The league of the Iroquois and other legends : from the Indian muse

300 NOTES.
Note 5.
" Some spirit of the earth or air." Page 29.
" Spirits of the earth and air abound on every hand, who stand ready to lend
their aid by inhabiting human bodies, or by sanding monsters, or giants, or pigmies,
to do the needed work. The whole creation is filled with these lesser spirits,
of benign or malignant character, who at one moment spring out of a rock,
or a tree, or a plant, or animate a shell, an insect or a bird."
Oneota, by H. K. SCHOOLCBAFT, p. 259.
Note 6. "Just by the day's departing track Page 30.
Great Inigorio's shining tent."
" The O-jib-was, and, indeed, nearly all the North American Indians, situate
their Paradise to the west.
"An O-jib-wa legend runs thus : Paradise was made by Manabo-zho. He aided
the Great Spirit in the creation of the world, and at first neither of them thought
of a Paradise. Man, such was their decree, should be happy in this earth, and
find a satisfaction in this life ;
but as the Evil Spirit interfered, and produced
wickedness, illness, death and misfortune of every description among them, the
poor souls wandered about deserted and homeless. When the Great Spirit saw
this he grieved for them, and ordered Manabo-zho to prepare a paradise for them
in the west, where they might assemble. Manabo-zho made it very beautiful, and
he was himself appointed to receive them there."
Kitchi Garni, by 3. G. KOLL, p. 216.
" '
The happy home beyond the setting sun, had cheered the heart, and lighted
the expiring eye of the Indian, before the ships of Columbus had borne the cross
to this western world."
League of the Iroquoit, p. 168.
Note 7. Page 34.
These, and other myths, will be found in full in Hiawatha Legends, by H.
B. SCHOOLCBAFT.
Note 8. " Bright by the Onondatja shore Page 40.
He lit the Ifome-Jire's sacred flame."
" It was a striking peculiarity of the ancient religious system of the Iroquois that
once a year, the -priesthood supplied the people with sacred fire. For this purpose
a set time was announced for the ruling priest's visit. The entire village was
apprised of this visit, and the master of each lodge was expected to be prepared
for this annual rite. * * His lodge-fire was carefully put out and ashes scattered
about it, as a symbolic sign of desolation and want. Exhibiting the insignia of
the sacerdotal office, he (the priest) proceeded to invoke the Master of Life in
their behalf, and ended his mission by striking fire from the flint, or from percussion,
and lighted anew the domestic fire."
Notes on the Iroquois, H. K. SCHOOLCBAFT, p. 137.