Birch Bark Legends of Niagara | Page 9

war-clubs,
spears and tomahawks, to the bow and arrow was left the decision.
Again preparing for the contest after their own fashion, omitting no
caution or form, the combatants brought all their warrior skill into
requisition. Challenge after challenge was given and taken with equal
confidence. The impression on the warrior spectators was exciting;
admiration of such unexampled dexterity gradually increased, finally
swelling into sounds that denoted lively opposition in sentiment, when
suddenly, with an ominous flourish of his bow, as it fell at the feet of
Great Oak, Black Snake with a single bound stood in front of the
Chiefs. This unexpected movement produced attention and silence
while he spoke:

"Black Snake sends a true arrow, but the Manitou guided Grey Eagle's.
The Manitou whispered truths in the ear of Great Oak and defeated the
evil spirit. The Manitou says to War Eagle: 'I send a warrior to your
people to fill your place, and Grey Eagle, the chosen of the Manitou,
will be a great warrior.'"
[Illustration: GREY EAGLE.]
All of Black Snake's former pride and exultation seemed supplanted by
humility. Not the least demonstration of jealousy or revenge, was to be
traced in his artful face, while he continued:
"Grey Eagle will lead the young braves on the warpath. Let our father
send an offering to the Manitou, that he may drive the evil spirit away
from Black Snake, and he will be Grey Eagle's brother and fight by his
side. Black Snake's arrows are true, and the cries of our enemies will
fill the forest, while every squaw can deck her lodge with scalps."
With an appealing glance at the circle of Chiefs, Black Snake modestly
retired and they held their talk.
According to their customs, captives were either adopted by the captors
and enjoyed all of the rights and privileges of the tribe and confederacy,
or sentenced to death, attended by all of the horrors of savage torture. If
adopted, the nation knew no difference between her own or adopted
children. In the former council by the falling waters the Chiefs had
concluded to adopt Grey Eagle and his braves; therefore the women
had an undisputed right to select him as one of the candidates for War
Eagle's successor, which nomination was ratified by the Chiefs. The
women being undecided between the rival candidates, left the final
decision as before mentioned, to skill or chance. It was more through
chance than skill that Grey Eagle won, for both were well-drilled,
powerful warriors. But he had fairly won the two prizes, and the
conclusion the Chiefs came to was this:
Their great Manitou had evidently sent him to them for some wise
purpose. A human sacrifice must be made, as had long been their
custom, for the Manitou's good gifts and to redeem Black Snake from
the power of the evil one, this sacrifice must be made while the moon
was the brightest, which was the present time. It was that the bright
light might more fully reveal the brilliant path of the just. As those sent
as an offering to the Manitou would go direct to the happy home above,
freed from all trouble forever, when the selection was once made they

would become reconciled, and make themselves believe it a great favor
bestowed and cause of rejoicing. The subject for the sacrifice was most
frequently selected by lot from a few the Chiefs would name; but this
time it was Black Snake's privilege to make the selection and
arrangements, as he was next to Grey Eagle as a warrior, and then the
sacrificed spirit was especially to atone to the offended Manitott for
Black Snake's rashness while under the influence of the evil spirit. At a
signal for silence from Great Oak he made known these conclusions,
and Black Snake again came forward, and, with a great deal of
self-depreciation, expressed his wishes as follows:
"After the calumet with the soothing kinny-kinnick shall refresh each
Chief, while its light curling clouds bear their good resolutions on high,
let Great Oak and Grey Eagle be first on the backward trail; rising the
big stony hill, still keeping the trail, without entering any lodge, the
first one their eyes rest upon--be it one of the men, one of the women,
or one of the children--will be the one the Manitou wants. Let the
Manitou make his own selection: Black Snake is not worthy."
During the delivery of this speech; his swarthy countenance kindled
with a satisfied expression well calculated to conceal the dark
malicious plans that struggled in his breast. His very nostrils appeared
to dilate with hidden exultation.
Hurriedly passing the calumet, soon a light, fragrant cloud from the
sweet-scented kinny-kinnick rose on the air like evening incense,
making valid and unchangeable each resolve that tribunal of