612 SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS [bth. ann. 32 



all the beasts and animals and birds possessed exceptionally fine 

 bodies and presence. They remarked, too, that they had seen noth- 

 ing during their journey thither so wonderful and strange. They 

 saw with astonishment also the exuberance of the growing grasses and 

 plants, among which they beheld in rich profusion the fruited stalks 

 of the strawberry plants, which were as tall as the grasses. During 

 their entire journey thither never had they found such large, luscious 

 berries. 



Having gone some distance into the new country they were sur 

 prised to see in the distance a great multitude of human beings, 

 who were assembled on the . heath, which was the playground of 

 that people; they appeared to the travelers to be occupied with 

 games of amusement. Dehaenhyowens, the leader of the band, said, 

 " What is to be done now, my friends, seeing that we have arrived 

 at the dwelling place of strange human beings, and that we have 

 nothing with which to defend ourselves should they attempt to do 

 us harm ? " Thereupon, Gaenhyakdondye said : " We have indeed 

 made an agreement, as you know, that we should forsake our kin- 

 dred and our lives in order to accomplish the purpose of this expe- 

 dition. You know that each of us volunteered by ' notching the rod ' 

 to carry out that agreement. If we are to die here, we can do nothing 

 to avoid such an end; we must not break our resolution and compact 

 to follow the path of the sun to the last. The only thing that is 

 certain in the case of our death is that our careers would end here." 

 His brother, Dehaenhyowens, replied, " The matter stands even as 

 you have stated it; so then let us go forward to meet this people." 

 At this they started toward the place where they saw a great multi- 

 tude assembled. In a very short time the anxious travelers came to 

 a standstill not far from the others. Looking around, they saw that 

 the inhabitants of the settlement were in readiness to witness a game 

 of lacrosse, and that the players were even then standing in their 

 accustomed places. 



In a short time the game commenced, and the vast multitude drew 

 near as interested spectators. As soon as it was fairly under way 

 there arose a great tumult; there was shouting and loud cries of 

 excitement and approbation caused by the varying fortunes of 

 favorite players. The great multitude rejoiced, and the new ar- 

 rivals were greatly deliglited with what they saw. 



At this time one of the players exhibited gi'eat rudeness in his 

 manner of playing, striking right and left with his netted club with- 

 out regard to other players who might be injured by his reckless- 

 ness. Thereupon a person from the crowd, going up to him, said: 

 *'Do thou cease acting so rudely; thy manner is too violent, because 

 one who is rejoicing does not act thus. So do not act thus again." 

 Then the players at once resumed the game, playing as they never 



