Sy^^-A;] LEGENDS 657 



temporarj' camps and make ready for the deer hunt. Then the good 

 hunters led out small parties in quest of the deer and in this manner 

 usually succeeded in killing large numbers of them. The venison 

 they dried for their winter supply of food, and the skins they tanned 

 into fine buckskin for leggings and moccasins and other garments; 

 and so these people were warm and contented during the winter 

 months. They shot the deer with bows and arrows and caught some 

 with traps, in the setting of which they were adepts. Thus they 

 made the natuial food supply of their home country contribute to 

 their welfare and comfort, and being well fed they were strong, alert, 

 and resourceful. 



These people were very observant of the phases and phenomena of 

 nature, and had signs by which to foreknow coming events. Should 

 they wish to know the degree of the cold of an approaching winter 

 they would watch carefully the muskrats as they prepared their 

 winter quai-ters. If the lining of the winter home of the animal 

 was made thin the people Mould conclude that the coming winter 

 would be mild ; but if thick, that it would be severe. 



'Another sign from which they judged the severity of an approach- 

 ing winter was the condition of the deerskins which they secured. 

 If these were thin and if the hair on them was short and not close, 

 the people would conclude that the coming winter would be mild. 

 If the people saw the bears making their winter quarters of leaves 

 early in the autumn they would infer that the approaching winter 

 would be vei-y severe. 



If much hail fell during the autumn and winter the people con- 

 cluded that there would be much fruit and many nuts the coming 

 season. 



Again, should a person traveling through the forest lose his way 

 he would notice on which side of a tall straight tree trunk moss was 

 growing. Assuming this to be the north side he would thus get his 

 bearings. 



Should a person see a rock damp from the humidity in the air he 

 would forecast rain for the following day. 



If a person observed wild ducks and wild geese disporting them- 

 selves actively in the water he would anticipate showers for three 

 days. 



The foregoing are some of the signs and omens which the Porcu- 

 pine clan taught to their neighbors, and through these they were 

 able to forecast coming events with great success. These things 

 made the Porcupine clan of the Waii'dat tribe noted for wisdom 

 and foresight. 



94615°— 16 42 



