Manstin The Rabbit
: Old Indian LegendsMANSTIN was an adventurous brave, but very kind-hearted. Stamping
a moccasined foot as he drew on his buckskin leggins, he said:
"Grandmother, beware of Iktomi! Do not let him lure you into some
cunning trap. I am going to the North country on a long hunt."
With these words of caution to the bent old rabbit grandmother with whom
he had lived since he was a tiny babe, Manstin started off toward
the north.
shrieking of a human child.
"Wan!" he ejaculated, pointing his long ears toward the direction of the
sound; "Wan! that is the work of cruel Double-Face. Shameless coward! he
delights in torturing helpless creatures!"
Muttering indistinct words, Manstin ran up the last hill and lo! in the
ravine beyond stood the terrible monster with a face in front and one in
the back of his head!
This brown giant was without clothes save for a wild-cat-skin about his
loins. With a wicked gleaming eye, he watched the little black-haired
baby he held in his strong arm. In a laughing voice he hummed an Indian
mother's lullaby, "A-boo! Aboo!" and at the same time he switched the
naked baby with a thorny wild-rose bush.
Quickly Manstin jumped behind a large sage bush on the brow of the hill.
He bent his bow and the sinewy string twanged. Now an arrow stuck above
the ear of Double-Face. It was a poisoned arrow, and the giant fell
dead. Then Manstin took the little brown baby and hurried away from the
ravine. Soon he came to a teepee from whence loud wailing voices
broke. It was the teepee of the stolen baby and the mourners were its
heart-broken parents.
When gallant Manstin returned the child to the eager arms of the mother
there came a sudden terror into the eyes of both the Dakotas. They
feared lest it was Double-Face come in a new guise to torture them.
The rabbit understood their fear and said: "I am Manstin, the
kind-hearted,--Manstin, the noted huntsman. I am your friend. Do not
fear."
That night a strange thing happened. While the father and mother slept,
Manstin took the wee baby. With his feet placed gently yet firmly upon
the tiny toes of the little child, he drew upward by each small hand the
sleeping child till he was a full-grown man. With a forefinger he traced
a slit in the upper lip; and when on the morrow the man and woman awoke
they could not distinguish their own son from Manstin, so much alike
were the braves.
"Henceforth we are friends, to help each other," said Manstin, shaking a
right hand in farewell. "The earth is our common ear, to carry from its
uttermost extremes one's slightest wish for the other!"
"Ho! Be it so!" answered the newly made man.
Upon leaving his friend, Manstin hurried away toward the North country
whither he was bound for a long hunt. Suddenly he came upon the edge of
a wide brook. His alert eye caught sight of a rawhide rope staked to the
water's brink, which led away toward a small round hut in the distance.
The ground was trodden into a deep groove beneath the loosely drawn
rawhide rope.
"Hun-he!" exclaimed Manstin, bending over the freshly made footprints in
the moist bank of the brook. "A man's footprints!" he said to himself.
"A blind man lives in yonder hut! This rope is his guide by which he
comes for his daily water!" surmised Manstin, who knew all the peculiar
contrivances of the people. At once his eyes became fixed upon the
solitary dwelling and hither he followed his curiosity,--a real blind
man's rope.
Quietly he lifted the door-flap and entered in. An old toothless
grandfather, blind and shaky with age, sat upon the ground. He was
not deaf however. He heard the entrance and felt the presence of some
stranger.
"How, grandchild," he mumbled, for he was old enough to be grandparent
to every living thing, "how! I cannot see you. Pray, speak your name!"
"Grandfather, I am Manstin," answered the rabbit, all the while looking
with curious eyes about the wigwam.
"Grandfather, what is it so tightly packed in all these buckskin bags
placed against the tent poles?" he asked.
"My grandchild, those are dried buffalo meat and venison. These are
magic bags which never grow empty. I am blind and cannot go on a hunt.
Hence a kind Maker has given me these magic bags of choicest foods."
Then the old, bent man pulled at a rope which lay by his right hand.
"This leads me to the brook where I drink! and this," said he, turning
to the one on his left, "and this takes me into the forest, where I feel
about for dry sticks for my fire."
