and were cooling it.
-They sat with their backs turned toward the men. The youngest sister,
-whom Okteondon claimed as his wife, asked him to come over and eat with
-her. The others said nothing. Okteondon ate, but the other men did not.
-That night they slept with the women. Hotʻhoh,[342] one of the three
-men who accompanied Okteondon, was naked. He had a hole slit through
-the skin of his hip, in which he carried his war club. He chose the
-eldest of the Wadiʻoniondies342a sisters, and Okteondon the youngest.
-The women kept their canoe near the four fires, and when they undressed
-they placed their outdoor garments in the canoe. The next morning the
-men returned to their fires. One of the men, however, had lost his
-leggings and his moccasins, for the woman with whom he had slept had
-robbed him of them. The sisters warmed up the cold hominy for their
-breakfast, and after eating it went aboard their canoes and sailed away
-through the air, leaving a trail343 therein.
-
-In the camp of the men Okteondon opened his pouch and, taking therefrom
-a pair of leggings and a pair of moccasins, he gave them to the man who
-had been robbed of his own. When the men had prepared and eaten their
-breakfast, and had made the necessary provision for their journey, they
-started off, following the trail of the canoe of the women, which was
-plainly visible in the air. Toward evening they again saw smoke in the
-distance ahead. When yet some distance from it Okteondon said: “We will
-encamp here.” Again going over to the camp of the women, he walked
-through their fires and upset the kettles of hominy. Then returning to
-his own camp, he went out to hunt, in order to get meat for the supper
-of his friends. But he had to go a long distance before finding any
-game, for the woman who stole the foolish man’s leggings had stretched
-them out over the country, her very long arms describing an imaginary
-circle with them, at the same time telling the game animals included
-therein to go outside of this circle. So Okteondon had to do likewise
-before he could find a bear. Finally he killed one, the carcass of
-which he brought into camp. When he returned to camp he upbraided his
-three companions with the words: “You have been the cause of my being
-tired by your folly. You know that I forbade you taking anything to the
-women, even a small portion of meat. But you failed to obey my advice,
-and I have now experienced some of the effects.” Procuring a kettle in
-the same way as he had done before, Okteondon then proceeded to cook
-the bear’s flesh. When it was done he and his companions ate their
-evening meal. After they were through eating they went over to the camp
-of the women, where they found them sitting each with a bark dish of
-hot hominy on her knees, which she was cooling. They sat with their
-faces turned toward home and with their backs toward the camp of the
-men. The youngest of the sisters asked Okteondon to eat with her.
-Later, separating into pairs, they all went to bed together. As the
-night passed Okteondon grew angrier and angrier, and so he lay awake.
-At last, when he thought that all were asleep, he said, addressing a
-tall tree standing near the canoe which contained the clothes of the
-women: “I want you, Tree, to bend down to me.” Thereupon the tree bent
-down to him and Okteondon placed the canoe among its topmost branches.
-Then he said, “Now I want you to stand upright again,” and the Tree
-again resumed its erect position. He immediately added, “I desire you,
-Tree, to be covered with ice,” and it soon so happened. Okteondon did
-this because he was angered by the action of the women in driving the
-game away, thus causing him to go so far to hunt to find the bear he
-had killed, and in having stolen the leggings and moccasins of one of
-his companions.
-
-Early the next morning Okteondon and his companions returned to their
-camp fires. When the women arose they could not find the canoe in which
-their outdoor garments were kept. So they had to run around from place
-to place naked, trying in vain to find them. At last they discovered
-the canoe in the top of the tree; whereupon the eldest of the sisters
-said, “I will try to get it down.” Moistening both her hands and feet
-with saliva, which she rubbed thoroughly into them, the nails on her
-fingers and toes presently grew long and powerful, resembling the claws
-of a bear. Then the woman began to climb the tree. She succeeded in
-getting halfway up the icy trunk when, losing her grip, she slid down,
-her powerful nails tearing the ice as she slipped, until she struck the
-ground in a sitting posture. She made several attempts to reach the
-canoe but each time failed. All the sisters talked together over the
-situation, finally deciding that no one but Okteondon had played them
-this mean trick. When they asked him about it, he replied, “I put your
-canoe on the tree top because you insulted me and so made me angry.”
-The women all promised that they would not do such things again if he
-would get the canoe for them. So, relenting, Okteondon asked the Tree
-to bend down a second time. As the top reached the ground, Okteondon
-took the canoe therefrom, which he gave back to the women. They were
-then able to dress themselves. After doing so, they took their food out
-of the canoe, and, having cooked and eaten their morning meal, they
-continued their journey homeward in the canoe. Shortly the four men
-followed them, keeping the trail all day.
-
-Toward evening the men noticed before them smoke in the distance. When
-they drew near it they saw that it arose from the middle of a great
-lake covered with smooth ice. The four sisters were encamped in the
-middle of this lake, and Okteondon told his friends that he would make
-ready to camp on the ice, too. Gathering a handful of dry leaves and
-hemlock boughs, he said to his companions: “Be cautious and follow my
-steps. Be sure that each of you step exactly in my tracks.” When near
-the camp of the women Okteondon remarked, “We will camp here.” Laying
-down his handful of wood, it at once increased in size, becoming a
-great pile, whereupon he said, “I want a fire to be here”; and there
-was there immediately a fire. Then he scattered the handful of hemlock
-boughs on one side of the fire, saying, “In this place shall be our
-lodge and beds,” and straightway there was a lodge, and within were
-beds for every one present.
-
-Now, the home of the sisters was on the shore of this lake, but they
-had camped in the middle of its waters in order to see how the four men
-would act and to ascertain what orenda they had.
-
-Early in the night the women came to the camp of the men but did not
-sleep with them, returning to their own camp instead. In the morning
-the women went to their home on the shore of the lake. When they
-arrived there their mother asked them, “What husband has the most
-orenda?” They answered unanimously, “Okteondon.” When the men awoke in
-the morning they saw the shore of the lake lined with great crowds of
-people, who were expecting the return of the women with their husbands.
-When ready to start, Okteondon said to the three men, “We will now go
-to the women, but you must be very cautious and must not look up at the
-people.” Then the four men started from their camp on the ice for the
-shore. When they had gone but a short distance, three of them heard a
-voice singing, Gwăʼʹ wăʼonĕñioñʹdĭʼ, which means, “Lo! It is raining
-bones.” These words were heard a second time, sounding nearer; then
-suddenly the men heard a swift rushing sound, and a mass of dry bones
-swept rustling past them on the ice.[344] Okteondon steadied his
-remaining friends with the curt remark, “One of us has looked up.” At
-that moment all the people on the shore suddenly disappeared, with the
-exception of the old woman [Kahenchitahonk], a noted witch, the mother
-of the girls who were bringing home their husbands. She walked back and
-forth along the shore, singing: “Okteondon is my son-in-law. Okteondon
-is my son-in-law.” When Okteondon and his two remaining companions
-reached the shore, the old woman, after inviting the men to follow her,
-started for her home. Having arrived there, she said, “I am going to
-see whether my daughters have prepared something to eat; so you wait
-here until I return.” Now the lodge of the old woman was built of ice.
-So while she was away, Okteondon, taking a small bundle of sticks,
-said, “Let these burn!” Straightway the pile of sticks became large and
-took fire, burning so briskly as to give out great heat. Then Okteondon
-said to the two men: “The old woman will bring food for us to eat, but
-you two must not eat it. I alone will eat it, for it will not hurt me.”
-So saying, he made a hole through the ice into which he thrust a reed.
-In a short time the old woman returned, saying: “Son-in-law, I have
-brought you a small quantity of something to eat. It is the custom, you
-know, to eat only a little after a long journey.” Taking the bark bowl,
-Okteondon ate all the food, which ran through the reed into the ground.
-This food was hominy (snow) and bloodsuckers (clouds). In a short time
-the old woman returned with another bowl, saying: “I have brought more
-for you to eat. This is hominy cooked with maple sugar” (it was wild
-flint that floats on water). Now the lodge of the old woman was
-becoming full of holes from the heat of the fire, whereupon she
-exclaimed, “Whuʼ! My son-in-law has spoiled my lodge. Let us go to the
-lodge of my daughter.” Going thither, they found something good to eat
-(i.e., food which was not the product of the arts of sorcery).
-
-In the night when all had retired the wife of Okteondon told him in
-confidence: “My mother will try to kill you (by testing your orenda).
-She does not care much about the other two men, for she knows just what
-powers of orenda they have, and that she can take their lives whenever
-she wishes to do so.” So toward evening of the next day the old woman,
-Kahenchitahonk, said: “Whuʼ! I think that it is going to be terribly
-cold tonight. I will get some large logs to make a fire to warm my back
-during the night.” So bringing great logs into the lodge from the
-woods, she made a hot fire. The wife of Okteondon said to her husband:
-“My mother will say tonight, ‘I dreamed that my son-in-law must go to
-hunt to kill the Sʻhadahgeah, and that he must return to this lodge
-before the door-flap, which he swings shut behind him in going out,
-stops swinging, because if these things are not performed something
-direful will happen.’” There were then only two men besides Okteondon
-in the lodge, for the third companion of Okteondon, Hoisʻheqtoni,[345]
-had been turned into bones on the lake by the collapsing of the power
-of his orenda. In the middle of the night the old woman,
-Kahenchitahonk, began to groan horribly and to writhe and toss in her
-sleep. Finally she rolled out of her bed into the fire with such force
-that she scattered the firebrands and coals about the lodge. Quickly
-rising from his bed, Okteondon struck his mother-in-law on the head
-with the corn-pounder, to awaken her, calling out, “Well,
-mother-in-law, what are you doing, and what is your trouble?” Thereupon
-the old woman, sitting up, said: “Oh! I have just had a dream. I
-dreamed that you, my son-in-law, must kill Sʻhadahgeah346 tomorrow and
-bring his body in here, before the door-flap, which you will swing shut
-behind you in going out, stops swinging, because if these things are
-not performed something direful will happen.” “Oh, mother-in-law! Go to
-sleep now; we will attend to this matter in the morning,” answered
-Okteondon. So Kahenchitahonk lay down again and slept.
-
-The next morning Okteondon was ready to perform his task. Taking hairs
-from his wife’s head, he tied them end to end, making a cord long
-enough for his purpose; then tying one end of this cord to the
-door-flap, he gave the other end of it to his wife, bidding her to pull
-the door-flap to and fro, so as to keep it swinging, until he came back
-from shooting Sʻhadahgeah. Okteondon then started out to hunt for his
-victim, but he had not gone far from the lodge before he saw
-Sʻhadahgeah perched on a cloud. He let fly one of his arrows, which
-kept its course until it struck the bird. When Sʻhadahgeah fell to the
-ground Okteondon picked it up and carried it back to the lodge.
-
-Now when the old witch saw that the door-flap did not stop swinging,
-she was very angry. She pushed it to, but unknown to her the daughter
-kept it swinging to and fro. At this time Okteondon, striding in, threw
-the bird on the ground, saying, “There! you have him for your ‘eat-all’
-feast (gaqsahon).” “Oh, son-in-law!” said the old woman; “you must give
-me one of the wings for a fan; my old one is now worn out.” “Oh no!”
-said Okteondon; “you can not have it,” and he threw the bird on the
-fire to remove its feathers. Then Hotʻhoh, Okteondon’s friend, placed a
-kettle of water over the fire. When the feathers were burned off
-Sʻhadahgeah, Okteondon, after cutting up its body, put all the pieces
-into the kettle. When it was cooked, he took out the flesh and skimmed
-off every drop of fat from the soup. “Now,” said the old woman, “you
-must invite all the men of distinction in the village.” “I will invite
-whom I please,” said Okteondon, “and do just as I like.” Going out of
-doors, he shouted, “I invite you, all Dagwanoenyents, to an ‘eat-all’
-(gaqsahon) feast.” Soon they began to come one after another. When all
-were present, Okteondon said: “I have invited you to a feast in which
-everything must be consumed. You must eat the meat, drink the soup,
-chew the bones and swallow them.” So they began to eat, and soon they
-had devoured everything, leaving not a drop of grease or fat, nor a bit
-of bone; then the Dagwanoenyents laughed, feeling good when they had
-finished their task. They boisterously exclaimed, “It made a fine meal;
-it was her late husband’s flesh.”
-
-Kahenchitahonk, the great witch, notorious and cruel, was now
-ferociously angry. Seizing the wooden pestle, or corn-pounder, she
-struck the Dagwanoenyents with it, whereupon they fled at once from the
-lodge, some going out of the smoke-hole, some through the doorway, and
-others in their great haste making large rents in the walls of the
-lodge, through which they escaped. When she had driven them all out of
-the lodge, she said: “I think the coming night will be very cold; so I
-must fetch wood for the fire.” Bringing much wood, she then made a
-great fire, saying, “Now, I will be able to warm my back”; then she
-went to sleep with her back to the fire. The wife of Okteondon said to
-him: “My mother will dream again tonight and will exclaim, ‘I dreamed
-that my son-in-law killed the White Beaver and brought it here before
-the door-flap, which he will fling back in going out, stopped swinging,
-and that if he does not return before the door-flap stops swinging,
-something direful will happen to us.’” Late in the night all over the
-lodge they heard the old woman groaning, and rolling and tossing about;
-finally she fell into the fire, scattering the coals around the lodge.
-Jumping up and seizing the corn-pounder, Okteondon struck the old woman
-on the head to awaken her, saying to her, “You must be dreaming about
-me, mother-in-law?” “Oh, yes! I am dreaming about you,” she muttered in
-reply. “You dream about no one else, I think,” said Okteondon. “Well,”
-she said, “I do dream about you, for I fear something may happen, but
-you are powerful through your orenda (magic power). I will tell you
-what the dream said to me; it said that my son-in-law must kill the
-White Beaver, and that if the door-flap which he flings back in going
-out stops swinging before he returns with the dead Beaver, something
-direful will happen.” “Oh, mother-in-law! go back to sleep; that is a
-small matter, nothing,” said Okteondon.
-
-Early in the morning Okteondon fastened the string made from his wife’s
-hair to the door-flap, as he had done in the former ordeal, and bade
-his wife thereby keep it swinging to and fro while he was gone, as she
-had done before. Then he went out, flinging the door-flap back as he
-passed through. Then, running to a knoll on which stood a butternut
-tree, and taking a nut from it, he hurried to a neighboring lake, where
-he cast the nut into the water, shouting a challenge, “You who live in
-this lake come forth.” At once the water, rising, rushed toward him,
-following him until it reached the knoll, where it stopped. Okteondon
-saw the White Beaver looking out over the water, and, taking an arrow
-from his quiver and drawing his bow, shot the White Beaver, killing it.
-Seizing its body, he hurried home with it. When he reached the doorway
-he found the old woman trying to hold the flap to prevent it from
-swinging to and fro and uttering words charged with her orenda to
-accomplish her purpose. When Okteondon threw White Beaver into the
-lodge the old woman said: “Oh, son-in-law! you are to make me a pouch
-of the skin of White Beaver.” “Oh, no! I will do what I like with it,”
-he replied, casting it on the fire to singe off the hair. Putting a
-kettle over the fire, Hotʻhoh soon had water boiling. Then the body of
-White Beaver having been cut up, the pieces were placed in the kettle
-to cook. Thereupon Okteondon’s mother-in-law said to him: “Oh,
-son-in-law! I want you to invite all the men of importance of this
-place to the feast.” Okteondon answered: “Oh, no! I will invite only
-such persons as I choose.” When the flesh of White Beaver was cooked
-Okteondon removed the pieces from the kettle to cool; then he went out
-of the lodge, calling aloud: “I invite you, all Dagwanoenyents, to come
-to a feast of ‘eat-all’ (gaqsahon).” Soon they came crowding into the
-lodge, as they had at the first feast, and Okteondon said: “You must
-eat up everything to the very last bit. Here are the meat, the soup,
-and the bones; you must eat all and even lick the bowls.” So they began
-to eat; they ate the meat, drank the oily broth, and the crunching of
-bones could be heard as they devoured them. Lastly they licked the bark
-bowls. When they had finished their task they were satisfied and began
-to laugh: “Hi, hi, hi! That was good meat, the old woman’s brother.”
-The old woman was very angry and, taking up the corn-pounder, attacked
-them, driving them from the lodge.
-
-After the feast was over, the wife of Okteondon told him that the next
-trial was one among all others the most severe and exacting. She said
-to him: “My mother will say tonight, ‘I dreamed that my son-in-law was
-killed and skinned, and that I made a pouch of his skin.’ I do hope you
-can survive this ordeal.” In reply Okteondon said, “When she kills and
-skins me and places my flesh in a bark bowl, you must set the bowl on
-the top of the lodge.” Toward evening Kahenchitahonk, the old witch,
-muttered, “The sky is clear, so we shall have a very cold night, and I
-must get logs to make a big fire.” At night she made a great fire in
-the lodge, and after all had retired she began to moan and toss in her
-sleep; finally she rolled into the fire, scattering the firebrands
-around the room. Quickly rising and seizing the corn-pounder, Okteondon
-struck her on the head, saying: “Oh, mother-in-law! What is the matter?
-What are you doing? What are you dreaming about?” She replied, “I
-dreamed that I killed you and made a pouch of your skin.” Okteondon
-replied, “Oh! go to sleep now; we will see to that in the morning.” So
-the next morning Okteondon said, “Now, mother-in-law, I am ready.”
-Thereupon the great witch laid on the ground a piece of bark
-sufficiently large for the purpose, telling Okteondon to lie down upon
-it. When he did so, she knocked him on the head with a club, killing
-him. Then she carefully flayed him,[347] removing the skin with the
-hands and feet attached to it. Afterward she placed all the flesh in a
-large bark bowl. As soon as the wife of Okteondon saw her put the last
-piece into the bowl, she placed the bowl on the top of the lodge. Then
-the old woman next cheerfully sewed up the skin in the form of a pouch,
-which she distended by blowing into it. This done, she hung it over the
-flames, poking the fire to make it blaze. As the pouch swayed to and
-fro over the fire, the old woman gleefully began to sing, “Oh! what a
-nice pouch have I; no one living has such a pouch.” Every time she
-poked the fire the pouch swayed more quickly to and fro, until at last
-it began to sing, “Oh! were the wind only out of me.” The old woman
-kept on stirring the fire while the pouch swayed to and fro faster and
-faster. “Oh, what a beautiful pouch have I,” said she; “it even sings.”
-After a while the pouch made a noise, and with a bhu! went flying up
-through the smoke-hole. As it flew out, the old woman cried, “Oh! I
-have lost my pouch; it has run away from me.” She hurried to the
-doorway, and in going out she met her son-in-law coming in alive and
-well.
-
-It was now Okteondon’s turn. That night he had a dream, groaning and
-rolling around until his mother-in-law, arising, struck him on the head
-with the corn-pounder, saying: “Wake up! What is the matter? Are you
-dreaming?” “Oh! I had a dream,” said he. “Well, what was it?” said the
-old woman. “I dreamed,” he told her, “that I must hunt and kill the
-great Ganiagwaihe and give a feast. I will invite all the people in the
-village.” The next morning Okteondon killed the Ganiagwaihe, and having
-brought it into the lodge, singed it and cut it up while Hotʻhoh set a
-kettle of water over the fire. When the flesh of Ganiagwaihe was
-cooked, Okteondon said to his mother-in-law, “Go and invite all to
-come.” So going out, she invited all those personages whom she herself
-liked. While she was gone, Okteondon said to his wife and his two
-friends who had accompanied him from his uncle’s home, “You must get
-out of this lodge at once”; so they fled from it. Then all the newly
-invited guests entered—the old woman, her other two daughters, and the
-people of the place. Addressing them, Okteondon said: “Here is the
-flesh, the fat, and the bones. Eat all up clean; I leave all to you.”
-One of the chiefs said to the people, “We have now all eaten.” Passing
-out of the lodge, Okteondon ran around it, singing, “Let this lodge
-become stone and the ground under it stone, so that the greatest witch
-can not get out of it, and then let it become red-hot.” So while the
-people were inside the lodge eating and drinking and saying, “Hoho!
-this is a grand feast,” the building began to grow hotter and hotter,
-until finally it became red-hot. Some one on the inside exclaimed so
-loud that he was heard without, “Let us get out of here as fast as we
-can; something is wrong!” They tried to do so, but they could not get
-out. One leaped up to the spot where the smoke-hole had been, but those
-outside heard him knock his head against the solid stone roof and fall
-back. Soon another said, “I will go out through the ground.” After a
-while the sound of the voices and the screaming inside began to die
-away, and all was quiet. Then the lodge of stone burst, falling to
-pieces, and the heads of the people inside burst, one after another,
-and out of them sprang screech owls, horned owls, common owls, and gray
-and red foxes, which rushed away, out of sight. The people invited to
-the feast were all Oñʹgweʻ hĕñʹneks goñʹneks-kho.[348] The sisters
-sailing in the canoe deceived men all over the country, luring them to
-this village to be devoured by the inhabitants. All except the wife of
-Okteondon were thus burned up with the old woman.
-
-When all was over, Okteondon and his wife and his two friends went to
-the shore of the lake, where they found a large heap of bones of men.
-These they gathered into some order near a large hickory tree,
-whereupon they pushed the tree over toward the bones, saying, “Rise,
-friends, or the tree will fall on you!” At this warning, and by the
-great orenda (magic power) of Okteondon, all the bones sprang up living
-men. “Now,” said Okteondon to them, “You have come to life, friends,
-and you can now go to your homes.” [349] At this they departed.
-
-“We will go home, too,” said Okteondon to his wife and two friends; so
-they went to the lodge of his uncle, Haieñtʻhwus. When Okteondon left
-his home his uncle hung up in a corner of the lodge a wampum belt, with
-the remark, “The deeper you are in trouble, the nearer will this belt
-come to the ground, and if you die, it will touch the ground.” Of
-course it had been low and had even touched the ground; hence the old
-uncle had concluded that his nephew was dead and had mourned for him.
-But at this time the belt was again hanging high. While the nephew was
-absent many persons had come, pretending to be Okteondon, in order to
-deceive the old man; so now when the real nephew asked him to open the
-door-flap he would not believe his ears, but said, “Put your arm
-through the hole in the door.” Okteondon did so, whereupon the old man
-tied it, saying, “Now, I have you,” unfastening the door-flap so he
-could strike. But seeing Okteondon and his wife and his two friends, he
-exclaimed with delight, “Oh, nephew! wait a moment, until I clean up
-somewhat inside.” Saying this, he went inside and pushed away the ashes
-and dirt. (End.)
-
-
-
-
-
-71. OKTEONDON AND HAIEÑTʻHWUS—II
-
-(Another version of the first part of the legend)
-
-Okteondon lived with his uncle, Haieñtʻhwus, in the forest. Beside his
-uncle’s lodge stood a large, tall elm tree. Okteondon, the nephew,
-always remained at the foot of this tree, and finally its roots grew
-over and around his body, thus binding it firmly to the ground.
-
-Now Haieñtʻhwus, being very fond of his nephew, always brought him
-everything that he liked to eat and drink—roasted venison, boiled
-squashes, dried berries, broiled fish, and all kinds of shellfish. The
-first thing that Haieñtʻhwus did in the morning was to put corn into a
-wooden mortar for the purpose of making cornmeal for boiled cornbread;
-then with a wooden pestle he struck it a single blow, which crushed the
-corn to fine meal. The people far and near, it is said, heard this
-blow, and would say, “The uncle of Okteondon is well-to-do and strong.”
-The old man made bread with the meal which he boiled; when it was
-cooked he brought some of it to his nephew and also ate some himself.
-On certain days he went to the forest for firewood. It was a practice
-with him to burn logs into pieces of such length that he could bring
-them to his lodge. When the fires on one log were burning well he would
-light fires on other logs, and so would go from one to another, keeping
-them in order. When the pieces were burned off and ready, the old man
-would carry them or drag them home, and as he threw them down they made
-a deep, pleasant sound on the earth. Thereupon all the people of the
-region round about, even to the most distant places, heard the sound,
-and would say, “The uncle of Okteondon is well-to-do and strong.” On
-some other days Haieñtʻhwus would go out to gather beans and squashes
-or to dig wild potatoes.
-
-One spring morning, in the planting season, Haieñtʻhwus went to his
-clearing in the woods with two baskets of seeds strapped to his belt.
-Before starting he left plenty of food with his nephew, saying, “I am
-going to put these seeds into the ground.” The old man was in the field
-engaged in making holes in the earth with a stick forked at one end and
-sharp at the other. Into these holes he dropped seeds, closing them
-with fine earth. All at once he heard a song accompanied with the
-words, “Oh, uncle! I am going to rise; I am going to rise.” He knew at
-once that what he had heard was his nephew’s song; so dropping his
-pointed stick for planting, and forgetting all about the seeds in his
-two baskets, he rushed home. As he ran the baskets struck the trees on
-both sides of the narrow trail, scattering the seeds so that all were
-lost on the trail. When Haieñtʻhwus reached the lodge he saw that his
-nephew was resting on one elbow and that the tree was inclined toward
-the earth, with its roots starting from the ground. “Well, nephew, what
-is the matter?” asked the old man. “I am getting thirsty, uncle,” said
-the youth. The old man gave him some water and pushed the tree back
-into its upright position; then looking into his baskets, he saw that
-they were empty. So Haieñtʻhwus spent the rest of the day on his knees,
-picking up what seeds he could find along both sides of the path.
-
-On another day he went out to strip bark from the slippery-elm trees
-for the purpose of making cords. Before starting he gave Okteondon
-everything that he needed. After he had stripped off a large quantity
-of bark and was tying it into bundles, Haieñtʻhwus heard the song
-again, accompanied with the words, “Oh, uncle! I am rising; I am
-rising.” As soon as he heard these words, Haieñtʻhwus, slinging a
-bundle of the bark on his back, swiftly ran home. As he hurried along
-the bundle struck against the trees, first on one and then on the other
-side of the trail, causing pieces of bark to slip out every here and
-there, until there was nothing left of the burden on the old man’s back
-but the ends of the forehead strap. On reaching home Haieñtʻhwus asked,
-“What is the matter, nephew?” as he saw Okteondon resting on one elbow
-and the tree leaning over to one side. “Oh, I am thirsty, uncle,”
-replied Okteondon. The uncle brought him water, and then straightened
-up the tree, after which he returned to the woods. He picked up the
-pieces of bark on both sides of the path until he arrived at the place
-where he had stripped it from the trees. Just at that moment he again
-heard the song, “Oh, uncle! I am rising; I am rising.” At this,
-soliloquizing, “Poor boy, I wonder what he wants,” Haieñtʻhwus again
-ran homeward. When he was about halfway there, he heard the song a
-second time, and almost at the same moment came to his ears a
-tremendous crash of the falling tree, which was heard over the entire
-country, so that all the people said one to another, “Okteondon has now
-grown to manhood and has arisen.” When Haieñtʻhwus reached the lodge,
-the great elm tree had fallen and Okteondon was standing there,
-awaiting him.
-
-
-
-
-
-72. UNCLE AND NEPHEW AND THE WHITE OTTERS
-
-An uncle and his nephew lived alone far off in the woods. In former
-times there had been a great many of their people, but with the
-exception of these two all were dead.
-
-One day the uncle said: “My nephew, you have grown to be a large lad,
-and now you must attend to hunting. You must take the bow and the
-quiver of arrows with which I used to hunt.” So saying, the old man
-took from the wall his bow, which was grimed with smoke, and cleaned it
-very carefully. Then he said: “We will now make a trial at shooting.”
-Having gone out of the lodge, the uncle by way of example first shot
-into a tree, and the nephew with another arrow made a good shot.
-Thereupon the uncle said, “That kind of shooting will do; you must now
-begin hunting.”
-
-The next morning very early, when they were ready, the uncle said, “You
-must go out between sunrise and sunset, and you must always keep on the
-sun side; never go north.” The lad started to hunt, and had not been
-out long when he killed a deer, and soon afterward another, both of
-which he took home. The uncle thanked him, saying, “We can live now,
-for we have plenty of meat.” He hung the meat up in pieces, with bark
-strings, throughout the lodge.
-
-The lad brought in game every day for some time. After a while he had
-to go a long way toward the south to find any game; his uncle always
-cautioned him against going northward.
-
-Once after he came home and was sitting around the lodge, the uncle
-said: “When I was young I used to have an object with which to amuse
-myself. I will get it for you and when you are home you can play with
-it.” Then bringing out a flute, the uncle taught the boy to play it. As
-the uncle blew on it the flute said, “Tomorrow I shall kill a deer, a
-bear, etc.,” greatly pleasing the boy who also played on it. In the
-morning he started off hunting, and, indeed, he killed just such game
-as the flute said he would. That night after he had rested from hunting
-he played on his flute and again it said, “I shall kill an elk
-tomorrow,” a different kind of animal from that of the previous day.
-The next day the lad killed exactly what the flute said.
-
-The morning after he went out he wondered why he must go so far toward
-the south; he made up his mind to go northward; so making a circuit, he
-was soon north of his lodge. Finding tracks of game animals, he
-followed them until he came to a broad opening. Here he ran after the
-elks, which he saw in a circle in the woods; at last he came out in the
-opening again, where he had started. All at once he heard a woman’s
-voice calling, “Here! Hold on!” but he ran on at full speed after the
-elk. Around again he went after these animals. When he got back to the
-same place a second time the woman’s voice called out, “Wait and rest!”
-Looking around, he saw the woman sitting on a fallen tree, whereupon he
-stopped. She said to him: “Sit down here and rest. I know you are
-tired; when you have rested you can run again after the elk.” He sat
-down near her, and pretty soon she took his head on her knees. He had
-very long hair—so long that he kept it tied up; whenever he let it
-down, it swept the ground. He tied one of his hairs to a root in the
-ground, but the woman did not see him do this. After a while he fell
-asleep, whereupon she put him into a basket; swinging this on her back
-she started off on a run. Rising soon into the air, she traveled very
-fast.
-
-The hair which had been made fast to a root stretched till it would
-stretch no longer; then they could go no farther, for the hair pulled
-them back to the place from which they had started. The lad woke up,
-and the woman said to herself, “I think there is some witchcraft about
-you; we will try again.” Once more she began to search in his hair. At
-last he closed his eyes, and she asked, “Are you asleep?” “No,” he
-replied. She continued untying his hair, again inquiring, “Are you
-asleep?” He did not answer this time, for he was indeed asleep. Putting
-him into the basket and flinging it on her back, she ran off very fast,
-after a while rising in the air. When she had gone a long distance she
-came down by the bank of a river; rousing the lad, she asked, “Do you
-know this place?” “Yes,” said he; “I have fished in this river.”
-“Well,” said she, “hold your head down, and let me look at it again.”
-She took his head on her knees, and after a while spoke to him, but he
-did not answer, for he was once more asleep. Putting him into the
-basket, she went up in the air, coming down at last on an island. Then,
-rousing the youth, she asked, “Do you know this place?” “Yes; my uncle
-and I used to come here often,” he replied (he had never been there,
-but he wished to deceive her). Again she put him to sleep, afterward
-taking him up in the air in her basket. Finally, removing the basket
-from her back, she laid it on the edge of a ravine, which was so deep
-that the tops of the tallest trees which grew in it could just be seen
-below the brink. Then, upsetting the basket, down the lad went headlong
-into the depths, but he fell slowly, for he had orenda (magic power)
-and hence came to the ground unhurt. But he could find no way of
-escape. The sides of the ravine were like a wall and he was alone.
-
-Meanwhile the boy’s uncle waited and waited, saying to himself: “It is
-late. Something has happened, for my nephew is not coming home tonight.
-I must find out what the trouble is.” On taking down the flute he found
-the mouthpiece bloody,[350] whereupon he said, “They have overmatched
-my poor nephew in orenda, and trouble has come to him.” As there was
-not much blood on the mouthpiece, he thought that perhaps the lad would
-free himself and come back in a few days.
-
-Now the nephew lay down among the rocks in the deep, blind ravine and
-tried to sleep, but he could not. All at once he heard a great bird
-coming, and as it swept past it bit a mouthful of flesh out of his arm.
-Spitting on the arm he rubbed it and thus cured the bite. When the bird
-had been gone some time, he heard it coming again, and as it flew past
-in the opposite direction, it took a large bite out of his other arm.
-This he cured in the same manner as before. When daylight came he arose
-and on looking around he saw skeletons on every side. Two men were
-barely alive. The lad said to himself, “I suppose that I shall die here
-in this same way.”
-
-That night the boy’s uncle saw on looking at the flute that the
-mouthpiece was bloodier than before. He then gave up his nephew as
-lost; sitting down at the hearth’s edge he cried and scattered ashes on
-his head in despair.
-
-The second night the bird twice flew past the lad, each time taking a
-piece of flesh out of one of his arms. Thereupon the boy would spit on
-the arm, thus healing it as he did on the first evening. When the huge
-bird had gone he fell asleep and dreamed that he heard an old woman’s
-voice saying: “Grandson, I have come to help you. You think you are
-going to die, but you are not; I will save you. Just at sunrise in the
-morning you will vomit, and if you throw up anything that looks like a
-hemlock leaf you may know that you will be saved. Pick up the leaf and
-stick it in the ground. Then sing, and as you sing the leaf will become
-a tree. Sit on one of the limbs and keep on singing. The tree will grow
-until it reaches beyond the top of the bank. Then jump off and run
-away.” In the morning the boy vomited as the old woman of the dream had
-predicted, and he found the small hemlock leaf. Sticking this in the
-ground near the wall of the ravine he began to sing. The leaf soon grew
-into a tree, and as he sang the tree grew higher and higher. He did not
-get on the tree but remained below singing until the tree was higher
-than the brink above.
-
-Gathering all the bones carefully into a pile and placing on the pile
-the two men who were almost dead, he went to a great hickory tree which
-stood near and pushing against it called out, “Rise, people, and run,
-or the tree shall fall on you.” Thereupon all the bones became living
-men and springing up they ran away from the tree. Two of the men had
-legs of different lengths by reason of the bones having become
-interchanged. The lad said: “Now, follow me, all of you, up this tree
-to the bank above. You must not look back, for if you do you will
-fall.” The last two were the men with unequal legs. The rearmost, after
-climbing a little way, looked back to see how far up they were;
-immediately he turned to bones, which fell rattling through the limbs
-of the hemlock tree to the ground. As the only remaining man with
-unequal legs got near the brink, he also looked down, whereupon he
-likewise fell rattling down through the branches to the ground a mere
-heap of bones.
-
-When all were some distance away from the brink the young man said:
-“You stay here, and I will go and bring the woman who has done all this
-mischief to us. She has a mother, who is also a witch. We will punish
-both. I shall be back in a few days.” Starting off, he soon came to the
-lodge of the woman who had deceived him. Sitting down by her, he said,
-“I have come.” Soon her mother came out of another part of the lodge,
-saying, “Oh! my son-in-law has come.” Early the next night they heard
-the old woman groaning;[351] finally, crawling out of bed on her hands
-and knees, she rolled over on the floor. The lad struck her with a
-corn-pounder, saying, “Mother-in-law, wake up and tell us your dream.”
-Thereupon she stood up and said, “I dreamed that my son-in-law must go
-and kill two white otters in the lake.” He replied: “Go back to sleep,
-Oh! mother-in-law. I will do that tomorrow.” The old woman went back to
-her couch. In the morning she said: “You must run and kill two white
-otters in the lake and return with them before the door stops swinging
-after you have slammed it. If you do not do this, something strange
-will happen; but if you get back, you shall live.” Unknown to her, he
-tied one of his long hairs to the door and kept pulling the hair. On
-reaching the bank of the lake, he called to the otters, which came out
-and ran to him; he threw one of two round stones which he had in his
-pouch, killing one of the otters. Then great waves of water began to
-rush after him, and the second otter came near to him on the top of the
-wave. Throwing the second stone, he killed the second otter. At this
-the wave went back. He had kept pulling the door-flap to and fro with
-his hair all the time. When he reached the lodge, he called out, “Here,
-mother-in-law! here are your two otters.” She said, “Where, where?”
-(The two white otters were her two wizard brothers.)
-
-The uncle, who was alone, felt sure that his nephew was dead. Often as
-he sat in front of the fire in the evening, taking a handful of ashes
-in each hand, he held them over his head, letting the ashes drop on his
-face. At night he would hear someone coming, then a rap and a voice
-calling out, “Well, uncle, I have come.” Jumping up and brushing off
-the ashes he would go to the door, only to find a fox or an owl. In
-this way he was deceived a number of times, so he had resolved not to
-be deceived again.
-
-The night after the death of the otters the old woman again dreamed,
-and her son-in-law hit her again with the corn-pounder. Waking up, she
-said, “I dreamed that my son-in-law must kill the bird on the top of
-the great tree.” He answered, “Oh, mother-in-law! I will attend to that
-in the morning, so go to sleep now.” In the morning his mother-in-law
-said, “If you get back after the door, which you have slammed in going
-out, stops swinging, something strange will happen.” Again tying a hair
-to the door, he darted off. When near the tall tree he saw on the very
-top a black eagle. The first arrow he sent went almost to the tree, but
-was driven back by the magic power of the eagle. Then he shot a second
-arrow, which struck the eagle right in the heart, bringing it to the
-ground. Taking the eagle, he rushed back to the lodge, meanwhile
-keeping the door swinging with his hair. When he returned home, he
-called out, “Mother-in-law, here is the eagle.” She said, Whu, whu!
-astonished at what he had done (this eagle was the old woman’s third
-brother, which had always fed on the men thrown into the ravine).
-
-Now the lad, having taken his wife outside, said, “I want this lodge to
-turn into flint, and let it become heated to a white heat.” [352] The
-old woman and her three daughters were inside at the time. The former
-cried out, “Have pity on me, son-in-law,” but he answered, “You had no
-pity for me, mother-in-law; so let them all within burn up.” Having
-gone back with his wife to the men near the ravine, he said: “I have
-brought back this woman. Now we shall be revenged. This is the woman
-who threw us off this bank to die in the ravine below.” Stripping off a
-wide piece of bark from a tree and tying the woman thereto with bark
-thongs, he placed it in a leaning position against a tree. Then all
-gathered fuel, which was piled around the woman, and a fire kindled by
-which the old woman’s daughter was burned to death.
-
-The youth found two of his brothers among those whom he had rescued. It
-appeared that all the men were related, some as brothers, others as
-cousins. The young man went with his brothers to his uncle’s lodge.
-Before starting he had told all the other persons to go to their homes.
-When near the lodge of the old uncle they heard the aged man weeping.
-They listened for some time. When the old man stopped weeping he began
-to sing, “Ten summers I shall mourn for him.” In attempting to enter
-the lodge they found the door-flap fastened. The lad called out, “Oh,
-uncle! I have returned.” But the uncle, long annoyed by wizards in the
-form of animals, replied: “Be off! You have deceived me enough.” But
-the young man begged him to unfasten the door-flap, assuring him that
-he had brought his brothers. Again the uncle shouted: “Be off! You
-shall not get in here.” Finally, the old man relented, and making a
-hole in the skin door-flap, called out: “Thrust your arm in. I shall
-see if you are my nephew.” The nephew willingly complied with the
-uncle’s request, whereupon the uncle tied his arm with a bark thong.
-The youth finally cried out: “Oh, uncle! do not tie my arm so tight.
-You hurt me.” Opening the door-flap, the old man saw that it was really
-his nephew, and exclaimed, “Oh, nephew! wait a moment until I clean up
-a little.” Then, having brushed off the ashes, he welcomed his nephew
-and his party.
-
-
-
-
-
-73. DEOYADASTATʻHE AND HADJOWISKI [353]
-
-Hadjowiski lived with his family, consisting of his wife and seven
-children, in a large lodge in the forest. Only the youngest of the
-seven children had a name—Deoyadastatʻhe. He was so small that he never
-went outside the lodge, nor did he play within it. He remained under
-the bed at all times, where he played with his dog, which was a flea.
-The father of the family, Hadjowiski, was very poor, for although he
-went forth to hunt at sunrise, sometimes even before, he brought home
-but little meat.
-
-One morning his wife, who was chagrined by the failure of her husband
-to provide a sufficiency of food for herself and little ones, said to
-him: “Can you not bring home more meat than you do? We are very, very
-hungry.” Hadjowiski, dissembling, replied, “No; I can not kill more
-game, for I have not efficient orenda (magic power).” But the
-suspecting wife persisted in her questioning: “Well, your back always
-looks as if you had killed plenty of game. What do you do with it after
-you have killed it?” To this the husband answered: “Nothing. I never
-have good luck.” The wife did not believe him, however, so she
-retorted, “I think that you are doing something wrong with what you
-kill.”
-
-That day Hadjowiski did not bring any game home, but his back bore
-traces of fresh blood. In further chiding him his wife said: “There is
-fresh blood on your back, so you must have killed some game today.” But
-he replied: “No; I killed nothing. That blood came from my getting hurt
-by a hemlock tree falling on me.” But she did not believe him at all.
-
-The next morning he was on the trail long before sunrise. His wife, now
-thoroughly aroused, stealthily followed him. Just at midday she saw him
-kill with a small stone a large bear. Taking the bear on his back, he
-started off, trailed by his wife. He soon reached a lodge, which he
-entered, wholly unaware that his wife was following him. Creeping up to
-the lodge, she listened outside to what was being said within, and
-overheard the voice of a woman, saying, “The next time you come you
-must stay here, and you must not go back home again.” Hadjowiski
-replied, “It is well; I shall do so.” Thereupon he came out of the
-lodge, in which he left all the meat he had killed that day, and
-started for home.
-
-His wife ran on ahead, and, reaching home ahead of her husband, she
-said to her boys, “Sons, your father has another wife, so I shall not
-remain here any longer.” Then putting on her panther-skin robe, she
-departed. When Hadjowiski arrived at his home, not finding his wife, he
-asked: “What is the matter? Where is your mother?” One of the boys told
-him that his mother had been gone all day, and that, returning but a
-short time before, she had put on her panther-skin robe, declaring that
-she was going away. Hadjowiski hung his head, but at last he asked,
-“Why did she go away?” The boy replied: “She told us that you have
-another wife.” To this the father answered: “It is well. My sons, I
-shall follow her. I want you to remain in the lodge while I am away. If
-I am alive then, I will be back home in 10 days.” Hadjowiski departed
-and traveled all night. The next morning he found his wife’s tracks,
-and discovered that she had doubled on them, but he kept straight
-ahead, knowing well that she had done this in order to deceive him.
-Soon afterward he was again on her trail, going directly westward.
-After traveling for some time he came at last to a lodge in which lived
-an old man, who said: “You are traveling, my friend?” Hadjowiski
-replied: “Yes. I am following the woman whose tracks come to this
-lodge.” Then Sʻhagoiyagentʻha,[354] for such was the old man’s name,
-who belonged to the Nosgwais people, answered, “I do not know where she
-has gone.” Hadjowiski again declared, “Her tracks come here, anyway.”
-Sʻhagoiyagentʻha replied: “It is well. You can look for her, if you
-like.” So Hadjowiski searched for her everywhere, but he could not find
-her. Finally the old man resolved to send him off, so he asked him, “Do
-you want me to tell you which way she went from here?” Hadjowiski
-replied, “Yes; I do.” Thereupon Sʻhagoiyagentʻha brought a small canoe
-made of flint, telling the man to sit in it. When Hadjowiski had done
-so the old man shoved the canoe out of the doorway, and at once it rose
-into the air, through which it passed with great rapidity. Finally the
-canoe collided with a high rock, and the renegade Hadjowiski was flung
-out; falling among the rocks, he was killed. The canoe, which was
-endowed with life, returned to the old man.
-
-When the sons of Hadjowiski had been at home for several days the
-eldest went out to hunt. When night came he did not return to his home.
-So the next morning the second brother started off to find him, if
-possible. The brothers who remained at home waited all day, but he,
-too, failed to return. The second morning the third brother went to
-look for the two others, but he likewise did not come back. Thus, day
-after day passed, until at last the six brothers had gone out and not
-one had returned. Only Deoyadastatʻhe was left of the family of seven
-sons.[355] He was always under the bed playing with his dog, which was
-a flea. Finally, judging from the unbroken silence reigning in the
-lodge, Deoyadastatʻhe exclaimed: “It seems to me that there is no one
-in the lodge, for I hear no one moving around. I shall see about it.”
-So saying, he came forth from under the bed and looked around, but saw
-no one; then he listened for some sound, but he heard none. After
-listening for a long time, he exclaimed: “It seems to me that I hear my
-mother crying. It must be that she is weeping in the far west. I shall
-therefore go to her.” Going outside the lodge, he stood still,
-listening, while his dog stood behind him. He now heard quite
-distinctly the sound of weeping in the far west. By low half-uttered
-growls his dog showed that it, too, heard some unusual sound.
-
-Deoyadastatʻhe finally declared: “That is my mother who is weeping, for
-I recognize her voice. I must go to her.” As he started, both he and
-his dog, rising in the air, flew along over the highest trees,
-directing their flight toward the west. At last in the far distant west
-they alighted at the edge of a village. Making their way into it, they
-finally entered an old hut in which they found two women, an aged
-grandmother and her granddaughter. To the grandmother Deoyadastatʻhe
-said, “I have come to visit you.” She replied: “We are too poor for
-that. We have nothing to eat, and you would get very hungry.” “Oh! I do
-not care for food,” Deoyadastatʻhe answered; “I want only shelter at
-night.” “It is well; you may remain,” said the grandmother. One morning
-when Deoyadastatʻhe had been there several days some one came on the
-run to the lodge, and kicking the door-flap aside, said: “You are
-invited tonight to the burning of the woman’s feet and to pick up
-wampum beads from the tears that she sheds. All are pressed to be at
-the lodge of assembly tonight.” When the messenger had gone, the
-grandmother exclaimed: “Oh! how very wicked are the people of this
-village. That old man, Sʻhagoiyagentʻha, is the evil servant of the
-Chief Dihdih.[356] (The rest of the people belong to the Gaqga357
-family.)” Now, the grandmother, whose name was Yeqsinye, also belonged
-to the Gaqga family. She was in the habit of making bark thread by
-rolling it on her legs. When night came Deoyadastatʻhe went to the
-lodge of assembly, where he saw a great multitude of people. Entering
-the lodge, he saw his mother tied to a post—the war post of torture.
-And as soon as Deoyadastatʻhe entered the room his mother, scenting
-him, knew that he was there. Then Chief Dihdih arose and said: “Now all
-be ready. Look out for the beads.” He had two daughters, who lighted
-the torches for the people who were intending to burn the woman’s feet.
-When they held the torches under the woman’s feet tears flowed from her
-eyes which fell on the ground, where they became beautiful wampum. The
-people rushed forward to pick up the beads. Deoyadastatʻhe was watching
-for an opportunity to rescue his mother; so when the people were on
-their knees gathering the wampum, quickly unbinding his mother, he led
-her out of doors. Then he said, as he ran around the devoted lodge,
-“Let this lodge become flint and let it become at once heated to a
-white heat.”358 This at once took place, and the people within the
-lodge, becoming too hot, ceased picking up wampum and tried to escape,
-but they could not. There were fearful shrieks and wails, but these
-continued only for a moment before all were dead. The heads of the dead
-people burst asunder and from them came owls, which flew out of the
-smoke-hole of the lodge.
-
-Then Deoyadastatʻhe told his mother that they must leave that place. So
-calling his dog, they started for the lodge of old Yeqsinye. In passing
-through the village a blue lizard attacked Deoyadastatʻhe and his
-little party, but the young man tore it to pieces. As the pieces fell
-to the ground the dog carried them away so that they would not fly back
-into place again before they became cool. Then the young man said, “You
-thought that you were going to kill me, but I have destroyed you.” When
-Deoyadastatʻhe arrived with his mother at the lodge of old woman
-Yeqsinye, he said to her, “I have killed all the people of the wicked
-village, so you shall now live in peace.” For this the old woman
-thanked him.
-
-Then Deoyadastatʻhe and his mother and dog continued their journey
-until they arrived at their own lodge. There they found the six
-brothers of Deoyadastatʻhe, who had returned during his absence.
-
-[The relator of the story evidently did not know the entire legend, for
-nothing is said as to where and as to why they had been so long away,
-nor how they came back.—Editor.]
-
-
-
-
-
-74. A GENESIS TRADITION
-
-[A modern version; a fragment]
-
-Before this earth came into existence there were human beings who dwelt
-in the center of the sky above. In the middle of the village in the sky
-stood a tree which was covered with white blossoms.
-
-It so chanced that a woman of that country dreamed a dream. In that
-dream an Ongwe [359] said to her that the great tree bearing white
-blossoms must be pulled up by the roots. When this tree was in bloom
-its flowers gave light to the people there, but when its flowers fell,
-darkness came over the people. When the woman related her dream all the
-people kept silent, because they felt that the suggestion was that of a
-visionary and because the tree was sacred to them. In the course of
-time the woman dreamed again, and in the dream the Ongwe declared to
-her that a circular trench must be dug around the tree, which must be
-pulled up by the roots; that then something giving more and better
-light would come to them. Notwithstanding this second dream, the people
-remained obdurate, paying no attention to the advice of the Ongwe of
-the dream. Time went on and the woman had a third dream, in which the
-injunctions of the other two dreams were repeated, that the tree must
-be pulled up by the roots. Then one of the men said, “I believe that if
-we give heed to the words of the dream we may receive better light, and
-that the people will have cause to rejoice for having obeyed the words
-of the dream.” His advice was adopted by the people at large.
-
-So a number of men began digging and cutting around the roots of the
-tree. Suddenly, when the last root was cut, the tree sank into the
-ground, disappearing from sight. Thereupon the chief of the people
-there said, “I have never given any heed to this dream, because I knew
-that something strange would happen to the people if I did.” Then he
-ordered that the woman who had had these dreams should be cast into the
-hole left by the tree. The order was carried out. The pit seemed to
-have no bottom. Nothing could be seen in it, for all was darkness
-within. The woman continued falling through the hole for a long time;
-at last she saw that below her it began to grow light. When finally she
-had passed through the hole she emerged into bright light in our sky.
-Looking down, she saw beneath her a great expanse of water, on which
-floated loons, ducks, and various kinds of water folk, but no land.
-
-Of these the loon was the first to see the dark object falling from
-above, at which he exclaimed, “I believe that a human being is falling
-down from above, and I think that it is best for us that all join
-together and give aid to her, for if we do not she will sink when she
-strikes the water.” So all the water folk were notified to help save
-the woman. They all came together—Loon, Fishhawk, Beaver, Water
-Serpent, Turtle, and all who dwell in the water. Then Loon said to
-Fishhawk, “Go with your warriors and meet the woman in the air; receive
-her on your backs, and thus hold her in the air until we shall be ready
-for you to bring her down here.” Instantly this request was performed.
-While the others watched they saw the woman fall on the backs of the
-fishhawks, and they were delighted to see that the fishhawks were able
-to hold her in the air. Then the Loon said, “What are we going to do
-with her?” to which the Turtle replied, “I will take care of the
-woman.” But Loon answered, “You can not take care of her, for you are
-too fond of eating flesh.” Next the Water Serpent said, “I will
-volunteer to help this woman and to take care of her; she can come and
-sit between my horns, and so I shall carry her wherever I go.” Loon
-rejoined, “You can not take care of her, for you are endowed with too
-much evil orenda (magic power), which would kill her.” The Turtle spoke
-a second time, saying, “I think I can care for her, if you can find
-some earth to place upon my carapace.” This suggestion satisfying Loon
-and the other leaders, Loon replied, “You may take care of her if we
-can obtain the earth.” There were there many kinds of water folk, all
-of which were sent into the water in an attempt to obtain some earth.
-They dived down, but, one after another, they soon floated up to the
-surface dead. Hell-diver at last brought up a small quantity of earth.
-The Loon being the chief, when Hell-diver came up with the earth he
-sent all of that kind of water folk after more earth. Then Beaver
-mounted on Turtle’s back, and as the Duck people brought up the earth
-he used his tail like a trowel, fastening the earth on the carapace of
-the Turtle.
-
-The earth at once began to grow, spreading out large. Chief Loon soon
-decided that it had acquired a sufficient extent for their purpose, so
-he called to the Fishhawk and his men to bring down the woman. This
-they did, placing her on the newly made earth on the carapace of the
-Turtle. In the meantime Beaver and the Duck people kept at work making
-the earth larger. As it grew in size, a still greater number of Beaver
-and Duck people were set to work around the edges of it. The Turtle
-floated with ease. Then on the earth bushes began to grow, little red
-bushes like water reeds. The woman walked around the edges of the earth
-to see how the workers were succeeding in their labors and to encourage
-them. She was pregnant, and in a short time after this descent a girl
-baby was born to her. The child grew rapidly to womanhood. She was very
-active, and soon took her mother’s place, walking around the island
-inspecting its growth. It was now very large, and she would be away all
-day on her tour of the island.
-
-One day it chanced as she was walking along that she met a very
-fine-looking young man. Promptly falling in love, they decided to live
-together as husband and wife. It is said that by this union Day and
-Night came into the world. Her mother was not consulted. It was the
-custom of the young woman to go out in the morning to look for the
-young man at their trysting place, and in the evening to start for
-home. One evening when they had parted she resolved to look back to
-have a view of him. On turning around, she saw a large turtle walking
-along where she knew her husband had just been, hence she reached the
-conclusion that a turtle was deceiving her; then she went home. The
-next day she remained at home and, indeed, did not go out any more
-after that time. Her mother saw from her appearance that she was
-pregnant. Being questioned about her condition, she told her mother the
-whole story of her marriage, concluding with the statement that the
-last time they had met she had turned to look at him as they parted,
-whereupon she saw only a great turtle walking where she expected to see
-her husband.
-
-The time for her confinement having arrived, the prospective mother
-heard a conversation being carried on within her body. One speaker
-said: “Let us go out now,” but the other replied: “You go first, and I
-will follow you.” Then she heard one say, “Let us go out by the way of
-the armpit, for I see a little light there,” but the other answered,
-“No; we should kill our mother in doing so.” Finally, one came into the
-world in the natural way, but she heard the one who was left say, “I am
-going out through the armpit, for I can go quicker in that way.” This
-statement he repeated a number of times, and at last he tried to issue
-through the armpit with his head. Twice he failed, but the third time
-he succeeded, although his mother died immediately. He possessed a
-peculiar head, in the form of a rough flint. The grandmother had to
-draw this child out of his mother’s body, for he could not get out
-unaided. Both children lived.
-
-Before the twins were born, while they were conversing in her body, the
-woman told her mother that she was going to die and that she should be
-buried and covered well with earth. She said further that a stalk would
-sprout out of the ground over her which would produce white corn; that
-a second stalk would grow which would produce red corn; that one of
-these stalks would grow from each of her breasts; and that each stalk
-would bear an ear of corn, which the grandmother must pluck, giving one
-to each of the children. A short time after her burial the two stalks
-appeared above the ground, just as she had foretold.
-
-The boys grew up strong and healthy, but the younger was an awkward,
-ugly, disagreeable fellow; he was ill-tempered, often striking his
-brother in anger.
-
-One day while the elder brother was away, the younger one became
-lonely, so he decided to make something. Seating himself on the ground,
-from a portion of earth he formed an object which was in shape like a
-grasshopper. After he had finished it, he set it down, saying, “Can you
-not jump?” Then he blew on it until at last the grasshopper did jump.
-As the grasshopper flew away, the youth decided to try to make a
-creature that would fly higher. So he made a bird of red clay, which is
-the cherry bird. After he had finished it he set it up, telling it to
-fly. Obeying him, the bird flew up in the air, alighting on a bough.
-This was the first land bird. Thus the youth made one after another all
-the birds of the air. Then he resolved to make a creature that would
-run on the ground. So forming a deer out of earth, he brought it to
-life. Thereupon, saying to it, “Now you shall run swiftly and go
-everywhere around the world,” he caused the deer to live by blowing
-upon it. In this manner he made all the various kinds of wild animals,
-and also formed a human being out of the earth.
-
-The elder brother had a chosen place where he sat while making these
-things. When he formed the human being, his brother chanced to find
-him. Then the younger brother, deciding that he, too, would form a
-human being, went off by himself. Having formed a human being as best
-he could, he brought his creation to life, but it did not look like the
-human being his brother had formed; it was a strange looking creature.
-When he saw that it was not a human being, but an ugly-looking object,
-he said: “My brother has made a human being over there; you may eat the
-human being made by my brother.”
-
-The elder brother, suspecting the younger, went near him and found him
-making animals of various kinds, and he also heard him instructing them
-to eat human beings. So, going back to his own place, the elder brother
-caught the cherry bird, and pulling out the hind leg of a grasshopper,
-he gave it to the bird, saying, “Go and scare my brother.” As the bird
-held the leg it became in form like that of a human being and bloody.
-Flying near the younger brother, the bird perched on a near-by bough
-and began to cry out, “Gowe! Gowe!” When the younger brother saw what
-the bird carried and heard what it cried, he left his work and fled
-home to his grandmother, to whom he said: “A bird came and perched just
-where I was at work. I believe my brother made it to frighten me, for I
-was afraid that it would pull my leg out, so I fled from there.” When
-the elder brother returned the grandmother said, “You should not
-frighten your brother.”
-
-Finding that the first human being made was wandering around alone, the
-elder brother decided to make a companion for him in the form of his
-grandmother. So he did this, and when the new being was finished he
-breathed into her, telling her to walk, and then he took her to the
-man, saying to him: “I give you her. You must always go together.”
-During the night the human beings found that one of the man’s arms and
-one of the woman’s were in the way, so the man said, “We will cut them
-off,” and this they did. When their maker came along in the morning and
-saw what they had done he said: “This will not do. I shall give them
-blood and pain”;[360] so from himself he gave them a portion of blood
-and a measure of pain. He also put back the arms which they had severed
-from their bodies. Before this they had no blood nor pain. To the man
-he said: “I have made you two, and now you shall have children like
-yourselves. You may also hunt the animals which I have made for food.
-Kill them and eat their flesh; this will be your food. I have decided
-to go above in the sky. You will not live here forever. You shall die,
-and your spirit shall come up to me where I will live hereafter.” After
-the younger brother found that the elder brother had gone up into the
-sky he went forth and, seeing the man and the woman, he talked with
-them. Then he said to himself, “I am going to make a human being at any
-cost.” So, taking earth, he shaped it as best he could; and when it was
-completed he blew into its mouth and ordered it to arise and whoop.
-Thereupon it shouted, “Ho, ho!” He shoved it from behind and it took a
-great leap. It was a green frog which was as large as a man. The
-younger brother was now angry and said: “I can not make a man. My
-brother has made a human being and she-human being and many animals.
-May what I have made become man-eaters and eaters of animals—eaters of
-whatever my brother has made.”
-
-The elder brother, looking down from the sky, saw that all the animals
-which his brother had made were trying to eat up the human beings and
-the animals which he had made. So he placed all these monsters of his
-brother’s creation down in the ground and ordered them to stay there so
-long as the earth remained. Having done this, he returned to his home
-in the sky.
-
-When the younger brother learned that his animals had been placed
-underground by his brother, he was very angry, and exclaimed, “I shall
-try again to make a human being.” So he worked a portion of clay to
-make it pliable and responsive, going at times to take a look at the
-human being which his brother had made. But when his own human being
-was finished and he had brought him to life, he was indeed a
-horrid-looking creature. The younger brother told him to whoop, but he
-could only say, “Ho, ho!” This creature was Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, who was
-told by the younger brother to go and eat up all the things that his
-elder brother had made. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa started off to do this.
-
-The elder brother in the sky, seeing what was going on, came down to
-earth to place Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa under the ground. But the latter spoke
-first, saying: “I desire to live on the earth. I will be your servant
-and will help you. I will go around in the woods and rocky places. The
-ashes of the fires shall be my medicine for human beings. Should anyone
-be taken ill, I will scatter ashes over the patient, who shall be made
-well at once.” The elder brother could not put Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa
-underground, for he had spoken first, so he had to allow him to remain
-on the surface of the earth.
-
-Now, the younger brother, going to his grandmother, said: “I have tried
-my best to make a human being, but have failed. I shall now cause
-people to be evil-minded. I shall go away and shall have a home, too.
-And all the evil people who die shall come to me and I shall torment
-them because I could not make a human being.”
-
-If one who is good shall die, he shall go to the elder brother, in his
-home in the sky.
-
-
-
-
-
-75. THE TWO BROTHERS AND THE MICE FETISHES
-
-In times past there lived two brothers in a lodge which was built in a
-secluded place in the forest.
-
-Most of the time the elder brother was lying down in order to mature
-some design which he was developing in his mind. From time to time he
-would say to his brother: “Now, my younger brother, be very careful of
-everything, and be on your guard against the evil that others may try
-to do us. Whenever some person comes here to see us, remember what I am
-now telling you. And do not forget that under my bed, in a secret
-place, are a human skull and some other sacred things, which it is not
-proper for you to show any other person.”
-
-Some time afterward two young women came to the lodge of the two
-brothers to look around in order to learn what the two young men had.
-After showing them many things, the younger brother said, “I must tell
-you that there are some things which are sacred, and which, therefore,
-I cannot show you.” But after a while, as the two women appeared to be
-so kind and agreeable, and so much pleased with what they had seen, and
-as they shyly pleaded to be shown the things which the younger brother
-said he was not at liberty to show, at last yielding, he brought out
-the human skull. Snatching it out of the young man’s hands, one of the
-young women flew away quickly, while the other followed her at once.
-Thereupon the elder brother said, “Now, you must chase these women with
-the corn-pounder and see whether or not you can overtake them.” So he
-ran after them with the corn-pounder, and soon overtaking them, pounded
-them to death; then he carried the skull back to his elder brother. The
-latter asked him, “Have you recovered the skull?” The younger brother
-replied, “Yes, and I have also killed the women.”
-
-Not long afterward, two other young women came to the lodge to see what
-the brothers had that was curious. The younger brother showed them
-various common articles, but the women said that these were not the
-articles they wanted to see. Finally he showed them the human skull, at
-which one of the women, snatching the skull away from the young man,
-flew out of the smoke-hole, the other woman following her at once. When
-the younger brother cried out at what they had done, the elder brother
-told him to bring his bow and quiver of arrows. The younger instantly
-obeyed, whereupon the elder brother shot an arrow up through the
-smoke-hole.
-
-Some time after the woman had taken the skull away, the elder brother
-told the younger that he was going to the place to which the women had
-carried it. While on the way there the elder brother asked himself the
-question, “How shall I disguise myself?” He finally concluded to
-transform himself into an aged man; so, making the necessary change, he
-became a wretched-looking old man. On his journey he reached at last a
-place where there was a large assembly of people, some of whom came to
-him, saying, “We will aid you”; but he replied, “I do not want to
-mingle with the crowd, for I am too old to do so; but I shall lie down
-a little way from the assembly.” While lying there he discovered what
-he wanted—information concerning the woman who had carried off the
-skull. He learned that she was there, and that she was ill and
-suffering great agony. On inquiring casually what was the trouble with
-the woman, he ascertained from another woman that she had been shot
-with an arrow, which was still in her body, and that no one had been
-found who could draw it out. She was in terrible distress from it.
-Every one in the assemblage was asked to attempt to draw out the arrow,
-but no one was able to do it. Finally, the pretended old man was asked
-to make a trial of his power and reluctantly consented to make the
-attempt; but he only feigned to be averse to performing this act. So,
-bearing him to the place where the woman lay in a lodge, they brought
-her on a piece of skin and laid her near him. Thereupon the old man,
-seizing the arrow with his teeth, drew it out little by little. At
-this, some who stood by, exclaiming that it was almost out, seized the
-arrow to extract it the more quickly, but it shot back into the woman’s
-body as soon as they had touched it. With one accord they exclaimed,
-“We are sorry for what we have done.” Seizing it with his teeth, the
-old man again drew the arrow slowly forth. Each time that he stopped to
-rest he cautioned the people with the words: “Do not touch it. Keep
-your hands off of it.” Then he would say, “I will try again.” After a
-while he got the arrow out. Then he said, “This is my arrow.” The woman
-arose from the skin and was well.
-
-The old man was taken back to the spot where he had lain in the first
-place, although the people asked him to enter some lodge. He told them,
-however, that he preferred to remain outside in the place which he had
-first chosen. They brought him food and drink. Now, the woman who was
-cured went to her own lodge.
-
-Then the old man asked the people to make him a present of corn, bean,
-and squash seed, which he desired to plant the next spring. So they
-brought to him the seed carefully wrapped in a skin. But he did not
-leave the place where he first lay down. After a while he opened the
-bundle and, calling the mice, said: “Little creatures, here is enough
-for you to eat. I desire to have you dig a tunnel underground to that
-woman’s lodge, so that you may go under her bed and get a skull which
-is there. Seize it and bring it through the tunnel to me.” Shortly an
-army of mice came to eat the corn, beans, and squash seed. When they
-had finished eating they began to tunnel, and they did not cease their
-work until they had made a hole through the ground to the lodge. There
-they found the skull, which they drew out slowly. Then the old man
-stealthily crept to the place where they had left the skull, and,
-taking it, after dismissing the mice with thanks, he started homeward.
-He had told the mice to eat all they desired, and so they did eat what
-they could in the lodge. As soon as the pretended old man was out of
-sight of the lodge, he again became a young man. Turning toward the
-village, he spoke a curse upon it, saying, “Let fire break out and
-destroy all that belongs to that wicked woman, the lodges, and the
-people.” Instantly the whole was in flames and was soon entirely
-consumed.
-
-Then the young man resumed his journey toward home. When he arrived
-there he said: “Now, my brother, after much trouble I have recovered
-this skull; so do not permit any person to see it again. I have
-destroyed with fire the entire village and substance of that wicked
-woman. Hereafter we may live in peace and contentment. So heed my
-words.”
-
-
-
-
-
-76. THE ORPHAN
-
-In times past, in a certain village of the Seneca there was an orphan
-boy, about sixteen years of age, who went around among the people,
-going from lodge to lodge to live on the charity of owners, and living
-wherever people were willing to keep him. Sometimes he slept by a brush
-fire on the ground and ate whatever was given to him.
-
-When the youth was about twenty years old he was still as much a boy as
-ever. A chief who was very rich lived in the same village. He had a
-daughter and two or three sons. One day the boy stopped near the
-chief’s lodge, where they were burning brush. One of the chief’s sons
-came out and said to him, “Oh, my friend! how long have you been here?”
-“Not long,” said the orphan boy. “Well, do you not feel poor and lonely
-sitting as you do?” was the next question. “No; I feel just as rich as
-you do,” replied the orphan. “Do you sometimes think that you would
-like to have a wife?” asked the young man. “Yes; I sometimes think that
-I should like to have one if I could get one,” answered the orphan.
-“Well, what would you think of my sister for a wife? Many men have
-tried to marry her, but she has refused all.” “Oh!” said the orphan
-boy, looking up, “I should as soon have her as anyone else; she is
-handsome and rich.” “I will go and ask her,” said the young man,
-thinking that he would have fun with his sister. Entering the lodge, he
-said to her: “There is a young man out here who says he would like to
-marry you. Will you have him?” “Why, yes! I would rather marry him than
-anyone else,” she replied. “Shall I tell him so?” her brother
-persisted. “Yes,” she answered. Thereupon he told the orphan boy, who
-said, “I shall be glad to marry your sister and live with her.” The
-brother in fun repeated this to his sister, who said, “I will go myself
-and ask him.” She asked the orphan, “What did my brother tell you about
-me?” He told her everything. She then said: “I will live with you as
-your wife. Come tomorrow night at this time and I will take you for my
-husband.” The next morning she hunted up leggings and moccasins for the
-orphan boy. As was the custom with youths, he had never worn moccasins
-in summer. The young woman made ready everything for him. In the
-evening she went to the meeting place, where she found him. She brought
-water with which he washed himself; he then put on the garments and she
-tied up his hair. This time she told him to come to her home and to go
-straight to her bed, without talking with any of the men, because one
-of her brothers was always playing tricks. He did as he was told. The
-waggish brother looked at him and laughed, and calling him by name,
-said, “Come and sleep with me.”
-
-In the fall the sons of the chief were ready to go on a deer hunt, and
-the young married woman thought that she, too, would like to go,
-inasmuch as she had a youthful husband, who, perhaps, would become a
-good hunter. The husband said, “Yes; I will go and try,” for he had
-never hunted. When they had traveled some distance, they camped and
-began hunting. The husband, having found a place where there were wild
-grape vines, made a swing. There he swung all day, never hunting, as
-the others did. At night he would go home without game, but he did not
-tell what he had seen in the woods. The brothers killed many deer. One
-day one said to the other: “Our brother-in-law gets no game.” The other
-replied: “Perhaps he does not hunt.” So they agreed to watch. On
-following him, they found him swinging, and they noticed that the
-ground was worn smooth around the swing. Thereupon they said: “We will
-not live with this man and feed him. We will leave him and camp a day’s
-journey away.” So they started, leaving the man and woman only one
-piece of venison.
-
-The boy never ate much, so his wife had most of the meat. When all was
-eaten she began to fear starvation. One day while the boy was swinging
-he saw a great horned owl alight in a tree near by. Having shot it, he
-put the body under the swing, where he could look at it as he swung.
-His wife was getting very hungry, and when he went home that night she
-said, “If I have nothing to eat tomorrow, perhaps I shall be unable to
-get up; you ought to kill something.” “Well, maybe tomorrow I shall
-kill something,” replied the orphan.
-
-The next day he went as usual to the swing. While swinging he heard a
-sound like the crying of a woman. He was frightened and stopped
-swinging. Soon he saw a female panther coming toward him with three
-cubs. As they approached he heard a great noise in the north, the
-direction from which the panthers had come, and a Dagwanoenyent
-appeared, tearing down all the trees in his path. He stopped on a tree
-near the swing. “There! you know what harm you have done,” said the
-Dagwanoenyent. (The old panther and cubs had been in Dagwanoenyent’s
-lodge on the rocks and had run away.) “Why are you so angry at the
-panthers?” asked the young man; “what have they done to you?” “They
-have torn up my best feather cap,” replied Dagwanoenyent. “What makes
-you think so much of your cap? It must be very fine,” said the orphan.
-“Yes; it was fine,” replied Dagwanoenyent. “Of what kind of skin was it
-made?” was the next question. “It was made of the skin of a horned
-owl,” said the Dagwanoenyent. “What would you think if I gave you
-another one?” queried the orphan. “How can you get one?” asked
-Dagwanoenyent. Going to the foot of the tree, the young man tossed up
-the owl which he had killed. The wind had stopped blowing as soon as
-Dagwanoenyent lighted on the tree. The old mother panther stood at
-hand, listening to what Dagwanoenyent and the young man said to each
-other. As he tossed up the owl, Dagwanoenyent caught it and said, “I
-thank you; this is better than the old one;” so saying he flew away.
-The panther thanked the young man, saying: “I am very glad you had this
-owl. You have saved my life and the lives of my children; now I will
-try to help you. Go to that knoll yonder, and just behind it you will
-see a couple of buck deer fighting. You must try to kill both. The one
-you shoot first will not run; they will fight until they die.” Running
-over to the knoll, the orphan found the two bucks and killed both.
-Taking a large piece of the venison, he went home to his wife, for she
-was almost starved to death. “I have brought you meat,” said the
-husband. “I have killed two buck deer today.” Jumping up, she threw the
-venison on the fire to broil, and hardly waited for it to cook before
-she began to eat it. The young man and his wife dragged the two deer
-home, and having skinned and dressed them, had plenty of venison. The
-young woman also dried the meat and tanned the skins. The panther told
-the orphan that now he must hunt, and that he must never swing, because
-he would kill much game.
-
-When they had a great deal of meat the young man said: “I should go to
-see your brothers now. Probably they have a large quantity of meat, for
-they are good hunters.” He started on his journey, which took an entire
-day. Having killed a deer on the way, he carried along the venison. He
-found the lodge of his brothers-in-law, which looked very desolate.
-Peeping in, he saw all the brothers, who appeared weak and miserable;
-so he walked in, saying, “How are you, my brothers-in-law?” One said,
-“There is our brother-in-law.” They answered, “We are nearly starved;
-we have found nothing to kill.” “Well,” was the response, “we have
-plenty at our place. Come and live with us. I have meat here on my
-back. Eat and then go with me.” Thereupon he gave them the venison,
-which they ate almost raw. The food made them strong, so they started
-with him for his home.
-
-The young man got home very quickly and told his wife, “Your brothers
-are badly off; they are worse off than you were.” During the night the
-brothers arrived. They were satisfied, and afterward lived with their
-sister and brother-in-law. Soon all went back to the village, loaded
-with skins and venison. Now the man and his wife were rich. They lived
-in the Genesee Valley.
-
-
-
-
-
-77. THE GREAT WORM [361] AND HINON
-
-One day a boy was wandering about hunting in the woods. While he was
-looking around for birds he noticed on the limb of a tree a large,
-many-colored worm. He thought it very beautiful and he watched it for
-some time. The next day he went to the woods again, thinking all the
-time of the worm and wondering whether it still would be there.
-
-When he came to the tree he saw the worm on the branch, but in another
-place. The boy had a string of birds which he had killed that morning.
-Tearing off a small bit of the flesh of one and fastening it to a
-stick, he tried to feed the worm. It ate a little and the boy was
-greatly amused. The following day the boy again found the worm and fed
-it. The worm always remained near the place where he had first
-discovered it. Each day the worm ate a little more and larger portions.
-After a while the boy gave it a whole bird at a time; then soon two
-birds, feathers and all. The worm had now become very large, too heavy
-for the limb of the tree on which it had been staying, so it fell to
-the ground. It never looked for food, but seemed to wait for the boy to
-bring it.
-
-One day the youth was out with a number of boys hunting. When they
-started for home he said, “I shall give all my birds to the worm.”
-Thereupon the other boys questioned him about the creature and wanted
-to see it, so he led them to the worm, and they had great sport seeing
-it eat. At every turn it seemed to change color and grow more
-beautiful. The boys were delighted to throw birds at the worm that they
-might see it snatch and eat them. Finally they said, “Let us go hunting
-tomorrow and bring it all the birds we can find.” This they did.
-
-For a long time the boys brought the worm birds, then rabbits, all of
-which it ate. The worm grew very rapidly, became very long and thick—a
-huge monster. The boys never told their parents or relations about the
-worm, for they were afraid of losing their sport. They would go early
-every morning to see the worm. The creature swallowed everything that
-came within its reach.
-
-One day while the boys were throwing the worm food they began to
-wrestle, and in the excitement the youngest boy was thrown near the
-creature. In an instant the boy was swallowed. At this the rest of the
-boys were terribly frightened. When the child was missed the parents
-looked for him everywhere; they went among the boys to see whether he
-had not spent the night with one of them. But they could not get the
-slightest clue to the whereabouts of the boy. The other boys said that
-they had seen him the day before; that was all they pretended to know.
-
-After this the boys pushed two or three others of their number near the
-worm, which devoured them, too. It had become very large and ferocious,
-and ruled the boys by a spell. One day they found that the worm had
-killed and eaten a deer. Thereupon they were seized with great fear,
-for the creature had grown so immense, and they ran away without having
-their usual sport.
-
-Now the village was built on a large mound-like hill, sloping on all
-sides. The morning after the boys had failed to feed the worm the
-people were alarmed to find the village surrounded by a terrible
-monster. They were afraid to go near it, although they knew that they
-must die if they remained shut up in the village. At last the greater
-number, having found on one side what seemed to them to be an opening,
-all rushed in. It was the mouth of the worm and all were swallowed.
-Then the boys told those who remained that it was this worm that had
-eaten the missing children.
-
-When they saw that all who had tried thus to escape were devoured they
-were terrified, and counseled together to save themselves. Only a few
-were left. These decided to appeal to their grandfather, Hinon. So,
-burning tobacco, they called on their grandfather, Hinon, the Thunder
-god, imploring him to save them from this awful worm. As soon as the
-tobacco was burning, they heard him approaching in a great black storm
-cloud with terrific noise. With his lightning he struck the worm,
-tearing it to pieces. These pieces rolled down the hillside into the
-valley below, which became a lake.
-
-
-
-
-
-78. THE CHIPMUNK AND THE BEAR
-
-The Bear thought herself a very powerful creature in the exercise of
-orenda (magic power), and hence was always trying to exhibit this power
-before other animals.
-
-One day she got into a hot dispute with a Chipmunk. Finally the
-Chipmunk said: “Why do you boast so much? You have no remarkable
-orenda.” At this sally the Bear, becoming very angry, asserted that she
-had so great magic power that she could, if she wished, prevent the sun
-from rising in the morning. The Chipmunk retorted, “No, you have not;
-you can not do that.” “Wait and see,” replied the Bear. The Chipmunk,
-not to be fooled, declared he would wait, saying, “We shall have the
-sun at the usual time.” When the sun rose, as usual, the Chipmunk,
-laughing, made sport of the Bear and her boasting. Finally, the Bear
-got so terribly angry that she turned on the Chipmunk, who made his
-escape by flight, for fortunately his burrow was near; but as he
-reached it, the Bear was so close upon him that she stretched out her
-paw to clutch him, and the Chipmunk just slipped from under it into the
-hole. The next day the Chipmunk appeared with three marks on his
-back—marks of the Bear’s claws, which the Chipmunk carries to this day.
-
-
-
-
-
-79. THE GREAT WHITE BEAVER AND THE LAKE OF THE ENCHANTED WATER
-
-Once in old times there lived a grandfather and his grandson in a lodge
-in a forest far from any village. All the other people of their tribe
-had been carried away through sorcery practiced by their enemies. The
-grandfather therefore carefully guarded from witches and wizards his
-grandson, who was the only hope and comfort of his declining years.
-
-One day the little grandson, almost breathless, ran into the lodge
-exclaiming: “Oh, grandfather! I have heard something which is very
-wonderful, crying out, Kidjiʹde.” “Oh!” answered the grandfather, “that
-is the bird which is called Chickadee; it is the first kind of game
-that a young hunter kills.” Taking his cue from this reply, the lad,
-seizing his bow and arrows, went out and after many fruitless attempts
-killed the chickadee and brought its body into the lodge to his
-grandfather. Thereupon the grandfather set up in the ground in front of
-the fire two small forked sticks and laid across another stick in the
-two forks. Having dressed the chickadee, he hung it on the cross stick
-to broil, singing and dancing with great joy, saying, “Now my grandson
-will become a great hunter.”
-
-At another time the grandson ran into the lodge, crying out: “Oh,
-grandfather! I have seen something with four legs, a black face, and
-with four stripes around its tail; it was large and fat.” “Oh!”
-answered the grandfather, “that is what is called Dju’äʹkăʼ;[362] it is
-the second kind of game that a young hunter kills. It has good meat and
-fine fur.” Renewing his hunting, the lad soon killed the Dju’äʹkăʼ and
-brought its body into the lodge. The grandfather sang and danced again,
-saying, “Oh! my grandson will be a great hunter.” After dressing the
-body of Dju’äʹkăʼ he hung it on the cross-stick before the fire to
-broil. When it was cooked both ate the flesh of Dju’äʹkăʼ.
-
-A few days later the lad ran into the lodge, exclaiming, “Oh!
-grandfather, I have seen a very strange thing, which was walking on two
-legs; it had red skin on its head, a black coat, and made a great deal
-of noise.” The grandfather told the lad what this new thing was,
-saying: “Oh! that is Ohsoon. It makes the best kind of soup, and it is
-the third kind of game that a young hunter kills.”
-
-Running off into the forest, the lad soon saw a flock of the Ohsoon and
-ran after them until he had caught one. He thought that the soup of
-which his grandfather spoke must be in its legs. But after examining
-them thoroughly and finding no soup, he exclaimed, “My grandfather must
-have tried to deceive me”; with that remark he let the bird go free.
-Then he ran back to his grandfather, complaining that he had caught one
-of the Ohsoon and, after carefully examining its legs, had found no
-soup in them, and that therefore he had let the bird go free. His
-grandfather pityingly said, “Oh! you foolish boy. The soup is not in
-its legs but in the body. You must kill, dress, and cook Ohsoon, and
-then you will have very fine soup.” With this information the lad again
-went out into the forest, and, having caught another of the Ohsoon,
-brought it home. The old man was highly delighted with the success of
-his grandson, so he himself killed, dressed, and cooked Ohsoon. Again
-he sang and danced, frequently saying, “Now, my grandson will be a
-great hunter.” When the bird was cooked, they ate their fill and were
-both satisfied.
-
-On another day the lad went out to hunt. In the forest he saw a very
-strange creature, with long thin legs and something on its head
-resembling the branches of a tree. Being very much afraid of this
-creature, the lad ran home to his grandfather to tell him what he had
-seen. His grandfather said: “That is Neogen,[363] which is the fourth
-and greatest kind of game that a hunter kills. When a man can kill
-Neogen he is a good hunter.” Taking his bow and quiver of arrows the
-lad went into the forest to look for Neogen. After long hunting he
-killed Neogen and dragged its body home to his grandfather. But on this
-occasion the old man did not dance, for this was an event for solemnity
-in conduct. With due respect to the amenities of the occasion he
-carefully instructed the growing lad in the art of dressing the deer
-and of preparing its skin for use. Then he told his grandson that he
-had evinced the qualities of a good hunter, and that, “Hereafter you
-need not run back home to tell me what you have seen. You now have the
-right to kill anything that may come in your way. A man that can kill a
-deer is a great hunter, and he then can kill all kinds of game.”
-
-The next time the youth went to hunt he brought back a fine bear. His
-grandfather was now very happy, for they had an abundance of meat.
-Assuring the youth that he had arrived at the age of manhood, as
-indicated by the change in his voice, he said to him: “My grandson, I
-am much pleased with you. You may go when hunting in every direction
-except toward the east. You must not go toward the east, for there
-dwell very wicked women, who have killed through sorcery all our
-people. So give heed to what I tell you.”
-
-The next time that the young man started off to hunt he directed his
-course southward. But as he traveled on he kept thinking of those
-wicked women in the east, who had destroyed all his kindred. Finally,
-he decided to change his course from the southward to eastward, and he
-kept on for some time in the latter direction. At last he came to a
-tree which was covered all over with what appeared to be the scratches
-and nail marks of raccoons, whereupon he said to himself, “There must
-be a large number of raccoons in this tree.” So he removed his outer
-garments and laid aside his bow and arrows; then taking a stout club,
-he climbed the tree until he came to a hole very near the top. Peering
-into this opening, he saw many raccoons down in the hollow trunk. By
-thrusting his club down among them, he killed a number. Drawing them
-up, he threw them on the ground at the foot of the tree. Finally he
-chanced to look down—there at the very foot of the tree he saw a
-beautiful young woman sitting on a log. As soon as she caught his eye
-she exclaimed, “Come down here. I wish to talk with you, so do not
-delay.” The young man paid no attention to her at first, but kept on
-killing the raccoons and casting them down to the ground. She hailed
-him again, urging him to come down to talk with her. To avoid her, he
-crept around the tree, and there he changed himself into a red-headed
-woodpecker. Next he climbed up higher into the tree, pecking at the
-bark as he went for a short time. Then he shot his arrow off toward
-home; it whizzed through the air making a sound like a woodpecker. The
-young woman, who thought that he was the arrow, flew after him with all
-her might. But the young man, assuming again his own form, slipped down
-the tree, and after putting on his garments and gathering up the
-raccoons and his bow and arrows, he started for home.
-
-His grandfather was greatly delighted to see so great a number of
-raccoons, but when he learned where the young man had got them he
-became very angry and chided him severely, saying, “You must not go
-there again, for if you do great harm and evil will befall us.”
-
-The next day the young man started off from home, going directly
-southward. But when he was out of sight of the lodge he suddenly
-turned, going directly eastward. On the course he passed the tree where
-he had killed so many raccoons, and finally came to a second tree,
-which was also full of raccoons. Stopping there, he killed a large
-number, and while throwing them to the ground from the tree, he again
-saw the woman who had accosted him at the other tree. She urged him to
-come down, and did not fail to use very enticing terms. As he recalled
-his grandfather’s words, the young man well knew that he should not go
-down to her, but a feeling came into his heart which urgently prompted
-him to comply with her request. So reluctantly descending halfway,
-there he stopped. But the woman kept urging him to come down. Finally,
-having reached the ground, he sat on the end of the log, near the
-middle of which the woman was sitting. She asked him, “Why do you sit
-so far away? Young people customarily sit near each other when they
-talk together.” At this the young man drew a little nearer to her. But
-she still urged him to come close to her, so finally he took his seat
-right at her side. Now she began to tell him stories of wonders and
-magic power, talking to him until at last, becoming wearied, the young
-man fell asleep. Then the young woman, placing him in a bag which she
-threw over her shoulder, hurried away through the air. At the end of a
-long journey she alighted on the ground, and taking the young man from
-the bag, she aroused him and asked, “Do you know this place?” Looking
-around, he replied, “Yes; my grandfather and I have fished here.” The
-young woman replied, “I do not believe what you say. Point out
-something you remember.” The young man (willing that she should see
-these things) said, “Oh! there are the poles we set up, and there is an
-old kettle in which we cooked.” He had bewitched her eyes, so after
-seeing these objects she believed what he had said.
-
-Again the woman told him stories until she had put him to sleep; then
-putting him into her bag she carried him far away, finally alighting on
-the ground. Taking him out of the bag and causing him to open his eyes,
-she set him on a narrow cliff under a mountain, where he had room only
-sufficient for him to lie down—a place not wider than a small deerskin.
-
-Looking upward, he saw the mountain extending far above him, and
-looking downward, he saw that the earth was many hundreds of feet
-below. Nearer to him were other mountain peaks, narrow and pointed, on
-which were lying the bodies of men—some alive, some half dead, others
-half eaten, and still others reduced to mere skeletons. The sight of
-these things caused the young man many bitter reflections. He
-repeatedly said: “Oh! now I see that my grandfather was entirely right
-in the advice he gave me. There are indeed very wicked women who dwell
-in the east.” His feelings of chagrin were only heightened by what he
-learned from what one of the living men told. Calling to the man lying
-on the nearest cliff, he asked him how he happened to be there. The man
-in broken accents replied: “A woman deceived me and brought me here.
-Other women brought those other men to the spots where you see them
-lying. Their flesh is being eaten from their bones, yet they do not
-die. You and I shall be eaten when they get ready to come to us.” He
-ceased speaking, and the young man then thought long on some means of
-escape from such a lingering, horrid death at the hands of such wicked
-women and their agents. At last he remembered that in years past he had
-had a dream in which he had seen a Great Spider, which approached him,
-saying: “My friend, I will keep and protect you when you shall be in
-trouble. So call on me when you shall be in fear of death.” He
-therefore cried to this Great Spider for aid, saying: “Oh, Great
-Spider! help me now. I am in great trouble.” Hardly had his words died
-away before an enormous spider, which was as large as a man, came to
-him and at once began weaving webs and to form a rope. When it had
-finished the rope the Great Spider suspended it from the mountain above
-the man. The rope was quite strong enough to support the man, and
-thereby he climbed up to the top of the mountain above him. There he
-saw a large level country. Then by the aid of the Great Spider,
-lowering the rope to the men below on the cliffs who were still alive,
-he drew them up one after another. Having thanked the Great Spider for
-its aid, he dismissed it. The men thus rescued went to their homes.
-
-Then the young man set out for the home of the woman who had so
-cleverly deceived him. After a long journey he found her living with
-her mother in an old lodge standing quite alone. Addressing the young
-woman, the daughter of the old sorceress, the young man declared his
-purpose in coming by saying: “I have come here to marry you. When I
-first saw you I was greatly pleased with you; and I now love you. Will
-you be my wife?” Replying, the young woman said, “Oh! I hardly know
-what to tell you, for I have a very disagreeable mother, and I am much
-afraid you will not be able to live in the same lodge with her. It was
-in obedience to her command that I carried you to the narrow cliff on
-the mountain peak. I am willing to make the trial if you wish it.” The
-young man accepted her even under these adverse circumstances, and so
-they became husband and wife.
-
-One night some time after this the old woman, the mother-in-law of the
-young man, who slept at the back end of the lodge, pretending to be in
-an agony of pain, rolled around on the ground. Her daughter, knowing
-what the trouble was, said to her husband, “Strike my mother on the
-head with the pestle for pounding corn.” In doing this he said to her,
-“Oh! mother-in-law, what is the matter?” Seeming to have been awakened
-by the blow of the pestle the old woman said: “I have dreamed, and my
-Dream Being declared that it is necessary in order to avoid some
-unknown calamity that my son-in-law kill the Great White Beaver that
-lives in the Lake of the Enchanted Waters, and that with its flesh he
-must prepare a feast for the Dagwanoenyent.” The son-in-law replied:
-“It is all right, Oh! mother-in-law. I will attend to this to-morrow
-morning. So go to bed, and let it not worry you.”
-
-The next morning the young husband set out for the Lake of the
-Enchanted Waters. Having arrived there he soon found the Great White
-Beaver. With but a single arrow he shot and killed it. But as soon as
-he lifted its body out of the lake the enchanted waters pursued him
-with great fury. These waters were reputed to be so full of evil
-enchantment that the flesh of any living thing coming in contact with
-them immediately fell from the bones. Knowing this, the young husband
-ran for his life, bearing the body of the Great White Beaver. At last,
-reaching the lodge in safety he triumphantly threw the carcass of the
-Great White Beaver down on the ground, and at that instant the waters
-of the lake quickly receded. The old woman was now in a great rage at
-the turn of affairs. At times she cried out, “Oh! he is a terrible man.
-I thought that surely his bones would now be in that lake. Oh, my poor
-son! Oh, my poor son!” It seems that the Great White Beaver was no
-other than her son, who was a great sorcerer, and who assumed this
-formidable shape to deceive other shamans and sorcerers and to lure
-them to certain destruction. But evidently his orenda had been overcome
-by that of the young brother-in-law, his sister’s husband.
-
-Having dressed the dead Beaver in accordance with established custom on
-like occasions and having had its flesh cooked, the young man invited
-the Dagwanoenyent and the Gaasyendietʻha to come to the feast given in
-their honor. Coming, one and all, they filled the lodge to overflowing,
-the Dagwanoenyent being little else than great, horrid, round heads
-with long hair and with great flaming eyes. Their host commanded them
-to eat everything—flesh and bones—and to drink the broth, for it was an
-“eat-all” feast. When the feast had been devoured to the last morsel,
-the ugly old heads began to smack their lips, and they praised
-ironically the feast, saying: “What a splendid feast, a fine dinner,
-the old woman has given us. Oh! how sweet and toothsome was her son’s
-flesh.” Then the Great Heads [364] grinned at one another derisively.
-Now, beside herself with rage, the old woman, seizing a club, drove all
-her unwelcome guests out of the lodge.
-
-The next night the old woman again rolled and tossed on her bed,
-finally falling into the fire, crying out, Agi! Agi! The wife of the
-young man had told him that this time her mother would dream that he
-and his mother-in-law must go into the sweat-lodge—the man first, and
-the old woman after him. So when the old woman rolled into the fire,
-the young wife said, “Now, strike her with the pestle for pounding
-corn.” At this he struck her a blow with the pestle while she was
-rolling about among the ashes and fire, and groaning as if in great
-agony. The old woman, pretending to awake, said, “Oh! I have dreamed
-that my son-in-law entered the sweat-lodge—he first, and then I.”
-Making light of her dream, the young man said, “Oh! go to bed,
-mother-in-law. I will attend to this matter in the morning.” Early the
-following morning the sweat-lodge was heated hotter than it had ever
-been before. When the son-in-law entered, the old woman sang and danced
-around it, saying, “Let there be heat enough in there to smother him.”
-In a couple of hours she cautiously pushed aside the door flap of the
-sweat-lodge, remarking, “He must be dead by this time.” But she was
-deeply chagrined to find that he sat inside very comfortably, and that
-he had not even perspired. It was now the old woman’s turn to enter the
-sweat-lodge. As she did so, the son-in-law began to sing and to dance
-around it. He sang, “Let this lodge become flint; let it be red hot at
-first; and then let it be at white heat.” As it grew hotter and hotter
-the old woman begged for mercy, but none was shown her, and thus she
-was burned to death.
-
-Now the young husband, addressing his wife, said, “As you brought me
-the most of the way hither on your back, and as you know the way, take
-me home.” So she bore him on her back over the fields, over the
-forests, past the fishing-grounds where he said he and his grandfather
-had fished, past the raccoon trees, and at last brought him to the
-lodge of his grandfather. The aged grandfather welcomed his grandson
-and his wife, being very glad that his grandson had lived through all
-the difficulties which he knew he had met while he had been absent.
-There they lived in peace and contentment.
-
-This is the story of the Great White Beaver and the Lake of the
-Enchanted Waters.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-TRADITIONS
-
-
-80. GANON, THE SENECA WAR CHIEF
-
-Ganon was a Seneca war chief. Having called a council, he said, “We
-must go to see the Cherokee, and find out whether we can not agree to
-be friendly and to live in peace hereafter.” The people consenting, the
-chief continued, “We must purify ourselves thoroughly before we start;
-this will take ten days.” Thereupon a great many went off into a deep
-forest. All were men. There was no woman in the company. When they got
-into the deep forest they took medicine to make them vomit. This they
-did every morning for ten days, in addition to bathing and swimming and
-washing their bodies each day.
-
-At the end of ten days the chief said, “We shall go now on a high hill
-and there make a trench the length of a man’s body. Then we will put a
-man into it, placing boughs across so he can not be seen, and on top of
-all the whole carcass of a deer.”
-
-Now, they had invited Sʻhadahgeah to come down, and the people staid
-near the trench. The man under the bush heard a noise, and saw a common
-eagle come, eat a little, and then go off; then the eagle came back
-again, ate, and went away in another direction. It seemed as if it
-notified other birds, for they also came. The man who was lying
-underneath the brush scared them away, for they did not want common
-birds to eat the meat. After a while the concealed man heard a
-tremendous noise, which he knew was made by Sʻhadahgeah, the bird they
-wanted. Sʻhadahgeah is a very cautious bird; it looked everywhere
-before beginning to eat the meat. The man got his hand carefully around
-the bird’s tail, which he held firmly, and when the bird flew away he
-pulled out one feather. It took two years to get a full tail of
-feathers; hence they had to entice down a good many birds in this way
-before they got enough for the purpose. When secured, the party was
-ready to start for the Cherokee country.
-
-Many days were required to reach the land of the Cherokee, who had
-built a fort around them so that an enemy could not enter. The Seneca
-got there early in the morning, when the gate was open. Two of the
-Seneca dancers, adorned with feathers, made a noise like a whoop. When
-the Cherokee heard this they came out, whereupon they saw the two men
-singing and dancing. “These men must have come on some errand,” said
-the Cherokee chief. When the two men came nearer they said: “We wish to
-meet in council, as we come to talk about something important.” All
-turned and went toward the lodge of assembly. All the Seneca had come
-directly there, but only the two were singing and dancing. The lodge of
-assembly was crowded. The Seneca sang and danced until tired, when they
-stopped. The Cherokee did not dance. The Seneca chief said: “Now I will
-tell you for what purpose we have come to you through the forest. We
-have thought among ourselves that it is time to stop fighting. You and
-we are always on the lookout to kill one another. We think it is time
-to stop this. Here is the proof, if we agree to be friendly. Here is
-the wampum. If you and your people are willing to be friendly, you will
-take this.” With these words he held out the string of wampum as their
-credentials. The Cherokee chief, coming up, met the Seneca chief,
-saying: “I will take it and hold it in my hand, and tomorrow we will
-tell you what we have decided to do.” Then turning, he said to his
-people: “Go home and bring food to this lodge of assembly.” Thereupon
-all brought from their homes so much food that there was a great pile
-lying across the lodge of assembly. All ate together, but could not
-consume the whole amount.
-
-The next day they ate together again. “We have decided among
-ourselves,” said the Cherokee chief to the Seneca, “to accept this
-wampum, to be friendly with you, and to bury all the weapons of war so
-no man may reach them again.” In response the Seneca chief said: “I
-thank you. We are very glad that you have accepted our offer, and now
-all of us have put our weapons together, and the white wampum shall
-hang between us, and the belt shall be as long as a man, reaching down
-to the ground.” The Cherokee said to their people: “Now is the time for
-any of you who wishes to do so to pick out relatives from among the
-Seneca to be adopted.”
-
-When the notice was given the Cherokee women picked out one man,
-saying, “You are to be our uncle, our mother’s brother.” Some other
-woman took another for a brother; and finally all were taken except
-Ganon,[365] the chief. Then Ganon, being above a Cherokee, said, “No
-one has a right to take Ganon away, for a young man is here who will
-claim him as his father.” At this, the young man, walking up to Ganon,
-said, “Father, I am glad to see you. Now, father, we will go home.”
-Speaking thus, he went to his mother’s lodge, taking his father with
-him, and it was found to be he. He took him to the lodge where Ganon
-spent the first night, and the young man was really his son. When Ganon
-came to the lodge he recognized the woman. Everyone was pleased with
-the place and relationship.
-
-A good many days later a man came to the village from the East—the
-Great Salt Water. He came from the Seoqgwageonon [366] tribe to
-challenge them to a ball play, and he told how many days it would be
-before his people would come. They came at the time appointed. The head
-man was dressed in skins which were so long that they touched the
-ground. Next day the Seoqgwageonon began to bet with the Cherokee. The
-Seneca were there. The bet was two very heavy, costly skins, and other
-valuables. The Seneca and the Cherokee said, “We can not say that we
-shall win this game, but we are willing to play.” The play began. The
-Cherokee lost the game. Then the Seneca said, “We shall try this time,”
-and they bet again heavily. All were ready. They put their netted clubs
-to the ground. After a little swift running, the Seneca brought the
-ball to their goal, making a point. After the game had continued a
-while, having made all the points agreed on, they won the game. They
-now doubled the bet, and again the Seneca won. They won the third game
-also. Now the Seoqgwageonon said, “We will try the race with you.”
-
-The ground was quite level, and the opening was very broad. The
-Cherokee chose a Seneca runner. They were to run the first time without
-betting, and to bet on the second running. The men ran to the post, and
-his people, seeing that the Seneca runner was just the thickness of his
-body behind as they reached the post, asked him whether he had done his
-best. He replied, “No; I have not.” Now they bet and the second, the
-real race, began. At the middle of the course the Seneca runner said to
-the other, “Do your best, for I am going to do mine.” The Seneca left
-the other far behind, winning the race. Now the Seoqgwageonon said,
-“There is yet one race, the long race, which we shall try.” The
-Cherokee said, “We have won everything from these people. I believe it
-will be best to let them win one game. If they lose all, they may make
-trouble.” So they selected a Cherokee to run, who was beaten, whereupon
-the Seoqgwageonon went home.
-
-In two days another man came to say in behalf of the Seoqgwageonon that
-he had come to challenge them a second time, and that they were to meet
-halfway and have a fight. The Cherokee said to the Seneca who were with
-them: “You are so few in number here with us that we do not want to
-have you killed, so we think you would better go home.” When the time
-came, the Cherokee met and fought with the Seoqgwageonon and were
-beaten. Three years later the Seneca went to visit the Cherokee. On
-this occasion they heard all about the fight, and the Cherokee told
-them that the Seoqgwageonon had said, “We should like to fight with the
-Seneca, for I am a double man; I have two virile members.” So the
-Seneca held a council and decided to fight them, saying, “We shall try
-and see whether he has two virile members.” The Cherokee volunteered to
-guide the Seneca. They traveled many days until they came to a place
-where the Cherokee said, “This is as far as the Seoqgwageonon usually
-come to hunt.” They came to a path, and finding a footprint, they
-waited there for the man who had made it. Soon they saw a man carrying
-meat on his back. “We must take that man,” said the Seneca, “but let us
-be careful lest he hurt us.” When he came near they ran at him. As soon
-as he saw them, he whooped and dropped the meat. Then he drew his bow
-and arrow to shoot, but before he could select his arrow, he was taken
-captive. They caused him to stand in the middle of the assembly,
-saying, “Let us see whether he has two virile members. “When they saw
-he had only one, they said, “Now we want your people to stop saying
-they have two virile members.” Thereupon the Seneca went back to the
-Cherokee village.
-
-Soon a runner came from the Seoqgwageonon, who told the Cherokee that
-they wanted to have war with the Seneca and that he had come to
-challenge them. The Seneca answered, “We will try to gratify them;” so
-they started for the Seoqgwageonon village, guided by the Cherokee.
-They came to an opening, from which it was one day’s journey to the
-first village. Stopping at a hill in this opening, they were about to
-send two messengers to the Seoqgwageonon when the Cherokee said, “You
-must send them so as to arrive at the village about sundown.” They did
-this. When the messengers arrived near the village they saw that the
-Seoqgwageonon were playing ball. The messengers then went around to the
-south side and threw sumach darts, so as to deceive the other Indians
-into thinking them of their own people. The Seoqgwageonon so regarded
-the messengers, hence they did not take notice of them. The messengers
-having killed a man, scalped him, and rushed off whooping. On the way
-home the Seneca kept saying to one another, “Djágon—brace up, take
-courage.” About dusk they saw dust rising from the ground a good
-distance behind. The Seoqgwageonon on horses were pursuing them. The
-Seneca saw that they would be overtaken in the open, so they hurried to
-a dry creek with overhanging banks, where they hid. Soon the horses and
-dogs drew near, but the dogs failed to find the Seneca and the pursuers
-went on. Shortly they returned, but again failed in their search.
-
-The next morning the Seneca went on to Odaiadon, where there was an
-opening into a forest. The messengers soon saw the dust a second time
-and knew from this that they were being pursued. In a little while they
-could see the horses which were coming on them; soon the horses were
-near. The arrows of the Seoqgwageonon whizzed past them, and now their
-enemies were almost on them, but the runners were at the opening, where
-their people were arrayed in the form of a horseshoe. As soon as the
-pursuers got into this formation the Seneca closed in on them,
-capturing and killing all but one, who, being in the rear, turned and
-fled in time. The two Seneca now followed the horseman until they saw
-that he met a crowd. He talked to his people, and he and they went back
-together to the country of the Seoqgwageonon.
-
-The Seneca and the Cherokee now went to the Cherokee country, and in a
-month the Seneca returned to their own place.
-
-After a while the Seneca said, “Let us go again to our friends, the
-Cherokee.” When they arrived there all were glad and invited them to
-their lodges. They said to the Seneca: “We hear that the Seoqgwageonon
-think the Seneca are dangerous and bad people. They themselves are
-fortune-tellers and can see what other people are going to do, but they
-can not tell what the Seneca are going to do. They are magically more
-powerful than the others.” During this visit they merely amused
-themselves with games and other sports.
-
-
-
-
-
-81. HATCINONDON:[367] A HISTORICAL TRADITION
-
-Hatcinondon was a great warrior, the greatest among the warlike Seneca
-of the Iroquois Confederation.
-
-Once Hatcinondon led a large company of warriors to the Cherokee
-country on a raid. In time they arrived at a place called Oyada [368]
-Thadinongeh, which was within the Cherokee country. They knew well that
-the Cherokee were on the lookout for them. Having reached this place,
-Hatcinondon told his men to remain where they were, and that he would
-go ahead to spy out the land and to learn what could be done. Then he
-departed from the camp of his men. Soon it was discovered by the enemy
-that he was in the Cherokee country, and he was closely pursued by
-them. He fled into a region covered with a heavy growth of reeds, which
-was in two great sections, with a narrow strip of comparatively clear
-land between them. Hatcinondon managed to escape into one of these
-stretches, unobserved by the enemy, who believed that he had concealed
-himself in the other part. So they set guards at the narrow strip of
-land dividing the two sections of reedy land. After they had set fire
-to the reeds and burned them up they made a careful search for his
-charred body; but Hatcinondon had fallen asleep from exhaustion in the
-other stretch of reeds. During the night, however, two men came to him,
-who seized him by the arms, saying: “We have come for you.” When they
-had brought him to the place whence they had been sent, they said to
-him: “We have now brought you to this man who sent for you.” Whereupon
-the two men pointed out a lodge, with the words: “There is where the
-Heron lives who sent for you.” Hatcinondon went up to the lodge, but
-could find no doorway; but after he had searched for some time without
-success he heard a voice on the inside say, “Come in!” and a door
-opened of itself, and Hatcinondon entered the lodge. Within he found a
-man, who said: “I sent for you, and you have now come. Are you not
-hungry?” At this Hatcinondon thought: “This is a strange way; this is
-not the way I do. I would give the food at once.” But Ne Hononhsot,
-knowing the thought of Hatcinondon, laughing, remarked: “I said that
-only in fun.” Arising, he got half a loaf of bread made of corn meal,
-half a wild apple, and half a pigeon, which he offered to his guest.
-Hatcinondon said, laughing: “How little it is that will satisfy me.” To
-which Ne Hononhsot answered: “If you eat this I shall give you more.”
-As soon as Hatcinondon began to eat he saw that as he ate everything
-became whole again, so that he was not able entirely to consume
-anything. He was finally satisfied with what he had eaten. Then Ne
-Hononhsot said: “Now that you have finished eating I will speak with
-you further.”
-
-While Hatcinondon was speaking he heard footsteps of someone
-approaching on a run, and suddenly the door was thrust open, whereupon
-the Sun came in so quickly and with such brightness that he had to hold
-his head down to shield his eyes. The newcomer conversed with Ne
-Hononhsot but Hatcinondon could not understand a word that was said. In
-a short time the visitor started off toward the east. Then Ne Hononhsot
-said to Hatcinondon: “This man is the one whom you Seneca call Endekha
-Gaahgwa.[369] It is night now down on the earth, so he is hurrying
-toward the east. He told me of a great battle that is now ended.”
-
-Ne Hononhsot was indeed Hawenniyo, and he said: “This is what I
-expected when I created human beings. I thought they would fight. The
-man who has just been here is the one who watches on the earth below. I
-want you to know that when you meet an enemy who shoots at you, you
-must not run away but must walk straight up to him. He shall not hurt
-you. An arrow shall not kill you. It is something else that shall kill
-you. Now you shall eat again.” Ne Hononhsot next gave him the same kind
-of food, one half of each object. Then he continued: “I am the cause
-that the Seneca do not now fight with the Cherokee, for I love both
-tribes. When you return home you will find all your people there, and
-they will know that you are alive. When you get back to your party of
-warriors you must tell them that they must leave the warpath at once
-and cease fighting, returning to their homes and remaining there until
-they shall find something to satisfy their wants. Now my messengers are
-ready to lead you back to your camp.”
-
-Going out of the lodge, and directed by the messengers, Hatcinondon
-passed through an opening and soon found himself in the reeds where he
-was before he had been called away, and then the messengers departed.
-
-Returning to his party of warriors, Hatcinondon told them what he had
-seen and heard. All went home, where they held a great council, and it
-was there agreed that the party should go to the Cherokee country in a
-couple of days. At the appointed time they started, while Hatcinondon
-went directly to the Cherokee lands again. He was not afraid, for he
-knew that an arrow would not kill him. In time the Seneca met the
-Cherokee, and a fierce fight took place. Remembering what he had been
-told, Hatcinondon, going straight to the enemy, killed and scalped a
-Cherokee warrior, whereupon he immediately proclaimed, “I have killed
-and scalped a warrior. My name is Hatcinondon.” He did this before any
-of the Cherokee knew that he was there. They had a great battle and
-many were killed. After the fight the party of Hatcinondon retreated to
-their homes. The news soon spread that this party had returned home
-with scalps.
-
-Shortly after this affair another Seneca party started away to fight
-the Cherokee, and Hatcinondon accompanied it. They soon encountered the
-Cherokee, and in the ensuing fight Hatcinondon was captured. He was led
-away, bound, to the Cherokee village, where a great council of war was
-held. It was a standing rule with the Cherokee that when any person
-from the Six Nations of the Iroquois was captured his or her fate was
-left to the decision of two women, whose privilege it was to determine
-how such a person should be tortured. These two women at this council
-decided that Hatcinondon should be hung up and tortured to death by
-fire. So he was securely bound to a tree, the war post, and wood was
-carefully piled up under and around him. He had given himself up as
-lost. They were about to set fire to the pyre of wood when a violent
-rainstorm came up, causing the women to defer the execution until the
-storm should have passed over. All the people sought shelter from the
-storm, leaving Hatcinondon tied to the war post. While there alone he
-saw an old woman coming toward him, who said: “My grandson, you think
-that you are going to die, but you are not. Try to stir yourself.”
-Thereupon, moving himself about, he found that his bonds were loosened
-and that he was free. “You see now that you are free,” she said; “I
-thought that I would come to return your kindness. You remember your
-people once made a circle of fire and I was in the middle of it. You
-recall, perhaps, that you saw a toad in the middle, and that you saved
-the toad, placing it in your bosom. I was that toad. You carried me
-until you came to water, in which you placed me. This is the reason I
-am returning your kindness, for I see that you are in trouble now. I
-brought that rainstorm and now I want you to run in the direction of
-the next stream, and you must continue down the stream.”
-
-When the rainstorm was over the two women returned to the war post,
-only to find that Hatcinondon had escaped. They gave the alarm at once,
-and the warriors assembled, calling the dogs, which forthwith took up
-the trail. Soon they reached the stream and followed the current. As
-Hatcinondon fled he came to a tree that leaned over the water. He found
-that the trunk was hollow and that he could get into it from the water
-and then crawl farther up. Here the dogs lost the trail and finally the
-pursuit was abandoned. When the pursuers had departed he heard two
-people approaching the spot, talking. Presently they sat on the tree at
-the very place where he was concealed. He overheard them say, “It is
-wonderful how that man escaped from us.” Hatcinondon was very careful
-not to cough lest he should be discovered. But at last he heard them
-depart and there was no further sound of talking. At last, having come
-out of the hollow in the tree, he went southward, down the stream. When
-night was approaching, while walking along he heard a blow which
-sounded like that of an ax on a tree. Being greatly frightened, he
-became very wary in his movements. While standing listening, he saw
-three men, who had made a fire where they were going to camp for the
-night. When darkness had fully set in he crept up stealthily, shielded
-by a very large tree. Standing behind this tree, he saw that the men
-were sound asleep and were snoring. Without disturbing them he secured
-their weapons, with which he armed himself, carefully hiding those he
-did not need. Then with an ax he killed the three men, whom he scalped.
-Thereupon he said: “The blood is too strong, so I shall go aside from
-this place.”
-
-Taking their provisions, he went to a neighboring stream, where he made
-a fire. Having done this, he went back and dressed himself in the best
-of the garments of the slain men, for he was entirely naked; then he
-returned to his fire, and, having cooked his meal, he ate it. When he
-had finished his meal he prepared and painted the three scalps.
-
-The next morning Hatcinondon, taking with him what provisions they had,
-traveled in a great circle until he had found the path by which he and
-his party had come to that country. Discovering fresh tracks leading
-both ways, he learned that his friends were still in the country. As he
-went along the path he saw smoke ahead, at the sight of which he
-stopped and listened to see whether he could hear Seneca speech. He was
-delighted to hear Seneca terms, and displaying the three scalps on a
-stick he called out, Goʹweh, goʹweh! three times. When his friends
-heard this, shouting for joy, they ran to meet him. They saw indeed
-that he had three scalps and brought him to their camp fire. They were
-glad that he had been found for they had watched day and night for his
-return, but had about concluded that he had been killed. Setting out
-for home, they found all their people well. This is the story.
-
-
-
-
-
-82. GODIONT [370] AND THE SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA
-
-In Genesee Valley is Dedioitgeon—the mouth of a gully. In that place
-lived the Seneca people. Godiont, the principal woman in the village,
-had a meeting with a Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, who said to her, “We think it
-would benefit your people for us to settle permanently at Dedioitgeon.”
-Godiont thought it was good and kind in them to do this, and so she was
-glad. Afterward when anyone was sick she went to that place and called
-on the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa for assistance. She invited them to come to
-her lodge, and got a pot of corn soup ready for them. They came in
-person, and having asperged the patient with ashes and having blown on
-him, they ate the corn pudding. The Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa said to Godiont,
-“Whenever you invite us to come, you must have the pot ready, for we do
-not wish to wait. After we have arrived we want to do our work
-quickly.”
-
-Once there was a man who had not much substance, who thought he would
-fool the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa. Going to their place, he invited them,
-saying, “Your help is required at a certain place” (naming it). They
-went there, but found no one, and nothing was ready. After waiting a
-while, the chief one said: “We have been trifled with. This will not
-do. Godiont did not do this. Some other person has trifled with us. The
-one who has done so must die. We are not to be trifled with. The people
-must understand this. It is best for us to move away from this place.”
-“I will tell you,” said he to Godiont, “what I want you to do. Make
-masks as near like our faces as you can, and let men wear them, and we
-shall work through these masks and thus help the people.” “Soon the man
-who has trifled with us must come here,” said the oldest
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, “and you shall see what will happen to him.” Soon
-the man came on a run. He was in a kind of crazy fit. Coming right to
-the spot where the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa were, he fell down and began to
-vomit blood, and finally died. After that day the people knew it was
-wrong to make fun of the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa.
-
-
-
-
-
-83. SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA
-
-The inhabitants of a village saw an enormous Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa
-approaching, whereupon they were very angry and provoked to see that it
-could think of coming; so they got their bows and arrows ready to
-shoot. But the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa called out: “Your arrows can not kill
-me. I have not come to harm you. I have come for tobacco, and you must
-collect voluntary contributions of it and give me all that you can
-spare.” They did not shoot, for they well knew that their arrows would
-have no effect except to make the Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa angry and
-revengeful. So they collected a quantity of tobacco, which they gave to
-him. Then he left them with the promise that he would never trouble
-them again if during their tobacco harvest they would always set aside
-a portion of this soothing plant for him. He kept his promise, as he
-never molested them after this.
-
-
-
-
-
-84. SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA
-
-The Onondaga say that Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa live in a cave among rocks near
-their reservation. They assert as a fact that they have seen
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa going along in front of these rocks and entering the
-cave, and they believe that many Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa live in that place.
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa are represented by the so-called False Faces, or
-maskers, of the Iroquois.
-
-
-
-
-
-85. GENONSGWA
-
-Three men were hunting in the woods. One of them, who was married, had
-his wife and child with him. While the men were off in the forest the
-woman and child remained in the lodge. The child was small and swathed
-to a cradleboard.
-
-One day when the woman returned to the lodge with water from a near-by
-stream, she heard talking, and, looking into the lodge, she saw a woman
-dressed in stone. The woman had taken up the baby and was rocking it on
-her knee, singing, Aʼuwah, aʼuwah (such good eating). Every little
-while she would take a bite out of the child’s cheek. The child
-screamed. Then spitting on her hand and rubbing the cheek, it became
-whole again, and the child stopped crying. The mother stood near the
-door, and seeing all this, was terrified. “Now we are going to die,”
-said she to herself. The Genonsgwa (Stone Coat Woman) looked up, and on
-seeing the mother bade her come in and be not afraid, as all would be
-well. Toward night the hunters returned. When they saw the woman
-dressed in stone, they were afraid, but the Stone Coat Woman said, “I
-have come to help you in hunting.”
-
-So they all lived together. The men went hunting day after day and had
-good luck in finding game and bringing home meat.
-
-One evening during this hunting season the men said, “We have found a
-pond not far away that has a great many beavers in it.” The Stone Coat
-Woman said, “I will go with you tomorrow.” The next day she went to the
-pond, and having cut a small circular hole in the ice, called to the
-beavers to come out. A number came out; these she caught and killed.
-Then she called again and more came out; she killed them, too, and so
-she continued to do till the hunters had as many as they wanted. The
-men skinned the beavers and kept the furs. The Stone Coat Woman fell to
-eating the bodies raw.
-
-One morning the Stone Coat Woman said to the hunters: “A visitor is
-coming, and you must do all you can to defend yourselves. My husband is
-mad, and perhaps he will kill us all. When I left him, I ran away and
-came to you; he is angry, and when he comes I will fight with him as
-well as I can. You must be ready with a basswood stick. Sharpen it and
-harden it in the fire a little to make it effective. When he throws me
-to the ground, as he will do, you must spear him from behind and kill
-him. He will come some time this afternoon. Then you must be on the
-lookout for him continually.” At last they saw him approaching; he came
-up and talked with his wife. She begged him not to make any trouble,
-saying she would go home with him, but he would not listen to her
-words. He saw there were two men there; so he became jealous and began
-fighting. He knocked down his wife, and as he leaned over to beat her,
-the men ran the basswood spear into his body, thus killing him. Then
-the woman, having gotten up, said: “I do not know what will happen to
-us now, for my husband has two brothers, who know he is dead, and who
-will come here and kill us. The river is open; you have canoes and must
-escape that way.”
-
-The Stone Coat Woman then went off alone; the others took to their
-canoes. As they were pushing out into the river, a man came to the
-shore, calling to the oarsman to come back a moment; refusing to do so,
-he pushed farther out. Thereupon the other man called out, “It is lucky
-for you that you did not come back, for I came to eat you.” So these
-people had a narrow escape.
-
-
-
-
-
-86. GENONSGWA
-
-A long while ago, while some Seneca were out hunting, a Stone Coat came
-up to them, saying: “I should like to remain here with you, and I think
-that you will derive good luck from me. You can have all the skins you
-need and meat enough to live on. I will take the rest.” The Seneca
-agreed to this.
-
-The next morning the hunters had great luck in hunting. When it was
-time for them to go home for the season, the Stone Coat said, “I will
-pack each man’s load of meat and skins.” They had dried meat,
-buckskins, and furs. The Stone Coat packed in a single bundle what he
-thought each man could carry; then he shook each bundle till it became
-small. He told the men to cast their bundles on the ground when they
-got home, and that they would become as large as when he began to pack
-them. Bidding them good-by, the Stone Coat said, “I hope you will all
-come to this place next winter; then we can all be together again.”
-
-The next winter these hunters went back to the same hunting-ground,
-whereupon another Stone Coat came to them, who said, “My father has
-sent me here to bring one of you hunters to his home; he wants him as a
-son-in-law.” One of the men volunteered to go, saying, “Probably we
-shall be better off; perhaps we shall live longer by doing as he
-wishes”; so he accompanied the Stone Coat. When they came to the Stone
-Coat’s house, the old man said, “I sent my son to bring you here. I
-want you to marry my daughter. You must not be afraid. I will make my
-people understand that they must not touch nor harm you.” So the man
-married the Stone Coat’s daughter, although the old man said that his
-people would be surprised at his giving his daughter to a Seneca.
-
-The Stone Coat rubbed his son-in-law’s hands, feet, and body with an
-object like a bone, and then told him to go out hunting. The young man
-felt himself growing so strong that he felt he could carry off
-everything he laid his eyes on. There was a certain young man of the
-Stone Coats who loved the old Stone Coat’s daughter and wanted to marry
-her. Being angry with the Seneca, he came up to him, saying, “You and I
-must have a foot race. If I should outrun you, thereby winning, I shall
-cut your head off and take your wife. If you win you may cut my head
-off.” The appointed day came, and all the Stone Coat people assembled
-to see the race. The young man’s father-in-law said, “You need not be
-afraid. I will help you.” Taking some substance out of a stone box, he
-rubbed it over the man’s body. Thereupon he and his opponent, locking
-arms, ran until they reached a tree, when they were to have let go and
-run on, but the Stone Coat held on to the man’s hand, so that their
-locked arms bent over the hemlock tree. When they got nearly to the end
-of the tree the Stone Coat let go, causing the tree to spring back,
-throwing the man backward a good distance. The young man, hurrying
-forward, outran the Stone Coat, and cut his head off in the presence of
-all.
-
-
-
-
-
-87. GENONSGWA
-
-Once while a man was out hunting in the woods he saw that a Genonsgwa
-was following him, and thereupon he began to run for his life. Finally,
-when closely pressed, he ran up on a tree trunk which in falling had
-become lodged on another. The Stone Coat stopped and stood looking
-around, but he could not find the man, for his body was rigid on
-account of his Stone Coat, so he could not look upward. Then the man
-saw him draw from his pouch a magical finger, which he placed in the
-palm of his hand. The finger at once raised itself, pointing to the man
-in the tree. When the man, who was a fast runner, saw the magical
-finger pointing at him he knew that he could slip down from the tree,
-snatch the magical finger, and escape with it. He did so. Stone Coat
-shouted after him, begging, praying, and promising to be his friend
-forever if he would give back the magical finger. The man was afraid to
-go near Stone Coat lest the latter might deceive and seize him; so
-finally he threw the magic finger back to the Stone Coat. Ever after
-this particular man and the Stone Coat were on friendly terms.
-
-
-
-
-
-88. GENONSGWA
-
-At times men got lost while hunting in the forest, and it was supposed
-by their friends that Stone Coats ate them.
-
-Once three Seneca went out on the warpath against some other tribes.
-They journeyed directly westward from the place where the Seneca lived.
-After a day’s journey they encamped in a deep ravine at the head of a
-stream. When they had made their fire they saw a fine-looking man
-coming toward them. When he came up, he said: “I think it well to do
-what I am going to do. I have come to tell you that there are hundreds
-of people on the warpath who intend to eat people. Tonight you must
-camp here. They will make their camp in sight of yours. One of you
-three must go to their fire and say: ‘Hallo, I have discovered your
-fire. Where are you going?’ They will answer: ‘We are on the warpath.’
-Your man must reply: ‘I, too, am on the warpath,’ to which they will
-respond: ‘Well, we must fight.’ Then your man must leave them and come
-back to your camp.”
-
-The Seneca soon afterward saw men come and make a camp a short distance
-away. Thereupon one of the three hunters, drawing near them, said:
-“Hallo, I have discovered your fire. Where are you going?” “We are on
-the warpath,” they replied. “So am I,” he answered. Looking around, he
-saw stone clothing lying against one of the trees, while the owner of
-the clothes was resting on the ground. The people were all Stone Coats.
-The next morning the Stone Coat army went up the ravine toward the
-Seneca camp. They made a terrible noise, for all the army sang, “We are
-going to eat the Seneca tribe.” When the Stone Coat force had gone
-about halfway up the ravine, filling the entire space between them and
-the Seneca, with a great whoop they rushed forward. But at that moment
-great rocks rolled down on them and great trees fell on them, killing
-them, and the Seneca saw a strange, wonderful man running along on the
-top of the rocks and trees. Whenever he saw a Stone Coat head in sight,
-he would hit it, killing its owner. Only one Stone Coat was left alive,
-and he, having escaped, was never seen again. The man who was throwing
-down the rocks sang all the time that the Seneca tribe could stand
-against anything—against the world. When the contest was over, the
-strange man came to the three men, saying: “I am the one whom you call
-Hawenniyo. It is I who saved you. I did not make these Stone Coats.
-Something else made them.” And Hawenniyo said further: “I want you, the
-Seneca people, to be the most active of all tribes in every kind of
-game or contest and in hunting.”
-
-
-
-
-
-89. GENONSGWA
-
-When the Seneca lived at Canandaigua one of their medicine-men notified
-them that something terrible was about to happen, something which would
-cause many to lose their lives. At this they were greatly frightened;
-they quarreled with one another and became suspicious even of their own
-children.
-
-One night a great uproar was heard in the village, and jumping up from
-their couches, men, women, and children, running out of their lodges,
-fled as fast as they could in every direction. The weather was very
-cold. Among the people of the village was a woman who two days before
-had given birth to a child. She ran for her life, holding the infant in
-her arms; it was wrapped up and she carried it as a bundle. On the way
-she determined to throw the bundle down so as to be able to run faster,
-and on coming to a tree having a hole in one side, not far from the
-ground, she dropped the bundle into it. This was a bear’s den, and as
-the bundle fell into the hole the old bear found it. The woman, running
-for her life, overtook some of her people, who asked her what she had
-done with the child, but she made them no answer. After many had been
-killed, the enemy (who were Indians) disappeared, and the Seneca made
-new homes for themselves.
-
-In the spring, while on a hunting expedition, a man came to a chestnut
-grove, where he camped. The next day while hunting he saw a she-bear
-with cubs. He killed the old bear. As she fell over, she struck one of
-the cubs, which cried like a child, while the other cubs ran up a tree.
-The hunter, hearing the cry, thought it very strange. When he came near
-the spot, he saw a small boy, who ran away crying. The boy was so wild
-that the man could hardly catch him. He cried all the time. The hunter
-said: “Stop crying, nephew; nothing will harm you. Stop, nephew!” The
-little fellow answered: “You made me cry. You killed my mother; you
-have made me very miserable. Over there are my brothers” (pointing to
-the tree). “I should not have killed your mother had I seen you first,”
-said the man; “but how came that bear to be your mother?” The boy, who
-was covered with hair, replied: “I will tell you. When your people fled
-from Canandaigua in the evening of the attack on them, I was thrown
-away. I was then only two days old, but I remember everything. I knew
-my mother’s mind. I was a burden to her when she was trying to escape,
-so she dropped me into the hollow trunk of that tree over there, where
-a bear happened to live. The bear caught me as I fell, and said that I
-should live with her children, and that she could keep us all. My
-mother threw me away to die. The bear is the mother who nursed and
-cared for me.”
-
-“Very well,” said the man; “I know this is true. You will be my son
-now.” The boy did not like this, but he agreed to it at last. The man
-promised that all he had or would get should be his. He stopped crying,
-and the man, strapping him on his back, carried him to camp. After
-this, whenever the man went out to hunt, he tied the boy so that he
-could not get away, until one day the boy said, “Do not tie me. I will
-never leave you” (his nature had now become human). The hunter had
-buried the mother bear without taking off her skin. As the boy had
-promised not to run away, the man let him go with himself to hunt. The
-boy seemed to have some way of knowing where bears lived, but he never
-told his father where a female bear was, only where male bears were to
-be found, and his father shot them. This man had always been a poor
-hunter until he found the boy; afterward he had wonderful luck. Some
-time having passed, the man said, “We must go back to our own village.”
-When they reached home the boy said, “That woman (meaning his mother)
-will see and know me.” “Pay no attention to her,” said the man; “she
-threw you away.”
-
-They had been home two days, when the woman heard that the hunter had
-brought back a little boy (the hair had fallen off the boy and the man
-had made him clothes). Visiting the hunter’s lodge, she watched every
-movement of the boy. He was afraid of her; he knew her thoughts when
-she threw him into the tree and knew them now. He said, “This man is my
-father; he brought me home.” But she made up her mind the boy was hers
-and urged him to go home with her. One day, when she knew the hunter
-was away, going to his lodge, she tried to catch the boy, but he ran
-into the woods, crying from fright. She followed him. The hunter came
-back, and not finding the child, looked for tracks, soon discovering
-that the boy had fled from his mother into the woods. The man was
-sorry, for he was afraid he would never see the boy again. He searched
-for him for several days. Then he happened to think that perhaps he had
-gone to their old hunting lodge. On finding him there, he asked, “Why
-did you leave me?” The boy answered: “A woman followed me. I thought
-she was going to kill me. She called me her son. I did not like it. I
-told her I had no mother, but she tried to catch me. I would rather
-live here all the time.” The man was willing, so, having built a better
-lodge, they remained there. The boy was an industrious worker and the
-man became very fond of him. One day the boy said, “I want a playmate.”
-“All right,” replied the hunter; “your mother is going to have a child.
-I will bring it.” This did not satisfy the boy, who wanted a companion
-near his own age. So, going to the settlement, they brought back the
-man’s sister’s child, who was only a little younger than the
-bear-nursed boy.
-
-Now there were three in the lodge. When he went off hunting the man
-often left the boys at home, telling them not to go far from the lodge.
-After the lapse of time, however, they began to venture farther and
-farther away from the lodge, until one day, when they were quite far
-off they saw that the leaves and grass and hills and valleys and
-everything else were moving together westward. Looking more closely,
-they saw a large body of land moving, even with game on it and moving
-as if it were a river. Presently they noticed a coon sitting on the
-moving ground and going along with this stream, or river, of land.[371]
-Watching it made them forget everything. As the coon looked at the boys
-they were about to shoot it with their bows and arrows; one indeed drew
-his bow, but the coon held up his paw against his face to ward off the
-arrow. At last the elder boy said: “Let us go home now; we will come
-here tomorrow and play all day.”
-
-When the hunter came back he had killed several bears and had driven
-one to the lodge. Calling the boys, he said, “I drove this one home
-only to let you have a hand in killing it.” Instead of killing the bear
-at once they plagued and tormented it. When they had killed it the man
-was well pleased and told them that was the way they must do
-thereafter.
-
-The next day, as usual, the man when starting off cautioned the boys
-not to go far from the lodge, for if they did they would meet with
-trouble. But they were so anxious to see the place where they had been
-the day before that he was scarcely out of sight when they started off.
-They found that the river of land flowed on the same as it had the day
-before, the only difference being that it was running more rapidly.
-They resolved as they saw the animals riding on it that they would do
-likewise. The younger boy rode some distance on the land stream (it was
-dry land, but moving just like a river; it was not wide, for a person
-could jump across it). When the boy came back he said to the other, “Go
-and try it; it is great fun.” “Well, go with me,” replied the other.
-They tried it together. It was like sliding down hill; instead of
-stepping off the “river of land” they would fall over on the land that
-was not in motion, and then they would get up again. The smaller boy
-said, “Let us continue on this stream as far as it goes.” The other
-agreed to this. It was necessary that they should be always of one
-mind. The smaller one said, “You go ahead.” “All right,” replied the
-other. He ran on the stream and the other followed. They were having a
-good time, as they could hear each other shout and laugh. After going
-some distance the younger one decided to get off and run back, so he
-called out to the other, “I will go back but will come down again.” It
-seemed to them exactly like sliding down hill; it was fun to run
-upstream as well as ride down. As the younger one got on again to go
-down, his companion passed him, running up. It seemed that they were
-going faster this time, and when both were on again, one called out to
-the other, “Let us go as far as we can.” Soon they came to a place
-where everything seemed to be passing in at a doorway. The boy behind
-saw his companion go in at the doorway on the stream of land, and he
-thought it was great sport. At that moment he heard a noise from within
-which sounded as though some one had killed his friend; then he too
-went in at the doorway, only to find that it was a place to snare game,
-and that no one could get off after he had gone so far. All the game
-went of their own volition, even as they themselves had gone. The
-instant the elder entered the doorway the man of the lodge hit him on
-the head with a hammer, killing him. Both boys were now dead.
-
-Two Genonsgwa lived in this lodge, and it was through their great
-orenda (magic power) that everything was drawn to them. One of the two
-said to the other, “Hai! now we will have something to eat,” and
-running splints through the bodies of the boys, each took one to roast.
-The two Genonsgwa did not seem to be of the same family, for each sat
-on his own side of the fire and cooked for himself. As the bodies began
-to cook the fat came out, falling on the fire and simmering. A body was
-standing on each side of the fire, and one called out to the other,
-“You are burning.” “Guah!” said the Genonsgwa, “that one has a voice,
-but this one is roasting finely; it can not burn. When one begins to
-burn the other tells him of it.” One of the Genonsgwa then began
-eating. “Oh! how delicious this is,” he said, smacking his lips. After
-he had eaten off all the flesh that was well cooked, he put the rest
-back to finish roasting; thereupon the partially eaten boy said to the
-body on the other side, “You are burning.” “How good they are; they
-won’t let each other burn. It is queer game that talks like this,” said
-one of the Genonsgwa. The Genonsgwa kept on roasting and eating until
-one and then the other finished, neither leaving a particle uneaten.
-
-As the first finished he began to be in terrible pain; the other told
-him that he must help himself, for he was eating his last morsel. Soon
-he, too, began to groan, and he said to the other, “There is some
-mystery about this game; it must be that which makes us so sick.” All
-night long they groaned, each lying on his own side of the fire. Toward
-morning one quieted down, and at break of day the other also ceased
-groaning. The two boys were born again, and both Genonsgwa had died
-from the terrible pain of giving birth to them. One boy said to the
-other, “If these men had not bothered us, we should have been far from
-here. Let them be as full of witchcraft as they can be, they do not
-amount to anything in comparison with us. We have gotten through with
-them. I have always heard that these men, our uncles, were very potent
-magically, but they are not. This is why our father warned us not to go
-far from the lodge. We will go back and tell him all.” While they were
-there everything was moving. The game which was not killed passed
-through the lodge. The elder boy said, “Let us go!” As they were
-starting he saw his mother passing through the lodge; they stood there
-laughingly, but did not speak to her. The younger said, “Now we will
-destroy the lodge. Our uncles have done great harm to people. A man
-should not eat another man. There shall be no more of this. Henceforth
-men shall eat only game.” [372] The younger boy said this. Of the two
-boys he had the greater power of witchcraft and was the first to be
-born after being eaten by the Genonsgwa. He walked around the lodge,
-throwing red paint such as they used to paint their faces; this action
-stopped the movement of the stream of land and everything became quiet.
-He then said, “Now, let us run!” They ran a short distance; on halting
-and looking back they saw the lodge in flames. The Genonsgwa one after
-the other burst with a loud report.
-
-When the boys arrived near home they heard singing, whereupon the
-younger said, “Our father is feeling bad because he thinks we are
-dead.” The other replied, “When we get to the lodge, you will tell him
-of our adventure.” “No; you must tell him. He will believe you sooner
-than he will me, for you are older,” was the answer. When they entered
-the lodge, the hunter was sitting by the fire; his song was about the
-loss of his children. “Father,” called out the boys, “we have been
-hunting and we have come back. We have not been killed and we shall not
-die. There is no trouble in the world for us, for nothing can harm us.”
-The elder man, looking around, greeted his boys, whom he was very glad
-to see. At night they began telling their adventures: How far they had
-been; how they had seen a stream of dry land and had ridden on it to
-the Genonsgwa lodge; how they had killed the two Genonsgwa and burned
-their lodge. “And now,” said the younger, “we are going farther.” The
-hunter said: “Your uncles are ferocious men; they have killed all my
-people except you. You will find beyond the lodge you burned other
-lodges; they are all inhabited by your uncles.” The younger boy said:
-“I do not care about them. I meet all people with pleasure; their
-action or treatment matters not. I am determined to try everything.”
-The man made up his mind to say no more; he was astonished at their
-resolution and became aware that his children were possessed of potent
-orenda (magic power), and that, though there were many witches and
-wizards, they were far above them all. The younger boy seemed to have
-control of his father’s mind, and it was through his influence that the
-father let them do as they liked. The advice of the younger was: “You
-stay at home and never worry about us. We will go to see our uncle who
-lives beyond Genonsgwa lodge; perhaps he will tell us some stories. We
-are lonesome.” Their father said, “I am afraid that if you go you will
-never come back. Your uncle is full of orenda, and it is his custom to
-kill his visitors.” The little fellow answered: “Let us go. I want to
-know all persons who possess orenda.” The hunter replied: “Beyond the
-lodge you destroyed is another. Your uncle lives there, and beyond that
-other uncles dwell. The first lodge is ‘three looks’ from here; the
-lodges are all ‘three looks’ apart.” Having heard this, the boys
-departed.
-
-When they came to the Genonsgwa place they halted; looking around, they
-could see some object at a distance. There was the end of the first
-“look.” Getting near to that object, they looked again, and seeing a
-similar object, they went to it; then looking off at a distance and
-seeing an opening in the woods, they said, “Our uncle must live there.”
-They advanced cautiously, in the hope of surprising their uncle. As
-they got out of the woods they saw a lodge, and as they came near it
-there seemed to be no one in it, all was so quiet. The younger boy
-crept up carefully, and making a sudden leap, sprang into the house,
-calling out, “I have caught you, uncle!” “How are you, nephew?” said
-the uncle; “I am glad you have come. I am sick; you shall give me
-medicine.” “All right,” replied the younger boy, “whatever you wish
-shall be done. What is it you take most pleasure in?” “It is this,
-nephew,” said the uncle. “When a person comes to see me I play hide and
-seek. If you find me, I lose my head; if I find you, I take yours.” The
-boy looked around everywhere. The lodge was entirely empty, but he saw
-hanging from the rafters where they met in a point, a very small bag,
-and concluded it was there that his uncle would hide. The uncle told
-the boys to hide first. The younger said, “All right,” for he had
-decided where to hide. As was usual in those days, there was a very
-large log on the fire, and the fire was all there was within the walls
-of this lodge. The old man said, “The finder must go over the top of
-the hill, and when the hider is ready he must call.” Thereupon the old
-man went out, fastening the door behind him. The boys heard the clatter
-of his bones as he ran beyond the hill. The younger boy said: “I will
-go into the log and you go behind the sun. When you are ready I will
-give the word.” The elder boy, flying off through the air, hid behind
-the sun. Then the other called out, “Now, ready!” “This is what I do to
-my nephews,” said the old man, as he came running into the lodge. He
-expected to find them sitting around somewhere, but seeing no one, he
-caught up his club and singing out, “Here you are; come out of this,”
-he struck at the wall. He went to every part of the lodge, saying, as
-he hit the wall with the club, “Here you are; come out.” The boy in the
-log was looking at his uncle, laughing; the boy behind the sun was also
-watching him, and could see the club as it hit the walls of the lodge.
-When the old man’s time was up, he said, “Come out. I can not find you.
-I give up.” As he said this, the nephew behind the sun showed himself,
-and laughing at the old man, came down to the lodge. The other boy
-crawled out on his hands and knees from the heart of the log. The old
-man, laughing loudly, said, “Now I will hide; you go beyond the hill,
-and when I am ready I will call.” They started off and had been waiting
-some time when they heard the old man call, “Now, ready!” At this they
-ran to the lodge. The younger, picking up the old man’s club, did as he
-had done. At every crack and crevice he gave a thump, saying, “You are
-here; come out.” He was sure the old man was in the bag, but he kept on
-as though he did not suspect it. The man was so large that, even after
-making himself small, he was so crowded that the boy could see the bag
-move occasionally. At last, going up to the bag, he gave it a heavy
-thump with the club, saying, “Come out, uncle!” The old man came out,
-laughing, and said, “My little nephew, you are full of sorcery; no one
-ever found me before.” The boy said, “It is customary when a person
-makes a bet to live up to it. You have lost your head.” The man begged
-his nephews to give him time to smoke. “No,” said the younger; “if you
-had won, I should not have asked it.” Upon this he ran up, and catching
-his uncle by the hair, cut off his head. Thereupon the elder boy picked
-it up, and striking it against a tree, commanded that trees should
-hereafter have heads (knots) on them, which could be used to make
-ladles and bowls (to this day all trees with knots have the uncle’s
-head fastened on them). Then they burned the home. The elder boy said,
-“Our uncle has delayed us; otherwise we might have been a long way on
-our journey by this time.”
-
-The youths traveled on until they found tracks, and not long afterward
-they came to the edge of the woods, where they saw a lodge near by. The
-younger said, “You stop, and I will go to this lodge alone.” The elder
-boy saw his brother go into the lodge; then he waited a long time.
-There were four witches in this lodge, and as soon as the boy went in
-the old woman said, “Hurry up! get the pot over the fire.” The boy
-looked on, thinking that very likely they were going to make a feast
-for him. The girls were sisters of the boys’ uncles. The elder boy
-getting out of patience waiting, at last called his fetish, the mole.
-When it came, he said: “I have called you to take me to that lodge. My
-friend went there, and I wish to see what has become of him.” They went
-together into the ground. He told the mole to stop in front of the
-younger boy, but underground. The women were such witches that they
-knew when anyone was approaching. When the old woman was ready, she
-said to the boy, “Come and sit on this side,” and to her eldest
-daughter she said, “Lay a skin on the ground and put on the skin the
-game that has come to see us.” The boy knew that she intended to kill
-him. Another of the women took a mallet from the wall, but as she
-raised it to strike him, the youth said, “Let the mallet strike the old
-woman.” As the mallet came down, it struck the mother; and as the girl
-raised it again, he commanded it to strike one of the sisters,
-whereupon they began immediately to fight among themselves. The boy sat
-commanding the mallet to strike first one and then another. There was a
-terrible struggle, a great sound of blows, and at last there was
-silence. All the women were dead. Then a voice from under the ground
-asked, “What are you doing, brother?” Knowing that it was his comrade
-who spoke, he said, “Oh! the women have had a little sport of their
-own.” “All right,” said a voice behind him, for there stood the other
-boy. “I got out of patience,” said he; “we might have gone a long way
-on our journey if it had not been for these women. We will burn up
-their lodge, after which I think we will go home. We have done harm
-enough.” “What have we done?” said the other; “we have only put an end
-to man-eaters, who have killed many of our people.” “Very well,”
-answered the other, “I do not want my mind to be different from yours.”
-
-“There is one thing still to be done,” said the younger brother, “and
-when we have finished that, everything will be right; but before we
-undertake it we must purify ourselves. We will go to the river; you
-must be very careful. I will go first, and you stay on the bank. Unless
-we bathe and purify our bodies, we shall meet with misfortune, for many
-of the people where we are going are filled with evil magic power.”
