The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1877-07-14
OF THE NEz pERCEs
The Red Mans Darvyinism.
From the Idaho Signal, 1872.l


The Nez Perces Indians hold to the
doctrine that all the various tribes of In
dials sprung from the lower order OF
erection. The peculiar process of de-
yslnpment. or metamorphosis, by which
they have attained to their present state.
they are cunning enough not to disclose
or attempt to philosophize upon-pass-
ing over long period of transition and
becoming fullfsdged sons Of the forest
in q moment OF time.
THEIR TRADITION.
Thousands of years ago, there existed
an animal OF immense size, way Oft to
the southwest OF the country now occu-
pied by the NeZ Perces. 1t was the
largest of all the animal creation. and
was known as the Ills-wau-lsih. This
animals greatest propensity was the de-
vouring of every living thing he came
across. His voraciousness was so great
that lizards and reptiles of all kinds and
sizes, bears, wolves, and animals of all
descriptions, Mt one gulp, would disap-
pear iu the depths of his capacious nav
At the same existed the coyote, or little
wolf, noted for his cunning, and recog-
nized AS chief among and by the other
animals, they looked upon him as at
some future time to work out for them
great deliverence.
Little Wolf had heard OF the tremend-
GUS slaughter the Ill-wau.tsih," was
making among the other animals, and
determined to put stop to it. To this
end he girded on his armor which con-
sisted of two ropes made of wild hemp,
culver made of bear. skin, some tinder,
and knives of flint, all of which he con-
cealed under his fore-leg, and, being
fully equipped, he started out on his
periious mission.
After travelling many days, and over a
great stretch of country. Little Wolf de-
scried the Ills-wau-tish in the dis
tance, and Immediately prepared for the
conflict. Taking the two ropes which
were miles in length, be fastened them
to a cord of sinew, which was about his
body, and the other ends of the rope he
had fastened, by his single aid he had
along with him, to two trees a long dis
tance from each other.
BY this time the "Ills-wau-tsih" was
within hearing of Little Wolf. Little
howls out, Come on old Ills wau-tish ;
and prepare to die, Tor | am going to
say you" and he came, and the battle
ragged with considerable violence, for
some time. Little Wolf getting in some
very good strokes now and then; but
was finally compelled to abandon an
active, offensive fight, and resorted to
cunning and operating on the defensive.
The old fellow had, however swallowed
Little Wolf, having him part way down,
when the ropes and sinew girth pre-
vented his going down entirely. The
old fellow stamped about and howled
fearfully, and declared 81 will swallow
Little Wolf" Taking long breath he
made huge effort-the 9irth was broken
and down went poor Little Wolf. After
resting short time, be made tour of
the belly of the old fellow, and found all
kinds of animals and reptiles therein.
which had been carrying on kind of
internal war among themselves. Feel.
ing somewhat hungry, Little Wolf takes
ono of his knives and cuts piece of fat
from the heart of the beast, and warm
ing it with ignited finder, devours it,
and then counsels obedience among the
other inhabitants, and promises speedy
deliverance from their prison. He then
cooks a meal for his fellow prisoners
and takes piece OF fat from the heart
of the beast and rubs the wounds and
sores of his fellows, which heals them
He then says to them, "You are my sub
Jeots, and IL is now time to get out oil
here. In taking the fat from around the
heart, have struck ihe old fellow q
death blow" Proceeding with his
work. be caused the old fellow to bow
tremendously. He writhed and kicked
and tried to throw up his supper, ant
they came from his nose, ears anf
mouth, ell fed out but Little Wolf. The
old fellow tried to rid himself of him
but Little Wolf did not propose to leave
until bis mission was accomplished
The old fellow declared he would eiec
him, but failing I'm the attempt, rolled
over and land gave up the ghost
Little Wolf after the old fellow died
walked out and collected his compan
ions to help to skin the beast and GU
him In pieces. They took the meat from
the bones and had right hearty meal
They then divided the skin between
each other. The bones were taken All,
scattered to the uttermost parts of tn
earth, and an allotment of land was mad
to each OF the delivered ones, whic
they we're to take as their country on
they would all be changed in the twink
ling Of an oye and they would find tha
araoe OF people would spring up fror
the bones of the beast, in all respect
like unto them. But" said the fox
"yon have reserved nothing for you,
self.' Little Wolf called for water. III
paws were yet dripping with the bloc
OF the beast. He dipped his paws in th
water and scattered the blood and wats
oil over this couptr~ ooou,iod hv ~