THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE 47 



the next day it was rumored that he was missing. A search was 

 made and on the other side of the Allegany in a swamp two days 

 later the man was found. He was sitting above it. He had broken 

 branches and arranged them in the form of a nest upon which he 

 sat devouring snakes. He was not in his right mind. They took 

 him from his nest (ho no n 'gwae') and soon he died." Eniaiehuk. 



section 48 



" Now another story. 



1 " Now it was that when the people reviled me, the proclaimer 

 of the prophecy, the impression came to me that it would be well 

 to depart and go to Tonawanda. In that place I had relatives and 

 friends and thought that my bones might find a resting place there. 

 Thus I thought through the day. 



" Then the messengers came to me and said ' We understand 

 your thoughts. We will visit you more frequently and converse 

 with you. Wherever you go take care not to be alone. Be cautious 

 and move secretly.' 



" Then the messengers told me that my life journey would be in 

 three stages and when I entered the third I would enter into the 

 eternity of the New World, 1 the land of our Creator. So they 

 said." Eniaiehuk. 



2 " The day was bright when I went into the planted field and 

 alone I wandered in the planted field and it was the time of the 

 second hoeing. Suddenly a damsel 2 appeared and threw her arms 

 about my neck and as she clasped me she spoke saying, ' When you 

 leave this earth for the new world above, it is our wish to follow 

 you.' I looked for the damsel but saw only the long leaves of corn 

 twining round my shoulders. And then I understood that it was the 

 spirit of the corn who had spoken, she the sustainer of life. So I 

 replied, ' O spirit of the corn, follow not me but abide still upon the 

 earth and be strong and be faithful to your purpose. Ever endure 

 and do not fail the children of women. It is not time for you to 

 follow for Gai'wiio' is only in its beginning.' " Eniaiehuk. 



section 49 



" ' Now another message to tell your people. 



1 The heaven described by Ganiodai'io' was called the New World because 

 it had not been previously known. The generations before had not gone 

 there, not having known the will of the Creator as revealed by the prophet. 



2 See plate 13, the Spirit of the Corn. 



