USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 4
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THE EAGLE FEAST.
This festival was usually held during the full moon, immno- diately following the seed and berry harvest. In the spring- thne there was considerable rivalry among the young men of the different villages, as to who should first discover the nesting place of the royal bird. Once found, the eyrie was watched assiduously, and the period of incubation carefully noted in order that the caglet shonkl not escape. At the proper tie, when fully fledged, and almost ready to fly, a deputation of young warriors was dispatched to bring the bird of Jove to the village. As these approached, bearing him npon their hands in triumph, they were met by & concourse of maidens, dressed in all their bravery, and singing prieans of welcome to the prisoner. By these he was carried to the quarters ready prepared for him, and from that time he received all the reverence anl attention due to a royal captive.
As the looked for period approached, rumers were dispatched to all the neighboring villages, bearing invitations to the erre- mony.
Now the moon is at the full, and on the appointed night, the villagers with their guests, assemble expectantly within the great circular enclosure which has been erceted for the occasion. In the center a mighty tire is built, and as the Queen of heaven reaches her highest altitude, the priest enters hearing on his hand the bird. With measured step he passes round and round the blazing pife, chanting as he strides. Now he faces the expectant throng, and demands their pleasure. What message will they send to the " Great Spirit," Tor bchoki, here is the Messenger ready to depart. Awe-stricken, the vast assemblage sits motionless, and no response is made. Now directing his speech to the bird, he rehearses what good or evil events have marked the present year. He enumerates in detail such things as they now have need of, then again resumes his march about the fire. Now he breaks into a wierd unearthly melody, which chills his listeners to the stillness of death. Gradually he increases the vehemence of his gestures and the rapidity of his utterance, until the ear can scarcely follow the burden of his passionate ejaculation. He adjures the bird by all they esteem holy, faithfully to deliver before the throne of grace the messages with which he has been entrusted. As he utters these last words of a solemn adjuration, in a frenzy of passion apparently bordering on madness,-he turns sud-
deuly to the watching, eager crowd and exhibits not the bird of Jose, erect and triumphant as they saw him a moment. Inform; but only his lifeless clay, from which the freed spirit hath winged its flight. This he casts to the flames, where it is earnestly watched by all eyes nutil the last particle has disap peared in vapor, ur been resolved into ashes.
The remainder of the night wasspent in feasting and dancing Presents were now distributed by the host of the occasion ; none must be slighted, and he minst be rich invloed, who dare give an Eagle feast. In many cases, such an entertainment was surely followed by ruin and starvation to the host and his family. To such there was no recourse, but to attend sulese- quent feasts of a like elmmeter, when in the distribution of presents, these were always apportioned an extra shure.
LEGENDS AND TRADITIONS.
THE PLEIADES.
Seven brothers were married to seven sisters, in the order of their respective ages, and all lived together. The men wont daily to hunt rabbits, and the women to gather routs, Always the men returned first, and on arrival of the women, invariably reported " bad Inek;" only the youngest, each day handed his wife a rabbit. At last suspicions that all was not as repre sented, one day the youngest sister was left secreted, while the others repaired to their daily labor. During the afternoon, the hunting party returned laden with rabbits, which they straightway proceeded to roast and eat. - all but our, which the youngest brother laid aside for his wife, whereupon the others langhed at him and upbraided hine as a fool. When they had concluded their frast, they carefully hid the bones outside the hnt. So soon as her sisters returned, the youngest one told them what she had seen, whereupon they consulted how best. they could escape from the ernelty and negleet of their part- ners. One proposed that they should turn into water; a second that they should become stones; a third that they should turn tr es, and so on ; but all propositions were rejected for some reason or other, until it came to the turn of the youngest sister. Her daily rabbit would appear to have enlarged the scope of her ambition, for she proposed that they should become stars! The objection raised by some of the others that they would then be seen by their husbands; was overruled by the consideration that they would at least be ont of reach. They now built a most elaborate flying machine out of reeds; in which they sailed np into the sky and established themselves as " The Ploindex."