-Coming to the river, they found very thick red water. The elder youth,
-seeing the younger go into this water, thought it must be a great
-pleasure; so without heeding his companion’s word of warning, he went
-in also, whereupon the filth of the water gathered on his body and he
-sank out of sight. His brother had great trouble in saving him.
-“Perhaps we are sufficiently purified,” said the younger; “though if
-you had waited until I called you, it would have been better. You have
-caused me to fail in my purpose.” All the filth that had gathered on
-his body dried, so he could hardly close his eyes. It was as much as
-the other could do to get him washed clean. At last he was as before he
-jumped into the red water. Then his companion said: “Now, let us go. We
-shall come to a large village where there is ball playing.”
-
-They soon came to an opening, in the center of which stood a pole, and
-many people were scattered around. As the two went forward the younger
-said to the chief, “We have come to challenge you. What are your
-rules?” “We wager our heads in betting,” replied the chief. “I thought
-you had something else to wager. Everyone seems to bet heads,” said the
-challenger. He saw there were many animals around, which these people
-fed with heads. “There must be two on a side,” said the boy. The chief
-told his people that the strangers challenged them to a game of
-lacrosse ball and that there were to be two players on a side. “But you
-must take part yourself,” said the boy; thereupon commanding a spider
-to weave a web across the ball ground, so that the ball could not pass
-it. When the game began the ball flew off in the direction of the
-spider’s web and, hitting it, was thrown back. The elder boy, catching
-the ball, ran for the first point, which he made, thus scoring one
-point, at which he called out, “The game is mine; we have won, and the
-game is finished.” “No; it is not,” replied the chief. “That is the way
-we play,” retorted the younger boy; “whoever gets one inning has the
-game.” The chief assented, saying, “You have won the heads of the men
-you played with.” “Not true,” said the boy; “we bet with you; no matter
-who did the playing for you.” Thereupon the elder boy, running up,
-caught the chief by the hair and cut his head off, saying, “Do not let
-us talk with the fellow; if it had not been for him we might have been
-far along on the way.” The chief had wolves, panthers, and all kinds of
-carnivorous animals. Going up to their dens, the younger boy ordered a
-panther to come out, which it did, and then he said to it: “Your
-masters wanted to feed you with human flesh; that is not the desire of
-Hawenniyo. He put you on earth to be free; henceforth you must never
-allow yourselves to be captured and fed with human flesh.” All the
-animals rose and separated. To the bear the youth said: “I wish you to
-eat that dead man’s body that lies yonder. Then go and never be seen in
-this part of the country again; your place is among the cliffs and
-mountains.” The people there asked the boys to be their chiefs, saying
-that they had never liked the old man. The boys, having agreed to this,
-commanded the people to remain where they were, as it was not the will
-of Hawenniyo that his people should leave their old homes.
-
-The two brothers now started back, saying to the people: “Our father
-will wonder why we do not return. You stay here. We will come sometime
-to see you.” When they got home the younger one said, “We have finished
-our work in the west; we have killed all the man-eaters. There will be
-no more trouble of this kind hereafter.”
-
-
-
-
-
-90. BALD EAGLE SENDS MUD TURTLE AROUND THE WORLD
-
-A bald-headed old man lived on the top of a mountain, while his wife,
-who had three children, lived near a lake about half the way to the
-summit. It was the old man’s daily custom to go down to fish in the
-lake. On his way home he gave some fish to his wife, and thus they
-lived well and prosperously.
-
-After he had lived in this way many years, the old man became curious
-to know how large the world is. Being the chief of his people, having
-called a council, he said to the people: “I should like to know the
-size of the world, and I wish some one would volunteer to go and get
-this information.” One young man said, “I will go.” “All right,”
-answered the old man; “how long will you be gone?” “I can not tell, for
-I do not know how far I shall have to go,” was the answer of the young
-man. “Go on,” said the old man; “and when you return, tell us all about
-your journey.”
-
-The young man started on his journey, and after traveling two months he
-came to a country where everything was white—the forests, the ground,
-the water, and the grasses. He could not go farther. It hurt his feet
-to walk on the white substance, so he turned back. On returning home he
-sent word to the chief, who said, “I do not believe he has been around
-the world, but we shall hold a council and hear what he has to say.”
-The council was held, at which the young man said that he had not gone
-very far, but that he had proceeded as far as he was able, and he told
-all he knew about the White Country.
-
-The people, not satisfied with his relation, said, “We must send
-another man”; so they despatched a second man, who was gone four months
-before he returned. The old man again called a council, at which he
-asked him, “Did you go around the world?” “No, but I went as far as I
-was able,” answered the man. “Everything was as it is here until I came
-to the White Country. I traveled two months in the White Country and
-could go no farther. I could not have lived if I had gone on.”
-
-So the people sent a third man, who went on until he reached the White
-Country, where he traveled longer than the second man. On coming back
-he reported that the people there lived in white houses and dressed in
-furs (looking like the animals).
-
-Encouraged by this, the old man sent a fourth man, who went on,
-noticing everything, until he came to the White Country, whereupon he
-crossed white rivers and white lakes, keeping on the run. He was gone
-eight months. He said, “I returned more quickly than I went, for in
-coming home I cut across in a straight line, reaching the green land
-sooner than if I had come on the road by which I went.”
-
-The old chief now sent a fifth messenger, who ran nearly all the time.
-He crossed the White Country and beyond found a place where there was
-nothing but rocks, rocks, rocks. He had to climb very high and then go
-down; so he went up and down until he wore off all his moccasins. After
-being gone ten months he came back. At a council called by the old man
-this fifth man said: “I have passed over the whole country and have
-crossed rocky places. In returning I came straight home. The route was
-not quite so long as the road by which I went. It can not be very far
-across the world.” “How did you know the way?” asked the old man. “Oh!
-I took notice of the trees. The tops of the hemlocks lean toward the
-east, and our home is in that direction, so I followed the bend of the
-hemlocks,” was the man’s reply.
-
-The old man, the bald-headed chief, was learning something all the
-time. Various people went, one after another; each came back with a
-story slightly different from those told by the others, but still no
-one satisfied the chief until one man said: “I will start and will go
-around the world before I return.” The old man looked at him; he was
-very uncouth but strong. The chief said: “I think you will do, and you
-may go.” Thereupon the man went home to his people, who held a council
-of their entire tribe. Each one of their best travelers agreed to make
-a journey by himself in a different direction, and afterward to come
-home and tell all he had seen to the one who had promised the
-bald-headed man to go around the world. So the man and his whole tribe
-journeyed for forty months. At the end of this period they returned,
-and, at a council, each told what he had seen. Then the old man whom
-the chief had sent out announced his return. The chief called a great
-council, before which the man appeared, telling all that he had seen
-himself and all that each one of his nation had seen and related to
-him. He finished with the words: “I have been all around the world; I
-have seen all kinds of people, all kinds of game, all kinds of woods
-and rivers. I have seen things which no one else has ever seen.”
-
-The old bald-headed man was satisfied. “Now I am chief of all people,
-and you will be next to me. You will be second chief.” This was the
-reward the man got for his journey. So he immediately took his position
-as second chief.
-
-The old chief was the Bald Eagle. The man who became the second chief
-was the Mud Turtle. The first man who went out was the Deer; his feet
-could not stand the ice of the White Land. All the others were
-different kinds of people (animals and birds).
-
-
-
-
-
-91. THE POOR HUNTER AND DJOGEON [373]
-
-Once there was a man who went hunting every autumn. In order to have
-better luck he was in the habit of taking medicine and emetics for 10
-days before he started. The medicine he employed was made from the bark
-of various trees. Notwithstanding this long preparation by fasting and
-medication, he was not a successful hunter. For this reason he was
-accustomed to carry a heavy load of parched cornmeal, so that if he
-killed no game he would at least not starve to death.
-
-When starting out one day he passed on the outskirts of the village a
-lodge in which an old woman and her granddaughter lived. As he passed,
-the granddaughter was standing outside the lodge, and when she saw him
-coming she shrugged her shoulders, saying, “Hu, hu! there goes a poor
-hunter.” Running into the lodge she told her grandmother that
-“All-kinds-of-trees” had just gone past, giving him a nickname which
-derided his medicines, which were made from the bark of “all kinds of
-trees.” But the grandmother chided her, saying, “Why do you make fun of
-him? He is a good man—the best in this village. He keeps on hunting, no
-matter whether he kills anything or not. I wish he were your husband.”
-The young woman answered, “If you say so, I can go with him.” Her
-grandmother told her that she would better go. So they made bread in
-great haste, and when it was ready they put it in a basket, which the
-girl placed on her back; then she followed the trail of the man. When
-night overtook her she lay down beside a log to sleep. She had not been
-there long before she heard some one at a distance calling in a
-pleasant voice. As the sound of the voice approached the girl became
-frightened. Shortly Djogeon came up to her, saying, laughingly, “Ha,
-ha! There is Gadata [374] sleeping, and she is following the trail of a
-very poor hunter. Get up. Do not sleep. Your man is near here, and you
-should go to meet him.” But the girl, covering her face, kept quite
-still. He shook her, called her names, and teased her in all manner of
-ways to seduce her, but without result. When daylight came he ran away.
-Thereupon Gadata arose, and after making a cold bite do for breakfast,
-she again took up the trail. Just as she had been told, she found the
-camp of the hunter not far from the spot where she had slept the night
-before. When the hunter saw her, he said to her, “Are you following
-me?” She replied, “Yes. My grandmother told me that I should try to
-become your wife, as she said you are a good man.” He then welcomed
-her, and they went on together. At midday he ate some of the bread
-which the young woman had brought, and in the afternoon he killed a
-deer. After this he had very good luck at all times, for he had a wife.
-
-One day while he was hunting he saw a small lodge, whereupon he said to
-himself, “How strange it is that I never before saw this lodge.” On
-entering a small woman welcomed him and gave him a bowlful of fine
-green-corn hominy. While he was eating it he saw a wee, tiny baby.
-Seizing the infant and placing it in his bosom, he ran away with it,
-the little woman pursuing him. Immediately there was a tempest. The
-wind twisted trees and tore them up by the roots, sending them flying
-through the air in every direction. Gripped with great fear, the hunter
-now thought that he was surely about to die. As he was running past a
-fallen tree a small man, springing upon it (it was he who had tormented
-Gadata), called out to the hunter, “You have stolen my baby. Give it
-back to me at once.” The hunter stopped, saying, “Yes, I stole it
-because I never saw before anything so pretty. Here it is—take it.” So
-saying, he handed it back to the little man, who was Djogeon. Then
-Djogeon carefully unwrapped the baby, and taking a tiny arrow from
-among its wrappings, gave it to the hunter, saying to him: “Take this
-and keep it. It will bring you good fortune and success in all your
-undertakings—in hunting, in warfare, or in any other pursuit.” As soon
-as the hunter had returned the baby, the tempest ceased and the winds
-calmed down. Then the hunter returned to his home with his wife and
-always after this episode had the best of fortune.
-
-
-
-
-
-92. THE MAN KILLED BY THE THREE HUNTERS [375]
-
-A man with his wife and child lived happily together in a village. One
-day the man said to his little family, “We will start off to the woods
-tomorrow to hunt.” They set out the next day and were two days and
-nights on the road. Having reached their destination, they built a
-fire, and the man started off hunting, telling his wife to boil samp
-and that he would be back in time to put meat with it. He went up a
-stream and came back in time with game. Having cut up some of the meat,
-his wife put it with the samp. About dusk supper was ready and they ate
-heartily. The man continued to hunt every day, killing one to three
-deer, and also bear, so they soon had a great deal of dried venison and
-bear meat, whereupon the man said, “We shall soon have plenty of meat.”
-
-One night he said that he dreamed there were other hunters near by who
-could kill nothing. Now this man had four dogs. One day he met a man
-who said that he could kill nothing; that he had three companions who
-could find no game in the wood; and that the three had nothing to eat.
-Another day the man met the same three hunters in the woods. They asked
-him whether he would not give them some meat, something to eat. “No; I
-will not,” said he; “I have told my wife that we would stay long enough
-to get a sufficient quantity of meat. I have nothing to give away.” So
-saying, he went home.
-
-The next morning his wife went for a load of wood, leaving her child in
-a swing in the lodge. When she returned she heard somebody talking to
-her baby. She was frightened at this, for she thought it must be
-Genonsgwa. The words were, “You look very sweet to me.” On going in,
-the mother saw a large naked woman sitting by the swinging cradle, who
-said: “I know just what you thought when you heard me singing. You gave
-yourself up for lost. I am not going to harm you. I came in to get
-something to eat. Perhaps you would give me some meat.” She replied, “I
-will give you some, for you seem very kind and good.” With these words
-she took two or three pieces of meat from the side of the lodge,
-saying, “I will cook them for you.” “No,” said the naked woman; “I will
-eat the meat as it is.” After eating three hams of venison she asked
-for more, “For,” said she, “I eat a great deal when I get started.”
-When she had eaten enough, she said, “I have finished now. I shall go
-and come again.” The woman watched her as she went out, saying to
-herself, “That woman looks very savage.” The naked woman, turning to
-her, said, “I am Genonsgwa.” When he came the woman told her husband
-what had happened.
-
-Early the next morning her husband went hunting. At night the dogs
-began to bark and became terribly frightened. The husband said, “I
-think that Genonsgwa is going to come and kill us. You would better go
-home with the child.” “I will stay with you and will be killed, if
-necessary,” replied the woman. She begged her husband to go with her,
-but he said, “No; I will stay and save our meat.” Then he heard the
-bushes around the lodge breaking and a wind blowing down the
-smoke-hole.
-
-The next night they heard something again coming nearer and nearer, and
-the dogs were greatly frightened. Then a face looked down through the
-smoke-hole from the top of the lodge—the face of one of the three
-hunters. Making a hole through the bark wall of the lodge, the man said
-to his wife, “Creep through and escape,” but she did not want to go.
-The dogs began to bark at a distance on the side opposite the hole in
-the wall, coming closer to the lodge, and again he told his wife to
-creep through the hole and hurry away on a side trail. Having done so,
-she started off with the baby on her back. She went on, and by and by
-she heard a dog howl. The dog, coming up to her, said, “Your husband is
-killed.” Keeping on a little way farther, she heard a second dog making
-a noise as though dying. The first dog said, “Go on as fast as you can;
-save yourself.” Only two dogs were left now. The woman remembered a
-place through which they had come on the way to the woods—a hollow
-log—but she feared that when the men came up they might run a stick
-into it, causing the baby to cry. Next day she climbed a hemlock tree,
-hiding herself and the child in its branches. She said to the little
-one, “Now you must be good and keep quiet.” After the woman had become
-somewhat rested, she saw the three men coming with loads of meat on
-their backs, engaged in talking about how they got the good venison.
-They stopped under the hemlock tree in which the woman and her baby
-were resting. While the men were lying below the child made water,
-whereupon the woman, thinking how she could save herself and the little
-one, caught the water in her hands and drank it. One drop, however,
-fell on a man directly beneath her, at which he said, “There must be a
-hedgehog in this tree; we will cut it down in the morning.” At daylight
-one of the hunters said, “Let us go on.” When they were out of sight,
-the woman, coming down from the tree, went homeward.
-
-On the way the mother said to her child, “You have now no father, poor
-baby.” When she was near home she saw that there was a light there. The
-three men, having parted, went to their homes. The woman hurried on,
-crying, Goʹweh! goʹweh! meaning that a man had been killed. The people
-who heard the cry hurried to meet her. She told everything. Taking her
-home, they put her in her lodge. An old man came to the lodge and
-asked, “Are you telling the truth?” “Yes,” she replied. “Well, we will
-have a dance,” said he, “and call the neighbors together. You must hide
-so that nobody will see you.” He hung up a blanket in a corner of the
-Long Lodge, and when the people were coming in she hid behind it. When
-the people were dancing one of the three hunters came with blood on his
-clothes, while the other two had blood on their backs. The old man said
-to them, “Your backs are all bloody.” “Yes; we are good hunters,” they
-replied; then they danced a while—the women first, then the men. After
-fastening the door the old man asked the three men about their hunting.
-He said they should dance once more, and then they would talk a little.
-All felt free and happy, and one of the three men was talking pretty
-loud. The people danced again, and having finished, sat around a while.
-Then the old man said, “I will ask these three men whether they are
-free of crimes during their absence.” They replied, “We are; we hunted
-all the time.” Thereupon the old man brought out the woman, who told
-all. The old man next called on the warriors present to kill these
-three men, and they did so, afterward scalping them one after another.
-Then the people, going to the lodge in the woods, brought home the body
-of the dead man in a robe.
-
-
-
-
-
-93. HINON [376] AND THE IROQUOIS
-
-In olden times there was in a certain village an orphan lad, who had
-always been regarded as a very peculiar child by all his friends. He
-was, moreover, without relatives and very destitute, so he was cared
-for largely by the kindness of the people in general.
-
-The boy seemed to know intuitively many things that other and older
-people did not know, and it was a custom for him to bring up and talk
-about many mysterious topics. Quite often when it rained he would say
-that he could see Hinon walking about in the clouds above their heads,
-and he would ask those who might be near him whether they, too, did not
-see Hinon, at the same time pointing him out to them.
-
-At last the orphan requested the people to be so good as to make him an
-arrow of red willow and also a bow, assuring them that he would shoot
-Hinon. So they made him a bow and an arrow out of red willow. One day,
-while standing in the doorway of the bark lodge which he called his
-home, during a passing storm he suddenly shot at Hinon, the arrow
-swiftly winging its way into the clouds. Soon the people saw it come
-down near a large tree some distance from the lodge. Rushing to see it,
-they found it sticking in the ground, but there was no man nor other
-object near it; but they could not pull the arrow from the ground, no
-matter how much they tried. Thereupon, returning to the boy, they told
-him what they had discovered, and that they could not draw his arrow
-from the ground. As an answer to them he accompanied them back to the
-tree and, taking hold of the arrow, drew it forth without trouble; but
-as he did so there appeared the body of a dead human being, which had
-been shot through the heart by his arrow. It was the body of a small
-person, not more than four or five feet in height, beautifully
-ornamented with the finest feathers they had ever seen. The people
-constructed a neat little lodge of bark, which they lined with fine
-skins and furs. In this they carefully and reverently laid the body of
-the strange personage. From time to time they would go to this lodge to
-view the body. When they were going to war they would take two or three
-feathers from his arms, in the belief that these would secure them
-success. If they wished for rain, they had only to carry these feathers
-along after dipping them in water. All their trails were obscured in
-this manner. The people kept this body many years, and the feathers
-served them during this time; but after the advent of the whites these
-Indians, being driven from their home in the south (North Carolina),
-lost both the body and the feathers.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-TALES
-
-
-94. A SHAMAN’S DEED
-
-A medicine-man managed to get one hair from the head of a man he wished
-to kill. Then, having caught a snake, he tied the hair around its neck,
-and digging a hole in the ground, he put the snake therein, not leaving
-an opening large enough even for an ant to get through. After putting a
-stone over the hole, he left the place.
-
-It was impossible for the snake to escape, so after a while it grew
-weak, and the man whose hair was around its neck grew weak at the same
-time. At last the snake died, and in consequence of its death the man
-also came to his end.
-
-
-
-
-
-95. SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA
-
-(MODERN)
-
-There is a man now (1883) in Canada who sees real
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa—False Faces. He goes around a great deal among the
-various tribes of Indians.
-
-One day while on his travels he met a Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, who spoke to
-him. The man handed him a plug of tobacco, telling him that he might
-have the tobacco to smoke. After the man had gone to the end of his
-journey and was coming home he met a Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa near the same
-spot, with his back toward him. Seeing that this was a different one,
-he passed by without speaking. Soon afterward he met the one he had
-encountered before. Saluting him, the man gave him another plug of
-tobacco, whereupon the False Face said, “I think you would better come
-and see where we live.” “I shall be glad to go,” said he in reply.
-Arriving at a cave in a rocky place, they went in. The man saw a great
-many Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa there who were very old, and a good many very
-young ones. The Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa gave the tobacco to the oldest one,
-who said, “You would better give a piece of this to each one present.”
-So he cut it into small pieces for the purpose. Then the oldest one
-said, “Give thanks,” whereupon they gave thanks to the Tobacco, and all
-danced, the little ones, too, and asked this man to dance, and he did
-so. When the man was going away the oldest Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa said, “I
-want you to remember us, so you must come and see us when you are on
-your travels.”
-
-[The foregoing incident took place on the Canadian side of the Niagara
-River, near the mouth.—The Relator.]
-
-
-
-
-
-96. SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA
-
-A few years ago (previous to 1884) two young men started for a
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa dance. They had their wooden masks or “false faces”
-with them in a bundle. On the way they stopped at a white woman’s
-house. The woman asked, “What have you in your bundle?” “Our masks, or
-false faces,” they answered; “we are going to a Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa
-dance.” “If you will put on the masks and let me see them, I will give
-you two quarts of cider,” said the woman. Going outdoors, they put on
-the masks, and came into the house again. The woman’s child, a boy of
-six or seven, became so frightened that he acted as if he had lost his
-mind; he could not talk. The mother sent to Perrysburg (N. Y.) for a
-doctor. He came, but he could not help the boy. The mother then went to
-an Indian shaman for advice, who said to her that she must get the
-maskers, or false faces, to cure him. They came at her request and
-danced, and they rubbed the boy with ashes, also blowing some in his
-face; soon he was well. According to custom, the woman had ready a pot
-of pounded parched corn, boiled with pork and seasoned with maple
-sugar, for the false faces, or maskers.
-
-
-
-
-
-97. THE VAMPIRE SKELETON
-
-A man with his wife, starting from a Seneca village, went from it two
-days’ journey to hunt. Having built a lodge, the man began hunting.
-When he had obtained a sufficient store of meat, they started for home.
-They packed all the meat they could carry and left the rest at the
-lodge. Setting out in the morning, after traveling all day they came to
-a cabin in which they found all the people dead. The last person to die
-was the owner of the lodge. The people of the village had put the body
-on a shelf in a bark box which they had made. When the man and his wife
-came it was already dark. The husband thought it better to spend the
-night there than to continue the journey. He gathered a quantity of
-wood with which he made a fire. The woman began to cook, broiling meat
-and making a cake of pounded corn, which she placed under the hot ashes
-to bake. The man lay down to rest a while and fell asleep. While
-cooking the woman heard a noise behind her, near the place where her
-husband lay; it sounded like the noise made in the chewing of flesh.
-She began to think about the corpse on the shelf and remembered that
-the dead man was a wizard. Putting on more wood and making the fire
-blaze up, she looked toward the bunk, where she saw a stream of blood
-trickling out. From this she knew at once that her husband had been
-killed by the dead man.
-
-The bread under the ashes was baked. She then spoke, saying, “I must
-make a torch and bring some water.” Thereupon she prepared a torch of
-hickory bark taken from the lodge, making it long enough to last until
-she could run home. Taking the pail, she stole out, but once outside of
-the door she quickly dropped the pail, and ran through the woods with
-all her might. She had gotten more than halfway home when the dead man,
-the vampire, found that she was gone. At once he rushed out, whooping,
-and ran after her. She heard him, and knew that he was following her.
-The sound of the whooping came nearer and nearer, and for a while,
-unnerved completely by fear, she could scarcely move, but at last,
-having regained her strength, she ran on. Again the vampire whooped,
-and the woman fell down from fear and exhaustion; but she arose again
-and ran on, until finally she came within sight of a place near her own
-village where there was a dance. The pursuing man-eating skeleton was
-gaining on her, and her torch was almost gone; but, running ahead, she
-fell into the lodge in which the dancing was in progress, and then
-fainted. When she came to her senses, she told what had occurred to her
-and her husband.
-
-In the morning a body of men went over to the cabin, in which they
-found the bones of her husband, from which all the flesh had been
-eaten. Taking down the bark box, they looked at the skeleton of the
-dead man and found his face and hands bloody. The chief said it was not
-right to leave dead people in that way; therefore they dug a hole, in
-which they buried the man-eating skeleton, and took the bones of the
-other man home. The chief had him buried and ordered that thereafter
-all dead people should be buried in the ground. At first the dead were
-put on scaffolds, but the people used to see sights which frightened
-them, for the dead would rise and run after the living. Then it was
-resolved to build bark lodges for the dead and to put them on shelves
-therein. This plan did not work well, as the foregoing story shows.
-About one hundred years ago, says the relator, the present system of
-earth burial was begun. Before the burial system was adopted they used
-to put the corpse on the ground, into a chamber like a room dug into a
-hillside. If the deceased was married, the husband or wife had to watch
-with the corpse in this place, and every ten days for a year friends
-brought food to the watcher. If the watcher lived through the year, he
-or she was then brought out and became free to marry again. The watcher
-often died in the excavation, however, for it was dark and foul.
-
-Once a man left with the body of his wife heard, after a time, an
-occasional noise of craunching and eating. The next time his friends
-came with food he told them of this. Thereupon they held a council, and
-the chief sent several men into the excavation to ascertain the cause
-of the noise. They found that the bodies had been eaten, and that a
-deep hole led down into the ground, which must have been made by a
-great serpent. After that the Seneca ceased to bury in this way and put
-their dead into the ground as they do at present.
-
-When it was the custom to place bodies in the bark lodges the husband
-or wife had to remain in the lodge and look after the dead for a year.
-At the end of this period the bones were taken out and fastened to a
-post in an erect position, and a great dance was held around them.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-MYTHS
-
-
-98. A TALE OF THE SKY WORLD
-
-A long time ago human beings lived high up in what is now called
-heaven. They had a great and illustrious chief.
-
-It so happened that this chief’s daughter was taken very ill with a
-strange affection. All the people were very anxious as to the outcome
-of her illness. Every known remedy was tried in an attempt to cure her,
-but none had any effect.
-
-Near the lodge of this chief stood a great tree, which every year bore
-corn used for food. One of the friends of the chief had a dream, in
-which he was advised to tell the chief that in order to cure his
-daughter he must lay her beside this tree, and that he must have the
-tree dug up. This advice was carried out to the letter. While the
-people were at work and the young woman lay there, a young man came
-along. He was very angry and said: “It is not at all right to destroy
-this tree. Its fruit is all that we have to live on.” With this remark
-he gave the young woman who lay there ill a shove with his foot,
-causing her to fall into the hole that had been dug.
-
-Now, that hole opened into this world, which was then all water, on
-which floated waterfowl of many kinds. There was no land at that time.
-It came to pass that as these waterfowl saw this young woman falling
-they shouted, “Let us receive her,” whereupon they, at least some of
-them, joined their bodies together, and the young woman fell on this
-platform of bodies. When these were wearied they asked, “Who will
-volunteer to care for this woman?” The great Turtle then took her, and
-when he got tired of holding her, he in turn asked who would take his
-place. At last the question arose as to what they should do to provide
-her with a permanent resting place in this world. Finally it was
-decided to prepare the earth, on which she would live in the future. To
-do this it was determined that soil from the bottom of the primal sea
-should be brought up and placed on the broad, firm carapace of the
-Turtle, where it would increase in size to such an extent that it would
-accommodate all the creatures that should be produced thereafter. After
-much discussion the toad was finally persuaded to dive to the bottom of
-the waters in search of soil. Bravely making the attempt, he succeeded
-in bringing up soil from the depths of the sea. This was carefully
-spread over the carapace of the Turtle, and at once both began to grow
-in size and depth.
-
-After the young woman recovered from the illness from which she
-suffered when she was cast down from the upper world, she built herself
-a shelter, in which she lived quite contentedly. In the course of time
-she brought forth a girl baby, who grew rapidly in size and
-intelligence.
-
-When the daughter had grown to young womanhood, the mother and she were
-accustomed to go out to dig wild potatoes. Her mother had said to her
-that in doing this she must face the west at all times. Before long the
-young daughter gave signs that she was about to become a mother. Her
-mother reproved her, saying that she had violated the injunction not to
-face the east, as her condition showed that she had faced the wrong way
-while digging potatoes. It is said that the breath of the West Wind had
-entered her person, causing conception.[377] When the days of her
-delivery were at hand, she overheard twins within her body in a hot
-debate as to which should be born first and as to the proper place of
-exit, one declaring that he was going to emerge through the armpit of
-his mother, the other saying that he would emerge in the natural way.
-The first one born, who was of a reddish color, was called Othagwenda;
-that is, Flint. The other, who was light in color, was called Djuskaha;
-that is, the Little Sprout.
-
-The grandmother of the twins liked Djuskaha and hated the other; so
-they cast Othagwenda into a hollow tree some distance from the lodge.
-
-The boy that remained in the lodge grew very rapidly, and soon was able
-to make himself bows and arrows and to go out to hunt in the vicinity.
-Finally, for several days he returned home without his bow and arrows.
-At last he was asked why he had to have a new bow and arrows every
-morning. He replied that there was a young boy in a hollow tree in the
-neighborhood who used them. The grandmother inquired where the tree
-stood, and he told her; whereupon then they went there and brought the
-other boy home again.
-
-When the boys had grown to man’s estate, they decided that it was
-necessary for them to increase the size of their island, so they agreed
-to start out together, afterward separating to create forests and lakes
-and other things. They parted as agreed, Othagwenda going westward and
-Djuskaha eastward. In the course of time, on returning, they met in
-their shelter or lodge at night, then agreeing to go the next day to
-see what each had made. First they went west to see what Othagwenda had
-made. It was found that he had made the country all rocks and full of
-ledges, and also a mosquito which was very large. Djuskaha asked the
-mosquito to run, in order that he might see whether the insect could
-fight. The mosquito ran, and sticking his bill through a sapling,
-thereby made it fall, at which Djuskaha said, “That will not be right,
-for you would kill the people who are about to come.” So, seizing him,
-he rubbed him down in his hands, causing him to become very small; then
-he blew on the mosquito, whereupon he flew away. He also modified some
-of the other animals which his brother had made. After returning to
-their lodge, they agreed to go the next day to see what Djuskaha had
-fashioned. On visiting the east the next day, they found that Djuskaha
-had made a large number of animals which were so fat that they could
-hardly move; that he had made the sugar-maple trees to drop syrup; that
-he had made the sycamore tree to bear fine fruit; that the rivers were
-so formed that half the water flowed upstream and the other half
-downstream. Then the reddish-colored brother, Othagwenda, was greatly
-displeased with what his brother had made, saying that the people who
-were about to come would live too easily and be too happy. So he shook
-violently the various animals—the bears, deer, and turkeys—causing them
-to become small at once, a characteristic which attached itself to
-their descendants. He also caused the sugar maple to drop sweetened
-water only, and the fruit of the sycamore to become small and useless;
-and lastly he caused the water of the rivers to flow in only one
-direction, because the original plan would make it too easy for the
-human beings who were about to come to navigate the streams.
-
-The inspection of each other’s work resulted in a deadly disagreement
-between the brothers, who finally came to grips and blows, and
-Othagwenda was killed in the fierce struggle.
-
-
-
-
-
-99. SʻHAGODIYOWEQGOWA AND HOTʻHOH [378]
-
-There were a mother and two daughters living in a clearing. When the
-daughters became women the mother said: “You must now get married. Make
-twenty loaves of green-corn bread, tied up in husks in the usual
-manner.” The girls made the bread, and the next morning the mother said
-to the elder daughter: “Fill a basket with the bread and go to the
-lodge of a man who lives not far from here. It is a double lodge. Go in
-at the first door and say to the man who is there: ‘I have brought you
-bread. I am going to marry you.’” To the younger daughter she said: “Go
-in at the back door and say to the man who is there, ‘Here is marriage
-bread. I have come to marry you.’ The two brothers will take your bread
-and will tell you to stay. The path branches to one side before you
-reach the place, but keep on the straight path, which leads from here.”
-
-The girls started, and when they came to the fork they kept on the
-straight path, and after a long time they came to a lodge. Looking
-through the cracks, they saw a number of False Faces dancing,
-whereupon, becoming frightened, they ran away. The Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa
-followed them, and when they were getting near one of the girls, she
-threw down her basket of bread. The Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa ate the bread and
-then he ran on. The second sister threw down her basket, and then piece
-by piece they cast off their clothes. The Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa in pursuit
-would stop and examine every piece. By this delay the girls kept a
-little ahead and finally reached their mothers lodge, but they were
-naked. The mother said: “You did not do as I told you. You must try
-again.” Having made bread again, the next morning they started the
-second time. This time they reached the right lodge. The elder sister,
-setting the basket of bread before the man, said: “I have come to marry
-you.” After eating the bread, he thanked her. The younger sister went
-in at the other door, and placing the basket of bread before the man,
-said: “Eat; I have come to marry you.” He thanked her and ate the
-bread, and so they were married.
-
-There was a partition in the lodge, and in the morning when the
-brothers got up the elder brother always cried out, “I am up.” The
-younger brother would answer, “So am I.” “We are eating breakfast,”
-would be the elder brother’s response. “So are we,” was the younger
-brother’s answer. “I am going hunting,” would be the next sally. “So am
-I,” would be the reply.
-
-Before starting off to hunt each brother said to his wife, “You must
-stay in the lodge for ten days. If you do not, our brother
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa may carry you away.” For nine days the sisters
-remained indoors; then the younger said: “It is bright and pleasant.
-Let us sit outside a few minutes.” The elder consenting, they sat down
-outdoors near the lodge. They had not been there long when
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa came. The sisters did not see him in his real
-character, and when he asked them to go and eat with him, they readily
-went. When the two brothers returned they missed their wives, and they
-knew that their brother had captured them. The elder of the two, going
-to Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa, said, “I have come to ask you to give back our
-wives. You can keep watch over them, but let them live with us.” At
-last Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa gave them up.
-
-Now Hotʻhoh (Cold Weather) was a brother of these men who lived not far
-away. He always went naked. His only weapon was a tomahawk, which he
-carried in a hole or slit in the skin of his hip. It is he who makes
-the trees crack with such loud noises in winter, for he is striking
-them with his mallet or tomahawk. The two men now went to Hotʻhoh, whom
-they asked to protect their wives from Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa. Some time
-after this they went hunting again. On this occasion Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa,
-coming to the lodge, said to the sisters, “Come and eat with me. I live
-near here. You can eat and return in a little while.” Not recognizing
-him, they went. He took them to his lodge in the woods, where he shut
-them up. The youngest sister escaped and had gone some distance before
-Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa found it out. Then he followed, screaming as he ran.
-She was terribly frightened and ran directly to Hotʻhoh. He told her to
-go home, and that he would meet Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa. They met, and then
-began a terrific battle. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa fought with his rattle and
-Hotʻhoh with his mallet. They uprooted the trees for miles as they went
-toward the east. At last Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa was conquered and promised
-never to trouble his brothers’ wives again.
-
-
-
-
-
-100. THE MORNING STAR AND THE CANNIBAL WIFE
-
-Once far off in the woods there lived by themselves a husband and wife.
-It was the custom of the husband to hunt, while the woman devoted her
-time to raising corn and beans.
-
-One day, while the wife was baking a cake in the ashes, a large spark
-from the fire fell on her hand as she sat in front of the hearth. The
-pain caused her to rub the spot with her finger. Soon it began to
-blister, whereupon she wet her finger in her mouth and rubbed the
-burned spot; in this way she got a taste of her own blood, and strange
-as it may seem, she took a liking for it and craved more of it. So with
-a knife she cut out pieces of the burned flesh, which she ate
-ravenously. The taste for the flesh grew on her so that she put a coal
-of fire on another spot on her hand, where it burned more flesh; thus
-she continued to cut out pieces of her own flesh and eat them. She
-persisted in this unnatural practice until she had eaten all the flesh
-from her legs and arms.
-
-The husband had a dog, which was very wise and faithful to him. Now
-this dog eagerly watched what the woman was doing. When about half
-through eating the flesh off of her limbs, the unnatural wife, turning
-to the dog, said: “You would better go and tell your friend and master
-to escape from this place at once. You must go with him, for if you do
-not hurry away I shall eat you both.” Obeying this warning, the dog
-started and, running as fast as he could into the forest until he came
-to the place where the husband was hunting, he told him at once that
-his wife had become an Ongwe Ias (cannibal), and that she would eat
-them both if they did not flee immediately. The man and the dog started
-without delay on a keen run. After a while the man, knowing that the
-dog’s legs were short and not strong, decided to put him into a hollow
-tree. The dog consented to this in order to save the man, as he knew
-what was in store for both. So the hunter placed the dog in a hollow
-tree, at the same time bidding him to become punk. The hunter went on
-as fast as he could run, continuing until he came to a river with high
-banks, where an old man lived. He said to the old man: “Grandfather, I
-am in great trouble. Take me across the river to save me from peril of
-my life. My wife, who has become a cannibal, is pursuing me in order to
-devour me.” The old man said in reply: “Oh! I know what you are telling
-me, but she is still a long way behind you. She will not be here for
-some time to come. But you must bring me a basketful of fish from my
-fishpond.” The hunter at once went to the pond, which was enclosed,
-where he found a wickerwork dip net, with which he soon filled the
-basket with fish. As soon as the basket was full he hastened back with
-it to the old man, who soon said, “Sit down and eat with me.” So they
-ate together the fish, which had been prepared and cooked by the old
-man in such manner as to give the fugitive hunter more orenda (magic
-power) to resist the hostile influence of that of his wife. When they
-had finished eating the fish, the old man said, “I now want you to
-bring me a basketful of groundnuts.” The hunter went at once to the
-garden of the old man, and digging up the groundnuts as quickly as
-possible, brought them to him. After these were prepared and cooked
-they sat down and ate them. Then the old man said, “I will now take you
-across the river.” Going to the river bank, the old man lay face
-downward, resting on his elbows at the edge of the water, and
-stretching out his neck to the farther bank. He said to the hunter,
-“Now you may walk over on my neck, but you must be very careful, for I
-am not as strong as I have been in the past.” The hunter walked over on
-the old man’s neck with great care. When he had reached the other bank,
-the old man bade him good-by with the remark, “Far away in the west you
-will see a large lodge, which belongs to three aunts of yours, who will
-help you further; so call on them for aid.” On hearing this, the hunter
-hurried away.
-
-After the woman had sent the dog away she ate all the flesh from her
-bones; then with small sticks she pushed all the marrow out of her
-bones and devoured that, too. Finally she filled the hollows in her
-bones with small pebbles, which rattled as she moved around. From time
-to time she sang and danced, causing the pebbles in her bones to
-rattle; whereupon she would exclaim: “Oh, that sounds fine!” Having
-become ravenous, she fell to devouring everything in the lodge—meat,
-bread, corn, beans, skins; in fact, everything that could be eaten.
-When she had eaten everything in the lodge, she started in pursuit of
-her husband. She soon discovered his tracks and followed them. Once in
-a while on the way she would stop and dance, listening with delight to
-the rattle of the small pebbles in her bones. Afterward she would take
-up the trail again.
-
-Shortly after the hunter had fled from the lodge of the old man his
-wife came running along. Coming up to the bank of the river, she
-screamed: “Old man, take me across this river. I am pursuing my husband
-to seize him and eat him. Come! Be quick!” The old ferryman, not being
-accustomed to hear words like these, slowly turned toward the woman,
-saying: “I can not take you across. There is no walk for you, who are
-chasing your husband to eat him.” But the woman begged and begged him
-to comply with her request. At last the old man replied: “It is well.
-Go bring me a basketful of fish and also dig me a basketful of
-groundnuts.” Going out, the woman caught a basketful of fish in the old
-man’s pond; then from his garden she dug a basketful of groundnuts and
-brought them to the old man. When he had prepared and cooked them, she
-would not eat them, for she now craved nothing but human flesh. After
-eating by himself, the old man went to the bank of the river and,
-getting into position, stretched his neck across the water like a
-turtle, making a very narrow, high, arching span. Then he told her to
-walk across. But the woman became angry and said: “How do you suppose I
-am going to cross on that kind of walk?” The old man replied: “Oh! you
-can do just as you like about it. I am old now and can not make my neck
-flat. If I did, it would break down. As it is, you must walk very
-carefully.” No matter how the woman raged she had to go on that narrow
-path; so she picked her steps carefully, scolding as she went along.
-The river, which was very angry and deep, was full of terrible
-creatures. When the woman reached the middle of the river, she made the
-old man so angry by her scolding that he suddenly jerked his neck,
-making her fall into the water; whereupon she was devoured instantly,
-with the exception of her stomach, in which was her life, which floated
-downstream, passing the lodge of the three aunts of the hunter, her
-husband. Seeing it on the surface, the three aunts, having caught it,
-chopped it up fine, thus killing the woman.
-
-In the meanwhile the husband came to the lodge of his three aunts, who
-told him to keep on his way and that they would watch and do what they
-could to aid him. So he kept on until he came to a wood, in which he
-saw a young woman gathering sticks for fuel. She asked him: “Where are
-you going?” He replied: “I am going on until I find pleasant people to
-live with.” The young woman answered: “You would better remain here
-with me as my husband. We can live very happily if you can manage my
-grandmother, who is a little old woman, but very troublesome.” As the
-young woman was pleasant and good-looking, the hunter decided to remain
-with her. When they arrived at the lodge of the young woman the little
-old woman, her grandmother, was outside. She was about one-half the
-height of an ordinary person, but very stout. She exclaimed: “Oh! you
-have brought a husband, have you?” Continuing, she added: “You would
-better bring him into the lodge to let him rest. You should also give
-him something to eat.” The young woman replied: “It is well; you ask
-him to come into the lodge.” So the grandmother told them to enter the
-lodge; following her inside, they sat down. Thereupon the grandmother,
-getting a club from the farther end of the room, began beating her
-granddaughter, saying: “Oh! you like too well to have a husband.” She
-struck her many blows, which the granddaughter endured without making
-any defense. When bedtime came the old woman said to her granddaughter:
-“Your husband must sleep with me tonight.” There was nothing to be done
-but to comply with her demand. So the husband went to the old woman’s
-bed. The latter covered herself and the man with a skin, fastening it
-down on all sides in such manner that it was air-tight, so the man
-could scarcely breathe. Then the old woman made an attempt to smother
-the husband; she would have done so had he not had a small false face
-[fetish] hidden away in his bosom. At once he told this aid to absorb
-all the odor into itself, and thereupon it did so. When morning came,
-contrary to the expectation of the grandmother, the husband was alive
-and well. The old woman now for a time left him in peace, and he
-enjoyed the company of his wife.
-
-Several days later the old woman said to the man: “We must go to an
-island today to hunt.” They found that the island was low and that in
-the middle of it there was a very deep lake. Having made a landing,
-they drew their canoe up on the island. The old woman said to the man:
-“Take your position here on the right,” indicating with her finger a
-spot away from the canoe, “and I will drive the game toward you.” The
-man had gone about halfway toward the place when, hearing a sound in
-the direction of the canoe, he turned back, only to see the old woman
-in the canoe paddling away as fast as she could. He called to her to
-return, but it was of no use.
-
-The man remained on the island all day long; there was no escape for
-him. He noticed the marks of water high up on the trees, which were
-very tall. He knew well what these marks meant. When night came the
-water began to rise, and thereupon the hunter climbed the highest tree
-he could find on the island. The water kept rising, and he continued to
-climb as it rose. With the first streak of dawn in the east the hunter
-saw that all the shorter trees were covered with water, while around
-him on all sides were great numbers of monsters waiting to devour him.
-He sat at the top of the tallest tree on the island. While looking
-around for some avenue of escape he saw the Morning Star shining
-brightly in the east. Remembering that the Morning Star had promised
-him in a dream in the days of his youth to help him in the time of
-trouble or peril, he prayed that the Morning Star would hasten the
-coming of the day, for he believed that with the advent of daylight the
-waters would subside and he would be saved. He cried in the anguish of
-his mind: “Oh, Morning Star! hasten the Orb of Day. Oh, Morning Star!
-hurry on the daylight. You promised when I was young that you would
-help me if I ever should be in great peril.” Now, the Morning Star
-lived in a beautiful lodge, with a small boy as a servant. Hearing the
-voice of the hunter appealing to him for aid, he called out to the
-servant, “Who is that shouting on the island?” The small boy replied,
-“Oh! that is the husband of the little old woman’s granddaughter. He
-says that you promised him in a dream when he was young that you would
-help in the time of trouble.” The Morning Star answered, “Oh, yes! I
-did promise him to do so. Let the Orb of Day come at once.” Immediately
-daylight came, and the water on the island subsided.
-
-When the waters were dried from the land the hunter slipped down from
-the tree, and going to the landing place he buried himself in the sand,
-leaving only his nostrils and one eye exposed. Early in the forenoon
-the old woman came again to the island. Drawing up the canoe on the
-beach, she said to herself: “The flesh of my granddaughter’s husband
-has been eaten up by this time, but I suppose his bones are left. Being
-very young, they must have good marrow in them, so I think I will have
-some of this marrow.” So saying, she started to search the island for
-the bones. The man was watching her, and when she had gone far enough
-away he sprang up out of the sand, and boarding the canoe pushed off
-and paddled away. When he had gone some distance from the island the
-old woman saw him, whereupon she cried out in agony of despair, “Oh,
-grandson, come back! I will never play another trick on you. I will
-love you.” The hunter replied in derision, “Oh, no! I will not return.
-You shall play no more tricks on me,” and continued to paddle away.
-
-When night came the water on the island began to rise. Then the old
-woman climbed the tall pine tree to escape the monsters waiting to
-devour her. Between midnight and sunrise the water, still rising, was
-nearing the treetop where the old woman was, when she called out to the
-Morning Star, “You promised me when I was young that you would help me
-when I should be in distress.” The Morning Star asked the boy, “Is that
-man down there on the island yet?” The lad replied, “Oh, no! He got off
-yesterday. This is the little old woman herself. She says you promised
-her in a dream to help her.” The Morning Star replied, “Oh, no! I never
-had any conversation with her. I never made any promise to her.” With
-these words the Morning Star fell asleep again and slept on, letting
-the Orb of Day come at its own time. The water on the island kept
-rising and rising until it had reached the top of the pine tree, when
-the inhabitants of the lake ate up the little old woman.
-
-The man was at home with his young wife and they lived ever after in
-peace and happiness.
-
-
-
-
-
-101. THE WOMAN AND THE CANNIBAL [379] THUNDER
-
-One day a stranger came to a lodge in which a man, his wife, and four
-children lived, and asked leave to marry the young daughter of the
-family. Both father and mother consenting, he married her.
-
-The man remained there for a time, and then he wished his wife to go to
-his own lodge. The old people were willing, so the two started. They
-soon reached a large cabin, whereupon the young man said, “This is my
-cabin.” When they arrived there was no one in it, but toward night the
-woman heard some person approaching on the run. Soon afterward a man
-entered and sat down by the door; again she heard the sound of someone
-running, and another man entered and sat down; then a third person
-came. They began talking one with another, relating how far they had
-been. One of them said, “I had good luck; I killed a bear.” Finding
-that he was the only one of the three who had killed anything, they
-said, “Go, bring it in; we will cook it.” The young woman sat watching
-at the end of the room. The man brought in what he called a bear, which
-she saw was the trunk and head of a man. Having cut it up, they put it
-into a kettle to boil; when cooked, they ate it. The three walked to
-and fro in the room without once looking toward the woman. Her husband
-was there, but he did not talk, nor eat with the men. Although they
-were his brothers, he never ate their kind of food. The next morning,
-and on succeeding days, after making the usual preparations, the three
-went hunting; in the evening they returned, and sitting down by the
-door, talked over their journey. If they had killed any game they
-brought it into the lodge, and cooked and ate it; if they had killed
-nothing, they ate what was left from the meal of the previous evening.
-
-One day when the young woman went to draw water she found a man
-standing by the spring. He addressed these words to her, “I came to
-tell you that your husband is going into the ground tomorrow. He is
-magically a very powerful and evil man. As soon as he is gone, you must
-put your moccasin exactly in the center of your lodge, telling it to
-answer for you every time your husband speaks. When you have done that,
-hurry to this place.” The next morning the husband said, “I am going
-into the ground. I want you to stay in the lodge all the time I am
-away,” and turning around where he stood, he disappeared in the ground.
-After doing as she had been told to do by the stranger, the wife went
-to the spring, where she found the man. Putting her into the top of an
-arrow, and saying, “When the arrow falls, get out and hurry along the
-lake as fast as you can,” he shot it into the air.
-
-Soon the husband called to his wife, “Are you there?” at which the
-moccasin answered in her voice, “Yes.” After a time he called again,
-“Are you there?” “Yes,” was again her reply. He was away several days,
-during which many times did he ask, “Are you there?” always receiving
-the same answer. When he appeared above the ground and asked, “Where
-are you, wife, are you here?” a voice answered, “Yes.” Looking around,
-he could not see her; then suddenly he discovered what had been talking
-to him. He was very angry and began to search for the woman’s tracks.
-He followed them to the spring, where they disappeared. After looking
-for a long time he became discouraged, and calling his dog
-Onhagwio,[380] he said, “You failed to watch my wife while I was gone.
-Now you must find her.” Then he watched the dog as it ran round and
-round, coming back to the spring; finally it stopped scenting the
-ground, and looking into the air, it sniffed. All at once the dog ran
-off northward, looking up all the time as if it saw tracks (but
-trailing a faint scent in the air). The man followed. After a while
-they came to the spot where the arrow fell. There were tracks on the
-ground. The dog barked and began to run faster, the man urging it on.
-As they neared the woman, the man who had been at the spring stood
-before her. He put her again into an arrow, saying, “You will come down
-on an island in a lake, and you must run across this island in all
-directions.” When the husband and the dog came to the place where she
-met the man they lost her track. Again the dog scented, and finding the
-trail in the air, followed it. When they reached the lake, the man
-changed himself into a flea, and going into the hair behind the dog’s
-ear, held on. Then the dog swam to the island, on reaching which the
-flea turned to a man again. Coming to the spot where the arrow fell,
-they found her tracks, which they followed across and around the
-island. As they neared the woman, the man again stood by her, and
-putting her once more into his arrow, said, “You will come down on the
-shore of the lake; then run as fast as you can. I can help you no
-longer, but you will soon reach a village, where you will find some one
-to help you. You may see now who I am.” As he turned to go away, she
-saw that the man was a Djondjongwen.381
-
-The dog arrived at the place where the tracks disappeared on the
-ground; here he found the woman had crossed the lake. Again the man
-turned to a flea and the dog swam with him to the shore. Having found
-the woman’s footprints, they followed them. As they were getting very
-near, so near that she could hear the dog bark, she came to a lodge in
-which a man was sitting, making flint arrowheads. His name was
-Hathegwendonnis.[382] The woman asked him to help her. He said. “Go on
-as fast as you can; the man in the next lodge will help you. I, too,
-will do all I can to aid you.” When the dog and man came to the lodge,
-Hathegwendonnis threw toward him a handful of flint. The flint flew in
-every direction; wherever it struck it tore up trees and earth. But the
-dog ran at Hathegwendonnis and, seizing him by the back of the neck,
-shook him until he was dead. The woman reached the second lodge, where
-she found a man making nets. His name was Hadaeonnis.383 To him she
-said, “I am running away; can you help me?” He answered, “Go on as
-quickly as you can; you will soon come to a cabin, and the people who
-live there can help you. I will do all I can.” When the man and dog
-came to the lodge Hadaeonnis threw his net, which caught them, winding
-round and round them. For a long time they struggled; at last, breaking
-through the net, the dog ran at Hadaeonnis, seizing him by the neck,
-and shaking him until he was dead. In the third cabin the woman found
-four men. When she had asked them for help, they began chopping down
-great dry trees, which they piled on her tracks. Soon they had a high
-pile, and setting fire to the wood, they stood waiting, two at each
-end. When the dog and the man came to the fire, the dog wanted to go
-around, but the man, seeing that the tracks led into the fire, said,
-“No; you must go through.” When they came out on the other side, both
-dog and man were nearly dead. The eldest of the four men said, “We will
-shoot and kill them,” but they found shooting had no effect. Then the
-older man said, “We will catch them and pull out their hearts.” Having
-caught and killed them, they pulled out their hearts; these they put
-into a red-hot kettle, which the old man had heated over the fire. The
-hearts flew around and around in the kettle trying to get out, but the
-men shot them until they were dead and burned up.
-
-Now the old man, whose name was Deoneyont,[384] went to the cabin and
-told the woman she was safe. He said, “You must rest four days; then
-you can go home.” When the fourth day came the old man said, “It is
-time to go. Your home is in the south. As you travel, you will know
-where you are.” In the afternoon she met a man who said, “Toward night
-you will see something to eat.” She traveled all day, and in the
-evening she came to a stump, where she found a part of Ononda
-onoqgwa.385 She thought this must be what he meant, so she ate it; then
-she went on until dark. The next morning she started again. In the
-afternoon she met the same man, who told her she would soon find
-something to eat. Toward night she came to a stump, where she found a
-pot of hulled corn. On the following day, when she awoke, the man was
-standing by her; he said, “You are near home, so I shall leave you
-here. I am one of those whom you call Hadiwenodadyes.”386 Starting on,
-she soon came in sight of an old cabin. Then she came to a spring which
-she knew, for it was the spring where, when a girl, she used to get
-water. Going to the cabin, she found all her people, who looked very
-old. She said, “Mother, I have come.” All were very glad and said,
-Nyâwen.
-
-[The narrator thinks the net-maker was a spider.]
-
-
-
-
-
-102. GAQGA AND SGAGEDI [387]
-
-A brother and his sister lived together in a lodge. The brother never
-allowed his sister to go outside. When he went hunting, he did not fail
-to tell his dog to stay at home and to bring whatever his sister
-wanted.
-
-One day when her brother was hunting the sister wanted water; not
-seeing the dog she thought what harm could it do for her to go out and
-bring back water as quickly as possible. She ran to the spring, and
-stooping down, filled the bucket, but as she straightened up and
-rested, putting the bucket on the edge of the spring, someone, grasping
-her from behind, carried her away through the air. The dog came on the
-run, and barking loudly, made a spring into the air to catch her, but
-he could not reach her. On hearing the dog bark, the brother hurried
-home. Finding his sister gone, he said to the dog, “You have caused me
-great trouble.” The animal felt the rebuke so keenly that, putting his
-head beneath his body, he became a stone.
-
-Gaqga, the man who had stolen the young woman, took her to an island in
-the middle of a lake, where she passed some time. Every day Gaqga would
-go away, returning with dry fish which he found on the shore. Sometimes
-he would bring pieces of human flesh, which he ate himself; afterward
-he would send the young woman to get water for him to drink.
-
-One day when the woman went to the edge of the island for water, a man
-stood before her, who said: “I have come to tell you that the man who
-is keeping you is very hungry, and has made up his mind to kill you
-tomorrow. He will tell you to bring water to fill the kettle; as soon
-as you do this, he will seize his club to kill you. You must run behind
-the post on which the kettle hangs. He will strike the post and break
-his arm. Then come to this spot as quickly as you can.” The next day
-Gaqga acted as the man said he would. When the kettle was full, seizing
-his heavy club, he struck at the girl, who ran behind the post; as his
-arm came down with the club it struck the post and it broke. The woman
-ran to the lake. The man was there with a canoe. Both got into it, and
-the man pushed out into the lake. This man was Sgagedi. After a while
-Gaqga’s arm felt better, so he followed the girl to the water. Seeing
-the canoe far off on the lake, he was very angry, saying, “This is the
-work of Sgagedi.” As the canoe was approaching shore, the girl saw a
-lodge near by. When Sgagedi stepped into the canoe, he divided himself,
-one half sitting at each end of the canoe. As the canoe struck land,
-the half of the body which was at the stern was raised and thrown
-forward, whereupon, striking the front half, it was joined thereto, so
-that the two parts became a whole man. The girl was sitting in the
-bottom of the boat, when the mother of the man came to her, saying, “My
-daughter, come with me,” and led her to the lodge. She was now
-Sgagedi’s wife. Every time he went out on the water he divided himself,
-one half sitting at each end of the canoe. As soon as the canoe touched
-land he became whole again. All his life he had been traveling around
-on the lake in this way, liberating people captured by witches.
-
-After a while the young woman gave birth to twin boys. As soon as they
-were born the old grandmother threw them into the lake; as they touched
-the water they began to paddle and quickly swam to shore. Again she
-threw them in the water, but in a moment they were back again; then she
-threw them far out into the lake. When they swam to shore she said,
-“That will do.” They now began to run around and play. They grew very
-quickly and after a while said to their father, “We think you ought to
-rest, so you would better stay at home and let us go out in the canoe
-and do your work.” “It is well,” replied the father.
-
-Thereupon the twins started off in the canoe, and after rowing some
-distance one said to the other, “See! there is something on the land
-that looks as if it were falling to pieces.” “That is true,” said the
-other brother; “let us go ashore and find out what it is.” So they
-landed, and going to the spot they found an old lodge lying flat on the
-ground; within was something breathing, which they discovered was a
-very old man. They got him out of the lodge, and one of the boys said,
-“This is our uncle, and we must carry him home.” The man consented to
-go with them. As they were leaving the place he pointed to a large
-stone, saying, “That is my dog.” Striking it with a switch he said,
-“Get up,” whereupon the dog got up, shaking himself and stretching, as
-is the custom of dogs. They traveled on until they came to the water,
-with the dog following them. Then all got into the canoe and the boys
-paddled across the lake. When they reached home the boys said,
-“Grandmother, we have found our uncle.” On looking at the old man, she
-was convinced that he was her brother. Now the boys said to their
-grandmother, “You must marry our uncle.” “It is well,” replied she.
-After that they all lived together very happily.
-
-
-
-
-
-103. DAGWANOENYENT AND GAASYENDIETʻHA [388]
-
-There was a large village of people provided with plenty of meat, who
-lived happily. Among these people was a man who lived at one end of the
-village, whom few noticed.
-
-One night this man had a dream, in which his Dream Spirit said to him,
-“Something is going to happen to the people of the village, so you must
-notify them to move away within ten days.” In the morning he went to
-the center of the village, and having gathered the people together,
-told them his dream. Some of them believed and some did not. Five days
-later, all those who had believed his dream joined those who had not
-believed and paid no further heed to the warning.
-
-On the fifth night the man dreamed again. This time his Dream Spirit
-said to him: “We know that all the people do not believe you. Now save
-yourself. Start within three days, taking your bow and all your arrows
-with you. About halfway up the high hill east of the village you will
-find a large hollow rock; enter this cavern, and you will find a
-subterranean passage running toward the village. Look through this
-passage, and you will see all that is going on in the village. The
-people will be destroyed. At midday of the tenth day a great cry will
-be raised by the people, such a cry as you have never heard. When it
-begins to die away you must commence to shoot through the passage, for
-the monster that destroys the village will track you to this place. You
-will save your life if you shoot all your arrows before the monster
-reaches the underground passage. When your arrows are gone, come out of
-your hiding place and go to the place where the monster has fallen.
-Then take a small piece of its skin together with the hair (which is
-very long) from the back of its head; this will be of use to you, for
-it has great orenda (magical power). This monster is called
-Dagwanoenyent. You must wind the hair around your body next to your
-skin and declare at the same time that there is nothing that you can
-not do. At night when it is too dark for you to be seen, go northward a
-short distance, and you will find a tree upturned by the roots. Go
-around the roots—you must not be frightened, for I will give you
-something which will be of great service to you.”
-
-The morning after this dream the man seemed very gloomy and unhappy.
-When the time came, taking his bow and bundle of arrows, he started;
-going eastward, he soon began to climb the mountain (he did not take
-his family, for all believed not in his dream). Just as the sun set he
-came to a large rock, in the opposite side of which he found an
-opening. Entering here, he kept on until, as he thought, he arrived
-directly under the center of the rock; there he found a room high
-enough for him to stand in. (There was stone all around, but the bottom
-was earth.) He now remembered the subterranean passage, and looking
-around, he found it; then he lay down to sleep. The next morning when
-he went out there was a deer standing close by, which he killed and
-skinned. Having roasted some of the venison, he ate it for breakfast.
-
-Then the man went on top of the rock, which he found large and level.
-The tenth day, as he sat on the rock he heard a great noise coming from
-the south, but he could see nothing. After a while the sound seemed to
-approach the village, whereupon he saw something that looked like
-smoke. He saw, too, that the trees in a very wide area were uprooted
-and were falling toward the village. As the terrible noise neared the
-village, he went under the rock, where he took position opposite the
-underground passage. As he looked through it the village seemed to him
-to be right at hand. In a short time he heard a terrible outcry, which
-was the screaming of the people in distress. He could see that the huts
-were hurled up into the air and torn to pieces. He could also see the
-Monster eating the people. When all the rest were eaten, it missed one,
-and laughing, said, “The world is not large enough for him to hide in.”
-Then the man saw that the trees bent toward the east, and from this he
-knew the Monster was on his track. Stringing his bow, he began to shoot
-through the underground passage as rapidly as possible. When but few of
-his arrows remained the noise seemed to be rapidly approaching.
-Finally, when only two arrows were left, he saw a great Black Monster
-[389] approaching. Thereupon he shot the last arrow. At that instant
-the roar and noise ceased, and the Monster fell; he heard it say, “It
-is dismal (awendonyat); you have killed me.” The man said, “I will go
-and see this creature.” On going to the place where the head lay, and
-examining it, he discovered that every arrow he had shot was in the
-head. As he stood there, thinking, he said, “I must do as I was
-commanded,” so he took part of the scalp from the crown of the head,
-with the long hair hanging to it. This he tied around his body, saying,
-“You must always help me and not let me be overpowered by anything.” He
-then climbed the remainder of the hill, reaching the top quickly, for
-he could now go very fast. On looking around, he found a place to build
-a brush hut and began work. In a short time he had completed the hut.
-Then he said, “I must have plenty of meat,” and going out, he saw deer,
-bear, and all other kinds of game in great numbers. Having killed what
-he wanted, he skinned the deer and the bears. In doing this, he merely
-took hold of the skin of the head and pulled it off. After he had
-skinned the animals, he put up hurdles in brush arbors, on which he
-placed the meat to dry.
-
-It was still the day on which he killed Dagwanoenyent. When it began to
-get so dark that he could not distinguish objects, he started, as his
-dream had said, toward the north. He had not gone far when he came to a
-fallen tree with the roots turned up. On starting to go around this,
-when halfway around, he saw Gaasyendietʻha, which had its great mouth
-open and seemed very angry. When the Gaasyendietʻha saw that the man
-was not frightened, it began to laugh; then, changing itself to a man
-(human being), it said: “You must take one of my teeth out. This will
-be of great use to you, for it will enable you to change yourself into
-any form you wish.” The man took out one of the double teeth, the one
-farthest back in the jaw. At this Gaasyendietʻha said: “You shall live.
-You shall have full magical power in your possession, but you and I
-must always counsel with each other, especially if you are in trouble;
-now we must part.” Immediately Gaasyendietʻha, resuming his natural
-form, flew off through the air.
-
-Going back to his hut, the man made up his mind that this should be his
-home hereafter. He remained in the hut one year; at the end of that
-time, getting lonely, he thought of the people, and said to himself: “I
-will go and see whether I can find anybody.” As he started he turned
-himself into a Gadjidas [390] and flew toward the southwest. He did not
-know how far he might go before finding people, but, as he soared high,
-he kept looking down on the earth. After a time he saw something
-directly to the west which made him think people were living there, so
-he came lower and lower. When near the ground he saw a village and
-said: “Well, I shall eat up all the people that live here, but if I
-find a good-looking woman, I shall take her home.” Then he turned
-himself into a Ganiagwaihegowa, and, beginning at the first house, he
-ate all the people. When he thought he had eaten everybody and had seen
-no woman that suited him, he saw away off on one side of the town a
-little hut from which smoke came out. Going there, he found an old man
-and a woman with several children, all of whom he ate. Then saying, “I
-have finished,” he changed himself into a man. He stood around a while
-and then, seeing a little trail, followed it. He had not gone far when
-he met a woman who was very handsome and whom he liked at once. As they
-talked together he asked: “Where do you live?” “Oh! right over here at
-that lodge,” she replied. He said, “You would better go home with me,
-for there is no one living there; all the people are dead.” “I must see
-first,” she answered. They then went back to the village. She led him
-to the last hut, in which he had found the old man and woman with the
-children. She was their daughter. Finding only the blood on the ground,
-she began to cry. He laid his hand on the top of her head, and as he
-touched her she instantly became senseless; whereupon he shook her,
-causing her to become a small gnat. Changing himself into a hen hawk
-and putting the gnat (ogenhwan) under his wing, he flew off in the
-direction of his home. In a short time he was there, and, changing
-himself into a man again, he took the woman from under his wing and
-shook her back into her natural form and size. Then he said: “This is
-our home; you must stay here and take care of the meat and the lodge.”
-She obeyed, while every day he went off to hunt.
-
-One night some time afterward, as they sat in the hut the man heard a
-noise outside, as though some one were coming on a run. Suddenly the
-door opened and a man came in. They greeted one another. “I have come
-again,” said the man. “I find that you have made yourself into two
-persons now. I am here to warn you. A great monster has become very
-envious of you and has said, ‘There is a man over yonder who has become
-magically very powerful, and I have determined to try to overpower him
-and to eat him.’ Tomorrow at noon this monster will come. You must go
-eastward until you reach a large hill of stones, half as high as the
-highest mountain, not far from here. The place will be your only refuge
-when this monster attacks you. Get up on these rocks, and when it
-approaches you, you must jump from one rock to another. It will jump
-after you, but when it fails to reach you and falls, you may feel safe.
-We will then take care of it. This is what I had to tell you, so now I
-shall go.” The man and his wife went to sleep. The next morning the
-woman, noticing that her husband was gloomy, said, “What is the
-matter?” “Nothing, except I am thinking of what will become of me today
-at noon.” (She had neither seen nor heard the strange man who had
-spoken to her husband, although she was present. They two were so
-powerful in orenda that only they heard what was said.) The husband,
-walking up and down, seemed to be very uneasy.
-
-As it neared noon, leaving his wife, the man started for the rocks.
-Seating himself on the top of the highest rock, he waited. Just at
-midday he heard a great noise, a distant howl; then he heard another
-nearer; then a third howl, just at the rocks. Now by way of defiance he
-gave a whoop, calling out, “I am the strongest of the strong. Nothing
-can overpower me.” The source of the sound was a bear, the oldest and
-strongest of the great bears. As it came up, it leaped on the rocks
-where the man stood, whereupon he jumped on the next rock, with the
-monster close behind him. In this way they kept leaping from one rock
-to another, being ever about the same distance apart, until the man
-began to feel tired and faint, and as he looked ahead the next rock
-seemed farther off than any of the others had been. Making a greater
-exertion, he just reached it. The bear was close behind him, but as it
-sprang, it fell short, just striking its jaws on the edge of the rock.
-The man looked over the edge of the rock and then jumped to the ground.
-As he struck the ground, looking behind him, he saw the rock from which
-he had leaped turn over and fall on the monster, killing it. “That is
-what I said; there is nothing that can overpower me,” the young man
-thought. He then went back to his hut very happy. His wife asked what
-had happened to him. “I have killed a monster bear that came to destroy
-me,” he replied.
-
-Now all went on as usual. One day after the man returned from hunting,
-as he and his wife sat by the fire they heard a man approaching the
-hut, and they kept listening until he came to the door. When the man
-opened the door, there stood his friend. For the first time now the
-woman saw him. They greeted each other. The guest said: “The time has
-come when your life is again in danger, but I will try to save you and
-your wife. I will tell you what to do. Rub your hands on your wife’s
-head and she will turn to Osʻhada;[391] then you must tell it to follow
-you wherever you go. It will not be well for you to stay here; you must
-go away, but remain here as long as you can after your wife has gone.
-She must start immediately after you change her into Osʻhada, and when
-you have given up all hope of being able to stay, then flee directly
-toward the south. Tomorrow morning as soon as you get up, you must do
-as I have told you. I shall go now and we shall meet again.”
-
-Thereupon the visitor started off. The man and wife began to talk. They
-did not know what to do. In the morning the man rubbed her head,
-saying, “Let my wife become Osʻhada.” At once she became Osʻhada and
-rested on his hand, while with the other hand he rubbed it off in the
-direction it was to go. Then piling up all his meat, he said in a loud
-voice, “I give this meat to you, all flesh-eating animals that live in
-the woods.” He now went toward the southeast from his lodge to a very
-large elm tree, which was smooth up to a great height, where branches
-formed a crotch. Climbing the tree, he sat in this crotch. Soon he
-noticed that he felt faint and very weak at intervals, and he thought
-that there must be near him something mysterious. He looked around
-everywhere, but saw nothing. Taking out the tooth Gaasyendietʻha had
-given him, he dampened it with spittle; then having rubbed his finger
-over the tooth, he passed it over his eyes, saying, “Now I can see
-everything that is going on, even down in the ground.” On looking into
-the ground, he saw, deep down, a tree and on the tree a great monster.
-He sat still, watching it as it slowly climbed the tree. As it came
-near the top, the faint feeling grew stronger on the man. He saw that
-the animal was a Djainosgowa,[392] the greatest of the Djainos family
-of monsters. This Djainosgowa had determined to overpower the orenda of
-the man. It came up out of the ground and up into the heart of the tree
-on which the man was sitting. As it came nearer and nearer, the man
-leaped to another tree. At that instant the Djainosgowa, coming out at
-the place where the man had been sitting, said, “Guhge sedjinoⁿ (You
-are indeed somewhat of a man, but I am determined to overpower you in
-orenda).” Thereupon the Djainosgowa leaped toward the man, but the man
-jumped to another tree, and then from tree to tree, the Djainosgowa
-following. There was a great rock at the brink of the hill to which the
-man ran; from this he leaped through the air across the great valley to
-a mountain far away. Thence he ran directly southward, right along the
-top of the mountain, descending on the other side to another very wide
-valley. He ran across this valley and had begun to ascend the mountain
-on the other side when he heard the monster in close pursuit. It
-continued to run all night. In the morning he came to an opening, on
-the other side of the valley. It was nearly dark, but the man continued
-to run all night. In the morning he came to an opening, on the farther
-side of which he could discern a hill and smoke arising. As he came to
-the foot of the mountain, he stopped, and turning around, he saw that
-the monster Djainosgowa had gotten to the opening. Raising its paw, it
-struck the man’s footprint on the trail. Instantly the man fell to the
-ground. As he fell, his friend appeared and said: “Get up; you cannot
-live if you fall this way.” So saying, he pushed him into a run,
-telling him to hurry. The man then felt stronger and again ran fast
-from valley to valley, with the Djainosgowa always about the same
-distance behind. All at once the man fell again. Immediately his friend
-was there, and put him on his feet, saying, “Keep up your courage,” at
-the same time pushing him into a run. Again he felt stronger and ran
-fast. He ran all night. It was a very dark night and he struck a great
-maple tree, going straight through it; this happened many times during
-the night, whenever he hit a tree.
-
-For eight days and nights the monster chased him. When it discovered
-that the man went through trees it threw its power ahead of him, making
-the trees so hard that the man could no longer go through them. On the
-ninth night the monster commanded a terrible rainstorm to come and the
-night to be so dark that the man could not see where he was going, but
-the man ran on until midnight without hitting a tree. Just at midnight
-he struck a tree and was thrown far back. At that moment his friend was
-there, who said, “Do all you can; exert yourself”; and taking hold of
-his hand he led him. The two went and traveled a great deal faster than
-the man had gone alone, unaided by his friend, Gaasyendietʻha, the
-Meteor. The two ran together until daylight, when the friend left and
-the man went on alone. This was the tenth day and he began to be very
-tired and faint, but still the monster was approaching and its strokes
-on his tracks were frequent, so that the man fell often. The chances
-seemed against his escape. Night came and the Djainosgowa made it
-terribly dark. Running against a tree, the man bounded far back, but
-fortunately the Djainosgowa was so near that he fell behind it. The
-Djainosgowa, having likewise struck the tree, was also thrown back. At
-once the man was up and running forward again. The Djainosgowa was just
-upon him and was reaching out to grasp him when the man fell, as it
-seemed to him, into a hole in the ground. He thought, “Well, I am near
-my end. When I strike I shall be dashed to pieces.” He kept falling,
-and as he fell he grew sleepy. Looking up he saw the monster coming
-down the side of the hole, winding round and round. Thereupon the man
-went to sleep. After a long time he woke and was still falling, and the
-monster was still pursuing him. At last the man landed on his feet. He
-seemed to have come out of the hole, and on looking around he saw a
-beautiful country. Saying to himself, “My friend told me to go toward
-the south,” he ran in that direction. As he went on rapidly he saw the
-Djainosgowa coming toward him very fast, and thought, “Now I shall
-die.” As it came near the monster turned itself into a man. The runner,
-closing his eyes, kept on thinking, “I will not be looking at him when
-he reaches me.” He ran until he thought it was a long time to wait to
-be seized; then he opened his eyes and looked around, but he could not
-see the Djainosgowa, but still he kept on running.
-
-Soon the man came to a lodge, which he entered, finding within an old
-man, who, looking up, exclaimed: “Oh, my grandson! I am glad you have
-come. I have been waiting for you a long time. You are bringing with
-you what I have wanted to eat for a long time. So go back there and
-stay. The Djainosgowa and I will fight alone. We will see whether it is
-as powerful as it thinks it is.” Soon the noise of the monster’s
-approach could be heard. Coming to the lodge, it asked, “Where is the
-man I have been chasing?” The old man said, “Here I am.” “No; you are
-not the man,” Djainosgowa replied. “I am; but if you think it is some
-one else, you shall not find out until you overpower me,” retorted the
-old man. The Djainosgowa said, “Come outside; there is not room in
-here.” “Very well,” replied the old man, and, arising, he went out.
-Then they began to fight. Whenever the animal bit the old man, tearing
-open the flesh, it immediately came together and healed. The old man
-tore off the forelegs of the Djainosgowa. They fought until the
-Djainosgowa was torn to pieces and the old man convinced himself that
-the pieces were not alive. Then he hung up the meat in the lodge and
-said to his grandson: “Come out! I have killed the monster you were
-afraid of. I am very thankful, for I have been wishing for this kind of
-meat for a long time.” The old man boiled the meat in a large kettle,
-not leaving a particle. In a small kettle he cooked bear’s meat for his
-grandson. As the meat was boiling, he put corn into the pounder and
-with only a few strokes it became corn meal; then having made bread, he
-began to eat. He was constantly giving thanks for the meat he was
-eating. At last, when he had eaten every bit of the great Djainosgowa
-he said: “I thank you, my grandson, for this will last me for a great
-many tens of years. You must stay with me until you are rested and
-cured, for you have been infected by the orenda (magic power) of this
-great monster.”
-
-One day the old man said, “I want you to see what I have planted.” A
-short distance from the lodge they came to a field where something was
-growing. The old man said, “This is called onĕñoñ.” There were great
-tall cornstalks with ears of corn on them as long as the man was tall
-and kernels as large as a man’s head. The field extended farther than
-the eye could see. The old man said, “Let us go on the other side.”
-There the young man saw another field, where all varieties of corn were
-growing. Going on, they came to a third field, whereupon the old man
-said, “These are squashes.” They were very large and in great variety.
-Passing the squash field, they went to the old man’s lodge.
-
-The next day, after he had rested, the grandson, having bade the old
-man good-by, went on. He traveled many days and finally came to a large
-opening, where there was a village. After thinking a while, he went to
-the lodge of the chief, who received him well. The chief’s daughter,
-looking at him, asked, “Have you ever heard of a man sending his wife
-off in the form of Osʻhada, a vapor?” He thought and thought this over;
-he had entirely forgotten about it. After a good while, remembering the
-past, he said, “Yes; I myself did that.” “I thought I recognized you. I
-am your wife,” declared the woman. They were glad to be together again.
-
-
-
-
-
-104. DAGWANOENYENTGOWA SʻHAGODIGENDJI [393] AND YENONSGWA
-
-Dagwanoenyentgowa Sʻhagodigendji, the eldest woman of her people, lived
-in the woods with two grandchildren, a boy and a girl.
-
-One day, when the old woman had gone on a journey, a Yenonsgwa came to
-the lodge. Picking up the younger child, after speaking kindly to her
-and saying that she was a pretty little thing, the Yenonsgwa swallowed
-her. Then she began to talk to the boy, telling him how well he looked,
-but did not kill him. Sitting on the bed, she told the boy that if he
-would get on her back she would take him out to look for his
-grandmother. Accordingly he climbed on her back; but soon becoming
-frightened, he grasped her so tightly that he became fastened to it, so
-he could not get off, although he tried hard to do so. The Yenonsgwa
-started off, but went in a direction different from that where his
-grandmother was. The boy told her so, but she said: “Oh! we shall soon
-come to the place where she is.” The Yenonsgwa woman went very far into
-the woods, and the boy began to cry for his grandmother; he cried so
-hard that Yenonsgwa told him to get off her back. She did not like to
-hear him cry, and, moreover, she wanted to eat him. But he did not get
-off, for he could not do so. Yenonsgwa could neither get her hands
-around to pull him off, nor could she turn her head to bite him; she
-could not get at him in any way. Knowing this, the boy clung to the
-middle of her back, for he knew also that she would eat him if he
-slipped down. They traveled thus for many days.
-
-When the grandmother returned home she found that the boy and girl were
-not in the lodge, and she became very uneasy. She searched everywhere,
-but found no traces of either. After a while, finding the tracks of the
-Yenonsgwa around the lodge, she guessed what the trouble was. The old
-woman followed the trail of the Yenonsgwa, saying that she was bound to
-get her grandchildren back.
-
-Yenonsgwa tried to get the boy off, even rubbing him against a hickory
-tree, but the boy said: “Oh! I like that. Rub harder.” At this she
-stopped rubbing and went on. The grandmother, in the form of a
-whirlwind, followed her, and Yenonsgwa told the boy that his
-grandmother was following as a whirlwind, and would strike and kill
-both. The boy was silent. Then looking around for a refuge, Yenonsgwa
-found a hiding place in a deep ravine. There she dug a hole, into which
-she went and covered herself with the earth which slipped down from
-above. Now Yenonsgwa heard Dagwanoenyentgowa coming, and said to the
-boy: “You can hear your grandmother coming if you listen.” Then the
-Dagwanoenyentgowa rushed over the place where they lay. The boy shouted
-to his grandmother, who heard him. Changing her course, she came back
-straight to the spot where they were, blowing the earth off the hiding
-place, so that Yenonsgwa was visible on the surface of the ground. When
-the grandmother asked the boy whether he was there, he answered: “Yes.”
-The Yenonsgwa, however, lay still, whispering to the boy: “Be quiet!
-Your grandmother will see us.” The grandmother then called to the boy
-by name: “Dagwanoenyentgowa, get off Yenonsgwa’s back.” Having done so,
-he went a short distance from her inside the cavern. Then the old
-woman, his grandmother, hurled great stones at Yenonsgwa, rending all
-her clothes of rock and killing her. Thereupon the old woman took her
-grandson with her toward home. On the road she said: “Never allow
-yourself to be treated in this way again. Never let anyone maltreat
-you. You can master all those people if you only use your orenda (magic
-power), for you are a Dagwanoenyentgowa like myself.” The old woman
-remained at home a few days with her grandson.
-
-Meanwhile some of the Yenonsgwa’s people found her trail, which they
-followed until they came to the place where her clothes were rent and
-scattered, and she lay dead. When they asked, the spirit of the
-Yenonsgwa told them that the old woman had killed her and had rent her
-coating of stone. The men of the Yenonsgwa’s people now resolved to
-collect a large company of their people to kill the old woman,
-Dagwanoenyentgowa.
-
-While they were preparing for this, the old woman, while she was out on
-one of her journeys, found out their plans. When she heard the news of
-the intended attack she said to her grandson, “We must get your sister
-out of the belly of the Yenonsgwa, for she is sitting within, crying
-for me all the time.” So they set out from home, and when they reached
-the place where Yenonsgwa lay dead the old woman, having built a little
-fire, began to burn tobacco on it for her granddaughter, saying, “This
-is what we like; this is what we like.” She burned perhaps half a pouch
-full and kept pushing the smoke toward the Yenonsgwa’s body, saying,
-“This is what we like. Do you come out of Yenonsgwa’s body.” Still no
-sign of the granddaughter; she did not come out of Yenonsgwa’s body. At
-last the old woman said: “We must have more help. You have a great many
-relatives—uncles, aunts, and cousins. We must call them here.” So
-saying, the old woman, the Dagwanoenyentgowa, called them loudly. They
-came one by one. There was a great number of them. They broke up and
-removed all the clothing of the Yenonsgwa, which they threw away,
-leaving the body naked. Then the old woman built a fire at Yenonsgwa’s
-head, on which she burned tobacco. All the Dagwanoenyentgowa walked
-around the fire, each throwing tobacco into it, saying, “This is what
-we like; this is what we like.” After each one of them had gone around
-once and had thrown tobacco into the fire once, the young girl started
-up in Yenonsgwa’s body, panting for breath. Soon she arose, and walking
-out, said, “How long have I been here?” The people gave her tobacco to
-smoke. She inhaled it until she gained her full strength. Then all went
-home—the old woman with her two grandchildren to her lodge, and the
-other Dagwanoenyents each to his own place.
-
-After they had been home a while a Yenonsgwa came to the old woman’s
-lodge, who talked pleasantly and inquired how they were. Finding out
-that they were only three in number, the Yenonsgwa went back, thinking
-it would be a small task to kill them. After the Yenonsgwa had gone
-away the old woman said, “We are in trouble now. There is a great
-number of these Yenonsgwa people leagued together against us. They are
-assembled somewhere around here. When this struggle commences we do not
-know whether or not we shall be able to come home here again.” As soon
-as she had finished talking with her grandchildren the old woman went
-out and called loud and long, “Dagwanoenyentgowa! Dagwanoenyentgowa!
-Dagwanoenyentgowa!” The girl did not know what that meant, so she asked
-her grandmother, who told her, “I am calling your relatives to help us.
-You are a Dagwanoenyentgowa, too.” They came one by one. When all had
-come they numbered 60, besides the old woman and her grandchildren.
-Dagwanoenyentgowa Sʻhagodigendji said that each one must have a round
-stone to strike with, just heavy enough to handle well. They had barely
-gotten the stones when the Yenonsgwa began to appear, thousands and
-thousands in number. The Dagwanoenyentgowa were frightened when they
-saw them, but the old woman who led them said, “We must separate and
-attack them singly. You must keep the stones in your hands. Be firm and
-have the faith that you will kill with one blow each one you hit and
-you will do so.” [394] Then the Dagwanoenyentgowas ran off in different
-directions, with the Yenonsgwa chasing them. Whenever they had the
-chance the Dagwanoenyentgowa struck and killed a Yenonsgwa, and so they
-kept retreating and killing the Yenonsgwa for a long distance. The old
-woman told all her people to go up a high mountain on the south ahead
-of them and to continue fighting as they went, saying, “When we all
-reach the top we will go down a little on the other side, and the
-Yenonsgwa will come to the top, and we shall then strike them. One part
-of us will strike them from the east and the other from the west side,
-and we will get behind them and drive them into the great ravine on the
-south side of the mountain, where a river runs, and they will all
-perish there.” On coming to the mountain top, where there was a large
-space, and looking around the Yenonsgwa saw nothing of the
-Dagwanoenyentgowa. They looked on every side, but could see no one,
-whereupon they thought that the Dagwanoenyentgowas had gone for good.
-They had not stood there long, however, when they heard the sound of
-wind below them on the mountain on both sides of them. The sound grew
-louder and louder, and presently the Dagwanoenyentgowa struck them on
-both sides, and uniting in their rear struck them there also. So
-terrible were the attack and the power of the Dagwanoenyentgowa that
-they tore all the trees out by their roots and swept the earth from the
-top of the mountain, hurling the trees and earth into the ravine and
-river below. The dead Yenonsgwas were piled up on one another like
-rocks in the river bed and along its banks. The Dagwanoenyentgowa were
-now dancing on the mountain top, when the old woman said, “We have
-hurled the Yenonsgwa down there now and we would better finish them.
-Let half of you go along the ridge running south from this mountain
-east of the river and the other half on the western ridge and blow all
-the trees and stones and earth into the great ravine.” They did so, and
-when they came together they had stripped the mountain spurs naked. The
-river forced everything to the end of the ravine, piling up the débris
-in a great dam, so that the river became a lake on the south side of
-the mountain, which is called Hadiqsadon Genonsgwa ganyudae.395
-
-
-
-
-
-105. THE TWELVE BROTHERS AND THEIR UNCLE, DAGWANOENYENT
-
-Once there lived 12 brothers who were great hunters, and who dwelt very
-happily together. Everyone knew that they excelled in whatever they
-undertook, for they had great magical powers and were honest.
-
-Every morning the brothers would start off in different directions to
-hunt, and would return in the evening. The eldest brother seemed to
-understand best the women, who went around the world to destroy men, so
-he always avoided them. One day, however, while he was hunting he saw a
-red-headed woodpecker drumming on the trees, making a great noise. As
-he watched the bird, it went around the tree and then flew to another
-tree and around that. Finally it flew to the ground, and, behold! a
-beautiful young woman took the place of the bird. She said to the
-hunter, “Are you not ashamed to point an arrow at a woman? Come and
-talk to me.” Thereupon he went up to her—this was the last thing he
-remembered. She took him to a high rock where stood another woman, who
-said “Let his bones come to the ground,” and his body fell, becoming a
-heap of bones. Great piles of human bones lay around this rock, for
-many men had been decoyed to the place by the first woman and destroyed
-by the other.
-
-Night came, and as the eldest brother did not return, the remaining 11
-said that some evil had befallen him, and that he would never return.
-As predicted, he never came home; his mat remained vacant, and they
-left everything as it was and mourned him as dead.
-
-After a long time another brother was missing one evening and he, too,
-never returned. Later it was learned that while walking along in the
-woods he came upon two women, who with their wiles put him to sleep.
-One of them said: “Let us put him into the ground until mold appears
-all over him—he shall be alive—and let him remain there until his uncle
-finds out where he is and rescues him.”
-
-Now, the 10 remaining brothers were greatly alarmed, and they told
-their youngest brother, whom they loved very dearly, that “he must stay
-at home and not go roaming about the forest, for he was young and did
-not know the world as well as they did.”
-
-Again many moons passed, and then one night the third brother was
-missing. The others knew he must be dead, or he would not have failed
-to return when night came. Now, three mats were vacant, and the
-remaining brothers were almost heartbroken.
-
-Time went on, and one brother after another had disappeared, until only
-two were left—the second and the youngest, and there were 10 empty
-places. Then the elder said to his younger brother: “You must not go
-out of doors. You must stay close at home, where no harm can come to
-you, for you are all I have to depend on when I grow old.” “But,” said
-the younger, “it may be that our brothers are still alive and are being
-kept captive and tormented by the spell of some magic power. I wish to
-go in search of them.” “No; you can not,” replied the elder; “you are
-still young. But we have a great uncle, who knows everything. He is a
-terrible man; no one can go near him. He could bring our brothers back,
-if we could get to him, but the trouble is he would not know that we
-are his nephews, so we would be destroyed. He is Dagwanoenyent. He
-lives on a rock. His long hair sweeps the ground, so that all around
-the rock it is as smooth as ice; and he has enormous eyes.” [396] “I
-must go to see this uncle,” said the younger, “and find out where our
-brothers are.” “You will travel the wide world over and never find them
-unless he tells you,” came the reply.
-
-“What does he live on?” asked the younger. “He gnaws the bark of
-hickory trees,” answered the elder. “That is an easy living. I will get
-plenty of it,” said the younger, and having cut down the largest
-hickory trees he could find, he took off great blocks of bark for his
-uncle to eat. Then he made himself six arrows, each arrow being a great
-tree. He would lift the tree out of the ground by the roots. “I want
-you to be small,” and made an arrow of it; the blunt end of the arrow
-was the butt near the roots. The elder brother did not know that these
-arrows were large trees. He was afraid to have his brother go and put
-but little faith in his success. While the younger brother was making
-his arrows he practiced running. One day while so engaged he thought he
-heard a groan under his feet, as it were, and going back and forth he
-found the exact place whence it seemed to come. It was as though he ran
-over a man and each time hurt him fearfully; so digging down into the
-ground, he found a living man, whose features were perfect but whose
-face was covered with thick mold. He took him home to his elder
-brother, saying, “We have plenty of bear’s oil, and you can anoint him
-until he regains his natural skin.” The newly found man could neither
-see nor hear.
-
-The elder brother told the younger to run toward the north. The next
-morning the latter started, having cautioned the elder to stay in the
-lodge while he was gone, as he would bring his uncle home with him. He
-ran for several days until he came near the place which his brother had
-described. Possessing magical power over a mole, he said to it, “You
-must carry me under the ground so that the leaves shall not rustle.
-When we are very near my uncle, Dagwanoenyent,[397] let me out.”
-Thereupon he entered the mole, which ran on until they were near the
-Great Head, when he looked out. He was almost afraid to come forth, so
-terrible was this enormous object, but he sprang out of the mole with
-his arrow drawn, crying as he did so, “Uncle, I have come after you!”
-Away sped the arrow! As it whizzed through the air it grew to the size
-of a large tree. When it hit the Great Head above the eyes, with a loud
-laugh the latter, rolling off the rocks, swept along in the air, making
-a broad track of fallen trees as it passed through the forest like an
-immense cloud. The young man kept ahead by running with lightning
-speed. As the Great Head was nearly on him, he turned and shot another
-arrow, which drove it back some distance, and again he got ahead. This
-act he repeated whenever he was in danger of being overtaken, otherwise
-he would have been killed by the big trees that fell in the track of
-the Great Head. So on he ran for his life, and as his last arrow was
-spent, he reached home. Each time the rebound of the Great Head
-decreased, so it gained on him continually.
-
-While the pursued and the pursuer were still a long way off, the elder
-brother began to hear a frightful roar and to feel a great wind rising.
-Thereupon, saying, “My uncle is coming,” he opened the skin doors
-(there was one at each end of the lodge) and put great pounders on
-them, and made a big fire. When the younger brother reached the lodge
-he took up the pounder, and as the Great Head came down to the
-threshold and rolled in, both brothers began pounding it and kept on
-doing so until it rolled almost to the end of the lodge and became
-silent. At this the young man said: “I brought you here, uncle; now,
-you must stay with us and tell us where our brothers are.” “I can not
-stay,” replied the Head, “but I will help you, and your brothers will
-come back.”
-
-By this time the elder brother, having rubbed nearly all the mold from
-the man’s face, found he was his brother. The Great Head blew on the
-body, whereupon the man became well and sound again. Now there were
-three brothers. At night the Great Head would remain outside the lodge,
-gnawing the hickory bark provided for it. After a time it said, “I can
-not remain and must be going home, but I will take you to the spot
-where your brothers are”; so they started off together. The Great Head
-would make long leaps, springing high from the ground. It conducted the
-young man to the woman on the rock. As they passed the first woman the
-Great Head said, “We shall have to kill this woman.” She tried to make
-the Great Head laugh, but it would not, saying, “Oh, woman! Come down
-and be bones.” Enraged at these words, she tried to spit at the Great
-Head, which repeated the words. The third time, both women rolled off,
-and as they fell their bones made a noise like the pouring out of many
-shells, and the Great Head said, “Scatter the bones.” So the young man,
-gathering them up by handfuls, threw them in every direction,
-commanding them to become such and such birds; and they became
-birds—horned owls, hawks, crows, and woodpeckers—which disappeared in
-the air. “Now,” said the Great Head, “you must work hard. Fit all these
-other bones together nicely, giving to each body its own bones by
-putting together as many bodies as you can. While you are doing this, I
-will go off a long distance and then come back straight over this
-forest. When I approach you will hear the roar of the wind, and
-thereupon you must cry out to these bones, ‘Arise, or the trees will
-fall on you.’ They will obey you. I will pass over them and go to my
-home; if you want me again, you may come for me.” The young man went to
-work with great haste and laid together many skeletons. Nearly all the
-bones were arranged when he heard the deep roar of the wind and knew
-thereby the Great Head was coming. Then he called out, “Arise, you
-bones, or the trees will fall on you,” [398] and as the Great Head
-swept with an awful noise over the skeletons, all sprang to their feet.
-The bones of two skeletons were interchanged. One who from the shape of
-his foot had gone by the name of Sharp-pointed Moccasins had but one of
-his own feet, while the second man had the other, so both were
-cripples. One of these men had been enticed from a great distance; he
-was a man-eater and wished to commence a meal at once, but the young
-man killed him with a single blow of his club. Among those now restored
-to life were the nine missing brothers. Each man found whatever he had
-brought with him and all separated; those who did not know where their
-homes were went with the brothers. Thus, again, after many years the 12
-brothers were united.
-
-
-
-
-
-106. ONGWE IAS [399] AND HIS BROTHER, DAGWANOENYENT
-
-There was a man who had three nephews, and all lived in a lodge which
-was divided into two parts by a partition. The old man lived in one
-part and the young men in the other. There was no door between the two
-rooms; they could talk only through the partition. The old man,
-however, was an Ongwe Ias; he was a brother of the Dagwanoenyent who
-chased the panther and her cubs.
-
-When the old man went hunting he always started on a run, and one could
-hear the sound of his going. The young men used to go hunting, too.
-Whenever the old man came home they could hear him throw down a
-person’s body and cut it up; then they could hear him eating. Afterward
-he would ask the boys whether they had all returned from hunting,
-whereupon they would say, “Yes.”
-
-One morning after the old man had gone off the youngest of the three
-started by himself. At a short distance from the lodge lay a big tree,
-over which moss had grown everywhere. When he put his knee on this tree
-to get over it he saw a man who had grown to the tree. The man said: “I
-am glad you have come; I am tormented here. I think you would better
-take me to your lodge. I will be a brother to you and stay with you as
-long as you live.” “I do not think this would be well,” replied the
-young man, “for our uncle is a man-eater; but I will go home and talk
-with my two brothers, and tomorrow I will let you know our decision.”
-That night when the old man got home he asked whether all had gotten
-back. “Yes,” they answered. Then the youngest said to his uncle: “We
-have found a man who wants to come here to be our brother and live with
-us. You must not touch him.” The old man agreed not to injure him,
-saying, “I will give him a name; he shall be called The-Found-One.”
-[400] They brought the man in. When he had recovered his health he was
-a swifter runner than the old man-eater.
-
-One morning all started off to hunt, the three brothers and
-The-Found-One. In the afternoon the old man came back home and stayed
-in his part of the lodge. At night he asked, “Are you all here?” One
-answered, “No; our eldest brother has not come.” The old man was
-astonished, and told the second brother that he must start early the
-next morning and follow his brother’s tracks.
-
-In the morning the second brother started on the run to look for his
-elder brother. After a while he came to a clearing, in the middle of
-which sat an old woman; his brother’s tracks went straight toward her.
-He made up his mind to inquire of the woman about him. Going straight
-up to her, he asked, but she gave no answer. Then she struck him and
-straightway he turned into bones. Now, two of the brothers were gone.
-When night came and the uncle reached home, he asked the lone brother
-whether all had returned. The youngest said, “No,” whereupon the uncle
-said, “You must follow them and see what has happened.”
-
-So the youngest went out the next morning, and soon reached the opening
-or clearing, where he saw the gray-haired woman. It came into his mind
-that she was the cause of the trouble; so taking a start he ran and
-then jumped on her back, asking “Have you seen my brothers?” Having
-said this, he jumped off. After trying in every way to hit him, at last
-the woman just touched him and thereupon the three brothers were gone;
-he, too, then becoming merely bones, like the other two.
-
-At night when the old uncle returned he asked the fourth person,
-The-Found-One, “Have your brothers come back?” “No,” was the answer. At
-this the old man, astonished, said, “When you rise in the morning get
-crotched sticks and make a platform on them; put as many stones as
-possible on the platform, and then start in search of your uncle. You
-can not help finding him. When you see him you must shoot him in the
-forehead; then he will follow in the direction from which the arrow
-comes.” The next morning, having made a platform, the man put on it as
-many big stones as possible. After doing this, he started in the
-direction the old man had pointed out. During the forenoon he heard a
-big noise, and when he came out into a broad opening, or clearing, he
-saw his uncle, Dagwanoenyent, on a great rock which he was eating,
-biting off large pieces. On seeing him, The-Found-One shot an arrow at
-his forehead, saying at the same time, “I have come for you, uncle.”
-His uncle, the Great Head, followed him, and he shot another arrow. The
-Great Head always followed the course of the arrow. After shooting
-twice The-Found-One was back at the lodge, where he called to the old
-man-eater, “Uncle, I have come.”
-
-Very soon they heard the noise of a great wind, and Dagwanoenyent came,
-and standing on the platform, began to eat stones;[401] the sound of
-his craunching could be heard a long way. The man-eater spoke to his
-brother Dagwanoenyent, saying: “I sent after you, and you have come.
-The three brothers have gone and have not come back. Now I am going for
-them, and if I do not return, you will come after me.” The next morning
-The-Found-One was alone. Dagwanoenyent came, and standing on the
-platform, ate a stone, and called out, “Have they returned?” “No,” was
-the reply.
-
-“Well, I am going after my brother; he ought not to eat men, if he too
-gets lost.” With these words, Dagwanoenyent flew up high in the air.
-The old woman knew he was coming, so shading her eyes with her hand,
-she kept watch; presently she saw him approaching. Flying down where
-she was, he bit at her, but she had disappeared; then he bit gravel. On
-flying up he could see nothing. At last he hid behind a cloud and
-watched until he saw her; thereupon, plunging down, he bit deep into
-the ground, this time killing the old woman and letting out her blood.
-Then he said to himself, “My brother should not eat people, if he is
-such a coward that he can not kill an old woman.”
-
-Dagwanoenyent had to bring to life his three nephews and his brother.
-The-Found-One came to the place where the old woman was killed, and
-Dagwanoenyent told him to put the bones together, and then to go to a
-big hickory tree near by and push against it, calling out, “Rise! you
-people, lest the tree fall on you.” Having put together the bones as
-directed, he pushed against the tree, at the same time calling, “Rise!
-lest the tree fall on you.” At once all came to life, whereupon the
-man-eater said, “I give up; I will never eat man again.” All went home
-together, and are said to be living in some parts of the Rocky
-Mountains now. Dagwanoenyent is living still.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-MEDICAL NOTE
-
-
-107. NOTES ON THE MEDICINE NIKAHNEGAAH [30] [402]
-
-Solomon O’Bail, an aged Seneca, living on the Cattaraugus Reservation,
-in 1884 had about a tablespoonful of the Great Bird-medicine in the
-form of powder.
-
-Only a minute portion of this medicine, mixed with water, was needed.
-In putting the small portion of the powder into the cup of water O’Bail
-sprinkled a little on the east side of the cup, another portion on the
-west side, and still another on the side nearest to the lips of the
-patient. If all the powder remained on the surface of the water instead
-of mixing with it, the indication was that the patient must die; but if
-the powder dissolved completely in the water, this was taken as a sign
-that the patient would live. When the powder would not mix with the
-water the latter became of the consistency of sirup; but if it mixed,
-the water remained clear. When the medicine would not dissolve in the
-water the hochinagen [403] knew that there was no help for the patient
-and would not give the medicine to him; but in case the powder
-dissolved in the water, the solution was given to the sick man to
-drink.
-
-About 20 men on the Cattaraugus Reservation still had, in 1884, a small
-portion of this medicine. This medicine is the same as that which the
-birds made when they brought Bloody Hand to life. It is so powerful in
-orenda, or magic potency, that when it was given to the sick by the
-hochinagen the patient was forbidden to eat anything that was colored;
-he could eat, however, pure white beans and pure white cob corn. If
-anything black or in any manner colored was eaten, the taboo was
-broken, and the man or woman would die, as the medicine’s virtue was
-thus destroyed.
-
-If another man came into the patient’s presence after having stopped to
-see a corpse on the way, and looked at the patient, the sick person
-would immediately grow worse and would die shortly thereafter. For this
-reason it was customary to hang up a skin or a blanket so that the
-patient should not by any chance see such a person.
-
-It is said that medicine similar to this ancient bird medicine could be
-made, but no one knows how to make corn grow without seed corn.
-
-When this Nikahnegaah was taken, the smell of burning or broiling meat
-had a bad effect on its virtues. During her catamenial periods a woman
-was not permitted to look at a person who had taken this medicine; if
-she did so he would surely die. Hence it was a standing rule that a
-patient who had taken this medicine should not be seen by any one for
-four days except the person who was caring for him.
-
-When a person who was ill desired to try this medicine, he or some
-friend was required to give a handful of native tobacco and some other
-small present to the person who had the medicine. The hochinagen could
-do what he pleased with the presents. The hochinagen would cast into
-the fire a piece of the tobacco, at the same time saying to the
-medicine, which he then held in his hand, “Take a smell of this
-tobacco, for I am about to make use of you.” Then he would visit the
-sick man, and taking a small vessel he would go to a running stream,
-and after making an offering of tobacco to it in the name of the
-patient, he would dip up the water with the current, not against it. He
-took what water he could dip up in this manner.
-
-If the sick man was not very ill, this one dose would cure him; but if
-he was very ill other hochinagen who have this same kind of medicine
-must come to assist in the cure. They must cook a kettle of white beans
-for themselves and the singers who come to sing that night; they would
-also give strength to the medicine by the burning of tobacco as
-directed by the birds.
-
-The first sentence of the song is “Now, this is the medicine to be
-taken.” When the medicine is swallowed the words are, “Now, let it
-begin to work over all his body.”
-
-If the patient recovered his health he must celebrate the event by
-preparing a feast, the chief dish of which must be a great kettle of
-hulled corn seasoned with meat or venison cut into small pieces.
-
-The hochinagen who gave him the medicine must come to sing and dance in
-honor of the medicine through whose aid they were enabled to cure the
-patient. Some of the sentences employed in the songs are: “The spirits
-have come and they have cured the ill person”; “We now dismiss them
-with thanksgiving”; and then they sing the songs employed when
-preparing the medicine, of which some of the sentences are: “I have
-been to the place of the plant”; “I have been to the mountain”; “I have
-been at the falls”; “I have been beyond the clouds”; etc. After recess
-they use: “Now we have assembled where the tobacco is”; “Now they meet
-together, say the ducks”; “Now the deer with two prongs say, ‘We have
-assembled,’” and similar lines. Only hochinagen may sing at this feast.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS
-
-PART 2
-
-Seneca material collected by J. N. B. HEWITT in native text, in 1896,
-on Cattaraugus Reservation, New York, and translated by him, with two
-texts with interlinear translations.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS
-
-
-108. THE LEGEND OF HAYANOWE (“HE-THE-FLEET-FOOTED”)
-
-Once there dwelt together in a lodge in a village two brothers. The
-time of the story is autumn.
-
-It so happened that the elder brother said to the younger, “Now, let us
-go to the forest to hunt deer.” The younger answered, “So be it. We
-will take our blowguns.” But the elder said: “As for me, I will not
-take a blowgun. I will make use of a tomahawk and a knife, for the
-reason that I am very fleet-footed.” The younger brother rejoined, “Let
-it be so. I am satisfied with what you suggest,” adding, “Come, now!
-let us start for the forest.”
-
-So they started for their destination in a distant forest. They
-encamped on the way three nights before they reached the rendezvous
-where they knew game animals abounded. Then they erected at once a
-temporary shelter for their camp.
-
-In the morning the elder said, “Now, early in the day we must go out to
-do our hunting.” But the younger brother replied, “You must follow me
-around in the forest, and then you will see how fleet I am on the
-course.” Then the two started out from their camp to hunt. Carrying
-only a tomahawk and a hunting knife, the younger brother took the lead,
-while the elder brother followed him, as requested. Just before
-starting from their lodge the younger brother said to the elder: “Do
-not take a blowgun with you, for just as soon as I kill anything you
-must bring it back to our camp.”
-
-Having gone into the forest some distance, they finally saw a large
-herd of deer, which at once fled from them, whereupon, then, the
-younger brother said: “Whenever I kill one I will call out in a loud
-voice, ʻam, ʻam.” So saying, with loud shouts he pursued the deer into
-the forest, and by the time the sun marked midday he had overtaken and
-killed six deer, on account of his great fleetness of foot. Then the
-two brothers rested from hunting for the day.
-
-When they had retired to their camp, the elder, addressing his younger
-brother, said, “Do not ever say that you are fleet of foot, because
-that quality is an essential of your character.” But the hot-headed
-younger brother answered, “I am fleet-footed, anyway.” At this the
-elder brother scolded him, saying, “Do not ever say that again, because
-something sinister will happen to us owing to that.” But the younger,
-heedless of the advice, rejoined: “Let it be so then. I shall match
-myself, however, with anything, be it an animal or a human being; it
-matters not what it may be.”
-
-When night came they lay down to sleep. In the morning, after their
-morning meal, the two again went forth to hunt. After a long tramp they
-reached a place in which they saw many deer. At once the younger
-brother began to shout loudly in order to frighten the deer, so that
-they would run away from him, and he would have the opportunity of
-overtaking them. Hearing his outcries, the deer fled from him, and the
-youth pursued them. By midday he had overtaken and killed six deer.
-
-As he was returning to his camp, he was surprised to hear the voice of
-a man speaking to him, saying, “Verily, is it not you who are fleet of
-foot and swift on the course?” Looking around, the now frightened youth
-saw at one side an opening—a roadway, as it were, through the
-forest—and standing in this roadway at some distance he saw a man, or
-what he took to be a man, gazing at him. Boastingly the youth replied,
-“It is certainly true that I am fleet-footed.” Then the strange man, or
-what the youth took to be a man, said: “I will run a race with you. You
-keep saying at all times and places that there is no one able to
-outfoot you, so let us make an agreement to run a race with certain
-conditions tomorrow. At midday we shall meet here in this place; right
-here. And we will agree to wager our lives on the issue of the race.
-One of the conditions of the race must be that I shall follow you for
-two days. When we start let us be as far apart as we are now—the
-distance from the spot where you are standing to this place where I
-stand. You shall choose the direction that we shall take in the race,
-whether we shall camp for the night, or not. When you decide that we
-shall camp for the night, you must say, ‘We will camp for the night’;
-and where you stop you shall make a mark from which you shall start in
-the morning, and then you can go aside to camp for the night. And there
-you may kindle a fire and prepare any food that you may have with you
-(said sneeringly).”
-
-Then the youth who was swift of foot answered: “I agree to your
-proposition, and if at the end of two days you do not overtake me, then
-I shall pursue you.”
-
-Then the strange man rejoined, “We have now come to an agreement on
-this matter, and you must tell your elder brother of it.” The
-fleet-footed youth replied, “Let it be so; I will tell it to my elder
-brother.” Thereupon the strange man admonished the youth, saying, “You
-must not fail in the least to be here just at midday tomorrow, and we
-shall stand here again.” Then the youth, answering, said, “So let it
-be,” and he started for the place where stood the temporary camp of his
-elder brother and himself.
-
-When he arrived there he found his brother at home. As soon as his
-elder brother looked at him he said, “You look very dejected; possibly
-you are ill.” The younger brother said: “I am not at all ill. Perhaps
-the reason why I am looking as I do is that I saw a strange man, who
-said to me, ‘Are you the person who keeps on saying “I am swift of
-foot?”’ I replied that I am the person. Thereupon the stranger said, ‘I
-will run you a race just to test your words. So tomorrow when the sun
-will be at midday here in this very place you and I must again stand,
-and from this place you and I must start.’ Moreover, he told me that I
-must inform you, my elder brother. So I have now informed you.” And he
-continued to sit with his head bowed as if in deep trouble.
-
-Then the elder brother said: “Oh! my younger brother, you and I are
-brothers, and we are about to die because of your doing that which I
-have frequently forbidden you doing, namely, your continually saying,
-‘I am fleet-footed.’ I kept saying to you that your talking thus would
-bring us misfortune. Now that form of talking has this day severed our
-minds one from the other.” Thereupon the elder brother began to shed
-tears of bitter grief, saying between paroxysms of weeping: “Perhaps
-that thing with which you have made an agreement to run a foot race
-with your life as a wager is not at all a human being. Verily, no one
-knows of what abominable species of monsters it comes.”
-
-Seemingly undismayed, the younger brother replied, “Oh! my elder
-brother, now you must make me two pairs of moccasins, and I shall take
-with me also two ears of parched corn, which I shall place in my
-bosom.” So the elder brother sat up the entire night to make the two
-pairs of moccasins which his younger brother required in his race on
-the morrow.
-
-In the morning the two brothers conversed together. The elder said:
-“When you start away I shall go to notify our friends in their
-encampment; for perhaps the person with whom you are to run a foot race
-is not a human being. Perhaps, too, you are about to die, so you and I
-may be now talking together for the last time.” Then they parted there.
-
-The younger brother went to the place where he had agreed to be at
-midday for the beginning of the two days’ foot race. In due time he
-arrived at the spot, and he was surprised to see standing there the
-strange man who had challenged him to the race, and who now addressing
-him said, “Now, truly, you have arrived on time.” In reply Hayanowe
-(“He-the-Fleet-footed”) said, “I have arrived all right, and I am ready
-for the race.” To this the stranger answered, “Come, now, which way
-shall we go?” The youth then said, “So let it be. We will go toward the
-east—toward the sunrise.” The strange man replied, “Come on then. Get
-ready; and when you are ready you must say, ‘Come now; I am ready.’”
-
-In a short time the youth said, “Come on now; I am ready.” Then the two
-started on a run. The youth Hayanowe struck a steady gait. When the sun
-was at the meridian, and again when it was midway between noon and
-sunset, the strange man urged his youthful competitor, saying, “Exert
-yourself, my friend.” These admonitions caused the youth some
-perturbations of spirit; he even feared for his life; so he put forth
-his topmost speed and ran swiftly until nearly sunset, when the
-standing trees gave out loud sounds, which seemed to come as the result
-of a force which struck them hard. Thereupon the youth heard the
-strange man shout to him, “Exert yourself, my friend; I will overtake
-you indeed.”
-
-Then it became night, and the youth, remembering one of the provisions
-of his agreement with the stranger, although he somewhat doubted the
-stranger’s sincerity in making it, said in a loud voice, “Let us two
-camp for the night, as we have agreed to do.” The stranger replied, “So
-be it. Have you marked the end of your run for the day, too?” The youth
-answered, “I have marked it, indeed.” To this the stranger rejoined,
-“So be it. You may eat your food now, and so will I. You also must
-kindle a fire if you need it.” So the youth kindled a fire, and so the
-strange man did likewise. The youth could plainly see the fire of the
-stranger, for it was not far away at all, indicating that his opponent
-was close at his heels in the race. He then took out his parched corn
-and ate it, after warming it at the fire. Hayanowe was ill at ease, for
-he fully realized that he had unexpectedly met his match, perhaps more
-than his match. While he was eating his parched corn the strange man
-said to him, “In the morning, just as soon as you are ready to take up
-the race again, you must say aloud, ‘I have now taken my stand on the
-scratch.’” The youth, answering him, said, “Let it be as you say.” But
-he could not sleep during the entire night. He spent the time in
-devising some plan by which he might win the race from the unknown
-stranger, whether man or beast. He thought of many things, finally
-deciding that he would choose deep thickets as the course of the race,
-to see whether they would not retard the fleetness of his antagonist.
-
-The next morning very early he made his usual preparations and then
-went to the scratch. Standing there, he shouted to his antagonist, “I
-am now ready.” The stranger answered, “So be it. And you must also say
-as you start, ‘Come now.’” The young man, giving the required verbal
-notice of his start, leaped forward with a bound, as did his antagonist
-and challenger.
-
-The youth exerted himself to the utmost, indeed, running at his topmost
-speed. Finally he came to a dense thicket, which was large in extent,
-which he entered at once. Stopping for a moment, he listened intently
-for sounds made by his pursuer. It was not long before he heard the
-sounds in the distance made by the stranger as he, too, entered the
-thicket. The crackling of sticks and boughs sounded to him as if the
-object pursuing him possessed great weight and strength.
-
-In resuming his race for life, the youth said in his mind: “So now it
-is again my turn to flee. I shall go back to the place where abide my
-kinsfolk and my elder brother.” He then changed his course from the
-east to the southwest. Running at top speed, he came to a mountain,
-which he ascended and passed over. Then, not knowing whether his
-challenger was still on his track, he listened for any sounds which
-might indicate that he was being pursued. He had not been standing
-there long when he heard the voice of his pursuer in the distance say,
-“Exert yourself, my friend.” Again the youth put forth all his power,
-running as swiftly as it was possible for him to do. He was directing
-his course for the place where abode his kinsfolk and his elder
-brother, for he had repassed their temporary camp in the forest, but
-his brother had already fled. So he kept on thinking, “He has gone back
-to the place where dwell my kinsfolk.” Having arrived there, he found
-that they, too, had left their settlement, because his dear elder
-brother had informed them of the conditions of the foot race, whereupon
-they decided at once that their kinsman’s antagonist was not a human
-being. They had fled because the elder brother had said: “We shall all
-die if we remain here. I really do not know what kind of a being it is
-that has challenged my younger brother to this foot race. Come, then,
-let us flee from here.”
-
-The youth, surmising where they had gone in their distress, followed a
-course which would take him to their asylum. While he was running he
-was greatly surprised to find a woman lying in his path. Stopping a
-moment, he asked, “What is the matter with you?” She replied, “I was
-ill when they decided to flee, so they built a cradle in which to bear
-me along with them. They bore me along in it. Finally I said, ‘Put me
-down here in this place, because I am ill in the manner of all women.’
-[404] I will die here. Not having any women to bear me, I was left by
-them here. And you must beware for I am still ill in the manner of all
-women, and I am very, very ill thereby.”
-
-The youth, answering, said, “So be it. Right here you and I are about
-to die. There is coming behind me an animal, and I do not know what it
-is or what it looks like. And I do not know whether we shall be aided
-by what I am about to suggest.” Then he came forward from the direction
-he had come and corpus ejus (mulieris) ille ita convertit ut pedes ad
-animal appropinquans spectarent; eoque tempore cruribus mulieris
-expansis omnibusque vestimentis ab ea sublatis corpus ejus sanguine
-mentruo opertum vidit. Then He-the-Fleet-footed said to her, “Now, you
-must remain perfectly quiet; do not move under any circumstances.” So
-saying, he concealed himself behind a large tree near by, behind which
-he awaited developments.
-
-Looking back to the spot where the woman lay, he heard the sounds,
-Woqʹ, woqʹ, woqʹ, approaching nearer and nearer and resounding very
-loud. While looking back to see what was in pursuit of him, he saw at
-last an animal following his tracks on the run. It was very large,
-without a tail, and it had no hair on its body; there were only a few
-bristles, which stood along the center of its back.
-
-It came up to the place where the woman lay and it stopped there [tum
-se gessit tamquam si aliquid insoliti odoraretur, cruoremque circa
-corpus mulieris concretum intuitum est. Jam brevi tempore corpus
-animalis tamquam frigore tremuit, iterumque sanguinem odorans]; its
-body again quivered violently, and the great creature became nauseated.
-It vomited a great quantity of blood, and in a short time fell over
-dead, and its feet resounded on the ground.
-
-The youth, who watched these things from his position behind the great
-tree, now went to the place where the animal lay; when he placed his
-foot on the body the entire carcass moved to and fro, showing that the
-beast was dead. Then the boy removed the woman to a spot some distance
-from the place where she first lay, saying to her for her comfort, “Lie
-here a while. I will pursue our kinsfolk to learn whither they have
-gone.” Thereupon he started on the trail with great fleetness of foot.
-He had not followed the trail very far when he overtook them; they were
-in large number, and among them was his elder brother. Coming up to
-them, he said, “You must all turn back to see what kind of an animal it
-was against which I ran the foot race.”
-
-So all the people turned back, going directly to the place where they
-had left the woman who was ill. When they reached the spot the ancients
-held a council and, after carefully examining the animal, said, “This
-is what is called Yăʼgwaiʻhē.[405] It is this thing which you overcame
-in the foot race, the conditions of which have now been fulfilled. You
-two wagered your heads on the issue of the trial of speed. So, then, we
-will now kindle a huge fire. Let each one bring a piece of dry fuel.”
-So, going out into the neighboring forest, each brought back a piece of
-dry wood; with this wood they kindled a great fire. As soon as the fire
-had become very large they cast into it the body of this animal, and
-then they threw dry wood on the top of the body, causing the fire to
-burn fiercely. When the fire died down only a few charred bones were
-left of the huge animal. Then the eldest man of the assembly said: “Let
-each one take a portion of these bones and make of it a fetish
-(otcinăʻkĕⁿʼʹdăʼ) for hunting some kind of game animal, which he must
-name; this fetish will give him the power to kill easily the animal
-thus named.” So each of the assembly did as the hochinagen had
-directed. One would take up a fragment saying, “I will employ this for
-hunting the bear.” Another would say, “I will make use of this in
-hunting deer.” A third person, “I will employ this for hunting
-raccoons.” A fourth, “I will use this for hunting the otter.” A fifth,
-“I will use this for fishing for sturgeon.” A sixth person, “I will
-make use of this for trapping minks.” A seventh, “I will employ this
-for hunting the raven.” An eighth, “I will use this for hunting women
-(i.e., for winning the favors of the women).” Lastly, some vulgar,
-worthless persons would say that they would employ the bones for
-various filthy functions of the body.
-
-Then placing on a pack-cradle for carrying wounded persons the woman
-who was ill, they started for their homes, where they arrived safe.
-This is the end of the story of Hayanowe.
-
-
-
-
-
-109. OÑGWEʻ HAÑGESʹʻHÄʼ AND GAJIHSONDIS (SKIN-OF-MAN AND SPIKE-HITTER
-[406])
-
-In former times an uncle and his nephew dwelt together in a lodge. The
-name of the old man was Oñgwe Hañgesha and that of his nephew
-Gajihsondis.
-
-It was the custom of the uncle when he left to be absent some time to
-fasten his nephew securely in the lodge. He was also in the habit of
-giving to his nephew the foot of a bear, with these instructions: “You
-must remain in here quietly, and you must continue to shoot at the
-bear’s foot. Whenever you hit the foot you shall say aloud,
-‘Gajihsondis,’ but if it so happen that you do not hit the foot, you
-shall not say that name. So you must keep at this business during the
-entire day, but whenever you become hungry you must eat food which you
-know is here ready for you to eat. Just as soon as you have finished
-your meal, then you must again begin to shoot at the bear’s foot; you
-must not stop in this task, but must continue to shoot at the bear’s
-foot without ceasing.”
-
-So the little nephew did as his uncle had instructed him to do, and
-whenever he was fortunate enough to hit the bear’s foot he would
-exclaim loudly, “Wagajihsondis!”
-
-At last the nephew began to wonder what his uncle ate, for he had never
-seen him eating anything. So Gajihsondis finally decided to watch the
-old man and to continue doing so during the approaching night, as the
-young boy had concluded that his uncle ate his meals at night. The boy
-mused to himself, saying, “Tonight I will watch my uncle during the
-whole time.”
-
-So in the evening, when Gajihsondis lay down for the night, he wrapped
-himself up in an old piece of skin; he lay on one side of the fire and
-his uncle on the other. There was a rent in the skin covering of
-Gajihsondis, probably a hole which he had made in it for the occasion,
-and through this he peered as he watched his uncle. This hole in the
-skin was very, very small. The boy did not sleep, but kept a watch on
-his uncle to learn on what the latter fed to sustain life, for they two
-had never taken a meal together.
-
-At midnight, possibly a little past that time, the small boy, who was
-on the watch, was surprised to see his uncle blow with great force on
-the fire in the fireplace.[407] At once sparks shot up from the fire,
-some of which fell on the boy as he lay there. But the little hero kept
-quite still, although his uncle, in order to see whether the boy was
-awake, said, “Gwēʹʻ, my nephew, you will burn; look out!” But still the
-boy kept still. Then, after the lapse of a long time, the uncle arose
-and while watching the seemingly sleeping boy, drew from beneath his
-couch a bark case, such as was in use in the early times. He took
-therefrom a small kettle and from the kettle something which the
-watching boy did not recognize. The old man hung the kettle over the
-fire, and then he again blew on the fire and the flames began to burn
-briskly; and he kept on blowing the fire until it had become hot enough
-to cook a meal. He had placed water in the kettle when he set it over
-the fire—just the right amount for his purpose. Then the old man began
-to scrape some object and permitted the scrapings to fall into the
-kettle. The old man was acting just as one would have acted while
-making chestnut mush. All the time he was being watched by his nephew,
-who was called “Gajihsondis.”
-
-When the mush was cooked the old man removed the kettle from the fire
-and set it aside, and then he took out what he had cooked in a bark
-dish and began to eat. When he had finished his meal, he blew on the
-kettle and it began at once to grow small in size; then, blowing on it
-a second time, the kettle became as small as it was at first, which was
-very, very small. When it had returned to its normal size the old man
-wrapped it up in something which the watching nephew did not recognize,
-but before doing so he placed in the kettle the something out of which
-he had made the mush which he had just eaten. Then he again drew out
-the bark case from beneath his couch and replaced therein the kettle
-and its contents. Having done this, he pushed the case back into its
-hiding place. Thereupon the old man lay down again. His nephew had
-observed him carefully in all that he had done—this for the first time
-since they two had lived together, and while the boy was growing up.
-
-The morning after this episode the old man made his usual preparations
-for going out to hunt, and said to his nephew, “You must eat whenever
-you get hungry.” He repeated this saying often.
-
-Then the boy began to sport, as he had been instructed to do by his
-uncle. Wherever he threw the bear’s foot he would attempt to hit it by
-shooting at it. Throwing it here, he would shoot at it, and throwing it
-there, he would shoot at it. When he hit it he would exclaim loudly
-“Gajihsondis,” as he had been told to do.
-
-When it was the usual time for the uncle to return from his hunting
-trip, the boy would say to himself, “My uncle will soon be back now.”
-So one day the youth said, “I believe I will prepare food for my uncle
-against the time of his return.” Going at once to his uncle’s couch, he
-drew from under it the bark case and took therefrom the kettle, which
-was very small in size, and also an insignificant looking object
-contained in the latter, which his uncle had scraped down to about
-one-half its original size.
-
-Next the lad blew on the kettle to increase its size, as he had seen
-his uncle do, and after it had become sufficiently large he put water
-into it and set it over the fire, musing to himself, “So be it. I will
-now prepare food for my uncle, for he soon will return very hungry.”
-The lad now blew on the kettle the second time, whereupon it increased
-slightly only in size; so he continued to blow on it until finally it
-was large enough to suit him, when he said, “It is now large enough.”
-
-Then he began to scrape into the kettle from the small object, but soon
-he exclaimed, “Oh, pshaw! it is not enough. I will scrape it all into
-the kettle.” Having done this he said, “Perhaps this food is abundant
-in the place whence he obtains it, so I have used it all.” As he began
-to stir it briskly, using a paddle for the purpose, the mush commenced
-to boil with great violence. At last, realizing that the mush was
-rapidly increasing in quantity in the kettle, the boy merely kept on
-stirring it. As soon as he began to blow on it to cool it, the mush
-increased still more rapidly in bulk. While he continued to stir and
-blow on the mush, it began to overflow and to fill the room around the
-fire. Still he kept on as before (not realizing the effect of his
-blowing), until at last he had to run over the couches at the side of
-the room in his anxiety to stir the mush, for he was now thoroughly
-frightened at what he had done. As he again blew on the mush flowing
-from the kettle it still continued to increase in quantity until
-finally he was driven from the room by the great mass, and had to climb
-upon the roof of the lodge. Here he ran around while he vigorously
-stirred the mush, which, with the kettle, entirely filled the lodge.
-
-Suddenly he noticed his uncle approaching in great haste, anxiously
-looking up at the lodge, for he saw his nephew Gajihsondis running
-around on the roof. When the uncle reached the doorway, which, as was
-the custom in those times, was closed by two pieces of bark, he found
-these ajar, for the inside of the lodge was, as already said, filled
-with the mush and kettle. The uncle began to blow on the mush,
-whereupon it at once diminished in quantity, and after he had blown on
-it many times it was reduced to small bulk.
-
-The nephew still stood on the roof of the lodge, greatly frightened.
-The uncle said to him, “Come, now, Gajihsondis, get down from there.”
-At this the nephew descended from the roof and reentered the lodge.
-Thereupon his uncle said, “Now you have killed me. I did not think that
-you would do this, although fear that you might is the reason why I
-never permitted you to see me prepare my food, because you have no
-sense.” Then covering himself with a skin robe, he lay down, adding:
-“So I shall die here. I do not know that there is anything left for me
-to eat. Hunger will kill me, and you have brought this about by your
-acts.” Having said this he covered himself up completely.
-
-Thereupon the boy arose and standing beside the couch of his uncle,
-said beseechingly, “Oh, my uncle! my mother’s brother, only have pity
-on me. But tell me where the place is in which abounds that on which
-you live?” The old uncle replied commiseratingly: “It is no use for me
-to tell you. You are not able to go to obtain it, on account of the
-great difficulties along the path; there are all manner of discouraging
-perils along the way, for all manner of demoniac creatures lay in
-ambush along the path.[408] And so for these reasons I think you are
-unable to undertake the task of trying to get me more of my food.” The
-boy simply asked, “What is the name of the substance you eat?” “It is
-called Chestnut. Far from here it is planted by personages, beastlike
-in appearance, which are full of evil magic power or otkon in their
-actions.” “Oh, mother’s brother! it is needful for you to tell me the
-direction that the path takes going to that place,” said the lad. The
-uncle answered, “It is impossible for you to do anything in that
-direction; you are powerless. You can not make the attempt and live.”
-Then after some reflection he added, “The path leads directly west from
-here.” To this the boy Gajihsondis answered: “I will make the attempt.
-I will start, and I will get this thing called Chestnut that you are in
-the habit of eating. So now I go. I have fastened together two limbs.
-You must look at these from time to time. Whenever they break apart,
-you will know that I have had ill luck away from here; that probably I
-shall be killed by them. So only keep a watch on this thing, and if it
-chance that they do not break apart, you may expect me to return after
-the lapse of some time, bringing chestnuts.” So saying, the boy started
-on his journey.
-
-After going some distance he found a very narrow path which led
-directly westward, and remarked, “This is perhaps the path indicated by
-my uncle.” Finally he started to run, when all at once he heard sounds
-seemingly made by a rattle. Keeping on, at last he came to the place
-whence the sounds proceeded. There he found two huge rattlesnakes, one
-on each side of the path, blocking it in such manner that he could not
-pass. Going aside, he killed a large number of chipmunks, which he
-bound into two equal bundles. Returning to the place where the two
-rattlesnakes were on guard, he said to them, “You two seem to be in
-need of food, and so I think that you two would like to eat these
-things.” With these words he threw a bundle of chipmunks to each of the
-rattlesnakes, which they ate.
-
-After the two rattlesnakes had devoured the chipmunks the boy said to
-them in a commanding tone: “You two must withdraw from this place, for,
-you know, you are slaves, indeed; you must go from place to place to
-hunt for your food, for this is always pleasant; and He who gave
-faculties to our bodies did not intend that anyone should be held in
-bondage.” Thereupon the two rattlesnakes withdrew and went aside from
-that place; thus were they freed from their bondage to sorcerers.
-
-Then the boy left on a very swift run, carrying only his bow and
-arrows. Again, after having gone a long distance, he heard sounds in
-the distance. Having reached the place whence came the sounds, he was
-surprised to find there a great bear just beside the path, and, looking
-on the other side of the path, he saw another of equal size and
-ferocity; they were in ambush and barred the passage of the path. The
-noises that he had heard were made by the tusks of these animals, which
-projected far from their jaws and could be heard at a long distance,
-thus—dūʼ, dūʼ, dūʼ, dūʼ.
-
-Then the boy, taking his bow and arrows, went aside to hunt. He killed
-two fawns, one of which he threw to the one bear, and the other to the
-other bear, in order to occupy their minds and mouths. He said to these
-guarding beasts: “It is too bad that you two are barring the way. One
-might think you would be glad to eat this food which I now offer you.”
-The bears ate what had been given to them and were quiet for the time
-being. The youth then gave them this command: “You must withdraw from
-this place; what you are now eating is abundant, as is well known; and
-you must eat this kind of food regularly hereafter. You shall be free
-to go and come as you choose, for He who made our lives did not intend
-that you should be enslaved by sorcerers and confined to one place.”
-The two bears at once fled from the spot, one going in one direction
-and the other in another.
-
-Then the boy went on his way. He had not gone very far when he heard
-other sounds—dūmʻ, dūmʻ, dūmʻ. He soon came to the place where the
-sounds were made, and he was indeed frightened, for then the sounds
-were fearful in volume and rapidity. He was astonished to see two great
-firedragons in ambush, guarding the pathway. Thereupon the boy said,
-“So let it be; I will make the attempt.” Running aside, he killed a
-large deer, and having dragged the body back to the place where the two
-firedragons were, he divided it into two portions. Then saying, “You
-two are guarding this pathway, and one would think that you might eat
-what I am offering you.” He threw a piece to each of them. They were
-pleased to get this food, which they ate ravenously; after doing this
-they were quiet for the time being. Then the boy again spoke, saying,
-“You two beings must withdraw from this place. This is food good to
-eat; it is called deer meat. You now go to some other place. You are
-indeed slaves, are you not? But He who completed our lives did not
-intend that anyone should be a slave to a sorcerer.” He ceased
-speaking, and the two firedragons fled from the spot, as they had
-obtained their liberty.
-
-Now the boy passed on. After having run a long way from his home, he
-suddenly saw in the distance openings in the forest, which seemed to
-indicate that there might be people dwelling in those places. So he
-went along slowly and craftily, concealing himself as much as possible;
-he arrived at the edge of the clearing, where he stood for a while. He
-looked around to learn, if possible, what other antagonists he had to
-meet. Suddenly he saw hanging up not far away the skin of a dead woman
-watching the pathway. This woman’s skin [409] was guarding the trees of
-chestnuts which grew in the clearing into which the boy had come. In
-performing this duty the skin kept saying, “I espy (out-eye) you. You
-who are a human being, I suppose.” But the boy kept very still,
-standing at the edge of the clearing. He saw in the distance a lodge
-that stood on the farther side of the clearing, and he saw women going
-in and coming out of it. Most of these were maidens. On looking around
-the boy saw the chestnut trees that grew there, and he noticed that
-they bore many burs. He realized at once that within these burs were
-the chestnuts. And as he watched he saw some of the chestnuts fall from
-the trees.
-
-But while he was thus engrossed he was surprised to hear the woman’s
-skin begin to sing, Giʹ-nu, giʹ-nu, giʹ-nu, giʹ-nu; “I espy a human
-being,” and then out of the lodge in the distance the boy saw three
-women and their mother emerge. The mother, addressing her daughters,
-exclaimed, “Exert yourselves, my children! I suppose, now, that some
-one has come to rob us of our chestnuts.” The skirts of these women
-reached to a point just above their knees, and they carried war clubs.
-They ran toward the place where hung the woman’s skin, which was
-guarding their chestnut trees. When they arrived there they found no
-human being. Thereupon the old woman angrily said, “Indeed, you have
-told a falsehood,” and struck the hanging skin with her war club, and
-each of her daughters, running up, did likewise. Then all the women
-went back to their lodge, and the boy said to himself, “How may I
-deceive this woman on the watch?” At last he hit upon a scheme which he
-thought would accomplish his purpose. Stripping off a piece of basswood
-bark as wide as his person, he removed the outside rough portion of
-suitable length. Spreading this out on the ground, he drew thereon with
-a piece of charcoal the outlines of many kinds of animals, all true to
-nature. He then filled the outlines with the animals he had drawn—the
-bear, the deer, the wolf, the fox, and the raccoon; in fact, with the
-forms of all the animals.
-
-Then the youth returned to the edge of the clearing, where he again
-took his stand. He found the skin of the dead woman still hanging
-there, watching, looking this way and that, to detect, if possible, the
-approach of any stranger. In full readiness to execute his design, he
-finally started toward the skin, and, running swiftly, reached the spot
-before she was aware of his approach. Seizing it at once, the skin
-ceased swinging. Thereupon the boy said to it: “Do not report my taking
-this pile of chestnuts away with me. I will pay you for this favor;
-indeed, I will pay you a very high price; it is of the value of a man’s
-life. I will pay you with what is called a wampum belt, which is made
-of wampum beads.” Saying this, he gave her what he had made, and she
-accepted it. She opened her eyes wide in looking at it, exclaiming,
-“Oh! it is beautiful,” for it looked fine to her, and she laughed with
-delight. Then she said, “So be it; I will not give the alarm.”
-Answering, “Do not give the alarm,” he proceeded to take a bark case of
-chestnuts which had been left there temporarily. Placing this on his
-back by means of a forehead strap, he departed at once. He had not gone
-very far when suddenly he heard the voice of the hanging skin of the
-woman singing, “Giʹ-nuʻ, giʹ-nuʻ, giʹ-nuʻ; one has closed my mouth with
-a belt of wampum. Giʹ-nuʻ; at the edge of the clearing goes the pack of
-chestnuts.”
-
-On hearing this, the old woman, the mother of the three women in the
-distant lodge, said urgently, “Take courage! Bestir yourselves, my
-children! I suppose some one has now robbed us of our chestnuts.” In a
-moment they rushed out of the lodge and ran toward the place where the
-woman’s skin hung swinging to and fro, singing the notes of alarm. They
-soon arrived there, and, lo! the skin swung to and fro, gazing intently
-at a wampum belt, and saying, “It is of the value of a human life, and
-by it one closed my mouth.” The women rushed up, and their mother
-snatched the so-called belt from her hands, exclaiming: “This is not a
-wampum belt; it is a piece of bark, and still you say it is a belt of
-wampum. You, indeed, have no sense.” And throwing the piece of bark
-away she struck the skin of the woman a cruel blow with her war club.
-Continuing her rebuke, she said, “It is too true that you have no
-sense. It is entirely your fault that one has robbed us of our
-chestnuts.” Then the woman, looking far away in the distance, saw the
-pack, consisting of the case of chestnuts, disappearing in the forest
-beyond the edge of the clearing. Then the old woman said: “Come! Let us
-pursue him. It is distressing to think that he has robbed us. On the
-other hand, it seems that he is a person who has more orenda (magic
-power) than his uncle Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ (“Human Skin”), this
-Gajihsondis. So, therefore, let us pursue him and kill him with blows
-of our war clubs. If, perchance, we may be able to overtake him, we
-will surely kill him.”
-
-It so happened that Gajihsondis heard the footsteps of the women as
-they drew near in pursuit of him, and without further ado, he took his
-pack from his back and laid it down, and seated himself beside it.
-
-When the women came close to him on the run, he struck the case of
-chestnuts with his arrow, saying: “It seems that I should sing you a
-song so that you may dance, because you come in so great anger. It is
-fine, indeed. The song that I will sing is pleasant to hear. So, now,
-you must dance.”
-
-Then he sang: “One shall not return from the upper side of the sky. One
-shall not return from the upper side of the sky. One shall not return
-from the upper side of the sky. One shall not rob me of my song (the
-orenda of my song).” He kept on singing this song; and the women, the
-mother and her daughters, danced without ceasing as they circled around
-the spot where he was seated; and the mother kept on saying, “Exert
-yourselves my children; this is a very fine song.” But Gajihsondis kept
-on singing, “On the upper side of the sky, on the upper side of the
-sky, on the upper side of the sky, one shall not return thence”; and
-the women kept on rising in the air. Before long they had ascended half
-the height of the tallest trees, and they still danced on. Then
-Gajihsondis suddenly ceased his singing, and taking up his pack and
-slinging it on his back by the forehead strap, started on homeward
-leisurely. He had not gone very far when suddenly he saw the body of a
-woman falling, followed in quick succession by the bodies of three
-other women, all falling, head foremost, to the earth.
-
-Then the young man started for home, but he stopped along the way to
-rest at times. Without further adventure he reached his uncle’s lodge,
-bearing the bark case full of chestnuts. On reaching the lodge he
-called out, “Oh, my uncle! Are you still living?” The old man, who was
-indeed feeble, replied: “Alas, my nephew, it can still be said I am yet
-alive, my nephew—you who are called Gajihsondis.” His nephew answered:
-“I have now returned, and I bring with me what I sought to obtain; I
-have a large quantity. So now you can eat again, and now I will prepare
-mush of chestnuts for you, and you will again become satisfied with a
-sufficiency of food, and will recover your health.” So saying, the
-young man set to work making a very large quantity of the mush for his
-poor old uncle. When it was cooked, he removed the kettle containing it
-from the fire and poured the mush on a piece of bark. Then he went to
-the side of his uncle, and raising him up and urging him to be of good
-cheer, fed him the mush, although his uncle could hardly move. The old
-man ate the mush, for he was nearly famished; his privations had
-reduced his body to a mere skeleton—just skin and bones. He ate a large
-quantity before he had enough. He did indeed recover his strength and
-health.
-
-Later the old man said to his nephew: “My nephew, I am very thankful
-indeed that you were able to accomplish this great task. The only thing
-I did was to watch the branch, which was the index of your state and
-situation. I could only think that you were still alive. I now again
-thank you for being able to accomplish this great task. On my part, I
-am much delighted with our fortune.
-
-“Now I am going to ask you by what unheard-of means did you accomplish
-this great task.” The young man answered: “I, of course, know, but I
-will tell you only this: That I have destroyed all those women,
-possessed of great orenda and moved by evil purposes.” The uncle said,
-“So be it. What a wonderful thing this is. You and I will return to
-that place.” To this the youth replied: “So let it be,” and then, after
-making their usual preparations, they departed. They stopped along the
-route and finally reached the spot where the women dwelt who had
-planted chestnut trees. The only one who was alive was the skin of the
-woman which was hung up to swing to and fro and to watch and to give
-the alarm should any person make his appearance.
-
-When they arrived at the empty lodge of the women they unfastened and
-uncovered the bark cases containing chestnuts, which the women had
-stored and guarded from all mankind. Taking up a handful of the
-chestnuts, the old man exclaimed in a loud voice: “All people shall eat
-this food. Never shall it again be the possession of a single family,
-but it shall be for all human beings”; and they scattered the chestnuts
-in all directions by handfuls. When they had completed their task they
-went to the place where the skin of the woman was swinging to and fro.
-Arriving there, they took down the skin, and the old man said to her:
-“You shall go together with us to our home. You will recover, indeed,
-from that awful thing which the women had done to you, and you shall be
-restored to the likeness of a living human being.” So saying, he
-proceeded to rub her entire body with his hands reenforced by his great
-orenda (magic power). She soon was restored to her normal figure and
-condition, and she again had the appearance of a human being.
-
-Then the old man, Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ, said to her and his nephew, “Come
-now, let us start for home”; and after making suitable preparations,
-they departed. They stopped to camp many places on the way, but in due
-time they arrived at their home, whereupon the old man said to his
-nephew: “We have now returned to our home. You have now also grown to
-manhood, and it is a custom that when one attains to manhood, he
-marries. Marriage must take place in your case now. You must start on a
-10-days’ journey. There are on the way 10 camping places with
-fireplaces, which are visible. That is the distance which you must go.
-To reach this place you must go eastward, and there you will find a
-valley. You must go along the path leading thither. You must summon all
-your courage and resolution in undertaking this journey, for along this
-path there are found all manner of difficulties and dangers. Along this
-path you will find one who is called Sʻhodieʹoⁿskoⁿʼ (the Abuseful
-Trickster), who continually haunts this pathway. Come, now! I will
-dress you for the occasion.” So he anointed him abundantly with
-sunflower oil over his entire body. He said to him: “You must take
-along with you this pouch of human skin, in which there is a smoking
-pipe which was the skull of a human being; and for a lighter there are
-a flint and a piece of tinder, or punk; and also an awl and a knife.
-These are the things this pouch contains, and with these you will
-provide for your needs on the way. You must now start. The trees along
-the way have been blazed, and you will find the camping places,
-although it is not certain that they are still easily discovered. But
-you must find them, and there you must spend the night. This you must
-do for 10 nights, and then your pathway will lead you to the valley.
-There you shall find assembled a large concourse of people, and you
-shall see there also the home of a woman who has a tall tree, on the
-top of which are perched mysterious Hawks (?), three in number, which
-are her servants and which obey her thaumaturgic commands; but these
-are three of her daughters. He who will hit one of these mysterious
-birds shall be privileged to marry her youngest daughter, who is a
-“down-fended” [410] virgin; that is to say, a noble virgin. So the
-fortunate one shall marry her. And so you shall go thither. It is known
-that in the days that have gone by no one has hit one of these
-mysterious birds, although those who shoot at them daily are very
-numerous. You it is who will be able to hit the bird. Come, then, now
-depart. But perhaps it might be better that another day should break on
-us together; that you and I should again eat together, for we know that
-it is very doubtful whether you shall return in health and peace. All
-manner of difficulties and dangers fill the way which you must follow.
-
-“If it be so that you become a son-in-law, then you must say to your
-mother-in-law, ‘I shall now smoke my pipe.’ And when you have lighted
-your pipe you shall inhale the smoke twice, and your mother-in-law must
-spread a buckskin on the ground. Then you shall inhale the smoke only
-twice and shall expectorate wampum beads thereon. Together in one place
-you and I shall eat again and also sleep again.”
