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
When the brother and sister reached their home
they found that their old uncle had been grievously
{246}
lamenting the loss of his nephew, and he was quite
overjoyed at seeing them. On his recommendation
they built a large lodge to accommodate the people they
were to bring back with them. When it was completed,
the youth revisited the island, bade the bones arise,
and was delighted to see them obey his bidding and
become men and women. He led them to the lodge
he had built, where they all dwelt happily for a long
time.
The Pigmies
When the Cherokees were dwelling in the swamps
of Florida the Iroquois made a practice of swooping
down on them and raiding their camps. On one
occasion the raiding party was absent from home for
close on two years. On the eve of their return one
of their number, a chieftain, fell ill, and the rest of
the party were at a loss to know what to do with him.
Obviously, if they carried him home with them he
would considerably impede their progress. Besides,
there was the possibility that he might not recover,
and all their labour would be to no purpose. Thus
they debated far into the night, and finally decided to
abandon him to his fate and return by themselves.
The sick man, unable to stir hand or foot, overheard
their decision, but he bore it stoically, like an Indian
warrior. Nevertheless, when he heard the last swish
of their paddles as they crossed the river he could not
help thinking of the friends and kindred he would
probably never see again.
When the raiders reached home they were closely
questioned as to the whereabouts of the missing chief,
and the inquiries were all the more anxious because
the sick man had been a great favourite among his
people. The guilty warriors answered evasively. They
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did not know what had become of their comrade,
they said. Possibly he had been lost or killed in
Florida.
Meanwhile the sick man lay dying on the banks of
the river. Suddenly he heard, quite close at hand, the
gentle sound of a canoe. The vessel drew in close to
the bank, and, full in view of the warrior, three pigmy
men disembarked. They regarded the stranger with
some surprise. At length one who seemed to be
the leader advanced and spoke to him, bidding him
await their return, and promising to look after him.
They were going, he said, to a certain 'salt-lick,' where
many curious animals watered, in order to kill some
for food.
The Salt-Lick
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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