IROQUOIS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 



99 



Your eyes bear the gleam of the summer stars. North Wind 

 blew out the summer starlights moons ago. Your eyes dazzle 

 my lodge, your breath does not smoke in chill vapors, but comes 

 from your lips soft and warm, it will melt my lodge, you have no 

 place here. 



Your hair so soft and fine, streaming back like the night shades, 

 will weave my lodge into tangles. You have no place here. 



Your shoulders are bare and white as the snowdrifts. You 

 have no furs to cover them; depart from my lodge. See, as you 

 sit by my fire, how it draws away from you. Depart. I say, from 

 my lodge! " 



But the young warrior only smiled, and asked that he might 

 remain to fill his pipe : and they sat down by the fire when the old 

 man became garrulous and began to boast of his great powers. 



" I am powerful and strong " said he, "I send Xorth Wind to 

 blow all over the earth and its waters stop to listen to his voice 

 as he freezes them fast asleep. When I touch the sky, the snow 

 hurries down and the hunters hide by their lodge fires; the birds 

 fly scared, and the animals creep to their caves. When I lay my 

 hand on the land. I harden it still as the rocks; nothing can forbid 

 me nor loosen my fetters. You, young warrior, though you shine 

 like the Sun, you have no power. Go! I give you a chance to 

 escape me, but I could blow my breath and fold around you a 

 mist which would turn you to ice, forever! 



I am not a friend to the Sun, who grows pale and cold and flees 

 to the south land when I come; yet I see his glance in your face, 

 where no winter shadows hide. My Xorth Wind will soon return; 

 he hates the summer and will bind fast its hands. You fear me 

 not, and smile because you know me not. Young man, listen. I 

 am Gau-wi-di-ne, Winter! Xow fear me and depart. Pass from 

 my lodge and go out to the wind.'' 



But the young warrior moved not, only smiled as he refilled the 

 pipe for the trembling old man, saying. " Here, take your pipe, it 

 will soothe you and make you stronger for a little while longer"; 

 and he packed the o-yan-kwa (Indian tobacco) deep and hard 

 in the pipe. 



Said the warrior, 14 Xow you must smoke for me, smoke for 

 youth and Spring ! I fear not your boasting ; you are aged and 

 slow while I am young and strong. I hear the voice of South 

 Wind. Your Xorth Wind hears, and Ga-oh is hurrying him back 

 to his home. Wrap you up warm while yet the snowdrifts cover 

 the earth path, and flee to your lodge in the north sky. I am 

 here now, and you shall know me. I, too, am powerful! 



