Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 1 | Page 6

legend
of my old nurse, and evidently refers, like several others, to the coming
of the Whites.
"The Lake of the White Canoe" (Vol. 3, p. 1) is a common tradition in
the region where the incidents are supposed to have happened. I should
remark, however, that the tale is not always told of Indians, but by
some is supposed to have happened to a pair of White lovers. The
better account, however, makes them Indians. What adds to the interest
of this tradition is, that Mr. Thomas Moore has made it the subject of a
beautiful ballad entitled "The Lake of the Dismal Swamp." His having
taken up the story should, I am aware, have prevented me from
attempting to tell it, since it is impossible that any thing from my pen
should equal his beautiful poetical version.
"A Legend of the Bomelmeeks" (Vol. 3, p. 33) I heard from an Indian
of the Seneca tribe, whom I saw at Albany, in the State of New York. I
am not aware of its having been in print before.
"The King of the Elks" (Vol. 3, p. 47) I heard from the same old Indian
story-teller. I am not aware of its resting on any other foundation.
"The Daughters of the Sun" (Vol. 3, p. 77) is referred to by Leyden in
his "Scenes of Infancy," and by Bertram in his "Travels through the
Carolinas." (London, 1794. p. 25).
"The Island of Eagles"--(Vol. 3, p. 117). I heard this tradition from an
Indian whom I saw at Wheeling, in the State of Ohio, in 1823. I had
before read Carver's description of this island, and upon meeting with
this Indian, who had been there, and questioning him, he related this
tradition.
"Legend of Aton-Larre." This I heard from an old Indian at Fayetteville,

North Carolina, while I was travelling through that state in 1819.
"The Fire Spirit." (Vol. 3, p. 167). This was derived from the same
source as the last. I have read or heard a rather different version, but I
cannot recollect where.
"The Origin of Women." (Vol. 3, 175). For this tradition I have to
confess my obligation to a work which has, I suspect unjustly, been
considered a very indifferent authority--"Hunter's Memoirs." I have
never been able to convince myself that Hunter had not passed a part of
his life among the Indians.
"The Hill of Fecundity" (Vol. 3, p. 183) is referred to by James in his
"Account of an Expedition to the Rocky Mountains." (London, 1823,
Vol. 1, p. 253).
"Legend of Coatuit Brook." (Vol. 3, p. 305) This is mentioned in the
"Transactions of the Massachusetts Historical Society;" but I cannot,
for the reason before given when referring to these transactions, name
the volume and page. However, the tradition I have given--much fuller
than the former--was told me by an Indian of the Marshpe tribe,
dwelling in the vicinity of the Brook Coatuit.
"The Spirit of Vapour" (Vol. 3, p. 313) is referred to by Mackenzie in
his "General History of the Fur Trade," page cvi, prefixed to his
"Journal of a Voyage to the Frozen Ocean." (Quarto. London, 1801).
"The Devil of Cape Higgin" (Vol. 3, p. 321) was related to me by my
old nurse, and is a well known tradition, though not otherwise in print
than through my means.
"The Warning of Tekarrah" is a genuine tradition related to me by a Mr.
Clarke, an American gentleman of worth and intelligence, who left
England in June last for the United States.
But, while I distinctly aver the authenticity of those traditions which
rest upon my own authority, and submit the proofs of the genuineness
of the others, it must be understood that they have, with a few

exceptions, been much elaborated, though always with a careful
reference to the manners, customs, rites, opinions, &c. of the people
whose history they were supposed to tell. I have endeavoured to tell
these stories as I thought a genuine Indian would tell them, using only
their figures, types, and similitudes, and rejecting all inappropriate
phrases, and those which savoured of a foreign origin. I cheerfully
submit to the public whether I have not faithfully executed the task
which I proposed to myself--that of giving a collection of genuine
Indian traditions in the peculiar phraseology, and in strict consonance
with the known habits and customs, of that singular people.

CONTENTS
OF
THE FIRST VOLUME.
* * * * *
Introduction v The Man of Ashes 1 Pomatare, the Flying Beaver 47
The Alarm of the Great Sentinel. A Tradition of the Delawares 61 The
Mother of the World. A Tradition of the Dog-Ribs 73 The Fall of the
Lenape 87 The Marriage of the Snail and the Beaver 103 The Choice of
a God 117