"Grandfather, I wish I lived in such sure luxury! I would lean back
against a tent pole, and with crossed feet I would smoke sweet willow
bark the rest of my days," sighed Manstin.
"My grandchild, your eyes are your luxury! you would be unhappy without
them!" the old man replied.
"Grandfather, I would give you my two eyes for your place!" cried
Manstin.
"How! you have said it. Arise. Take out your eyes and give them to me.
Henceforth you are at home here in my stead."
At once Manstin took out both his eyes and the old man put them on!
Rejoicing, the old grandfather started away with his young eyes while
the blind rabbit filled his dream pipe, leaning lazily against the tent
pole. For a short time it was a most pleasant pastime to smoke willow
bark and to eat from the magic bags.
Manstin grew thirsty, but there was no water in the small dwelling.
Taking one of the rawhide ropes he started toward the brook to quench
his thirst. He was young and unwilling to trudge slowly in the old man's
footpath. He was full of glee, for it had been many long moons since he
had tasted such good food. Thus he skipped confidently along jerking the
old weather-eaten rawhide spasmodically till all of a sudden it gave way
and Manstin fell headlong into the water.
"En! En!" he grunted kicking frantically amid stream. All along the
slippery bank he vainly tried to climb, till at last he chanced upon the
old stake and the deeply worn footpath. Exhausted and inwardly disgusted
with his mishaps, he crawled more cautiously on all fours to his wigwam
door. Dripping with his recent plunge he sat with chattering teeth
within his unfired wigwam.
The sun had set and the night air was chilly, but there was no fire-wood
in the dwelling. "Hin!" murmured Manstin and bravely tried the other
rope. "I go for some fire-wood!" he said, following the rawhide rope
which led into the forest. Soon he stumbled upon thickly strewn dry
willow sticks. Eagerly with both hands he gathered the wood into his
outspread blanket. Manstin was naturally an energetic fellow.
When he had a large heap, he tied two opposite ends of blanket
together and lifted the bundle of wood upon his back, but alas! he had
unconsciously dropped the end of the rope and now he was lost in the
wood!
"Hin! hin!" he groaned. Then pausing a moment, he set his fan-like ears
to catch any sound of approaching footsteps. There was none. Not even a
night bird twittered to help him out of his predicament.
With a bold face, he made a start at random.
He fell into some tangled wood where he was held fast. Manstin let go
his bundle and began to lament having given away his two eyes.
"Friend, my friend, I have need of you! The old oak tree grandfather
has gone off with my eyes and I am lost in the woods!" he cried with his
lips close to the earth.
Scarcely had he spoken when the sound of voices was audible on the outer
edge of the forest. Nearer and louder grew the voices--one was the clear
flute tones of a young brave and the other the tremulous squeaks of an
old grandfather.
It was Manstin's friend with the Earth Ear and the old grandfather.
"Here Manstin, take back your eyes," said the old man, "I knew you would
not be content in my stead, but I wanted you to learn your lesson. I
have had pleasure seeing with your eyes and trying your bow and arrows,
but since I am old and feeble I much prefer my own teepee and my magic
bags!"
Thus talking the three returned to the hut. The old grandfather crept
into his wigwam, which is often mistaken for a mere oak tree by little
Indian girls and boys.
Manstin, with his own bright eyes fitted into his head again, went on
happily to hunt in the North country.
