Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 1 | Page 5

over the entire northern and western region, I have
assigned it to the Tetons.
"The Legends of Creation," with which the second volume commences,
are very interesting, for a number of them clearly refer to the great
Deluge. The first of these legends, "The Two Chappewees," is in two
parts: one is copied nearly verbatim from Captain (now Sir John)
Franklin's admirable account of his Journey to the Polar Ocean; the
other is referred to by Hearne.
The second of these legends, "Sakechak, the Hunter," is referred to by

Charlevoix, (in his Journal. London, 1761. Vol. 11, p. 228). The
accuracy of this writer is well established: no traveller in that region
may be so safely relied on. P. de Acosta is of opinion that this and all
the other traditions do not respect the universal deluge, but another
peculiar to America. I do not agree with him in opinion: I have always
thought that all refer to the deluge mentioned in the first Chapter of
Genesis.
"The Bird of Ages." This legend of the Creation is referred to by
Mackenzie. ("General History of the Fur Trade." Quarto. London, 1801,
p. cxviii). Reference is made to the same tradition in Hearne's "Journey
to the Northern Ocean."
"The Great Hare" is referred to by Charlevoix in his "Journal." (London,
1761, vol. 11. p. 142.) He refers to another tradition in which there is
mention made of another deity who opposed the designs of the Great
Hare. This he thinks of foreign extraction, and so do I, from the
circumstance that the opposing god is there called the "Great Tyger,"
which animal is not found in Canada.
Legend of the "The Six Nanticokes" is referred to by Loskiel. ("History
of the Mission of the United Brethren." London, 1794, p. 24). The
version I have given is from the relation of an old Indian preacher by
the name of Hiwassee.
"The Coming of Miquon" (Vol. 2, p. 99) is told by Heckewelder
("Trans. of American Philos. Soc." Vol. 1, p. 54), and is the genuine
Delaware tradition of the first meeting of the Lenni Lenape with the
white people, whom they say they were the first to welcome. Mr.
Heckewelder says "he had the relation from an intelligent Delaware
Indian," and that it "may be considered as a correct account of the
tradition existing among them of this momentous event." It will be seen
that the first coming of the white people is referred to in several other
traditions.
"The Funeral Fire" (Vol. 2, p. 115) is copied from the volume of Mr.
Schoolcraft before referred to. I have made the additions and alterations
required to make it in keeping with Indian phraseology and opinions.

"The Portioning of the Sons" (Vol. 2, p. 125) is referred to by Keating
in his "Narrative of an Expedition to the Source of St. Peter's River."
(London, 1825. Vol. 1, p. 233).
"The Maiden's Rock" (Vol. 2, p. 131) is copied from Keating's
Narrative, Vol. 1, p. 290.
"The Expedition of the Lenni Lenapes" (Vol. 2, p. 141) is told by
Heckewelder in the Vol. of Philosophical Transactions before referred
to, p. 29.
"Ghitshee Gauzinee." (Vol. 2, p. 181). For this tradition I am indebted
to the excellent work of Mr. Schoolcraft.
"Ampato Sapa" (Vol. 2, p. 189) is told by Keating. ("Narrative," &c.
Vol. 1, p. 310).
"The Caverns of the Kickapoo" (Vol. 2, p. 201) is referred to by
Keating in the before-mentioned narrative, Vol. 1, p. 250.
"The Mountain of Little Spirits" (Vol. 2, p. 207) is referred to by Lewis
and Clarke in "Travels to the Pacific Ocean." (London, 1815, Vol. 1, p.
72). This may be regarded as a genuine Indian superstition.
"The Valley of the Bright Old Inhabitants" (Vol. 2, p. 223) is referred
to by Adair in his "History of the American Indians." (Quarto. London,
1775, p. 237).
"The Legend of Moshup" (Vol. 2, p. 261) is one of those related to me
by my old Indian nurse. It is, I think, corroborated in a communication
made to the Massachusetts Historical Society, and published in their
Transactions; but, not having been able to find a copy in England, I
must beg the reader to rest satisfied with my assertion that,
independently of my nurse's version, a communication made to the
before-mentioned society stamps the tradition as genuine.
"The Phantom Woman" (Vol. 2, p. 273) I heard from a Winnebago
Indian at Washington, and I have somewhere met with it in print; I dare

not assert, but I think, that it is referred to by a Mr. McKenney, in a
book of travels published some years ago in America.
"The Two Ghosts" (Vol. 2, p. 285) is from Mr. Schoolcraft's work.
"The Vision of the Abnakis Chief." (Vol., 2, p. 303). This was a