172 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



demned to murder my dearest friend. Indeed it was the privilege 

 of the demon band that the most precious should be sacrificed 

 in its cause. Or, I would be given a " charmed life " and held at the 

 mercy of these demons which they would bestow upon some other 

 human member of their band to be used in case of my disobedience. 



Nevertheless, I accept with pleasure the invitation of my gentle 

 friends, the Iroquois members of the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah society, to 



A member of the Canadian Medicine (Little Water) Company 



" sit " in the Moon-of-the Berries convention in June 1888. As the 

 legend of the origin of the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah is of importance in 

 understanding the rites at my initiation, I will introduce it just here. 



Origin of the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah 

 In the " old times " Indians understood the language of animals 

 and birds. 



Among the special friends of the fur and feathered tribes was a 

 certain giant chief, known far and wide for his goodness and valor. 

 The chief through whom came the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah, is not 



