FOOTNOTES:
[1] The water of the little lake (Drummond's Pond), to which this tradition relates, is coloured brown by the roots of the juniper and cedar.
[2] Whip-poor-will.
[3] The Indians could never be brought to believe that paper was any other than a tanned skin invested with the powers of a spirit.
[4] See note, vol. i. page 195.
[5] Chesapeak bay.
[6] Bay of Saganaum, in Lake Huron.
[7] Cress or crease, a poisoned arrow, seldom used, however, by the tribes east of the Rocky Mountains.
[8] Bird of Ages—See the Tradition vol. ii. page 35.
[9] Virginia.
[10] Scalps are suspended from a pole in the lodge, and usually in the smoke.
[11] Alluding to the custom of the Indian of shaving off all the hair except the scalp-lock.
[12] Wekolis—another name for the whip-poor-will.
[13] Talk—oration, also synonimous with "cabinet council, or general meeting, with a view to matters of high importance."
[14] Cunning little people, the common Indian appellation for those sagacious animals, the beavers.
[15] As I have remarked in a note (vol. i, page 305.) this is a metaphorical expression, signifying nothing more than that they will wage a bloody and destructive war.
[16] The Indians affirm that the Elk has a bone in his heart, which, being reduced to powder, and taken in broth, facilitates delivery, and softens the pains of child-bearing.—Charlevoix.
[17] The God of the winter.
[18] Ginseng, called by the Potowatomies Abesoatchenza, which signifies a child. I presume it has acquired its name rather from the figure of its root than from the tradition. They make great use of it in medicine.
[19] The implements of writing, especially paper, are esteemed by the Indians as medicines, or spirits, of great power. Books are viewed in the same light. Singing hymns from a book delights them much, as they conceive, that the book is a spirit, which teaches the singer to sing for their diversion.
[20] The Mammoth. See note, vol. ii, p. 111.
[21] "Iron possessed by an evil spirit;" their name for a gun or rifle.
[22] An Ottawa, who was a great drunkard, on being asked by one of the French governors of Canada what he thought the brandy of which he was so fond was made of, replied: "Of women's tongues and warriors' hearts; for," said he, "after I have drunk of it, I can talk for ever, and fight the devil."
[23] The female maple, distinguished from the male by having its wood paler and more streaked.
[24] Called by the French Canadians, l'Oiseau Mouche, or the fly-bird. The name has two derivations; the first, from the smallness of the animal; the second, from the humming noise it makes with its wings. Its body is not larger than an ordinary May-bug.
[25] Great Mountain, a name given to one of the early French governors, and continued to be used generally for the French as long as they held Canada. The story means a parrot probably.
[26] The Hudson.
[27] Quebec.
[28] The Indians could not be persuaded at first that paper was any thing else than tanned leather.
[29] The star flower.
[30] The mountain plant.
[31] The burnt weed.
[32] Chesapeak Bay.
[33] Place of worship—church.
[34] The Indians, occupying what is now called Virginia, had posts fixed around the interior of their Quiccosan, or place of worship, with men's faces carved upon them. These tribes have long been extinct.
[35] Altar-stone. From this proceeds the great reverence these tribes had for a small bird, peculiar to that region, and which continually called out that name. They believed it was the soul of one of their princes, and thence permitted no one to harm it. But there was once, they said, a wicked Indian, who, after abundance of fears and scruples, was, at last, bribed to kill one of them. But he paid dear for his presumption, for a few days after he was taken away, and never more heard of.
[36] The crane or pelican.
[37] Mackwah, an old bear; makon, a bear's cub.
[38] It is what they call the bosom-net, with which the Indians perform this singular ceremony. Before they use it they marry it to two virgins, and, during the marriage-feast, place it between the brides; they afterwards exhort it to catch plenty of fish, and believe they do a great deal to obtain this favour by making large presents to the sham fathers-in-law.
[39] Werowance, a war-chief.
[40] I do not know whether the roebuck actually weeps when he is hard pushed—the Indians believe he does.
[41] Far-eyes, the name the Indians gave to spectacles.
[42] These, as I before observed, are mere metaphors, signifying a deep revenge.
[43] Jack-with-the-Lantern.—This is an appearance which impresses the Indians with inconceivable terror. They generally retreat to a place of safety, if such can be had, on its first appearance.
[44] Salt water.
[45] See the Tradition vol. i., p. 201.
[46] Rapid river.
[47] Lake Superior.
[48] Tekarrah, i.e. [Greek: angelos], messenger, of the Great Spirit.
[49] His stature he determined by the width of his stride, and his cowardice by his avoidance of remote dangers, and the wide circuit he took to escape contact with any one, his having a new blanket by the portion of nap left on the branches of the trees among which he passed. His having a short gun he discovered by the mark left in the bark of the tree against which he had leaned the muzzle, and an old dog by the mumbling of a bone dropped in their path.
[50] The passage of the Highlands on the Hudson.
[51] The genuine tradition imputed but a part of the labour of ploughing out Coatuit Brook to the lover of Awashanks. It was commenced, according to the Indians, from a motive of benevolence rather than love. The Indians were much in want of fresh water—a very large trout, with the intention of supplying it, forced his way from the sea into the land. It proved too much for his strength, however, and he died in the attempt. It was finished by the heroine of this legend, who ploughed the sward through to Sanctuit Pond.
[52] Cape Cod.
[53] Mos-char-ne-wat-char—"It causes heat and cold"—Indian balsam, said to be one of the most valuable articles belonging to the Indian class of remedies. They give an infusion of it in colds, coughs, asthmas, and consumptions.
[54] Ehawshoga—"Bite the mouth"—Indian turnip, another of their remedies.
[55] Dittany, used by the Indians as a remedy for various diseases.
[56] See the "Legend of Coatuit Brook," p. 307 of this vol.
[57] See "The Legend of Moshup," v. ii, p. 261.
[58] A mode of expression common to the Indians who are in the habit of communicating their ideas by allusions to the senses.