The warriors saw the canoe which held the two captive squaws stand still. It was caught for one minute by a rock, then it leaped forward like a great fish and was out of sight. There was no hope for any of the canoes. Down, over the falls they went, one by one. The squaws had led their captors by the shortest way, but it was the way of death to each one.
The braves they were seeking were hidden in a cave at the foot of the waterfall. The broken canoes, scattered garments, arrows, and bodies told the story of their rescue by the brave squaws. Now the squaws of their band sing in the great war dance and chant of the bravery of women. [[98]]
VI. THE ORIGIN OF THE CRANE TRIBE OF THE OJIBWAY OR CHIPPEWA INDIANS
(Tribe Story)
he Great Spirit sent two cranes from the world above the sky. They came through an opening between the clouds and tried to find a place upon the earth. The Great Spirit told them when they were suited with some spot to fold their wings closely to their sides and wait; a change would come over them.
The pair of cranes flew down to the earth and began to search for a home. They went to the prairies and tasted the buffalo meat. It was good, but there were many days when no buffalo was in sight. They feared that the food would not last, and the two cranes flew to a great forest.
In the forest they tasted of the flesh of the elk, the deer, and many other animals. It was good meat, but it was hard work to hunt, and many days there were neither elk nor deer in sight. [[99]]
Then the two cranes flew to the Great Lakes. They tasted of many kinds of fish. They came to the rapids in the outlet of the lake white men call Lake Superior. Many fish were in this outlet; every day the fish seemed more plentiful than the day before.