Some time afterward an acquaintance was formed with a man named
A`y[^u][n][']in[)i] or "Swimmer," who proved to be so intelligent that
I spent several days with him, procuring information in regard to myths
and old customs. He told a number of stories in very good style, and
finally related the Origin of the Bear[1]. The bears were formerly a
part of the Cherokee tribe who decided to leave their kindred and go
into the forest. Their friends followed them and endeavored to induce
them to return, but the Ani-Ts[^a][']kah[)i], as they were called, were
determined to go. Just before parting from their relatives at the
edge of the forest, they turned to them and said, "It is better for
you that we should go; but we will teach you songs, and some day
when you are in want of food come out to the woods and sing these
songs and we shall appear and give you meat." Their friends, after
learning several songs from them, started back to their homes, and
after proceeding a short distance, turned around to take one last
look, but saw only a number of bears disappearing in the depths of
the forest. The songs which they learned are still sung by the hunter
to attract the bears.
[Footnote 1: To appear later with the collection of Cherokee myths.]
[Illustration: BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXV