The North American Indian, Vol. 1Curtis, Edward S.
History
The North American Indian, Vol. 1
Curtis, Edward S.
Indians of North America
The personated deities pictured in this plate appear together in acts of
succor in the Night Chant in the order seen, the Talking God in the lead.
From left to right they are, respectively, the God of Harvest, Fringe
Mouth, and Talking God.
One day they wished to go hunting, but did not want The Dreamer to
accompany them, so, going to the home of their brother-in-law, they told
him of their purpose, and all three stole away. As the sun began its
descent on the fourth day, it occurred to Bĭlh Ahatí̆nĭ that he had been
tricked, so he started in search of the hunters, hoping to meet them
returning, that he might help them carry their game and be rewarded with a
pelt or two. He travelled far, but had not come upon them when the sun
passed behind the distant hills. Near by was a deep, rock-walled cañon,
from the depths of which many mingled voices could be heard. Bĭlh Ahatí̆nĭ
walked to its edge and peered over. Back and forth from side to side flew
countless crows, passing in and out of dark holes in opposite walls. From
below, when darkness had shrouded all, Bĭlh Ahatí̆nĭ heard a human voice
call in loud echoing tones, "They say, they say, they say, they say!"
From the far side came the answer: "Yes, yes! What’s the matter now?
What’s the matter now?"
"Two people were killed to-day," continued the voice just below.
"Who were they? Who were they?"
To which the first voice answered, "Anahailí̆hĭ, killed at sunrise, and
Igákĭzhĭ, killed at dusk, by the People of the Earth. They went in search
of meat, and the hunters shot arrows into them. We are sorry, but they
were told to be careful and did not heed. It is too late to help them now;
let us go on with the chant."
It had grown very dark, and Bĭlh Ahatí̆nĭ became greatly frightened, but
he stayed to listen and watch. Muffled strains of songs came from the deep
recesses in each cañon wall,—the gods were singing—and just within the
openings, discernible in the glow of a fire, could be seen many dancers
performing in unison as they kept time with rattles. Throughout the night
firelight flickered from wall to wall and singing and dancing continued.
At daylight the participants departed in all directions, so Bĭlh Ahatí̆nĭ
resumed the quest of the hunters.
He had travelled but a short time when he came upon his brothers, resting
their heavy game packs on their journey homeward.
"Here comes The Dreamer," spoke his elder brother. "I will wager he has
something marvellous to relate."
Bĭlh Ahatí̆nĭ was greeted first by his brother-in-law. "You must have
slept near here last night, for you are too far out to have made this
distance since daylight."
"I did," he replied, "near a cañon that is surely holy. A lot of people
had gathered to dance, the gods sang, and—"
"There, I told you he would have some lie to tell," interrupted the eldest
brother, and started on.
"Go ahead," urged the brother-in-law; "tell us the rest."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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