More
-
Lion Who Took A Woman's Shape
Some Women, it is said, went out to seek roots and herbs and other wild food. On their way home they sat down and said, "Let us taste the food of the field." Now they found that the food picked by one of them was sweet, while that of the others wa... Lion's Defeat
The wild animals, it is said, were once assembled at Lion's. When Lion was asleep, Jackal persuaded Little Fox to twist a rope of ostrich sinews, in order to play Lion a trick. They took ostrich sinews, twisted them, and fastened the rope to Lion'... Lion's Illness
Lion, it is said, was ill, and they all went to see him in his suffering. But Jackal did not go, because the traces of the people who went to see him did not turn back. Thereupon, he was accused by Hyena, who said, "Though I go to look, yet Jackal... Lion's Share
Lion and Jackal went together a-hunting. They shot with arrows. Lion shot first, but his arrow fell short of its aim; but Jackal hit the game, and joyfully cried out, "It has hit." Lion looked at him with his two large eyes; Jackal, however, did... Lipi And Lapra
Once upon a time there were seven brothers. At first they were very poor, but afterwards they became comparatively rich, and were in position to lay out a little money at usury. The affairs of the youngest prospered most, so that before long he be... Lita And His Animals
Once upon a time there was a man who had four sons: two of them were married and two were unmarried and the youngest was named Lita. One day Lita went to his father and asked for fifty or sixty rupees that he might go on a trading expedition and he ... Little Annie's Dream Or The Fairy Flower
IN a large and pleasant garden sat little Annie all alone, and she seemed very sad, for drops that were not dew fell fast upon the flowers beside her, who looked wonderingly up, and bent still nearer, as if they longed to cheer and comfort her. T... Little Brother Rabbit
One autumn Wesakchak felt very sad. All through the summer there had been no rain. The prairie grass was burnt brown and dry. The little streams had grown smaller and narrower, until at last not a drop of water was left. The animals, finding no ... Little Bud
IN a great forest, high up among the green boughs, lived Bird Brown-Breast, and his bright-eyed little mate. They were now very happy; their home was done, the four blue eggs lay in the soft nest, and the little wife sat still and patient on them... Little Silver's Dream Of The Shoji
Ko Gin San (Miss Little Silver) was a young maid who did not care for strange stories of animals, so much as for those of wonder-creatures in the form of human beings. Even of these, however, she did not like to dream, and when the foolish old nur... Llanddona Witches
There is a tradition in the parish of Llanddona, Anglesey, that these witches, with their husbands, had been expelled from their native country, wherever that was, for practising witchcraft. They were sent adrift, it is said, in a boat, without rud... Llandegla Spirit
The tale of this Spirit was given me by Mr. Roberts, late Schoolmaster of Llandegla. A small river runs close to the secluded village of Llandegla, and in this mountain stream under a huge stone lies a wicked Ghost. The tale is as follows:-- ... Llanfwrog Changeling Legend
A mother took her child to the gleaning field, and left it sleeping under the sheaves of wheat whilst she was busily engaged gleaning. The Fairies came to the field and carried off her pretty baby, leaving in its place one of their own infants. ... Lledrith Spectre Of A Person
This apparition of a friend has in the Scotch wraith, or Irish fetch its counterpart. It has been said that people have seen friends walking to meet them, and that, when about to shake hands with the approaching person, it has vanished into air. ... Lo-lale's Lament
Lo-Lale, a prince of Oahu in the fifteenth century, took no joy in the sea after the girl had been drowned in it who was betrothed to him. Retiring inland, he led a quiet, thoughtful life, to the regret of those who had looked to see him show some... Lohengrin And Elsa The Beautiful
The young Duchess of Brabant, Elsa the Beautiful, had gone into the woods hunting, and becoming separated from her attendants, sat down to rest under a wide-branching linden-tree. She was sorely troubled, for many lords and princes were asking f... Lohiau And The Volcano Princess
With gods, as with men, who would speed his affairs must keep them in his own hands. Pele, the volcano goddess, fell in love with Lohiau, a Kauaian prince, and in human guise remained with him so long that her sisters were afraid the Kilauea fires... Loke Causes Enmity Between The Gods And The Original Artists
The danger averted by Heimdal when he secured the sun-dis with bonds of love begins in the time of Borgar. The corruption of nature and of man go hand in hand. Borgar has to contend with robbers (pugiles and piratae), and among them the prototype ... Lord Cuttle-fish Gives A Concert
