Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-01-08
AN INDIAN MYTH.



the Little Bear.
The cons teliation of the Little Bear
and the pole star must have puzzled the
observant Indian; for, while the rest of
the stars were continually shifting their
position, this one star remained immov-
able. As the constellation of the Great
Bear represented hunters in pursuit of
bear, so the constellation of the Little
Bear suggested another party of hunt
ers, guided by sthe pole star. Long,
long ago, large party of Indians,
while in search of new hunting grounds.
wandered on for many moons, finding
but little game. AT last they arrived
at the banks of a great river, entirely
unknown to them, whore they had to
stop not having material for building
boats. Lost and nearly famished with
hunger, the head chief decided to hold
council and devise means for return
ing to their homes.
During the dance preceding the coun-
Gil, and while the tobacco (whose fumes
are supposed to ascend as prayers to the
gods) was burning, a little being like q
child came to them and said she was
sent to be their guide. Accordingly
they broke up their camp and started
with her that night. Preceding them
with only gi-wah, or small war-club,
she led them on until daylight, 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 farewell, with the as
surance that she would return in the
evening. True to her word, she reap
peared at evening, bringing with her q
skin jug, from which she poured out
some liquid into q horn cup, and
babe each of the hunters drink.
AT first they feared to do so, but yield
ing at last, they drank and began to
feel very strong. She then told them
they had long journey before them,
and, following her. they arrived at
great plain in the early morning.
There she babe them rest during the
day. promising to return again at night
fall. saying her own chief would soon
follow and explain to them how they
could reach their homes in safety.
Soon he arrived with great number
of his race, and they all held council
together and told the Indians that they
We're now in the territory of the pig
mics. The latter would teach them a
sign already in the sky. which would
be sure guide when they had lost
their way. The pigmies pointed out
the pole star, and told the hunters that
in the north, whore the sun never goes,
while other stars moved about, this par
ticular star would stand still as guide
to the Indian in his wandering. They
were to follow its light and they soon
| would return to their tribe, where they
| would find plenty of game and other
| good things.
The hunters thanked the good pig
mics, and, following their directions,
| soon reached their homo in safety.
When they told the story of their ad.
| venture the head chiefs held meeting
of all the tribes and they resolved to
| give the star q name. They called it
the star that never moves, by which
name it is known to this day. Now, in
the constellation of the Little Bear
there are four stars apart and three
leading directly to the pole star. The
| four stars apart were probably the hunt
| ers, and the three leading to tho pole
star were the two hunters and the little
| child. The pigmies are introduced into
| the myth because their mission is to
| help hunters who have lost their way
or are in any trouble.-St Louis Renuh.