Indian Myths

The spring mentioned in this story is now said to be the Big Bone Licks, in Boone County, Kentucky.

There was a large spring. Some of the Indians say that Se’ sta made it. Others think it was made when the Great Island grew on the Big Turtle’s back. It was so broad that one could scarcely see across it. Its water was so clear that a pebble could be seen far down on the bottom. The water was cool and good to drink. There was so much of it that a stream ran from the spring to a very large river not far away. It tumbled over the stones in its bed and made the music of water songs.

Trees grew all around the spring. Flags and water lilies bloomed on its shallow shores. On all sides of the spring it was like a beautiful park. Se’ sta loved the spring. Some say that when his mother fell down from Heaven she lived there, and that he and his brother, the Evil One, were born there. If so, as children they had played by this spring and in the beautiful woods about it.

The deer, the elk, the buffalo, the bear, the birds, all came to drink from the spring. Then they went into the shady woods to rest. Geese, swans, and ducks swam on the clear water, and the cranes waded along the edges looking for fish. They flew lazily from one side to the other to see their pictures in the water.

Ska’ reh made many monsters. Among them were the Witch Buffaloes. They were as tall as a tree. They bad long horns on their heads and tusks longer than those of any elephant. They had thick hides, on which was coarse black hair. They had great magic power, and all the Indians and animals were afraid of them.

Ska’ reh brought these monsters to the great spring to live. He made a big drum of flint. It was larger than the biggest house. It could he heard as far as a man could walk in three days. He gave the big drum to the Witch Buffaloes. They beat upon it at the great spring to frighten the animals and birds that came to drink.

The animals and the birds came one day to see the Indians. They wanted the Witch Buffaloes killed. Then the Indians asked the Little People to help them. And Heno said he would be there with his thunder and his lightning. It was to be an awful battle.

When the battle began, Se’ sta sat on a high mountain to watch it and to help the Wyandot should the monsters prove too strong. And Ska’ reh sat on a mountain on the other side to help the Witch Buffaloes.

The struggle lasted all day. Many of the Witch Buffaloes were killed. Their dead bodies sank into the ground out of sight. Their bones were found there when the white people came.

As the sun was setting only one of the Witch Buffaloes was left alive. He was the king of them all. Heno threw his bolts of lightning at him. He let them strike him on the head and shook them off.

But the king of the Witch Buffaloes saw that he would be killed if he did not get away. So, when the sun was going down and was painting the tops of the trees with gold, he made a mighty leap. His magic power helped him, and this leap carried him over the Ohio River. Then he made another leap, and this carried him over the Great Lakes. From there he leaped again and landed in the far north where it is always winter. He lives there yet and is the Keeper of the North Wind.

When the blood of the Witch Buffaloes had dried up, there was found growing, where it had been, a field of red berries. They grew on small vines and were good for food. We call them cranberries. And now they grow in the marshlands at many places. They are the only good thing which came from the Witch Buffaloes.

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