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