Chafb] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 123 



They said, "We believe that your kinsmen will see it," (485) It was 

 when they were telling our great one, Handsome Lake. (486) They 

 told him, "We beheve that your kinsmen will see it in the future. 

 (487) This will happen. (488) The wind can become strong. (489) 

 And we beheve that it will scrape off everything on the earth." (490) 

 And up to the present time we who remain (491) see the way it hap- 

 pens. We are the ones who have good luck; it does not happen in 

 the spots where we arc located. (492) We can indeed attest to what 

 happens. (493) For it is true what the Sky Dwellers said. (494) 

 They said, "It is the most important thing for us to watch, (495) that 

 it does not become too strong in its revolving." (496) And it is just 

 the right strength, that we are content. (497) And let there simply 

 be gratitude. (498) And indeed again there is thanks that it con- 

 tinues as the Creator planned. (499) And we ask that it will continue 

 in the same manner for the period of another year. 



15. The Thunderers 



(500) And the entire group is thankful. (501) This is what you 

 did: you decided, "I shall have helpers who live in the west. (502) 

 They will move about among the clouds, (503) carrying fresh water." 

 That is what you intended. (504) And this too was indeed explained 

 to us. (505) You decided that there wiU be a relationship when we 

 want to refer to them. (506) And we say "our grandparents, hi^no^, 



