KAS. LEG. TRANSLATION. [45] 13 



tions, they would set up four poles, and make them red with clay, 

 which is yellow at first, but becomes red by burning. They would 

 then go to war ; and whichever Nation should first cover its pole, 

 from top to bottom, with the scalps of their enemies, should be 

 the oldest. 



They all tried, but the Cussitaws covered their pole first, and 

 so thickly that it was hidden from sight. Therefore, they were 

 looked upon, by the whole Nation, as the oldest. The Chicka- 

 saws covered their pole next ; then the Atilamas ; but the Obi- 

 kaws did not cover their pole higher than the knee. 



At that time there was a bird of large size, blue in color, with 

 a long tail, and swifter than an eagle, which came every day and 

 killed and ate their people. They made an image in the shape of 

 a woman, and placed it in the way of this bird. The bird carried 

 it off, and kept it a long time, and then brought it back. They 

 left it alone, hoping it would bring something forth. After a long 

 time a red rat came forth from it, and they believe the bird was 

 the father of the rat. They took council with the rat how to de- 

 stroy its father. Now the bird had a bow and arrows ; and the 

 rat gnawed the bowstring, so that the bird could not defend itself, 

 and the people killed it. They called this bird the King of Birds. 

 They think the eagle is also a great King ; and they carry its 

 featliers when they go to War or make Peace : the red mean 

 War; the white. Peace. If an enemy approaches with white 

 feathers and a white mouth, and cries like an eagle, they dare not 

 kill him. 



After this they left that place, and came to a white foot-path. 

 The grass and everything around were white ; and they plainly 

 perceived that people had been there. They crossed the path, 

 and slept near there. Afterward they turned back to see what 

 sort of path that was, and who the people were who had been 

 there, in the belief that it might be better for them to follow that 

 path. They went along it to a creek called Coloose-hutche, that 

 is, Coloose-creek, because it was rocky there and smoked. 



