Note 405 — SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS

So all the people turned back, going directly to the place where they had left the woman who was ill. When they reached the spot the ancients held a council and, after carefully examining the animal, said, “This is what is called Yăʼgwaiʻhē.405 It is this thing which you overcame in the foot race, the conditions of which have now been fulfilled. You two wagered your heads on the issue of the trial of speed. So, then, we will now kindle a huge fire. Let each one bring a piece of dry fuel.” So, going out into the neighboring forest, each brought back a piece of dry wood; with this wood they kindled a great fire. As soon as the fire had become very large they cast into it the body of this animal, and then they threw dry wood on the top of the body, causing the fire to burn fiercely. When the fire died down only a few charred bones were left of the huge animal. Then the eldest man of the assembly said: “Let each one take a portion of these bones and make of it a fetish (otcinăʻkĕⁿʼʹdăʼ) for hunting some kind of game animal, which he must name; this fetish will give him the power to kill easily the animal thus named.” So each of the assembly did as the hochinagen had directed. One would take up a fragment saying, “I will employ this for hunting the bear.” Another would say, “I will make use of this in hunting deer.” A third person, “I will employ this for hunting raccoons.” A fourth, “I will use this for hunting the otter.” A fifth, “I will use this for fishing for sturgeon.” A sixth person, “I will make use of this for trapping minks.” A seventh, “I will employ this for hunting the raven.” An eighth, “I will use this for hunting women (i.e., for winning the favors of the women).” Lastly, some vulgar, worthless persons would say that they would employ the bones for various filthy functions of the body.