Chafe] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 33 



And indeed up to the present time we can attest to it: the way it 

 occurs, it destroys their homes.^^ From time to time it is destructive, 

 for the wind can become strong. (107) But as for us, we are con- 

 tent, for no matter how strong the v/ind has been we have been happy. 

 (108) And give it your thought, that we may do it properly: we give 

 thanks for the thing that is covered by a veil, where the wind is 

 formed. And our minds mil continue to be so. 



10. The Thunderers 



(109) And now this is what Our Creator did: he decided, "I shall 

 have helpers who will live in the west. (110) They will come from 

 that direction and wiU move about among the clouds, carrying fresh 

 water." (Ill) They will sprinkle all the gardens which he provided, 

 which grow of their own accord on the earth. (112) And he decided, 

 "There will be a relationship when people want to refer to them: 

 they will say 'our grandparents, hi?no?, the Thunderers'.^^ That is 

 what they wiU do." (113) And he left them in the west; they will 

 always come from that direction. (114) And truly they will always 

 be of such a strength that the people, their grandchildren, who move 

 about will be content with them. (115) And they are performing 

 their obhgation, moving about all through the summer among the 

 clouds, maldng fresh water, rivers, ponds, and lakes. (116) And give 

 it your thought, that we may do it properly: we now give thanks 

 for them, our grandparents, hi^no^, the Thunderers. And our mmds 

 will continue to be so. 



M Lit. 'where they are content', reienlng to the homes of white men in the surrounding area. See p. 9. 

 M Lit. 'they are speaking out', or 'spreading the word'. 



