OF THE OBAHWAH INDIANS. 125 



other animals. It is remarked that the surface of the new earth was 

 perfectly level in its commencement, but, in the course of its formation, 

 an enormous beast arose from the ocean, and came upon the land 

 where he began to paw and otherwise dl.;iiguie the surface. The earth 

 being then quite soft, he made lasting impressions, hence we have 

 mountains and deep vallies. Nanahboozho is said to have been of a 

 gigantic stature ; of a happy and kind disposition. He continued to 

 reside with men for some time after the flood, the great part of his 

 time being employed in instructing them in the use of many things 

 necessary for their well-being. He then told them that he was going 

 away from them ; that he would fix his permanent residence in the 

 north, and that he would never cease to take deep interest in their 

 welfare. As a proof of his regard for mankind, he assured them that 

 he would from time to time raise a large fire, the reflection of which 

 should be visible to them.. Hence the northern lights are regarded by 

 the Indians as the reflection of the great fire kindled occasionally for 

 the purpose of reminding them of the assurances made to them by 

 their benefactor. 



With regard to the unity and dispersion of the human race. The 

 Indians appear also to have had some notions of their own on the 

 subject. The story is short and simple, but sufliciently clear in its 

 own way ; and, I may observe, nearly the same story is current with 

 almost every tribe. It is as follows : — 



The tribes were one and the same people in the beginning ; but at 

 a certain point of time, their ancestors had a great dispute. The 

 cause of that dispute was the foot of a bear, and when they could not 

 make up their differences, they quietlj^ dispersed in diiFerent directions, 

 and their children became distinct nations under different names. 



One more legend, and I shall close my present writing. It is usu- 

 ally told nearly as follows, viz. : — Several brothers, or a body of men 

 of the tribe, were being pursued and hard pressed by fierce enemies, 

 and being driven to the ends of the earth, when it was impossible for 

 them to retreat any further, one of them suddenly turned round and 

 struck the earth with his stick, which immediately opening, all their 

 pursuers were swallowed up in the yawning abyss, the earth closed 

 again, and thus saved his companions from death. 



This legend, heard by me in childhood, has almost entirely escaped 

 my memory since, and I can only relate the substance of it. I have 

 sometimes thought of it in after times, and wondered whether it might 

 not possibly be a tradition, giving an Indian account of the tribes of 

 the Israelites when overtaken by the pursuing armies of Pharaoh, and 

 the drowning of the Egyptians by the waters of the Red Sea. 



