The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-01-07
AIN INDIAN MYTH.
The Significance of the Constellation OF
the Little Bear.

the Little Bear.
The constellation 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 the pole star Long.
long ago, "a 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 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
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, little being like a
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 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 a
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 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 a
| great plain in the early morning.
There she babe them rest during the
day. promising to return again at night
fnll, 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
were now in the territory of the pig
mics. The latter would teach them ;
sign already In the sky, which would
be a sure guide when they had los
their way. The pigmies pointed ou
tho pole star. and told the hunters tina
in the north, where the sun never goes
while other stars moved about, this par
ticular star would stand still as guide
to the Indian in his wandering. The.
were to follow its light, and they sool
would return to their tribe, where the.
would find plenty OF game and othe
good things
Tho 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 meetin
OF all the tribes and they resolved t
give the star name. They called
the star that never moves, by whic
name it is known to this day. Now, i
the constellation of the Little Bea
there are four stars apart and thre
leading directly to the pole star Th
four stars apart were probably the hun
ers, and the three leading to tho pol
star were the two hunters and the littl
child. The pigmies are introduced I'M
the myth because their mission is
help hunters who have lost their wa
or are in any trouble. Louis Repu'
| lie