The Myths of the North American IndiansSpence, Lewis
History
The Myths of the North American Indians
Spence, Lewis
Indian mythology -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore
"I am Es-tonea-pesta, the Lord of Cold Weather, and this, my dwelling,
is the Snow-tepee, or Yellow Paint Lodge. I control and send the
driving snow and biting winds from the Northland. You are here because
I have taken pity upon you, and on your son who was caught in the
blizzard with you. Take this Snow-tepee with its symbols and
medicines. Take also this mink-skin tobacco-pouch, this black stone
pipe, and my supernatural power. You must make a _tepee_ similar to
this on your return to camp."
The Lord of Cold Weather then minutely explained to Sacred Otter the
symbols of which he must make use in painting the lodge, and gave him
the songs and ceremonial connected with it. At this juncture Sacred
Otter awoke. He observed that the storm had abated somewhat, and as
soon as it grew fair enough he and his son crawled from their shelter
and tramped home {152} waist-high through the soft snow. Sacred Otter
spent the long, cold nights in making a model of the Snow-tepee and
painting it as he had been directed in his dream. He also collected
the 'medicines' necessary for the ceremonial, and in the spring, when
new lodges were made, he built and painted the Snow-tepee.
The power of Sacred Otter waxed great because of his possession of the
Snow-lodge which the Lord of Cold had vouchsafed to him in dream. Soon
was it proved. Once more while hunting buffalo he and several
companions were caught in a blizzard when many a weary mile from camp.
They appealed to Sacred Otter to utilize the 'medicine' of the Lord of
Cold. Directing that several women and children who were with the
party should be placed on sledges, and that the men should go in
advance and break a passage through the snow for the horses, he took
the mink tobacco-pouch and the black stone pipe he had received from
the Cold-maker and commenced to smoke. He blew the smoke in the
direction whence the storm came and prayed to the Lord of Cold to have
pity on the people. Gradually the storm-clouds broke and cleared and
on every side the blue sky was seen. The people hastened on, as they
knew the blizzard was only being held back for a space. But their camp
was at hand, and they soon reached it in safety.
Never again, however, would Sacred Otter use his mystic power. For he
dreaded that he might offend the Lord of Cold. And who could afford to
do that?
The Star-Maiden
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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