October, 1903. Traditions of the Crows — Simms 315 



They tried to get off, but could not, as they were stuck fast to the 

 shell. When the turtle got on the high hill, the men saw the lake 

 themselves, and their doom, and all began to sing their death songs, 

 while the .turtle crawled into the lake and went under the water and 

 the eighteen men were drowned. The two who were afraid to get on, 

 went home and told all of the great turtle, and that is why we know it. 



24. — Dwarfs on the Ledge. 



Long time ago there lived a very dwarfish people who lived in 

 cliffs and had no fire. Their bows were made of deer antlers and their 

 arrow heads were of flint. They were so powerful that they could 

 carry buffalo on their backs. 



From the large number of buffalo heads lying beneath a projecting 

 ledge on Pryor Creek, it is said that these dwarfs lived there, upon this 

 ledge. For many years past, it has been the custom of the Indians 

 passing (and of those who go there purposely) to shoot arrows in 

 this ledge (which may be seen to-day), and with each arrow shot, a 

 prayer was made, that the person may be as strong as the dwarf people 

 and that his aim may be as true and unerring as theirs. It appears as 

 though the arrows discharged to-day do not stick as formerly. 



Many persons have seen a large number of arrows projecting from 

 the ledge. The creek near the place is called by the Indians, ''Arrow- 

 Creek." 



* 



25. — The Place where the Buffalo go over by the Will of the 



Sun. 



On Pryor Creek near Chief Plenty-Coup's place is a gully, about 

 twelve feet deep, and the bed is wider than the top opening, which is 

 about two feet wide. 



It is said that in years past, when the buffalo, deer, and elk would 

 step over this opening, the gap would widen to such an extent that the 

 animals would fall to the bottom, and the opening would resume its 

 former width. 



Bones of animals are to be seen through the opening at the top, 

 which has closed considerable by accumulations, etc. This place is 

 called by the Indians, "The place where the buffalo go over by the will 

 of the Sun." 



