482 IROQUOIAN COSMOLOGY (eth. ann.43 



the first one who was able to see her while her body floated down 

 hither. Now then let some one perhaps plan how we should do that 

 this woman should continue to live. In what place shall we place 

 her to abide?" 



Then at that time the various kinds of Ducks made the attempt. 

 Verily they were not able to devise a suitable plan. Then Hahowen 

 said, "You in your turn who are able to travel about in the depths 

 of the water will make an attempt. It may be, in turn, you might 

 discover what you should devise that could keep her body from 

 sinking." Then at that time all made attempts. Then Hanohgye 

 (Muskrat) said, "I will fetch earth from the bottom of the water. 

 That then shall come to pass. If it so be I am able to bring back 

 with me earth, then we shall be fortunate. For is it not well known 

 that she verily bears with her (creative) power?" 



At that time then Hanohgye dove down into the water. The time 

 was long. Then his body came to the surface. He was already long 

 dead. At that time Hahowen said, "Now, do ye seek out what 

 thing came to pass that he is not alive." 



Then Nagayahgih (Beaver) said, "Let me, too, verily, perhaps, vol- 

 unteer." Now, then he searched Hanohgye (and he found) that he 

 held earth in both paws, and in his mouth the earth was packed full. 

 Then Nagayahgih then said, " What thing shall we do? For, behold 

 this, this one whose body has come to the surface brings earth." 



Then at that time Hahowen said, "Come, then, now let some one 

 volunteer to hold up this earth so that verily it will be possible that 

 thereon we may be able to place this woman." 



Then Nagayahgih said, "I will be the first to make the attempt." 

 Then at that time they took care of all the earth that Hanohgye 

 brought back, and they placed it on the back of Nagayahgih. 

 In a very short while after he cried out, saying, "It seems, perhaps, 

 that I am not able to do it, because it is excessively heavy." Then 

 at that time they took off the earth. Then he, Hanyadengona 

 (Great Turtle), in turn spoke, saying, "I, perhaps, then, will now 

 make the attempt." Then at that time they who were at work 

 placed the earth on his back. Then at that time this Hanyadengona 

 said, "Then also it is all right, I will be able to uphold it. That then 

 will come to pass. If it so be that the earth will grow in size, thus, 

 too, will I also continue to increase in size in the time henceforth." 



Then at that time Hahowen said, "Now, verily, perhaps we who 

 came on ahead have done all that is possible." Then at that time 

 they placed the woman thereon. Then Hahowen said, "Now, 

 verily, I suppose we have arranged thy affairs, thou whose body 

 has stopped here." Then at that time the large body of mutual 

 helpers who arranged her affairs went away. 



