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

308 NOTES.
influenced by the tender passion. He could never have embodied in his mythological
stories a sentiment to which his mind and heart could not respond, and
that had no existence in his experiences of life.
So many of the Indian legonds are founded upon the idea of love, as a tender
and lasting sentiment, existing between the young hunter and the young maiden,
that it is a little remarkable these writers did not observe the fact. See The Red
Lover, The White Stone Canoe, Osseo, and many more.
Nor is this view wanting in confirmation from well-authenticated incidents,
among the dwellers in the wig-warn. Mrs. Jamison " says: Some time ago a
young Chippewa girl conceived a violent passion for a hunter of a different tribe,
and followed him from his winter hunting-grounds to his own village. He was
already married, and the wife, not being inclined to admit a rival, drove this
love-sick damsel away, and treated her with the utmost indignity. The girl, in
desperation, offered herself as a slave to the wife, to carry wood and water, and
lie at her feet, anything to be admitted within the same lodge and only to look
upon the object of her affections."
Note 34. "Listened as only woman may, Page 94.
Upon his deeper thought intent.'"
" While at the meal, which is prolonged by cheerful conversation, anecdotes,
and little narratives of personal adventure, the women are among the listeners ;
and no one, except the aged, ever obtrudes a word. The young women and girls
show that they partake of the festivities by smiles, and are scrupulous to evince
their attention to the elder part of the company."
H. R. SCHOOLCRAFT, Vol. II. p. 75.
Note 35. "Nor her alone keep in. thy love, Page 110.
Keep him that wails so far away."
" That the Indian, without the aid of revelation, should have arrived at a fixed
belief in the existence of one Supreme Being, has ever been a matter of surprise
and admiration. * * They looked up to him as the author of their being, the
source of their temporal blessings, and the future dispenser of the felicities of
their heavenly home. To him they rendered constant thanks and homage for
the changes of the seasons, the fruits of the earth, the preservation of then- lives,
* * and to him they addressed their prayers for the continuance of his protecting
care." League of the Iroquois, p. 155.
" Great Spirit, Master of our lives ;
Great Spirit, Master of all Things both
visible and invisible ;
Great Spirit, Master cf other Spirits, whether Good or
Evil ;
command the Good Spirits to favor thy children. * * Command the Evil
Spirit to keep at a distance from them.
" O Great Spirit, keep up the Strength and Courage of our Warriors, that they
may be able to stem the Fury of our Enemies. * * O Great Spirit, Great Spirit,
hear the voice of the Nation, give Ear to all thy Children, and remember them at
all times." Lahontan'ti Voyages, p. 35.