Only the youngest brother lamented the loss of his spouse: and at last the sisters, moved with compassion, lent him their red chariot, in which he also ascended, and became the con- stallation " Taurus."
18
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
ORPHEU'S AND EURYDICE.
(INDIAN VERSION. )
A great pestilence had destroyed the people, only an old woman and two children- a boy and a girl, remained. When they grow up, the man proved himself a great hunter, and the girl, who possessed remarkable beanty and a lovely disposition, an adept in all household arts. In time they married, and now the old woman, fancying herself neglected, plotted against the life of her foster daughter. Twice she failed in her attempt, but the young wife, aware of her design, apprised her husband, and told him that, should she be slain in his absence, her soul would notify him of the fact by dropping tears upon his shoul- der. One day, while hunting, he received the fatal sign, and hurried home, but ere he could execute vengeance on the hag, she transformed herself into a gopher, and burrowed in the carth, where she had concealed the body of her victim.
F'er three days and three nights he lay upon the grave, lamenting the loss of his love, nor tasted ho of food or drink, thro'igltout that weary vigil. At last he perceived a small whirlwind arise from the grave and disappear. Soon a second ar e and moved toward the South, gradually augmenting in size as it progressed. This he followed, and passing over a sandy plain, perceived that it le. t foot-prints; then knew he that. it was indeed his wife. Redoubling now his efforts, he gained upon the apparition, and addressing it was repaid by hearing the voice of his love reply-" Return, O my husband, for where I go, thither thou can't not come. Thou art of the earth, but I am dead to the world!" Nevertheless, impelled by his great love he insisted on following, even to the world of shades; and at last, moved by his entreaties, she consented, but cautioned him-" Forget not that no earthly cyr may over again
They passeil over a great sen, and entered the realm of ghosts. He saw here no form, but heard myriads of voices- sweet as the tones of zephyrs, breathed lightly o'er aolian strings, addressing his spirit guide,-" What hast thou here xixter? It smells of earth!"
She confessed that she had brought with her a mortal, her husband, anl begged that he might be permitted to stay. She rehearsed his mighty deeds and inany admirable qualities while on earth; bitt all in vain. Again were the voices heard, still musical, but now stern and threatening in their tones. "Tuke him away!" they said, " Guided by love he comes, and love plats his cause: love is all-powerful on earth, but earthly lore "rails not in the courts of Heaven!"
Ahashed by the evident displeasure of these invisible ones, still she braved their anger, and pleaded for her love. She lilated on his many virtues and his great skill, until at last despite their assertion, "that love availed not," the spirit-
guard relented and he was allowed to make exhibition of his acquirements, with a view to his possible admission. He was required to bring a feather from the top of a pole so high, that the summit was scarcely visible; to split a hair of great fineness and exceeding length from end to end; to make a map of the constellation known as the "Lesser Bear," and to indicate the exact location of the North Star. Aided by his wife, he succeeded in accomplishing all these tasks to the satis- faction of his examiners, but in a trial of hunting. failed utterly, the game being invisible. A second attempt resulted as before, and he had become a laughing-stock throughout the world of ghosts, when his wife advised him to aim his arrows at the bretles which flew past him in great numbers. Acting on her instruction, each beetle, when hit, proved a fat deer, and so many did he slay that the spirit voices commanded him to desist. They then addressed his wife, who was yet to him invisible. "Sister!" they said, "Thou knowest none who enter here, return again to earth. Tucupar (Heaven) knows not death! Our brother-in-law hath done full well, yet mortal skill may not arail to win a leurenty prise! We award him the guerdon, LOVE! chiefest of earthly blessings, in thy person .; yet only on condition!"
Then addressing the husband they said,-" Take thou thy wife! Yet remember, thou shalt not speak to her, nor touch her, until three suns have passed. A punishment acuits thy dis- obedience!"
