So this is how the Indians say the partridges came to be. This is why they drum, and why some of the earth children still love to hunt partridges.
HOW THE INDIANS LEARNED TO HEAL
Medicine Rattle
A long, long time ago, some Indians were running along a trail that led to an Indian settlement. As they ran, a rabbit jumped from the bushes and sat before them.
The Indians stopped, for the rabbit still sat up before them and did not move from the trail. They shot their arrows at him, but the arrows came back unstained with blood.
A second time they drew their arrows. Now no rabbit was to be seen. Instead, an old man stood on the trail. He seemed to be weak and sick.
The old man asked them for food and a place to rest. They would not listen but went on to the settlement.
Slowly the old man followed them, down the trail to the wigwam village. In front of each wigwam, he saw a skin placed on a pole. This he knew was the sign of the clan to which the dwellers in that wigwam belonged.