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

NOTES. 309
Note 36. " \Vifh pipe and meat and courtesy Page 111.
Gave welcome to his noble guest."
" One of the most attractive features of Indian society was the spirit of hospitality
by which it was pervaded. Perhaps no people ever carried this principle to
the same degree of universality, as did the Iroquois. Their houses were not
only open to each other at all hours of the day, and of the night, but also to the
wayfarer and the * *
stranger. He would surrender his dinner to feed the hungry,
vacate his bed to refresh the weary, and give up his apparel to clothe the
naked. * * With an innate knowledge of the freedom and dignity of man, he
has exhibited the noblest virtues of the heart, and the kindest deeds of humanity,
in those sylvan retreats, which we are wont to look back upon as vacant and
frightful solitudes." League of the Iroquois, p. 327.
Not* 37. "Put by his pipe, looked on the maid, Page 113.
And lonely musing, silent sal."
" There is one custom their men constantly observe ;
that if they be sent with
any message, though it demand the greatest despatch, or though they bring
intelligence of any imminent danger, they never tell it at their first approach,
but sit down for a minute or two, at least, in silence, to recollect themselves before
they speak, that they may not show any degree of fear or surprise, by any
indecent expression." Lahonlan's Voyages, p. 194.
Note 38. "For Hayo-went-ha, he would bear Page 113.
The burden of the ripened ears."
" The man, to signify his wishes, kills a bear with his own hands, and sends a
pail full of the oil to his mistress. If she receives the oil, he next attends and
helps her hoe the corn in her field ;
afterward plants her beans ;
and when they
come up he sets poles for them to run upon. In the meantime he attends her
corn, until the beans have run up and entwined themselves about the poles.
This is thought emblematical of their approaching union and bondage ;
and they
then take each other for better or for worse.' 1
H. E. SCHOOLCKAFT, Vol. V. p. 269.
Note 39. "His snowy leggins softly drew." Page 121.
" The corpse is dressed in its best clothes. It is wrapped in a new blanket, and
new moccasins are put on. The crowu-baud, head-dress or frontlet, and feathers,
are also put on. His war-club and pipe are placed beside him, together with a
small quantity of veruiilliou. * * If a woman, that is about to be interred, she
is provided with a paddle, a kettle, an apekan, or carrying strap for the head,
and other feminine implements." Ibid, Vol. II. p. 68.