They pass from the spirit-land, and travel in silence to the confines of matter. By day she is invisible to him, but at night, by the flickering flame of his camp-fire he perceives her outline on the ground near by. Another day he remains faith- ful to his instructions, and by the evening blaze her form appears more plainly than before. The third day has passed, and now, behold, the amorous flame leaps forth to greet her- recumbent by his side, radiant with beauty and health, and restored, as he fondly believes, to him and love'
But alas : one-half the lurid orb of day yet trembles, poised on the western verge, as with passionate vehemence he pro- nounces her name, and clasps to his faithful heart-not the form of her he loves, but only a fragment of decayed wood !
Heart-broken and despairing, he roamed the earth ever afterward, until at last the spirits, in mercy, sent to him their servant Death, who dissolved his mortal fetters, and carried him, rejoicing, to the bosom of his love !
Among the most eurious of their traditions were the two following, which we quote verbatim from Mr. Reid's letters:
TRADITION AND FABLE.
Four hrotbers and a sister lived together in a hut, and were very fond of each other. The young men were principally engaged in huuting. The girl whose name was Chut-Kit, had refused many offers of marriage. After awhile she became melancholy and foud of soli-
-
tude, and appeared to be enumoved of the lightning, after expressing a desire to possess it. Her eldest brother, in the course of time, perceived that she was with child, and taking the others into the woods, spoke as follows: " Brethren, I perecive with sorrow that our sister has been harmed; she holds uo intercourse with the young inen of our village. therefore one of you have done this evil. Which of you is it? Speak."
The three declared themselves innocent, and each one mentioned bis having had his suspicions regarding his fellow4. They concluded at last to ask their sister, which was doue. " Who is the father of your child?" asked the eldest, on their return to the hut. Bursting into tears, she denied ever having any connection with man. but stated that about seven moons previous, having wandered into the woods, saying ever and anon to herself, "Would that the lightning were mine ! " that the lightning came out of a cloud and flashed over her, when she perceived a strange sensation of cold pass like a piece of ice through her brain into the abdomen. That she had subsequent intercourse with it. always producing the same effect.
After some time the pains of ber labor commenced, and a man child was born. The mid- wife having asked for something to cut the navel string, to the astonishment of all the child said, " No; it will hurt me!" According to the Indian custom, all new-horn children are given urine to drink, for a medicinal purpose, and, on a by-stander's recommending the dose to be given, the child said, "No; it is bitter!" He was called Mactuta, and every day hecame more and more wise, arguing with all the old muen and seers on divers subjects, always to the dis- comfiture of their allegations and prostration of their wisdom. After gaining a victory he always told them that it was useless to dispute with him, as he was the Son of God.
The chief's and wise meu of the tribe at length determine to put him to death. He was aware of it, and bantered them continually by say- ing, " Put me to death, but in three days I will arise again !"
After many consultations, his enemies hit upon a plan which destroyed him completely; for they said among themselves, if we buru his body, how can he rise again, seeing that he is consumed ! He was accordingly burned alive and his hody dissipated. He never appeared more. Some Indians after this said, " There is no God," because they had destroyed him; hut the greater part said, " No: we have only destroyed his body, for his soul ascended to Heavou."
1.EGEND.
Iu the lodge of Muhuvit, which lay behind the hills of Fan Fer- nando, once lived a chief connected with the following legend, who was a great wizard and enchanter. He had a son and daughter. The daughter was good looking and possessed, as her father and brother did, a most astonishing head of hair, which, when loose. trailed on the ground. She, however, possessed a niggardly disposition, and more- over was lazy. After awhile the chief of Hahamogna (Verdugo asked her in marriage aud was accepted.
In due time she presented her husband with a daughter. Shortly after she proved berself to be a gluttou as well as parsimonious, for the people were commanded every day to bring rabbits, ready roasted. for her to eat, and she devoured the whole without ever offering the lookers-on a single worsel. This caused universal discoutent, so much so that the wise men of the village consulted together, and at last urged the chief to send her home. "Do with her as seenieth best," said the husband. So ou a second consultation, the old men deter- mined to juut her to death instead of putting her away, fearing her father. "What shall be done with the child?" asked the seers. " Let it die with the mother," answered the husband.
