A blind man’s attempt at defence

A war party visits an old blind man, suspecting he is part of a troublesome band they’ve been seeking. The blind man, aware of their intentions, prepares to defend himself with a concealed knife. His son-in-law, sensing danger, flees. The old man attempts to attack the intruders but mistakenly stabs a blanket. The visitors then kill him and his wives, acknowledging that his blindness made their assault possible.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The elder attempts to deceive the intruders by hiding his weapon and pretending to be hospitable, aiming to catch them off guard.

Tragic Flaw: The elder’s blindness, while not a moral failing, serves as a vulnerability that leads to his downfall.

Revenge and Justice: The attackers seek retribution against the elder’s band, whom they consider troublesome, leading to the elder’s death.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

Once a party went to war. After they had been traveling some time they came where people were living. Thinking they had found the people they were seeking, they went into the tipi to visit them. An old man [this old blind man’s name was deskj, a “Rocky Mountain” Indian, (tsa’t’u) that is, Fort St. John Beaver] sitting there asked them where they were going. They replied that they were just camping about. The old man, suspecting they were not telling the truth, asked a boy if there were children in the party. The boy told his grandfather, “No.” “That is what I thought,” the old man replied. “If they were camping about there would be children along.”

► Continue reading…

Then those who were visiting him said, “Grandfather, what did you say? You talk a foreign language all the time.” The old man sat with one foot on a knife with which he was intending to kill them. He was blind and did not know the knife was partly in sight. He reached behind his back and found some choice pieces of meat which he took out and roasted. He ate it by himself thinking that it was his last meal. He did not offer food to his guests.

Just then his son-in-law came back and entered the tipi. “I want a drink,” he said to his wife. “I think the water is all gone.” “You are not an old man, get it yourself,” the old man said. He took up the vessel and went for the water. He had left his snowshoes and bow and arrows at some distance from the camp because he did not recognize the visitors and suspected they were only pretending to pay a visit. Instead of getting the water he went back where he had left his things, and taking them, started to run away. When the strangers saw him, they called to him, “What are you doing, my friend? You are running away and we are paying you a visit.” The young man ran on until he was out of sight.

The old man was holding his foot on the knife so that the knife was projecting a little. “He will do something,” the guests said in Cree. They folded up a blanket and put it between themselves and him, saying he would mistake it for a man. The old man did as they thought he would. He stabbed the blanket thinking it was a man. The men then ran out and began to shoot at him from a distance. They killed him. He too was shooting at the strangers and nearly killed a man although he could not see them. “If he had not been blind we would not have succeeded in killing him,” they said to each other.

They killed all his wives. They were hunting for that man for his band was bad and had been annoying the Indians.

Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page

The killing of the children avenged

The story recounts a tragic event where, during a buffalo hunt, a group of children is killed by strangers. Upon discovering the massacre, the grieving parents rush back, but one young man remains composed. He later tracks down the perpetrators, mutilates them by cutting off their ears, and leaves them to suffer, thus avenging the slain children.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: The narrative centers on avenging the slain children, highlighting retribution and the restoration of moral order.

Tragic Flaw: The initial complacency or negligence of the community members may have contributed to the tragedy, underscoring human vulnerabilities.

Family Dynamics: The story delves into familial bonds, emphasizing the deep impact of the children’s loss on their parents and the community.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

The men were away after buffalo and their wives were moving the camp along after them. There was one woman living with them. “When you were named Wind-crossing-each-other, you used to say they (the Cree) are coming after us.” “Yes,” she said. This woman (?) who was coming along behind them turned off on another road. She made a road far from that place, not stopping to sleep until it was daylight. When one could see, the young buffaloes were coming from way over there. They drank up all the water. All the children were saying, “Mother, father, here is mother’s camp.” Now strange people had killed all the children. All the children had followed her along the upper road. She had put them in a hole there.

► Continue reading…

An old woman ran from there to where the men were killing the buffalo and said, “Come, our children have all been killed. The men started running on the snow without their moccasins. They were crying because their children were all killed. There was one boy, the old woman’s son, who did not care. “Do as you please,” he told them. “I will come in the morning.” He did not care, he simply pulled the meat out of his mouth. When it was nearly daylight he started. The others were lying on the ground with cramps. He went after the others. They were crying because their children had been killed. He cut off the ears of some of them and let them suffer still living. He made them like the rest of his relatives. “Let them suffer,” he said and so he had revenge. [Both the text and the interpretation were so poorly done that the narrative is hardly intelligible.]

