“The Hunter and the Medicine Legend”
A Tuscarora Tale
There once lived a man who was a great hunter. His generosity was the theme of praise in all the
country, for he not only supplied his own family with food, but distributed game among his friends and
neighbors, and even called the birds and animals of the forest to partake of his abundance. For this
reason he received the appellation of "Protector of Birds and Animals."
He lived a hunter's life till war broke out between his own and some distant nation, and then he took
the war path. He was as brave a warrior as he was a skillful hunter, and slew a great multitude of the
enemy, till all were lying dead around him, except one, who was a mighty man of valor , and in an
unguarded moment the hunter received a blow from his tomahawk on the head, which felled him to the
earth; his enemy then took his scalp and fled.
Some of his own party saw what befell him, and supposing him dead left him on the field of battle;
but a fox who had wandered this way immediately recognized his benefactor. Sorrowful indeed, was he
to find him thus slain, and began to revolve in his mind some means of restoring him to life. "Perhaps,"
said he, "some of my friends may know of a medicine by which his wounds may be healed, and he may
live again." So saying, he ran into the forest and uttered the "death lament," which was the signal for all
the animals to congregate. From far and near they came, till hundreds and thousands of every kind had
assembled around the body of the hunter, eagerly inquiring what had happened. The fox explained he
had accidentally came that way and found their friend stretched lifeless upon the earth. The animals
drew near and examined him more closely, to be sure that life was extinct; they rolled him over and
over on the ground and were satisfied that he was dead, there was not a single sign of life.
Then they held a grand council of which the bear was the speaker. When all were ready to listen, he
asked if any one present was acquainted with any medicine which would restore the dead man to life.
With great alacrity each one examined his medicine box, but finds nothing adapted to this purpose.
Being defeated in their noble object of restoring their friend, all join in a mournful howl a requiem for
the dead. This attracted a singing bird, the oriole, who came quietly to learn the cause of the assembling
of the great concourse and their profound lamentation. The bear made known the calamity which had
befallen them, and as the birds would feel themselves equally afflicted, he requested the oriole to fly
away and invite all the feathered tribes to come to the council and see if their united wisdom cannot
devise a remedy that will restore their friend to life.
Soon were assembled all the birds of the air, even the great eagle of the Iroquois, which was seldom
induced to appear upon the earth, hastens to pay her respects to the remains of the renowned and
benevolent hunter. All being satisfied that he was really dead, the united council of birds and animals,
which remained convened, decided that his scalp must be recovered, saying that any bird or animal who
pleased might volunteer to go on this mission. The fox was the first to offer his services and departed
full of hope that his zeal would be crowned with success. But after many days he returned, saying he
could find no trace of man's footsteps, not a chick or child belonged to any settlement The great love
which they bore their friend prompted several others to go upon the same mission, and to the animals
belonged the first right as they had first found him; but at length the birds were anxious to show their
devotion and the pigeon hawk begged leave to make the first flight, as he was more swift of wing than
any other and could visit the whole world in the shortest space of time. They had scarcely missed him
when he returned: he said he had been over the entire earth and found it not. They did not consider his
voyage satisfactory, as he had flown so swiftly that it was impossible for him to see anything distinctly by
the way.
Next the white heron proposed that he be sent, because of being so slow of wing he could see every
object as he passed. On his aerial voyage he discovered a plain covered with the vines of the wild bean,
laden with the delicious fruit; it was too great a temptation for him to resist, and he descended to enjoy
a feast. So gluttonously did he partake that he could not rise again from the earth, and the council after
many days of anxious waiting, called for a substitute. Here the crow came forward and acknowledged
his fitness for such, an office, as he was also slow of wing and was accustomed to hover settlements and
discern them afar off, he would not be suspected of any particular design should he linger near the one
that contained the scalp.
The warrior who possessed the coveted treasure knew the birds and animals were holding council on
the field of battle to devise means to recover it, but when the crow drew near he was not alarmed. The
smoke of the wigwams indicated a settlement and as the crow sailed lazily through the air at a great
height above the roofs of the cabins, he espied the scalp which he knew must be the one he sought,
stretched out to dry.
After various unsuccessful stratagems, he was able to seize it, and flew away to exhibit his trophy to
the council.
Now, they attempted to fit it to his head, but, being dry, it was impossible; so search was made to find
something with which to moisten it, but in vain. Then slowly moved forward the great eagle, and bids
them listen to his words.
"My wings are never furled; night and day, for years and hundreds of years, the dews of heaven have
been collected upon my back, as I sat in my nest above the clouds. Perhaps these waters may have a
virtue no
earthly fountain can possess, we will see."
Then she plucked a feather from her wing and dipped it in the dewy elixir, which was then applied to
the shriveled scalp, and lo! it became pliable and fresh as if just removed. Now it would fit, but there
must be a healing power to cause the flesh to unite, and again to awaken life.
All were anxious to do something in the great work, therefore all went forth to bring rare leaves,
flowers, barks, the flesh of animals and the brain of birds, to form a healing mixture. When they
returned it was prepared, and having been moistened with the dew, was applied to the scalp, and
instantly adhered to it and became firm. This caused the hunter to sit up; he looked around in
astonishment upon his numerous friends, unable to divine the meaning of so strange an assemblage.
Then they bade him stand upon his feet and told him how he was found dead upon the plain and how
great was the lamentation of all those who had so long experienced his kindness, and the efforts they
had made to restore him to life. They then gave him the compound which had been the means of
restoring him to life, saying, "it was the gift of the Great Spirit to man. He alone had directed them in the
affairs of the council, had brought the eagle to furnish the heavenly moisture, and gave them wisdom in
making the preparation, that they might furnish to man a medicine which should be effectual for every
wound."
When they had finished the animals departed to their forest haunts, the eagle soared again to his
eyrir, and the birds of the air flew away to their nests in the tall trees, all happy and rejoicing that they
had accomplished this great good.
The hunter returned to his home and spread abroad the news of the miracle and the knowledge of
the wonderful medicine, which is used to this day among the Iroquois by those who are the favorites of
the Great Spirit.