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

302 NOTES.
them to take the lead to destroy the people of the country ;
but a day's march
they did not reach the fort Onondaga, where they intend to invade, and he
ordered them to lay in a deep hollow during the night, and they would make
attack on the following morning.
"At the dawn of the day the Holder of the Heavens ascended upon the heights
and he overwhelmed them by a mass of rocks, and only one escaped to announce
the dreadful fate ;
and since of the event the Stonish Giants have left the country
and seeks an asylum in the regions of the earth." Ibid, Vol. V. p. 637.
Note 14. " Gave thanks to Oway-neo great." Page 47.
That the Indians observed the custom of giving thanks before meat, at least on
certain occasions, and at their great feasts, is shown by several writers.
SCHOOLCRAFT, Vol. II, p. 76, also KitcM Garni, p. 216.
Note 15. "Herself to him, the favored brave, Page 48.
She proffered with a modest grace."
" The warrior never solicits the maiden to dance with him ;
that privilege was
accorded to her alone. In the midst of the dance the females present themselves
in pairs between any set they may select, thus giving to each a partner."
League of the Iroquois, p. 286.
Note 16. "With teeming fields of growing corn." Page 48.
" They cultivated this plant, as also the bean and the squash, before the formation
of the League. It cannot therefore be affirmed with correctness that the
Indian subsisted principally by the chase. The quantities of corn raised by the
Iroquois was a constant cause of remark by those who went earliest among
them." Ibid, p. 198.
Note 17. " Ta-ren-ya-iva-qo ! Mighty Man!!" Page 54.
In one form of the legend this remarkable personage was called Ta-ren-ya-wago,
that is, The Holder of the Heavens. " His wisdom was as great as his power.
The people listened to him with admiration, and followed his advice gladly.
There was nothing in which he did not excel good hunters, bravo warriors and
eloquent orators." SCHOOLCRAFT, Vol. III. p. 314.
Note 18. " Still on to many a stranger sea." Page 55.
" We find curious Indian travelers, who came a great distance, mentioned in
the first European reports about Indians. The Choctas preserve the memory of
a celebrated traveler of their tribe, >viio undertook a long journey west, in order
to find the sea in which the sun disappeared at setting.
" Similar traditions about great journeys and travelers are found among other
tribes." Kitehi Garni, p. 121.