514 SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS [ETH.iNN.82 



its wings; at this the assembly would give a loud shout of encour- 

 agement. At once the old woman would come forth on the nin and 

 would ask anxiously, " Who is it that hit the mark? Who is it that 

 is my son-in-law?" But the people would reply, " It is not true that 

 one has hit it. No one has done so." Then she would return to her 

 lodge somewhat disappointed. 



Now the people began to say among themselves, " Ofigwe' Haii- 

 ges"hii' has arrived, and he is immune (from the influence of hostile 

 oi'enda)." Then he said to the assembly, "Now it is my turn to 

 shoot. It is not certain what will take place when I shoot. You 

 will see what happens." He strung his bow, and all the people 

 became quiet and attentive as they watched him. Assuming a suit- 

 able position and taking aim, the young man drew his arrow to 

 the very point and then let it fly. Without a hitch, the arrow struck 

 fairly in the center of the bird's body, causing the bird to fall over 

 on the opposite of the tree, whence, with wings feebly flap- 

 ping, it fell to the ground. At this the assembly broke out in a 

 loud shout of applau.se — so loud that one would think the sound 

 struck the heavens. The old woman came up on the run, anxiously 

 asking, " Who is he that has become my son-in-law ? " All the people 

 rushed forward to the place where lay the bird with the arrow still 

 sticking in its body. 



It so happened that one of the marksmen would run up and 

 attempt to withdraw the arrow, but would fail,*^- and then another, 

 and then another; but they all failed. Again Godwennia"dani', 

 coming up, said, "Who has become my son-in-law? " As the marks- 

 men failed to withdraw the arrow, she continued, " He who shall 

 be able to withdraw the arrow shall be my son-in-law." Just then 

 Ongwe' Haiiges''ha' came up, saying, "All stand back. This is 

 my aiTow." The people drew back, and he walked up to the bird 

 and, as he walked along, he drew out the arrow. Then the old 

 woman said. " Ongwe' Hafiges''ha' has become my son-in-law," 

 and, taking him by the arm, she led him back to her lodge. Then the 

 people dispersed in all directions. Then the old woman and her 

 companion reached her lodge, in one side of which was a sort of 

 apartment occupied by her daughter, who was born with a caul, and 

 hence was regarded as of noble birth. The epithet applied to such 

 maidens and young men is " down fended.". The old woman, leading 

 ihe young man into this apartment, said to her daugliter, " This man 

 has become my son-in-law. He is called Ongwe' Haiiges"ha', and 

 he is immune from enchantment." 



The young man then took up his abode in his wife's family. Ho! 

 He remained there for a long time. Then he said, " I shall go on a 

 hunt," and Ongwe' Hanges''ha' said to his three brothers-in-law. 