A Cree, caught alone, is killed by the Beaver

Four young men, while checking their caribou snares, discover tracks of a lone traveler wearing round snowshoes, identifying him as a Cree. They decide to pursue and confront him. Upon catching him, they interrogate the man, who admits to killing “bad people,” implying their friends. Angered, they fatally stab him and dispose of his body in the water.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: The young men seek retribution against the Cree traveler, believing he has harmed their people.

Conflict with Authority: The act of taking justice into their own hands reflects a challenge to established norms or authority.

Tragic Flaw: The traveler’s admission and perceived arrogance lead to his demise, highlighting a personal weakness.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

Some young men were out in the caribou country camping and snaring game. They visited their snares frequently. Four young men were out in the morning to look after the snares. When they were coming back they saw one man had passed along wearing round snowshoes. “This must be a Cree and we will kill him,” they said. They hurried after him. He was going toward their camp. He came out on a lake and was walking along ahead. The young men ran after him and caught hold of him. “Tell us what you are going after. Did you ever kill people?” they asked him, “Yes, I have killed people but they weren’t like people. They were bad people. Those are the only ones I have killed,” he replied. He meant the friends of these young men. They stabbed him through the body and put the body in the water. Those young men killed him.

► Continue reading…

An entire band is killed by the Cree

A starving band of Beaver Indians hurried toward a fish lake, hoping to find sustenance. Upon arrival, they encountered the Cree. Both groups engaged in combat, but the Cree, being more numerous and stronger, killed all the Beaver warriors. Subsequently, the Cree also killed the Beaver women and children, leaving none alive.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

War and Peace: The narrative centers on a violent conflict between two groups, the Beaver and the Cree, resulting in the complete annihilation of the Beaver band.

Tragic Flaw: The encounter suggests a possible lack of preparedness or misjudgment on the part of the Beaver, leading to their ultimate demise.

Community and Isolation: The story reflects on the fate of a community facing isolation and the devastating consequences of their encounter with a more powerful adversary.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

A band of Indians were traveling in a starving condition. They were hastening frantically towards a fish lake. “We shall get there tomorrow,” they were saying. They came to the lake the next evening only to find the Cree there. When they came to an open place each party saw the other. There was nothing they could do so they began to kill each other. There were many of the Cree and they were stronger than the Beaver. The Beaver were not able to kill a single one of the Cree but were themselves killed to a man. Then the women and children came along behind and the Cree killed them all. They were slaughtered to the last one.

► Continue reading…

Torturing the enemy

A lone Beaver man encounters a Cree individual who invites him to his nearby camp. The Beaver man waits, constructing a fence and trail. When several Cree arrive, he kills them, including an old woman he enslaves and tortures. He then attacks two blind Cree elders and their young men, killing them all. The story highlights the Beaver man’s formidable prowess.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: The Beaver man’s actions can be interpreted as acts of vengeance, and the narrative explores the consequences of such retributive justice.

Cunning and Deception: The Beaver man employs deceit to gain the trust of the Cree before betraying and killing them.

Tragic Flaw: The Beaver man’s excessive pride or ruthlessness leads him to commit heinous acts, ultimately defining his character and fate.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

A man was walking by himself. A Cree, too, was walking from the opposite direction. When they met they sat down by each other and the Cree said, “Brother-in-law, how far away is your camp? My camp is close by.” “My camp is a long distance away,” the Beaver replied. “While you are waiting for me, break open this beaver house. We will come to you tomorrow morning,” the Cree said. While the Beaver was waiting for him he made a fence and beat down the snow, making a trail. Then while he was making the fence several Cree came there.

The old man, the Beaver, was sitting by the others cutting a pole in two. He tried in vain. “Brother-in-law, break it for me,” he said.

► Continue reading…

Just as soon as he broke it he stabbed him and killed him. Among those who were coming up was the father of the young man who was stabbed. As soon as he heard his son scream they all began to rush forward. As they were rushing along the Beaver shot them with arrows. He killed them all not leaving a single one alive. The mother of the Cree was coming along. “I killed your sons here,” he said. “You are not coming here for nothing.” He made a slave of her causing her to suffer terribly. He used to burn her skin. He killed that old woman too. Afterward he took [as slaves] those who had lived with them.