Orders were given the next day to have no water brought from the wells to their huls, but all should go there and drink wheu su inclined. The rabbit bunters were likewise instructed to stuff the game before cooking it with all kinds of reptiles. A large basket, used for bring- ing water, was placed in the last hut of the village and filled with urine. The hour having arrived for her to eat, the rabbits were pre- sented according to custom. Ou this occasion, however, she proceeded differently than she was in the habit of doing; for, pulling out the keg of a toad, she inquired what it was. " It is part of a quail," replied some one. "Then cat it," said the victim. "No; eat it yourself." was the response. Pieces of lizards and other disgusting watter came to light, with the same result, until she finished the mess.
This repast gave her great thirst, and she asked for water. Nat
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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
procuring it there, she went from one habitation to another in quest of it, with the same success, At last "he arrived at the extremity of the lodge, and received the proffered dish with eagerness, finished il at three draughts, with the exception of a little which she reserved for the child. For ten days did the same thing ocenr, at the end of which time, finding all the hair of her head and eye brows gone-for it fell ofl' by drinking the urine-und, moreover, that she was wasted in He-h and wrinkled, she determined ov leaving and going to her father's. So, taking her child in her arnes, she left the hut secretly. After pro- verding some distance she repented having done so, exclaiming, " What n Tool I am to carry this burden, as if he liked me so much ?" Throwing it away she went on ber road; but after going on a short way she looked back and saw her infant with its arms stretched out towards her: her heart relented nt the sight, and returning she again look it np, " Thou hast committed no sin that I should revenge myself njum thee." She went on and on, nutil extrem Eutigne from her load brought her to a stand, when observing a large rock che by she took the child by the heels ail doshed its brains out. The bkaxl still ex- ists, visible on the stone to this day. Still, some ladiand maintain that the child did not die, but turned into a squirrel. On she went, alone, sad and slow, until she came to where her mother preserved her seeds in the woods, and the crept into a large basket, called a cheomnes, capable of containing ubont sixteen bushels.
Not long after her arrival came the mother to procure a supply of words and arorus, and putting her hand in at the mouth she touched her daughter, nud not being aware what it was, gave a scream. " Yes," said the dunghter, "he afraid of me after the injury that you have done me, in marrying me to a man who cared nuthing about me !" The mother approached. but condd scarcely recognize her own daugh- ter, und heard from beginning to end the tale of her sorrows. The parent then said, " I will go to thy father and inform him," which she did. The father being informed by his wife, secretly he proceeded with her to the place of deposit, taking his daughter food and drink. Thus they did day after day, and herbs were administered to her, to restore bor and purge her from the lilth she had eaten. Her head was ulss cured by the oil from a blackberry, growing on the sea coast. called hemias. In four moins the wrinkles had nearly disappeared from her face, und her hair reached to her waist.
At this stage of her cure she was commanded by her Father to go Anily und bathe in her brother's bathing place. She did so, but the brother soon begun to note how turbid the water was when he came to bathe. He became sad in consequence, and more so when he saw a hnir in the water which, on measuring with those of his own, was not one- third their length. He spoke to his mother on the subject, but she threw no light on the matter, being anxious to conceal with her husband the danghter's return, until her shame aud sickness bad both passed away. The son, going to the bath one day sooner than usual. ennght his sister in the water, but knew her not. Taking her by the leg he threw her out, saying, " So it is yon who daily disturb my well: hegone !" In doing so he beheld her nakedness, which caused her so munch shame that she wandered off, and traveling to the sea shore drowned herself. The brother, well satisfied with himself, returned lime and told his mother of having found mm unfortimate womnn in his bath, how he had thrown her out and seen her nakedness. The pareula left the hut and went in search of the daughter, but without success. " Shame has driven her away, where can we tind her?" snid the wife, The husband answered not, but taking a willow twig he made a ring of it, covering it with buckskin; this he threw to the north, but the ring returned to him. He then threw it south, and lock it came agam: Then east, with the same result; but when he threw it west, it kept on. The father followed it up in all its crooks und turns until he saw it enter the ocean. "She has drowned herselt from shame, but deeply shall she be revenged," said he.
