She who gave birth, to them was a Mohawk, and she is called the Mother of Serpents.
Another Passamaquoddy tale gives the following account of the origin of the Serpent-race.
Once there was an Indian sorcerer came to a wigwam where there was a man who had a very handsome daughter.
The magician wished to win the girl; the father made up his mind that he should not have her.
The magician told them that he was very wealthy, and had a great lodge filled with furs and wampum. It was of no use.
Then he told the father that if he would go and cast his lines in a certain place he would catch as many of the finest fish as he wanted. The old man went, but took his daughter with him.
When they returned, loaded with fish, the magician, smiling, said to the girl with great mystery, "When you have cooked these fish, always throw away the tail, and begin by eating the head first."
He knew very well that her curiosity and perversity would make her disobey him. She waited with impatience till the man had left, when she hurried to cook and eat the fish. Thereby she became a mother, and the magician had his revenge.
Origin of the Black Snakes.
(Passamaquoddy.)