7. THE ORIGIN OF THE ARIKARA.[8]
I sacrificed several buffalo to Mother-Corn. I used to sit and listen to the songs. Finally the old men gave me a seat with them, so I learned to sing the bundle songs. The old men then told us this story:
A long time ago, the Arikara lived under the ground. There were four animals who looked with pity upon the people, and these animals agreed to take the people up on top of the earth. These animals were the long-nosed Mouse, the Mole, the Badger, and the Fox. The Fox was the messenger to the people to tell them of what the animals were doing. The Mole was the first to dig. He ran back, for he was blinded by the brightness of the sun. The animals went out. The people came out of the earth, the Fox being in the lead. As the people were coming out there was an earthquake. The Arikara came out. The other people were again held fast by the earth.
These people who came out from the ground then journeyed west. They came to a place where the earth shook, so that there was a chasm or a steep bank. The people waited and cried. The Badger stepped forward and began digging, so that it made a pathway for the people. The people went across this place, and continued their journey.
All through the journey Mother-Corn was absent, for she had gone into the heavens to ask the gods to let the people live. The obstructions that the people met were wonderful powers. This strange being was known as Sickness (Natogo). After all the people had passed the first obstacle they sat down and gave thanks and made offerings to the gods.
Again they went upon their journey, and it stormed. In front of them was a river. They could not cross it, for it was very deep; but a Loon was sent by the gods. The Loon came to the people, and said: “Your mother is traveling in the heavens to help you. I was sent by the gods to open up this river, so you could cross and go on your journey.” The Loon flew across the river, flew back, then dived and came out on the other side of the river. The river was opened; it banked up on each side; the people crossed over and the waters came together again. Some people were left on the other side.
Again they journeyed, and they came to a place where Mother-Corn stopped and said: “The big Black-Wind is angry, for we did not ask it to come with us, neither did we make it one of the gods to receive smoke. But,” said Mother-Corn, “the Black-Meteoric-Star understands this storm; it will help us.” Mother-Corn went on, and said: “Here we are. We must hurry, for the big Black-Wind is coming, taking everything it meets.” “There is a cedar tree. Get under that cedar tree. Get under that cedar tree,” said Mother-Corn. “The Black-Meteoric-Star placed it there. The Star stands solid, for its right leg is cedar; its left leg is stone. It can not be blown away. Get under its branches.” So the people crawled under its branches. The Black-Wind came and took many people, notwithstanding.
The people came out, and they went on. They came to another difficulty—a steep mountain bank, and they stopped. The Bear came forth, and said, “I will go through this place first.” So the Bear went to digging steps for the people. Steps were made on both sides and the people went across.
After they had been gone for some time, a Dog came up, and said: “Why did you people leave me behind? I shall be the one that you shall kill, and my meat shall be offered to the gods. I shall also fix it so that all animals shall make great medicine-men of you. My father is the Sun. He has given me all this power. I will give my power to all animals, then I will stay with the people, so they will not forget my promise to them.” The people were thankful to the Dog.