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
"Now, my brothers," said Sehinom Chabatu to the Tede Wiu brothers,
"people far off talk of me; but you caused the trouble. You began it,
and you must do your best to help me. We must leave here to-morrow
morning."
They started next morning early. Sehinom Chabatu gave orders to travel
in parties. They moved toward the southeast. The last party of the
first day left in the evening. When night came the van of the army
camped and the rear marched all night.
When Sutunut's forces came northward from the edge of the sky in the
south to attack Sehinom's people, they made a trail coming and going.
Now, Sehinom's army followed this trail. They travelled the second day
till they reached a camping-place of the returning southern army.
There they spent the night. At noon of the third day they sent Kaisus
and Bulibok ahead to look for the enemy. They went to the south. On
the following morning they came back and said,--
"We found a cañon where they camped; you can camp there."
The army moved on. The two Kawas sisters had food to give the whole
army; the two baskets were never empty, and all had enough.
They stayed three days in the cañon, and the Tidok people never
stopped coming.
"We have far to go; you must hurry," said Sehinom next day; and the
Tidok forces began to travel faster. Sehinom sent forward Hus as a
scout. Before daybreak all rose and travelled till evening. Hus came
back and said,--
"I have been very far down. I found another place where they camped. I
went farther south then, till I saw fire and smoke far away. We can
rest to-night in their camping-place."
"Sleep well, all you people," said Sehinom Chabatu that night; "you
must be fresh to-morrow morning."
Next morning Hus was sent forward again, and the army started soon
after. They travelled all day. At sunset Hus came back and said,--
"I found the next camping-place; it is not far from here. Then I went
south a great way till I came to a hill which runs east and west. I
went to the top of that hill and looked down. On a broad flat I saw
fires and a great many people. Their camp is very wide from east to
west, and runs south as far as my eyes could see. Now, our friends, I
have seen the enemy; we must do the best we can."
When they reached the camping-place Sehinom said: "We will rest here
to-morrow, not travel till the next day."
On the second morning they rose and started early, went slowly,
resting occasionally. About sunset they came to the hill and camped on
the north side of it.
"I want to send some one to see how many people there are in that
camp," said Sehinom Chabatu.
Bulibok went. On the end of the ridge was a tree with one limb
sticking out toward the east. Bulibok went on that tree, sat on the
limb, and looked down. He saw the people moving around, playing, and
dancing. He could see a long distance. Pretty soon people below, who
were looking around everywhere, saw Bulibok, and one of them asked,--
"What is that sitting on the limb up there?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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