110 MYTHS OF THE IROQUOIS. 



with the same experience, and this they contiuiied the nightlong. Then 

 the old man said, very angrily, "There is no game here; my nephews 

 have deceived me." And he returned, leaving the last tree. 



After sunrise the poor fellow came down from the tree, saying, "I 

 think I have escaped, for if those young fellows return I will watch 

 them and contrive to get their wings from them." He then concealed 

 himself andpatiently awaited their coming. He soon heard their voices, 

 saying, "Now we will have a good time." They first jumped around 

 to warm themselves, and then said, " Let us all dive together." Then 

 he rushed out, and, taking all the wings, he put on one pair, and flew 

 away, calling out, "Uncle, now there is plenty of game for you"; and 

 when they entreated him he replied, " You had no mercy on me ; I only 

 treat you the same." Then he flew on until he came to his old home, 

 where he found his old imcle, to whom he recounted the whole story; 

 and after that time he remained peacefully at home with his good uncle, 

 where he still resides. 



" So many times my old grandfather, chief Warrior, told me that 

 story," said Zachariah Jamieson to me on the Seneca Reservation. 



THE WILD-CAT AND THE WHITE RABBIT. 



[Told by Zacbariah Jamieson.] 



The wild cat, roaming disconsolately in the woods, experienced the 

 sense of utter loneliness which calls for companionship. A friend he 

 must have or die. Cats there were none within speaking distance, 

 but rabbits it might be possible to entice. He commenced a plaintive 

 ditty. His soul craved a white rabbit above all else, and his song was 

 pathetic enough to entice the most obdurate : 



He gall yah neh 

 He gall yah ! Ho gah ySU 

 Di ho ni shu gua da-se 

 He yah gah. 



His meaning was simple as his song, "When you are frightened, 

 sweet rabbit, you run in a circle." 



He was wise in his generation. A short distance off lay a white rab- 

 bit in his lair ; hearing the melodious ditty he pricked up his ears. 

 "Heigho ! " exclaimed he, " that dangerous fellow, the wild-cat, is around ; 

 I hear his voice; I must scud"; and away ho ran, turning from the direc- 

 tion in which the voice came and hastening with all his might. He 

 had gone but a short distance when he stopped, turned back his ears 

 and listened. There was the song again : 



He gah yaU ! He gah yah ! 

 Di ho— 



