52 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



spirit which enters his domain, and even then it may escape him 

 if, in its earth existence, good has predominated. Yet, should 

 Deh-oh-niot be able to capture but a small portion of a soul, he may 

 convey it to Death, and be rewarded for his service. 



If the evil of a spirit had been overpowering while it dwelt on the 

 earth, and but a fragment of good remained with it, even then it 

 might be strong enough to escape while Deh-oh-niot, with his 

 pantherlike tail lashing wide and trailing fire in his path, is carrying 

 it across the skies. 



If, in a fierce struggle, the spirit should gain its freedom, Deh- 

 oh-niot will have revenge by transforming it into a " fire stone," 

 and throwing it down to the earth where it may be eternally im- 

 prisoned. 



Were Deh-oh-niot any other than sky color, there might be 

 escape from his power ; but he can sit on a tree where its top blends 

 with the sky, and there no one can see him. When he rests on a 

 mountain crag, he outlines its high reaching, as if the sky were 

 " bunching down " in repose. 



His death cry may be mistaken for the mewing of the house 

 cat, or the bark of a dog at the door, for only the dying can dis- 

 tinguish between the voices. Therefore, Deh-oh-niot is the dread of 

 each lodge, where he may at any time enter when Death sends him 

 to gather souls. 



To hear the voice of Deh-oh-niot is an evil omen, and some dire 

 calamity will follow those who have listened to it. If Deh-oh-niot 

 appears to a person who is not ill, his death will soon follow. 



While Deh-oh-niot is possessed of the ferocity of the wolf, the 

 stealthiness of the panther, the rapaciousness of the vulture and 

 the claw weapons of the hawk; all these are necessary in his task of 

 gathering evil spirits for Death. 



When a " fire stone " (meteor) flames through the sky, " Deh- 

 oh-niot is gathering souls" ; and should it fall to the earth, " Deh- 

 oh-niot has pushed a soul from its trail." 



When a comet appears in the heavens, Deh-oh-niot is spreading 

 his tail. 



