Native American Legends
Salmon goes to war
An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown
In the days when the Inland Empire was peopled by animals, birds,
reptiles and fish - before human beings had been thought of - the
banks of the Spokane river were the scene of a battle between the
denizens of the water and the land.
Two beautiful maidens were the cause of the war. Both the land
and the water people desired to have the maidens married into their
respective ranks. Open hostilities were declared, and a short time
later the maidens disappeared. At the same time Old Man Wolf and
his family disappeared.
Mud Turtle led the first charge of the water people. The land people
grew tired of watching his slow progress, and soon he was among
them destroying them right and left. Bald Eagle finally shot an
arrow between his shells, killing him. Long Jump, the frog, struck
down many of the animal people before being killed. Salmon was then
chosen. His armor of scales deflected the arrows and he made long
leaps, inflicting great damage with his wicked tail and strong jaws.
Finally, a flight of arrows fired from behind found their way under
his scales, and he was killed.
Mrs Mouse, the Salmon's cousin, had a dam across the river. She
and her children rescued the bodies from the war as they floated
down the river. When Salmon's body drifted down, the mice dragged
it carefully from the river. She bound his wounds and made a little
sweat house. Mrs Mouse's power was great, and Salmon lived again.
Rattlesnake had betrayed Salmon and told how he could be killed.
He was worried and went to the rocky country near Long Lake where
he lives today. Salmon fought and defeated Rattlesnake and placed
a curse on him and his family. This is why they always crawl in
the dust and dirt and why they are hated and will be as long as
the mountains stand and the rivers run.
Salmon built a sweat house and danced and sang. Finally, he knew
who had taken the girls - the Wolf! Salmon defeated the Wolf and
sent the girls back to their families. And so ended the tragic war
between the water people and the land people.
It has never been resumed.
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