Localities—Utăwagûn′ta mountain, Walâsi′yĭ gap, Duniskwaʻlgûñ′yĭ gap and Atagâ′hĭ (mythic) lake, are all points in the Great Smoky range, which forms the dividing line between North Carolina and Tennessee. Tlanusi′yĭ is the native name for the site of Murphy, at the junction of Hiwassee and Valley rivers, North Carolina. Gahû′tĭ is Cohutta mountain in Murray county, Georgia. According to Wafford there are on the sides of this mountain several stone inclosures which were built by Âgan-uni′tsĭ for shelter places before attacking the Uktena (see also [Glossary]).
[52.] The Red Man and the Uktena (p. [300]): This story was obtained from John Ax. Swimmer had heard it also, but remembered only a part of it. For more in regard to the Uktena and the talisman derived from it, see [numbers 50] and [51], with notes.
Asga′ya Gi′gage′ĭ—The “Red Man,” or lightning spirit, who is frequently invoked in the sacred formulas.
Struck by lightning—As has been explained elsewhere, the wood of a tree that has been struck by lightning plays an important part in Cherokee folklore.
Strong and dangerous—It is a common article of Indian belief that the presence of a powerful talisman, no matter how beneficent in itself, is enervating or positively dangerous to those in its vicinity unless they be fortified by some ceremonial tonic. For this reason every great “medicine” is usually kept apart in a hut or tipi built for the purpose, very much as we are accustomed to store explosives at some distance from the dwelling or business house.
[53.] The Hunter and the Uksu′hĭ (p. [301]): This story was told by Swimmer and John Ax as an actual fact. The uksu′hĭ is the mountain blacksnake or black racer (Coluber obsoletus). The name seems to refer to some peculiarity of the eye, aktă (cf. uktena). Hickory-log, properly Wane′asûñ′tlûñyi, “Hickory footlog,” was a Cherokee settlement on Hiwassee river, near the present Hayesville, Clay county, North Carolina. Another of the same name was on Etowah river in Georgia.
Perspiration—The Indian belief may or may not have foundation in fact.
[54.] The Ustû′tlĭ (p. [302]): This story was told by Swimmer and John Ax (east) and by Wafford (west), and is a common tradition throughout the tribe. The name ustû′tlĭ refers to the sole of the foot, and was given to the serpent on account of its peculiar feet or “suckers.” The same name is given to the common hoop-snake of the south (Abastor erythrogrammus), about which such wonderful tales are told by the white mountaineers. Cohutta (Gahû′tĭ) mountain, in Murray county, Georgia, was also the traditional haunt of the Uktena (see [number 51], “Âgan-Uni′tsĭ’s search for the Uktena,” and compare also [number 55], “The Uwʻtsûñ′ta.”)
[55.] The Uwʻtsûñ′ta (p. [303]): This story was obtained from James Blythe. Nûñdaye′ʻĭ, whence Nantahala, was on the river of that name below the present Jarrett’s station.
[56.] The Snake Boy (p. [304]): This myth was told by Swimmer.