The old man asked if they knew of any people living close by. He was told there were two old blind men who had enough young men to make a war party. “We will go after them,” the old man said. When they came there they saw the winter trail in the snow. “Wait for me here and be making camp while I go there,” the leader said.

He went to the two blind Cree men, took them by the hair and burned their faces in the fire. “I shall stay here in this condition until my young men get back,” one of the old men said. The other old man said the same thing, “I, too, shall remain in the same condition.” Then one of the young men was coming home and the Beaver man ran after him and killed him. He really killed them all. There were very many men but he himself alone killed them all. They say that Beaver was a powerful man.

An old man escapes a plot only to be killed in revenge

An elderly man living alone with his young wife survives an assassination attempt by a young hunter who desires his wife. The old man kills the hunter in self-defense and flees, seeking refuge among strangers. Unbeknownst to him, these strangers are the hunter’s relatives. Upon learning of his deed, they exact revenge by killing the old man.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Love and Betrayal: The young man’s proposal to the old man’s wife and her implicit acceptance represent betrayal within a relationship.

Revenge and Justice: The old man’s act of killing the young man in self-defense leads to his own death at the hands of the young man’s relatives, highlighting cycles of retribution.

Tragic Flaw: The old man’s decision to share his story with strangers, who turn out to be the young man’s relatives, leads to his demise.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

There was one old man who camped by himself, living on rabbits which he was taking in snares. He had a wife who was a young girl. A young man who was living with some strange Indians was out hunting and came to the woman. He told her that he would kill the old man when he was out looking after his snares. “If I kill him I will marry you,” he told her. When the old man went out to look after his snares the young man went in the same direction. He watched for him behind some willows which were covered with snow. A rabbit had been snared and was hanging high up on the spring pole. When the old man stretched up to pull it down with a wooden hook he carried, the young man shot him. The old man jumped up and the arrow went under him.

► Continue reading…

The old man rushed after the young man who tried in vain to run away. He caught him and killed him.

Because the young man had many relatives the old man ran off. He came to some people who were living far away whom he did not know. They were the relatives of the young man he had killed. He was telling them his experiences when they broke in on him saying, “You are telling us about our youngest brother whom you have killed. We were wondering who killed him and it turns out to be you.” They killed the old man, although he was very pitiful.

A man avenges his son-in-law

A group of Beaver Indians embarked on a war expedition but found no enemies and decided to return home. On their way back, they discovered the severed head of a friend, killed by the Cree. Realizing his son-in-law was missing, a chief found his body nearby. In retaliation, the chief infiltrated a Cree camp alone and killed everyone. His party then attacked another Cree camp, leaving no survivors. Later, they encountered another Cree war party; only one Beaver man survived to tell the tale.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: The father-in-law seeks retribution for the death of his son-in-law by attacking and killing the Cree responsible.

War and Peace: The story involves conflict between different groups, detailing war expeditions and battles.

Tragic Flaw: The father-in-law’s overwhelming anger leads him to kill all members of the opposing camps, which may suggest a lack of restraint as his tragic flaw.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

A party of Indians went on a war expedition. The strange people for whom they went were not found, and the party turned back. When they came out on a lake there was a black spot in the distance. They thought wolves might have killed a caribou, and ran to it saying they would eat the marrow. One man outran the others and came to it. It was a man’s head. The Cree had killed a man, one of their friends. They went up to the shore to a camp where many people were sitting. One of them was the chief who had a son-in-law living there. They counted the people and found the son-in-law was missing. “He has run away. He had no moccasins with him and has frozen to death somewhere. Look around the edge of the camp,” his father-in-law said.

► Continue reading…

They found he had left the camp at a certain point and they followed after him. They found his body lying not very far away. His father-in-law just looked at him and since there was nothing he could do he left him.

They followed those Cree and came up to them where they had returned to their tipis which were grouped in two camps. There were many tipis. The father-in-law, indicating the place where the tipis were most numerous, said he would go there alone. He went there by himself and killed them all; not one was left alive. Then he cried. Because he was angry the entire party went to the other camp and killed them all.

They went home and came down to the lake again. The Cree were there again. That too was a war party. They were sitting there by their hooks and did not know anyone was about. One of them was not getting any fish. “I wonder what is the matter?” he said to himself. “I guess it is because the water is too shallow. I will make a hole in the ice further out.” He went out to another place where a man was sitting by his hook. The Beaver coming up to him thought it was one of his own people, but it was really a Cree. It was snowing hard when he came up to him. “My brother-in-law you will soon kill fish,” he said to him. There was a spear lying beside the Cree who took it up, thinking it was not a relative. He too had been carrying an ice chisel and killed the Cree with it. He ran away without telling his relatives who were all killed by the Cree. He was the only one to escape to his home alive.

