St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-06-01


appeal to the readers Of ths entire civil
lied world, and especially to those in
English speaking countries. 1t Is but sell
dom, however, that we are given q book
In which the legend and the language
are both typical Of the Indians. But few
writer's have ever been able to follow the
musical speech OF the American abor:gi-
mes. q language so sweet that it is
much like q song In prose. Charles Eugene
Banks in his new book. "A child of the
Sum-" published by Herbert s. Stone &
Co, Chicago. has combined these two
things that tend to make an Indian story
perfect. His story is one OF peace. with
the plot located near the shores Of Lake
Michigan in northern Wisconsin and deals
with the legend Of the Pisau. the bird Of
evil, and its final destruction, a tale
that II even yet told among some of the
tribes on the western reservations. The
following selection from the book Is de-
nual buffalo hunt OF the Arctides. and is
an interesting story in itself.
UMMER was gone and the moon
= of the Falling Leaf had come.
Frost was painting the forest GRIM
son, purple and gold. Darkly brown
the rustling grasses lay over the
wide, tumbling prairie. The corn had
been garnered and stored for the
time when the north wind should
strip the forest Of its foliage, seal up
the rivers and hide the warm earth
under blanket of snow.
Preparations were being made in
the village for the annual buffalo
hunt, one of the important events of
the year. The meat of this noble ami
NAL supplied the people with food
during the long winter months when
there was but little hunting and game
was scarce, and its hairy skin gave
them clothing and covering for the
tepees. To win the favor of the Spirit
of the Chase, feast of burnt meats
and the incense Of tobacco celebrated
the departure of the hunters.
When the fire had been lighted on
the common ground and the meats
were ready, Wahwun. the medicine
man, as was the tribal custom, adj
dressed the hunters.
Listen, o sons Of Arctides!" said
Wahwun. "Harken to me. Children of
the Sun. Wahwun has hidden him.
self for hours in the lodge Of the
Metas, that he might hear the good
voices.
would you meet with success in
the chase? List then what the Man
itos tell you. Four sleeps to the west
you must go, and when you have
come to river, let one who is chosen
to lead you be dressed in the hide Of
hn 1>,,E 81 81
tire let the chosen one cover his fig
ure. Laying then your ears to the
ground you shall hear the rumble of
hoof beats. A herd like the leaves of
the wood will come to the hands of
the hunters.
go then, with your spears and ar
rows, in search of food for your peo-
pie.
at is not an adventure for women.
for children, for old men, or weak
ones. In the van of great herds, ever
ready for battle. walks the guardian
buffalo bull. Sharp are his black,
shining horns, and heavy his deep-set
shoulders. Thick and long is his
name, covering his neck in profusion.
Fierce is the light of his eye and his
voice is the voice of the thunder.
Where he runs the earth tremoles and
dust rolls up like the storm.
.sThen must the chosen one wait,
all patiently bidding the moment.
wait in the tall, rank grass, close to
the cliff by the river.
"All of the hunters remaining, los
ing no time in their going, let them
make haste to the rear of the herd
that is coming toward you.
Everything having been done, as
the voice of the Manitos orders, let |
him who is clad in the skin lift up his |
head from the grasses. Seeing him
thus shall the bull believe him Peg
heke, his brother. So may the chosen
one lead the herd with rush toward
the river.
"Then will the buffalo bull. calling
his herd that comes after, follow the
hunter disguised, swift toward the
cliff by the river. Up to the top of
the cliff returning the hunter shall
lead them.
'Thea the hunter. springing aside