Despite the loss of the monkey's liver, the queen of the World under the Sea, after careful attention and long rest, got well again, and was able to be about her duties and govern her kingdom well. The news of her recovery created the wildest joy ... Lord Percy's Dream
Leaving the dissipations of the English court, Lord Percy came to America to share the fortunes of his brethren in the contest then raging on our soil. His father had charged him with the delivery of a certain package to an Indian woman, should he m... Lorelei
“Ich weiss nicht, was soll es bedeuten, Dass ich so traurig bin; Ein Märchen aus alten Zeiten, Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn. Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet Dort oben wunderbar, Ihr gold’nes Geschmeide blitzet, Sie kämmt ihr gold’nes Haa... Love And Rum
Back in the seventeenth century a number of Yankee traders arrived in Naugatuck to barter blankets, beads, buttons, Bibles, and brandy for skins, and there they met chief Toby and his daughter. Toby was not a pleasing person, but his daughter was we... Love And Treason
The tribes that inhabited Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard before the whites settled the country were constantly at war, and the people of the western island once resolved to surprise those of Nantucket and slay as many as possible before they could ... Love's Secrets
There was once a poor woodsman, who went to the jungle to cut wood, so he might sell it and buy food for his wife and child. And upon a day, when the cool evening had come, wearied, the man lay down to rest and fell into a deep sleep. From his ho... Lovers' Leaps
So few States in this country--and so few countries, if it comes to that--are without a lover's leap that the very name has come to be a by-word. In most of these places the disappointed ones seem to have gone to elaborate and unusual pains to commi... Luck And Bliss
Luck and Bliss went out one day, and came to a town where they found a poor man selling brooms, but nobody seemed to buy anything from him. Bliss thereupon said, "Let us stop, and I will buy them all from the poor fellow, so that he may make a goo... Luck Comes With A Strange Swarm
It is considered very lucky indeed to find that a strange swarm of bees has arrived in the garden, or tree, belonging to a cottager. The advent of the bees is joyfully welcomed, and the conversation of the neighbours on such an occasion intimates... Lying For A Wager
One day a father sent his boy to the mill with corn to be ground, and, at the moment of his departure, he warned him not to grind it in any mill where he should happen to find a beardless man. [84] When the boy came to a mill, he was therefore dis... Machinitou The Evil Spirit
Chemanitou, being the Master of Life, at one time became the origin of a spirit that has ever since caused him and all others of his creation a great deal of disquiet. His birth was owing to an accident. It was in this wise:-- Metowac, or as th... Mackinack
Not only was Mackinack the birthplace of Hiawatha: it was the home of God himself--Gitchi Manitou, or Mitchi Manitou--who placed there an Indian Adam and Eve to watch and cultivate his gardens. He also made the beaver, that his children might eat, a... Maiden Swanwhite And Maiden Foxtail
There was once upon a time a wicked woman who had a daughter and a step-daughter. The daughter was ugly and of an evil disposition, but the step-daughter was most beautiful and good, and all who knew her wished her well. When the girl's step-mothe... Makite
Makite, men say, took to wife the sister of many brothers, but he himself could never manage to catch a seal when he was out in his kayak. But his wife's brothers caught seal in great numbers. And so it was that one day he heard his wife say she w... Manabozho And His Toe
Manabozho was so powerful that he began to think there was nothing he could not do. Very wonderful were many of his feats, and he grew more conceited day by day. Now it chanced that one day he was walking about amusing himself by exercising his ex... Manabozho In The Fish's Stomach
One day Manabozho said to his grandmother-- "Noko, get cedar bark and make me a line whilst I make a canoe." When all was ready he went out to the middle of the lake a-fishing. "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai (king-fish)," said he, letting down his line... Manabozho The Wolf
Manabozho set out to travel. He wished to outdo all others, and see new countries, but after walking over America, and encountering many adventures, he became satisfied as well as fatigued. He had heard of great feats in hunting, and felt a desire... Mangita And Larina
This is a tale told in the lake district of Luzon. At times of rain or in winter the waters of the Laguna de Bai rise and detach from the banks a peculiar vegetation that resembles lettuce. These plants, which float for months down the Pasig River, ... Manstin The Rabbit
