The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1891-02-13
Little Bear aud Pole star.

The constellation OF the Little Bear
and the pole star must have puzzled
tho obseryant Indian; for while tho rest
of the stars were continually shifting
their position, this n star remained
immovable. As the constellation Of
the Great Bear represented hunters in
pursuit of a bear. SO the constellation
of the Little Bear suggested another
party OF hunters guided by the pole
star. Long. long ago q large party OF
Indians, while in search of new hunt
ing grounds, wandered on for many
moons, finding but little game. At
last they arrived at the banks of n
great river entirely unknown to them.
where they had to stop. not having
material for building boats. Lost and
nearly famished with hunger, the head
chief decided to hold a council and de.
wise means of returning to their homes.
During the dance preceding the
council, and while the tobacco (whose
fumes are supposed to ascend as pray
ers te the gods) was burning, a little
being like II child came 10 them and
said that she was sent to be their
guide, says q writer of Indian legends
in the st. Louis Republic. According
ly they broke up their camp and
started with her that night. Preced-
ing them, with only a gi-wah, or small
war club, she led them on until day.
light, and then commanded them to
rest while she prepared their food.
They slept, and found on awakening a
great banquet in readiness for them.
Then the little being babe them fare
well, with assurance that she would re-
turn in the evening. True to her word,
she r%eappeared at evening. bringing
with her Il skin jug. from which she
poured out some liquid into a horn cup.
and babe each of the hunters drink.
At first they feared to do so. but, yield
ing ut last. they drank and began to
feel very strong. She then told them
they had n long journey before them,
and. following her, they arrived at a
great plain in the early morning.
There she babe them rest during the
day, promising to return again Mt
nightfall, saying her W chief would
soon follow and explain to them how
they could reach their homes in safety.
Soon he arrived with a great num-
Der OF his race and they all held
council together and told the Indians
that they were now in tho territory of
the pigmics. The latter would teach
them Il sign already in the sky which
would be II sure guide when they had
lost their way. The pigmies pointed
out the pole star and told the hunters
that in the north where the SIN never
goes, while other stars moved about
this particular star would stand still MS
a guide 10 tho Indians in their wander
ings. They were to follow its light
and they would soon return to their
tribe, where they would find plenty OF
game and other good things.
The hunters thanked the good pig
mics. ard, following their directions,
soon reached their home in safety.
When they told the story of their nd
ventures the head chief held n meeting
of all the tribes and they resolved 10
give the star a name. they called it
the star which never moves, by which
name it is known to this day. Now,
in the constellation Of the Little Bea,
there are four stars apart aud three
leading directly to the pole star. The
four stars apart were probably the
hunters, and the three leading to the
pole Star were the two hunters and the
little child. The pigmies are intro.
duced into the myth because their
mission is TO help hunters who have
lost their way or are in trouble.