MAD WOLF TELLS THE LEGEND OF THE BEAVER BUNDLE
After the ceremony Mad Wolf reclined upon his couch and smoked with
half-closed eyes. I sat near him, gazing at the sacred Beaver Bundle,
thinking of its mysterious power over the Indian, and its strange
superstitions handed down through many generations. There was a long
silence; the fire burned low and twilight settled over prairie and
camp. Finally Mad Wolf knocked the ashes from his pipe. He signed for
me to help him remove the robe which covered the Beaver Bundle. For a
moment he allowed me to gaze upon it, when the robe was reverently
replaced. Then Mad Wolf said earnestly, as though he were thinking back
into the distant past:
“Before the white men came into our country, we lived content, and were
happy in our religion. We worshiped the Sun. In those days we had many
powerful chiefs and wise men. There were no white men, and we wandered
wherever we pleased. We had plenty of food. We killed buffalo in great
numbers by driving them over cliffs, and the young men who were good in
the buffalo drives were famous.
“The information I have came from wise men of the older generation, and
what they told me was true. Never before have I talked in this way to a
white man; I have always been afraid to trust them. But I tell you
these things, because I believe in you. I feel towards you as a father
to a son. I want to hand down my secrets through you.
“I come from a long-lived family. My father’s name was Big Bonnet and
that of my mother, Bear Woman. My father taught me many things; but he
died when I was ten years old. In my youth I was wild, like many
others, and I was still a young man when I had a narrow escape from
death. When the danger had passed, I felt glad to be alive. I looked up
to the Sun and made my first vow. After that I became thoughtful and
wanted to do something to help my tribe. The following summer at the
Sun Dance, when many people were assembled, I stood before them and
made known my vow. Then for the first time I took part in the
ceremonies in the sun lodge; and I have continued to do so ever since.
“When my wife was ill, and I thought she was going to die, I made a vow
to the Sun, that if she recovered, I would take the Beaver Bundle.
White Calf, the head-chief, was then its guardian. It came into his
care from an Indian of the Blood tribe. Now if a man makes a vow to
take the bundle, the owner cannot keep it. So, when my wife was
restored to health, I made known my vow. I had to make payment to White
Calf in many things—horses, robes, and blankets. But my friends and
relatives helped. These people now own shares in the bundle. Some of
them have become beaver men and now take part with me in the ceremony.
When I took over the bundle, I had to learn the songs, prayers, dances,
and movements, which make up the ceremony. I had to pay for everything,
and I found that a man must have a good memory to remember it all. My
woman helps me with the bundle, and it is necessary for her to take
part in the ceremony. She leads the other women in their songs and
dances, and directs them in whatever they do. The bundle is kept at the
back of the lodge and should be taken outside only when we move camp.”
Mad Wolf gave me an old medicine sack woven in different colors,
containing the two rattles which I had used in the ceremony of
adoption, with the instructions to always carry them with me, that I
might be ready to take part, whenever he gave a ceremony. He also gave
me a buckskin bag with seeds of the tobacco, and said:
“Tobacco was first given to us at the same time with the Beaver Bundle
by the Chief of the Beavers. These seeds are sacred, because they came
from the ‘Dwarf People,’ who look after our crops of tobacco. We try to
keep these little people in good humor, by giving them presents of
clothes and moccasins and sacks of food, which we leave outside the
tepee with the prayer:
“‘Dwarf People! Here are clothes and food. We ask you to look after our
tobacco crop.’
“No one should ever try to watch the Dwarf People at work. Any one who
sees them is sure to die.
“We always give a beaver ceremony in the spring, when the tobacco seeds
are planted; also because spring is the time when beavers are
accustomed to leave their winter dens. For the crop we select a lonely
place near a stream or a river, where the land is fertile. And before
planting, we cover the ground with the dung of deer, antelope, and
mountain sheep. This makes the tobacco grow fast, because these animals
are swift runners. We never use the dung of elk or moose; they walk
slowly and might retard its growth. We first hold the beaver ceremony,
and then dig up the ground with sharp-pointed sticks. While planting we
sing songs and burn sweet grass as incense. And when we have finished
every one must go away. No one stays to see the Dwarf People at work,
nor returns to look at the crop, until it is time for the tobacco to be
gathered. If the season is dry and the tobacco needs rain, I take the
otter-skin from the Beaver Bundle and tie it to a pole. It floats in
the wind and is sure to bring rain. When the crop is ready I call the
people together. We put up a large tepee for a dance and have a feast
which lasts four days and four nights. Then the Beaver men pull up the
plants. We mix the leaves with those of the bearberry (kinnekinnick),
and distribute it among the people.
