Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/510

 1 6 2 Journal of A merican Folk-Lore.

on the side of the people, for neither ate the other. These two flew away from a council that was being held between the animals and men, and brought it about that there was to be a race, the winners to eat the losers. The course was a long one, around a mountain. The swiftest of all the buffalo was a cow called Neika" sa n niia u me- yox"sts (swift-head). She thought that she would win, and consented to race. On the other hand, the people were afraid, on account of the long distance. They were trying to get medicine to prevent them from becoming tired or winded. All the birds and animals painted for the race, and since that time they are colored. Even the water turtle put red paint around his eyes. The magpie painted himself white on head, shoulders, and tail. At last all were ready and stood in a row. Then they ran, all making some noise, in place of singing, to help them. All the small birds, the turtles, rabbits, coyotes, wolves, flies, ants, insects, and snakes were soon left behind. When they approached the mountain the buffalo-cow was ahead ; then came the magpie, then the hawk, then the people ; the rest were strung out. So thickly did the dust rise that nothing could be seen. All around the mountain the cow led, but the two birds knew that they could win, and merely kept up with her until they got near the starting-place, and then both went by her and won the race for man. When they arrived, they saw animals and birds all over the course, running themselves to death, and the ground and rocks turned red from the blood of these. Then the buffalo told their young to hide, as the people were going to hunt them, and told them to take some dried human flesh with them, for the last time. They did this, and stuck the meat in front of their chest, under the throat. Therefore the people do not eat that part, saying that it is human flesh. From the day of the race men began to hunt. But as hawks, magpies, nighthawks, crows, and buzzards were on their side in the race, they do not eat them, but use their feathers for ornament.

Another version says that when the coyote, who was on the side of the buffalo, came in, the magpie, who beat even the hawk, said to him : "We will not eat you, but we will use your skin."

in.

The animals and birds held a council, in order to have friendship and be as kind to each other as if they were brothers. This meet- ing was called the birds' council of friendship. The majority were willing to live in peace ; but the birds of prey — the eagle, the hawk, the magpie, the crow — opposed the rest. The hawk said that war was the nobler thing, and then flew off to find his food among other birds. Then the eagle also spoke against friendship. So at last the

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