is not it," he said. The young man told him another. He groaned again;
"That is not it," he said. The young man told him of two or three
others. The magician groaned at each recital, and said, rather
peevishly, "No, those are not them." The young man then thought to
himself, Who are you? you may groan as much as you please; I am
inclined not to tell you any more dreams. The magician then spoke in
rather a supplicating tone. "Have you no more dreams of another kind?"
"Yes," said the young man, and told him one. "That is it, that is it,"
he cried; "you will cause me to live. That was what I was wishing you
to say;" and he rejoiced greatly. "Will you then go and see if you
cannot procure my scalp?" "Yes," said the young man, "I will go; and
the day after to-morrow,[70] when you hear the cries of the Kakak,[71]
you will know, by this sign, that I am successful, and you must prepare
your head, and lean it out through the door, so that the moment I
arrive, I may place your scalp on." "Yes, yes," said the magician; "as
you say, it will be done." Early next morning, he set out on his
perilous adventure, and about the time that the sun hangs toward home,
(afternoon) he heard the shouts of a great many people. He was in a
wood at the time, and saw, as he thought, only a few men; but the
further he went, the more numerous they appeared. On emerging into a
plain, their heads appeared like the hanging leaves for number. In the
centre he perceived a post, and something waving on it, which was the
scalp. Now and then the air was rent with the _Sau-sau-quan_, for they
were dancing the war dance around it. Before he could be perceived, he
turned himself into a No-noskau-see (hummingbird), and flew toward the
scalp.
As he passed some of those who were standing by, he flew close to their
ears, making the humming noise which this bird does when it flies. They
jumped on one side, and asked each other what it could be. By this time
he had nearly reached the scalp, but fearing he should be perceived
while untying it, he changed himself into a Me-sau-be-wau-aun (the down
of anything that floats lightly on the air), and then floated slowly
and lightly on to the scalp. He untied it, and moved off slowly, as the
weight was almost too great. It was as much as he could do to keep it
up, and prevent the Indians from snatching it away. The moment they saw
it was moving, they filled the air with their cries of "It is taken
from us; it is taken from us." He continued moving a few feet above
them; the rush and hum of the people was like the dead beating surges
after a storm. He soon gained on them, and they gave up the pursuit.
After going a little further he changed himself into a Kakak, and flew
off with his prize, making that peculiar noise which this bird makes.
In the mean time, the magician had followed his instructions, placing
his head outside of the lodge, as soon as he heard the cry of the
Kakak, and soon after he heard the rustling of its wings. In a moment
Odjibwa stood before him. He immediately gave the magician a severe
blow on the head with the wampum scalp: his limbs extended and quivered
in agony from the effects of the blow: the scalp adhered, and the young
man walked in and sat down, feeling perfectly at home. The magician was
so long in recovering from the stunning blow, that the young man feared
he had killed him. He was however pleased to see him show signs of
life; he first commenced moving, and soon sat up. But how surprised was
Odjibwa to see, not an aged man, far in years and decrepitude, but one
of the handsomest young men he ever saw stand up before him.
"Thank you, my _friend_," he said; "you see that your kindness and
bravery have restored me to my former shape. It was so ordained, and
you have now accomplished the victory." The young magician urged the
stay of his deliverer for a few days; and they soon formed a warm
attachment for each other. The magician never alluded to the Red Swan
in their conversations.
At last, the day arrived when Odjibwa made preparations to return. The
young magician amply repaid him for his kindness and bravery, by
various kinds of wampum, robes, and all such things as he had need of
to make him an influential man. But though the young man's curiosity
was at its height about the Red Swan, he controlled his feelings, and
never so much as even hinted of her; feeling that he would surrender a
point of propriety in so doing; while the one he had rendered such
service to, whose hospitality he was now enjoying, and who had richly
rewarded him, had never so much as even mentioned anything about her,
but studiously concealed her.
