There once lived a man who was a great hunter. His generosity was the
theme of praise in all the country, for he not only supplied his own
family with food, but distributed game among his friends and neighbors,
and even called the birds and animals of the forest to partake of his
abundance. For this reason he received the appellation of "Protector of
Birds and Animals."
He lived a hunter's life till war broke out between his own and some
distant nation, and then he took the war path. He was as brave a warrior
as he was a skillful hunter, and slew a great multitude of the enemy,
till all were lying dead around him, except one, who was a _mighty man
of valor_, and in an unguarded moment the hunter received a blow from
his tomahawk on the head, which felled him to the earth; his enemy then
took his scalp and fled.
Some of his own party saw what befell him, and supposing him dead left
him on the field of battle; but a fox who had wandered this way
immediately recognized his benefactor. Sorrowful indeed, was he to find
him thus slain, and began to revolve in his mind some means of restoring
him to life. "Perhaps," said he, "some of my friends may know of a
medicine by which his wounds may be healed, and he may live again." So
saying, he ran into the forest and uttered the "death lament," which was
the signal for all the animals to congregate. From far and near they
came, till hundreds and thousands of every kind had assembled around the
body of the hunter, eagerly inquiring what had happened. The fox
explained he had accidentally came that way and found their friend
stretched lifeless upon the earth. The animals drew near and examined him
more closely, to be sure that life was extinct; they rolled him over and
over on the ground and were satisfied that he was dead, there was not a
single sign of life.
Then they held a grand council of which the bear was the speaker. When
all were ready to listen, he asked if any one present was acquainted with
any medicine which would restore the dead man to life. With great
alacrity each one examined his medicine box, but finds nothing adapted to
this purpose. Being defeated in their noble object of restoring their
friend, all join in a mournful howl--a requiem for the dead. This
attracted a singing bird, the oriole, who came quietly to learn the cause
of the assembling of the great concourse and their profound lamentation.
The bear made known the calamity which had befallen them, and as the
birds would feel themselves equally afflicted, he requested the oriole to
fly away and invite all the feathered tribes to come to the council and
see if their united wisdom cannot devise a remedy that will restore their
friend to life.
Soon were assembled all the birds of the air, even the great eagle of the
Iroquois, which was seldom induced to appear upon the earth, hastens to
pay her respects to the remains of the renowned and benevolent hunter.
All being satisfied that he was really dead, the united council of birds
and animals, which remained convened, decided that his scalp must be
recovered, saying that any bird or animal who pleased might volunteer to
go on this mission. The fox was the first to offer his services and
departed full of hope that his zeal would be crowned with success. But
after many days he returned, saying he could find no trace of man's
footsteps, not a chick or child belonged to any settlement The great love
which they bore their friend prompted several others to go upon the same
mission, and to the animals belonged the first right as they had first
found him; but at length the birds were anxious to show their devotion
and the pigeon hawk begged leave to make the first flight, as he was more
swift of wing than any other and could visit the whole world in the
shortest space of time. They had scarcely missed him when he returned: he
said he had been over the entire earth and found it not. They did not
consider his voyage satisfactory, as he had flown so swiftly that it was
impossible for him to see anything distinctly by the way.
Next the white heron proposed that he be sent, because of being so slow
of wing he could see every object as he passed. On his aerial voyage he
discovered a plain covered with the vines of the wild bean, laden with
the delicious fruit; it was too great a temptation for him to resist, and
he descended to enjoy a feast. So gluttonously did he partake that he
could not rise again from the earth, and the council after many days of
anxious waiting, called for a substitute. Here the crow came forward and
acknowledged his fitness for such, an office, as he was also slow of wing
and was accustomed to hover settlements and discern them afar off, he
would not be suspected of any particular design should he linger near the
one that contained the scalp.
The warrior who possessed the coveted treasure knew the birds and animals
were holding council on the field of battle to devise means to recover
it, but when the crow drew near he was not alarmed. The smoke of the
wigwams indicated a settlement and as the crow sailed lazily through the
air at a great height above the roofs of the cabins, he espied the scalp
which he knew must be the one he sought, stretched out to dry.
After various unsuccessful strategems, he was able to seize it, and flew
away to exhibit his trophy to the council.
Now, they attempted to fit it to his head, but, being dry, it was
impossible; so search was made to find something with which to moisten
it, but in vain. Then slowly moved forward the great eagle, and bids them
listen to his words.
"My wings are never furled; night and day, for years and hundreds of
years, the dews of heaven have been collected upon my back, as I sat in
my nest above the clouds. Perhaps these waters may have a virtue no
earthly fountain can possess, we will see."
Then she plucked a feather from her wing and dipped it in the dewey
elixir, which was then applied to the shriveled scalp, and lo! it became
pliable and fresh as if just removed. Now it would fit, but there must be
a healing power to cause the flesh to unite, and again to awaken life.
All were anxious to do something in the great work, therefore all went
forth to bring rare leaves, flowers, barks, the flesh of animals and the
brain of birds, to form a healing mixture. When they returned it was
prepared, and having been moisted with the dew, was applied to the scalp,
and instantly adhered to it and became firm. This caused the hunter to
sit up; he looked around in astonishment upon his numerous friends,
unable to divine the meaning of so strange an assemblage.
Then they bade him stand upon his feet and told him how he was found dead
upon the plain and how great was the lamentation of all those who had so
long experienced his kindness, and the efforts they had made to restore
him to life. They then gave him the compound which had been the means of
restoring him to life, saying, "it was the gift of the Great Spirit to
man. He alone had directed them in the affairs of the council, had
brought the eagle to furnish the heavenly moisture, and gave them wisdom
in making the preparation, that they might furnish to man a medicine
which should be effectual for every wound."
When they had finished the animals departed to their forest haunts, the
eagle soared again to his eyrie, and the birds of the air flew away to
their nests in the tall trees, all happy and rejoicing that they had
accomplished this great good.
The hunter returned to his home and spread abroad the news of the miracle
and the knowledge of the wonderful medicine, which is used to this day
among the Iroquois by those who are the favorites of the Great Spirit.