XXIV. THE WHITE STONE CANOE
(Chippewa)
An Indian girl died on her wedding day. She was married to a young chief of the Chippewas.
The chief was brave, but his heart was not strong enough to bear this loss. There was no more peace for him from that hour. He went often to her burial wigwam, the wigwam of the dead. He forgot war and hunting. He pushed aside his war club and his hunting arrows.
He had heard his people say that there was a path that led to the Happy Land of Souls. He told his people he was going to find this path and seek this Happy Land. He made ready his bow and his arrows. He set out on his journey, and his dog followed him. He did not know which way to go at first. He only knew that he must go toward the south.
For a while he could see no change in the face of the country. Hills, valleys, forests, and rivers had the same look as in his own land. There was snow when he started. He could see it now piled thick on the trees and the bushes. [[152]]
At last there was no more snow. The trees were covered with buds; everything seemed bright and cheerful. He knew that he had come to the land of spring. The air was warm; there were no dark snow clouds in the sky. A field of blue was over his head, and a field of green was at his feet. He saw flowers around him; he knew he was far from the land of snow and ice.
Birds sang in the trees; all signs showed him that he was on the right trail, for he had heard his tribe tell of these things.
He went on. At last the trail he was following was lost. He saw ahead of him a new path covered with flowers; this showed that he was near the end of his journey. The path led him through a grove, then up a long hilly ridge, at the top of which he came to a wigwam or lodge.
At the door of this lodge stood an old chief with hair like the snow on the mountain. His eyes shone like the fire in a cave, for his eyebrows were thick and white. He held a staff in his hands, and a long robe of skins was thrown over his shoulders.
The young Chippewa began to tell his story. The old chief stopped him.
“I have expected you,” he said, “and have just come to my door to welcome you. The one you seek rested in my lodge. The sun has set but three times [[153]]since she left. Come in; when your feet have found rest I will show you where to find her.”
The Chippewa sat down in the lodge and rested. “I am ready,” he said very soon, and the old chief led the Chippewa to the door. There they stood and looked at the great prairies below.
“That is the Land of Souls,” said the white-haired chief; “my lodge is the gateway. Only your soul can go into that land. Leave your body here; leave here your bundle, your bow and arrows, and your dog. You will find them all safe here when you come back.”
The Chippewa obeyed. The dog guarded his master’s burdens, while the freed traveler leaped forward as if flying. He had no guide.
Everything kept its natural color and shape, except that all things were more bright, more beautiful than ever before. There were animals near him, but even the little rabbit showed no fear.
One strange thing he noticed from the first. His going was not stopped by trees nor rocks, for nothing hindered him. He could go through whatever was in his path. They were only the souls or shadows of trees. He was only a shadow himself in a land of shadows.
Soon he reached a large lake; he saw a green island in the center of it. The white-haired chief had told him when he left the lodge that he would find this lake, and on its shore he would meet his lost bride. [[154]]
He saw no one, but a beautiful canoe of shining white stone was tied to a rock at his feet, and a shining paddle lay in it. He stepped into the canoe and lifting the paddle turned round. He saw his bride in another stone canoe at his side.
The two canoes left the shore like two white swans. Great waves came on the lake. The white stone canoes rode on the top of the waves.
The Great Manitou was good. The Chippewa and his bride reached the Happy Island of Rest. Here they sat and talked of their happiness. They forgot that they had ever suffered; all things made them happy.
The Great Manitou talked to the Chippewa chief in a soft wind.
“Go back,” said the voice, “go back to the land of the Chippewas and teach them. The white-haired chief at the lodge at the gate will tell you many things. You have many winters to see before you can stay here forever. Your bride will wait for you on the Island of Rest.”
The soft wind grew still. The young chief awoke. His dog was by his side. Great peace was in the young chief’s heart,—but his journey was only a dream.
He came back to his life and his work. He taught his people many things. He was very brave. Before he died he told his people his dream, and his tribe gave him a great name, for he had done much good to his people.
Schoolcraft. [[155]]