Odjibwa's pack for travelling was ready, and he was taking his farewell
smoke, when the young magician thus addressed him: "Friend, you know
for what cause you came thus far. You have accomplished your object,
and conferred a lasting obligation on me. Your perseverance shall not
go unrewarded; and if you undertake other things with the same spirit
you have this, you will never fail to accomplish them. My duty renders
it necessary for me to remain where I am, although I should feel happy
to go with you. I have given you all you will need as long as you live;
but I see you feel backward to speak about the Red Swan. I vowed that
whoever procured me my scalp, should be rewarded by possessing the Red
Swan." He then spoke, and knocked on the partition. The door
immediately opened, and the Red Swan met his eager gaze. She was a most
beautiful female, and as she stood majestically before him, it would be
impossible to describe her charms, for she looked as if she did not
belong to earth. "Take her," the young magician said; "she is my
sister, treat her well; she is worthy of you, and what you have done
for me merits more. She is ready to go with you to your kindred and
friends, and has been so ever since your arrival, and my good wishes go
with you both." She then looked very kindly on her husband, who now bid
farewell to his friend indeed, and accompanied by the object of his
wishes, he commenced retracing his footsteps.
They travelled slowly, and after two or three days reached the lodge of
the third old man, who had fed him from his small magic pot. He was
very kind, and said, "You see what your perseverance has procured you;
do so always and you will succeed in all things you undertake."
On the following morning when they were going to start, he pulled from
the side of the lodge a bag, which he presented to the young man,
saying, "Nosis, I give you this; it contains a present for you; and I
hope you will live happily till old age." They then bid farewell to him
and proceeded on.
They soon reached the second old man's lodge. Their reception there was
the same as at the first; he also gave them a present, with the old
man's wishes that they would be happy. They went on and reached the
first town, which the young man had passed in his pursuit. The watchman
gave notice, and he was shown into the chief's lodge. "Sit down there,
son-in-law," said the chief, pointing to a place near his daughter.
"And you also," he said to the Red Swan.
The young woman of the lodge was busy in making something, but she
tried to show her indifference about what was taking place, for she did
not even raise her head to see who was come. Soon the chief said, "Let
some one bring in the bundle of our son-in-law." When it was brought
in, the young man opened one of the bags, which he had received from
one of the old men; it contained wampum, robes, and various other
articles; he presented them to his father-in-law, and all expressed
their surprise at the value and richness of the gift. The chief's
daughter then only stole a glance at the present, then at Odjibwa and
his beautiful wife; she stopped working, and remained silent and
thoughtful all the evening. They conversed about his adventures; after
this the chief told him that he should take his daughter along with him
in the morning; the young man said "Yes." The chief then spoke out,
saying, "Daughter, be ready to go with him in the morning."
There was a Maujeekewis in the lodge, who thought to have got the young
woman to wife; he jumped up, saying, "Who is he (meaning the young
man), that he should take her for a few presents. I will kill him," and
he raised a knife which he had in his hand. But he only waited till
some one held him back, and then sat down, for he was too great a
coward to do as he had threatened. Early they took their departure,
amid the greetings of their new friends, and toward evening reached the
other town. The watchman gave the signal, and numbers of men, women,
and children stood out to see them. They were again shown into the
chief's lodge, who welcomed them by saying, "Son-in-law, you are
welcome," and requested him to take a seat by his daughter; and the two
women did the same.
After the usual formalities of smoking and eating, the chief requested
the young man to relate his travels in the hearing of all the inmates
of the lodge, and those who came to see. They looked with admiration
and astonishment at the Red Swan, for she was so beautiful. Odjibwa
gave them his whole history. The chief then told him that his brothers
had been to their town in search of him, but had returned, and given up
all hopes of ever seeing him again. He concluded by saying that since
he had been so fortunate and so manly, he should take his daughter with
him; "for although your brothers," said he, "were here, they were too
timid to enter any of our lodges, and merely inquired for you and
returned. You will take my daughter, treat her well, and that will bind
us more closely together."
