"The other Indians did not know what to do. They sat down on the bank to hold a council. While they were still talking, the Flying Heads came out of the river on the other side. With them they had the poor men who had been pulled down under the water. They set them down on the bank and began to dance around them. The frightened council thought each minute that their friends would be killed."
Indian Myths
The Flying Heads
Before the coming of the white men, strange monsters lived in this land. The worst of these were the Flying Heads. These heads were as tall as the highest man. They had two short legs. Their feet were strong and they had terrible claws. Their cry was a thing to make the blood run cold.
Once some Indians were moving their village. They came to a river. This river was the home of the Flying Heads. They were the largest of their kind. Some of the old ones were as tall as trees. They lived in caves in the bottom of the river, and they would not let the Indians cross.
The Indians knew the Flying Heads were in the river, but some of the bravest got in a canoe and started across. “Then they reached the middle of the river, a great hand reached up and pulled them down, canoe and all, under the water.
The other Indians did not know what to do. They sat down on the bank to hold a council. While they were still talking, the Flying Heads came out of the river on the other side. With them they had the poor men who had been pulled down under the water. They set them down on the bank and began to dance around them. The frightened council thought each minute that their friends would be killed.
“Let us send for the Little People,” said one. “They may be able to help us.”
Runners were sent out. They struck a high rock with a war club. Soon they came back with three tiny men no taller than the smallest baby. They were three of the Little People.
These Little People listened to the story of all that had happened, and they watched the Flying Heads dancing on the other side of the river.
“They are very strong,” said one. “But we will send the Big Turtle and Little Turtle. We will tell them what to do.”
The Little People went away, and in a few minutes Big Turtle and Little Turtle came walking along the riverbank.
The Indians told their troubles to the Turtles. Big Turtle and Little Turtle thought for a long time.
“Lightning is the only thing the Flying Heads fear. Heno is my friend. I will ask him to send lightning upon them. But how can we get across the river to the place where they are?” said Little Turtle.
“I can take you across,” answered Big Turtle. “The Flying Heads have all come out of their caves and are dancing on the other bank, so they will not see us, for I will take you under the water. I have magic power so you shall not be harmed.”
The Indians put all their goods upon the back of Big Turtle. They placed the children in the center, while the warriors sat around the edge of the shell. Big Turtle went under the water and swam across. No one was hurt. The children wanted to laugh and shout, but their mothers told them they must be quiet.
When they reached the other side, they hid in the bushes while Little Turtle asked Heno to send the lightning. When they peeped out between the leaves, they could see the terrible Flying Heads only a few steps away dancing about their poor friends who had been taken prisoners.
Suddenly there was a roar of thunder, and the lightning flashed around the Flying Heads. They all fell to the ground in great fright.
Before they could get up, the Indians were upon them, dragged them down to the water, and threw them over the steep bank. The Flying Heads went down to their caves and did not come up again.
Big Turtle and Little Turtle went back to their own country, and the Indians went on their way.
