694 SENECA FICTlOISr, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS [eth.ann. 32 



You and I must set to work so that we may make this good thing 

 for our people; and this shall be a level (peaceful and fruitful) 

 country; and thereon we must, one and all, take one another by the 

 arm (hand) — all women, children, and men; and by this means each 

 one will bear testimony to the fact that truly, indeed, we have made 

 peace and have settled harmoniously all our difficulties; and when 

 we shall have taken one another by the arm then we must dance to 

 express our joy and good will and hope for the continuance of this 

 peace during time to come." 



Then all who were able to do something were set to work, and they 

 prepared a symbolical field of peace ■'^° whereon they and theirs might 

 enjoj' life and might promote their welfare in such manner as seemed 

 to satisfy their desires. When they had completed the task they 

 cried to those across the river who had accepted the propositions of 

 peace: " Come now ! Do you come across the river and let us enjoy 

 ourselves together." Willingly obeying, the people soon crossed 

 the stream, and they soon were standing on the prepared field of 

 peace, whereon they ranged themselves in long files preparatory to 

 taking part in the dances. Then the leaders grasped each other's 

 arms, saying, " Now, let us all take hold of one another's arms, and 

 then let us dance," and then they continued, " We must now dance 

 all nieht long." Then they danced. Thereupon the singer began 

 to sing: //a' 'a' hoiu'ne', liWii' hoid'ne' ; wd"'hu, wd'^hu, wd''hu, hd^'a'' 

 hoid'ne'. (The only word in this line which has a clear meaning is 

 the second, which is the title of the highest order of federal 

 chiefs. — Ed. ) 



When daylight had come, one of the chiefs made an address of 

 thanksgiving. He said : " I am very thankful that day has dawned 

 in peace on this assembly here present. So now we give our thanks- 

 giving to Him whose place of residence we still do not know but 

 who has made our lives. So now you and I have finished this work, 

 which puts an end to any bitter feeling between us that might in 

 the future lead some one to scalp another. So now we will separate 

 again. So now we, for our part, will start for our homes, and you, 

 too, will return to your homes." 



So it came to pass that the two peoples arrived safe at their homes, 

 whence they had come forth to make peace with their enemies, and 

 this peace has lasted unto this day. 



So this came to pass in this way. And this is the end of the legend. 



133. The Stoky of the White Pigeon, the Chief or the Pigeoxs 



It is said that among wild pigeons the white ones are the chiefs of 

 their communities. According to tradition, a white pigeon once flew 

 into the forest lodge of a noted old man, the Wild Cat. The visitor 