-
-So they spent the night in the lodge together, and in the morning they
-ate together. When they had finished their meal the young man said: “I
-am all ready now. Oh, uncle! I start now. Put forth, therefore, your
-orenda (magic power = hope, in modern usage) that in peace and health
-you and I may see each other again.” The old uncle answered, “So let it
-be as you have said.” The young man replied, “Indeed, you did say that
-there are 10 camping sites indicated by signs of fireplaces on the way,
-and that it is 10 days’ journey.” So saying, he started on his journey.
-
-After leaving the lodge the young man ran very swiftly. He had not gone
-very far, as he judged, when he was surprised to see the ashes and the
-dead coals of a former fire—the signs of a camping place. At this he
-exclaimed, “Ah! he did not say that some of the camping places were
-quite near.” He stopped and thought seriously for some moments, finally
-deciding to return to the lodge for further information from his old
-uncle. So he ran homeward, going to the place where lived his uncle,
-his mother’s brother. On arriving there the uncle said to him, “Well,
-what has happened to you?” The young man answered, “I have come to ask
-you again about my journey. You did not say that one of the camping
-places was near by.” The old uncle exclaimed, “Wuʻʹ! Did you go as far
-as that?” “I went as far as that,” replied the young man. The uncle
-answered, “Ho, you are indeed quite immune to the spells of sorcery.
-These camping places are all like this one along the way.” The young
-man replied, “So be it. I will stop there again. It does not matter,
-does it, that you and I see daylight together?” The old man was much
-discouraged. Daylight came upon them, and they ate their morning meal
-together. When they had finished eating, the old man, addressing his
-nephew, said, “You shall hereafter be called Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ. It
-shall be your custom when anyone asks you your name to say, Oñgweʻ
-Hañgesʹʻhäʼ.” The young man answered, “So be it. I now start,” and he
-left the lodge of his uncle.
-
-The youth came to the place marked for the first camping place, but he
-passed it and kept on, and thus he did with all the others, until he
-arrived at the tenth camping place, although the sun was low in the
-west when he had reached the first one. At the tenth camping place he
-saw that the forest edges were wreathed in long films of dew clouds,
-and he stopped there for the night. Quickly arising in the morning, he
-was startled to hear the voices of a number of men, who were laughing
-as they went eastward, and who passed by on the path.
-
-The young man got ready and went on. When he reached the pathway he saw
-that all the tracks indicated that these persons were going eastward.
-He continued his journey along the path in the same direction. Suddenly
-he saw ahead of him a man, who was very old in appearance and very,
-very small in size. Just before overtaking him the young man decided
-that this must be Sʻhodieʹoⁿskoⁿʼ, who was in tatters. When the young
-man came up with him, the small man exclaimed; “Oh, my nephew! you have
-overtaken me, so now you and I will go on together. For all are going
-in pairs. All those who are going to the place where the Hawks (?),
-perched on the woman’s tree, forthtell for her. I shall follow you, as
-you can go so much faster than I.” Then Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ answered:
-“It is impossible for me to agree to that proposition. You yourself
-take the lead, because I am fleeter than are you.” The only reply the
-old man made was, Wuʻʹ, and then they two went on with the old man in
-the lead. All at once he began to run. Hohoʻʹ, he ran on ahead. He kept
-on for a long distance, and then suddenly he turned aside into the
-forest. In a short time he began calling, “Hō! come hither, my nephew.
-I have treed a fisher here, and you must get its skin for me. Come,
-come!” he kept on saying; “you must shoot it, too, and this is a good
-place to stand when you are about to shoot at it. Come on, come on!” he
-kept on saying. Finally, the young man said, “I will shoot it.” Then he
-went thither and shot at it, striking it fairly through the heart, and
-with the arrow still sticking into it the fisher fell dead to the
-ground. The old man exclaimed, “Come on! Come this way. I forbear
-touching your arrow.” Then Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ said, “My arrow has lost
-its orenda (magic power).” Overhearing this remark, the old man said,
-“Wuʻʹ. One would think perhaps that he is a sorcerer,” and he then drew
-out the arrow from the dead fisher, and carried it to his companion,
-saying, “I am free from (magical) taint, you know, and so I can not
-de-magic-ize [411] your arrow. Here, take it!”
-
-The young man took the arrow again and they went on to the spot where
-they would encamp for the night. When they arrived at the place the sun
-was low in the west. The old man said to his nephew, in order to remove
-any apprehensions from his mind as to his own good intentions, “I will
-now skin the fisher and prepare its skin.” At this time they heard in
-the distance the sounds of persons laughing. And, they say, these
-persons made their several camps there. Then Sʻhodieʹoⁿskoⁿʼ said,
-“Here let us, for our part, pitch our camp, because when among people I
-am much abused because I am quite old.” So Sʻhodieʹoⁿskoⁿʼ and his
-companion kindled a fire with fagots and soon had it burning briskly.
-Each took opposite sides of the fire and lay down to sleep for the
-night.
-
-Some time during the night the crafty Sʻhodieʹoⁿskoⁿʼ sat up and blew
-the fire up in such manner that sparks and coals fell all over Oñgweʻ
-Hañgesʹʻhäʼ as he lay asleep. But the latter arose suddenly and asked,
-“Why have you done this unreasonable thing?” The old man
-dissimulatingly replied, “Oh! that was probably caused by a gust of
-wind driving the sparks over your body.” Then they lay down again.
-Again, just before the break of day, the old man once more blew the
-fire on his seemingly sleeping companion. Thereupon the latter arose,
-and taking his bow and flint-pointed arrow, crossed over the fireplace
-to the place where his companion was lying. He was surprised to see him
-awake, looking at him. The old man deprecatingly said, “Oh, my nephew!
-you do not seem to know that you were nearly burned up, as the fire was
-falling on you; and you must not think that it was I who did this to
-you.” Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ was greatly astonished at what had happened
-and said to his companion, “If you do not refrain from what you are
-doing it is possible for me to destroy you.”
-
-When it was nearly daylight sounds were heard in the camp ahead and the
-occupants started on their journey; then the two in turn started on
-their way. They had not gone very far when they heard sounds in the
-distance which told them that they had arrived at the place in which
-were congregated all the people who were shooting at the mark.
-
-Sʻhodieʹoⁿskoⁿʼ and Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ kept right on their way until
-they reached the spot. The nephew did not fear anything. Once on the
-ground they were quickly made aware that a tree stood there and that on
-its top sat a hawk (?) or hawks (?). There was a large number of people
-who were engaged in shooting at the prize, seemingly fastened to the
-top of the trees, which stood in the dooryard of the old woman who
-dwelt in this place; but all failed to hit the mark. A short distance
-from the place where the people were engaged in shooting at the mark
-there stood a lodge, in which the old woman, the mother of the family,
-walked to and fro, murmuring, “He who will hit that thing which is
-perched on the top of my tree shall marry my youngest daughter.” She
-kept on saying this as she went from place to place. Without cessation,
-day after day for many days the marksmen kept on shooting at the hawk
-(?) perched on the top of the old woman’s tree. Sometimes an arrow
-would fly very close to the bird, which would merely flap its wings; at
-this the assembly would give a loud shout of encouragement. At once the
-old woman would come forth on the run and would ask anxiously, “Who is
-it that hit the mark? Who is it that is my son-in-law?” But the people
-would reply, “It is not true that one has hit it. No one has done so.”
-Then she would return to her lodge somewhat disappointed.
-
-Now the people began to say among themselves, “Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ has
-arrived, and he is immune (from the influence of hostile orenda).” Then
-he said to the assembly, “Now it is my turn to shoot. It is not certain
-what will take place when I shoot. You will see what happens.” He
-strung his bow, and all the people became quiet and attentive as they
-watched him. Assuming a suitable position and taking aim, the young man
-drew his arrow to the very point and then let it fly. Without a hitch,
-the arrow struck fairly in the center of the bird’s body, causing the
-bird to fall over on the opposite of the tree, whence, with wings
-feebly flapping, it fell to the ground. At this the assembly broke out
-in a loud shout of applause—so loud that one would think the sound
-struck the heavens. The old woman came up on the run, anxiously asking,
-“Who is he that has become my son-in-law?” All the people rushed
-forward to the place where lay the bird with the arrow still sticking
-in its body.
-
-It so happened that one of the marksmen would run up and attempt to
-withdraw the arrow, but would fail,[412] and then another, and then
-another; but they all failed. Again Godwĕñniăʹʻdănĭʻ, coming up, said,
-“Who has become my son-in-law?” As the marksmen failed to withdraw the
-arrow, she continued, “He who shall be able to withdraw the arrow shall
-be my son-in-law.” Just then Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ came up, saying, “All
-stand back. This is my arrow.” The people drew back, and he walked up
-to the bird and, as he walked along, he drew out the arrow. Then the
-old woman said, “Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ has become my son-in-law,” and,
-taking him by the arm, she led him back to her lodge. Then the people
-dispersed in all directions. Then the old woman and her companion
-reached her lodge, in one side of which was a sort of apartment
-occupied by her daughter, who was born with a caul, and hence was
-regarded as of noble birth. The epithet applied to such maidens and
-young men is “down fended.” The old woman, leading the young man into
-this apartment, said to her daughter, “This man has become my
-son-in-law. He is called Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ, and he is immune from
-enchantment.”
-
-The young man then took up his abode in his wife’s family. Hō! He
-remained there for a long time. Then he said, “I shall go on a hunt,”
-and Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ said to his three brothers-in-law, “Come with me
-to hunt.” Having accepted his invitation, they started on their hunting
-trip, but they had not gone very far when they were surprised by a
-small herd of deer, which fled from them. Then the young bridegroom
-said to his brothers-in-law, “Remain here, and I alone will pursue them
-from place to place.” In a short time he shot at one and hit it, and it
-fell. Then, following the remaining deer, he killed them one by one.
-Thereupon he stopped, and hailing his brothers-in-law, said to them,
-“Come hither, my brothers-in-law, and let us dress these deer.” So they
-went to him and took part in the skinning of the deer. When they had
-finished dressing the carcasses they began at once to pack the pelts
-and the venison into suitable bundles in such manner as was customary
-in the early time. When they were all ready they bore these bundles on
-their backs by means of the forehead strap—the usual and the most
-convenient method of carrying heavy burdens; and they started for their
-home with Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ in the lead.
-
-Having arrived at their lodge, they laid their packs of venison and
-pelts at the feet of their mother, who wept for the great joy she had
-in receiving so much venison, saying: “I am very thankful to my
-son-in-law for this bounty, and on my part I will fulfill my duty in
-providing the feast of the ‘eat-all-up,’ [413] which shall take place
-tomorrow.” So the next morning they put the kettles over the fire in
-the early dawn, and the daughters set to work industriously to prepare
-food for the approaching feast. Suddenly the old woman,
-Godwĕñniăʹʻdănĭʻ, went out of the lodge and ran through the village,
-saying to the people: “The feast of eat-all-up is to be held at my
-lodge. Let all go directly to the place whence I have come, and start
-at once.” This she said as she went through the village, and then she
-returned to her own home. Then her daughters and sons removed the
-kettles from the fire; and they placed the corn-meal mush and the
-venison, cooked in pieces, in bark trays and bowls which they had ready
-to receive the prepared food.
-
-Now people began to arrive, and they sat down and became very quiet. At
-this time the old woman, the mother of the daughters of the lodge,
-Godwĕñniăʹʻdănĭʻ said, addressing the assembly: “Now, you who have come
-here this day know that the usual custom for a feast of this kind shall
-be followed. You who have come in by invitation shall first eat your
-shares of the food; and it was for this reason that I desired a feast
-of eat-all-up as my thanks offering; and when you have finished eating,
-then my children and I will eat. For such is the custom when one
-marries. Now, then, you must eat. You must eat up all that is
-apportioned to you, for this is the reason that this feast is called
-the feast of eat-all-up.”
-
-Thereupon the neighbors began to eat. They ate during the entire day;
-they ate the venison; they enjoyed also the corn-meal mush; and they
-kept saying as they ate, “I am thankful for this food,” each as he felt
-satisfied. Thus in time they fulfilled the rites of the feast of
-eat-up-all, which is usually given when one is married; they ate up all
-that had been prepared for them—a good omen for the newly married
-couple. Then each went his way home. But there was one matter which was
-postponed until the next day.
-
-The day after the feast of eat-all-up there took place what Oñgweʻ
-Hañgesʹʻhäʼ had said would come to pass. He had said, “I crave a smoke,
-and so very early tomorrow morning you, my mother-in-law, must again go
-around and invite your neighbors, telling them as you go from place to
-place that your son-in-law is about to take a smoke, and that he will
-then disgorge wampum beads.” Godwĕñniăʹʻdănĭʻ, the mother-in-law,
-replied with joy, “So let it come to pass,” and she went forth again to
-issue invitations to her neighbors, represented by small sticks,
-saying: “I extend to you hereby an invitation to come to my lodge. My
-son-in-law, Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ, is going to smoke, and he will then
-disgorge wampum beads.” So saying, she visited all her neighbors, and
-then she returned to her own home.
-
-Having reached home, she said to her son-in-law, “In a short time the
-people will have assembled here.” Shortly after, the people began to
-come. They seated themselves in the lodge and became very quiet. Then
-the old woman, Godwĕñniăʹʻdănĭʻ, placing a bench or block of wood in
-the center of the room, called to her son-in-law, “Oh, my son-in-law,
-Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ, come hither.” At this he came forth from the place
-wherein the “noble” or “down-fended” maiden lived. Seating himself on
-the block provided by his mother-in-law, he threw over his knee the
-entire skin of a woman,[414] which still had the head affixed to it;
-the eyes winked and moved from side to side. Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ took
-from his pouch his pipe and filled it with tobacco. The tobacco which
-he used was a mixture of native tobacco, hemlock gum, spicebush bark,
-and red willow bark.414a When he placed it in his pipe this mixture
-emitted a very pleasant odor.
-
-Then Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ said to his mother-in-law, “You must spread out
-here a tanned buckskin.” So she hastened to obey his instructions and
-spread a buckskin on the ground in front of him and between his feet as
-he sat on the block of wood. In explanation of what he was about to do,
-he said: “Oh, my mother-in-law, all the wampum that shall fall on this
-buckskin shall belong to you; but the wampum that shall fall away from
-this skin shall be for prizes to those of the assembly who may be able
-to seize it, for all will struggle to obtain some. This will take place
-twice, for I will draw into me the smoke several times. The first time
-that I draw in the smoke I will disgorge black wampum beads; but the
-second time I will disgorge white wampum beads. So the people may
-strive to obtain some of the beads which fall away from the buckskin.
-This is what will take place.” After a moment’s deliberation he said to
-the woman’s skin, “Do thou, my human skin, light my pipe; the fire is
-yonder.” Thereupon the woman’s skin brought a coal from the fire and
-placed it in his pipe while he held it in his mouth. Then he drew in
-the smoke with the sound huʻkt, and then he disgorged, saying Hwuʹʼw;
-and the beads in falling made the sound dāʹ. His mother-in-law took up
-a large quantity of the beads from the buckskin. But for those beads
-which fell away from the buckskin the people struggled among
-themselves. In the strife the people created a great noise and uproar,
-for everyone attempted to get all that he possibly could. He who was
-quick was able, of course, to lay hold of the greatest quantity, and
-the slowest could obtain but a few of these wampum beads. Oñgweʻ
-Hañgesʹʻhäʼ said, “Now this time the wampum beads will be of a black
-color.” His mother-in-law, as was the custom on such occasions, spread
-another buckskin on the ground. Then he drew in the smoke a second time
-and at once disgorged wampum beads which were entirely black in color;
-some of these fell on the buckskin and some away from it. As before,
-the people engaged in a lively contest for the beads which fell away
-from the buckskin, thus creating a great uproar. He who was active
-secured the most of the beads in these contests. Now Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ
-said, “This affair is over entirely, and all people must return to
-their homes.” At this all the people departed from the lodge of
-Godwĕñniăʹʻdănĭʼ and went to their several homes.
-
-Things remained thus for a long time and the couple lived quietly
-together as husband and wife. One day Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ said to his
-mother-in-law: “I am now thinking that she who lives with me and I will
-return to the place where my uncle, my mother’s brother, dwells. I do
-not know whether or not he is still alive, and for this reason we two
-will go back there. Now, my mother-in-law, I am going to tell you what
-I am thinking. I am not certain in my mind that you would be willing
-for me to suggest that you and my old uncle should mutually care for
-each other. You two are fine-looking and are about the same in age and
-bodily condition. How is it? Will you be willing to undertake this
-condition?” To this the mother-in-law answered, “Oh, my son! indeed
-your mind and thought suit me well. What you have suggested shall come
-to pass as you have said, provided your uncle is still in good health
-and alive when we shall arrive at the place where he lives. I will
-accompany you two home, my daughters will remain here with my sons and
-they will not want for anything.” So the next morning she was fully
-prepared with food for the journey to the former home of her
-son-in-law, and Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ said to his former companions on his
-journey homeward, “Let us now return to my home; and we bid you
-good-by.” So saying, he bade farewell to his brothers-in-law and
-sisters-in-law.
-
-Then they departed on their long journey, and the bridegroom took his
-wife and his mother-in-law with him. They encamped on their way
-homeward many times. As soon as they arrived near the lodge of the
-young man’s uncle, Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ said to his two companions: “Stop
-here until I visit the lodge of my home to make a reconnoissance, for I
-do not know whether my uncle is yet alive or not. I will return soon.”
-
-Thereupon he started on the run to his home. Arriving there, he found
-his uncle eating his midday meal. The old man quickly arose and seized
-the young man, saying, “Now hast thou returned? Is it thou, my nephew?
-Art thou Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ?” The nephew replied, “I it is, Uncle.”
-“Where is my daughter-in-law?” asked the old man. The nephew answered,
-“Oh, my uncle! she and another halted at a place not far from here,
-while I came here to make a reconnoissance to learn whether you were
-still alive or not. I am married in fact, and what is more than this, I
-have brought with me my mother-in-law. They two are very fine-looking
-women. I have thought very seriously of your age and also of the age of
-my mother-in-law, and you two seem suitable in this respect one for the
-other. I have already told her that I have thought well of having you
-two abide together as husband and wife. Oh, my uncle! I have now said
-to you what I intended to say. My mother-in-law is very thankful to me
-for my kindness in this matter and for my desire to make you and her
-happy and contented. Thus have I thought about this matter. Now will
-you agree to what I have proposed for your welfare?” Greatly pleased,
-the uncle exclaimed, “Oh, my nephew! how thankful I am for your kind
-effort in my behalf. Let me dress myself, and you may now bring the
-woman.” Delighted with the reception his uncle gave the marital
-proposal, Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ ran back to the place where the two women
-were anxiously awaiting his return. On arriving there, he exclaimed:
-“He lives! He lives and is in the best of health. He is eating. Let us
-go to him.” Thereupon they started for the lodge.
-
-When they reached there they found the old man dressed and ready to
-receive them. As they entered the lodge the old man, tapping his couch
-several times, said gently to the mother-in-law, “Here you may abide.”
-She came forward and took her seat beside him, and Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ
-and his wife seated themselves opposite, putting the fireplace between
-them as was the custom for families to do in the ancient time. Then the
-old man said to his nephew: “I am indeed thankful that you have been
-able to overcome difficulties of all kinds along your path to and fro.
-You have heroically braved all. Now, you must hunt, and mother and
-daughter shall live in contentment and peace.”
-
-So Oñgweʻ Hañgesʹʻhäʼ spent his time in hunting. Day after day he
-hunted. He knew well what animals to kill. Thus it came to pass in the
-ancient time that they dwelt together in peace and harmony and great
-contentment.
-
-This is the end of the tale.
-
-
-
-
-
-110. GAJIHSONDIS, THE AMULET-HITTER [415]
-
-(A LEGEND OF THE CONTROL OF THE GAME ANIMALS)
-
-An old man and his grandson, who was very small, lived together in a
-lodge for a long time, during which they occupied opposite sides of the
-fire, as was customary among their people. The little grandson played
-by himself on his side of the fire, rolling about in the dust and
-ashes. The old man was quite anxious at times about the future of the
-boy.
-
-There came a time when the old man saw the child sitting about in
-different places on his side of the fire. Finally the child was
-surprised to hear the old man say in no kindly voice: “You will become
-a pitiable object if you continue in this way, for you are very small.
-It is necessary that you should do something to help yourself and
-provide yourself what you may need. A bow and arrows are perhaps the
-first of your needs.” So saying, the old man started making these for
-the boy, and when he had completed this task he went over to the place
-where the child was rolling about in the dust. Taking him in his arms,
-he said, “You must use these in this way,” and then standing the child
-on the ground, he said, “You must learn to shoot with these.” Then,
-grasping one of the hands of the child, the grandfather placed it on
-the bow in the usual position for shooting; then in the other hand he
-placed an arrow, at the same time instructing the child how to fit the
-two together in proper positions for shooting. Then the old man himself
-drew the bowstring, telling the little grandson, “This is the way you
-must ordinarily do.” In this manner he instructed his grandson in the
-art of shooting with a bow and arrow, and the child was not long in
-learning how to do it. Again he told him: “That is the way you must
-continue to do it.”
-
-Afterward the old man drew forth his bundle of trinkets and treasures,
-and taking therefrom the foot of a raccoon he fastened it to a staff,
-which he set upright a long distance away, saying to his grandson: “You
-must shoot at this continually, and whenever you hit it you must say
-‘Gajihsondis.’ This you must say, and I shall then learn what a good
-shot you are.” Now the child did indeed follow his grandfather’s
-instructions.
-
-Finally the time came when the old man said to his grandson: “I will
-now free you from my tutelage and now you must depend on yourself. No
-matter where you may be you must keep saying ‘Gajihsondis’ whenever you
-may hit any object—even this foot of the raccoon.” Therefore the old
-man paid no more attention to the welfare of his grandson. The latter
-ran around at pleasure for a long time. At last he asked his
-grandfather this question: “My grandfather, where are our kinsmen?” In
-answering him the old man told his grandson a number of things.
-Pointing off a long distance he replied: “They have gone far away to a
-place where lives a great beast. It is impossible for anyone to reach
-this place in seven years.” Without replying the youth kept on playing,
-as was his custom. Some time after while at play he arose and, going to
-his old grandfather, asked “What is the exact direction of that place
-whither our kinsmen have gone?” Going out of the lodge and standing
-beside the doorway the old man pointed far away straight toward the
-place where their relations had gone. He said: “There in that distant
-place is a spring of water in which lives the great beast, and in that
-place all our former kinsfolk perished.”
-
-The youth answered, “Now, my grandfather, I will go to that place.”
-Very early the next morning, it is said, the youth, taking his bow and
-arrows, started on his long journey, saying, “Oh, my grandfather! I
-start now.” After a while the old man went out of the lodge, and,
-standing beside the doorway, said, “Kuʹ; he is indeed going a very long
-way off. It may be that he will be able to go there.” With these words
-the old man reentered the lodge.
-
-How now with regard to the youth? Starting at a slow running gait,
-finally he reached a place which his grandfather had indicated to him,
-and after going over a mountain which was on his way he came to a lake,
-in the middle of which he was surprised to see floating about a white
-waterfowl. Taking aim, the youth at once shot at this strange fowl; the
-shot went so true that the fowl merely fell on its side dead. Pulling
-hairs from his head, the youth spliced them together until he had
-produced a cord sufficiently long for his purpose. This he cast out on
-the lake, and by this means was enabled to draw the body of the
-waterfowl to shore. At once he rushed up to the body and fell upon it.
-Soon he had prepared it so it could be borne on his back by means of
-the forehead strap. Then the youth started for home, and when he
-arrived at his grandfather’s lodge he said, “There now. I bring a very
-large animal.”
-
-After looking at the body, his grandfather said, in reply: “Oh! this is
-not the right thing on which to be avenged.” The youth answered, “So be
-it, then. I will take it back to its home, as it seems proper to do.”
-Having packed the body by means of the forehead strap, he started for
-the place whence he had brought the great animal. On arriving at the
-shore of the lake he cast the animal down on the ground, saying, “As to
-you, I shall leave you here, and, furthermore, you must come to life
-again.” Then, starting for home, the youth was not long in reaching the
-lodge of his grandfather, to whom he said: “I have now released the
-animal.” He did not delay in resuming his sports around the lodge, and
-continued them for a time.
-
-One day when weary with playing he went up to his old grandfather, with
-the words, “Come now, just tell me the exact direction to take to go to
-the lair of the great animal of which you have told me such awful
-things.” The old man replied, “So be it.” Going out of the lodge he
-stood there. As soon as he had taken a suitable position he said to the
-youth: “Here it is; it is just here. As soon as you start and have gone
-quite a distance, then verily you will see that this pathway has the
-habit of shrinking back.[416] This will be taking place continually,
-and this is the reason that it will require seven years to reach the
-place where is the spring which you are seeking. This path is one, too,
-of great danger and difficulty, for in that place dwell female beings
-which feed on human flesh, and it is they who devoured all the kinsfolk
-we had.”
-
-After hearing this and following with his eyes the direction shown by
-his old grandfather, the youth started. After the lapse of some time
-the old man again said, “Let me see where he is.” Going out of the
-lodge, he stood looking around for his grandson, whom he finally saw
-disappearing in the distance. He mused with himself, saying: “It is
-certain, I believe, that he will be able to accomplish the feat of
-reaching the place where are the pitfalls set by the eaters of human
-flesh.”
-
-When the youth arrived at the spring, he was indeed very thirsty. At
-once he decided to inspect the place in order to see how true was the
-saying of his grandfather that there lived in the spring a number of
-female beings (women?) possessed of great orenda (magic power).
-Thereupon the youth deliberately put his feet into the water. As soon
-as he did so the hideous being covered with scales quickly darted
-forward and snapped off his leg far above the knee. The youth merely
-laughed, saying, Hăʻhăʻ, and wondered what would happen if he placed
-his other leg in the water. On doing so, the being at once snapped off
-this leg also; but the youth merely laughed and said nothing. Finally
-he said, “Let it be so. Now perhaps I will fish with a line.” This he
-proceeded to do. For the purpose of carrying out his design he removed
-portions of flesh from his thighs, which he fastened on his hook. Just
-as soon as he cast the hook into the water the great being seized it,
-whereupon the youth pulled his adversary out of the water and cast its
-body aside. It is said that now the great being began to whimper, “My
-grandson, put me back into the water again.” But the youth, paying no
-attention to what it was asking him to do, again baited his hook and
-cast it into the waters. At once it was seized in the mouth of another
-one of the great wizard beings, which appeared in assumed shapes, and
-immediately the youth began to pull on his line, soon landing another
-of his adversaries. This, too, like the other, began to whimper,
-saying, “My grandson, will you please put me back into the water?” The
-youth replied: “I have no legs. You have broken off my legs.” At this
-the two beings came forward and began to work on his body. And the
-youth said to them in turn: “Do you two reset my legs. You see that I
-can not do it myself.” So the two beings, which were possessed of great
-orenda, obeying his instructions, put back his legs. Next the youth
-kindled a great fire, and just as soon as this was burning fiercely,
-seizing the hair of the male being, he cast him into the flames, and he
-did likewise with the body of the female being. When the bodies were
-consumed the heads of these beings exploded and out of them flew
-owls.[417]
-
-Continuing a short distance, the youth found the lair of panthers which
-were fierce in aspect, for they were fighting. Raising his bow and
-arrow, he said to them, “Stop your anger, you two, for the place where
-you are belongs to me.”
-
-Going on a short distance farther, he found a number of elk fighting in
-their turn. He said to them also, “Stop fighting, you two;” and they
-did stop fighting and separated. The youth told them, too, “This region
-belongs to me.”
-
-Then there arose a great tumult and noise among the animals of all
-kinds. The youth saw there what seemed to be a long lodge, on the top
-of which owls were seated; these, too, were making outcries, saying
-“Hiʻ, hiʻ, hiʻ, hiʻ, hiʻ. Awake! a male human being is coming.” The
-youth now watched them, and he was surprised to find there lying down
-the body of some one who much resembled his grandfather, and he saw
-also everything that was inside the lodge. Among the things he saw was
-a kettle of corn mush, which was boiling over the fire. “I have found
-something which is perhaps good to the taste.”
-
-Entering the lodge, he went to the farther side of the fire, whereupon
-from the opposite side of the fire a white deer came forth and entered
-the bosom of the old man. At this the youth started out of the lodge,
-and at once everything in the lodge began to leave. The breechclout of
-the old man went out, and the boiling mush, too, started out. The youth
-had gone a long distance before the old man awoke, exclaiming, “Pshaw!
-I think that he still has a grandson, that old man.” Straightening
-himself up, he said: “So let it be. I now believe that I also will
-start.”
-
-Then the old man took his club from its usual resting place, the one
-with which he was accustomed to fight, and pursuing the youth, soon
-overtook him, as was to be expected. Addressing the youth, he said,
-“For what reason did you rob me as you have done?” So saying, he struck
-the youth a heavy blow, causing the young man to fall over in an
-unconscious condition; and he lay where he fell.
-
-Thereupon the old man turned back homeward, and all the things that had
-started out also returned homeward. As he walked along the old man
-restored the body of the great beast and all other things which had
-been disturbed by the youth during his visit to him.
-
-Meanwhile the youth regained consciousness, and, realizing his
-condition, exclaimed, “Wŭʻʹ, my head does certainly pain me; I believe
-that the old man has really killed me. So let it be. I think I will go
-back, perhaps, to the lodge of the old man.” When he reached the lodge,
-ho-wŭʻ, the owls were making a great outcry: “Awake you! Now, indeed,
-the male human being is again coming.” At this the youth exclaimed, “Do
-you keep quiet! these things, here.” Entering again the lodge by
-stealth, he saw there the war club resting in its place, the club with
-which the old man did his fighting; it was full of nicks from hard
-usage in combat. Thereupon the youth said, “Keep thyself still; and
-indeed, you must give me assistance at this time. We will awaken the
-old man to his death.” Again entering the lodge, the youth went to the
-back part of the lodge, where he took a seat. Again the very small
-white deer came forth and entered his bosom. Then he arose and stood
-there, and all the things on the inside of the lodge started to follow
-him out of it. Even the breechclout of the old man he took from him.
-
-The youth had gone a long distance before the old man again awoke.
-Realizing what had taken place, the latter exclaimed, “Gwăʻʹ. He is
-alive again, I believe. Now, indeed, he shall suffer for this. I will
-do him harm in many places.” Then the old man started, after which he
-exclaimed, “Kwŭʻʹ! I have forgotten that, I have not painted my face,
-as is the custom, for I believe that I shall have to fight with one who
-is, it seems, a brave man, this youth.” Having poured dead coals into a
-basket, he carried them to a mortar standing near by, in which he began
-to pound the charred coals. He made a great noise in doing this, the
-blows with the pestle sounding “dum, dum, dum.” This action of the old
-man caused the youth to grow weak and faint as he walked along.
-
-When the old man had finished pounding the coals he painted his face.
-Then he started in pursuit of the youth, saying, “I am following you.”
-The old man finally overtook the youth, whereupon he said to him, “Look
-here, my grandson! I am going to kill you.” The youth replied, “So let
-it be,” at the same time striking the old man a blow with the war club.
-Then they fought, and being evenly matched, the struggle was fierce.
-Thus the battle went on for some time until at last the youth succeeded
-in killing his grandfather. Then he started for home, followed by all
-the things that were in the lodge of the old man.
-
-The youth did not realize the time it took him to arrive at the lodge
-of his living grandfather, who exclaimed: “You certainly have brought
-back home our great beast. How did you accomplish it? Was the old man
-willing for you to bring it home? Was he willing, too, for you to take
-all the things which you have brought back with you?” The youth
-replied, “I killed the old wizard.” At this his grandfather began to
-weep, saying, “Now, indeed, you have killed him who, when living, was
-my brother.” Without making any reply, the youth prepared to lie down
-for the night. The two occupied the same side of the fire.
-
-As soon as the youth fell asleep, the old man, his grandfather, arose
-and, addressing the sleeping youth, said, “I suppose that I must now
-kill you, wicked man, in your turn.” Taking up his bow and three arrows
-and, going over to the opposite side of the fire, he shot three arrows
-into the back of the youth, his grandson, who was asleep. Then the old
-man returned to his bed and laid himself down again. Some time after
-this the youth awoke and said, “Kwŭʻʹ! indeed my back does give me much
-pain.” On examining it with his hands, he was surprised to find three
-arrows sticking in it. At this discovery he exclaimed, “Gūʻ! now, I
-suppose, I must depart from this place, for it seems that my
-grandfather has killed me. So be it then. I will now go far away.” He
-started at once on his journey, and all the things which he had taken
-from his dead grandfather went with him—his grandfather’s breechclout
-and also the mush—these all went along. As soon as the old man saw that
-these things started to leave, he began to weep. So the youth left his
-grandfather.
-
-When the youth had gone a long distance from his home, he was surprised
-to find a village of people. Leaving his slaves and domestics near the
-village, he went to the first lodge, where he visited. He found in this
-lodge a young man who resembled himself very closely in age, size, and
-manners. It was soon customary for them to go around together. It is
-said that they two kept company with each other wherever they went.
-Finally the youth from the village said, “Kūʻ, game is indeed very
-scarce. Where may be the game animals? Perhaps they have gone far away
-to seek subsistence. Possibly they have gone to the place where dwells
-the great beast.” In reply, the visiting youth said to his friend, “I
-am, it is known, called the great beast.” The other youth answered,
-“Aā, it is true. So be it. I will now show you where abide my domestic
-(game) animals.”
-
-Then the two youths departed from the place and at last came to the
-spot where dwelt the great beast, the prototype of all others.
-
-The youth from the village now said to his friend: “I will now give up
-all the animals over which I have control, that they may go over the
-whole earth and dwell in freedom; that they may increase and multiply
-at their will and go and come as seems good to them. Then the noises
-made by all the animals became great in the world.
-
-This is the story.
-
-
-
-
-
-111. THE LEGEND OF HONENHINEH AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHERS
-
-In times long past Honenhineh and his younger brothers dwelt in a lodge
-together; the lodge was constructed of bark and was very long,
-according to the custom of the country. There were three fires
-occupying the place provided for fire along the midway of the lodge.
-
-These brothers dwelt thus together for a long time in this long lodge.
-It was their custom to go out into the forests daily to hunt game
-animals, and every evening those who had gone out that day to hunt
-returned, bearing each his burden of venison or other flesh, which
-would be cast down in the middle of the floor space of the lodge. It
-was usually dressed when packed for carrying; this was done for
-convenience. Then one of the brothers who had not been out hunting
-would unpack the bundle and proceed at once to cut up the meats and to
-hang them up for drying all along the sides of the lodge. This was the
-daily routine of these hunters of the lodge of Honenhineh. Thus they
-traveled much in many places in the forests.
-
-At times, when all but the youngest brother, who was still very small,
-started out to hunt, one of the elder brothers would produce the foot
-of a raccoon, and throwing it to the end of the lodge, he would say to
-the youngest brother, “Here! This is something with which you can amuse
-yourself.” Then, when he would be ready to start he would scatter ashes
-around the doorway in such manner that no person or thing could enter
-the lodge without leaving tell-tale tracks to betray the intruder.
-Afterward he would say to the small boy, “Oh, youngest brother! You
-must not leave the lodge; you must not go outside of it.” So it was
-that this youngest brother never went outside of the lodge and did not
-know what the light of outdoors was like. The name of this boy was
-Little Burnt Belly.[418] The youngster amused himself daily by tossing
-up the raccoon’s foot and shooting at it while it was in the air. It is
-said that he never missed the foot, for he had become an expert bowman
-from his daily practice. So the days went by for some time.
-
-Then there came a day when the Honenhineh returned from hunting without
-bringing back anything in the way of game, but the other brothers
-returned, bringing large packs of venison and other meats and furs and
-skins. As each brother returned he saw the eldest brother Honenhineh
-lying on his couch in silence, but not one of them paid any further
-attention to him, for they had returned with heavy packs while he had
-brought back nothing. Remaining thus for some time, Honenhineh finally
-arose and unpacked the packs of his brothers and hung up the quarters
-of venison and bear’s meat and the flesh of other animals to dry, and
-he hung up also the skins and furs properly prepared to dry—some to be
-made into buckskin and others into furs for robes and other useful
-articles.
-
-This state of affairs in the lodge continued for many days and nights,
-and Honenhineh continued to fast rigorously. At last one evening one of
-his younger brothers said to him, “Oh, elder brother! you should take
-some food.” But Honenhineh replied: “No, I will not do so now. Do you
-help yourselves and take what food you may need. In a short time I
-myself shall take some food. There has come a change in the manner of
-my life. The land over which I hunted has become deserted of all life.
-Tomorrow I shall start from here, going in a northerly direction this
-time.”
-
-So, without breaking his fast, Honenhineh lay down on his couch and his
-brothers retired for the night. But late at night Honenhineh arose and,
-going to the fire, he gathered together the embers and firebrands to
-stir up the flames, close beside which, it is said, lay Little Burnt
-Belly. Honenhineh having stirred up the fire, the rising flames caused
-many sparks to fall on the uncovered legs of Little Burnt Belly, who
-passively bore the pain. The elder brother, after watching the effect
-of the sparks, finally said, “Oh! my younger brother is very sleepy.”
-But in this he was deceived, for his younger brother, having made a
-small aperture in the skin with which he was covered, was watching all
-that he was doing. It is said that the skin was that of an old
-she-bear. Thus deceived, the elder brother prepared some food for
-himself and ate what he wanted of it. While watching him the youngest
-brother fell asleep. In the morning the youngest brother arose after
-his brothers had gone out on their hunting trips, and was very
-anxiously watching for the proposed departure of his brother Honenhineh
-after his long fast. When he had made all his preparations he said to
-his youngest brother, “Now I have started,” adding, “Do not, my
-brother, go outside of this lodge.” Then, taking out of his pouch
-suddenly a bear’s foot and casting it into the middle of the lodge, he
-said, “Here! Thou shalt amuse thyself with this object by using it as a
-target continuously.” On going out of the lodge, he scattered ashes all
-about the entrance so that nothing could enter without disturbing the
-ashes and so showing what it was that entered the lodge. On starting
-away, he said to his youngest brother, “For this journey I am going
-toward the north to hunt.” So saying, he departed from the lodge.
-
-Honenhineh kept on his northward course for a long time. When the day
-was past the meridian, on looking ahead he saw what appeared to him a
-number of clearings. When he emerged from the forest into these
-clearings he stopped and looked around; then he walked along slowly for
-some time.
-
-Ahead of him a great deep gorge or valley yawned.
-
-Scarcely had he taken a good look at this gorge when he heard in the
-distance an ominous tapping on a tree and the voice of a man singing:
-“It is a fortunate thing for me. A human being is walking along on the
-farther side of the valley.” Somewhat surprised, Honenhineh exclaimed:
-“Wūʼʹ! A man has discovered me. I suppose that he has treed a bear.
-Well, so be it; I will go thither.” So saying, he started down into the
-valley on a brisk run. As he ran along he came to a ridge, or shelf,
-leading into the valley, and he was startled by seeing pieces of bark
-fall all about him several times. Stopping and raising his head to look
-up into a tree standing in front of him, he saw a flicker, or
-yellowhammer, clinging to the tree trunk far above the ground, looking
-at him. As he looked at the flicker it began to smile at him and
-audibly said, “He who has the bow is well known to be a fairly bad
-shot,” and continued to smile at him. Honenhineh at once strung his bow
-and shot an arrow at this smiling yellowhammer, but the arrow flew wide
-of the mark, sticking harmlessly into the tree trunk. He shot all his
-arrows away in this manner without disconcerting the yellowhammer in
-any way.
-
-Withdrawing a short distance, Honenhineh broke his bow and threw away
-the pieces. Then he said: “So be it. Let me pass on in my way yonder.”
-He continued onward until he reached the bottom of the valley, when he
-stopped to look around; ahead of him he saw a lodge out of which arose
-smoke. He resolved at once to go up to the lodge and started toward it.
-Going along slowly, he finally reached the side of the lodge, where he
-stood still. But he had not come to a halt before he heard from within
-the lodge the voice of a man saying to him: “My grandson, thou hast
-visited my lodge; so come in.” Honenhineh, at once obeying the summons,
-entered the lodge.
-
-On looking around, he saw before him a young maiden seated, who was
-engaged in weaving a pack strap from the strands of slippery-elm bark
-prepared for this purpose. The man of the lodge said to the maiden, “Do
-thou make room on thy mat for the man who has entered our lodge, for
-you and he do now become husband and wife.” Complying with this
-request, the young maiden made room on her mat for Honenhineh to sit
-beside her.
-
-Then the elderly man said to her, “My granddaughter, prepare some food
-and set it before him who has entered our lodge, for he is probably
-hungry. With dried green corn as it cooks in the pot you must mix dried
-venison pounded fine, and into this mixture you must put a sufficient
-quantity of maple sugar and a quantity of bear’s grease or fat, to make
-the whole savory and appetizing.” The old man’s granddaughter at once
-obeyed, and after kindling the fire to make it burn briskly, she set a
-pot of water over it containing a quantity of dried sweet green corn.
-Bringing maple sugar from her store in a bark case, she put it into the
-pot with the corn. Then, procuring the dried venison and the bear’s
-grease, having pounded them fine, she put these ingredients also in the
-pot to cook with the other things. When she found that the corn soup
-was cooked she removed the pot from the fire and set it aside to permit
-the contents to cool. When it was sufficiently cooled the young maiden,
-taking up a portion of the soup with a ladle, placed it in a bark bowl
-and, setting it before Honenhineh, said to him, “Take this and eat it.
-I have prepared it for you.” Honenhineh, being quite hungry, willingly
-ate what was set before him.
-
-It was not long after Honenhineh had finished eating that night came.
-Before the evening was far advanced the old man said, “Let us now
-retire for the night. Our guest has come here tired out in all
-probability, for he has traveled a long distance.” So they lay down for
-the night. Then the old man said, “My granddaughter, let me tell my
-story,” and he began to sing, “It is said that there were eight
-brothers who lived in a lodge.” This was the topic of the story which
-he chanted three times.
-
-After waiting a few moments he said in a stage whisper to the sleeping
-visitor, “My grandson, are you listening to my story?” The only reply
-he received was the loud snoring of the guest. Presently the old man
-exclaimed, “The game animals are just toying with me. Why, one has even
-come into my lodge (to show its contempt for me).” So saying, the old
-man arose and took down his war club from its resting place, and
-approaching the sleeping visitor, he killed him with blows on the head.
-Then, replacing his club, he got out a huge clay pot, which he set over
-the fire after placing some water in it. Next he quartered the body of
-his victim and placed all the pieces in the pot to cook. While engaged
-in this gruesome work he kept saying, “I still can deal with the game
-animals which visit my lodge in my approved way, and so I am still able
-to eat the flesh of the most rare game animals.”
-
-In the meantime, when night came on the lodge of Honenhineh and his
-younger brothers, the brothers returned one by one until all were there
-except the eldest, Honenhineh, who of course did not return. His
-absence was duly noted. The brother next in age said, “I met him just
-this side of the Great Valley.” The following morning the brother next
-in age to Honenhineh started out on his brother’s trail to seek for
-him. He had gone along for some time when he was surprised to find the
-tracks of his brother, which he at once followed. Before long he saw
-ahead of him light through the trees from clearings in the forest, and
-he found also indisputable evidence that his brother had stood there.
-So he started forward slowly and finally came to the top of a hill
-overlooking the Great Valley, where he stood still for a moment. While
-standing there he heard the sound of a blow struck by a war club on the
-opposite side of the valley, and he heard the voice of a man singing,
-“I am indeed fortunate, for on the opposite side of the valley a human
-being walks along.” After thinking a few moments, he exclaimed: “Pshaw!
-This is all right. There is where my elder brother is moving about from
-place to place. Perhaps he has treed some animal or has found an animal
-in its lair. It must be a bear, I think. So be it; I shall go thither.”
-
-In pursuance of his resolution, he resumed his brother’s trail and
-descended into the valley until he came to a bench, or terrace, where
-he stopped for a moment. Here he was surprised to see pieces of bark
-fall several times around him. Looking up into a tree near by, he saw
-clinging to the trunk far above the ground a small flicker, or
-yellowhammer. The bird smiled at him, exclaiming, “He has a bow in his
-hand just as if he could use it, for it is well known that he is quite
-a poor marksman.” At this the young man at once strung his bow and shot
-an arrow at the bird, whereupon he was surprised to see the arrows of
-his brother stuck in the tree. His first shot missed the bird, as did
-all the others. When all his arrows had been shot away, stuck fast in
-the tree top, he broke his bow and cast it away. Now, he was greatly
-surprised to see the pieces of his bow fall beside those of his
-brother’s bow. While he was shooting at the bird, it merely smiled and
-said, “It is curious that one who is a poor marksman generally goes
-about with a bow and arrows,” and it was only when he had lost all his
-arrows that he drew aside in disgust and destroyed his bow as a token
-that he did not care about what had happened to him. After casting away
-his bow the young man exclaimed: “Pshaw! I will go on farther, for I
-now hear my brother singing in the distance,” for he heard the voice of
-a man singing on the opposite side of the Great Valley.
-
-Starting on a run down into the valley, he had not gone far before he
-saw ahead of him a field. When he reached the border of this he stood
-there a moment, but seeing in the distance a lodge and smoke issuing
-from it, he exclaimed: “So be it. Let me go to that lodge to see what I
-may find. My elder brother has gone there.”
-
-When he reached the lodge the young man came to a halt, but he had no
-sooner done so than he heard the voice of a man inside say to him: “Oh,
-my grandson! come in; you have visited my lodge at this time.”
-Accepting this challenge, the young man entered, whereupon the old man
-said to him: “I am thankful that you have now paid our (two) lodge a
-visit.” In front of him the young man saw a young maiden seated on a
-couch, weaving a forehead pack strap from slippery-elm-bark fiber. Then
-the old man said to her: “Make room on your mat for our visitor, for
-you and he are to become husband and wife. I am so delighted by this
-visit, for we two are to be pitied, living alone in this lodge, I and
-my granddaughter.” Obeying her grandfather, the young maiden made room
-on her mat for the young man. Next the old man said to the young man:
-“You have come here looking for your elder brother, Honenhineh. He
-passed here. Yonder, not far away, stands another lodge. There is where
-your brother has gone; he will return soon, I think.” Turning to his
-granddaughter, the old man said: “Oh, granddaughter! prepare food for
-our visitor; he is perhaps hungry, having come a long distance. You
-must pound up dried green sweet corn and dried venison, and place these
-in a pot to cook, to make corn soup; and you must put into the pot also
-maple sugar and bear’s grease. When the soup is cooked, place a bowlful
-before our visitor and let him eat his fill.”
-
-The maiden set to work preparing the corn soup, as she had been
-instructed to do. First she pounded up dried sweet green corn and then
-dried venison. Then, having placed a large clay pot over the fire with
-water in it, she put in the dried corn and venison, which soon began to
-cook. Presently she added maple sugar to her soup. While these were
-cooking, the old man got for her some bear’s grease, which he brought
-to her in a bowl, saying: “Oh, granddaughter, put this also in the pot
-of soup.” When the soup was cooked, the maiden removed the pot from the
-fire and the contents were then placed in bark bowls to cool. When
-ready, the young woman placed a large bowl of the soup before the young
-man, telling him to eat his fill. When he had eaten what was set before
-him he thanked the old man, his “grandfather,” who acknowledged the
-compliment by saying, “My grandson, you were to be pitied, for you were
-very hungry when you visited my lodge.”
-
-It was not long after this that night came. Before night had fully
-settled down the old man said: “Let us retire to sleep. Our visitor has
-come to us very tired, I suppose. You should prepare a separate couch
-of bark. I am very anxious concerning the probable return of his elder
-brother tonight. At all events, I suppose he will probably return by
-tomorrow.” Having said this, the old man lay down, saying to the young
-man and the young woman: “Do ye two retire to sleep. I my own little
-self am asleep” (i.e., lying down to sleep).
-
-After they had all retired for the night the old man said aloud, “Let
-me tell a tale,” and thereupon he began to sing, “They (masc.) have a
-lodge as a home, it is said; they are eight in number; they are lost
-(devoted to destruction).” He sang this song through three times. Now
-the young man began to snore loudly, for he had fallen sound asleep. In
-a short time the old man arose, and carefully readjusting his robe,
-said: “I am greatly perturbed in my mind. A game animal has come into
-my lodge on a visit.” Then taking down his war club and approaching his
-sleeping guest, he killed him by blows on the head.
-
-Going to a corner of the lodge, he obtained there a great clay pot and,
-after putting water in it, he set it over the fire. Having quartered
-the body of his victim, he put it into the pot to cook. While he was
-engaged in this gruesome work he kept saying, “There is still no lack
-of power to do things in my manner of living, for I have no trouble to
-live. Game animals habitually come to my lodge.” So spake the old man,
-who was then cooking the entire body of a human being, and was happy.
-(It is said that he gave to his granddaughter the flesh of leeches to
-eat and putrid things also. She was not aware of what she was eating,
-for he had hypnotized her to think these things were proper and good.
-This granddaughter was a prisoner whom he had taken in one of his
-raids. But he himself ate human flesh in his lodge, and in order to
-satisfy his unnatural appetite he was engaged in killing people from
-all the neighboring settlements; this conduct agitated the entire
-country around.[419])
-
-In the meanwhile the brothers of Honenhineh, it is said, were not very
-much surprised when night came and the next younger brother had not
-returned, for they suspected some harm had befallen both their missing
-brothers. Then the eldest of the remaining brothers said, “Well, it is
-now for me to go to find my brothers who have not returned from the
-north.” So in the morning when they had eaten their morning meal he
-started out alone on the northward trail to seek for his missing
-brothers. After having gone some distance from the lodge he found the
-tracks of the eldest of the two brothers and followed their lead.
-
-While running along he suddenly saw ahead of him the light in the
-forest from clearings near by. Keeping on his course, he finally came
-to a large clearing or field, where he stopped to look around, because
-the tracks of his two brothers led him to this point. While examining
-the country he saw in the distance the Great Valley, and as the trail
-led thither he followed it until he came to the brink of the valley,
-where he stopped again to view the country around. At this point he
-heard a sound coming from the farther side of the valley, made by the
-blows of a club on a dead tree, and also the voice of a man who sang:
-“I am indeed lucky. On the opposite side of the valley there is a human
-being going along.” This song was repeated by the unknown singer.
-Thereupon the younger brother of Honenhineh said to himself: “It is
-strange that my two brothers have not given notice of this thing. It
-indeed seems certain that they have chased a bear to its lair; let me,
-then, go thither.”
-
-So the young man started on a run down the slope leading into the
-valley along the trail made by his two brothers. Having run some
-distance, he suddenly noticed pieces of bark falling around him. At
-this he came to a halt and, looking up into a tree which stood near,
-saw high up on the trunk a small bird, a flicker or yellowhammer, now
-clinging to the tree trunk, and now flitting from place to place. As he
-raised his eyes to it the flicker, smiling, said, “He carries a bow and
-arrows pretentiously (as if he knew how to use them), although he is
-notoriously a very bad marksman.” Quickly stringing his bow the young
-man said to his tormentor, “Do not say anything more.” But the flicker
-only laughed, saying, “There is nowhere on this whole earth among the
-inhabitants a person living who has the ability to kill me.” The young
-man replied, “Be careful of thyself,” and he at once nocked his arrow.
-The flicker became visibly agitated and kept glancing at the young man
-furtively as it slowly crept around the tree trunk. Thereupon the young
-man shot at it, and then he saw not far from the spot occupied by the
-flicker the two shocks of arrows which belonged to his two brothers.
-The aim of the young man and his orenda were such that the arrow hit
-its mark, becoming fixed in the body of the flicker, which uttered a
-loud wail of despair and fell to the ground.
-
-The young man did not withdraw his arrow, but took it up with the
-flicker’s body transfixed by it and placed it on his shoulder, thus to
-carry his victim. In the meantime the flicker kept saying, “You should
-let me go free again. I am doing nothing wrong.” But the young man
-replied, “No. I will not let you go free. I desire to show you to my
-two brothers.” With these words he resumed his journey.
-
-He had not gone very far when he reached a clearing, at the border of
-which he stopped to look around. He saw at some distance a lodge, out
-of which smoke arose, whereupon he said, “I will go thither to the
-lodge. My two elder brothers are certainly idling away their time, for
-I believe that they are both there in that lodge.” He came to this
-conclusion because he noticed that the tracks of his two brothers led
-to the lodge. Having reached the side of the lodge, he came to a halt.
-He had no sooner stopped walking than a man’s voice inside challenged
-him, saying, “Come, my grandson. Thou hast come to visit me in my
-lodge.” On entering, the youth was greatly surprised to see before him
-a fine-looking young maiden, who was seated on her couch weaving a
-forehead pack strap from the prepared fibers of slippery-elm bark. The
-old man said to his young visitor: “It has been, indeed, a very, very
-long time that I have been looking for you to pay me a visit. I have
-been saying that a great hunter is on his way here. There sits my
-granddaughter whom you are to marry. Granddaughter, move along on your
-mat to give him room to sit beside you.” As the young man passed him
-the old man noticed that he was carrying something that he had killed,
-and he quickly arose, saying: “Give me the body that you are carrying.
-That is indeed a very fine game animal which you have killed on your
-way here.” The young man replied, “No. I will not give it up until I
-first see my two brothers.” To this the old man rejoined, “They passed
-here, and so they will return here, perhaps very soon.” Then, turning
-to the young maiden, he added: “Prepare some food for him. He has come
-here hungry, perhaps. You must procure a quantity of dried green sweet
-corn, which you must pound in a mortar, and also dried venison, which
-likewise must be pounded fine. Set a pot containing water over the
-fire, and into this you must put the pounded corn and venison, adding a
-quantity of maple sugar, dried huckleberries, and lastly bear’s
-grease.”
-
-The young woman hastened to prepare the corn soup in the manner in
-which she had been instructed by her old “grandfather,” and it was not
-long before the soup was cooked and ready to be eaten. At this time the
-old man brought from an adjoining room a bowl of bear’s grease, which
-he gave to the young woman, who put it into the pot of soup. Having
-done this, she removed the pot from the fire and set it where the
-contents would cool. Presently she placed a large bowlful before the
-young man, who ate it with a good appetite, and he gave thanks to his
-host for what he had eaten. Night coming on shortly after this, the
-three persons began to get ready for retiring. At this time the old man
-said to his guest, “You should give me the body of the bird which you
-have brought with you. You will leave it with me to keep for you.” But
-the youth replied, “I will not give it up to you.” To this the old man
-answered, in a threatening manner, “I am greatly agitated in my mind.
-Let us retire for the night. A game animal has indeed come into my
-lodge. I am now an old man. Still there is nothing that curbs my orenda
-(I am unaffected by any influence). I am bound to get back my own bird
-at any cost.”
-
-So saying, he arose and, going aside, he took down his war club. Then,
-returning to the side of the young man, he said, “Do thou give up to me
-the body of the bird which you have.” The answer came, “I will not give
-it up to you.” The old man, now in a great rage, retorted: “You are
-risking your life. You are about to die, and you can not escape from
-it.” With these words he raised his war club, shouting, “Will you hand
-me the bird, or not?” But the young man still replied, “No. I will not
-give it up to you.” Then the old man struck the youth on the head with
-the club and killed him. Thus he recovered the body of the bird and
-gave back its life [420] (which was that of a female relation of the
-old man).
-
-These events gave great pleasure to the old man, who went around
-saying: “There is nothing that yet affects my orenda; I am not
-suffering in any manner; no one from any place can come here who is
-able to treat me lightly.” So the old man was quite happy. Having
-brought out his great clay pot, with water in it, he set it over the
-fire, and after quartering the body of the young man, he placed it all
-in the pot to cook. After a suitable time he remarked, “It is perhaps
-cooked now.” He kept on looking into the pot from time to time to see
-whether the flesh was done. As it seemed not to cook thoroughly, the
-old man was greatly concerned about it, and continued saying, “There is
-something wrong; otherwise it would be possible to cook this
-thoroughly.” Finally, getting out of patience, the old man removed the
-pot from the fire and ate the raw flesh.
-
-Now, in the lodge of the brothers there was anxiety when night came and
-none of the brothers who had gone northward had returned, and the five
-remaining brothers were wondering what had befallen them. When those
-who were left were back in their lodge Little Burnt Belly said, “Oh,
-elder brother! you must go tomorrow to bring them back.” Then they
-retired for the night and went to sleep. In the morning they arose and
-all except Little Burnt Belly went to hunt, as usual. The latter seated
-himself beside the fire and there he sat all day long without moving.
-When evening came the two missing brothers had not returned, and the
-hunting brothers came back empty handed, having killed nothing during
-the day. They all saw Little Burnt Belly seated beside the fire, silent
-and motionless.
-
-The brothers retired for the night and slept soundly. When daylight
-came and they arose they saw Little Burnt Belly still seated beside the
-fire. He maintained the one position and said nothing to any of his
-brothers. When they ate their breakfast he did not arise to have his
-share. The other brothers then left the lodge to go out hunting for
-game animals for food. After they had gone Little Burnt Belly arose,
-saying, “Let me amuse my elder brothers.” Thereupon he then took down
-his bow and arrows, and shot two arrows up out of the smoke-hole of the
-lodge.
-
-As the brothers were engaged in the chase at no great distance one from
-another, they were greatly surprised to see a very large deer rush up
-to them and fall dead at their feet, and soon another deer did
-likewise. They saw that an arrow protruded from the body of each deer—a
-circumstance which was very mysterious to them. As quickly as possible
-one of the brothers rushed up to the stricken deer, and breaking off a
-leaf, wrapped it around the arrow before touching it with his hand to
-draw it forth, saying, “I do not desire to uncharm my youngest
-brother’s arrow.” Then drawing out the arrow, he carefully laid it up
-in the fork of a tree. Having done this he started at once for home,
-carrying the whole body of the deer. Before it was dark Little Burnt
-Belly saw his elder brother bringing back the deer. Not long afterward
-the other brother came into the lodge bearing on his back the other
-deer properly packed for carrying. The other two brothers returned with
-them as guards.
-
-They found Little Burnt Belly still seated before the fire. But when
-they were back in the lodge he said to them, “Our missing brothers have
-not yet returned home. Tomorrow I myself will go on their trail to seek
-for them.” After eating their evening meal they retired for the night
-and slept soundly. When morning came they prepared their usual
-breakfast and then started out to hunt. Thereupon Little Burnt Belly
-arose, and going to his couch procured such articles of apparel as he
-needed for his journey. He took also his bow and arrows, which were his
-immediate trust and dependence for accomplishing his task, for they
-were full of orenda (magic power), which he could control for his own
-use. He ate no breakfast; he needed none, for he desired to have all
-his faculties clear and alert. While seated beside the fire he had been
-taking suitable medicine to make him sound and clear visioned that he
-might be able to cope with the wizard whom he suspected of having
-destroyed his missing brothers.
-
-Leaving the lodge, Little Burnt Belly shaped his course northward to
-find the trail of his three brothers. It was not long before he struck
-this, and he followed it on the run, presently entering a vast forest
-whose great trees made it dark and gloomy. He had been running for a
-large portion of the day when he saw daylight through the trees, from
-which he inferred that there must be a clearing ahead of him. Keeping
-his course, finally he came to the edge of a large clearing or field.
-As he saw the tracks of his brothers there, he stopped to look around.
-Immediately he heard a peculiar sound of tapping, and looking in the
-direction whence the sound seemed to come he perceived that it
-proceeded from the opposite side of a great valley just ahead of him.
-Making his way along to the brink of the valley he heard the voice of a
-man saying, “It seems that I am in luck, for on the opposite side of
-the valley a human being walks along.” He heard this voice three times.
-As the trail led him in the direction of the sound he said, “I think it
-my duty to follow this trail, for the voice may be that of one of my
-brothers (said ironically).”
-
-So descending into the valley he came to a terrace or bench, along
-which he was following his brother’s tracks, when his attention was
-attracted by pieces of bark falling around him. Halting and looking up
-into a tree standing just at his side, he saw a small bird high up on
-the trunk, clinging to it and flitting at times from place to place. He
-saw that the bird pretended to be a flicker, or yellowhammer. When the
-flicker saw him looking up, it said with a laugh, “Some people who
-believe themselves possessed of orenda go about with bow and arrows
-just as if they knew how to use them, although they may be the poorest
-of marksmen.” Pointing an arrow at it, Little Burnt Belly said: “Be
-careful of thyself. Some people trust their orenda too far, for they
-lay claim to too much power for their own good.” At once the flicker
-became visibly agitated, and kept glancing at Little Burnt Belly
-furtively, as it slowly crept around the tree trunk. At an opportune
-moment he let fly an arrow, which pierced the body of the flicker,
-causing it to fall to the ground without uttering a sound. Little Burnt
-Belly did not fail to notice the shocks of arrows sticking in the tree
-trunk near the spot where the flicker was clinging and to recognize
-them as belonging to his brothers; he saw also their broken bows, and
-knew that they were in the power of some wizard.
-
-Taking up his arrow with the flicker still pierced by it, and placing
-it over his shoulder, he resumed his journey. He was not long in coming
-to the lodge which he had seen in the distance, and to which the trail
-of his brothers had led him. As he drew near, a man’s voice within
-said, “Oh, my grandson! come in; I am thankful that you have come to
-visit me.” On entering the lodge he saw an old man whom he recognized
-as a cannibal, and he saw also before him, seated on her couch, a
-fine-looking young maiden. The old man exclaimed: “I have been looking
-for you for a very, very long time. I have said all along that a great
-hunter was on his way to visit me. There sits my granddaughter whom you
-are to marry. Granddaughter, move along, and give him some room by
-you.” As Little Burnt Belly passed the old man the latter saw that he
-was carrying something which he had killed, and he arose quickly,
-saying: “Do give me the body of that thing which you have killed, for
-it is indeed a very fine game animal.” But Little Burnt Belly replied:
-“I will not give it up. I will first see my missing brothers.” The old
-man persisted, however, saying: “You should give me that bird. I am
-greatly agitated in my mind. Nothing yet has curbed my orenda. I will
-get back that bird at any cost. A game animal has now come to my
-lodge.” Little Burnt Belly retorted: “You are boasting of the
-invulnerability of your orenda, but this bird contains your life, and I
-am your master, and you know it. You have long ago forfeited your life
-by all your murders and cannibalism, so now you shall die.” So saying,
-Little Burnt Belly crushed his head with the blows of his war club.
-Then he liberated the slave, or prisoner, of the cannibal from the
-effects of drugs which had been given her by her master, and after
-bringing back to life his own brothers, who had been devoured by the
-cannibal, they all returned to the lodge of Honenhineh.
-
-
-
-
-
-112. THE LEGEND OF GODASIYO
-
-In the beginning of time, when the earth was new, when the inhabitants
-of it spoke but a single tongue, when these good people dwelt in
-perfect harmony and peace, and when the several settlements lived in
-such manner that there were no quarrels or contentions among them,
-there dwelt in one of these settlements, or villages, Godasiyo, a
-woman, who was the chief of her village.
-
-The village over which Godasiyo held sway was situated beside a very
-large river; in fact, it occupied both sides of this important stream.
-It was the custom of the people of Godasiyo to cross the river for the
-purpose of visiting, of attending the dances which are held every
-night, and of exchanging their goods—meat, venison, skins, furs, roots,
-bark, and dried fruits and berries—in order to supply their several
-needs. Moreover, the lodge of public assembly was situated on one side
-of the river—a feature that occasioned considerable traveling across
-and back. This stream was very large and rapid. The people crossed it
-by means of a bridge constructed of saplings and of limbs of trees
-carefully fastened together. The state of good will and contentment,
-above described, continued for a long time, but at last trouble arose.
-The cause of this was a white dog which belonged to the chief,
-Godasiyo. The dissension became so serious that there was great danger
-that the factions would become involved in a fight over the matter. The
-great river divided the two parties.
-
-Finally, Chief Godasiyo, after long deliberation, decided that the only
-way in which a deadly contest could be avoided would be by the removal
-of her own adherents to some other place of residence. Having decided
-to take this step, she at once informed her adherents of her resolution
-to remove westward by ascending the stream on which they were living.
-She invited all who had taken her part to follow her into exile from
-their present settlement. And they all agreed to emigrate with her. She
-told them further that they would ascend the river in canoes of birch
-bark, which would enable them to transport their small belongings with
-ease. So the people set to work to construct the water craft. Two
-canoes of birch bark of suitable size were made, and these were
-fastened together by means of strong saplings extending from one canoe
-to the other so as to support a kind of platform extending over the
-canoes and the space between them. This structure was for the sole use
-of the chief, Godasiyo. The followers of Godasiyo proceeded to
-construct birch-bark canoes for themselves also. When Godasiyo took her
-seat on the craft constructed for her sole use all her adherents and
-defenders launched their own canoes containing their effects.
-
-When all had embarked, with Chief Godasiyo in the lead, all paddled
-upstream. The flotilla of canoes was very large, covering the surface
-of the water as far as the eye could see up and down the river. After
-they had paddled a long distance, the people finally came in sight of
-the forks in the river, and then it was that they began to converse
-together—the two divisions of canoes, one on each side of the float of
-the chief, Godasiyo—as they paddled upstream. One division chose one of
-the forks in the river as the course to follow to their new settlement,
-and the other division elected to turn into the other channel. Each
-division gave its reasons for the choice which it had made, and the
-divergent views gave rise at last to heated discussion. This strife
-continued to the point where, if persisted in, the people would become
-definitely separated; still no compromise was effected, so the leaders
-in each division turned the prows of their canoes so as to ascend the
-fork of the stream which they had selected. Thus they began to
-separate.
-
-When this movement began the two men paddling the two canoes on which
-rested the float of Chief Godasiyo disagreed as to the course that they
-should take under the circumstances. As each chose the fork branching
-off on his side of the stream, the two canoes became separated, and the
-platform on which Chief Godasiyo was sitting slipped off its support,
-falling into the water and carrying the chief with it. The people drew
-near and, looking into the water to see what had become of their chief,
-they saw that she had sunk to the bottom, where she had become
-transformed into a great fish.
-
-Thereupon the people of the two divisions attempted to converse
-together, but they were unable to understand one another, for their
-language had become changed. It was in this manner that this body of
-people became divided and possessed of different languages. Thus it
-came about that there are so many languages spoken by the various
-tribes dwelling on this earth.
-
-
-
-
-
-113. A LEGEND OF AN ANTHROPOMORPHIC TRIBE OF RATTLESNAKES
-
-In the ancient country of the Oneida, which they occupied when the
-League of the Iroquois was formed, were a number of subterranean
-caverns, which, it was said, were inhabited by various tribes of men.
-The following legend is about one of these caverns:
-
-It was said that in the olden time a certain young man of a good family
-while out hunting in this region saw a large raccoon ahead of him,
-which seemingly was attempting to escape from him. At once the young
-hunter started in pursuit of the raccoon, and soon the race became
-interesting, for the raccoon was gradually gaining on its pursuer. It
-was not long before the raccoon had gotten out of his sight, so the
-hunter was able to follow it only by following its tracks in the snow
-that lay on the ground to the depth of a span. After a very long
-pursuit the hunter finally tracked the raccoon to a large river, the
-banks of which were very high and rocky. The tracks led along under one
-bank for a long distance. The young man was becoming quite exhausted
-when finally he came to the mouth of a cavern in the river bank, into
-which the tracks of the raccoon disappeared. The entrance to this
-cavern was just large enough to admit the body of the hunter, and he
-decided to go in; but before doing so he set up his bow and arrows and
-walking stick beside the entrance. He found that the passageway
-inclined downward at a gentle grade. After entering the passage the
-young hunter found that the way was long. Having gone so far in that
-the light from the entrance had entirely faded away, at last he was
-delighted to see that it was becoming light ahead of him. So he kept on
-until finally he emerged from the cavern. Thereupon he was surprised to
-see that the tracks of the raccoon led out of the passageway into the
-open. The young hunter stood quiet for some minutes, viewing the
-country around. He was greatly surprised to find further that the
-climate of this region was quite different from that in which he
-commonly abode, for he found black raspberries ripe or ripening,
-although there was much snow on the ground in the country whence he had
-just come. Then he resolved to follow a well-beaten path, which led
-farther into the new country. As he went along he blazed the trees
-bordering the path, or broke twigs and branches off the trees in such
-manner that these would serve as signs by which he could retrace his
-steps in the event of losing his way. He noticed that the path leading
-from the entrance to what he thought was a cavern led inland, turning
-to the right a short distance from the entrance. He followed this road
-because he saw in the dust of the path the tracks of the raccoon which
-he had been following.
-
-As he walked along, keeping a sharp lookout for whatever might happen,
-he saw in the distance a lodge, which from its appearance seemed to be
-occupied; he noticed smoke arising from it, hence he inferred that
-people were dwelling there. He resolved to go ahead to see who lived in
-that lodge. As he continued on he still saw the tracks of the raccoon
-which he had been following. On reaching the lodge the young hunter
-entered, finding within two very aged people, seemingly a man and his
-wife, who appeared to be superannuated. The old man was the first to
-greet the hunter, saying, “My grandson, it is indeed well that you
-visit our lodge and home.” Then the old woman joined her husband in
-welcoming him with the words, “My grandson, it is indeed good that you
-visit our home.” The hunter replied to these words of welcome, “I am
-indeed glad that you two are still living in health in this world.” The
-heads of these two old people were white and partially bald, for their
-years were many; but they set food before their guest, which he ate
-heartily and thankfully, for he had become quite exhausted from his
-long pursuit of the raccoon. When he finished his meal he conversed
-with the old man concerning the affairs of that country.
-
-In a short time the old man said, “The chiefs of this settlement have
-invited me to meet them in council this evening, and I should be much
-pleased to have you accompany me to our lodge of assembly
-(“Long-lodge”).” Here the wife of the old man added, “My grandson, you
-should go with him and so become acquainted with our people and see the
-country.” The young hunter consented to accompany his aged host, for he
-learned that he was a noted chief in his land. Thereupon the aged chief
-said, “My grandson, when we arrive at the lodge of assembly you must
-not remain outside; you must enter with me; and when they begin to
-dance you must return here at once, for if you should remain there you
-would meet with a terrible misfortune. I am giving you warning in due
-time. Moreover, you must not linger along the way homeward, but you
-must make all possible speed. Yonder is a hut, which rests on a
-platform supported by four posts, in which hut you must retire for the
-night. There is a ladder leading up to the entrance of the hut, which,
-when you have reached the platform, you must pull up after you and lay
-on the scaffolding outside the lodge. I warn you further. You must not
-consent under any consideration or persuasion to let down this ladder
-to enable a person or persons to go up and be with you, for should you
-give this consent a most appalling thing will befall you. Do not forget
-these warnings. Your safety depends on your obeying what I have said to
-you, for I am telling you these things for your welfare.” The young
-hunter assured the old man that he would obey his warnings. Looking out
-he saw the elevated hut to which the old man said he should retire for
-the night, and he noticed that the supporting posts had been peeled and
-carefully oiled to prevent anything from climbing them to reach the
-hut. This fact aroused the young hunter’s curiosity, but feeling that
-he should not pry into the affairs of his hosts he held his peace.
-
-Having completed their small preparations, the aged chief and his young
-guest departed for the council. When they reached the lodge of assembly
-(“Long-lodge”), they found that they were on time. The hunter saw what
-was usual on such occasions and gatherings—that those whose intentions
-and purposes were good had already taken their places inside the
-council lodge, and that those who had evil designs and propensities
-were going to and fro outside. He noticed, too, that when the frivolous
-young women saw him and recognized him as a stranger, they at once
-guyed one another at his expense, jostling and hawing and clearing
-their throats, in order to make the young stranger look at them and to
-join them; but he paid no attention to their ruses. On entering the
-lodge of assembly the aged chief and his guest found that it was
-already well filled with the orderly people of the settlement, and that
-the chiefs were all present, quietly awaiting the arrival of the host
-of the young hunter. When the two had taken their seats the Fire-keeper
-chief arose and in a formal speech uncovered figuratively the council
-fire, expressing with much feeling the public thanks for all the good
-things they enjoyed and for the preservation of their lives. He made
-these remarks in a loud voice, giving thanks to the Master of Life.
-After forbidding the commission of bad deeds by everyone there present
-he carefully stated the purpose of their session. He asked every chief
-to employ wisdom and mercy and justice in the conduct of the business.
-After a number of the chiefs had discussed the matter pro and con
-before them, and had in their parlance “cooked the ashes,” and the
-business of the council had been transacted, the Fire-keeper again
-arose to close the session formally, by saying, among other things, “We
-now cover the fire with ashes. And after the dancing, which will begin
-now, we will disperse to our homes.”
-
-The young hunter, hearing these last words and remembering the strict
-injunctions of his host, hastened out of the lodge and at once started
-for home at a rapid pace. But his movements had been watched by four
-young women, abandoned characters of the settlement, who at once
-pursued him swiftly, laughing, hawing, and calling to him to stop and
-await their pleasure. This conduct, however, only caused the young
-hunter to travel ahead as fast as it was possible for him to go. Soon
-he was chagrined to find that he was not leaving the young women, for
-their voices did not die away, so finally he started to run at top
-speed. After a time, becoming exhausted by the exertion, the hunter
-slackened his pace to a brisk walk, whereupon he soon heard the sounds
-of the laughing and guying voices of the pursuing women, who seemed to
-be rapidly gaining on him. Again he started on a brisk run in a
-seemingly vain effort to outdistance his fleet-footed pursuers, for
-just as soon as he would relax his efforts in the least, the sound of
-their voices could be heard not far behind him. The serious injunctions
-of his aged host urged him onward as rapidly as it was possible for him
-to go. Thus closely pursued, he finally reached the hut and lost no
-time in ascending to it by means of the tree ladder, which he drew up
-after him, as he had been directed to do by the old man. Having entered
-the hut and secured its bark flap door as well as he could from the
-inside, he anxiously awaited events. Soon the four wretched women
-arrived and clamorously asked him to let down the ladder to enable them
-to climb up to his room, but the young man gave no heed to their
-importunities. Through small crevices in the walls of the hut he
-watched them while they attempted to climb the posts, but as these were
-greased the women were unable to do so. Throughout the night they
-remained at the foot of the posts clamoring for the ladder. At daybreak
-the women ceased their attempts and noise, and the young man fell
-asleep from exhaustion. When he awoke he arose, and unfastening the
-door flap of bark, he went out on the platform around the hut. On
-looking down, he saw at the foot of each of the posts a huge female
-rattlesnake, coiled and asleep; these he divined were the four wretched
-women who had pursued him the previous night. His movements over their
-heads awakened them, and at once they crawled away into the neighboring
-thickets without indicating in any manner that it was they who had just
-tormented him.
-
-Having gathered up his few belongings and let down the ladder, he
-descended to the ground and hastened to the lodge of his aged hosts,
-which stood not far away. On entering, he was astonished to find the
-aged host, in the form of a huge rattlesnake, coiled up on the couch,
-but he was reassured by seeing the old woman, who was up, and who had
-taken the precaution of assuming human form again. Though at first
-somewhat nonplused by what he had just seen, the young hunter asked the
-old woman, “Where is my grandfather? I suppose he has gone out into the
-forest?” Without showing any perturbation, the old woman replied, “Yes;
-he has gone out, but he will soon return. Back of the ledge you will
-find water with which you may wash your face and hands. The morning
-meal is now ready, and we will eat it just as soon as you return.”
-Having washed, as suggested, in a bark trough in the rear of the lodge,
-he returned to join the old woman and her husband at the morning meal.
-
-While eating the young hunter took occasion to examine the furnishings
-of the lodge more thoroughly than he had had an opportunity of doing
-sooner. In the room he saw numerous bark vessels of many sizes with
-various kinds of nuts, dried fruits, and berries; wooden vessels
-containing honey; and small bundles of the dried twigs of the spicebush
-shrub for use in making a beverage to be drunk hot with meals. The
-youth was further surprised to see in a corner of the room, curled up
-on a mat, the raccoon which he had pursued so persistently the previous
-day. He was now fully convinced that he was the guest of a family of
-rattlesnakes, for when he returned from washing himself at the back of
-the lodge he found that the old man had again assumed human form,
-appearing to him as he had the day before, and greeting him with,
-“Well, my grandson, did you rest well last night?” The young man
-replied, “Yes; I rested quite well.” When the old woman had placed the
-food on the bench, she addressed the young man, saying, “My grandson,
-now you must eat your fill, for there is plenty here. So do not be
-afraid of eating all you wish.”
-
-Having finished his meal, the young hunter thanked his rattlesnake
-hosts, and after bidding them farewell he started for his own home. He
-returned to the mouth of the cavern, for such was this place, and
-crawling back through the passage he reached the surface of the earth
-in his own country, where he found his bow and arrows and his walking
-stick just as he had left them. He quickly made his way home to his
-family, to whom he related his experiences in the cavern. He was so
-astonished at what had befallen him while in pursuit of a raccoon that
-he had the chiefs call a council of their chiefs and people to hear the
-strange recital. He told them that he had indeed visited the
-rattlesnake people, and that they assumed at will human form and
-attributes and lived under human institutions. He was thanked by the
-council and people for his recital. But the young hunter never
-afterward took advantage of the invitation of the old rattlesnake chief
-to revisit him and his wife.
-
-
-
-
-
-114. THE TWINS: GRANDSONS OF GAHOⁿʻDJI’DĀʹʻHOⁿK [421]
-
-In ancient times a certain family, consisting of seven brothers and one
-sister, lived together contentedly in a large bark lodge. It was the
-duty of this sister while her brothers were out hunting to cut in the
-neighboring forest the firewood used by the family and to bring it to
-the lodge.
-
-It is said that the sister was uncommonly comely, although her size and
-stature were above the average for women, and that she possessed
-unusual strength. In the performance of her duties she was accustomed
-to be absent from the lodge during the entire day, returning with her
-burden of firewood in the evening. Now, the youngest of the seven
-brothers was a recluse—that is to say, he was deanoäʹdoⁿʼ.[422] As the
-duties of the sister did not require her to go far from the lodge, she
-was usually the first to return to it in the evening, while the
-brothers, who had to go many miles away to find game and fish, did not
-return at times until very late at night.
-
-There came a day, while the six normal brothers and their sister were
-absent, and while there was no one in the lodge except the recluse,
-when a young woman, daughter of the noted witch, Gahoⁿʻdjiʼdāʹʻhoⁿk,
-came to the lodge bearing a huge basket of marriage bread. There were,
-of course, eight beds to accommodate the seven brothers and their
-sister, which were properly arranged along the sides of this long
-lodge. The bed occupied by the youngest brother, the recluse, was
-nearest to the doorway on its side of the lodge. The witch’s daughter
-had been instructed by her mother to take her seat on this bed. But
-upon entering the lodge the young woman, after looking around, set her
-basket down in front of the third bed and took her seat thereon. This
-bed was the third one from the doorway, counting from the entrance on
-the left side of the lodge. Feeling, however, that she had not followed
-her instructions, the young woman did not sit there long, but took her
-seat on the next bed, because she imagined that it had a better
-appearance than the one on which she had been sitting. But she kept on
-shifting her position from bed to bed until she finally came to the
-seventh bed. Here the second of the seven brothers and his sister found
-her on their return to the lodge.
-
-Seeing her seated on the bed and noticing the basket of
-marriage-proposal bread, they inferred that she had come to marry their
-brother on whose bed she sat, so they said to her kindly, “We are very
-thankful that you have come to our lodge, oh, our sister-in-law.” She
-made them no reply but by her actions showed her appreciation of this
-welcome reception on their part. In the order of their ages the other
-brothers returned to the lodge, and with the exception of the eldest
-one all saluted her with words of welcome in the same manner as the
-first two had expressed their delight at having her for their
-sister-in-law.
-
-The eldest brother was the last to return to the lodge, and by the
-young woman’s own choice seemingly by sitting on his bed with a basket
-of marriage-proposal bread before her, he was her chosen husband, so he
-addressed her as his accepted wife. Noticing at once that he was blind
-in one eye, she was chagrined for not having obeyed her mother’s
-instructions with regard to the bed on which she should await her
-future husband. She thought it best, however, to seem to ignore her
-disturbing discovery and her unhappy feelings in consequence, so she
-began to study her surroundings in the lodge. She saw that some one
-whom she had not noticed before was lying on the bed next to the
-doorway on the left-hand side of the entrance, the one on which she had
-been told to sit on entering this lodge. She made the discovery also
-that the person lying on this bed was the recluse of the family, that
-in fact he was deanoäʹdoⁿʼ, and as such was “secluded” from all
-persons. She noticed, too, that no one paid the slightest attention to
-the recumbent figure, which was heavily covered with robes of skin from
-head to foot. Hence her curiosity was thoroughly aroused, especially as
-it was on this bed that her mother had directed her to sit.
-
-The next day, when all the other persons of the lodge except the
-recluse and the bride wife had gone out into the forest on their
-various errands, she arose from her couch, and crossing over to the
-other side of the fire, went to the bed on which lay the covered figure
-and cautiously drew down the covering from the head of the person who
-was fast asleep. There she saw with longing eyes and half-suppressed
-passion a handsome youth of finely developed figure. She stood there
-partly bent over the sleeping youth, sorely infatuated. By gently
-shaking the young man she finally succeeded in awakening him, whereupon
-she said to him, “Arise, my friend, and come to my couch and let us
-talk together.” But the youth neither arose nor would he speak to her,
-notwithstanding all her fervent entreaties to embrace her. Naturally
-this conduct only intensified the young wife’s desire, so she continued
-during the entire day to tease and coax the youth to go over to her own
-couch. But he made no response to her persistent efforts. When she
-thought it was about time for the other persons living in the lodge to
-return, she went back to her couch, where she had remained of her own
-choice the previous night. She did not love her husband since she found
-out his misfortune and her great mistake in choosing his couch
-(contrary to her instruction) for a resting place when she first came
-to the lodge.
-
-When all the family had returned to the lodge for the night and had
-prepared, cooked, and eaten their supper of corn bread, boiled venison,
-and spicebush tea, they retired to their several couches, whereupon the
-bride began to tell her husband a story invented for the occasion. She
-declared that when he and his brothers and sister had left the lodge
-the day before and she was alone with his deanoäʹdoⁿʼ, or recluse
-brother, the latter had come over to the side of her bed and had made
-improper proposals to her, and that she had great difficulty in
-resisting his attempted assaults. Her husband, however, made no reply
-to this carefully concocted story.
-
-Again, the next day, when all the brothers excepting the recluse, and
-their sister, had left the lodge, the bride went to the bedside of the
-recluse, and after awakening him, coaxed and begged him to come to her
-own couch. Knowing her motive, the youth made no response to her
-importunities except to tell her that she should be satisfied with her
-own choice of a husband, reminding her that she had been satisfied to
-reject the speaker when she first came to the lodge, although she had
-been instructed to take a seat on his bed as a token of a marriage
-proposal. Completely baffled by the attitude of the youth and enraged
-by his conduct in refusing to gratify her desire, she returned at last
-to her own couch with a heart filled only with bitter thoughts of
-revenge on him. Then, in order to make her contemplated story appear
-true, she lacerated and bruised her neck and face and breasts and arms
-with her own hands and fingernails, in order to support her intended
-accusation against the youth of an attempted assault upon herself.
-
-When the other members had returned to the lodge in the evening, and
-after they had eaten their suppers and had retired for the night, the
-young bride again told her husband with much simulated emotion that his
-recluse brother had made that day another attempt to assault her when
-the other occupants of the lodge were absent, showing her lacerated
-neck and arms and face in corroboration of this false story. Still the
-husband made no response to her accusations against his youngest
-brother. The next day, however, when he was out in the forest hunting
-with his other brothers he related to them the story which his bride
-had told him. They, too, received this information in silence.
-
-On the third day after the arrival of the young woman in the family she
-still had hopes of entrapping the recluse by inducing him to share her
-bed with her. In fact, she had been sent by her notorious mother,
-Gahoⁿʻdjiʼdāʹʻhoⁿk, to marry this youth, not because the mother thought
-he would make her daughter a suitable husband, but rather because she
-wished to get him into her power, for, on her own account, she feared
-to allow him to grow to manhood without an attempt to destroy him,
-knowing well that all who were regarded as deanoäʹdoⁿʼ [423] were
-possessed of most potent orenda (magic power), which they would put
-into use as soon as they attained manhood—at the age of puberty. The
-recluse youth had foreseen for many months the events which would come
-to pass after the arrival of this dutiful daughter of
-Gahoⁿʻdjiʼdāʹʻhoⁿk. He knew well that the great witch had sent her for
-the express purpose of getting him into her power in order to destroy
-him before he could develop into manhood. Hence, he sturdily resisted
-all the wiles of the daughter to get him to embrace her, as he knew
-that such action would place him at the mercy of her mother. He feared
-being bewitched; he realized that he must exert to the full his orenda
-against that of the great witch, for he was aware that the penalty for
-being defeated was death. In order to carry out her scheme the young
-bride arose on the third day when all except the recluse and herself
-had left the lodge, and going over to the bedside of the youth, again
-entreated him tearfully to come to her couch. But he was obdurate,
-rudely repulsing her advances, until finally she returned to her own
-side of the fire. Despairing of accomplishing her purpose by gentle
-means, the young woman, whose anger was thoroughly aroused by the
-youth’s refusal to be seduced by her, went out of the lodge into a
-dense thicket, and, baring her legs, she plunged into the midst of
-briers and thorns, which lacerated them very badly. In this condition
-she returned to the lodge to await the coming of her husband. When her
-husband and his brothers and sister had returned the young woman kept
-her peace for a while, although she pretended to be troubled in mind.
-But after they had eaten their supper and had retired for the night she
-told her husband a story of another attempted assault on her by his
-youngest brother, and to confirm this she showed him in the ill-lighted
-room her torn and blood-stained legs and thighs. Her husband made no
-reply, although he had decided what to do.
-
-The next day after their morning meal all except the young wife and the
-recluse left the lodge on their daily trips into the forest, the
-brothers to hunt and the sister to procure bark and fuel for the fire.
-When the brothers had reached their rendezvous in the forest the eldest
-told the rest what his wife reported to him, and also that she had
-shown him her bleeding legs and thighs in confirmation of her story.
-After a short parley, the brothers solemnly decided that it was their
-duty to kill their youngest brother; so they returned to the lodge that
-night with the firm determination to carry out their resolution. The
-next morning, after they had eaten their breakfast, they informed him
-of their decision to kill him in order to put a stop to his scandalous
-conduct toward his brother’s wife. The youth, knowing that he was
-innocent of the charge and that the young woman had falsely accused him
-to his brothers, calmly lay down on his couch in silence that his
-brothers might kill him.
-
-First, the eldest brother solemnly approached the couch, and drawing
-his flint knife from his pouch he passed it across the throat of his
-youngest brother; whereupon he was astonished to see that the knife had
-made no cut. After sawing away with his knife until he had worn it out,
-he abandoned the attempt with grave misgivings that all was not well
-with his brother. Then the rest of the brothers tried in turn to cut
-the throat of the youngest, but in this they failed completely. When
-they fully realized that they had been foiled by some unknown power,
-the recluse said to his astonished brothers: “None of you possesses the
-orenda (magic power) to enable you to kill me. My sister alone
-possesses such potency; hence she can kill me. When she has done so,
-you shall build a log lodge of massive construction, and you shall put
-over it a roof of the largest logs, so that the lodge shall be entirely
-secure. But before putting in place the roof you shall lay my body in
-the lodge and also leave my sister alive therein. Further, you shall
-place my head in its correct position with relation to the rest of my
-body. Finally, seal up the lodge with the logs as I have said.”
-
-Then the sister of the youth, with her flint knife, beheaded her
-brother, afterward withdrawing in deep sorrow. Thereupon the six
-brothers of the dead youth set to work constructing the log lodge as
-they had been instructed to do, using the largest logs they could
-handle. When they had finished this task they placed their sister alive
-in the lodge with the body of the slain brother, just as he had
-directed, and covered the rude but strong structure with the largest
-logs it was possible for them to obtain and handle. Then they returned
-to their own camp.
-
-When the brothers arrived there they were somewhat surprised to see
-that the bride of the eldest had mysteriously disappeared. They
-marveled greatly at this singular occurrence, which they could not
-explain, for there were no traces of her having been attacked by an
-enemy.
-
-While they were thus perplexed there suddenly arose a terrific
-hurricane and windstorm, which was the work of the notorious witch
-Gahoⁿʻdji’dāʹʻhoⁿk, the mother of the missing bride. At the height of
-the tempest, within the lodge of great logs, the head of the youngest
-brother became reunited to his body, and the youth came to life. At
-once he said to his sister, possessed of potent orenda, “Oh, my sister!
-press with all your might both your hands over both my eyes and keep
-them there until I tell you to remove them.” The sister quickly obeyed
-her brother, for she knew that the storm maidens would snatch away the
-eyes of her brother if possible. The tempest swept the ground in all
-directions from the lodge as far as the eye could see, trees being torn
-up by the roots and tossed about as if they were grass stalks. The camp
-of the six brothers was swept away and they were destroyed with it.
-
-Nevertheless the lodge in which the youngest brother and his sister
-were inclosed was left intact, and the two inmates were unharmed,
-except in one respect: When the rage of the storm had subsided, the
-brother said to his sister, “Now you may take your hands from my eyes,
-for it was of no avail for you to have held them there.
-Gahoⁿʻdjiʼdāʹʻhoⁿk has overmatched me in sorcery; her orenda has
-overcome mine.” From this speech the sister learned that the youth
-claimed to be a wizard, possessed of orenda of abnormal potency and
-efficiency. But she was greatly astonished and agitated to find that
-her brother’s eyes had been snatched out from under her hands during
-the storm and that consequently he was blind, for on removing her hands
-from his face she saw the eyeless sockets.
-
-Without any ado the brother said to his sister, “Let us leave this
-place. Remove the roof of logs so that we may get out of this lodge.”
-Then the sister, who was abnormally strong for a woman, set to work
-removing these logs, and, when she had removed enough of them to enable
-her brother and herself to climb out, they regained their freedom.
-Thereupon the blind brother said, “Let us go home now; and in order to
-do this we must travel directly southward from here.”
-
-The sister, agreeing with this proposition, at once set to work making
-preparations for the journey. In order to be able to bear her brother
-on her back she constructed a kind of harness or carrying-chair
-(gaʼnigoⁿʹʻhwāʼ). When she had completed her task she placed her blind
-brother in the “chair,” and by means of the forehead strap bore it on
-her back. Thus burdened, she started at once southward for their home.
-
-Having traveled a long distance without stopping to rest, they finally
-came to a place in which the sister saw a covey of wild turkeys. She
-wished, mentally, it were possible for her to secure one of the birds
-for food for her brother and herself. The former, being aware of her
-thought, said, “Oh, my sister! make me a bow and an arrow, and I will
-kill one of the wild turkeys.” The sister, having done as desired,
-brought the bow and arrow to her brother, who said, “Oh, my sister!
-tell me where the turkeys are and turn me so that I may face them as I
-shoot.” As soon as his sister had placed him in the proper position,
-with one shot he killed a turkey. The sister, who was delighted with
-their good fortune, at once proceeded to dress and cook the turkey for
-their supper. But when she told her brother that the turkey was ready
-to eat he refused to partake of it, telling his sister that she would
-have to eat it by herself. At this, without asking him his reason for
-not eating his portion, she ate what she desired. Then she constructed
-a temporary lodge (kanoñsʻhäʼ) with boughs, strips of bark, and other
-suitable material, in which she and her brother remained for the night.
-
-In the morning the sister ate what remained of the turkey and then,
-placing her brother on her back, resumed the journey toward the south.
-They traveled the entire day. When the sun was setting they again came
-upon a covey of turkeys, one of which they killed in the same manner as
-they had killed one the evening before. The devoted sister, having
-dressed the bird carefully, boiled it by putting hot stones into the
-water, but the young man again refused to eat any portion of it. When
-the sister had eaten what she desired she reserved what remained for
-breakfast. Then she made another temporary shelter in which they
-retired for the night.
-
-Next morning after the sister had eaten her breakfast she again took
-her brother on her back in the carrying cradle and they resumed the
-journey southward. Nothing unusual occurred during the day. When the
-sun was setting they again came upon a covey of wild turkeys, one of
-which was killed, and after being dressed, was cooked and eaten, as the
-two other turkeys had been. Afterward the sister prepared a temporary
-shelter, as she had done twice before.
-
-In the morning of the fourth day they again set forth on their journey
-southward. Toward midday the sister said, “Oh, my brother! I see a
-lodge in the distance ahead of us. Beside it stands a very tall
-chestnut tree. Shall I continue our journey?” The blind brother
-replied, “Yes; go on! It is the lodge in which we formerly lived. Yes;
-that is our lodge and home.” Thereupon the sister hastened her steps
-and they soon reached the lodge. Within they found everything that was
-common to the lodges of those ancient times, as clay pots, baskets,
-wooden mortars, tubs of corn and beans, and bundles of spicebush twigs
-for use in making a warm drink.
-
-Nothing unusual happened to the blind brother or to his sister until
-the third day after their arrival at their old home. On the morning of
-that day, while the sister was out in the neighboring forest gathering
-fuel, she was surprised to hear some person, seemingly near to her,
-say, or rather whisper, “Chit!” Quickly turning in the direction whence
-the sound proceeded, she was startled to see a short distance away a
-handsome young man looking intently at her. After talking with her a
-few moments he made her a proposal of marriage, in reply to which she
-told him that she could not give him a definite answer without first
-consulting her brother. Then she asked him to meet her at the same time
-and place on the following day. The young man agreed readily to her
-proposition, whereupon they separated without further ceremony.
-
-When the sister returned to the lodge she told her brother of meeting
-the young man, and asked his advice with regard to her acceptance or
-refusal of the offer of marriage. He replied that it was his wish,
-prompted by wise policy, that she should accept the offer, since the
-young man was a noted wizard, son of the notorious witch,
-Gahoⁿʻdji’dāʹʻhoⁿk; for, if she did not marry him, her refusal would be
-tantamount to a sentence of death on each; hence, they must accept the
-inevitable.
-
-During the following night the blind brother explained in detail the
-reasons for his advice to her to marry the young man, who was the son
-of the great witch, Gahoⁿʻdji’dāʹʻhoⁿk, the relentless enemy of their
-family and kin.
-
-The next morning the sister went into the forest to keep tryst with the
-strange young man, whom she found there awaiting her coming. She told
-him at once that her brother had been happy to consent to have her
-marry him. He seemed greatly pleased at her reply and merely said: “It
-is well. I will be at your lodge tonight. So, I go away now.” So they
-two parted in this abrupt way. That night, when darkness had come, the
-strange young man arrived at the lodge of the sister and her blind
-brother. He remained overnight with his wife, but left the lodge at the
-dawn. Before leaving, however, he assured his wife that he would return
-at night. Accordingly, he came to the lodge that night also and
-remained with his wife until the dawn, when he departed as he had done
-on the previous morning.
-
-Thus he came and departed for seven nights. Then he said to his wife:
-“It is my wish that you return with me to my mother’s lodge—my home.”
-His wife, knowing well who he was and who his mother was, readily
-consented to accompany him; by so doing she was faithfully carrying out
-the policy which her blind brother had advised her to pursue toward
-him. On their way homeward, while the husband was leading the trail,
-they came to a point where the path divided into two divergent ways
-which, however, after forming an oblong loop, reunited, forming once
-more only a single path. Here the woman was surprised to see her
-husband’s body divide into two forms, one following the one path and
-the other the other trail. She was indeed greatly puzzled by this
-phenomenon, for she was at a loss to know which of the figures to
-follow as her husband. Fortunately, she finally resolved to follow the
-one leading to the right. After following this path for some distance,
-the wife saw that the two trails reunited and also that the two figures
-of her husband coalesced into one. It is said that this circumstance
-gave rise to the name of this strange man, which was Degiyanēʹgĕñʻ;
-that is to say, “They are two trails running parallel.” Not long after
-the two reached the husband’s home, the residence of the notorious
-witch, Gahoⁿʻdji’dāʹʻhoⁿk, who welcomed her daughter-in-law to her
-lodge.
-
-In due course the wife of Degiyanēʹgĕñʻ gave birth to male twins. The
-great witch, who acted as midwife to her daughter-in-law, cast one of
-the children under a bed and the other under another, and then nursed
-her daughter-in-law and instructed her as to her conduct during
-convalescence.
-
-Some days elapsed, when the inmates of the lodge were surprised to hear
-sounds issuing from beneath the beds under which the twins had been
-cast. At once the great witch, making two small balls of deer hair and
-buckskin and also two lacrosse ball clubs, gave a ball and a club to
-each of the twins. At once each of the twins began to play ball beneath
-the bed under which he lived, and it was not long before each of the
-little boys was seen to pass from under his bed beneath that of the
-other. Thus they amused themselves the entire day, but at night each of
-the twins returned under his own bed. Day after day the twins visited
-back and forth. There came a day, however, when one of the twins tossed
-his ball up in such wise that it flew out of the doorway of the lodge.
-Thereupon the two youngsters followed the ball so nimbly and swiftly
-that they were able to overtake it before it struck the ground. So they
-kept batting the ball high up into the air and overtaking it before it
-could reach the ground again. After playing thus for long hours, each
-would return to his own retreat beneath the bed under which he lived.
-
-This outdoor sport was indulged in by the twins for a long time. One
-day, on being tossed into the air, the ball at once took a course
-directly toward the lodge of their blind uncle, but the twins kept up
-with it, hitting it with their bats before it could touch the ground.
-They did not notice that they were approaching a lodge, hence they were
-greatly surprised to see it finally fall into the smoke hole of the
-lodge. They cautiously approached the lodge and, peering through the
-crevices in its bark walls, they saw their ball in the hands of a man
-with eyeless sockets.
-
-One of the boys said to the other, “Lo. Go in, and get the ball,” but
-the other replied, “I fear him. You go.” Finally they entered the lodge
-together to ask the man to give them back their ball. As they drew near
-the man, he said to them: “Do not be afraid of me. Fear not; I am your
-friend. It is I who have caused you to come here to my lodge. By
-sorcery I caused your ball to fall into my hand. Indeed, I am your
-uncle, your mother’s brother. I should very much like to see you two,
-but you observe I have no eyes, so I can not do so.” At this the twins
-exclaimed together: “Oh! maternal uncle, how did you lose your eyes?”
-The uncle replied: “Your grandmother, Gahoⁿʻdji’dāʹʻhoⁿk, overmatched
-me in sorcery, and as a penalty she took out my eyes, so I am blind.”
-The twins answered: “Oh, uncle! we desire very much that you see us.”
-To this the uncle replied: “As it seems to be an impossibility for me
-to see again, it would probably be useless for you to wish me to see
-you.” But the twins said: “We will try to make you able to see us.”
-
-With this remark the twins left their ball and their lacrosse clubs and
-went into the neighboring forest. They had not gone very far before
-they met Degĕñsʹgē (the Horned Owl). They asked him to lend them his
-eyes for a short time, promising to return them to him uninjured.
-Complying with their request on this condition, he removed his eyes and
-handed them to the twins; then he sat down to await their return.
-Delighted with their success, the twins hastened back to the lodge to
-their uncle. Placing the borrowed eyes in his sightless sockets, they
-asked him whether he could see with them, whereupon he told them that
-he could see nothing. Disappointed with this result, the twins removed
-the eyes from their uncle’s head and returned them to the Degĕñsʹgē
-(Horned Owl) in the forest, thanking him for his kindness.
-
-Going a short distance farther into the forest, the twins met
-Ke’kʹʻhowā (Barred Owl), whom they asked to lend his eyes to them for a
-short time. He readily consented on condition that they return them
-within one day. So the twins soon had his eyes, which they carried back
-to the lodge as swiftly as their feet could take them. But after
-inserting them into their uncle’s eyeless sockets, they were again
-disappointed to hear him say: “It is indeed too bad; I can not see
-anything with them.” So removing the eyes, the twins carried them back
-to Ke’kʹʻhowā, whom they thanked for his kindness.
-
-The twins were not to be easily defeated, however, in their purpose, so
-they went still farther into the forest. There they met Odoñnyoñʹdăʻ
-(the Eagle), and they at once asked him to lend them his eyes for a
-short time. The Eagle readily consented to part with them for a day,
-and in a moment the twins were hurrying homeward with them. After they
-had placed these in their uncle’s sockets he told them that he could
-not see things clearly, merely faint outlines of them. So once more
-they removed the eyes and gratefully returned them to the Eagle.
-
-Not to be thus baffled in the attempt to enable their uncle to see
-them, one of the lads proposed to the other that each lend their uncle
-an eye from his own head. To this proposal the other readily consented.
-Each of the lads having removed one of his eyes, the two started for
-the lodge of their uncle. When they reached his side they placed the
-eyes in their uncle’s head, who at once exclaimed in delight: “Oh! I
-can see. Oh! I am so glad to be able to see you two, my nephews.” Then,
-after taking a glance around the lodge, he returned the borrowed eyes
-to his wonderful nephews, who said to him: “We will now go away to get
-back your own eyes; so be of good cheer for a short time. We start
-now.”
-
-But their blind uncle replied: “Knowing what I do, it seems impossible
-for you two lads to accomplish your purpose. So take courage and be
-brave.” Then, after a moment of silence, he added by way of advice:
-“Remember this: My eyes are partly bloodshot, and they are attached to
-the swaddling wrappings of a female child, who is still fastened to a
-cradle board, and whom they serve as breast ornaments. The lodge in
-which this child may be found has a fox skin as its clan mark and
-stands far away in cloudland. And, my nephews, no one can enter that
-land unseen by the sleepless eyes of the grim warder, who is called
-Haneʹʻhwăʼ,[424] and who on the approach of a stranger gives the alarm
-by three terrific shouts. So have courage, my nephews.”
-
-Undaunted, the lads left the lodge, and going to a neighboring swamp
-they set to work industriously collecting a vast quantity of swamp
-grass, which they placed on a large pile. When they had collected a
-sufficient quantity they set the pile on fire, and when the flames
-leaped the highest the lads, casting themselves into their midst, were
-borne aloft on the huge billows of smoke, which mounted ever higher and
-higher, and were soon in cloudland, where they came down in the form of
-cinders.
-
-Then one of the lads called two mice, which he instructed to creep
-cautiously under the leaves, grass, and rubbish to a certain lodge
-having a fox skin for a clan mark, and to emerge from the trail as near
-the lodge as possible without being apprehended by the warder,
-Haneʹʻhwăʼ. Then each lad entered one of the mice, and the two mice,
-burrowing along under the leaves and other rubbish, soon came out just
-where they had been directed to emerge. Notwithstanding their caution
-and ruse, Haneʹʻhwăʼ knew the purpose which the two mice had in coming,
-but before he could give the alarm one of the lads said to him: “Keep
-silence. We will give you a quantity of wild beans if you consent to
-our request.” Believing the lads to be harmless and to be on a mere
-sporting expedition to show their powers of metamorphosis, he readily
-consented to permit them unheralded to pass to their destination.
-
-Having thus easily passed the warder of the lodge of
-Gahoⁿʻdji’dāʹʻhoⁿk, the two lads, assuming the form and size of fleas,
-at once entered the portico or porch of the lodge, in which several of
-their aunts, sisters of their father, were pounding corn in wooden
-mortars with wooden pestles. As fleas the lads, unnoticed, quickly
-crawled up the legs of these women, and by vicious bites soon caused
-the corn pounders to fall to fighting among themselves, believing that
-they had been cruelly pinched by their mates. By crawling on and biting
-the legs of all the women the lads were able to make all of them fight.
-In fighting, the women, influenced by the orenda of the boys, employed
-their wooden pestles in striking their opponents on the head,
-fracturing their skulls. Thus, in a short time the women had destroyed
-one another.
-
-After all the women were either dead or stretched out unconscious with
-fractured skulls, the lads cautioned the warder, Haneʹʻhwăʼ, not to
-inform Degiyanēʹgĕñʻ, their father, what he had seen them do, should he
-come there inquiring about his sisters. They told him to sing for their
-father the following song:
-
-
-
- Yekĕⁿnĕⁿnéʹʻhoʻ skahetchonăʼ otiʹʼsĕñ.
- Oekĕⁿnĕⁿnéʹʻhoʻ skahetchonăʼ otiʹʼsĕñ.
-
-
-
-The warder consented to do what his boy friends had asked him to do.
-Thereupon the lads quickly entered the lodge to which was attached the
-fox skin clan badge. They soon found the cradle board on which was
-fastened the female child, even as their uncle had told them, but they
-were greatly astonished when they saw that the eyes of many persons
-adorned the swaddling clothes (wrappings). Quickly but carefully
-examining these eyes, which served as the breast ornaments of the
-child, they soon found the eyes of their uncle, which were partially
-bloodshot. When they had secured these they removed also the others, in
-pairs, and, tossing them up into the air, said to them: “Return to the
-place whence you were taken by stealth.” At once these eyes took flight
-and returned to their owners. After killing the female child and
-compassing the death of the treacherous Haneʹʻhwăʼ, the lads started
-for home with their uncle’s eyes.
-
-When the boys reached the point whence they must descend they assumed
-the size and form of fleas, and, using the seed heads of the dandelion
-as parachutes, they easily floated down from cloudland to the earth.
-Going directly to the lodge of their uncle, they returned to him his
-eyes. He was delighted beyond measure when he found that his nephews
-had been successful in their expedition and had so speedily brought
-back his eyes.
-
-The lads had killed the baby in cloudland by means of potent drugs
-given them by their uncle while they were still on the earth. Before
-starting their uncle had told them not to fail to put this deadly drug
-on the baby, for he knew that the child was the life itself of the
-great witch, Gahoⁿʻdjiʼdāʹʻhoⁿk. Through its death the witch herself
-necessarily died, because the child was her life, not her baby, as it
-appeared to be. Thus, Gahoⁿʻdjiʼdāʹʻhoⁿk was destroyed and the young
-deanoäʹdoⁿʼ man at last was revenged on her, partly through the potent
-orenda of his nephews and partly by means of the potent “medicine” with
-which he had armed them before they had started on their expedition
-into cloudland.
-
-
-
-
-
-115. THE LEGEND OF THE MISOGAMIST
-
-In ancient days, it is said, there lived a good mother and her son in a
-lodge that stood alone. Now, the son was a very successful hunter; in
-the chase of all kinds of game animals he had no competitor. The
-possession of an overflowing larder and of rare and excellent furs and
-skins gave him an enviable prestige among his people.
-
-It was natural among a hunter people that the prowess of the young man
-in the chase should make him an attractive figure in the eyes of all
-the mothers among his people who had marriageable daughters. So these
-thrifty mothers urged their daughters to make the usual marriage bread
-and to go to his lodge with proposals of marriage. Each of these
-obedient daughters would say: “Indeed, I believe that thou and I should
-marry.” This was the address made to the young man after the young
-woman had set her basket of marriage bread before him, seated, to
-receive her. In replying, the young man would say to each: “In so far
-as I am concerned it is my settled purpose not to marry anyone, as I
-have no desire to do so.” Thereupon the young woman, having failed in
-her suit, would return to her home.
-
-This pursuit of the young man by the marriageable daughters of the
-community continued for many seasons. As each maiden came with her
-proposal of marriage the youth invariably made the same answer. During
-all this time his mother continued to remonstrate with him on account
-of his firm resolution not to marry, telling him repeatedly that it was
-a well-known fact that one who acted as he was doing would surely be
-punished for his attitude by some great calamity. He refused, however,
-to listen to her remonstrances.
-
-Now, it was his custom to go every autumn to hunt in the forest, and he
-would return home with great quantities of venison and other meat, and
-furs and skins. All the people who had none of these things came to the
-lodge where the mother and son lived together because they wished to
-trade for some of the meat or for some of the furs or skins, each one
-bringing therefor something of value. One would bring a bracelet,
-saying: “For this cut me off a small portion of meat of the bear, of
-venison, or of some other kind.” Another would bring a burden strap,
-saying: “For this give me the skin of a beaver, or a small portion of
-bear’s meat, for I have come to buy.” This trading continued for some
-years, and all kept saying of the young man: “He is indeed immune to
-adverse orenda.”
-
-After a while another autumn came, and again he started alone on a
-hunting trip into the forests where he knew game was always abundant
-and in which it was his custom to camp for the season. Having reached
-the place where his hunting lodge stood, he proceeded at once to repair
-it and to supply it with suitable fuel and other necessities. Then he
-went forth to hunt, as was his custom. He was very successful,
-returning every day to camp with the game he had killed.
-
-After a certain number of days thus spent he lay down one night to
-rest, as usual. But in the middle of the night it so happened that he
-moved about in his bed, and he was greatly surprised by feeling what
-seemed to be a woman lying beside him. No one had ever slept with him
-before, man or woman. Thereupon the surprised misogamist said: “Lo, who
-are you?” The young woman, for such she was, in a fascinating voice
-which thrilled the heart of the young man, replied: “Oh! I desired to
-visit the place where you are only because of the love which I have for
-you.” Saying this softly, she threw her arms around his neck and
-fervently embraced him. He remained perfectly quiet, making no protest
-against the fondling of the beautiful maiden. Without further ceremony
-the young woman joyously exclaimed: “Come now! let us two go to sleep
-again.” But the young man lost consciousness at once, and the last
-thing he remembered were the words of the young woman. It was after the
-dawn of day that he awoke. Uncovering his head, he found that he was
-quite alone, and that, in fact, the young woman was not anywhere
-around. He was greatly astonished at what had happened, and said to
-himself in wonder: “What is this that has befallen me? Now, indeed, has
-come to pass perhaps what my dear mother has been saying to me, for has
-she not kept telling me that I would be punished sooner or later for my
-unreasoning attitude toward those who have desired to marry me. Now I
-shall start for my home, for I am seized with fear.”
-
-He set to work at once making up his pack and putting the lodge in
-order for his departure. When he had completed his preparations he
-started for home.
-
-At the end of the day’s journey he camped for the night in the place
-where he usually stopped for this purpose. After kindling a hot fire in
-the temporary shelter he set to work warming some pieces of cold meat
-which he had brought with him, and then sat down to eat his supper.
-When he had finished his meal he made ready to rest for the night. It
-was quite dark, for the evening was then far spent. As he sat resting
-he was suddenly surprised to hear noises that seemed to draw nearer and
-nearer. He could plainly hear the sounds, sāʻʹ, sāʻʹ, sāʻʹ, and also
-sounds caused by the moving aside and breaking of sticks and small
-twigs, and the branches of trees falling. Seized with a great fear, he
-at once added small dry sticks to the fire, which blazed up, giving a
-great light, which enabled him to see whether anything was approaching
-his shelter. Suddenly he saw standing at the end of the illumined space
-a very large woman. After a moment’s hesitation she came up to the
-opposite side of the fire and, addressing the now thoroughly frightened
-young man, said: “It is just this: I have come here with the desire
-that you should give me a portion of meat.” To look at her one would
-have thought that she was in all respects a human being, as she stood
-gazing toward the youth. As quickly as possible he took from his pack a
-quarter of meat, which he heaved over the fire toward the woman, who
-caught it. Then she began to eat it, while the blood dripped down on
-her breast and over her garments. Thus she ate up a quarter of meat.
-When she had finished she said: “The only thing for you to do is to
-return to this place in the autumn, when the season changes again.” So
-saying, she turned at once and started away, leaving the young man more
-astonished than ever. Soon she was lost to view in the darkness.
-
-Thereupon the youth was seized with great fear, and he kept saying to
-himself: “Now indeed has been fulfilled the saying of my dear mother; I
-am suffering the penalty which she told me would befall for my refusal
-to marry some of the marriageable daughters of my people. But with it
-all, I think that when I have returned home I shall not relate what has
-befallen me on this trip. Moreover, in case some shall say to me, ‘Let
-us marry,’ I will consent at once.” Of course he did not fall asleep
-during the entire night. Very early in the morning he ate some cold
-meat, and then taking up his pack, he started for home. Having arrived
-there, he hung his pack on the wall of the lodge. His mother said: “I
-am thankful for this.” Noticing a changed expression on his face, she
-said to him: “Lo, pray what has befallen you, since you have returned
-so soon after your departure?” The son replied: “Something unusual
-happened, it would seem. I became homesick; this is the reason that I
-returned home at once.”
-
-During the time that the son was away hunting many women visited the
-mother, who were continually asking her consent to a marriage with him.
-So now the mother said to him: “I will tell you that three maidens paid
-me visits, who proposed marriage with you; these maidens you know well,
-as they are the three who have been the most insistent on marrying you.
-So now it is for you to choose which of these three, or if not one of
-these, then whom are you willing to marry? I do not know what may
-happen should you again find it impossible to consent to marry one of
-these maidens.” At once the son replied: “I will consent to taking one
-of these maidens in marriage. I will marry without further ado.” He
-then informed his mother which of the maidens he would marry, for he
-well knew the names of all those who had come to his mother’s lodge
-with their baskets of marriage bread. This answer greatly pleased his
-mother, who said to him: “It is indeed the right thing for you to do,
-for many women have come here to ask you to marry them. Now I will
-bring here the chosen one.” So saying, she went at once to the lodge of
-the maiden of his choice.
-
-On entering the lodge of the maiden she greeted her and her mother,
-and, after informing them of the purpose of the visit, said to the
-former: “I have come after you to bring you to our lodge and fire. My
-son has consented to marry you; so you will accompany me home, and you
-it will be who will dwell with her spouse’s people.” The maiden,
-agreeing to the proposition, said: “So let it be; I am willing to marry
-him.” Thereupon the two returned to the lodge of the mother of the
-young man, the misogamist. They reached the lodge, and, on entering it,
-the mother said to her son: “I have brought with me her who is my
-daughter-in-law. Now I will speak a few words: Oh, my child! you must
-continue to love her; you must have compassion for her; never vex her
-in mind or body; never let it be said that you are one of those who
-kill their spouses. Some grasp them by the hair of the head to abuse
-them; never do you thus. I am through.” This speech she addressed to
-her son.
-
-The maiden remained there one entire year, and she properly fulfilled
-the duties of a good wife. A little later she gave birth to a daughter.
-The child was very handsome, and she was also very large and healthy
-and strong. In all respects she was of the size and hardiness of a
-child who was large enough to be borne on the back in a cradle board.
-
-Now the time had arrived in which the men who were capable of doing so
-severally went out to their hunting grounds—autumn had come. One day
-the young man said: “My dear mother, you will prepare provisions for a
-journey, for I am again going out to hunt, and I am thinking of having
-my wife accompany me, as the child is sufficiently strong and hardy to
-be borne on her mother’s back in a cradle board. I will bear by means
-of the forehead strap the provisions that we will take with us.”
-
-Then the mother proceeded to prepare the corn bread in the usual way,
-and the parched corn meal sweetened with honey or maple sugar. When the
-bread was cooked she removed it from the boiling water and set to work
-preparing the pack, in which she placed all the bread, making what was
-called a wrapped pack. When she informed her son that she had completed
-the task of preparing the food for the journey, he said: “Tomorrow,
-very early in the morning, we two will start on our journey.”
-
-Accordingly next morning the husband and wife set out. The wife bore
-their child on her back by means of the cradle board and forehead
-strap, and the husband carried the wrapped pack, containing boiled corn
-bread and parched corn meal mixed with sugar and honey, by means of the
-forehead strap. After traveling all day, in the evening they reached a
-spot where it was the custom of the husband to camp for the night; this
-was a good day’s journey from their lodge. He set to work at once
-repairing the temporary shelter and kindling a large fire. Meanwhile
-the young wife warmed up some cold meat and the boiled corn bread which
-they had brought in the pack. Their evening meal prepared, the two ate
-heartily. When they had finished their supper they made ready a rude
-couch of bark and boughs on which they lay down for the night. The
-wife’s mind was contented.
-
-In the morning the husband rekindled the fire, and the wife warmed up
-more of the cold boiled corn bread. When they had eaten their fill the
-husband at once repacked their belongings. He also closed the temporary
-shelter in order to preserve it for their return. Then he said to his
-wife: “Now let us depart. Our journey will require fully the time of
-the entire day, and we will arrive at my hunting camp in the evening.”
-As predicted, they reached their journey’s end as the sun was sinking
-low in the west. Its crimson rays shot upward through the treetops and
-along the western sky.
-
-The husband quickly began to make his hunting lodge ready for
-occupation and also kindled a large fire. While the wife was warming up
-the meats and the corn bread the husband kept on repairing the lodge by
-filling up the crevices with moss and replacing such pieces of bark as
-had fallen off. He desired to make the lodge warm and comfortable,
-especially on account of their baby. When it was too dark to continue
-his work the wife called him to their supper. They were happy and
-contented. After finishing their meal they prepared their rude bed and
-retired for the night. Before falling asleep the husband said to his
-wife: “Tomorrow I will go out to hunt again.”
-
-Next morning, as soon as they had finished eating breakfast, the
-husband said to his wife: “I am about to start out to hunt now, and you
-two will remain alone. Perhaps I may not return until just before
-sunset. Of course, should I have very great success, I will return home
-at once.” So saying, he left the lodge. Just before sunset he returned,
-carrying by means of the forehead strap the entire body of a fine deer.
-He set to work at once skinning the carcass. When this task was
-completed he quartered the animal and hung up the parts to cure, but
-not before he had selected some choice pieces for their supper. These
-the young wife quickly prepared, and they ate their evening meal in
-peace and quiet. The wife was, of course, very much pleased to have
-fresh venison to eat; she was indeed happy. Then they retired for the
-night and were soon asleep. In the morning the husband again started
-out to hunt, saying to his wife: “You two will remain at home alone,”
-assuring her that he would return as soon as he was successful in his
-hunting.
-
-Thus many days passed. The hunter was very successful in his hunting,
-always bringing home large quantities of venison, bear, moose, and elk
-meat and various other kinds of game. He and his wife had a great
-quantity of meat hanging around the sides of their lodge to cure, and
-also many fine furs and skins.
-
-Toward sunset one day the young wife went out of the lodge to procure
-fuel for the fire while the child lay asleep. As she was walking
-around, she heard sounds made by some one approaching through the
-woods; thereupon she hastily gathered an armful of wood and, quickly
-reentering the lodge, took a seat near her sleeping baby. In a short
-time, as she looked out through the openings in the forest, she saw
-suddenly a very large woman approaching, bearing on her back an
-unusually large child. At once she became fearful, exclaiming: “What
-shall I do to save us? Perhaps we two shall now die?” So saying, she
-quietly awaited the coming of the strange woman. In a few minutes the
-latter entered the lodge and, standing in the doorway, said to the
-frightened woman: “Do not have any fear of me, for I come with no ill
-feeling in my mind toward you and yours; there is no evil in my mind,
-so, above all, do not fear me.” With these words, she walked to the
-opposite side of the fire and took a seat there. The young wife noticed
-that the two children were exactly the same size. Although the stranger
-kept comforting her by telling her not to be afraid, that she had not
-come to the lodge for any evil purpose, her hostess was so fearful that
-she made no replies, but she kept thinking: “It is certainly
-unfortunate that my husband does not return at once. I wish he would
-come. This is ill-omened.” Meanwhile the strange woman continued to
-remain quiet. Looking at her face, one would think that she was human,
-although she was so tall and so stout that she appeared uncanny.
-
-Now there came sounds from a distance, as the sun was low in the west,
-and the expected husband returned home. He entered his lodge, bearing
-by means of the forehead strap the entire carcass of a deer. He cast
-the burden down, giving merely a passing glance at the woman seated on
-the opposite side of the fire, without saying a word. The young wife
-then set to work getting his supper. When she had set the food before
-him he said to her: “You would better give some food to the woman
-sitting on the opposite side of the fire.” His wife willingly obeyed
-this suggestion, carrying to her in a bark bowl a generous supply of
-food, and saying: “This is for you to eat.” But the woman (or what
-seemed to be one) refused to accept it, answering: “I do not eat that
-kind of food.” At this the wife, of course, went back to her side of
-the fire. Her husband sat with his back toward the strange woman and
-studiously refrained from saying a word, but kept on eating. In a few
-minutes the strange woman spoke, saying: “He knows what kind of food I
-am accustomed to eat.” At once he rose, and, reaching up, took down a
-quarter of venison, which he threw over the fire back of him toward the
-strange woman. She caught this as it came to her. The wife was intently
-watching what was taking place. The stranger proceeded at once to eat
-the raw venison, and in a short time she had devoured the entire
-quarter. While eating, the strange woman kept saying: “I am very glad
-indeed. My wish has been fulfilled, for I desired to come here on a
-visit.” When night had come and they were ready to retire to rest, the
-husband prepared his mat at the feet of his wife and child, while the
-strange woman and her child lay on the opposite side of the fire, which
-was the guest’s side according to custom. The young wife of the hunter,
-who was thoroughly frightened, kept thinking: “I just do not know what
-may befall us that is untoward.”
-
-In the morning the husband arose, and having rebuilt the fire, his wife
-proceeded quite early to prepare breakfast for them. When they two were
-about to begin eating the husband again took down a quarter of venison,
-which he threw over his shoulder across the fire to the strange woman,
-who caught it and began to eat it raw, the blood even dripping from her
-mouth, so ravenously did she eat. When they had eaten breakfast the
-strange woman said: “Now, my wish has been fulfilled—my wish to visit
-this place.” All remained there in the lodge. After a while, however,
-the strange woman arose, carrying her child, and, walking over to where
-the hunter was seated, said to him: “Lo, take this child, for it is but
-your own child. Here it is.” Shrinking away, the husband drew back his
-hands, but the woman, preferring that he should have the child, gave it
-to him, so he had to accept it. Thereupon, the woman said, “I desired
-that he should just look on his child, and it was for this reason that
-we two came hither.” So saying, she returned to the opposite side of
-the fire, where she again seated herself. The husband sat still,
-holding his child, dubious as to its real character. After a while he
-arose, and going over to the place where the woman sat, on the opposite
-side of the fire, he gave the child back to its mother. Then returning
-to his own side of the room, saying, “I am now going out to hunt
-again,” he started from the lodge.
-
-In the meantime the two women remained in the lodge with their children
-of the same size. The strange woman said to her companion in a
-comforting way: “You must not have any fear of me.” When her child fell
-asleep she laid it down on her couch and carefully covered it with a
-skin robe. Then, turning to her hostess, she said: “I will fetch some
-fuel, because it is so difficult and trying for you at all times to
-have to bring it.” With these words she left the lodge in quest of
-wood. She was absent a long time, when suddenly there came a sound,
-dā—h, which drew nearer and nearer, as if one were dragging some great
-object along the ground. On looking out to see the cause of the noise,
-the hunter’s wife saw the strange woman approaching with a huge tree in
-her arms, which she threw down just outside the doorway; it was a whole
-dead tree, which was dry and hard. She proceeded at once to break up
-the tree, and when she had finished her task there was a great pile of
-wood—fuel for the lodge fire. The wife of the hunter was greatly
-astonished at the enormous strength of the strange woman, and she again
-was filled with great fear. Then the other woman, entering the lodge,
-said: “I have now supplied you with a quantity of fuel.” Thereupon, she
-seated herself on the opposite side of the fire.
-
-She had just taken her seat, when suddenly she arose, saying: “ʼAʻʹhăʻ!
-Now comes my husband trailing me. Have courage now, oh, my friend! and
-help me. Hasten! Be quick! Go cut basswood poles, three in number, and
-you must sharpen them. You must be quick about it, too, for if he shall
-overpower us we two must perish.” The hunter’s wife ran out as swiftly
-as possible, and having cut the basswood poles and sharpened them,
-returned to the lodge. The other woman then said: “You must harden
-[425] their points in the fire by turning them over carefully; let them
-be burning. As soon as we meet at the doorway we shall fight, and we
-shall fight on the outside of the lodge. And, of course, there can be
-no doubt that he will overpower me, for he is very powerful. When he
-throws me and falls on the top of me, you must quickly take one of the
-burning poles from the fire and thrust it in anum ejus, turning it
-around therein vigorously, and then withdraw it. You must quickly do
-likewise with the other two burning poles. Thereupon, he will soon
-become weak, and then I shall overcome him. Just at present you must
-keep still and must watch carefully those poles, for they are our only
-hope of success. Now he is coming on the run close at hand. Have
-courage and aid me, oh, my friend!”
-
-The stranger had barely uttered these words when she and her husband
-met in a death struggle at the doorway of the lodge; they fought
-outside so as to have more room in their struggles. In a short time the
-man tripped his wife, and they fell to the ground with the man
-uppermost. At once the hunter’s wife swiftly ran into the lodge, and
-seizing one of the burning poles thrust it in anum ejus, and having
-turned it round and round violently a moment withdrew it. Then she did
-likewise as quickly as possible with the second and third burning
-poles. This terrible treatment had its effect, and in a moment the
-strange woman was able to free herself, and struggling from under her
-weakened husband she strangled him to death. All this time she kept
-saying to her friend, “Have courage, oh, my friend! Stand near by and
-wait.” Then returning to the lodge, she said: “Oh, my friend, I am
-thankful indeed that you have helped me in my trouble.” Having
-recovered her breath, she added: “Now I will cast the body far away
-yonder, as far as one can see.” So saying, she dragged away the body of
-her husband, disappearing with it in the distance; but it was not very
-long before she returned to the lodge, whereupon she said: “I have left
-the body far away. Now we two unfortunate ones—myself and my child—will
-return to our home, departing from this place. All that I desired was
-that she should see her father. I thank you for what you have done for
-us. Our kinsfolk dwell far away from here in the forests; thither we
-two shall return. Now we depart.”
-
-In a short time the strange woman and her child had disappeared into
-the forest. They had been gone a long while when the hunter returned to
-the lodge. He had nothing to say to his wife. Thereupon she resolved
-not to tell what had taken place while he was away hunting until she
-reached home. At first the husband and wife did not converse at all.
-But finally the former said: “Tomorrow we will start for home.” So the
-next day he made the necessary preparations for their journey, putting
-their belongings into two packs. When all was ready for their departure
-he placed the smaller pack on his wife’s back by means of the forehead
-strap, and the larger on his own back in the same way. Then they left
-their hunting camp for home much sooner than they had expected to do.
-
-They kept traveling the entire day, and when the sun was low in the
-west they arrived at the place where the hunter was accustomed to camp
-when making his hunting trips in past seasons. Here they kindled a
-fire, and warming up cold meat and boiled corn bread, they ate their
-meal and then retired to rest. Early in the morning, as soon as they
-had eaten their meal and repacked their belongings, they continued
-their journey, arriving just before sunset in the lodge of the
-husband’s mother. She was very thankful for the meat which they had
-brought home in their packs.
-
-It was not long after their return before the bride’s mother entered
-the lodge. After the usual greetings she said: “Let us two revisit our
-own clan.” The bride answered: “So let it be; we may go as you
-suggest.” They finally reached the bride’s former home, where her
-kinsfolk welcomed her. She then began at once to relate in great detail
-all that had befallen her during the time she had been absent on the
-hunting trip with her husband. Among other things she told them that
-her husband already had a child by some unknown mysterious being, whom
-he was accustomed to feed with raw meat; and that, when the strange
-woman had come to their hunting lodge, her husband did not share her
-couch, but that he lay alone at the feet of his wife and child. The
-young wife narrated, too, all that occurred in connection with the
-attack on his wife made by the strange woman’s husband at the doorway
-of the hunting lodge.
-
-When the bride’s kinsfolk had heard all these things they said: “It
-seems certain that he has begotten a child by a woman Genonsgwa
-(sometimes erroneously called “Stone Coat”). You should separate from
-him lest you become enchanted by some evil power should you return to
-him again.” The bride and her child therefore remained with her own
-clan and kinsfolk, as they had advised her to do under the
-circumstances. This astonishing report soon spread among the tribe. All
-soon knew what had occurred on the hunting trip in the forest to the
-misogamist hunter and his bride. It produced a great sensation among
-the people. So it happened that all the women, as if by mutual consent,
-shunned the misogamist hunter, and would have nothing to do with him,
-privately or socially. This is what befell the man who was too proud
-and selfish to consent to marry any woman of his own people. Now, in so
-far as his standing is concerned, he is held as despicable beyond
-measure and of no account among men.
-
-
-
-
-
-116. THE ACTS OF THE SEVENTH SON, DJĔÑGOʹʻSEʻ
-
-In the olden time there stood in a certain land a lodge surrounded by a
-dense forest, in which lived a very old man, his seven sons, and a
-daughter. The youngest son was very small, and he possessed a cur which
-was not larger than a gray squirrel and a very small bow and arrows to
-match it; the bow, it is said, was a half span in length.
-
-This small boy and his diminutive dog played together daily, hunting
-fleas around the fireplace. The cur would track a flea, and just as the
-flea would leap up from its hiding place the small boy would shoot it
-with an arrow from his diminutive bow. Thus he amused himself all day
-and far into the night.
-
-Now, the old man, the father of this family, forbade his sons from
-going to hunt in a certain direction from the lodge. In time, however,
-the eldest son, wearying of this seemingly unreasonable restraint,
-determined to hunt in the forbidden direction, in order to learn, if
-possible, what it was that caused his father to prohibit his brothers
-and himself from going into that region. So, following his resolve, he
-started for the region, but never returned home. Then the second son
-resolved to follow his elder brother, so he also started for the
-forbidden land; and he, too, never returned home. Finally, when six of
-the brothers had gone away and none had returned, the aged father said
-to his youngest son that he himself was going in search of his six lost
-sons. After carefully instructing his youngest son what to do for
-himself and his only sister in his absence, he started away. He, too,
-failed to come back, and the two young persons in the lodge became
-anxious about their own fate, as they were then dependent on
-themselves.
-
-At last the youngest, the seventh, son informed his sister that she and
-he would have to follow the path of their father. The time was winter,
-but they started, following the trail in a light snow. As they set out,
-the young boy, seizing his diminutive cur, dashed it against the
-ground, whereupon it immediately arose in the form of a very large dog.
-At this the boy sent the dog away, as it was of no further use to him.
-The brother and sister traveled the entire day, and when they were
-nearly famished with hunger they came to a lodge just as it was growing
-dark. In this lodge they found, to their great delight and comfort,
-embers still burning and before the fire, which was nearly out, a large
-piece of broiled venison still attached to the sticks and skewers. By
-adding fuel to the fire they succeeded in building it up so that it
-would last during the night. Having eaten the broiled venison, and
-being very tired, they lay down near the fire and were soon fast
-asleep.
-
-In the morning they ate the remainder of the venison and at once
-resumed their journey. They had no provisions to eat on the way, but
-they traveled onward until the darkness made it difficult for them to
-proceed farther, when, tired, hungry, and ready to drop from
-exhaustion, they reached another lodge. In this they found dying embers
-and a substantial piece of broiled venison. As on the previous night,
-they rebuilt the fire, and when they had eaten the venison they lay
-down to sleep beside the fire.
-
-Next day the remains of the venison furnished their breakfast. Just
-before starting the boy found a flint and a stone ax, which he took
-with him. Toward nightfall a blinding snowstorm set in, but the little
-wanderers kept on their way. When it was quite dark they came to a rude
-covert formed by the interlocking of fallen trees, the united limbs of
-pine and cedar holding the snow in such wise as to form a very rude
-shelter. Under this retreat the two little wanderers found a place full
-of dry leaves. Outside of this shelter the snow had fallen to so great
-a depth that it overtopped their heads in many places. In this refuge
-they decided to remain for the night, although they had nothing to eat
-and no hope of getting anything. Nothing daunted by the cheerless
-prospect before them, the boy and his sister kindled a fire with dried
-twigs and other fuel. As soon as the fire began to radiate its heat a
-covey of quail came out from under the branches of the trees forming
-the shelter. The boy at once killed several of these, which he dressed
-and cooked for himself and his sister. After eating their supper the
-boy added to the fire enough fuel to keep it until morning; then they
-retired for the night, burrowing among the dry leaves, not far from the
-fire, for covering. Next morning the fire was built up again, after
-which the boy found and killed more quail for breakfast. After cooking
-and eating these, they awaited the abatement of the storm before
-starting out on the trail.
-
-During the day an old woman, who lived alone in the vicinity and quite
-aloof from her people, left her lodge to look for hickory bark to keep
-up her fire in order to prevent the cold from freezing her to death.
-Noticing smoke issuing out of a great bank of snow at some distance,
-she went to see what kept the fire from going out, and she was
-astonished to find the small boy and his sister. Moved with pity, the
-little old woman took the children from their uncomfortable place and
-brought them to her lodge, where she placed before them what little
-food she had. They ate their fill. The children were indeed very glad
-to be with a friend. The little old woman told them that she desired to
-have them remain with her as her own children.
-
-Next morning the little boy, having spat upon one of his arrows three
-times, cast it out of the lodge through the smoke-hole, saying to it:
-“Go thou, then, hunt for a deer and kill it for our food.” Obeying him,
-the arrow flew out of the smoke-hole and disappeared. After being
-absent for only a short time, it returned through the smoke-hole. The
-boy seized it, and, finding on it traces of fresh blood, he turned to
-the little old woman, saying: “Oh, grandmother! go out and look for the
-dead body of a deer; it lies not far from here.” Not far from the lodge
-she found, indeed, the body of a deer, which evidently had been
-recently killed. Having brought it to the lodge, she dressed it. Then
-she cooked some of the venison for herself and her adopted
-grandchildren, and while they were eating the little old woman
-continually uttered words of thanksgiving to the Master of Life [426]
-because she was again able to eat venison.
-
-Every day thereafter, in the same manner, the boy sent out his arrow to
-hunt game animals for the food required by him and his little sister
-and their adopted grandmother. Sometimes the arrow would kill a bear,
-sometimes a deer; it killed game of all kinds, and the small family had
-plenty to eat and some to spare, in addition to their constant
-feasting. Thus they lived several years, and the boy grew to young
-manhood. During this time the youth did not go beyond the immediate
-neighborhood of the lodge in which he lived; and he had no friends
-except a certain young man, one of the people of the region, who came
-to see him frequently and who was his close friend.
-
-At this time the presiding chief of the settlement offered to give his
-comely daughter to the best bowman and hunter among the young men of
-his people. So he appointed a day when all the young men should go out
-to hunt deer and bear to provide a suitable feast for the occasion. Now
-the friend of our future hero came to the lodge to tell him of the
-occasion, but he did not tell him, however, that the prize for the
-winner would be the chief’s daughter; he merely asked the young man to
-accompany him as his partner. So they started out together to hunt, but
-they did not exert themselves very much in killing game animals. The
-young man with the enchanted arrow occasionally sent it out to hunt for
-them. When finally they resolved to start for home, the arrow had
-killed in all twenty-four deer, so the share of each was twelve; but
-five or six deer apiece was the average of those who went out singly to
-win the prize for marksmanship. On the return of the hunters to the
-village they learned of the great success of the two youths who had
-gone as partners, and they could not repress a feeling of envy toward
-them. Notwithstanding the result of the hunt the chief said, still
-withholding his daughter from the winner: “I will fulfill my promise
-after we have made many feasts with all the deer which have been killed
-for this occasion.” Our future hero, however, still did not know what
-he had justly won as a reward of the efficiency of his enchanted arrow.
-
-During the festivals the envious young men conspired to put this
-unsuspecting youth out of the way. In carrying out this resolution they
-invited him to accompany them to an island on which they assured him
-there was an abundance of game, and that they would return in time for
-the festivities on the morrow. So he consented to go with them to this
-place, in which they had agreed among themselves to leave him to die of
-hunger and exposure. On leaving the village they went to a large lake
-containing an island, from which the mainland was not visible in any
-direction. After landing on the island the party dispersed, ostensibly
-the better to hunt. Having previously agreed on their method of
-procedure, the conspirators waited until they saw that the youth had
-gotten some distance into the forest. Thereupon they returned at once
-to the landing place and stole silently away, leaving their victim to
-die from hunger or to be devoured by unknown monsters which, it was
-said, infested the island.
-
-Their intended victim kept on hunting, however, and finding only two
-partridges, killed them and carried them along with him. When it became
-so dark that he could not see, he returned to the landing place to seek
-for his supposed friends, only to find that they had gone off, leaving
-him to his fate. Seeking the tallest pine tree that he could find, the
-young hunter climbed very high, to a point where the limbs were closely
-interlocked. Having cut off a number of overhanging branches, he placed
-them on the top of those on which he desired to rest, thus forming a
-fairly comfortable resting place. Seating himself on this perch of
-boughs, he soon began to doze.
-
-Some time during the night he was roused from his slumbers by the
-barking of dogs, which were following his trail. These belonged to a
-Son of the Winter God, who was hunting for human flesh to eat. Finally
-the dogs came up to the tree in which the youth was concealed,
-whereupon he threw down to them at once one of the partridges which he
-had been fortunate enough to kill. Seizing this, the dogs went off
-fighting for it. Shortly they returned to the tree and began to bay at
-him. At this he threw to them the other partridge, with the result that
-they again went off as before. Seeing the dogs eating what he believed
-they had treed, the Son of the Winter God called them off to another
-part of the island, and they did not return hither.
-
-In the morning the youth, descending from his lofty perch, went to the
-shore of the island at the point where the party had made a landing.
-Finding no boat there he struck his breast several smart blows, which
-caused his stomach to give up a canoe no larger than a plum pit,
-provided with a pair of oars. Several sharp blows on the diminutive
-canoe with his enchanted arrows immediately caused it to assume the
-proportions of an ordinary canoe. The same treatment made the pair of
-oars assume the size of ordinary oars. Placing his canoe in the waters
-of the lake and boarding it the young hunter soon rowed his way to the
-shore whence he had been kidnaped by the envious young men. On landing
-the young man drew the canoe ashore, and then striking it several sharp
-blows with his enchanted arrow, it quickly assumed its former
-diminutive size, and he in like manner restored the pair of oars to
-their former dimensions, after which he swallowed them again. Thereupon
-he wended his way at once to his own home with his adopted grandmother.
-
-It was not long before it became village gossip that the young man had
-returned home. Then his friends sent for him, asking that he attend the
-shooting match and feast of venison given by the chief, whence he had
-been kidnaped and taken to the island to die. Notwithstanding this
-treatment, the young man consented to go to the chief’s entertainment.
-
-Now, the tutelar deity of the presiding chief was a hen harrier called
-ʼnwiʻʹʼnwiʻ in the vernacular. This the chief caused to float in the
-air at double the height of the tallest tree, as the mark at which all
-must shoot who were invited to the feast.[427] All the young men who
-knew the nature of the prize that the chief had offered as the reward
-for the best marksmanship kept shooting daily at this bird floating in
-the air; but they were all shooting to no purpose, for some of the
-arrows would not attain the altitude of the hen harrier, while others
-which did so flew wide of the target.
-
-Finally, the chief said to the Master of Ceremonies: “Now, after this,
-let each man try only once more and then let those who have failed to
-hit the target retire ... from the group of candidates, and place them
-in a separate place from those who have not made this last attempt.”
-This was ordered, and as quickly as a man took his last shot he was
-placed at a distance from those who had not yet made the trial, lest
-some mistake be made and someone be unwittingly given two or more
-chances. Finally, when all the candidates had shot, it was suddenly
-discovered that Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ had failed to take his chance. All had
-failed before him to hit the hen-harrier hawk, so his friend urged him
-to make the attempt, but he as steadily refused, saying, “I do not want
-to kill it.” Notwithstanding his positive refusal, his friend placed
-his bow and arrow in his hands, and with Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ resting his hand
-upon it, he pulled the arrow to its full length and then let it fly.
-The arrow shot upward and transfixed the body of the hen-harrier hawk,
-which fell to the ground. Then the chief himself informed Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ
-that in winning the contest for marksmanship he had also won his
-daughter as the prize of the victor in this contest.
-
-Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ informed the chief that he had not known until then that
-there would be a prize for the winner in this contest for marksmanship,
-and that as he himself had been adjudged the winner of the contest and
-also of the chief’s daughter, he felt constrained to thank him for thus
-considering him worthy of these great honors. The chief replied by
-bidding him to repair to his lodge to claim his bride. This Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ
-did.
-
-When the competitors and suitors saw that Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ had won the prize
-for which they had striven for so many days, they were greatly
-chagrined, and, moved by jealousy and malice, they went forth and
-secured the aid of sorcerers to compass the death of their more
-fortunate competitor. The sorcerers were asked to permit Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ to
-live with his wife until the dawn of the following day, when a
-messenger of death should pierce his heart so that he should die.
-
-With a light heart Djĕñgoʹʻseʻ repaired to the nuptial bed of his newly
-won spouse and they two were very happy. But at the dawn of day on the
-morrow he expired in his wife’s arms. Stricken with grief, the widowed
-bride, divining the cause of her affliction, went out of the lodge to
-see how near daybreak it was and lest her lamentations would disturb
-the repose of the spirit of her dead husband. She was not afraid ...