“The owner of a Beaver Bundle has power to forecast the weather; he
must keep track of the moons and be able to read signs in the sky. In
winter, if the buffalo disappear, and the snow is deep and people
starve, the owner brings out the Beaver Bundle and charms the buffalo
back to the camp. Any one who is ill or in trouble can make a vow, and
the beaver ceremony will be given in their behalf. They must pay the
owner of the bundle a horse, robe, or blanket, whatever they are able
to give.
“There is much trouble and expense in keeping a Beaver Bundle. But I am
happy in giving the ceremony; and it brings good fortune to a family.
It makes a man a greater chief, and gives his family a prominent
position in the tribe. There are many rules in its care, which bring
misfortune if not carefully observed. The sides of the tepee, where the
bundle is kept, must never be raised, nor should any of the cooking be
done outside the lodge. Food must be given to every one who comes as
guest; and, when the owner of the bundle goes into another lodge, he
must not change from the place where he first takes his seat. No one
should ever pass in front of the beaver man when he is smoking. If he
goes for a swim, he must sing a certain song before entering the water.
He has power over the water, and must never show fear of water. If he
comes to a deep stream, he must cross quickly, and not hesitate or turn
away. He must not eat a beaver or strike a dog or kill any of the birds
or animals that are represented in the Beaver Bundle. He must not beat
his wife without singing first the appropriate song. But if she sings
the ‘Defense Song,’ it makes her safe. Otherwise, she cannot escape
from the beating, because it would be in vain to run away.”
LEGEND OF THE BEAVER BUNDLE
“The Beaver Bundle is very old. It came to us in the days when our
ancestors used dogs instead of horses for beasts of burden. They
had tools and weapons of stone and wore clothes made of animal
skins. In those days of long ago lived a poor young man. He wore an
old robe badly tanned. The corners were cut off. It had a queer
shape, and the people called him Round-Cut-Robe. In the same camp
was a chief named Red Horn who had three wives. The youngest was
badly treated by her husband and the other two wives.
Round-Cut-Robe was her secret lover. He was so poor he did not have
a tepee of his own. He lived through the camp, wherever he could
find shelter. One day he said to his sweetheart:
“‘I shall go to an unknown place, because I am ashamed. I want to
have a dream. Perhaps some of the birds or animals may pity me and
give me their Sun Power. If I never come back, you will know that I
am dead.’
“Round-Cut-Robe went alone over the prairies; no one knew where he
went. He had no food and became thin and weak. He prayed to the
animals for power; he wanted a dream to guide him. Finally he came
to a place in the mountains where the beavers had a lodge, a big
pool in a river where they swam and worked. Round-Cut-Robe made a
shelter near their den. He stayed there night and day, crying and
acting like an unhappy person; he wanted the beavers to pity him.
For four days and nights he lay by their lodge, but none of the
beavers appeared. Then he cried again and called upon the
Under-Water-Spirits. He prayed:
“‘O Sun! I put away all that is bad. Moon and Stars, pity me and
give me power!’
“Then a small beaver came from the lodge and said: ‘My father
invites you.’ He followed the little beaver into their lodge, and
saw a beaver with his family gathered around. This beaver was white
from the snows of many winters, and so large that Round-Cut-Robe
knew he was the chief of all the beavers.
“The beaver chief asked why he traveled alone, and the young man
said:
“‘There is a woman who loves me. I am poor and am trying to get
power.’
“Then the old beaver felt sorry for him and invited him to stay in
their lodge, saying:
“‘If you remain here with us through the winter, we will teach you
many wonderful things; and in the spring you can go home again.’
“Round-Cut-Robe was glad to stay in their lodge. When the beavers
went out to work, he went along and watched them cut down many
trees and bushes for their winter food—birch, poplar, cottonwood,
red willow and willow brush. They told him to take back four things
into the lodge; and, in the night, when the moon was high, the
beaver chief changed them into food for his winter supply—pemmican
and ripe berries.
“The beavers closed their lodge when the river began to freeze; but
left a hole for air at the top. On the coldest days they kept
Round-Cut-Robe warm, by laying their tails across his body. He made
friends with them all, but he liked Little Beaver the best. He was
the cleverest, and the favorite child of the beaver chief. During
the winter the beavers taught Round-Cut-Robe many wonderful things.
