There is, indeed, something that peculiarly breaks in on the harmony of nature, in the bark of the dog, and that does not at all correspond with the softness and sagacity observable in his eye.  The baying the moon, I have been inclined to set down as an unfavorable indication; but, since Fourier has found out that the moon is dead, and “no better than carrion;” and the Greeks have designated her as Hecate, the deity of suicide and witchcraft, the dogs are perhaps in the right.

They have among them the legend of the carbuncle, so famous in oriental mythos.  Adair states that they believe this fabulous gem may be found on the spot where the rattlesnake has been destroyed.

If they have not the archetypal man, they have the archetypal animal, “the grandfather of all beavers;” to them, who do not know the elephant, this is the symbol of wisdom, as the rattlesnake and bear of power.

I will insert here a little tale about the bear, which has not before appeared in print, as representing their human way of looking on these animals, even when engaged in their pursuit.  To me such stories give a fine sense of the lively perceptions and exercise of fancy, enjoyed by them in their lives of woodcraft: 

MUCKWA, OR THE BEAR.

A young Indian, who lived a great while ago, when he was quite young killed a bear; and the tribe from that circumstance called him Muckwa.  As he grew up he became an expert hunter, and his favorite game was the bear, many of which he killed.  One day he started off to a river far remote from the lodges of his tribe, and where berries and grapes were very plenty, in pursuit of bears.  He hunted all day but found nothing; and just at night he came to some lodges which he thought to be those of some of his tribe.  He approached the largest of them, lifted the curtain at its entrance, and went in, when he perceived the inmates to be bears, who were seated around the fire smoking.  He said nothing, but seated himself also and smoked the pipe which they offered him, in silence.  An old grey bear, who was the chief, ordered supper to be brought for him, and after he had eaten it, addressed him as follows:  “My son, I am glad to see you come among us in a friendly manner.  You have been a great hunter, and all the she-bears of our tribe tremble when they hear your name.  But cease to trouble us, and come and live with me; we have a very pleasant life, living upon the fruits of the earth; and in the winter, instead of being obliged to hunt and travel through the deep snow, we sleep soundly until the sun unchains the streams, and makes the tender buds put forth for our subsistence.  I will give you my daughter for a wife, and we will live happily together.”  Muckwa was inclined to accept the old bear’s offer; but when he saw the daughter, who came and took off his wet moccasons, and gave him dry ones, he thought that he had never seen any Indian woman so beautiful.