818 IROQUOIAN COSMOLOGY 1eth.ann.43 



The assemblage was large, for every one who could possibly leave 

 home attended in person. 



When all were seated, the chief arose, and ceremoniously greeting 

 the newty arrived men, said, "We have learned only a hint of what 

 occurred during your expedition, and we desire fervently to know 

 more of the events through which you have passed while you have 

 been absent. x\nd so now we shall listen to the whole account. And 

 we will now listen to the leader of the party, De'hae"'hyo'we°'s." 



De'hae'"hyo'we°'s then arose amidst great silence and spoke only 

 briefly as follows: "There were thirty of us who started on the expe- 

 dition along the path of the sun; but there are only three of us who 

 have returned. It is I who bear the name De'hae°'hyo'we'"s. On 

 this hand sits my brother, Gae°'hyakdoii'dye', for such is the name 

 that he bears; and on this hand sits our friend, Daga'dye', for such 

 is the name that he bears; so many only are we who survive. 



"And this, too, came to pass during the time of our expedition 

 along the path of the Sun, to the skyland. One of our number 

 remains there as an assistant to the people in that far-away land. 

 It is, moreover, quite impossible for him to return to this earth to 

 live again." 



And then De'hae'"hyo'we°'s related at great length all that had 

 occurred to him and his party from the time they had left their 

 homes until their return. He told of all things that had transpired 

 and all things that they had seen during their absence ; these things 

 were recited in detail, completing the recital with their return home. 

 Then De'hae'"hyo'we'"s resumed his seat. 



The chief then said, "It was in fact a marvelous thing that was 

 done by this party. It is a very long time ago since you departed 

 from your homes. But, now, you have returned to them, numbering 

 only three persons. Of course, one of the most essential things 

 about this matter to be remembered is that De'hae'"hyawa"gi', 

 sometimes called Hawenni'yo', forewilled that you, and only you, 

 should be enabled to return home safely. 



"Furthermore, preparations have been made so that we may 

 now mutually and severally exchange greetings. And, further, then, 

 this shall be done. You, the surviving ones of the party, three 

 in number, will take a suitable position, and then I will take the 

 lead in a ceremonial greeting to you; for I of course stand in the 

 stead of the one who was the chief of the people when you departed ; 

 my name is, indeed, Daga'hidon'dye'; and then we will do this: 

 we will mutually and severally stroke one another's body in greeting. 

 This ceremony shall be for all persons, including our children — we 

 will all greet one another in this ceremonial manner; for such was 

 the custom of our fathers on such occasions." 