The revenge of Wonyoni

An old man named Wonyoni lives with his three sons. Despite their father’s warnings, the two older sons visit their malevolent uncle and are killed. The youngest escapes and informs Wonyoni. Seeking revenge, Wonyoni confronts his brother-in-law, who underestimates him due to his small stature. Using cunning and a jawbone weapon, Wonyoni kills the larger man, avenging his sons.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: Wonyoni seeks retribution for the murder of his sons by confronting and killing his brother-in-law.

Cunning and Deception: Wonyoni uses his intelligence and strategic thinking to overcome his physically stronger brother-in-law.

Tragic Flaw: The uncle’s overconfidence and underestimation of Wonyoni lead to his downfall.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

There was an old man who raised his children by themselves. When the boys were grown up one of them said, “Father, do you know of any people living close by?” The father replied, “No, my son, I do not know of any people living close by except your uncle who lives near, but he has always been a bad man.” “We will visit him,” the boys said. “Do not do it; you will not live if you do,” said the father. “We will visit our uncle any way; it is hard for us to live by ourselves,” the boys replied. “Well, go then,” the father said. Addressing the youngest boy he asked him what supernatural help he had. “My dream was of newly fallen snow that does not pack,” the youngest replied. When the two older boys started the youngest one told his father that he too would go.

► Continue reading…

“Well,” replied his father, “your uncle is bad. If your brothers go into the house, you stay outside and play.”

The boys started to make the visit. The two older ones came to their uncle who recognized them. “They are my nephews. Quick, give them something to eat,” he said. His wife gave them some bear grease by means of which he killed them. He killed the two boys but the youngest ran away. He came where he had left his snowshoes, put them on, and made his escape.

When he came to his father he said, “Father, he killed my two brothers.” The father was little disturbed and slept as usual. The old man was undersized and his name was Wonyoni which means “smart.” “I will pay my brother-in-law a visit tomorrow morning,” he said.

He went where the camp had been but found his brother-in-law had moved away. The bodies of his sons were lying there. The camp had been moved across the lake. Wonyoni started to cross on the ice and saw his brother-in-law walking by the lake. “Do not come this way,” the brother-in-law called, “you are in pitiful condition.” [This remark probably refers to the usual seclusion of those who have recently suffered the loss of near relatives, which the murderer was trying to enforce.]

They say he was a large man. “Brother-in-law, why do you speak as any other man might? Do I visit you for nothing that you say that.” Wonyoni said. “Don’t you come here, nevertheless; you are pitiful,” he replied, but the old man paid no attention to him. He walked on until he came near him. “You are coming to me because I killed your children. You begin the fight,” he said to Wonyoni, who replied, “I am in pitiful condition as you say. What am I able to do to you?” “You begin the fight anyway,” he said again. “Fix yourself,” Wonyoni said.

The large man had a buffalo rawhide and Wonyoni had beaver skins of the same sort. The latter had a jawbone for a weapon and the former the backbone of a buffalo. [The buffalo skins and the beaver skins were to give supernatural help as well as real protection] Wonyoni made a feint at the head of the other man who thinking he was to be hit in the head raised his buffalo hide. Wonyoni striking under this, broke his legs and killed him. Although he was a small man he was a formidable one they say.

Wonyoni avenges the death of his sons

Wonyoni lived in isolation with his family due to his brother’s malevolence. Despite warnings, his three sons visited their uncle, who murdered the two eldest. The youngest escaped and informed Wonyoni. Feigning indifference, Wonyoni later confronted and killed his brother in retaliation. This tale, rooted in Dane-zaa lore, underscores themes of familial bonds, betrayal, and vengeance.

Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Revenge and Justice: Wonyoni seeks retribution for the unjust killing of his sons by his brother.

Tragic Flaw: The uncle’s malevolence and cruelty lead to his downfall.

Conflict with Authority: Wonyoni challenges his brother’s oppressive and violent behavior, ultimately overthrowing him.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Dane-zaa Lore

Learn more about the Dane-zaa people

A man named Wonyoni had always camped by himself and raised his family apart from others. One of his sons once inquired if they were the only existing people. His father told him that an uncle lived not far away by a fish lake, but because this uncle was a mean man he had raised his family by themselves. The boy replied that they would visit the uncle anyway.

