540 SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS / [eth. ann. 32 



seemed to be occupied; he noticed smoke arising from it, hence he 

 inferred that people were dwelling there. He resolved to go ahead 

 to see who lived in that lodge. As he continued on he still saw the 

 tracks of the raccoon which he had been following. On reaching the 

 lodge the young hunter entei-ed. finding within two very aged people, 

 seemingly a man and his wife, who appeared to be superannuated. 

 The old man was the first to greet the hunter, saying, " My grandson, 

 it is indeed well that you visit our lodge and home." Then the old 

 woman joined her husband in welcoming him with the words, " My 

 grandson, it is indeed good that you visit our home." The hunter 

 replied to these words of welcome. " I am indeed glad that you two 

 are still living in health in this world." The heads of these two old 

 people were white and partially bald, for their years were many; 

 but they se^ food before their guest, which he ate heartily and thank- 

 fully, for he had become quite exhausted from his long pursuit of 

 the raccoon. When he finished his meal he conversed with the old 

 man concerning the affairs of that country. 



In a short time the old man said. " The chiefs of this settlement 

 have invited me to meet them in council this evening, and I should 

 be much pleased to have you accompany me to our lodge of as.sem- 

 bly ("Long-lodge"). Here the wife of the old man added, ''My 

 grandson, you should go with him and so become acquainted with 

 our people and see the country." The young hunter consented to ac- 

 company his aged host, for he learned that he was a noted chief in 

 his land. Thereupon the aged chief said, " My grandson, when we 

 arrive at the lodge of assembly you must not remain outside; you 

 must enter with me; and when they begin to dance you must return 

 Iiere at once, for if you should remain there you would meet with a 

 terrible misfortune. I am giving you warning in due time. More- 

 over, you must noi linger along the way homeward, but you must 

 make all possible speed. Yonder is a hut, which rests on a platform 

 supported by four posts, in which hut you must retire for the night. 

 There is a ladder leading up to the entrance of the hut, which, when 

 you have reached the platform, you must pull up after you and lay 

 on the scaffolding outside the lodge. I warn you further. You 

 must not consent under any consideration or persuasion to let down 

 this ladder to enable a person or persons to go up and be with you, 

 for should you give this consent a most appalling thing will befall 

 you. Do not forget these warnings. Your safety depends on your 

 obeying what I have said to you, for I am telling you these things 

 for your welfare." The young hunter assured the old man that he 

 would obey his warnings. Looking out he saw the elevated hut to 

 which the old man said he should retire for the night, and he noticed 

 that the supporting posts had been peeled and carefully oiled to 

 prevent anything from climbing them to reach the hut. This fact 



