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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



It rent the very fibers of their bodies and they writhed in mute 

 agony as their clothing grew fast to their bodies and became scaly, 

 as their legs stretched out and became as one with a rattle where 

 their feet had been, and as their arms melted into their sides. Their 

 tongues divided, their teeth fell out and sharp fangs pierced through 

 the bleeding gums. They had become rattlesnakes, the children 

 of the Evil Minded, the hated, despised and loathed crawlers of 

 the ground. 



Then the clans became friendly again and their feuds died out. 

 Then did their hunting grounds seem just and enough, and peace 

 prevailed. 



KA-IS-TO-WAN-EA AND HA-JA-NOH, 1 THE TWO-HEADED SERPENT 

 AND THE BRAVE BOY 



To-no-do-oo, the Supreme Ruler 



When " The People of the Hill," as the Senecas were called, 

 lighted their first council fire on Ga-nun-do-wa mountain 2 and its 

 flames leaped high, there was great rejoicing, for they knew it to 

 be a sign that To-no-do-oo was pleased, and they " gave thanks " 

 for their beautiful land with its guarding mountain whose towering 

 hight reflected far down in the peaceful waters of Lake Ga-nun- 

 du-gwa-ah. 3 



To-no-do-oo loved his people, and thoughtful of their needs, 

 sent game to their forests and fish to their lakes and the streams, 

 that they might dwell in peace and plenty forever. 



It was here that Ka-is-to-wan-ea, the serpent, was first seen, 

 none knew whence its coming; and it was here that Ha-ja-noh, 

 one summer day when paddling his canoe through the swamp land, 

 found it sun basking on the floating sedge grass. Attracted by its 

 bright colors, Ha-ja-noh determined to possess it, and gently rais- 

 ing it on his paddle, placed it in the canoe. Great was his astonish- 

 ment to discover that it had two heads, and fearing it might bode 

 ill to himself or his people, raised his paddle to destroy it, but 

 charmed by the swaying heads and their bright eyes glistening in 

 the sun, his fears were forgotten, and he bore it to his lodge. 



The little Ka-is-to-wan-ea seemed glad in his new home, and 

 when caressed by Ha-ja-noh, would wave its beautiful heads to 

 express its gratitude; and the attachment of Ha-ja-noh for his new- 

 found companion increased with the passing days. 



1 This is a variation of the generally known legend of Nun-da- wa-o. 



2 Bare hill on Canandaigua lake. 

 3 Canandaigua lake. 



