The San Francisco call., 1910-09-25
RY KATHARINE DEALS.

"A ANY, many years ago, when the
NA Indians alone possessed the Amer
lean wilderness, band Of war
riors were encamped on the shore of
lake. At night as they sat and smoked
their pipes they watched the stars, for
in them they believed dwelt the good
who had been taken away by the Great
Spirit.
One night they saw a star that
seemed brighter and nearer than any of
the others. A council of their wise men
was called to ascertain the meaning of
this wonder. Some thought that it was
an omen OF evil; others that it was a
messenger of good One whole moon
passed and the mystery remained un-
solved. One night a young brave
dreamed that radiant maiden stood
beside him and said: II love your land.
its lakes and It's mountains, it's birds
and it's flowers, and l have left my sis
ters to dwell among you. Ask your
people where l can live and what form
i shall take to be loved of all"
At dawn the warriors were sum-
moned to the council lodge and the
young brave reported his dream. Three
of the wisest were chosen to welcome
the stranger. They were surprised to
find that as they went toward the star
it seemed to advance to meet them
until it seemed almost within their
reach They offered pipe of peace,
filled with fragrant herbs, and it was
taken by unseen hands. AS they re-
turned the star followed and hovered
over the camp until dawn.
That might the maiden again APP
peared to the young brave to know
what form she should take and where
she should live. Numerous places were
suggested. but at last it was decided to
leave it to the maiden to choose for
~l,ff RI
rose on the mountain, but no one could
see her. Then she selected a prairie
flower, but the hoof of the buffalo
crushed her to earth. Then she went
into a honeysuckle on the cliff, but the
children could not reach her. At last
the star said II know where | will
go. / will be safe and can watch the
canoes as they come and go and the
children can play with me-
So saying, she dropped gently into
the cool water Of the lake and the next
morning thousands of white lilies were
blooming in the lakes all about, and
the Indians called it wah be gwan-
(the white fiower).
A SARANAC INDIAN LEGEND
Another account of the original of
the water lily comes from the Saranac
Indians
1t was summer. All the spring the
young DTaNG CIltl VI Tic dbdSSs
with his warriors, had been away war
ring with a neighboring tribe. but they
had returned victorious to their camp
on the shore of the lake of the Reflected
Stars. There was wild feasting and
revelry to welcome them home. Every
one was joyous. save one. and she
should have been the happiest Of all,
for in one week she was to be the bride
OF the victorious chief
1t was Osteetah, the Bird, the sweet
singer of the tribe. She had taken a
vow that no one knew anything about
save the Great Spirit. and she was sad.
Silently she withdrew from the throng.
and slipping into her canoe she pad
died along the shore of the lake. But
the chief had seen her, and running
to the shore sprang into his canoe and
followed her. On they went until the
Bird, Bleaching her canoe, climbed up
to the top of high cliff. She called
~ bar Iouar nnf m folI0w hut he 9th har