🧚 Opening, part 14 · page 2

So, raising up a heavy stone, he laid them safe beneath.97 And there they lie unto this day all full of mystic power.98 The Indian then ran away and saw no more strange sights, But ever on his hunts abroad he killed sufficient food, For all the forest creatures had no fear of him who once Had had the serpent’s eye-rings from the demon of the air.99 P.100

FOOTNOTES:101

[50] Long ago some Indians camped in the woods.102

VI103

THE LITTLE BOY KIDNAPPED BY THE BEAR104

[_Penobscot_]105

_Nâwad agua eleʿkza niʿkwop kʾdado kéowun.106 _[51]107

I am going to tell you now what happened long ago.108 Some Indians were camping with their children near a lake And one fair morning started off to hunt the wary moose, The children left alone in camp, as is the Indian way.109 On that same day a little lad who scarce could walk unhelped, Tottered and crawled away from camp until he lost the path And passed the cold and bitter night afar out in the bush.110 When morning dawned he thought he saw his mother drawing near And, rushing to her side, he held her fast in firm embrace.111 This was a she-bear, shaggy, great and strong as oxen twain.112 She seized the lad and bore him off and fed him in her den.113 When the old folk returned to camp they sought the boy in vain.114

This was a she-bear, shaggy, great and strong as oxen twain, She seized the lad and bore him off.]115

For ten full days, all day and night, they sought the boy in vain.116 At last they broke up camp and, sorrowing, went back unto their town.117 All winter long the baby lay warmed by the sleeping bear And drawing nourishment at need forth from her milky teats-- A wonder this, and quite unlike the usual way of bears.118 But this one was a wizard bear who wished to keep the lad.119 When spring-time came, the wizard of the little Indian town Took twenty men and started off to seek the long-lost lad.120 He had found out by secret arts the way to his abode.121 When they arrived, the furious bear rushed forth in anger dire But met her death by magic shot, and thus the boy was saved; He ran away, but soon was caught and to his kind restored, But during many years that lad was wild as any bear.122 P.123

FOOTNOTES:124

[51] I am going to tell you of what happened long ago.125

VII126

THE WIZARD AND THE CHRISTIAN PRIEST127

[_Abenaki_]128

_Askua ali wigiidit waʿkasimigʾzowak Salaʾki agua ni wijiganun kigamʾwinno.129 _[52]130

A priest of God came to an Indian town And settled there to teach the people truth, Which some received and others spurned with scorn.131 Some hostile Mohawks fell upon that town, Killing the folk, all save the Priest and one, An Indian of many magic gifts.132

Late in the afternoon of that same day The Mohawks reached their village with these two: The holy Priest and Wizard skilled in craft.133 The Mohawks held a council by the fire Discussing how to torture best the twain, So as to see their frenzy, and enjoy With gloating satisfaction every pain.134 They all agreed to heat two earthen pots On fiery coals unto the whitest heat; Then place these pots upon the head of each And watch them dance about till life was spent.135

With merry whoop they started up the fires; Began at once to heat the torture pots.136 Soon, when they thought the glow was great enough, They first of all laid hands upon the Priest.137 Then he who had been taken with the Priest At once brought all his magic arts to bear, And burst his bonds asunder with a yell That curdled every heart among the foe.138 The Wizard cried in Indian tongue: “_Nda Awâni niûna ndelima-- Magahôûnana_,” which means: “My friends, We shall not torture any one (to-day).”139 And then he leapt upon the fiery coals And danced and danced, until his feet did fry And sizzle hot like bacon in a pan.140 Then all the Indians were full of fear.141 But when to crown the horror of the whole They saw the wizard put the glowing pot On his own head and leap about in glee, They all took flight in terror to the woods.142 Then spake the Wizard: “Father, now escape.”143

When they had reached all safe and sound their home, The Priest said to the Wizard: “O my son, Thou shouldst repent and turn thee from thine art Unto God’s ways and ever keep the Faith.”144 Then quoth the Wizard laughing: “Father mine, Had I repented and mine art eschewed, Then were we both of us dead men this day.”145 [53] P.146

FOOTNOTES:147

[52] A priest came to where some families were camping.148

[53] This song is very interesting, as indicating a survival of the old Indian faith in their magicians as superior to Christian power.149 It is quite like the many indications in Italian tales, relating to witches, in which the sorcerer conquers the priest.--C. G. L.150

VIII151

WIZARD WARFARE152

[_Abenaki_]153

_Noñwat nd-odananok Mʾsalok mdaulinʾwak.154 _[54]155

Long, long years ago When wizards were not few There happened near our town A war of which I’ll tell.156 One day a wizard wise Sought counsel from the gods, And entered in the hut They knew as _petegwîgun_-- A round-house made of bark, With opening above; No door nor window there Save only at the top Through which the wizard climbed, And, lying there in trance, Saw all the foemen’s wiles.157 Then, singing magic songs, Forth from that hut he came And ordered all the tribe To rise and meet the foe, The cruel Mohawk foe, Encamped not far away.158 So all the Indian braves Embarked in their canoes, Went down one stream, then up Another, paddling soft, Avoiding any sound.159 At last they saw a smoke Arising far away.160 Then spake the wizard thus: “Do ye all wait me here And I will go and spy The numbers of the foe, Taking with me but one; Another Indian brave Who hath the magic gift.”161 These wizards then withdrew Into a thicket’s shade, Whence suddenly emerged In beaver’s guise the one, In muskrat form his friend.162 When they drew very near The island where the foe, The cruel Iroquois, Were feasting on a moose, The beaver and the rat Dived deep beneath the stream, Causing that sudden plash Which even to this day Makes many a hunter jump.163 Among the Iroquois Another wizard sat And when he heard the plash Quoth he: “The foe is there, The fierce Abenakis.”164 Then, grasping in his hand, The legbone of a moose, He flung it straight and far To where the muskrat swam And struck him on the head.165 The beaver seized his friend And drew him ’neath the stream And held him till he drowned, In order that his pains And struggle for his life Should not alarm the foe.166 The Iroquois then rose And danced around the fire Thinking in hideous glee Of how when morrow came They’d torture all their foes.167