It is always the case in towns, that some one in it is foolish or
clownish. It happened to be so here; for a Maujeekewis was in the
lodge; and after the young man had given his father-in-law presents, as
he did to the first, this Maujeekewis jumped up in a passion, saying,
"Who is this stranger, that he should have her? I want her myself." The
chief told him to be quiet, and not to disturb or quarrel with one who
was enjoying their hospitality. "No, no," he boisterously cried, and
made an attempt to strike the stranger. Odjibwa was above fearing his
threats, and paid no attention to him. He cried the louder, "I will
have her; I will have her." In an instant he was laid flat on the
ground from a blow of a war club given by the chief. After he came to
himself, the chief upbraided him for his foolishness, and told him to
go out and tell stories to the old women.
Their arrangements were then made, and the stranger invited a number of
families to go and visit their hunting grounds, as there was plenty of
game. They consented, and in the morning a large party were assembled
to accompany the young man; and the chief with a large party of
warriors escorted them a long distance. When ready to return the chief
made a speech, and invoked the blessing of the great good Spirit on his
son-in-law and party.
After a number of days' travel, Odjibwa and his party came in sight of
his home. The party rested while he went alone in advance to see his
brothers. When he entered the lodge he found it all dirty and covered
with ashes: on one side was his eldest brother, with his face
blackened, and sitting amid ashes, crying aloud. On the other side was
Maujeekewis, his other brother; his face was also blackened, but his
head was covered with feathers and swan's down; he looked so odd, that
the young man could not keep from laughing, for he appeared and
pretended to be so absorbed with grief that he did not notice his
brother's arrival. The eldest jumped up and shook hands with him, and
kissed him, and felt very happy to see him again.
Odjibwa, after seeing all things put to rights, told them that he had
brought each of them a wife. When Maujeekewis heard about the wife, he
jumped up and said, "Why is it just now that you have come?" and made
for the door and peeped out to see the woman. He then commenced jumping
and laughing, saying, "Women! women!" That was the only reception he
gave his brother. Odjibwa then told them to wash themselves and
prepare, for he would go and fetch them in. Maujeekewis jumped and
washed himself, but would every now and then go and peep out to see the
women. When they came near, he said, "I will have this one, and that
one;" he did not exactly know which--he would go and sit down for an
instant, and then go and peep and laugh; he acted like a madman.
As soon as order was restored, and all seated, Odjibwa presented one of
the women to his eldest brother, saying, "These women were given to me;
I now give one to each; I intended so from the first." Maujeekewis
spoke, and said, "I think three wives would have been _enough_ for
you." The young man led one to Maujeekewis, saying, "My brother, here
is one for you, and live happily." Maujeekewis hung down his head as if
he was ashamed, but would every now and then steal a glance at his
wife, and also at the other women. By and by he turned toward his wife,
and acted as if he had been married for years. "Wife," he said, "I will
go and hunt," and off he started.
All lived peaceably for some time, and their town prospered, the
inhabitants increased, and everything was abundant among them. One day
dissatisfaction was manifested in the conduct of the two elder
brothers, on account of Odjibwa's having taken their deceased father's
magic arrows: they upbraided and urged him to procure others if he
could. Their object was to get him away, so that one of them might
afterward get his wife. One day, after listening to them, he told them
he would go. Maujeekewis and himself went together into a sweating
lodge to purify themselves. Even there, although it was held sacred,
Maujeekewis upbraided him for the arrows. He told him again he would
go; and next day, true to his word, he left them. After travelling a
long way he came to an opening in the earth, and descending, it led him
to the abode of departed spirits. The country appeared beautiful, the
extent of it was lost in the distance: he saw animals of various kinds
in abundance. The first he came near to were buffalo; his surprise was
great when these animals addressed him as human beings. They asked him
what he came for, how he descended, why he was so bold as to visit the
abode of the dead. He told them he was in search of magic arrows to
appease his brothers. "Very well," said the leader of the buffaloes,
whose whole form was nothing but bone. "Yes, we know it," and he and
his followers moved off a little space as if they were afraid of him.
"You have come," resumed the Buffalo Spirit, "to a place where a living
man has never before been. You will return immediately to your tribe,
for your brothers are trying to dishonor your wife; and you will live
to a very old age, and live and die happily; you can go no further in
these abodes of ours." Odjibwa looked, as he thought to the west, and
saw a bright light, as if the sun was shining in its splendor, but he
saw no sun. "What light is that I see yonder?" he asked. The all-boned
buffalo answered, "It is the place where those who were good dwell."
