IROQUOIS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 



183 



The Hawk and its mate are announced. Although these four 

 attendants mentioned in the journey legend are the royal guests of 

 the society, yet the song continues with its intervals of rest until 

 all the forest folk announce their arrival. 



There are also rites that symbolize the dangers of the forest 

 tangles and swampy horrors. Through these I am taken, yet 

 guided by the whip-poor-will return safely to my seat. By the 

 legend the Eagle must dismiss the meeting. His coming which is 

 imitated on the small flute announces the day. The cold gray light 

 of dawn steals into the room as this, the final stanza, in the chorus 

 which we all join, is chanted: 



The Eagle Song 



Deep the dew water falls 

 Xo one comes close to me! 

 Where are you whip-poor-will? 

 Why am I waiting now 

 Calling your voice again? 



Screaming the night away, 

 With his great wing feathers 

 Swooping the darkness up ; 

 I hear the Eagle bird 

 Pulling the blanket back 

 Oft from the eastern sky! 



How swift he flies bearing the sun to the morning, 

 See how he sits down in the trails of the east sky ! 

 Whip-poor-will, Whip-poor-will, no more I follow thee! 

 When the night comes again, wilt thou say " Follow me" ? 



The singing ends and the matrons bring in the kettles of soup and 

 distribute it to all. 



A few words in which I thank my Indian friends for consenting 

 that I may hereafter " sit " with them and their friendly replies 

 fill the moments that are swiftly bringing the day. It is the law 

 that the sun shall not see us separate. 



As I stand in the farmhouse door and hear the rumble of wheels 

 grow faint and fainter, the sun casts a foreglow of its coming in 

 the east sky, and the night seems a dream and it is difficult to 

 realize that it has made me a member of the most ancient order of 

 North American Indians. 



