BUSHNELL] THE CHOCTAW OF BAYOU LACOMB, LOUISIANA 33 



always contrived to escape unharmed. He had been away from his village three 

 days, and during that time had seen many deer, but had not been able to kill a single 

 one. On the third day, when the sun was overhead, the hunter saw a huge alligator 

 resting on a dry, sandy spot. 



This alligator had been without water for many days, and was dry and shriveled 

 and so weak that he could scarcely speak. He was able, however, to ask the hunter 

 where water could be had. The hunter replied, "In that forest, only a short journey 

 hence, is a clear, deep pool of cold water." "But I can not travel alone; I am too 

 weak to go so far. Come nearer that we may talk and plan. I can not harm you; 

 have no fear, " said the alligator. 



At last the hunter went nearer and listened to the alligator, who said: "I know you 

 are a hunter, but all the deer escape from you. Now, carry me to the water and I 

 will then make you a great hunter and tell you how to kill many, many deer. " The 

 hunter hesitated, as he feared the alligator, and then he said: "I will carry you, but 

 not unless I may bind your legs so you can not scratch, and your mouth so you can not 

 bite me. " The alligator rolled over on his back and held up his legs, saying, "I am 

 helpless; bind me and do with me as you will. " 



Then the hunter bound with a cord the alligator's legs and mouth. Then he lifted 

 the animal to his shoulder and carried him to the water. ^Vhen they reached the pool 

 the hunter loosened the cords and the alligator plunged into the water. It went down, 

 then returned to the surface three times, then went down again and remained a long 

 time. At last he rose again to the surface and spoke to the hunter, saying: "You 

 brought me to the water; now listen, and if you do as I counsel you will become a 

 great hunter. Take your bow and arrows and go into the woods. You will first meet 

 a small doe, but do not kill it. Next you will meet a large doe, but you must not 

 shoot this one, either. Then you will see a small buck, but this likewise must be 

 spared. Lastly you will encounter a very large, old buck. Go very close to it and kill 

 it, and ever afterward you will be able to kill many deer." 



The hunter did as the alligator told him, and never again was without venison in 

 his camp. 



Hoklonote'she 



A man away from his village on a hunting trip had killed many deer and bears. 

 One night he made a large fire of oak and soon was sleeping soundly, but before long 

 he was aroused by the cry of an owl, and, looking up, he saw a huge owl standing 

 over the fire. Then the hunter thought to himself, " WTiat am I to do?" Thereupon 

 the owl said to him, "So you wonder what you are to do," and repeated every thought 

 the hunter had. 



The owl was really Hoklonote'she, a bad spirit that can read men's thoughts, and 

 readily assumes the forms of various birds and animals. 



After the owl had stood there some time, repeating whatever thoughts were in the 

 hunter's mind, the latter suddenly jumped up and vigorously stirred the fire, causing 

 the oak logs to send up a myriad of sparks that fell on the feathers of the owl and 

 burned them. So badly frightened was Hoklonote'she that he flew away in haste, and 

 never again troubled the hunter. 



The Girl and the Devil 



A young Choctaw girl was walking alone one day in the outskirts of the village 

 when she suddenly met a young man whom she had never seen before. Soon he 

 spoke to the girl and asked her to accompany him to his home. At first she refused, 

 but at last he succeeded in persuading her to go with him. They passed through 

 dense woods and over hills, and at last entered the yard that surrounded his house. 

 Here various birds and animals were tied to the trees. As they were hungry, food 

 was brought them, and then, and not until then, did the man assume his true 

 character, and the girl saw the Devil before her. Then she became frightened and 



