Accordingly the chief was made acquainted with the matter at once. Forthwith he sent out runners, giving notice to all the people to assemble immediately in the Long Lodge of public meetings to hear news most startling and important; he set the following day for the assembly of the people. When the morning of the next day dawned all the people, having made the necessary preparations to attend the great council, hurriedly gathered in the assembly hall. Dehaenhyowens and his two companions went there in company with his host, the old man, whose grandfather was a former chief of his people. The assemblage was large, for everyone who could possibly leave home attended. When all were seated the chief arose, and ceremoniously greeted the newly arrived men in these words: “We have learned only a hint of what occurred during your expedition, and we desire fervently to know more of the events which took place while you have been absent. So now we shall listen to the whole account, and we will hear the leader of the party.”
Thereupon Dehaenhyowens arose, amidst deep silence, and spoke briefly, as follows: “There were 30 of us who started on the expedition along the path of the Sun; but only three of us have returned. It is I who bear the name Dehaenhyowens. On this hand sits my brother, Gaĕⁿʻhyakdoñʹdye’ʹ, for such is the name that he bears; and on this hand sits our friend, Dăgāʹdye’ʹ, for such is the name that he bears. So many only are we who survive. It came to pass during the time of our expedition along the path of the Sun to the skyland that one of our number remained there as an assistant to the people [[631]]in that far-away land. It is quite impossible for him to return again to this earth to live.” Then Dehaenhyowens related at great length all that had occurred to him and his party and all the things that they had seen from the time they had left their homes until their return. After speaking thus Dehaenhyowens resumed his seat.
The chief then said: “It was in fact a marvelous thing that was done by your party. It is a very long time since you departed from your homes; but now you have returned, only you three persons. Of course, one of the most essential things about this matter to be remembered is that Deauñhyāwaʹgon, sometimes called Hawĕñniʹyo, forewilled that you, and only you, should be enabled to return home safely. Preparations have been made so that we may now exchange greetings, and this shall be done. You, the surviving ones of the party, three in number, will take a suitable position, and I will take the lead in a ceremonial greeting to you; for I, of course, stand in the stead of the one who was the chief of the people when you departed. My name is Dagäʹidoñʹdyeʼ. Then we will do this: We will mutually and severally stroke one another’s body in greeting. This ceremony shall be for all persons, including our children—we will all greet one another in this ceremonial manner, for this was the custom of our fathers on such occasions.”
Accordingly Dehaenhyowens and his two friends took suitable positions in which to receive the greetings of the people, and the people with the chief in the lead came forward and cordially stroked their bodies according to the custom. All the men, women, and children arose and greeted them. When the ceremony was over the chief said: “We will do in the future all the things that we have today learned should be done. This, too, you shall know—you who have just returned home—that we shall be equal with you in the enjoyment and disposition of the things that we possess, so that our minds and yours shall think in peace. Here, you know, dwell the people, and now, of course, we again shall commingle and associate together. Everything is in readiness for us to rejoice and be happy, seeing that you have returned home in safety and health. The first thing to be done is to make merry by a game. They whose bodies are strong will play at a game of lacrosse ball; thus shall they amuse your minds, and you may rejoice. When that shall have passed we shall dance, beginning with the Pigeon Song, or Song of the Pigeons. When that is passed it will be time for us to disperse to our homes.” Thereupon Dehaenhyowens, arising, said: “It is marvelous to know that we have been absent from our people during three generations; and we are rejoicing that we have, though much fewer in numbers, returned to our homes. We are indeed very happy that we are again one people with you.” [[632]]
Then the young men went to the public gaming grounds and there engaged in an exciting game of lacrosse ball. When this game was over the people assembled in the Long Lodge of public meetings and there they performed the ceremony of the Song of the Pigeons. They danced all the songs of this ceremony, which is quite long and exciting. Even the children danced to show their pleasure at seeing the returned men.
(This is the end of the story.)
120. An Address of Thanksgiving to the Powers of the Master of Life[440]
We congratulate one another this day because we are still alive in this world.
Besides this act we give thanks to the Earth, and we give thanks also to all the things which it contains. Moreover, we give thanks also to the Visible Sky. We give thanks also to the Orb of Light that daily goes on its course during the daytime. We give our thanks nightly also to the Light Orb that pursues its course during the night.