-for she was alone in the yard adjoining the lodge. Presently she heard
-the door, which she had just closed after her, open, and looking back
-again she saw her husband come out of the lodge and walk briskly past
-her without speaking to her. At once she followed him as rapidly as she
-could, but she could not overtake him. She did not become weary in her
-pursuit, feeling no fatigue nor hunger. She kept up her pursuit all
-that night, all the next day, and all of the following night. Thus, for
-three nights and days she kept closely on the trail of her husband. He
-had, of course, outwalked her, and so she could not see him on the
-trail ahead of her.
-
-At dawn on the fourth day she suddenly came to a narrow passageway
-[428] in which stood two men, who accosted her, saying: “What do you
-here? What brings you into this place, seeing that you are not dead?
-This is not the land of the living.” She quickly answered them: “I am
-following the tracks of my husband, which appear to lead through this
-passageway; I am seeking him.” As they seemed to be not satisfied with
-her reply, she related to them in detail what had happened to her and
-her husband. When the men had learned her story they decided at once to
-aid her, for no one who had not seen death could pass without their
-permission freely given. They informed her that some distance farther
-on there was another passageway, guarded by two fierce panthers, which
-would rend her in pieces unless she was provided with the usual toll.
-So they gave her two roasted pheasants, of enormous size, saying: “When
-you reach the next passageway throw one of these to each of the
-panthers and you may pass safely through. When you arrive at the third
-passageway you will there find a man who will instruct you as to what
-you must do further to accomplish your purpose.”
-
-Taking the two pheasants and thanking the two men for their kindness,
-the woman again followed the trail of her husband. When she had gone a
-long distance she saw the couchant panthers guarding the way of death
-and the dead. Following the instructions of the two men, and throwing a
-pheasant to each, she quickly passed them. After following the trail a
-long time, she finally came to the third passageway. The man who
-guarded it said to her: “What do you here? What brings you to this
-place, seeing that you are not dead?” She answered him: “I am following
-the trail of my husband, which leads through this passageway.” Then she
-briefly related to him the events which had caused her to undertake the
-journey hither. The warder replied: “I will assist you in recovering
-your husband. You must take with you this gourd, which is closed with a
-tendon, for in this receptacle you will have to bring back the soul of
-your husband, carefully shut up. You must take also this small gourd
-bottle, which contains the fat or oil of man; you must take it with you
-for you will need it. When you reach a very large strawberry field
-stretching on both sides of the path, you must rub some of this oil on
-the palms of your hands. In this field you will see an elderly woman
-picking berries; she is the hostess of this country, and she will aid
-you in all things, telling you just what to do. After anointing your
-hands with the oil you must hold them up with the palms turned toward
-the berry picker. Now start on your way.”
-
-With a light heart the woman again took up the trail of her husband,
-with the firm resolve to follow the instructions of the warder of the
-last passageway. Finally she reached the large field of strawberries,
-and taking oil out of the small gourd bottle and rubbing it on the
-palms of her hands, she held them up toward the elderly woman, whom she
-hailed in a loud voice. The woman, who was picking berries, heard her
-call and stood attentive until the other woman came up to her,
-whereupon she said: “What do you here, seeing that you are not dead?”
-Answering the Mother [429] of Ghosts, the woman said. “I come here
-seeking my husband, whose trail comes into this place,” and so saying,
-she gave the two gourds to the Mother of Ghosts. The latter replied: “I
-will put your husband into this empty gourd bottle, so that you may
-take him back with you. Come then to the lodge.” The widow followed the
-elder woman to her lodge, which stood a short distance from the field
-of strawberries. When they reached it the elder woman concealed her
-guest under some bark in one corner, at the same time saying: “Now,
-keep very quiet, for all the people come here to dance every night, and
-they will flee from me should they discover that you are here.” So the
-woman lay quiet under the bark cover.
-
-When night came the approaching whoops of the gathering ghosts could be
-heard. Finally, one by one they began to enter the lodge of the Mother
-of Ghosts. At once the hostess began to sing and to beat on the drum
-used in the Great Feather dance. Then the concealed guest heard the
-ghosts begin to dance. The ghost of her husband, however, had not yet
-entered the lodge. When they had danced through a number of songs there
-was a short recess, to give the dancers an opportunity to rest and to
-readjust their apparel and ornaments. At last, the hostess asked the
-bystanders: “Where is the newcomer?” They answered that he was outside
-of the lodge, being still bashful among so many strangers. The hostess
-then said: “Bring him into the lodge; let him, too, dance and be
-merry.” So they persuaded him to enter the lodge, and when the hostess
-again began to sing and beat the drum he joined in the dancing.
-
-After dancing a short time the dancers, sniffing the air, said: “What
-now? We smell the odor of a human being!” At once they started to flee
-from the room, but the hostess chidingly said: “Oh, pshaw! It is only I
-that you smell, for I am now getting very old again.” So they did not
-leave the room, but began to dance again. When the ghost of the newly
-arrived husband approached quite close to the hostess, she attempted to
-grasp him, but he deftly eluded her hand, and the dancers all fled from
-the room. But the hostess remonstrated with them, saying: “Oh, pshaw!
-It is only I scratching myself. Why do you flee from me?”
-
-The ghosts were finally persuaded to reenter the lodge and resume the
-dance. Before long another opportunity presented itself, and the
-hostess succeeded in seizing the ghost of the newly arrived husband,
-while all the other ghosts escaped from the room. Quickly uncorking the
-gourd bottle, the hostess soon compressed the ghost therein, and
-securely closing it with its tendon stopper she called the embodied
-guest from her place of concealment and hurriedly gave her the gourd
-containing the husband’s life, and also the small gourd which contained
-the oil of the body of man. Then she said to the now highly excited
-woman: “Be you gone now! Be quick, lest they see you; the man at the
-first passageway will fully instruct you what to do to have your desire
-fulfilled. So go.”
-
-Hurrying from the lodge into the darkness the woman followed the narrow
-trail. When she reached the first passageway, its warder said: “When
-you arrive at your home stop up with fine clay the nostrils, the ears,
-and every other opening or outlet of your husband’s body, and then rub
-the oil of man over his body. When you have finished this task,
-carefully uncork into his mouth the gourd bottle containing his life,
-in such manner that his life can not escape, but will reenter his body
-and so reanimate it again.” The embodied woman agreed to follow these
-instructions. Then the warder, giving her two roasted pheasants, which
-were to serve as sops to the two couchant panthers guarding the middle
-passageway, wished her a safe and auspicious journey home, and bade her
-start.
-
-The woman thereupon departed from the first passageway, walking as
-rapidly as possible. She hastened along until she came to the middle
-passageway. There she gave one of the roasted pheasants to each of the
-panthers, and, quickly passing through the passageway, continued her
-journey. Finally she came to the first passageway, through which she
-went, and then, after traveling for three days and nights, she safely
-reached home.
-
-Here she quickly prepared the body of her husband as she had been
-directed to do, filling every opening and outlet with fine clay mixed
-with deer fat to soften it, and then she carefully rubbed it with the
-oil of man. As soon as she had completed the preliminary work she
-carefully and anxiously uncorked the gourd bottle containing the life
-of her husband into the mouth of the body thus prepared. In a few
-moments she was elated to see her husband’s body come to life again.
-
-This experience rendered the body of the husband invulnerable to the
-spells and incantations of sorcerers and wizards. The faithful wife and
-her resurrected husband dwelt together in peace and health and
-happiness until, in the fullness of years, they died and went to the
-land of the Mother of Ghosts.
-
-
-
-
-
-117. THE LEGEND OF HODADEÑON AND HIS ELDER SISTER
-
-It is said that once there lived together all alone in a very long
-lodge an infant brother and his elder sister. The only remaining fire
-burned at the end of the lodge. In this place for some years abode
-these two, undisturbed by any unusual event.
-
-One day the brother said to his sister: “Oh, elder sister! what truly
-is the reason that we two live here alone in a lodge which is so very
-long?” In answer his sister said: “Indeed, we have been quite numerous
-in the not distant past; our relations, who have lived and are now
-dead, filled this lodge on both sides of the fire pits, to the
-doorways. The sorcerers have caused them all to perish; and this
-explains why you are called Hodadeñon, for you are the last one not
-under enchantment.”
-
-It was evident that the young boy would become powerful in the exercise
-of orenda (magic power). It happened one day that he said: “Elder
-sister, you must make me a bow and an arrow.” She had great compassion
-for him, so she answered: “Let it be so.” Then she made a bow and an
-arrow, using on them her best skill. Having completed her task, she
-gave them to him. “Thank you, elder sister,” he said; “now I will hunt.
-Hereafter you and I will regularly feed on meat. Now I will go to
-hunt.” She said: “Let it be so.”
-
-Then the boy went out of the lodge. His voice continued to break forth
-as he went murmuring right there round about the lodge. He did not go
-far away. In the evening he entered the lodge, saying: “Ho, my elder
-sister, I come, having killed nothing. Tomorrow, very early in the
-morning, you must arise and prepare food for me. Then I will go to
-hunt, for very early in the morning game wanders about in the
-clearings.” In the evening they became quiet and slept.
-
-At the dawn of day the boy spoke, saying: “Elder sister! come now,
-arise. You must prepare food for me. As soon as I finish eating I will
-go to hunt.” Arising, she prepared food, which was soon ready for him.
-As soon as he finished eating, he said: “Now, elder sister, I will go
-to hunt.” “Let it be so,” she said in reply, thinking that he would not
-go far away, as he was still so very small.
-
-He went out of the lodge early in the morning. After a long time his
-voice was no longer heard. Thereupon his sister went out, wondering,
-“Where has he gone?” She looked around, going from place to place, but
-nowhere was he to be found. Then she thought, “He will get lost.” Soon
-after she had reentered the lodge, the sun being nearly set, it
-happened that all at once a noise again arose, as if something had
-struck the door—then suddenly Hodadeñon pushed his body against it and
-entered the lodge. He said: “Elder sister, it is a fact that I have
-been to hunt for game. I have killed a something, I know not what [it
-is]. Blacklegs, perhaps, it is called; banded-tail, perhaps, it is
-called, this thing that I have killed. So to the spot you and I must
-go, and you must take along the ‘burden cradle,’ for in that will the
-body be brought, as it is of great size.” “Let it be so; go on,” she
-said. “You would better take the burden cradle,” he said again. “Wah, I
-will carry its body easily,” she said. “Wah, you must be very strong,”
-he replied. “Go; let it be so,” she admonished him.
-
-Then the two started. Having arrived at the place, he told her: “Right
-there I stood, and there it walked. Thus [I did] with my arrow, saying,
-‘sî, sî, sî, sî, stop thou, first.’ So it did stand, forsooth. From
-here I shot, so that I hit it right in the center [of its body],
-whereupon it fell backward, saying, ‘daʻ, daʻ, daʻ, daʻ.’ Toward it I
-ran, crying, ‘Do not break my arrow that I prize so highly,’ while it
-rolled itself about in the dust.” While they slowly made their way
-along Hodadeñon did not cease telling what had happened. At times his
-sister would say: “Come, go thou on.” Suddenly he said: “Right there it
-lies. Do you think you can indeed carry it back?” “Wah,” she said,
-seizing it by the neck and starting homeward, adding: “Come; go thou
-on.” “Goh, it is true, thou art strong, elder sister,” he said.
-
-“What thing is it named, the thing that I have killed?” “Djoqgweyani
-[430] it is called,” she said. “Djoqgweyani is it named, elder sister?”
-he asked. “That is its name,” she replied. “Does it taste good?” he
-asked. “It tastes good,” she answered. “Dumplings are what it requires,
-for dumplings are what people put with it.” After reaching home she
-plucked the game, after which she “set up” the kettle and put in
-dumplings [with the meat]. Constantly did Hodadeñon stand around about
-the fire saying, “So it will indeed taste good to us?” “Ho, it
-certainly does taste good,” she said. When it was done she removed the
-kettle [from the fire] and placed the mess on pieces of bark, and the
-soup and dumplings in a bark bowl. Then they ate. Hodadeñon kept saying
-constantly, “It is so good, is it not, elder sister?” “Oh, yes! it is
-good,” she would reply. “Djoqgweyani—is it not true that is the name of
-the thing I killed?” he would say. “That is its name,” was her answer.
-When they finished eating, he said, “Tomorrow again will I go to hunt.
-Then indeed a large game animal will I kill.”
-
-It was a usual thing in the evening that this boy did not go to sleep
-at once. Continually in the dark noises were heard here and there;
-then, again, under the bed these noises were heard. What he was doing
-was not known. So the elder sister said: “My younger brother, what are
-you usually doing making noises in the dark, yes, even under the bed,
-for long periods; and, too, you go about laughing?” “Well,” said he, “I
-will tell you. It is this. I am engaged in hunting fleas. They are very
-palatable, tasting good to me. I have now told you. Whenever one
-escapes I laugh. So never ask me this again.” He added, “Now again I
-will go to hunt.” “Let it be so,” she said in reply.
-
-Thereupon Hodadeñon went out. For a short time his voice was heard
-around about outside the lodge; then again nowhere was his voice heard
-by his elder sister. On going out of doors and looking around without
-finding traces of him, she reentered the lodge. Not very long after,
-all at once she heard approaching footsteps; then something struck the
-door, which opened, and there stood her younger brother, Hodadeñon. He
-said: “My elder sister, get the burden cradle right away; forsooth, I
-have killed a large animal, and you are not able to bring it without
-the burden cradle. I wonder what the animal is called. Perhaps
-Baldheaded is its name; perhaps Snot-nose is its name; perhaps
-Tasseled-with-Hemlock-bough [431] is its name.” “Come, go on! let us go
-back there,” she replied. “But you will take the burden cradle,” he
-added. She answered: “Oh! I am fully prepared to bring it. Go thou on.
-Let us then start.”
-
-Thereupon the two started. She followed him a long distance, when at
-last he stopped and she did likewise. He said: “Right here I stood when
-suddenly yonder there walked a very large animal, and when I said,
-‘Tci, tci, tci, tci, tci. Stop thou first.’ Just this way [indicating]
-I did with my arrow. I shook my arrow. The animal stopped. Then I said,
-‘What, indeed, is thy name? Bald-head, it may be, you are named;
-Snot-nose, it may be, you are named.’ Then I shot it there so that the
-arrow fixed itself just in the center of the body, making it fall
-backward, saying [with its wings] du, du, du, du; it fluttered loudly
-its wings as it fell backward. Thereupon then I ran thither, saying as
-I went, ‘Do not break my arrow’; which I prize so much. Then I went
-near the place where it lay. So right there it lies.”
-
-Hodadeñon then asked: “Gwe. What is its name?” She replied: “O’soont it
-is called.” Seizing it by the neck and throwing it on her shoulder she
-started homeward bearing the body, and said: “Come, go thou on; let us
-go home.” So they started homeward. They had not gone far when he said:
-“O’soont, is it not the name of what I have killed?” “That is it,” she
-said. Soon afterward he again said: “O’soont, is it not the name of
-what I have killed?” “That is it,” she again replied; “go thou onward;
-so be it.”
-
-Once more they started forward. It was troublesome to answer him as
-they went along, for every little while he would stop again, saying:
-“My elder sister, what is the name of what I have killed?” Her answer
-was always: “O’soont is its name. Come, do you go on.” She became
-thoroughly provoked with him because at short intervals during the day
-he kept asking her the same question over and over.
-
-When finally they reached their home, he asked: “Does it taste good?”
-She replied: “Hoh, it tastes good. It must be accompanied with
-hulled-corn mush.” After plucking the animal and cutting it up, she
-boiled it in a kettle over the fire. While it was cooking she
-exclaimed: “Hoh, how fat it is,” for the oil came bubbling up in the
-kettle. Again Hodadeñon stood around and kept saying: “My elder sister,
-does it taste good?” She would reply, “Woh, it does, indeed, taste
-good.” Then she hulled corn and made meal, from which she prepared mush
-to go with the boiled meat. Having removed the kettle from the fire and
-skimmed off the fat, she mixed it with the corn-meal mush. Next pouring
-the meat into a bark bowl and the corn-meal mush into another, the
-sister said: “Come now, let us two eat together.” While they ate the
-boy still kept saying: “Elder sister, I do think that the thing I
-killed tastes good. It is called O’soont, and it certainly does taste
-good.” They finished their meal, whereupon the boy said: “Tomorrow
-again I shall go to hunt. This time perhaps I shall kill something
-which will indeed be much larger than what I have killed already.” Soon
-it became night, and they lay down to sleep. But as for Hodadeñon he
-spent the night going about hunting fleas, laughing when one would
-escape him.
-
-When morning dawned the boy said: “Come, my elder sister, arise now.
-The game animals habitually go about the open spaces very early in the
-morning.” The sister having warmed up things [to eat], they ate their
-breakfast. When they were through the boy said: “Now I shall go out to
-hunt.” With these words he went out of the lodge. After going around
-the lodge murmuring for a long time, all of a sudden his murmurs
-ceased. He was now nowhere about the lodge, for he had gone to some
-unknown place. It was a long time before the sister heard the footsteps
-of a person who was approaching—the sounds, dih, dih, dih, dih. Again
-Hodadeñon struck the door, making it fly open, at which the boy leaped
-into the lodge, exclaiming: “Elder sister, let us go back right away. I
-have killed a very large game animal, but I do not know what animal it
-is. It may be that its name is Great Eyes; it may be that its name is
-It Has Two Long Ears; it may be that its name is White Tail. Now it is
-that you must take the burden cradle; otherwise you can not bear its
-body, for it is so great in size.” Answering, she said: “So be it. I
-will take the burden frame.”
-
-Then the two started, and having arrived at the place, the boy suddenly
-stopped, saying: “Just here is the place where I was when I was
-surprised to see this animal running along there. Only my arrow I held
-out and said to the animal, ‘Tci, tci, tci, tci. Stop, first,’ and it
-stopped. Thereupon I asked it: ‘What is thy name? Perhaps
-Thy-Two-Eyes-are-Large is thy name; perhaps Thy-Two-Ears-are-Long is
-thy name; perhaps Thy-Tail-is-White is thy name?’ Then I shot, hitting
-the animal in the very center of its body. It ran along farther, and I
-pursued it. At a long distance from here I suddenly found its body
-lying there, with the arrow protruding very little, so deep had it
-penetrated into the middle of the creature’s body.” The two went on to
-the place where the game animal lay, and on reaching it, the boy said:
-“Here it lies.” His sister was surprised to see the body of a deer
-lying there, and she exclaimed: “My younger brother, I am thankful that
-now you have killed a large game animal. I have been in the habit of
-pitying you, hoping that perchance by the risks you have taken you
-might grow up to be a good hunter. Now I think you are immune to the
-orenda (magic power) of the neogen, for you have killed an animal
-bearing this name.” In a short time the boy exclaimed: “Oh, elder
-sister! does it taste good?” She answered: “Yes; indeed, it tastes
-good, and I shall now skin it.” When she completed this task she
-quartered the deer, after having cut off the legs, which she placed
-aside in a pile by themselves. Then she proceeded to arrange a package
-of the meat on the burden cradle, securely binding it with cords of
-bark. Having finished her own load, she next proceeded to make a load
-for the boy of the four legs of the deer. Deftly fashioning a pack
-strap of bark, she fastened the load on his back, saying: “Come now,
-you take the lead.” At this he started ahead, and kept on while she
-gathered up her utensils and made ready to follow. Her load being very
-heavy, she could hardly manage it. In order to get it on her back she
-had to place it first on a log, from which she was able to raise it to
-her back. Then, with the sister following the lead of her younger
-brother, both went along with their burdens. A long distance was
-covered when she saw him sitting on a log with his burden resting on
-the log, too. He said: “I am resting because the load is so heavy.
-Come, do you also rest yourself here.” So, setting her load also on a
-log, she, too, rested. Again the boy asked: “My elder sister, what is
-the name of the thing that I killed?” She answered: “Neogen is its
-name.” He asked: “Does it taste good?” “Hoh, it tastes good,” she
-replied, “if it is cooked in the right way. Come now, let us go on
-homeward.” Of course she helped him get his burden on his back. When
-she readjusted her own load, she followed her brother. On reaching
-home, she found that he forsooth had arrived there too. As she entered
-their lodge her forehead strap broke, letting her burden fall, with the
-sound, pumh! It was very heavy.
-
-Unwrapping and untying the packages of meat, the sister hung the
-various pieces around the interior of the lodge; the meat nearly filled
-the small room. Next she stretched the skin. For this purpose she made
-a large hooplike frame, telling the boy to watch her carefully while
-she did so. Then she attached the skin around the edges to this frame
-by means of bark cords. “In this way do people generally do this thing,
-which is called ‘stretching the hide,’” said the sister, “and you must
-ordinarily do it in the same manner, for I believe that you will live a
-very long time.” “So be it,” said the boy, “I will follow your
-instructions. Come now, do you prepare the food. I will try it to learn
-how good it is.” The sister answered: “So be it. I will make a dish of
-meat cut into small pieces boiled down. I will prepare it.” So she set
-up the pot [over the fire]; and around the place the boy hung,
-continually saying: “Perhaps this will taste exceedingly good to us. It
-tastes good indeed, I suppose.” “Oh! it tastes good,” she replied. So
-things went on until the food was cooked, when the sister removed the
-pot from the fire. Then she put the meat into a bark bowl, and the soup
-also. The deer’s liver had become by this time of the consistency of
-bread, so the brother and elder sister began to eat. While at their
-meal the lad exclaimed three times: “Ho, my elder sister, what I killed
-tastes exceedingly good.”
-
-When the two were through eating the boy said: “My elder sister, I
-shall now take a rest because I am tired out. Just now we have an
-abundance of meat.” Then he rested. Indoors he walked around, and
-indoors, too, he seated himself at times, and for a long time he went
-about hunting fleas. The sister went to fetch wood for fuel, taking the
-burden frame with her, so the boy was left by himself.
-
-Suddenly he was startled by the sound of some one singing in the loft
-above: “My younger brother, tobacco. Once more I want to enjoy a smoke,
-my younger brother.” Climbing up into the loft, the boy was surprised
-to find a male person lying there, having a very large head and an
-enormous suit of hair. Hodadeñon said: “Gwe, what ails you?” The man
-replied: “My younger brother, I desire to smoke. Yonder lies a pouch
-made of skunk skin; in it there is a very small quantity of tobacco and
-there is also a pipe.” Having found the pouch as said, Hodadeñon took
-out of it a very small piece of tobacco; also a pipe. Next he proceeded
-to cut up all the tobacco, and kept saying, “I shall use it all, as it
-is my custom to do, for it is abundant seemingly.” Having completed his
-preparations, he took from the pouch the fire flint and the punk, and
-struck off sparks that set fire to the tobacco. Then, placing the pipe
-in the man’s mouth, he said: “Now you shall smoke.” Replying, “I thank
-you, my younger brother,” the man drew in the smoke, and smoke settled
-all over his head. Thereupon mice in large numbers came out of his hair
-because of the tobacco smoke that settled into it. Hodadeñon then ran
-away because he was choking with the smoke.
-
-Just then his elder sister returned and said in a loud voice: “What are
-you doing? What are you doing?” Hodadeñon replied evasively: “My elder
-sister, what is the reason that you have not told me that a man lay in
-the loft who is your elder brother? You have constantly said that we
-two were alone, and that that was the reason I am called Hodadeñon.”
-The elder sister replied: “The reason why I have not told you before is
-because you are inattentive.” The younger brother answered: “I cut up
-the tobacco because my elder brother kept saying that he desired to
-smoke, and I used all of it, for there was only a very small piece
-left, and it would seem there is an abundance of tobacco growing. As
-soon as I placed the pipe in his mouth he drew in the smoke and blew it
-out, whereupon his hair became filled with the smoke and many mice came
-forth from it. The room was filled with smoke. I was choking from the
-effects of it when I descended from the room. That is what you heard
-and led you to say that I was doing mischief.”
-
-The sister retorted: “I do say that you are careless and inattentive.
-You used up all the tobacco. At all times it was my habit to scrape
-only a very small quantity, which I put into his pipe, and he would
-smoke. The times that he smokes are a year apart. But now you have used
-all the tobacco. This is the reason that I say you are careless and
-inattentive. Moreover, you have killed him, for I think there is no
-more left of that on which he must live.” Hodadeñon answered: “How far
-away is the place where that thing abounds?” She replied: “It is
-distant.” He persisted: “Come, tell me in what direction it grows.” She
-answered, “It is of no use for me to tell you. You could never have the
-power to accomplish the task of getting some.” “Guʼúʻ!” he exclaimed;
-“you seem to have a great contempt for my ability. Come, tell me,
-please.” Thus they spent the entire day disputing about the matter. The
-sister kept on saying: “It is of no use for me to tell you.”
-
-Finally the lad stopped talking. It was a long time before the elder
-sister spoke again, saying: “Now my mind is troubled. I shall now tell
-you and make you understand, too. Look at this lodge of ours, which is
-a long lodge. It was full of our kin and relations, who are no more.
-Your brothers were many. They have all been lost in the region where
-the tobacco abounds. That place is full of what are called female
-sorceresses. So it is impossible for you to accomplish the task of
-getting the tobacco. The lad replied: “So be it. I shall make the
-attempt. I shall succeed in this matter, as is known [that I can]. Just
-look at what I can do; no matter how dark it may be I can slaughter the
-fleas, a task which no one else has been able to do.” The sister
-responded: “Do the best you can.” To this the lad said: “Tomorrow you
-must prepare provisions for me; I shall start then.” At once she began
-preparing food for the journey. The lad added: “You must make me a
-pack—one that is called a wrapped bundle.” So she made such a bundle
-and placed meat and bread in it. In the morning the two arose,
-whereupon the lad said: “I shall start. You and I are now to eat
-together for the last time.” When they had finished their meal the
-sister exclaimed: “My younger brother, do your best.”
-
-Then he set out on his journey. Around the lodge he walked with his
-pack, murmuring as he went from place to place. Thus he spent the day.
-In the evening he reentered the lodge, with the words: “Oh, elder
-sister! I did not start. Tomorrow, I think, I shall surely start.” So
-saying, he laid his pack down. In the morning he said: “My elder
-sister, I am about to start. You say that the path leads directly
-south?” She replied: “That is what I have said. In certain places there
-are yet visible spots where fires have been kindled and where forked
-rods or crotched sticks are set in the earth, on which are fixed pieces
-of bread which are of many degrees of staleness. You also shall affix
-bread there to such rods. Such is the custom.” [432] The lad replied:
-“So be it. You shall be suddenly startled; the ashes where you have
-kindled a fire shall be scattered because a measure of tobacco will
-fall there, causing the ashes to fly up. Then you shall think that I am
-still alive. I believe this shall come to pass.”
-
-Taking up his pack, the boy said: “My elder sister, I am starting—you
-say that the path leads directly south?” She replied: “That is what I
-said.” Thereupon he went out of the lodge. For a long time she heard
-his voice around the lodge, as he went about murmuring. After that she
-heard it no more. Then she said: “Now, I suppose he has started. Oh! he
-is to be pitied, for he will become wretched. It is doubtful whether we
-shall ever see each other again.” The lad followed the path, and in the
-evening he suddenly came to a spot where it was plain that fires had
-been kindled and people had spent the night. The remains were of many
-times. Having decided to spend the night there, he kindled a fire, by
-means of which he warmed the bread and the meat which he took out of
-his pack. When he had finished his meal, he was startled to see near by
-forked or crotched rods set in the ground, on some of which were fixed
-pieces of bread, and on others pieces of meat. These had been there for
-widely varying periods. At this sight he exclaimed: “Oh, how wretched
-did they become! Those persons who have left these remains are indeed
-all dead, and they were brothers to me. So I, too, shall do the same
-thing.” Then he set up in the ground a rod with a crotch, on which he
-fastened a piece of bread among the other fragments of all ages—some of
-them quite old. Then he lay down and went to sleep, with his body
-supported against his pack. In the morning, finding everything as it
-should be, the lad said aloud: “I am thankful that I am still alive. My
-elder sister said indeed that it was doubtful that she and I would see
-each other again, because the path I must follow passes through all
-manner of difficulties.”
-
-Having said this, he set out along the path. When he had gone a long
-way he was startled to hear at some distance the sound, “doʻʹ, doʻʹ,
-doʻʹ, doʻʹ,” which one would suppose was made by a woodpecker loudly
-pecking on a great hollow tree. Going to the tree whence the noise
-came, he saw fluttering from place to place and pecking holes in the
-trunk a cuckoo of enormous size. A sight that caught his eye and
-conveyed a more serious warning was the great number of arrows stuck in
-the tree near the spot where the cuckoo was fluttering about. He
-concluded that these arrows had belonged probably to those who had been
-his brothers, and that therefore this bird was possessed of great
-orenda (magic power), which it exerted with evil purpose only.
-Thereupon the lad exclaimed: “It shall see its doom, for now I will
-kill it.” Aiming at the cuckoo, his arrow struck in the very center of
-its body, whereupon it began to beat with its wings against the tree to
-which it was pinned.
-
-Thus leaving the bird, the boy went on until evening, when he again
-came to a spot where there were still traces of the former fireplace.
-There he stopped for the night. After taking his pack from the forehead
-strap and laying it aside, he kindled a fire, by which he warmed up the
-meat and the bread he had brought. When he finished his meal he set up
-a forked or pronged rod to which he fastened a small portion of bread.
-The spot was literally covered with rods carrying bread of all ages,
-which had been set up by persons at widely varying times. Having
-completed his offering, the boy retired for the night, resting on his
-pack. Soon he began to be troubled with dreams, so that he rolled and
-tossed from side to side and could not sleep.
-
-Suddenly he was startled by the barking of a small dog, which had a
-very shrill bark, such as he had never before heard. The sound drew
-nearer. The night was very dark. Quickly arising and taking with him
-all his things he ran to a near-by stream and ran up the trunk of a
-tree that slanted far out over the water. In a short time he became
-suddenly aware from its barking that the dog was near and that it was
-rapidly coming nearer still. When the animal was very close the boy
-heard the sound of rattles [of deer knuckles] and a woman’s voice
-approaching, too, saying to the dog: “Do your best, my slave. Just
-leave me the head of Hodadeñon.” Now he was startled by the barking of
-the cur directly under the tree in which he was seated. Carefully
-fitting his arrow, he released it, whereupon the arrow flew with the
-sound “thum!” and he heard the cry of the cur, “kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ,
-kwĕñʻʹ,” so he knew that he had struck it. There the woman turned back,
-saying: “Aha! It is true, I think, as all people are saying, that
-Hodadeñon is without a peer in sorcery.”
-
-In the morning the lad descended from his perch on the slanting tree
-and went to the place where lay the cur, stark dead. The arrow had
-struck the body fairly in the middle, where it still remained. He drew
-his arrow out of the dog’s body, when he suddenly found that there was
-a very small knuckle rattle tied to its neck. Having removed this
-rattle bell, he cast the body of the dog, which was indeed very small,
-into the water. In doing this he remarked, “Now will begin the period
-in which my mind is to be disturbed by serious difficulties, it would
-seem. I think those women whose minds are evil do not live far from
-here.” So saying, he started on his journey.
-
-The lad had not gone far when all at once he saw a man coming toward
-him. As they met, the stranger said: “I am thankful that you are in
-health and peace, Hodadeñon.” Hodadeñon answered: “It is true in the
-terms of your greeting to me. It is now my turn, too, to greet you. I
-am thankful that you are well and in peace.” The man replied: “This is
-certainly the truth.” Then the two smiled, and one asked: “Is it not
-true that you and I are friends?” Whereupon the other answered: “Indeed
-it is the truth we are friends. Whence did you come?” Then the lad
-said: “Ho, far from here have I come. Whence did you come to this
-place?” The stranger replied: “I, this self of mine, came from far from
-here, and I have left no relations, and this is the reason why I am
-called Hodadeñon (Sʻhodadeñon [433]). It is known that I myself am the
-last one. The lodge whence I came was very long and, it is said, was
-full of my relations, now dead, and of my own brothers. They were
-destroyed on the way to the place where dwell those women of evil
-minds. We are friends, so let us go together. You can aid me, and we
-shall be able to rob them of tobacco.” The stranger’s answer was, “Be
-it so,” whereupon the two at once started off along the path.
-
-After going a long distance they found the remains of a fire; there
-they stopped for the night. As soon as they had warmed up bread and
-meat they ate their evening meal. When they had finished eating the
-stranger said: “It is a fact that these portions of bread affixed to
-the top of the rods are the cause or occasion for which all our kinsmen
-died. Moreover, it is for us to make this a feast of Reunion of the
-Living, which we must use as the means of thanksgiving and prayer. We
-must make an offering of tobacco by casting tobacco on the fire. It is
-called the ceremony of making an offering of tobacco. I have tobacco
-with which to do this.” Hodadeñon answered: “So be it. How shall we do
-it?” The stranger: “All provisions that you have brought with you we
-must lay in a circle around the fire, and a portion we must place aside
-in the dark (i.e., conceal it).” Saying, “So be it,” Hodadeñon began to
-take the things out of his pouch and to lay them in a circle around the
-fire. He also hid far away in the dark some meat and bread.
-
-Standing beside the fire and holding the tobacco from the pouch in his
-hand, he said: “Come now, listen to me, you, all kinds of animals and
-you, too, who have formed and made my life.” With these words he cast
-the tobacco into the fire, exclaiming: “Now do you listen; now the
-smoke of tobacco arises. Moreover, he and I ask you to give us
-assistance, all of you who inhabit the forests and who are immune to
-enchantment, and you who have made my life and that of my friend, who,
-too, has no relations left, and myself who have no relations left, for
-which reason I am called Hodadeñon. We shall fetch all these from the
-place where they have perished. These are the things for which I pray.
-So thus we here fulfill our obligation by placing this tobacco in this
-place, and we have laid away food in the darkness.” Having completed
-this invocation, Hodadeñon said to his companion: “Come, now, let us
-go.”
-
-At midnight the two started and had gone very far when daylight came.
-As they traveled they suddenly heard ahead of them the sounds “duʻʹ,
-duʻʹ, duʻʹ, duʻʹ.” Thereupon Hodadeñon said to his friend: “Show your
-courage now, my friend. We have arrived, it seems, in the place where
-those who have evil minds dwell. Closer let us go.” At last they
-reached the place in which the lodge stood, and they halted some
-distance from it.
-
-All at once they heard a man singing and beating a drum. As he sang, he
-said: “Here I am making tobacco; here I am making tobacco; here I am
-making tobacco; he who has tobacco prepares tobacco.” Hodadeñon said to
-his companion, “Now is the time,” and his friend replied: “So let it
-be.” Then they two entered the lodge, where they came face to face with
-an old man, who held a mallet in his hand with which he was pounding
-the tobacco all over. He was so old that his eyebrows hung down far
-over his eyes. Hodadeñon said to him, “Oh, my uncle!” but he did not
-notice him and kept on pounding the tobacco. At this, Hodadeñon,
-drawing his war club, struck him a blow on the forehead, causing the
-blood to gush forth. After a long while the old man said, “Oh! I am
-sweating,” at the same time wiping the blood off his forehead. Next,
-upraising his eyebrows and looking at them, he said: “Oh! my two
-nephews, you have now arrived. Take courage, my two nephews, because I
-myself am a slave working in tobacco.” Hodadeñon answered: “I have come
-after tobacco and nothing else, because my elder brother, who is far
-from here, desires to smoke.” The old man answered: “He is, I suppose,
-my own brother. So be it. Take some back with you.”
-
-So Hodadeñon, taking up a twist of tobacco, threw it, saying: “Go hence
-to the opening of the chimney of the lodge where my sister abides and
-drop in the ashes [at her feet].” The sister, greatly surprised to see
-the ashes of the fire fly up, exclaimed, “I am thankful that my brother
-Hodadeñon, it would seem, is still alive,” and she picked up the
-tobacco.
-
-Next the young men asked the man with the long eyebrows where stood the
-lodge of the very wicked women. He answered the spokesman: “Have
-courage. There stands the lodge yonder, on the farther side of the
-lake. It is doubtful whether you two can cross the lake. As we know,
-the ice on it is very slippery. No matter who it is that goes there, as
-soon as he steps upon the ice a man speaks out, saying: ‘Let it rain
-bones; let it be nothing but bones.’ And at once he becomes a pile of
-bones. Such will happen to you if it be that you two are sorcerers.”
-Hodadeñon said in reply: “Come, my friend, let us start.” Then they set
-out at once. Arriving at the lake, they found that the ice that covered
-it was very smooth and that the lodge stood on the farther shore. There
-a number of people were walking about. One would think that they were
-expecting something to happen, for they were looking around. Hodadeñon
-said to his companion: “Come, let us start.” Unstringing their bows,
-they started on their journey over the ice, in the course of which they
-used their bows as walking sticks, striking with them upon the ice.
-Everything went on all right as they made their way over the frozen
-surface. All at once the people on the shore saw them coming, whereupon
-they came at once on the ice to meet the bold visitors. At once the
-people shouted, “It is raining bones,” and they came on, while the two
-kept on their way. At last one of the people of the shore exclaimed:
-“Aha! Now I believe it certain that Hodadeñon, the great wizard, has
-arrived, and they have indeed crossed the lake.” Then all returned to
-their lodge on the shore. Having crossed the lake, the two went at once
-to the lodge on the shore. With bravado they entered it, finding all
-the occupants at home. One there was who was an old woman.
-
-One of the inmates said to the strangers: “It is a custom with us that
-when anyone visits us we amuse ourselves, and generally for this
-purpose we bet our heads.” Hodadeñon asked: “How is it customary for
-you to do this?” The reply was: “We run a race here on the ice. We
-usually make a circuit of the lake and we use the snowshoe.” Hodadeñon
-answered: “So be it, then; let us bet then.” He then made very fine
-snowshoes, which were very small. When he had completed his task, he
-announced: “I am now all ready.” Thereupon all went to the ice, and one
-said: “Now we must go around the border of the lake on the ice, and
-whoever comes in ahead to this scratch line shall win.” Then the
-runners went to the scratch line, where they stood awaiting the order
-to go. Hodadeñon said: “I shall run alone on my side.” But the
-lake-dwellers pitted four men against him.
-
-The order to go (Oʹnĕⁿʻʹ) was given—at which the contestants started to
-run around the lake. When they had run half the way around it Hodadeñon
-was in the rear of the others. Removing his snowshoes and setting them
-side by side, he got upon them, saying to them: “Take courage, pass
-him; yes, pass them, and go directly to the scratch line. The other
-runners were suddenly made aware of the fact by the furious sounds they
-heard that Hodadeñon was overtaking them very fast. In a short time he
-passed them, and, easily keeping ahead of them, he soon arrived at the
-place whence they had started. When his opponents arrived at the
-scratch line he was standing there awaiting them. Addressing them, he
-said: “I have now won from you; I have outrun you. Come on, my friend,
-let us behead them now, one and all.” So the two destroyed all the
-wicked people.
-
-Next they went aside to a long pile of bones and proceeded to lay them
-in order, side by side, working at this task for a long time. When they
-had finished, they began to push against a great elm tree, while
-Hodadeñon shouted: “The great elm is falling on them who are sleeping
-here.” Bravely they arose, all mingled together, men and women, some
-with one arm or one leg longer than the other. Then Hodadeñon said:
-“Take courage, my friend, it seems you must aid me in restoring the
-defective limbs of the people here.” At once he went to work amending
-the arms and legs of the people who had received the wrong limbs in
-their resurrection. This work having been finished, Hodadeñon said:
-“Let everyone go home to the place whence he came,” but all replied:
-“We do not know whence we came to this place.” Hodadeñon answered: “So
-let it be; then you must accompany us home. We will go back to that
-place where my brother and sister abide, because that lodge in which
-they dwell is very long, so you can live there. Come, now, let us
-start.”
-
-So all departed from that place, with Hodadeñon in the lead. They were
-many nights on the way before they reached home; they were many in
-number when they reached their destination. Once there, Hodadeñon said:
-“Oh! my elder sister, we have now returned home, and you must assign
-them places in the lodge, for I do not know all.” Thereupon she told
-him to make the assignments himself, so when the large party entered he
-walked back and forth in the lodge, dividing it among them. But before
-making the assignments he said: “Now, it is not right that one man
-should live by himself and one woman by herself; hence it shall be that
-a man and a woman shall dwell together, and they shall sleep together,
-and they shall whisper together; they shall love each other, and thus
-they shall be happy.”
-
-Thus they dwell today according to the labors of Hodadeñon.
-
-This is the length of the legend.
-
-
-
-
-
-118. THE LEGEND OF GĀDJISʹDODOʻ AND SʻHOGOⁿʻʹGWĀʼS
-
-It is said that in ancient times there lived together in a very long
-lodge two male persons. They were related one to the other as uncle
-(mother’s brother) and nephew. As such, according to the custom of the
-times, they occupied opposite sides of the fire in the long lodge.
-
-For something to eat, as he grew, the nephew, who was a very little
-boy, shot birds and other small game.
-
-It came to pass one day that Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs said: “Oh, my nephew! I am
-thankful that now you are growing into manhood. It is a long time since
-I began to care for you. It will happen that a little later on you will
-kill larger animals.”
-
-In time this did happen, for one day he killed a partridge, which he
-carried home. On entering the lodge his uncle exclaimed: “Wuʻ, my
-nephew! I am very thankful you are returning home, having killed a
-large game animal. What is the name of the animal you have killed? What
-kind of animal is it? Do you know?” In reply the youth said: “I do not
-know.” The old man, going toward his nephew, grasped the partridge so
-quickly that he raised the young boy off the ground, saying: “Hand me
-at once the body of the thing which you are bringing back killed, for
-you, of course, do not know what kind of thing it is.” Then the old
-man, going aside and taking a seat, began to pluck and dress the
-partridge, saying at the same time: “This thing requires, of course,
-nothing but dumplings.” Setting a kettle over the fire, he made
-dumplings which he put into the kettle with the partridge. The old man
-kept on saying, as he watched the bird cooking: “Perhaps this will
-taste exceedingly good to us two.” The grease floated on the top of the
-water, for the bird was very fat. Then the old man, removing the kettle
-from the fire, set it aside. He put into a bark bowl or dish a share
-for his nephew, saying: “Oh, my nephew! this is what you may eat,” but
-he held it just over the fire. When the young boy arose to receive his
-portion and reached out for the dish, his uncle, grasping his hand
-along with the dish, pulled the nephew over the fire, wherein he fell
-on his elbows. At once he arose covered with hot coals, and took a seat
-aside on his own side of the fire. Dissimulating his evil purpose, the
-old man said: “I am in too much of a hurry, for I thought that I held
-it aside from the fireplace.” The nephew was greatly astonished at what
-his uncle had done to him, for he never had illtreated him before; and
-the lad began to weep, saying to himself: “I wonder why he has done
-this thing to me.”
-
-The next morning the old man said: “Oh, my nephew! arise. Game animals
-usually go about the clear places very early in the morning. So arise
-and go out to hunt.”
-
-After arising and making needed preparations, the nephew started out to
-hunt in the forest. He kept on thinking: “My uncle has indeed abused me
-very much.” As the boy went from place to place he was much surprised
-to hear a man at a distance say, Tcĭt! and he directed his steps toward
-the spot whence he believed the sound came. Soon he was surprised to
-see the skull of an old man protruding out of the ground. As the boy
-approached the skull said to him: “Oh, my nephew! you are much to be
-pitied now, for affairs have taken a turn which will cause you
-misfortune. Exert yourself with all your (magic) power, for he will
-indeed outmatch your orenda (magic power) if it so be that you do not
-learn to remember the things which you have killed.” Thus spoke the
-skull of the old man.
-
-But he continued: “You shall do this in your defense. I will assist
-you. I am the brother of your uncle, who has outmatched to the utmost
-degree my orenda. I will tell you, moreover, that that lodge, so long,
-was at one time full of our relations and kindred, who are now no more.
-This is the reason it is so long and empty. Now go yonder, not far from
-here, to an old rotten log, lying prone, and in which you will find a
-raccoon, as it is called. You must kill it, and you must pass by this
-place on your way home and I will give you further instructions.” Going
-to the place indicated by the skull of the old man, the boy killed the
-raccoon, returning at once to the place where the skull protruded from
-the ground. Thereupon the skull said to him: “You must not forget the
-name raccoon, for this is the name of this animal which you have
-killed. On your way home you must keep on saying, ‘Raccoon, raccoon,
-raccoon.’ So return home now. And he will again ask, probably, as is
-his custom, ‘What is it that you are bringing home killed?’ So do not
-get into the habit of forgetting. Exert yourself as much as possible.”
-
-Thereupon the young boy started for his home in the long lodge, saying
-as he trudged along, “Raccoon, raccoon, raccoon.” At first he whispered
-it, but when nearing the lodge he uttered it loudly. Just as he pushed
-aside the door flap and stepped inside the lodge he stubbed his foot,
-and his burden, the raccoon, fell inside and he beside it. At that
-moment his uncle, the old man, said: “Oh, my nephew! now you are
-bringing back, killed, a large game animal; what is its name and what
-kind of animal is it?” Now, after his mishap at the doorway, the boy
-had entirely forgotten the name of the animal, so he reluctantly
-answered: “I do not know the name of it.” At this his uncle demanded
-the game, saying: “Hand the body to me, then, for you do not know what
-kind of thing you are bringing home killed.” The nephew did as he was
-told, whereupon his uncle, taking a seat aside, began to skin the
-animal, at the same time saying: “The name of this animal is raccoon.”
-The nephew took a seat on the opposite side of the fire.
-
-Then the old man set a kettle over the fire, with the remark: “The only
-way to prepare this game is to cook it with corn-meal mush, which
-should be eaten with it. I shall skim off the grease and pour it over
-the mush.” The youth did nothing but watch his uncle. When the meal was
-cooked the uncle kept saying: “This will indeed taste very good to us
-two.” Then he took out a share for his nephew, putting into a bark dish
-some of the mush and a portion of the meat. Going to the edge of the
-fireplace, he said, “Oh, my nephew! here is a portion for you to eat,”
-again holding it over the fire. The youth arose quickly to receive it
-and took the bark bowl in his hands. Just as before, the old man
-grasped his hands and drew him into the fire, at the same time saying:
-“What is the use of my holding it somewhere else when I myself am
-hungry.” Of course the youth fell into the fire on his elbows, and on
-jumping out he was all covered with hot coals and ashes. Going aside,
-he took a seat there. Then Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs began to eat. When he had
-finished, he remarked to himself, “I think I will save some of this for
-another time”; so he put some of the food in a high place. The youth,
-his nephew, began to weep, saying: “Perhaps he will kill me; I think it
-possible.”
-
-The next morning the old man again spoke to his nephew, saying: “Oh, my
-nephew! do you arise. It is the custom for game animals to be found in
-the open places very early in the morning.” Quickly arising from his
-bed, the youth at once made the necessary preparations, and after
-finishing these, he started out to hunt. Once more he directed his
-course toward the place where the skull of his uncle protruded from the
-ground. On arriving there, his uncle addressed him: “Well, my nephew,
-what came to pass?” The youth answered: “I kept repeating the name
-‘raccoon’ as I went along, and when I had reached a point quite near
-the lodge I just whispered the name to myself, saying ‘Raccoon,
-raccoon, raccoon.’ But at the very doorway I caught my foot in an
-obstruction, and the body of the animal fell into the lodge and I with
-it. At that moment my uncle asked me, ‘What is the name of the game you
-are bringing home killed?’ Of course, I did not remember anything
-whatever about the name of the animal, so I answered him, ‘I do not
-know.’ To this the old man replied, ‘Quickly hand me the body of the
-animal, for you do not know its name; and it is well known that raccoon
-is its name.’” Then the man whose skull protruded from the ground said:
-“Oh! how unfortunate it was that stumbling against an obstruction and
-falling down caused you to forget the name of the animal. Exert
-yourself to the utmost. Be brave. Your only safety consists in
-remembering the names of the animals that you may kill. You must
-remember at all times these names. Now, then, go to that place there in
-the distance where turkeys abound. One of them you must kill; and when
-you have killed it, you must pass by this place on your way home.” As
-directed, the youth went to the place designated by his uncle, and
-there he killed a turkey. Then he returned to the spot where his
-uncle’s skull protruded from the ground. To encourage him his uncle
-said: “Be brave and exert yourself to the utmost. This time you must
-remember the name of this game bird. It is called a turkey. As you are
-going along homeward, you must keep saying, ‘Turkey, turkey, turkey’;
-and as soon as you arrive near the lodge you must set your feet down
-carefully as you walk, and must go along whispering the name to
-yourself, ‘Turkey, turkey, turkey.’”
-
-So the youth started for home, and as he went along he kept saying,
-“Turkey, turkey, turkey.” On arriving near the lodge, he began to
-whisper the name, “Turkey, turkey, turkey,” and he set each foot down
-carefully and securely. In this way he reentered his home without
-mishap. And the old man, his uncle, was surprised and said: “Oh, my
-nephew! you are bringing back a large game animal, killed. I am
-thankful for it. What is the name of it?” The youth replied: “Oh! the
-name of it is turkey—just turkey.” The old man, his uncle, merely
-exclaimed, Wuʻʹ, and, going aside, took a seat there. In the meantime
-the youth dragged the body of the turkey aside to pluck and dress it.
-While engaged at his task he remarked: “The only way to cook this is to
-boil it down to a pot roast.” Next he proceeded to pluck and then to
-quarter the bird. When he had finished his task, he started the meat to
-cooking in a kettle over the fire. As he saw it begin to cook he kept
-saying: “It will certainly taste good to uncle and me.” The uncle on
-his part said: “I have been thinking generally that he [my nephew]
-would become perhaps a fine hunter; for it has been a very difficult
-task for me to raise you, and I have worked hard to do it.”
-
-When the turkey was cooked the youth said: “I will not act in the
-manner my uncle acts on such occasions.” Thereupon he set aside a
-portion of the boiled turkey in a bark bowl, which he offered to his
-uncle by holding it directly over the fire, which was burning briskly,
-saying: “This is what you will eat.” The uncle, exclaiming, “Oh! I am
-thankful for it,” arose to receive it. As he grasped the bark bowl, the
-youth, seizing his hands along with the bowl, drew the old man over so
-that he fell into the fire. At this the youth said, excusing himself:
-“I am so hungry, indeed, that perhaps I was holding the bowl in an
-unintended place.” The old man answered, “Now my nephew, you have
-abused me. It has been my habit to think that you would not treat me in
-this manner, for I have raised you from childhood to youth.” The nephew
-was eating, but he answered his uncle: “I just thought that that was
-perhaps the custom on such occasions, for you were in the habit of
-acting in this manner.” So saying, he kept on eating. Finally he said,
-“I believe I will save myself a portion for a later time;” and he laid
-aside some of the boiled turkey.
-
-The next morning the old man did not say, as was his custom, to his
-nephew: “Come now, arise, my nephew.” On the other hand, the young
-nephew said to himself: “So be it. I will now arise, I think. My uncle
-is accustomed to say that the game animals go about in the open country
-very early in the morning.” So the young man arose then, and proceeded
-to make his usual preparations before going out to hunt. After eating
-his morning meal he started from the lodge. The uncle spoke not a word.
-It would appear, one would think, that he was angry. The youth went
-directly to the place where his other uncle’s skull protruded from the
-ground.
-
-Having arrived at the spot, the skull addressed him, saying: “Well, my
-nephew, what happened?” The youth answered: “I remembered the name all
-the way home, and when my uncle asked me, ‘What are you bringing home,
-killed?’ I answered him, ‘Only a turkey.’ My uncle replied, merely,
-Wuʻʹ. Then I prepared the bird and cooked it. As soon as it was cooked
-I kept saying: ‘I shall not act in the manner in which my uncle acts.’
-Then I put a portion for him on a bark dish and held the dish directly
-over the fire, saying: ‘Oh, my uncle! eat this portion.’ He replied,
-‘Hoʹ, I am very thankful,’ and grasped the dish, whereupon, gripping
-his hands, I pulled him down into the fire. I may have held it in the
-wrong place because I was very hungry, but the real reason I did so was
-because I was angry with him on account of the many times he scorched
-and burned me. My uncle said: ‘I believe that you have now begun to
-abuse me.’ I replied that it seemed to be the custom when one was
-giving food to another. He walked to and fro, and one would think that
-my uncle was angry.”
-
-The skull of the uncle at once replied: “It was just right for him.
-Now, indeed, this is about to come to pass. It is impossible that in
-the future he will ask you for the name of the things which you may
-bring home killed. Oh, my nephew! It is known that your uncle is making
-preparations. He is gathering logs and burning them on the fire, and
-when night comes he will have a great fire, as is well known. So, be
-brave, careful, and watchful. You must not go to sleep. An evil dream
-will cause him to arise suddenly, as is well known. Then you must
-quickly take down his war club and strike a blow with it on your
-uncle’s head, at the same time saying: ‘What is causing you to see
-marvels?’ And if he does not answer at once, ‘It has ceased,’ you must
-again strike a blow on his head with the war club. Then it will come to
-pass that he will say, as is well known, ‘The thing that the dream
-spirit has commanded me is baleful.’ Whereupon you must ask him, ‘What
-did the dream spirit command you to do?’ In answer he will tell you
-what he has been commanded to require you to do. Then you must return
-to this place, as I do not know what he will say.”
-
-Now, the youth returned to the lodge which he called his home. Night
-came on them. The fire was a brisk one. It so happened that the old
-man, the uncle, said: “The reason I have put these large logs on the
-fire is because it seems likely that we two will have a very cold time
-tonight.” The two lay down as usual, but the youth kept awake as he had
-been warned to do by his uncle’s skull. There was a hole worn through
-his skin covering through which he kept a strict watch on his uncle.
-
-About midnight, perhaps, suddenly the old man began to moan and groan,
-muttering strange words very loudly, the sounds increasing in
-intensity. Interspersed with these mutterings were the sounds ʼĕñʻ,
-ʼĕñʻ, ʼĕñʻ. Suddenly arising from his couch, he moved about on his
-knees, meanwhile uttering the same sounds and words as the youth had
-first heard. Then, with one great cry of ʼĕñʻ! he cast himself on the
-fire and pushed with his feet and hands the huge firebrands that had
-accumulated over toward the place where lay his nephew. Seeing this,
-the nephew, quickly uncovering himself, leaped up just in time, for the
-great pieces of burning logs fell blazing where he had just lain.
-Running over to the opposite side of the fire, he took down from its
-resting place the war club of his uncle. His uncle then being close to
-him, groping around on his knees and uttering dark words, the youth
-struck him a blow on the head, saying at the same time, “What is
-causing you to see marvels?” and again raised the war club to deliver
-another blow. But the dream of the old man ceased at that time, and the
-uncle took a seat at one side of the fire, and the youth took a seat on
-the opposite side. Thereupon the uncle said to his nephew: “Compliance
-with what the dream commanded me is of the utmost difficulty.” The
-youth answered: “Well, what did the dream command you to do?” The uncle
-made reply: “It commanded me, saying, ‘You two shall hazard your
-lives’; it said to me that we two must ‘take the roof off the lodge.’”
-The youth replied: “So let it come to pass. What it has commanded
-amounts to nothing.”
-
-Then the two men returned to bed for the remainder of the night. Very
-early the next morning the youth went to the spot where the skull of
-his uncle protruded from the ground. When he reached the place, the
-uncle addressed him: “Well, what happened during the night?” The young
-nephew answered: “Well, he says that he and I shall hazard our lives by
-trading objects this very night which is approaching.” To this
-statement the uncle replied: “I have been saying all along that he is
-determined to outmatch your magic power (orenda), as is well known. It
-is his manner of doing things. He will request something which you do
-not possess, and if it so be that you can not obtain it at once,
-something direful will happen to you—you die, paying the penalty by
-your death. Now I know that he will request the entrails of a bear from
-you, for the very reason that you have them not. Then you must proceed
-in this manner: You must go out and find a wild grapevine. When you
-have found it you must unwind the vine and cut off a sufficient
-portion. This you must rub between your hands and blow on, and
-instantly the vine will become the entrails of a bear. You must say, ‘I
-want the fat entrails of a bear.’ Make haste in what you are about to
-do, for I know that he has completed all his preparation at the lodge.”
-So the youth went forth to hunt for a wild grapevine, and found one
-which was wound around a support. Cutting off at once what he required,
-he began to straighten out the length. Next he fastened the coils
-together by means of bark cords, and by rubbing it with his hands and
-blowing on it he soon transformed the vine into the fat entrails of a
-bear.
-
-Returning to the lodge, the youth addressed his old uncle thus, “Oh, my
-uncle! I return fully prepared,” to which the uncle answered: “So be
-it; you just go to the end of the lodge.” The nephew replied: “So be
-it.” Thereupon the uncle added: “It is not certain whether I shall go
-now or later. But you must be in an expectant mood there.” Then the
-youth started, passing along on the inside of the lodge, which was very
-long. When he reached the end of the lodge he was surprised to see
-there the signs of a fire, one which had burned perhaps a long time in
-the past. He took a seat there, for he was ready for the work ahead of
-him. It was not very long afterward when at last the old man began to
-sing in his own place: “Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering;
-yuʹʻhĕñ, thou Gādjisʹdodoʻ, thou who art a nephew, yuʹʻhĕñ.” This he
-repeated in a loud voice, and the song was heard by all the wizards and
-sorcerers dwelling along the borders of the land, all of whom said one
-to another: “Now again his intended victim is his own nephew.”
-
-Making his way up to the place where his nephew was sitting, the old
-man said: “Now, I am come to barter.” He carried in his hand a piece of
-bark on which lay several pieces of meat. The youth answered: “What
-shall I give you?” The old man, in accordance with the custom on such
-occasions, replied: “I can not tell what it shall be. Perhaps you have
-the flesh of the raccoon?” The youth rejoined: “I will give it to you.”
-The uncle answered: “No; not that.” The youth then said: “Turkey meat;
-that I will give you.” The uncle replied: “No; not that.” Then the old
-man again began singing, “Yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering; yuʹʻhĕñ,
-yuʹʻhĕñ, thou Gādjisʹdodoʻ, thou who art a nephew; yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.”
-At this moment flames burst out all around the place where Gādjisʹdodoʻ
-was sitting. In defense, the youth said: “Djiʹ, djiʹ, djiʹ. Oh, my
-uncle! verily, you mean the entrails of a bear, the very fat entrails
-of a bear, which I have.” As soon as he had ceased speaking, the flames
-went down. Drawing forth the entrails of the bear (which he had
-prepared), the youth gave them to his uncle. They exchanged the pieces
-of meat for the bear’s entrails. The old man said: “I am thankful for
-these.” The youth then thought to himself: “I will go back to my place
-as soon as I think he has returned to his own seat on his side of the
-fire.” As he started, the old man again began to sing: “Yuʹʻhĕñ,
-yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering; thou Gādjisʹdodoʻ, thou who art a
-nephew; yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.” Believing that his uncle had resumed his
-seat, the nephew returned to his couch, where he found the old man
-sitting, smoking. The old man said merely: “We, oh, my nephew! have now
-finished this task.”
-
-The next morning the youth again went to the place where the skull of
-his other uncle was protruding from the ground. When he arrived there
-his uncle asked him what had taken place last night. In answer, the
-youth related in great detail just what had come to pass between the
-old man and himself. He told him all very carefully. Thereupon this
-uncle said: “Now, it is a fact that he is collecting more logs and
-putting them on the fire and near it, for he will again make a large
-fire this very night. And it is, too, a fact that when he has his dream
-tonight, he will say in his own mind that he desires the liver of a
-bear. This you do not possess. Be brave and do your very best. This
-time you must hunt for fungi that grow on old rotten logs. These you
-must procure—two in number—and you must treat them in the same manner
-as you did the grapevine, and at once they will become bear’s livers.
-So, now, go out hunting for these things.” The youth at once started on
-his quest for fungi in the forest. He was not very long in finding the
-two that he required for his purpose. At once he rubbed them with his
-hands, saying at the same time: “Let these soon become bear’s livers.”
-Immediately the transformation took place as he wished.
-
-Then he started for the lodge, where dwelt his uncle. Arriving there,
-he said: “Oh, my uncle! I have now returned.” He saw that the fire was
-a great one. Night came on at last, and the two lay down to sleep, but
-the youth did not fall asleep. It was perhaps midnight when suddenly
-the old man began to moan and groan with increasing force and loudness;
-all at once he arose and crawled around there on his knees. Finally,
-with a loud cry, ‘ĕñʻ, he threw himself on the fire. At once large
-pieces of wood, all ablaze, fell in every direction, some in the
-direction of the youth’s bed. Quickly arising and crossing over to the
-opposite side of the fire, he took down the war club of his uncle, and
-seeing the head of the latter close to him, moving from place to place,
-he struck it a blow with the club, at the same time saying: “Oh, my
-uncle! what is causing you to see marvels?” Then quickly he raised the
-club for another blow. Suddenly, however, the dream ceased, and the old
-man exclaimed, to avoid another blow of the war club: “It has stopped
-now.” Having said this he drew aside and took a seat. The youth did
-likewise. Addressing his nephew, the old man said: “Oh, nephew!
-Compliance with the command which the dream gave me is very difficult
-indeed, yea, dangerous.” The youth asked: “What did it command you?”
-The uncle answered: “Why, it commanded me, saying you and he must
-barter by exchange, you and your nephew; and it commanded also that
-this must take place early in the morning, and that a calamitous thing
-would happen to you if it should come to pass that the barter by
-exchange failed to take place before midday.” The youth replied: “So be
-it; we will attend to this matter in the morning.” Then the two
-returned to their respective beds.
-
-Very early the next morning the old man, having arisen, again addressed
-the youth: “Now you must go once more to the end of the lodge.” Having
-gone there, the nephew kindled a fire. All at once the old man in his
-place began to sing again, as before: “Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are
-bartering by exchange; thou Gādjisʹdodoʻ, thou who art my nephew,
-yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.” As he sang the youth saw that he came toward him.
-Having arrived at the end of the lodge occupied by his nephew, the old
-man said: “Oh, my nephew! I come to barter by exchange.” The latter at
-once replied: “So let it be; what, then, shall I give you?” The uncle’s
-answer was: “Oh! you have it certainly. You have what I desire.” At
-this, then, the youth began to offer his uncle the things which he
-ostensibly guessed the old man desired. When he had consumed sufficient
-time to mislead his antagonist, he finally exclaimed: “Oh, my uncle! I
-believe that you indeed want the liver of a bear—the fat liver of a
-bear.” Quite deceived as to the mental acuteness of his nephew, the
-uncle replied: “I am very thankful for this.” Then they two made the
-exchange, and the old man returned to his own end of the lodge,
-carrying on his back the package of liver. As he went along he sang his
-song: “Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering by exchange, yuʹʻhĕñ,
-yuʹʻhĕñ; thou Gādjisʹdodoʻ, who art my nephew, yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.” Thus
-the uncle returned to his seat. When the youth thought that the old man
-had reached his own part of the lodge, he returned to his own bed. When
-he had reached it the old man said to him: “Now, what the dream
-commanded me has been fulfilled. I am thankful, too.”
-
-Then the youth, having made the necessary preparations, departed, going
-to the place where the skull of his other uncle protruded out of the
-ground. On his arrival there, the uncle said to him: “Well, what
-happened?” The nephew answered him: “Oh! we completed the exchange, and
-I passed through the test without mishap.” To this the uncle rejoined:
-“Now you must hasten to return to the lodge. It is your turn to have a
-dream of that kind. You, too, must kindle the fire by gathering great
-logs, so that you may have a great fire. As soon as midnight comes it
-is for you to do just as your uncle did, and as soon as he strikes you
-a blow with his war club, you must say: ‘It is now ceased. Difficult
-and sinister is what the dream commanded me to do.’ Then your uncle
-will ask: ‘What did it command you to do?’ In reply you must say that
-it commanded you to have your uncle seek for the wish [word] of your
-dream; and it said, too, that a direful thing should happen to your
-uncle should he have failed to divine your dream’s desire by midday. A
-small round squash, which is growing on a vine planted by your uncle
-beneath his bed, is what you must desire in your dream. He prizes this
-squash very much, believing that his life depends on it. You must say,
-‘Yes’ only when he names this squash as the thing desired for you by
-your dream. So now quickly return to the lodge and get ahead of him in
-making the preparations for kindling a great fire tonight. You must
-make the fire, and you must gather large logs to maintain it in full
-blaze during the night, for you must have a fine fire.”
-
-So the youth returned to the lodge, and when he arrived indoors he said
-to his uncle: “It is now my turn to make a good fire, and I will kindle
-it well, because I think we shall have a very cold night.” Then
-gathering together many large logs and pieces of wood, he proceeded to
-put them on the fire in order to have a fine blaze for the night, as he
-had been told to do. Nighttime having come, they lay down to sleep. No
-word of conversation passed between them. About midnight the youth
-began to moan and to groan, saying, ʼĕñʻ, ʼĕñʻ, ʼĕñʻ. In a short time
-he arose from his bed groaning then very loudly, and without further
-act, he cast himself on the fire, scattering in all directions with his
-feet and hands the blazing firebrands, some of which went in the
-direction of the bed of his uncle. The latter, having been awakened by
-the groaning, quickly arose to avoid the firebrands. Then saying, “What
-has happened to you?” took down his war club, and seeing the head of
-his nephew moving about close to him, struck it a blow with the club,
-which resounded with a băʼʻ, very loud. Immediately he raised the club
-to strike another blow, but at that moment the youth said: “Oh, uncle,
-it has now ceased.” After regaining his composure, he continued: “Now,
-what the dream commanded me to do is very difficult of fulfillment,
-although a severe and cruel penalty is the price of failure to perform
-its mandate.” Thereupon the old man asked: “What did it command you to
-do?” The nephew replied: “It ordered me to have my uncle seek for the
-desire of my dream, to divine its word in other terms; and if my uncle
-is not able to divine the word of the dream by midday, something cruel
-and sinister will befall his body.” The uncle’s answer was: “So be it.
-It has no great significance.” Then the two lay down again to sleep.
-
-Very early in the morning the youth arose and, after making his usual
-preparations, said to his uncle: “The time has now come for us to
-begin.” The uncle replied: “So be it; I am ready.” While they were
-taking their places the old man remarked: “Verily, you must give me a
-clue to the ‘word’ of your dream.” But the nephew answered: “That is
-not at all the custom in such cases, and it is certain that the reason
-it is called ‘the seeking of one’s dream word’ is that no clue shall be
-given.” At this reply the old man exclaimed with mock surprise, “Wuʻʹ!
-this is indeed an astonishing thing”; but he failed to make his nephew
-agree to give him a small clue to the thing he had dreamed.
-
-Thereupon the old man began to ask the questions necessary to ascertain
-the dream desire of his nephew. He asked: “It may be that you desire my
-pouch?” His nephew answered: “No; that is not what I desire.” The old
-man continued: “It may be that you desire, possibly, my raccoon-skin
-robe?” The answer came: “No; that is not what I desire.” The next
-question was: “It may be that you desire flesh of the bear?” In disgust
-the nephew answered: “Wāʻʹ. No, no! I do not want that.” The uncle
-ventured: “It may be, it is probable, you desire the flesh of the
-raccoon?” The youth answered: “No; that is not what the dream
-indicated.” Another question from the uncle: “It may be, perhaps, that
-you desire the flesh of the turkey?” His nephew said: “No; that is not
-what is required.” Again the uncle asked: “It may be, perhaps, that you
-desire the flesh of the deer?” The nephew rejoined: “No; that is not
-what the dream indicated.” Meanwhile the uncle and his nephew kept
-walking up and down in their respective places. Again the old man
-asked: “It may be, perhaps, that you desire my war club?” But his
-nephew replied: “No; that is not what I desire.” At last the old man
-spoke, saying: “Well, what, indeed, will take place? I moreover have
-the thing, but I would like to know what I have asked?” The nephew
-answered in disgust: “Wuʻʹ, you know that it is not the custom that
-there should be a lot of talk about such things when one is seeking the
-‘dream word’ of another.” He did not give any intimation to his uncle
-as to what his dream had indicated to him, but he kept looking up at
-the sun to see how near midday it was. On resuming the struggle of
-questioning and replying, the uncle said: “It may be, perhaps, that you
-desire what I prize very highly—my fetish, which is very fine and with
-which I hunt,” at the same time showing it to his nephew to cause him
-to desire it. But the nephew answered merely: “No; that is not what my
-dream indicated to me.” It was then nearly midday. The old man, going
-to and fro and stopping now and then to ask the questions, would hang
-his head, saying to himself: “I wonder what can be the thing that my
-nephew desires.” Addressing the youth, he said: “It may be, perhaps,
-that you desire what I have prized highly, too, for a long time,
-namely, the otter fur which is white in color?” But the nephew replied:
-“No; that is not what I desire as answer to the demand of my dream.”
-Again looking up at the sun to see how near midday it was, and finding
-that it was very near the time for the contest to close, the old man
-said: “It may be, perhaps, that you desire what, too, I have prized and
-kept carefully in divers places, namely, my marten fur?” The nephew
-impatiently answered: “No; that is not what I desire at all.” At once
-he began to sing, for the time was about up. He said as he sang,
-“Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering by exchange; yuʹʻhĕñ,
-yuʹʻhĕñ, Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs, my uncle, yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.” Now the uncle was
-moving around on the opposite side of the fire. Suddenly, after the
-singing had commenced flames burst up all around the old man with the
-sound dauñʻʹ! At once he protested to his nephew, saying, “Go slow, go
-slow, with that, oh, nephew!” As the time had not quite expired, the
-nephew permitted the flames to go down again, whereupon the uncle said,
-“Oh, my nephew! you have been exceedingly rude with me.” But the nephew
-replied: “I can do nothing in this matter, for this has all been
-planned for me in advance. So I can do nothing.” As the time (midday)
-was soon to expire, the nephew again began to sing the song he sang at
-first, “Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering by exchange; yuʹʻhĕñ,
-yuʹʻhĕñ, Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs, my uncle, yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.” As before, flames
-at once burst all around the uncle as he stood on the opposite side of
-the fire. At once he exclaimed, “Oh, my nephew! do not be so hard in
-this thing.” But the youth again began singing: “The time is now up.
-Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering by exchange; yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ,
-Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, my own uncle, yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.”
-
-Thereupon the old man fled to the top of his bed, on which he jumped
-around in an effort to avoid the pursuing flames. From that spot he
-spoke to his nephew, saying, “Oh my nephew! I have now overtaken your
-‘dream word.’ You indeed desire—I have thought so all along—what I have
-planted, native squashes called djisgoñtʼăʻ, which has now its fruit.”
-At once the youth said, “Kuʻʹ, I am thankful for this fulfillment of
-what my dream word required.” Thereupon each resumed his seat in his
-wonted place, and the uncle said, “Do you know the history of the
-custom of ‘seeking for one’s dream word’?” The youth replied, “Yes, I
-know it—one shall give up at once what the dream has indicated when he
-shall have divined what it desires.” The old man, in an attempt to
-outwit his nephew, said, “It is customary too, I know, for me to make
-something identical with what you demand as your dream word.” But the
-youth could not be moved, saying, “Now; that is not at all right.” The
-old man persisted, however, saying: “It is, nevertheless, customary
-that one should make an object resembling the thing desired. So I will
-do this, and that, too, I will give to you.” The youth did not agree to
-this, but answered, “That is not in the remotest sense what the dream
-commanded, that you should give me something artificial.”
-
-With these words the youth again arose and began to sing again,
-“Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are bartering by exchange; yuʹʻhĕñ,
-yuʹʻhĕñ, Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.” With a loud dauñʹ! the
-flames once more burst forth around the old man, and a scene similar to
-the former took place. Finally the old man was forced to surrender,
-saying, “I shall now give you what your ‘dream word’ desired.”
-Thereupon both resumed their seats. The uncle then said to his nephew,
-“It is, indeed, a fact that I live by it; so now I shall give it to
-you.” With these words he uncovered the plants by raising and removing
-his bed. The nephew on his side was watching intently what was going on
-in the apartment of his uncle. He was surprised to see planted there
-under the bed a patch of squashes, and he saw his uncle gather a
-squash. Covering the plant again, he gave the squash to his nephew,
-with the remark, “You must carefully preserve this thing.” The youth
-answered: “So be it. Now, the matter which was at issue has been
-settled.”
-
-After making his usual preparations the nephew went to the place where
-his other uncle’s skull protruded out of the ground. When he arrived
-there the skull said to him, “Well, what happened?” The nephew
-answered, “Everything that you said came to pass just right, and I have
-brought here what he gave up to me.” Drawing it forth, he showed it to
-his uncle, who said: “That thing, in fact, is what I meant. There is
-still another thing. It is a fact that a sister of yours is there too,
-inclosed in a bark case which is set up under his bed whereon he is
-accustomed to lie down—under your uncle’s bed. That, also, you can
-remedy by overcoming him in this matter; so you must set your desire on
-this thing. This must be what your ‘dream word’ shall command you to
-obtain for your health and welfare. So return home at once and make the
-necessary preparations for having another great fire tonight. You must
-collect large logs and place them on the fire. Hasten and do not permit
-him to be quicker than you are. Be brave. Have no pity on him, for he
-will overmatch your orenda (magic power) if you fail to exert it to the
-utmost.”
-
-The youth hastened back. Having arrived in the lodge, he said to his
-uncle, “Now I think I will again kindle a good fire, because we may be
-going to have a very cold night.” So, gathering together a number of
-logs and large pieces of dry wood, he placed them in a pile, and with
-smaller pieces of wood he kindled a great fire for the night.
-
-Night having come, the two retired to rest, each on his own side of the
-fire. About midnight the youth again began to moan and groan loudly,
-and the moaning became louder and louder. In a short time he got off
-his bed and crawled around on his hands and knees. Next, without
-further warning, he threw himself on the fire, scattering the
-firebrands over the place where lay his uncle, who at once arose,
-saying, “What has happened?” Taking down his war club and seeing the
-head of his nephew close to him, he struck it a blow with the club,
-which resounded with a very loud băʼʹ! As he raised the club for a
-second blow, the youth exclaimed, “Oh, my uncle! it has now ceased,”
-whereupon the uncle addressed him, saying, “What is causing you to see
-visions?” His nephew replied, “What it commanded me to do is baleful
-unto death if not fulfilled.” The uncle asked further, “What did it
-command you to do?” The nephew answered: “The thing it commanded is
-that you shall again ‘seek to divine the word of my dream’ tomorrow;
-and if you shall not have divined the ‘word of my dream’ before the sun
-shall have reached the zenith evil shall befall your person.” The old
-man mockingly retorted, “Let it be so,” drawing out the expression.
-Thereupon they both returned to their beds, on which they again lay
-down for the rest of the night.
-
-The next morning the youth arose, and after making his usual morning
-preparations, said to his uncle, “The time has now arrived for what I
-have been commanded to do; so let us begin.” As before, the uncle
-mockingly said, “So let it be,” once more drawing out the expression to
-indicate his contempt for his nephew.
-
-After a moment of silence the old man said, “Oh, my nephew! you will
-just give a small clue to the ‘word of your dream.’” His nephew
-replied, “You know that is not the custom on such occasions, for the
-reason that it would be of no use to make ‘seeking the word of a dream’
-a test if one should furnish a clue. Come, then, let us begin.” This he
-said with some impatience, knowing full well that the uncle was only
-seeking to cause him to make some error in the test.
-
-So the old man began by asking, “Perhaps you may mean in your desire,
-suggested by the ‘word of the dream,’ the flesh of the moose?” But the
-youth replied, “No; that is not what is desired.” The old man asked
-again, “Perhaps you mean in your desire, suggested by the ‘word of the
-dream,’ the flesh of the bear?” And the youth answered, “No; that is
-not what is desired.” The uncle once more asked, “Perhaps you may mean
-in your desire, suggested by the ‘word of the dream,’ the flesh of the
-raccoon?” But the youth answered, “No; that is not what is desired.”
-Then the uncle asked the same question regarding the flesh of the deer,
-the turkey, the fat entrails of the bear, the liver of the bear, and
-various other substances, receiving from his nephew in each instance a
-negative answer. Finally, he asked, in an attempt to throw the youth
-off of his guard, “Oh, my nephew! what can you mean? What is it you
-desire?” But the youth, alert and crafty, replied, “Pshaw! are you not
-seeking to divine the ‘word of my dream,’ and still you want me to give
-you a clue to it?” The old man replied, “But I have now named all the
-things that I own.” He kept walking up and down in his own part of the
-lodge. Again the time was nearly up—it was almost midday. So the old
-man said, “Well, so be it; perhaps you may mean in your desire,
-suggested by the ‘word of the dream,’ my leggings?” His nephew
-answered, “No; that is not what is desired.” Once more the uncle
-suggested, “My breechclout?” The nephew answered as before, “No; that
-is not what is desired.” Then the old man, seeking to gain time,
-remarked, “I am wondering, Oh, my nephew! what it is that you desire?”
-
-Then the nephew, becoming wearied with the dilatory tactics of his
-uncle, began to sing, as before, “Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he and I are
-bartering by exchange; yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs yuʹʻhĕñ,
-yuʹʻhĕñ, he is my uncle, yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.” Again the flames burst up
-out of the ground all around the place where the uncle was standing,
-with the sound dauñʻʹ. Thereupon the old man exclaimed, “Oh, my nephew!
-do not be too hasty with that thing.” As the time had not yet fully
-arrived to end this test, the youth willed that the flames subside, and
-with the sound dauñʻʹ they quickly subsided.
-
-Then the old man resumed his questions, saying “Perhaps you may mean in
-your desire, suggested by the ‘word of the dream,’ my otter-skin robe?”
-The nephew replied, “No; that is not what is desired.” Next the old man
-named “my bow and arrows, which I so dearly prize?”
-
-The nephew, Gādjisʹdodoʻ, was walking to and fro in his own part of the
-lodge, looking every now and then to see whether the sun had reached
-the meridian, for he knew well that the time was almost up. Finally, to
-test the endurance of the old man, he again began to sing, using the
-words of the song for this kind of a ceremony: “Yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, he
-and I are bartering by exchange; yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs
-yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ, and he is my uncle, yuʹʻhĕñ, yuʹʻhĕñ.”
-
-With a loud dauñʻʹ the flames again burst forth from the ground all
-around the old man, who now climbed up the bark wall of the lodge to
-escape them, at the same time crying out, “Oh, my nephew! do not be too
-hasty with that thing.” Knowing his mastery of the old man, the youth
-willed once more that the flames should subside, and they did so.
-Whereupon the old man descended from his place of refuge on the bark
-wall.
-
-The old man said to his nephew, “At no time must you lay the heavy hand
-of punishment on me;” but he would not admit defeat. The youth
-answered, “The time is now nearly up, and I can not change in any
-manner the command given me by the dream.” With these words he again
-began to walk to and fro, singing his wonted song, at which the flames
-burst forth once more from the ground all around the place in which the
-old man moved, burning his hair and even his eyelashes.
-
-At this moment the old man cried out, “I have now divined the ‘word of
-your dream.’ I have thought all along that perhaps what you desired is
-the small woman in a bark case standing under the bed whereon I usually
-rest. She is, indeed, very small. That is, perhaps, what you desire?”
-The youth replied: “I am thankful. Set her in the place where people
-usually sit in the lodge.” For answer the old man said: “You would
-agree, perhaps, that I make a bark case, a very small one, and also
-make a small doll which I should fasten in the bark case. This is just
-the way they do when they ‘divine the dream word’ [434] of anyone.”
-
-Combating his uncle’s attempt to have the command of the dream changed
-and therefore made entirely void, the nephew said to him, “The dream
-did not tell me that the command should be carried out by means of an
-artificial thing.” At this he again began to walk to and fro in his own
-part of the lodge, singing, as before, the potent song, which caused
-the flames again to burst out of the ground and completely cover the
-old man, Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs, as he sat on his bed. At once he exclaimed, “I
-will now give up what you desire.” The flames went down with a roar.
-
-Still attempting to thwart his nephew by sly cunningness, the old man
-said: “It is the custom to make something resembling that which the
-‘word of the dream’ commanded to be produced and which customarily is
-given to the one who has dreamed; and it is now my purpose to make a
-bark case resembling the one which is lying under my bed, and in which
-shall be the representation of a woman. I shall make it fine and
-beautiful. I will give it to you.” The youth replied: “You know that
-now the time is up for you to do your part, and yet you delay, although
-you have asked me not to be too heavy handed with you. So at once give
-me what is required by the ‘word of the dream.’”
-
-Seeing that it was of no use trying to outwit his nephew, the uncle
-went over to his bed and, raising it up on one side, drew from under it
-a small bark case, in which was the small woman. She was indeed very
-small. As he drew her forth she was winking her eyes, and as she saw
-her brother she smiled pleasantly. The old man gave the case to his
-nephew without further resistance. Then the youth prepared her to take
-her away. It was very cold, being winter, so he wrapped her up in furs
-in a close bundle and replaced her in the bark case, which he carried
-on his shoulder out of the lodge.
-
-The youth directed his course toward the place where the skull of his
-other uncle protruded out of the ground. He arrived there bearing on
-his shoulder the case of bark. His mysterious uncle said to him, “Well,
-nephew, what has happened since you were here the last time?” The
-nephew replied, “Everything you said has come to pass as you desired.”
-The uncle answered: “Now it is your other uncle’s turn to kindle the
-fire, and he is gathering the necessary fuel for it. This is what your
-uncle is now doing. So perhaps you will return there never to come back
-here alive. When you reach your lodge he will have completed his
-preparations, and the fire too will be a great one. It shall be your
-duty to watch him carefully during the night. Just at your back—behind
-you—shall stand the case of bark containing your sister. At midnight
-your uncle will be suddenly roused again, I know, by an evil dream, and
-will again scatter the firebrands in all directions. Some will fall
-over your bed, and so you must be up and out of the way. At the first
-symptoms of his dream you must leap up and, going over to the opposite
-side of the fire, you must take down his war club and strike him a blow
-with it; then at once raise it for a second blow. When he shall say,
-‘Now it has ceased,’ you must ask, ‘What thing is causing you to see
-marvels?’ Then he will answer, ‘The thing that the dream has commanded
-me is baleful and difficult of accomplishment.’”
-
-The nephew asked, “Well, what did the dream command you to do?” The
-uncle replied, “It said that when daylight came again I must haul you
-around in a sledge made of green, fresh-peeled bark, ten times around
-this lodge, and that you must be entirely naked. You know that this
-lodge is very long. It said also that something evil would befall you,
-should you, my nephew, fail to see that this desire is carried out as
-the dream has declared it.”
-
-The nephew, Gādjisʹdodoʻ, answered, “Let it be so.” The two thereupon
-returned to their respective beds, and there they lay down to rest and
-sleep.
-
-Very early the next morning Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs arose, saying to his nephew,
-“Oh, my nephew! I am now going to fetch the bark sledge required for
-our purpose.” To this the youth Gādjisʹdodoʻ replied, “So be it.” The
-old man went out, and it was not long before he reentered the lodge,
-saying, “I have now completed my preparations out of doors; now we two
-will go out there.” They went forth, and the old man at once began to
-wrap the youth in the newly stripped bark which he had prepared for the
-purpose and to bind him very closely with bark cords. After coming out
-of the lodge the old man had said, “Now undress yourself fully,” and
-there in front of the doorway the youth undressed himself. There stood
-the bark sledge. On coming out the old man had told him, “You must lie
-down upon this thing.” It was winter and very, very cold. The wind was
-severe, and the snow was blustering. When the youth lay down on the
-bark sledge the old man wrapped him up with the bark sides and tied him
-therein securely, saying as he did so, “I am doing this lest you should
-fall when I start to run.” Finally he said, “Oh, my nephew! I am now
-ready.” The nephew, Gādjisʹdodoʻ, answered, “So be it.”
-
-Next the old man drew a starting line and began drawing the sledge
-around the lodge very swiftly. While running, the old man sang: “I am
-dragging him in a sledge, I am dragging him in a sledge, I am dragging
-him in a sledge. He is Gādjisʹdodoʻ, you who are a nephew. I am
-dragging him in a sledge, I am dragging him in a sledge,” etc. Having
-gone around the lodge once and having returned to the doorway of the
-lodge, Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs said, “Oh, my nephew! are you alive?”
-Gādjisʹdodoʻ answered, “I am alive.” At this the old man said, “This is
-once around,” and started again drawing the sledge around the lodge,
-singing, as before, while he ran.
-
-Having gone around the lodge a second time, the old man said, “Oh, my
-nephew! are you alive?” The nephew replied, “Hōʹ, I am alive.” Saying,
-“This is the second time,” the uncle again started around the lodge.
-The weather was indeed very cold, and no one who was entirely naked
-could possibly live in weather so severe (except he be a very great
-sorcerer).
-
-Having returned to the doorway of the lodge, the old man again asked,
-“Oh, my nephew! are you alive?” and the youth replied as before, “Yes;
-I am alive.” Every time the old man started to drag the sledge he began
-singing the same song with the same words. Thus they made a circuit of
-the lodge nine times, when the youth in his reply to his uncle’s usual
-question pretended to be nearly dead, answering in a very feeble voice,
-that he was still alive. To this his uncle exultingly rejoined,
-“‘ĕñʻʹhĕñ!” meaning by this exclamation, “I thought you would not
-last.” So the old man gleefully started dragging the sledge around the
-lodge again, and he sang the same song with the same words. When they
-had returned to the doorway of the lodge they had completed the tenth
-circuit of the lodge, as decreed by the old man’s ‘dream word.’ Again
-the old man asked, “Oh, my nephew! are you still alive?” With a strong
-voice the nephew answered, “I am alive.” To this the old man rejoined
-in surprise, Wuʻʹ! (an exclamation of wonder).
-
-Then the old man proceeded to unfasten the youth from the sledge and
-from the bark wrappings with which he had so closely secured him,
-ostensibly to keep him from falling off the sledge. As they two
-reentered the lodge the old man said, “Oh, my nephew! now that which
-was commanded me by the dream has been fulfilled.” The nephew replied,
-“So be it,” and taking up the bark case in which was his sister, he
-placed it on his back, carrying it by means of the forehead strap. He
-then went directly to the place where his uncle’s skull protruded from
-the ground. When he arrived there bearing his sister on his back, his
-uncle of the skull asked him, “Well, my nephew, how have things gone?”
-The nephew replied, “Everything that you advised me to do has been
-satisfactorily accomplished.” Thereupon the uncle said to him: “You
-must hasten back to the lodge, for it is now your turn to kindle a
-great fire. You must say to your uncle, ‘I am gathering wood and fuel
-to build a great fire, for I think that tonight we shall have a very
-cold night.’ And tonight about midnight you must dream and groan; then,
-quickly arising, grope on your hands and knees, and finally cast
-yourself on the fire, scattering the firebrands in all directions,
-especially toward the bed on which your uncle lies. When he arises and
-strikes you a blow on the head with his war club, you must quickly say,
-‘It has now ceased,’ for he will raise the club at once to strike a
-second blow. He will then ask you, ‘What is it that is causing you to
-see marvels?’ You must answer, ‘Compliance with what my dream has
-commanded me is most difficult, and the command is accompanied with
-evil portent.’ When he asks you, ‘What did it command you to do?’ you
-must say, ‘It commanded me to draw you, my uncle, in a bark sledge 10
-times around this lodge, and to require you to be naked, entirely so.’
-This is what you shall tell him when he asks what you have dreamed.”
-The youth replied, “So let it be.” Continuing his advice, the uncle
-said: “You must carefully guard the person of your sister. Be brave and
-do not waver; do not agree to his proposal that he may not undergo the
-test entirely naked, claiming this exemption on account of his great
-age. This is what he will say, but do not consent to this proposition.
-Now hasten back to the lodge.”
-
-Having returned to the lodge, the youth said to his uncle, “It is my
-turn to kindle the fire today, for we shall have a very cold and stormy
-night.” The uncle merely said, “I will care for your sister, of course,
-for it is very cold.” But the youth replied, “Carrying her along with
-me will in no wise interfere with what I am about to do.” So, carrying
-his sister on his back by means of the forehead strap, he went forth to
-gather wood. He kindled a great fire for the night and did not leave
-his sister alone for a single moment.
-
-When night came, they all retired to their beds. The sister of the
-youth remained in the bark case, which the youth placed between himself
-and the bark wall of the lodge. About midnight he began to groan and
-moan and utter incoherent words. Then, having arisen, groped around on
-his knees, and finally cast himself into the fire, scattering the
-firebrands in all directions, especially over the bed of his uncle.
-Thereupon the old man leaped up, and seizing his war club, went across
-the lodge and struck the youth a blow on the head, at the same time
-asking, “What is it that is causing you to see marvels?” The youth
-quickly answered: “It has now ceased. Compliance with what my dream
-commanded me is most difficult, and the command is accompanied with an
-evil portent.” The uncle at once asked, “What did it command you to
-do?” The youth answered, “It commanded me to drag you, my uncle, in a
-bark sledge 10 times around this lodge very early tomorrow morning. The
-evil portent is that if this be not accomplished before midday some
-great calamity shall befall your person.” The uncle merely replied, “So
-let it be.” Then they retired to their respective beds.
-
-Very early the next morning the youth, Gādjisʹdodoʻ, arose and said in
-a loud voice, “Oh, my uncle! I am now going after the bark sledge.” The
-uncle answered, “So be it; it is well.” The youth went out, and soon
-returning to the doorway, said, “Oh, my uncle! I am now ready; let us
-go out and begin at once.” With these words he laid his bark sledge
-down in front of the doorway. When his uncle came out the youth said,
-“You must undress yourself.” But the old man said, “Just let me remain
-dressed, for I am so very old.” His nephew, Gādjisʹdodoʻ, replied: “I
-did not say that. So come, undress yourself.” And he began at once to
-undress the old man. When the old man was undressed he lay down on the
-bark sledge, and the youth quickly bound him fast to it with bark
-cords. The old man kept saying, “You are binding me too closely; you
-have made the cords too taut.” But his nephew replied, “Oh! I am a
-swift runner, you know, and I fear that you may fall off. Oh! uncle, I
-am now ready.”
-
-Then the nephew started dragging the sledge very swiftly around the
-lodge, singing as he ran, “I am dragging him on a bark sledge, I am
-dragging him on a bark sledge; Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs, who is my uncle, I am
-dragging him on a bark sledge; I am dragging him on a bark sledge.” The
-uncle kept saying, “Oh, my nephew! the sledge is now going too fast.”
-The youth did not slacken his terrific pace, however, and the sledge at
-times turned over and over. Meanwhile the old man kept saying, “Oh, my
-nephew! do not be so rude in this matter; it is going too fast.” But
-the youth only answered, “That is, however, my speed.” When they got
-back to the doorway the youth asked, “Oh, my uncle! are you alive?” The
-uncle answered, “I am alive.” At this the youth at once started on the
-run, singing the same song as that he used on the first trip.
-
-It now came to pass that all the great sorcerers and past masters in
-wizard craft who dwelt on the borders of the land of this old man said,
-“He has now overmatched his orenda, or magic power,” meaning that the
-youth had overcome the orenda of his uncle. Thus spake the great
-wizards.
-
-Having returned the ninth time to the doorway, the old man’s nephew
-asked again, “Lo, my uncle! are you still alive?” Receiving no reply,
-he looked down on the upturned face and saw that his uncle’s eyes were
-frozen hard. Thereupon, he exclaimed, “Now, Oh, my uncle! you will
-enjoy the bark sledge,” and without any hesitation he started on the
-tenth circuit. Exerting all his speed and strength, he sped to the end
-of the lodge, the sledge flying high in the air with the great speed,
-turning over and over in its course. Turning away from the lodge, the
-youth with a mighty effort swung the sledge far off to one side and let
-it strike the ground, where he left it. It was so cold that when the
-sledge struck the ground there was only a crackling of ice.
-
-Then the youth, Gādjisʹdodoʻ, returned to the lodge in which his sister
-was still fastened in her case of bark. When she saw her brother
-entering the lodge she smiled, and said, “Oh, my elder brother! I am
-thankful that we both are still alive, having gone through what we
-have.” The brother, taking up the bark case, placed it on his back,
-carrying it with the forehead strap. Then the two went to the place
-where their other uncle’s skull protruded from the ground.
-
-Having arrived there, this uncle said, “Well, my nephew, what came to
-pass?” Gādjisʹdodoʻ replied: “Verily, I have overcome his orenda—the
-evil potency of my old uncle, who is now no more. Let us all go back to
-the lodge.” Reaching down, he drew his uncle up and caused him to
-stand, and he stroked his body in order to restore his flesh, which had
-been withered by the magic power of his evil-minded brother. When he
-had accomplished this task, the youth said, “Now let us return to the
-lodge.”
-
-Having arrived there, the youth unbound his sister and disengaged her
-from the bark case. Then he stroked her body to restore it to its
-normal size—to the size of a normal woman. When this task was
-accomplished Gādjisʹdodoʻ said: “We now are again united in our full
-number. We shall remain here in our lodge in peace and contentment, for
-he who was in his time a mighty sorcerer has departed.”
-
-There, in that lodge, they dwell to this day. This is the end of the
-legend of Gādjisʹdodoʻ and Sʻhogoⁿʻʹgwāʼs.
-
-
-
-
-
-119. THE LEGEND OF DEODYATGAOWEN
-
-In the long ago, in the times of the elder people, there lived in the
-land toward the place of sunrise a wonderful tribe of human beings, at
-a place called Dyohnyowanen (at the Great Lowland).
-
-It so happened that one of the young men dwelling there resolved to
-make an expedition into the distant West, into the region through which
-lay the path of the sun. The name of this young man was Dehaenhyowens
-(He-Who-Cleaves-the-Sky-in-Twain).[435] To promote his design, he
-persuaded his friends to prepare a great feast, to which all the people
-should be bidden and at which, as was the custom of the country, he
-should announce to the public his purpose of making an expedition into
-the West to the end of the earth, in order to slaughter unknown men and
-to obtain the scalps of the alien peoples whom he might encounter,
-since the scalps would serve as tokens of the victors’ prowess and
-craft in warfare.
-
-The feast having been prepared, the people were bidden to it. When they
-had all gathered together in their ganonses (long lodge of public
-assembly), and while they were enjoying the good things provided for
-their entertainment the host, Dehaenhyowens, arose to make the speech
-in which he announced his purpose with respect to the expedition, at
-the same time calling for volunteers from among the young men to
-accompany him and share his fortunes. He asked only for young men,
-those who had just arrived at manhood (at the age of puberty). Further,
-he informed those who might volunteer to accompany him that they would
-have to renounce their lives, their kith and kin; that they must agree
-on adherence to a unanimity of purpose and to continue their journey
-forward no matter what kind of obstacles might present themselves; that
-his own brother, Gaenhyakdondye (Along-the-Side-of-the-Sky), had
-already volunteered to go with him; and that they two in the capacity
-of war chiefs would lead the party should one be formed. Beside the two
-brothers 28 others volunteered to share the lot of the two reckless
-adventurers. So Dehaenhyowens appointed a time to start and a
-rendezvous for the party, earnestly urging all to be prepared to depart
-at the appointed time.
-
-When the day arrived, Dehaenhyowens notified by a messenger all the
-volunteers, who eagerly presented themselves at the rendezvous. When
-they had completed all their preparations, they set out, directing
-their course toward the place of the sunset.
-
-As these warriors traveled on they finally came to a place in which
-they found the habitations of a people whom they did not know. These
-unoffending people they ruthlessly killed and scalped, and after this
-bloody exploit they continued their journey toward the West.
-
-Having journeyed a short distance farther, they suddenly came to the
-settlement of another people. At the dawn they attacked these people,
-slaying all the males who did not escape in the darkness, and, having
-scalped the slain, they passed on, still following the course of the
-sun.
-
-A day’s journey farther on they came to the dwelling place of a third
-people, whom they dealt with as before. Next morning they resumed their
-march. They repeated their bloody exploits wherever they found a
-village on the line of their march, continuing this slaughter for many
-moons.
-
-After pursuing this course for a long time, the packs of scalps which
-they carried on their backs became so heavy as to be burdensome. Of
-course, a number of the band had been killed by the people whom they
-had attacked, so it now happened that those who remained began to
-complain of the weight of the scalps. One and all said, “It seems
-advisable that we should now leave our packs of scalps here in some out
-of the way place for safekeeping.” Finally their chief, Dehaenhyowens,
-said: “It is probable also that we may now see what we are seeking—the
-scalp of all scalps. This we could use to cover all we have. Moreover,
-the kind of thing(s) which we bring with us would not spoil.”
-
-It was about this time that they fell in with a man so tall that
-one-half the height of the tallest trees was the measure of his
-towering stature. Then it was that Gaenhyakdondye
-(Along-the-Edge-of-the-Sky, i.e., the Horizon) said: “Our good fortune
-has brought about the accomplishment of the purpose of our expedition
-upon which we had agreed—namely, that we should see in our hands a
-large quantity of scalps. I think the next thing to be done is to
-resolve to kill this man, whom we have met in this place. We shall then
-become possessed of the large scalp about which my brother has already
-prophesied. So let us attack him at once.” Immediately deploying, they
-began to assault him, shooting arrows at him, and struck him with their
-war clubs and stone hatchets, but they could make no impression on him
-and failed to harm him in the least. At last the strange man said to
-them, kindly: “What is it you desire to do? Do you imagine that you can
-kill me?” They answered, “That is indeed our purpose, as it has been
-our purpose on the journey hither to kill all who fall in our way, no
-matter who they may be.” To this frank admission the strange man
-replied: “The purpose for which you are banded together is not good.
-From this time forward you must utterly renounce it and carefully
-refrain from carrying it out. Know that it is quite impossible for you
-to kill me. The reason I came to meet you here was to give you this
-counsel. I watched you as you made your way to this place, and saw with
-grief that you killed many people. I want you to know that the reason I
-have come to meet you is that you have now committed wrongs enough on
-innocent people; and I want you to know further that if you do not
-cease from doing these wrongs you also shall die.” To this the leader
-of the band, Dehaenhyowens, answered: “We are very thankful to you for
-this good counsel, and we will try to abide by it. We will pass beyond
-this point, as we have bound ourselves by a vow to attempt to reach the
-place where the sun regularly sinks from view—the spot where the sun
-goes to and fro.” Then the stranger said merely, “Do you, then, start
-on your journey.” While they listened to him with bowed heads he
-vanished, and they did not know nor see whither he went.
-
-When they realized that they were again alone they departed from that
-place. After traveling a long time, finally they saw before them a very
-large lake, which barred their progress straight ahead. When they saw
-that there was apparently no means of crossing the lake, Dehaenhyowens,
-the leader of the band, said, “What should we do to pass over this
-lake?” Thereupon one of the band, who seldom uttered a word, said: “We
-have made an agreement bound with a vow that no matter what the
-circumstances or the obstacles might be, we would nevertheless pass
-through them as we have done in the past. Now the time has indeed come
-for us to fulfill our agreement.” Dehaenhyowens answered, “It is indeed
-even as you have stated it. Come, then, it is thou who must take the
-lead.”
-
-Then the man addressed started ahead, going out alone on the surface of
-the lake. Thither did he go unflinchingly. Thereupon in turn each of
-the others started in his wake, and crossed the lake safely.
-
-When they reached dry land on the farther shore, they stood still,
-looking around and examining the new country. They were surprised to
-see that the visible sky rose and fell at regular intervals.[436] As
-they conjectured, it rose to the height of the tallest pine tree known
-to them, and they saw, too, that the place from which it rebounded was
-so smooth that it glistened. While they watched the rising and falling
-of the sky they saw a large number of pigeons, which flew out from the
-other side of the sky, and after flying around returned whence they had
-come.
-
-Then Dehaenhyowens, the leader of the band, said: “What manner of thing
-shall we now do? To be sure, here seems to be indeed the end of the
-earth. It is evident, of course, that there is another country beyond
-this sky barrier which is thus continually rising and falling.” Again
-that member of the band who was never in the habit of speaking much
-said, “You are of course well aware of the nature of the agreement by
-which we bound ourselves together before we started away from home;
-moreover, you know that those of us who are still alive number only
-five. The opportunity now presents itself for us to do that on which we
-all agreed; its fulfilment is now demanded of us; it is for us to act
-in accordance with our agreement.”
-
-Thereupon the leader of the band, Dehaenhyowens, said, “Come, then; let
-us now lay aside our burden of scalps in this place for safekeeping
-until our return.” So each of the band carefully concealed his pack of
-scalps in such manner that he would be able to find it should he ever
-have the opportunity of passing that spot again. When they had
-concealed the scalps Dehaenhyowens, addressing himself to him who had
-last spoken, said, “Now, it is thou who must take the lead in passing
-this obstacle in our path, for our path leads directly into that
-farther country. We must pass so quickly under the sky as it rises that
-we shall not be caught by it when it falls back again.”
-
-So the man who had been designated to take the lead, having reassured
-himself, selected a favorable starting point for his dash under the
-sky. Carefully timing the rising and the falling of the sky, he finally
-dashed forward as swiftly as possible. His friends watched him run
-onward until he had disappeared from view on the farther side of the
-barrier. As the sky kept on rising and falling a second man, making
-like dispositions, dashed forward, clearing the barrier as the first
-had done, and disappearing from view on the other side. The third and
-the fourth man had like success in clearing this obstacle. The sky,
-however, did not cease from rising and falling back on its resting
-place.
-
-It was then the turn of the fifth and last man to make the perilous
-attempt. His four companions anxiously watched him making his
-dispositions to clear the danger which they had safely passed. They did
-not see him start, but as the sky arose they saw him still far from the
-passage, and just as he entered it the sky fell back crushing him to
-death. He had miscalculated the distance he had to run to reach the
-passageway, and thus his career ended.
-
-Then the leader of the band, Dehaenhyowens, said: “Let us be thankful
-that we have been fortunate enough to go through this danger, which has
-taken one of our number. We now number only four, and we are without
-arms or other means of defense. We know not whether we shall require
-them or not. Now, I believe that we must depart hence and go forward.
-It is very evident that we have arrived in a land quite different from
-the one known to us. The light of this world is unequaled in its
-brightness; the daylight of the land whence we started is like the
-light of a starlight night compared with it. Now, let us depart hence.
-We will go, seeking to find human beings, if there be such, who may
-have a settlement here.”
-
-Without further parleying they started forward. As they traveled along
-they saw that the trees of all kinds were very large and tall, and that
-they were in full bloom; these trees were of surpassing beauty. The
-travelers were greatly surprised to learn that the flowers supplied the
-light of that world, and they also observed that all the beasts and
-animals and birds possessed exceptionally fine bodies and presence.
-They remarked, too, that they had seen nothing during their journey
-thither so wonderful and strange. They saw with astonishment also the
-exuberance of the growing grasses and plants, among which they beheld
-in rich profusion the fruited stalks of the strawberry plants, which
-were as tall as the grasses. During their entire journey thither never
-had they found such large, luscious berries.
-
-Having gone some distance into the new country they were surprised to
-see in the distance a great multitude of human beings, who were
-assembled on the heath, which was the playground of that people; they
-appeared to the travelers to be occupied with games of amusement.
-Dehaenhyowens, the leader of the band, said, “What is to be done now,
-my friends, seeing that we have arrived at the dwelling place of
-strange human beings, and that we have nothing with which to defend
-ourselves should they attempt to do us harm?” Thereupon, Gaenhyakdondye
-said: “We have indeed made an agreement, as you know, that we should
-forsake our kindred and our lives in order to accomplish the purpose of
-this expedition. You know that each of us volunteered by ‘notching the
-rod’ to carry out that agreement. If we are to die here, we can do
-nothing to avoid such an end; we must not break our resolution and
-compact to follow the path of the sun to the last. The only thing that
-is certain in the case of our death is that our careers would end
-here.” His brother, Dehaenhyowens, replied, “The matter stands even as
-you have stated it; so then let us go forward to meet this people.” At
-this they started toward the place where they saw a great multitude
-assembled. In a very short time the anxious travelers came to a
-standstill not far from the others. Looking around, they saw that the
-inhabitants of the settlement were in readiness to witness a game of
-lacrosse, and that the players were even then standing in their
-accustomed places.
-
-In a short time the game commenced, and the vast multitude drew near as
-interested spectators. As soon as it was fairly under way there arose a
-great tumult; there was shouting and loud cries of excitement and
-approbation caused by the varying fortunes of favorite players. The
-great multitude rejoiced, and the new arrivals were greatly delighted
-with what they saw.
-
-At this time one of the players exhibited great rudeness in his manner
-of playing, striking right and left with his netted club without regard
-to other players who might be injured by his recklessness. Thereupon a
-person from the crowd, going up to him, said: “Do thou cease acting so
-rudely; thy manner is too violent, because one who is rejoicing does
-not act thus. So do not act thus again.” Then the players at once
-resumed the game, playing as they never had played before. In a short
-time, however, the player who had been cautioned to be more mild in his
-methods of play exhibited again his violence toward his playmates. At
-once the man who had before reprimanded him went up to him again and
-said, “Assuredly, I forbade thee acting again so rudely as thou hast
-done, yet thou hast disobeyed my request. Now thou shalt rest for a
-time. Thou art too unkind and headstrong.” Thereupon, seizing the ball
-player by the nape of the neck and by the legs and lifting him up
-bodily, he bore him away. Not far distant stood a very large tree.
-Thither the man carried the ball player, and having arrived near the
-tree, he cast the youth against its trunk. Headforemost his body
-penetrated the trunk, part of his head coming out on the opposite side,
-while his feet still protruded on the nearer side. Then the man quietly
-returned to the ball ground, and play was resumed. The game was
-continued until one of the sides had scored the number of points
-requisite to win, and then the players again mingled with the crowd.
-Then the man who had imprisoned the rude player in the tree released
-the prisoner, with an admonition to be more mild in his methods in the
-future. On his return to the multitude the man told them that it was
-time for them to return to their several homes, and they dispersed.
-
-It was then that this man, who seemed to be one of the chief men of the
-settlement, came to the place where stood the traveling company of
-Dehaenhyowens. As soon as he joined them he asked familiarly, “So you
-have arrived, have you?” Replying to this question, Dehaenhyowens said,
-“We have now arrived.” The man answered, “Assuredly, the reason that
-you have arrived safe in this land is that one of your number began at
-the very time of your departure from home to think, repeatedly
-soliloquizing, ‘Oh, Thou Master of Life, Thou shouldst have pity on us,
-so that we may pass through all the dangers which beset the
-accomplishment of the purpose of our solemn agreement. But, if it so be
-that we shall die on this earth, grant that we may also arrive in that
-other land that is extant, where Thou thyself abidest, Thou Master of
-Life.’ Every day, every night also, such was his mind. It was that
-which was able to bring your bodies into this land—this elder country.
-Moreover, you have fully accomplished that which I promised you when I
-met you on your way hither. So now, let me ask you, who among you is
-willing that I should restore his life; that is, refit his being?”
-
-Then one of the four travelers answered, “I am one that is willing; you
-shall begin on me.” Then the man of the settlement, going to a tree
-which stood not far distant and seizing it, bent it down to the earth;
-he then stripped the bark in one entire piece from the trunk. Placing
-this piece of bark on the ground, he said to the volunteer, “Now, do
-thou come hither to me.” Thereupon the man who had consented to have
-his body and being refitted went forward to him. Then the host placed
-the man on the outspread piece of bark, while the latter’s three
-companions intently watched him in what he was doing to their
-companion; and they saw him begin his work. Having taken apart the
-fleshly body of their companion, and unjointed all his skeleton, he
-laid each several piece aside. And then he took each of the pieces,
-each one of the joints of the bones, and wiped it very carefully. He
-soon completed his task, washing all.
-
-He then began to join together all the bones and all the portions of
-flesh in their proper relations. As soon as he had completed his task
-he said to his guests: “Now I have refinished this work. What is solely
-of the other world has been removed, for what is of the earth earthy is
-out of place here. Now, my friend, arise again.” Then the man whose
-body and being had been remodeled arose, and he stood erect and cast
-his eyes around him. His host said to him, “Like unto what is your life
-as you now feel it? Do you feel different from what you were before I
-remodeled your body and being?” To this the renewed man replied: “The
-conditions of my life are such that I feel immeasurably better, and
-happier than I did before.” His host said to him, “If this be, indeed,
-true, make the attempt to overtake and seize that deer standing yonder
-in the distance. When the remodeled man started toward it the deer at
-once fled in terror. The man ran swiftly in pursuit, and the deer had
-not gone very far before he overtook and seized it. On bringing it back
-to the place where his host stood, the latter said to him, “Now,
-assuredly, your life has become a new thing—you have acquired the life
-of this country.”
-
-The remaining three of Dehaenhyowens’ party, seeing how desirable was
-the change brought about in the body and life of the other by having
-him remodeled, said, “We, too, wish to have the same changes made in us
-as were brought about in the body and life of our companion. So we ask
-that the same be done for us, too.”
-
-Then the host of the band of Dehaenhyowens proceeded to renew and
-remodel the bodies and the lives of the three who had last requested
-him to do so. When he had completed this task he said to them as their
-friend, “Now, I have recast all your lives; I have finished everything
-that concerns and fits them for this country. We will now start to go
-to the lodge, where you shall remain while you are in this country as
-your home.”
-
-So the band of Dehaenhyowens and their host started. They walked
-leisurely along, noting the many strange things which attracted their
-attention on every side. They had not gone far before they reached a
-very large lodge, into which their host led the party; here they saw a
-very old woman who presided over the lodge. On entering, the host of
-Dehaenhyowens and his friends said to the old woman: “I have brought
-here those persons who, I said, would take up their abode here when
-they arrived in this country. They shall remain here under your care
-and keeping.” The aged woman, the mistress of the lodge, replied: “It
-shall be even as you have said. These, my grandchildren, shall be one
-with me here in this lodge.” Then, the man who had brought the visitors
-there said: “Now I will go away. Make yourselves at home.” And he left
-the lodge at once to attend to his own affairs.
-
-The mistress of the lodge said to her guests, to make them feel more at
-home: “I am not quite alone, you see, in caring for the lodge, which is
-very large. The male persons who dwell here are absent hunting; they
-will soon return for the night. I will now prepare something for you to
-eat.” Thereupon she set before them what was ready cooked in the lodge.
-
-When they first entered the lodge the band of Dehaenhyowens noticed
-that the old woman was busily engaged in making a mantle for herself;
-at intervals she held the work up at arm’s length to note the effect of
-her labor. The visitors discovered also that human hair was the
-material out of which the old woman was making her mantle. They saw,
-too, that their aged hostess possessed a very small cur, which lay near
-by on her couch. They were astonished to see that, when the old woman
-left her work for a few moments, the cur quickly arose and, going over
-to the place where the old woman had left her hair work, began to
-unravel hurriedly but steadily all the work that the old woman had done
-on her mantle. When the dog had nearly unraveled all the work the old
-woman returned to continue her task.
-
-While the visitors were eating what the old woman had set before them
-the male members of her household returned, each bearing a bundle. On
-entering the lodge they said to the old woman: “We have returned. We
-were fortunate throughout the entire expedition in killing much game.”
-The mistress of the lodge said in reply: “Verily, be it known that a
-short time ago Teharonhiawagon brought to this lodge the human beings
-(oñgwe), who, he said, were coming to this country, and who, he said,
-would abide in this lodge when they should arrive. They have arrived,
-and these men here are they. Talk with them and become acquainted with
-them.” Thereupon the men who had just returned to their lodge drew near
-the visitors and conversed with them, saying: “We are, indeed, thankful
-that you have arrived here safe. It is now a long time that we have
-kept watching you on your way hither. Moreover, be it known, now that
-we have seen one another, we are greatly rejoiced.” Then they mutually
-stroked one another’s bodies, as was customary on such occasions, and
-greatly rejoiced to become acquainted.
-
-Then the old woman began to prepare food for the returned hunters; and
-when it was cooked the old woman called the men, saying, “Now, of
-course, you will eat the food which I have prepared for you”; and the
-men began to take their nourishment. Their manner of doing this seemed
-most peculiar to the band of Dehaenhyowens; hence they intently watched
-the hunters, who did not eat the food set before them. Instead, they
-merely absorbed the exhalations of the food, it being the odor or
-effluvium of the food that satisfied their hunger. When they had
-finished their meal the old woman said to them, “It is now time,
-perhaps, that you should go out to hunt game which our human guests can
-eat, for you know that they do not eat the same kind of things that you
-do.”
-
-Accordingly, the hunters started out of the lodge to seek game for
-their guests. As soon as the men were gone the old woman took from the
-headrest of her couch a single grain of corn and a single squash seed.
-Going to the end of the fireplace, there she prepared in the ashes two
-small hills or beds, in one of which she placed the grain of corn and
-in the other the squash seed, and carefully covered them with rich
-soil. In a very short space of time the visitors were greatly surprised
-to see that the seeds had sprouted and shot out of the ground small
-plantlets, which were growing rapidly. Not very long after this they
-saw the cornstalk put forth an ear of corn and the squash vine a
-squash. In the short space of a few hours these plants had supplied the
-old woman with ears of corn and squashes. These she prepared to cook.
-
-By this time the men who were out hunting returned to the lodge,
-bringing with them the carcass of a fine deer which they had killed.
-This they speedily set to work to skin and quarter. As soon as they had
-finished this task, the old woman set the venison, corn, and squashes
-over the fire to cook in kettles on stone supports and hastened the
-cooking by putting hot stones into them. When these things were cooked
-she placed them in fine bowls of bark, which she set before the
-visitors, bidding them to eat heartily. So Dehaenhyowens and his
-friends ate their fill.
-
-It now came to pass that the aged woman said, “It is time, you will
-agree, I think, for you to go again to hunt.” This she said to the male
-members of her family. Then the visitors saw something very strange.
-They saw the old woman take from under her couch a large quantity of
-corn husks and carry them to what appeared to be an added lodge or
-separate room and there push aside the door flap. In that room the
-visitors saw what seemed to them a lake, round in form. The old woman
-made a circuit of the lake, heaping the corn husks around its edges.
-When this task was finished she set the corn husks on fire and they
-quickly burst into flames, and these flames consumed all the water of
-the lake. Next she said to her men folks, “Now, I have again completed
-the preparations. Do you start now. You must be careful. In the course
-of your excursion you must not injure any person.” These words she
-addressed to the men of her lodge, and they departed on their usual
-trip through the land.
-
-It came to pass that the band of Dehaenhyowens remained in the lodge of
-the old woman during the entire time they were in that country.
-
-Furthermore, it happened that when they took a stroll in the country
-while the men of the lodge were absent they came on a spring of water
-which formed a large pool. One of the party, using his bow as a rod,
-thrust it into the pool to see whether he could find any living thing
-in it; but he saw nothing to attract his attention. When they returned
-to the lodge they again stood their bows in the usual place, in a
-corner of the room. When the men of the lodge had returned home from
-their excursion into the country one of them said, “There is something
-in this lodge that has the smell of game (i.e., something to be
-killed),” and he at once began looking around from place to place. Then
-the others after sniffing the air exclaimed, “It is true; there is
-something in here that smells like a game animal.” At this one went to
-the place where the bows belonging to the band of Dehaenhyowens were
-standing and, taking one of the bows in his hand, said, “It is, indeed,
-this bow that has the scent.” Turning to Dehaenhyowens, he said: “To
-what place have you been? What is the place like where you touched
-something with this bow?” Answering, Dehaenhyowens said, “Yonder, not
-far away, you know, there is a cliff, and on the farther side of it
-there is a spring of water, forming a deep pool.”
-
-Thereupon the men of the lodge exclaimed, “Let us all go to that place
-right away,” and all started out of the lodge and ran swiftly to the
-spring. When they arrived there Dehaenhyowens said to his companions,
-“There, in this spring and pool, I thrust my bow to rouse whatever
-might dwell therein.” One of the men of the country answered: “It is
-certain that some mysterious creature abides herein. We shall see what
-it is. Do you, our friends, stand yonder, a little aloof, and then you
-shall see the thing done, when we shall kill it.”
-
-Heeding this admonition, the band of Dehaenhyowens drew back a short
-distance and watched the men of the country make their dispositions for
-the attack. They did not wait long to see a wonderful phenomenon, for
-the men of the country at once began their task. One touched with a rod
-the bottom of the pool whence flowed the spring of water. Thereupon
-began to be heard loud sounds, even such as are heard when the voicings
-of thunder fill the air with a deafening din. Such was the tumult and
-confusion at this time that the now thoroughly frightened human beings
-fled from the spot to seek safety. There were also flashes of lightning
-followed by loud crashes and deep rumblings of the thunder. This uproar
-continued for some time, when suddenly it ceased and one of the hosts
-of Dehaenhyowens said, calling his guests back: “Oh, come back! We have
-now killed this creature.”
-
-Thereupon, when they had again assembled, they departed, going back to
-their lodge. When they reached it they said to the old woman: “We have
-now killed that uncanny creature, that Otkon. Indeed, we do not know in
-what possible way it happened that this creature took up its abode so
-very near this lodge. We had never before noticed it. It may have been
-there a long time, since it had grown so large. We have barely escaped,
-perhaps, some great misfortune.” The old woman replied gratefully,
-“What a very remarkable affair it is, in which our visitors have been
-of assistance to us.” In a moment she asked: “What is the Otkon?[437]
-What is the form and kind of thing you have so fortunately killed?” The
-men answered: “It is the Great Blue Lizard which we have destroyed.” So
-they rested for the night.
-
-The next morning the old woman said to the men of her lodge: “For
-myself, I am thinking that it is just the time of the year when you
-should again make mellow and moist all the things that grow on the
-earth. What do you say?” One of the men replied, “It would seem well,
-perhaps, that you should ask him who is the principal one to be
-consulted in regard to our duties in this matter. It is possible that
-he may say: ‘It is now the proper time of the year in which you should
-again make mellow and moist all the things that severally grow on the
-earth.’” So saying, he ceased talking with her.
-
-Arising from her seat and pushing aside gently the door flap at the
-entrance to the adjoining room, the aged woman made the inquiry just
-noted. The person addressed answered: “For myself, I too think that it
-is time, perhaps, for doing that about which you have asked me. So let
-it be done as you wish.”
-
-Allowing the door flap to fall back, the old woman withdrew to her own
-apartment in the lodge. In order to make the needed preparations for
-carrying out the purpose of her inquiry she gathered a quantity of corn
-husks and, again entering the place in which the lake was situated, she
-heaped once more the corn husks along the shore. When she had placed
-the corn husks around the entire circuit of the lake she set them on
-fire. When the fire had become brisk and bright the old woman, turning
-to the men of the lodge, said: “I have now again made the necessary
-preparations for the performance of your accustomed task, and you shall
-start on your journey to make all things that grow on the earth moist
-and mellow and the soil as well. They who are visiting us shall
-accompany you wherever you may go; you must carefully keep them from
-harm, and you must show them all things of interest on your journey.”
-
-Taking up their implements and weapons, the men of the lodge and their
-guests departed. During the course of their long journey one of the
-hosts of the Dehaenhyowens and his men said: “You shall now see the
-things over which we have charge. He whom you are wont to call
-Hawenniyo (the Ruler) is the person who has charged us with all these
-matters, and we shall continue to have the care of them so long as the
-earth endures. We shall tend all those things which he has planted on
-the earth; we shall habitually cause water to fall on them; we shall
-keep all the water in the several rivers on the earth fresh at all
-times; and we shall water all those things upon which you and your
-people live, so that all things which he has made to be shall not
-perish for the need of water. And you, you human beings, shall then
-live in health and contentment. Such are our duties from day to day.”
-
-Then it was that Dehaenhyowens and his party, looking beneath them, saw
-another earth far below. As they proceeded they heard loud noises, like
-the voicings of Thunder when he draws near on earth; and there began to
-be bright flashes of lightning, and next there began to be rain; and,
-finally, raindrops fell to the lower earth.
-
-As they moved onward they saw a huge serpent, which had formidable
-horns protruding from its head. Then one of the hosts of Dehaenhyowens
-and his friends said: “Look at that creature moving along swiftly
-yonder. It is known that were it to emerge permanently from the
-interior of the earth it would bring great misfortune to the things
-that dwell on the earth; in fact, it would bring to an end the days of
-a large multitude of you human beings. To see that it never comes forth
-permanently out of the ground is one of the duties with which we are
-strictly charged.” In a moment the speaker continued, “Now you shall
-see what will take place when we will kill it.” As the party of
-Dehaenhyowens watched, their hosts began to pursue the serpent. The
-voice of the Thunder was exceedingly loud and the flashes of lightning
-amazingly vivid. Finally, the huge serpent was hit by its pursuers and
-began to flee from them. It sought unsuccessfully to hide beneath
-standing trees, but these trees were struck and riven into splinters;
-then it fled to the mountains, seeking to conceal itself beneath their
-shelter; but this also was in vain, for it was repeatedly hit by the
-men of Thunder, and, finally, was killed.
-
-As an explanation of this phenomenon the hosts of Dehaenhyowens and his
-friends said: “It is verily true that beneath the surface of the ground
-whatever is otkon (i.e., malign by nature) moves to-and-fro from place
-to place. It would, indeed, be most unfortunate for us all should this
-species of being be permitted to travel from place to place upon the
-earth. Hence such beings are doomed to abide beneath the surface of the
-ground in the interior of the earth.
-
-“And now concerning the origin of these beings: It was he whom we call
-the Evil-minded One [438] that formed their bodies; and it came to pass
-that he whom you call Hawenniyo (i.e., the Disposer, or Ruler) decided
-that so long as the earth endures these beings shall abide under the
-surface of the earth. Furthermore, we ourselves believe that He who
-charged us with the performance of this task of keeping them beneath
-the surface of the earth will cause it to come to pass, perhaps when
-the earth is nearing its end—then, and not until then—that these beings
-shall be permitted to come forth upon the earth. So is it, indeed, to
-come to pass that when the event is not distant—the end of the earth—He
-will bring to an end the duties with which we are severally charged, to
-be performed for the benefit of the things that live upon the earth.
-Not until then shall the waters which are held in their several places
-become polluted; finally all other things shall likewise become old and
-decayed upon the earth; and all things that grow out of the ground,
-too, shall grow old and sear; indeed, all things shall become withered
-and decayed. Now let us turn back homeward.”
-
-Then the party, turning homeward, retraced their steps. On reentering
-their lodge the spokesman of the party said to the old woman who
-presided over the lodgehold (household), “We have now completed the
-task of making moist and mellow all things that grow upon the face of
-the earth.” Arising from her seat, the aged matron went into the
-adjoining room of the lodge and said to a person who occupied that
-room, “Now, they have, indeed, returned.” With these words the old
-woman withdrew and resumed her accustomed seat.
-
-In a short time the door flap separating the adjoining room was thrust
-aside and a man (hĕñʹgweʻ [439]), thrusting his head through the
-doorway, asked the men who had returned, “Have you now, indeed,
-completed the work? Have you made moist and mellow all things that grow
-on the earth beneath this one?” The men replied in unison, “We have
-indeed accomplished our task as we were charged to do.” Thereupon the
-person from the adjoining room said, “Now you must rest until there
-shall be another day; then you shall again recommence the performance
-of the duties with which you are severally charged.”
-
-This conversation gave Dehaenhyowens and his party the opportunity of
-seeing the speaker. They were convinced that he was human; that he was,
-in fact, a hĕñʹgweʻ. But they were amazed to see that while half of the
-body of this strange person was in all respects like that of a human
-being, the other half of his body was crystal ice. They felt, too, a
-breeze that was chilling strike them from out of the doorway; but at
-this moment the strange man withdrew the door flap, concealing the room
-from further observation.
-
-The aged matron of the lodge, addressing her guests, said: “That person
-whom you have just seen is, in fact, the principal one of all those who
-are charged with duties to perform in the economy of the earth. He is
-called by us Dehodyadgaowen (i.e., the Cloven-bodied Man); he is named
-also Owisondyon (i.e., Cast or Falling Hail). It is this feature that
-you saw when he showed his face at the doorway, and that explains why
-there came forth from him a cold breeze. This act will immediately
-cause the prospective days and nights on the earth to become cold and
-wintry. However, when the day again dawns he will again show his face
-and the other side of his body, and immediately there will blow hither
-a hot breeze.”
-
-Then the members of the lodge said one to another: “We have paused in
-our labors in order to rest. Tomorrow it will come to pass that we
-shall take you back to the place whence you departed, for you have been
-here now many days. This is, of course, what you human beings call
-springtime.” Having said this, all the members of the lodge fell asleep
-in their several places. When morning came the door flap separating the
-room from the adjoining one was again thrust aside, and the strange
-man, Dehodyadgaowen, showed himself in the doorway, and called out
-aloud, “Now then, all you people, awake and arise; it is time to do
-so.” At this all the sleepers awoke, and as they awoke, they
-outstretched their arms and bodies, yawning and uttering loud
-vociferations, as are heard on earth in the voice of Thunder. There
-arose a warm breeze, and then the men of the lodge went out. It was but
-a short time after this that the men reentered the lodge and said to
-their guests: “You should accompany us on our intended journey, so that
-you may see an Otkon which inhabits certain trees near the place whence
-we returned. It is a long time that we have been making attempts to
-kill and destroy this being, for it is possessed of very powerful
-orenda.” Thereupon Dehaenhyowens replied, “It is of course right that
-we should accompany you to learn what manner of being that may be.”
-
-So all the men of the lodge started on their journey, going directly to
-the place where the being that was otkon had its lair. Having gone a
-long distance, the men of Thunder finally said to their guests: “There,
-indeed, is the place in which the Otkon abides. You must stand in
-yonder place, quite removed from any danger from this being, and you
-shall see it as we shall cause it to come forth from the lair.”
-Thereupon the party of Dehaenhyowens withdrew to the designated
-position. They saw one of their hosts go forward and hit one of the
-trees several sharp blows with his club; they saw the being come forth
-from its lair and concluded that it was what they called a squirrel.
-But the being, or squirrel, thrust its body only partially out of its
-hiding place; at once the men of Thunder hurled their shots at it;
-there were loud thunderings and the lightning flashes were vivid, and
-there arose a great tumult and a terrific hurricane. In a short time
-the men of Thunder ceased for a moment, having failed to hit the being.
-At once the squirrel (or being) quickly descended the tree on which it
-then was, and running to another tree, climbed it in an effort to
-escape its tormentors. But very soon the men of Thunder shivered this
-tree, whereupon the squirrel, having fled back to the first tree,
-swiftly climbed back into its lair. Then the men of Thunder said: “Now,
-indeed, you have seen what we call Otkon. The time is long in which we
-have been making vain efforts to destroy this being, this great Otkon.”
-
-In replying, Dehaenhyowens said: “It is now our turn; we will attempt
-to kill the Otkon.” But the men of Thunder answered, “We fear that the
-attempt will not result favorably; you may be injured, for, indeed,
-this is an Otkon beyond measure.” Dehaenhyowens replied assuringly, “We
-know that we can accomplish this task.” “If you are determined to make
-the attempt, we will assist you should you fail,” said the men of
-Thunder. Going up to the tree in which the squirrel had its lair, one
-of the party of Dehaenhyowens tapped on it with his club. Forthwith the
-squirrel again thrust out its body and gazed at the men. Taking a
-knob-headed arrow from his quiver, Dehaenhyowens shot at it, hitting
-the squirrel fair in the head and causing it to come tumbling to the
-ground.
-
-Thereupon the men of Thunder, taking up the body of the squirrel,
-started for home, with their guests. When they reached their lodge the
-men of Thunder said to the old woman, “Now, in fact, our visitors have
-killed it; they have indeed killed the Otkon, which for a very long
-time we have failed in our attempts to kill.” Answering this, the old
-woman said: “I am very thankful to receive this news. This then shall
-be done: the skin of this Otkon shall belong to me; as it is so
-precious, it shall be the robe of my couch.” So Dehaenhyowens carefully
-skinned the squirrel; after doing this he neatly prepared the skin,
-which he spread on a suitable frame to dry. When it had thoroughly
-dried Dehaenhyowens presented it to the old woman, assuring her that
-was the method his people employed in preserving the skins of animals.
-The old woman received the skin with many thanks, for she felt that she
-had come into possession of a skin which was very precious to her.
-
-Then, addressing the men of her lodge, she said: “Our visitors are the
-ones who have accomplished this thing for us. In token of this one of
-our visitors shall remain here as one of us. He shall be a coworker
-with you for the reason that he and his kindred were able to accomplish
-that which you yourselves were unable to do.” In giving assent to this
-the men replied: “Let that, too, be done; let him who is foremost among
-us say it, and it shall be done.” The old woman replied: “That is so;
-his consent is all that is required to accomplish this desirable
-thing.” At once arising from her seat, she went to the doorway leading
-to the adjoining room and, pushing aside the door flap, said: “Behold!
-Will you confirm the proposition that one of the men visiting us shall
-remain here as one of us, while his companions shall return hence to
-their own homes? The reason for this is that he was able to kill the
-squirrel (the Otkon), and since the men who live in this lodge had
-failed for so long a time to do so, I desire that he shall assist them
-at all times and be a coworker with them.” Answering the old woman,
-Dehodyadgaowen said: “I willingly confirm this proposition, if it be
-that he himself is freely willing, and that of course he will volunteer
-to have his life pounded (in a mortar). Then, as you know, it will be
-possible for him to help them continually.” With this he ceased
-speaking.
-
-Returning to the group comprising the party of Dehaenhyowens, the old
-woman said: “Hatchʼkwĭʻ! (Behold!), wilt thou confirm the proposition
-that thou shalt remain here alone while thy companions return to their
-own homes? If thou wilt be willing to agree to this, I will give thee a
-new name. This shall be the name by which they shall hereafter
-habitually call thee, namely, Dăgāʹĕⁿʻʹdăʼ (i.e., the Thaw, or the Warm
-Spring Weather).” This member of the party of Dehaenhyowens replied, “I
-willingly agree to this proposal; I am quite willing to be an assistant
-to them in their work.” To this the old woman answered: “I am much
-pleased that the matter is now settled. We indeed have become of one
-opinion, having one purpose in view.”
-
-At this time Dehodyadgaowen interrupted by saying, “Now, then, do you
-bring his person (body) in to this room, and let him at once be
-prepared for his duties.” The old woman, addressing the visitor who had
-consented to remain, said, “Come! The time has arrived for doing what
-you have agreed to do for us, what you require to fit you for your new
-duties.” Accordingly, the man entered the room which adjoined the one
-in which he and his friends were, and in which abode Dehodyadgaowen. As
-soon as he had entered Dehodyadgaowen said to him: “Here stands the
-mortar. Thou must place thyself in it. Now, verily, thou shalt change
-thyself, thy person, as to the kind of its flesh.” Obeying his
-instructor, the man at once placed himself in the hollowed end of the
-mortar wherein the grain was usually pounded, whereupon Dehodyadgaowen
-drew near, and taking up the pestle, pounded him in the manner in which
-grain is pounded, striking three blows. Having done this, he said to
-the visitor: “Thy flesh has now changed in kind. The task is
-accomplished. Thou mayst sing to try thy voice.” The transformed man
-began to sing, and Dehaenhyowens and his one remaining friend heard the
-singing, which sounded to them exactly like the voice of approaching
-thunder, only that the volume was somewhat less, as it seemed to them.
-They said one to the other, “Now it is known that he, Dăgāʹĕⁿʻʹdăʼ, is
-approaching,” and soon their transformed friend reentered the room.
-
-In a short time thereafter the old woman said to the men of the lodge,
-now including the newly transformed person: “You shall now start on
-your journey, and you shall begin to make mellow and moist anew all the
-things that are growing on the earth beneath. And this, moreover, shall
-be done. Dăgāʹĕⁿʻʹdăʼ shall take the lead. So it shall be he whom they
-who dwell on the earth below shall name first in the spring of the
-year. Of course the human being will say, ‘Now the warm wind has come
-down; now the hot spring wind blows again; and so now the spring season
-will come upon us.’ They shall never forget, indeed, each time the line
-of demarcation between the snowtime and the summertime arrives, for
-Dăgāʹĕⁿʻʹdăʼ shall continue to change the days and nights of the
-future. You men must start to accompany part of the way homeward those
-who have been visiting us for so many days.”
-
-Before they got started she resumed her discourse, saying: “Now I will
-tell you, who are human beings of the earth, that it is even I whom you
-call the Nocturnal Light Orb (the Moon). And He it is whom you and your
-ancestors have called Deauñhyawagon, sometimes Hawenniyo (the Master or
-Ruler), who has commissioned me. And this is what He has commissioned
-me to do: When it becomes dark on the earth it is I who shall cause it
-to be in some measure light and warm on the earth, so that it become
-not too cold nor too dark; so that all the things which should grow may
-grow unharmed on the earth, including all those things on which you
-human beings live, dwelling as you do on the earth beneath. Until the
-time that the earth shall stand no more He has commissioned me to act
-and to do my duty. It is thus with us all. He has commissioned us only
-for the time during which the earth beneath shall endure. Moreover, I
-will now impart to you the following information so that you oñʹgwe
-(human beings) living on the earth shall know that they who abide here
-in this place are those whom you call Hadiwĕñnodaʹdye’s (the
-Thunderers); and so that you shall know that He who established this
-world is One whom you call Deauñhyawagon and also Hawĕñniʼyo (the Ruler
-or Disposer). It was He who decreed that these men shall customarily
-come to the lower world from the west and that they shall move toward
-the east.
-
-“So let this be a sign to you who dwell on the lower earth that when it
-comes to pass that these men of Thunder come from the east you shall
-know at once its meaning, and shall say one to another, ‘Now it seems
-that the time is at hand in which He will take to pieces the earth as
-it stands.’ Verily, such is the strict manner in which He has
-commissioned us, charging us with definite duties. It is well known
-that the Diurnal Light Orb (the Sun) customarily comes from one certain
-direction; in like manner, it is also true of me, for I too must appear
-to the lower world from one certain direction. This obligation on our
-part is fixed; and our coming shall never occur in a different manner
-as long as the earth endures—at least until that day in the future when
-He himself, whom you call sometimes Hawĕñni’yo, shall transform what He
-himself has established.
-
-“Now the time has arrived for you to start for your home; but first,
-before you depart, you must journey about this upper world to see
-everything that may be beneficial to you and to your people in the days
-to come. By the time you return from this journey of observation I will
-have made ready what you shall take with you when you shall go again to
-make mellow and wet the earth beneath. This, too, upon which I am at
-work is something about which I must tell you something. I am engaged
-in making myself a mantle, and the material out of which I am weaving
-it is, indeed, what you think it is—human hair. You have observed as
-well that each time I lay my work aside for a moment my small cur as
-often undoes quite all that I have done. I will now tell you by what
-means I obtain the human hair of which I am making myself a mantle.
-When some human being dies on the earth below one hair from his head
-detaches itself and departs thence, coming directly to me. It is such
-hairs that I am using in making my mantle. This serves as a sign to me
-that one has ceased to be on the earth below, and that that person is
-traveling hither. This shall continue as long as the earth beneath
-shall endure and have form. Moreover, mark this well, that when He
-shall cause the death of human beings on the earth below, it shall then
-and not before be possible for me to finish the mantle on which I am
-working; and the number of hairs in this mantle will then bear witness
-to the number of persons who have visited the earth below while it
-lasted. Now you may take an observation trip.”
-
-Thereupon the men of the lodge and the entire party of Dehaenhyowens
-started out to view the notable things in the vicinity of the lodge.
-They went to that place where for the first time during their visit
-they had seen the beauty and pleasantness of that upper world; they
-admired the strawberry plants, bearing luscious berries, as tall as the
-high grasses among which they grew; these were in bloom, for their
-bearing season was continuous. They saw, too, the growing trees full of
-fine blossoms; never before had they seen such beautiful flowers, which
-supplied the light of that upper world; and they saw the plants and the
-shrubs and bushes full of fruits of all kinds, all growing luxuriantly.
-Never before had they seen paths so fine leading in various directions;
-and they beheld along these paths the trees whose overhanging boughs,
-loaded with blossoms, were scented with all manner of fragrance.
-
-They beheld all figures of human beings (oñʹgwe) promenading along the
-paths from place to place, but they realized that these were shades (or
-shadows), and that consequently it was not possible to hold
-conversation with them. Farther along in their ramble they came to a
-village which was inhabited, there being many lodges in different
-places in the manner of a village of human beings. In passing through
-the village one of the hosts, addressing Dehaenhyowens, said: “In this
-lodge, standing here apart, your mother dwells. She was still on the
-earth below when you and your party left on this journey; but she
-started for this country soon after you had departed therefrom. Here
-also dwell your relations—all those who were able to observe the
-customs of their ancestors during the time they dwelt on the earth
-below.”
-
-Then they went back to the place where the old woman awaited their
-return. On entering the lodge they said to her: “We have now returned
-from our ramble,” to which she replied: “I have quite completed my
-preparations. Now you must start on your journey homeward, and the men
-of the lodge will accompany you part of the way. In going home you must
-pass around by the place where abides the Light Orb that travels by
-day. Let them see Him too. May your dreams foreshadow your safe arrival
-home.”
-
-Thereupon they departed from the lodge of the old woman. Not far
-distant from the home of their hosts there stood a lodge. One of their
-hosts told Dehaenhyowens and his friends that that was the lodge of the
-Sun. “Thence,” they said, “he starts to give light to the world beneath
-this one.” Having reached the lodge, they entered it, and within they
-saw the Sun engaged in cooking chestnut-meal mush. One of the men of
-Thunder said: “We are now on our journey, accompanying these human
-beings part of their way home. We are taking these men back to the
-earth below this one. The reason that we have come around this way is
-that we desired to have you and them see one another.” Then the Master
-of the lodge, raising his voice, said to his visitors: “It is I,
-indeed, who has met with you. and it is I whom you habitually call in
-your ceremonies, ʻHoʻsgĕⁿʼägeʻʹdăgōwā, He-the-Great-War-Chief, and our
-Elder Brother, the Diurnal Orb of Light. I have just completed my usual
-preparations for the journey on which I am about to start. Furthermore,
-just as soon as you depart hence I will start on my journey to make the
-earth below light and warm again.”
-
-In a short time, the visitors having seen all that was interesting in
-the lodge, said: “Let us now go hence on our journey,” and they at once
-resumed their own course. They had not gone very far when the men of
-Thunder said: “It is now time for us to begin; Dăgāʹĕⁿʻʹdăʼ shall be
-the first one to act.” Dăgāʹĕⁿʻdăʼ, the former member of the party of
-Dehaenhyowens (Light Rays?), began to sing in a loud voice, thus
-setting his orenda to work to carry out his function. Then the two
-human beings who were to return to the earth below saw the earth in the
-distance beneath them, and they heard, too, the people dwelling on the
-earth say: “Now the beginning of the Spring Season has come upon us.
-Indeed, the Spring Wind is blowing warm and hot, and now, too, the
-Thunders are singing in the distance.”
-
-Then the party moved on. Looking down on the earth from above the sky
-and the clouds they saw the effect of the singing of the Thunder men.
-At this time the voices of the Thunder men sounded loud and angry, as
-it were, as they moved along the sky, and on the earth below fell
-torrents of rain with great force, and they saw the creeks and rivers
-swell and overflow their banks.
-
-To the human beings of the party they had not gone very far, as it
-seemed, when they were startled by alighting on the earth. Thereupon
-one of the Thunder men said to them: “Now, indeed, you are again at
-your homes whence you departed, so we have fully discharged our
-obligation to bring you safely back. Moreover, we will now tell you
-something regarding another matter. It is a long time since the former
-inhabitants of this country withdrew from here and went to another
-settlement. You will find them in the place where they are now living.”
-
-Having conducted their friends some distance on the ground, one of the
-men of Thunder said: “We will now separate one from another. You must
-keep us in remembrance. For this purpose you shall employ the native
-tobacco, making an offering thereby in words and in acts. This will be
-quite sufficient for the purpose, for we shall hear the thanksgiving
-and accept the offering at once. In like manner shall it be done to all
-those, and only to those, who are charged by Him with duties and
-important functions. If you should think of Him or of them, that is the
-chief and essential thing—the employment habitually of native tobacco
-by you in this important matter. Such is the method which you who still
-live on the earth here below must regularly employ in forming your
-messages of thanksgiving. Such is the regulation and decree ordained
-and promulgated by Him whom you call Deauñhyawagon, familiarly as
-Hawĕñniʹyo (He, The Master). These are the words which we thought it
-necessary for you to hear before we separated one from another. May you
-have good dreams.”
-
-Then the two parties separated, the one from the other; and the men of
-Thunder departed from the earth, going back into the cloudland to their
-own lodge.
-
-In turn Dehaenhyowens and his lone companion started from the place
-where they had been left. They were not long in finding the traces of
-the former home of their friends. They found that the place had become
-thickly overgrown with large trees to so great an extent that one
-unacquainted with the facts would be in doubt whether or not any person
-had ever lived in that place.
