HEWi-riJ LEGENDS 541 



aroused the young hunter's curiosity, but feeling that he sliould not 

 pry into the affairs of his hosts he held his peace. 



Having completed their small preparations, the aged chief and liis 

 yoimg guest departed for the council. When they reached the lodge 

 of assembly (" Long- lodge"), they found that they were on time. 

 The hunter saw what was usual on such occasions and gatherings — 

 that those whose intentions and purposes were good had already taken 

 their places inside the coimcil lodge, and that those who had evil 

 designs and propensities were going to and fro outside. He noticed, 

 too. that when the frivolous young women saw him and recognized 

 him as a stranger, they at once guyed one another at his expense, 

 jostling and hawing and clearing their throats, in order to make the 

 young stranger look at them and to join them; but he paid no atten- 

 tion to their ruses. On entering the lodge of assembly the aged chief 

 and his guest found that it was already well filled with the orderly 

 people of the settlement, and that the chiefs were all present, quietly 

 awaiting the arrival of the host of the young hunter. When the two 

 had taken their seats the Fire-keeper chief arose and in a formal 

 speech uncovered figuratively the council fire, expressing with much 

 feeling tlije public thanks for all the good things they enjoyed and for 

 the preservation of their lives. He made these remarks in a loud 

 voice, giving thanks to the Master of Life. After forbidding the 

 commission of bad deeds by everyone there present he carefulh' 

 stated the purpose of their session. He asked every chief to employ 

 wisdom and mercy and justice in the conduct of the business. After 

 a number of the chiefs had discussed the matter pro and con befoi-e 

 them, and had in their parlance " cooked the ashes." and the business 

 of the council had been transacted, the Fire-keeper again arose to 

 close the session formally, by saying, among other things, " We now 

 cover the fii"e with ashes. And after the dancing, which will begin 

 now, we will disperse to our homes." 



The young hunter, hearing these last words and remembering 

 the strict injunctions of his host, hastened out of the lodge and at 

 once started for home at a rapid pace. But his movements had been 

 watched by four young women, abandoned characters of the settle- 

 ment, who at once pursued him swiftly, laughing, hawing, and 

 calling to him to stop and await their pleasure. This conduct, how- 

 ever, only caused the 3'oung hunter to travel ahead as fast as it was 

 possible for him to go. Soon he was chagrined to find that he was 

 not leaving the young women, for their voices did not die away, so 

 finally he started to run at top speed. After a time, becoming ex- 

 hausted b}- the exertion, the hunter slackened his pace to a brisk 

 walk, whereupon he soon heard the sounds of the laughing and guy- 

 ing voices of the. pursuing women, who seemed to be rapidly gaining 

 on him. Again he started on a brisk run in a seemingly vain effort to 



