328 Expedition to the 



This singular, and, to us, absurd law of interdiction, is 

 generally rigidly observed; and a violation of it, they firmly 

 , believe, will be followed by some signal judgment, such as 

 blindness, gray hairs, or general misfortune. Even should 

 the forbidden food be eaten inadvertently, or but tasted 

 through ignorance, sickness they believe would be the inev- 

 itable consequence, not only to the unfortunate individual 

 himself, but involving his wife and children also. 



The name of one of the bands of the Puncaw nation is 

 Wa-ja-ja, corresponding to the name which the Osages ac- 

 knowledge, which is Waw-sash-e. 



We have before observed, that they take great pleasure 

 in relating and hearing the narration of fabulous legends. 

 The following specimen will serve to exemplify their taste 

 in this way. 



A bison bull, an ant, and a tortoise agreed to undertake a 

 joint war excursion, against the village of a neighbouring na- 

 tion. As the latter associate was a slow walker, it was mu- 

 tually decided in council that he should set out on the jour- 

 ney immediately, to be followed in a short time by his more 

 active companions. The tortoise accordingly departed alone, 

 making his way through the grass, with as much rapidity as 

 possible. After a proper interval had elapsed, the bull also 

 set out, and lest he should lose his fellow traveller, he con- 

 sented to take him on his back. On their way the two cham- 

 pions were obliged to cross a miry place, in the midst of 

 which they overtook the tortoise, struggling, onward with the 

 utmost labour, and apparently almost exhausted. They did 

 not fail, as they passed gaily by the sluggish reptile, to ex- 

 press their surprise at his unusually tardy movements, and 

 at the circumstance of his being, apparently almost subdued, 

 by the first obstacle that presented itself. The tortoise how- 

 ever, not at all discouraged, requested them to continue their 

 journey, and expressed his confident expectation of being 

 able to extricate himself from the mire, without the aid 



