ccupied, and the hills and mountains the sand
thrown out."

THE FIRE SPIRIT.

My brothers know, said a Nansemond warrior, that our tribe have a
custom of burning over, every season, the great glade, or prairie,
which lies beyond the hill, which the Great Spirit struck with his
lightnings in the Hot-Moon. Yearly they see the flames devouring the
dry and ripe grass, but they do not know what led to this custom;
probably they have never heard that it is done in consequence of a
solemn promise made by their fathers to the Spirit of Fire. Let them
listen, and I will tell them the story.

Once upon a time, as the Nansemonds were warring against the Eries,
who have their residence upon the shores of the lake of that name,
they were caught in a narrow valley, or ravine, which lay between two
high hills. One of the outlets to this valley opened into the lake;
the other, that by which they had entered, had been occupied soon
after their entrance into it, and, for a while, without their
knowledge, by a strong party of their enemies. It may well be asked,
why a band of warriors, cunning, sagacious, and experienced, as the
Nansemonds were, should thus be caught like a foolish beaver in a
trap. I will tell the warriors--they were decoyed into this dangerous
valley by the roguish and wanton tricks of the Spirit of Fire.

This hasty and hot-tempered spirit, who is very good and kind when his
master keeps him in due subjection, but who, when he escapes from his
control, never fails to do a great deal of mischief, to burn up the
maize, and frighten away the beasts which the Great Spirit has given
to the Indians--or to destroy their food--sent Chepiasquit[A] to lead
the Nansemonds--foolish men! they supposed it was to a camping-ground,
where cool shade and sweet water should be found--and decoy them into
a spot where they should fall an easy prey to their enemies. No
thought had they of entering this dangerous valley. It was soon after
the coming of the darkness that they saw this treacherous ball in the
open space before them, and, believing it to be a lamp held out by a
friendly spirit to conduct them, as I said before, to a place of rest
and safety, they followed it without hesitation, and were thus placed
completely in the power of their enemies. But they were good
warriors--men tried and approved in many deadly conflicts, and such
never feel the touch of fear, or show concern, even when they see the
fire lighted and the