-
-On seeing this, Dehaenhyowens said to his companion: “Verily, it seems
-that we must depend on ourselves to find our people. We must,
-therefore, go to seek the place where they now dwell.” Thereupon they
-started, directing their course eastward, as they had been instructed.
-At no great distance they saw the smoke from a village and made their
-way to it. On entering the first lodge they reached, Dehaenhyowens
-said, “We have now returned home.” In reply the master of the lodge
-said: “Whither did you go, and who are you? As for myself, I do not
-know you.” Answering him, Dehaenhyowens said: “Have you not at any time
-heard the tradition which says that a number of men (three tens)
-started on a journey along the path of the Sun—a party formed by
-Dehaenhyowens and Gaenhyakdondye, two famous war chiefs, of men who had
-thoroughly habituated themselves to warlike exercises? They undertook
-while going toward the sunset to kill and scalp all the peoples whom
-they might encounter on their way.” The master of the lodge said to
-them in reply: “I myself know nothing of the matter about which you are
-speaking. When such a thing may have taken place I do not know. It may
-be that the old woman living in yonder lodge may know about this
-matter. You should go over to consult her concerning it.”
-
-So Dehaenhyowens and his companion passed on, going to the lodge
-pointed out to them. On entering the lodge Dehaenhyowens said to the
-old woman: “Do you know the circumstance in the history of your people
-when in the long ago some men—warriors, three times ten in number—went
-on an expedition from which they never returned? The party was formed
-by war chiefs, Dehaenhyowens and Gaenhyakdondye. They went toward the
-sunset, following the path of the Sun.” Answering his question, the old
-woman said: “It is indeed true that such an event took place. I have
-heard my deceased grandmother say many times that when she was still a
-child men to the number of 30 started out on an expedition, but they
-never returned to their homes.” After some moments of thought she
-added: “Probably the man who dwells yonder in that lodge not far away
-from here remembers the whole matter, for he has had an exceedingly
-long life, and so is probably familiar with the tradition about which
-you speak. Therefore you would better visit him and seek further
-information from him.”
-
-Thereupon Dehaenhyowens and his companion again started on their quest
-for some one who knew them. On reaching their new destination they
-found the very old man of whom the old woman had spoken, and they asked
-him: “Do you remember an affair, which took place many years ago, in
-which warriors to the number of 30 departed hence on an expedition
-along the path of the Sun?” After a few moments of reflection the old
-man replied: “I remember the matter full well. This is what happened:
-There lived a people yonder, some distance away, where this affair took
-place. There were a number of young men who had grown up together, all
-about 16 years of age; 30 of these organized themselves into a war
-party, binding themselves together by means of an oath or vow. Having
-fully organized their troop, they caused the people of the entire
-community to assemble at the Long Lodge of public gatherings, whereupon
-Dehaenhyowens arose and said: ‘Now then, it shall be made known to you
-who have assembled here that we have indeed completed our preparations.
-We young men, who are three tens in number, have enlisted by “notching
-the stick” to go on an expedition along the path of the Sun. We have
-made the agreement strong, for we have commingled our minds. Now it is
-as if we had only a single head, only a single body of flesh, only a
-single life, and we shall bleed as one person. Moreover, we renounce
-our kindred, and we also forswear our lives. We shall now depart hence,
-directing our course toward the West, for we desire to make a journey
-to the place of the sunset—to the place where the Diurnal Light Orb is
-wont to make his way to and fro. Our band have appointed me and my dear
-brother to be their chiefs to lead them. We, too, have made a solemn
-vow that no matter what the situation confronting us we will
-nevertheless pass onward in our journey. We have indeed enlisted in
-this matter seriously by “notching the stick.” This is, of course, as
-you well know, the pledge that each one of us will do what we have
-agreed to do one with another.’ Thereupon, they departed from us, and
-they have never returned.”
-
-Dehaenhyowens, replying to the old man, said, “How long ago may it be
-since that event took place?” The old man answered, “It is now three
-generations ago—that is, three generations have passed away since that
-time.” Then Dehaenhyowens asked, “Who were the chiefs of those who
-departed?” The old man said, “Dehaenhyowens and his brother,
-Gaĕⁿʻhyakdoñʹdyeʹ; these two persons were chosen as the chiefs of the
-party.” To this Dehaenhyowens responded, “Verily, grandsire, we are the
-remaining members of that party—my brother, Gaĕⁿʻhyakdoñʹdyeʹ, our
-friend Dagāʹdyeʹ, and I; so many of the number have now returned home.
-It was, verily, our party that departed from the place where your and
-my people formerly dwelt, at that place yonder not far away.” But the
-old man, still doubting what he had heard, said: “It is probably not
-you who went away, because it appears from your youthful aspect that
-you have just reached manhood, and that event occurred a very long time
-ago.” Dehaenhyowens, however, answered: “Nevertheless, we are the very
-persons who started, at least those of us who still are left alive; and
-we have now arrived home again.” On hearing this, the old man said: “If
-possible, then, do tell me the name of the chief of our people when you
-departed.” Dehaenhyowens quickly answered, “Dăgäidoñʹdyeʼ was the name
-of the chief of our people at that time.” Now convinced of what he
-doubted, the old man answered: “That statement is, indeed, also true.
-The fact that he was my grandfather is the reason why I am so fully
-acquainted with that matter. Now, I admit that I am convinced that it
-is indeed you and your friends who departed so many years ago, and that
-it is you, too, who have returned home; and as it is meet so to do, our
-present chief shall now be made cognizant of this matter. So remain
-here in this lodge, and I will now send him word of your return, to
-await his pleasure.”
-
-Accordingly the chief was made acquainted with the matter at once.
-Forthwith he sent out runners, giving notice to all the people to
-assemble immediately in the Long Lodge of public meetings to hear news
-most startling and important; he set the following day for the assembly
-of the people. When the morning of the next day dawned all the people,
-having made the necessary preparations to attend the great council,
-hurriedly gathered in the assembly hall. Dehaenhyowens and his two
-companions went there in company with his host, the old man, whose
-grandfather was a former chief of his people. The assemblage was large,
-for everyone who could possibly leave home attended. When all were
-seated the chief arose, and ceremoniously greeted the newly arrived men
-in these words: “We have learned only a hint of what occurred during
-your expedition, and we desire fervently to know more of the events
-which took place while you have been absent. So now we shall listen to
-the whole account, and we will hear the leader of the party.”
-
-Thereupon Dehaenhyowens arose, amidst deep silence, and spoke briefly,
-as follows: “There were 30 of us who started on the expedition along
-the path of the Sun; but only three of us have returned. It is I who
-bear the name Dehaenhyowens. On this hand sits my brother,
-Gaĕⁿʻhyakdoñʹdye’ʹ, for such is the name that he bears; and on this
-hand sits our friend, Dăgāʹdye’ʹ, for such is the name that he bears.
-So many only are we who survive. It came to pass during the time of our
-expedition along the path of the Sun to the skyland that one of our
-number remained there as an assistant to the people in that far-away
-land. It is quite impossible for him to return again to this earth to
-live.” Then Dehaenhyowens related at great length all that had occurred
-to him and his party and all the things that they had seen from the
-time they had left their homes until their return. After speaking thus
-Dehaenhyowens resumed his seat.
-
-The chief then said: “It was in fact a marvelous thing that was done by
-your party. It is a very long time since you departed from your homes;
-but now you have returned, only you three persons. Of course, one of
-the most essential things about this matter to be remembered is that
-Deauñhyāwaʹgon, sometimes called Hawĕñniʹyo, forewilled that you, and
-only you, should be enabled to return home safely. Preparations have
-been made so that we may now exchange greetings, and this shall be
-done. You, the surviving ones of the party, three in number, will take
-a suitable position, and I will take the lead in a ceremonial greeting
-to you; for I, of course, stand in the stead of the one who was the
-chief of the people when you departed. My name is Dagäʹidoñʹdyeʼ. Then
-we will do this: We will mutually and severally stroke one another’s
-body in greeting. This ceremony shall be for all persons, including our
-children—we will all greet one another in this ceremonial manner, for
-this was the custom of our fathers on such occasions.”
-
-Accordingly Dehaenhyowens and his two friends took suitable positions
-in which to receive the greetings of the people, and the people with
-the chief in the lead came forward and cordially stroked their bodies
-according to the custom. All the men, women, and children arose and
-greeted them. When the ceremony was over the chief said: “We will do in
-the future all the things that we have today learned should be done.
-This, too, you shall know—you who have just returned home—that we shall
-be equal with you in the enjoyment and disposition of the things that
-we possess, so that our minds and yours shall think in peace. Here, you
-know, dwell the people, and now, of course, we again shall commingle
-and associate together. Everything is in readiness for us to rejoice
-and be happy, seeing that you have returned home in safety and health.
-The first thing to be done is to make merry by a game. They whose
-bodies are strong will play at a game of lacrosse ball; thus shall they
-amuse your minds, and you may rejoice. When that shall have passed we
-shall dance, beginning with the Pigeon Song, or Song of the Pigeons.
-When that is passed it will be time for us to disperse to our homes.”
-Thereupon Dehaenhyowens, arising, said: “It is marvelous to know that
-we have been absent from our people during three generations; and we
-are rejoicing that we have, though much fewer in numbers, returned to
-our homes. We are indeed very happy that we are again one people with
-you.”
-
-Then the young men went to the public gaming grounds and there engaged
-in an exciting game of lacrosse ball. When this game was over the
-people assembled in the Long Lodge of public meetings and there they
-performed the ceremony of the Song of the Pigeons. They danced all the
-songs of this ceremony, which is quite long and exciting. Even the
-children danced to show their pleasure at seeing the returned men.
-
-(This is the end of the story.)
-
-
-
-
-
-120. AN ADDRESS OF THANKSGIVING TO THE POWERS OF THE MASTER OF LIFE
-[440]
-
-We congratulate one another this day because we are still alive in this
-world.
-
-Besides this act we give thanks to the Earth, and we give thanks also
-to all the things which it contains. Moreover, we give thanks also to
-the Visible Sky. We give thanks also to the Orb of Light that daily
-goes on its course during the daytime. We give our thanks nightly also
-to the Light Orb that pursues its course during the night.
-
-So now, we give thanks also to those persons, the Thunderers, who bring
-the rains. Moreover, we give thanks also to the servants of the Master
-of Life, who protect and watch over us day by day and night by night.
-
-And now, furthermore, we send our thanks also to his person, to the
-Finisher-of-our-lives. To him our thanksgiving we offer in fervent
-gratitude.
-
-And now a ceremony shall begin, a ceremony which was given to us, to
-mankind, by the Finisher-of-our-bodies—namely, the ceremony of the
-Great Feather Dance.
-
-So let everyone be enthusiastic, then, in this ceremony. We must enjoy
-ourselves as much as possible during this ceremony. It was given to us
-for the purpose of benefiting us in its performance in honor of him,
-the Master of Life, who gave it to us, and we must all do what is right
-and just one to another, and we also must continue to give thanks to
-the Master of Life for the good things which we enjoy at his hand.
-
-So now will begin the singing of the songs of the Ritual of the Great
-Feather Dance. So let each and every one share in it, then. [At this
-point the singers on the song bench begin singing the songs of this
-ceremony. All who take part should be arrayed in festival attire. The
-faces of the dancers should be painted, and their heads should be
-adorned with feather headdresses. When this ceremony is ended the
-Master of Ceremonies, arising, makes the following statement:]
-
-“So now, moreover, in such an assembly of people as this is, another
-ceremony is about to begin, one other that the Finisher-of-our-lives
-has ordained for our performance. So, then, let us be thankful,
-moreover, that our lives and persons are still spared in the affairs of
-this world.
-
-“So now, moreover, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving
-thanks for the bounties it has received from the Master of Life.
-
-“So now, moreover, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving
-thanks. The Master of Life has willed that there be officers among the
-people whose duty it is to promote the celebration of the Six
-Ceremonies. So we give thanks, too, that you who are officials among
-the people are still spared your lives.
-
-“So now, moreover, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving
-thanks for the bounties it has received. He, the Master of Life, willed
-that there shall be certain persons among men who shall be called
-chiefs (because their renown is great), and that upon them,
-furthermore, shall rest the grave responsibility of promoting peace and
-health among the people, and also that upon them shall rest the
-responsibility of making addresses of thanksgiving at the celebrations
-of the Thanksgiving Ceremony, in which they shall direct their words to
-the Maker-and-finisher-of-our-lives, at the same time earnestly urging
-all persons to enjoy themselves there and to be happy.
-
-“So now, moreover, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving
-thanks. The Creator-of-our-lives willed that there shall be in life two
-varieties or kinds of life, one of which shall be called Female and the
-other shall be called Male. He willed that by this means mankind shall
-see the coming of humanity (through the birth of children). So,
-therefore, we give thanks that this ceremony or rite of the union of
-two kinds of life is going on, just as he decreed that mankind should
-live in pairs—male and female. So, therefore, we offer up thanks
-because we have our eyes on our offspring who are coming, differing in
-size, to us.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there be an earth continually. So let us give
-thanks that the processes of the earth go on in accordance with his
-rule, and that we human beings are traveling about over it.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall be springs of water, and that
-there shall be waters that flow. So, too, we give thanks because there
-are waters that flow as ordained, and because there are springs of
-water likewise, which are for our comfort as we go to-and-fro over the
-earth.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed, too, that ‘I will bestow that on which they shall
-live—corn, and that it shall grow in its seasons.’ So then, let us now
-give thanks because we have again set our eyes on all those things upon
-which we live. We are thankful that we again see all these things.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall continue to grow on the earth all
-manner of herbs, and, too, that these shall be for use as medicines,
-which shall be, each and every one, a succor and support to the people;
-they shall be for medicine.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall grow various kinds of flowers on
-the earth, and that among these shall grow continually strawberries.
-So, too, let us give thanks because these are for our pleasure and
-contentment.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall grow shrubs on the earth
-continually, and that all these shall be for medicines for mankind at
-all times. So, too, let us give thanks that these are giving us perfect
-satisfaction and comfort, and because these shrubs are our own aid and
-sustenance.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that other shrubs and trees in groves shall ever
-grow to maturity on which various fruits and berries shall ever hang in
-abundance. So, too, let us give thanks because these fruit-bearing
-shrubs and trees grow continually, giving us at all times abundantly
-contentment and pleasure.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall be forests that shall continually
-reproduce themselves by growth, which shall continue to be at all times
-helpful to mankind, ‘whom I have placed on the earth.’ So, too, let us
-be thankful that our minds are contented for the reason that the
-forests grow.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that in the forests which shall continue to grow
-there shall live and increase all manner of game animals in utmost
-variety. So, too, let us give thanks for this bountiful provision,
-because in full measure and number the game animals are abundant in the
-growing forests, as intended by him, and they are ever the full means
-of giving us pleasure and contentment while we dwell on the earth.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall be growing forests in which there
-shall be certain trees from which (maple) sap shall habitually fall in
-its season. So, too, let us give thanks because there still grow here
-and there maple trees, for we still can look upon maple sugar.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall be brakes of great herbs on which
-shall grow sunflowers continually in their season, and that these shall
-serve to give pleasure and contentment to mankind dwelling on the
-earth.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed, ‘I shall place a duty on certain persons to care
-for and watch over the earth, and they shall cause rain to fall
-habitually, and the rain shall prosper all the things that grow out of
-the earth, and these persons shall habitually approach from the west,
-and people will call them Our Grandsires, whose voices are heard from
-place to place—the Thunderers.’
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall ever be a Sky, on which there
-shall ever appear a Light Orb which will go about from place to place
-as day succeeds day, and people shall call this orb of light the Sun.
-So, too, let us be thankful that we see each day that the light orb
-moves on in its course.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall be darkness by periods of a
-certain length, and that in the sky there shall ever appear a Light Orb
-which shall ever go from place to place, and which human beings will
-call the Nocturnal Orb of Light—the Moon. So, too, let us be thankful
-because night after night we see this orb of light holding to its
-course, and know that our Creator so decreed it.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall ever be a Sky, and that in it
-there shall be Stars fixed from place to place. So, too, let us be
-thankful, because we see these stars night after night, just as our
-Creator has decreed that it shall be.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall be Persons who shall guard mankind
-from harm by day and by night. So, too, let us be thankful that these
-Four Persons protect us daily and nightly.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks.
-He willed that just and righteous acts shall be the means of making us
-true men and women. So, too, let us be thankful because his words are
-being carried out on earth.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that in thanksgiving addresses the celebrant must
-offer thanks to all things, beginning with these on earth and ending
-with the person of the Master of Life. So, too, let us be thankful that
-we have now rendered to our Maker our thanks for the bounties of life.
-
-“So now, too, this assembly of people, such as it is, is giving thanks
-this day. He willed that there shall be persons who shall have the
-ability to sing the songs of the Great Feather Dance, which were
-bestowed on us by our Creator. So now we thank you, Singers, who have
-this power and who have so well again performed your duty, a duty which
-is not an easy one.
-
-“May all the people here enjoy peace and health until the time for the
-next celebration of this ceremony, which is fixed at a future day.
-Live, then, in peace and health. I end.”
-
-
-
-
-
-121. A CORN LEGEND AND A FLOOD STORY
-
-There is a story that in ancient times there occurred a great calamity,
-which was caused by a rain that lasted three months. The result of this
-long rain was that the waters rose high and soon flooded the whole
-extent of the dry land. Only one man was saved. He climbed a tree to
-save himself from the waters.
-
-The waters rose high in every place except on one tract of land on
-which stood a village of about six families, from which all the game
-had disappeared; so the people of these families had nothing to eat.
-This village was situated on the bank of a small stream where grew a
-large number of slippery-elm trees. The absence of all other food
-compelled the miserable wretches to strip the bark from these trees to
-use as food. They dried the bark and then pounded it into a kind of
-coarse meal, which they mixed with water to make a sort of bread to
-satisfy their hunger.
-
-During this terrible time of scarcity, one night when all others were
-fast asleep one of the young men of the small village, being awake,
-heard some person walking with very heavy tread. He was not moved to
-fear by this experience, so he decided not to inform his companions of
-what he had heard. For 30 successive nights he heard this tramping and
-walking to and fro, as he surmised. But the young man had been thinking
-deeply on the meaning of the sounds he had been hearing night after
-night, and on the morning of the day following the thirtieth night he
-informed his companions that some person was about to pay them a visit.
-The sounds of the walking had appeared to him to come from the east.
-
-Not long after this the people realized the truth of what he had told
-them, for a strange woman [441] came to their lodge. No one knew whence
-she came, for they were surrounded by water, and there was no land in
-sight. The strange woman did not remain at this lodge, but went
-directly to the lodge of the brother of the young man who had heard her
-walking. When the brother, who had been outside the lodge, reentered it
-he found the woman seated. He had never before seen another woman like
-her, for she was beyond measure attractive in person, in manner, and in
-her words and actions. The brother questioned her, asking her whence
-she came and whither she was going. The woman replied: “I have come
-from the south to assist you and your people in obtaining food for your
-needs. I came because my mother sympathizes greatly with her people,
-and it is she who has sent me here to become the wife of your elder
-son.” Answering her, the man said: “It seems very strange that your
-mother should send you here, but of course she probably knows that we
-are in despair, expecting nothing but death from hunger and
-starvation.” By way of reply to this the young woman asked: “Will you
-grant me the pleasure of having my mother’s request fulfilled?” The
-man, whose mind had already begun to hope for better things for his
-people, replied, “Yes; her request will be granted, and you will become
-the wife of my son.” She did become his wife, and they lived as husband
-and wife.
-
-The bride wife the next morning said to her brother-in-law: “You must
-have the corn bins cleared out and ready, just as if you expected to
-use them for storing corn.” The brother-in-law at once told his sister
-to clear out the corn bins just as if they expected to store corn in
-them. Having done this, the sister informed her sister-in-law that they
-were ready. The younger brother exclaimed: “I am glad that our family
-has increased.” At the dawn of day the next morning the people,
-awakening as if they had been frightened, heard sounds which indicated
-that corn was falling into their corn bins, which had been empty so
-long. Some hardly believed their ears, and doubted that they had
-received so much corn freely. So when the bride wife asked that corn be
-prepared and cooked, her husband told his sister to make it ready,
-although in his mind he felt that his wife had said this just because
-she knew well that they had nothing to eat and nothing with which to
-prepare anything.
-
-Then the bride wife said to her brother-in-law: “You go to the river
-and catch for us some fish, so that we may have fish to eat with our
-corn bread.” But the young man replied: “It is strange that you should
-think that there are fish in the river, for I have not seen one there
-for many months.” But the woman insisted that he should go, saying:
-“You will, however, find fish there.” He, in some doubt still,
-answered: “Very well, I will go, although I know that I shall not find
-any fish there.” Finally he went, as she had asked him to do, for the
-sake of his people. On reaching the stream he saw a fish; it was indeed
-the first he had seen since the great rainstorm had begun. He planned
-his measures so well that he caught the fish, which was very large, and
-at once started for the lodge. Arriving there, he said that it was the
-only fish he saw. The bride wife said: “This is the fish I meant. Now
-your sister will clean it and place it in the kettle to cook it.” When
-the sister was told to get some corn and to prepare it for cooking, she
-said: “I have indeed cleared out the bins; all are empty, and not a cob
-is left on the poles on which hung the corn strings. Before this
-terrible rain came we had an abundance, but now we have not even a
-kernel for seed; all has indeed strangely disappeared.” The brother
-insisted, however, on her going to the bins, saying: “Go to see what
-you can. I heard a strange sound at dawn this morning, the sound of
-falling grains of corn.” To satisfy him the sister went to the bins
-where she was so fortunate as to find enough to fill both hands full.
-Delighted at finding even this small quantity, the girl returned and
-set to work preparing the corn for pounding into meal. It was not long
-before she had prepared and cooked a loaf of corn bread about two spans
-of the hand in circumference.
-
-When the bride wife was informed that the loaf and the fish were ready
-to eat she said: “You must invite all your neighbors, so that each may
-have a portion of what you have cooked. You will cut the loaf into as
-many portions as there are persons in this village, and you must divide
-the fish in the same manner.” This was done. When the people who had
-gathered together in response to the invitation were all seated, the
-elder son of the family, the bridegroom, arose to speak. He said: “The
-Master of Life has gladdened our hearts with this loaf of bread and
-with this fish, the kind of food we ate before this water surrounded
-us. It must indeed be the will of the Master of Life that we should
-live. Before this young woman came to our lodge we expected to starve
-to death, and it is she who has invited every one in this village to
-come here to eat this food. In the future, therefore, it shall be the
-custom that when anyone shall have good fortune in his hunting or
-fishing he shall prepare a feast to which all his neighbors shall be
-made welcome.” His sister was told to serve all the people who had
-come. It seemed impossible, however, that even a small mite of fish or
-bread could be given to each of so many persons. But after she had
-begun to serve out the bread and the fish, she found that she could do
-this with what she had; and all were satisfied. There indeed seemed to
-be only a spoonful of broth in which the fish was cooked, but all were
-given a drink out of it and grew strong. The woman received the thanks
-of the people for the food which she had brought to them. What they had
-received seemed enough, and it was their opinion that this was an
-example for them to follow, so they declared: “Hereafter, if we obtain
-anything good to eat, it shall be shared equally by all. Such shall be
-our custom.”
-
-Then the bridegroom’s brother informed the people that the bride
-desired the people to go to their homes and clear out their corn bins,
-just as if they were expecting to fill them with grain, and that they
-must act at once in this matter. So the people quickly returned to
-their lodges to carry out the bride’s request. During the following
-night the young man who had first heard the walking of the still
-unknown woman again heard the sound made by falling corn grains. In the
-morning the people of the several lodges found their corn bins well
-supplied with corn, and they were greatly rejoiced at this good
-fortune. Then an old woman, one of the near neighbors of the bride,
-said: “I will ask the young woman whence she came to us, so that we may
-know who it is that has been so kind and merciful to us.” So going to
-the lodge of the newly married couple she addressed the bride, saying:
-“I have come to ask you to tell us whence you came to us?” The bride
-willingly replied: “I came from the south, where my mother lives. She
-knew of your destitute condition and felt very miserable about it,
-hence she sent me to marry this young man. He indeed knew that I was
-coming before I arrived here. My mother sent me on this errand so that
-I could protect you by providing for your most pressing needs.”
-Replying, the old woman said: “I am thankful and so are all my
-neighbors that your mother was moved to pity us by seeing our
-distressing condition and destitution; it is through her that we shall
-live. We are indeed grateful to her and to you for fulfilling your duty
-in the matter.” Thus it was made clear to all the people to whom they
-owed their good fortune. They saw then that it was through the bride
-and her mother that the bare corncobs that hung in the corn stacks were
-again filled with grains of corn, and that their corn bins were again
-full of grain.
-
-After this there came a time when the bridegroom’s younger brother
-began to dislike his sister-in-law, and he sought in many ways to abuse
-her, saying rude things to her at times. At first the sister-in-law
-paid no attention to his abuse.[442] One day she made bread from corn
-grits, and she gave a loaf of it to her hostile brother-in-law, saying:
-“I have made this for you.” But he seized it rudely, exclaiming: “Do
-you mean to insult me? I will not eat such bread as that; it is not fit
-to eat.” With these words he tossed the loaf of bread into the fire.
-Without a word of remonstrance the young woman cast herself down on her
-couch and covered her head in sorrow; and she remained thus until her
-husband returned. At once he asked the cause of her sorrow. At first
-she refused to tell him. Finally, however, he prevailed on her to do
-so. She said: “Lately your brother abuses me at every opportunity. I
-made him bread of the best material I had, and he sneeringly threw it
-into the fire. So I will go home to my mother. If you desire to
-accompany me, you may do so. It will require as much time for me to
-return to my home as it required to come here. When my mother sent me
-she did not expect me to return to her home again. But I must go, and
-all that I brought with me shall go back with me. All is due to your
-brother’s fault. This is why I am sorrowful.” Her husband was deeply
-grieved at the prospect for his people, and he sought to persuade his
-wife to change her resolution, but he could not induce her to remain.
-
-In the evening, having completed her preparations, she started on her
-return journey, saying to her husband: “When you are hungry, follow my
-trail. You shall encounter many difficulties, but you must not falter
-by the way. At all times keep in mind that you are going to your wife.
-You must not stop to rest either day or night. So take courage and do
-not falter. Now I go.”
-
-During that night all the people heard the sound of falling grains of
-corn, which dropped from the cobs hanging on the strings of ears. The
-next morning the bridegroom asked his sister to go for corn. She went
-as directed, but found the corn bins empty and the corncobs bare. This
-was true, indeed, of all the lodges of the village.
-
-The night following the morning which showed the people that all their
-corn had mysteriously disappeared the old woman who had asked the
-strange young woman whence she had come visited the lodge of the lone
-bridegroom and asked him where his wife was. He told her that she had
-returned to the lodge of her mother because of the abuse which his
-brother had heaped on her, and that all the good things which she had
-brought with her had gone away with her; and he told the old woman
-further that it was all due to his brother’s fault. He said that his
-wife could not punish the culprit without punishing all the
-people,[443] and that he could do nothing in the matter.
-
-The direful plight of the village caused the bridegroom to resolve to
-follow his wife to her home to learn whether it were possible to
-relieve the distress of his people. After making some necessary
-preparations, he started out on the trail of his wife. As he followed
-it he found that there was a well-defined path on the waters which
-entirely surrounded his people. When he started on this perilous trip
-the husband remembered what his wife had said to him about the
-difficulties of the journey, and what he must do to overcome them; so
-he kept on his way by day and by night without stopping. At all times
-he could plainly see her trail, which appeared as if it had just been
-made.
-
-In the meanwhile, when he started his mother-in-law said to her
-daughter, who had returned home: “Your husband is coming to you and to
-us; he has now left the home of his people.” It is said that his
-mother-in-law could hear his footsteps as he followed the trail.
-
-As his wife had told him to give no thought to the great difficulties
-of the way, he kept them out of his mind; he did not realize the great
-length of time he was on the journey. After many days he reached a
-cornfield, and by this sign he was delighted to know that he was very
-near his journey’s end. Stopping for a moment and looking around he saw
-a column of smoke rising from the middle of the cornfield, and he at
-once decided that it must come from the lodge of his mother-in-law;
-thereupon he went directly toward it.
-
-Having arrived in front of the doorway he was gladly surprised to hear
-the voice of his mother-in-law from the inside saying to him: “Come in,
-my son-in-law.” On entering the lodge he saw his wife and was made
-welcome by her and his mother-in-law. His wife said to him: “You have
-done my bidding, and I am pleased that you have. Is it not good to see
-our cornfield so exuberantly filled with rich ears of corn? And is it
-not pleasant to think that we can live here in peace and comfort? Being
-faithful, you shall be prosperous.” The mother-in-law, who knew that he
-was approaching, had ready, cooked and prepared, a large bark bowl full
-of oniasont (crook-necked squash), which she hastily set before him
-without reserving any portion of it. When he had eaten his fill he
-thanked her and the Source of All Life. He remained in the lodge of his
-mother-in-law until the growing corn had ripened. Then he said: “I
-think that it is time for me to be going back to my people. I can now
-be of some service to them.” His wife said to him: “Your brother, who
-found pleasure in abusing me, is dead; he died, indeed, of hunger and
-starvation. It is, indeed, too bad that he had so evil a disposition.”
-The husband replied: “I do not mourn for him, for he knew well what he
-was doing when he heaped abuse on you.” The wife answered: “You will
-find your people still without food. You must be very cautious on the
-journey. I am afraid that you may be overcome on the way.” Thereupon
-she told him of a number of animals which he would find along the path,
-and which did not exist until after the second creation. The waters of
-the great flood had then gone down, and the earth had become new. She
-gave him food for his people; also, for seeding, one ear of corn of
-each variety, some beans of each variety, and one squash, which his
-people must use for seeding their land. The wife gave her husband also
-provisions for his journey, ready cooked for eating cold. She cautioned
-him not to stop on the way, lest he be overcome by the evil powers
-which infested the pathway to his home. Then they parted
-affectionately.
-
-The husband started homeward. He encountered many obstacles and unknown
-beasts and animals on the way; but at last after many days of travel
-without stopping to rest, he safely reached his home. He found there
-only low timber and bushes and weeds growing. On arrival at his own
-lodge he gave a few kernels of corn to each family, saying: “This corn
-shall be the chief source of sustenance of the people hereafter.” In
-like manner he did with each of the several kinds of seeds which he had
-brought back with him. It is from these seeds that were propagated all
-the food plants which the human race had in ancient times.
-
-
-
-
-
-122. THE LEGEND OF MAN’S ACQUISITION OF CORN
-
-(A SENECA-TUTELO LEGEND)
-
-In ancient times there was a village situated on the banks of a river.
-The chief source of subsistence of the people was the natural products
-of forest and stream—that is to say, game and fish, berries and various
-edible roots and tubers.
-
-There came a day when the people dwelling in this village were told by
-an old woman that she heard the voice of a woman singing on the river;
-and she told them further that the words used by this strange singer
-were: “Luxuriant and fine are the planted fields where I dwell, going
-to and fro. Luxuriant and fine are the planted fields which we have
-planted. My grandmother and my ancestors have planted them.”
-
-After hearing this singing for 10 nights the old woman said to her
-family and neighbors: “Let us go out to see what this singing means;
-perhaps some woman has fallen into the water, and it may be she who is
-singing in the middle of the river.” They did go to the river bank, but
-saw nothing, and they returned much chagrined at their failure to
-discover the singer.
-
-On the tenth night following, the woman again began to sing, seemingly
-from the middle of the river not very far from the village. Again she
-sang: “Luxuriant and fine are the planted fields (of corn) where I
-dwell, going to and fro. Luxuriant and fine are the planted fields (of
-corn) which we have planted. My grandmother and my ancestors have
-planted them.” Then the women of the village, going to the river bank
-for three nights, sang songs of welcome and recognition, and on the
-third night these women perceived that the singer on the river had
-drawn nearer to them. On the fourth night the women watching with their
-children on the river bank, and singing in response to the singing on
-the river, were surprised to see coming toward them a large number of
-women. Thereupon one of the girls exclaimed: “Oh, grandmother, do not
-let these women seize us,” and the children fled from the place. But
-the spokeswoman, who was the eldest person present, said: “I alone
-shall remain here to await whatever may befall me, and I do so because
-my granddaughter, who is coming, is in need of pity and aid.”
-
-At this the woman, the midstream singer, exclaimed: “Oh, my
-grandmother! take me hence. I am not able to go there (where you now
-are).” Then the grandmother (so called by the courtesy of clan kinship)
-placed her canoe of birch bark in the stream and soon by rapid paddling
-reached the side of the young woman who had been singing in midstream.
-She found her granddaughter lying on the back of a beaver, which
-mysteriously held her above the water. The granddaughter was the first
-to speak, saying: “Oh, my grandmother! take me hence.” The grandmother,
-replying: “Oh, my grandchild! your wish shall be fulfilled,” at once
-proceeded to place her granddaughter in the canoe, after which she
-headed for the shore of the stream, paddling to the landing place in a
-short time. When they had landed, the young woman said: “Oh,
-grandmother! now leave me here. I will remain here, and you must come
-after me in the morning. Nothing shall happen me in the meantime.” The
-grandmother at once returned to her own lodge, where, of course, she
-related in detail what had taken place.
-
-Early the next morning she returned to the landing place where she had
-left her granddaughter (by courtesy). There she saw only the growing
-stalk of a plant. Drawing near to this she found growing on the stalk
-an ear of corn, and breaking it off she carried it back to her lodge,
-where she hung it up on a roof-supporting pole hard by the fireplace.
-
-It came to pass during the following night that the grandmother, so
-called, had a dream or vision, in which the young woman who had been
-singing in midstream said to her, “Oh, my grandmother, you should
-unhang me from this place, for it is indeed too hot here. You should
-place me in the ground—plant me—and then leave me there; for I will
-provide for you and your people, you human beings. So kindly place me
-under the ground.” This dream came to the old woman three nights in
-succession. So she took down the ear of corn, and after shelling it she
-planted the grains of corn in the ground just as she had been
-instructed to do by the dream.
-
-But on the following night the grandmother again dreamed, and the young
-woman in the dream said to her, “You and your people must care for me.
-You must not permit weeds to kill me. You shall see me sprout and grow
-to maturity; and it is a truth that in the future all the people who
-shall be born will see that I will provide for their welfare. So you
-must take great care of me. You will see, you and your people, a great
-multitude of people who are about to arrive here. You will see, I say,
-that I will provide for all during the time the earth shall be in
-existence. You shall now learn what is a well-known truth—that is, that
-I am corn; I am native corn; I am sweet corn. I am the first corn that
-came or was delivered to this earth.” For three successive nights the
-grandmother, so called, had this same dream or vision, hence she came
-to regard it as a direct intimation to her regarding the disposition to
-be made of the corn on the ear which she had found on the bank of the
-river. So forcibly did the injunctions impress her that she planted the
-corn in the ground as directed; and she carefully followed the
-directions of the Corn Maiden as to the care required by the growing
-corn to enable it to mature and to prevent it being choked to death by
-weeds.
-
-In the autumn the old woman [444] harvested her corn, and taking it
-into her lodge she divided it into as many portions as there were
-families in the village of her people. Then she gave a portion to the
-chief matron in each lodge, telling each that the corn should be used
-in the spring for seed and also how it should be planted and
-cultivated. Afterward she returned to her own lodge. She was greatly
-rejoiced at the prospect of her people having something which would
-supply them with a staple food, if they would only properly care for
-it.
-
-In a short time after reaching her own lodge she lay down on her couch
-to rest for the night; but she had hardly fallen asleep before she had
-another dream, or vision, of the Corn Maiden. In this dream the Corn
-Maiden said to her: “You must tell my children (the human beings) that
-they must not waste in any manner the corn which shall grow to maturity
-in the future. It is well known that those who do not honor and
-properly care for me invariably come to want and destitution; for
-unless they act so toward me when I leave I shall take all the corn and
-other seed away. And, grandmother, you must tell all these things to
-your people and kindred.”
-
-Some time after this event the old woman said to her nephew (?): “Do
-not travel around from place to place, for it is a well-known fact that
-there are beings roaming about which have the disposition to overcome
-and destroy men by the exercise of their orenda.” But the nephew (?)
-replied: “Oh! there is nothing going about from place to place which
-has the power to kill men.”
-
-Then there came a time many days after this that the Corn Maiden saw
-her brother arrive there. He was a human being, tall beyond measure,
-and in other respects of corresponding size. He said to her: “Do you
-now come forth (out of the lodge).” She obeyed him by leaving her
-lodge, whereupon he took her up in his arms. He saw there a stone ax
-and an arrowhead of flint. After carefully examining these he asked:
-“Have these things, simple as they are, the power to kill a person?”
-She made no reply to this question, and the giant departed, carrying
-away captive his youngest sister. On the way she began to sing: “Oh,
-elder brother! have you not been in the habit of saying that there is
-nothing that roams about which has the power to kill persons? How do
-you explain this?” Now the name of the person who stole this woman is
-Doōdĕⁿnĕñyāʹhoⁿʼ [445] (Ga-mĕñ­dji-dāʻ-kăʻ is the Tutelo name), (The
-refrain of the song she sang was the Tutelo words, Daʻhĕñgeʻ,
-daʻhĕñgeʻ, wāʻhoyăʼ ĕñ gi lo yot.)
-
-Another brother of the Corn Maiden (of the lodge of the old woman)
-taking a stone ax and a bow and arrows, and asking his grandmother to
-follow him, said: “Let us two go fetch home my younger sister.” So
-saying, he started in pursuit of Doōdĕⁿnĕñyāʹhoⁿʼ, the so-called Stone
-Giant, and his grandmother followed him on the perilous journey. His
-pursuit was vigorous and tireless, and he was not long in overtaking
-Doōdĕⁿnĕñyāʹhoⁿʼ. Coming up to him, he shot him with a flint arrow,
-saying at the same time: “I have come to bring back home my younger
-sister.” Doōdĕⁿnĕñyāʹhoⁿʼ, weeping with pain, said: “I confess my
-guilt. I did a great wrong in stealing this maiden from her home.” Then
-he surrendered her to her brother, who, taking his sister by the hand,
-started with his grandmother for their home.
-
-When they had arrived at their own lodge the young woman who had been
-kidnaped by Doōdĕⁿnĕñyāʹhoⁿʼ said to her grandmother: “You will now
-prepare some food (bread). You will take one grain of corn from the cob
-and pound it into meal. This alone will suffice, it is well known, to
-provide us (all human beings living) with food enough to satisfy our
-appetites at this banquet held in celebration of the return of the
-Maiden captured by Doōdĕⁿnĕñyāʹhoⁿʼ, the Stone Giant.” When the corn
-had been procured and prepared, the Maiden again spoke, saying: “I am
-about to give a feast, which shall be held in my honor, and in which
-you women shall dance the Corn dances.”
-
-The feast was held in accordance with her wishes, and the women danced
-the Corn dances as she directed them, and all the people rejoiced with
-her. When the feast of thanksgiving was ended the Maiden said: “Now, as
-for me, I am starting on my return to my home. I shall go back to the
-place whence I came. It shall be an established thing in the future
-forever that corn shall exist, and that mankind shall never again die
-from starvation. I now go to my home.”
-
-Thereupon she started away, going back on the river on which she had
-come; and as she went along she sang a song, the words of which were
-“We, the varieties of corn, beans, and squashes, are the mothers of the
-peoples of the whole world.” These words she sang to teach the people
-what to sing in their Corn dances.
-
-After she had returned to her home she received a proposal of marriage
-from Oʻstawĕⁿʼsĕñʹtoⁿʼ (Sumac Tree?). She accepted his suit and the two
-were married. When they were together the Corn Maiden said to her
-husband, “You must love me (that is, regard me as a precious thing);”
-and her husband assured her that he would indeed comply with her
-request and his duty.
-
-Then they returned to the lodge of Mother Bean, which they reached by
-traveling on the river a long distance. Mother Bean said to them: “You
-two must carry back with you some beans, which you must take to that
-distant land, where you shall leave them.” On their return to their own
-lodge the bridegroom carried the beans to that other land in which his
-wife had left seeding corn, and after performing his mission returned
-to his own wife and lodge.
-
-Afterward the bride wife heard her sister singing beside a planted
-field: “Is there perhaps anyone who will marry me again? Let him ask
-me.” She had not been singing long when Tʻhăʻhyoñʹnĭʻ (Wolf) replied:
-“I will marry you if you will accept me.” To this she answered: “If I
-marry you, what will be my usual food?” Tʻhăʻhyoñʹnĭʻ replied: “You
-shall have meat for your usual food.” Her answer was: “I shall die if I
-am compelled to eat that kind of food.”
-
-Thereupon the maiden resumed her singing: “Is there perhaps some one
-who will marry me again? Let him ask me to do so.” Nyāʹgwaiʼ (Bear)
-answered her: “I will marry you if you will accept me.” The maiden
-answered: “If I marry you what will be my usual food?” Nyāʹgwaiʼ said
-in reply: “Your usual food will be various kinds of nuts.” She said:
-“In the event that I am compelled to eat that kind of food I shall
-surely die.”
-
-Again she began to sing: “Is there perhaps anyone who will marry me
-again? Let him ask me.” While she sang Neʹogĕⁿʼ (Deer) answered her: “I
-will marry you if you will accept me.” The maiden said in reply: “If I
-should marry you what would be my usual food?” Neʹogĕⁿʼ replied: “Your
-food would be buds and sprouts and the moss growing on trees.” The
-maiden’s response was: “In the event that I am compelled to eat that
-kind of food I shall surely die.”
-
-After thus refusing each of these proposals of marriage, once again she
-began to sing: “Is there perhaps anyone who will again marry me? If
-there be one such, let him ask me.” While she sang, expressing the
-impulses of her heart, a man named Corn answered her challenge, saying:
-“I will marry you if you will accept me, for I know that you are
-circumspect in making your selection of a husband.” In reply the maiden
-asked: “If I should marry you what shall be my usual food?” Corn
-answered: “If you will marry me your food shall be corn; corn shall be
-your sustenance.” The maiden replied: “I accept you, and I am thankful
-for my good fortune in finding just what I want. For a long time I have
-been lonely, for I desired to see a human being, to be in a position to
-mingle with mankind.” With these words she ran forward, and throwing
-her arms around him fondly embraced him, saying: “I will share with you
-your fortune or misfortune, whichever it be, wherever mankind shall
-have charge of your welfare and needs, for my grandmother has appointed
-me to care for mankind during the time that this earth shall endure. So
-it shall be that they shall plant us always in one place. So from one
-place you and I together shall depart when the time during which we
-shall provide (food) for mankind, as has been appointed for us, shall
-expire. We must teach them our songs and dances, so that mankind may
-express their gratitude when they shall gather in their harvests of
-corn and beans and squashes.”
-
-Continuing, she said to her husband: “We must instruct mankind with
-care in this matter, so that they shall do the essential things and
-sing the essential songs of the Aʻkoñwiʹʻsĕⁿʼ,[446] (the ceremony of
-the Corn dances). The women and the young maidens of both the Father
-and the Mother side in beginning this ceremony shall stand on their
-respective sides of the fire, forming in orderly lines with the matrons
-of their several clans as leaders. One side shall first sing the song
-which is in order, and then the other side shall sing that song; then
-they shall sing it alternately, while the several leaders in taking the
-lead must carry the turtle-shell rattle. It is important that this
-shall be done in order, and that the rhythm of the songs be not broken.
-When the song has been sung by both sides then the two lines of women
-shall encircle the fire and dance around it three times. This shall be
-done in the case of each song of the Aʻkoñwiʹʻsĕⁿʼ.
-
-“Now, the words of the essential songs are as follows:
-
-“(a) ‘Coming hither I heard them; I heard them sing and dance the
-Aʻkoñwiʹʻsĕⁿʼ.’
-
-“(b) ‘We have now arrived—we who are about to sing and dance the
-Aʻkoñwiʹʻsĕⁿʼ.’
-
-“(c) ‘Among living, growing, unplucked flowers I am walking reverently
-(silently, slowly).’
-
-“(d) ‘I am now dancing among living, growing, unplucked flowers
-(blossoms).’
-
-“(e) ‘We have now returned—we who are corn dancers and singers—we who
-are women.’
-
-“(f) ‘You two cousins,[447] do you now get the bark bowl (for sprouting
-the seed corn). You two cousins, do you now get the bark bowl.’
-
-“(g) ‘Oh! the berries have ripened. Oh! the berries have ripened—on
-stalk and stem.’
-
-“(h) ‘I see (in vision) a beautiful Spring season.
- “‘I see a fine field of growing corn.
- “‘In the middle of this field of corn there stands a lodge of
- bark.
- “‘There I see a profusion of drying poles and racks.
- “‘Thereon I see fine fat strings of corn hanging.
- “‘On these fine fat strings of corn I see rich lively seed
- corn.’
-
-“(i) ‘Now, I am walking along. I am walking along giving thanks to the
-Life God.’
-
-“These are the essential songs which mankind shall sing.”
-
-
-
-
-
-123. THE BEAN WOMAN [448]
-
-(A FRAGMENT)
-
-In ancient times a people dwelling near a river bank were startled by
-the sound of singing, which came apparently from downstream. The voice
-was that of a woman, and tradition says that it was indeed the
-Bean-Woman who was singing.
-
-The Bean-Woman sang, it is said, “Who shall marry me again? Let him ask
-me in marriage.” The Panther-Man, answering this challenge, said: “I
-will marry you if you will accept me for your husband.” Pausing in her
-singing, the Bean-Woman asked: “If I marry you what shall be the food
-which I shall regularly receive from you to eat?” The Panther-Man
-replied: “You shall always have meat in great plenty to eat.” The
-Bean-Woman answered: “In that case it is very probable I should die,
-for I do not eat that kind of food under any circumstances.”
-
-Thereupon the Bean-Woman resumed her singing: “Who will marry me again?
-Is there one who is willing to marry me again? If so, let him ask me.”
-Then the Deer-Man approached the Bean-Woman and said: “I will marry you
-if you will accept me for your husband.” The Bean-Woman asked him:
-“What food will you regularly provide for me to eat?” The Deer-Man
-replied: “Browse and buds and the tender bark of trees, for these are
-the things which I regularly eat.” The Bean-Woman answered: “Such a
-marriage would not bring good fortune to me, because I have never eaten
-that kind of food.” So the Deer-Man departed.
-
-Then the Bean-Woman resumed her song: “Is there not some one who is
-willing to marry me? If there be, let him ask me.” As she sang she
-heard the Bear-Man say to her: “I will marry you if you will accept
-me.” Whereupon she asked him: “What kind of food will you regularly
-provide for me to eat?” He replied: “I will provide you with nuts of
-various kinds, for even now I have many bark receptacles filled with
-nuts for food.” The Bean-Woman replied: “In this event I should most
-certainly die, for I have never been in the habit of eating that kind
-of food; so I can not accept you.”
-
-Without feeling disappointed she resumed her singing: “Is there not
-some one who will marry me again? If so, let him ask me.” Then the
-Wolf-Man approached her, saying: “I am willing to marry you if you will
-accept me.” Once again the Bean-Woman asked: “If I should marry you
-what kind of food would you regularly provide for me to eat?” The
-Wolf-Man answered: “I will provide you with meat and venison.” At this
-the Bean-Woman said with scorn: “It is, indeed, quite proper for you to
-offer me meat and venison for food, but I have never had the desire to
-eat meat which has been stolen.” Thereupon the Wolf-Man departed.
-
-The Bean-Woman resumed singing, as before: “Is there any one who is
-willing to marry me again? If there is, then let him ask me.” Then the
-Corn-Man, drawing near, said: “I am willing to marry you if you will
-accept me.” In reply she asked: “If I should marry you what will you
-give me for my regular food?” The Corn-Man’s answer was: “You shall
-have sweet corn to eat at all times.” In reply the Bean-Woman said: “I
-pray that it may so come to pass. I am, indeed, thankful for this
-offer, for it is a well-known fact that I am in need of it.” When the
-Corn-Man had heard her answer, he said to her: “Come to me.” Rushing
-forward, she threw her arms around his neck and embraced him, saying:
-“This is, indeed, a condition established by Him who sent us, by Him
-who created our bodies, beginning with the time when the earth was
-new.” They dwelt together contented and happy.
-
-This is the reason that the bean vine is at all times found entwined
-around the cornstalk.
-
-
-
-
-
-124. THE LEGEND OF ONENHA (THE CORN)
-
-The event related in the following legend came to pass in ancient times
-in the land inhabited by the Tuscarora; and Corn-Woman herself declared
-this event to men.
-
-In that ancient time there lived in that land a man who was alone, and
-who had no kindred or friends in that place. He became very ill; so ill
-that he was no longer able to leave his mat on the couch. Of course
-there was no fire in his abode for he was unable to obtain fuel to keep
-a fire burning; besides there was nothing for him to eat. He began to
-be very sorrowful, expressing his grief thus: “Verily, I have become
-poor and miserable indeed. I am hungry, too, and, perhaps, I shall die
-by starvation.”
-
-While he was ill it was usual for him to lie with his head covered.
-There came a day when he heard the sound of voices, which he inferred
-were those of women. Uncovering his head he listened intently to learn
-something about the voices he heard. Then he heard one woman addressing
-another: “What do you think of this matter? The man who dwells with us
-is very ill; truly he is in a wretched condition, and he lacks care and
-attention.” Then he heard the reply: “It is befitting, it would seem,
-that we assist him at once to recover his health, for we know that
-while he enjoyed good health it was customary for him to respect and
-honor us in his travels. This is, indeed, what he was wont to do: In
-whatever place he was traveling, on finding along the trail one of our
-sisters who had strayed or become lost, and so had become the victim of
-want, he would take her up and speak to her words of pity, saying:
-‘Thou art in need and in distress; thou art lost on thy way, and there
-is no possibility for anyone except me to have mercy on thee.’ Then he
-would care for her. For this reason we should now repay him for all
-these acts of kindness by aiding him, since now it is he who is
-forsaken and in need of care.” The man who was ill now sat up with
-uncovered head, thinking, “I shall see them; I shall have a look at the
-two women who are conversing.” But he saw no one, and so was
-disappointed. For several days he overheard these two women talking,
-but he was not able to see any person around him.
-
-There came a night, however, when the ill man had a dream, in which he
-saw a woman of low stature but of fine appearance, with beautiful long
-hair. In the dream she said to him: “I have been requested to come to
-you (do you know it?) to tell you that we will now aid you in your
-illness. We desire to have you stop thinking that you are about to die
-and that you are poor and wretched because you have no kindred or
-friends. Moreover, be of good courage, for you shall be well again
-before long, and shall again travel much. This, too, shall come to
-pass: A shower of rain shall come, whereupon you must arise and place
-some receptacle where the raindrops may fall into it, and all the water
-that falls into this receptacle you must drink. This shall suffice to
-cure you of your illness. It is we who are making a repayment of an
-obligation which is due you from us. We are merely doing our part in
-aiding you at this time, because you have so many times had compassion
-on us during the long time you have been traveling over the earth. For
-it was your wont when you were traveling on whatsoever paths they were,
-when you saw lying on the trail ‘Corn,’ ‘a Bean,’ or the ‘Seed of the
-Ancient Squash’—we are of course sisters—to take her up and have pity
-on her, saying: ‘Thou art lost and forsaken even on the trail.’ It is
-for these acts of kindness that we shall now, I say, repay thee.[449]
-
-“Moreover, it shall come to pass that you will hear us when we sing and
-dance the Corn dances to give thanks that you are again to travel over
-the earth, for such is, indeed, our custom when we are happy.
-
-“Know this, too, that when mankind give attention to us, when we are
-born (sprout) out of the earth, and when they till the ground whereon
-we stand, we give thanks for this attention. Again, when they form the
-hills of earth around us, we also rejoice; then, too, when they enlarge
-the hills to accommodate our growing bodies we regularly give thanks by
-singing and dancing the Corn dances; and when they pluck the ears of
-corn, gather them in heaps in the middle of the field, husk them, and
-braid them into osteⁿʼsaʼs (corn-strings), and hang these on frames or
-lintels of poles, we also give thanks in like manner; and as soon as
-these strings have dried and they bring us into the lodges we give
-thanks and rejoice by singing and dancing Corn dances.
-
-“Now, I bid you do this. Tell all human beings whom you shall meet that
-they, too, must sing and dance the Corn dances when they wish to
-express their thanksgiving at the time they are pleased to see us come
-to maturity again; and this is the reason that they must perform this
-ceremony. It is we, of course, who continue to assist you by furnishing
-that on which you human beings subsist. So be of good courage and
-cherish my words.”
-
-Then the ill man awoke and verily he saw a rainstorm on the horizon
-which was approaching. He arose, and taking a bark bowl he set it
-outside of the lodge where the raindrops would fall into it. In a short
-time it began to rain and the raindrops soon filled the bowl. He
-proceeded at once to drink the rain water and began to recover his
-health.
-
-The following night as he lay on his couch he heard the voices of women
-singing. He noticed that there had come on the drying poles in the
-lodge several strings of ears of corn and further that these strings
-swayed slightly to and fro, and that the singing proceeded from the
-grains of corn, in the guise of women, on the ears. Some of the words
-employed in these songs were: “Among the Flowers I am moving
-reverently,” “Among the Flowers I am singing and dancing;” and the
-women’s voices he heard saying: “The Fruit or Berries are ripe, the
-Fruit or Berries are ripe,” and many other songs of the Corn dances.
-Thereafter the sick man rapidly regained his wonted health and again
-traveled over the earth.
-
-In time the man returned to his own people and related to them all his
-experiences, and he sang for them the songs that he had heard sung by
-the Corn women. It was at this time that the Council of Ancients—the
-Elders—of the people said publicly: “We are indeed fortunate to learn
-of this matter; and we must regularly perform this ceremony in the time
-to come.”
-
-Not long after this event the man who had been ill again heard the
-singing of the Corn women; he heard them singing in the place where the
-corn had been planted. Moreover, he saw them—a great company of Corn
-people, Bean people, and Squash people, and so far as he could see they
-were in all respects perfect human beings. They danced in a slow,
-gentle manner in imitation of the waving of the corn stalks as they
-stand in the ground. Women and girls took part in the dance.
-
-The man again heard all the songs and so learned them. At once he told
-his people what he had seen and heard. Again the Council of Ancients
-said: “We must perform this ceremony, too, for this is part and parcel
-of the other.”
-
-From this time the Corn dances and Corn songs were known and used, and
-these are the songs that are in use at this day on the anniversaries of
-the various seasons, beginning with the time the people plant the corn
-grains and ending when the strings of ears of corn are stored in the
-lodges—the corn harvest. This ceremony is called Goñdăʻgoñwiʹsas.
-
-
-
-
-
-125. THE ORIGIN OF WHITE CORN, OR KANĔÑHAGĔÑÄT
-
-In ancient times there lived a community of people at the foot of a
-very high, steep, and rugged cliff. There came a day when they heard
-the plaintive singing of a woman, who seemed to be on the top of this
-almost inaccessible mountain. The mysterious woman directed the words
-of her songs to a very old but highly respected man of this small
-community. The burden of the songs was expressed by the words: “Oh!
-kinsman of my father’s brother, come up here; I indeed desire greatly
-to become your wife.” These words gave much anxiety to the people who
-heard them, but the old man paid no attention to them.
-
-The woman, seemingly on the mountain top, continued to sing daily,
-however, and finally some of the people urged the old man to go up to
-the summit to learn the designs of the persistent singer. But he
-excused himself, saying: “The mountain is so steep and rugged, and I am
-now become so aged that I do not feel able to make the attempt to climb
-its side.”
-
-But the woman on the height, continuing her singing from day to day,
-and the anxiety of the people becoming very marked, the chiefs of the
-community in council finally requested the old man, whom they highly
-respected, to go to the mountain top to unravel, if possible, the
-meaning of the mysterious singing. They represented to him the
-importance of this mission, since the persistent singing might have
-some relation to the welfare of the community at large.
-
-After long meditation he replied to the request of the council, “Oh, my
-chiefs! at your request I will go to the mountain top to learn, if it
-be possible, the meaning of this woman’s singing.”
-
-Having made the necessary preparations the old man started, and after
-overcoming many difficulties he finally reached the summit of the
-mountain. There he saw a young, fine-looking woman, who stood not far
-from the brink of the cliff. She had been standing in that position
-while he was painfully wending his way up the mountain side and urged
-him to have patience and courage to persist in his attempt to climb the
-mountain. Seeing that he had reached the top of the mountain, the young
-woman beckoned him to her side, at the same time saying: “Do thou come
-to me, Oh, my friend! I desire to share my mat with thee.” Drawing near
-to the young woman, the aged man said kindly to her: “I am
-unfortunately past the age when it might have been in my power to
-comply with your request.” But the young woman replied: “Fear not, but
-draw near me. I will endow thee with the power which will enable thee
-to comply with my desire. So come close to me. Now, mark my words and
-carefully cherish them. Out of the ground at the spot whereon I have
-lain a plant shall sprout and grow. Care tenderly for this, for it
-shall be a boon to your people, a chief source of food to them; and it
-shall be called Kanĕñhagĕñät; that is to say, White Corn. In five days
-from now you must return to care for what you will find growing out of
-the ground, as I have already told you. As for me, I shall die.” The
-aged man drew near the woman and embraced her. Time passed and he
-swooned. When he finally recovered his senses he discovered that the
-young woman had disappeared—vanished into thin air—and he believed that
-he had embraced a vision. Arising from the ground, he returned to his
-people at the foot of the mountain.
-
-Remembering the words of the young woman to the effect that he must
-return to the mountain top to obtain a mysterious plant, at the end of
-five days the old man returned to the summit. There he found on the
-spot whereon the young woman had lain a growing corn plant. He
-carefully pruned away from it all weeds and placed rich, fine earth
-around its rootlets, and also watered it from a neighboring spring.
-
-Taking great delight in caring for this corn plant, the aged man came
-frequently to the mountain top to attend to it. In course of time it
-had grown to maturity, bearing three ripened ears of white corn. These
-he carefully husked and carried back to his lodge. In the spring he
-assembled all the people of the community and divided the corn among
-them equally, a few grains to each family; and he instructed them in
-the method of planting and caring for the corn, telling them that in
-time it would become one of their staple food plants. Such is, it is
-said, the manner in which the white corn originated among the
-Tuscarora, who have generously shared the seed with neighboring tribes
-and kindred.
-
-
-
-
-
-126. THE ORIGIN OF THE PORCUPINE PEOPLE OR CLAN [450]
-
-In ancient times, it is said, a people dwelling in a certain country,
-having become very numerous, decided to divide into equal parts their
-hunting grounds and the game animals living on them. This division of
-lands took place at a public assembly.
-
-It was solemnly agreed that all persons should respect the boundary
-marks separating their own lands from those of their neighbors; that no
-person should cross such boundary lines for the purpose of hunting game
-animals; and that any person violating this agreement would be guilty
-of trespass. The part assigned to every family (ohwachira) was, indeed,
-very large, being considered sufficiently extensive to provide
-sustenance for that family. It was still further agreed that when the
-trespass should be discovered the aggrieved people might, after
-learning all the facts in the case, exterminate the family of the
-transgressor, unless a suitable expiatory recompense were offered and
-accepted from such clan and family. This compact was solemnly kept for
-many years and the several contracting clans or peoples lived in great
-harmony.
-
-There came a day, however, when a hunter from one of these neighboring
-clans deliberately violated the compact of his clan with their
-neighbors by crossing the boundary line into the territory of an
-adjoining people and there killing some game animal. His act, which was
-soon discovered, led to a long and bloody war between the two families,
-resulting in the virtual extermination of the clan of the offender.
-
-Only one man escaped the vengeance of the offended family. He saved
-himself by flight from his home and succeeded in avoiding his pursuers
-by dropping into a deep cavern in a rocky cliff far from his land.
-Having passed through the entrance of the cavern, the man saw that the
-passage led to a very large open space, which he found to be well
-lighted. In the center of a spacious field he saw a lodge, which
-attracted his attention. While watching for some sign of life in the
-lodge, he was gratified to see a woman emerge therefrom and then
-reenter.
-
-Going back into the passageway to the cavern, the man kept a close
-watch on the lodge. In a short time another woman came out, followed by
-the woman he had first seen. The two walked splay-footed toward the
-place where the fugitive had concealed himself. On reaching the opening
-of the cavern they stopped, and one said to the other: “Let us go back
-home, for I smell the smoke of a fire.” Thereupon the two started back
-down from the entrance. So they quickly returned to the lodge and at
-once reentered it. Shortly afterward a man came out of the lodge. He
-shook himself as a dog shakes himself after coming up out of the water,
-and it seemed to the fugitive that the place became lighter.[450a] The
-man came directly to the mouth of the cavern and then returned to the
-lodge. He told the women that the scent in the entrance was not that of
-smoke but of a human being.
-
-Again the two women came forth, this time to find the source of the
-human odor that scented the cavern’s mouth. They were not long in
-discovering the man, who had seated himself near the entrance.
-Approaching him, the elder woman said: “Whence have you come, Human
-Being?” In reply the man said: “I came in here to conceal myself from
-my enemies. All my people have been killed in a day.” The elder woman
-answered: “We invite you to our home. Will you not come home with us?”
-The man replied: “I willingly accept your invitation. I will go home
-with you. Let us start now.”
-
-In a short time they reached the lodge, and on entering it the brother
-of the two women greeted the man, saying: “Be of good cheer. Fear not.
-No harm will come to you. You shall not suffer any want. You shall
-marry my elder sister, and there is plenty of food in this lodge and in
-our store-cache.” The fugitive was greatly delighted with his
-reception, and he informed the man that he agreed to the proposals made
-to him by his host, and he took up his abode there with these three
-people.
-
-The bridegroom was indeed very happy, for he kept saying: “I am very
-happy, for my wife loves me. I am indeed glad to be here in this place
-with you.” It was not long before he and his loving wife were blessed
-with an infant son. They all lived in comfort and amity.
-
-When the man had lived in this place about 15 years and had become the
-father of a number of interesting children, his brother-in-law one day
-said to him: “The time has now arrived when you should return to the
-place whence you fled to this cavern home; and when you depart you
-should take back with you your wife and your children. They are now
-your own people, although they are of our blood too.”
-
-After making the necessary preparations by packing up their small
-belongings, the man with his wife and children bade their kindred
-farewell and started for their future home. Passing through the mouth
-of the cavern they emerged into a dense forest of large trees, in which
-there were here and there bare tracts. In this region the husband and
-father found much game, consisting of deer, bear, wild turkeys,
-partridges, quail, rabbits, elk, moose, and many other animals which
-served as food. When they had erected a camp in a sheltered place in
-the forest the father spent his time in hunting to support his family.
-As he went from place to place through the forest he met a number of
-other hunters, whom he invited to visit his camp. These visitors
-brought their wives along to see the newcomers. They were greatly
-surprised to find that the wife and the children spoke a strange
-language, which was not understood by any of the visitors, although
-easily comprehended by the husband. At last one of the visitors asked:
-“Of what clan are you?” directing his question to the wife of the host.
-The host replied for her: “She is of the Porcupine clan of the Wañʹdat
-tribe. I am of the Wañʹdat tribe, too.” After a long silence one of the
-visitors said: “How did you receive such a name?” The host replied,
-“The Porcupines gave me that name.” Then the visitors exclaimed: “We
-have found a new people, who are called Wañʹdat, and we must love them
-as we do our own peoples and tribes. Let us greet them as our friends.”
-
-From this time the family of the Porcupine clan of the Wañʹdat had many
-friends and before a long time had passed they had become very
-numerous. The children of the women were called the Porcupine people.
-Their numbers made them powerful and influential. They were well fed
-and strong physically. They were fine hunters, knowing well where to
-find game of all kinds, where to gather nuts of all edible kinds and
-various kinds of berries and small fruits, and they knew also just
-where the wild pigeons had their roosts.
-
-They noted the whereabouts of these places, and when the season was
-fully come their leaders and chiefs would call to their people in a
-loud voice: “Come! Let us go to feed ourselves abundantly where the
-wild pigeons have now prepared their roosts for the purpose of
-breeding.” At this time the wild pigeons were so numerous that many
-flocks stretched over large tracts of territory, darkening the light of
-the sun and making with their wings a loud rushing sound resembling
-that of an approaching tornado. Giving heed to the call of their
-leaders, the people would make the necessary preparations to go to the
-roosts of the wild pigeons. Having reached the designated place, the
-people quickly put up temporary camps and then went out at once to kill
-the squabs, which they brought to their lodges to broil and eat with
-boiled corn bread and corn soup. All were delighted with the bounty of
-nature—the gift of the Master of Life.
-
-Having thus spent part of the summer killing wild pigeons, after the
-birds had departed, a leader among the people would say: “Oh! friends,
-cousins, and kindred, the deer have gone in this direction and are now
-fat and in good condition to be killed for food and for their skins.
-Let us then decamp now and go to the place where they may be found. Up
-and let us be going. Let us lose no time in delay.” So leaving the
-grounds of the pigeon roost early in the autumn, they would journey to
-the lands where the deer were accustomed to feed and to raise their
-young. There they would erect temporary camps and make ready for the
-deer hunt. Then the good hunters led out small parties in quest of the
-deer and in this manner usually succeeded in killing large numbers of
-them. The venison they dried for their winter supply of food, and the
-skins they tanned into fine buckskin for leggings and moccasins and
-other garments; and so these people were warm and contented during the
-winter months. They shot the deer with bows and arrows and caught some
-with traps, in the setting of which they were adepts. Thus they made
-the natural food supply of their home country contribute to their
-welfare and comfort, and being well fed they were strong, alert, and
-resourceful.
-
-These people were very observant of the phases and phenomena of nature,
-and had signs by which to foreknow coming events. Should they wish to
-know the degree of the cold of an approaching winter they would watch
-carefully the muskrats as they prepared their winter quarters. If the
-lining of the winter home of the animal was made thin the people would
-conclude that the coming winter would be mild; but if thick, that it
-would be severe.
-
-Another sign from which they judged the severity of an approaching
-winter was the condition of the deerskins which they secured. If these
-were thin and if the hair on them was short and not close, the people
-would conclude that the coming winter would be mild. If the people saw
-the bears making their winter quarters of leaves early in the autumn
-they would infer that the approaching winter would be very severe.
-
-If much hail fell during the autumn and winter the people concluded
-that there would be much fruit and many nuts the coming season.
-
-Again, should a person traveling through the forest lose his way he
-would notice on which side of a tall straight tree trunk moss was
-growing. Assuming this to be the north side he would thus get his
-bearings.
-
-Should a person see a rock damp from the humidity in the air he would
-forecast rain for the following day.
-
-If a person observed wild ducks and wild geese disporting themselves
-actively in the water he would anticipate showers for three days.
-
-The foregoing are some of the signs and omens which the Porcupine clan
-taught to their neighbors, and through these they were able to forecast
-coming events with great success. These things made the Porcupine clan
-of the Wañʹdat tribe noted for wisdom and foresight.
-
-
-
-
-
-127. THE ORIGIN OF THE BEAR SONGS AND DANCES
-
-Concerning the origin of the Bear songs and dances the following legend
-is told by our ancestors, said a Seneca shaman. This is what took place
-when these songs and dances became manifest on their human side, or
-rather, became manifest in their relation to human beings in their
-quest of happiness.
-
-In the past, it is said, a boy was kidnaped from a temporary camp of
-some hunters. It happened in this manner. A woman of the hunting party
-was left alone at the camp while the hunters were out in the forest for
-the day; it was her duty to keep the fire and to have food cooked when
-the hunters returned in the evening. The woman had a child, a boy, who
-was then nearly 2 years of age. The little fellow played outside of the
-lodge while his mother was busy around the fire or with her other
-duties inside of the lodge, feeling that her child could take care of
-himself in the meantime.
-
-One day, when the men had gone on their usual hunting trips in the
-forest, the woman fell asleep while the child was outside of the lodge
-playing by himself. Suddenly he was surprised to see a strange man
-coming toward him. This man, whom the child did not know, came directly
-to the place where he was at play. When he reached the child he said:
-“My child, I have come for you. You shall go with me to our lodge. My
-children desire that you should visit us, and you and they shall play
-together regularly. The reason for this is that you are entirely alone,
-and they will amuse you so that your mind will be contented.” Then they
-two started away. They arrived at the lodge of the strange man, where
-they found two small boys of the same size who lived there. On entering
-the lodge the father said: “I have now brought here the person whom you
-two for a long time have desired me to bring to you, so now your wish
-has been fulfilled. You two must love and be kind to him; you must
-never hurt him; you two must not annoy or vex him; let there be peace
-and pleasantness during the time that he shall be on a visit to us. So,
-whatever happens, be kind to him.”
-
-The three children went around from place to place and played together.
-The visiting boy observed carefully all that he saw in and about the
-lodge. He saw what these people were accustomed to eat; that they lived
-on various kinds of nuts, on honey, and on huckleberries, mulberries,
-and various other kinds of berries. All these things he understood. He
-saw, too, that they had plenty of corn, on which they lived, as well as
-on the berries and honey and nuts.
-
-The visiting boy had been there for some time when it became the custom
-for him to accompany the other two children around from place to place;
-he would accompany them when they went out to seek for nuts. He learned
-that they prized the chestnut above all other kinds of nuts; that next
-to these they highly prized honey; and next to this they prized
-huckleberries and mulberries. It was the custom of these people in
-gathering these things to work independently to get for themselves as
-much of these articles of food as was possible when they were in
-season.
-
-After the lapse of many days spent thus the headman of this lodge, who
-had brought the child there, said to his little guest: “Now I am about
-to tell you something. You must tell the human beings when you have
-returned to your home what I will now reveal to you as our wishes. You
-shall tell them that we have strong desires that there might be found a
-way by which we could be enabled to give aid to mankind whenever they
-may be forced into a critical situation by means of sickness, which is
-wont to befall mankind. You shall know that we have observed in the
-past that disease travels about from place to place; and it comes to
-pass, as we have observed, that when it has selected its victim this
-person at once realizes that he has pains in a certain part of the
-body. It is well known that if they would remember to call on us we
-certainly have the power to cause this evil thing to turn aside so that
-it shall pass on one side or the other of the person, in such manner
-that the person will not become very ill and he will soon recover his
-usual health.
-
-“Now look at what belongs to us and which it is our custom to use.
-Examine this carefully. It is this that we use when it so happens that
-a man while out hunting takes a course directly toward the place in
-which we abide. This object is held up before us, and the hunter is
-turned away from us.”
-
-The young child, on looking at the object, saw a forked wooden rod in
-the hands of the strange man. Thereupon the man said to the child:
-“This is the way in which I regularly use this thing.” So saying, he
-held the forked rod up before himself, and continued: “The support of
-the forks must point toward the hunter, and as he follows the direction
-of the rod he is bound to pass on one or the other side of the place in
-which we abide. As he passes I guide the rod around past my side toward
-the rear of our position. Thus we ward off the hunter from finding and
-injuring us.
-
-“It is this thing we shall use in giving aid to mankind in their
-necessities if they will only appeal to us to aid them, and this is the
-way in which we shall proceed to do so. In the first place, when the
-people desire to make their appeal to us they shall prepare a drink
-composed of huckleberries and of mulberries, into which they shall put
-maple sugar. When they have prepared this drink they shall collect
-native tobacco, which they shall cast upon the fire, at the same time
-saying: ‘Oh, you Bears! do you now partake of this native
-tobacco—tobacco which our Creator has provided for us, and with which
-He intended that mankind should support their prayers to Him, no matter
-to what object of His creation they wished to direct their appeals.’
-So, now, you Bears, who move from place to place in the forest, and all
-with whom you are united in bonds of mutual aid, we ask you to assist
-in bringing about such conditions that we shall think in peace, and
-that those who are being called away by death may recover health and
-contentment of mind.
-
-“Now the drink of berry juices has been prepared and sweetened with
-maple sugar—the drink which you Bears so highly prize; and now mankind
-are about to assume your bodily forms, and they will then touch you in
-making their appeals to you. Then one shall cast native tobacco on the
-fire, at the same time saying, ‘Now, be it known that there shall begin
-the ceremony which is of you, Bears.’ Then the people shall be
-exsufflated [451] by the masters of ceremony; and the people shall take
-a drink of the berry beverage, and in taking it each person shall say,
-‘I give thanks unto you severally, you Bears.’ This is all that is
-necessary to be done. Then, verily, the duty devolves upon us to give
-aid to mankind. But when we are engaged in giving the aid we shall not
-be seen by mankind. Moreover, this shall be done. You must take back
-with you the songs which we are accustomed to use when we wish to enjoy
-ourselves in our dances.”
-
-Thereupon, the strange man began to sing the songs, and these songs the
-child learned and brought back with him to his own lodge. In the songs
-the singer employs these words: “No matter what a human being may
-desire to do this shall accomplish his desire.” “I know all the virtues
-of the things that grow on plants on the earth.” These are the words of
-the songs which the child heard the strange man sing to him.
-
-This is what took place in the lodge from which the child was stolen
-when the mother of the child awoke from her sleep. Finding that the boy
-was missing, she hunted for him everywhere. When the men returned from
-hunting they at once joined the mother in searching for the lost boy,
-but they failed to find him. They sought for him even to the banks of a
-river which flowed at some distance from the lodge; they even sought
-for the tracks of the boy on both sides of the river. Then, boarding
-canoes, they went up and down the river to learn if possible whether
-the child had been drowned or not, but they were unable to find any
-trace of him in the water. Next they turned their attention to the
-neighboring forest, which they thoroughly searched, but they did not
-find him.
-
-By this time they were much troubled in mind because of the child who
-was lost, indeed. Then the father of the child went out to hunt, and
-when he returned he said to his wife: “It is, perhaps, the proper thing
-for us to prepare a ‘reunion’ feast; for it seems true that our child
-has perished.” Thereupon the mother set to work preparing the food.
-When it was ready she placed it on the ground in the customary place
-for eating, and they two sat down to eat. Taking a portion of the food
-they were eating and setting it aside, the mother said: “As respects
-this food thy and my child does now become its owner and disposer.”
-Thus they finished their feast of “reunion of the living.”
-
-After the lapse of some time the mother said to her husband: “Perhaps
-we two should now leave for our home, going back to our own people,
-because it is true that I am not at peace in my mind on account of what
-has happened to us.” The husband consented to her proposition, and they
-packed their meat and their small belongings and, boarding a canoe,
-started for their home. After their arrival at home the news of what
-happened to them spread among their people. After some days the mother
-of the lost child said to her husband: “Is it not perhaps a good thing
-for us to go back to the place in which our child was lost? It is now
-nearing the anniversary of the disappearance of our dear child, and it
-seems good that we two should be there when that time shall come again,
-so that we may prepare food there again just as we did when he was
-still with us.” Her husband replied: “Let it be done as you desire. I
-am willing to go.”
-
-After making their usual preparations they again started for their
-hunting grounds. They went most of the way by canoe. At last they
-reached the place where they had encamped when their child was lost,
-and they kindled their fire in the same place again. Then the father
-went out to hunt as usual.
-
-One day the mother said: “The day has now come which is the anniversary
-of the loss of our child. We two shall now have a feast of the ‘reunion
-of the living,’ and we shall set aside a portion for our lost child;
-and it shall come to pass just as if he were present with us.” So, as
-soon as the food was ready, she set it on the ground in the usual place
-and they two began to eat. She also took a portion of the food and,
-setting it aside, said: “This food which I have set aside I give to my
-child.” When they had finished this meal they gave thanks for life and
-for the food which nature supplied to them.
-
-Then the mother of the lost child said: “Now, there is nothing for us
-to do but to start for our home. We will go back to the place where
-dwell our own people. We will do this because this place is so
-unpleasant, for indeed I can do nothing but think about the misfortune
-which befell us two in the days which have past.” Her husband, agreeing
-with her, said: “I see no reason why that, too, may not be done, for I,
-too, am in the same frame of mind as you are. My thoughts are not at
-all pleasant, so we will not remain here any longer.”
-
-At that time they left the hunting camp and started for home, where
-they soon arrived by canoe and a short land journey. On their way the
-woman took her seat in the bow of the canoe, while the husband sat in
-the stern and paddled. The woman wistfully viewed the banks of the
-river as they moved along rapidly. When they had gone quite a distance
-the woman noticed a mountain which stood on one side of the river, and
-which was covered with a dense growth of small shrubs and undergrowth.
-As she watched this mountain top she was surprised and agitated to see
-her lost child walking there at the edge of the dense undergrowth. At
-once recognizing him, she sprang up in the canoe, frantically
-exclaiming, “Oh! I see my and thy child again. Look, there he is
-walking along.” The father, too, recognized their son whom they mourned
-as dead and hastened to bring the canoe to the river bank at the point
-nearest to the place where the child had been seen. As soon as the
-canoe reached the land they both alighted. The father then went
-directly toward the child, who apparently awaited them; the mother was
-following at her husband’s heels. But as they approached him the child
-fled away into the shrubbery, and they pursued him. The father had some
-difficulty in overtaking him. When the father had caught him the mother
-came up to them. Then the delighted parents began to ask the child
-questions, but he did not give any answer. He did not seem to be able
-to make a reply, and they saw that the child was too much frightened to
-be able to understand them. So the father lifted him in his arms and
-carried him back to the canoe. They saw that his face and hands and
-feet were all still natural in appearance, but that the other parts of
-his body were covered with fine fur; in this respect he was just like a
-bear. Again boarding the canoe and hastening home, they soon arrived
-among their people.
-
-After they had reached their home lodge the children of their neighbors
-came to visit the newcomer, and they began to play together. At first
-it was quite impossible for the recovered child to converse with the
-other children; it was a long time before he was again able to talk
-even a little. Gradually, however, he became able to carry on an
-extended conversation with them.
-
-There soon came a time when he voluntarily began to relate to his
-father and mother the circumstances under which he had been lost to
-them. He told them that a strange man had carried him away to his home.
-The child carefully told what things he had seen that were strange to
-him, what he had seen when he had traveled around with the strange
-people, and what these people used for food. He said that the strange
-man who had taken him away had instructed him to carry back a message
-which he should relate in detail to his people. This gave all that was
-necessary to enable them to perform the ceremony of the Bears, and he
-also taught the people all the songs of the Bears, which he had been
-taught by the Bear people expressly to be taught in turn to the people
-of the stolen child.
-
-The child told the people that he had lived with the Bear people during
-the time he had been in captivity. He told the people the correct use
-of the forked rod of wood in turning away from the people the course of
-disease, by means of which the Bear people were able usually to cause
-the hunter to pass by the hiding place of bears, for which he might be
-on the hunt.
-
-It was in this manner that the Bear ceremony was revealed to mankind,
-so that it is possible for them to perform it. Such is the legend of
-the origin of the Bear ceremony, as it is called.
-
-
-
-
-
-128. THE ORIGIN OF THE PIGEON SONGS AND DANCES
-
-This is the manner in which the origin of the Pigeon songs and dances
-was disclosed to human beings in ancient times. These birds had formed
-a nesting place, or one might say more properly that they had assembled
-at a so-called pigeon roost.
-
-Having received knowledge of this fortunate circumstance a great number
-of men and women with their children, starting from their villages,
-went to the place where the pigeons had formed their roost. In time
-these people arrived at their rendezvous and they at once began to
-build their temporary camps according to their ohwachiras and clans and
-kindreds.
-
-There went with this concourse of people a man who had just reached the
-age of puberty and who had no evil habits. He was a very good person.
-Then it came to pass that they began to travel from place to place
-through the roost to kill such pigeons as they needed. At this time the
-upright young man heard the tumult arising from the cries of the
-pigeons holding converse together and he also saw the pigeons in vast
-numbers wheeling in circles.
-
-Suddenly he was greatly surprised to see flying among the pigeons one
-white in color as to its body. He watched it for a moment flying in
-circles, when, leaving the others, the white pigeon came flying toward
-the place where the upright young man was standing and alighted very
-near to him. At once the pigeon began to speak, saying: “Be it known to
-you that we have selected you to tell your people what it is we desire
-the most, what it is we most need. You must tell your chief that we do
-not like to have so many among you who are in this place who do not
-remember Him who has created us. There are indeed many whose thoughts
-are only of evil things which they desire to do to please themselves.
-We wish that those among you who have these thoughts should put away
-evil longings and purposes, and we believe that whoever does not do so
-will suffer some grave misfortune.
-
-“We further wish you and your people to join with us as a custom in
-offering thanksgivings to Him who created us when each day shall return
-to us, and also when each evening comes upon us. We think it is
-profitable that this should come to pass as I have suggested. You see
-us when the morning comes making a great tumult, and you hear us all
-talking while we circle around the place in which we have our roost.
-The reason for this action is the giving of thanks. We are offering
-thanksgivings to Him who has created our bodies. In the evening this
-again takes place; we again offer up thanksgivings to Him; and you see
-us then making circles around our roosting place, and there is the
-accompaniment of sound and the confusion of voices which you hear. Now,
-know this: We are performing the ceremony of the dance, and we are all
-singing. This signifies that we are happy; we are full of joy.
-
-“We have no remonstrance to make against your coming to this place
-seeking to obtain the young growing persons of those whose bodies are
-such as ours. Indeed, you wish that these shall become a source of
-contentment and satisfaction—these, the offspring of the pigeons. So it
-is that we have none but the kindest of feelings toward you in this
-pursuit of your desires. You must know, too, that He who created our
-bodies has ordained that this (flesh) shall be for the welfare and
-contentment of human beings dwelling on the earth.
-
-“You must know further that I, on whom you are looking, I, who am
-speaking to you, am indeed the oldest person among my people, and it is
-on account of my great age that they have chosen me to come to you to
-tell you our wishes and to teach you our songs. You, too, are able to
-sing them. It is needful that you shall enjoy yourselves; that you
-shall dance in order to do this; and that all your people who are here
-shall take part. In dancing you shall make circuits around the places
-where you have kindled your fires. When you have finished the singing
-and the dancing you shall go with your chief to make an offering of
-tobacco at the very border of our encampment, where you two shall stand
-to perform this ceremony. When you have kindled a fire you shall cast
-native tobacco thereon, and while thus occupied you must pray our
-Creator to permit you and your people to pass your period of sojourn
-here in health and in prosperity. At that time your chief, too, shall
-cast something on the fire—things of which you make daily use, and
-these objects shall become the prayer (the word) [452] or message of
-the people. Furthermore, we together, your and my people, must unite in
-the performance of this ceremony, and we must also be of one accord
-when we make this prayer and request of the Creator of our bodies. Now
-it is for you to return to your people and tell them fully what I have
-said to you. This is what I have to say.”
-
-Then the upright young man replied to his pigeon friend: “Your
-proposition is agreeable to me, and I will fulfill my duty in the
-matter by telling my people all that you have said to me.”
-
-Without further speaking the white pigeon mounted in the air and flew
-away. The young man, while watching it fly off, saw a large number of
-pigeons moving in a circle as they flew along; and he heard the birds
-sing, making a very loud sound, a tumult of voices. He listened very
-attentively for a long time and finally learned the songs which the
-pigeons were so loudly singing. Then he returned to his lodge and his
-own fireside.
-
-At once he related in every detail all that the white pigeon had said
-to him. A messenger was sent for the chief of his clan, and when he
-arrived the upright young man again repeated all that the white pigeon
-had said to him as to the duties of the people who were there to hunt
-for squabs. When the chief had heard in great detail all that the young
-man reported he at once said: “Let this be done at once by us as has
-been proposed by the white pigeon. Let some one be detailed to make a
-collection of offerings, and then we shall proceed with the remainder
-of the ceremony.” Certain headmen were directed to make the collection
-of offerings. Going from lodge to lodge, they made a collection of
-various articles presented to them as offerings in the ceremony. Some
-gave wristlets, some bracelets, some necklaces, while others
-contributed articles of dress, moccasins, and tobacco of the native
-variety. When they had visited all the lodges they returned to the
-lodge of the upright young man, where he and their chief awaited them.
-
-After they had properly arranged the offerings the chief said: “Let us
-now start; we will go toward the place whereon borders the pigeon roost
-or nesting place.” Then they two started, the chief and the upright
-young man. When they had reached the border of the pigeon roost they
-kindled there a very small fire, and the young man made an offering of
-native tobacco by casting it into the fire, at the same time asking the
-Creator for the health and welfare and contentment of all the people
-while they were at that place. His prayer was long and earnest, and
-when he ceased his invocation the chief stepped forward to begin his
-prayer. Bringing all the articles which had been offered and standing
-before the fire, he said in prayer: “Thou who hast created our bodies,
-here lie all those things by which we support our message (by which we
-support its head), all the words of our prayer. We offer these to Thee.
-Accept them as a testimony of our faith.” Then he laid all the objects
-which he had brought near the fire. Thereupon the two men returned to
-the lodge of the upright young man.
-
-When there they went at once from lodge to lodge to call a council of
-the people. As soon as the people had come together and had seated
-themselves according to their families and their clans the chief arose
-and addressed them. He urged them to repent of their evil deeds through
-self-condemnation and to offer up thanksgivings to their Creator in the
-morning and also in the evening; he said to them that this custom
-should continue forever, as it would bring health and prosperity and
-happiness to all those who practiced it. When he had finished his
-address on the need of observing faithfully the things which had been
-taught them by the Pigeon people, he said: “Now let us severally give
-thanksgivings to the Creator of our bodies, and, moreover, we will
-dance to the songs of the Pigeon people. Every person should take part
-in this ceremony.”
-
-Thereupon the upright young man and the chief took their stations at
-the head of the line of dancers. When all were in line and ready the
-young man began to sing the songs of the pigeons, and all danced,
-following the leaders. In dancing they made a circuit of the lodges,
-moving slowly to the rhythm of the songs as they turned from the right
-toward the left. When the young man had sung all the songs the head of
-the line had reached the point of departure.
-
-Then the chief, addressing the people, said: “We have now, indeed,
-performed this ceremony as it has been taught to us by the people of
-the pigeons; and when we shall depart from this place we must take back
-with us this ceremony, which will be of great benefit to us. We have
-learned these songs here from a superior people, and so we must cherish
-this ceremony. We have learned, too, that in dancing we must always
-make the circuit of the fires in one certain direction, namely, from
-the right toward the left. The reason for this is that you use your
-right hands either to seize or to release whatever you wish, so it is
-necessary that the right side at all times be on the outside of the
-circle of dancers, and that the part of the body in which lies our life
-shall at all times be on the inside of the line of dancers. Let us now
-make ready to start for our homes.” With loud shouts of approval and of
-exuberance of joy the dancers returned to their lodges to make
-preparations to depart for their homes.
-
-
-
-
-
-129. THE LEGEND OF HAHADODAGWATʻHA
-
-Once there dwelt together a brother and his younger sister in a lodge.
-
-The brother had a rich suit of hair, half of which was red and the
-other half black. It was the daily occupation of the brother to go out
-hunting, and the younger sister was contented. They lived thus in peace
-for a long time.
-
-One morning the brother went out as usual to hunt. He had not been gone
-long when seemingly he returned, laughing and looking at his younger
-sister, it is said. He took a seat by her side as she sat on her bed
-and embraced her, whereupon she said to him: “What has happened to
-you?” He made no reply but attempted to throw her backward on the bed
-while he tickled her. At this she exclaimed: “You are abusing me; you
-have never before acted in this manner;” and she struggled with him as
-he continued to grapple with her, until at last he went out of the
-lodge.
-
-Not long after this episode her brother entered the lodge. Having been
-injured, she was weeping. Her brother said to her: “What has happened
-to you? Are you, perhaps, ill?” She made no reply and would not give
-him any food. Then she spoke to him, saying: “It is, indeed, an awful
-thing, the manner in which you have abused me, your own sister.” He
-answered: “What have I done to you?” She replied: “You abused me and
-tickled me, and desired to throw me on my back. This is the reason why
-my mind is troubled.” Answering, he said: “Not in the least could I
-abuse you, for I have too much compassion for you.” But she did not
-believe him. Then he continued, saying, “Now: it is, perhaps, my friend
-who has visited you and who looks exactly like me, having hair like
-mine, of which half is red.” Then she said: “That is not true; at all
-events, it was you who came into the lodge.” Thereupon he added: “My
-friend made this visit, because you have now arrived at womanhood. Not
-far away stands the lodge where mother and son live; the son is my
-friend.” She told him that she would not believe a thing he had said to
-her. He answered that whatever happened to him happened also to his
-friend.
-
-The brother himself warmed up some food and ate his meal. In the
-morning his sister would not arise, for she was still very angry with
-him; so he himself prepared his morning meal and ate it. When he had
-finished eating it he went out to hunt. Before going, he said to his
-sister: “Do not think hard of the conduct of my friend, for he only
-desires to marry you.”
-
-Just after the brother had left he (as she supposed) returned and
-seized her as she was walking along, and they struggled desperately in
-the lodge. She succeeded in scratching him in the face, whereupon he
-left the lodge and fled.
-
-When the sun was nearly set her brother returned to the lodge. He said
-to his sister: “Oh, my younger sister! I fell among thorns and
-briers—that is why I am all scratched up.” She was indeed astonished at
-what he had told her, for had she not herself scratched him in the
-face? So she replied: “I for my part can not believe what you say.”
-Then she began as usual to weep.
-
-Finally, the brother said: “My sister, you believe that it is I who act
-thus, but it shall be made evident that it is not I who am doing this.
-To-morrow as soon as I depart the man will return and will enter the
-lodge. As soon as he starts to leave you must seize his robe of skin
-and pull it off, for it is exactly like mine in all respects.”
-
-In the morning the brother started, as was his custom, on a hunting
-trip. After he had been gone only a short time a man suddenly entered
-the lodge and at once seized the lone sister, whereupon they struggled
-fiercely. When he attempted to throw her on the ground she exerted her
-whole might to free herself. Having failed in his purpose, he started
-to flee from the lodge. As the ends of his robe were flying about,
-catching hold of it, she drew it off, at which he went out of the lodge
-leaving the robe in her hands, as its fastening broke.
-
-It was not very long after this episode when her brother reentered the
-lodge. He said to her: “Has he made another visit?” She replied: “Yes,
-of course, he has; it is you yourself returning.” She did not believe
-in the least what her brother was telling her, for she felt sure that
-it was he who was tormenting her. By this time her mind had greatly
-changed from normal, for she did not cease from lamenting her
-situation, being so worried to think that it was her own brother who
-had attempted to outrage her. She then handed him the torn robe,
-saying: “Here is this robe.” Taking it, he said: “There, now! that is
-certainly the robe of my friend. As to me, in hunting I had climbed a
-tree on which a bear lived and fell from it, and in the fall my robe
-was torn.” Laying the two robes together and finding that both were
-torn, he said: “Now you see what I have been saying all along has come
-true; whatever happens to me happens also to my friend;” and he added,
-“Well, do you now believe what I have been telling you?” Then she
-stopped her weeping and gazed at the robes as they lay together and she
-saw that they were exactly alike in every respect. Again he asked:
-“Well, now, do you believe what I have told you?” But she did not say
-anything in reply.
-
-Then the brother said: “Your mind is still unchanged that it is I who
-am abusing you, so now this shall take place to-morrow. As soon as I
-start again I shall hide myself in a place near by. As soon as the man
-attempts to attack you again or to leave the lodge you must seize him
-and not let him go. Thereupon I shall come in and kill my friend, and
-then it may be that you will believe me in saying that it is not I but
-my friend who is abusing you. We two, of course, shall be doomed to
-death because of my act, for his mother has the power to transform
-herself into a great bear, so potent in sorcery is she.”
-
-Since the beginning of this trouble the sister had not prepared food
-for her brother, and he himself made ready what food he needed and ate
-his meals. She refused to do her duty because she was very angry at
-him.
-
-In the morning, when he had finished his meal, he again started out to
-hunt, saying to his sister, “You must now carry out my instructions as
-I have given them to you.” He did not go to his hunting grounds,
-however, but hid himself near the lodge and kept a faithful watch on
-his home. He had been there quite a long time when suddenly he
-perceived his friend running toward the lodge, which he entered. After
-waiting a few minutes the brother ran to the lodge and on entering saw
-his sister and his friend struggling fiercely, the latter striving to
-get out of the lodge. As the brother entered the man let go at once of
-the sister, whereupon the former said: “My brother, my friend, now we
-are doomed to die. I can do nothing in the matter.” Making ready an
-arrow, with a twang it sped into the breast of the man, where it stuck
-quivering, while the victim, reeling, fell backward to the ground. Thus
-the brother killed the man who had been his friend. Drawing out the
-arrow he exclaimed: “Well, do you now believe what I have told you in
-this matter?” But his sister made no reply.
-
-The strange man and the brother did indeed look alike. They were of the
-same height; they had the same kind of hair, half of it reddish in
-color; they had the same kind of raiment and their robes were alike,
-even to both having been torn.
-
-Then the brother said to his sister: “Now, I suppose we must hide the
-body of this man, and, moreover, you must by all means aid me in this
-matter, for now, of course, we are both guilty. It had been better had
-you consented to what he desired, for he wanted to marry you. We will
-dig a grave where the fire burns—that is, under the fireplace.” Then
-they two dug a very deep grave under the fireplace, in which they
-placed his body. They took great pains in covering the grave, so that
-one would not know that a man’s body lay buried there. Over the spot
-they rekindled their fire, and thus finished the task.
-
-The brother then said: “My younger sister, now have the courage to do
-the best you can, for we two in appearance at least must live as
-husband and wife, as it is certain that in one, or perhaps in two days
-the woman will come here. When she does it must appear that we are
-indeed husband and wife in order to mislead her.” Then he said further:
-“I shall not go to another place again; we shall remain here together.”
-
-So they dwelt together thus until the next day. As soon as it was
-morning they sat together, because they constantly expected that at any
-moment the mother of the dead man would come in haste. Hence they lived
-as husband and wife, and the brother kept saying to his sister: “Be of
-good courage; you must do exactly as I tell you, for we must try to
-escape in order that we may live until we reach the distant place
-whence we two started.”
-
-When the sun had sunk low in the west the door flaps were thrust aside
-suddenly, and the old woman entered the lodge. They two who lived there
-were indeed husband and wife (in appearance). The old woman thereupon
-said: “Oh! I am exceedingly thankful that now for certain I have a
-daughter-in-law.” At this they two smiled.
-
-The old woman said further: “I have misgivings in my mind, caused by
-the actions of your dogs. None of them will accept what I offer them
-for food. You should go there again to feed them, and you two might
-remain there once overnight.”
-
-The young man replied: “So be it.” Just then the fire began to sing
-unexpectedly, and the fire spoke too, saying three times: “He, my
-friend, has killed me.” At this the old woman exclaimed: “Kyū-uʼ! It is
-frightful. It is an astonishing thing that is happening in the
-fireplace which you two have for yourselves; for it does not cease from
-saying: ‘My friend has killed me, there in your fire.’” The young man
-answered: “I do not know anything about the thing concerning which you
-are perplexed.” Reaching for an arrow, he scraped it, saying: “It is so
-that we two, I and my friend, use the fire for the scrapings from our
-arrows;” and thereupon he threw the scrapings into the fire. At once
-the voice from the fire pit exclaimed several times very rapidly: “My
-friend has killed me!” The young man again said: “We use the fire for
-the scrapings from our arrows.” The old woman exclaimed: “Kyū-uʼ. You
-two have no sense,” and she then departed. The young man said to her as
-she was leaving the lodge: “We will soon be there.”
-
-When they were alone he said to his sister: “It is just as I have been
-saying right along: we two are about to meet our death.” He believed
-that she was in great fear, so he added, “Do you have courage; and do
-not let it appear that you fear anything.” Just as the sun sank low in
-the west they started for the place where stood the lodge of the old
-woman. They arrived there just before night. As they entered the lodge
-and sat down in the place where the friend of the young man was
-accustomed to sit they were surprised to see standing on one side a
-screech owl and on the other a horned owl. They were more distressed
-when the screech owl sang out, “It is another, it is another, it is
-another, it is another.” Then the old woman said: “Lo! This is
-happening all the time, and it gives me a troubled mind.” The young man
-answered her: “It is very strange that you pay any heed to the various
-notes of the screech owl,” and he said to the owl: “Here, this is what
-you eat,” giving it meat. It stopped uttering its warning notes and
-merely repeated its usual note thrice, saying, “Ho-ho-ho-wāʼ.”
-
-Then all lay down for the night, and the brother and sister lay
-together in the place where the dead friend of the brother was
-accustomed to lie. All of a sudden the horned owl cried out: “Hi, hi,
-hi, hi; he takes to wife his younger sister.” This it repeated thrice.
-At once the old woman arose, saying: “Why do you two not stop it
-constantly saying, ‘He takes to wife his younger sister.’” But the
-young man exclaimed: “Fie upon it! Why do you pay any attention to all
-the notes made by a common horned owl?” With these words he again gave
-it meat, which it greedily seized as he said to it: “Here, take this;
-it is what you eat.” As soon as it had finished eating the meat it
-resumed its regular note, “Hi, hi, hi, hi.” Then the young man said to
-his suspicious host: “So let it be; now lie down again.” However, the
-old woman continued to grow more and more suspicious, for she began to
-believe that something had perhaps happened to her son and that he was
-no longer alive. At midnight the brother said to his sister: “You must
-lie as still as possible and I, too, shall do the same; we must pretend
-to be asleep.” They at once began seemingly to snore, but of course
-they were not snoring; they did not know what the old woman would do
-should they fall asleep.
-
-The old woman arose very stealthily while the notes of the owls
-continued, the screech owl saying, “It is another, it is another, it is
-another,” and the horned owl, “Hi, hi, hi, hi; he takes his younger
-sister to wife.” Creeping slowly over to the spot where the two were
-lying, and thrusting her hand under the coverings, the old woman made
-an examination of their private parts, after which she exclaimed:
-“Pshaw! Of course things are as they are with those who do as married
-people are accustomed.” Then she went back to her part of the lodge and
-again lay down.
-
-In the morning the old woman prepared the morning meal, and all ate
-their breakfast. When they had finished eating the old woman said: “I
-have mysterious premonitions. I visited the place there where thy
-friend has kindled a fire, and it says continually, ‘My own friend has
-killed me; my own friend has killed me; my own friend has killed me.’”
-The young man replied: “Pshaw! It is foolish to pay any attention to
-that noise, for it is caused by our scraping arrows there.” As he spoke
-he got his arrow and began scraping it, and cast the litter into the
-fire, whereupon the fire said several times, “My own friend has killed
-me.” He added, “Now cease paying any attention to such idle things.”
-The old woman replied, “So be it, as you say.”
-
-Then the young man said: “Oh, mother! We two will now go back to the
-other place. I said that of a certainty we would remain here only one
-night, and perhaps now my brother-in-law is anxious about us.” The old
-woman replied: “So let it be as you have spoken.” He answered: “In two
-days we two will return again.” So they started for their home, where
-they arrived all right. Then the young man said to his sister: “The
-only thing left for us to do is to make preparations to escape. You
-shall take the lead and I will remain, and I shall overtake you if it
-so be that I shall survive.”
-
-The brother then drew from under the couch whereon he was accustomed to
-lie a small case and took therefrom a very small black dog and a little
-rod of red willow. He used the rod to tap lightly the dog, which
-immediately began to grow in size. At first he said: “It is not yet
-large enough,” although the dog was then of the size of ordinary dogs.
-So he tapped it again and it continued to grow and had now reached the
-size of the largest kind of dogs. Yet he said: “Still I do not think
-the dog is large enough, for it is not yet large enough for you to ride
-astride of it;” so he tapped it with still other blows, which caused it
-to grow in size. It had become at last a very large dog.
-
-Having done this, he said to his sister: “You two shall go together.
-This shall be done on the way: As soon as you become wearied, the dog
-will stop beside a tree, and then you must descend from his back; and
-as soon as he becomes tired he will likewise stop beside a tree. You
-must watch for this, and then you must descend from his back, and run
-ahead as fast as it is possible for you to go. Thus you two must make
-your way homeward. You must keep a course directly eastward without
-fail. You two must remain in camp at night on the way; and you, my
-sister, must lie down beside the dog’s body. You two must not get far
-apart from each other, and you must take rests. He himself knows when
-you should rest, and you must regulate your actions by what he does,
-for it is a fact that he is our brother. You must know, too, that it is
-uncertain whether you will see the old woman, who is immune to the arts
-of sorcery and who, too, is able, it may be, to overcome our orenda
-(magic power). It seems uncertain whether you shall again see
-Hahadodagwatʻha; it is uncertain, I say, for verily, it is I who am
-called Hahadodagwatʻha.” Then he added: “Now, you two flee;” whereupon
-the younger sister mounted the dog’s back, and her brother again spoke
-to her, saying: “Have courage. We shall have the good fortune of your
-safe arrival in the place where our mother dwells.”
-
-Thereupon, the two started away in great haste, the brother remaining
-alone in the lodge.
-
-As the sister rode the dog, he would stop beside a tree, whereupon she
-would say: “Oh, now! my brother has become quite wretched, and I
-suppose he is now very tired.” With this she would descend from his
-back, and they two would go on. They kept a certain course directly
-toward the east. Having gone a great distance, they two would stop for
-the night, and the young woman lay down right beside the dog. In the
-morning they would again start on their journey. After going only a
-short distance, the dog would again stop beside a tree. Then the young
-woman would say: “Oh! my brother is to be pitied; now he wants to bear
-me again on his back, I suppose.” So saying, she would mount the dog,
-which at once would start running with her. When at midday the dog
-stopped beside a tree, the woman said: “I suppose he is now tired out,”
-descending from his back. As the dog crouched down she decided that it
-desired that they should take some rest. Then the dog lay down near by,
-and she seated herself close to him, saying: “I suppose he is now
-asleep, being very tired.”
-
-Thus, she sat for a long time looking around. Suddenly a fine-looking
-bird alighted near her, which she resolved to catch. When she was about
-to seize it, the bird would fly away, but would usually alight again a
-little way from its former perch. When the young woman would run up to
-it with the intention of seizing it, it would fly away just in time to
-foil her purpose. Thus she pursued it a little farther, still a little
-farther, but could not catch it, although she was determined to do so.
-
-Suddenly she heard the loud barking of a dog which was approaching,
-saying, Wuʹ, wuʹ, wuʹ, and at once she ran toward the place, then quite
-distant, where lay the dog. When she returned to this place the dog was
-gone, for it had resumed its course and was barking as it went farther
-and farther. At last it disappeared in the distance. Then the young
-woman began to weep, indeed, and she repeated the words of her elder
-brother: “You must not change your course, but you must keep going
-directly eastward.” While she was so engaged her brother,
-Hahadodagwatʻha, arrived there, having overtaken her.
-
-He remained for two days, when the footsteps of some one were heard by
-him, and suddenly the old woman, entering the lodge, said: “Lo! Where
-is your wife?” He answered: “Did you not meet them on the way?” “I did
-not,” she replied. He said to her: “It may be that while you and they
-were gathering things by the way you missed one another.” The old woman
-answered: “Oh, that is true, of course, I suppose. Without ceasing, his
-pets are uttering notes. At times my mind is deeply troubled by this
-state of affairs. So let it be. I shall now go back to the other place,
-for they have probably arrived there now.”
-
-In a very short time the old woman departed for her home. Running
-through bypaths, the young man reached it ahead of the old woman, who
-found him sitting there when she arrived. Her son’s pets were making a
-great noise when she entered the lodge, whereupon she said: “Lo! Where
-is my daughter-in-law?” He answered her sneeringly: “Pshaw! My
-daughter-in-law, you say! Why, she has gone home. When she and I
-returned there all the food was exhausted, so she longed for her
-mother. I said that in two days’ time we would return here.” Thereupon
-the screech owl kept saying: “It is another one, it is another one, it
-is another one,” while the horned owl said: “Hi, hi, hi, hi; he has
-taken his younger sister to wife; hi, hi, hi, hi.” Finally, the old
-woman exclaimed: “I am beginning to give attention to what is being
-said, for they have never before during the time you have had them as
-pets acted in this manner.” In reply the young man said: “Pshaw! you
-are all the time paying attention to what they are saying; instead you
-must give them meat, and then they will stop as usual. This is all you
-have to do to quiet them.” Then he started for his own lodge, saying:
-“After two days’ time you must again go there.”
-
-The only thing he did when he arrived at his lodge was to make
-preparations for leaving, and when everything was ready he departed. He
-followed his sister, keeping on the track made by the dog as it ran
-along homeward. He had fled some distance when his body became very
-weak.
-
-At the end of two days the old woman went to the lodge of the young
-people, where she found no one. Turning to the fire pit in her great
-anxiety she was surprised by hearing the fire again say, thrice in
-succession: “My friend has killed me.” Thus it spoke. Thereupon the old
-woman said: “Oh! my son lies there where I have been thinking he lay
-all the time. It is exceedingly dismal to think of.” Then she began to
-dig up the fireplace; and she found him lying there with his face
-upturned and an arrow sticking through the middle of his breast. At
-this discovery she began to weep and lament, saying: “Oh, my dear
-child! you have indeed become wretched. When I have killed them I will
-return to pay the last rites to you.” So saying, she went out of the
-lodge and started for her home.
-
-Having arrived at her lodge, she took from a bark receptacle in which
-it was kept hickory-nut meat and ate it, making the sounds, “Gaoñʼ,
-gaoñʼ, gaoñʼ,” and saying, too, “I shall fortify my body with this
-meat.” When she had finished eating her meal she went out of the lodge,
-and going to a neighboring tree, by her great strength she tore off a
-great part of it with her paws. Exclaiming, “I do not think that this
-will suffice,” she reentered the lodge and ate more of the hickory-nut
-meat. Then she exclaimed, “Now I wonder whether this will do.” Going
-again to the tree she tore it into shreds, and then exclaimed, “This is
-now sufficient; I have strength enough.”
-
-Then she started away, running swiftly. She had become a bear of
-enormous size and power. Going to the place where the tracks of the
-fugitives showed the direction they had taken, and placing her paws on
-the path along which they had fled, she exclaimed: “It is impossible
-for you to escape even though you should have gone to the end of the
-earth.” With these words she started in pursuit of the fugitives. As
-she ran along she often placed her paws on the track made by the young
-man, and this act caused him to reel and stagger, so potent with evil
-orenda was the body of the old woman. They were at this time two days’
-journey apart, but the old woman, who had transformed herself into a
-huge bear, was rapidly overtaking the fugitives, every moment drawing
-nearer and nearer to them, for she was indeed running rapidly.
-
-Finally the young man overheard the old woman, who had resumed her real
-character (that of a great bear), say: “Thou shalt surely die.” As he
-listened to the words he drew from his fawn-skin pouch the feather of a
-wild pigeon. Casting this back of him he made the invocation: “Right
-away let there be a roost of pigeons here and let their numbers be so
-great that their droppings shall form a rampart stretching across the
-world and equal in height to half that of the tallest tree.” As soon as
-he had finished speaking the air resounded with the sounds made by the
-alighting of many thousands of wild pigeons; among these sounds one
-heard, Gäk, gäk, gäk, gäk, and Dūm—m.[453]
-
-There was no possibility for anyone else to possess more orenda than
-that possessed by the young man; so he passed on, and behind him the
-great bear came on a run. The monster arrived at the roosting place of
-the wild pigeons. There was a rampart of their droppings extending
-upward half the height of the tallest trees. The bear made an attempt
-to force its way through the great rampart of droppings, but was unable
-to do so, merely becoming thoroughly covered with the filth. It was not
-easy for the monster to extricate herself from the great rampart, hence
-she decided on another course of action.
-
-She started on a run along the rampart’s edge, saying: “There has never
-been a time when a pigeon roost extended across the world.” After
-following the rampart for a long time she became tired and returned to
-the place where the tracks of the fugitive seemingly entered the
-rampart, where she lay down for the night. In the morning there was
-nothing to be seen, for the rampart had disappeared. Thereupon the bear
-exclaimed: “How exceedingly unfortunate this is; verily, he is a great
-wizard.” Starting in pursuit again, she placed her paws on the track of
-the young man, causing him to stagger and reel.
-
-Not long after this he heard her speak again, saying: “Thou shalt
-surely die.” At these words the young man took from his pouch a piece
-of rock, which he cast behind him with the words: “Let a rock cliff
-rise here at once which shall reach across the world and which nothing
-shall have the power of clearing, nothing that has unusual orenda.”
-With this the young man passed on, but as soon as he had ceased
-speaking the rock cliff stood complete. In a short time the great bear
-arrived at this cliff. She failed in an attempt to go through in
-several places, as it was impossible for her to pass this obstruction.
-Next she ran along the side of the cliff, saying: “We have never heard
-of a rock cliff that extends across the world.” But after going a long
-distance the bear, becoming weary, returned to the spot where the track
-of the young man disappeared under the cliff. There she stopped for the
-night. In the morning there was no rock cliff to be found, whereupon
-the great bear said: “How exceedingly distressing this is.” At once
-placing her paw on the track made by the young man, she added: “Indeed,
-he is a mighty wizard.” At this the fugitive reeled and staggered, and
-the old woman in the form of a great bear again pursued him.
-
-He had not gone very far when suddenly he heard ahead the singing of a
-man: Agadăʼädjoñʹⁿiga soʹdjĭʼ ĕñʼʹ ăgwasʹ deiodiʼäʹdet. When the young
-man came up to him the singer said: “My dear nephew, have courage. I
-shall detain the monster with difficulties. It has not been long since
-your younger sister passed here, and now there is nothing intervening.
-So have courage. Your mother’s lodge stands not far from here.”
-
-So the young man passed on. The man who had been singing set up many
-pikes, and when he had finished his work he was surprised to see coming
-toward him a great beast. Soon the bear came up to the place where he
-set his pikes and assaulted them with great force. These gave way to a
-small extent, whereupon the two, the great bear and the man, who had
-now assumed his true character, grappled. In their long struggle the
-pikes were broken, and the great bear, at once freeing herself, again
-ran onward.
-
-Suddenly the young man saw running ahead of him his sister, who was
-nearly exhausted. Overtaking her, the young man said to her after
-seizing her arm: “Have courage, my younger sister. We are to die
-perhaps, I think.”
-
-They lost no time but at once fled. They went a long distance before
-they stopped to camp for the night. In the morning he said: “We will
-take this direction.” Having cut a rod of red willow he struck the dog
-with it three blows. At once the animal became very small and he placed
-it in his bosom.
-
-At the point toward which they were running they suddenly saw what
-seemed to be a rock cliff, in which was an open cavern. Out of this a
-female personage was looking and saying: “Have courage, my children.
-You two will live if you will come in here.” At that time the brother
-was dragging his sister along, so exhausted had she become. As they
-came to the entrance to the cavern the woman thrust out her hand, and
-seizing the arm of the young woman, helped draw her into the cavern,
-while the young man also entered. The woman exclaimed: “I am thankful
-that you two have returned alive. That animal which is coming on the
-run shall suffer for this.”
-
-It so happened that there was a kettle of boiling oil over the fire;
-this boiling oil was bear’s fat. The beast came on the run to the
-opening of the cavern, and, crouching low, thrust in her nose. At once
-the mother of the two fugitives cast a ladleful of boiling oil into the
-face of the great bear. The pain caused made the bear fall over
-backward some distance from the cavern, and she began to howl and
-writhe around on the ground. But the relentless old woman carried out
-the kettle of boiling oil to the spot and poured the remainder on her
-enemy, which finally died there in great agony, just as the old woman
-had threatened.
-
-Then the old woman, their mother, said to the two returned children:
-“You two who have been absent for so long a time have now returned home
-again; and I suppose that you would have been made captives had you not
-escaped. Now, you and I will dwell together again.” Thereafter the
-mother and her children were again contented in their minds and dwelt
-together happily.[454]
-
-Suddenly he saw a man lying prostrate with his feet in the water, who
-was groaning and saying, ʼĕñʻ, ʼĕñʻ, ʼĕñʻ. Hahadodagwatʻha said to him:
-“Well, what is the matter with you, my friend?” The man replied: “I am
-very ill; have pity on me and take me to a dry place and lay me there.”
-Unsuspecting, the young man said: “So be it. I suppose that I can carry
-you on my back.” When he knelt down, the strange man had great
-difficulty in getting on his back and in securing a hold on the young
-man’s neck.
-
-Then Hahadodagwatʻha arose, and going a short distance to a dry and
-pleasant piece of ground, said to his patient: “Now, you can lie here.”
-But the stranger replied: “Oh! just a little farther.” But
-Hahadodagwatʻha answered, “Lie down here.” The man would not consent to
-dismount, however, but kept on saying: “Only a little farther.” So
-Hahadodagwatʻha went some distance, when he said again: “Now, get off;
-this is a fine place in which you can lie down.” But the man persisted
-in saying: “Only a little farther.” Hahadodagwatʻha would not consent
-to carry him any farther, saying: “You must now get down by all means.”
-Thereupon he began to shake himself with great violence, saying: “Get
-down! Why do you not get down?” But the man would not get off his back,
-although Hahadodagwatʻha told him that he was very tired. Then, going
-to a hickory tree standing near by, Hahadodagwatʻha said: “If you do
-not get down, I will rub you off against this tree;” but the man
-remained without making any reply. Hahadodagwatʻha rubbed his body
-violently against the hickory tree standing there, saying the while:
-“Why do you not get down?” But he himself was injured by the rubbing,
-so he gave up the task. He said: “This man has caused me great
-(prospective) trouble.” For a long time he continued bearing his burden
-around from place to place. Finally he exclaimed: “It is very
-distressing to me that you do not get off my back.”
-
-At last Hahadodagwatʻha decided on more heroic measures. He kindled a
-lot of dry fagots, and he made a large and very hot fire. Then he asked
-the man again: “What have you decided to do? Why do you not get off my
-back?” Making no reply, the man remained on his back. Thereupon the
-young man proceeded to lie down with his back to the fire in an attempt
-to burn off his tormentor. But the man, notwithstanding the great heat,
-stuck fast. In a short time Hahadodagwatʻha himself was not able to
-stand the intense heat, for his own skin began to scorch. Being thus
-baffled again, he stood up. He said to his tormentor: “This conduct on
-your part is very distressing to me; now you and I must die together.”
-But he received no reply from the man. Hahadodagwatʻha was indeed very
-tired from carrying this burden around from place to place. Finally he
-decided on another course of action. Going to a very high and steep
-cliff and lying down on the edge, he said to his tormentor: “I will
-roll over the brink unless you get off my back.” There was no reply to
-these remonstrances. The man merely kept on breathing. Lastly
-Hahadodagwatʻha said to him thrice: “Now, get off my back;” but the man
-remained silent, as before. Thereupon the former exclaimed: “We two now
-die!” at the same time rolling over the brink. The two turned over and
-over, but fell slowly, their bodies finally coming down very lightly on
-the bottom of the chasm. Then the young man said: “Now, get off of my
-back; I am very tired.” Still the man would not in the least heed this
-pleading.
-
-Once more the young man said: “You shall now get off my back.” Going
-aside, he stripped off basswood bark, of which he made a noose.
-Climbing an elm tree near by, he carried his burden to the very top,
-where he fastened the rope to a large branch and the noose around the
-neck of the man on his back and also around his own. When he was ready
-he again said: “Look here! If you do not get off my back, we two shall
-die now indeed.” But the man made no reply. Then the young man said: “I
-will now cast my body down to that place yonder.” Before doing so he
-again asked the man: “Shall we two live? It is for you to decide. Get
-down from my back.” But still he received no reply to his pleadings.
-Without further parley he said: “Now, we two shall die,” and cast
-himself down. But the great branch broke off [455] and floated down
-slowly until it rested on the ground. Arising, the young man said:
-“This is exceedingly distressing to me. You have made me very tired,
-and I am almost exhausted.” But he received no mercy from the man.
-
-Suddenly he remembered that he had in his bosom a very small dog,
-whereupon he started to find a red-willow rod, bearing at the same time
-his burden. Soon he found the desired rod, which he cut off. Taking
-from his bosom the dog, which was black in color, he began to strike it
-with the red-willow rod. At once the dog began to increase greatly in
-size; soon it became the usual size of dogs. Additional strokes caused
-it to grow larger and larger until at last it attained the size of a
-very large bear, one of the largest known. Then the young man said to
-the dog: “My servant, remove from my back the body of the man who is
-clinging there,” saying “Wăʹʼs.” At once the monstrous dog, seizing the
-man by the back of the neck, began to shake him with great force. The
-body of Hahadodagwatʻha was whirled about in the terrific struggle, in
-which the gripped opponents fell and arose in many places; the struggle
-lasted until the dog seized the man by the throat and began to choke
-him. In a short time it was able to pull off the man and to fling his
-body aside. Then Hahadodagwatʻha sat near by until his tormentor died,
-for he himself was entirely exhausted.
-
-Then he said: “Come here, my dog! I am thankful to you, for you have
-saved me from destruction. You are the cause of my being now alive. Let
-us two start for home and let us go to the place where dwell together
-they who are your brothers.” So they started and went on for some
-distance and then encamped for the night. Thereupon the young man said:
-“As regards me, I am very hungry; so it behooves you to kill a deer.”
-At once the dog ran afar off, and in a short time it returned, dragging
-along the body of a fawn. This the young man skinned, and after
-quartering the carcass he set pieces of it all around the fire to
-roast. It was night, and when the roasts were done they two ate their
-supper, the man and the dog, sharing the meat. In the morning they
-again started for their home, and they kept traveling until they
-stopped for the night. In turn the young man went hunting for raccoons,
-climbing a tree in order to kill them. Having dressed and cooked a
-raccoon, they ate it. When they had finished eating, they laid down
-together, the man and his dog.
-
-In the morning they two started, and they had not gone far when they
-saw in the distance a lodge. In this they were surprised to find a man
-half of whose hair was red, and there they found, too, the younger
-sister of the young man. The latter said: “Now has returned our brother
-who was lost, the Dog.” They asked him: “Where did you two meet?” He
-answered: “We met at the place of high cliffs. It was he who saved my
-life when I was in danger of death. This is the reason why we have been
-able to return to the place where you two, his brother and sister,
-dwell and where your mother also dwells. Now I give myself up here
-where you dwell, and we shall all be together always, because he has
-saved my life and is your brother. I, too, am a master of game and a
-good hunter. So we shall be very contented in our minds.” Then the man
-half of whose hair was red said: “So be it. I, too, am a good hunter,
-and I will also help to make ourselves contented.” Thus did they make a
-compact that they would all compose a single family for all time.
-
-This is the length of the legend.
-
-
-
-
-
-130. THE STORY OF HAHSKWAHOT [456]
-
-In times past there was a boy who spent his time in hunting birds to
-kill and in cooking and eating them.
-
-On one of his expeditions he came to a large rock, beside which he took
-his seat to rest, for it was drawing toward sunset, and began to make
-arrow points.
-
-While seated there a man spoke, saying: “I shall relate a story.” The
-boy at once began to look around to learn who it was that had spoken.
-He finally came to the conclusion that it was the rock beside which he
-was sitting that had spoken for his benefit. In reply the boy said:
-“What is the name of it?” The man answered: “It is called a fable
-(tradition); now you must make me a present of a bird (for telling you
-this story).” The boy, replying “So be it,” left one on the rock. Then
-the man again spoke, saying: “You must return here; I shall relate a
-legend, but as to us we remained at home in the world that was.” And
-the boy went home.
-
-In the evening the boy returned to the rock and seated himself upon it.
-Thereupon the man said: “Well, now, I shall say that you must speak;
-you must say, ‘What?’ I shall tell you what is called a legend. As soon
-as I make an end of telling one legend I may go on with another. But if
-you become sleepy, as you may, you must tell me, and we will take a
-rest; and you can come again to-morrow evening.”
-
-The boy hunted birds, and he had many different persons to accompany
-him. He said to each: “You must accompany me (to hear) a man telling
-legends, as I think they are called. In the evening they two would take
-their seats on the rock and listen until they became sleepy, and then
-all would take a rest for the night. The next day they two would again
-return to the rock, and finally other persons followed them to the
-place. In the evening they would again sit around, and the man would
-relate another legend. On the following evening they would again repair
-to the rock. There were now a large number who went to the place where
-the great rock stood; and the man would again tell a legend. In this
-manner did it come to pass that there are legends in the world, as
-these stories are called.
-
-Finally the man at the rock said to the boy: “You will grow old in
-years. You shall use these legends to aid yourself in your old age (by
-telling them to persons who will pay you for doing so). So it came to
-pass that as the boy became old he did not cease telling legends.
-
-It was in this manner. When in the evening he would tell a legend some
-brought on their backs loads of wood for fuel; others brought meat;
-others brought bread; and still others brought tobacco. These things
-were left in the lodge of the old man who had been at the rock when a
-boy. People gave him these things to repay him for telling them some
-legend. Many times the lodge would be full of people who had come to
-hear him relate the legends of their people.
-
-So it was that legends came into being, for the people of the former
-other world were people who possessed great and powerful orenda. The
-stories of their acts have become the legends of this world. The scene
-of this story was laid in the former world.
-
-The end.
-
-
-
-
-
-131. THE LEGEND OF GENONSGWA [457]
-
-In ancient times this event came to pass as other like things had taken
-place. A man went out to hunt on the game preserve of his people.
-
-It so happened that he camped in the night in a large forest. He had
-four hunting dogs with him. There he made his camp and kindled a fire
-for the night, and in due time the hunter and his dogs fell asleep.
-Some time after this the dogs began to bark, and one went to inform the
-hunter of his danger. Shaking him to arouse him, it said: “I think that
-we shall now die; near here are men who are very large in size going
-about stealthily. They must be, I think, what are called Genonsgwa.”
-Thus did the dog speak, and continuing, he said: “Perhaps there is
-(time) yet in which you yourself may escape. As to the beast, as much
-as lies in our power and opportunity we shall attempt to prevent it
-from overtaking you. So you must do this: You must make three torches,
-which you must carry and which will suffice, I think, for your purpose
-in reaching the place where dwell other human beings. You must do thus
-when you see a forked branch your height above the ground; you must
-insert one of the torches therein as you pass along, when the torch is
-nearly burned out; this will become a hindrance to the Genonsgwa, for
-he will think that you may be near at hand taking a rest and will stop
-without fail. This will be an aid to you, for you can then gain a good
-start on him. Then at a suitable distance you must insert another one
-of the nearly-burned-out torches.”
-
-At that moment he heard the dogs approach, barking, from the direction
-in which he had come, and he fled with all possible speed. When he had
-only one torch left he heard the barking of the dogs quite near him,
-for they had reached the place in which he had fixed the second torch.
-When the man arrived there it became evident to him from the sounds he
-heard that one of the dogs had just been killed in the distance.
-Thereupon the hunter stirred up the firebrands to cause them to blaze
-up and throw out more light. Soon they gave sufficient light to enable
-him to see as far as the tree indicated by the dog, behind which the
-strange man, or being, moved around stealthily; with great hands he
-held to the tree and he had, too, very long legs. Having made the
-needed preparations, the hunter at once fled from the place.
-
-Having reached a point out of sight of his camp, when his torch that he
-was carrying was nearly extinguished, he heard sounds which told him
-that another dog had been killed, and he knew, too, from this that the
-Genonsgwa was close at hand. Remembering the advice of the first dog
-that informed him of his danger, he began to cry out the sign of
-distress, Gōʹweʻ, gōʹweʻ, gōʹweʻ, for he was then aware that the
-settlement of his people was not far away. They were still all awake
-and, hearing the cries of distress in the distance, they at once ran in
-the direction from which these came. Having reached the place, they
-found the man. The Genonsgwa was then very close to the hunter, who was
-nearly exhausted. The latter fell into the circle of his friends none
-too soon, for the Genonsgwa, seizing him by the leg, tore off some
-flesh. Then at once he turned, fled from the people, and disappeared,
-and no one knew whither he had escaped.
-
-The end.
-
-
-
-
-
-132. THE LEGEND OF THE STONE COATS (GENONSGWA)
-
-It so happened in times past that three warriors left their homes for
-distant regions. They started away for the purpose of killing any
-people whom they might find in order to obtain their scalps. So they
-would travel for many days, and when they observed that they had
-arrived near a settlement they would conceal themselves, and one or
-more spies would be sent out by night to make a reconnaissance for the
-purpose of learning when, where, and how to make the attack.
-
-It was a custom with them for the chief or leader of the little party
-to say: “Who will volunteer to go to investigate that light which
-appears in the distance?” Thereupon one of the warriors would reply: “I
-will go to reconnoiter that light,” and he would go, if alone, without
-definite instructions as to how he might find his companions in case he
-had to retreat; but if two decided to go, they would first agree on
-some point as a rendezvous in case they should have to retreat in
-haste. Then the spy or spies would go to the place whence the light had
-appeared. Having arrived there, he would manage to crawl stealthily
-into the shelters or lodges he might find, and he would also find the
-inmates lying asleep and their garments hanging on the supports of the
-structures.
-
-In making such a reconnaissance one of the spies found the inmates
-asleep, and he saw that their garments, which were of stone, were set
-up against the trees which stood near by. He was surprised by one of
-these sleepers arising and saying to him: “What are you doing here?
-What do you want?” The spy replied: “I do not want anything; I intend
-nothing; I want peace.” But the other person said to him: “You intend,
-as you know, to kill all persons who may fall into your power; so you
-and I shall fight. That is verily what you and your companions are
-doing on your way here; you come with the intention of fighting all
-persons whom you do not fear. To-morrow at midday you and I shall meet
-face to face yonder in a place not far from here, in a valley which is
-very deep and has very high cliffs. You shall enter it from one
-entrance and I from the other, and there in the valley we shall meet.”
-He said this and ceased speaking. The spy replied: “So let it be.”
-
-Having returned to the camp of his companions, the spy told what he had
-seen, saying: “I have seen a distressing sight. I saw beings who had
-assumed human forms and actions but who were not human. I saw their
-clothes, which were stone in material,[458] set up against the trees
-about their camp. One of their number arose and said to me, ‘What are
-your intentions?’ I replied, ‘Nothing; only peace;’ but he as quickly
-said: ‘You desire to kill all persons who may fall into your power; so
-to-morrow at midday in a valley that is near here, and that is very
-deep, we, you and I, shall meet; you must enter it from the opposite
-side, and I shall enter it from this side; then you and I shall fight.’
-I do not think that we have the ability to overcome and kill these
-people. They are numerous, forming a large body.”
-
-The chief of the little party remained silent, thinking over the
-situation. Finally he said: “By means of a sacrifice we must ask Him
-who has made our lives to aid us in the coming battle. Moreover, we
-shall use in the sacrifice of prayer native tobacco, which I shall now
-cast on the fire.” Then he took from his pouch native tobacco, which he
-cast on the fire with the following words: “Thou who hast made our
-lives, give most attentive ear to the thing I am about to say. Now we
-are about to die. Do Thou aid us to the utmost of Thy power. Thou,
-ruler, it was Thou who gavest us this native tobacco; it is this that I
-am now employing. Here, take it; it is offered to Thee. Thou hast
-promised us that Thou wilt always be listening when we ask in prayer by
-sacrifice. Now, it matters not whether Thou Thyself shall stand here,
-or whether it shall come by the way of a dream, do Thou tell us fully
-what we must do in this crisis which Thou knowest confronts us so
-closely. Now I finish my tale. So it is enough. Now, moreover, we will
-lie down to sleep.”
-
-Then they lay down to sleep. At midnight the chief, who was awake,
-heard some one speak there, saying: “I have heard your prayers asking
-me to aid you; so now I have arrived here. In this manner you must do,
-to-morrow. Verily, you two have agreed to meet in the deep valley at
-midday. You must act in this manner. You must go along the top of the
-ridge at the cliff’s edge, and you must lie prone, resting on your
-elbows; this you must do before it is midday. You must remain perfectly
-still, and you must not carry out your agreement with them. Then you
-must watch the opposite cliff, and as soon as you see a bear on the run
-there you must shout Pa—ʼa p-hu-e. Then you must retreat a short
-distance and stop, whereupon you shall see how truly I will aid you.
-You will hear them when they come into the valley, for the sound tau—u
-which they will make will be very loud.”
-
-The men followed the directions given them by their Creator, to whom
-they had appealed in their extremity, and went to the cliff and lay
-down just as they had been instructed to do. They had not waited long
-before they heard their enemies coming along in the valley, with their
-chief singing as they marched. The chief of the warriors was intently
-watching the opposite cliff, when suddenly he saw a bear running along
-on the edge of it. At this he shouted, as he had been instructed to do,
-Pa—ʼa p-hu-e, and then, quickly arising and turning back, they fled;
-but after going a short distance they stopped, and turning around, they
-looked back to see what was taking place in the valley. As they
-watched, the sound of the oncoming of the Genonsgwa increased in volume
-and intensity; and when they had all got into the valley the sound of
-their marching became a veritable roar, sounding like dōō-ō.
-
-Now they saw what astonished them; they saw the earth from the sides of
-the valley fall into it, carrying with it the forests which grew on it
-in the region of the valley. At once the sounds of the marching of the
-Genonsgwa died out, and the only sounds they then heard were the
-breaking and crashing of the trees as they settled down under the
-mountains of earth that fell into the valley. Then they heard the voice
-of their Creator saying: “What you asked of me has been granted in
-full. I am He whom you usually call Our Master. Verily, I continue to
-aid you, who are called the Seneca people. I aid you in all things, in
-ball-playing, in foot-racing, and in warfare. Now you shall go to your
-homes, to the places where your dwelling-places are. Never in the
-future must you do what you were doing. It is much better that you
-shall settle all differences which you may have with all other peoples.
-You must stop your present course, for if you do not do so, you
-yourselves shall bleed in turn. So you must make peace with all your
-neighbors, must bury deep in the earth the scalping-knife, the bow and
-the arrow, and the battle-ax. All these you must bury in the ground,
-and you must leave them there, and thus put them out of the world. Now
-I am through.”
-
-Then the warriors started for home and soon arrived at their dwelling
-places. Immediately the chief assembled the people; he went through the
-village, and as he walked along he said to them: “We will hold a
-council, and we must assemble in the Long lodge; we must assemble there
-early in the morning as soon as the morning meal has been eaten.
-Everyone must be there—children and women; the entire body of this
-people must be there to listen to the tiding which we have brought
-back.”
-
-Early the next morning the chief made a second announcement, saying:
-“We will hold a council to-day.” So a large body of persons gathered in
-the Long lodge in which was the council chamber, and when they had
-taken their places the chief arose and addressed them thus: “You must
-give strict attention to what we have to say to you. We have been
-absent in distant regions, where we had intended to kill any people
-whom we might find. There we saw people such as we had never seen
-before, for their garments were of stone. It is probable that we never
-could kill them; they were very numerous. It so happened that we
-encamped very near them and that when they kindled their fire we saw it
-in the distance. Then I, who was the chief of the band, said ‘Come, we
-will go to reconnoiter in the vicinity of that light.’ One of the
-warriors answered: ‘I will go there,’ but I went in his stead to the
-neighborhood of the light to investigate. Having arrived there I found
-persons lying around asleep, and I saw that their garments were of
-stone, and that they were set up against the neighboring trees.
-Suddenly one of the sleepers, springing up, said to me, ‘What are your
-intentions?’ I said in reply, ‘I do not intend to do anything,’ for I
-was afraid. He replied: ‘Do you not intend to kill anyone you can? Now
-you and I shall fight. To-morrow when the sun is at midday, there where
-the deep valley is, in the bottom of the valley, you must come from the
-one side and I, for my part, will enter the valley from the opposite
-side, and therein we shall meet; then you and I will fight.’ I replied
-to him: ‘Let it be so,’ and departed thence and returned to our camp,
-where I at once told my friends what I had seen. I said: ‘I have seen
-an astonishing condition of things. When I arrived there I found the
-people lying down, and near by, leaning against the trees, were their
-garments, which were of stone, so it is probably impossible for us to
-kill them. So let it be.’ I will make a sacrificial prayer to Him who
-has completed the structure of our lives; I will cast on the fire
-sacrificially native tobacco. At once I took tobacco, and holding it in
-my hand, I said: ‘Thou hast promised to aid those who shall pray to
-Thee with an offering of this native tobacco,’ and then I cast it on
-the fire, and forthwith arose smoke from the burning tobacco. Thereupon
-I said: ‘Now aid us; tell us what we must do; perhaps You may come to
-us in a vision; perhaps You might send the advice to us through a
-dream; at all events tell us what to do. Now, we will lie down to
-sleep.’
-
-“Just at midnight I was surprised to hear one speak, saying: ‘I have
-come to aid you; I tell you that to-morrow just before midday you and
-your men must go to the valley, and there overlooking it you must lie
-down prone and rest on your elbows.’ And he said, too: ‘You must watch
-carefully the opposite side of the valley, and when you shall see a
-bear running along the opposite cliff you must shout Pa—ʼa p-hu-e, and
-thereupon you must all arise and flee from the place a short distance
-and must stop and look back toward the valley, and then you shall see
-what shall happen, what shall happen to the persons of your adversaries
-when they will enter the farther entrance to the valley—these
-Genonsgwa.’ The noise made by these Genonsgwa as they came forward was
-very great; the sound that they made was dū—ūm. As they came on, the
-voice of their chief was heard singing; he chanted the war song of the
-Genonsgwa, saying: ‘No one has the power to overcome me;’ this is what
-he said in his singing.
-
-“Just then the cliffs on each side of the valley with the forests
-growing on them were upheaved with a deafening roar and crash and fell
-into the valley upon the advancing Genonsgwa; this was followed by the
-sounds of breaking trees and their limbs as they were crushed under the
-weight of the overturned cliffs, and then all was silent. Thus did this
-event come to pass.
-
-“Now I shall speak to this assembly as it is here listening to what I
-have related. He who aided us was the Master of Life. He told us to
-return home, and He bade us never to undertake an enterprise such as
-that which took us from our homes. He bade us to make peace with all
-tribes of men, of whatsoever land or language they might be; for if we
-should not follow His advice we ourselves might one day shed one
-another’s blood; and He bade us to bury deep in the ground the
-scalping-knife, the war bow and arrow, and the battle-ax and the
-war-club. He bade us to put all these things out of this world, telling
-us that if we do this we shall be contented and happy in the future, if
-we consent to this and to inform all our people of this advice and the
-chiefs, too. But as we do not know what the chiefs will do in this
-matter we have called this council to ascertain this important opinion
-of our chiefs. Now we have told you these tidings which we have brought
-with us, and now you must take great pains in considering this matter
-in all its bearings; I mean you, our chiefs. There, I am through with
-my address.”
-
-During the entire day they discussed this matter in all its bearings.
-Some said that it would not be good for them to adopt this kind advice,
-as many of their relations had been killed by the enemy, and they had
-always intended to have revenge for their deaths.
-
-Others spoke for and against the proposition which had been presented
-to them by the returned warriors. The discussions took a wide range and
-consumed the entire day. Finally one of the leading chiefs of the place
-arose and said: “It is better that we take a recess until early
-to-morrow morning, at which time we will again assemble here. I will
-then speak, telling you my views on this question after having thought
-on them during the night. For this reason all should be present again;
-so you must come and hear what I have to say to you. So there.”
-
-Then they dispersed and went to their homes. In all the lodges there
-was much speculation as to what the chief would tell them in the
-morning. All had different views as to what he would say, and they made
-up their minds that they would go to the Long lodge at early forenoon.
-
-So in the morning of the next day they again assembled in the Long
-lodge, and there was present a very large body of people.
-
-Then the chief arose to his full height and began to speak, saying:
-“The time has now come. I said that to-day I should speak to you. My
-mind is now made up; I have decided what to say to you, and now I will
-tell you what I have thought best for us to do. I agree to the proposal
-to make peace with our enemies; that to that end we must certainly bury
-deep in the ground the scalping-knife and the war bow and arrow and the
-battle-ax; and that we must leave these things there out of sight and
-reach. You must put these things out of the world. So let this come to
-pass. Let everyone who has come here carry out this resolution as I
-have indicated it to you in what I have said. So there. Come, then, let
-us now make preparations. I suppose that we must send an embassy of two
-persons to that neighboring tribe, although we may not be certain
-whether they will be at all willing to make peace with us and thereby
-settle our difficulties. So we must commission our ambassadors to pray
-them to cease waging war against us; and we, too, must stop fighting on
-our part, and must cast away deep in the ground the scalping-knife, the
-war bow and arrow, and the battle-ax. These we must throw away, and
-thus you will put them outside of this world. When the two
-(ambassadors) arrive in the country of our enemies they shall say: ‘We
-have been sent by the chiefs of our people to know whether you are
-willing to agree to settle our difficulties and to make peace with us.’
-This is what you two shall say. This is all.”
-
-After some deliberation the chief arose again and said, “Come, now. Who
-will volunteer to go far away to the foreign land where our enemies
-dwell?” Then a certain man said, “I am willing to go.” “So be it,”
-replied the chief; “who else is willing to go? There is one lacking.”
-Then another man said, “I am willing to go.” The chief accepted him by
-saying, “So let it be.” Then the last volunteer asked the chief: “I ask
-you, who art the chief, what must be done, should they perhaps kill us,
-and you would not hear anything about it? Should we become angry should
-they attack us there, even though by doing so we should probably lose
-our lives? So there (is what I have to say).”
-
-Then the chief arose, and addressing the two ambassadors, said: “You
-have asked me a question. I shall tell both what you must do when you
-discover that the people whom you are going to visit dwell not far
-ahead of you. When you make this discovery you must leave there in
-safety your scalping-knife and your bows and arrows and your
-battle-axes; and you two must also carefully wash your faces so that
-there shall be no more paint on your faces. Then you must go to the
-village of the people; and according to custom they will not kill you
-because you have not your scalping-knives, your bows and arrows, or
-your battle-axes, and because you will not have your faces painted.”
-[459]
-
-Then the warrior answered: “So be it. I think that my friend and I may
-perhaps start this evening just as soon as it becomes quite dark.”
-During the entire day they made their preparations so they would be
-able to start in the evening. In the early part of the evening they
-came together, whereupon one said: “My friend, now let us start, and
-you will leave directly from here in your own way, and I, too, will
-leave here directly in my own way.” The friend replied: “Do you feel
-that you have sufficiently potent orenda?” He answered: “I think so.”
-The other continued: “What kind of thing does it (your body), usually
-pretend to be as it flies along?” His friend replied: “Oh, just the
-night owl, saying wu, wu, wu, wu, hŭ, hŭ-u.” At this the other,
-laughing, said: “My friend, you are indeed a brave man (a male).” His
-companion answered: “With regard to yourself, what kind of thing does
-it (your body) usually pretend to be as it goes along? Now I have asked
-you.” In replying the other man said: “As to myself, I shall be a fox,
-and I will go along barking; and we shall keep apart just the distance
-that I can hear the hooting of the night owl. How far do you say?” He
-replied: “Let us be just so far apart that it will be possible for me
-to hear the barking of the fox. And this, too, must be done. As
-daylight approaches we must draw nearer to each other, and when it is
-morning we will rejoin at some convenient place.” Then they started.
-
-They observed their order of going, and when they had concluded that
-they had arrived in the neighborhood of the people whom they were going
-to visit, they were surprised to see the lights of a number of fires.
-So they stopped and sat down on a log. Then one of the men said: “We
-must leave our things, our weapons, here—our scalping-knives, our bows
-and arrows, and our battle-axes—and we must remove the paint from our
-faces, too. There, on that side of the log, you may lay your things,
-and you must cover them with moss and earth very carefully; and I will
-lay my things here on this side of the log, and I will cover them even
-as you do.” Thus they completed this task of concealing their weapons.
-Then one of them said: “My friend, it shall be that he who shall be
-spared alive shall dig up these things, for we shall soon see them, and
-when they see us there is no assurance that either of us shall be left
-alive; but should one of us escape then let him dig up and carry home
-both these buried outfits.”
-
-Then they went toward the place where they believed the enemies lived.
-They had not gone far when they were surprised to see in the distance a
-temporary shelter made of corn husks, for this was at the time of the
-corn harvest and the people were drying the strings of ears of corn.
-Thereupon one of the men said: “I will do the talking when we arrive at
-that temporary shelter; so do you not speak a word about anything. So
-now, come, let us go thither to the lodge.”