MANSTIN was an adventurous brave, but very kind-hearted. Stamping a moccasined foot as he drew on his buckskin leggins, he said: "Grandmother, beware of Iktomi! Do not let him lure you into some cunning trap. I am going to the North country on a l... Marion
Blooming and maidenly, though she dressed in leather and used a rifle like a man, was Marion, grand-daughter of old Abraham, who counted his years as ninety, and who for many of those years had lived with his books in the tidy cabin where the Youghi... Mark Of The Spirit Hand
Andover, New Jersey, was quaint and quiet in the days before the Revolution--it is not a roaring metropolis, even yet--and as it offered few social advantages there was more gathering in taprooms and more drinking of flip than there should have been... Marquette's Man-eater
Until it was worn away by the elements a curious relief was visible on the bluffs of the Mississippi near Alton, Illinois. It was to be seen as late as 1860, and represented a monster once famous as the piasa bird. Father Marquette not only believed... Marriage With Bongas
There have been many cases of Santals marrying bonga girls. Not of course with formal marriage ceremonies but the marriage which results from merely living together. In Darbar village near Silingi there are two men who married bonga. One of them ... Martha's Vineyard And Nantucket
There is no such place as Martha's Vineyard, except in geography and common speech. It is Martin Wyngaard's Island, and so was named by Skipper Block, an Albany Dutchman. But they would English his name, even in his own town, for it lingers there in... Mauns' Stane
In the latter end of the autumn of 18--, I set out by myself on an excursion over the northern part of Scotland, and during that time my chief amusement was to observe the little changes of manners, language, etc., in the different districts. Aft... Mayrah The Wind That Blows The Winter Away
At the beginning of winter, the iguanas hide themselves in their homes in the sand; the black eagle hawks go into their nests; the garbarlee or shingle-backs hide themselves in little logs, just big enough to hold them; the iguanas dig a long way ... Meamei The Seven Sisters
Wurrunnah had had a long day's hunting, and he came back to the camp tired and hungry. He asked his old mother for durrie, but she said there was none left. Then he asked some of the other blacks to give him some doonburr seeds that he might make ... Men Captured By Fairies
In the preceding legends, we have accounts of men capturing female Fairies, and marrying them. It would be strange if the kidnapping were confined to one of the two races, but Folk-Lore tells us that the Fair Family were not innocent of actions s... Menyg Y Tylwyth Teg Or Fairy Gloves
The Fox Glove is so called, but in Dr. Owen Pughe's dictionary, under the head Ellyll, the Fox Glove is called Menyg Ellyllon. ... Merionethshire Version Of The Fairy Mother And Human Midwife
A more complete version of this legend is given in the Gordofigion, pp. 97, 98. The writer says:-- Yr oedd bydwraig yn Llanuwchllyn wedi cael ei galw i Goed y Garth, sef Siambra Duon--cartref y Tylwyth Teg--at un o honynt ar enedigaeth baban. ... Mermaids And Mermen
It is said that these fabulous beings frequented the sea-coasts of Wales to the great danger of the inhabitants. The description of the Welsh mermaid was just as it is all over the world; she is depicted as being above the waist a most lovely you... Micah Rood Apples
In Western Florida they will show roses to you that drop red dew, like blood, and have been doing so these many years, for they sprang out of the graves of women and children who had been cruelly killed by Indians. But there is something queerer sti... Mice
A mouse nibbling clothes was a sign of disaster, if not death, to the owner. It was thought that the evil one occasionally took the form of a mouse. Years ago, when Craig Wen Farm, Llawr-y-glyn, near Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire was haunted--the ... Michael Scott
In the early part of Michael Scott's life he was in the habit of emigrating annually to the Scottish metropolis, for the purpose of being employed in his capacity of mason. One time as he and two companions were journeying to the place of their d... Michel De Coucy's Troubles
Michel De Coucy, of Prairie de Rocher, Illinois, sat before his door humming thoughtfully, and trying to pull comfort out of a black pipe.. He was in debt, and he did not like the sensation. As hunter, boatman, fiddler he had done well enough, but h... Middle Age Sagas With Roots In The Myth Concerning The Lower World Erik Vidforle's Saga
Far down in Christian times there prevailed among the Scandinavians the idea that their heathen ancestors had believed in the existence of a place of joy, from which sorrow, pain, blemishes, age, sickness, and death were excluded. This place of jo... Mimer's Grove Lif And Leifthraser
