That Is
The Story!" A Strange Legend, Surely, And Yet The Reader Will Be
Struck With The Grains Of Truth
Intermingled - life, resulting from
the sacrificial death of another; the substitution of the one for the
many; the life-giving
Seed germinating after three days' burial,
reminding one of John 12:24: "Except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth
much fruit." Strange that so many aboriginal people have legends so
near the truth.
Some days later the chiefs son and I were alone, and I saw that
something troubled him. He tried to tell me, but I was somewhat
ignorant of his language, so, after looking in all directions to see
that we were really alone, he led the way into a dark corner of the
hoga, where we were. There, from under a pile of garden baskets,
calabashes, etc., he brought out a peculiarly-shaped gourd, full of
some red, powdery substance. This, with trembling haste, he put into
my hand, and seemed greatly relieved when I had it securely. Going
then to the corner where I kept my goods, he took up a box of matches
and made signs for me to exchange, which I did. When Timoteo returned
I learned that the young man was custodian of the devil - the only and
original one - and that he had palmed him off on me for a box of
matches! How the superstition of the visible presence of the devil
originated I have no idea, but there might be some meaning in the
man's earnest desire to exchange it for matches, or lights, the
emblem of their fire or sun-worship. Was this simple deal fallen
man's feeble effort to rid himself of the Usurper and get back the
Father, for it is very significant that the Caingwa word, ta-ta
(light), signifies also father. Do they need light, or are they
sufficiently illumined for time and eternity? Will the reader
reverently stand with me, in imagination, beside an Indian grave? A
girl has died through snake poisoning. A shallow grave has been dug
for her remains. Into this hole her body has been dropped,
uncoffined, in a sitting position. Beside the body is placed some
food and a few paltry trinkets, and the people stand around with that
disconsolate look which is only seen upon the faces of those who know
not the Father. As they thus linger, the witch-doctor asks, "Is the
dog killed?" Someone replies, "Yes, the dog is killed." "Is the head
cut off?" is then asked. "Yes, the head is off," is the reply. "Put
it in the grave, then," says the medicine man; and then the dog's
head is dropped at the girl's feet.
Why do they do this? you ask. Question their wise man, and he will
say: "A dog is a very clever animal. He can always find his way. A
girl gets lost when alone.
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