The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-05-09
LEGEND OF FROG ROCK.

On the west shore of Lake Tennis
ca,ninguc. about ten miles north of
the Hudson Bay company's post. there
rises from the lake a prcclpice, per.
pcndIcular aud abrupt, 4 wall OF solid
rock. OF the lluronan formation. with
a horizontal cleavage. on the fucc Of
which nre TO be found occaiional
lcdg.s. formed BY theaction Of the frost.
Among the Indians this is known as
'Thc Frog Rock" nid the following
legend viii probably throw some light
on tho origin Of the name.
suppose that in the whole world
there = not found a more 0Inniv0rous
being than an Indian. should have
said 'oulni.carnivoruus," for his is es-
se,;ially meat diet lie eats bear,
beaver. lynx, fisher. fox. martcn,
mink. lnuskrat. mice. otter, porcupine,
squirrels. Ia fact every animal that
runs Onc would think that he would
draw the line at skunk, but no, he
looks upon skunk. properly skinned
and cooked, as a delicacy. However,
he has his weak point; he draws the
line at frogs. They seem to be with
him forbidden fruit, his tastes having
probably evolved the Introduction.
The evolution of customs ard laws isa
constant contest between cause and ef-
feet.
Many years ago there lived at Mata.
wagarningue All Indian named kod'
icesh. RE was a wild, harum scarum
Young fellow who did not particularly
observe the laws laid down by the old
men Of the tribe regarding the "modus
yiyendi." He was a Liberal, and had
the auducity to despise the customs Of
his ancestors. customs sanctioned Dy
ancient observance. lie would not
treat the skulls OF the bears which he
slew with the Difference due u iii am
NAL that claimed distant relationship
with himself. nor would he throw the
bones Of his beaver into the water. but
would give them to his dogs, y sacri-
legious offensc. and one worthy OF aw-
ful punishment.
TWAS prophesicd Of this young man
that evil would bcfall him. The Mani
tou would not allow the sacred injunc-
tions put upon his people TO be thus
openly ignored without retr1bution
following the offender, and the wise
men shook their heads with on oracu'
lar ..Kish." meaning colloquially
.Iold on" while the old women
talked as old women do. and magniiied
| the i'll doings of the young man 70 sucl
| M extent that more than half the In
dian maidens Of the tribe were ia low
with him.
But Kodjccsh cared for none o
these things, nor did he care Tor th'
dusky maidens who admired 50 muci
wickedncss. for his heart had gon'
out TO the lovely Bebayblckouse, wh'
wns. If possible, more lively than hinl
! self. and very hard to catch. Befor
her he would dance in q very takinl
manner. and should she happen to 2
i dancing with him he would swing
her with such violence that she woul'
almost come TO the ground but evel
this violent courtship failed 70 max
i an IMPRESSION on the obdurate bebey
! hickosise. In vain did he ply the 81,
terinr paddle with graceful hourls
as he sent his swim running c1"y n'',
through the foaming rapids until, nal
hid by tho rushing waters, ne woul
appear 70 her as II riding on the pac
of a mighty ''kenoshie' the stron
swimming pike, or at times, mos
reckless. when he knew that she wa
watching him with admiration
mounting on the gunwalcs Of ms Il;
| ollie crnft. would he run rapid, stant
j sn0 IN with an air Of unconcern as
~ were walking on the shore. bs
ss;lI the hard hearted Bebay bickous
:. would not listen TO his suit untl
IN:s.. - deenerafion. he one day at
!. "Rebavbickouse, what Is thero I'M
can do TO win your lover \,
sYom cannot win my love-, 81
\ said: .'you have not heart enough.
Try me-" he answered. wo.' ~
dare anything; ! would even -
Eat frogs them" answered beoa'
bickouse. You dare not.
"Kish. y said Kodjecsh, and ne We
forth determined 70 eat the nfss -
: - Thai day he was hired to take lette
a. tie trader IN charge Of Temiscaml
= c,,e which il those days va : tra
20 post n the Northwest company
The tourney Is q long one out ~
~ 3ecsh did not feel it for his near. !"
iirht. Bebaybickousc would .! eoon =.
:. his. and the thought made nlm III gIia
= Tie season was far advanced III
was not until he reached Ieml,casn., ~
/, sue lake that he saw 9 Mnglo III, sU
n Here. however, - ne wa Paus - \
close 70 the shore at the 1901 u =
mi0htv rock. described above, ne 4
y sitting on ledge in the rock, c.Is0 ~
% . the water, fine, fat, phlegmauc 'o'
~ ~ Ah-hah, " he cried, here y me NJ !:
q sroc that / was looking for ana WI
Twill cut 70 win my DeDay sacl D.vl
saying which he cautiously .R ,,ms'
sni With his paddle sent tne u',' !