IROQUOIS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 



165 



accidents. One evening as he sat with his family on the veranda 

 of his home, a modern dwelling such as is found in any modern 

 town, the members say that he heard the medicine song floating 

 in the air above him. He was startled and each of the family was 

 frightened. The singing continued until at length it grew faint 

 and ceased. Upon several occasions the family and visitors heard 

 the song issuing from the air. Mr Patterson sent for the leader 

 of the lower medicine lodge, William Nephew, who asked where 

 the medicine was hidden. No one knew, but after a search it was 

 discovered. Mr Nephew ordered that a feast should be made and 

 the rites performed. Then was the modern educated Indian 

 forced to join the lodge and take his father's seat. This story, 

 of which I have given but the bare outline, is commonly known 

 among the Senecas, Mr M. R. Harrington, an archeologist and 

 one time field instructor in archeology of Harvard University, 

 being perfectly familiar with the facts of the case which he took 

 pains to learn while staying at the Patterson home. Howsoever 

 this may be explained, it is nevertheless considered one of the 

 mysteries of the medicine and the instance is not a solitary one. 



Few white people have ever been allowed in a medicine lodge 

 and when they have been they have not witnessed the ceremony in 

 full. I know of only two who have ever become members, holding 

 the medicine, Mr Joseph Keppler and Mrs Harriet Maxwell Con- 

 verse. When Mrs Converse was initiated into the society she 

 took notes of everything said and done. Her account is a most 

 interesting one and its value is not to be underestimated. When 

 she entered the lodge the leader addressed her in the following 

 words, which she has recorded in her notebook: 



Address to the candidate 



All things are now ready for opening these ceremonies in the 

 proper manner. We are now ready to commence. We are thank- 

 ful that we are able to say to the Creator that we are in good 

 health. 



It was appointed that we should meet in June when the straw- 

 berries were ripe, but at that time all of us were busy with our 

 season's labor. Now the ordained period has nearly passed by 

 and we have not sung. Thus it is arranged that we meet at this 

 time and carry the ceremonies through before the berry festival. 

 You (speaking to the candidate), may then know how the Little 

 Water Medicine came to mankind. We older ones, whose ex- 

 perience with it is greater, will^tell you. 



