Life on the Mississippi eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 531 pages of information about Life on the Mississippi.

Life on the Mississippi eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 531 pages of information about Life on the Mississippi.
eaten, and you will call them to your assistance.  You must then cut the carcass into pieces, yes, into small pieces, and scatter them to the four winds; for, unless you do this, he will again revive.’  She promised that all should be done as he said.  She had only time to prepare the meat, when the voice of the leader was heard calling upon Iamo for aid.  The woman went out and said as her brother had directed.  But the war party being closely pursued, came up to the lodge.  She invited them in, and placed the meat before them.  While they were eating, they heard the bear approaching.  Untying the medicine-sack and taking the head, she had all in readiness for his approach.  When he came up she did as she had been told; and, before she had expended the paints and feathers, the bear began to totter, but, still advancing, came close to the woman.  Saying as she was commanded, she then took the head, and cast it as far from her as she could.  As it rolled along the ground, the blood, excited by the feelings of the head in this terrible scene, gushed from the nose and mouth.  The bear, tottering, soon fell with a tremendous noise.  Then she cried for help, and the young men came rushing out, having partially regained their strength and spirits.

Mudjikewis, stepping up, gave a yell and struck him a blow upon the head.  This he repeated, till it seemed like a mass of brains, while the others, as quick as possible, cut him into very small pieces, which they then scattered in every direction.  While thus employed, happening to look around where they had thrown the meat, wonderful to behold, they saw starting up and turning off in every direction small black bears, such as are seen at the present day.  The country was soon overspread with these black animals.  And it was from this monster that the present race of bears derived their origin.

Having thus overcome their pursuer, they returned to the lodge.  In the meantime, the woman, gathering the implements she had used, and the head, placed them again in the sack.  But the head did not speak again, probably from its great exertion to overcome the monster.

Having spent so much time and traversed so vast a country in their flight, the young men gave up the idea of ever returning to their own country, and game being plenty, they determined to remain where they now were.  One day they moved off some distance from the lodge for the purpose of hunting, having left the wampum with the woman.  They were very successful, and amused themselves, as all young men do when alone, by talking and jesting with each other.  One of them spoke and said, ’We have all this sport to ourselves; let us go and ask our sister if she will not let us bring the head to this place, as it is still alive.  It may be pleased to hear us talk, and be in our company.  In the meantime take food to our sister.’  They went and requested the head.  She told them to take it, and they took it to their hunting-grounds, and tried

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Life on the Mississippi from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.