-
-When the two men had arrived near the temporary shelter the children
-noticed their approach and fled into the shelter. On arriving at the
-shelter the two men found that the doorflap was of deerskin. When they
-had stepped inside they saw a woman sitting there; they noticed also
-that the children had hidden themselves, and that the woman was greatly
-frightened, for the color of her face had changed. One of the men at
-once said to her: “Do not fear us; we do not come on an evil errand,
-and you may know this to be true because we have not our
-scalping-knives, bows and arrows, or battle-axes, and we have no paint
-on our faces. So do not be afraid. We have come on a good errand; do
-not fear us.” All at once the woman spoke, saying: “Oh, children;
-verily, they will not kill us.” At this the children came forth from
-their hiding places, and the mother, too, regained her composure. The
-spokesman of the two visitors said, “Are you and your children here
-alone?” The woman replied, “No; our old man has gone yonder into the
-valley where in fact we dwell; he will soon return.” Then the man said:
-“So let it be. We will remain here until he returns.” The woman
-answered: “Let it be so.” So when the old man had returned the
-spokesman of the two ambassadors said: “We come as messengers. Let us
-talk together in peace. We are not thinking of evil purposes, and
-these, our peaceful sentiments, are shown by the fact that neither of
-us has a scalping-knife, a bow and arrows, or battle-ax, and is not
-painted on the face. For this reason let there be peace while we talk
-together.” It seemed at first that the old man was angry, but when he
-had heard this statement his mind changed, and he said, “Come, then, do
-you relate the message which you have been sent to bring to us. Come,
-now, tell us.” The man replied: “So be it. We have come to you to
-propose that we at once settle all our differences, because we have
-slaughtered not only ourselves, but also our friends and kinsmen. Let
-us stop this slaughter; and let us bury deep in the earth the
-scalping-knife, the war bow and arrow, and the battle-ax; in the earth
-we will put these weapons; so if you are willing to accept our
-proposals you will put these murderous things outside this world, if
-you are only willing to do so.” The old man replied: “So be it. Let us
-go to the place where usually we assemble in council in the Long-lodge,
-for indeed the chiefs dwell some distance from here. I will tell them
-what you have brought as a message to us. I do not know what answer
-they may give. I think you two should remain here, and I will go yonder
-to the Long-lodge, where are the chiefs of our people. It would not
-succeed well if you two should go there, for usually they are angry
-when they see an enemy. I will prepare myself properly to tell them the
-message which you have been sent to bring to us. Then I shall come for
-you should their reply be favorable to a conference with them. Thus it
-shall be done.” One of the ambassadors answered, “Let it come to pass
-as you have suggested.”
-
-Thereupon the old man started for the Long-lodge to confer with the
-chiefs of his people. When he had reached a point near the village he
-began to cry out: Gōʹweʻ, gōʹweʻ, gōʹweʻ. This is called proclaiming.
-As soon as his cries were heard everybody came forth from their lodges
-and at once went to the Long-lodge to hear what news the crier was
-bringing them. So a large assemblage crowded the Long-lodge. Then the
-old man, who was still crying out the cries of warning, entered the
-Long-lodge, whereupon they set him down on one side. One of the chiefs
-arose and said: “Now, you must relate the important news which you
-bring to us, so tell us. That is all.” Arising, the old man said: “I
-will tell you of a very important matter which has come to pass. I saw
-two men who were in the lodge when I returned to my home. I was
-astonished, but one of these men at once arose and said: ‘We assure you
-that we are not intending anything evil, and this is proved by the fact
-that we have no scalping-knife, no war bow and arrows, and no
-battle-ax, and we have not our faces painted. We have been sent by our
-chiefs to learn whether we can not settle all our difficulties. We have
-been killing ourselves and shedding each other’s blood; so let us stop
-doing this, and let us bury deep in the earth the scalping-knife, the
-war bow and arrows, and the battle-ax; let us lay these very deep in
-the ground. You must put these things outside the world. Thus it shall
-be done, provided that you will agree to this proposition. So this is
-the number of words which has been sent you by us.’ I am now through
-with what I have to say. So, there.” In reply, the chiefs of the
-village said to the old man: “Perhaps you would better fetch the two
-men here and let them come into this place. You alone go back after
-them. You must hasten your steps as you go, and you must bring them at
-once with you.” The old man, replying, “So let it be,” at once went out
-of the lodge and started on a run toward his temporary lodge, where the
-two men were awaiting his return. On entering, he said to them: “I have
-come after you.” Arising at once, they started for the place where the
-council was being held, and having reached there, they entered the
-Long-lodge. One of the ambassadors was in a frenzy of fear, seeming to
-fear they would be killed, for before entering he kept saying to his
-friend: “Have courage, my friend; one of us will certainly escape.”
-When they entered the Long-lodge they made room for the two messengers,
-or ambassadors, to sit. One of the chiefs of the village, arising,
-said: “Is it true that you have been sent to come into our country? Are
-the things true which our friend has told us in full? That is what you
-two must tell us, for we do not know whether what he told us a short
-time ago is the truth or not.”
-
-Then the spokesman of the two ambassadors, arising to his full height,
-said: “We two will now tell you that we were commissioned on a very
-important errand by our chiefs. We come to you to propose that your
-people and our people shall settle all the troubles which have caused
-them to shed each other’s blood. What your chief has told you is an
-important matter. I am through.”
-
-Then one of the chiefs of the village, arising, said: “Lo! now do you
-talk, everyone who has something to say, you who are the chiefs of this
-village, whether we shall agree to settle our difficulties with the
-people who have sent these two men to us, and to bury deep in the
-ground the scalping-knife, the war bow and arrow, and the battle-ax.
-Come, now, let each one say which side of the proposal he takes,
-whether we shall make peace, or whether we shall reject these overtures
-for peace. There are only two opinions that can be given; when one
-speaks he must tell which is his opinion. So I am done.”
-
-Then another chief arose to speak, saying: “I am next in order to speak
-my sentiments. I am unwilling to consent to settle our difficulties
-with the people represented by these two messengers, because the many
-stains which have come from the blood of my own kinsmen, shed by these
-two men who are sitting here, are scarcely dried. In my heart there are
-constant passions arising which prompt me to take vengeance for this
-cruel slaughter of my own kinsmen; and I am tempted to scalp these two
-enemies who sit here in our presence.”
-
-Then another chief, leaping to his feet, said to the one who was
-speaking: “Do you stop at once. Do not say that again; you must stop
-that kind of talk. I will say but a few words for my part. You two who
-are sitting here must listen and must hear all that I have to say in my
-own behalf and in that of my people. I think that we all realize that
-what we are about to do is a very important affair. One person alone
-has made us of one flesh and of one form, and of a reddish color. Now,
-too, you shall hear me declare that I agree to accept your proposal for
-an adjustment of all difficulties between your people and ours. We must
-bury deep in the ground all those things with which we fight; and you
-must put them out of the world; and this statement you must make when
-you two return to your own homes.” The chief accepted this proposition,
-saying: “So now we will meet in joint council at the river, which is
-just halfway from here to our own country; we will meet there on one
-side of the river, and there you may prepare your camps. You must all
-go—children, women, and men—all must be present there. On the opposite
-side of the river we will make our camps. After the tenth night from
-now we must all be in camp there, and I shall bring all the
-people—children, women, and the warriors. So there; thus it shall come
-to pass. Then we shall lie down to rest and in the morning you and I
-will talk together, as thou art a chief and as I, too, am a chief. So
-you shall stand on the other side of the river, and I shall stand on
-this side of the river. Then it shall be that you will tell me how you
-and I may adjust our differences; and you shall accomplish this within
-the time of 10 days. After 10 nights you will have arrived on your side
-of the river, and I, too, shall have arrived on my side of the river.
-So there is what I have to say. Come, now, make your preparations, and
-when you have completed them we shall start to go to the river.”
-
-In the meantime the two ambassadors had returned to their home and had
-made their report, and their chiefs had given the people instructions
-to prepare themselves to go to meet their former enemies at the river
-that bounded their lands. On both sides the people and the chiefs kept
-tally of the days that passed; the next day was one; the next, two; the
-next day, three, and so on. On the eighth day the chief on each side
-said: “Come now, let us start.” Thereupon they left their homes for the
-place of meeting; none remained behind. They traveled a long distance
-before they stopped for the night. In the morning they started again
-and arrived at the river bank at a seasonable hour. The chief of the
-opposite party said, too: “Come now, let us depart for the river bank
-where we are to meet in council.” All started, not one remaining at
-home. They, too, traveled a long distance before camping for the night,
-and in the morning early they, too, continued their journey and in good
-time arrived at the river bank, at the place of meeting. There was
-assembled a large body of people.
-
-Then one of the chiefs, standing beside the river, said: “Behold! now
-tell me what your thought is as to how you and I may be able to adjust
-our troubles in peace. Tell me this. So there is what I have to say.”
-
-Then the chief on the opposite side of the river, standing near the
-brink, said: “Now has come to pass what I think that He who alone has
-made our lives, desires, but where He abides I do not know, for our
-lives are alike, our forms are alike, and the color of our skin is the
-same, for we are reddish in color. We have blundered. We have only
-killed one another, and we have only shed one another’s blood. So let
-us stop this evil work, and let it not come to pass again; and let us
-bury the scalping-knife, the war bow and arrows, and the battle-ax; let
-all these be left deep in the ground; and thereby we shall put these
-out of the world. So this is my opinion. Let us be at peace in the
-future; let us be at peace in our minds; and let the minds of our
-people be at peace, those of our children, our women, and our warriors.
-Such is my opinion, and I who speak it am a chief. So this is enough.
-Now it is for you to speak, you who are a chief. I do not know whether
-what I have said is pleasing to you. This will I do. I have finished.”
-
-There was a great sound—dauñ—made by the assembled tribes, for there
-were very many people. Then the chief on the opposite side of the
-river, standing on the shore, said: “Now, you who are a chief have
-ended your address, and I agree to all that you have said; hence you
-and I will adjust all our troubles and difficulties so that they may
-never return. Now, too, you and I will bury deep in the ground the
-scalping-knife, the war bow and arrows, and the battle-ax; all these
-things we will place in the earth, so that none of them shall come
-forth again, and there they shall disappear from the earth. Thus let it
-come to pass. So, there.”
-
-Then, on the opposite side of the river, the other chief who had
-proposed this conference, arising, said: “I am, indeed, thankful that
-my desires have been fulfilled in this peaceful agreement. I do give
-you many thanks for your part in this matter, and so now you and I will
-bury in the ground all those things with which you and I have been
-accustomed to kill each other, in such manner that they shall never
-again come forth. We will put them out of the world, so that so long as
-the earth stands such things shall not again take place. So, there.”
-
-Then the chief on the other side of the river, arising in his place,
-said: “I am thankful for the accomplishment of this great compact of
-peace, and I congratulate you as well, you who are also a chief. So now
-we shall prepare it; and it shall be very broad. You and I must set to
-work so that we may make this good thing for our people; and this shall
-be a level (peaceful and fruitful) country; and thereon we must, one
-and all, take one another by the arm (hand)—all women, children, and
-men; and by this means each one will bear testimony to the fact that
-truly, indeed, we have made peace and have settled harmoniously all our
-difficulties; and when we shall have taken one another by the arm then
-we must dance to express our joy and good will and hope for the
-continuance of this peace during time to come.”
-
-Then all who were able to do something were set to work, and they
-prepared a symbolical field of peace [460] whereon they and theirs
-might enjoy life and might promote their welfare in such manner as
-seemed to satisfy their desires. When they had completed the task they
-cried to those across the river who had accepted the propositions of
-peace: “Come now! Do you come across the river and let us enjoy
-ourselves together.” Willingly obeying, the people soon crossed the
-stream, and they soon were standing on the prepared field of peace,
-whereon they ranged themselves in long files preparatory to taking part
-in the dances. Then the leaders grasped each other’s arms, saying,
-“Now, let us all take hold of one another’s arms, and then let us
-dance,” and then they continued, “We must now dance all night long.”
-Then they danced. Thereupon the singer began to sing: Häʼ ʹäʼ hoiāʹneʻ,
-häʼʹäʼ hoiāʹneʻ; wăʹʻhu, wăʹʻhu, wăʹʻhu, hãʼʹäʼ hoiãʹneʻ. (The only
-word in this line which has a clear meaning is the second, which is the
-title of the highest order of federal chiefs.—Ed.)
-
-When daylight had come, one of the chiefs made an address of
-thanksgiving. He said: “I am very thankful that day has dawned in peace
-on this assembly here present. So now we give our thanksgiving to Him
-whose place of residence we still do not know but who has made our
-lives. So now you and I have finished this work, which puts an end to
-any bitter feeling between us that might in the future lead some one to
-scalp another. So now we will separate again. So now we, for our part,
-will start for our homes, and you, too, will return to your homes.”
-
-So it came to pass that the two peoples arrived safe at their homes,
-whence they had come forth to make peace with their enemies, and this
-peace has lasted unto this day.
-
-So this came to pass in this way. And this is the end of the legend.
-
-
-
-
-
-133. THE STORY OF THE WHITE PIGEON, THE CHIEF OF THE PIGEONS
-
-It is said that among wild pigeons the white ones are the chiefs of
-their communities. According to tradition, a white pigeon once flew
-into the forest lodge of a noted old man, the Wild Cat. The visitor did
-not appear ill at ease but stood in the lodge wherever it seemed good
-to him, and then without remark he flew away.
-
-The old man, Wild Cat, somewhat amazed by the quiet conduct of his
-visitor, related the incident to his neighbors, saying that this visit
-portended that something out of the ordinary was about to happen. But
-an entire year passed and nothing unusual had happened to old Wild Cat
-and his fellows and neighbors.
-
-But at about the same season the next year the same White Pigeon again
-visited the old man’s lodge. At this visit the old man believed that
-the White Pigeon was a man (i.e., one of his own kind of beings), so he
-conversed with him on many subjects. During this visit White Pigeon
-informed the old man, Wild Cat, that all the various tribes of birds
-had held a council at which it had been decided that the wild pigeons
-should furnish a tribute to mankind, because their Maker had selected
-the wild pigeons for this important duty as most other birds had only
-very little to give up because their mode of life required them to live
-dispersed here and there, and so what they had to offer could be
-obtained only with difficulty, while the others had nothing to offer
-toward the support of mankind.
-
-So, the pigeons being the only tribe of birds which built their nests
-and reared their young in a single community, it was resolved by the
-various tribes of birds that the pigeons should spare some of their
-young to men for food. White Pigeon continued by saying that he had
-come purposely to notify old man Wild Cat of this momentous decision,
-and to tell him the young pigeons were to be taken at the proper
-season, and the manner in which this must be done.
-
-He said: “In the season of the roost, when the young pigeons have
-attained a suitable size for eating, the people should select a
-suitable person as superintendent or master of the hunt, and he should
-give the needful directions to the people for making their preparations
-for the hunt before starting for the hunting grounds in which the
-pigeons have their roost in the forest.”
-
-On such a hunting expedition the entire community was engaged, and so
-it was not unusual to have a very large multitude of people moving
-along a common path at this time. But to secure order and obedience
-certain rules for the march must be observed by all. Of these, one was
-that when the party halted to rest, to eat, or to camp for the night,
-the leader would place a rod, suitably painted, across the path, and no
-one was permitted to pass over it or to go around it for the purpose of
-continuing the journey regardless of the rest of the party. It was held
-that should one break this injunction some misfortune would inevitably
-befall the party. When the party was ready to proceed the leader would
-take up the rod and then the journey would be resumed.
-
-Upon nearing the roosting place of the pigeons it was customary to make
-a collection of gifts from the people, consisting of various articles
-of ornament and trinkets of all kinds, for an offering to the pigeons.
-These freely given gifts were placed in a bark bowl and this was borne
-solemnly into the forest to some swampy place where tall weeds were
-plentiful, and these gifts were spread out on a piece of elm bark while
-native tobacco was burned and an invocation to the offering was made to
-the pigeons and their Maker.
-
-Tradition reports that for the first hunting expedition the people as a
-whole did not observe the rules of the master of the hunt, which he had
-learned from the White Pigeon. So some went around the painted rod
-placed across the path when the party halted for any purpose; others
-withheld presents from the offering, and many accidents happened to
-them; some broke their legs, others their arms, some fell sick, and
-some died. A great number of misfortunes befell the expedition.
-
-After the expedition had returned to the home lands this fact aroused
-much discussion. So the old man, Wild Cat, questioned his people as to
-their conduct, and they informed him. He declared that they had brought
-these ills upon themselves and urged them to observe strictly the rule
-which the White Pigeon had given them for their guidance if they wished
-to avoid these misfortunes. So the following season the people went out
-to the hunt, but they carefully observed the rules laid down for their
-guidance and all went well, and so every spring for 20 years they
-continued to go out on these expeditions without any marked untoward
-events taking place.
-
-But toward the end of this period many factions had arisen among the
-people. The young people asked, What is the need for these things?
-Pigeons may be killed at any time of the year. They are fit for food at
-all seasons of the year. What can pigeons do with these offerings of
-ornaments and trinkets which they are not able to wear or make any use
-of? Another faction of the people killed the pigeons wherever and
-whenever they found them, killing both the young and the old pigeons.
-Another faction boasted that its members had no faith in what was done,
-and so they had no desire to engage in pigeon hunting, even refusing to
-eat any of the pigeon meat when it was offered to them. But it was not
-long before misfortune began to assail these seditious factions. The
-members of the faction which had refused to eat any of the pigeon meat
-died off one by one. Before the visit of the White Pigeon they never
-died, they seemed to be immortal; but now disease and death abounded
-among them because they had failed to obey the regulations prescribed
-by the White Pigeon for their guidance.
-
-These conditions continued for some time, becoming more and more
-distressful as time elapsed. Then, for the third time, the White Pigeon
-visited the old man, being just 20 years after the second visit. The
-old man did not know that he was talking to the chief of the pigeons,
-for he appeared to him in all respects as a man.
-
-The White Pigeon informed the old man that thereafter as long as the
-world should last men and women would die because they had disobeyed
-the rules proclaimed by the Pigeon people. And, further, that in the
-future people must not kill any white pigeon, and that they must
-observe the rules for the hunting of pigeons, and that this was his
-last visit to him. And immediately he flew away.
-
-The conditions among the people did not change for the better; the
-several factions still existed, and there seemed to be no common
-purpose in the community; some of the factions observed the rules for
-hunting, some only in part, while still others paid no attention to
-them, even mocking those who did. Some years passed when a stranger
-came among this people and finding his way to the lodge of the old man
-he said to him, “You must accompany me.” Without any question the old
-man followed him, for he regarded him as a man like himself.
-
-They traveled for a number of days until finally they came to the place
-in which lived the tribe of the stranger, which was a place situated on
-the top of very lofty mountains. The stranger’s friends received the
-old man with every mark of respect and kindness. This people were the
-Donyonda (i.e., Eagle people), although to the old man they appeared to
-him as men like himself.
-
-There were among the old man’s people persons without faith in the
-teachings of the old man which he reported he had learned from the
-White Pigeon. And there came a day when a man of the Crow tribe of
-people told one of these disbelievers that the old man, their chief,
-was at that time living among the Donyonda, or Eagle people, and
-offered to conduct him to the land of the Donyonda people. The
-disbeliever accepted the proposal of the Crow man and so they set out
-together. The Crow man and his companion finally reached the land of
-the Donyonda people on the top of a very lofty mountain.
-
-The old chief recognized the man from his home, but he would have
-nothing at all to do with him either by word or act. He even went so
-far as to say to his adopted friends, “This man has come here for no
-good purpose; the working of his mind is very different from that of
-ours.” Consequently, the chief man of the Donyonda people ordered one
-of their warriors to take this man away and to throw him onto the moon.
-So on the following day the warrior placed the man on his back and bore
-him swiftly away; and when he reached the side of the moon he cast the
-man onto the moon’s side and left him there, and he remains there to
-this day.
-
-But old Chief Wild Cat lived with the Donyonda people for a number of
-years. As time passed, however, the mind of the old chief became
-affected and he became morose and despondent, which resulted in his
-becoming obnoxious to the people of his adoption. Things went from bad
-to worse, and so finally the Donyonda people held a council, where it
-was stated that because the old chief could or would not think the
-things which harmonized with their thoughts they would send him to a
-tribe of people who agree with no one, not even with their own people,
-and who were hostile to all other tribes of people. So they chose one
-of their principal men to take the old chief the next day to the brink
-of the mountain and to roll him down the mountain.
-
-This was done, and the old chief rolled swiftly down the mountain side.
-He went down so swiftly that he screeched with fear; but finally he
-reached the foot of the mountain and the level ground. Upon reaching
-the foot of the mountain he was transformed into the bodily form of a
-wolf and also found that he was in a swamp in which the Wolf tribe
-dwelt. They welcomed him in a most friendly manner. So he lived here
-among the Wolf people for some time.
-
-But the old man had not lived here long before trouble arose between
-him and the Wolf people. The lapse of time only emphasized the
-disagreements and the hostility of the Wolf people against the old man.
-Finally the Wolf people began to be very angry with the Wild Cat for
-his provocative acts, and then it was not long before the Wolf tribe
-fell upon the old man, Wild Cat, and tore him in pieces and devoured
-him. They left his bones gnawed clean on the ground.
-
-At the time that the Eagle man visited the old man, Wild Cat, the old
-man had a grandson who was a mere boy—a child. But at the time the old
-man was devoured by the Wolf people the grandson of old Wild Cat had
-grown up to be a young man. And he still remembered his grandfather,
-Wild Cat, and at times he would wonder where his grandfather had gone
-and what had become of him.
-
-So there came a day when the grandson said, “I will now travel to see
-what has become of my grandfather. I will seek for him in the lands
-toward the sunrise.” So, after making suitable preparations, he started
-on his quest for his grandfather.
-
-He journeyed eastward for many days, when finally he met a man who
-questioned him, asking, “Where are you going? Where are you from?” The
-grandson replied, “I am traveling in search of my grandfather.” After
-this conversation each went on his way. The grandson continued his
-journey for some time when he met the second man, who asked, “Where are
-you going? Where are you from?” The grandson replied, “I am traveling
-in search of my grandfather.” Then the man said, “I have seen your
-grandfather living among the Eagle people.” The grandson continued his
-journey eastward until he finally came to the dwelling place of the
-Eagle people on the mountain. Here he was informed that his grandfather
-had been expelled from these people, and that he had been rolled down
-the mountain to the Wolf tribe. “What am I to do?” asked the grandson.
-“You had better go home,” said the old chief of the Eagle people, “for
-if you do not return home you shall lose your mind and the mind of your
-people; you shall become something else, someone else.” Then the
-grandson asked, “Can you change me now so that I may go to the place
-where my grandfather is?” They replied, “Yes; we can change you so that
-you can go thither with perfect safety.”
-
-The grandson having given his consent to this proposition, he was soon
-changed into a panther and then rolled down the mountain into Wolf
-swamp, where many Wolf people lived. The presence of the panther
-aroused the bitter hostility of the Wolf people, who attacked him
-savagely in an attempt to kill him. But owing to his great strength
-they were unable to accomplish their purpose.
-
-So he traveled from place to place in the Wolf country, where he was
-regarded as an open enemy, although he was engaged only in looking for
-his grandfather. There came a day when he found his bones, and placing
-together the bones under a large hickory tree he pushed against the
-tree, shouting “Arise, oh, grandfather. The tree is about to fall on
-you.” His grandfather heard his warning and at once sprang up. He
-recognized his grandson.
-
-But the grandfather would not agree with his grandson as to how to
-live, where to go, or what to do. So, after much bitter fighting, they
-finally separated. The grandfather went in search of his own people and
-the grandson in quest of his.
-
-When the grandfather met the acquaintances of his early life he was no
-more able to agree with them than he was before he left them; so, after
-much strife and fighting, the people finally became so enraged at him
-that they fell on him and for the second time he was killed and eaten
-up, and his bones were left bleaching on the ground where they had
-devoured him.
-
-The grandson journeyed from place to place for a long time, and he
-encountered many difficulties and disappointments in his quest for
-people of his own tribe.
-
-But one day he was pursued by a hunter with three dogs. When the dogs
-came within reach the grandson killed them one by one before the hunter
-could come to their assistance, and thus he escaped from death at the
-hands of the hunter.
-
-So, passing beyond this place, he met one day a woman of his own tribe.
-He addressed her pleasantly and she replied in the same mood. This
-woman finally agreed to marry the grandson. As the years passed they
-became possessed of a large family, consisting of several boys and
-girls. It was not many years before these children were large enough to
-look out for themselves. In the meanwhile the father and mother
-quarreled bitterly, then these boys and girls quarreled among
-themselves, and lastly with their parents. The result of this condition
-of affairs was that the family dispersed, each one going off alone.
-
-Again, the grandson was left alone, having no friends or family of his
-own. He was left completely to his own resources for providing the
-means of his living and for protecting himself from his enemies. He
-traveled many dreary days in solitude. But there came a day when he met
-a woman of the Panther tribe of people, who was cooking some deer meat
-for herself. As the grandson was very hungry he asked this woman to
-share some of the deer meat with him, but she refused absolutely to
-spare him a morsel.
-
-So, hungry as he was, he had to pass on without anything to eat. Some
-time afterwards he was fortunate enough to kill a deer. So, after
-dressing it and preparing it properly and cooking it, he sat down to
-eat. And while he was enjoying his venison the woman who had refused
-him a portion of venison boldly came up and asked him for some of the
-venison. He showed his teeth and growled and snarled so fiercely that
-he finally drove the old woman away.
-
-When he had finished his meal he packed up his belongings and departed.
-He traveled several days from place to place. Suddenly he became aware
-that several hunters with three dogs were pursuing him. So he fled from
-that place until he became wearied and then he climbed a very tall
-tree. There he hoped to escape his pursuers, but the dogs tracked him
-so well that soon the hunters were under the tree. Whereupon one of the
-hunters shot him, mortally wounding him, and he fell to the ground in a
-dying condition. The dying Panther man said to the hunters, “This, your
-act, shall cause bitter hostility between your people and my tribe, and
-many of both tribes will die in consequence.”
-
-As the hunters were bearing the body of the Panther man homeward, a
-Panther man met them and saw the dead body of the Panther man—one of
-his own kindred. At once he returned to his people, telling them what
-he had seen. So with two other Panther men he retraced his steps to
-find the guilty hunters.
-
-The three Panther men were not long in finding the camping place of the
-hunters and they quickly succeeded in killing the dogs and the hunters
-and in devouring them, leaving their bones to bleach on the ground.
-
-The friends and kinsmen of the hunters waited many days for the return
-of the hunters and their dogs, but they waited in vain. So a number of
-them formed a party and went out in search of them. They found their
-bones on the path and also the dead body of the Panther man. In the
-thickets near by they also found other Panther men asleep. These
-discoveries were reported in the village of the dead hunters, and there
-was aroused a bitter feeling against the Panther people; and so all who
-were able to go out to hunt Panther people started out to destroy the
-Panther tribe.
-
-This resulted in a bitter strife between the people of the village and
-the Panther tribe, and many of the bravest on both sides were killed
-without bringing any satisfaction to either side. During this struggle
-the bones of the grandson lay bleaching on the path in the forest. But
-it so happened that one of his sons one day passed along that path, and
-he recognized his father’s bones. So by gathering them together under a
-large hickory tree and setting them in order the son of the Panther man
-brought his father back to life by pushing against the hickory tree and
-shouting, “Father, arise lest the tree topple over on you.”
-
-When the father arose he had the form which he had when he left his
-home in the village in search of his grandfather. This transformation
-frightened the son so much that he fled through the forest away from
-that place, and the grandson made his way home to the village of his
-own people. He entertained his friends and kindred with the recital of
-his adventures.
-
-There came a day when the old Eagle, who had enticed away old man Wild
-Cat, was in a reminiscent mood, and so he wondered what had become of
-the old man whom he had left among the Wolf tribe. So he finally
-resolved to pay a visit to the country of the Wolf people. He left his
-home and traveled along toward the Wolf country. At last he was greatly
-surprised to find scattered around the bones of the old man, his
-friend. So he decided to aid his old friend by bringing him to life
-again. He therefore collected together the bones lying about and placed
-them in order under a great elm tree, and when he had gathered all the
-bones he stepped up to the elm tree and suddenly exclaimed, “Be quick,
-friend, arise, lest the tree fall on you.” At once the old man, Wild
-Cat, leaped up in his original shape and condition in form and mind, a
-man. So, after the usual greetings, the old Eagle chief led his friend
-home to his own people, whence he had taken him so long ago. Having
-arrived there, old man Wild Cat found his grandson, and to him he
-related all his adventures while away from his people. He declared, “We
-must highly esteem the Pigeon tribe of people.” (Then I left there.)
-
-
-
-
-
-134. THE WEEPING OF THE CORN, AND BEAN, AND SQUASH PEOPLE
-
-There was in the olden time a village of the Iroquois which was
-situated in a very fertile and beautiful country. They raised corn and
-beans and squashes, and for many years they were contented and
-prosperous. But there came a time when their crops began to fail
-them—the corncobs were bare of grains, the bean pods were empty, and
-the squashes would wither away before the time to harvest them. The
-people went hungry, for they had no food from their fields and game was
-very scarce.
-
-One day a very old woman, who was Matron and Chief of her clan, was
-walking near her planted field, meditating on the misfortune of her
-people. As she walked she heard bitter weeping out in the field, and
-she at once decided that some one must be in deep distress. So, walking
-into the planted field, she was surprised to find that it was the corn
-that was weeping; and the beans were weeping too; and the squashes were
-weeping also. The old woman had great compassion for the corn and the
-beans and the squashes for their weeping. She stopped beside a hill of
-corn and asked, “Oh, you dear Corn, why do you weep? Tell me the
-reason.” The Corn between sobs said, “You place us in the ground to
-grow, but you do not perform your further duties to us. You do not
-cover us with sufficient earth as you know you should; and you do not
-hill up the earth about our feet so that we can stand firm; and you
-fail to dig up the earth sufficiently around us to give us water; so it
-is that many of us have remained only a few hours or a day or two and
-then have gone home; only a small number of us remain and now we are
-all dying because of your neglect. You even permit our enemies to
-strangle us to death.”
-
-As the old Matron listened to this pitiful story she was bitterly
-grieved. She then went to the Bean people and to the Squash people, and
-from both she heard the same painful story of neglect by her people.
-She was deeply moved, and so she went to her lodge and wept along the
-path homeward. Having seated herself on her couch in her lodge, she
-kept on weeping. Her people having heard her sobbing were much puzzled
-by it, and they being moved by sympathy also began to weep with their
-Matron. Soon many persons had assembled at her lodge, and they all were
-mourning with the old woman.
-
-Finally, the chief of the clan came to the lodge and addressing the
-people he told them to cease their weeping and to be of good cheer; and
-that he would ask their Matron what had caused her to return from the
-planted field with such grief. So the people ceased their weeping, and
-then the chief, addressing their Matron, who was still sobbing
-bitterly, asked, “Mother, what caused you to weep while you were in the
-planted field?” After somewhat composing herself she replied to this
-question by saying that she had heard bitter wailings in the planted
-fields and that on going there to learn the cause the Corn people, and
-the Bean people, and the Squash people had complained to her that she
-and her people had not properly cared for them by not covering them
-with sufficient earth to enable them to live and by permitting their
-enemies to grow up around them so that they had no more ground on which
-to stand. Then the Matron ceased talking, but kept on weeping.
-
-Upon hearing this statement the people assured the chief that this was
-the first information they had received as to the reason why their
-Matron had been grieving so bitterly.
-
-Thereupon the chief called a council of his clan and laid before it the
-remarkable statement of their Matron. The council upon hearing this
-recital resolved that in the future whoever planted either corn or
-beans or squashes must cover the grain with sufficient earth to give it
-sustenance, and must care for the growing plants by properly hilling
-them and by digging around them to loosen the earth to make it mellow,
-and lastly, by destroying their enemies (the weeds) who grew about them
-so luxuriantly.
-
-So, in the following spring, when planting time returned, they were
-again admonished as to the proper methods of planting the corn, the
-beans, and the squashes. The people all agreed that they would follow
-the advice of the council in this matter because of the statement of
-their Matron as to the real cause of their withered crops.
-
-So, in accordance with this resolution, the next springtime they did
-place the seed corn and beans and squashes sufficiently deep in the
-ground to give these grains sufficient covering of earth to grow well.
-The old chief stood by the planters while they were seeding their
-fields to see that the work was properly done. Later, when the tender
-sprouts of corn and beans and squashes had reached such height that
-they required more earth to support them, the people were called
-together and urged to hill up their growing crops and to destroy
-thoroughly the enemies (weeds) of these useful plants. These plants
-were growing luxuriantly and were strong, but toward harvest time
-something came and destroyed these growing crops. A certain nation of
-people came and carried away the corn and the beans, leaving only some
-squash shells. Again the people mourned their loss, confessing that
-they must have been guilty of some other form of negligence.
-
-So the following spring they again took great pains in their planting
-and in their care for their crops; but just as soon as the green corn
-was becoming fine and fit to eat a certain nation of people began to
-steal the corn and beans and squashes. The people suspected what people
-had come and carried away their corn and beans and squashes.
-
-So the chief of the people called a council to discuss the situation
-and to suggest means to meet it. It was finally resolved that several
-stout and alert warriors should be set to watch the planted fields to
-see who might come to steal the ripening crops. These watchmen went
-into the fields in the evening. Toward the dawn of day they discovered
-a number of persons who were tearing off the ears of corn and the bean
-pods, and also others who were stealing the squashes. These thieves
-they captured and held as prisoners. These prisoners were taken in the
-morning to the council lodge before the clan chief.
-
-The chief, after looking the prisoners over, remarked that these
-thieves were their enemies because they had stolen their corn and beans
-and squashes. Then he asked one of the corn thieves, “Where do you
-live?” “A long way hence in the forest,” came the reply. “Are there
-many of your people?” continued the chief. “We are a large nation,”
-came the answer. In like manner he questioned the squash thief and the
-bean thieves, and these made replies similar to those made by the corn
-thieves.
-
-They bound the corn thieves and daily they took them out of the lodge
-and all the chiefs and the people came to see them, and everyone was
-privileged to strike these thieves a blow with a staff, and the thieves
-would weep bitterly at this treatment. Then they would be taken back
-into the lodge. The bean thieves and the squash thieves were also daily
-punished in this way.
-
-Daily the corn thieves wept loudly. After a long time had elapsed these
-thieves were told that if they would conduct the people to their own
-nation they would be set free. The corn thieves agreed to this
-proposition and the old chief selected a party of his warriors to lead
-the thieves back to their own nation.
-
-The corn thieves led the warriors a long way into the forest. But at
-last they came to a settlement, and the thieves said this is a village
-of our people. The warriors killed many of the people, and then they
-set free the thieves whom they had brought back to their country. The
-people whom the warriors had killed were carried home.
-
-Then some warriors were sent to the squash stealers with an order to
-split their upper lips so that they would not be able to eat squashes
-again.
-
-It is said that the warriors whipped the corn thieves so much during
-their captivity that they wept so much that their faces were striped
-and their backs were striped and their tails were ringed, from the
-blows they received; and these marks have remained to this day. The
-corn thieves were raccoons. The squash thieves were rabbits (hares?),
-and their lips have remained split to this day from this punishment.
-
-Tradition says that the ancestors of the Seneca thought that all trees
-and shrubs and plants were endowed with human life and were divided
-into families, having brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers. And
-that in like manner the Corn, and Beans, and the Squash have human
-lives, and that if one offended them they would grieve and would depart
-and would leave the people without food.
-
-
-
-
-
-135. SʻHAGOWENOTʻHA, THE SPIRIT OF THE TIDES
-
-In the long ago an uncle and his nephew, his sister’s son, dwelt
-together in a lodge. It so happened that the uncle, the elder man, had
-to keep a recumbent position. He had lain so long that the roots of a
-tree standing near their lodge had overgrown his body, so it was quite
-impossible for him to arise.
-
-As time passed he called his nephew to him and said to the youth: “Go
-yonder in the distance to the clearings, where the logs are lying one
-on the top of another, and plant there beans, corn, and squashes. They
-make good eating, I assure you. And if these things should grow under
-your cultivation they will furnish us with something to eat in the
-future.” Thus spoke the old man.
-
-In a short time he continued: “Bring forth from under the couch yonder
-a basket in which there is some seed corn, as it is called.” The youth
-brought the basket and placed it beside the old man. With the seed corn
-were the beans for seed and the squash seed.
-
-Then the old man said to the youth: “Bring me from under the couch
-yonder the small baskets, 10 in number; I need them; for you must make
-a girdle of baskets around your body.” So the nephew brought the
-baskets to his uncle, who with his own hands placed in each of the
-baskets some of the several kinds of seeds, thus dividing the seed
-corn, the beans for seed, and the squash seed. He carefully completed
-his task.
-
-Having done so, he addressed his nephew, saying: “Come, now! go yonder
-to the clearings where the logs are lying one on the top of another,
-and there you must plant these seeds.” The young nephew replied: “So be
-it, my mother’s brother. I will place beside you all the things which
-may be necessary for you while I shall be absent planting the seeds.”
-So the nephew placed beside his uncle a bark dish containing hominy, a
-fire poker and a knife, and a cake of boiled corn bread. Then he said
-to his uncle: “I am now going to plant the seeds.”
-
-Having arrived at the clearings he set to work preparing the ground for
-planting the seeds which he had brought. He had been at work a
-considerable time and had already planted a number of hills when he
-heard the voice of his uncle singing. The words of the song were: “Now,
-now, now I believe that I have arisen, now indeed.” At this the
-youthful nephew ran back swiftly to the lodge to prevent his uncle from
-arising. Having arrived there the young man seized his uncle and
-repressed his desire to arise, asking him, “What has come to pass that
-you began to sing?” The uncle replied: “I became thirsty, and so I
-began to sing.” The young man brought his uncle water to drink, and
-after the latter had quenched his thirst the youthful nephew said to
-him: “You must now lie quiet, as I ask you to do.” The uncle answered:
-“Return again to the clearings to plant the seeds. As there are no more
-left in the lodge you must pick up those which you dropped from your
-baskets.” He referred to the 10 small baskets in which he had himself
-placed the various kinds of seeds.
-
-So as soon as the young man had gathered up all the seeds which he had
-spilled along the path as he had hastened toward the lodge he again
-began to plant them in hills. Again, as he had nearly finished seeding,
-he heard the voice of his uncle singing: “Now, now, now I believe that
-I have arisen, now indeed.”
-
-The nephew at once started on the run for the old lodge, but when he
-had gone only half the way he heard a loud report, băʹʻ! caused by the
-breaking of the roots which had been holding his uncle down. When he
-arrived at the lodge he found that his uncle was not there. This
-grieved him greatly, for he felt that he would become very wretched and
-poor without the aid and advice of his uncle. So he began to weep and
-mourn for his uncle, but at last he ceased to do so. He then entered
-the lodge to think upon his situation, and finally came out to see
-whether he could not learn whither his uncle had gone by noting the
-tracks he had left on the ground. For this purpose he went carefully
-around the lodge, examining the ground as he went. At last he found his
-uncle’s tracks, which showed the direction he had taken, for they had
-made very deep impressions in the ground as he fled in haste. From the
-tracks he learned that his uncle had taken a course directly westward.
-The young nephew then said: “So be it. I suppose it is for me to go to
-the place whither my uncle has gone. I will follow the tracks of my
-uncle, my mother’s brother.”
-
-Thereupon the young nephew, having gotten his bow and arrows, at once
-started on a run on the trail of his uncle. He kept the trail in the
-forests for three days, when he reached the shore of a lake, and there
-indeed the trail ended so far as the nephew could see; so he stopped
-there and stood looking around; thus he stood for some time.
-
-At last he was somewhat startled at seeing not far away a canoe,[461]
-which was being paddled toward him quite swiftly, and which contained
-what appeared to him to be a man. The canoe stopped at some distance
-from the spot where the young nephew was standing. He saw that a number
-of wild geese supplied the propelling power for the canoe, six wild
-geese being attached to one side of the canoe and six to the other
-side. Then he overheard the man who was in the canoe address the geese
-with these words: “My servants, you may now go forth to seek something
-to eat.” The wild geese at once obeyed and flew upward, making the
-sound stūmʻ.
-
-The young nephew stood there silent for some time. Then the man in the
-canoe said to him: “Come hither.” The youth, replying, “So let it be,”
-went to the place where lay the canoe, in which stood the strange man.
-The stranger, addressing the youth, said: “I am thankful that you are
-well. Is it not true that Okteondon is your uncle? He is my uncle also.
-I am thankful, too, that you and I, who are brothers, have seen each
-other at this time. It so happens that you and I resemble each other
-and are of the same stature. It would be still more convincing if we
-should put this to proof by trial. As I have been saying, our bows and
-arrows are alike and are of the same length. Let us test my statement
-by a trial.” Thereupon the man took his bow and arrows out of the
-canoe. Held up together, they were found to be of the same kind of wood
-and of the same shape; their arrows were of the same kind of wood and
-of the same length.
-
-Then the stranger said, “Come; let us see. We have the same speed, I
-believe.” He continued: “Let us now string our bows, as I am now
-stringing mine; let us stand here side by side.” While the two stood
-side by side again the stranger spoke, saying: “This we do in order
-that there may be a race between us and our arrows. Let us shoot our
-arrows, and as soon as we let fly our arrows then you and I must start
-to run.” Then they let fly their arrows, at the same time starting to
-run swiftly. They ran evenly, keeping well together. All that could be
-heard was the sounds made by the passage through the air of small
-stones picked up by their swiftly moving feet, for they were running at
-a rapid pace. Looking upward, the youth saw two arrows flying along
-together. In this trial of their fleetness of foot they caught the
-arrows before they fell to the ground, each one catching his own.
-
-After this test the strange man said to his young companion, “Now, let
-us return to the place whence we started.” So they went back to the
-spot where the canoe lay. Then the strange man repeated what he had
-been saying again and again: “Have I not been saying that you and I are
-indeed brothers? We have the same fleetness of foot; we are of the same
-stature; our bodies are alike in form and condition; our bows are
-exactly alike; our arrows are also alike. These things indicate that
-truly you and I are brothers and that Okteondon is your uncle, as he is
-my uncle. Come, then, let us go hence. We will amuse ourselves. We will
-go to a distant place where I am in the habit of playing.”
-
-The young man replied unsuspectingly: “So let it be.” Whereupon the
-strange man said: “Come, come hither, my slaves, you wild geese. Do you
-come hither at once.” He had hardly ceased speaking when the wild geese
-alighted beside the canoe and attached themselves to it. Then the
-strange man again got aboard of the canoe and invited his friend, the
-young man, to accompany him. When the latter had also boarded the canoe
-his companion said to the wild geese: “Come, now, do you go to the
-place where the island floats in the water.” At this command the geese
-began paddling, thus propelling the canoe very swiftly toward the place
-designated. Then the strange man began to sing: “Now, now, now, it
-seems true, I have started, indeed.” This song he kept singing as the
-canoe sped along toward the island of his promised sports.
-
-They finally arrived at the island, and the two men having landed the
-strange man said to the wild geese: “Come, now, my servants, go now to
-find something for food for yourselves”; thereupon they flew away. He
-continued: “Whenever I say to you ‘Come hither’ you must return here at
-once. But it must be I who shall say this.”
-
-Drawing the canoe up on the shore he said to his young companion: “Now,
-we will go to the place where I am accustomed to amuse myself,” and
-they two started. Having arrived at the spot, the young man saw lying
-there a very large white stone. His companion said: “It is, indeed,
-here that I have my playground; and now you shall see what I will do.”
-
-Then the stranger undressed, making himself entirely naked. Then
-raising the great white rock he cast it into the water, which was very
-deep. Down it went with the sound bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ. The strange
-man next dived into the lake after the rock and remained under water
-for a long time. The youthful nephew of Okteondon was watching
-anxiously what his strange companion was doing. Finally, the youth was
-surprised to see his companion come to the surface of the water bearing
-the great white rock in his arms. When he had got on dry land he set
-the rock down, saying to the young man: “Thus now you, too, must do as
-I have shown you.” The latter replied: “So be it. I will try at once.
-After removing all his raiment and being naked he took up the great
-white rock and going to the edge of the lake he cast it far from shore
-into the depths. Again the rock sank with the sound bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ,
-bubʻ, as in the first instance, and the young man dived after it.
-
-As soon as the young man had plunged into the waters of the lake the
-strange man, taking up not only his own garments but also all those
-belonging to his companion, returned to the point where the canoe had
-been left. Arriving there, he called out: “Come, now, my servants. Come
-you hither,” and shoving the canoe into the water he boarded it. The
-wild geese soon alighted alongside of the canoe and attaching
-themselves to it began to paddle it along. Their master merely said to
-them, “Go directly back to the place whence we started,” and the geese
-obeyed him, causing the canoe to move swiftly thither.
-
-In a short time thereafter the young nephew of Okteondon rose to the
-surface of the water bringing with him, as did the stranger, the large
-white rock, which he cast aside as he came out of the water. He found
-no one around and he saw that his garments were missing, so he ran to
-the place where he remembered the canoe had been beached. When he
-arrived there he found that the canoe, propelled by the swift feet of
-the wild geese, was far out on the lake. As he reached the shore he
-overheard the strange man in the canoe say in a loud voice: “To you who
-feed on flesh and who dwell in the waters of the lake I offer this
-flesh to eat.” These flesh eaters were highly pleased with the idea
-that they would soon have more flesh to eat. By flesh the stranger
-signified the flesh of the young man whom he had entrapped on the
-island. The name of the strange man was Sʻhagowenotʻha.
-
-Then the youthful nephew of Okteondon started away, going from place to
-place in a hopeless effort to find some way of escape. When he found
-that he had been victimized by Sʻhagowenotʻha, he began to cry, and he
-went about crying and saying to himself, “Now I know that I am about to
-die.”
-
-In his wanderings around the island he found, scattered in numerous
-places, many bones of human beings in different degrees of
-decomposition. Among these decaying bones he was surprised to find the
-half-decayed body of a man lying on the ground, and he was still more
-astonished to hear this half-dead man say to him,[462] “My sister’s
-son, Oh, nephew! come to me.” The youth, in his surprise, obeying the
-voice, went to the spot where the man lay stretched out; there he
-stopped and stood waiting the pleasure of the man who had addressed him
-as “my sister’s son.”
-
-Then the man continued to address him, saying, “Oh, my sister’s son,
-you will now become very wretched, for Sʻhagowenotʻha has now shut you
-in on this island. Take new courage and exert yourself, for, though you
-may not know it, you are endowed beyond measure with orenda. You must
-now put it forth by taking courage to overcome these deceptions of
-Sʻhagowenotʻha. Moreover, you must take the following measures for this
-purpose. When the sun is near setting you must run to and fro all over
-the island, from one end to the other. You must cover it with your
-tracks. As soon as it becomes night and darkness is here, then you must
-return to the place where the canoe was beached at the canoe landing of
-Sʻhagowenotʻha. When you have arrived there you must dig a trench in
-the sand sufficiently large to hold your body. In this you must conceal
-yourself by covering yourself with sand, but you must leave a small
-aperture for your mouth. Your enemy, of course, will come to visit you,
-as is well known; he will come at about midnight. Do not under any
-circumstances become impatient and do not fear at all. He will bring
-with him his dogs, and as soon as he lands he will urge them to find
-you by saying, Twūʹăʻ, twūʹăʻ, twūʹăʻ. They will then begin to follow
-your tracks from place to place, smelling and sniffing as they run, and
-ever at their heels will be Sʻhagowenotʻha. Just as soon as you know by
-the faintness of the sounds of these pursuers that they have gone to
-some distant part of the island, you must come forth from your hiding
-place.
-
-You must also make out of rough bark and soft wood three dolls or
-figures resembling the human body. When you have completed these you
-must make for each one a bow and arrows suitable for their size. When
-you have finished this work you must place one of these figures high up
-in some convenient tree crotch, and you must fix in the hands of the
-figure, in the attitude of shooting, the bow and the arrows. This you
-must do with the three figures.
-
-After taking breath, for he was, indeed, very weak, the man who lay
-there a mere pile of bones said: “Yonder in the distance under that
-prostrate old rotten log you will find my skin-pouch of fisher skin,
-which do you bring me at once.” The young man brought the pouch of
-fisher skin to his uncle, who took from it a knife, a flint for
-striking fire, and a piece of punk. The knife he gave to the young man.
-
-At once the young man began to fashion the three dolls which his uncle
-had advised him to make. He made also the three bows with arrows, to be
-held by these dolls or counterfeit men, which he had been counseled to
-fix in the crotches of trees to deceive the great man-eater
-Sʻhagowenotʻha, when he should come looking for the young man to devour
-him.
-
-When the youth had completed this task he began to run over the island
-in such manner as to mislead the enemy and his dogs. The elder man
-cheered him in his undertaking, saying: “Have courage, my nephew; if
-you will perform my instructions with care you shall live, as I have
-said.” The young man replied: “So shall it be as you have instructed
-me.”
-
-Then, going forth with the three dolls, he selected for each one a
-suitable place in which to secure the doll, choosing invariably a tree
-standing far from the landing place of the enemy. With some difficulty
-he fastened the doll in a fork of the tree in such manner that from the
-ground one might be misled into thinking that a person was hiding in
-the tree.
-
-When it became dark he started for the spot near the landing place
-which he had selected for his own hiding place. Having arrived there he
-began to dig a trench large enough to hold and fully conceal his own
-body, and in time he had quite effectively concealed himself in the
-sand. When night came he lay there quite still, awaiting the return of
-his enemy, Sʻhagowenotʻha. He lay in such a way that his mouth was not
-entirely covered with the sand, so he was able to breathe without much
-difficulty. He thus waited patiently many long hours, knowing from his
-uncle’s counsel that he had to contend with a crafty old cannibal, who
-was a past master in deluding his victims into a false feeling of
-security, the more easily to destroy them at his leisure.
-
-It was some time after midnight when the alert young man heard peculiar
-sounds approaching the island. He was not long in recognizing the
-voices of the wild geese that had propelled the canoe which had left
-him a prisoner on the island. He heard also the then distant yelps of
-impatience of the dogs as they hungrily anticipated a bloody meal when
-they should reach the island. They were eager to pursue their prey, for
-they well knew the habits of their master. Finally the attentive ears
-of the young man heard the sounds which told him of the landing of his
-pursuers; and it was not long before he heard Sʻhagowenotʻha saying to
-his dogs: “Go you to find the person of the man. It may be that he lies
-now somewhere a heap of bones.” Then after releasing the dogs the old
-man shouted, “çtuäʻʹ, çtuäʻʹ, çtuäʻʹ” signifying, “Go, go, go ye”
-(usually applied only to dogs, much like the familiar “sick’em” in
-English).
-
-With their keen noses the dogs soon took up the tangled trail of the
-young man, and followed it from place to place over the entire island.
-Sʻhagowenotʻha was overheard by the young man to say to the wild geese:
-“My servants, do you now go to seek for your food,” at which command
-they flew away. Thereupon Sʻhagowenotʻha followed his dogs in the
-direction they had taken. Just then he heard in the distance the
-barking of the dogs, Wau, wau, wau, as they seemed to say. When the old
-man arrived near the place where the dogs were barking, he heard one of
-them burst out, crying, Kwĕñʻ, kwĕñʻ, kwĕñʻ. Having arrived there, he
-found one of the dogs lying dead from the effects of an arrow which had
-fallen down its throat. Sʻhagowenotʻha was grieved to lose one of his
-dogs, which he highly valued, and he exclaimed: “Oh! it is
-discouraging. It would seem that his body is, indeed, in a measure
-possessed of orenda.” In a short time he again heard in the distance
-the barking of his dogs, and he at once started on the run toward the
-place. On drawing near the place he again heard one of the dogs utter
-loud cries, Kwĕñʻ, kwĕñʻ, kwĕñʻ. Once more he found one of his dogs
-lying there, also with an arrow protruding out of its mouth, into which
-it had fallen from the second doll in the tree. Again the old man
-loudly exclaimed, “Oh! discouraging, discouraging, is this. He is, I
-think, somewhat of a sorcerer.” By that time the last dog was heard
-barking in the distance and the old man started on the run for the
-place. As he neared the spot, he heard the last dog crying Kwĕñʻ,
-kwĕñʻ, kwĕñʻ. Thereupon fear came over the old cannibal, who exclaimed:
-“Now I shall flee from this place, for he has now killed them all, my
-dogs. He is indeed a great sorcerer.” At once Sʻhagowenotʻha ran toward
-the canoe landing, which was some distance away.
-
-In the meanwhile the young man, who was on the alert, saw his
-opportunity, and arising from his place of concealment in the sand, he
-went to the shore of the lake. Pushing the canoe into the water, he
-called loudly, “Do you come hither, my servants, you wild geese.” The
-geese with the sound dauñʻʹ all came to the side of the canoe and at
-once attached themselves to it. Then the young man, boarding the canoe,
-said to the wild geese, his servants: “Let us go back to the place
-whence we started, and you start at this time.” Obeying his command,
-the wild geese at once began to paddle and the canoe moved swiftly in
-the water, the paddling of the wild geese sounding sŭʻ, sŭʻ, sŭʻ, sŭʻ.
-
-When Sʻhagowenotʻha reached the shore and found the canoe moving away
-with the young man in it, as its master, he called out to him: “Oh, my
-brother! Turn back hither. I had come back here after you, be it known
-to you.” To this appeal the young man paid no attention, for he had
-been thoroughly informed of the character of his enemy by his uncle. So
-he kept on his way. He tauntingly said, for the benefit of his enemy,
-to the monsters of the deep: “I devote food to all of you who live on
-meat—to you who live in the depths of the lake.” Hearing this, these
-watery monsters rejoiced and were happy, for they desired meat, on
-which they fed. In their glee they uttered the sounds, Hĭst, hĭst,
-hĭst, hĭst, hai, hai, hai. Then Sʻhagowenotʻha again called to the
-young man: “Oh, my brother! have mercy on me; take pity on me and turn
-back. Is it not possible for you to agree to turn back and come to me?
-I am indeed not Sʻhagowenotʻha; I am only a servant to him. He, of
-course, is at his home.”
-
-The young man, however, did not answer this appeal of his great enemy,
-but said to the wild geese which were propelling his canoe: “Go
-directly to the place whence you started.” The young man and his geese
-arrived at the landing place, at their home, just as day was dawning.
-After landing, he said to the wild geese: “My servants, you may now go
-to seek for your food.” Thereupon they flew away with the sound dauñʻʹ.
-He had already said to the geese: “Hurry back as soon as I recall you.”
-Drawing the canoe ashore, he departed. Climbing the steep bank and
-going aside a short distance, he came to a lodge, which he entered.
-Within he found a very young woman. As he entered the lodge, without
-his garments, the woman arose, and going forward, embraced him, saying:
-“You are indeed in a wretched situation here. I am your younger sister,
-for verily your uncle is one who is called Okteondon.” The young man
-answered her: “He is, indeed, my uncle, as you say.” She continued: “He
-is, too, my uncle, this Okteondon is; for this reason you and I are
-brother and sister. Very long ago he stole me from our lodge. Now dress
-yourself again; your garments hang yonder where he hung them when he
-brought them back.” So the young man dressed himself again in his own
-garments. Then his sister said: “Here are your bow and your arrows.”
-The young man took them, for they indeed belonged to him.
-
-Thereupon the young woman said to her brother: “You and I must now
-return home. I will lay down bark in strips, and on these you must step
-to conceal your tracks until you reach the canoe; for you and I shall
-surely die if my husband should meet us before we reach the canoe. They
-carried out faithfully this precautionary device for concealing the
-brother’s footprints. When they reached the shore the brother pushed
-the canoe into the water and then called out to the wild geese: “Come
-hither, my servants.” When they arrived he continued: “You must go
-directly to the place where my racing ground is.” Having said this, the
-brother and sister boarded the canoe, and the wild geese began to
-propel it rapidly through the water, making the sounds sŭʻ, sŭʻ, sŭʻ,
-sŭʻ as they propelled it. Then the young man began to sing his song of
-triumph: “Now, now, now, I am certain that I am on my way homeward.”
-Turning to the wild geese he said: “Have courage [463]; be brave and do
-your duty, my servants.”
-
-After going some distance it seemed to the two that the canoe kept the
-same position, although the wild geese were paddling with great vigor,
-making the sounds sŭʻ, sŭʻ, sŭʻ, sŭʻ. Turning her head, the young woman
-saw a fishhook attached to the end of the canoe, and she saw also that
-her husband, who sat on the opposite shore, was steadily pulling on the
-line, causing the canoe to move backward toward him. Taking up a stone
-hatchet from the bottom of the canoe she struck the hook a blow which
-broke it. At this the canoe again shot forward very swiftly, and they
-went a long distance, while the young man kept saying: “Have courage,
-my servants. Exert yourselves to the best of your power.”
-
-But in a very short time thereafter they again noticed that the canoe
-was seemingly going backward, although the wild geese were still
-paddling with all their might. Turning her head and looking back across
-the lake the sister saw her husband lying prone on the shore, rapidly
-drinking up the water of the lake, and the canoe was now moving swiftly
-toward him. His mouth was enormous and his belly was likewise of
-incredible capacity. His whole body had swollen to huge proportions,
-owing to the floods of water he was drinking. The canoe and its
-occupants were fast being drawn into his open mouth, although the geese
-were paddling with all their might.
-
-When they drew quite near to the point where Sʻhagowenotʻha was lying
-the young man, stringing his bow, made ready to shoot at the great,
-swollen body lying on the shore, which was indeed stupendous in size.
-When within bowshot the young man, taking good aim, sent an arrow with
-great force into the body, which caused it to give out a loud sound,
-b-uʼʻ! as the waters burst forth through the wound. The outrush of the
-waters sent the canoe flying back toward the shore whither it was
-bound. Then the young man vehemently urged the wild geese to exert
-themselves in paddling the canoe onward, and finally he arrived with
-his sister at the place whither they were bound—at the racing place of
-Sʻhagowenotʻha.
-
-When they arrived there he said: “Now, you wild geese shall be free
-henceforth. Sʻhagowenotʻha has made you his slaves and servants—an act
-which was indeed, as you know, a great wrong. Now you are again free
-and independent. It was not the intention of Sʻhoñgwadiĕñnuʼkdăʼon, our
-Creator, that anyone should be a slave or a servant.[464] As is well
-known, it was his intention that every one and everything among the
-animals and the birds and the fowl should be in all things independent
-and free. He did not will that anyone should hold any being in bondage,
-even among the animal kingdom. Now you must depart hence and go your
-ways. It shall continue to be your custom in advancing across the earth
-to go to and fro in the form of a wedge. Thus you shall be seen by
-those who shall be born hereafter howsoever long the earth may continue
-its existence. This is all. So now depart, and when you go you must
-follow one another.” Thereupon the wild geese started away in freedom.
-
-Then, turning to his sister, the brother said: “Now, let us depart
-hence.” Started on their way, they went along slowly as they two
-traveled homeward. When night overtook them they would encamp; and in
-the morning after breaking their fast they would resume the journey.
-They camped for five nights before they reached their home. They were
-unmolested on their journey by the sorcerers, who commonly infested the
-way on such occasions.
-
-When they had reached their home the young man said to his sister: “Oh,
-my sister! I do not know you, because, perhaps, I was so small when you
-went away. We have now arrived at our home. I know now that Okteondon
-is your and my uncle. When I started away from this place I followed
-the tracks of our uncle until they led me to the lake. I verily believe
-that he was killed by the man with the great mouth. Now you and I must
-love and respect one another, as we are brother and sister. I shall
-greatly respect you, and you yourself must greatly respect me. Now I,
-myself, will go to hunt, and you shall keep the camp.” The brother
-proved himself a great hunter, and they had an abundance of meat for
-food in their camp.
-
-This is the length of the story.
-
-
-
-
-
-136. SʻHAGOWEʹNŌTʻHĂʼ, THE SPIRIT OF THE TIDES
-
-
- Neʼʹ ōʹnĕⁿʻdjiʻ hodiʹnoⁿʻsot neʻʹ yadadīwăʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ ganoⁿʻsăʼoñʹweʻ.
-That (it is) ancient time-very their (an.)-lodge-stands the they-two-uncle (and), nephew the it-lodge, large-(was).
-
- Neʼ ʹgwā diiutʹgon hayăsʹʻnĕⁿʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ, neʼʹ diiuiʹwăʼ
-That-yet (But) always, (ever) he (an.)-lay-supine the he (an.)-ancient-one (was), that it-reason (was)
-
- neʼʹ hoʻ gäʹit gaĕñdăsʹdĕñʼ okdeʹoñdoⁿʼ neʻʹ hayăʼdăʼʹgeʻ, neʼʹ
-there (in that place) it (n.)-tree-stands it (n.)-tree-large-(was) it (n.)-root-had-several the his-(an.)-body-on, that
-
- nāʹeʻ dăʼaʹoñʻ wĕñʹdoⁿʻ āatʹkĕⁿʻ.
-truly-(verily) not it-able (be) ever (sometime) could he arise.
-
-
- Neʼʹhoʻsʻhoñ deʻhniʼʹdyoⁿʼ, oʼyonisʻheʼt. Dyĕñgwăʻsʻhoñ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ neʻʹ
-There-only (alone) two-they (masc.) abode, it-long-time-was. Suddenly-just the he (an.)-ancient one (was) the
-
-haoñwāʹdĕⁿʼ, wooʻtʻhāʹhăs waiʹĕñʼ, “Hoñʹweʻ hoʼʹse heoñʹweʻ
- his-nephew he-him-talked to he it said “Yonder (over there) thither-thou-go there-where
-
- tgayăʼsāʹoñnyoⁿʼ. Neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ ĕⁿʻsyĕñʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ oʻsăeʼʹdăʼ, neʼʹkhoʻ
-there-it-one- tiered-many (logs) has. There truly wilt-thou -it-plant the it (neut.) bean, that-and (that-too)
-
- onĕñʹoⁿʼ, neʻʹ onyoⁿʻʹsăʼ-khoʻ. Okăʼʹoⁿʻ neʹʻhoʻ, gaʹnyoʼ
-it (neut.) corn, the it-squash-and . It savory, delicious (is) indeed (in fact), (if it-rules)
-
- ĕⁿwadoñʹnĭʼ ĕⁿwatchiʻsʻăʼ-khoʻ. Dāʹ neʼʹ ĕⁿʹhnik, neʼʹ
-will it grow (will it-itself make) will it itself ripen and. So (there) that (it is) will thou-I-it eat, that
-
- ĕⁿʻniʻnheʻʹgoʹoñk gaʹnyoʼ gowāʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿʻsyĕñtʹʻhwakuʼ.&rdquo ; Neʼʹ
-will thou-I-it use ever to live if (= if-it rules) much (great amount) thou will it harvest (= unplant).” That (it was)
-
- waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ.
-he-it-said the he-old-one (ancient one).
-
-
- Deʼaonisʻheʼʹoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ, “Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Not-it-long-tim e-(was) now (then) he-it said the he (an.) ancient-one (was), “So (there) now (then)
-
- hoʼseʹgoʻ hoñʹweʻ ganaⁿktāʹgoñ, neʼʹhoʻ gaʹyĕⁿʼ neʻʹ găʼăsʹʻhāʼ, neʼʹhoʻ
-thence do thou-it-fetch (over there) yonder it (n.)-bed-under, there it-lies the it (n.) basket, there
-
- igaāʼʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ ganĕñʹgweⁿʼ gayāʹsoⁿʻ.”
-it is-contained truly the it (n.) seed-grain one-it-has named.”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgowā waāʹgoʼ neʻʹ găʼăʻsäʼ neʼʹhoʹ
-So (there) now (then) the he (an.)-youth (= great child) thence-he-it did fetch the it (n.) basket there
-
- waāʹyĕñʼ heoñʹweʻ hayăsʹʻhĕⁿʼ neʼʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ.
-did he-it lay there-where he (an.) lay supine the he (an.) ancient one (was).
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʹʼ”, neʻʹ găʼăsʻhäʼ
-So (There) now (then) the he (an.) ancient-one (was) he-it-said “Go to, “Come the it (n.) basket
-
- hoʼseʹgoʻ ganaⁿktaʹgoñ niwăʼsʹʼā, wăsʹʻhĕñʻ niʹyoñ. Dĕⁿ
-thence-do-thou-it fetch it (n.) couch-under so it-size-small (is), (it-hand-full) ten so-it-many (are). Wilt
-
- satʹwāʻhāʼ neʻʹ găʼăsʹʻhäʼ. Dewagadoĕñdjoñʹniʻ.”
-thou-self-it-gird with the it (n.) basket. I-it-in-need-of-stand. ”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ naāʹyeʼ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgowā. Oʹnĕⁿʻ haoⁿʻhaⁿʼ neʻʹ
-So (There) thus (there) thus he-it did the he (an.) youth (= great child). Now (then) he (an.) alone, himself the
-
- hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ neʼʹhoʻ găʼăsʻhäʹgoñ heʹ niʹyoñ neʻʹ onĕñʹoⁿʼ. Gagweʹgoⁿʻ
-he (an.) ancient one (is) there it (n.) basket-in thus (where) so many it numbers the it (n.) corn. It-entire (All),
-
-heʹ niʹyoñ waoñʹdäʻ; gagweʹgoⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ naaʹyeʼ neʼʹ wăsʹʻhĕñʻ
-thus so many it numbers did he-it-put in it (n.) entire (is) thus (there) so he-it did that it (n.) handful = ten
-
- niʹyoñʻ neʻʹ găʼăsʹʻhäʼ; oʻsaeʼʹdăʼ-khoʻ neʼʹhoʻ waoñʹdäʻ, gagweʹgoⁿʻ
-so many it numbers the it (n.) basket; it (n.) bean-and there there he-it-put in, it (n.) entire
-
- waadyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ.
-did-he his-task complete.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ, “Hauʹʼʹ, oʹñĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ heoñʹweʻ
-Now (then) he-it-said the he (an.) ancient one (was), “Go to, “Come, now (then) there there-where
-
- tgayăʼsaʹoⁿʼ, neʼʹhoʻ ĕⁿʻcyĕñʹtʻhoʼ gagweʹgoⁿʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ săaʻdĕñʹdĭʻ.”
-there-one-clearings has made, there wilt thou-it plant it (n.) entire (is). So There, now (then) thou (do) start.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼgowā waiʹĕñʼ, “Nyoʻʹ. Neʼʹ gwāʻ noñʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-Now (then) the he (an.) youth (= great child) he-it said, “So be it. That still, yet, too, perhaps there
-
- ĕⁿgegeʹoñʼ heoñweʻ neʼʹ syăsʹʻhĕⁿʼ, heʹ niʹyoñ gĕⁿsʹ
-will (shall) I it pile there-where that thou lying-supine (art), thus so many it numbers customarily
-
- desadoĕñdjoñʹnĭʻ.”
-thou-it-in need of, standest.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼgowā waoʼsaiʹeⁿʻ. Neʻhoʻ waaksaiʹĕñʼ găʹsnĕⁿʼ neʻʹ
-So There now (then) the he (an.) youth (= great child) did he-hasten. There did-he-it-dish lay it (n.) bark the
-
- gakʹsăʼ ononʹdäʼ igāʼʹ, gadjisdoñiăʼsʻhäʻ-khoʻ, gaganʹiăʼsʻhäʼ-khoʻ, oäʻkwăʼ-ʹkhoʻ
-it (n.) dish (bowl), it (n.) hominy it-contained (is), it (n.) fire poker-and, it (n.)-knife-and, it (n.) bread-and
-
- gagaisdĕⁿʹdoⁿʼ.
-it (n.)-corn-hulled-by-boiling.
-
-
- Gaʹnioʼ waadiĕñnuʹʼkdĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Gnoʼʹsĕⁿ, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-As soon as did he-his task complete now then truly he-it said “Oh, uncle, “Oh, mother’s brother, now then
-
-ĕⁿgiĕñtʻʹhwăʻsă& mlapos; heʹoñweʻ tgayăʼʹsaoⁿʼ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waaʻdĕñʹdĭʼ.
-shall I-it-(to) plant go there-where there it-one-clearings has made.” So (then) now (then) did-he (an.) start.
-
-
- Wăʼhāʹioⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ tgayăʼʹsaoⁿʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wooioʼʹdĕⁿʹ. Waaeoʼdōʹgoʼ,
-There he arrived there-where there one-it-made-clearings, now (then) truly did-he-it-work. Did he-it-weeds-remove,
-
- waaeʻdawĕñʹieʼ-khoʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waayĕñʹtʻhoʼ toʻkaʼʹăʻ niʹ
-did he-it-earth-stir up-and. So (then) now (then) truly did he-it-plant numbering few, few so many
-
- ganăʼgĕⁿsʹʻhäge. Dāʹ diĕñgwăsʹʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ daʻhadĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ
-it (n.)-hills-number. So (then) all at once, suddenly now (then) he-it-heard thence he his song-uttered the
-
- honoʹʼsĕⁿʻ. Gaĕñnagoñʹwăʻ hotʻhyuʹwi, hāʹdoⁿʻ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ,
-he-him-uncle. (mother’s brother). (is) It (n.) song-in he-it-tells, he-it-says, repeatedly “Now (then) now (then)
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ giʹ neʻʹ oʼgatʹkĕⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ.”
-now (then) I-it think the did I-myself-raise up, now (then) certainly.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ neʻʹ haksăʼgōʹwa saaʻdĕñʹdĭʼ
-Now (then) certainly, (of course) the he (an.) child-great (is) again-he-departed, (= went home)
-
- waadiănōʹäd. Wăʼdjiʹăʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ saaʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ heʹoñweʻ
-did-he-his-pace-hasten. (While-small) In a short time now (then) again-he-returned the there-where
-
- tʻhodinoⁿʹʻsot. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwa wooyeʹnāʼ neʻʹ
-there-they (an.)-it lodges stands. Now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) did he-him-seize the
-
- honoʼʹsĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ khoʻ, “Ānăʼawĕñʻʹ haknoʼʹsĕⁿʻ?”
-he-him-uncle (= mother’s brother) (is). did he-it say. and “What it happened he-me-uncle (= mother’s brother) (is)?”
-
- Daāiʻwăʼsäʹkoʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʼkhăʼdatʹʻhĕⁿ&t comma; neʼʹ oiʻʹwăʼ
-Thence he-it replied the he-ancient-one (is) did he-it-say, “Did my throat become dry that it (n.) reason (is)
-
- oʼgadĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ.”
-d id I song-utter, sing.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwa waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ hoʼgeʹgoʼ neʻʹ oʻneʹgănos. Hauʼʹ,
-Now (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) did he-it-say, “Now (then) thence I-it (n.) fetch the it (n.) water. Come,
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ sneʹgihă.”
-now (then) thou-it (n.)-liquid drink (do).”
-
-
- Gaʹnioʼ waaʻneʹgihăʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ
-As soon as (= it-it-rules) did he-it-liquid-drink the he-ancient-one (is) now (then) certainly (of course)
-
- saādyăsʹʻhĕñʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwa waiʹĕñʼ, “Gnoʼʹsĕñʻ, hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-again he-self-laid supine. Now (then) the he-child-great (is) did he-it say, “My uncle, “Oh, my uncle, Come now (then)
-
- dĕⁿsadyeʹĕⁿk-sʻhoñ ĕⁿʻsyasʹʻhĕñdăʼk .”
-shall-you quiet-just keep shall you-supine keep-lying.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjiʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Giwāʹdĕⁿʼ, neʼʹhoʻ hoñsāʹseʻ heʹoñweʻ
-Now (then) the he (an.) ancient one (is) did he-it say, “Oh, my nephew, there (where) thither again go thou there where
-
- tgayăʼʹsaoⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ ĕⁿʻsyĕñʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ onĕñʹoⁿʼ. Tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ ganoⁿsgoñʹwăʻ
-there one-it (n.)-clearings-made there truly shalt thou-it-plant the it (n.)-corn. Not (it is) it (n.) lodge-in
-
- deʼsgaʹyĕⁿʼ, gagweʹgoⁿʻ oʼgāʹit waiʻʹ; gagweʹgoⁿʻ
-at all again it-lies (is), it (n.) all (= it-(n.) entire) did-it-spill out certainly; it (n.)-all (= it-(n.) entire)
-
- dĕⁿtcʹhek. Dāʹ djaʹgoⁿʻ diqʹ.”
-shalt thou it-gather up. So (then) do thou (be) brave = hurry up moreover.”
-
-
- Gaʹnioʼ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwa gagweʹgoⁿʻ săasʹʼăʻt
-As soon as (it-it-rules) the he (an.) child-great (is) it (n.)-all (= it (n.) entire) again he-it-finished
-
- saasnoⁿʹkwĕñs neʻʹ oaāʼʹgeʻ oʼgāʹit tchisʻhădăkʹheʼ neʻʹ onĕñʹoⁿʼ. Dāʹ
-again he-it-gathered up the it (n.) path-on did-it-spill out as again he ran (homeward) the it-(n.) corn. So (then)
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ sāāyĕñtʻhoʹʻsăʼ.
-now (then) again again he-it to-plant went.
-
-
-Agwasʹ āʹeʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ tʻhoʹhăʻ hĕñoⁿsʹʼăʻt aāyĕñtʹʻhoʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ
- Very again (once more) now (then) nearly (close by) will he-it complete (finish) would he-it-plant now (then) again
-
- hotʻhoñʹdeʼ daādĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿʻ, hādoⁿʼʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ,
-he-it-hears (= is hearing) thence he-his song uttered the he-him-uncle of (is), he kept saying, “Now (then),
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ giʼʹ oʼgatʹkĕⁿʻ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ.”
-now (then), now (then) I think did I-self-raise (= I arose). Now (then) certainly.” indeed.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwa oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ hăʼdoñsāĕⁿʻʹdāt heʹoñweʻ
-So (Then) now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) now (then) certainly th ence again he ran there (where)
-
- tʻhodinoⁿʻsăgāʹioⁿʻ .
-there their (masc.) lodge old (is) (ancient).
-
-
- Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼhadākʹheʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Suddenly, all at once, now (then) just it-half way, middle-(was) there (where) thither he running went now (then)
-
- waiʻʹ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ wăʼotʹkāeʻ otkāeʼʹnī “băʼʹ,” neʼʹ diioīʹwăʼ
-truly indeed he-it-hears did-it-make a sound, noise it makes sound loud “băʼ&mlpr ime;,” that there it-it caused
-
- oʼdwadektēʹnyăʼk neʼʹ heʹʼoñweʻ hayăsʹʻhĕⁿʼ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ.
-did-it (n.) root break that there (where) he (an.) lay supine the he-him-uncle. (his)
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ nāʹeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñsaāʹyoⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ tʻhodinoⁿʻʹsot tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ
-So (then) that truly now (then) there again he-did arrived there (where) there it-them-lodge stood not
-
- deʼsʻhĕⁿʼʹdyoⁿʼ noōnoʼʹsĕⁿ, oʹnĕⁿʻ deʼsgatgăʼʹhoʻ.
-at all again he abides (at home) the-his-uncle (mother’s brother), now (then) not at all again anywhere.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwa waoʹʻsĕⁿs; oʹnĕⁿʻ wāʹēʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ noñʹ
-Now (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) did it-him-grieve; now (then) did he-it-think now (then) probably
-
- ĕⁿwagidĕñsʹtʻheʼt, awĕñdoñʹnyăʼt-khoʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼwāʹdoⁿʼʼ neʼʹ diioīʹwăʼ neʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-will-it-me to be poor-cause, it-it-lonely has made and now (then) it became that there it-it caused that now (then)
-
- deʼsgatgăʼʹhoʻ noōnoʼʹsĕⁿʻ.
-at all again anywhere the-he-him uncle (mother’s brother).
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waăsʹdāĕñʼ hoʼnigoⁿähetʹgĕⁿʼs-khoʻ oʼyoʹnisʻheʼt. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
-So (then) now (then) of course he (an.) wept i t-him-mind-grieves and it-it-to last caused. So (then) now (there) verily
-
- wāĕñniʹʻhĕⁿʼ heʻʹ hasdāʹʻhăʼ hoʼnigoⁿähetʹgĕⁿʼs-khoʻ ganoⁿsăkdăʹdieʼs. Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did he-it-cease where he was weeping i t-him-mind-grieves-and, it (n.) lodge beside (here and there). Now (then)
-
- hoñsaāʹyoⁿʼ ganoⁿsăʹgoñ waĕñnoⁿdoñʹnyoⁿʼ-khoʻ heʻʹ nionăkdōʹdĕⁿʻ.
-thither again he entered it (n.) lodge-in did he think repeatedly-and where such-his-situati on-kind of (was).
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ doñdāăyăʹgĕⁿʼt wāēʹʼq gatgatʹʻhoʻ kāʹweʻ noñʹ heāwēʹnoñ
-So (there) now (then) thence he came forth did he-it-think let me look whither probably thither he has gone
-
- noōnoʼʹsĕⁿʻ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹĕʻ oʼtʻhādawĕñʹnyeʼ ganoⁿsăkdăʹdyeʼ
-the he-him-uncle (is). Now (then) verily did he-self-move from place to place it (n.)—lodge beside (around)
-
- hokdoñʹdyeʼ adeyĕñnoñʹniʼʹgeʻ, heʹʻheʼ adiʼʹgwă noñʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-he-it-looked-closely along a way careful-in, he-it-thought possibly probably there (where)
-
- hayanāĕñʹnyoⁿʼ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿʻ.
-he-track-appeared-succe ssively the he-him uncle (is).
-
-
- Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ wāaʹgĕⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ heodakhēʹnoñ, neʼʹ neʻʹ
-Suddenly all at once now (then) did-he-it-see there (where) thither he running-has gone, that the
-
- niyoʻcyosʹtoⁿ heʹoñweʻ heodăkhēʹnoñ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waāʹgĕⁿʼ
-such it-it-deep-has gone (his tracks) there (where) thither he running-has gone. So (then) now (then) did he-it-see
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ hegääʻgwĕⁿʼsʹgwā heodăkhēʹnoñ noōnoʼʹsĕⁿʻ.
-now then thither-it (n.) Sunsets towards thither he running-has gone the-he-him-uncle.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwa waiʹĕñʼ, “Niʹyoʻ. Neʼʹ gwāʹ noñʹ neʼʹhoʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Now (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) did-he-it-say, “So be it. That just perhaps there (where) now then
-
- hĕñʹgeʼ nĕñʹ iʼʹăʻ heʹoñweʻ heawēʹnoñ neʻʹ haknoʼʹsĕⁿʻ. Ĕⁿeyanĕñʹauñʼ
-thither will-I go this one I (myself) there (where) thither he-has-gone the he-me-uncle. Will-I-him-track take along
-
-nāʹeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haknoʼʹseⁿʻ.”
-verily now (then) the he-me-uncle (is).”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwa oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼhāʹgoʼ neʻʹ hoʼĕñʹnŏⁿʼ găʼnoⁿʹ-khoʻ,
-So (then) now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) now (then) did-he-it get the his-bow it (n.) arrow-and,
-
- dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wooyanĕñʹauñʼ neʻʹ honoʼʹ sĕⁿʻ; dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-so (then) now (then) did-he-him-track take along the he-him-uncle (mother’s brother); so (then) now (then)
-
- waaʻdĕñʹdĭʼ oʼtʻhĕⁿʻʹdāt, oʹnĕⁿʻ wooyanĕñʹauñʼ. Gaʻhădăgoñʹsʻhoñʼ hădakheʼʹsʻhoñ sĕⁿʹ
-did he depart did he-run, now (then) did-he-him-track take along. It (n.) forest-in-only he running only goes three
-
- năʼōʹdăʼ oʹnēⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ waāʹyoⁿʼ ganyodāʹeʼ, neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ
-so many it-night-passed now (then) there (where) did he arrive it (n.) lake-stood out there (where) indeed
-
- heʻʹhodyāʹnoʼk noonoʼʹsĕⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ wooĕⁿʼʹheʼt oʼtʻhatgăʹdoⁿʻ-khoʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-there-his-trail ended the he-him-uncle, there (where) did he stop di d he look around and. So (then) now (then)
-
- oʼtʻhāʹdăʼt ganyadākʹdăʼ.
-did he stand still it (n.) lake beside.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʻhoʹʻ-sʻhoñʹ hadāʹdieʼs dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ waāʹgĕⁿʼ weʹĕⁿʻ
-So (then) there (where)- just, only he stood in different places suddenly just, all at once did he-it-see far away
-
- dăgagăweʼʹ gaʻhoñʹwăʼ oʻstoäʹdieʼ. Neʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ dosgĕⁿʹhăgwă dyēñgwăʻʹ siʹ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-there it (n.)-paddled it (n.) canoe it (n.) swift went. That now (then) nearby-towards suddenly lo! that the
-
- oñʹgweʻ dăʼnoⁿʻdăkʹheʼ, siʹ niyōʹweʼ neʼʹhoʻ daăʼdīʹheʼt.
-human being hither- he-aboard-was coming, lo! so it distant (is) there (where) there did-he-stop.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwa wāatgatʹʻhoʼ waāʹgĕⁿʼ-khoʻ neʼʹhoʻ gaʻhoñwăkdăʹdieʼ
-Now then the he (an.)-child-great (is) did he look did-he-see-and there (where) it (n.) canoe beside along
-
- neʼʹhoʻ neʻʹ hoñgākʹ wadiyăʼdănīʹyoñt, neʼʹ neʻʹ yēʹiʼ niwäñʹnandī neʻʹ hoñgākʹ
-there (where) the goose (geese) they (f.) gender-body-attached, that the six so they many (n.) number the geese
-
-neʻʹ sgagäʹdi, hōʹgwā yeʹiʼ-khoʻ niwäñʹnandī wadiyăʼdănīʹyoñt.
-the one-it side, other side six-and so they many (n.) number they (f.) gender-body attached.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwa hotʻhoñʹdeʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgweʻ waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
-Now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) he-it-hears the he (an.) human being did-he-it say, “Now (then) indeed
-
- ĕⁿswadekhwiʻsākʹhăʼ agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ .” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hoñgākʹ wăʼdwādīʹdĕⁿʼ, “Stūmʻ”
-will you-self-food-to seek go my-servants-severally.” So then now then the geese did they (n.) fly up, “Stumʻ”
-
- oʼgiʹ.
-it (n.) sounded.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā neʼhoʻʹsʻhoñ īʹyadʻ tʻhīodieĕⁿʻʹsʻhoñ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-Now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) there (where) just he-stood just- he-remained quiet-only. Now (then) the
-
- găʻhoñʹwăgoñ hăʼʹnonʻ waiʹĕⁿʼ: “Gādjiʻʹ, dediadĕⁿʻnondäʼ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-it (n.) canoe-in he (an.)-was in did-he-it say: “Do thou come hither, thou-I-brothers (are).” Now (then) the
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ, nioʻʹ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waaʻʹdĕñdīʼ neʼʹhoʻ
-he (an.) child-great (is) did he-it-say, “Come, so be it.” So (then) now (then) moreover did he-start there where
-
- wāʹeʼ heʹoñweʻ tgăʻhoñwāʹiĕⁿʼ, neʼʹhoʻ itʻhädʹ nōñʹgweʻ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-thither-did-he-go there where there it (n.) canoe was lying, there there-he-was in the he-human being. Now (then) the
-
- hĕñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñ, “Niāʹwĕⁿ, askĕñʹnoⁿʼ tʻhiʹsonʻheʼ. Isʹ waiʻʹ
-he (an.)-human being did he-it-say, “May it happen it (n.)-peaceful (and in health) is so-thou-livest. Thou of course
-
- iānoʼʹsĕⁿʻ neʻʹ Okteʹoñdoⁿʼ. Iʼʹ haeʼʹgwăʻ hāknoʼʹsĕⁿʻ. Dāʹ
-he-the uncle (is) the Okteondon. I also, at the same time he-me-uncle (mother’s brother) (is). so (then)
-
- niāʹwĕⁿʻ diqʹ Iʼʹ dediadĕⁿnoñʹdeʼ oʹnĕnʻ oʼdidiadădēʹgĕⁿʼ.
-may-it-happen moreover we both-thou-I-brothers (are) now (then) did-th ou-I-self-see (see one the other).
-
- Dōʹgĕⁿs-khoʹʻ neʻʹhoʻ dedjidiadieʹĕⁿʻ; neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ sʻhăʼdedinĕñʹies.
-It-true-and (is) as a matter of fact both-thou-I-self-resemble; that-and the equal-both-thou-I -stature-long (is).
-
- Siʹ niʻhāʹăʻ diadenäⁿʼʹgeäd, neʼʹ neʻʹ niwakʼnigoⁿoʼʹdĕñ. Dāʹ neʼʹ naʹeʻ neʻʹ
-Behold, is it not better (let)-thou-I-it-test, that the such-my-mind-kind of (is). So (then) that verily, truly, the
-
- dōʹgĕⁿs neʼʹ neʻʹ tcikāʹtoⁿ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ neʼʹ oñgiăʼäⁿʹnoⁿʼ
-(it is) true, certain that the as-I-it-have-kept-saying that-and the that thy-my-bow(s)
-
- sʻhăʼdeʹioʼdäñ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ neʼʹ oñgiăʼʹnoⁿʼ sʻhăʼdeʹioʼdäñ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
-alike-both-it (n.)-in-form (are) that-and the that thy-my-arrow(s) alike-both-it (n.)-in-form (are) that-and the
-
- sʻhăʼdeʹioñs siʹ niʻhāʹăʻ.”
-equal-both-it (n.)-in length (are) lo, so-is-it-not better.”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nōñʹgweʻ waādăʻʹgoʼ neʻʹ găʻhoñʹwăgoñ neʻʹ wăʼäñʹnoⁿʼ
-So (then) now (then) the-human being (= man) did-he-it-take out the it (n.) canoe-in the it (n.) bow
-
- găʼʹnoⁿʼ-khoʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ oʼtiāäñnoñgäñʹis;
-it (n.) arrow-and. So (then) now (then) moreover did-thou-I-bow(s)-compare (bring together)
-
- sʻhăʼdeʹioʼdäñ găʼʹnoⁿʼ-khoʻ sʻhăʼdeʹioʼdäñ, agwăsʹ
-alike-both-it (n.)-in form (are) it (n.) arrow-and alike-both-it (n.)-in-form (are), very
-
- sʻhăʼgāʹdăʻ găʻsĕñniăʼʹdĭʻ neʻʹ năʼʹot.
-just-one-( they are) (one and the same) one-it-make-used the such kind of thing.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ oiăʼʹdjĭʻ tʻhāweʻʹdĭʻ nōñʹgweʻ waiʹĕⁿʼ “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-So (then) now (then) the elsewhere thence he has come the human-being did-he-it-say “Come, now (then)
-
- diadenäⁿʼʹgeäd iʹwi sʻhăʼdediiănōʹweʼkho&t comma; neʻʹhoʻ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-let thou-I-it-attempt test I it-think equal-both-thy-my-pace swift (is) and as a matter of fact.” So (then) now (then)
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “Dediioⁿgwägäʹdāt; iʼʹkhoʻ dĕⁿgioⁿgwägäʹdāt. Hauʼʹ, gāʹdjĭʻ neʹkhoʻ
-did-he-it-say, “Let thou-I-it-bend; I-and will-I-it-bend-bow. Go to, Come, hither do thou come here
-
- dedīʹdăt, neʼʹ neʻʹ dĕⁿdwĕñʹĕⁿʻdād neʻʹ oñgniʼnoⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ. Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-doth let-thou-I-stand that the will we (pl.) run (a race) the both our arrow-several. Go to, Come, now (then)
-
- ĕnhniʼʹyāk. Ganioʼʹ ĕⁿdidiătʹkăʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕnʻ dĕⁿdiĕⁿʻʹdād oʹnĕⁿʻ.
-will thou-I-it shoot. As soon as will-thou-I-it-l et loose, so now (then) both-will-tho u-I-run now (then).
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wāniʼʹyāk oʹnĕⁿʻ-sʻhoñʹkhoʻ oʼdiĕⁿʻʹdād. Neʼʹ neʻʹ ăgwăsʹ
-Now (then) verily, truly, they two (m.)-it shot now then just-and did they two (m.) run. That the very
-
- sʻhăʼdegadaʹdieʼ; neʼʹ weʹgĕñ neʻʹ otʹkāʻ neʼʹ găʼskwäʼʹsʻhoⁿʼă deiodidĕñʹsʻhoñ
-even-both-it-flew along that ?simply the it (n.)-sounds that it (n.)-stone-several-small they (n.)-flying (are)-just
-
- heʹ niioʻsnōʹweʼ neʻʹ deidăkʹheʼ.
-where so-it-swift is the both they ran along.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgowā heʼʹtkĕⁿʻ waātgātʹʻhoʼ waāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ degiʹdieʼ neʻʹ
-Now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) above upward did he look did he-it-see there two they (n. an.) the
-
- hniʼnoⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼă sʻhăʼdegadāʹdieʼ. Neʼʹhoʻ heʼʹtkĕⁿʻ oʼtʻhinăⁿʼhoñʹniă&mlapo s;k
-b oth-their-arrows-several even-both-i t-flew along. There above on high did-both-they (m.)-it-caught (on the fly)
-
- hniʼnoⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼă ăgwăsʹ sʻhăʼdiāʹwĕⁿʻ.
-b oth-their-arrow-several very al ike-they-two (n.)-happened.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñʼ, woōʹwĭʼ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgowā, “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Now (then) the human being did he-it-say did-he-him-tell the he (an.)-child-great, “Come, now (then)
-
- djidiăʻʹgēt.” Oñsānīʹioⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ tkăʻhoñwāʹiĕⁿʼ.
-let us two turn back.” There-again-both-they returned there where there it (n.)-canoe lies.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ hāʹdoⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ Iʹeʼs: “Dāʹ neʼʹ tchigāʹdoⁿʻ. Iʼʹ
-So (then) now (then) the human being he kept saying there he walked around: “So (then) that while-I-keep-saying. We
-
- nāʹeʻ dediadĕⁿnoñʹdeʼ. Sʻhăʼdediiănōʹweʼ; sʻhăʼdediiăʼdoʼʹd&ebr eve;ⁿʻ-khoʻ;
-verily, truly, both thou-I-brothers-(are). Equ ally both-I-swift of foot (are); alike both-thy-my-body-and shape (is);
-
- sʻhăʼdedinĕñʹies-khoʻ; oñgiăʼäʻnoⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿ ʼ sʻhăʼdeioʼʹdäñ,
-alike both thy-my-height and long (is); thy-my-bow-several alike-both-it (n.)-inform (are),
-
-oñgiăʼnoⁿʼsʻhoⁿʼ-kho&tcomm a; sʻhăʼdeioʼʹdäñ. Dāʹ neʼʹ waiʻʹ gayĕndeʹi neʼʹ
- they-my-arrow-several-and alike-both-it (n.)-in-form (are). So (then) that of course it-it-knows (shows) that
-
- dōʹgĕⁿs Iʼʹ dedyadäⁿnonʹdēʼ. Isʹ yanoʼʹsĕⁿ neʻʹ Oktēoñʹdoⁿʼ, Iʼʹ-khoʻ
-true (it is) we (two) both thou and I brothers (are). Thou he-thy-uncle (is) the Okteondon, I-and
-
- hagnoʼʹsĕⁿ. Dāʹ. Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿdyăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ hōʹgwā
-he-my-uncle (is). So (then). Come, now (then) wi ll-both-thou-I-start (go) aside yonder
-
- hĕⁿdyatgāʹniēʼ. Hoñʹweʻ hĕⁿʻʻneʼ neʼʹhoʻ niʼʹăʻ gatgānieʼʹtʻhăʼ.”
-there will thou-I amuse ourselves. There (where) hence will thou-I-go there I alone I-sel f-amuse-use-(it).”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā deʼāʹdokhăʼ neʻʹ năʼʹot hotʻhiuʹwi
-So (then) now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) not-he-it-comprehends the kind of thing he-it-telling (is)
-
- waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Nioʻʹ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹ noñʹgweʻ waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ gāʹsniʻ
-did-he-it-say, “So be it.” So (then) now (then) that the-human being did-he-it-say, “Come, now (then) hither come ye
-
- hoñʹgāk neneʻʹ agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ ăʻ. Gaʹoʼ nondāʹsueʻ.”
-wild geese the which it-my-slaves severally (are). Hither again-hither-come ye.”
-
-
- Ganioʼʹ waādwĕñnoʼkdĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgāk neʼʹhoʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼdwĕñniʼdyoñʼdăʼt
-As soon as did-he-his-word end now then the wild geese there now (then) did they (n.) alight
-
- gaoñwăⁿkdăʹdie-khoʻ oʼwĕñnäⁿdiăʼdaniioñʹdeⁿ&m lapos;. Oʹnĕⁿ&tcomma ; diqʹ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ
-it (n.)-canoe-side-along-and did-they (n.)-own-body-affix (to it). Now (then) moreover the human being
-
- saādeʼnoⁿʹdā neʻʹ gaoñʹwăkoñ neʼʹhoʻ-khoʻ āʹeʼ waādeʼnoⁿʹdā neʻʹ hăksăʼgōwā. Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-again-he-self-embarked the it (n.)-canoe-in there-and again did-he-self- the he (an.)-child-great (is). Now (then)
-
-neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñʼ woōʹwĭʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgāk, “Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ hoʼʹsweʻ heʹoñweʻ
-the human being did-he-it-say did-he-them-tell the wild geese, “Come, now (then) there hence ye-go there where
-
- tgāwēʹnot.”
-there it (n.) island (is) protrudes.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgāk oʼwadīʹgăweʼ osnōäʹdieʼ neʼʹhoʻ wāʹneʼ heʻʹ
-Now (then) the wild geese did-they-it-paddle it (n.)-swift went along there thither-both they go there
-
- tgāwēʹnot.
-there-it-(n.)-island-protrudes.
-
-
- Dāʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waādĕñnoʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ, hāʹdoⁿk, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ,
-So (then), now (then) moreover did-he-his-song utter the human being, he-it-saying kept, “Now (then), now (then),
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ gīʹ neʻʹ oʼgăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ.” Neʼʹsʻhoñ hodĕñnodăʹdieʼ heʹniioweʼ
-now (then) it seems the did-I-self-start.” That-only he-own-song uttering went along there-so-it-distant (is)
-
- wāniʹioⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ hotʻhiuʹwi hatganiesʹtʻhăʼ.
-there-did-they-two arrive there where he-it-telling-kept he-self-(to) amuse uses.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ hoʼgīʹioⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ, hoʼwăʼdiʻʹheʼt gwăʼʹʻhoʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Now (then) verily, truly, there-did-they (n.) arrive there, there-did-the y (n.)-stop also, too. So (then) now (then)
-
- diqʹ wāyādeʼnoⁿʻdăʻʹgo& mlapos; heʹoñweʻ gawēʹnot. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñʼ,
-moreover did-they-two-disembark there where it (n.) island-projects. Now (then) the human being did-he-it-say,
-
-“Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻho& supn;ʼ, hoñʹgāk, swadekhwiʻʹsākhăʻ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ
-“Come, now (then) my-slave (-s = several) wild geese, you-self-f ood-seek-go.” Now (then) moreover
-
- oʼwĕñnādeʼʹgoʼ oʼtgoñdīdĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waiʹĕñʼ, “Gănioʼʹ ĕⁿgiʼʹ,
-did-they (n.)-flee (disperse) did they (n.) fly. So (then) now (then) moreover did-he-it-say, “Whenever will-I-it-say,
-
-‘Gāʹoʼ nondāʹsweʻ, Iʼʹ nāʹeʻ neʼʹ ĕⁿgiʼʹ,” neʹkhoʻ ĕⁿdjiswāʹyoⁿʼ.”
-‘Hither hither-again-(do) ye come, I verily (truly) that will-I-it-say,” there with you (pl.) arrive.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waādyĕñʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ gaoñʹwăʼ neʼʹhoʻ gāniādākʹdăʼ wōoʹeⁿʼʹheʼt. Dāʹ
-So (then) now (then) moreover did-he-it-draw the it (n.)-canoe there it (n.) lake-beside did-it-it-stop. So (then)
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʼʹhoʻ hēʹdneʻ heʹoñweʻ
-now (then) the human being did-he-it-say, “Now (then) moreover there thither-thou-I-go (let) there where
-
-gătgāʹnieʼtʻhăʼ.&rdquo ; Oʹnĕⁿʻ waāyăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ.
-I-self-(to)-amuse-use.” Now (then) did-the y-two-depart.
-
-
- Dăʼaonisʻheʼʹoñʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ wānīʹioⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʻʹ hăksăʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ
-Not-it (n.)-lasted long now (then) there (there)-did-they-two-arrive. So then the he (an.)-child great (is) there
-
- waāʹgĕⁿʼ naⁿʹdăʻ noñʹ nīʹwăʼ neʻʹ kăʼʹskwāʼ ganĕñyăgäⁿʹĕnt neʼʹhoʻ igāʹyĕⁿʼ.
-did-he-it-see this (so) perhaps so-it (n.)-large (is) the it (n.) stone it (n.)-stone-white (is) there it (n.) lay.
-
- Dāʹ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñʼ neʼʹhoʻ, “Nīʹgĕⁿʼ neʹkhoʻ gătgānieʼtʻhăʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ
-So (then) the human being did-he-it-say there, “But (so it is) here I-self-it-to-a muse-use. Now (then) moreover
-
- deⁿsegāʹneʼk heʻʹ nĕⁿgyeʹäʼ hăʼdjigwăsʹ.”
-both-will-thy-eye(s)-on (it) be how (there) so-will-I-it-do shortly.”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ waāgăʼʹtchĭʼ neʻʹ hoʻcioñʹni, waādeʼnostoñʹnĭʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-So (then) now (then) truly verily did-he (an.)-it-undo there he-self-dressed-(has), did he-self-naked make. Now (then)
-
- gwăʼʹhoʻ oʼʹtʻhăk neʻʹ găʼʹskwāʼ neʼneʻʹ ganĕñyăgäⁿʹĕnt neʼʹhoʻ waoʹdĭʼ
-next in order did he-it-take up the it (n.) stone that which it (n.) stone-white-(is) there thither-he-it-cast
-
- oneʹgăʼgeʻ gwăʼʹhoʻ, ăgwăsʹ onō‵des, “bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ, oʼʹgĕⁿʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ-khoʻ
-it (n.) water-on next in order very it (n.) depth-long (is), “bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ, did-it-it-say. Now-(then) and
-
-neʼʹhoʻ waādyăʼdoʼʹyāk waāʻʹdōʼ oʼyoʹnĭsʻheʼt.
- there did-he-his-own- body cast did-he-self- did-it (n.)-last long time.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʻʹ howăⁿwăⁿʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ Oktēʹoñdoⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ deagāneʼʹsʻhoñ, heʻʹniōdiēʹĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-So (then) the he-his -nephew the Okteondon there both his eyes on it (is)-severally su ch so it-it-has-done the
-
- oñʹgweʻ. Dāʹ dyĕñʹgwăʻ siʹ saaʻʹdōgoʼ neʻʹ deyāʹdī neʹkhoʻ
-human being. So (then) suddenly lo! again-he-self-dis-immer ses the both they together (are) here
-
- niōyeōñʹdieʼ neʻʹ găʼʹskwāʼ. Ganioʼʹsʻhoñ saādeʼskōʹgoʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ hōʹgwā
-so-he-it-has-done coming back the it (n.)-stone. As-soon-as-just again-he now (then) aside yonder
-
- waōʹdĭʼ neʻʹ găʼʹskwāʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Neʼʹhoʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ nīsʹ
-there-he-it-threw the it (n.)-stone. Now (then) the human being did-he-it-say, “There now (then) the-thou
-
- neʼʹhoʻ nĕⁿʹcyeʼ.”
-thus (there) so-wilt-thou-it-do.”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ nyoʻʹ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-So (then) now (then) moreover the he (an.)-child great (is) did-he-it-say, “Come, so let it be. Now (then)
-
-ĕⁿgadeʼnyĕñʹdĕⁿʼ.& rdquo; Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waāgăʼʹtchĭʼ neʻʹ hoʻcyoñʹnī, ăgwasʹ
-will-I-self-it-attempt.” Now (then) verily, truly, did-he-it-undo the he-it-self-dressed-has very
-
- waādeʼnostoñʹnĭʼ, oʼtʻhăk-ʹkhoʻ neʻʹ găʼʹskwāʼ neʻʹ ganĕñyăgäⁿʹĕnt neʼʹhoʻ weʹĕⁿʻ
-did-he-self-naked make, did-he-it take up -and the it (n.) stone the it (n.) stone-white (is) there far
-
- oʻnegăʼʹgeʻ waōʹdĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻʹ dĭqʹ neʼʹhoʻ-khoʻ haeʼʹgwă waaʻʹdōʼ, waādyăʼdoʼʹyak
-it (n.)-water-on did-he-it-throw, now (then) moreover there -and too also, did-he-dive, did-he-own-body-lance d
-
- oʻnegăʼʹgeʻ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ găʼʹskwāʼ “bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ,” soʼʹgĕⁿʼ.
-it (n.) water-on. Now (then) moreover the it (n.) stone “bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ, bubʻ,” again-it-it-did say.
-
-
- Gānyoʼʹsʻhoñ waaʻʹdōʼ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ
-As-soon-as-just did-he-self-immerse (dive) the he (an.)-child-great (is) now then verily, truly. the
-
- hoñʹgwe, oʼʹtʻhăk neʻʹ hocyoñnyasʹʻhäʼ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā hōʹwĕⁿʻ,
-he (an.) human being did-he-it-take up the his-raiment the he (an.) child great (is) he-it-owns,
-
- waʻʹhāʼ neʻʹ gagwēʹgoⁿ. Neʼʹhoʻ-khoʻ aʹeʼ hoñsaʹeʼ heʹoñweʻ
-did-he-it take away the it (n.) entire (all). There-and again thither-again-he-goes there where
-
- tkăʻhoñwāʹyĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼhāʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ haeʼʹgwă wăäⁿʹnoⁿk
-there-it (n.) canoe-lies. So (then) now (then) there did-he (an.)-arrive now (then) also did he-it-call
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ gaʹoʼ nondāʹsweʻ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did-he-it-say, “Come, now (then) my-slave(s)-severally hither again hither-do-you-come.” So (then) now (then)
-
-oʼtʻhăʻdjaʹĕⁿʼ neʻʹ găhoñʹwăʼ oʻhnegăʼʹgeʻ wăʻʹhoʼ waadeʼnoⁿʻʹdä-khoʻ.
-d id-he-it-push the it (n.) canoe it (n.) water-on there-he-it (n.)-put in-to (liquid) did-he-self-put-i nto (it)-and.
-
- “Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waiʹĕñʼ “Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ hoñsaswadōʹgĕⁿnt heʹoñweʻ
-“Now (then) moreover did-he-it-say “Now (then) there thither-again-(do)-you-go there where
-
- diyoñgwăʻdĕñʹdyoñ, neʻʹ agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ hoñʹgāk.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼwadīʹgăweʼ
-thence-we (incl.) started-have, the my-slave(s)-severally that the wild geese.” So (then) now (then) did-they-paddle
-
-neʻʹ hoñgāk oʻsnoʹädieʼ.
-the wild geese it (n.) swift-went along.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ-khoʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā neʼneʻʹ Oktēʹoñdoⁿʼ howäⁿwăⁿʹdĕⁿʼ saaʻʹdōʹgoʼ
-So (then) that-and the he (an.) child great (is) that-the Okteondon his nephew again he-self came up
-
- hāaʹwĭʼ neʻʹ găʼʹskwāʼ neʼʹneʻʹ ganĕñyăgäⁿʹĕnt-gowānĕ&su pn; hōʹgwā-khoʻ waōʹdĭʼ
-he-it-carried the it (n.) stone that-the it (n.)-stone-white-(rock) large aside-yonder-and did-he-it-throw
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ-khoʻ saādeʼsgōʹgoʼ.
-now (then) and again-he-self.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ deōtkăʻtoñʹnioⁿʼ deʼgătgăʼʹhoʻ neʻʹ oñʻgweʻ neʼʹ ʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
-Now (then) verily both he-his-eyes-casts around successively not-anywhere-a t-all the human being that and the
-
- deʼgătgăʼʹhoʻ neʻʹ hoʻcioñniăsʹʻhäʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʼʹhoʻ waādākʹheʼ
-not anywhere at all the his-raiment (his garments). So (then) now (then) moreover there thither-he-running-goes
-
- heʼoñweʻ neʼʹ hēʹeʼ tgăhoñwāʹyĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ waāʹyoⁿʼ waātgātʹʻhoʼ
-there where that he-it-thought there-it (n.)-canoe-lies. So (there) now (then) there did-he-arrive did-he-look
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ weʹĕⁿʻ waodigaweāʹdieʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgāk neʻʹ găhoñwăʼ neʼʹhoʻ
-now (then) verily, truly, far away thither-they-it-paddling-go-along the wild geese the it (n.) canoe there
-
- hăʼnoⁿʻdākʹheʼ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ.
-he (an.)-aboard-goes the human being.
-
-
- Ganioʼʹ ganyadākʹtăʼ waāʹyoⁿʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā oʹnĕⁿʻ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ dăāsʹnieʼt
-As soon as it (n.)-lake-beside there he arrived the he (an.)-child-great (is) now (then) he-it-hears thence-he-it-spoke
-
-neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ, neʼneʻʹ Sʻhagowenōtʻhăʼ hayāʹsoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼgwāʹnonʻ
-the human being, that-the Sagowenota he-called (is) did-he-it-say, “Now (then) did I-you-it-give (as food)
-
- henīʹdjoñ neʻʹ oʼʹwāʼ īʹswas, neʼneʻʹ ganyodäʹgoñ swanăñʹgeʼ. Hiheʻʹ.”
-there so you many number the it (n.)-meat you-it-eat habitually, that-the it (n.) lake-in you-dwell. Hiheʻʹ (excl.).”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ oʼʹwāʼ wäñʹneks wăʼōnoʼesʹʻhăʼ neʼʹneʻʹ
-So (then) now (then) moreover the human being it (n.)-meat they (g.)-eat-it-habitually did they rejoice that-the
-
- oñʹgweʻ oʼʹwāʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿʹwak. (Neʼʹ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ hĕñʹdoⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā
-human being it (n.)-meat now (then) will you eat. That the human being he-it-means the he (an.) child great (is)
-
-neʼʹhoʻ ĕⁿʻhăʼwĕñʹdă&mla pos;t heʹoñweʻ woōwenōʹdĕⁿʼ.)
- there will he (an.) perish there where did-he-him en-island.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hauñwăⁿʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ Oktēʹoñdoⁿʼ waaʻdĕñʹdĭʼ
-So (then) that moreover now then the his (an.)-nephew the Okteondon did-he-start
-
- oʼtʻhadawĕñʹnieʼ-khoʻ. Wāasdāʹĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ. Hăsdāeʹneʼs neʼʹhoʻ īʹeʼs,
-did-h e-self-stir-from place to place and. Did-he-lament (weep) now (then) He-weeping goes about there he goes about,
-
-neʻʹ diioīʹwăʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ deʼōʹnoⁿʻdoⁿʼ wĕñʹdoⁿʻ ĕⁿsʻhăʼʹnyăgĕ&su pn;ʼt
-the thus-it (n.)-(matter (is)-reason-is) that the not-he-it-kn ows when will-again-he-escape (get out of hand)
-
- heʻʹ woōwēʹnodĕⁿʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ, wāʹeʼ nāʹeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ noñʹ niʼʹ oʼgiʹʻheʼ.
-where-in did-he-him-island cause to be the Sagowenota, did-he-it-think verily now (then) perhaps I did-I-die.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ heʹoñweʻ deodawĕñʹnie neʼʹhoʻ waāʹgĕⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ
-So (then) that moreover there where he-self-stirs-from place to place there did-he-it-see there where
-
- tʻhăʼdihesʹtʻhăʼ ganĕñyageoñdăʹdieʼ hoʼdwagāyoⁿsdāʹneʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-ther e-he-self-it-(to) stop-uses it (n.)-bone(s)-piled-along every-it-(n.) old (age)-stands to. So (then) there
-
- waāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ hayăsʹʻhĕⁿʼ ʼăʻʹsoⁿ honʹheʼ neʼʹ sĕⁿʹʼĕⁿ hayăʼdiʼgeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did he-it-see the human being he (an.)-supine-lies still he-alive (is) that in fact, indeed his body-on now (then)
-
- ōtʹgĕⁿʻ. Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ woiʻwăneäʹgoʼ neʼʹneʻʹ
-it-rotten (is). Suddenly-just (all at once-just) now (then) did-him (it)-matter-skin-to-shake-canoe that-the
-
- hĕñʹgweʻ wooʻtʻhāʹhăs waiʹĕñ,
-he (an.) human being (is) did-he-him-talked to did-he-it-say,
-
-
-“Hiʹwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, gāʹdji neʹkhoʻ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ wāʹeʼ,
-“M y nephew, hither-do-thou come here.” Now (then) of course the he (an.)-child-great (is) there did-he-go,
-
-neʼʹhoʻ wăkʹʼăʻ oʼtʻhāʹdăʼt heʹoñweʻ hāyăsʹʻhĕⁿʼ neʻʹ hotʹʻhāʼ hēʼʹ
- there nearby did-he-stop-(stan ding) there where he (an.)-supine lies the he (an.)-talking (is) he-it-desired
-
- dĕⁿoiʻwăsʹnieʼ neʼneʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿʻ.
-will-he-his-mat ter-attend to that-the he-his-uncle (is).
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hĕñʹgweʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Hiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿsĕñdĕⁿsʹtʻheʼt.
-Now (then) the he (an.)-human being (is) did-he-it-say, “My nephew, now (then) will, shall-thee-it-poor-to-be-cause.
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nĕñʹ isʹ wāyāwenōʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagoweʹnotʻhăʼ. Dāʹ djiaʹgoⁿ diqʹ.
-Now (then) this one thou did he-thee-island place on the Sagowenota. So (then) (do) thou be-brave moreover.
-
- Heyogoⁿʹsot neʻʹhoʻ sādyăʼ­datʹkoⁿʼ. Dāʹ djiāʹgoⁿ diqʹ. Dāʹ
-There-it (n.)-over-tops verily thy-own-bo dy-potent-magically (is). So then (do)-thou-be-brave moreover. So (then)
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ nĕñʹdă nĕⁿʹsyeʼ dĕⁿseĕñnogĕñʹnĭʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagoweʹnotʻhăʼ. Nĕñʹdă
-now then moreover this (thing) so-wilt-thou-it-do shalt- thou-him-orenda-overmatch the Sagowenota. This (thing)
-
-nāʹeʻ nĕⁿʹsyeʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿsāyoʼʹdĕⁿʻ.
-indeed so-wilt-thou-it-do the now (then) wilt- thou-it-work.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hegääʻgwāʼʹăʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻ
-So (then) that moreover the now (then) there it (n.)-sun-sets low (= is setting small) now (then) of course
-
- ĕⁿstăkheʻʹsoñʼ henigāʹwenăʼ. Agwasʹ ĕⁿsadyanāʹhoʼ
-shalt-throw-run ning-go-repeatedly thus-so-it (n.)-island large (is). Very wilt-thou-self-it-track- put-on
-
- gagweʹgoⁿ henigāʹwenăʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ. Ganyoʼʹ ĕⁿyoʼʹgäʻ, dāʹ
-it (n.)-entire (is) thus-so-it (n.)-is-large (is). So (then) that moreover. As soon as will-it-it-darken, so (then)
-
- oʹnĕʻ neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿtcʹheʼ heʹoñweʻ tʻhatʻoñwayĕñdăʹkwăʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagoweʹnotʻhăʼ.
-now (then) there there-again-shalt-thou-go there-where there-he-it-his-canoe-to stop-uses the Sagowenota.
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿʹcyoⁿʼ dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ ĕⁿsnoⁿʼʹgwăt oʼneʻsăʹgoñ
-Now (then) there there-wilt-thou-arrive so (then) now (then) there shalt-thou-it-dig-u p it (n.)-sand-in
-
- hăʼdegayeʹiʼ nĕⁿsoⁿʼʹheʼt neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿsadyasʹʻhĕñʼ,
-just-both-it (n.)-fitting so-shalt-thou-it-la rge-to be-cause there there-wilt-th ou-self-supine lay,
-
- oʻstoñʹsʻhoñ tĕⁿwâⁿʼʹhäk neʻʹ seʻsăʹgain. Dĕntʻhyăkdoñʹneʼ neʻʹhoʻ
-it (n.)-little-just (is) will it-project the thy-mouth. Hence-will-he-thee -to-visit-come verily
-
- hăʼdewăsoñtʹʻhĕⁿ. Sĕñʹnoⁿʻ ĕⁿsaʹnoʻ­toñʼk neʼʹ neʻʹhoʻ
-just- it (n.) night-middle (is). Do-thou-it do-not wilt-thou-fear-(be afraid) that verily
-
- dĕⁿtʻhawiʹnoñdieʼ neʻʹ otcīʹyäʼsʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʹkhoʻ waiʻʹ
-will-hither-both-he -it (z.)-bring-severally the the now (then) here of course
-
- ĕⁿsʻhāʹyoⁿʼ. Dāʹ gāʹnyoʼ ĕⁿoñʼdīʹheʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿʹĕñʼ,
-will-again-he -return. So (then) as soon as will-they (z.) stop (land) now (then), so (then) now (then) will-he-it-say,
-
-“Hauʼʹ hesesniʹyăʼdiʻsăkhăʻ. Twūʹăʻ, twūʹăʻ, twūʹăʻ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ naʹeʻ oʹdoⁿʻ.
-“Come there-his-you-two-body-to-seek-do go. Twūʹăʻ, twūʹăʻ, twūʹăʻ.&rdquo ; Now verily it sounds.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ ĕⁿsayanĕñʹauⁿʼ hăʼdeʹyoñ sădyāʹ­nāĕñʹnioⁿ&mla pos;,
-Now (then) the dog(s) will-thy-(they) track take up just as many as thou-self-it-track put-on-hast,
-
- ĕⁿwĕñnĕñniʼyoʻswā&eb reve;ñʹnioñʼ, dĕⁿwĕñnäⁿʻʹdatʻʹh oñʼ neʼʹhoʻ oʻnoⁿʼgĕⁿʼʹsʻho&su pn;ʼăʻ
-will-they (n.)-it-scent-successively, will-they (n.)-run-severally to and fro there behind, just in the rear, just
-
- ĕⁿādăkheʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ.
-will-he-running-go the Sagowenota.
-
-
- Gāʹnioʼ agwasʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿʻʹseʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wēʹĕⁿʻ hēʼsʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Just as soon as very now (then) wilt-thou-it-think now (then) verily far, far away, he-goes-to and fro now (then)
-
- ĕⁿʻsatgoʻhĕñʹkwă&mlapos ;, oʹnĕⁿʻ heʻʹ tgahoñwāʹiĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿʻʹsēʼ.
-wilt thou-self-head-uncover, now (then) where there-it (n.)-canoe-lies there thither.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ēⁿʻseʻcioñʹnĭʼ hāʹeʼgwă neʻʹ gayăʼʹdăʼ neʼneʻʹ
-So (then) now (then) wilt-thou -it-make also (again-just) the it (n.)-body that-the
-
- gayăʼdoñʹni năʹⁿʼot neʼneʻʹ hăʼdĕⁿsgyadyēʹĕñk neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ
-it (n.)-body-made (is) (doll) (figure) such-kind-of-thing that-the just-b oth-it-shall-again-alike-be the human being
-
- heniyeyăʼdoʼʹdĕñ, sĕⁿʻʹ nĕⁿʹyoñk, owāʹdjisdăʼ oʻheʻʹsăʼ khoʻʹ neʻʹ
-such-as-one (an.)-body-kind of, shape of, three so many will-it-number it (n.)-rough-bark it (n.)-rotten log and the
-
- năⁿʼʹot ĕⁿʻsoñʹnyăʼt. Gāʹnioʼ ĕⁿʻsadyĕñnoʼkdĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ
-such-kind of thing wilt thou-it-to-make-use. As soon as w ilt-thou-it-task-complete there usually
-
- hăʼ-deyoʼhoñweoʹgĕñ dĕⁿāʹdăʼt neʻʹ gayăʼʹdăʼ găʼʹnoⁿʼ wăʼĕñʹnoⁿʼ-khoʻ gĕⁿsʹ
-just where two-it-it-branch (is) divided will-he-stand the it (n.)-body, (figure) it (n.)-arrow it (n.)-bow-and usually
-
- ĕⁿaāʹwăʼk neʼʹhoʻ nĕⁿyoʼʹdĕñʹoñk ayĕñʼʹ ĕⁿʻhăʼāʹgwă&mlapo s;. Gagweʹgoⁿʻ
-will-he-it-hold, have in-hand there so will-it-appear would-one-it-think will-he-it-shoot. It (n.)-entire (all)
-
- neʼʹhoʻ nĕⁿʹcyeʼ.”
-there (thus) so-wilt-thou-it-do.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ waiʹĕñʼ, daasʹnyeʼt, “Ganōʹoⁿʼ naʹeʻ.
-Now (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) there did-he-it-say, back-he-it-spoke, “It (n.)-hopeless verily.
-
-Dăʼgwaisʹdĕⁿʼ dăʼāʹgyĕⁿʼ neʼneʻʹ agadyeʹäʼdŭk.” Deʼaoñnisʻheʼʹoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-Not anything not-I-it-have that-the should-I-self-it-employ-with .” Not-it-long-time was now (then) the
-
-hăʼnĕñyadĕⁿʻdāʼ&ml prime;sʻhoñ daasʻnyeʼt, odäⁿäⁿtʹ he-niodonʻhoⁿgāʹnyĕñ, waiʹĕñʼ,
-he (an.)-bone-lying flat just thence-he-it-answered, it (n.)-pitiful (is) where-so-he-suff ering (is), did-he-it-say,
-
- “Heʹoñweʻ huiʹgĕñ găʻswĕⁿʼʹdaiyĕⁿ&ml apos; neʼʹhoʻ sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ gāʹyĕⁿʼ neʻʹ agoñʹgesʻhäʼ, skayanănēʹgēⁿʼ
-“There where that-it-is it (n.)-rotten lies log there indeed, it-lies the my-skin-pouch, fisher
-
- năⁿʼʹot, goʼʹgeʻ hoʼsēʹgoʻ.”
-the-kind-of-thing in-haste thence-thou-it-bring.&rdq uo;
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā wăaʹgoʼ neʻʹ hoñgesʹʻhäʼ neʼneʻʹ skayanănēʹgĕⁿʼ
-So (then) now (then) the he (an.) child-great (is) thence-he-it-brought the his-skin-pouch that-the fisher
-
- năⁿʼʹot. Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ waāʹdăʻgoʼ neʻʹ gagănyăʼsʻhäʼ, khoʻʹ neʻʹ
-the-kind-of-thing. Now (then) moreover the he-his-uncle (is) there did-he it-take out the it (n.)-knife, and the
-
-otʻhäʹʼ­gwĕⁿʼdă&mla pos; yeniĕñkaoʼkʹtʻhăʼ khoʻʹ neʻʹ onäʻʹsăʼ. Daoñwaiʹyĕⁿʼ neʻʹ
- it (n.)-flint one-it-to- make-uses a-spark and the it (n.)-spunk He-it-him-gave the
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā.
-he (an.)-child-great (is).
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā waaʻsāʹwĕⁿʼ waaʻcyoñniaʹnoñʼ neʻʹ
-So (then) that moreover now (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) did-he-it-begin did-he-it-make in succession the
-
- gayăʼʹdăʼs̆ʻhoⁿ&m lapos;ăʻ, sĕⁿʻʹ niʹyoñ, wăʼäʹnoⁿʼ găʼnoⁿʼ-ʹkhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ hāāʼʹ,
-it (n.)-body-several, (dolls) three so many it-numbered, it (n.) bow it (n.) arrow and usually he-it-holds,
-
- tgayeʹiʼ heniʹyot wăʼhăsʹnyeʼt neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ waādyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ
-both-it-alike (is) where-so-it-form is did-he-it-say the he-his-uncle (is). Now (then) did-he- self-task-complete
-
- gagweʹgoⁿ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼtʻhĕⁿäʻdātʹʻho& supn;ʼ. Neʼʹ diiuiʹwăʼ waayăʼdoñnyaʹnoñʼ
-it (n.)-entire. So (then) now (then) did-he run successively. That so it (n.) reason (is) did-he-dolls-make-severa lly
-
-neʻʹ gayăʼʹdăʼ ĕⁿhoʼnigoⁿʻgĕñʹnĭ& mlapos; neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ iʹyas, neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ, nōʹnĕⁿʻ
-the it (n.)-doll will-it-his-mind-overmatch the human being he-it-eats, the Sagowenota, the now (then) when
-
- ĕⁿsʻhāʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿyoʼʹgäʻ.
-will-again-he- return the now (then) will-it-it-darken (become dark).
-
-
- Gāʹnioʼ waādyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ gagweʹgoⁿ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼtʻhĕⁿäʻdātʹʻho& supn;ʼ
-As soon as did-he- self-task-complete it (n.)-entire, so (then) now (then) verily did-he-run-successively
-
- he-nigawēʹnăʼ neʼʹ diiuiʹʻwăʼ neʼneʻʹ ĕⁿhoʼnigoⁿgĕñʹnĭʼ,
-where-so-it (n.)-island-large (is) that such-it-season-(is) that-the will-he-his-mind-overmatch,
-
-ĕⁿhoʼnigoⁿhoⁿʼʹdäⁿ&mla pos;, neʼneʻʹ hoʻswāʹĕⁿs neʼʹ khoʻʹ neʻʹ hosʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ& abreve; neʻʹ tcīʹyäʼ.
- will-he-his-mind-deceive that-the he-him-hates that and the he-it-slave(s) several the dog(s).
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdji waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ, djāʹgoⁿ, hiwāʹdĕⁿʼ. Ĕⁿsonʹʻhek
-So (then) now (then) the he (an.) ancient-one did-he-it-say, “Come, be brave, my nephew. Shalt-thou-alive-be
-
- neʻʹhoʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ ĕⁿʻsiwayēʹis nĕñʹ năⁿʼʹot oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼʹgiʼ.” Dāʹ
-it is a fact that the wilt-thou-it-matter-fulfi ll this (thing) such-kind of thing now (then) did-I-it-say.” So (then)
-
-neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā dăasʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Niʹioʻ neʼʹhoʻ
-that moreover the he (an.)-child-great (is) thence-he-it answered did-he-it-say, “So (be) it thus (there)
-
- nĕⁿʹgyeʼ, ĕⁿgiwāyeʹis, nĕñʹ năⁿʼʹot oʼʹsiʼ.”
-so will I-it-do, will-I-it-matter-fulfill, this (thing) such-kind-of-thing didst-thou-it-say.”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waaʻdĕñʹdĭʼ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā haāwinonʹdieʼ neʻʹ
-So (then) now (then) moreover did-he (an.)-start the he (an.)-child-great (is) he-it-carrying goes along the
-
- gayăʼʹdăʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ gĕⁿsʹ neʼʹhoʻ heʹoñweʻ deyoʼhoñweōʹgĕñ neʼʹhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ
-it (n.)-body (doll). Now (then) usually there there where two-it-it-branch forked (is) there usually
-
- oʼtʻhāʹdăs neʼneʻʹ gayăʼʹdăʼ sĕⁿʻʹ niʹyoñ neʼʹhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ nâⁿʹyeʼ. Weʹsoʼ
-did-he-it-cause to stand that-the it (n.)-body three so many it-in number (is) there (thus) usually so-he-it-did. Much
-
- waakʹdoñʼ hegawāʹnot neʼneʻʹ ganăkdiʹio heʹ gäʹit, neʼʹ nāʹeʻ
-did-he-it-search where-it (n.)-island-floats that-the it (n.)-place-fine (is) where-it (n.)-tree stands, that verily
-
- gĕⁿsʹ neʻʹ weʹĕⁿʻ heʹ gäʹit neʻʹ heʹoñweʻ watʻhoñwayĕñdăkʹhwăʼ; neʼʹhoʻ nâⁿʹyeʼ
-usually the far away where-it-(n.)-tree stands the there where it-sel f-canoe-to-lie-uses; there (thus) so-he-it-did
-
- heʻʹ dĕⁿhoʼnigoⁿgĕñʹnĭʼ neʻʹ hoʻswāʹĕⁿs neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ dĕⁿtʻhoñwayăʼ­diʻsăk ʹhăʼ
-where (so that) so-will-he-his-mind-overmatch the he-him-hates the now (then) thence-will-he-his-body-to-seek-come
-
-neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿyoʼʹgäʻ.
-the now (then) = when will-it-it-darken.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼgäsʹʼăʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ wāʹeʼ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā
-So (then) now (then) verily it-it-darkens a little now (then) there thither-did-he-go the he (an.)-child-great (is)
-
- heʹoñweʻ tʻhatʻhoñwayĕñdăkʹhwă&mlapos ; neʻʹ hoʻswāʹĕⁿs, heʹoñweʻ niōnăkdäʹgwĕñ heʻ
-there where there-he his-canoe to-lie uses it the he-him-hates, there where there-he-it-place has selected where
-
- ĕⁿadăʻseʻʹdăʼ. Gāʹnioʼ neʼʹhoʻ waāʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ waādyoʼʹdat neʼneʻʹ
-w ill-he-self-conceal. As soon as there there-he-arrived now (then) did-he-self-set-to work that-the
-
- waāyadoñʹnĭʼ neʼʹhoʻ oʼneʻʹsăgoñ neʼʹhoʻʹdjiʻ nīʹwăʼs. Deʼaonisʻheʼʹoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did he-it-hole make there it (n.)-sand-in there-just (=just right) so-it-large-is. Not-it-long time-is now (then)
-
- waādyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʼʹhoʻ waādyăsʹʻhĕñʼ oʼneʹʻsăgoñ. Neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did-he -his-task-complete, so now (then) moreover there did-he-self-lay it (n.)-sand in. The now (then)
-
- wăʼoʼʹgäʻ neʼʹhoʻ hayăsʻhĕⁿʼʹsʻhoñ, neʼʹhoʻ ostʻhoñʹsʻhoñ dewăʼʹhāʼ neʻʹ hăsăgainʹ,
-did-it-it-darken there he supine lay just there it-small-just it-projects the his face-hole = his mouth
-
- tgayēʹiʼ nāʹeʻ ha­doñʹnyeʼs. Neʼʹhoʻ waiʻʹ hăʼnigoⁿʹʻäⁿʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿsʻhāʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ
-it (n.) correct (is) verily he-breathes. There of course his-mind-is -on the now then will-again-he- arrive the
-
- hoʻswāʹĕⁿs, neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ.
-he-him-hates, the Sagowenota.
-
-
- Oʼyoʹnĭsʻheʼt neʻʹhoʻ hayăsʻʹhĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ hăʼnigoⁿʹʻäⁿʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿsʻhāʼyoⁿʼ neʻʹ
-Did-it-delay-long there he-supine lay there his-mind-is -on the now (then) will-again-he-a rrive the
-
- oñʹgweʻ īʹyas. Honoⁿʻʹdoⁿʼ he-nīʹyoñ neʻʹ hotʻhyuʹwi neʻʹ honoⁿʼʹsĕⁿ gagweʹgoⁿ
-human being(s) he-it-eats. He-it-knew there-so-it-numbers-many the he-it-him told the his-uncle it (n.) entire (is)
-
- ĕⁿgaiwăyeʹiʻ. Honoⁿʻʹdoⁿʼ waiʻʹ he-niōyăʼdătʹgoⁿʼ neʼneʻʹ dăʼgwisdĕⁿʼ
-will-it-matter fulfilled be. He-it-knew of course there- so-his-body ot-kon (is) that-the not-anything
-
-deʼaoⁿ­wĕñdjanăʼgōʹw äs.
-not-it-him-earth-affects.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼhoʻʹsʻhoñ nīʹyot oʼyoʹnis& tcomma;heʼt. Hăʼdewăʻsoñtʻʹhĕ&supn ; oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼgāʹāt,
-So (then) thus-just (there) so it is did-it (n.)-remain. (endure). Just-it (n.)-night-middle now (then) did-it-it-pass
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ noñʹ tʻhōʹhă dĕⁿdwĕñdōʹdĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ neʻʹ
-now (then) perhaps nearly will -it-day-project (protrude) now (then) suddenly-just he-it-hears the
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā tchihogăʼĕñʹyoⁿʼ heʹ-ganyōʹdaeʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ dayodiʼsʹdāʹdieʼ
-he (an.)-child-great (is) while-he-it-w as-watching where-it (n.)-lake now (then) hither-it (n.)-noise-arising-comes
-
-adiʼgwāʼ năⁿʼʹot neʼʹhoʻ odogĕⁿʹdĭʻ heʻʹ gawēʹnot.
-unknown such-kind-of thing there itself-steers directly where it (n.)-island-floats.
-
-
- Dăʼaonisʻhēʹʼoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ dayonadiʼsdāʹdieʼ neʻʹ hoñgakʹ
-No t-it-lasts-long now (then) he-it-hears hither-they (n.)-their-noise-arising come the wild geese
-
- odigaweoñʹdieʼ neʻʹ găʻhoñʹwăʼ neʼneʻʹ howēʹnōdĕⁿ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā, neʼʹkhoʻ
-they (z.)-paddling come the it (n.)-canoe that-the he-him-island-put on the he (an.) child-great (is), that-and
-
-hotʻhoñʹdeʼ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ onadiʼsʹdāʼ, agwasʹ igĕñʹ odigāʹyĕⁿs awadisʹʻhēʼ
-he-it-hears the dog(s) their (z.)-self noise very it-is they (z.)-keenly-willing (are) should-they-it-pursue
-
- hăʼgwisʹdĕⁿʼ, neʼʹ diiuiʻʹwăʼ neʻʹ neʼʹ neʼʹhoʻ wāʹdiks gawēʹnăʼgeʻ neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ
-whatsoever thing, that there-it (n.) reason (is) the that there they (z.)-it-eat it (n.)-island-on the human being
-
- oʼʹwāʼ; gayĕñdeʹi heʻʹ nihayĕñnoʼʹdĕⁿʻ neʻʹ neʼʹ hoʻsʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿ& mlapos;
-it (n.)-meat; flesh; it (z.)-it-knows where such-his-manner-of-doing-kind of (is) the that his (an.)-slaves-several
-
-neʻʹ oñʹgweʻ īʹyas.
-the human being he-it-eats.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ tci-hotʻhoⁿʻdiyosʹdoⁿ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ dāyotkāʹeʻ,
-So (then) that moreover now (then) as, while, he his ear(s)-fine-has made he-it-hears there-it-sound-arose
-
-oʹñĕⁿ&tcomm a; waaʼdīʹheʼt neʻʹ neʼʹ haoñwayăʼdiʻsăkʹhăʼ neʻʹ hoñwaʻswāʹĕⁿs. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ
- now (then) did-he-land the that t hence-he-his-body-to-seek-comes the he-him-hates. So (then) now (then) moreover
-
-hotʻhoñʹdeʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-he-it-hears now (then) the
-
-
-Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ seswayăʼdĭʻsăkʹhă&tco mma; neʻʹ
- Sagowenot a did-he-it-say, “Come, “Go to, now (then) his-you (pl.)-body-to-seek do go the
-
- hoñʹgweʻ gaweʻʹ adiʼʹgwă niaʼnĕñyāʹyĕⁿʼ.” Ganioʼʹ diqʹ oʼ­hatʹgăʼ
-he (an.)-human being (is) where (in what place) unknown t here-his-bone(s) lie.” As soon as moreover did he-it-let go
-
-neʻʹ honăsʹkwaiyĕⁿʼ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Snidjāʹgoⁿ, snidjāʹgoⁿ. Hestuäʻʹ,
-the his slave(s)-owned the dog(s) now then did he-it say, “You-two-be brave, you-two-be brave. Hence you-two-go,
-
- hestuäʻʹ, hestuäʻʹ.”
-hence you-two-go, hence you-two-go.”
-
-(It is usual to confine the use of this last command only to dogs; it signifies ‘go ye, go ye, hence.’—Ed.)
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼwĕñnĕñniʼyoʻswāʹ&ebr eve;ñʼ heʹoñweʻ hodyānāʹʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ
-So (then) that moreover the dog(s) now (then) did-they (z.)-take scents there where he-his-tracks-has traced the
-
- hăksăʹgōwā oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waoʻʹsēʼ heʹoñweʻ hodākʹheʻsoⁿʼ neʻʹ
-he (an.)-child-great (is) now (then) moreover did-they-him pursue where there he-running-went to and fro the
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā hotʻhoñʹdeʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ
-he (an.)-child-great (is). So (then) that moreover the he (an.)-child-great (is) he-it-hears the Sagowenota
-
- waāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Hoñʹgak, agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿ&ml apos; oʹnĕⁿʻ swadekhwiʻsăkʹhăʻ.” Neʻʹ
-did-he-it-speak did-he-it-say, “Wild geese, my-servants-several now (then) you-own-f ood-to-seek-do go.” The
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā hotʻhoñdeʻtciʻhwĕⁿ neʻʹ năⁿʼʹot hāʹdoⁿ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ.
-he (an.)-child-great (is) he-it-hears-distinc tly the kind of thing he-it-says the he-(an.) ancient one (is).
-
- Oʼdwadīʹdĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgak.
-Did-they (z.)-fly away now (then) the wild geese.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ heʻʹ waādākʹheʼ heʹoñweʻ
-So (then) that moreover now (then) the Sagowenota where thither he-running went there where
-
- heyonēʹnoñ neʻʹ hoʻsʻhenĕⁿʻsʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ. Dāʹ tchihadākʹheʼ
-hence-they (z.)-have gone the h is (an.)-slave(s)-several the dog(s). So then as he-running-went
-
- dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ hotʻhoñdeʼ wēʹĕⁿ tkāʹnĭ, “Wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ,” dyoʹdoñ. Agwasʹ
-suddenly-just, all at once, he-it-hears far away there-it (z.)-barks, “Wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ,” there-it-it-sounds. Very
-
- doskĕñʹăʻ niyaādākʹheʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ neʻʹ sgātʹ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ
-nearby, close at hand thither-he-running-goes now (then) he-it-hears the one-it (z.) is the dog
-
- oʼdwăʻsĕntʹʻho, “Kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʼ. Neʼʹhoʻ waādākʹheʼ, neʼʹhoʻ
-did-it (z.)-cry out, “Kwĕñʻ&mlprime ;, kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ,&rdqu o; did-it-say. There hence-he-running-goes, there
-
- waāʹyoⁿʼ dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ waāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ gayăsʹʻheⁿʼ, neʻʹ hodjīʹyäʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
-there-did-he-arrive suddenly- just (surprised) did-he-it-see there it (z.)-supine-lay, the his-dog that and the
-
-neʼʹhoʻ heyoʼʹsĕⁿʼoⁿ neʻʹ găʼʹnoⁿʼ heʻʹ găsāʹgain. Dāʹ neʻʹ diqʹ neʻ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ
- there there-it (n.)-fallen-has the it (n.)-arrow where it (z.)-mouth-in. So (then) that moreover the Sagowenota
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ wooʼnigoⁿʻgāʹʻhĕⁿ neʼʹkhoʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Awĕñdoñʹnyăʼt nāʹeʻ,” oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ
-now (then) d id-it-his-mind-vex, trouble that-and did-he-it-say, “It is discouraging verily,” now (then) of course
-
- wooʻʹdoⁿʼs neʻʹ honaskwanoⁿsʹdeʻk neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ.
-did-he-it-lose the he-it-(z.) servant-cherished the dog.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ näⁿʹgäⁿ neʻʹ hoñʹgweʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ waāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Agwasʹ,
-So then that moreover this (it) is the he (an.)-human being (is) now (then) did-he-it-speak did-he-it-say, “Very,
-
- ĕñʼʹ noñʹ hodyăʼdatʹkoⁿʼ.”
-I-it-think it seems his body is otkon.”
-
-
- Dăʼdjiăʻʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ wēʹĕⁿʻ tgāʹnĭʻ, “Wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ,”
-Not long after-just now (then) again he-it-hears far away there-it (z.)-is barking, “Wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ,”
-
- dyoʹdoñ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʼʹhoʻ waādakʹheʼ heʹgwa. Agwasʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-there-it-it-sounds, so (then) now (then) verily there did-he-running go towards. Very (just) now (then)
-
- doskĕñʹăʻ niyaādākʹheʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ nāʹeʻ hotʻhonʹdeʼ oʼdwăʻsĕñtʹʻhoʼ neʻʹ
-it is near, nearby, thither-he-running goes now (then) again, once more verily he-it-hears did-i t (z.)-cry out the
-
-djīʹyäʻ, “Kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʼ.
- dog, “Kwĕñʻ&mlprime ;, kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ,&rdqu o; did-it-say.
-
-
-Neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ waāʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ waatkāʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ skatʹ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ neʼʹhoʻ
-The now (then) there did-he-arrive now (then) again, once more did-he-it-look at the one-it-is the dog there
-
- gayăsʹʻhĕⁿʼ, neʼʹho-khoʻ āʹeʼ gaʻsāʹgain găʼʹnot, neʼʹ
-it (z.)-supine lay, there and again, once more it(s)-mouth in it (n.)-arrow protruded from that
-
- diiuiʻʹwăʼ neʼʹhoʻ heyoʼsĕⁿʻʹdoⁿ neʻʹ deknīʹhădoⁿʼt neʼʹ neʻʹ gayăʼdoñni
-there-it (n.)-reason (is) there there-it-has dropped the two = in order (second) that the it (n.)-mannikin
-
- gayăʼʹdăʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ waāsʹnyeʼt
-it (n.)-doll, body. So that moreover the he (an.) ancient one (is) now (then) again, once more did-he-it-speak
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “O, awĕndoñʹnyăʼt, awĕndoñʹnyăʼt nāʹeʻ. Agwasʹ ĕñʼʹ noñʹ hodyăʼdātʹkoⁿʼ
-did-he-it-say, “Oh, it-is-discouraging, it-is-discouraging verily. Very I-it-it-think seems his (an.)-body-otkon (is)
-
-nāʹeʻ.”
-verily.”
-
-
- Tchi-hotʹʻhāʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ hotʻhonʹdeʼ hoʹgwā tkāʹnĭʻ neʻʹ
-While-he-it-is-uttering now (then) again, once more he-it-hears aside, yonder away there-it-is-barking the
-
- sĕⁿʻʹădoⁿʼt neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ, “Wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ,” dyoʹdoñ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăgĕⁿʹdjĭʻ
-three-in order, (third) the dog, “Wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ, wauʻʹ,” there-it-sounds. Now (then) the he (an.)-ancient one
-
-neʼʹhoʻ waādākʹheʼ. Agwasʹ āʹeʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ doskĕñʹăʻ niyaādākʹheʼ
- there did-he-running go. Very again, once more, now (then) nearby close at hand there-thither-he-running-goes
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ hotʻhonʹdeʼ oʼdwăʻsĕñtʹʻhoʼ neʻʹ djīʹyäʻ, “Kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʼ.
-now (then) verily he-it-hears did-i t-cry out the dog, “Kwĕñʻ&mlprime ;, kwĕñʻʹ, kwĕñʻ&m lprime;,” did-it-say.
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ hăgĕⁿʹdjĭʻ wooʻʹdyoⁿʼ, waiʹĕñʼ-khoʻ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
-Now (then) verily the he (an.)-ancient one (is) did-he-become afraid, did-he-it-say and, “Now (then) verily
-
- ĕⁿsgadeʼgoʼʹsʻhoñ, oʹnĕⁿʻ sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ hoʼwăsʹʼăʻt neʼʹ neʻʹ
-shall-again -I-self-absent = just, now (then) in as much as did-it-(them)-us e up that the
-
- gyăʼdäʼskwăʼʹcyoñk neʼʹ neʻʹ agedjīyäʼʹsʻhoⁿʼgĕñ&mlpr ime;oⁿʼ. Agwasʹ nāʹeʻ
-I-their-b odies-prized-severally that the my-dog(s) several-were. Very verily
-
- hodyăʼdatkoⁿʼʹsʻhoñ.”
-hi s own-body-otkon (is)—just.”
-
-
- Heʹoñweʻ hăʼdoñsaĕⁿʻʹdāt heʹoñweʻ tgaʻhoñwāʹyĕⁿʼ.
-There where thence again he-ran (he ran homeward) there where there-it (n.)-canoe-lies.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ tchi-watʻhāʹwĭʼ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā tʻhihodyeʹĕⁿʻ
-So (then) that moreover while-it (n.)-self-bore along the he (an.)-child-great (is) just-he-self-kept-still
-
- hăʼnigoⁿʹhäʼ-khoʻ, ganioʼʹ wēʹĕⁿʻ hēʼsʹ neʻʹ hăgĕⁿʻʹdjĭ goʼʹgeʻ
-his-mind-wa s on (it), and, just as soon as far away he-goes-to and fro the he (an.)-ancient one (is) quickly
-
- waādeʼnoⁿʻdaʻʹgoʼ neʻʹ oʼneʻʹsăgoñ neʼʹhoʻ ganyadākʹdăʼ heʻhawēʹnoñ, oʼtʻhaʻdjāʹĕⁿʼ-kh oʻ neʻʹ
-did-he -self-unbury the it (n.)-sand-in there it (n.)-lake-beside thither-he-went, did-he-it-shove-and the
-
- găʻhoñʹwăʼ oʻnegăʼʹgeʻ oĕⁿʼʹheʼt, oʼtʻhōʹet waiʹĕñʼ, “Gāʹoʼ nondāʹswet
-it (n.)-canoe it (n.)-water-on it (n.)-stood, stopped, did-he-call aloud did-he-it-say, “Hither thence-do-you-come
-
- agesʻhenoⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgak.”
