The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-08
AN INDIAN LEGEND.


| Qoclrine that all the various tribes of
Indians sprang from the lower order OF
creation. The peculiar process of de-
yelopment or metamorphosis by which
they have attained to their present
estate they are cunning enough not to
disclose or attempt to philosophize
upon-passlng over long period OF
transition, and becoming fuil-hedged, ,
sturdy sons of the forest in a
moment of time. Thousands OF
years ago there existed an ami
NAL OF Immense size away off to the
southwest OF the country now occupied
by the Nez Perces. 1t was the largest
OF all the animal creation, and known
as the "lils wau.tsin." This animals
greatest propensity was the devouring
OF every living thing that he came
across. His vOraciousness was so great
that lizards and reptiles of all kinds
and sizes, bears, wolves, and animals Of
every description, at one guIp would
disappear in the depths of his capa-
cious NAV. AT the same time existed
the coyote, or ''llttle wolf" noted for
his cunning, and recognized as chief
among and by the other animals, they
looking upon him at some future time 10
! work 0uL for them great deliyerance
Little Wolf had heard of the tremeu-
douS slaughter ''Ills-wau-tsih" was max
ing among the other animals, and deter
mlued to put stop to it,. To this end
he girded on his armor, which consis Ted
OF Two ropes made of wild hemp, q quiy-
er made Of bear skin, some tinder and
knives Of flnt-all Of which he con-
cealed under his tore-leg, and being
Judy equipped, he started out on his
perilOus mission. Alter travelling for
many days and over a great stretch OF
country, Little W off deserted the I'll g.
Wau-LsIA" IN the distance, and immedi-
aLely prepared for the conflict
Taking the TWO ropes, which
were miles in length, he ias,ened Que
end of each to cord of sineW which
was about his body, and the other ends
ot the roue he mad fasteued-by his
single aid he mad along with hlm-Lo
the Two trees q long distance from each
uGher. BY this lime the "llls- -Wau-tsih"
was within hearing oil Little Wolf. Lit
tie Woli huWlS out, Come on, old llls-
Wau-tsin,' and prepare to die, for am
going to slay youW ana he came, ana
Lns battle RACED with considerable yio-
lence tor some time, Little Wolf getting
III some very good strokes now and then,
out he was finally compelled to abandon
eu active, offensive Asnt, and resorted
10 cunning and operated on the de-
lenslE6.
The old fellow had, however, swal-
lowed Little Wolf, having h m partially
doWn, Wnen the ropes and slneW glrth
prevented his going down entirely. The
Old lelloW stamped about and howleo
tearIulIy, and declared, II will swal-
low Llttle Wolf" Taxing long breath,
ne made huge etfort-the g.rth was
broken, and DOWN went poor Little |
W olt. Alter resting a short time, he |
made tour OF the belly OF the old fellow |
and found all kin0s of animals and rep
ties therein, which had been carrying |
on a KIND OF Internal war among them |
selves. Feeling somewhat angry, |
Little Wolf, lakes one OF his knives |
and outs piece OF fat meat from the
heart of the beast, and warming 1t with |
lgnited finder, devours it, and then |
VuJsels obedience among the other in
and promises speedy dellv-
arance from their prison. He then cooks
q meal Tor his fellow prisoners and takes |
q piece of fat from the heart of The beast
and rubs the wounds and sores oil his |
fellows, which heals them. He then
says TO them, You are my SUBJECTS, ana
it is now time to get out Of here. In
taxing the laL from around his heart l
aayu struck The old fellow death blow y
Proceeding with his work, he caused the
Did fellow to howl tremendously. He
Writhed and kicKed, aud tried TO throw
up his supper and they came from his
nose, ears aud mouth; all f5d out but
Little Wolf.
Tie old fellow tried to rid himself of
lin, but Little " off did not propose TO
cave uEGll his misslon was accom-
,lisLed. The cid fellow declared ne
would eject him, but, failing in the at
empt, rolled over aud gave up the
,host. Little Wolf, after lhe old fellow
iled, walked out and collected his COM
,anIons TO help skin Tue beast and Out
I'm in pieces. Tbey took Lhs meat from
he bones and had a rIgot hearty meal.
they then divided The skin between
ach other. TIE bones were then taken
md scattered to the uttarmost parts OF I
he earth, and an allotment OF land was
made to each Of The delivered ones, !,
VII ch they were to take as their coun-
ry, and they would all be chaBged In
be twlnkling OF an eye, and they would II
p from the bones of the beast in all re-
poets ike unto them.
But" said the fox, ssyou have re- !
ervsd nothing tor yourseit."
Little W oil Gale Il for water. His paws | +
yere yet dripping with The blood OF the
east; ne dipped mis- paws in the water
nd scattered the blood and water all !
yer the country occupied by the Nez 5
erces, saying:
From tnls shall spring people to q
lhablt this land with me-" sd 8
Little Wolf became transformed iuto a Il
ez Perces chieI, and a Tribe sprang up ,,
round him. Little Wolf had come from n
4hind the mountains aud fought this S
eat tight, and effected this wonderful
elivel ance, on the grounds between the p
,uth fork OF Clearwater River and \
amas Prairie. y
The Nez Perces being somewh d.
inutiv9 in size is accounted tor by In
JASON Of their coming from The leavings "
eated ouI u the lag ends Of ihe beast p
IL what they lack III stature they claim
icy more tnau makeup An Intelligence a, ~
I'D cunning, taking alter their illnstri- 81
Is pfogenitor, Little Wolf. Thus ends Al
&c tradition.-[ ldano Signal.
FuVa