The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-08-10
INDIAN MYTHS
The Thunder People
(Passamaquoddy)


fleet deer, until he found himself
standing upon great rock, high
above the plains.
The clouds were gathering
thickly. The sky was black with
clouds. The Indian youth was far
/ away from his lodge. IA
Again he saw the deer, and he
drew his bow. But as he did so, the
deer was changed into the form Of a
maiden, standing against the rock.
The youth dropped his bow in
wonder. He looked at the maiden.
In the distance he heard the voice of
the thunder.
"Who are your" he asked in
amazement.
And the maiden answered, II am
the sister of the Thunder Men. Will
you come with me land visit our
homeo" The youth consented, and
the maiden struck the great rock
against which she had stood.
There was flash, like flash of
lightning, and the rock opened and
made passage for them.
The maiden led the way, and the
youth followed; and when they had
passed thru the rock, they came into
strange county-the home of
the Thunder Maiden. The floors and
walls were of clouds and the clouds
were of every shade, from silver
gray to the deepest purple black.
They were soft to walk upon, and
smooth as the smoothest.velvet. And
their changing shades were more
wonderful than any artist could
paint
The maiden's robes were of trail
ing silver, and her hair was black as
midnight.
She led the youth to. her father,
who sat upon throne formed from
the deepest purple clouds. His hair
and beard were white like the mists
that float across the sky. But his
robe was black. with here and there
dash of brilliant gold.
Welcome, my son. said the old
man. Have you come to dwell
among us?"
The youth looked at the beautiful
maiden and he answered, Eyes, my
father"
So he became one of the Thunder
People. ~
After time the brothers of the
maiden returned home. And when
they saw the youth and knew that
he had come to dwell among them,
they proposed game of ball.
Now their balls were big and
black and very heavy; and they did
not throw them, but rolled them
back and forth across the clouds.
And the noise was very great.
When the father of the Thunder
Men saw that the youth was strong,
and could roll the ball we'll, he said,
you shall go with my sons tomor-
row. You shall see greater sport
than this
In the morning, when the Thun-
der Men put on their great purple
wings, the maiden brought forth an
other pair and fastened them upon
the shoulders of the youth Then
they all flew away to the south: They
carried BOWS and their arrows were
of gold. st .-.i,
Their wings made mighty roar
ing and crashing as they flew and
the people on the earth said, Listen
now the thunder roars and crashes!"
Then they shot their golden ar
rows from their bows and the earth
people cried, See, how the lightn-
ing flashes across the sky!" And
some of the earth people ran and
hid, for they were afraid.
But the old man of the thunder
world had said to his sons: "shoot
your arrows only at the great bird of
the south, which is our enemy. De-
stroy not the people of the earth.
And fly not too low. Touch not the
trees, for they are our friends"
So they flew about for a time,
taking care where they sent their
arrows. And when they had grown
tired of their psort, they flew back
to their home in the clouds and took
off their great purple wings.
For many moons the youth en-
ioyed the company of the Thunder
Maiden and took part in the sports ,
Of her brothers. But at last there
took possession of him a great long
ing to visit again his brothers and
sisters of the earth. He longed to
chase the deer in the forest, to fol-
low his chief in battle, to smell the
ire of his lodge.
He told his longing to the old man
Of the Thunder World, and the old
man said he should have his way.
So for the last time the Thunder
Maiden fastened his purple wings to
lis shoulders, handed him the
golden arrows, and babe him good.
I'VE. Then away he flew with the
Thunder Men.
Closer and closer to the earth they
vent, and the people covered their
'ars to keep out the crash and roar
If the thunder; and they covered
heir eyes to keep out the sight of
he dazzling, flashing lightning.
ooh, what STORM" cried the
'arth people, as they looked toward
! hill outside their village where the
loise seemed most deafening, and
he glare seemed most binding.
And there, on the hill, the
Thunder Men left their Indian
'rother; then, with many rumble
md flash, they flew away back to
heir home in the clouds.
Whel the people looked again,
he storm had lifted, and a warrior
vas seen descending from the hill
Q the village. They recognized
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