-my-ser vants-several the wild geese.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgak onadiʼsʹdāʼ “dauñʻʹ” dyoʹdoñ, gagweʹgoⁿ oʼwādīʹyoⁿʼ
-Now (then) the wild geese they (z.)-noise-raised “dauñʻʹ” there-it-sounded, it (n.)-entire did-they (z.)-arrive
-
- gahoñwakʹdăʼ oʼwadyăʼdaniyoñʹdĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā ganioʼʹ
-it (n.)-canoe-beside d id-they-own-body-attach. So (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) as soon as
-
- waādeʼnoⁿʻʹdäʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ hĕⁿdjiswadōʹgĕⁿt heʹoñweʻ
-did-he-self-put- aboard now (then) did-he-it-say, “There verily hence-will-again -you-direct (yourselves) there where
-
- diswaʻdĕñʹdyoñ khoʻʹ neʻʹ dyoñgwăʻdĕñʹdyoñ.”
-thence-you-have-departed and the thence-we-you-hav e-started.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hoñʹgak onatʻhonʹdeʼ neʻʹ năⁿʼʹot waāsʹnyeʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ
-So (then) that moreover the wild geese they (z.)-it-hear the kind-of-thing did-he-it-speak now (then)
-
- oʼwadīʹgaweʼ oʻsnoäʹdieʼ, “Suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ,” ōʹdoⁿʻ.
-did-they (z.)-paddle it-swiftly-went along, “Suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ,” it (n.)-kept saying.
-
-
-Neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ waāʹyoⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ hatʻhoñwayĕñdăkʹhwăʼ waāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ
-The now (then) Sagowenota did-he-arrive, reach there where he-his- canoe-to-lie-uses (it) did-he-it-see the
-
- găʻhoñʹwăʼ īʹnoⁿ wăʼoʻdĕñdyoñâñʹdieʼ ganyadāeʼʹgeʻ neʼʹhoʻ hăʼnoⁿʻdăʹdieʼ neʻʹ
-it (n.)-canoe far away thither- it-moving-went along it (n.)-lake-on thereon he being aboard went along the
-
- hăksăʼ-gōwā, neʼʹ daonooʻdonʹdieʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼtʻhōʹet neʻʹ
-he (an.)-child-great (is) that thence-he-it-controlling came along, now (then) did-he-shout the
-
- hagĕⁿʹdjĭʻ waāsʹnyet waiʹĕñʼ, “Dondasăʻʹget dedyadäⁿnonʹdeʼ.
-he (an.)-ancient one (is) did-he-it-speak did-he-it-say, “Thence do-thou-turn back both-thou-I-brothers-are.
-
- Skoⁿʻnonkʹheʼ nīʹgĕⁿʼ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ, dāogăʹyĕⁿ
-Again-I-thee-to-bring-come so-it-is.” Now (then) the he (n.)-child-great (is) not-at all, not-he-consents
-
- ahatʻhonʹdāt. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ
-should-he-it-listen to. So (then) now (then) moreover the he (an.)-child-great (is) suddenly-just (all at once)
-
- daāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼgwāʹnon he-niʹyoñ oʼwāʼʹ
-thence-he-it-spoke did-he-it-say, “Now (then) verily did-I-you-it-give to eat as many-it is as (much) it (n.)-meat
-
- iʹswasʹ neʻʹ ganyodäʹgoñ swĕⁿʼʹdyoⁿʼ deswadawĕnʹnye-khoʻ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ wĕñnĕndyăʼdatʹkoⁿʼs
-you-it-eat the it (n.)-lake-in you-abide you travel-and.” Now (then) then the y (z.)-whose bodies (are)-otkon
-
-oʼwĕñnoñdonʻhāʹĕⁿ&mlapos ; wăʼoñnoⁿʼesʹʻhăʼ -khoʻ. “Histʹ, histʹ, histʹ, histʹ, haiʹ, haiʹ, haiʹ, haiʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʼ.
- did-they-rejoice did-they have joy-and. “Histʹ, histʹ, histʹ, histʹ, haiʹ, haiʹ, haiʹ, haiʹ,” did-it-say.
-
- Neʼʹhoʻ niyodiʼsʹdāʼ neʻʹ oʼwāʼʹ wāʹdis.
-There (Thus) so they (z.)-much noise made the it (n.)-meat they (z.)-it-eat.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ doñsāhōʹet, waiʹĕñʼ, “Hōʹ, dagīʹdĕñʻ
-So (then) that moreover the Sagowenota now then again-did-he-shout, did-he-it-say, “Hōʹ, thou-me-do-have pity on
-
- dedyadĕñnoñʹdeʼ. Dondasăʻʹget.”
-both-thou-I-brothers (are). Thence-do-thou-turn back.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā daāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Nisʹ dăʼāʹoⁿʻ aisăgāʹyoⁿʻ
-Now (then) the he (n.)-child-great (is) thence-he-it-spoke did-he-it-say, “The-thou not-able did-you-consent
-
- dondasăʻʹget.”
-thence-then-wouldst-turn-bac k.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ dondaāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ āʹeʼ. “Hĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ deʼʹiʼ neʻʹ
-So (then) the Sagowenota thence again-did-he-it-speak did-he-it-say again, once more “Not at all not-I the
-
-Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ. Geʻhăʼsʻhäʼ-sʻhoñ niʼʹăʻ. Tʻhĕⁿʼʹdyoⁿʼ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ.”
- Sagowenota. I-servant-j ust (am) the-I-only. There-he-abi des verily the Sago wenota.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ deʼotʻhondāʹtoⁿ neʻʹ năⁿʼʹot
-So (then) that moreover the he (an.)-child-great (is) not (it is) not-did-he-it-obey the kind of thing
-
- woōdoⁿesyoⁿʻʹkwĕⁿʼ neʻʹ hoswāʹĕⁿs. Wăasʹnyeʼt woōʹwĭʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgak waiʹĕñʼ,
-di d-he-him-it-pray for the he-him-hates. Did-he-it-speak he-it-told the wild geese did-he-it-say,
-
- “Neʼʹhoʻ heseswadōʹgĕⁿt heʻʹ diswăʻdĕñʹdyoñ.”
-“There (to that place) thither, (do)-again you-go directly where thence-you started away.”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā khoʻʹ neʻʹ hosʻheʹnĕⁿʼsʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgak
-So (then) now (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) and the his-servants-several the wild geese
-
- yăʻhoñnădīʹʼheʼt oʻhĕⁿʼoñʹdieʼ; heʹoñweʻ tʻhodinoⁿʻʹsot. Gāʹnioʼ
-thith er-they (z.)-arrived (stopped) it (n.)-day-becoming (was); there where there-their (an.)-lodge-stood. As soon as
-
- waoʼdīʹʼheʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Agesʻhenoⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgak oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did-they (z.) stop now (then) did he-it-say, “My-servants-several the wild geese now (then)
-
- swadekhwiʻsăkʹhăʻ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼdwadīʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ hoñʹgak, “dauñʻʹ,”
-you-your- food-to-seek-for (do) go.” So (then) now (then) verily did-they (z.)-fly the wild geese, “dauñʻʹ,&rdqu o;
-
- oʼʹgĕⁿʼ.
-did-it-say
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ oʼhăsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Ogondăʹdieʼ dĕⁿdīʹsweʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ gāʹnioʼ neʼʹ
-So (then) there did-he-it-speak did-he-it say, “At once, right away, thence-will you-come that the as soon as that
-
- ĕⁿʹgiʼ,” oʹnĕⁿʻ-khoʻ waādyĕñʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ găhoñʹwăʼ khoʻʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waāʻdĕñʹdĭʼ, khoʻʹ neʻʹ
-will-I-it say,” now (then) -and did-he-it-draw the it (n.)-canoe and the now (then) did-he-depart, and the
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ waādawĕñʹĕñt heʻʹ gäoⁿʻʹgädeʼ. Waādyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ neʼʹhoʻ doskĕñʹoⁿʻ
-now (then) did-he-it ascend where it (n.)-bank (of the shore). Suddenly (surprised-just he was) there not-far, nearby
-
-neʼʹhoʻ ganoⁿʻʹsot, neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ hwăʼ­hāʹyoⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
- there it (n.)-lodge stood, there verily thither he-arrived. So (then) that moreover the now (then)
-
- heʹōyoñ waāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ yeʼʹdyoⁿʼ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā, neʼʹ neʻʹ
-there-he-it-entered did-he-it-see there she (an.)-abode the she (an.)-child-great (is), (young maid) that the
-
- agoñʹgweʻ.
-she (an.) woman (is) = (human being).
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waāʹyoⁿʼ he-ganoⁿʻʹsot hoʼnosʹtăʼgeʻ. Dāʹ
-So (then) that moreover the now (then) did-he-it-enter there-it (n.) lodge stands his (an.)-bare-skin-in. So (then)
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ agoñʹgweʻ dondayeʹdăʼt waoñwayeʹnāʼ neʻʹ
-now (then) verily the she (an.)-woman (human being) (is) thence-did-she-arise did-she-him-embrace (seize) the
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā, “Ĕⁿsĕñdĕⁿstʹʻhe&mla pos;t,” wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Iʼʹ nīʹgĕⁿʼ goñʼʹgĕñʼ.
-he (an.)-child-great (is), “Shalt-thou-to-be-pitied-become,” did-she-it-sa y “I so-it-is I-thy-elder sister (am).
-
-
-“Neʼʹ waiʻʹ nĕñʹ isʹʼă&tc omma; yanoʼʹsĕⁿ neʻʹ Okteʹoñdoⁿʼ.” “Neʼʹ neʻʹhoʻ,”
-“That it certain (is) this (one) thou only he-thy-uncle (is) the Okteondon.” “That (one is) indeed,”
-
- waiʹĕⁿʼ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā. Dayesʹnyeʼt wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Iʼʹ-khoʻ haknoʼʹsĕⁿ
-did-he-it say the he (an.)-child-great (is). Thence-she-replied (spoke) did-she-it-sa y, “I-and he-my-uncle (is)
-
-neʻʹ Okteʹoñdoⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ gaioñʹnĭʻ dedyadĕñnoñʹdeʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-the Okteondon. So (then) that it-matter-makes (= it is the cause) both-thou-I-brother-sister (are). Now (then)
-
- ōʹnĕⁿʻtcĭ neʻʹ Iʼʹ de­tʻhongyăʼdăʻʹgw&ebrev e;ⁿ heʹoñweʻ dyoñgwaʹnoⁿʻsot.
-long while ago (now the main) the I thence one-my-body-has-taken (= kidnapped me) there where there-our-lodge-stands.
-
-
- “Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ nāʹeʻ saʻsāʻcyoñʹnĭʻ neʼʹhoʻ hōʹgwa hodăʻkanīʹyoñt neʻʹ
-“Now (then) moreover verily again-thou-do- dress-thyself there aside, (yonder) he-it-bundle-attached to hang the
-
- sacyoñnyăsʹʻhäʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ sʻhōʹyoñ.”
-thy-garments, thy raiment the now (then) again-he-returned (home).”
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ saʻāʻcyoñʹnĭʼ gagweʹgoⁿ, oʹnĕⁿʻ gagweʹgoⁿ
-So (then) now (then) again-he-self-d ressed it (n.)-entire (is), now (then) it (n.)-entire (is)
-
- saādyăʼʹdăwit. Oʹnĕⁿʻ dayesʹnyeʼt wăʼaʹgĕⁿʼ, “Näⁿʹda nāʹeʻ săʼĕñʹnăʼ
-again-he-self-body-en closed (dressed). Now (then) thence-she-spoke did-she-it-say, “Here so then verily thy-bow (it is)
-
- găʼnoⁿʼʹ-khoʻ.”
-it (n.)-arrow-and.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā oʹnĕⁿʻ saāyeʹnāʼ neʻʹ haʹoⁿhaⁿʼ
-So (then) that moreover verily the he (an.)-child-great (is) now (then) again-he-it (n.) received the he-self
-
- hōʹwĕⁿ heʹniyoñ deoʼnyuʻʹsyoⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ yeksăʼ&mlprime ;gōwā
-he-it-owns as-many-it-numbers one-his-hands-has taken from. So (then) that moreover the she (an.)-child-great (is)
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼesʹnyeʼt wāʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
-now (then) did-she-it-speak did-she-it-say , “So (then) now (then) verily
-
- hĕⁿdjidyăʻdĕñʹdĭ&mlapos ; nikʹhuʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ kăʹsnoⁿʼ
-hence-will-again-thou-I-depart-(=start-for home) here. So (then) now (then) moreover it (n.)-bark (rough b.)
-
- ĕⁿgyĕñʼʹ heʹoñweʻ oāʹdeʼ neʼʹhoʻ găⁿsʹ hăʼdĕⁿsasʻhĕñʹdă ʼt neʼʹ nāʹeʻ
-will I it lay there where it (n.)-path appears there usually just-shalt-thy-steps rest that verily
-
- diiuiʻʹwăʼ heʻʹ ĕⁿsadyanăʻʹseʻt.
-there-it (n.)-reason (is) where wilt-thy-trac k-conceal.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ waiʻʹ nĕⁿyoʼdĕñoñʹdieʼ he-niyoʹweʼ neʻʹ tkahoñwaʹyĕⁿʼ.
-So (then) there of course so-will-it (n.) way-be-going there-so-it distant is the there, it (n.)-canoe lies.
-
-Oʼdiqniʹeʼ neʻʹhoʻ neʻʹ dyĕñʹgwăʻ gāʹoʼ ĕⁿsʻhoñ­gīʹäʼt neʻʹ
-Thou-I-die indeed, in fact, that if it be hither (this side) will-again-h e us overtake the
-
- deyagyāʹdĭʻ. Dyăwäⁿʼʹoⁿʻ kasnoⁿʼʹgeʻ hăʼdĕⁿsasʻhĕñʹdă ʼt heʹ-niyoweʼ
-both-we-two-together abide (my husband). Successively it (n.)-bark-on just shalt thy steps rest there-so-it-distant (is)
-
- oadăʹdieʼ neʻʹ tkahoñwaʹyĕⁿʼ.”
-it (n.)-path appears along the there-it-(n.) -canoe-lies.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʼʹhoʻ wanăñdioʼʹdāt neʼʹhoʻ waniiʻoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ heʼniyoñ
-So (then) that moreover there did-they carry-out there did-they-two fulfill the matter as-so many it numbers
-
- goʻsnyeʼʹoⁿʻ neʻʹ agoñʹgweʻ neʼʹ diiuiʻʹwăʼ ĕⁿhadyanăʻʹseʻt neʻʹ
-she-it-attended to the she (an.)-human being (woman) that there-it (n.) reason (is) will-he-his-tr acks conceal the
-
- agoʼgĕñʼʹsʻhäʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ kaʹsnoⁿʼʹgeʻ hosʻhĕñdăʼoñʹdieʼ
-her-younger- brother. So (then) now (then) verily it (n.)-rough-bark-on his-footst eps-fall-successively
-
- he-niyōʹweʼ tkahoñwāʹyĕⁿʼ. Ganioʼʹ neʼʹhoʻ wanīʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-as-so it-distant is there it (n.)-canoe-lies. Just as soon as there did-they-two-arrive now (then) the
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā oʼtʻhoʹet, waāsʹnyeʼt, waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Hoñʹgak, agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ
-he (an.)-child great (is) did-he-call out, did-he-it-speak, did-he-it-say, “Wild geese, my-servants-several
-
- gāʹoʼ nondāʹsweʻ.” Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ ganioʼʹ sawadīʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-this-way, hither, thence again you come.” So (then) that moreover just as soon as again-did-they (z.)-return now (then)
-
- āʹeʼ saāsʹnyeʼt neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿdjiswadōʹgĕⁿt
-again, once more again-he-spoke the he (an.)-child-great (is) did-he-it-say, “There hence-will-you-g o-directly
-
- heʹoñweʻ degyĕñdăsʹgwăʼ.”
-there where I-it-to bet-use.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wayadeʼnoⁿʻʹdä neʼʹ neʻʹ yădeʼʹgĕñʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-Now (then) verily did-they two get aboard that the they-two-elder-sister-y ounger-brother. So (then) now (then) the
-
- hoñʹgak oʼwadīʹgaweʼ, “Suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʻ neʻʹ oʻneʹgăʼ,
-wild geese did-they (z.)-paddle (-it), “Suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ,” did-it-say the it (n.)-water,
-
- wadiʻhoñyoñʹdieʼ agwasʹ osnōʹweʼ.
-they (z.)-canoe-propelling-go very it (n.)-swift-(is).
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā waaʻsāʹwĕⁿʼ waādĕñnoʹdĕⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-So (then) that moreover the he-(an.)- child-great (is) did-he-it-begin did-he-his-song-u tter that the
-
- woowatkweʹnĭʼ neʻʹ hoswāʹĕⁿs, waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ gīʹ neʻʹ
-did-he-him-overcome the he-him-hates, did-he-it-say, “Now, (then) now (then) now (then) I-it-believe that
-
- sagăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ.”
-again-I -start homeward.”
-
-
- Dăʼaonisʻheʼʹoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ săasʹnyeʼt waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Hoñʹgak, agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ ,
-Not-it-l asted (Not-it was long time) now (then) again-he-it-spoke did-he-it-say, “Wild geese, my-servants-several,
-
-djidjāʹgoⁿ, djidjāʹgoⁿ, djidjāʹgoⁿ.”
-be ye brave, be ye brave, be ye brave.”
-
-
- Tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ deʼiʹnoⁿ niyoʹweʼ nihoñnăʻdĕñdyoñʹdieʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ deiyasʹʻhē neʼʹ
-Not (it is) not-far away so it-distant (is) so-they-depart ing-go-along now (then) the two-they (an.)-persons are that
-
-neʻʹ gahoñwaʹgoñ deiʼnont waininaⁿʹdog neʼʹ neʻʹ neʼʹhoʻ gātʹ neʻʹ gaʻhoñʹwăʼ.
-the it (n.) canoe-in two-they contained (are) did-they-it-notice that the there it-stands the it (n.)-canoe.
-
- Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ āʹyĕñʼ gadōgĕñʹsʻhoñ dăʼaʹonʻ oñsawăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ neʻʹ
-Suddenly, just-All at once-just would one think it (n.)-one-just place not-it-able (is) should it start again the
-
- gahoñʹwăʼ odiʹgaweʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgak nāʹeʻ, “Suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ,” oʹdoñ.
-it (n.)-canoe they (z.)-paddle = are paddling the wild geese verily, “Suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ, suʻʹ,” it (n.)-says.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoñtkăʻʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ eksăʼʹgōwā neʻʹ yeʻsʻhoñʹneʻ dyĕñgw&abre ve;ʻʹsi, neʼʹhoʻ
-So (then) now (then) did-s he-look the she (an.)-child-great (is) the her (n.)-back-at surprised, lo, there
-
- gāʹnyot neʼʹ neʻʹ ganăʻʹson, găʻstoⁿʼsʹʻhäʼ neʼʹhoʻ găstoⁿʼʹcyot
-one-it (n.)-attached that (it is) the one-it-has attached, it-( n.)-fish-hook there one-it-fish-hook has attached
-
- gahoñwăʼʹgeʻ. Dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ wăʼoñtkăʻʹtʻhoʼ siʹgwā tʻhanyuʻʹcyut neʼʹkhoʻ
-it (n.)-canoe-on. Suddenly-just did-s he-look lo, yonder there-he (an.)-sits-erect that-and
-
- nitʻhoyēʹĕⁿʻ khoʻʹ neʻʹ tʻhodyĕñtwĕⁿʻʹadieʼ neʻʹ gahoñʹwăʼ.
-so-there-he-it-pos ed (is) and the hen ce he-it-drawing along (is) the it (n.)-canoe.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ eksăʼʹgōwā dondāʹyek kăʼʹskwāʼ aʼskweʻʹsăʼ neʼʹhoʻ
-So (then) that moreover the she (an.)-child great (is) there-she (an.)-it-took up it (n.)-stone it (n.)-hatchet there
-
-khoʻʹ wăʼeʹyĕⁿt heʹoñweʻ găstoⁿʼʹcyot agwasʹ niyosnoʹweʼ hoñʹweʻ
- and did-she-it-strike there where it (n.)-hook (is) attached very, just as so-it (n.)-swift is yonder, far away
-
- wăʼoʹdĭʼ neʻʹ gahoñʹwăʼ neʼʹ diiuiʻʹwăʼ odiʹgaweʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgak.
-did-it-it-cast the it (n.)-canoe that there-it (n.)-reason (is) they (z.)-paddle = are paddling the wild geese.
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā daāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿ& mlapos;, hauʼʹ
-Now (then) the he (an.)-child-great (is) thence-he-it-spoke did-he-it-say, “My-servants-several, come, go to,
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ djidjāʹgoⁿ, djidjāʹgoⁿ, djidjāʹgoⁿ.” Neʼʹsʻhoñ hāʹdoⁿʻ.
-now (then) be ye brave, be ye brave, be ye brave.” That-just he-it-kept saying.
-
-
-Agwasʹ dăʼdjīʹăʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ wanigăʼĕñʹyoñʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
- Very not-long time (soon) now (then) again, once more, did-they-two-it-watc h (= examine) that the now (then)
-
- āʹeʼ sāwaʻʹget neʻʹ gahoñʹwăʼ, odiʹgaweʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgak.
-again, once more, again-it-went-backward the it (n.)-canoe, they (z.)-paddled = are paddling verily the wild geese.
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ eksăʼʹgōwā wăʼontkatʹʻhoʼ neʼʹhoʻ hoñʹweʻ
-Now (then) verily the she (an.)-child-great (is) did-she-look (= see) there yonder, far away
-
- tʻhāyasʹʻhĕⁿʼ neʻʹ deyāʹdi neʼʹhoʻ tʻhayoskwĕⁿʻʹdāʼ, khoʻʹ neʻʹ
-there-he-l ies (= lies supine) the two-they-are one (= her husband) there there- he (an.)-prone lies, and the
-
- tʻhăhnegiʹʻhăʼ agwasʹ aʹyĕñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ tʻhoʹhăʻ ĕⁿoⁿsʹʼăʻt
-thence-he (an.)-water-drinks (is drinking) very would-one-think now (then) nearly (almost) will-he-it-con sume all
-
-neʻʹ ohneʹgăʼ he-ganyoʹdaeʼ.
-the it (n.)-water there-it (n.)-lake-stands out.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ agwasʹ osnoʹweʼ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼowenoñʹoñdieʼ neʻʹ gahoñʹwăʼ heʹoñweʻ
-So (then) that moreover very it (n.)-rapid (is) there thither it (n.)-goes along the it (n.)-canoe there where
-
- nitʻhosgäʼʹwĕⁿʻ; agwasʹ hăʻsōʹwănĕñ khoʻʹ neʻʹ hatkwisdăsʹdĕñʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-so-there-his- mouth-holds open; very his (an.)-mouth-large (is) and the his-stomach-enormous (is) that the
-
- hanekdjĕⁿʼdōʹwănĕñ neʼʹ neʻʹ diiuiʻʹwăʼ wesoʼʹdjĭʻ hoʼwadiʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ ohneʹgănos,
-his (an.)-paunch large (is) that the there-it-reason (is) much-too thither-they (z.)-it-entered the it (n.)-water,
-
- gaʹäⁿgwăʻ heʼtʹgĕⁿʻ tʻhayăʼdāʹdeʼ, hoʻdăʼʹoⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ ohneʹgănos.
-quite, marked, high up there-his-body -extends, he-self-has filled verily the it (n.)-water.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nĕñʹsʻhoñ detʻhosgäʼʹwĕⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ dehni-gaʹweʼ neʻʹ gahoñʹwăʼ
-Now (then) near-just fly there-he-mout h-holds open, there they (2)-paddle, are paddling the it (n.)-canoe
-
- odiʹgaweʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ hoñʹgak heniyogweʹnyoñ.
-they (z.)-paddle (= are paddling) verily the wild geese as-so much it is able (just as much as they are able).
-
-
- Ganioʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ doskĕñʹoⁿʻ nitʻhayasʹʻhĕⁿʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ
-Just as soon as now (then) near (it is) as there-he-supine-lies the Sagowenota, so then now (then) the
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā oʼtʻhayoⁿʻgwägäʹdat neʼʹ neʻʹ hoĕñʹnoⁿʼ, khoʻʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ
-he (an.)-child-great (is) did-he-it-bend (= bend the bow) that the it (n.)-bow, and the now (then) there
-
- waādeʼʹsyoñnĭʼ heʹoñweʻ tʻhatkwisʹdayĕⁿʼ, agwasʹ nāʹeʻ hayăʼdōʹwănĕñ.
-did-he-self-to-aim-ma ke there where there-his-paunch-li es, very verily his-body-great (is).
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ waaʼʹyak agwasʹ oyĕñʹdet otkaiʼʹni, “būʻʹ”, oʼʹgĕⁿʼ. Agwasʹ
-So (then) there did-he-it-shoot very it (n.)-notable it (n.)-loud (is), “buʻʹ&rdq uo;, did-it-say. Very
-
- ohneʹganos osnoʹweʼ dondagayăʹgĕⁿʼt.
-it (n.)-water it (n.)-rapid (is) thence-did-it-come forth.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ gahoñʹwăʼ weʹĕⁿʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoʼʹweʼ.
-So then that moreover the it (n.)-canoe far away, yonder, now (then) thither-did-it-go.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waoʼsaiʹyĕⁿʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ hagoeʼdjoñʹnyoⁿ neʻʹ hoñʹgak, hāʹdoⁿ,
-So (then) now (then) did-he-make haste now (then) he-(them) urged-on-repeatedly the wild geese, he-it-kept saying,
-
- “Djidjāʹgoⁿ djidjāʹgoⁿ, djidjāʹgoⁿ neʻʹ agesʻhenĕⁿʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ .”
-“Be ye brave, be ye brave, be ye brave, the my servant (my servants-several).”
-
-
- Dăʼaonisʻheʼʹoⁿʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ waādiʹyoⁿʼ heʹoñweʻ
-Not -it-(n.)-long-time-(was) now (then) there did-they (an.)-arrive there where
-
- detʻhiiĕⁿʻdāsʹgwă&mlapos ; neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ. Ganioʼʹ neʼʹhoʻ waāiiʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-both there-they (an. masc.) it-to-gamble use the Sagowenota. As soon as there did-they (an.) now (then)
-
- hăksăʼʹgōwā waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ Isʹ neʻʹ hoñʹgak, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-he (an.)-child-great (is) did-he-it-say, “Now (then) You the wild geese, now (then)
-
- ĕⁿdjiswadadwĕñnīʹyōk. Neʼʹ waiʻʹ sewanoⁿs­gweoñʹgwĕⁿ neʻʹ neʼʹ
-will-again -you-free-continue to be. That of course one-you-captive has made the that
-
- deʼtgāiʻwayēʹiʼ neʻʹ Sʻhagowēʹnotʻhăʼ nāʹeʻ.
-not-there-it (n.)-matter-of right (is) the Sagowenota verily.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ ĕⁿdjiswadadwĕñnīʹyōk; hĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
-So (then) now (then) moreover will-again -you-self-to-control continue; (= continue to be free); not (it is) verily
-
- deʼaweʼʹoⁿʻ neʻʹ Sʻhoñgwadyĕñnuʼkdăʼʹoⁿ& tcomma;, neʻʹ Hawĕñniʹyoʼ, neʼʹ neʻʹ
-not-he-it-intended the He-our-faculties-completed (= our Creator), the He, the Disposer, that the
-
- ayesʻhenoⁿʼgĕñʹoñk gyēʹ.
-should-one-slave-to-be-continue some (persons).
-
-
- Haweʼʹoⁿʻ sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ gagweʹgoⁿ neʻʹ goñnonʻʹheʼ ĕⁿwĕñnoñdadwĕñnīʹyōk neʼʹ
-He-it-intended in fact verily it (n.) entire (all) the they (z.)-alive (are) will -they-self-to-control-continue that
-
-neʻʹ hăʼdeganyoʼʹdăgeʻ. Hĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ deʼaweʼʹoⁿʻ
-the as many as it (z.) game-animal numbers. Not (it is) verily not He-it-designed
-
- ayagonaⁿskwayĕñʹdăʼk gĕⁿsʹ näⁿʹgĕⁿ neʻʹ gāʹnyoʼ.
-should-one-it-sl ave-to-possess-continue usually this (it is) the it (z.)-game animal.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ nāʹeʻ ĕⁿdjiswăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ. Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ-khoʻʹ nāʹeʻ
-So (then) now (then) moreover verily will-again-you-depart (for your homes) now (then). So (then) there-and verily
-
- nisʹʼăʻ năⁿyoʼdĕñoñʹdieʼ khoʻʹ neʻʹ nāʹeʻ heniswayeʹhăʼ. Nisʹ neʼʹkhoʻ
-the-you-only so-will-it (n.)-condition-to-be, -continue, and the verily as-so-you-it-do-habitually. The-you that-and
-
- gĕⁿsʹ nĕⁿyoʼdĕñoñʹdieʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ dĕⁿdjoñwĕñdjiăʼkʹhoⁿk.
-usually so-will-it (n.)-condition-to-be, continue, the now (then) wi ll-you-land-cross-successively as habit.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ gĕⁿsʹ ĕⁿyetcʻhiʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ oʹyăʼ hĕⁿyagonʻheʹdieʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-So (then) that (then) usually will-one-y ou-see the other, different there-will-one-alive -to-be, continue that the
-
- wĕñdoⁿʻʹgwā heʻʹ nĕⁿyonisʹʻheʼt ĕⁿyowĕñdjăʹdek.
-at the time-just where so-will-it-(n.) continue to be will-it-earth-to-stan d, continue.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼgadwĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ swăʻdĕñʹdĭʻ
-So (then) there. So (then) now (then) did- I-my-word-end. So (then) now (then) moreover you-depart
-
- ĕⁿswatʻhäʹdieʼ-khoʻ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼwĕñnăʻ­dĕñʹdĭ&m lapos;.
-wi ll-you-flying-go and.” So (then) now (then) verily did they (z.) depart.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ dondahăsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ
-So (then) that moreover now (then) again thence-again-he-spoke did-he-it-say, “Now (then) moreover
-
- hĕⁿdjidyăʻdĕñʹdĭ&mlapos ; aqʹdjiʹiʼ.” Wăʼagōgaiʹyĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ.
-hence-will-thou-I-depart (homeward) my elder sister.” Did-she-i t-consent-to verily.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ dayăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ. Neʼʹ neʻʹ skĕñnoⁿʼʹoñʻ yatʻhaiʹneʼ.
-Now (then) verily thence-they-two-departed. That the slowly (= peaceably) they-two-travel on.
-
- Wăhyĕñnoʹhet gĕⁿsʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoʼʹgäʻ. Wăʼoʹʻhĕñʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Did-they-two-stay over night usually the now (then) did-it (n.)-night-become. It-day-became now (then)
-
- wăʼoʼʹgäʻ. Wăʼoʹhĕñʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ gĕⁿsʹ āʹeʼ way&abrev e;ʻdĕñʹdĭʼ.
-did it night become. It day became now (then) usually again did-they-two-depa rt.
-
-
-Wisʹ noñsahiyăʻʹgoʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ saniʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Five so many again-they-two-staid over night. So that moreover the now (then) again they two arrived home now (then)
-
- daāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕⁿʼ, “Aqdjīʹiʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ sedīʹyoⁿʼ. Tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ
-thence-he (an.)-spoke did-he-it say, “My dear elder sister, now (then) verily thou-I-have-returned home. Not (it is)
-
- niʼʹăʻ deʼgoñyĕñdeʹi, soʼʹdjĭʻ noñʹ tchi-geksāʼʹăʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ săʻdĕñʹdyoñ.
-the-I-only not-I-thee-know, because, (= much-too) perhaps while-I-child-small (was) now (then) thou-departedst.
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹkhoʻ nisʹ sedinoʼʹsĕⁿ neʻʹ Oktēʹoñdoⁿʼ.
-So (then) that-and the-thou he-our-two-uncle (is) the Okteondon.
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ neʻʹ Iʼʹ waeyanĕñʹhauñʼ sʻhăʼʹgăʻdĕñdĭ ʼ. Neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ heʹʻhoyoñ heʹoñweʻ
-So (then) that the I did-I-his-track follow when-I-departed. There verily there-he-arrived there where
-
- tganyodäʹdeʼ. Dāʹ iʹwi neʼʹ noñʹ nāʹeʻ hōʹnyoʻ hoiʹgĕñ neʻʹ
-there-it (n.)-lake-exists. So (then) I-it-think that perhaps verily he-him-killed that-one (it is) the
-
- hăʻʹsowānĕñ.
-his-mouth-large (is).
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʼʹ neʻʹ dĕⁿdyatnooⁿʹgwāk, Iʼʹ dedyadāⁿʹnondeʼ.
-So (then) now (then) moreover that the shalt-thou-I-self-love -ever, we thou-I-brother-sister (are).
-
- Ĕⁿgoñnooⁿʹgwāk oʹnĕⁿʻ nisʹʼăʻ Iʼʹkhoʻ ĕⁿs­gnooⁿʹgwāk.
-Shall-I-thee-to-love, continue now then the-thou-(only) I-and shall-thou-me-to-lov e, continue.
-
-
- Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ Iʼʹ ĕⁿgadowätʹʻhăʼ.”
-So (then) now (then) moreover the I will-I- to-hunt-go.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waādōʹwät; agwasʹ hadjinoⁿʼdīʹyo; oʼʹwāʼ neʼʹsʻhoñ
-So (then) that moreover now (then) did-he-it-hunt; very he-hunter-fine (is); it (n.) meat that-just
-
- hodīʹgoⁿ; awenoñtgädeʼʹsʻhoñ heʹoñweʻ deniʼʹdyoⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-they-it-continue-to-eat; it (n.)-pleasant-just there where both-they-two-abide. So (then) there
-
- nigagāʹis.
-so-it-legend-long (is).
-
-
-
-
-
-137. THE LEGEND OF DOÄDANEGEÑ AND HOTKWISDADEGEÑA
-
-(TWO FEATHERS TOGETHER AND THE TORTURED BOY)
-
-Two male persons lived together in a lodge. The elder was named
-Doädanegeñ, and the younger, his nephew, was called Hotkwisdadegeña.
-Uncle and nephew lived by hunting, and they two dwelt in contentment,
-for they had meat to eat at all times. They thus spent their lives
-pleasantly. There were no other people dwelling in their neighborhood.
-
-After a long time passed in this kind of life the uncle said to his
-nephew: “Oh, my nephew! now go yonder to that valley, where you must
-seat yourself and listen very intently for whatever sounds that are
-peculiar which you may hear. I do not know what sounds you may hear,
-but you shall hear something.” So Hotkwisdadegeña set out for the
-valley, which he was not long in reaching. Having arrived there, he
-seated himself and kept very quiet. He remained in this attitude for a
-long time.
-
-Suddenly and without any warning an owl perched in the hollow of a
-near-by tree hooted Wu, wu, wu, wu-ūʻ. The youth quickly arose, saying:
-“This is perhaps what my uncle means,” and started on the run homeward.
-It was not long before he reached the lodge. Then the elder man,
-Doädanegeñ, his uncle, said: “What did you hear? Come, now, tell it.”
-“So let it be,” replied Hotkwisdadegeña. But the elder said: “Wait just
-a moment first. You may commence just as soon as my tobacco begins to
-burn, for I want to be smoking when you relate what you have heard.” So
-he put tobacco in his pipe and lighted it and immediately drew in the
-smoke. Then he exclaimed: “Now, relate what you have heard.” “All that
-I heard,” said the nephew to his uncle, “was the hooting of an owl.”
-The uncle at once laid aside his pipe, and seizing a bark paddle he
-arose quickly, and dipping up a paddleful of hot coals and ashes,
-poured them over his nephew, who was standing not far away. The burning
-coals fell on the youth’s head. As he did this, the uncle said: “I do
-not mean that.” The nephew began to cry because of the hot coals on his
-head, and going to his bunk he sat down, for these two persons occupied
-each his own side of the fireplace. Finally he stopped his crying and
-said: “Very miserable, indeed, has become my state, for now my uncle
-has begun to mistreat me, and he has never done this thing before.”
-Night came on, and they lay down to sleep, the uncle and his nephew.
-The next morning they arose, and when they had eaten their morning meal
-the uncle again said to his nephew: “Come, oh, my nephew! do you again
-go to listen, and you must again sit in yonder valley where you sat
-yesterday.”
-
-The nephew soon started, and having arrived at the valley he again sat
-down to listen for mysterious sounds. He listened very attentively. He
-was surprised in a short time to hear hard by the place where he sat
-the cry of some being: Tcĭkĭs, tcĭkĭskĭskĭs. This was a cry made by
-Tcoktcoñʹkhwĕñ. Again the youth arose with a spring and ran toward the
-place where stood the lodge occupied by his uncle and himself. On
-reaching his home the elder man, his uncle, said: “What thing is it you
-have heard, having just returned home? Now, please tell it.” Then his
-nephew, Hotkwisdadegeña, replied, “So be it; I shall tell it.” His
-uncle answered: “Just a little while, first. I will first fill my pipe,
-and just as soon as the tobacco is lighted you may tell me what you
-have heard.” So he filled his pipe with tobacco and lighted it, and
-when he had taken his pipe into his mouth, he said: “Come, now, tell me
-what you have heard.” Hotkwisdadegeña answered: “So let it be. All I
-heard were the sounds tcĭkĭskĭskĭs, tcĭkĭskĭskĭs, in whispers.” Then
-Doädanegeñ, the uncle, suddenly sprang up, and laying his pipe aside,
-seized a bark paddle and dipped up from the fire burning coals and hot
-ashes, which he poured on the top of his nephew’s head, who was
-standing near by. The nephew began to weep, and the uncle exclaimed:
-“That is not what I meant.” The nephew then went away to his own bunk
-on his side of the fire and there sat down. He stopped his crying and
-said: “Indeed, I am in a miserable state. Poor me! He has now
-overmatched my orenda.”
-
-Night coming on, they two retired and lay down to sleep for rest. In
-the morning they ate their breakfast. Just as soon as they had finished
-eating, the uncle said: “Oh, my nephew! go again to listen. You must
-again seat yourself in the valley, and you must listen with great
-attention.” The nephew replied, “So let it be,” and started. Having
-arrived in the valley where he was accustomed to sit, and there seating
-himself, he listened very attentively for strange sounds. Suddenly he
-heard a woman begin to sing in the distance. He understood clearly that
-it was a woman who was singing, and then saying, “I believe this is
-what he wants me to hear,” he started on the run for the lodge very
-swiftly. Having arrived there, the elder man said: “Are you returning
-after hearing something? Tell what you have heard.” The nephew replied:
-“Yes.” The uncle said, “Come, tell it!” The nephew answered: “So be it;
-I will tell it”; but the uncle said, “Wait a moment until I fill my
-pipe, so that I will be smoking while you are telling me your story.”
-Having lighted his pipe, he said: “Come, now, you must relate what you
-have heard.” The young man, Hotkwisdadegeña, answered: “So let it be as
-you say. The only thing that I heard was a woman singing, and in her
-song she used these words, ‘Haʻhowe, at the home of Doädanegeñ,
-haʻhowe, I am going to seek a young person, a male, haʻhowe.’” Then the
-nephew ceased talking. It so came to pass that this time the uncle did
-not use a bark paddle to dip up hot ashes and burning coals to pour on
-the head of his nephew. He did not scorch him. “It is a fact, indeed,
-the woman comes naming me as the object of her coming, and that is why
-she comes saying on the way, ‘Doädanegeñ.’ Verily, as you know, that is
-my name. So, now, do you go thither again to listen again for strange
-sounds, for she is, perhaps, now nearing this place.”
-
-Then the nephew, Hotkwisdadegeña, returned to the valley to listen
-again. He found that the singing was approaching quite near to the
-place where he was listening. Suddenly it stopped, and the voice of a
-woman began to sing: “Haʻhowe, haʻhowe, haʻhowe, at the home of
-Doädanegeñ, haʻhowe, I go to seek the person of a young man, haʻhowe,
-haʻhowe.” The nephew sprang up, and turning homeward, ran back there as
-swiftly as it was possible for him to run. Arriving there he exclaimed:
-“Behold, the singing is, indeed, now close at hand, just a short
-distance away.”
-
-Thereupon the uncle arose and began to clean up the lodge, sweeping all
-manner of dirt and filth over to the place where his nephew was
-accustomed to stay. Then the uncle bade the young man sit down in that
-place among the dirt and filth. The entire head of the nephew was
-covered with scabs and sores. On the other hand, the old uncle cleaned
-himself up as well as he could. He spread furs and skins about his
-couch and seat in such wise as to appear to be one who is “downfended,”
-one who is a noble in the family. He carefully washed his feather
-plumes, which had become smoked and dusty from disuse and from lying
-around among his belongings. When they were nicely cleaned he preened
-them, and then, taking his headgear, he set these feathers, two in
-number, side by side in the front of it. When he had finished this task
-he put the headgear back in the bark case containing his various
-belongings. In like manner he cleaned and furbished up all his raiment
-and arms and ornaments.
-
-He had hardly completed his renovations and cleaning of his belongings
-when suddenly they heard a woman sing not far away from the lodge. In
-the song the woman said: “Haʻhowe, haʻhowe, haʻhowe, I am seeking the
-body of a young male person, haʻhowe, haʻhowe. It is He-who-listens,
-He-who-listens, haʻhowe, haʻhowe.” Then the uncle said to his nephew:
-“Oh, my nephew! now you must keep very quiet; you must not talk nor
-move around.” Suddenly there came sounds at the doorway, which seemed
-to be the footsteps of two women. All at once the doorflap was thrust
-aside, and a woman stepped into the lodge followed by another woman,
-and there the two women stood in the lodge. One of the women said:
-“Behold it is not certain on which side of the fire sits Doädanegeñ.
-Indeed, this one who is sitting here is verily not the one. That one
-sitting in yonder place is, indeed, the one who is called Doädanegeñ.
-This one is called Hatʻhondas (i.e., He-who-listens). So, as long as
-you think this one is Doädanegeñ, you go to him; but I myself will go
-to that one.” The two sisters were not of the same opinion as to the
-identity of the two male persons before them. The younger desired to go
-to one of the men, while the other sister wished to go to the other.
-Now, Doädanegeñ overhearing these remarks of the two sisters, and
-meanly seeking to deceive them as to his own identity, kept saying:
-“This is the right side of the fire. Come here.”
-
-Finally, the younger sister, who carried the marriage bread in a large
-basket (which women customarily carried when they went to the lodges of
-men to seek for husbands), going over to the place where Hatʻhondas
-sat, took a seat beside him. All at once the elder woman also ran in
-that direction and took her seat beside him. So each woman now sat on
-one side of him.
-
-Then the uncle, Doädanegeñ, went over to the place where the three were
-sitting, and seizing the hand of his nephew, pushed the youth away
-across the fire, ordering him to remain there. He himself took the seat
-between the two maidens. But they both arose at once and went to the
-place where Hatʻhondas was then seated and again sat down on each side
-of him. Now the old man again arose, and going over to the place where
-the three were seated he seized the young man, his nephew, by the arm
-and shoved him across the fireplace to the other side of the fire,
-while he once more seated himself between the maidens. But as the
-maidens did not come to marry him they again arose quickly and, leaving
-the old man, went over to the place where the young man was and sat
-down on each side of him.
-
-The old man did not repeat his previous actions, but he sat silent for
-a long time. At last the old man, addressing his nephew, said: “Oh, my
-nephew! now verily you will marry. I will make the proper arrangements
-and will put in order the place where you are accustomed to seat
-yourself, because it is so very filthy and dirty, since you are foolish
-and do filthy things in the place where you are accustomed to abide.”
-But it was he himself who had swept all manner of dirt and filth over
-the place and on the things belonging to his young nephew and so had
-disgustingly soiled them. The uncle added: “For a while seat yourselves
-herein this place while I clean and renovate the place and things
-belonging to my nephew.”
-
-Then he proceeded to clean up the things and to make them fine in
-appearance, for he carefully swept and dusted everything belonging to
-his nephew. A bearskin and a deerskin and a beaver skin he carefully
-spread over the couch of his nephew and caused the latter to be covered
-entirely with furs and skins.
-
-The two maidens again took their seats beside him as his wives, for he
-indeed married them. Then the uncle said to his nephew: “Now you have
-married. Come, now, I do not know whether these two women have brought
-with them that which confirms customarily the marriage of people one to
-another, which usually is 20 loaves of marriage bread, commonly called
-by the Seneca deganăʼhoñsdiăʼgoⁿ.” One of the women, replying, said:
-“So let it be as you have indicated.” Taking up the basket and going
-over to the place where he sat, she said: “These are the things of
-which you are telling,” and placed the basket between his feet. He just
-kept his eyes on the proceedings while the woman returned to her seat.
-The uncle uncovered the basket of marriage bread and took from it the
-20 loaves of marriage bread, saying with some warmth: “The matter has
-been fulfilled, for she has given me the marriage bread, which has
-confirmed the matter. It certainly has been fulfilled according to the
-custom of marrying.”
-
-Now the head of Hatʻhondas, his nephew, was literally covered with
-sores and scabs, so the uncle said to him: “Oh, my nephew! come hither.
-Come!” The nephew went over to where his uncle was sitting, whereupon
-the old man said: “I am going to attend to you for the purpose of
-dressing you and cleaning you.” Near at hand hung the bladder of a
-bear, in which there was a quantity of sunflower oil, or butter. Out of
-this receptacle he took a quantity of the sunflower oil, or butter, in
-the palm of his hand and anointed the head of his nephew with it. He
-repeated this act until he had completely saturated the hair with the
-sunflower oil. Further, he poured three handfuls of the sunflower oil
-on his nephew’s head. The two young women, who merely looked on, only
-marveled at what they saw. All at once they saw the uncle remove a cap
-of scabs from the head of his nephew. No more scabs were left on his
-head, which now looked clean and handsome.
-
-It happened that on the young man’s forehead two feathers stuck out,
-which were set side by side, one red and the other blue. These, which
-were set side by side, were about so long [indicating with the hand].
-The old man said to his nephew: “This ornamentation is very
-unbecoming”; so he pulled first the one feather and then the other.
-Then he said: “This is fine. Go over to that place, and there you must
-stand, facing this way. I will look at you, for I do not know how
-handsome you are.” The young man went to the place indicated and faced
-his uncle. The latter eyed him carefully and critically as he stood
-there under review. Suddenly the old man said: “Come hither. Come back
-here again. I am not at all satisfied.” When the nephew had come up to
-him the uncle again poured sunflower oil into the palm of his hand,
-with which he carefully anointed the face of his nephew. Then he said:
-“Again go to that place and face me again.” The nephew again went there
-and faced his uncle. Once more the old man critically eyed his nephew,
-finally exclaiming, “You are such a fine-looking young man that there
-is nowhere living another young man as handsome. Now come to me. This
-is what you shall be named: Doädanegeñ you shall be called; and in all
-the distant places where people dwell the sound has gone, saying of
-you, ‘He is the great hunter of all kinds of animals.’ Your name is one
-which is obeyed, and which is heard in distant places of the land.
-Again take your seat in yonder place.” So the nephew resumed his seat.
-
-Then one of the two women, the elder, said: “I am exceedingly thankful
-that our husband is so fine-looking a man.” To this the younger
-answered: “As to me, I will cherish him. I myself will love him. I will
-do only whatever it may be that he sees fit to ask me to do.” When
-night came on they lay down to sleep, the young man lying down between
-the two women, so that Hatʻhondas had a wife on each side. It now came
-to pass that the elder one could not fall asleep. Hatʻhondas, however,
-was fast asleep, and she most of the time kept looking at him as he lay
-asleep. As to the other wife, she was sound asleep, indeed. Daylight
-came, and the elder one had not slept at all during the entire night.
-Then the two sisters set to work preparing their morning meal. So, as
-soon as the food was cooked they began to eat it; and they took up a
-share for the old man, who sat on the opposite side of the fire. They
-themselves ate together on their own side of the fire—Doädanegeñ and
-his wives.
-
-When all had finished eating the old man said: “Oh, my nephew! you must
-begin to travel over the earth. You must be very circumspect and
-careful because there are traveling about many kinds of beings which
-are full of the highest potency of evil orenda. You must go out to hunt
-for any kind of game animals, it may be. It is possible for you to kill
-them, it is true, for you are not susceptible to the influence of evil
-orenda.” So the nephew started out to hunt. He remarked to himself: “I
-wonder whether what my uncle said is true, indeed. I will begin with
-raccoons.”
-
-As he went along he saw a standing tree greatly scarred with claw
-marks. Climbing this tree he found a nest of raccoons. From this he
-pulled out a raccoon, which he threw down; then taking out another
-raccoon he threw it also to the ground, and then another and another.
-Finally he said: “I do think these will do.” He now descended from the
-tree, and when he reached the ground he said: “I am, perhaps, strong
-enough to carry these bodies home on my back by means of the forehead
-strap.” So he set to work packing the bodies into a bundle, by laying
-down his forehead strap and placing the bodies of the raccoons on it
-and then binding the ends of the strap around them in such manner as to
-make a closely bound bundle. When he had completed this task he took up
-the pack and placed it on his back in such wise that he carried it by
-means of the forehead strap, as was the custom at that time. Then he
-started for home. With the bundle on his back he reached his home.
-Casting the bundle down indoors, he said: “Oh, my uncle! dress these,
-if you will.”
-
-Then, truly, the old man set to work dressing the raccoons, exclaiming:
-“Hōʹ, my nephew! All has happened for good. Ever since you were small I
-have been attending to you. As you were growing up I took care of you
-and I pitied you. Now, in turn, you have grown to manhood. So it is, I
-have been accustomed to think that this would come to pass. Now these
-bodies lie here as a fulfillment of my hopes; so I am very thankful.”
-
-Then the old man skinned the raccoons, and when he had completed his
-task he said, delightedly: “With these skins I will make for myself a
-robe. You must go to hunt again. These things are to be cooked in only
-one way; they must be cooked by being boiled down.” He told this to the
-two wives of his nephew, asking them whether that was not the right way
-of cooking raccoons. Then the two women, arising, proceeded to dress
-the raccoons. When they had dressed them they set the kettle over the
-fire and started the raccoon meat to cooking. When it was cooked it was
-indeed boiled down in the manner suggested by the old man. Then the two
-women placed the meat on bark trays, and all began to eat. The old man
-kept on saying: “Hōʹ, I am thankful, thankful, thankful.”
-
-The next morning Doädanegeñ again went forth to hunt. As he traveled
-through the forest he finally came to a tree all over the outside of
-which he saw many claw marks. Hence he decided to climb it to see
-whether there was any game in the hollow of the trunk. As on the former
-trip, he found raccoons in the hollow of the tree, which he proceeded
-to drag out. He would put his arm into the hollow of the rotten old
-tree, drag out a raccoon, and throw it to the ground, repeating this
-process until he had thus dragged forth six or seven raccoons. Then
-exclaiming “I believe that I have now killed a sufficient number,” he
-again descended the tree to the ground. Again he laid out his forehead
-strap, whereon he placed the bodies of the raccoons which he had
-killed. They made a large load. He bound the bodies into a bundle ready
-to carry. Placing this on his back so that he could carry it by means
-of his forehead strap, he again started for the lodge of his family.
-Having returned home, he laid his pack down indoors, before the place
-where sat his uncle, who could only exclaim: “Hōʹ! I am so thankful;
-hōʹ! I am so thankful. Perhaps, now, I can complete my robe with these
-eight skins.” Then the old man skinned them, and when he had completed
-this task he proceeded to stretch and dry the skins in the usual manner
-on frames of wooden sticks. As soon as they were dried he made himself
-a robe, which was very beautiful when he had completed it. So it came
-to pass that he had a raccoon-skin robe with which to cover himself.
-
-Continually, indeed, did the two women cook and prepare food for the
-family, and all lived in the greatest contentment. It came to pass that
-the elder sister said to the younger: “Let us go to fetch wood, for it
-is the custom for those who are living in their husband’s lodge to
-gather wood.” They two then went forth from the lodge toward the
-neighboring forest. There they saw a standing tree which appeared to be
-fit for their purpose. The elder carried with her a round, hard, white
-stone, which she struck against the tree, making a sound which was
-heard everywhere, and the tree fell into a heap of firewood. The two
-women proceeded to make themselves loads by laying together the strips
-of wood. They placed thus in two heaps the whole of that great tree.
-When they had finished their packs, placing them on their backs, they
-started for home. When they reached the doorway they separated, and
-standing on opposite sides of the lodge, they untied their forehead
-straps, whereupon their packs fell to the ground, growing into such
-great heaps that the lodge was quite surrounded with firewood. Then the
-two reentered the lodge, and the elder said: “One who is in the lodge
-of her husband’s family is customarily expert in preparing wood.” This
-she said to the old man, the uncle of her husband. The old man replied:
-“Hōʹ! I am very thankful.”
-
-At this time some women who lived in a distant place learned that
-Doädanegeñ had grown to manhood. There were four persons in this family
-of women—a mother and her three daughters. The mother, addressing her
-daughters, said: “Now, my children, you must go after him to secure him
-for a husband. And you, the eldest, shall be the first to go in quest
-of him.” Then the three daughters commenced to make the marriage bread
-(deganahoñdyăʼgoⁿ). They began their task by preparing the flour corn
-by boiling in ashes to loosen the husk of the grains, afterwards
-washing the grains in clean water and pounding the corn into meal in a
-wooden mortar with pestles of wood. The three sisters united their
-labors in the preparation of this bread. The sounds made by the pestles
-were tuʻ, tuʻ, tuʻ, tuʻ, tuʻ. It was not long before they had prepared
-the needed 20 cakes of marriage bread.
-
-When the bread was ready it was placed in a basket made for carrying by
-means of the forehead strap. Then the mother said to the eldest
-daughter: “Come to me.” The daughter obeyed her, and the mother began
-to comb her hair; she also anointed it with oil of a fine smell. Then
-she braided her hair, tying it so close with a string that the eyebrows
-were drawn up to the extent that the eye-sockets had quite disappeared.
-Then the mother said to her daughter affectionately: “Now, go you to
-that distant place where Doädanegeñ moves, and I expect that by all
-means you will bring him back with you. Have courage. Very certainly it
-is safe, that by which you shall cross this lake.” Then she placed the
-basket of bread on her daughter’s back so that it might be carried by
-means of the forehead strap.
-
-Thereupon the eldest daughter started away. Having indeed arrived at
-the settlement in which dwelt Doädanegeñ, she took position a long
-distance from his lodge and watched for him a very long time, but was
-not able to see him. Suddenly, Doädanegeñ came out of his lodge and
-looked around. The young woman was just a short distance aside,
-watching him. Then he started on his hunting trip, for he had not
-detected the presence of the young woman. She kept her eyes on him as
-he walked away and finally disappeared in the distance. Swiftly now the
-young woman pursued him with the determination of finding him. She had
-followed him a very long distance when suddenly, as she kept looking
-ahead, she saw him climbing a large tree. Going toward that tree
-undetected, not far from it she stopped still. The raccoons were coming
-out one after another with great rapidity and verily there was a high
-pile of bodies. The maiden stood there watching Doädanegeñ at work.
-Moving up close to the tree, she exclaimed: “Do you come down again
-from the tree. Perhaps you are now bringing down the last one.” But all
-at once a yellow hammer cried out Kwĕⁿʻ, kwĕⁿʻ, kwĕⁿʻ, and she saw it
-flying along the edge of the forest, crying as it flew. In bitter
-chagrin the maid exclaimed: “Oh, how provoking it is! Doädanegeñ has
-made me angry,” and taking from her back the basket of marriage bread,
-consisting of 20 cakes, she emptied the basket to one side of her and
-then started homeward.
-
-Having reached her home, where her sisters and her mother awaited her,
-she was asked by the latter: “Well, what has happened so serious that
-you have returned without bringing him?” The young woman replied: “I
-have not the ability to do anything with him, because, I think, he is
-immune from my orenda—he is, indeed, immune to enchantment.” The mother
-answered: “Truly I do not depend on you because you are so incapable,
-so weak (in orenda). So now my youngest daughter shall go, for truly I
-do depend on her so much. Now, then, do you prepare the basket of
-marriage bread, which must consist of 20 cakes.”
-
-With a cry of “Come, now,” they set to work pounding the corn into
-meal, and after making the meal into 20 cakes they boiled them, and
-when they were cooked they placed them in a basket suitable for the
-purpose. Then her mother set to work dressing the hair of her youngest
-daughter; she oiled it with fine bear’s grease and braided it into many
-fine braids. She braided it very close and wrapped the braids so tight
-that the maiden seemed not to have any eyebrows left. When the mother
-had finished the task of dressing her daughter and had instructed her
-as to what she should do to insure success on her way, the basket of
-marriage bread was placed on the young woman’s back. Finally her mother
-said to her: “Have courage. You certainly are able to conquer him. I
-depend on you to bring Doädanegeñ back with you.”
-
-Then the young woman started on her journey. She carried the basket on
-her back by means of the forehead strap. Finally she reached the
-settlement to which she had been sent. There, not far away from the
-lodge of her intended victim, she concealed herself in various places
-the better to keep a watch on the lodge. She hid from place to place
-for a long time without seeing her victim. But finally she was
-surprised to see him come out of the lodge and after looking around
-very carefully start away. She tracked him, and after pursuing him for
-a long time she saw him in the distance high up in a tall tree. She
-concealed her presence from him as best she knew how. She would get
-behind a tree and move nearer the tree on which her victim was. Then,
-slipping quickly around another, she kept drawing nearer and nearer to
-him, for she was determined to conquer him. Finally she reached the
-tree without being perceived and there she sat down, leaning against
-the tree. She placed there beside her the basket of marriage bread. She
-saw the raccoons falling down one after another without interruption.
-For a long time she remained there very quiet. Meanwhile Doädanegeñ
-looked around suspiciously, first taking in the entire horizon and then
-the ground below; then he descended the tree very slowly, until finally
-he reached the ground on the side opposite the spot where the young
-woman was sitting. At this time the maiden, quickly arising, went
-swiftly around the tree to the place where Doädanegeñ stood. He could
-do nothing to escape. He looked at her with a smile of defeat and was
-astonished to see how beautiful the maiden was. She was, indeed, far
-prettier than his wives were, although they, too, were fine looking.
-Then the victorious maiden said to him: “Rest yourself. Perhaps you are
-tired, for you have been continually climbing high up in the trees. You
-must sit down and rest your head in my lap, and I will dress your hair.
-You must face me when you sit in front of me.”
-
-So Doädanegeñ took the seat indicated by the young woman, placing his
-head in her lap. She removed the vermin and snarls from his hair, being
-at this task a long time. So, indeed, the young man fell asleep, and,
-perhaps, she caused him to sleep soundly. Finally, she said to him in a
-loud voice, “Well, awake thou,” whereupon all his members moved. Then
-she placed him in her bag and emptied her basket of marriage bread.
-Then, after fastening a forehead strap to her pack, she placed it on
-her back, carrying it by means of the strap. It was very heavy, and he
-was asleep. Far away from the place where she had conquered him there
-was a very steep rock. On this the young woman seated herself and
-proceeded to unwrap her pack. She bound a band around the head of the
-young man; then she called to him, saying, “Awake thou!” She used all
-her might of voice in saying again, “Awake thou!”
-
-Suddenly the young man awoke, and the young woman said to him: “Dost
-thou recognize this place?” He looked around to see whether he had any
-knowledge of the place, and said in reply: “I know this place. Here is
-where my uncle and myself take the moose while out hunting.” Answering
-him, the maiden replied: “It is true. You do know this place. I think
-that, perhaps, I can not do better than to hunt the vermin in your head
-again. Again you must face the place you did once before.” So he sat
-down facing the young woman, resting his head in her lap. The young
-woman again searched his head for vermin, while he meekly faced her
-person.
-
-Again he fell asleep, and again his sleep was very sound, so truly,
-when the young woman again said, “Awake thou!” it was impossible for
-him to awake. Again she wrapped him in her bag, which she took on her
-back again, carrying the pack by means of the forehead strap. She then
-started for home. Arriving at the shore of the lake, she again awakened
-him, saying to him, “Awake thou!” But it was a very long time before he
-awoke. When he did so, she said to him: “Well, dost thou know this
-place?” After looking around a while, he replied: “I recognize this
-place. It is here that my uncle and myself engage in fishing.” She
-replied merely: “So be it. Now again I will search for vermin in your
-head, and again thou must face the same place that thou didst the last
-time I cleaned thy head.” So she again searched for vermin in his head.
-It was not very long before he again was fast asleep with his head on
-the lap of the young woman. Thereupon she bound him up once more in her
-bag and again placed the pack on her back, carrying it by means of the
-forehead strap.
-
-When she arrived at the place wherein abode her sisters and mother they
-were surprised that she returned carrying a pack on her back. Throwing
-the pack on the ground in the lodge, she said to her mother and
-sisters, “Verily, Doädanegeñ is contained in the pack. Do you now take
-him out of it.” Then her mother said to her, “Oh, my daughter! I am
-thankful that the matter has been accomplished, because I depend on
-you.” Then, addressing herself to the sleeping young man, she said:
-“Oh, my son-in-law, awake thou!” but it was a very long time before he
-awoke. He arose, and going aside, took a seat there. He was greatly
-surprised by the beauty of the inmates of the lodge and their mother,
-too. When night came on Doädanegeñ shared the bed of the young woman
-who had brought him back with her.
-
-In the meanwhile, the next day, the younger one of his wives said to
-her elder sister: “These women who live far from here have taken our
-husband away from us; it is they who have conquered him. Now, I will
-now go after him. You must remain with the old man, his uncle.”
-Thereupon the old man began to weep because he did not know where his
-nephew was. He lamented, saying “Hāʹgiʻ, hāʹgiʻ, giʼ; 10 years will
-pass before I shall give him up, hāʹgiʻ.”
-
-Then the younger wife started, saying: “I will go to fetch him back
-home.” So she departed, leaving her elder sister to remain with the
-uncle of Doädanegeñ. Finally she arrived at the tree in which her
-husband was accustomed to hunt for raccoons. She could see plainly the
-trail left by the woman who had accomplished his seduction and then
-carried him away. Then she started on farther. Again she sang the song
-in which she used the following words: “Hăʻhowi, hăʻhowi, hăʻhowi; I am
-going to hunt for the person, hăʻhowi, hăʻhowi, of Doädanegeñ wherever
-he may be, hăʻhowi, hăʻhowi, I am going to hunt for the person of
-Hatʻhoñʹdas (The Obedient), ĕʼ ĕⁿʻhĕⁿʻ.” Thus she traveled on.
-
-At last she reached the settlement in which lived the wicked four
-women, the mother and her three daughters. She was surprised to see a
-short distance away the lodge she was seeking. She stood there for a
-moment, listening very intently for any sounds that she might be able
-to hear from the lodge. She was greatly surprised to hear her husband
-therein weeping; she recognized his voice. At once she rushed forward
-to the side of the lodge, and peering through the crevices in its bark
-walls she was surprised to see Doädanegeñ standing there weeping as he
-was being tortured with fire. The mother stood there holding a basket
-in her hands, at the same time drawing brands out of the fire, with
-which they touched their victim around the ears, causing him to weep.
-The tears which he shed were wampum beads, which were caught on a
-buckskin spread out on the ground for the purpose. Then the old woman
-would gather the beads into her basket.
-
-His wife saw this taking place—a provoking sight—and without any
-thought of what was going on and regardless of any fear as to
-consequences she rushed into the lodge and, seizing her husband, drew
-him out of the lodge. As soon as they had come out she called in a loud
-voice: “Hither do ye come, you brave ones, my own guardian beings, ye
-small humming birds.” And they two, wife and husband, quickly ran
-around the lodge, the wife shouting exultingly, “Let no person
-whatsoever escape from the lodge, no matter how great a wizard he or
-she may be; let the top and the bottom and the sides of the lodge be
-closed up, and let the lodge become red hot. Have courage, my guardian
-beings, have courage.” These came to her aid, making the sound dauñʻʹ
-while they worked. Suddenly the lodge burst into flames, and then the
-imprisoned women wept—the unfortunate mother and her daughters. Slowly
-the sounds they made in their frantic efforts to escape died away to
-silence.
-
-Then the young wife said to her husband, “Now, let us go to our home.”
-So they started; but the husband could scarcely walk because he had
-been so cruelly tortured. Finally they reached the lake, whereupon the
-young wife said, “Hither do thou come to give us aid, thou the great
-leech, as thou art called.” Just then they saw it make its appearance
-above the water in the middle of the lake. It was not long before it
-came up to the place where they two were standing. Then the young woman
-said to it, “Do you help us two, for we are to be pitied, my husband
-and myself. He is named Doädanegeñ, a famous name. We two will mount on
-your back, so now make a straight course for the place whence we two
-have departed.” The great leech, obeying the young woman’s command,
-bore them across the lake to their own shore. Then the young woman
-gratefully thanked it, saying, “I am thankful, and I make my
-acknowledgments to you for aiding us. Now you are again free.”
-
-So husband and wife returned to their home whence they had gone on this
-adventure. When they had arrived near the lodge the young man overheard
-his uncle weeping within it. He heard him singing his lamentation, “Oh,
-my nephew! my nephew, my nephew, 10 years will be the limit of my
-mourning for you. It will be 10 years before I will give you up.” In
-addition to this he sat near the fire and was engaged in dipping up
-with a paddle burning coals and hot ashes, which he poured on the top
-of his head. He had, indeed, already burned or scorched off all the
-hair. The nephew found him only half alive. When the nephew entered the
-lodge he said tenderly, “Oh, my uncle! I have now returned home.” But
-the wretched old man would not cease his weeping and self-humiliation.
-Then the nephew grasped the old man, saying, “Oh, my uncle! I have now
-returned home. It is I, Doädanegeñ, who have returned home.” The aged
-uncle, recognizing his nephew, whom he believed dead, exclaimed, “Wuʼʹ!
-Is it indeed you? I am thankful that you have returned home. Do not
-hereafter go to distant places. You must remain at home with us. You
-can hunt in places which are not far from here, because now the time is
-at hand when this elder one of your wives is about to become a mother,
-so you must be near her.”
-
-This is the story of Doädanegeñ. This is the end of the story.
-
-
-
-
-
-138. THE LEGEND OF DOÄʻDANEʹGĔⁿʼ AND HOTKWISDADEGĔⁿʼʹĂ
-
-
- Hodinoⁿʹsōt giʼʹoⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ hayāʹsoⁿ neʻʹ
-Their (an.) lodge stands it is said. That (it is) the Dooäʼdan& emacr;ʹgĕⁿʼ he is called, is named the
-
- hagĕⁿʹdjĭ. Dāʹ neʼʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgõwā, neʼʹ neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ
-he, the old one. So that (it is) truly (of course) the he, the youth, large child, that (it is) the his nephew
-
- Tkwisdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ (i.e., Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ) neʻʹ neʼʹ hayaʹsoⁿ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-Tkwisdadeg&eb reve;ⁿʼʹăʻ (i.e., Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ) the that he is called. is named. So now, (then) it is said,
-
- yadōʹwäs neʼʹ neʻʹ yadădīʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ. Agwasʹ skĕñʹnoⁿʼ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-they two (n.) kept hunting that (it is) the they two (an.) uncle and nephew. Verily, Indeed, (it) peace it is said,
-
- yĕñnoⁿʻʹdoñnyoⁿʻ deniʼdyoⁿʼʹsʻhoñ. Dāʹ diawĕⁿʼʹoⁿʻ oʼʹwāʼ hodīʹgoⁿ
-they two (an.) kept on thinking two they two (an.) dwelt together. So, constantly, it meat (n.) they (masc. pl.) it-ate.
-
-neʻʹ yadădīʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ Agwasʹ awĕñnotgäʹdeʼ heʹõñweʻ deniʼdyoⁿʼʹsʻhoñ.
-the they two (an.) uncle-nephew (are). Verily, it pleasant (is) there where two they two (an.) lived, dwelt together
-
- Neʹ khoʻ deʼgatgăʼʹhoʻ soñʹgāʼ deʼenâñʹgeʼ.
-There in that place and not anywhere (nowhere) some one (an.) not one (an.) dwells.
-
-
- Agwasʹ oʼyoʹnisʻheʼt, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ niyoʼʹdĕñ, oʹnĕⁿʻʻ giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-Verily, Indeed, it remained long, was long time, it is said, (there) thus so it (n.) state was, now (then) it is said,
-
-neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ wāiʹĕñʼ, “Hīʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ hEʻʹoñweʻ hoʼʹseʻ hīʹgĕñ
-the he, the old one he it said, “Oh, my nephew, now, then there where thither thou go that it-is
-
- diyogoñʹwandeʼ. Neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿsaʹdyĕñʼ ĕnsadauⁿʻdiʹyos-khoʻ,
-there it-lunate-stream-washed bluff (is). There thither thou wilt seat thyself will-thy ear fine make (it)-and,
-
-ăʹdĭʼgwăʻ waiʻʹ ĕⁿsāʹoñk hăʼʹgwĭs̆dĕⁿʼ.&rd quo; Gădōʹgĕñ hăʼʹgwĭsdĕⁿʼ ĕⁿsāʹoñk heʹoñweʻ
-whatsoever of course wilt thou-it hear something.” It-certain is something wilt thou-it-hear there where
-
- hĕⁿsiʼdyoñʹdāk.”
-there wilt thou be abiding.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waaʻʹdĕñdĭʼ neʻʹ Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʼăʻ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼheʼʹ heʹoñweʻ
-So now, (then) it is said, he started, departed, the Hotkwisdadegĕ ⁿʼăʻ there thither he went there where
-
- dyogoñwanʹdeʼ. Dāʹ deʼaonisʻheʼʹoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ wăāʹyoⁿʼ. Dāʹ
-there it-lunate-stream-washed bluff (is) So not it was a long time now (then) it is said, there did he arrive. So
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹ gwāʹ, waiʻʹ, dăgasʹnyeʼ t neʻʹ oʼōʹwāʼ,” giʼʹonʻ, waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ
-now (then) it is said, That (it is) only, truly, thence it spoke the owl,” it is said, did he-it say the
-
-hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ.
- his-nephew the Hotkwisdadeg ĕⁿʼʹăʻ.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ gondăʹdieʼ (gondaʹdjieʼ) hōʹgwā wāāʹyĕñʼ neʻʹ hoʻsʻhogwăʻʹdă,
-So now (then) besides the his uncle at once, (right away) (modern form) aside did he-it lay the his-pipe
-
- dondāāʹdăʼt-khoʻ găʹsnoⁿʼ găgăʹwĭsăʼ neʼʹ dondāʹăk-khoʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ giʼʹsʻhäⁿ heʹoñweʻ
-thence he arose (and) stood-and it-bark it-paddle that thence he-it took up-and now (then) it seems there where
-
- honadegăʼʹdōⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ wāādjisʹdōdjĕnt-khoʻ, dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ hogwāʹsʻhoñ iʹyad neʻʹ hauñʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ
-they (pl.) fire have kindled there did he-it-fire dip up-and so there aside just he stood the his-nephew
-
-neʼʹhoʻ wauñʹtʻhoʼ honoʼĕñgĕñʹyăd neʻʹ odjisdăʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waiʹĕñʼ,
- there did-he-it pour his-head-top of (on) the it-fire nothing but, so now (then) besides did-he-it say,
-
- “Deʼneʼʹ deʼgīʹdoⁿ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāeʻʹ neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ oʼtʻhăʻʹsĕⁿʹt&t comma;ho neʼʹ gaiyoñʹnĭʻ
-“Not that (it is) not I-it-mean.” So now (then) truly the his nephew did he weep that it-matter causes
-
-neʼʹ neʻʹ odjisdăʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ honoʼĕñʼʹgeʻ oʼwăʼʹsĕⁿʼt, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, honăkdăʼʹgeʻ wāādyăsʹʻhĕñʼ,
-that the it-fire nothing but his-head-on did it fall, So, now (then) it is said, his-couch-on did-he-s elf prone lay,
-
-neʼʹhoʻ hoʹgwā wāāʹdyĕñʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ hădyĕñʹdăʻʹgwă&mlapo s;, neʼʹ sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ
- there aside did he-self seat there where he-self-seats customarily, that (it is) because
-
- dōōdidjĕñʹoñt.
-two-they-fire have between them.
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waĕⁿniʹʻhĕⁿʼ neʻʹ hăsdāʻʹhăʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waiʹĕñʼ, “Gĕñʻʹ
-So that besides now (then) verily did he-it stop the he weeping (is), so now (then) besides did he-it-say, “Alas,
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ oñgidĕⁿsʹtʻheʼt; oʹñĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ wāāknoⁿʹgoñdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ āknoʼʹsĕⁿʻ. Dewĕñʹdoⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ
-now (then) I pitiable have become now (then) truly he-me-abuse d has the my uncle. Not-ever before thus, so,
-
- deoyeʹoⁿʻ.” neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ dyogoñʹwandeʼ wăāʹdyĕñʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-so he-it has done.” these (thus) there where it-valley-cliff stands did he seat himself. So (then) now then
-
- diqʹ tʻhāʹdyēʼ. Agwasʹ oʼyonisʹʻheʼt neʼʹhoʻ
-too, besides so he kept quiet. Verily, just, it lasted a long time, it was a long time thus (there)
-
- niyoʼʹdĕñ.
-so it was (situated).
-
-
- Dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ dăgasʹnyeʼt, “Wuʹ, wuʹ, wuʹ, wuʹ, wūʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʼ. Oʼʹowāʼ, giʼʹoⁿ,
-Suddenly, all at once, then (now) thence it-spoke “Wuʹ, wuʹ, wuʹ, wuʹ, wūʹ,” it-said. Owl, it is said,
-
- nāʹe dăgasʹnyeʼt. Dondāadăsʹdăk neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā waiʹĕñʼ-khoʻ, “Neʼʹ noñʹ hĕñʹdoⁿʻ
-indeed, verily thence it-spoke. Thence he arose suddenly the he-youth (is) he-said-and, “That perhaps he-it-means
-
- nāāknoʼʹsĕⁿ,” hăʼdoñsāĕⁿʻʹdāt-kh oʻ, wăʼoʹsnowĕⁿ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñsaāʹyoⁿʼ
-the-he-my-un cle (is),” hence-he ran (=showed heels) -and it-in-haste-was. So now (then) there again he returned
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ haʹgĕⁿdjĭ, neʼʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ, “Aⁿnaⁿʼoʻʹdäⁿʼäⁿ
-now (then) it is said, did-he-it-say, the he-elder one, (is) that (it is) the Dooädanegen, “What thing is it
-
- oʼsāʹoñk? Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ satʻhyoʹwĭʻ.”
-didst thou-it hear? Come, now then do thou-it-tell.”
-
-
- “Niyoʻʹ,” waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ waiʹĕñʼ,
-“So be it,” did he-it say the Hotkwisdad egĕⁿʼʹăʻ. So now, (then) it is said, the he-elder one (is) did he-it say,
-
- “Tcikwasʹ yāʹeʼ. Gaʹnyoʼ yāʹeʼ ĕⁿwagyĕñʼgwadēʹgĕⁿ& mlapos;. Agwasʹ ĕⁿwagedjeoʹdăʼk neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-“Just a moment first. As soon as first will it-my-tobacco burn (light). At all events will I smoking be the now (then)
-
- ĕⁿsatʻhyoʹwĭʼ neʻʹ năⁿʼʹot oʼsāʹoñk.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-wilt thou-it tell the kind of thing didst thou-it hear.” So now (then) verily, indeed, it is said,
-
- wăayĕⁿʼʹgoʻ wăādeʹgăʼt-khoʻ neʻʹ hoʻsokwaʻtāʹkoñ. Dāʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăadyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ
-did he-it-tobacco put in did he-it light -and the his-pipe-in. So the now (then) did he-it-task end (finish)
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, dăayĕⁿʼgwă­dyĕñʹt&t comma;hoʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-now (then), it is said, thence did-he-it-smoke draw. So now (then) besides did-he-it say, “Come, now (then)
-
- satʻhyoʹwĭʻ neʻʹ naⁿʼʹot oʼsāʹoñk.”
-do thou-it tell the kind of thing didst thou it hear.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wooʹnoⁿʼgāāʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ wăʼodiyăʼdaʹĕⁿʼh eʼt neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ wayadyăsʹʻhĕñʼ
-So now (then) they retired for the night that-and the their bodies came to rest that-and the they (two) lay supine
-
-neʼʹ neʻʹ yadădiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoʹʻhĕñʼt dāyātʹgĕⁿ, neʻʹ
-that the they (two) (are) uncle and nephew. So that besides the now (then) it-day-dawned thence they (two) arose the
-
- yadădiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wāānikhwĕñʹdăʼt neʻʹ sedeʹʻtciăʻ
-they (two) (are) uncle and nephew, that-and the now (then) they (two) eating food ceased the early in the morning
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, khoʻʹ aʹeʼ waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hăgĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Hauʼʹ, hiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-now (then) it is said, and again did he-it say the he elder one (is), “Come, my nephew now (then)
-
- săsadāoⁿʻdiyosdāʹnoⁿ&tcomma ;, neʼʹhoʻ aʹeʼ giʼʹsʻhĕⁿ hĕⁿʻsāʹdyĕñʼ heʹoñweʻ
-again thou to listen attentively do go, there again perhaps, I think, there wilt thou thyself seat there where
-
- diyogoñwanʹdeʼ, heʹoñweʻ nisĕñnigodāʹgwĕⁿʻ neʻʹ tēʹdĕⁿ.”
-there valley-cliff stands, there where thence thou didst arise from sitting the yesterday.”
-
-
- Deʼaonisʻheʼʹoⁿʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hĕⁿwâⁿdĕⁿʼʹsʻhä&mlap os; oʹnĕⁿʻ aʹeʼ wāāʹʻdĕñdĭʼ. Neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ
-Not it long time (is) now (then) the he nephew-ship (is) now (then) again did he start. The now (then) there
-
- wāāʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ naʹeʻ neʼʹhoʻ wāāʹdyĕñʼ heʹoñweʻ diyogoñwanʹdeʼ khoʻʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did he arrive now (then) truly there did he self seat there where there valley-cliff stands and the now (then)
-
-aʹeʼ wāādauⁿʻdiʹyos. Dyĕñʹgwăʻ-seʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, dăgasʹnyeʼt gwasaʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-again did he listen attentively. Suddenly now (then), it is said, thence it spoke, cried out, just there
-
-doskĕñʹoⁿʻ, “Tcikĭsʹ, tcikĭsʹ, kĭsʹ, kĭsʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʼ. Tcoktcoⁿʹʻkhwĕñʼ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, dăgasʹnyeʼt.
- near, “Tcikĭsʹ, tcikĭsʹ, kĭsʹ, kĭsʹ,” did it-it say. Fish-hawk, it is said, thence it spoke, cried out.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā dondāādăsʹdăk hoñsāādakʹhēʼ khoʻʹ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-So now (then) the he youth (is) thence he arose at once thence he running went and there where
-
- tʻhodinoⁿʹsot neʻʹ yadădiwaⁿʹdĕⁿʼ. Hoñsāāʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-there their lodge stands the they (two) (are) uncle and nephew. There again he arrived there where
-
- tʻhonadegăʼʹdoⁿʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdji “Aⁿʹnaⁿʼoʻʹdäⁿ&mlapo s;äⁿ
-there they fire have kindled now (then) did he-it say the he elder one (is) “What kind of thing (is it)
-
- saoñgĕñāʹdieʼ? Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ satʻhyuʹwĭʻ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ dāāsʹnyeʼt neʻʹ Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ
-thou it hearing hast returned? Come, now (then) thou-it tell.” So now (then) thence he spoke the Hotkwisdade gĕⁿʼʹăʻ
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “Niyoʻʹ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿkatʻhyuʹwĭʼ naⁿʼoʻʹdäⁿʼäⁿ agiwaiyĕñdāʹdieʼ.” Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ
-did he it say, “So be it. Now (then) will I-it tell kind of thing I-it matter having return.” So that too the
-
- hagĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ dāāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ khoʻ, “Djigwasʹ yāʹeʼ ĕⁿgyĕñʼʹgoʻ
-he elder one (is) now (then) thence he spoke did he it say, -and “Just a moment first will I-tobacco put in (it)
-
-aksokwăʻʹtăkoñ. Ganioʼʹ ĕⁿwagyĕñʼgwadeʼgĕⁿʼ oʹnĕnʻ ĕⁿsatʻhyuʹwĭʼ naⁿʼoʻʹdäⁿʼäⁿ
- my pipe-in. Just as soon as will it me tobacco kindle for now (then) wilt thou it tell kind of thing
-
- wăʼsi­wāʹoñk.” Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ, wăayĕⁿʼʹgoʻ waādeʹgăʼt-khoʻ,
-didst thou it matter hear.” So that too, it is said, now (then) did he tobacco put in (it) did he it light and,
-
- giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hoʻsokwaʻʹdăʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʼʹhoʻ hodjāʹod, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-it is said, the his pipe, so now then, now then truly there he-fire holds out, smokes that-and the now (then)
-
- dāāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ satʻhyūʹwĭʻ neʻʹ naⁿʼʹot
-thence he spoke did he it say the he elder one (is), “Come, now (then) thou it tell the the thing
-
- oʼsāʹoñk.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā dāāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ khoʻ “Niyoʻʹ.
-didst thou it hear.” So now (then) it is said the he youth (is) thence he spoke did he it say -and “So be it.
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ nĕⁿyāʹwĕⁿʻ. Neʼʹ gwāʹ oʼʹgĕⁿʼ, “Tcikĭsʹ, tcikĭsʹ, tcikĭsʹ, kĭsʹ, kĭsʹ.”
-Now (then) there so will it come to pass. That only did it say, “Tcikĭsʹ, tcikĭsʹ, tcikĭsʹ, kĭsʹ, kĭsʹ.”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, hoʹgwā wāāʹyĕñʼ heʻʹ hoʻsʻhogwăʻʹdăʼ
-So that too the Dooäʼdane&mlpri me;gĕⁿʼ now (then), it is said, aside did he it say the his pipe
-
- dondaadasʹdăk-khoʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ kaʹsnoⁿʼ gagāʹwĭʻsăʼ oʼʹtʻhăk-khoʻ waadjĭsdoʹdjĕn-khoʻ hĕⁿʹ-nieʼt
-thence he arose instantly-and that the it-bark it-paddle did he it take-and did he fire dip up -and there where
-
-oñweʻ niʻhonadegăʼʹdoⁿ hogwāʹsʻhoñ iʹyad neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ wauñʹtʻhoʼ-khoʻ honoʼĕñgĕñʹyad. Dāʹ
- so they fire have kindled aside-just he stood the his nephew there did he it pour -and his head, top of. So
-
-neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, nāʹeʻ oʼhăsdāʹĕñʼ oʼtʻhăʹsĕñtʻhoʼ-kho&t comma;, neʼʹkhoʻ
-that too besides the he youth (is) now (then), it is said, truly did he weep did he cry out and, that-and
-
-neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ oʼhasʹnyeʼt, “Deʼʹ neʼʹ deʼgīʹdoⁿ.”
-the he elder one (is) now (then), it is said, did he it say did he speak, “Not that not I it mean.”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ nāʹeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hauñʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ hōʹgwā wăāʹdyĕñʼ heʹoñweʻ hadyĕñdăʹʻkhwăʼ
-So that too truly now (then) the his nephew aside did he self seat there where he it to sit uses
-
- sgadjäⁿonʹdĭʻ wăĕñniʹʻhĕñʼ heʻʹ hăsdāʹʻhăʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ “Gĕñʼʹ,
-one it fire side of did he it cease where he weeps, is weeping. So now (then), it is said, did he it say, “Alas,
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ oñgiʹdĕⁿstʻheʼt. Oʹnĕⁿʻ noñʹ niʼʹăʻ neʼʹ nāʹeʻ otʼhāgĕñʻĕⁿʼgĕñ&ml prime;nĭʼ
-now (then) it me poor has made. Now (then) perhaps I, poor me, that truly did he my orenda (magic power) overmatch
-
- waiʻʹ neʻʹ haknoʼʹsĕⁿʻ.”
-I think the he my uncle (is).”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wĕʼoʼʹgäʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ waodiyăʼdaĕⁿʼʹheʼt
-So that too now (then) it might become now (then), it is said, did they (their) bodies keep still
-
- oʼdhyadyăsʹʻhĕñʼkhoʻ. Ganioʼʹ wăʼoʹʻhĕñʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wāyāʹdekhoñʹnĭʼ. Agwasʹ
-did they (two) selves lay down. -and. As soon as did it day dawn now (then), it is said, did they (two) food eat. Just
-
-neʼʹsʻhoñ wāānikhwĕñʹdăʼt oʹnĕⁿʹʻkhoʻ āʹeʼ waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Hiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-that only did they food cease from now (then) and again did he it say the he elder one (is), “My nephew, now (then)
-
-āʹeʼ satʻhoñdatʹʻhăʻ, neʼʹhoʻ khoʻʹ āʹeʼ hĕⁿsāʹdyĕñʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ diyogoñwanʹdeʼ.”
-again thou to listen do go there and again there wilt thou self seat there where there it valley-cliff stands.”
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hauñʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ dāasʹ— “Niyoʻʹ, neʼʹhoʻ nĕⁿyāʹwĕⁿ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ
-Now (then) the his nephew there he spoke “So be it, (there) thus so will it come to pass.” So now (then) too
-
-wāăʻʹdĕñdĭʼ. Wāāʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ diyogoñwanʹdeʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niʻhadyĕñdăkʹhwăʼ,
-did he start. There he arrived there where there it valley-cliff stands there where there he self to sit uses,
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ wāāʹdyĕñʼ wāādauⁿʻdiʹyos-khoʻ, neʼʹhoʻ-sʻhoñ hanyoʻʹcyot
-now (then), it is said, there did he self seat did his ears prick up -and, there-only he sat upright
-
- tʻhihodyēʹĕⁿʻsʻhoñ, dyĕñgwăʹʻsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, dayoñdĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ
-just he still remains-only, suddenly-just now (then) he it hears, it is said, thence she her song uttered the
-
- agoñʹgweʻ weĕⁿʹ-gwā. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ wooʼnigoⁿäⁿyĕñʹdăʼt neʼʹ gwāʹ neʻʹ yeʹoⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-she human being (is) far away-toward. So that too did his mind seize it that just the she female (is) that the
-
- dyāgodĕñnōʼdăʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wāʹeʼ neʼʹ noñʹ hĕñʹdoⁿ waiʻʹ haʼgiwāʹoñk,”
-there she singing is, so now (then), it is said did he it think that perhaps he it means I think I matter have heard,”
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ giʼʹoⁿʻ, daādăsʹdăk hoñsāādākʹheʼ osnoʹweʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʻhodinoⁿʹsod.
-now (then) it is said, thence he jumped up thence he running went it swift is there where there their lodge stands.
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñsāāʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ neʼʹ hagĕⁿʹtcĭ, giʼʹoⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Gwēʹ. Dōʹ
-So that now (then) there again he arrived the that he elder one (is) it is said, did he it say, “Look here. What
-
-hăʼgwĭsʹdĕⁿʼ sāoñgĕñʹādieʼ?” Neʼʹ khoʻʹ neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā daāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Ĕⁿʻʹ.” Dāʹ
- something thou it having heard return?” That and the he youth (is) thence he spoke did he it say, “Yes.” So
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ satʻhyuʹwĭʻ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-now (then) it is said the his uncle did he it say, “Come, now (then) thou it do relate.” Now (then) that the
-
- haksăʼʻgōwā waiʹĕñʼ, “Niyoʻʹ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ ĕⁿgatʻhyuʹwĭʼ.” “Hăʼdjigwasʹ yāʹeʼ ĕⁿgyĕñʼʹgoʻ neʻʹ
-he youth (is) did he it say, “So be it. Now (then) besides will I it relate.” “Just a moment first will I tobacco the
-
-aksokwăʻʹtăʼ. Agwasʹ ĕⁿwagedjeōʹdăʼk neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿʻsei­ʻwădĕⁿʹ dāʼ,” waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ
- my pipe. Verily I will be smoking the now (then) wilt thou matter set forth,” did he it say the
-
- hagĕⁿʹtcĭ.
-he elder one (is).
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʻʹ waādeʹgăʼt neʻʹ hoʻsogwăʻʹtăʻ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-So now (then), it is said, indeed, did he it light the (that) his pipe that and the (that) now (then)
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ satʻhyʹwĭʻ neʻʹ naⁿʼʹot saoñgĕñʹādieʼ.”
-did he it say, “Come now (then) thou it do relate the (that) kind of thing thou it having heard return.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā, neʻʹ Hotgwisdagegĕⁿʼʹăʻ, daāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Niyoʻʹ. Neʼʹ gwāʹ
-Now (then) too the he youth, the (that) Hotgwisdag egĕⁿʼʹăʻ, thence he spoke did he it say, “So be it. That just
-
-agatʻhoñdeʼ agoñʹgweʻ wăʼoñdĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hă-ho-wi,
- I it hear she human being (is) d id she her song uttered that the did she it say, “Hă-ho-wi,
-
- Dooäʼdānegĕⁿʼʹgeʻ, hă-ho-wi, wăʻheyăʼdiʻsakʹheʼ-&a breve;, hă-ho-wi.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Dooä& mlapos;dānegĕⁿʼʹgeʻ, hă-ho-wi, thither I his person to seek go (lightly) hă-ho-wi.” So now (then)
-
- oʼhaiʻhokʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ hĕⁿwâⁿdĕⁿʼʹsʻhä&mlap os;.
-did he news finished the he (the) nephew-ship.
-
-
-Neʼʹ neʻʹhoʼ hĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ neʹwăʼ deʻtʻhogawesodjĕⁿʹdoⁿ neʻʹ găgaweʻʹsăʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-That as a matter of fact not it is in turn not thence he paddle has dipped up the it-paddle that (it is) the (that)
-
-găʹsnoⁿʼ năⁿʼʹot; hĕnʼʹĕⁿ neʹwăʼ dooʼ­skoñʹtʻhwĕⁿʻ.
-it-bark kind of thing; not it is in turn did he him burn.
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ daāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Iʼʹ neʻʹhoʻ
-Now, (then) it is said, the he elder one (is) thence he spoke did he it say, “I as a matter of fact
-
- dayoñgidōñʹneʼ nāʹeʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ agoñʹgweʻ neʼʹ waiʻʹ gayoñʹnĭʻ
-thence she me meaning comes truly that (it is) the she human being (is) that (it is) of course it-it causes
-
- Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ dayondoñʹneʼ. Iʼʹ waiʻʹ neʼʹ gyāʹsoⁿ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ āʹeʼ
-Dooäʼdane& mlprime;gĕⁿʼ thence she it saying comes. I of course that (it is) I am named. So now (then) also again
-
-neʼʹhoʻ hoñsāʹseʻ neʼʹhoʻ sasatʻhoñdatʹʻhă, oʹnĕⁿʻ noñʹ neʻʹhoʻ
- there hence again thou do go there again thou thy ear put forth do go, now (then) perhaps as a matter of fact
-
-doskĕñʹoⁿ īʹyĕⁿʼ.”
- nearby she is moving.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hĕⁿwâⁿdĕⁿʼʹsʻhä&mlap os;, neʻʹ Hotkwisʹdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ waāyăʹgĕⁿʼt
-So (then) that (it is) too, also the he, the nephew-hood (is) the H otkwisʹdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ, now then did he go out
-
-neʻʹkhoʻ neʻʹ heʻʹ diyogoñʹwandeʼ neʼʹhoʻ hoñsāʹeʼ
-that-and the where, at the place, just it-lunate-bluff stands there again thither he went
-
-saātʻhondātʹʻhăʻ-kho&tc omma;. Wăʼāʹyoⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oyĕñʹdet oʼwāʹdoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ agwasʹ
-again he to listen-went -and. There he arrived there now then, it is said, it is evident it became now (then) just
-
-dosgĕñʹonʻ dagaäⁿnodaʹdieʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niʻhanyoʻʹcyot
- nearby thence it song standing out comes along there where where his “spine” stands forth
-
- hotʻhoⁿʻdiyosʹdoⁿ-khoʻ. Neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ agoñʹgweʻ agwasʹ nāʹeʻ doskĕñʹoⁿʻsʻhoñ wăʼoĕñʼʹheʼt
-he his ear hath made alert-and. That and the she human being (is) just verily near by-just did-she-halt
-
- hĕⁿʹoñweʻ hanyoʻʹcyot, dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ dyeñgwăʻʹ-seʹ wăʼoñdĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ,
-there where his “spine” stands forth so that (it is) too, also the suddenly, unawares did-she her song put forth,
-
-doskĕñoⁿʻʹsʻhoñ, neʼʹ neʻʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, Dooäʼdanegăⁿʼʹgeʻ,
- near by-just that (it is) the did she it say, “Hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, Dooä&mlapos ;danegăⁿʼʹgeʻs (lodge),
-
-hă-ho-wi, wăʻheyăʼdĭʻsākʹ hăʼ, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi.”
-hă-ho-wi, thither I his person to find do go, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi.”
-
-
- Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hĕⁿwâⁿdĕⁿʼʹsʻhä&mlap os; oʹnĕⁿʻ dăādasʹdăk khoʻʹ neʻʹ
-So then that (it is) too the he-nephew-ship (is) now (then) thence he uprose instantly and the
-
- doñdăhăʻʹget khoʻʹ neʻʹ doñsăäⁿʹdād heyogoⁿʹsot oʻsnowäʹdieʼ. Hoñsăāʹyoⁿʼ dāʹ
-thence he returned and the thence again he ran home exceedingly it rapid, swift, is. There again he arrived so
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Gweʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ doskĕñʹoⁿʻ, nĕñʹsʻhoñ doskĕñoⁿʻʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ īʹyeⁿʼ.” Dāʹ
-now (then) did he it say, “Lo, now then nearby, close by-just nearby-just now she is moving.” So
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, doñdăāʹdăʼt neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ wăʼĕñsgäʹwāk hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-now (then) there it is said, thence he arose she he elder one (is) did he dust shake off there where
-
- hădyĕñdăkʹʻhwăʼ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ hăʼdēʹyoñ otgiʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ wāʹodĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-he it to sit uses, that-and the his his nephew all kinds it filth-s (are) there did he it cast, now it is said,
-
- waiʹĕñʼ-khoʻ, “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿsāʹdyĕñʼ.” Gagweʹgoⁿ neʼʹhoʻ
-did he it say-and, “Come on, now (then) there there wilt thou thyself seat.” It entire (is) thus, so,
-
- niyoʼʹdĕñʻ honoⁿʼĕñʻʹgeʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ osdăʼʹsʻhoñ, neʻʹ hĕⁿwâⁿdĕⁿʼʹsʻhä&mlap os;.
-so it condition (is) his-head on that (it) the it scab-s, the he nephew-ship (is).
-
-
-Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʼtʻhadadesʹnyeʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ. Agwasʹ oʼtʻhadeʼcyosăʹdoñʼ
- Suddenly now, it is said, did he self attend to the he elder one (is). Indeed, did he self furs enwrap with
-
- găʼcyoʹsădeʼ, neʼʹ neʻʹ yagĕⁿʼʹoⁿ deānoäʹdoⁿʼ.
-it fur(s) stood out (also), that (it is) the it is pretended he noble one (is).
-
-
- Neʼʹ-khoʻ neʻʹ waānōaiʼʹhoñʼ neʻʹ oäʼʹdăʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ hoʻstōäʼʹgeʻ, agwasʹ
-That (it is) -and the did he it wash severally the it feather that (it is) the his feather-headdress-on just
-
-oyĕñʼʹgwăʼ īʹgĕñ niyoʼʹdĕñ sōʼʹdjiʻ otgiʼʹsʻhoⁿʼʹoⁿʼ- geʻ gayĕñdăʹdieʼs oʹnĕⁿʻ
- it smoke it is so it condition (is) too much (because) it-filths -on it lay from place to place now
-
- oʼyōʹnisʹʻheʼt. Gagweʹgoⁿ waānōʹaiʼ. Găʹnioʼ waādyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-it was a long time. It entire did he it wash. As soon as did he his task finish then (so) now
-
-oʼtʻhanoʼĕñʼʹ­hoñ&mlapos ;. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ waānyōʹdĕⁿʼ, oʼtʻhaäʼdāʹ­negĕⁿ&ml apos;
- did he-it head place on. So now, it is said, there did he it set up, did he two feathers set side by side
-
- oĕñdoñʹgwā. Găʹnioʼ waādyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ heʹniyoñ dehĕⁿʼnyaäʻʹgoⁿ dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waādjīʹodĕⁿʼ.
-front-toward. As soon as did he his task finish as many as two his hands employ so now did he it conceal (shut up).
-
- Wăʼdjīʹăʻ hodyĕñʹ­noʼkt dyĕñgwăʻ-seʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ doskĕñoⁿʹsʻhoñ w&ab reve;ʼoñdĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ
-Shortly after he his task has finished suddenly, unawares now nearby just did she her song sing the
-
- agoñʹgweʻ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niganoⁿʻʹsot, iyoñʹdoⁿ heʻʹ godĕñʹnōt, “Hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi,
-she human being there where there it-lodge stands she kept saying where she her song sang “Hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi,
-
- wăʻheyăʼdiʻsăkheʼ&mlpr ime;ăʹ, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, Dooäʼdanegĕñʼʹgeʻ, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi,
-thither I his body to find go quietly, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, Dooäʼdane gĕñ’s lodge, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi,
-
-hă-ho-wi, neʻʹ Hatʻhoñʹdās, neʻʹ Hatʻhoñʹdās, neʻʹ Hatʻhoñʹdās, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi.”
-hă-ho-wi, the Hatʻhoñʹdās , the Hatʻhoñʹdās , the Hatʻhoñʹdās , hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi, hă-ho-wi.”
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hăgĕⁿʹdjĭ wooʻtʻhāʹhăs neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ waiʹĕñʼ, “Dĕⁿsadyēʹoⁿksʻhoñ
- Now the he, the old one did he-him talked to the his nephew (is) did he-it say, “W ilt thou quiet be just
-
- nisʹʼăʻ.” Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼotʹkāeʻ heʻʹ găʹhogain neʼʹhoʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-the thou exclusively.” Suddenly then now did it sound emit there where it doorway (is) (there) thus it is said,
-
- niyoʼʹdĕñ neʼʹ neʻʹ āʹyĕñʼ ĭʹgĕñ degnoñʹgweʻ
-so it kind of (is) that (it is) the one it would think it is two they (f.) persons (are)
-
- oʼtgniʼdyoñʹdăʼt. Dyĕñgwăʹ-se oʼdwadeʻnhoʻhoñʹdĭʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
-did two they (f.) stopped, alighted. Suddenly did two it-door-flap cast aside—(thrown open both ways) that-and the
-
- dayēʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ agoñʹgweʻ ganoⁿsăʹgoñ neʼʹhoʻ khoʻ oʼdyēʹdăʼt; oʹnĕⁿʻ
-thence she (anthropic) came in the she (anthropic) person (is) it-lodge-in there and did she (anth.) stand; now
-
-diqʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, dyĕñgwăʹse oʹyăʼ-khoʻ dondayēʹyoⁿʼ oñgyēʹgwā; dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ oñʹgyeʻ
-also, it is said, suddenly it other-and thence she (anthropic) came in indoors-side; so now truly indoors
-
- oʼtgīʹdăʼt ganoⁿsăʹgoñ.
-did two she (anthrop.) stand it-lodge-in.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ dyegĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Gwēʹ, gaʹäⁿnigāāʼ soʼtʹ hōʹgwā
-So now (then) too the she (anth.) elder one now did she it say, “Lo, whichever (it is) it may be aside
-
-hĕⁿʼʹdyoⁿʼ deʼgagoñʹdoⁿʼ khoʹ nāʹeʻ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ, tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ neʻʹhoʻ deʼʹneʼ neʼʹ
-he abides not it certain (is) and truly, Dooäʼdan ēʹgĕⁿʼ, not (it is) as a matter of fact not that that
-
- neʻʹhoʻ näⁿʹgĕñ niʻānyoʻʹcyod neʻʹ neʻʹhoʻ huiʹgĕñ neʼʹ neʻʹhoʻ
-as a matter of fact this it is so he sits that as a matter of fact that it is that as a matter of fact
-
- Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ hayāʹsoⁿ, neʼʹ waiʻʹ näⁿʹgĕñ Hatʻhoñʹdās hayāʹsoⁿ. Dāʹ neʹkhoʻ gwaʹ nisʹ
-Dooäʼdan& emacr;ʹgĕⁿʼ he is named, that verily this it is Hatʻhoñʹdās he is named. So here side the thou
-
- hoʼʹseʻ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ iʹʻsē neʼʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ, neʹkhoʻ gwāʹ niʼʹăʻ hĕⁿʹgeʼ.
-thither do thou go there where thou it thinkest that Dooäʼdan ēʹgĕⁿʼ, here side the I exclusively thither will I go.
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ neʻʹ degyadĕñnonʹdeʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ gosʹtʻhoⁿ īʹyĕñʻ nāʹeʻ neʹkhoʻ gwāʹ
-So that the two they (f.) sister(s) (are) that the she (anth.) younger she it thinks truly here side
-
- hĕⁿʹgeʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ īʹyĕñʻ neʻʹ djye­yăʼʹdad, “Neʹkhoʻ gwāʹ Iʼʹ hĕⁿʹgeʼ.”
-thither will I go that the she it thinks the she (anth.) other one (is), “Here side I thither will I go.”
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdāʹnegĕⁿʼ hotʻhoñʹdeʼ neʻʹ năⁿʼʹot oditʻʹhāʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ
-Now, then so the Dooäʼd&am acr;ʹnegĕⁿʼ he it hears the kindly thing they (an.) it talk about, so now there
-
- hāʹdoⁿ, “Neʹkhoʻ gwāʹ nīʹgĕⁿʼ.”
-he it kept saying, “Here side but it is.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʼ, neʻʹ gosʹtʻhoⁿ neʼʹ neʻʹ yeʼăsʻhĕⁿauñʼ neʻʹ oäʻʹgwăʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-So now, it is said, the she (anth.) younger that the she (anth.) it basket held he it-bread that the
-
- deganăʼhoñsdyăʼʹgoⁿ īʹwad, neʼʹ neʻʹ gĕⁿsʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, yeāʹwĭʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-two one-it loaf cut has it is contained, that the customarily, it is said she (anth.) it bears that the
-
- yenăʻkwinyoñʹneʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼʹĕⁿʼ, hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-she (anth.) wedlock to enter goes, now di d she (anth.) start there thither she went there where
-
- tʻhanyoʻʹcyot neʻʹ Hatʻhoñʹdas, neʼʹ neʻʹ Hotkwisdadeʹgeⁿʼʹăʻ, neʼʹhoʻ wăʼoñʹdyĕñʼ neʼʹhoʻ
-there his spine sets up the Hatʻhoñʹdas, that the Hotk wisdadeʹgeⁿʼʹăʻ, there did she herself seat there
-
- hayăʼdăkʹʼăʻ.
-his body beside.
-
-
-Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se neʼʹhoʻ khoʻʹ āʹeʼ gwāʹ yedākʹheʼ neʻʹ oʹʻdjĭʼ neʹkhoʻ hāʹeʼgwā
- Suddenly there and again side she (anth.) ran along the its elder sister here also in turn
-
- wăʼoñʹdyĕñʼ neʼʹhoʻ hayăʼdăkʹʼăʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ, giʼʹo&su pn;ʻ oʼtʻhoñwayăʼdāʹyĕñ&mla pos;,
-did she herself seat there his body beside. So now truly, it is said did they two his body have between them,
-
-hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ neʼʹhoʻ hanyoʻʹcyot.
-in the middle there his spine set upright.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ waādyăʼdoʼʹyāk dăʻhonyatʹgāʼ waiʹĕñʼ-khoʻ “Hoʹgwā
-So now the Dooäʼdane&mlpri me;gĕⁿʼ there did he his body thrust thence he him drew away did he it say-and “Aside
-
- nisʹ hoʼʹseʻ sgadjĕⁿanʹdĭʻ nāʹeʻ waodōʹnyăʼt, giʼʹoⁿʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-the thou thither do thou go one it fireside of as a matter of fact did he him drive towards it is said. So now
-
- neʼʹ neʻʹ haʹoⁿhaⁿʼ (or haʹoⁿhwaⁿʼ) neʼʹhoʻ hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ degniʼʹdyoⁿʼ neʻʹ
-that (it is) the he himself there just between there where two they (du.) abide the
-
- degiksāʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ waāʹdyĕñʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-two they (du.) (maidens are) there indeed did he himself seat. So that (it is) too now, it is said
-
- dondagidăsʹdăk neʻʹ dedjāʹoⁿ neʼʹhoʻ oʼʹgneʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-thence they (du. f.) arose quickly the both (two they are) there where did they (f.) (dual) go there where
-
- heʻʹsʻhanyoʹcyot neʻʹ hăksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹ neʻʹ Hatʻhonʹdās (Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ), neʼʹhoʻ
-where again he sits the he youth (is) that (it is) the (The Listener) (His stomach burned little), there where
-
- oʼtʻhoñwayăʼdāʹyĕñ&mla pos; neʼʹhoʻ hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ sʻhanyoʹcyot.
-did they (f.) his person embrace there where just between (in the middle) again he sits.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ dondaāʹdăʼt neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-So now then again the he old one (is) the Dooäʼdane&mlpri me;gĕⁿʼ thence he arose that-and the there
-
- wāʹeʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ khoʻʹ āʹeʼ yesʻhanyoʹcyot neʻʹ Hatʻhonʹdās, oʹnĕⁿʻ
-thither he went there where just between (in the middle) and again there again he sits the Hatʻhonʹdās , now
-
- waiʻʹ dăhonĕⁿsʹʻhāʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼkhoʻ sgadjĕⁿanʹdĭʻ oʼtʻhoʻdjāʹĕⁿʼ dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-of course thence he his arm seized now again-and one it-fireside of (beyond the fire) di d he-him pushed so now
-
-diqʹ haʹoⁿhaⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ āʹeʼ saāʹdyĕñʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ degniʼʹdyoⁿʼ hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ
-too he himself there again again did he sit there where two they (du. f.) were abiding just between (in the middle)
-
-heʻʹ năʼdegyāʹdeʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ hīʹgăⁿ degiksăʼʹgōwā hĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ
-where so two they (du. f.) far are apart. So that (it is) too the that it is two they maidens not
-
- deʼʹneʼ dagigăʻdāʹdieʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ aodīʹnyāk, dāʹ neʼʹ waiʻʹ
-not that (it is) thence they (du.) to seek came that the he old one (is) should they marry, so that of course
-
- gayoñʹnĭʻ dăʼāʹoⁿ ayodīʹgăyĕⁿ neʻʹ năⁿʼʹot hēēʼʹ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ; dāʹ
-it-it causes not it is possible would they (f.) consent the kind of thing he it desires the he old one (is); so
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ āʹeʼ dondagidăsʹdăk neʼʹhoʻ hoñsagyāʹdyĕñʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
- now of course again thence they (du. f.) arose quickly there hence again they (du.) themselves seated there where
-
- tʻhanyoʻʹcyot neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ āʹeʼ oʼtʻhoñwayăʼdāʹyĕñ&mla pos;
-there he sat was sitting the he youth (is) there again did they his body embrace
-
- hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ-khoʻ āʹeʼ sʻhanyoʻʹcyot neʻʹ Hatʻhoñʹdās.
-jus t between (or in the middle)-and again again he sat the Hatʻhoñʹdās.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ waĕñnīʻhĕⁿʼʹ heʻʹ niʻhodyēʹĕⁿ. Neʼʹhoʻ oʼyoʹnisʻheʼt
-So now then, it is said, the he old one now did he it cease where so he is acting. Thus (There) it was a long time
-
- tʻhiodyeʹĕⁿʻsʻhoñ hanyoʻʹcyot. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ daāsʹnyeʼt
-just he kept still, kept silent, he sat. So now it is said, the he old one (is) now thence he spoke
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “Hiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ ĕⁿsāʹnyāk. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ nāʹeʻ. Iʼʹ ĕⁿgeʻcyoñnyāʹnoñʼ
-did he it say, “Oh, my nephew now of course wilt thou marry. So that too truly. I will I it prepare severally
-
- hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niʻsadyĕñdăʻʹgwăʼ, soʼʹdjĭ otʹgĭʼ, soʼʹdjĭ waiʻʹ deʼsăʼnīʹgoñt,
-there where so thou it to sit usest, because (too much) it filthy (is), because of course not thou hast mind (sense),
-
-soʼʹdjĭ otʹgĭʼ niʻsadyēʹhăʼ neʼʹ waiʻʹ gayoñʹnĭʻ soʼʹdjĭʻ otʹgĭʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-because it filthy (is) so thou it doest that of course it it causes because it filthy (is) there where
-
-niʻsadyĕñdăʻʹgwăʼ.&rd quo;
-so thou it to sit usest.”
-
-
-Haʹoⁿhaⁿʼ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, nīʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ niʻhoyeʹĕⁿ. Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ haʹoⁿhaⁿʼ waāʹtgit hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-He himself it is said, so it is there so he it has done. Dooäʼdane&mlpri me;gĕⁿʼ he himself did he-it soil there where
-
- hadyĕñdăʻʹgwăʼ neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ neʹkhoʻ gwāʹ yāʹeʼ
-he (it) self to sit uses the his nephew. Now did he it say, “Come here just first
-
- hĕⁿswāʹdyĕñʼ. Ĕⁿgecyoñnyāʹnoñʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niʻhadyĕñdăʻʹgwăʼ neʻʹ heyĕñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ
-there will ye yourselves seat. Will I it prepare severally there where so he self to sit uses (it) the my nephew
-
- soʼʹdjĭʻ waiʻʹ otʹgĭʼ-sʻhoñ. Dāʹ neʹkhoʻ gwāʹ yāʹeʼ ĕⁿswāʹdyĕñʼ.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ
-because (too much) of course it filthy just. So here just first will ye yourselves seat.” Now of course
-
- dăäⁿnoⁿʻdäⁿʹdĭʼ.
-the nce they departed.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ waācyoñnyāʹnoñʼ agwasʹ wiʹyo, waādyĕñnoñʹnĭʼ
-So now the he old one (is) did he it prepare severally very it fine, (is) did he his skill employ
-
- waaⁿskäwăkʹhoñnyoⁿʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ găʼcyoʹsăʼ, neʹogĕⁿʼ găʼcyoʹsăʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ nyāʹgwaiʼ, gagweʹgoⁿ
-did he it rubbish wipe away severally that and the it skin, deer it-skin that-and the a bear, it-entire
-
- waăʼcyoʻsădoñʹnyoñʼ. Dāʹ agwasʹ waadyĕñnoñʹnĭʼ; neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ waācyoñʹnĭʼ neʻʹ Daānoäʹdoⁿʼ
-did he skins spread out severally. So very did he his skill employ; that and the did he it prepare the Noble One
-
- gĕⁿsʹ niyagonakdoʼʹdäⁿ, neʼʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ gaʼcyoʹsăʼ-sʻhoⁿʼo&supn ; gagweʹgoⁿ waādyĕñnoñʹnĭʼ,
-customarily so one’s place kind of (is), that verily the it skins-several it-entire did he it set in order,
-
-heʻʹ hadyĕñdăʻʹgwăʼ neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, noⁿʼʹgoñʻ neʼʹhoʻ hĕⁿʼʹdyoⁿʼ neʻʹ Hatʻhonʹdās, neʼʹhoʻ-khoʻ āʹeʼ gwāʹ
-where he self it to seat uses the his nephew, underneath there he abode the Hatʻhonʹdās, there-and again just
-
- oʼtgyāʹ­dyĕñʼ neʻʹ degiksăʼʹgōwā, neʼʹ neʻʹ neyoʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ, deʹgniʻ nāʹeʻ
-did they (du.) selves seat the two they (du. f.) maidens, that the his wives two they are verily
-
- năʻtʻhōʹnyāk.
-so many times he married.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕʻ neʻʹ hagĕʹⁿdjĭ wooʻtʻhāʹhăs neʻʹ hauñʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ wesāʹnyāk,
-So now the he old one did he him talk to the his nephew did he it say, “Now of course, didst thou marry,
-
-hiwâⁿdĕⁿʼ. Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ wadodăʹsĭ aʹdiʼʹgwă năⁿʼʹot giāʹwĭʼ, neʻʹ
-my nephew. Come, now let it itself bring forth unknown kind of thing they (du. f.) it bring, the
-
- gāiwăniäsʹtʻhăʼ gĕⁿsʹ neʼʹ waagōʹnyāk, neʼʹ waiʻʹ gĕʹⁿsʹ neʻʹ dewasʹʻhĕñ
-it it-matter to be strong makes customary that did one marry that (it is) of course customary the two tens
-
- niyoäʻʹgwăge neʼʹ neʻʹ deganăʼhoⁿsdyăʼʹgoⁿ gayāʹsoⁿ. Dāʹ āʹdĭʼgwă diqʹ
-so it many loaves number that the two she it-loaf has divided (-marriage bread) it is called. So unknown (it is) too
-
- giāʹwĭʼ?”
-they (du. f.) it bring.”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ egoʹwănĕⁿ dayesʹnyeʼt wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ,
-So that (it is) too now, it is said, the she (anth.) elder one (-larger one) thence she spoke did she it say,
-
- “Niyoʻʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ ĕⁿgāiwăyeʹiʻ heʻʹ năⁿʼʹot satʻhyuʹwi.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-“So be it, now verily, will it fulfill the matter where kind of thing thou it are relating.” So now, it is said,
-
-neʻʹ găʼăsʹʻhäʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ dondāʹyek oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼʹĕⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʻhanyoʹʻcyot neʻʹ
-the it basket now thence she it took up now too there thither she went there where there he sits the
-
-hagĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Nĕñʹdă waiʻʹ,” wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “neʻʹ neʼʹ satʻhyuʹwi,” neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
-he old one, “This here of course,” did she it says, “the that (it is) now it are talking about,” that-and the
-
- dāāoʹgĕñ neʼʹhoʻ wăeʼăsʹʻhäyĕñʹ.
-between his forked thighs there did she it basket place.
-
-
- Dāāganēʼʹsʻhoñ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, hōʹgwā hoⁿsayoñʹdyĕñʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ wāāgāʼʹtcĭʼ neʻʹ
-He it viewed only the now, it is said, aside there again she sat down. So now too did he it undo the
-
-găʼăsʹʻhäʼ waadăʻʹgoʼ-khoʻ neʻʹ oäʻʹgwăʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ deganăʼhoⁿsdyăʼʹgoⁿ gayāʹsoⁿ
-it basket did he it take out and the it bread that the two one loaf has divided (-marriage bread) it is called
-
-dewăsʹʻhĕñ niyoäʻʹgwăge, neʼʹhoʻ waiʻ gĕⁿsʹ nīʹyoñ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ
- two tens so it many loaf numbers, there of course customary so it is in number. So now the he old one
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼgāiwayeʹiʻ wăʼoⁿkhäʻgwäʹoⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼgaiʻwăniʹäd
-did he it say, “Now verily it matter is complete did one me bread give. So none did it matter confirm
-
- oʼgāiʻwăyēʹiʻ sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿʻ heʻʹ nigayĕñnoʼʹdĕñ neʻʹ gĕⁿsʹ wăʼagōʹnyāk. Dāʹ
-it matter is fulfilled for the reason that where so it custom kind of (is) the customary one marries. So
-
- neʼʹhoʻ.”
-there (-that is enough).”
-
-
- Oʻskoñwăʼʹsʻhoñ neʻʹ honoʼĕñʼʹgeʻ neʻʹ Hatʻhonʹdās. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ,
-It-roasted flesh only the his head-on the Hatʻhonʹdās. So now, it is said the he old one did he it say, “Come,
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ hiʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ gāʹoʼ nondāseʻ. Gāʹtcĭ.”
- now my nephew hither thence do thou come. Do thou come hither.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ giʼʹoⁿʻ neʻʹ hĕⁿʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼshäʼ neʼʹhoʻ wāʹeʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʻhanyoʻʹcyot
-So now, it is said, the he (-his) nephewship there thither he went there where there he sits (-his spine stands)
-
-neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ waiʹĕñʼ, “Niʹyoʻ. Oʹnĕʻ nāʹeʻ
-the his mother’s brother (uncle), so now too the he old one did he-it-say, “So be it. Now so then
-
- dĕⁿgoñsʹnyeʼ ĕⁿgoñyăʼdăʻsĕñnoñ&mlprim e;nĭʼ-khoʻ.”
-will I-thee attend to will I-thy body dress up -and.”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, hōʹgwā ganiʹyonʻ (ganiʹyoñt) neʻʹ nyāʹgwaiʼ gahäⁿondăʻʹgwăʼ neʼʹhoʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-So there, it is said, aside it hangs the bear its bladder (= urine-holder) there, it is said,
-
- īʹwād neʻʹ ōʹnoⁿʼ, neʼʹ neʻʹ awäʼoⁿʹsăʼ năⁿʼʹot neʻʹ ōʹnoⁿʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, gasʻheʼʹdăgoñ
-it is contained the it oil, fat, that the sun-flower kind of the it-oil. Now, it is said, it gourd in
-
- waādăʻʹgoʼ neʻʹ ōʹnoⁿʼ, dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ hasʼoʻdăʼʹgeʻ wäuñʹtʻhoʼ (wäʹoñtʻhoʼ), gagweʹgoⁿ
-did he it take out the it oil, so that too his hand on did he it pour, (wäʹʹoñtʻho& mlapos;), it-entire (is)
-
-honoⁿʼĕñʼʹgeʻ waāʹnoʻgāʼ; ʼăʹsoⁿ, giʼʹoⁿ, āʹeʼ sāoñtʹʻhoʼ neʻʹ hasʼoʻdăʼʹgeʻ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
- his head on did he it rubs-anoint; still, it is said, again again he it poured out the his hand on, so now
-
-nāʹeʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ sahoʹʻgāʼ. Agwasʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʼtʻhoñʹgot neʼʹ neʻʹ hogeʼäʼʹgeʻ. Dāʹ
-so then it is said again he it anoint. Very, it is said did he it soak through that (it is) the his hair. So
-
-sĕⁿʻʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ naāⁿʹyeʼ. Neʼʹhoʻ degniganeʼʹsʻhoñ neʻʹ neʼʹ
-three, it is said, thus (there) so did he it do. There two they (du.) looked on-just the that
-
- degiksăʼʹgōwā. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, odiiʻwanäʹgwăʼoⁿ. Dyĕñgwaʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ,
-two they (du.) maidens (are). So that too, it is said, did they (anim.) it wonder at. Suddenly now
-
- giʼʹoⁿʻ, ayĕñʼʹsʻhoñ waāʹgoʼ, neʼʹ neʻʹ woōhigwääʹgoʼ honoⁿʼĕñʼʹgeʻ gagweʹgoⁿ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ
-it is said, one it would think-just did he it get, that the did he him uncap his head on it entire (is) so then the
-
- osʹdăʼ-sʻhoñ.
-it-scab-(is) just.
-
-
-Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ agwasʹ wīʹyo oʼwāʹdoⁿʼ neʻʹ honoⁿʼĕñʼʹgeʻ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ nāʹeʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, heʻʹ
- Suddenly now very it fine (is) did it become the his head on. So that too indeed, it is said, so
-
- niyuʼʹdäⁿ ayĕñʼʹsʻhoñ agwasʹ wīʹyo oʼwāʹdoⁿʼ. Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se hagĕⁿʼdjăʼʹgeʻ
-so it is situated, pastured, would one think just very it good (is) did it become. Suddenly his forehead on
-
-neʼʹhoʻ degaāʼʹdăʼhāʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ degniʻʹ nīʹyoñʻ, dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿ, neʼʹ neʻʹ
- there two it feathers stuck up that the two so many it is, suddenly two he feathers set together that the
-
-tkwĕⁿdäʼʹĕñʼ giʼʹoⁿʻ, niyuʼʹdĕñʻ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ sgātʹ oñyăʼʹĕñʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-it red (is), it is said, so it is in kind that and the one it is it blue (is). So that the
-
- degyăʼdäʼneʹgĕñ neʼʹhoʻ näⁿnʹdăʻ noñʹ niyoñʹsoⁿs. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ
-two they (f. du.) body are joined there this (it is) perhaps so it long (is) (pl. sign). So that too
-
- woauñʹhăs neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ waiʹĕñʼ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Hĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ agwasʹ deʼoyāʹneʼ, agwasʹ
-did he him address the his nephew did he it say, the he old one, (is) “Not very not it good, (is) very
-
- deʼʹoyĕⁿsdoⁿ, waiʻʹ,” dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ daādyĕñʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ oäʼʹdăʼ neʼʹhoʻ naⁿnʹdăʻ noñʹ
-not it seemly, (is) certainly,” so now hence he it pulled the it feather there this (it is) perhaps
-
- nīʹyoñs, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ sgatʹ daādyĕñʹtʻhoʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ wīʹyo,” waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ
-so it long (is) that and the one it is thence he it pulled. So there it good (is)”. did he it say the
-
- hagĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Hoñʹweʻ hoʼʹseʻ. Hoñʹweʻ dĕⁿtcʹdăʼt, dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ gāʹoʼ
-he old one (is), “Yonder thither do thou go. Yonder there wilt thou stand, so that too hither
-
- dĕⁿtchatkăʻʹdĕⁿʼ, ĕⁿgoñyat­gatʹʻhoʼ nāʹeʻ aʹdiʼgwă, nisayăʼdayĕⁿsʹdoⁿ.”
- thence wilt thou turn facing, will I thee look upon indeed unknown so thy body.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ wāʹeʼ hoñ­weʻʹgwā gāoʼʹkhoʻ daātgăʻʹdĕⁿʼ
-So now, it is said the he you (is) there thither he went yonder-ward hither and thence he turned facing
-
- deogāʹneʼʹsʻhoñ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ deagāʹneʼ neʼʹhoʻ itʹʻhad
-two he him eyed-just the his uncle. So now the he old one (is) two he eyed (it) there there he stood
-
-adeyĕñnoñniʼʹgeʻ. Dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ gāʹtcĭ,
- “Attention” at. Suddenly just the he old one (is) now it is said, did he it say, “Come hither do thou come,
-
-gāʹoʼ năʼnondāʹseʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ dondagadoʼkʹ­tʻhăs ʼaʹsoⁿ.”
-hither again hither do thou come, now indeed there it me failed (= I am not satisfied) yet.”
-
-
- Gaʹnioʼ oʼʹhāyoⁿʼ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ neʻʹ oäʼoⁿʻʹsăʼ ōʹnoⁿʼ neʻʹ hasʼoʻdāʼʹgeʻ
-Just as soon as did he arrive the he youth (is) now the his uncle the it sun-flower it-oil the his hand on
-
- wäoñʹtʻhoʼ waānoʻʹ­gāʼ-khoʻ gagweʹgoⁿ neʻʹ hagoⁿsăʼʹgeʻ neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā waādyĕñnoñʹnĭʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did he it pour did he it anoint-and it entire the his face on the he youth (is) did he it do with care. So now,
-
- giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ, “Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñʹweʻ hoñsāʹseʻ gāʹoʼ diqʹ dĕⁿtchatkăʻʹdĕⁿʼ.& rdquo; Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-it is said did he it say, “Come now yonder again thither do thou go hither too wilt thou turn facing.” Now
-
-neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ wāʹeʼ gāʹoʼ diqʹ daātgăʻʹdĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ
-the he youth (is) there thither did he go hither too did he face. So now certainly the he old one (is)
-
- deogāʹneʼ agwasʹ waiʻʹ waādyĕñnõñʹnĭʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waāsʹnyeʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ,
-two he him eyed very certainly did he do it with care. So now, it is said, did he speak now did he it say,
-
- “Neʼʹ neʻʹ heʻʹ niseksāʼʹgōwā deʼgatkăʼʹhoʻ noñʹ deʼtʻhĕⁿʹʼdĕñʼ (or deʼtʻhĕⁿʼʹdyoⁿʼ) neʼʹhoʻ
-“That (it is) the wherein so thou youthful (are) not in any place perhaps no t he does abide there
-
-neʻʹ haksăʼʹgōwā gĕñʹoñk. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ gāʹtcĭ diqʹ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñʹweʻ hoñsăsăʹdyĕⁿ(-dyĕñʻ). Dāʹ neʼʹ
-the he youthful it was. So now hither do thou come too. So now yonder t hither again do thou sit. So that
-
-diqʹ näⁿndăʻʹ năʻⁿʹot ĕⁿsyasōʹoñk neʼʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ. Gagweʹgoⁿ heʻʹ nīʹyoñ
-too this kind of thing wilt thou be called that the Dooäʼdane&mlpr ime;gĕⁿʼ. It entire (is) as so art many
-
- yenagēʹnioⁿʼ weĕⁿʹsʻhoñ wăʼotʹkāeʻ hāoⁿʹʻhoⁿʼ hadjinoⁿʼdīʹyū neʻʹ hăʼdeganyoʼʹdăge.
-they dwell severally (peoples) for just did it noise make he himself he hunter fine (is) the all game in number.
-
- Săsĕñnăoñʹgăʼt sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñʹweʻ sāʹdyĕñ.”
-Thy name (is) famous because. So now yonder thou thyself seat.”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ djeyăʼʹdad neʼʹ neʻʹ dyegowaʹnĕⁿ neʼʹ neʻʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ,
-So that too the one she person (is) that (it is) the there she elder (is) that (it is) the did she it say,
-
- giʼʹoⁿʻ, “Gĕⁿʼʹ nyāʹwĕⁿ heʻʹ niāksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹ neʻʹ oñgwanyāʹgoⁿ.” Dāʹ neʼʹ
-it is said, “How thankful (we are) so much so he handsome (is) that (it is) the we have married.” So that (it is)
-
-diqʹ neʻʹ gosʹtʻhoⁿ neʻʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, “Neʼʹ neʻʹ Iʼʹ ĕⁿwagnoⁿsʹdek,
-too the she younger (is) that truly that did-she-it-sa y it is said, “That it is the I will I it cherish,
-
- neʼʹ neʻʹ Iʼʹ neʻʹ ĕⁿgnooⁿʹgwak, neʼhoʻʹsʻhoñ nĕⁿdwagyeanʹdieʼ neʻʹ aʹdiʼgwa
-that it is the I the will I it hold it dear (love) thus only so will I it continue to do the any
-
- năⁿʼʹot ĕñʼʹ neʼʹhoʻ năʼʹdjeʻ waiʻʹ. Dāʹ nyāʹwĕⁿ diqʹ.”
-kind of thing it may be there so do thou it do of course. So it is to be thankful too.”
-
-
- Neʼʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoʼʹgäʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ waiĕnondyăʼdagēʹoñʼ, hăʼdewăsĕñʹnoⁿ
-That (it is) the now did it become now of course did they their bodies lay down just between
-
- năʼdegyāʹdeʼ neʻʹ degiksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ waādyasʹʻhĕñʼ neʻʹ Hatʻhonʹdas
-the distance between them the two they (f.) maidens (are) there did he himself lay recumbent the Hatʻhonʹdas
-
- neʼʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ.
-that (it is) the Dooäʼdane&mlpr ime;gĕⁿʼ.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, nāʹeʻ neʻʹ dyegōʹwănĕⁿ dăʼāʹoⁿʻ ayagōʹdăʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ
-So now, it is said, truly the thence she is elder one not it is able should she fall asleep. Now truly the
-
-Hatʻhonʹdas neʼʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ hodăʼʹoⁿ, dyawĕⁿʼoⁿʹsʻhoñ nāʹeʻ
-Hatʻhonʹdas that (it is) the Dooäʼdane&mlpri me;gĕⁿʼ he has fallen asleep, did all the time just truly
-
- dañwăgāʹneʼ heʻʹ hayasʹʻhĕⁿʼ hodăʼʹoⁿ. Dāʹ neʼʹ neʻʹ djeyăʼʹdād
-two her him eyes were on where he lay recumbent he has fallen asleep. So that (it is) the she the other one
-
- godăʼʹoⁿ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ neʼʹ.
-she has fallen asleep truly the that one.
-
-
- Wăʼoʹʻhĕñʼt, giʼʹoⁿʻ, nāʹeʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ dyegōʹwănĕⁿ deʼagodăʼʹoⁿ nāʹeʻ heʻʹ niwăʹʻsondis.
-Did it day become it is said truly that the she elder one (is) she has fallen asleep, truly as so it night long (is).
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ, dāyatʹgĕⁿ neʻʹ degiksăʼʹgōwā oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
- Now too, also, thence two (f.) they arose the two they (f.) maidens (are) now too, it is said,
-
- oʼgikhoñʹnĭʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ gyadeʼʹgĕñʼ. Dāʹ gāʹnioʼ
-did they two (f.) food prepare that it is the they two (f.) elder and younger sisters are. So as soon as
-
- oʼgakʹhwaiʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ wainondekhoñʹnīʼ. Neʼʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ
-did it food cook now it is said they food ate. That (it is) truly the he elder one (is)
-
- waoñwäʹgwăs, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ waⁿwănonʻ sgadjĕⁿonʹdīʻ waiʻ neʻʹ neʼʹ
-did she him take a portion for, it is said, now did she it him give one it fireside of of course the that it is
-
-tʻhanyoʹʻcyot. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ haʹoⁿhaⁿʼ (haʹoⁿhwaⁿʼ) nekhoʹgwā nāʹeʻ naʼgadjĕⁿonʹdĭʻ
-there he sits. So now truly the he himself he himself] [[for honoⁿʹhaⁿʼ-geaʻ here-ward truly such it fireside of
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ wainondekhoñʹnĭʼ oʼtʻhĕñnonʹdon nāʹeʻ neʹyoʼsʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ.
- now did they food eat did they themselves eat together truly husband and wives-just the Dooädaneʹg&eb reve;ⁿʼ.
-
-
- Waādikhwĕñʹdăʼt dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Hiwaⁿdĕⁿʼ ĕⁿʻʹsăsăwĕⁿ&mlapos ;
-Did they food cease from so now, it is said, did they it say the he old one (is) “My nephew wilt thou it begin
-
-nāʹeʻ dĕⁿsădawĕñʹnyeʼ heʻʹ yoĕñʹdjădeʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ ĕⁿseʼnigoⁿʹʻhäʼk neʼʹ neʻʹ
-truly wilt thou self travel where it earth is present. So that it is too wilt thou careful be that (it is) the
-
- doōnondawĕñnyeʹ­ʻhoⁿʼ sgāʹse heʻʹ nionondyăʼdatʹgoⁿʼs. Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ nāʹeʻ ĕⁿsadōʹwäd.
-they travel about in numbers unmatched where so much they are wizards severally. Now too truly wilt thou hunt.
-
-Ganioʼʹsʻhoñ nāʹeʻ năʼgayăʼdoʼʹdĕⁿ& mlapos; ogwēʹnyoñ ĕⁿʻsīʹyoʼ sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ nāʹeʻ
-Any kind-just truly such it body kind of it possible (is) wilt thou it kill because truly
-
- deʼsanoⁿʼgōʹwäs.”
-not it thou affects.” (thou art immune.”)
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ hĕⁿwâⁿdĕⁿʼʹsʻhä&mlap os; waaʻʹdĕñdĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waādoätʹʻhăʼ-khoʻ waiʹĕñʼ-khoʻ,
-So now the he the nephewship did he start, now truly did he it to hunt go and did he it say and,
-
- “Aʹdĭʼgwă dōʹgĕⁿs neʻʹ năⁿʼʹot waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hāknoʼʹsĕⁿ. Neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ
-I do not know it is certain the kind of thing did he it say the he my uncle. That too the
-
- ĕⁿdgadyeʹĕⁿt neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ.”
-will I it begin (= do first) the raccoon.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ waāyăʹgĕⁿʼt waaʻdĕñʹdĭʼ. Tchi-iʻʹheʼ waāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ gäʹit agwasʹ
-So now too hence he went out did he start. While he walked along did he it see there it (tree) stands very
-
- oʼeʻʹdāʼ aʹdiʼgwăʻ năʼgayăʼdoʼʹdäⁿ neʼʹhoʻ gĕⁿʼʹdyoⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wāäʼʹtʻhĕⁿʼ heʻʹ
-it clawed (is) uncertain (it is) what it body kind of (is) there it abides. So now truly did he it climb where
-
- gäʹit dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ waāʹgĕⁿʼ djoʼäʹgăʼ dyunandeʻsändonʻnioⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waayăʼdădăʻʹgoʼ
-it (tree) stands so there did he it see raccoon they are in array. So now did he its body take out
-
-oʻsoñwăʹgoñ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʼ eʻdăʼʹgeʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wooyăʼdoñʹdĭʼ; oʹyăʼʹkhoʻ waayăʼdădăʻʹgoʼ neʼʹ-khoʻ
-it hollow-in that and the earth-on, it is said, did he its body cast; it-other and did he its body take out that-and
-
-neʻʹ eʻdăʼʹgeʻ wooyăʼdoñʹdĭʼ; oʹyăʼʹkhoʻ waayăʼdădăʻʹgoʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ eʻdăʼʹgeʻ wooyăʼdoñʹdĭʼ;
-the earth-on did he its body cast; it-other-and did he its body take out that-and the earth-on did he its body cast;
-
- oʹyăʼʹkhoʻ waayăʼdădăʻʹgoʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ eʻdăʼʹgeʻ wooyăʼdoñʹdĭʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ
-it-other-and did he its body take out that-and the earth-on did he its body cast. So now did he it say
-
-wăʼasʹnyeʼt, “Neʼʹhoʻ-sʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿ&tcomm a; waiʻʹ,” oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ dondaadyăʼʹdĕn.
-did he speak, “Enough-just now of course,” now too thence he his body caused to descend.
-
-
- Gāʹnioʼ eʻdăʼʹgeʻ oʼtʻhāʹdăʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼasʹnyeʼt, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waiʹĕñʼ, “Neʼʹhoʻ noñʹ
-As soon as earth-on did he stand now did he speak, it is said, did he it say, “Enough, perhaps,
-
- hăʼdegayeʹiʼ heʻʹ nigeʼhasʹdeʼ hĕⁿsgatgeʻʹdāt.”
-just it is sufficient where so I am strong hence will I body bear away.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ waātʻheʻnoñʹnĭʼ, neʼʹ neʻʹ hōʹyĕⁿʼ neʻʹ găsʹʻhāʼ neʻʹ neʼʹ
-So now of course did he it bundle make of, that the he it has the it forehead-strap the that
-
-waăsʻhädĕⁿʻʹdāĕ&s upn;ʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ waāyăʼdageʹoñʼ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ-sʻhoⁿʼoⁿ ,
-did he it strap lay out. Now it is said, there did he its body lay severally the raccoon-s,
-
- waadeyĕñnoñʹnĭʼ waā­wăhăsʹyoñʼ. Gāʼnioʼʹ waadyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did he it do with care did he it wrap with care severally. As soon as did he it task complete so now
-
- oʼtʻhatʻhēʹ­naⁿk agwasʹ waātʻgeʻʹdāt neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did he his bundle take up very, indeed, did he it bear with the forehead-strap that and the now
-
- saāʻdĕñʹdĭʼ.
-again he started (= went home).
-
-
-Neʼʹhoʻ niyuʼʹdäⁿ gaʻhenodāʹdieʼ hoñsaāʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
- Thus so it was in form it bundle stood out moving thither he returned home there where
-
- tʻhonadegăʼʹdoⁿ, neʼʹhoʻ oñʹgyeʻ waātʻhenoñʹdĭʼ waiʹĕñʼ khoʻ, “Hauʼʹ, hagnoʼʹsĕⁿ, nĕⁿʻʹ
-there they it fire have kindled, there indoors did he his bundle cast did he it say and, “Come, my uncle, here
-
-igāʹyĕⁿʼ desesʹnyeʻ, dĕⁿsĕⁿʼnyāʹĕⁿ& mlapos;-khoʻ.”
-it lies two they hands put to (it), wilt thou it care -and.”
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼtʻhăsʹnyeʼ. “Hōʹ, niyāʹwĕⁿ hiʹwâⁿdĕⁿʼ,”
- Now, it is said the he old one now truly did he it attend to. “Hō, so it is in-gratitude my nephew,”
-
- waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ oʼgāiʻwayeʹiʻ tchi-săʼāʻʹsʻhoñ sʻhăʼdegoñsʹnyeʼ
-did he it say the his uncle, “Now indeed did it matter fulfill while thou small-just I thee attended to
-
- dăsadodyĕñʹaⁿdieʼ dyawĕⁿʼʹoⁿ degoñsʹnyeʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ goñdäñʹäs. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nĕʹwăʼ
-thence thou grew apace always I thee cared for that and the I thee pitied customarily. Now in turn
-
- oʼsadodiʹāk, dāʹ neʼʹkhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ tchiʹ-wi oʹnĕⁿʻ nĕʹwăʼ naⁿʹdă gayăʼdăgēʹoñʼ. Dāʹ
-didst thou grow up, so that and customarily while I it thought now in turn this it body lie severally. So
-
- niyāʹwĕⁿ diqʹ.”
-let it happen (I am thankful) too.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ waāyĕñʹsēʼ heʻʹ nīʹyoñ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ. Waādyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ dāʹ
-So now, it is said, the he old one did she it skin as so it many the the raccoon. Did he his task finish so
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Neʼʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ găʼcyoʹsăʼ ĕⁿgadoʻsoñʹnĭʼ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ neʼʹ ʼăʻʹsoⁿ
- now did he it say, “That truly the it skin will I self pouch make, that and the that still
-
- ĕⁿtchădoätʹʻhăʼ, neʼʹkhoʻ näⁿʹgäⁿ gayăʼdăgēʹoñʼ heyonēgāsʹdeʻ neʻʹhoʻ deyodogĕⁿʹdoⁿ
-wilt thou to hunt go, that and this it is it body lie several “pot-roasted” as a matter of fact it it requires
-
- huiʹgĕⁿ djoʼäʹgăʼ.”
-that it is raccoon.”
-
-
-Neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ waāgoōnʹdoñʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ neyoʼʹsʻhoⁿʼ neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ neʼʹ Dōʹ nĕⁿdjikʹhwayēʼ?
-That and the did he her ask several that the his wife-s the his nephew that How so will you two food prepare?
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, dondagīʹdăʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼgyăʻʹtcōʼ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ; gāʹnioʼ
-So now, it is said thence they two arose now truly did they (du.) it cut up the raccoon; as soon as
-
- oʼwadyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼginaⁿʼdjōʹdĕⁿʼ. Heʻʹ niyuʹweʼ oʼgāiʻʹ yonegāsʹdeʻ
-did they their task complete so now d id they two (f.) pot set up. As so far as it is did it cook it boiled down
-
- waiʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼwāʹdoⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ degiksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹ neʻʹ oʼʹwāʼ gaʼoñʹwăgoñ neʼʹ
-of course now did it become. So now the two they (f.) (du.) maidens that the it meat it-bowl-in that it is
-
-neʻʹ găʹsnoⁿʼ năⁿʼʹot neʼʹhoʻ oʼgiʹondäʻ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wainandekʹhoñnĭʼ hadigweʹgoⁿ.
-the it bark kind of thing there did they two (du.) it part, that and the now did they food eat they together.
-
-Dāʹ “Niyāʹwĕⁿ, hōʹ, niyāʹwĕⁿ, niyāʹwĕⁿ,” hāʹdoⁿ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ.
-So “I am thankful, hōʹ, I am thankful, I am thankful,” he kept saying, it is said, the he old one (is).