On arriving ut home he informed his wife, who cried bitterly, much to the astonishment of all the lodge, who knew not what had occurred. He called all of his people and told them to go hunting, stop out all night. und take his son ulons. The son was then advised of the party he was to join, and dressed in all his ornament, finery, aud numey beads. They srt out, and oheyed order- by sleeping in the mountains, having a large fire to warm themselves at. A little before daylight one of the old men let loose a sereech owl, which he had brought con- cenled, and which was no other than the buy's father. This caused general cousternation, and all fed save the young man himself. Im-
mediately an enormous bird, called by the name of "('uwot " but which was the father again , carried him up into the air. Seeing this the people came running back, excla ming, " The Cuwot has carried off the chiefsron!" Ou coming to the spot his bones fell among them. which were gathered up and buried.
A few days after this, a man was seen approaching the village; the chiel went aud met bim.
" Where dust thon came from?" asked the chief.
" From Hahamugna " ( Verdugo).
" Ah," said the chief, "how are they getting on there"
" Very well, indeed; the captain there is about to take a new wife, and in consequence a great fest is progressing."
" He it >," said he. " they have had their laugh, now I shall have mine, and we will all jurrish together."
He took the road to the village, and before arriving he fell in with all the women gathering prickly pears. Ile asked one of the women to do him the favor of sifting a basketful of tunas over his eyes, She objected and he persisted, until her companions told her to comply: hint no sooner had she done so thau all of them commenced crying out and wailing iu piteous terms -they were all stone blind! " Now it is my turn to laugh," said the chief, and he proceeded au towards their village.
Going to the west side of their lodge, he transformed himself into u huge caple, and proceeded, flying down close to the ground, The ery was immediately raised among the people of " catch the eagle !" But an old woman who was taking care of two children while their mothers were off, begged them not to do so, as it was uot an engle but a wizard : at this they only langhed; but the old woman covered up the children with n basket to keep them from harm,
"They soon caught it, and anying, " Let ny pull its wings off," put it into execution .. The moment its wings were separated from the body a gush of blood poured out from one side, and another of green water from the other. Fever and bilious vomiting commenerd, and killed all save the old woman and children. The eagle soared without bis wings to the clouds, and the chief was never heard of more by his people.
The following legend is from the pen of Hon J. J. Warner. and was published in the Los Angeles Star of February 21, 1857.
THE MOON MOTHER. A LEGEND OF THE CALIFORNIAN INIAN.
The two grent spirits who brought all things into existence, having completed the creation of the earth and peopled it with the animal kingdom, rested from their labor. The oldest re-ascended to heaven, while the youngest remained upon the earth. In the absence of his brother, being weary and lonesome, he fashioned out of earth a num- ber of living sons in human form, with whom he dwelt. The dayx were pleasantly spent by him and his sons in giving and receiving instruction. At this time the moun inhabited the earth, and each night when the father and his sons retired to their dwelling. she came and kept watch at the entrance of their lodging place. A love fo. the moon soon sprang up in the hearts of the children, which ripened into iutense allection. Happiness was the lot of all, while the children by day received the pareutal instruction of their father, and by night the affectionate care of their companion and protectress, the moon. This state of unalloyed happiness was interrupted, in consequence of the discovery made by the sons, that the love and affection of their father was bestowed less upon themselves than upon their uightly guardiau. Ile so far forgot them that he frequently deserted their dormitory and spent whole nights enjoying the light of, and dallying with the mouu. Not many months passed before there was manifested in the actions of the moon a shyness aud timidity, which occasioned a most heart-felt sorrow. Their thoughts by day and their dreams at night were con- tiuually reverting to the incontinency of their beloved moon. It was uot long before their grief was changed to despair. Awaked in the night by an unknown cry, they found themselves not only shrouded in gloom, but abandoned by their father. The night was spent in tears and regrets at their deserted and forlorn condition, uutil the first rays of morning light dispelled the darkness, when they observed a new-
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