siOBX; - Smithsonian Institution

12 BIJEEAU OF AMEEICAlSr ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 103
by the Mississippi Historical Society? Here we have an elaborate
story which purports to detail the various movements of the tribe
during that ancient migration, the councils they held, the speeches
delivered, and the motives that actuated the various leaders and
factions in a manner worthy of a Spanish chronicler, and in fact
recalling the Fidalgo of Elvas. However, there can be no question
that Lincecum knew the Clioctaw thoroughly, and much of the tale
is interesting on account of the ethnological information which it
contains, whether it be part of the original story or a later ampli-
fication. It is put into the mouth of a native informant. We will,
therefore, take the liberty to incorporate the entire narrative, which
begins abruptly, thus
The chief halted the advance body of Choctaws on a little river to wait until
scouts could be sent forward to explore the region of country round about ;
to give time for the aged and feeble and those who were overloaded to come up.
Many of the families were loaded with so many of the bones of their deceased
relatives that they could carry nothing else, and they got along very slowly.
At this stage of their long journey there were a greater number of skeletons
being packed along by the people than there were of the living. The smallest
families w^ere heaviest loaded ; and such were their adoration and affection for
these dry bones that before they could consent to leave them on the way, they
would, having more bones than they could pack at one load, carry forward
a part of them half a day's journey, and returning for the remainder, bring
them up the next day. By this double traveling over the route, they were soon
left a great distance in the rear. They would have preferred to die and rot
with these bones in the wilderness, sooner than leave them behind.
The minko looked upon the notions of the people in regard to the extraordinary
and overwhelming burthen of bones as a great evil ; and he cast in his
mind for some plausible excuse to rid the people of a burthen that was as
useless as it was oppressive to them.
And now the scouts had returned and the reports they made of quite an
extensive excursion were very favorable and encouraging. They stated that
everywhere, and in all directions, they found same of all sorts, fish and fowl
and fruits in abundance ; tall trees and running brooks ; altogether they looked
upon it as the most desirable and plentiful region they had found during their
pilgrimage. They also stated, that the most convenient place they had found,
for a winter encampment, lay in a southeasterly direction at the junction of
three large creeks, which coming together at the same point, formed an immense
lowland, and a considerable river. In the fork of the first and the
middle creeks lay an extensive range of dry, good lands, covered with tall trees
of various kinds, grapes, nuts, and acorns; and rivulets (bok ushi) of running
water. For the multitude, it was distant eight or ten days' travel, and the
route would be less and less difficult to that place.
At the rising of the sun on the ensuing morning, the leader's pole was observed
to be inclining to the southeast, and the people were moving off quite early.
The nights were becoming cooler, and they desired to have time to prepare
shelter before the winter rains should commence. The chief, with the Isht
Ahullo, who carried the sacred pole, went in front, and being good walkers,
they traveled rapidly until they came to the place which had been designated.
Great numbers of the stronger and more athletic people came up the same day.
and