THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE 105 



LEGEND OF THE COMING OF DEATH 1 



' When the world was first made, men-beings did not know that 

 they must die some time. In those days everyone was happy and 

 neither men, women nor children were afraid of anything. They 

 did not think of anything but doing what pleased them. At one 

 time, in those days, a prominent man was found on the grass. He 

 was limp and had no breath. He did not breathe. The men-beings 

 that saw him did not know what had happened. The man was not 

 asleep because he did not awaken. When they placed him on his 

 feet he fell like a tanned skin. He was limp. They tried many 

 days to make him stand but he would not. After a number of days 

 he became offensive. 



A female man-being said that the man must be wrapped up and 

 put in the limbs of a tree. So the men did so and after a while the 

 flesh dropped from the bones and some dried on. No one knew 

 what had happened to cause such a thing. 



Soon afterward a child was found in the same condition. It had 

 no breath. It could not stand. It was not asleep, so they said. 

 The men-beings thought it was strange that a girl man-beingf should 

 act this wise. So she was laid in a tree. Now many others did 

 these things and no one knew why. No one thought that he him- 

 self would do such a thing. 



There was one wise man who thought much about these things 

 and he had a dream. When he slept the Good Minded spirit came 

 to him and spoke. He slept a long time but the other men-beings 

 noticed that he breathed slowly. He breathed [nevertheless!. 

 Now after a time this man rose up and his face was very solemn. 

 He called the people together in a council and addressed the people. 

 The head men all sat around with the people. 



The wise man spoke and he said, " The Good Minded spirit trade 

 every good thing and prepared the earth for men-beings. Now it 

 appears that strange events have happened. A good word has 

 come to me from the Good Minded spirit. He says that every 

 person must do as you have seen the other persons do. They have 

 died. They do not breathe. It will be the same with all of yOu. 

 Your minds are strong. The Good Minded spirit made them that 

 way so that you could endure everything that happened. So then 

 do not be downcast when I tell vou that you all must die. Listen 



1 Related by Edward Cornplanter, March 1906. 



