Abnakis

Wangewaha, the great chief of the Abnakis, in one of his hunting excursions, lay down beneath the shade of a stately fir, on the shore of the stormy lake, beside which he was born, and the spirit of sleep came over him.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

Listen to the dream of Wangewaha, the great war chief of the Abnakis.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

He saw, far in the east, upon the face of the waters, a white cloud which seemed to be impelled by a strong wind, and it was approaching the shores of the same land in which the Abnakis dwelt.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

"Not so spoke the Abnakis to the weary, naked, and hungry, men who came to their shores, and besought them to grant them shelter," said he.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

The dark Genius withdrew at the bidding of her haughty sister, and the chief of the Abnakis awoke, and related his dream to his tribe.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

In one of her delicate hands, she carried a small bunch of grain, of a kind which was never seen before by the Abnakis, but the ears of which bent over like the wings of a hawk hovering over his prey, or or a bird settling upon its perch.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

They laughed, and grinned, and did the other things, which mortals do when they are, or pretend to be, pleased, making the unsuspecting Abnakis think that they were their very good friends, when they were only waiting for a chance to rend them limb from limb.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

Abnakis, in a shape which seemed to the sleeper to be that of a panther, wearing the shape of man, yet fierce and cruel as any ever found in the wilds of the river of the Abnakis.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

Abnakis dreamer saw, was exceedingly noble and beautiful.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones

They had courage, not indeed as the Abnakis have it, not the courage which delights in the post of danger, and encounters difficulties for the mere honour of overcoming them, but in another, and less active form, that of endurance.

Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 (of 3) James Athearn Jones