-
-
- Wăʼōʹhĕñʼt, giʼʹⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ saādoätʹʻhăʼ neʻʹ Dooäʼdaneʹgĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ
-It became day, it is said now again again he to hunt went the Dooäʼdane&mlpr ime;gĕⁿʼ. So that
-
- tchīʹieʼs neʻʹ gaʻhadăʹgoñ neʼʹhoʻ waāʹgĕⁿʼ gäʹitgowāʹnĕñ, agwasʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʼeʻʹdāʼ
-while he walked around the it-forest-in there did he it see it tree stands great, very it is said, it clawed (is)
-
-neʼʹ neʻʹ owădjisdăʼʹgeʻ heʻʹ gäʹit. Oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waādeʻcyonyāʹnoñʼ waāäʼʹtʻhĕⁿʼ-khoʻ . Dāʹ
-that the it-bark-on where it tree stands. Now, it is said did he his preparations make did he it climb-and. So
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʼʹhoʻ năʼaⁿʹwĕⁿ āʹeʼ, neʼʹhoʻ waayăʼdā­dyĕñʼtʻhoʼ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ neʻʹ oʻswĕⁿʼdăʹgoñ
- now truly there so it happened again, there did he its body draw out the raccoon the it dead tree-in
-
- goñniʼʹdioⁿʼ eʻdăʼgeʻʹkhoʻ wooyăʼdoñʹdĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ oʹyăʼkhoʻ hoⁿsaāyăʼdadyĕñʹ­tʻh oʼ
-they (anim.) abide earth-on-and did he its body cast, now it-other-and thence again he its body drew out
-
-eʻdăʼʹgeʻ-khoʻ āʹeʼ wooyăʼdoñ ʹdĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ, oʹyăʼkhoʻ āʹeʼ ho& supn;saayăʼdadyĕñʹtʻhoʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
- earth-on-and again did he its body cast, now, it other and again thence again he its body drew out that the
-
- oʻsweⁿʼʹdăgoñ eʻdăʼʹgeʻ-khoʻ āʹeʼ wooyă&mla pos;doñʹdĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʹyăʼkhoʻ
-it dead tree-in earth-on-and again did he its body cast down, now it is said, it other-and
-
- hoⁿsaayĕʼdadyĕñʹtʻhoʼ eʻdăʼʹgeʻkhoʻ āʹeʼ wooyăʼdoñʹdĭʼ, neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ, yēʹiʼ giʼsʹʻhäⁿ,
-t hence again he its body drew out earth-on-and again did he its body cast down the raccoon, six it is believed,
-
-djāʹdŭk giʻsʹhäⁿ, nigayăʼʹdăgeʻ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʼʹhoʻ
- seven it is believed so many its body in number the raccoon. So now truly did he it say, “Now truly there
-
- hăʼdegayēʹiʼ,” oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ neʼʹ nāʹeʻ dondaadyăʼdĕn(t) hoñsāĕⁿʼdyoñʹdăʼt-kho&tc omma; neʻʹ
-just two it suffice,” now the that truly thence again he his body brought down there did he again step-and the
-
-eʻdăʼʹgeʻʹ.
- earth-on.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ waasʻhädĕⁿʹdāĕⁿʼ neʻʹ osʹʻhāʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ neʼʹhoʻ āʹeʼ
-So now again di d he it forehead strap lay out the it forehead strap, so now of course there again
-
- waayăʼdăsodjōʹdĕnʼ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ waatʻheʹnoñnĭʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
-did he it body put in a pile the raccoon that and the did he it bundle make that and the
-
- waahwăhăʹcyoñʼ neʻ hotʻhēʹnaiyĕⁿʼ waadyĕñnñoʹnĭʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ
-did he it wrap up repeatedly the he his bundle lying there did he it care use. So now too
-
- doñsaatʻhēʻnaⁿk waatgeʻʹdāt-khoʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ saaʻdĕñʹdĭʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ
-did again he his bundle take up did he it bear with and the forehead strap- now again he departed now there
-
- saatʻhēʹnaⁿk waatge&tcomm a;ʹdāt-khoʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ saaʻdĕñʹdĭʻ
-again he his pack took up did he hit bear with and the forehead strap now (then) too, (also), again he started homeward
-
-neʼʹhoʻ hoñsāʹēʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʻhodinoⁿʹsot neʻʹ neyoʼʹsʻhoⁿʼoⁿ.
- there thither again he went there where there their lodge stands the the spouses several.
-
-
-Neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñsaāʹyoⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waātʻhēʹnayĕⁿʼ oñʹgyeʻ hĕⁿoñweʻ
-The now (time) thither again he arrived there it is said, did he burden place indoors there where
-
- niʻānyoʹcyot neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ. Dāʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ
-there his form abides the his uncle (mother’s brother). So, now, (then), it is said, the he old person (is)
-
- waāsʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Hōōʹ, niyāʹwĕⁿ, hōōʹ, niyāʹwĕⁿ,
-did he it speak did he it say, “Oh, thence may it come to pass, oh, thence may it come to pass,
-
- niyāʹwĕⁿ waiʻʹ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ noñʹ ĕⁿwagōʹdjĭs neʻʹ deʹgioⁿʼ, giʼsʹʻhäⁿ, nigayăʼʹdăgeʻ
-thence may it come to pass, truly. Now, (then) perhaps will it-me suffice the eight, it may be so-it-body-number
-
-neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ.”
-the raccoon.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ waayĕñcyoñʹgoʼ (waayĕñ­zyoñʹgoʼ) heʻʹ nīʹyoñʻ
-So, now verily the he old person (is) did-he-it-skin-remove respectively as (many) so-many in number (are),
-
- neʼʹhoʻ; waadyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ gagweʹgoⁿ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waăʼʹsädoñnyoñʼ (waăʼʹzädoñnyoñʼ)
-there (so) did he-it-task finish it-entire (whole). Now verily did he it-skin stretch (on frames) respectively
-
- gagweʹgoⁿ.
-it-entire (whole).
-
-
-Gāʹnioʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʼgāʹʻhĕⁿ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ oʼhăʻʹsawĕⁿʼ waāʼdōʻsoñʹnĭʼ (waādōzoñʹnĭʼ), hōʹ agwasʹ
-Whenever now, (then), it is said, it dried now indeed did he-it-begin he tanned them oh, very
-
- wīʹyō neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ waādyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ nāʹeʻ haʻgwasʹtʻhăʼ
-it-fine, beautiful (is) the now indeed did he-it-task-finish. So that (it is) truly he-it-wrap-used for
-
- neʼʹ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ īyosʹ.
-that (it is) the raccoon robe.
-
-
- Dyawĕⁿʼʹoⁿ nāʹeʻ-sʻhoñ neʻʹ degiksăʼʹgōwāʻ odikhoñʹnī, agwasʹ skĕñʹnoⁿʼ gagweʹgoⁿ hĕⁿnĕñnoⁿdoñʹnioⁿ.
-All the time just only the two they children large (are) they ate, very contentedly it-all they were thinking.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ oʼgasʹnyeʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ dyegōʹwănĕⁿ,
-So now (then), it is said, there it spoke now (then) did it say the she, the elder one (is),
-
- “Ĕⁿdiyĕñdāʹgwăʼ nāʹeʻ, yeyĕñdāʹgwăs gĕⁿsʹ neʻʹ neʼʹ yenĕñwăsʹʻhĕⁿʼ. Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-&l dquo;Thou-will I wood get truly, one gets wood usually the that one husband’s people is with. Come, now (then)
-
- dyăʻdĕñʹdĭʻ.”
-let us two start.”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ hoʼgniyăʹgĕⁿʼt heʻʹ odinoⁿʹsot neʼʹhoʻ
-So that moreover now (then) truly thence they two went out of doors there their two lodge stands there
-
- wăʼʹgnēʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tgahadāʹyĕⁿʼ, neʼʹhoʻ hōʹgwā, giʼʹoⁿʻ oʼgniʹgĕⁿʼ
-thither they two went there where there it forest (is), there aside, it is said, did they two it see
-
- tgäʹit oʹhĕⁿ.
-there it-tree stands it dry (is).
-
-
- Neʼʹ neʻʹ dyeʹgōwanĕⁿ ganĕñyagäⁿʹĕⁿt (ganĕñyaʹgän) yēʹāʼ deyotʻhweʼnoñʹni neʼʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-That (it is) the she elder one (is) it stone white (is) she-it held it round (is) that (it is) there
-
- wăʼēʹyĕn heʻʹ gäʹit gagweʹgoⁿ nāʹeʻ wăʼotʹkāeʻ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ tcoyĕñdăsodjotʹsʻhoñ. Dāʹ
-did she it strike there it tree stands it whole (is) truly did it sound that-and the only it wood pile left (is). So
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ oʼgyatʻhēʹnoñnĭʼ oʼgisʻhäyĕñʹdoñʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ hoʼ­gisʹʼŭt neʻʹ
-now (then) it is said, there did they two pack make did they two cord fasten to each that the did it-it exhaust the
-
- sgäondatʹ-gĕñoⁿʼ; dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ oʼgyatgeʻʹdāt neʻʹ degaʻhēʹnăgeʻ
-one it tree number(s)-was; so now (then) moreover did they two it bear by forehead-band the two it pack number
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ sagyăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ.
-now (then) moreover back they two started.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñsagnīʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tyodinoⁿʹsot oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ heʻʹ gaʻʹhogain
-So now (then) there again they two arrived there where there their lodge stands now (then) there where it-door (is)
-
-neʼʹhoʻ hoñsagīʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ oʼtgyadekhăʹʻsĭʼ heʻʹ gaʻʹhogain, oʹnĕⁿʻ,
- there there again they two entered now (then) there did they two separate where it-door (is), now (then),
-
- giʼʹoⁿʻ, dagyādyĕñʹtʻhoʼ neʻʹ gasʹʻhāʼ dedjāʹoⁿ-gwā năʼganoⁿʹsădĭ oʼdwatʻhwădāʹseʼ neʻʹ
-it is said, thither they two it draw the it-pack-strap both-sides there it lodge side(s) did it around go the
-
- ganoⁿʹsot neʻʹ oyĕñʹdăʼ.
-it-lodge stand the it-wood.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ hoñsagīʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ ganoⁿsgoñʹwă. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-So now, it is said thither again they two entered the it-lodge-in. So now, it is said, did she say that the
-
- dyeʹgowănĕⁿ, “Yondyĕñdayēʹoⁿʼ gĕⁿsʹ waiʻʹ neʻʹ yenĕñwăsʻhĕⁿʼ,” wăʼoñwaōʹwĭʼ
-she, the elder one, “One wood for fire gathers usually truly the she is with her husband’s people,” did she-him tell
-
-neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ. “Hōōʹ, niyāʹwĕⁿ; niyāʹwĕⁿ, waiʻ,” waiʼĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ, agwasʹ oñgwătʹganoñniʻ
-the he, old man (is). “Hōōʹ, thanks; thanks, truly,” did he say the he, old man, (is) very we are wealthy
-
-waiʻ.”
-truly.”
-
-
- Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ wēʹĕⁿʻ dwĕñniʼʹdioⁿʼ neʻʹ goñtʻhoñwīʹsăs oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼwĕⁿnĕñninaⁿʼdog neʼʹ
-Now (then) that the far away there they (fem.) abide the they women (are) now (then) verily did they notice that
-
-neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waādōʹdiāg neʻʹ Hatʻhonʹdas neʼʹ neʻʹ Hotkwisdadegĕⁿʹʼăʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-the now (then) did he grow up the He, the Listener, that (is) the He, the Scorched Paunch that (is) the
-
- Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ, gēʹiʻ nigoñʹdi. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹdjĭ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-Two, He, Feathers Together (is), four so many they are. So now (then) verily the she, old woman, “Now (then)
-
- hĕⁿswatgondŭk oʹnĕⁿʻ hĕⁿseswanaⁿʹgwăgwāāʼ giĕⁿʼʹ­sʻhoⁿʼoⁿ, ” neʼʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ. Sĕⁿʹ
-thither will you go now (then) thither will you him fetch as a spouse my children,” that did she it say. Three
-
- năʼdewännondĕⁿʹnondēʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹdj&i breve;, “Isʹ ĕⁿtchadyeʹĕⁿt neʻʹ
-s o many they (are) sisters. Now (then) did she it say the she, old woman, “You will you be first the
-
- segōʹwănĕⁿ neʼʹ neʻʹ hĕⁿsenaⁿgwagwăʹhăʼ.&rdquo ;
-you eldest (are) that the thither wilt thou fetch him as spouse.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʼwadiäʻgoñnĭʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ deganăⁿʼhoñsdyăʼʹgoⁿ, oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ oʼwadīʹtʻheʼt neʻʹ
-So now (then), it is said, did they bread make that the it “marriage” bread, now (then) truly did they pound the
-
-sĕⁿʹ niwĕñnonʹdĭʻ neʻʹ wĕⁿnondeʼgĕⁿʼʹsʻho ⁿʼoⁿ, neʼʹ neʻʹ gagaiʻdĕⁿʼʹdoⁿ năⁿʼʹot neʻʹ oäʻʹgwăʼ. Neʼʹ neʻʹ
-three so many they number the they sisters (are), that the it-boiled-in-ashe s kind of the it-bread. That the
-
-waiʻʹ neʻʹ tuʻʹ, tuʻʹ, tuʻʹ, tuʻʹ, soʼʹgĕⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ oʼwaditʻheʼt.
-truly the tuʻʹ, tuʻʹ, tuʻʹ, tuʻʹ, it sounded there where did they pound it.
-
-
-Dăʼdjīʹăʻsʻhoñ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼodiäʻʹgwaiis neʻʹ gonyākʹtʻhăʼ, oäʻʹgwăʼ
-In a short time, it is said, now (then) did their bread get done the one it uses to marry, it bread
-
-deganaⁿʼhoñsdyăʼʹgoⁿ gayāʹsoⁿ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ gaʼăsʹʻhägoñ waʼagonʹdäʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ dewăsʹʻhĕⁿ
-it “marriage” bread it called is, so now (then) it-basket-in did one it put that the two-tens (twenty)
-
- niyoäʻʹgwăgeʻ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹdjĭ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ gāʹtcĭ
-so many it loaves number that-and the she, old woman now (then) did she it say, “Come, now (then) hith er come thou
-
-neʹkhoʻ dĕⁿsʹdăʼt.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ goāʹwăk neʼʹhoʻ oʼdyēʹdăʼt, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
- here wilt thou stand.” So now (then) the her daughter there did she stand, that-and the now (then)
-
- wăʼagaotʹgăʼ neʻʹ goāʹwăk neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ găsĕñnagăʼʹoⁿ wăʼagoʻʹgāʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-did she her hair comb the her daughter that-and the it-perfume (smell-sweet) did she her anoint that the
-
-gonoʼĕñʼʹgeʻ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ wăʼagonyăʻtchiʼdōʹd&eb reve;ⁿʼ, agwasʹ dayeʻdoʹes neʻʹ găʼheʻʹsăʼ, agwasʹ
-her head-on, that-and the did she-her-top-knot set on, very did she it taut make the it-band, very
-
- dedjagogaoʼgwāeʼʹsʻhoñ soʼʹdjĭʻ wăʼeʻniʹäd.
-did she eye-sockets-have-only too much did she it taut make.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼoⁿʻ, neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹdjĭ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ hoʼseʻʹ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-So now (then) it is said the she, old woman did she it say, “Come, now (then) there thither go thou there where
-
- weʹĕⁿ itʹʻheʼs neʻʹ Dooäʼdan&e macr;ʹgĕⁿʼ; neʼʹ neʻʹ ĕⁿwiʻhēʹagʹ hăʼʹdegagon
-far away there he goes about the Two He Feathers Together Are that the will I be thinking without fail
-
- ĕⁿhoñwâⁿoʹwĭʼ. Dāʹ djāʹgoⁿ diqʹ. Agwasʹ nāʹeʻ otʻhyoʻʹgwanīʻ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-will she him tell. So do thou take courage moreover. Very verily it is frightful there where
-
- dĕⁿsyayăʼkʹdăk näⁿʹgäⁿ ganyōʹdāeʼ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-wilt thou it use to cross this (it is) it lake (is).” So now (then) it is said,
-
- wăʼoñdadegeʻʹdād näⁿʹgäⁿ găʼăsʹʻhäʼ oäʻʹgwăʼ īʹwad.
-did she-her place it on, with forehead band this (it is) it basket it-bread it contains it.
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ năʹeʻ wăʼoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ neʻʹ dyeʹgowănĕⁿ. Wăʼe&ml prime;yoⁿʼ nāʹeʻ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʻhadinaⁿʹgeʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
- Now verily di d she start the she, eldest. Did she arrive verily there where there they inhabit that the
-
- Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ haʻwadjīʹäʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ weĕⁿʹsʻhoñ dedyegāʹneʼ neʼʹhoʻ deyegāʹneʼ neʼʹ
-Two He Feathers Together Are his clan now (then) truly far away only there she looked from there did she look that
-
-neʻʹ tʻhonoⁿʹsot neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ agwasʹ oʼyoʹnisʻheʼt neʼʹhoʻ
-the there his lodge stands the &l dquo;Two Feathers Together.” So now (then) very it was long time there (thus)
-
-niyoʼʹdĕñ dăʼāʹoñʻ auñʹwâⁿʹgĕⁿʼ nāʹeʻ.
-so it was not able could she him see verily.
-
-
-Dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ daāyăʹgĕⁿʼt neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
- Suddenly, it is said, now (then) thence he emerged the “Two Feathers Together” there-and the none then
-
- oʼtʻhatʹgăʻdoⁿ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waăʻʹdĕñdĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, hogwāʻʹsʻhoñ neʼʹhoʻ dedyeʹgāneʼ neʻʹ
-he did look around. Now verily did he start, now, it is said, aside-just there thence she looked the
-
- yeksăʼʹgōwā. Neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waādowäʹtʻhăʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ wāʹāt doskĕñoⁿʹsʻhoñ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-she maiden (is). That-and the now (then) did he to hunt go that-and the did he stop nearby-just there where
-
- dedyegāʹneʼ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā.
-thence she looked the she maiden (is).
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ waātgonʹdŭk hĕⁿʹoñweʻ detʻhado­wäsʹtʻhăʼ. Neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-So now (then) there did he start for there where there he it to hunt uses That-and the there
-
- deyeganēʹdieʼ heʻʹ wāʹeʼ, neʼʹhoʻ-khoʻ nāʹeʻ hoʼwaʻʹdoⁿʼ. Djokʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-thence she looked-along where thence he went, there -and verily thither it disappeared. Quickly, now, it is said,
-
-neʼʹhoʻ wăʼʹĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wauñwăⁿsʹʻheʼ -khoʻ wăʼoñwayăʼdi­sākʹh&abreve ;ʼ -khoʻ dwadādesʼăʻʹdoⁿ
- there thither she went now verily did she him pursue -and did she him seek -and did she her best do
-
-nāʹeʻ.
-verily.
-
-
-Agwasʹ wēʹĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ niyuʼdäⁿʹādieʼ hosʹʻheʼ. Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se
- Very far away, it is said, there so it continued to be she-him followed. Suddenly
-
- hoʼdyeganäʹdieʼ neʼʹhoʻ tʻhäʹdieʼs heʻʹ tgäʹit neʼʹ neʻʹ
-thither she is looking as she went there there he went climbing about where there it tree stands that (it is) the
-
- gäoñdăsʹdĕñʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼʹĕⁿʼ, wăʼēʹyoⁿʼ -khoʻ hĕⁿʹoñʹweʻ
-it tree large (is). So now (then) verily there thither did she go, thither she arrived -and there where
-
- tgäʹit tĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ diqʹ nāʹeʻ deonoⁿʹdoⁿʼ; doskĕñʹoⁿ neʼʹhoʻ oʼdyēʹdăʼt hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-there it tree stands not moreover verily not he it aware of (is); near there did she stand there where
-
- nigäʹit. Neʼʹhoʻ gäoñdākʹʼăʻ īʹyet tʻhiyagodyēʹĕⁿ. Dāʹ neʼʹ khoʻʹ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ
-there it tree stands. There (it is) it tree beside she stands she kept still. So that and the raccoon
-
- odyăʼdădēʹnyoñʻ, agwasʹ nāʹeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, näⁿʹ niyoyăʼdăʻsōʹdjes
-did it exchange, body(s) (= body after body) very verily now (then), it is said, so so it-body pile high (long) (is)
-
-neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ deyegāʹneʼ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ hoyoʼʹdeʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā. Dāʹ
-the raccoon. So there she is watching the “Two Feathers Together” he is working that the she maiden (is). So
-
-neʼʹhoʻ hoʼdyē ʹdăʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wăʼesʹnyeʼt neʼʹ neʻʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hauʼʹ, Doⁿdasadyăʼʹdĕn
- there did she stop now (then) verily did she speak that the did she say, “Come, thence thou thy body bring down
-
-(doⁿdasadyăʼʹdĕnt) oʹnĕⁿʻ noñʹ nāʹeʻ dasesʹʼăʻt.” Dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ neʼʹhoʻ oʼgasʹnyeʼt
- now (then) perhaps verily thence you (thou) it hast exhausted.” Suddenly there did it cry out
-
-neʻʹ gwĕⁿgwĕñʹoⁿ, “Kwĕⁿʹ, kwĕⁿʹ, kwĕⁿʹ,” oʼʹgĕⁿʼ; wăʼēʹgĕⁿʼ ni­găhadăgĕñʻyatʹʻs&tcom ma;hoñ neʼʹhoʻ
-the yellowhammer, “Kwĕⁿʹ, kwĕⁿʹ, kwĕⁿʹ,” did it say; did she it see just it forest-edge- there
-
- wăʼotʹʻhädieʼ.
-thither it flying sang along.
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā wăʼesʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ diqʹ, “Āʹgi, gĕñʼʹ ăwĕñdoñʹnyăʼt, oʹnĕⁿʻ
- Now that the she maiden did she speak did she it say moreover, “Āʹgi, exceedingly it discouraging (is), now
-
-waiʻʹ waāknaⁿʼkhwăʼʹdĕⁿ&m lapos; neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ.” Djokʹ ogondaʹdieʼ wăʼoⁿtgeʻdăʹʻsĭ& mlapos;
-truly did he me anger the “T wo Feathers Together.” At once it it followed did she burden unloose
-
-hōʹgwāʹ-khoʻ wăʼāgosʹʻhoʼ neʻʹ oäʻʹgwăʼ-gĕñʹoⁿ&mlapos ;, neʼʹ neʻʹ dewăsʹʻhĕⁿ niyoäʻʹgwăgeʻ. Dāʹ
- aside-and did she it pour out the it bread-it was, that the two tens so many it loaves number. So
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ sayoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ, neʼʹhoʻ hoñsāʹyĕⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ dwĕñniʼʹdioⁿʼ neʻʹ dewĕñnondäⁿʹ­nondeʼ
-now then moreover she went home, there again she arrived, there where there they abide the they are sisters
-
-godinoʼʹĕⁿ-khoʻ. Gānioʼʹsʻhoñ nāʹeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ hoñsayeʹyoⁿʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹtcĭ,
-their mother-and. As soon-just verily now there again she arrived, so now verily did she say the she, old woman,
-
-“Gwēʹ, naⁿʼ­āʹwĕⁿʻ-hegō wā dēʼsʻhāʹwĭʼ?” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā dayesʹnyeʼt
-“Well, what happened-so great not thou him bring with thee?” So now the she maiden (is) thence she answered
-
- waiʹĕñʼ, “Neʻʹ Iʼʹ dăʼāʹoⁿʻ agegwēʹnĭʼ soʼʹdjĭʻ ĕñʼʹ noñʹ doōnoⁿʼgōʹwäs sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ.”
-did she it say, “The I not able I it can do because I think perhaps not it him affects indeed.” (in fact.”)
-
-
-Dāʹ wăʼesʹnyeʼt neʻʹ onoʼʹĕⁿ waiʹĕñʼ, “Nāʹeʻ-khoʻ deʼgoñ­yăʼʹdāāʼs soʼʹdjĭʻ neʻʹ īsʹ
-So did she speak the her mother did she it say, “Verily- and no t I thee depend on because the thou
-
- nisadyēʹäʼt, sanăʼgōʹwäs. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wayagwēʹnĭʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʼʹ
-so thou not smart (art), thou liable to attack art. So now (then) verily did he thee overcome. Now moreover that
-
- ĕⁿyoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ neʻʹ gosʹtʻhoⁿ, neʼʹ nāʹeʻ agwasʹ kheyăʼʹdāāʼs. Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ nāʹeʻ
-did she start moreover the she youngest (is), that verily very I her depend on. Now moreover verily
-
- ĕⁿswaäʻgoñʹnĭʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ deganaⁿʼhoñsdyăʼʹgoⁿ neʼʹ neʻʹ dewăsʹʻhĕⁿ nĕⁿʹyoñk. Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ.”
-you bread make (Imp.) that the “marr iage-bread” that the two tens (twenty) so many will it number. Come, now.”
-
-“Hauʼʹ,” oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼwadītʹʻheʼt neʻʹ oʹnĕñʹoⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼwadiäʻgoñʹnĭʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ dewăsʹʻhĕⁿ
-“Come,” now did they pound the it corn. So now verily did they (fem.) bread make that the two tens (twenty)
-
- nīʹyoñ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼwadiäʻʹgōʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ dewăsʹʻhĕⁿ nīʹyoñ, dāʹ
-so many they number, so now verily did they (fem.) bread make that the two tens (twenty) so many they number, so
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼwadiäʻʹgōʼ deganaⁿʼhoñsdyăʼʹgoⁿ gayāʹsoⁿ. Ganioʼʹ oʼgaiʹʻ dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
- now verily did they (fem.) bread boil “marr iage-bread” it is called. As soon as did it cook so then (now) verily
-
-găʼăsʻʹhägoñ wăʼagonʹdäʻ.
-it basket-in did one it place in.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wăʼagoyotʹgăʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ găsăñnagăʼʹoⁿ
-So now (then) verily it is said, did she her hair combed that-and the it smell sweet (perfume)
-
- wăʼagaoʻʹgāʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ wăʼagonyăʻtchiʼdōʹd&eb reve;ⁿʼ, agwasʹ wăēʹnīäd neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
-did she her anoint with that-and the did she her top-knot fix on, very did she it taut make that-and the
-
- wăʼewăhăʹʻcyoñʼ agwasʹ dōʹgĕⁿs deʼdjagogaoʼgwāeʼʹsʻhoñ.
-did she it wrap severally very it certain not she eyebrows has just.
-
-
-Dāʹ ganioʼʹ wăʼoñdyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿ&mlapo s; neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹdjĭ neʼʹ neʻʹ goñwayăʼdăsĕñnōñʹnī&tco mma; dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
-So as soon as did she her task finish the she old woman that the she her body adorns thus now verily
-
- wăʼoñdadgeʻʹdāt (for wăʼ­oñwageʻʹdāt) neʻʹ găʼăsʹʻhäʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ oäʻʹgwăʼ īʹwād, “Hauʼʹ
-did she her pack with the forehead band the it basket that the it-bread it it in is, “Come,
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ saʻdĕñʹdĭʻ,” wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹdjĭ, “djāʹgoⁿ diqʹ, isʹ waiʻʹ hăʼdegāʹgon
- now thou, do start,” did she it say the she, old woman, “Take courage moreover, thou truly without fail
-
- ĕⁿsʻhegwēʹnĭʼ, agwasʹ goñyăʼʹdāāʼs sĕⁿʼʹĕⁿ, hăʼdegāʹgon dĕⁿtʻhesʹʻhāwĭʼ neʻʹ
-wilt thou him overcome, very I thee trust in fact, without t hence wilt thou him bring the
-
- Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ. Djāʹgoⁿ diqʹ.”
-‘Two Feathers Together.’ Take courage moreover.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wăʼoⁿdĕñʹdĭʼ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹhoʻ wăʼoñtgonʹdŭk hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
-So now (then), it is said, did she depart the she maiden (is) there did she herself direct there where
-
- tʻhadinaⁿʹgeʼ neʻʹ Hotkwisdădegĕⁿʼʹăʻ haʻhwădjīʹäʼ. Goʼăsʻhägeʻʹdeʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-there they dwell the &ldq uo;Scorched Paunch” his clan. She basket bore by the forehead the now (then)
-
- hwăʼēʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʻhadinaⁿʹgeʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʼhoʻʹsʻhoñ godăʻseʻdoñʹdieʼs
-there did she arrive there where there they dwell, now verily there just she herself hid from place to place
-
-doskĕñʹoⁿ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ nihodinoⁿʹsot neʼʹ neʻʹ goñwayăʼʹdiʻsăkʹhă&m lapos;. Agwasʹ āʹeʼ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
- nearby there where there their lodge stands that the they (fem.) him to seek went. Very again, it is said,
-
- oʼyonisʹʻheʻ āʹeʼ neʼʹhoʻ godăʻseʻdoñʹdieʼs. Dyĕñgwăʹ-se daāyăʹgĕⁿʼt agwasʹ āʹeʼ
-it was a long while again there she herself hid from place to place. Suddenly thence he came out very again
-
- oʼtʻhatʹgăʻdoⁿ agwasʹ waādyĕñnoñʹnĭʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, waăʻʹdĕñdĭʼ neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ waātgonʹdŭk
-did he look around very did he take pains, now then, it is said, did he start there verily did he himself direct
-
- hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʻhadoäsʹtʻhăʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ khoʻʹ āʹeʼ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼʹĕⁿʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ wăʼoñwăsʹʻhēʼ,
-there where there he it to hunt uses. Now and again there thither did she go, now truly did she him pursue,
-
-neʼʹhoʻ wăʼʹĕⁿʼ, hĕⁿʹoñweʻ heāwēʹnoñ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼyoʹnisʻheʼt neʼʹhoʻ nidyagoyĕʹĕⁿ
- there thither did she go, there where thither did he go. So now did it last a long time there so she continued
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ dyĕñgwăʻʹsʻhoñ āʹeʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoñwāʹgĕⁿʼ heʼʹtkĕⁿ neʼʹhoʻ tʻhäʹdeʼs. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ
- now suddenly just again now did she him see above there there he is climbing about. So now (then) verily
-
- wăʼoñdeyĕⁿʹoⁿs neʼʹ neʻʹ godăʻseʻdoñʹdieʼs neʼʹhoʻ. Neʼʹ neʻʹ gäʹit gĕⁿsʹ
-did she do carefully that the she herself hid from place to place there. That the it tree stands usually
-
- sayoñdäwĕⁿʹdāt, neʼʹhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ wăʼʹĕⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ ōʹyăʼ tgäʹit. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-again she herself interpolate, there usually did she go there where it other there it tree stands. So now
-
- wăʼäʼtʹʻhē neʼʹhoʻ wăʼeʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ gäʹit, oʼnĕⁿʻ diqʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-did she him overtook (overhaul) there did she there arrive there where it tree stands, now moreover there
-
- wăʼoñʹdyĕñʼ; neʼʹhoʻ yenyoʻʹcyot gäoñdākʹʼăʻ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼoñdyăʼdăʼʹd&ibreve ;ʻ heʻʹ
-did she herself seat; there she sat it tree beside that and the there did she lean where
-
- gäʹit. Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ khoʻʹ gaʼăsʻhäʹyĕⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ oäʻʹgwăʼ gaäʻgwădāʹnioⁿʼ. Doʼosʹtʻhoñ
-it tree stands. So there and it basket lay that the it bread it bread contained were severally. Not in the least
-
-daāninon­dokʹhăʼ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ, agwasʹ, neʻʹ neʼʹ odyăʼdădeʹnyoñ neʻʹ djoʼäʹgăʼ. Neʼʹhoʻ
-did he it realize the “Two Feathers Together” very, the that it its body changed the raccoon. There
-
- oʼyoʹnisʻheʻt nāʹeʻ tʼhiyagodyeĕⁿʹsʻhoñ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā.
-did it last a long while verily just she kept quiet just the she maiden (is).
-
-
-Neʼʹ gwāʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼtʻhatgăʻʹdoⁿ khoʻʹ wēĕⁿʻʹsʻhoñ waātʻhwădāʹseʼ eʻdăʼgeʻʹ-khoʻ.
-That indeed the “Two Feathers Together” now did he look about and far away just did he circle make below-and.
-
-Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se oʹnĕⁿʻ dondāādyăʼʹdĕn (dondāādjăʼʹdĕn) skeñnoⁿʼʹoñʻ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ hoĕñʼheʼcyoñʹneʼ
- Suddenly now thence he descended slowly that and the he stopped betimes moving
-
- tchi-dondaoñdyăʼdĕndoñʹdyeʼ, agwasʹ hăʼdoⁿsaĕñʼ­dyonʹdă ʼt neʼʹ neʻʹ gäoñdăkʹʼăʻ, sgäoñdăʹdĭʻ gwāʹ
-while thence he descended came very back again he stopped that the it tree beside, it tree on the other side just
-
- hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niyenyoʻʹcyot.
-there where just she is seated.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, dondayedăsʹdăk agwasʹ oʼdyagoʼsaiʹyĕⁿ wăʼoñtʻhwădāʹseʼ heʻʹ gäʹit
-So now, it is said, thence she arose quickly very did she move quickly did she go around where it tree stands
-
-neʼʹhoʻ īʹyād neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ. Tʻhăʼgwisʹdĕⁿʼ nāʹeʻ noñsāāʹyēʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ haādeʼʹgoʼ neʼʹsʻhoñ
- there he stood the “Two Feathers Together.” Not Anything verily can he do that the could he escape that only
-
-nāʹeʻ oʼsʻhagotgāʹtʻhoʼ, woōyonʹdĭʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ woōiʻwănääʹgoʼ heʻʹ niyeksăʼʹgōwā.
-verily did he her look at, did he smile that and the did he marvel where so she beautiful maiden (is).
-
- Oʼgowandigweʹnĭʼ neyōʼʹsʻhoⁿʼoⁿ, neʼʹ sēⁿʼʹĕⁿ oiʻwănääʹgwăt hāʹeʼgwăʻ degiksăʼʹgōwā.
-Did they him overcome the his wives, that in fact it matter marvelous also they are beautiful.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā oʼgoñwagwēʹnĭʼ neʼʹ khoʻʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hauʼʹ,
-So now truly the she, maiden did she him overcome that and the now verily did she say, “Come,
-
- sadoñʹisʻhĕñ de­sasgēʹyoñ noñʹ dyawĕⁿʼʹoⁿ (djăwĕⁿʼʹoⁿ) heʼtkĕⁿʹsʻhoñ säʹdeʼs, neʹkhoʻ
-do thou thyself rest thou weary art perhaps continually above-just thou art climbing, here
-
- ĕⁿsaʹdyĕñʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ ĕⁿgoñiʻsāʹgĕⁿʼ neʹkhoʻ diqʹ ēⁿsatʹ­goĕñʼ heʻʹ dekhōʹgĕñʻ
-wilt thou thyself seat that the will I thee search here moreover wilt thou recline thy head where between my thighs
-
-neʹkhoʻ diqʹ dekhōʹgĕñʻ dĕⁿsegāʹneʼk. “Hauʼʹ, neʹkhoʻ oʹnēⁿʻ sāʹdyĕñʻ.”
- here moreover between my thighs shalt thou gaze. “Come, here now do thou thyself seat.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ waāʹdyĕñʼ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niganăʼʹdoⁿʼ neʻʹ
-So now (then), it is said, there did he himself seat the “Two Feathers Together” there where just she indicated the
-
-yeksăʼʹgōwā neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ neʼʹhoʻ waātgoⁿʹhĕñʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wăʼoñwāiʻʹsăkĕⁿ&m lapos;
-she maiden that and the there did he his head recline. Now verily did she him search
-
- oʼyoʹnisʻheʼt, giʼʹoⁿ&tcom ma;, neʼʹhoʻ niyoʼʹdäⁿ. Neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ waōʹdăʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ agwasʹ
-did it long while last, it is said, there so it continued. That-and the did he sleep, now verily very
-
- noñʹ woeʻsĕⁿdāniʼʹheʼt. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ wăʼesʹnyeʼt, waiʹĕñʼ, “Gwēʹ, īʹdjeʻ.”
-perhaps did his sleep become sound. So now it is said, there did she speak did she it say, “Come, do thou awake.”
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹsʻhoñ gagwēʹgoⁿ oʼwadodyāʹnoñʼ neʻʹ hayăʼʹdăʼgeʻ neʼʹ khoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ goyäʹgoñʻ
-So now that-just it entire did it move severally the his body on that and the now (then) her pouch in
-
- wăʼoñwăʼnoⁿʻʹdäʻ wăʼagosʹʻhoʼ-khoʻ nāʹeʻ yāʹeʼ neʻʹ oäʻʹgwăʼ iwāʹdăk. Djokʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did she him enclose did she it empty-and verily first the it bread did it hold. At once now
-
- wăʼoñdăs­ʻheoʹdĕⁿ&m lapos; wăʼoñtgeʻʹdād, agwasʹ nāʹeʻ osʹdeʼ
-did she it attach to a forehead band did she it bear on her back by the forehead band, very verily it heavy (is)
-
- hodăʼʹoⁿ waiʻʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ.
-he asleep (is) truly the “Two Feathers Together.”
-
-
- Weʹĕⁿʻ niyuʹweʼ hetcyagawēʹnoñ neʼʹhoʻ gaʻstĕñʹdeʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ oʻstĕnʹñēt gaʹnioʼ
-Far away so it distant (is) thither she returned has there it-rock projects that the it rock sharp (is) as soon as
-
-neʼʹhoʻ wăʼēʹyoⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼoñʹdyĕñʼ wăʼewăhăʻʹsĭʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ gotʻhēʹnaiĕⁿʼ
- there did she arrive now (then) there did she herself seat did she it unbind that the her bundle lying for her
-
-neʼʹ neʻʹ goñwadigwenyoñʹādieʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ oʼtʻhoñwanoⁿʼĕⁿʻʹh ĕñt. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ khoʻ neʻʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ,
-that the she him overcame, returning that and the did she his head shook. So now (then) and the did she it say,
-
-“Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ īʹdjeʻ.” Agwasʹ āʹeʼ dayoñdeʼʹhāsdoñʼ, “Hauʼʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ īʹdjeʻ,”
-“Come now (then) do thou awake.” Very again thence she force employed, “Come, now (then) do thou awake,”
-
- yoñʹdoⁿʻ.
-she it continued to say.
-
-
-Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wăʼāʹyeʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻ, wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Cyĕñdeʹi-gĕⁿʻ neʹkhoʻ?”
- Suddenly now, it is said, did he awake. So now (then) truly did she it say, “Thou it knowest-dost thou here?”
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, oʼtʻhatʹgăʻdoⁿ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ waiʹĕñʼ, “Tgayēʹiʼ gyĕñdēʹi. Neʹkhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ
-So now, it is said, did he his eyes open that-and the did he it say, “It full (is) I it know. Here usually
-
- deyaknĕⁿnisdayĕñdăʻʹgwă ʼ neʻʹ djonaĕñʼʹdăʼ.”
-two we it snares to set use the elk.”
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā dayesʹnyeʼt waiʹĕñʼ, “Cyĕñdeʹi waiʻʹ, oʹnĕⁿʻ gwāʹ noñʹ āʹeʼ
- Now the she, maiden she replied did she it say, “Thou it dost know truly, now (then) just perhaps again
-
- ĕⁿsgoñiʻsāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻsʻhoñ khoʻʹ āʹeʼ dĕⁿtchegāʹnäʼk hĕⁿʹoñweʻ gĕⁿsʹ deʻsegāʹnēʼ
-wil l I thee search for there-just and again again wilt thou keep looking there where usually dost thou keep looking
-
-neʼʹ neʻʹ dekhōʹgĕñʻ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ neʼʹhoʻ waātgoⁿʹĕñʼ neʼʹhoʻ deyeʻhōʹgĕñʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ,
-that the between my thighs.” So now (then) again there did he his head rest (lean) there her lap on. So now,
-
- giʼʹoⁿʻ, āʹeʼ waoñwaiʻsāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ āʹeʼ deāgāʹneʼ, neʻʹ neʼʹ
-it is said, again did she him search for him there verily again did he keep looking, the that
-
- gaioñʹñĭʻ neʻʹ deowaĕⁿʼgĕñʹnyoñ.
-it it makes it it causes the she him overcame.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, āʹeʼ waōʹdăʼ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ wăʼ­oiʻsĕⁿdānī&mlprime ;ʼheʼt. Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-So now, it is said again did he fall asleep, that-and the did his sleep become sound. Suddenly just now
-
-nāʹeʻ āʹeʼ dayesʹnyeʼt wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, neʻʹ yeksăʼʹgōwā, “Hauʼʹ, īʹdjeʻ.” Dăʼāʹoⁿ nāʹeʻ dăʼāʹyeʻ.
-verily again did she reply did she it say, the she, maiden, “Come, do thou awake.” Not can verily could he awake.
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, āʹeʼ oñsaoñwăʻhăʹcioⁿʼ; gāʹnioʼ wăʼoñdyĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿ&mlapo s; oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ
- Now, it is said, again again did she him bind up repeatedly; as soon as did she her task complete now truly
-
- sayoñtʻhēnaⁿgeʻʹdād-khoʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ āʹeʼ sayoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ. Dăʼaonisʻhēʼʹoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-again she her pack bore by the forehead band-and now truly again again she started. Not a long while now (then)
-
- hoñsayēʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tganyōʹdāeʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, āʹeʼ neʼʹhoʻ sāoñwāʹyēt. “Hauʼʹ,
-again she returned home there where there it lake (is), now, it is said, again there again she him awoke. “Come,
-
- oʹnĕⁿʻ īʹdjeʻ,” wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ. Neʼʹ nāʹeʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, agwasʹ oʼyoʹnisʻheʻt oʹnĕⁿʻ wāāʹyeʻ.
-now (then) do thou awake,” did she it say. That verily, it is said, very it was a long while now (then) did he awake.
-
-
- Gănioʼʹ wāāʹyeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wăʼāʹgĕⁿʻ, “Gwēʹ, cyĕñdēʹi-gĕⁿʻʹ neʹkhoʻ?”
-As soon as did he awake now (then), it is said, did she it say, Say, dost thou it know dost thou here (this place?)”
-
-Agwasʹ oʼtʻhatgăʻʹdoⁿ yāʹeʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ giʼʹoⁿʻ waiʹĕñʼ, “Gyĕñdēʹi neʹʼhoʻ. Neʹkhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ
- Very did he look around first now (then) it is said, did he it say, “I it know indeed. Here usually
-
- deyagniʼskodanisʹtʻhăʼ neʻʹ haknoʼʹsĕⁿ.”
-he-I-it to cure (meat) use the my uncle.”
-
-
- “Niyoʻʹ,” wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ āʹeʼ sgoñiʻsāʹgĕⁿʻ. ʼĂʻʹsoⁿ-khoʻ āʹeʼ nĕⁿcyeʹäʼ
-“So be it,” did she it say, “Now truly again again I thee search for thee. yet-and again so will thou it do
-
-neʼʹhoʻ dĕⁿsegāʹnäʼk neʻʹ dekhōʹgĕñ&tcom ma;.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, āʹeʼ
- there wilt thou keep looking at the between my thighs.” So now (then) it is said, again,
-
- waoñwāiʻsāʹgĕⁿʼ, neʼʹ neʻʹ honoⁿʼʹĕñgeʻ. Dăʼdjiăʻʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ waōʹdăʼ, dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-did she him search, for him, that the his head on. Soon-just now (then) again did he fall asleep, so now
-
- diqʹ sayewăʻhăʹcyoñʼ, oʹnĕⁿʻ āʹeʼ waiʻʹ sayoñtgeʻʹdād neʼʹ neʻʹ
-moreover again she it wraps up repeatedly, now (then) again truly again she her pack bore by the forehead-band that the
-
- goyäʹgoñ hăʼʹnonʻ (hăʼʹnont).
-her pouch in he is contained.
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ sayoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ. Oʹnēⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿ&tcomma ; hoñsayēʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ dwĕñniʼʹdyoⁿʼ
- Now again she started. Now that the now (then) there again she arrived there where there they (fem.) dwell
-
-neʻʹ dewäⁿnondäⁿʹnondeʼ goñdinoʼʹĕⁿ-khoʻ, oʼwăⁿnondyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ dondayēʹyoⁿʼ
-the they are sisters one with another their mother-and, d id they (fem.) become surprised thence she entered (in lodge)
-
- sgainodăʹdieʼ.
-again she as a pack returns.
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ ganesdäʼʹgeʻ wăʼoñtʻheʹnondĭʼ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ gayäʹgoñ
-So that moreover the it-floor-on did she her pack cast that and the did she it say, “There verily it-pouch-in-he
-
-hăʼʹnonʻ (hăʼʹnoñt) neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ. Hauʼʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ seswăʼnoⁿʻdăʻʹgo&tcomma ;
- contained (is) the “Two Feathers Together.” Come, now moreover do you him loose from his container
-
-ogondăʹdieʼ.”
- at once.”
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ gonoʼʹĕⁿ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ dayesʹnyeʼt, “Niyāʹwĕⁿʻ giyĕⁿʼʹ. Oʼgāiʻwăyeʹiʻ
- Now moreover verily the her mother did she it say the now she answered, “I am thankful my child. It is fulfilled
-
-heʻʹ soʼʹdjĭʹ goñyăʼdāāʼs.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, khoʻʹ yoñʹdoⁿ, “Hauʼʹ, agnĕʹhoñs, īʹdjeʻ.”
-where so much I thee depend on.” So now it is said, and she kept saying, “Come, my son-in-law, do thou awake.”
-
-Neʼʹ gwāʹ neʻʹ agwasʹ oʼyoʹnisʹʻheʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ waāʹyeʻ waātʹgĕⁿʻ-khoʻ, hōʹgwā-khoʻ waāʹdyĕñʼ.
-That just the very did it last long now did he awake did he arise-and, aside-and did he himself seat.
-
-Waā­dyĕñgwăʻdjĭʻʹs ʻhoñ agwasʹ wadiksăʼgōwāʹsʻhoñ neʼʹ neʻʹ ganoⁿsʹgoñ wäⁿniʼdioⁿʼ (wäⁿniʼʹdjoⁿʼ)
- He surprised was-just very (much) they (fem.) are fine looking just that the it-lodge-in they (fem.) abide
-
-neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ godinoʼʹĕⁿ.
-that-and the their mother.
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoʼʹgäʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, nāʹeʻ waayĕñʼʹtʻhoñʼ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ
-So now it evening became now, it is said, verily did he her lie with the “Two Feathers Together” that the
-
- hoñwĕⁿnoñkhōnʹnoⁿʼ.
-she-him to fetch did go.
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼoʹhĕñʼt oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ nēʹyōʼ neʻʹ gosʹtʻhoⁿ,
-So that moreover verily the now did it day become now did she it say that the the wife the she youngest is,
-
-“Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ oʼdyoñkhiyăʼdăʹgwĕⁿ&mla pos; neʼʹ näⁿʹgäⁿ wēʹĕⁿ dwadinaⁿʹgeʼ. Neʼʹ nāʹeʻ neʼʹ neʼʹhoʻ
- “Now truly did she us body take from that this, is far away they (fem.) dwell. That verily that there (thus)
-
- wăʼoñwaⁿdīʹyeʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ Iʼʹ waiʻʹ ĕⁿskheʻnoⁿkʹhăʼ. Isʹ diqʹ dĕⁿdjadīʹāk neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ,”
-did she them do unto. So now moreover I truly will I-him fetch. You moreover two will you be the he, old man,”
-
-neʼʹ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ.”
-that the his uncle.”
-
-
-Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ waasdāʹĕñʼ neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ neʼʹ gayoñʹnĭʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ deʼonoⁿʹdoⁿʼ gaäⁿgwăʹsʻhoñ
- Now verily did he weep the he, old man that it it makes, that the not he it knows where-just
-
- nīʹeʼs neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, dyawĕⁿʼʹoⁿ hāʹdoⁿ, “Hāʹgīʻ, hāʹgĭʻ, hāʹgīʻ, giʼʹ; wăsʹʻhĕⁿ
-there he goes to and fro the his nephew, continually he it keeps saying, “Alas, alas, alas, of course, ten
-
- niyosʹʻhägeʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿgadăʻdăgwăʻʹd& ebreve;ⁿʼ. Hāʹgīʻ, giʼʹ.”
-so many it-years number now (then) will I it give up. Alas, of course.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ gosʹtʻhoⁿ wăʼoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ-khoʻ, “Ĕⁿsʻhēʹnoⁿkhă&mlapo s;
-So now (then) verily that the she youngest one (is) di d she start d id she it-say-and, “Will I him to fetch go
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ.” Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, neʼʹhoʻ deniʼʹdyoⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ dyeʹgōwănĕⁿ neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ
- now.” So now, it is said, there two they abide that the she, elder one, (is) that-and the
-
- Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ honoʼʹsĕⁿ.
-“Two Feathers Together” his uncle.
-
-
-Dăʼonisʹʻhēʼoñʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wăʼēʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tgäʹit neʼʹ neʻʹ hadoäsʹtʻhăʼ neʻʹ
-Not long after now verily did she arrive there where there it-tree stands that the he it to hunt uses the
-
-djoʼäʹgăʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ oʼdyoñtgăʻʹdoⁿ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼēʼgĕⁿʼ tʻhigĕⁿdjīʹwĕⁿʻ heʻʹ tcagawēʹnoñ neʻʹ
- raccoon. Now truly did she look around there did she it see it is very plain where again she went the
-
- heoñwaⁿʹâⁿ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ wăʼoⁿʻdĕñʹdĭʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ aʹeʼ
-hence she him carried the “Two Feathers Together.” Now verily d id she start. Now again
-
- wăʼoñdĕñnōʹdĕⁿʼ, wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, gaĕñnăʹgoñ, “Hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, oʹnĕⁿʻ
- did she sing (exert her orenda), did she it say it song-in, “Hăʻ&mlpri me;-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, now
-
-wăʻheyăʼdiʻʹsăkhe&mla pos;, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ-geʻ, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi,
- thither I him to seek go, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, the &ldq uo;Two Feathers”-at, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi, hăʻʹ-ho-wi,
-
- wăʻheyăʼdiʹsăkheʼ, neʼʹ neʻʹ Hatʻhonʹdās, ēʼ-ĕⁿ-hĕⁿ.” Neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ,
-th ither I him to seek go, that the He, the Listener, ĕʼ -ĕⁿ-hĕⁿ.” Thus (There) verily, it is said,
-
- niyoʼdäⁿʹaⁿdieʼ.
-so it continued on the way.
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹ diqʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼēʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ niwadi­naⁿʹgeʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ gēʹiʻ
-So that moreover the now (then) did she arrive there there where there they (fem.) abide that the four
-
- nigonʹdi neʼʹ neʻʹ wänoñʹgweʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ dewäⁿʹnondäⁿʹnondēʼ khoʻʹ neʻʹ godinoʼʹäⁿ,
-so many they are that the they women (are) that the they sisters, one to another, are, and the their (fem.) mother,
-
-neʻʹ neʼʹ wäⁿnondyăʼdātʹgoⁿʼs, wăʼoñdyĕñʹgwă sīʹ tganoⁿʹsot. Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ neʼʹhoʻ
-the that they (fem.) are sorcerers, did she become surprised yonder there it lodge stands. Suddenly just there
-
- oʼdyēʹdăʼt. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ wăʼondauⁿʻdīʹyos khoʻʹ neʻʹ oʼdyontgăʻʹdoⁿ heʻʹ tganoⁿʹsot.
-did she stand. So now moreover did she listen intently and the did she look around where there it lodge stands
-
-Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ oʹnĕⁿʻ gotʻhonʹdeʼ neʼʹhoʻ tʻhăsĕⁿʹtwăs oʼwoñwäⁿnayĕñʹdēʼ neʻʹ nēʹyōʼ. Ogondăʹdieʼ
-Suddenly-just now she it heard there there he weeping was did she his voice recognize the her spouse. Immediately
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ wăʼedākʹheʼ. Wăʼēʹyoⁿʼ ganoⁿsăkʹdăʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, hĕⁿʹoñweʻ
- now there did she running go. There she arrived it-lodge-beside now, it is said, there where
-
- deyoʻhagwĕñdeʹnioⁿ, neʼʹhoʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wăʼoñtgăʻʹtʻhoʼ. Dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se neʼʹhoʻ oñʹgyeʻ ītʹʻhāt neʻʹ
-it crevice opens many, there, it is said, did she look. Suddenly there indoors there he stood the
-
- Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ goñwayăʼʹdōt neʼʹkhoʻ neʻʹ deoʻsĕⁿʹtwĕⁿ.
-“Two Feathers Together” there verily they (fem.) him stood that-and the he weeping was.
-
-
-Neʼʹhoʻ wăʼoñtgǎʻʹtʻhoʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ deyoʻhagwĕñʹdeʼ oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ wăʼēʹgĕⁿʼ heʻʹ nīʹyot. Neʼʹ neʻʹ godinoʼʹĕⁿ
- There did she see there where it-crevice opens now truly did she it see where so it was. That the their mother
-
-neʻʹ sĕⁿʹ năʼdewäⁿnondäⁿʹnondeʼ neʼʹhoʻ īʹyet găʼăsʹhäʼ nāʹeʻ yēʹāʼ. Dāʹ neʼʹ gĕⁿsʹ
-the three so many they are sisters there she stood it-basket verily she it held. So that usually
-
- dondayagoʼgonʹdăgoʼ neʻʹ găhăsʹʻhäʼ neʼʹ gĕⁿsʹ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wăʼoñʹgăʼt neʻʹ
-thence she brand took out of the fire the it-brand that usually, it is said did she it touch the
-
-hāʻnoⁿʻʹdăkʼă&tco mma; neʼʹ gĕⁿsʹ waiʻʹ gaioñʹnĭʻ oʼtʻhăsĕⁿʹtʻhoʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ gĕⁿsʹ otkoʼʹäʼ daāgăʻsäit.
- his arm-pit that usually truly it it makes did he weep that the usually it wampum thence he tears shed.
-
-Neʼʹhoʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, gatgoñwăʼdădĕⁿʻʹd&amacr ;ʼ neʼʹhoʻ gĕⁿsʹ nāʹeʻ oʼgageonʹdăʼt neʻʹ otgoñwăʼdăʼʹgeʻ. Dāʹ
- There, it is said, one buckskin spread (has) there usually verily did it in heap fall the it buckskin on. So
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ neʻʹ yegĕⁿʹdjĭ goʼ­ăsʹʻhägoñ wăʼagonʹdäʻ neʻʹ otkoʼʹäʼ.
- now truly the she, old woman her basket-in did she it place the it-wampum.
-
-
- Deyegāʹnēʼ nēʹyōʼ neʼhoʻʹsʻhoñ heyoʼʹdĕñ awĕñdoñʹnyăʼt ĕñʼʹ; neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ hwăʼēʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ
-She it looked at her spouse there-just so it was it discouraging I think; the now thither she entered the
-
-ganoⁿʹsăkoñ tchi-yedākʹ­heʼsʻhoñ wăʼoñwayeʹnañʼ djokʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ doñdaoñwayăʼditʹgĕⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ ganoⁿʹsăkoñ.
-it lodge-in while she running went just did she him seize at once now thence she him brought that the it lodge-in.
-
-Dāʹ ganioʼʹsʻhoñ doñdāīyāʹgĕⁿʼt oʼdyagōʹēt, wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hauʼʹ, gāʹoʼ dondāʹswēt
-So as soon as-just thence they two came out did she shout, did she it say, “Come, hither thence do you come
-
- swadjīʹnaⁿ neʼʹ neʻʹ agadäʼswăʻʹdoⁿ, Isʹ neʻʹ djotʻhoñwandoⁿ,” ganioʼʹ wăʼoñd­wĕñnoʼkʹdĕⁿ& mlapos; dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ
-you, brave ones that my guardian spirits, You the humming-birds,” as soon as did her voice die out so now
-
- oʼtʻhiĕⁿʻʹdād oʼdyoñtʻhwădāʹseʼ heʻʹ ganoⁿʹsot neʼʹ-khoʻ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Deʼsoñʹgaʼ
-did they two run did they it circled where it lodge stands that-and the now did she it say, “Not any one
-
- tʻhayeyāʹgĕⁿʼt sīʹgwā heʻʹ niyagotʹgoⁿʼ, neʼʹkhoʻ neʼʹ dĕⁿgan­ĕñyoñʹdĕⁿʼ neʻʹ naⁿʼgoñʹgwā heʼtgĕñʹgwā-khoʻ.
-shall one escape more where so one is a sorcerer, that and the wil l it red-hot the under-side upper-side-and.
-
-Dāʹ djāʹgoⁿ diqʹ agadäʼswăʻʹdoⁿ. Hauʼʹ, djāʹgoⁿ diqʹ.”
-So take courage too my guardian spirits. Come, take courage too.”
-
-
- Djokʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼwadīʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ godäʼswăʻʹdoⁿ, “dauñʻʹ,” oʹdoⁿ heʻʹ odiyoʼʹdeʼ. Dyĕñgwăʹsʻhoñ
-At once, now did they arrive the her guardian spirits, “dauñʻʹ,” it sounds where they are at work. Suddenly-just
-
-oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼdyoʼdoⁿʻʹgwăk heʻʹ ganoⁿʹsot. Oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹ neʻʹ oñʹgyeʻ dewĕñnoⁿʻsĕñʹtwăʻso&sup n;
- now did it burst into flames where it lodge stands. Now that the indoors they (fem.) were weeping severally
-
-wäⁿnondatʻhāwăkʹsʻhoⁿ&mlap os;oⁿ, neʼʹhoʻ nāʹeʻ skĕñnoⁿʼoñʹsʻhoñ oʼgāiʻ­sdaʹgēēʼ, neʼʹhoʻ
- they, mothers-daughters, there verily slowly-just did it sound die out, there
-
- oʼgāiʻwăʻʹdoⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ ĕⁿdjidyăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ neʼʹhoʻ
-d id it become destroyed. So now did she it say, “Now truly will thou-I depart homeward too there
-
- hĕⁿdjidʹneʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ dyoñgwanoⁿʹsot.” Oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, wayăʻdĕñʹdĭʼ. Sĕⁿʻʹgeʻ īʹeʼ
-thither will thou I go, there where our lodge stands.” Now, it is said, did they two start. With difficulty he walked
-
-soʼʹdjĭʻ oʼgoñwaĕⁿyăʹgĕⁿʼt tchi-haʻnĕⁿ­ʻwăsʹʻh ĕⁿʼ neʼʹhoʻ.
-too much did they him torment while he abode in his wife’s lodge there.
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ hoñsăʻhnīʹyoⁿʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ ganyodāʹeʼ. Oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ neʻʹ yeksăʼʹ gōwā, “Hauʼʹ, gāʹoʼ
-So there thither they two arrived there where it lake is. Now did she it say the she maiden, “Come, thither
-
- dāʹset dagiyăʼdageʹʻhă, īsʹ näⁿʹgäⁿ sogwăʻdisʹgōwā syāʹsoⁿ.”
-hither do thou come do thou us two aid, thou this, is blood sucker great thou art called.”
-
-
- Neʼʹgwā neʻʹ neʼʹhoʻ dyĕñgwăʻʹ-se ganyodäʹʻhĕⁿ dawadoʼ­ʹdaĕñʼ. Dăʼdjiăʹsʻhoñ neʼʹhoʻ oʼgāʹyoⁿʼ
-That just the there suddenly it lake-middle thence (it) waves arose. Soon just there did it arrive
-
- hĕⁿʹoñweʻ dēʹʻnit. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Hauʼʹ, dagiyăʼʹdăgeʻhă neʼʹ neʻʹ oñgiʹdĕñstʻheʼt neʼʹ
-there where they two stood. So now did she it say, “Come, do thou us two aid that the I poor am made that
-
-näⁿʹgäⁿ deyagyaʹdĭʻ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ hayāʹsoⁿ, hoʻsĕñnăoñʹgăʼt neʼʹhoʻ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ
-this, is one-I are one the “Two Feathers Together” he is called, his name famous (is) indeed. So now too
-
- ĕⁿyagyadäʹ­dĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ hoʼsadōʹgĕⁿt hĕⁿʹoñweʻ nidyoñgyăʻdĕñʹdyoñ.”
-will we two mount. So now, now there hither do thou steer for there where there we two started from.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, deʼaonisʹʻheʼoⁿ oʹnĕⁿʻ oʼtgayaʻʹyăʼk. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ oʼdyoñdĕⁿnoñʹnyoñʼ, “Niyāʹwĕⁿ,”
-So now, it is said, not long after now did it cross over. Now verily did she thanks give, “I am thankful,”
-
- wăʼāʹgĕⁿʼ, “Oʼtgonoñʹ­nyoñʼ oʼsgiyăʼdăgeʹʻhă&mlap os;. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ tchădādwĕñniʹyoʼ.”
-did she it say, “Thee-I thank didst thou us two aid. So now again thou art free.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ neʻʹ deyāʹdĭʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ neʼʹhoʻ oñsāʹneʼ hĕⁿʹoñweʻ tʼhoñnăʻdĕñʹdyoñ.
-So now verily the they two one (are) now there again they two went there where there they started.
-
-Doskĕñoⁿʹsʻhoñ oñsāʹneʼ heʻʹ tganoⁿʹsot oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ hoñnatʻhonʹdeʼ tʻhasdaʻʹhăʼ neʻʹ
- Nearby-just again they two were going where there it lodge stands now verily they it heard there he weeps the
-
-honoʼʹsĕⁿ hodĕñʹnot-khoʻ, hāʹdoⁿ, “Hiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, hiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, hiwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ, wăsʹʻhĕⁿ nĕⁿyogĕnhâⁿʹgek oʹnĕⁿʻ
-his uncle he sings-and he keeps saying, “Oh, nephew, oh, nephew, oh, nephew, ten will it seasons number now
-
-ĕⁿwagadăʻdăgwăʻʹ dĕⁿʼ, wăsʹʻhĕⁿ nĕⁿyogĕnhâⁿʹgek oʹnĕⁿʻ ĕⁿwagadăʻdăgwăʻʹ dĕⁿʼ, hāʹgīʻ, giʼʹ.” Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ
- will I it cease, ten will it seasons number now will I it cease, alas, indeed.” So there
-
- wanīʹyoⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ hadadedjisdäoñʹtwăs honoĕñʼgĕñʹyat. Daāgawĭsōʹdjĕn gĕⁿsʹ neʼʹhoʻ
-they two entered that the he himself coals cast on his head top of. He would dip a paddle-ful usually there
-
- wäoñtʹʻhoʼ honoʼĕñgĕñʹyat. Oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ hohĕⁿʻdjiʼädēʹgĕⁿ nāʹeʻ deʼʹdjōʼ neʻʹ honoʼʹsĕⁿ. Agwasʹ
-did he it pour his head top of. Now verily he it scorched has verily not it is left the his uncle. Very
-
- hăʼnigoⁿgwĕⁿʹdāʼ.
-his mind was downcast.
-
-
-Neʼʹgwāʹ neʻʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ saāʹyoⁿʼ neʻʹ hĕⁿwâⁿdĕⁿʼʹsʻhä&mlap os; oʹnĕⁿʻ wāāʹgĕⁿʼ heniyoʼʹdäⁿ. “Oʹnĕⁿʻ
-That just the now again he returned the his nephewship now did she it say so it is. “Now
-
- sāʹgyoⁿʼ hagnoʼʹsĕⁿ,” waiʹĕñʼ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ nāʹeʻ dăʼaiⁿniʹʻhĕñʼ
-again I have returned oh, my uncle,” did she it say the “Two Feathers Together.” So now verily not he it ceased
-
-neʻʹ hagĕⁿʹdjĭ. Agwasʹ gwāʹ woōyeʹnâⁿʼ, waiʹĕñʼ, “Oʹnĕⁿʻ waiʻʹ sāʹgyoⁿʼ hagnoʼʹsĕⁿ. Iʼʹ
-the he old man. Very just did he him seized, did he it say, “Now truly again I have returned oh, my uncle. I
-
- niʹgĕⁿʼ sāʹgyoⁿʼ neʼʹ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ gyāʹsoⁿ.”
-so it is, again I have returned that the “Two Feathers Together.” I am called.”
-
-
-Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ, giʼʹoⁿʻ, saoyĕñʹdeʼ neʻʹ hauñwâⁿʹdĕⁿʼ oʹnĕⁿ, diqʹ waiʹĕñʼ, “Wuʼʹ, Īsʹ neʼʹ giʼʹ. Dāʹ
-So now it is said, again he him knew the his nephew now too did he it say, “Wuʼʹ, Thou that indeed. So
-
- niyāʹwĕⁿ diqʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ săʹcyoⁿʼ. Dāʹ oʹnĕⁿʻ diqʹ sĕñnoⁿʹ-sʻhoñ oyăʼʹdjĭ hăⁿtcʹheʼ.
-I am thankful too now again thou hast returned. So now too thou do not-just other place hence wilt thou go.
-
-Ĕⁿdwĕñʼdyoñʹdăʼk-s&tcom ma;hoñ. Neʼʹsʻhoñ doskĕñoⁿʻʹsʻhoñ ĕⁿsado­wäsʹʻhek. Neʼʹ waiʻʹ gaioñʻniʻ oʹnĕⁿʻ tʻhoʹhă
- Will we remain-just. That-only nearby-only wilt thou to hunt use. That truly it it makes now almost
-
- ĕⁿyoñdeʼʹdoñʼ neʻʹhoʻ, huiʹgĕñ dōʹgĕⁿs yeneʹoⁿ neʼʹ yegowāʹnĕñ.”
-will she give birth in fact, that is certain she is enciente that she, elder one.”
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ niyawĕⁿʼʹoⁿ neʻʹ Dooäʼdanēʹgĕⁿʼ hoiʻwăʼʹgeʻ.
-So thus (there) so it came to pass the “Two Feathers” his story.
-
-
-Dāʹ neʼʹhoʻ nigagāʹis.
-So (thus) there so it story long (is).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-NOTES
-
-
-1. Son of the Whirlwind. This “Son” married a daughter of man, showing
-the belief that the sons of the gods marry the daughters of men. The
-Being represents the evil side of the Whirlwind, while Sʻhagodiyowe
-represents the beneficent side.
-
-2. An exclamation of contempt.
-
-3. A device of cannibalistic personages in myth tales. Compare story of
-Sʻhagowenotʻha, p. 705.
-
-4. It is plain that this story is made up of incidents common to
-several other stories; for example, the reference to the robe of eyes,
-and this metamorphosis into animals.
-
-5. These guardians of the pathway to the Lodge of the Seven Sisters
-also appear in other recitals; for example, in those describing the
-alleged journey of the human soul to the Land of Souls. These obstacles
-are, first, the Pine or other variety of tree having leaves or
-thorn-like points charged with deadly venom; second, the two
-Rattlesnakes or other monsters; third, the two Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa or
-Benign Wind Gods (erroneously introduced in this category of malign
-creatures); fourth, the two Blue Herons; and fifth, the inflated entire
-skin of a human being, usually placed on a platform, to watch for
-strangers. These wonder animals, creatures of fear and ignorance, bar
-the way to some goal—to success—and test the spirit of him who seeks to
-attain some desired end.
-
-6. The reference to the wampum belt is in all probability a modern
-touch, since there is no available evidence that wampum belts are
-prehistoric.
-
-7. The race of Whirlwind Man-Beings.
-
-8. In the older time it was a common belief that these vermin were
-always found in the medicine pouch or chest of a sorcerer.
-
-9. It is alleged that this was a characteristic device of witches and
-wizards for the purpose of rendering themselves immune from death;
-sometimes they were concealed under a pet duck’s wing.
-
-10. It was a common Seneca and Iroquoian belief that the Thunder Man
-and his sons fed on the flesh of serpents.
-
-11. The Skunk.
-
-12. The Porcupine.
-
-13. The Buffalo.
-
-14. The Rattlesnake.
-
-15. Black Face, a descriptive epithet in mythic lore applied to the
-rattlesnake.
-
-16. The public assembly lodge, or lodge of public meetings or councils.
-In the literature relating to the Iroquois, the word “long-house”
-generally designates this lodge. It never denoted the League or
-Federation.
-
-17. A dwarf man or pigmy.
-
-18. The Great Mythic Bear Monster.
-
-19. The Wind Man-Being.
-
-19a. The expression, “one rib,” is intended to signify that there was
-only a single rib on each side, broad enough to occupy the space
-usually filled by the ordinary number of ribs in an animal body, in the
-carcass of this mysterious being. The same statement is also made of
-the Ganiagwaiʻhegōwa, the Monster Bear.
-
-19b. This sentence is a very clear statement of the native Seneca
-belief that the life of the animal world is something different from
-the body of the flesh and blood and bones. The same belief is expressed
-in other stories, especially in that of the child adopted by the Bear
-Mother.
-
-20. The Great Crow, or the Man-Being Crow.
-
-21. The Follower (?).
-
-22. “Stone Skin,” commonly called Stone Coat. Cf. characterization of
-the stories in the Introduction.
-
-23. Her magic power or potency.
-
-24. This peculiar finger appears in most stories concerning the
-so-called Stone Coats, Stone Giants, or Stone Skinned Beings.
-
-24a. This is paralleled by the story in the Odyssey about the skins of
-the cows of the Sun-god becoming alive. These had been killed by the
-sailors of Odysseus, although he had forbade such an act.
-
-25. This is also a Tuscarora story.
-
-26. Blackbird, or the Man-Being Blackbird.
-
-27. The Robin, or the Man-Being of that name.
-
-28. The Sparrow.
-
-29. This is in modern usage the Iroquoian name of the Christian devil;
-it means “dweller in the soil,” i.e., under the surface of the ground.
-
-30. Grasshopper.
-
-31. A similar stratagem is employed in No. 10. Others appear in this
-story.
-
-32. This is the native Iroquoian name of the Meteor or Firedragon and
-the Man-Being of this name; it signifies the traveling torch or light.
-
-33. She who deceives as a habit.
-
-34. She who thrusts into apertures.
-
-35. Literally, The Shingled-Haired Female.
-
-36. This alleged feat of disgorging quantities of wampum was one
-essayed by all budding sorcerers while spending their honeymoons in the
-lodges of their parents-in-law. Failure to do this task inevitably
-stamped the luckless pretender as a fraud and weakling, in so far as
-the arts of the wizard are concerned.
-
-37. The living and inflated human skin, flayed entire, serving as a
-guardian or watchman for its owners and the strawberry patch, appears
-in a number of other recitals. In this story such a skin of a man bears
-the name Hadjoqda.
-
-38. The circumstances mentioned in this statement are not peculiar to
-this story; with a change of names they appear in other stories. In
-this paragraph, cannibalism is described as a habit of certain wizards.
-Human flesh is preferred to that of elk, which are here a pest.
-
-39. This is the literal meaning of the Seneca term. The original
-personage was probably the Wolf Man-Being. But the hero and Hadjoqda
-and the grandmother were Turkey people, while the others were Quail and
-Partridge people.
-
-40. Tradition relates that Hatʻhondas remained at the home of his
-sister during the following winter and that during this time he was
-visited by a stranger, who advised him to attend the great New Year
-festival, at which one or more white dogs are immolated, not as a
-sacrifice, as some report, but only as messengers to bear the
-thanksgivings of the entire people to the Master of Life for the rich
-gifts of life and welfare; he was further advised to walk around the
-“new fires,” as ritually prescribed for persons suffering from the evil
-effects of enchantment. This advice he followed, but he received no
-immediate relief. As spring came, however, his sister was able to draw
-out the bark dart from his spine, and Hatʻhondas at once recovered from
-the malign influence of the evil spell cast upon him by Tehdoonh Oisʻha
-(i.e., Woodchuck Its-Leggings), or, in the meaning of the tale,
-The-Little-Old-Man-With-The-Woodchuck-Leggings, who was in collusion
-with the notorious Great Witch to destroy this young man.
-
-Tradition further says that on the first day Hatʻhondas heard the
-clarion notes of the blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata (Dihdih); on the
-second day the gleeful notes of spring made by the robin, Merula
-migratoria (Djoñiaik); on the third day the notes of the chickadee,
-Parus atricapillus (?Djidjoñkʹ­ʻhwĕⁿʼ); and, on the fourth day, the
-drumming of the partridge, Bonasa umbellus (Djoqkweʹʼiăniʼ). These
-facts are interesting because it is said that the women came seeking
-Hatʻhondas in the spring of the year; with his friends he followed the
-women two days after their departure.
-
-The people who shot at the eagle perched on the top of the tall hickory
-tree went home before the beginning of the following winter. Such tests
-of orenda or magic power following the acceptance of the challenge of
-some great sorcerer or witch often lasted several months, and sometimes
-were renewed in later years. The narrative relates that Hatʻhondas shot
-the eagle by shooting through the lodge’s smoke hole. The old woman in
-the lodge asked him to desist after he had made two attempts, saying,
-“That will do for a while.” It is also said that when Hatʻhondas parted
-from his uncle, Dooeʼdanegĕⁿʼ, the uncle told him that in the event
-anything evil befell him the uncle would know it by the sky in the west
-becoming red. See also Note 44.
-
-41. This precaution was regarded as necessary in order to avoid being
-made the victim of a spell, the “tobacco” used being medicated.
-
-42. He-who-has-two-feathers-set-side-by-side. This is a man’s name.
-
-43. It was customary for women who went to make proposals of marriage
-to take with them loaves of corn bread of a specified form, prepared
-from pounded corn meal and boiled, wrapped in corn husks; the form of
-the loaves resembled modern dumb-bells.
-
-The name Hatʻhondas, in which th do not form a digraph, may be more
-correctly written Hatʻhondās; it is a modified form of the combination
-Hatʻhonʻdāts, “He holds out his ear customarily.” As a name it
-signifies, “The Listener,” and “The Obedient One.”
-
-The name Dooehdanegen may be more correctly written Dooeʼdănēʹgĕⁿʼ; as
-an appellative it signifies, “He who has two feathers placed side by
-side,” or as a statement, “He has placed two feathers side by side.”
-
-Dooehdanegen having a presentiment that a well-known witch, for the
-purpose of attempting the destruction of his nephew, was about to make
-a proposal of marriage between her youngest daughter and his nephew who
-had been under his tutelage and protection since his nephew’s birth for
-the purpose of teaching him the family medicines and orenda or magic
-power of their fetishes, sent his nephew to the ravine to listen for
-any premonitory sounds of the approaching messengers from the great
-witch, since it was a custom to chant on the way words declarative of
-their mission.
-
-Dooehdanegen smoked not only tobacco but also potent medicines mixed
-therewith, whose orenda or magic power was designed to thwart the
-malign influences emanating from the great witch which had for their
-object the destruction of Dooehdanegen and Hatʻhondas, for the old
-uncle was the sole surviving custodian of the medicines and fetishes of
-his ohwachira or blood kin, and was therefore solicitous of the safety
-of his nephew until after reaching the age of puberty, when he could
-demonstrate his ability to employ them fortified by his own inherent
-orenda.
-
-44. De LaMothe Cadillac (ca. 1703), in speaking of the tribes in the
-neighborhood of “Missilimakinak et Pays Situés au dela,” writes that at
-the feasts held periodically for the propitiation of the names of the
-dead of the entire community they erect a cabin about 120 feet in
-length of pieces of bark which are new and which have not been used
-before for any other purpose; at either end of the structure they set a
-pole, and another, exceeding these in height, in the middle; these
-poles are greased, oiled, and painted; and at the top end of each is
-fixed a prize, which belongs to the first who can reach and seize it
-with the hand. (Margry, Découv., V, 104, 1883.) A similar erection of a
-pole, which was greased and which held a prize at its top, is mentioned
-in an account of a feast for the dead held by the Nipissings, Hurons,
-and the Chippewa in 1642. (Jesuit Relations for 1642, 95, ed. 1858.) It
-was on the top of a similar pole that the eagle was perched at which
-Hatʻhondas was required to shoot to test his orenda or magic power.
-
-45. Partridge.
-
-46. This is a statement of the Iroquoian common law which placed the
-value of a woman’s life, in case of murder, at twice that of a man.
-
-47. This is a ritualistic phrase which is a summary of the statement
-that there are grades of beings classified spatially; i.e., some live
-and work below the surface of the earth, others on its surface, others
-in the waters, others among the grasses and weeds and low shrubs,
-others among the bushes and taller shrubs, others among the trees,
-others in the air and winds, others in the clouds, and still others in
-the sky where stands the lodge of the Master of Life.
-
-48. In this story the following native words occur: Yegondji, meaning
-the eldest woman, or the mother; Awaeh, the Swan; Donyonda, the Eagle;
-Doendjowens, the Earth Cleaver; Tagonsowes, He, the Long-faced; and
-Ohohwa, the Owl.
-
-49. The Dwarf Human Being.
-
-50. This story is an extravaganza.
-
-51. Ooⁿʻdawiyo is the Seneca word.
-
-52. This taboo of certain regions, places, directions, and times, is
-clearly based on the well-known doctrine of tribal men that the
-jurisdiction or sphere of action of the spirits or the nonhuman
-beings—daimons, divine messengers, and gods—was limited to specific
-places, regions, and times; tribal men habitually do not think in the
-universal terms of modern thinking in the more intensively cultured
-circles.
-
-53. The words “nephew” and “uncle” in story-telling do not always
-denote real kinship or relationship by affinity or consanguinity, but
-rather a male person living in the same neighborhood with another who
-is “uncle” or “nephew” according to relative age. The neighborhood
-usually includes all accessible territory. This statement is true of
-Iroquoian reciters and, perhaps, others.
-
-54. The dice man, the ball man, and the ice pond man occur in other
-stories, just as the use of the horn in the second preceding paragraph
-is not unusual.
-
-55. This is not an uncommon incident which is taken from the myth of
-the beginnings and is there represented as the work of a
-personification of one of the months, which are presented as 13
-man-beings.
-
-56. The signification of the two names in the title is respectively,
-“He, the last or the remaining one,” and “She, the planter.”
-
-57. Mush-eater.
-
-58. Spotted.
-
-59. A young hunter must not eat the first bird or animal he killed;
-this was one of the first taboos learned by the youth.
-
-60. Redbreast.
-
-61. The Wild Pigeon.
-
-62. Striped Rump.
-
-63. Skin-headed (?).
-
-64. Pendent Snout.
-
-65. Having a tassel of pine leaves.
-
-66. The Raccoon.
-
-67. He who has a great headdress; i.e., antlers.
-
-68. The Cloven-hoofed Ones.
-
-69. The Buck = the Great-Horned-One.
-
-70. The Large-footed Man, the Bear.
-
-71. The Bear.
-
-72. The Angleworm (?).
-
-73. The Snipe.
-
-74. The Chipmunk.
-
-75. The Heron.
-
-76. Long-snouted One.
-
-77. Long-Upper-Eyelids.
-
-78. The Netmaker = the Spider.
-
-79. This is a proper name.
-
-80. The nephew of Spider.
-
-81. In the details of cannibalism in this and the other paragraphs of
-this story there is no protest against the eating of human flesh; this
-is probably a reflex of the attitude toward this abominable practice.
-
-82. The three native terms are the descriptive epithet which was
-applied to a cruel old wizard who was a cannibal; they signify,
-“He-puts-them-on-an-island-habitually Potato-Duck or Tuber-Duck.” This
-species of duck was enslaved by him.
-
-83. The two native words together signify, “He is a man-eater,” hence,
-a cannibal.
-
-84. This deliberation in torturing a victim was characteristic also of
-the burning of war prisoners; the latter being fed and cared for and
-rested lest they should die too soon and so deprive the ceremony of its
-sacrificial character and the company of full satisfaction at seeing an
-enemy suffer.
-
-85. This is the hell-diver, as some say, or the mudhen, as others say.
-
-86. This term means simply “Great Duck.”
-
-87. Canada Wild Goose.
-
-88. The Great Blue Lizard, a mythical animal, which probably arose from
-describing an ordinary lizard in terms of the alligator.
-
-89. The Humming Bird.
-
-90. This is another mythical animal, which appears under various forms
-in different stories.
-
-91. This is the common name of the meteor, the so-called firedragon;
-but as a Man-Being, the meteor endowed with human life and faculties,
-it is prominent in many stories.
-
-92. The original meaning of this term is “He is master or controller or
-ruler of it”; i.e., any object of conversation. It is now a name of the
-God of the Christian Church, and so is applied here to the one whom the
-earlier story-tellers would have called ‘Teʻharoⁿʻhiawăʹʼgoⁿʼ’, the
-Master of Life.
-
-93. This native term at present is applied to the imported idea,
-“devil,” which was quite foreign to the thinking of the early Seneca.
-It is also the name of the muckworm.
-
-94. This native term is an epithet applied to a mythical character well
-known in story-telling. It signifies “The Trickster,” or, more
-literally, “He who abuses people by craft often.” Cf. Note 155.
-
-95. This long epithet signifies, “He is the ruler” or “the chief
-personage.”
-
-96. The Rattlesnake.
-
-97. The Large Woodpecker.
-
-98. The Locust, literally, “Corn-ripener.”
-
-99. The Crow.
-
-100. The Large Owl.
-
-101. The Vulture (?), or other high-flying, large, half-mythical bird.
-
-102. The Great Bumblebee.
-
-103. The Winged Ant.
-
-104. Phebe (?) Bird; some say, the Gull.
-
-105. The Speaker or Preacher and the Definer or Interpreter.
-
-106. This paragraph shows that even trees and shrubs were endowed with
-human speech.
-
-107. This is a vague statement of the change held to be needful in the
-human body before it can enter the realm of the departed—of those who
-have died.
-
-108. See preceding note.
-
-109. The Master of Life.
-
-110. In this and the immediately preceding paragraphs are stated some
-ideas concerning the world of the departed—heaven.
-
-111. There are a number of other tales in which these ideas are set
-forth in slightly varied form.
-
-112. The Speaker and the Interpreter, as already explained in the
-title.
-
-113. This is the Man-Being represented by the husk mask in various
-forms.
-
-114. The Stone Coats are the Genonsgwa, which are a class of beings
-developed from the conception of the Winter God, Tawiskaron, of the
-Iroquoian genesis myth.
-
-115. This paragraph shows plainly a reminiscence of the defeat of the
-forces of Winter by the powers of the Spring, evidenced in the thawing
-and sweating of ice and snow banks.
-
-116. This description of the Whirlwind applies well to the wooden masks
-which represent the Wind Powers.
-
-117. This statement emphasizes the constant taboo against women seeing
-or touching the utensils and implements and medicines which belong
-strictly to the activities of the men.
-
-118. In story-telling the white deer is ever endowed with superior
-orenda or magic power.
-
-119. The devices employed in this and the several following paragraphs
-for deceiving pursuing enemies are not peculiar to this story.
-
-120. The Toad.
-
-121. The Crow.
-
-122. The Fox.
-
-123. These birds were the great ancestral Man-Beings of a mythic past
-cosmic age; a study of the language of this paragraph shows this to be
-a statement of the action of great nature forces. The next three
-paragraphs will bear out this remark. Blood is obtained from a mythic
-cornstalk.
-
-124. Here the singing of the birds is made the sign of the exercise of
-the orenda of these animals to bring about Springtime; and this orenda
-is declared to be efficacious.
-
-125. Here again singing is made the evidence that these so-called
-animals are exercising their powers, but these powers are the
-life-giving activities of nature.
-
-126. This injunction is still observed among the medicine priests of
-the Iroquoian peoples.
-
-127. This is the name of the Evil Trickster, whose delight is to abuse
-and to deceive innocent people. Compare note 94.
-
-128. The Yellow Hammer or Yaril.
-
-129. This statement of the leaving of a trail in the air by arrows and
-by persons who are aided by such arrows probably refers to the sun’s
-rays coming from behind broken clouds in the morning or evening.
-
-130. See preceding note.
-
-131. This indicates belief in transmission of thought.
-
-132. Cannibalism taken for granted.
-
-133. In this sentence there appears one of the Wind Goddesses.
-
-134. In many stories this use of boiling oil to destroy monsters
-appears; hot oil or grease was probably the hottest common thing known.
-
-135. Doonongaes for Doonăʼʹgāes signifies “He has two long horns,” or
-“His two horns are long,” or, as appellative, “The one whose horns are
-long,” but restricted by the pronominal affix to persons of the male
-sex.
-
-One of the most firmly held beliefs of the Seneca and other Iroquoian
-peoples was that there is a species of serpent of monstrous size,
-having horns like a buck, which dwells in the depths of deep rivers and
-lakes and springs of water, and which comes on land for its prey and
-also to bask in the sunshine. It may be suggested that such a peculiar
-notion may have been derived from noting the hornlike fixtures on which
-the eyes of the snail are fixed. The poetic license of legend would, of
-course, exaggerate these details. This inference is strengthened by the
-circumstances mentioned in this story that Doonongaes stole a lodge by
-bearing it away on his horns; the snail in somewhat similar fashion
-bears its shell along. The common Iroquoian name for the snail is
-onoⁿʻsăgeʹʻteʼ, i.e., “It bears a lodge along by means of the
-forehead-strap.” Doonongaes was a reptile that haunted “Long Lake,” and
-was probably a water moccasin.
-
-But this reptile should not be confounded with the so-called
-firedragons or meteors which were believed to dwell also in the deepest
-portions of lakes and rivers; these were known under the name
-Gaasyendietʻha by the Seneca and other northern Iroquoian dialects; the
-Tuscarora name is kahăstiʹnĕⁿs, a corrupt form of the Mohawk word,
-Kăhăserīʹneʼs, “It-light-goes-about-habitually.”
-
-These firedragons (i.e., the meteors of nature) were forced by an
-inflexible spell or enchantment, exercised by the orenda or magic power
-of the God of Life, to remain in these watery depths because the
-shedding of sparks of fire and lambent flames by their bodies would
-otherwise set the world on fire were they permitted to dwell out of the
-water for any great length of time, so they are permitted only to fly
-from one deep river or lake to another through the air.
-
-These mythical horned serpents were reputed to have the power to assume
-the human form and faculties and sometimes even to marry among men, and
-so they form the burden of many weird tales and stories which are told
-around the fires of the lodge during the winter season. This
-circumstance, so it is said, gave rise to the custom of telling legends
-only during the winter months, for the reason that these reptiles, like
-the natural serpent, hibernated during the winter months and so could
-not overhear what might be said about them in these legends. Thus
-legends become in some measure “sacred,” or what is the same thing,
-“tabooed,” within limits.
-
-These mythical serpents were reputed to have been endowed with most
-potent orenda or magical power which was usually inimical to human
-welfare. So great was this imputed potency that at times it would even
-infect the waters in which these serpents abode, and that water became
-an active agent in defense of these serpents when attacked by some
-adversary; and so the stories repeat the statement that some hero was
-attacked by a flood rising from some body of water in which resided
-some such serpent which was the object of the hero’s attack. The flood
-usually soon spent itself and did not pursue its adversary far. Such
-infected water was reputed to have the power of annihilating whatever
-thing it might come in contact with; should it fall upon the leg of an
-adversary of its master the leg of the victim would simply disappear.
-
-The Thunder God, Hiʹʼnoⁿʼ, and his sons were regarded as the active
-enemies of these and other reptiles. And so in some of the stories are
-found accounts of the rescue of some woman or human being from these
-mythical serpents. It is even said that these serpents serve as a part
-of the food of the Thunder Man-beings. But the Thunder Man-Beings had
-but little power to attack these reputed serpent monsters below the
-surface of the water, i.e., outside of their jurisdiction. It is said
-that these monsters stood in great fear of the Thunder Man-beings, and
-when the serpents were out of the water, i.e., out of their
-jurisdiction, basking in the sunshine on the shore, and heard in the
-horizon the voice of Hiʹʼnoⁿʼ, the Thunder God, they would lose no time
-in seeking safety in the depths of the water.
-
-The firedragon (i.e., the meteor of nature) was regarded as one of the
-most powerful sorcerers known to mankind, but they were not regarded as
-persistent foes of the welfare of men. There are tales in which the
-firedragon befriended some unfortunate human being from his pursuing
-enemies. Like all the fanciful or rather poetic creations of these
-legends, the firedragon became multiplied into a large group and some
-were reported to have been killed by some very powerful human sorcerer.
-
-136. Ganyodaes for Skăniōʹdaes or Tkăniōʹdaes is a proper name. The
-prefixed s-sound has an intensive force that is characteristic of
-descriptive appellatives; it denotes a marked degree of the quality or
-property named by the adjective or a noteworthy proficiency in the
-action stated by some verbs; with nouns it connotes the meanings,
-“large,” “important,” or “noted.” Hence, Skăniōʹdaes signifies, “It is
-a very long lake,” or idiomatically, “It is the well-known long lake.”
-The prefixed t-sound in Tkăniōʹdaes is the affix t or ti of remote
-place, meaning approximately, “there,” “yonder,” and it is applied to
-sentence words of the second and third persons. So Tkăniōʹdaes means,
-literally, “There it-lake long (is),” or freely, “There where the long
-lake (is).”
-
-137. Skahnowa is correctly written Skăʼnōʹwā, which is not the usual
-Seneca form of the name. Hăʼnōʹwā is the customary form of this word
-denoting the turtle. But the text form is that employed in proper
-names. The initial s-sound is an intensive affix which is explained in
-note 136. The following kă is the zoic pronominal affix of the singular
-third person, meaning, “it” or “its.” And -ʼnōwā is the noun stem,
-denoting “the carapace of the turtle.” The whole means, “Its carapace
-(is) very great,” freely, “It is the-great-turtle.” The initial hă of
-the customary form is the anthropic pronominal affix of the singular
-masculine third person, meaning “he.”
-
-138. In story and tradition the fungus growing on trees and rocks was a
-favorite substance with which those who sought to deceive intended
-victims, in the matter of food, prepared dishes inviting to the eye but
-deadly when eaten. Puffballs, mushrooms, and lichens, especially
-Umbilicaria arctica, or rock tripe (i.e., the tripe de roche of the
-French voyageurs) were not infrequently made into stews and soups for
-food, and so they readily lent themselves as a means of deception of
-the unwary.
-
-139. Djidjoʹgwen, correctly written Djidjōʹgwĕⁿʼ, or as pronounced by
-some, Djidjōñʹkʻhwĕⁿʼ, is the fishhawk or osprey, Pandion haliaetus.
-The Seneca term is apparently a compressed form of a sentence word
-meaning, “What habitually takes fish out of the water.”
-
-140. A “gift in payment” is required because the magic power of the
-thief has been overcome by the wronged individual and the life of the
-culprit is forfeited to him.
-
-141. Dediosteniagon, correctly written Dediioʻstĕñniăʹʼgoⁿ, is a name
-of the Seneca for Wolf Run, New York. The name signifies literally
-“There in-two it-it rock has broken,” and is a common descriptive
-appellation of rock cliffs or steep precipices or deep chasms of broken
-rocks.
-
-142. The Seneca, like all the other Iroquoian peoples, apply the term
-oñʹgweʻ, “man,” “human being,” not only to human beings like themselves
-but also to such beings as arise from the personification of the
-phenomena of nature and life which assume the form and faculties and
-activities of human beings. It was a habit of these languages to
-qualify this term oñʹgweʻ by the adjective oñʹweʻ, meaning “native,
-original, true, natural,” to distinguish the real human beings from the
-creations of their poetic fancy; and upon the advent of trans-Atlantic
-peoples the term oñgweʹʻoñweʻ remained to distinguish the Indian man
-from the newcomer.
-
-143. See Note 138.
-
-144. The word “opening” is a literal rendering of the Seneca for a
-“clearing” surrounding a lodge or village; in formal or ceremonial
-language it is sometimes used for “village” or “settlement.”
-
-145. The meaning of the Seneca words of this song is, “Now, the game
-animal has come in to visit us”; a cannibalistic reference.
-
-146. The correct written form of Gaintho is Gāĕñʹtʻhoʻ; it signifies,
-“Let the wind cease blowing,” “Let there be a calm.”
-
-147. The correct form of “Hwu” is hwuʹʼ; it is an exclamation
-indicating that the act of a sorcerer is recognized in whatever may
-have taken place, expressing surprise at the power exhibited.
-
-148. The name Gwidogwido, correctly written Gwidōʹgwidoʼ, is an
-onomatopoetic word, designating the flicker, highholder, or
-golden-winged woodpecker (Colaptes auratus).
-
-149. The word Djihonsdonqgwen, correctly written Djiʼhoⁿsdoñʹʻgwĕⁿʼ, is
-the Seneca name for the ant or emmet.
-
-150. The word Djoñiaik, correctly written Djoñʹiaik, is the Seneca name
-of the robin redbreast (Merula migratoria). In the story it is called
-by the epithet of the “Laughing Man,” which refers to a certain series
-of notes of this bird, which resemble exultant laughter among men.
-
-151. This reference to the use of the pipe calls attention to a
-well-known habit of reputed sorcerers of smoking in order to gain
-immunity from the apprehended spell or enchantment in the presence of
-strangers. Every sorcerer of any repute prepared his tobacco with magic
-herbs which were supposed to protect him from any malign influence
-which might be exercised by a visitor or visitors. Hence the custom of
-smoking when about to hear some startling information.
-
-152. The expression “hindered by the lake” is a veiled reference to the
-fact that this lake, or rather its waters, had been charged with magic
-power or orenda to defend its owner. The particular method by which
-this orenda or magic power accomplished this object was by rendering
-its victims unconscious, as the epithet, Ganigonhadontha Ganiodae
-(i.e., Găʼnigoⁿʻäʻdoⁿʼʹtʻhăʼ Ganiōʹdaeʼ), meaning, “It it-mind
-to-be-lost causes,” or the “delirium-causing” lake, indicates. Thus,
-the haunts of the allies of sorcerers were usually made impenetrable to
-persons who possessed a lesser measure of orenda or magic power.
-
-153. The name Ganiagwaihegowa, written Niāʼgwaiʼhegōwā, or correctly
-Ganiăʼgwaiʹhegōwa, is the name of a mythic monster which was described
-as a huge bear, being vulnerable only in the soles of its forefeet;
-keen of scent, it never allowed anything to escape that crossed its
-circular track or path; it was represented as hairless except as to its
-tail, and that it had over its forequarters a large ridge or fold of
-flesh. These characteristics sufficed to make this fanciful creature a
-source of abject terror. Its reputed form may have been due to a
-confusion of buffalo form and that of a grizzly bear. The meaning of
-the sentence here is that this monster was one of the animal fetishes
-of the speaker. The final -gōwā, meaning “large, great,” signifies here
-“the well-known” or “the noted,” bear monster.
-
-154. The word Hasʻhonyot, correctly written Hasʻhoñʹʼiot, is an
-epithet, meaning “His back stands out, is protuberant,” which is
-applied by story-tellers to the crawfish or lobster because its back
-ever seems turned toward the observer. The name Odjieqdah, correctly
-written Odjiʼeʹʻdăʼ, is the common designation of the lobster or
-crawfish and crab; the word signifies “The claw.”
-
-155. The word Sʻhodieonskon, correctly written Sʻhodieʹoⁿskoⁿʼ, is the
-name of a fanciful creature who went about playing tricks on all kinds
-of people. He was reputed to be a brother of Death. He was in fact the
-God of Mischief.
-
-156. The word sentence Hasdeaundyetʻha, correctly written
-Hăsdeauñdiēʹ­tʻhăʼ, is an epithet applied to Hiʹʼnoⁿʼ, the Thunderer,
-and signifies “He it to rain causes,” or the Rainmaker. But here it may
-possibly refer to a species of worm which bears this name.
-
-157. The expression or epithet, “Complete power,” does not in the least
-convey the idea of a single overruling Being, but rather of a Being who
-possessed such exceptional power as to require no outside aid in
-accomplishing his purposes. In this Bloodsucker episode there is a
-touch of the extravaganza in story-telling.
-
-158. The Seneca words signify “Now, it has returned, that by which he
-lives; so now again he shall stand upon the earth.”
-
-159. The expression “blew into the mouth” indicates how closely life
-and breath were connected in the minds of the story-telling ancestors
-of the Seneca.
-
-160. The expression “of stone” is probably an exaggeration of the clay
-or mud shelters of the crawfish or lobster.
-
-161. See Note 149.
-
-162. The expression “end of the earth” evidently can mean the horizon
-only; it could not mean aught else here. This expression perhaps
-strengthened the tendency to belief in a limited earth. And this is,
-too, a good example of the reification of an illusion.
-
-163. The word Tsodiqgwadon, correctly written Tsodĭqʹgwãdoⁿʼ, is the
-name of a species of copperhead snake.
-
-164. The question to be decided with all sorcerers is that of the
-potency of the orenda or magic power possessed by them.
-
-165. The reference here is to the implied challenge in the contest just
-ended with the life of the loser as the conceded prize of the winner.
-So Doonongaes having lost in the test of the power of his orenda must
-make, if possible, composition for his life with his vanquisher.
-
-166. This struggle continuing “day and night for one month” is probably
-a reference to the fact that the moon once a month waxes and wanes and
-yet is not overcome or destroyed.
-
-167. The expression “people of orenda, or magic power,” signifies that
-these are people who make a business of sorcery, and so the line should
-begin, “We sorcerers,” etc.
-
-168. The word Dagwanoenyent, correctly written Dagwanoʼĕñʹiĕn, is the
-name of the Cyclone as a personified thing. The name seems to refer to
-the habit of cyclones to hurl things against the heads of people. The
-term means apparently, “What habitually hits or knocks our heads.”
-
-169. This term “Niagwaihe” is evidently an error for the full form
-“Ganiagwaihegowa.” See Note 153.
-
-170. The word Djainosgowa, correctly written Djaiʹnosgōwā, is the name
-of a more or less fanciful creature. It probably received its
-characteristics from hearsay reports of the alligator which were
-transferred to the fence lizard, or swift. The native interpreters
-usually translate the word by the words “blue lizard.” In story and
-legend it is a most ferocious antagonist, because of its reputed
-invulnerability. The final two syllables, gōwā, signify “large, great,”
-while the remainder of the word means, “lizard,” so that literally the
-combination signifies, “The Great Lizard,” and in legend, “The
-Monstrous Lizard.”
-
-171. The reference here to the power of “becoming alive again” very
-probably rests on the hibernating habits of reptiles, shedding their
-skins, indicating change of bodies.
-
-172. The word Hanondon, correctly written Hanonʹdoⁿ, is the ordinary
-Seneca name for the water snake, probably the Tropidonotus sipedon.
-
-173. The word Hawiqson(t), correctly written Hawiqʹson, is the common
-Seneca and Iroquoian name of the milk snake, Ophibolus doliatus.
-
-174. The word Gasaisdowanen, correctly written Gasʻhaisʹdowănĕⁿ, is the
-name of a large serpent in Iroquoian mythic lore. The name signifies,
-“It-serpent great (is),” or “The Great Serpent.”
-
-175. Diagoisiowanens, correctly written Diagoiʻcioʹwănĕⁿs, is a
-descriptive epithet applied as an appellative to the meadow lark,
-signifying, “Her-leggings-large (are),” or “She whose leggings (are)
-large.”
-
-176. Hononeowanen, correctly written Honoⁿʼeʹowanĕⁿ, is the name of a
-species of snake, probably the copperhead, and signifies,
-“His-head-large (is),” or popularly, “Big Head.”
-
-177. One of the dominant notes of these stories is that when one of the
-great sorcerers, mentioned so often in them, is cornered, stress of
-circumstances force them to resume their true natures; so Doonongaes
-must do here.
-
-178. The native word rendered “man” here is the ordinary designation
-for “human being.” These deities were classified with the human race of
-beings. See note 142.
-
-179. The word Hostoyowanen, correctly written Hostoiōʹwănĕⁿ, is an
-epithet used as an appellative noun, descriptive of the buck of the
-deer; it signifies, “His headdress large (is),” referring to the crown
-of antlers.
-
-180. This statement evidently refers in an exaggerated way to the long
-periods of fasting which hibernation enforces on snakes and other
-reptiles.
-
-181. The expression Deyenegonsdasden, correctly written
-Deyenegoⁿsdăʹsdĕñʼ, is a descriptive appellative which is applied to
-the partridge; it signifies, “Her two wings large (are).”
-
-182. The erection and use of a pole in this manner was quite common at
-great feasts or holidays. And the great wizards and sorcerers employed
-this means, too, for testing the orenda or magic power of visitors and
-guests. The statement that this one reached the clouds shows that it
-was an adjunct to the means of amusement and of testing out at the same
-time the orenda or magic power of those who came seeking the hand of
-the Partridge’s daughter. Shooting at an eagle on such a pole is a
-common incident in the stories.
-
-183. He sent a woman in order to neutralize the malign infection given
-his arrow by being touched by alien wizards.
-
-184. The usual rule among Iroquoian tribes is for the mother or some
-other female kin to superintend the marriage of a girl. This may be a
-story which has been modified by ideas of father right, or descent in
-the male line, possibly adopted from an alien people having this
-custom.
-
-185. This reference is to the chief’s lodge.
-
-186. The number 16 is unusual in stories of this character. It was
-probably a vague estimate of the size of the earth’s surface—16 days in
-one direction from the speaker, roughly a half month.
-
-187. Dedyosdenhon for dedyoʻstĕñʹʼoⁿ was a place name, which signified
-“At the place of the fallen rock.”
-
-188. The Partridge people are here represented as weak in sorcery.
-
-189. Deienensowanens for Dienĕⁿsoʹwănĕⁿs signifies “Her shoulders (are)
-large or broad.”
-
-190. Deanohdjes for Deanoʹʼdjes is the descriptive name of the walrus;
-the term signifies “His two teeth (are) long.”
-
-191. Geia is the generic name for a walrus.
-
-192. The time of one year here apparently refers to the period of
-hibernation—the absence from his ordinary home.
-
-193. Nitgendasadieha for Nitgĕñdăʹʼsădieʹʼa signifies “At the narrow
-opening or clearing.”
-
-194. The numeral “10” here and in the fourth line above appears to be
-simply a round number indicative of a long time.
-
-195. Osigweon for Oʻsiʹgweon is the name of the rattlesnake, and
-signifies “What has a (?) spear affixed to it.”
-
-196. The smoke from the pipe would have magically overpowered
-Doonongaes, and so it must not arise without protest.
-
-197. Hinon for Hiʹʼnoⁿʼ, one of the oldest names among Iroquoian
-peoples for the Thunder Man-Being, was the uncompromising enemy of all
-serpents, and was at the same time the especial guardian of mankind.
-
-198. Gendagwen(t) for Gĕñdăʹgwĕn is a place name, signifying “At the
-broad or flat clearing or field.” The final t-sound of the original is
-elided in modern Seneca pronunciation.
-
-199. The meaning here is not clear, but it would seem to refer to the
-fact that a cyclone in a forest embraces in its sweep all manner of
-birds.
-
-200. Ganos for gāʹnoʼs is the name of a species of frog.
-
-201. This is a reference to a native notion that the earth was a flat
-surface not more than 16 days’ journey from the center to the edge.
-
-202. This number “10” is probably only a round figure denoting a long
-time and a difficult journey. Compare Note 194.
-
-203. This number is probably a reflex of the last number mentioned.
-Sixteen days were consumed in the outward journey. The use of definite
-numbers for these journeys is perhaps an attempt to make unhistorical
-dates seem probable.
-
-204. Gaisonhe for Gaiʻsoⁿʹʻheʼ is the daddy-long-legs (harvest-man,
-carter, and grand-daddy-long-legs are other names for this insect).
-
-205. Ohohwa ohnoh for Oʼoʹwāʼ Oʹʼnonʼ mean “Owl its arrow.”
-
-206. Odjiʼeqʹdăʼ is the name of the crab and signifies “It (is) the
-claw.”
-
-207. Sʻhodieonskon for sʻhodiʹoⁿskoⁿʼ is the name of a mythic character
-whose chief activities were to play pranks on all persons. In some
-tales he is represented as a brother to Death. See note 155.
-
-208. Odauhdjah for Odauⁿʹdjăʼ is the name of a small white root.
-
-209. Deiehnies for Deieʹʼnies is a proper name signifying
-“Her-two-claws-(or hands) (are) long.”
-
-210. This was because her magic power or orenda was overcome by that of
-Doonongaes.
-
-211. Dagwennigonhge for Dagwĕⁿʹʼnigoⁿʹʻge is the name of a lizard about
-18 inches long; the name signifies “What deceives us,” literally, “What
-gives us two minds.”
-
-212. These were cyclones, and the behavior of such phenomena perhaps
-gave rise to the epithet cited in Note 168.
-
-213. Hahnyusdais for Haʼniuʻsʹdais is a proper name and denotes “His
-upper lip (is) long.”
-
-214. Deagonstwihes for Deagoⁿstwiʹʼes is the name of the lobster, and
-signifies “His whiskers (are) long.”
-
-215. Haunhdji for Hauⁿʹʼdji signifies “He (is) black,” possibly
-referring to the blacksnake, but the name of the rattlesnake in
-disguise is “His face black (is).”
-
-216. This was the epithet applied to the robin who had killed
-Doonongaes, taken from its note in flight.
-
-217. Hatkwisʹdowanen for Hatkwisʹdowănĕⁿ is a proper name, signifying
-“His belly (is) large.”
-
-218. Hushewathen for Hosʻhewāʹtʻhĕñ is a proper name, signifying “His
-paunch is dry.”
-
-219. Every reputable sorcerer possessed a pouch of the entire skin of
-some rare beast, in which were kept all his charms, fetishes, and
-medicines.
-
-220. Hagondowanen for Hagoⁿʹʼdowănĕⁿ signifies “He whose forehead is
-large or high.”
-
-221. These words signify “Now all those animals which are game have
-returned,” which has a seasonal reference—return from hibernation.
-
-222. Gonyahsgweont for Goniăʹʼsgweon is the descriptive epithet applied
-to the toad, signifying “Her throat is swollen.”
-
-223. Nosgwais for Nosʹgwais is the common name of the toad.
-
-224. The time of sunrise marked, in the belief of the early Iroquois, a
-change in the exertion of orenda or magic power; so the flint knife was
-withdrawn because the bewitching power was off guard at this
-moment—among wizards.
-
-225. Yondekhonyatha Ganondayen for Yondekhoñniaʹtʻha Gananʹdayĕⁿʼ
-signifies “They use it for eating It-village-(is).”
-
-226. This expression is not modified or influenced by European thought;
-the native conception requires the name of such a power.
-
-227. Stone Coat is the name of a mythic being commonly called by the
-Seneca Gĕⁿnoⁿʹʼsgwāʼ. See the Introduction for an explanation.
-
-228. Other instances occur in these stories in which basswood is
-employed to overcome individuals of the Stone Coat people.
-
-229. Hinon for Hiʹʼnoⁿʼ is the name of the Thunderer; later in Iroquois
-thought there were four who bore this name and who were the foes of all
-manner of reptiles and snakes, and the friends of mankind. The word is
-singular in form but with a plural implication, according to the
-context.
-
-230. These words, correctly written Ogwēʹnioñ dĕⁿkēʹnooñk ganioʹʼsʻhoñ
-ĕⁿkeʹgĕⁿʼheioĕñʹdjădeⁿʼ, signify, “It is permitted to scalp a person if
-it be so that I will see him here on earth.”
-
-231. Gendagahadenyatha for Gĕⁿʼdagaādeniăʹʼtʻhăʼ is the name of the
-common scarabæid beetle, usually called the tumblebug.
-
-232. These Seneca words signify, “It is not possible that I should
-scalp you, although I have now, indeed, entered the place where you
-abide.”
-
-233. Nanisheʹonon for Neʹ hanisʻheʹonoⁿʼ signifies “He who dwells in
-the earth, or in the ground,” and it is the name of the muckworm, the
-larva of the scarabæid beetle (Ligyrus relictus). The name being that
-applied to the Christian concept of Satan, the story-teller here endows
-the larva with the character of Satan, based solely on the etymology of
-the term.
-
-234. Deanoʹʼdjes, “He who has two long teeth,” is the name of the
-walrus.
-
-235. Haiwanenqgwi for Hāiwăʼnĕⁿʻqʹgwĭʻ is the name of the council
-messenger, meaning, “He who sweeps away the affairs.”
-
-236. Gaha Gastende for Gäʹʻhăʼ Tgaʻstĕñʹdeʼ signifies, “Wind Cliff,”
-literally, “It-Wind There-It-Rock-Stands.”
-
-237. Gahsgwaa Tgawenot for Gaʼsgwāʹāʼ Tgawēʼnot signifies “It-Rock
-There-It-Island-Stands,” or Rock Island.
-
-238. Othegwenhdah Tgawenot for Otʻhägwĕⁿʹʼdăʼ Tgawēʹnot signifies
-“It-Chert or Flint It-Island-Stands,” or Flint Island.
-
-239. Oosah Tgawenot for Oōʹsäʼ Tgawēʹnot signifies “It-Basswood
-It-Island-Stands,” or Basswood Island.
-
-240. Gaiⁿsoⁿʹheʼ is the name of the daddy-long-legs.
-
-241. Nitgawenosatieha for Nitgawenoⁿʼ satiēʹă signifies “There at the
-Narrow Island.”
-
-242. Djinonhsanon for Djinoⁿʹsănoⁿ is the name of the cricket, meaning
-literally “Lodge watch or guard.” The name was given because this
-insect cries when the lodge or house becomes silent.
-
-243. Tgawenogwen for Tgaweʼnōʹgwĕn is a place name signifying “There,
-at the Broad Island.”
-
-244. Onowehda for Oʼnoweʹʻdăʼ is the name of the angleworm.
-
-245. Djisdaah for djisdāʹa is the name of the grasshopper. So that
-Djisdaah Tgawenot means “Grasshopper Island.”
-
-246. See note 237.
-
-247. Hoonkgowanen for Hooⁿʼkgowāʹnĕⁿ is the name of the Pelican (?) and
-signifies, “His throat or gullet is large.”
-
-248. See note 239.
-
-249. Shayades for Sʻhayăʹʼdes is the name of the blacksnake, meaning
-“His body (is) notedly long.”
-
-250. Deanohsgwis for Deanoⁿʼsʹgwis is the name of a kind of grasshopper
-(?), meaning “His jump (trajectory) (is) long.”
-
-251. See note 243.
-
-252. See note 244.
-
-253. Hononhengwen for Honoⁿʼĕⁿʹʼgwĕn is a proper name, meaning, “His
-head (is) broad.”
-
-254. Ganehdaiikhon Tgahadayen Tgawenot for Ganeʻdaiikʹhoⁿʼ Tgahādāʹiēⁿʼ
-Tgawēʹnot is a place name, meaning, “It is green It-forest-is
-there-it-island-is,” or “The Island of the Green Forest.”
-
-255. Degatengowa for Degatĕⁿʹʻgōwa is the name of the large
-dust-colored grasshopper, about 2 inches long. Its habit of leaping up
-in the air 3 or 4 feet and remaining almost stationary by a fluttering
-of the wings is referred to in the next line in the story.
-
-256. Henhgadji for Hĕⁿʹʻgädji signifies, “His tail (is) black,”
-referring to the marking of the tail.
-
-257. See note 245.
-
-258. The use of the pipe was to fortify himself against any evil
-influence that might be employed by the stranger.
-
-259. Hodehondasiowanen for Hodeʻon dăsiōʹwănĕⁿ signifies “His quid (is)
-large.”
-
-260. Gaasyendietʻha for Gaăʻsioñdieʹtʻhăʼ is the name of the meteor or
-so-called firedragon, and signifies, “He emits or casts out flames of
-fire.”
-
-261. Gaonhiahge Tgastendeh for Gäoⁿʻiăʹʼgeʻ Tgaʻstĕñʹdeʼ signify “On
-the Sky, or in the Sky, there It-Rock-Island Stands forth,” or freely,
-“The Rock Cliff or Peak in the Sky.”
-
-262. Tkwendahen Niohsiowesiohden for Tkwĕⁿʻdäʼʹĕñʼ Nioʻciowecioʹʼdĕñ
-signify “His jacket (is) red.”
-
-263. Gaahgwa Tgawenot for Gääʹʻgwāʼ Tgawēʼnot signify, “Sun
-there-it-island,” or “Island of the Sun.”
-
-264. Djahgwiyu for Djăʹʼgwiyu is the name of the tanager.
-
-265. Ohnonqgon(t) Tgawenot for Oʼnoⁿʹʻgon Tgawēʹnot signify, “Bumblebee
-There-It-Island,” or “Bumblebee Island.”
-
-266. Djihtkwahen Niothwahasyohʹden for Djiʼtkwäʹʼĕñʼ
-Niʻotʻwahăʻcioʹʼdĕⁿ signify, “His belt is yellow”, which is the name of
-a kind of bee.
-
-267. Gainhdoya Tgawenot for Gaiⁿʼdoʹʼiăʼ Tgawēʹnot signify “At Blanket
-(or perhaps better Robe) Island,” i.e., “It-Robe There-It-Island.”
-
-268. Djihtkwahen Haos for Djiʼtwăʹʼĕñʼ Hāós signify “His robe or
-blanket is yellow,” the name of a kind of bee.
-
-269. Hahnowa Tgawenot for Haʼnōʹwa Tgawēʹnot signify “At the Turtle
-Island.”
-
-270. Honoʼtsăgagiʹyĭt, the correct form, signifies “His teeth (are)
-sharp;” but it may signify “His tooth (is) sharp.”
-
-271. Ohneqsah Tgawenot for Oʼneʹʻsăʼ Tgawēʹnot signify “At Sand
-Island,” or “It-Sand There-It-Island.”
-
-272. Sowek-shohon for Sōʹwĕk-sʻhoʼoⁿ, the plural form of Sōʹwĕk,
-signifies “Ducks,” but sometimes meaning “All kinds of ducks.”
-
-273. Hahnyahses for Hāniăʹʼses signifies “His neck (is) long.”
-
-274. Awaeh for Awäʹʼeʼ denotes “the Swan.”
-
-275. See note 264.
-
-276. See note 262.
-
-277. This was done by means of sorcery. A reed was a usual means for
-“shooting” a person by sorcery.
-
-278. Goanyahge Diyoendjadeh for Gäoⁿiăʹʼgeʻ Diioʻĕñʹdjădeʼ signify “It
-Sky-On There-it-Land-Stands.”
-
-279. Sʻhadahgeah for Oʻsʻhāʹdăʼgeāʼ signifies “Pertaining to the region
-of the clouds,” or, perhaps, “On or against the clouds.”
-
-280. Odahnoqgwiyah Haos for Odäʼnoⁿʻgwiʹiäʼ Hāʹos signify “His Robe
-(is) of down.”
-
-281. The number “7” is sometimes used, while at other times the number
-“4” is latterly used, to represent the number of people who are called
-Hinon or the Thunder People. See note 229.
-
-282. Shedwaqsot for Shedwăʹʻsot signifies “Our grandfather.”
-
-283. Hahasdensyowanen for Hăʼsʻhasdĕⁿsʹiowanĕⁿ signifies “He whose
-power (is) great.”
-
-284. Odonseh for Odoⁿʹseʼ is the name of a kind of worm.
-
-285. Shagoewatha for Sʻhagoewatʹʻhăʼ signifies “He punishes them
-(mankind)” and is the name of the muckworm. This peculiar office is
-probably due to the identification of this worm with Satan.
-
-286. Sʻhagodiyoweqgowa for Shagadiioweq gowa is the name of the Wind,
-or Whirlwind.
-
-287. Ganiagwaihegowa for Ganăiʼgwaihēʼgōwā is explained in Note 153.
-
-288. Oqtchihgah Ongwe for Oqtciʹʼgäʼ Oñʹgweʻ signify “It-Cloud Human
-Being”, or “Cloud Man”, i.e., a personified cloud.
-
-289. Sadjāʹwĭskĭ is the name of the thousand-legged worm.
-
-290. See note 285.
-
-291. The word “man” here signifies “human beings” of the “first
-people.”
-
-292. Odjisdanohgwah for Odjisdanoʹʻgwăʼ is the name of a star.
-
-293. Gaaqgwaah for Gääʹʻgwāā is the name of the orb of the sun. But as
-its derivation shows that it is the name of anything that is present to
-view, the word is also applied to the orb of the moon. Strictly used,
-it requires the limiting term, “daytime,” to denote the sun, and
-“nighttime,” to denote the moon. So the expressions, “day sun” and
-“night sun,” which are sometimes heard or seen, are inaccurate, as the
-word simply means “What is present to view.”
-
-294. See note 169. Niagwaihegowa of this line differs from that cited
-in Note 169 by having the adjective gōwā “great, large, monstrous,”
-suffixed to it.
-
-295. Tgawenosdenh for Tgawēnōsʹdĕñʼ signifies “At the broad island,” or
-“At the great island.”
-
-296. Othowege for Otʻhowēʹgeʻ signifies “At or in the north,” literally
-“At or in the place of cold.”
-
-297. Hathogowa for Hatʻhoʹʼgōwā signifies “He is the Great Cold,” which
-is evidently the name of the Winter Power (God).
-
-298. Otho for Otʹʻhoʼ signifies “It is cold.”
-
-299. Onenonhge for Onēʹnaⁿʼgeʻ signifies “At the place of sunshine.”
-
-300. Dedioshwineqdon for Dedioʻsʻhwineqʹdoⁿ is the name of the “Warm
-spring wind.”
-
-301. Ongwe Honwe for Oñgweʹ-ʻHoñweʻ signifies “real, or native,
-people,” people in contrast with pseudohuman beings, or beings that
-assume or have had the human form and attributes belonging to the
-myth-making epoch. In modern times, the name was applied to the native
-Indian person in contrast with the European person.
-
-302. Gaasyendietʻha for Gaăʻsioñdieʹtʻhăʼ is the name of the
-firedragon, or the meteor. See note 260.
-
-303. Stone Coats is the legendary name of the sons of the Winter God.
-This brood of harmful fictitious creatures owe their being to an
-erroneous folk-etymology of the word Tawiskaroⁿʼ, the name of the
-Winter God. Cf. Introduction.
-
-304. Ongwe Hanyos for Oñʹgweʻ Hāʹnioʻs signify “He is in the habit of
-killing human beings,” sometimes meaning a cannibal.
-
-305. There is a well-known Wyandot tradition that in some former
-country of their ancestors the winters were very severe and the snows
-fell excessively deep—so deep sometimes that the poor people had to dig
-their way out of their wigwams in quest of sustenance. Consequently,
-food was often scarce and famine rife, because the hunters were unable
-to go out on account of the great depth of the snow. And, in some
-instances, it is said, the pangs of hunger were so pressing that some
-famishing persons were driven to kill and devour some of their own
-neighbors and friends. Others, more fortunate, learning of these
-cannibalistic acts, decided to leave the country at once. So, digging
-their way out through the drifted snows, they finally reached,
-southward from their former homes, a river which they crossed and,
-continuing their journey some time, they at last reached a land in
-which they found a much milder climate. But those who remained became
-monsters—man-eaters, giants, stone coats, stone giants—and were very
-strong in body. This is the popular explanation of a lost myth
-incident—the activity of the Winter God.
-
-In later times, it is said, one of these Stone Coats found his way to
-the river which the fugitives had crossed and stood on the farther
-bank, where he was seen by one of the fugitive hunters. The Stone Coat
-would not attempt to cross the river for he was afraid of water, but he
-called out across the river to the hunter, who had escaped from the
-northern country, saying, “Cousin, come over here.” It is held that he
-wanted to eat the hunter, who, however, did not obey his summons. But,
-in a canoe, he went close to the opposite shore of the river, carrying
-with him a quantity of hot deer fat, which he gave to the Stone Coat,
-telling him to drink it. When the Stone Coat drank it his coat or skin
-of stone fell off from him, and he ceased being a man-eater, and he
-then was willing to cross the river with the hunter, whom he called his
-cousin. In the course of time the shows melted in that northern country
-and the Stone Coats dispersed in various directions.
-
-Afterwards, an old Stone Coat woman came to the village of the
-fugitives on the south side of the river (which is said to be the St.
-Lawrence River), and the people dwelling there at once surmised that
-she came there with the desire of eating some one of its inhabitants.
-But a young man and his wife took a basswood paddle (basswood is
-reputed in legendary lore as having the power of depriving a Stone Coat
-of strength and life) and they beat the old Stone Coat woman until she
-fell, exclaiming, “The Little Turtles are killing me.” Then the Stone
-Coat woman arose and fled northward and escaped. The other Stone Coats
-also departed northward, going to their native home, which was in the
-far northland.
-
-306. In addition to these striking characteristics this peculiar
-monster was said to have only a single rib on either rib, which filled
-the space occupied by the normal number.
-
-307. It is said that this monster was vulnerable only in the soles of
-its feet.
-
-308. This statement that a warrior’s courage was in inverse ratio to
-the size of the shield he carried is true to-day among the
-shield-bearing tribes of the United States.
-
-309. The notion expressed here that the members of the human or other
-animate body, possessing marked orenda or magic power, have the uncanny
-potency to fly back into place when dismembered, unless prevented from
-doing so until cold, is not uncommon among people having strong faith
-in sorcery.
-
-310. Protest is here made against the abuse or mutilation of the dead.
-
-311. See Note 52.
-
-312. Turkey.
-
-313. This use of a horn to pierce the foot of a competitor is not
-uncommon in these stories.
-
-314. This statement is probably only a waggish addition of some relator
-rather than the expression of a belief that the sun may be pushed back
-by any means.
-
-315. This is another instance of the use of the eyes of living birds
-instead of the usual plum pits in this game.
-
-316. This incident occurs in another story of this collection. See Note
-118.
-
-317. This statement gives this incident a cosmical implication.
-
-318. This implies plainly that the so-called “naked dance” was a fetish
-of this person.
-
-319. This term signifies, “He, the Cold One.” It is a name of Winter.
-
-320. This is a story of the Wind-Beings or Gods.
-
-321. The number 10 is connected with certain rites pertaining to the
-lifting of the period of mourning.
-
-322. This is not the historical origin of the “Mask” societies among
-the Iroquois.
-
-323. There is here also a vague cosmical implication.
-
-324. This shows that the Iroquois and the Seneca believed that the
-personality was different from the flesh of the body.
-
-325. This term with the suffix -gowa signifies, “Great Whirlwind or
-Cyclone,” and is here used to awe the Genonsgwa or Stone Coat kidnaper.
-
-326. This is the plural, or rather distributive plural, form that is
-added to the noun Genonsgwa, making it signify “all kinds of Stone
-Coats.”
-
-327. The meaning of this title is “Thunder, His Son and his
-Grandmother.”
-
-328. This title means “He, the Chief, and Flint.”
-
-329. These two words signify “At the high rock.”
-
-330. He spears fish.
-
-331. Turtle.
-
-332. The meanings of the names of these ten sons of the Chief who
-married Hongak, the Wild Goose woman, are, in their order, as follows:
-(a) Red-headed; (b) Long-headed; (c) Long-billed; (d) Long-mandibled;
-(e) Long-footed; (f) Bow-legged; (g) Long-clawed; (h) Large-clawed; (i)
-Fat-headed; and (j) Flint. With the possible exception of the last,
-these names are not inappropriate for goslings.
-
-333. The Dagwanoenyent is the Cyclone or Whirlwind which is here
-represented as striking the vault of the sky with a crash, as the sky
-was regarded as a solid body.
-
-334. This whirlwind of snakes is a weird conception, like some other
-incidents of the story.
-
-335. These two native terms signify, respectively, “At the deep lake”
-and “There where it has passed through the earth.” The last meaning is
-that the water is so deep that it protrudes on the other side of the
-earth.
-
-336. Blue Jay people.
-
-337. “At the Mountains.”
-
-338. Partridge.
-
-339. This is not a Seneca word.
-
-340. Mosquito.
-
-341. “Having roots” and “He who plants.”
-
-341a. In the Odyssey Odysseus constructed his dwelling place in a
-similar way and place.
-
-342. This is a name of Winter = “He, the Cold.”
-
-342a. This name signifies, “They (fem.) are clouds going about from
-place to place.”
-
-343. This trail is the dramatizing of the sun’s rays in the morning or
-in the evening passing through broken clouds and casting rays and
-shadows across the sky. An illusion arising from regarding what is
-visible as having a solid surface.
-
-344. One of Okteondon’s men had just paid the penalty of disobedience
-of his leader’s order.
-
-345. This name seems to mean “He has lost his leggings.”
-Hoisʻhäʻtoñʹniʻ is the correct form.
-
-346. This is the name of a large bird which soars so high that it has
-won the name “pertaining to the clouds.”
-
-347. This is evidently reminiscent of an earlier age when human pelts
-were regarded as trophies of cannibal hunters.
-
-348. The Seneca terms signify, “Human beings, they, both men and women,
-eat,” i.e., both men and women were cannibals.
-
-349. This method of bringing dry bones to life again, so frequent in
-these stories, is not, of course, peculiar to the Seneca.
-
-350. Blood and the color red appear to be signs of ill omen in the
-belief of the early story-tellers.
-
-351. The method of the dream testing is virtually identical with that
-in legend No. 70, even to the words used.
-
-352. This method of destroying the lodges of vanquished sorcerers is
-frequently employed in these tales.
-
-353. “He whose body is bright” and “Thousand-legged worm.”
-
-354. This word signifies “He who tortures them.” According to the
-following line he belonged to the Toad people.
-
-355. Here there is implied a mythic reference in the use of the number
-7.
-
-356. Blue Jay.
-
-357. Crow.
-
-358. The superheated flint lodge to destroy evil-minded wizards by some
-hero is a common device in these stories.
-
-359. This native term is very broad in its extension, as it includes
-the Man-Beings of the first cosmic period, the first people, the
-ancients, as well as mankind of the last cosmic period of these tales.
-
-360. This statement that blood and pain were given the body for its
-protection is singular, to say the least.
-
-361. This story resembles No. 11, “The Snake with Two Heads,” in some
-of its details.
-
-362. Raccoon.
-
-363. Deer.
-
-364. The Great Heads were the Dagwanoenyent.
-
-365. The Arrow.
-
-366. This term signifies “People of the Land of Reeds.” It Is not at
-all certain that the name applied to any place in the southland, for
-the modern Iroquois apply it to certain people coming from
-Ononʻhoʻgwaʹʼgeʻ near Binghamton, N. Y.
-
-367. The Roué.
-
-368. These two words signify “‘Cherokee’; there they dwell.” That is,
-it was the country of the Cherokee.
-
-369. The words “Ne Hononhsot” signify “the lodge tenant,” but “Endekha
-Gaahgwa” signify “the sun,” i.e., “Diurnal It-Orb-of-Light.”
-
-370. This is an official title; it denotes “the chiefess”; that is, the
-woman chief, who is such by election, and not by being a wife of a
-chief.
-
-371. This conception of a river of land is picturesque, to say the
-least.
-
-372. This is a protest against prevalent cannibalism.
-
-373. Hăʼdegaunʹdăgeʻ, i.e., “All kinds of trees,” and the Dwarf Man,
-respectively.
-
-374. “She, the Proud One.”
-
-375. This story is identical with one published by Lafitau in his
-“Moeurs, etc.”
-
-376. Thunder or the Thunder Man-Being.
-
-377. This is the statement of an early form of anthropic
-parthenogenesis; its enduring implication is that air (wind)—that is,
-breath—is the source of life. In later development it becomes an
-immaculate conception.
-
-378. The Wind Man-Being and Winter Man-Being.
-
-379. The use of the epithet “cannibal” is justified only by the thought
-that persons are killed to be eaten; a natural inference to
-cannibalistic peoples.
-
-380. The name is not easily translatable; it was probably partly
-misunderstood.
-
-381. A Fishhawk.
-
-382. Flint-worker or Flint-maker, i.e., Arrow-head-maker.
-
-383. Net-Maker.
-
-384. He, the Eunuch.
-
-385. Corn soup.
-
-386. The Thunderers = They whose voices go about.
-
-387. Crow and “The Other Side,” sometimes Left-handed.
-
-388. Cyclone and Meteor.
-
-389. This is the descriptive epithet applied to a dark or black
-cyclonic wind cloud.
-
-390. A Hawk.
-
-391. A cloud or fog.
-
-392. The Great Blue Lizard, a mythic being.
-
-393. The Mother or Eldest Woman of the Whirlwind People and She, the
-Stone Coat.
-
-394. This is a very good definition of faith.
-
-395. “The Lake Where the Stone Giants Lie Buried.”
-
-396. This is the usual description.
-
-397. The Great Head is only another name of Dagwanoenyent, who is the
-Tornado or Cyclone.
-
-398. This particular method of raising the dead is common to a large
-number of other stories. They differ only in minor details; in this a
-number of trees is mentioned, while in other stories only a single tree
-is mentioned.
-
-399. These two words together signify “He eats human beings as a
-habit;” i.e., he is a cannibal.
-
-400. This name is sometimes applied to a person who after being in a
-long swoon regains consciousness.
-
-401. This refers to the grinding of the rocks and stones by the force
-of cyclonic winds.
-
-402. This signifies “the small dose.” It is the name of a famous
-medicine, and it is so called because only a very small dose is
-required. Erroneously it has been commonly rendered “the small water.”
-
-403. The term hochinagen is the name commonly applied to the native
-healer and exorcist.
-
-404. A maid or woman during the period of her catamenia became sacred
-or taboo to all men and ill persons; it was therefore dangerous to have
-her around; her sacredness or taboo was infectious.
-
-405. This is an abbreviated form of the name Ganyăʼgwaiʻheʹgōwā, the
-great monster-bear.
-
-406. This denotes the spike of a flowering plant.
-
-407. This was an underhanded method of ascertaining whether a person
-lying near a fire was sound asleep or not; it was practiced chiefly by
-wicked persons in order to injure other persons.
-
-408. These perils barring a path are employed in a number of other
-stories. The same monsters are not always mentioned, but their common
-provenance seems to be indicated, nevertheless.
-
-409. This human skin flayed off whole is an example of the methods of
-torture practiced by the ancestors of the story tellers. It was
-believed that wizards and sorcerers could remove the flesh-body from
-the skin without destroying the life of the victim, which then was
-supposed to animate the empty skin. These skins retained the powers of
-the body and were usually called “a pouch.” This retaining of life by
-these skins, flayed whole, is mentioned in the Odyssey of Homer, where
-he speaks of the slaughter of the cows of the Sun. In the native
-conception this was regarded as a refined species of slavery.
-
-410. It was customary in some families making pretensions to sorcery to
-conceal the child who had been born with a caul. This was done in such
-manner that no one other than one of the nearest of the child’s kin
-should be charged with the wardship of the hidden child, and so should
-have access exclusively to the initiate. One of the means employed in
-shielding the initiate from the view of other persons was to strew
-carefully about the place of concealment cat-tail flag down in such
-wise that any displacement of it would indicate intrusion by some
-unauthorized person. Thus is derived the epithet “down-fended,” or
-“warded by down.” Secondarily, it may have meant “mat-warded,” because
-mats were in some instances made from this kind of flag. (See 21st Ann.
-Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p. 127.)
-
-411. This is literally what the native term signifies.
-
-412. It was believed, and so reported traditionally, that usually the
-arrow of a sorcerer could not be removed from a wound except by its
-owner without injuring the arrow.
-
-413. This is the literal meaning of the native term, and was the name
-of a ceremonial feast, the virtues of which were believed to be rooted
-in the fact of the complete consumption of the food offered by those
-who had been invited to eat up what was set before them. It was
-permissible for such a guest, however, to pay another to eat up what he
-himself or herself was not able to devour, for if anything of the feast
-should be left over the purpose of the feast would be defeated—by the
-malign influence of hostile sorcerers.
-
-414. See note 409.
-
-414a. This is one form of what is commonly called kinnikinic, a term
-which signifies “a mixture,” although it is also applied to the several
-plants which commonly form the ingredients in the mixture.
-
-415. The native term here rendered “amulet” has a number of meanings,
-another being the dried spike of a plant—that of the mullein, for
-example. So this might be translated “The Spike-Hitter.” It also is
-applied to any black object or toy.
-
-416. This feature of the shrinking path is interesting.
-
-417. The rendering of the native term by “owls” is literal, but the
-word “owl” is taken in the sense of any nondescript bird of ill omen.
-
-418. The Seneca for this name is Hotkwĕⁿʼdadegĕⁿʼʹăʻ, i.e., “He, the
-Burnt Belly, Small.” Otherwise, “Small Mr. Burnt Belly.”
-
-419. It was a common belief among the Seneca and the other Iroquoian
-people that a sorcerer was usually aware of what another was doing,
-even though they might dwell far apart.
-
-420. This returning of human life to the body of a simulated animal is
-also quite common in stories recounting the fanciful exploits of
-sorcerers.
-
-421. This is the name of a woman who belonged to a class of ferocious
-women who gained notoriety by seeking to destroy their sons-in-law on
-their wedding nights. This name denotes the habit of these women of
-casting themselves into the fire as a challenge. The name signifies,
-“She who is burned in many places.”
-
-422. See note 410. This is the masculine form of the Seneca expression.
-
-423. This is the indefinite form of the expression cited in the
-preceding note.
-
-424. This is the Seneca form of the name for a human skin, flayed off
-whole, which was made to serve as a warder for some noted sorcerer or
-sorceress. See note 409.
-
-425. This method of heating and hardening wooden instruments was
-employed by Ulysses. See Homer’s Odyssey.
-
-426. This expression is the nearest approximation in sense to the
-native term which signifies, literally, “He who has achieved or
-perfected our faculties.”
-
-427. This description recalls the Homeric contests for prizes between
-the Greek warriors before Troy.
-
-428. The following recital of the obstacles along this mysterious path,
-occurring in slightly varying versions elsewhere, reminds one of the
-seven guarded passageways along the path of Ishtar’s descent to the
-regions of the dead.
-
-429. The term rendered “mother” denotes in the vernacular the “matron”
-or head woman, although “mother” is better.
-
-430. The Partridge.
-
-431. The Seneca name is Oʻsoʹon(t). The “t” sound is obsolescent.
-
-432. These are offerings to the genii of the place.
-
-433. He is the last remaining person.
-
-434. This is the method formerly used to “guess” the meaning of one’s
-dream.
-
-435. It will be noted that most of the proper names in this story
-indicate reference to some process or object of nature.
-
-436. This rising and falling of the sky appears as an incident in a
-number of other tales of this character.
-
-437. This term is used as both noun and adjective; here it is used as a
-noun; it signifies, “What customarily uses its orenda or magic power
-destructively.”
-
-438. This term refers to the Wind God whose activities earned for him
-the epithet, “Evil-minded.”
-
-439. This form of the generic noun oñʹgweʻ signifies “The male
-Man-Being.”
-
-440. This address is made as a part of the ceremonies at the harvest
-festival, commonly called the “Green Corn dance.” In this expression
-the word “green” stands for “new,” i.e., newly harvested corn.
-
-441. This woman in the original story is Mother Earth. Here she has
-become the representative of the expression of Mother Earth—the
-offspring of her life-giving powers.
-
-442. This appears to be a sort of parable teaching the virtue of
-gratefulness for what one receives of the bounties of nature on earth.
-
-443. The evil of one man is visited on the members of the community to
-which he belongs; this represents the method of avenging a wrong by the
-early Iroquoian people.
-
-444. This old woman was the matron of the family, or ohwachira.
-
-445. This is the Winter God, but here he is called “He who is robed in
-flint.”
-
-446. This has reference to the dances of the women and maids in which
-they dramatize the waving of the stalks of standing corn.
-
-447. The expression “You two cousins” denotes the two symbolic sides of
-the tribe—the two phratries, or, rather, sisterhoods, of clans.
-
-448. It will be noted that the framework of this story is in some
-respects exactly like that of the next preceding.
-
-449. This is a fine example of the native regard for all living things;
-even the plants find a place in their sympathy.
-
-450. This story has a number of interesting weather signs.
-
-450a. This is a very interesting statement, because it connects this
-mythic porcupine with Sunlight. The porcupine, the mythic being, is
-usually connected with sunlight in American myths, especially the
-quivering or dancing spring sunlight.
-
-451. This is the act of exorcism by blowing up the evil persons.
-
-452. The native word literally means, “One—it one’s word uses to make,”
-i.e., “One uses it to make one’s word”; briefly, it is one’s pledge,
-the token of a vow.
-
-453. The imitative sounds or utterances which certain activities were
-thought to emit are no small part of the interest these stories have
-for the students of the origin of words and sentences. The recorder was
-at all times careful to write down these very naïve but most expressive
-sounds.
-
-454. The remainder of this incident belongs to the story of
-Sʻhodieonskon; this version, however, is much longer.
-
-455. This circumstance gave rise to the name of this hero,
-Hahadodagwatʻha, i.e., “He who pulls out the branch customarily.”
-
-456. This name signifies “Standing Rock” or “Projecting Rock.”
-
-457. This native word is usually rendered variously in popular
-translations as “Stone Coat,” “Stone Shirt,” “Stone Giant,” “Giant,”
-“Monster Man.” Its real significance and correct translation has been
-given in the introduction to these stories.
-
-458. As explained in the introduction, this represents poetic license,
-i.e., the use of the word for flint or chert for ice.
-
-459. The foregoing recital details certain customs pertaining to
-ambassadors to hostile tribes, which are of marked interest.
-
-460. The matter of this symbol is fully carried out in the dedicatory
-language of the League or Federation of the Iroquois.
-
-461. The following incident on the island is found in other stories,
-especially in that of Hayanoweh.
-
-462. This incident shows that the story-tellers believed that the
-so-called dead were really not dead, and that these well knew what was
-transpiring on earth among mankind.
-
-463. This is the psychological counterpart of the familiar “Fear not”
-of the Sacred Scriptures.
-
-464. This is the slavery or servitude imposed by the evil use of orenda
-(or magic power) by a hostile person; in its original sense the English
-“spellbound” had this signification.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-FOOT-NOTES
-
-
-[1] The manuscript of this Journal was discovered in Amsterdam in 1895
-by the late Gen. James Grant Wilson, who published it in the Annual
-Report of the American Historical Association for the year 1895, under
-the caption “Arent Van Curler And His Journal of 1634–35.” But the Van
-Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts, edited by the learned Mr. A. J. F. van
-Laer, show that van Curler could not have made the journey, as he did
-not reach Rensselaerswyck until 1637, then a youth of only eighteen. It
-seems probable that Marmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert, the surgeon of
-the fort, was the author of the Journal. Consult the Introduction to
-this same Journal as published in “Narratives of New Netherland,
-1609–1664,” ed. by J. Franklin Jameson, in Original Narratives of Early
-American History (Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1909).
-
-[2] This village of Ongniaahra (Ongiara, Onguiaara, and Ondgiara are
-other forms found in the literature of the Jesuit Fathers) was situated
-very probably on or near the site of the village of Youngstown, New
-York. It is the present Iroquoian name of this village, but not of the
-river nor of the Falls of Niagara.
-
-[3] The Aondironnon probably dwelt at or near the present Moraviantown,
-Ontario, Canada, although some Iroquois apply the name to St. Thomas,
-some distance eastward. Another form of the name is Ahondihronnon. The
-nominal part that is distinctive is thus Aondi or Ahondin, as written
-in the Jesuit Relations. The modern Iroquoian form is ĕⁿʻ.tiʹhĕⁿ, ‘The
-middle or center of the peninsula.’
-
-[4] Curtin, Jeremiah, Myths and Folk-Tales of the Russians, Western
-Slavs, and Magyars, p. vii, Boston, 1890.
-
-[5] Ibid., p. x.
-
-[6] Ibid., pp. x–xi.
-
-[7] Curtin, Jeremiah, Myths and Folk-Tales of the Russians, Western
-Slavs, and Magyars, p. ix, Boston, 1890.
-
-[8] Ibid., p. xvii.
-
-[9] Curtin, Jeremiah, Hero-Tales of Ireland, pp. ix, x, Boston, 1894.
-
-[10] Curtin, Jeremiah, Hero-Tales of Ireland, pp. x, xi, Boston, 1894.
-
-[11] Ibid., p. xi.
-
-[12] Ibid., pp. xii, xiii.
-
-[13] Ibid., p. xiii.
-
-[14] Curtin, Jeremiah, Hero-Tales of Ireland, p. xiv, Boston, 1894.
-
-[15] Ibid., p. xv.
-
-[16] Ibid., p. xvi.
-
-[17] Ibid., pp. xlix-l.
-
-[18] Curtin, Jeremiah, Hero-Tales of Ireland, p. xlviii, Boston, 1894.
-
-[19] Ibid., pp. xlvi, xlvii.
-
-[20] Curtin, Jeremiah, Creation Myths of Primitive America, pp.
-xxxi–xxxii, Boston, 1898.
-
-[21] Ibid., p. xxxii.
-
-[22] Curtin, Jeremiah, Creation Myths of Primitive America, pp.
-xxxvii–xxxviii, Boston, 1898.
-
-[23] Ibid., pp. xxxviii–xxxix.
-
-[24] Curtin, Jeremiah Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland, pp. 22–27,
-Boston, 1890.
-
-[25] Ibid., p. 22.
-
-[26] For an extended etymologic demonstration of the facts stated in
-the text, consult articles Tawiskaron and Nanabozho by the editor in
-the Handbook of American Indians (Bulletin 30 of the Bureau of American
-Ethnology).
-
-[27] Handbook of American Indians, pt. 2, p. 720.
-
-[28] The superior figures refer to notes on pages 791–812.
-
-[29] Woodworker and Long-Tooth.
-
-[30] Small-dose medicine.
-
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