They gave him the paint, and showed him how to use it to ward off
sickness and death. They taught him how to count the moons and gave
him the first seeds of the tobacco, showing him how they should be
planted with songs and prayers; and they told him about the
different herbs and plants, which the Indians have used ever since
for eating and healing.
“One day Little Beaver said to his friend: ‘Spring will soon come.
When the ice breaks up in the river and the trees begin to bud, it
will be time for you to go home. But, before you leave our lodge,
my father will offer you something to take back with you. Choose
only the beaver-gnawed-stick which hangs at the head of his couch.
He will not want to part with it. He will try to persuade you to
take other things. But if you get that stick, you will become a
great chief, because his power goes with it.’
“When the snow had gone and the ice was breaking up in the river,
Round-Cut-Robe said it was time for him to go home. The Beaver
Chief offered him anything he saw in their lodge to take with him.
Then Round-Cut-Robe remembered the advice of his friend Little
Beaver and asked for the beaver-gnawed-stick. The Beaver Chief
tried to make him choose something else. But at last he gave him
the stick and said:
“‘With it goes my power with water. If you should ever be in
trouble and call upon Little Beaver, he will be your helper.’
“Before Round-Cut-Robe left, the Beaver Chief gave him the Beaver
Bundle. He taught him the songs, prayers, and dances that go with
the ceremony; and said that, if any one were ill or dying, and a
relative made a vow to the bundle, the sick person would be
restored to health. The ceremony should be given every new moon,
keeping track of the moons with counting-sticks. When seven moons
were counted, the winter would be over, and it would be time for
the beavers to open their lodge for the summer.
“It was the beginning of spring when Round-Cut-Robe came home. But
he did not enter camp at once. He sat on a hill in plain sight
until the people saw him and a messenger came out. Then many people
came to meet him on the hill, and he told them how he had lived
seven moons in the lodge of the beavers.
“After Round-Cut-Robe came back, he gathered together the sacred
bundle as the Beaver Chief had instructed. He called upon many
birds and animals of the prairies and mountains to add their power.
And, when the Beaver Bundle was finished, he invited many people to
the ceremony. He showed them the way the beavers danced and they
heard for the first time the songs and prayers that went with the
ceremony.”
ROUND-CUT-ROBE GOES TO WAR
“Now in those days the Indians used to have a woman’s dance. The
women who danced stood in a circle, and the people who watched were
on the outside. If a woman loved a man, she dressed like him and
took part in the dance; in that way every one would know. The
people had a lively interest in this dance. They liked to stand
around, to joke at the women and to guess the names of their secret
lovers. If a man saw his wife in the dance, he recognized the
costume she wore. The men encouraged their wives in this dance and
then the women were not afraid. When it became known that women
were free to dress like their sweethearts, they had a good time.
They imitated each other and took pride in having side-husbands.
“Soon after Round-Cut-Robe came back, after living with the
beavers, the woman’s dance was being held. The people were crowding
round and shouting at the dancers. Red Horn, the chief with the
three wives, came near. He saw two of his wives in the dance, but
the youngest wife was not there. She alone stayed away. Then he
found her in his tepee. He taunted her and said:
“‘How does it come you don’t dance like the others? Maybe you wait
because your lover is a bashful man.’ He said this to make fun of
her. And the girl replied:
“‘I shall go to the dance. I shall get his clothes.’ So she went to
Round-Cut-Robe. She dressed herself in his clothes and painted her
face as he was accustomed to do. But before she left him to enter
the dance, her lover said:
“‘All those other women dancers are going to talk before the crowd.
When it comes your turn, don’t be afraid. What I tell you to say
will come true.’ And then he told her what she must say.
“Then the girl went to the dance and found all the other women in
line; she was the last to come. They had finished the first song.
Every one stared at her; and they laughed because she was poorly
dressed. She had red earth on her cheeks, and wore an old robe that
was badly tanned. It had the corners cut off and had a queer shape.
Some one in the crowd shouted:
“‘Those are the clothes of Round-Cut-Robe. She must be his
sweetheart.’
“Then all the people laughed and her friends and relatives were
ashamed, because she had a lover who was poor. The head-chief
shouted for them to go on with the dance. So the women sang their
second song; and after that they made their talks. The crowd called
for the poor girl, and she stood up before them. In her hand she
held a beaver-gnawed-stick. She said:
“‘Listen, men and women! I know my relatives are ashamed of me, but
what I tell you now will come true. When the rivers are warm
(midsummer) I shall go to war. A river will be high, but deep water
cannot stop me. I shall swim across and kill an enemy.’
