For the most part the legends here told are drawn from original sources. Many of the stories are printed for the first time; others have been adapted from well-known authorities. The author wishes to acknowledge in this latter connection help received from the collection, "The Indian in his Wigwam." Thanks are also due to Mr. G. H. Dunn, St. Andrew's Locks, Manitoba, for the "Sleep Fairies"; to Mr. C. Linklater, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, for the "Adventures of Wesakchak"; to Mr. J. S. Logie, Summerland, British Columbia, for "The Chief's Bride"; to the Okanagan chief, Antowyne, for the other Okanagan legends; and to a paper read before the Royal Society of Canada by Mr. G. M. Dawson, for "The Old Stump."
The last story in the book, "A Battle with the Sioux," although not a legend of the Indians, has been inserted as a true picture of Indian life and customs, and an interesting account of their contact with and relation to the white men.
WINNIPEG, CANADA,
September 15, 1912.
CONTENTS
[THE GIANT BEAR]
[THE SUMMER MAKER]
[THE SLEEP FAIRIES]
[SHINGEBISS]
[THE QUEER LITTLE ANIMAL]
[THE DORMOUSE]
[THE WINDMAKER]
[MOOWIS]
[THE DAUGHTERS OF THE STAR]
[KOTO AND THE BIRD]
[THE HUMPBACKED MANITOU]
[THE TRIBE THAT GREW OUT OF A SHELL]
[THE STORY OF THE INDIAN CORN]
[THE MAGICIAN OF LAKE HURON]
[THE FAIRIES' CLIFF]
[THE STONE CANOE]
[THE WHITE FEATHER]
[THE LONE LIGHTNING]
[THE ENCHANTED MOCCASINS]
[THE FIVE WATER-SPIRITS]
[THE CANOE BREAKER]
[THE OLD STUMP]
[THE CLIFF OF SINIKIELT]
[THE STRANGE DREAM]
[BIG CHIEF'S CONQUEST]
[THE RED SWAN]
[THE WHISPERING GRASS]
[THE LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND]
[THE ADVENTURES OF WESAKCHAK]
I. THE WONDERFUL BALL
II. A WONDERFUL JOURNEY
III. THE GRAY GOOSE
IV. LITTLE BROTHER RABBIT
V. THE BALD-HEADED EAGLES
[A BATTLE WITH THE SIOUX]
[PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY]
THIRTY INDIAN LEGENDS
THE GIANT BEAR
In the far north there was a village where many warlike Indians lived. In one family there were ten brothers, all brave and fearless. In the spring of the year the youngest brother blackened his face and fasted for several days. Then he sent for his nine brothers and said to them:
"I have fasted and dreamed, and my dreams are good. Will you come on a war journey with me?"