"And that dark cloud?" Odjibwa again asked. "Mud-jee-izzhi-wabezewin,"
(wickedness) answered the buffalo. He asked no more questions, and,
with the aid of his guardian spirits, again stood on this earth and saw
the sun giving light as usual, and breathed the pure air. All else he
saw in the abodes of the dead, and his travels and actions previous to
his return, are unknown. After wandering a long time in quest of
information to make his people happy, he one evening drew near to his
village or town; passing all the other lodges and coming to his own, he
heard his brothers at high words with each other; they were quarrelling
for the possession of his wife. She had, however, remained constant,
and mourned the absence and probable loss of her husband; but she had
mourned him with the dignity of virtue. The noble youth listened till
he was satisfied of the base principles of his brothers. He then
entered the lodge, with the stern air and conscious dignity of a brave
and honest man. He spoke not a word, but placing the magic arrows to
his bow, drew them to their length and laid the brothers dead at his
feet. Thus ended the contest between the hermit's sons, and a firm and
happy union was consummated between Odjibwa, or him of the primitive or
intonated voice, and the Red Swan.
[66] Pai-gwud-aw-diz-zid.
[67] Pungish-e-moo, falling or sinking to a position of repose.
[68] My grandchild.
[69] Enaw-baundum.
[70] The Indian expression is, Awuss-Waubung--the day _beyond_
to-morrow.
[71] A species of hawk.
TAU-WAU-CHEE-HEZKAW,
OR
THE WHITE FEATHER.
A DACOTAH LEGEND.
There was an old man living in the centre of a forest, with his
grandson, whom he had taken when quite an infant. The child had no
parents, brothers, or sisters; they had all been destroyed by six large
giants, and he had been informed that he had no other relative living
besides his grandfather. The band to whom he belonged had put up their
children on a wager in a race against those of the giants, and had thus
lost them. There was an old tradition in the band, that it would
produce a great man, who would wear a white feather, and who would
astonish every one with his skill and feats of bravery.
The grandfather, as soon as the child could play about, gave him a bow
and arrows to amuse himself. He went into the edge of the woods one
day, and saw a rabbit; but not knowing what it was, he ran home and
described it to his grandfather. He told him what it was, that its
flesh was good to eat, and that if he would shoot one of his arrows
into its body, he would kill it. He did so, and brought the little
animal home, which he asked his grandfather to boil, that they might
feast on it. He humored the boy in this, and encouraged him to go on in
acquiring the knowledge of hunting, until he could kill deer and larger
animals; and he became, as he grew up, an expert hunter. As they lived
alone, and away from other Indians, his curiosity was excited to know
what was passing in the world. One day he came to the edge of a
prairie, where he saw ashes like those at his grandfather's lodge, and
lodge-poles left standing. He returned and inquired whether his
grandfather put up the poles and made the fire. He was answered no, nor
did he believe that he had seen anything of the kind. It was all
imagination.
Another day he went out to see what there was curious; and, on entering
the woods, he heard a voice calling out to him, "Come here, you
destined wearer of the White Feather. You do not yet wear it, but you
are worthy of it. Return home and take a short nap. You will dream of
hearing a voice, which will tell you to rise and smoke. You will see in
your dream a pipe, smoking sack, and a large white feather. When you
awake you will find these articles. Put the feather on your head, and
you will become a great hunter, a great warrior, and a great man,
capable of doing anything. As a proof that you will become a great
hunter, when you smoke, the smoke will turn into pigeons." The voice
then informed him who he was, and disclosed the true character of his
grandfather, who had imposed upon him. The voice-spirit then gave him a
_vine_, and told him he was of an age to revenge the injuries of his
relations. "When you meet your enemy," continued the spirit, "you will
run a race with him. He will not see the vine, because it is enchanted.
While you are running, you will throw it over his head and entangle
him, so that you will win the race."
Long ere this speech was ended, he had turned to the quarter from which
the voice proceeded, and was astonished to behold a man, for as yet he
had never seen any man besides his grandfather, whose object it was to
keep him in ignorance. But the circumstance that gave him the most
surprise was, that this man, who had the looks of great age, was
composed of _wood_ from his breast downward, and appeared to be fixed
in the earth.
