Folk-Lore and Legends: North American Indian | Page 2

him, an
admirer of the forest belle. The hunter disregarded even his voice, and
as soon as his steps died away on the creaking snow the stillness and
solitude of the wilderness reigned around.
As soon as all were gone, and he could no longer, by listening, hear the
remotest sound of the departing camp, the Beau-Man arose.
Now this young man had for a friend a powerful guardian spirit or
personal manito, and he resolved, with this spirit's aid, to use his utmost
power to punish and humble the girl, for she was noted in her tribe for
her coquetry, and had treated many young men, who were every way

her equals, as she had treated this lover. He resolved on a singular
stratagem by way of revenge.
He walked over the deserted camp and gathered up all the cast-off bits
of soiled cloth, clippings of finery, and old clothing and ornaments,
which had either been left there as not worth carrying away, or
forgotten. These he carefully picked out of the snow, into which some
of them had been trodden, and collected in one place. These gaudy and
soiled stuffs he restored to their original beauty, and made of them a
coat and leggings, which he trimmed with beads, and finished and
decorated after the best fashion of his tribe. He then made a pair of
moccasins and garnished them with beads, a bow and arrows, and a
frontlet and feathers for the head. Having done this he searched about
for cast-out bones of animals, pieces of skin, clippings of dried meat,
and even dirt. Having cemented all this together he filled the clothes
with it, pressed the mass firmly in, and fashioned it, externally, in all
respects like a tall and well-shaped man. He put a bow and arrows in its
hands, and the frontlet on its head. Having finished it he brought it to
life, and the image stood forth in the most favoured lineaments of his
fellows. Such was the origin of Moowis, or the Dirt-and-Rag Man.
"Follow me," said the Beau-Man, "and I will direct you how you shall
act."
Moowis was, indeed, a very sightly person, and as the Beau-Man led
him into the new encampment where the girl dwelt, the many colours
of his clothes, the profusion of his ornaments, his manly deportment,
his animated countenance, drew all eyes to him. He was hospitably
received, both old and young showing him great attention. The chief
invited him to his lodge, and he was there treated to the moose's hump
and the finest venison.
No one was better pleased with the handsome stranger than
Ma-mon-dá-go-Kwa. She fell in love with him at first sight, and he was
an invited guest at the lodge of her mother the very first evening of his
arrival. The Beau-Man went with him, for it was under his patronage
that he had been introduced, and, in truth, he had another motive in
accompanying him, for he had not yet wholly subdued his feelings of

admiration for the object against whom he had, nevertheless, exerted all
his necromantic power, and he held himself ready to take advantage of
any favourable turn which he secretly hoped the visit might take in
relation to himself. No such opportunity, however, arose. Moowis
attracted the chief attention, every eye and heart was alert to entertain
him. In this effort on the part of his entertainers they had well-nigh
brought about his destruction by dissolving him into his original
elements of rags, snow, and dirt, for he was assigned the most
prominent place near the fire, where he was exposed to a heat that he
could by no means endure. However, he warded this calamity off by
placing a boy between him and the fire; he shifted his position
frequently, and evaded, by dexterous manoeuvres and timely remarks,
the pressing invitation of his host to sit and enjoy the warmth. He so
managed these excuses as not only to conceal his dread of immediate
dissolution, but to secure the further approbation of the fair forest girl,
who was filled with admiration of one who had so brave a spirit to
endure the paralysing effects of cold.
The visit proved that the rejected lover had well calculated the effects
of his plan. He withdrew from the lodge, and Moowis triumphed.
Before the Beau-Man left he saw him cross the lodge to the coveted
abinos, or bridegroom's seat. The dart which Ma-mon-dá-go-Kwa had
so often delighted in sending to the hearts of her admirers she was at
length fated to receive. She had married an image.
As the morning began to break the stranger arose, adjusted his warrior's
plumes, and took his forest weapons to depart.
"I must go," said he, "for I have important work to do,