Myths of the Iroquois. (1883 N 02 / 1880-1881 (pages 47-116))

a of whence he came and whither he goes, and to account for the marvels ever presente

nd has seized upon every analogy suggesting the slightest cl

cts in nature there appears a reflex of the Indian's mind as he solves, to his entire sa

d they have in time been recorded on the hearts and minds of the people either as myths or folk-lore, embodying

ent among these, in this lore of "faded metaphors", are the Iroquois. To what dignity their folk-lore might have attained had they been left to reach a lettered civiliz

ot yet rid himself of the shackles of superstition in a thousand forms, and who sees daily his household gods torn down before him by comparative mythology and its allied sciences. Let him rather accept them reverently as the striving of the infant human mind in its search after the un

F THE HU

ce, which includes the creation of the spirits o

e dusky burden. Then the monsters of the deep also gathered in council to decide which should hold this celestial being and protect her from the terrors of the water, but none was able except a giant tortoise, who volunteered to endure this lasting weight upon his back. There she was gently placed, while he, constantly increasing in size, soon became a large island. Twin boys were a

f a race which should surpass all others in beauty, strength, and bravery; so from the bosom of the great island, where they had prev

as. Thus each pair was left with careful instructions in different parts of what is now known as the State of New York, except the Tuscaroras, who were taken up the Roanoke River into North Carolina, where Ta-rhu?-hi?-w?h-ku? also took up his abode, teaching them many useful arts before his departu

game, and were called from that circumstance the clan of the Bear. Others lived where the beavers were trapped, and they

OF THE T

t out on their travels over the country to look for a new habitation. One of them, who was particularly fat, suffered a good deal from this unaccustomed exercise. After a time his shoulders became blistered under his shell from the effect of his exertions in

EAR LOST

-er-wah, one of the few surviving grandchildren of Brant, the Mohawk, and might be

pass, who, thinking the skin of the fox worth preserving, tossed him into his wagon and drove on. After throwing out several fish, the fox slyly crawled out himself. Soon he met a wolf who wa

nd an air-hole in the ice; just put your tail down into it as I did and you can draw out the fish as fast as you wish." Th

and awaited the fox at the appointed hour. As the latter was late in appearing the bear clambered into a tree to prospect, and report

e a dog and a lame cat. While awaiting in their turn, the cat, perceiving the slight motion of one of the uncovered ears of the hog, sprang upon it,

OF ME

to pass on. At length, tired and weary, he arrived at a wigwam where a bear skin betokened the clanship of its owner. This he found inhabited by a kind-hearted woman who immediately refreshed him with food and spread out skins for his bed. Then she was instructed by the old man to go in search of certain herbs, which she prepared according to his directions, and through their efficacy he was soon healed. Then he commanded that she should treasure up this secret. A few days after, he sickened with

N OF

ent to the "tree of promise," and as each lucky one barely hit the bird it would throw off a large quantity of the coveted coating, which, like the Lern?an hydra's heads, multiplied by being cropped. At last, when the warriors were despairing of success, a little boy from a neighboring tribe came to satisfy his curiosity by seeing the wonderful bird of which he had h

rried, and peace was declared between them. Then the boy husband decreed that wampum should be the price of peace and blood, which was

OF TO

but some, disobeying, died immediately. The next day the boat was sought for and found, containing a strange being at each end, both

l-house, where they were put to death and burn

OF PL

to go in search of the plumage, but each had some excuse for not going. At last a turkey-buzzard volunteered to go and bring the feathery uniforms. It being a long journey to the place whence he must bring them, he (who had been a clean bird heretofore) was obliged to eat carrion and filth of all kinds; hence his present nature. At length, directed by the gods, he found the coverings, a

HAS THE BLACK S

gether and presented the question, "Shall we have night all the time and darkness, or daylight with its sunshine?" This was a very

he days, so he began singing, "The light will come; we must have light," which he contin

r leader, the bear, pursued the chipmunk, who managed to escape uninjured, the huge paw of the bear simply grazing his back as he entered his h

THE CONS

isted before the creation of the earth, but the star

contribute towards a savory soup. But the parents refused them the needed supplies, and they met for a feastless dance. Their heads and hearts grew lighter as they flew around the mound, until suddenly the whole company whirled off into the air. The inconsolable parents called in vain for them to return, b

invisible spirits up into the sky, where the bear can still be seen, pursued by the first hunter with his bow, the second with the kettle, and the third, who, farther behind, is gat

Those below, who were watching him, saw him slowly rise into the air, his chant ever growing fainter and fainter, until it finally ceased as he too

ported to the moon, where to this day she is clearly to be seen weaving a forehead-strap. Once a month she stirs the boiling kettle of hominy before her, duri

ming events. Were they white, frosty weather would follow; if yellow, disease and pestilence; while red pr

POLE

ef was taken very ill, and it was decided to hold a council to devise means for returning to their old homes. During the dance, and while the tobacco was burning, a little being like a child came up, saying she was sent to be their guide. Accordingly they broke up their camp and started with her that night. Preceding

find plenty of game. Two of the warriors had accompanied her but a short distance when they encountered a herd of deer, of which she bade them kill all they wished in her absence, and then, again promising to return at night, she took leave of them. At night-fall she returned, saying her own chief would soon follow her to explain to them how they could reach their own homes in safety. In a short time he arrived, with a great number of his race, and immediately all held council together and informed the Ind

had recounted all their adventures, the head chief called a meeting of all the tribes and said they ought to give this s