Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of MankindCurtin, Jeremiah
Religion
Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of Mankind
Curtin, Jeremiah
Creation -- Mythology; Indian mythology -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore
The old man saw so many deer around the sweat-house that he didn't
know what to think. At last he went up on the sweat-house. "Come, my
sons, come," cried he; "there is venison here for all of you."
All the sons came. Each had one deer, and there were many others to
spare.
All the sons-in-law in the west were angry that Damhauja's sons had so
much venison.
"We will go over and see this man," said Kechowala, the chief. "We
will have some fun to-day with him."
When Damhauja's eldest son was bringing venison to his father, he saw
Kechowala. "He is coming," said the son.
Kechowala had an angry face; he walked fast. When he reached the
sweat-house, all were eating venison. He went to the top of the
sweat-house, took his arrow from under his arm, and said, "Wake up, be
ready; we must play to-day."
Then he looked in and saw Juiwaiyu sitting between the two sisters. "I
know now who that man is; he is from the east. Feed him well, dress
him well, father-in-law; we must have fun before he goes from here. He
must show what he can do before he leaves us."
The old man went out and scolded Kechowala: "You talk loud, you want
fat venison; that's what you have come for, that's why you are at this
sweat-house."
Jupka heard all that Kechowala said.
"I will go home now," said Kechowala, "and be here after breakfast."
"My son-in-law will be killed to-day," said Pahnino Marimi; "what can
we do? They are going to kill our son-in-law who brings so much
venison. Stay in the house, do not go out," said Pahnino.
"Do not go out," said the brothers; "we will meet those people."
All looked, and saw a great crowd coming from the west. The
brothers-in-law were coming, and when near they shouted to Damhauja's
sons. The two sisters tried to stop Juiwaiyu.
"Let me go, wives," said he, "let me go. If I stay here, they will
call me a coward; I will let no one give me that name."
"I want to see that new man who is here," cried Kechowala, "I want to
talk with him."
"I will go out," said Juiwaiyu, to his wives. "My father and mother
told me of this place. I know what it is."
"Come out!" called Kechowala at the door, "come out; don't be afraid
of us, don't be a coward."
"I will come when I am ready, I will meet you."
Kechowala went to his people. "He will be here soon," said he.
All laughed; all were glad. "If he comes," thought they, "we will kill
him."
Juiwaiyu went out and stood on the housetop, looked around, looked at
his enemies, went down slowly, went as if he did not like to meet
them.
"Why are you afraid?" asked Kechowala. "Do you think that we will hurt
you?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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