The
old woman was very dirty, poor, and squalid. The proud woman was
furious at the visit, which mortified her in every way. She drove the
witch away with bitter words, bidding her begone with her rags. The old
woman went away muttering, "That woman--too proud--too ugly proud--I'll
see." [Footnote: The story was narrated in Indian-English.]
What she saw was bad for the mother. She took some more herbs from her
box and threw them in the fire, crying with a loud voice, "_At-o-sis!
At-o-sis!_" and imitated the motions of a snake.
When the proud woman was confined, she gave birth to two large
serpents. They had each a white ring round the neck and red stripes
down the sides. As soon as they were born they went rapidly to the
lake, and disappeared in its water. They have been seen there, now and
then, ever since.
She who gave birth, to them was a Mohawk, and she is called the Mother
of Serpents.
Another Passamaquoddy tale gives the following account of the origin of
the Serpent-race.
Once there was an Indian sorcerer came to a wigwam where there was a
man who had a very handsome daughter.
The magician wished to win the girl; the father made up his mind that
he should not have her.
The magician told them that he was very wealthy, and had a great lodge
filled with furs and wampum. It was of no use.
Then he told the father that if he would go and cast his lines in a
certain place he would catch as many of the finest fish as he wanted.
Pages:
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303