The grove is called after its ruler and guardian, Mimer's or Treasure-Mimer's grove (Mimis holt--Younger Edda, Upsala Codex; Gylfag., 58; Hoddmimis holt--Vafthrudnism, 45; Gylfag., 58). Gylfaginning describes the destruction of the world and its... Mishemokwa The Origin Of The Small Black Bear
AN OTTOWA LEGEND. In a remote part of the north lived a great magician called Iamo, and his only sister, who had never seen a human being. Seldom, if ever, had the man any cause to go from home; for, as his wants demanded food, he had only to g... Mishosha Or The Magician Of Lake Superior
In an early age of the world, when there were fewer inhabitants than there now are, there lived an Indian, in a remote place, who had a wife and two children. They seldom saw any one out of the circle of their own lodge. Animals were abundant in s... Miss Britton's Poker
The maids of Staten Island wrought havoc among the royal troops who were quartered among them during the Revolution. Near quarantine, in an old house,--the Austen mansion,--a soldier of King George hanged himself because a Yankee maid who lived ther... Missing A Butt
Should a farmer in sowing wheat, or other kind of corn, or potatoes, or turnips, miss a row or butt, it was a token of death. ... Mogg Megone
Hapless daughter of a renegade is Ruth Bonython. Her father is as unfair to his friends as to his enemies, but to neither of them so merciless as to Ruth. Although he knows that she loves Master Scammon--in spite of his desertion and would rather di... Moles
Moles are said to have no eyes. If mole hills move there will be a thaw. By the moving of mole hills is meant bits of earth tumbling off the mound. A labourer in Llanmerewig parish, Montgomeryshire, called my attention to this fact. It was a fr... Mon-daw-min Or The Origin Of Indian Corn
ODJIBWA In times past, a poor Indian was living with his wife and children in a beautiful part of the country. He was not only poor, but inexpert in procuring food for his family, and his children were all too young to give him assistance. Alth... Monsters And Sea-serpents
It is hardly to be wondered at that two prominent scientists should have declared on behalf of the sea-serpent, for that remarkable creature has been reported at so many points, and by so many witnesses not addicted to fish tales nor liquor, that th... Moodua Creek
Moodua is an evolution, through Murdy's and Moodna, from Murderer's Creek, its present inexpressive name having been given to it by N. P. Willis. One Murdock lived on its shore with his wife, two sons, and a daughter; and often in the evening Naoman... Moodus Noises
The village of Moodus, Connecticut, was troubled with noises. There is no question as to that. In fact, Machimoodus, the Indian name of the spot, means Place of Noises. As early as 1700, and for thirty years after, there were crackings and rumblings... Mooregoo The Mopoke And Bahloo The Moon
Mooregoo the Mopoke had been camped away by himself for a long time. While alone he had made a great number of boomerangs, nullah-nullahs, spears, neilahmans, and opossum rugs. Well had he carved the weapons with the teeth of opossums, and brightl... Mooregoo The Mopoke And Mooninguggahgul The Mosquito Bird
An old man lived with his two wives, the Mooninguggahgul sisters, and his two sons. The old man spent all his time making boomerangs, until at last he had four nets full of these weapons. The two boys used to go out hunting opossums and iguanas, w... Moowis
In a large village there lived a noted belle, or Ma-mon-da-go-Kwa, who was the admiration of all the young hunters and warriors. She was particularly admired by a young man who, from his good figure and the care he took in his dress, was called th... Moowis
In a certain tribe in the far West there was a maiden who was very beautiful. Many warriors loved her, but she would listen to none of them. In the same tribe there was a young man who was called Beau-man, because he was so beautifully dressed. ... Mother Crewe
Mother Crewe was of evil repute in Plymouth in the last century. It was said that she had taken pay for luring a girl into her old farm-house, where a man lay dead of small-pox, with intent to harm her beauty; she was accused of blighting land and d... Mountain Dweller
Two sisters belonging to a well-known family one day became very hungry and helped themselves to some of their mother's fat meat, notwithstanding the girls were strictly forbidden to eat anything between meals. When the mother found it out she wa... Mrs Hannah Smith Nurse
The red eye of the lighthouse on Corregidor Island blazed out through the darkness as a Pacific steamer felt her way cautiously into Manila harbour. Although it was nearly midnight, a woman--one of the passengers on the steamer--was still on de...