“Well, my boy, you are to be pitied, for you will not live long if you do that,” the father warned him. “Never mind that, we will visit him,” the boy said. “I have hindered your going many times, now do as you like,” the father conceded.

► Continue reading…

Before the three boys set out to make the visit the father told the youngest boy not to go into the tipi even if the two older boys did so. He renewed the boy’s shoe strings because the old ones were dry and brittle. He also advised him to leave his snowshoes along the trail, one pair behind the other because the track upon the snow was not strong. The boy did as his father advised.

When they came to the uncle’s home the two older boys went in but the youngest played outside, although they called to him to come in. The uncle had killed all who had visited him previously and had rendered their fat. He directed his wife to cook for the guests. When they had been fed he took two spears and conducted the boys to the base of the tipi where he placed them. “This is the way your aunt and I used to do when we found a she-bear and her young ones. When we came upon them we would scare them out, and one standing on either side, we would spear them as they ran out. “This is the lard we made of them.” Then as an illustration of the way it was done he drove the spears through both boys at the same time. The remaining boy ran back down the road. The uncle chased him but because the road was not firm enough to hold the older man, the boy outran him and escaped. When he returned, his father inquired about his brothers. “My uncle killed them,” the boy replied.

To this Wonyoni paid no attention but lay by the fire as if nothing had happened. His wife cried and tried to throw herself into the fire. When daylight was appearing the next morning, the man went to his son and said, “Come, let us go to your uncle.” They went where he had lived but found the tipi had been moved away. He had killed the two boys without any reason and burned everything over. “My brother is laughing at us ahead there. Your uncle never knows what he ought to do,” the father said.

They followed to the other side of the lake where the tipi had been placed on a large flat. Wonyoni was angry. When they came near they saw the uncle walking outside watching for them. He came up to them and met them. He was a large man. When he came up close to them Wonyoni ran back from him. “I guess you ran off because your feelings are hurt,” the large man said to him. Then Wonyoni ran up to him again saying, “You intend doing again as you did to the boys. Well, you make the first move,” he said, showing his lack of respect. Wonyoni then aimed a blow at the man’s head, but struck below and broke his legs. The large man fell and Wonyoni came up to him and killed him with his club.

The father and son then went up the bank where the camp stood. No one was stronger than that old man. “Where did you put him?” the large man’s wife asked. She had a flat stone in her bag which she took out and threw at the man. Stepping to one side he dodged it and jumped on the woman, knocking her down. Wonyoni then killed all the people at the camp of the uncle whose name had been Bear-stands-in-the-water. Wonyoni, having killed many people, returned to his own camp. The people were all glad.

The death of Edalakone

Edalakone becomes angry with his wife and daughter, departing alone in his canoe, declaring he will no longer live with them. After two days, a search party follows his tracks, eventually finding him dead in the wilderness, with one of his dogs lying at his back. His decision to leave in anger leads to his demise.

Source:
Chipewyan Texts
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 1
New York, 1912

► Themes of the story

Family Dynamics: The narrative begins with Edalakone becoming angry with his wife and daughter, leading to his departure. This highlights complex relationships within the family.

Tragic Flaw: Edalakone’s anger drives him to isolate himself, ultimately leading to his demise, suggesting a personal weakness contributing to his fate.

Community and Isolation: Edalakone’s decision to leave his family results in his isolation, contrasting with the community’s collective effort to search for him.

► From the same Region or People

North America
- Sub-Arctic Region
  - Chipewyan Lore

Learn more about the Chipewyan people

Edalakone became angry with his wife and daughter. He went away from them in his canoe, saying, “I will not live with you longer.” After he had been gone two days, we went to look for him. Then next day, many joined in the search. Although it was summer, we found his tracks which we followed until noon. While we were stopping for lunch one of the two dogs which had left with him returned to our fire. There were eight men and two women in the company. When we had eaten, we again followed the tracks. After we had gone about half a mile, the three of us who were ahead, thought we saw something. An old man named Samuel Egu asked us to wait for him while he went ahead. When he had gone forward about twenty paces, he stopped. There was Edalakone with one of the dogs lying at his back. Samuel started to laugh but did not. Edalakone lay there dead. His going away angry into the brush did not turn out well for him. The others came there where we were.

► Continue reading…