He returned home, slept, heard the voice, awoke, and found the promised
articles. His grandfather was greatly surprised to find him with a
white feather on his forehead, and to see flocks of pigeons flying out
of his lodge. He then recollected what had been predicted, and began to
weep at the prospect of losing his charge.
Invested with these honors, the young man departed the next morning to
seek his enemies and gratify his revenge. The giants lived in a very
high lodge in the middle of a wood. He travelled on till he came to
this lodge, where he found that his coming had been made known by _the
little spirits who carry the news_. The giants came out, and gave a cry
of joy as they saw him coming. When he approached nearer, they began to
make sport of him, saying, "Here comes the little man with the white
feather, who is to achieve such wonders." They, however, spoke very
fair to him when he came up, saying he was a brave man, and would do
brave things. This they said to encourage, and the more surely to
deceive him. He, however, understood the object.
He went fearlessly up to the lodge. They told him to commence the race
with the smallest of their number. The point to which they were to run
was a peeled tree towards the rising sun, and then back to the
starting-place, which was marked by a Chaunkahpee, or war-club, made of
iron. This club was the stake, and whoever won it was to use it in
beating the other's brains out. If he beat the first giant, he was to
try the second, and so on until they had all measured speed with him.
He won the first race by a dexterous use of the vine, and immediately
despatched his competitor, and cut off his head. Next morning he ran
with the second giant, whom he also outran, killed, and decapitated. He
proceeded in this way for five successive mornings, always conquering
by the use of his vine, cutting off the heads of the vanquished. The
survivor acknowledged his power, but prepared secretly to deceive him.
He wished him to leave the heads he had cut off, as he believed he
could again reunite them with the bodies, by means of one of their
_medicines_. White Feather insisted, however, in carrying all the heads
to his grandfather. One more contest was to be tried, which would
decide the victory; but, before going to the giant's lodge on the sixth
morning, he met his old counsellor in the woods, who was stationary. He
told him that he was about to be deceived. That he had never known any
other sex but his own; but that, as he went on his way to the lodge, he
would meet the most beautiful woman in the world. He must pay no
attention to her, but, on meeting her, he must wish himself changed
into a male elk. The transformation would take place immediately, when
he must go to feeding and not regard her.
He proceeded towards the lodge, met the female, and became an elk. She
reproached him for having turned himself into an elk on seeing her;
said she had travelled a great distance for the purpose of seeing him,
and becoming his wife. Now this woman was the sixth giant, who had
assumed this disguise; but Tau-Wau-Chee-Hezkaw remained in ignorance of
it. Her reproaches and her beauty affected him so much, that he wished
himself a man again, and he at once resumed his natural shape. They sat
down together, and he began to caress her, and make love to her. He
finally ventured to lay his head on her lap, and went to sleep. She
pushed his head aside at first, for the purpose of trying if he was
really asleep; and when she was satisfied he was, she took her axe and
broke his back. She then assumed her natural shape, which was in the
form of the sixth giant, and afterwards changed him into a dog, in
which degraded form he followed his enemy to the lodge. He took the
white feather from his brow, and wore it as a trophy on his own head.
There was an Indian village at some distance, in which there lived two
girls, who were rival sisters, the daughters of a chief. They were
fasting to acquire power for the purpose of enticing the wearer of the
white feather to visit their village. They each secretly hoped to
engage his affections. Each one built herself a lodge at a short
distance from the village. The giant knowing this, and having now
obtained the valued plume, went immediately to visit them. As he
approached, the girls saw and recognized the feather. The eldest sister
prepared her lodge with great care and parade, so as to attract the
eye. The younger, supposing that he was a man of sense, and would not
be enticed by mere parade, touched nothing in her lodge, but left it as
it ordinarily was. The eldest went out to meet him, and invited him in.
He accepted her invitation, and made her his wife. The younger invited
the enchanted dog into her lodge, and made him a good bed, and treated
him with as much attention as if he were her husband.