“Then the crowd laughed. They said: ‘We know that her lover cannot
do this. He is poor and has never been to war.’
“After that a war expedition made ready to go south against their
enemies, the Snake Indians. Round-Cut-Robe said to his sweetheart:
“‘I shall go to war with them, and all that you promised will come
true.’
“He took no weapons, only his beaver-gnawed-stick. He followed
behind the other warriors; he did not go with the rest. They were
on the road many nights, and came at last to the Yellowstone River.
The Snake Indians were camped on the other side. But the water was
high, and they could not cross to fight. Then Round-Cut-Robe went
to Little Dog, their war chief, and said:
“‘Over there is the head-chief of the Snakes. I shall go across and
kill him.’
“But Little Dog laughed at him. He said that the current was swift
and he would be drowned. Then Round-Cut-Robe made ready. He tied up
his long hair and thrust into it a stone knife. He sang his beaver
song and prayed to Little Beaver for help. Holding the
beaver-gnawed-stick in his mouth, he struck the water like a beaver
and dove. Halfway across, he came up and sang his beaver song.
Again he dove and swam under water, until he came to the other
shore; and then he stood up, holding the beaver stick in his mouth.
The head-chief of the Snakes saw him coming. He sang his war song
and ran into the water. He threw his long spear at Round-Cut-Robe.
But it struck the beaver stick, and did him no harm.
“Then Round-Cut-Robe seized the spear and killed that Snake chief;
and all the Blackfoot warriors set up a great shout. He swam across
the river, pulling after him the body of the dead chief by the
hair. He dragged it ashore and took the scalp. He stood with his
foot on the head of the Snake and sang his war song. After that
Round-Cut-Robe and the Blackfoot warriors started for home. They
came to the summit of a hill overlooking the camp. There they
waited until a messenger came out. And when the people heard the
news of their victory, they ran to tell the sweetheart of
Round-Cut-Robe. She was out on the hills gathering berries. They
said to her:
“‘Your lover is now a great chief. It was he who killed the
head-chief of the Snakes.’
“And, when the girl heard this, she was so excited she spilled her
berries.
“The returning warriors stood together on the hill and sang a song
of victory. Then they marched down, with Round-Cut-Robe in the
lead, holding up the scalp and spear of the Snake chief. All the
people came out from the camp; and the girl, Spilt-Her-Berries, was
before all the others. It was she who met the new chief first and
gave him a kiss. She sang the song of victory:
“‘My lover has killed the Snake chief and all his people mourn for
him.’
“Round-Cut-Robe gave the scalp and spear to his sweetheart, saying:
“‘Give these to Red Horn, your husband, and say to him: “My lover
sends you these, even though he is a poor man. Your other wives
have rich lovers, but they have never done anything for you like
this.”’
“Then they paraded round the camp, with Spilt-Her-Berries carrying
aloft the scalp and spear of the Snake chief. She took them to the
lodge of Red Horn and gave them to him. Then every one was proud to
know the girl, and they gave her many presents of fine clothes.
“Red Horn invited the head men of the tribe to his lodge. He gave a
big feast and told Spilt-Her-Berries to bring her lover; and after
the feast he said:
“‘Round-Cut-Robe is now a great chief. He is above all of us. There
was a time when I was ashamed to know him. But now I am proud to
have him at my feast. He gave me this spear and scalp. In return I
give him his sweetheart and my tepee. As for myself, I will move
into some other place. May this new husband of Spilt-Her-Berries
have a long life and good luck!’
“Round-Cut-Robe became head-chief of the tribe and lived to be very
old. He kept the Beaver Bundle in his lodge as long as he lived. It
was he who taught the Indians how to give the beaver dance.
“That is the origin of the Beaver Bundle.”
When I was leaving Mad Wolf’s lodge to return to my own camp, he said:
“You are now my son and have met my relatives and friends; I want you
to come for another ceremony. It is now the moon when the leaves are
turning yellow. Come again to my lodge at the next full moon—the time
the leaves are falling. I will have White Calf, the head-chief here,
and other prominent men, who will help me open the Beaver Bundle. We
will select an Indian name for you, and will make you a member of the
Blackfoot tribe.”