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
"No," said the other, thoughtfully, "but we might
bring him here by magic. Should he come you must
have food ready for him, in the shape of huge blocks
of maple-wood, for that is what he lives on."
The stranger departed in search of his brother Great
Head, taking with him his bow, and on the way he
came across a hickory-tree, whose roots provided him
with arrows. About midday he drew near to the
dwelling of his brother, Great Head. In order to see
without being seen, he changed himself into a mole,
and crept through the grass till he saw Great Head
perched on a rock, frowning fiercely. "I see thee!" he
growled, with his wild eyes fixed on an owl. The
man-mole drew his bow and shot an arrow at Great
Head. The arrow became larger and larger as it flew
toward the monster, but it returned to him who had
fired it, and as it did so it regained its natural size.
The man seized it and rushed back the way he had
come. Very soon he heard Great Head in pursuit,
puffing and snorting along on the wings of a hurricane.
When the creature had almost overtaken him he turned
and discharged another arrow. Again and again he
repulsed his pursuer in this fashion, till he lured him
to the lodge where his benefactors lived. When Great
Head burst into the house the uncle and nephew began
to hammer him vigorously with mallets. To their
surprise the monster broke into laughter, for he had
recognized his brother and was very pleased to see him.
He ate the maple-blocks they brought him with a
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hearty appetite, whereupon they told him the story of
the missing hunters.
"I know what has become of them," said Great
Head. "They have fallen into the hands of a witch.
If this young man," indicating the nephew, "will
accompany me, I will show him her dwelling, and the
bones of his brothers."
The youth, who loved adventure, and was besides
very anxious to learn the fate of his brothers, at once
consented to seek the home of the witch. So he and
Great Head started off, and lost no time in getting to
the place. They found the space in front of the lodge
strewn with dry bones, and the witch sitting in the
doorway singing. When she saw them she muttered
the magic word which turned living people into dry
bones, but on Great Head and his companion it had
no effect whatever. Acting on a prearranged signal,
Great Head and the youth attacked the witch and
killed her. No sooner had she expired than her flesh
turned into birds and beasts and fishes. What was
left of her they burned to ashes.
Their next act was to select the bones of the nine
brothers from among the heap, and this they found no
easy task. But at last it was accomplished, and Great
Head said to his companion: "I am going home to
my rock. When I pass overhead in a great storm I
will bid these bones arise, and they will get up and
return with you."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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