Talk:The Raven Mocker

Information about this edition
Edition:	(Extracted from) Adventure magazine, Sep 3, 1918
Source:	Internet Archive identifier: AdventureV018N0519180903
Contributor(s):	ragpicker
Level of progress:
Notes:	Accompanying title illustration omitted.
Proofreaders:	ragcleaner

From the Camp-Fire section of the magazine, p. 182

Now here's a little "dope on the side" from Mr. Pendexter on his story in this issue:

Norway, Maine

The story was suggested by the sacred myth of the Cherokee concerning the Raven Mocker, which, according to James Moony in his authoritative work on Cherokee mythology, was the most dreaded of all wizards and demons. The Cherokee firmly believed in the Raven Mocker. Once when Mr. Moony was among the Cherokee he says (page 504, "Myths of the Cherokee") "A sick man was allowed to die alone because his friends imagined they felt the presence of the Raven Mocker." The same authority says, "The grewsome belief in The Raven Mocker is universal among the Cherokee and has close parallel in other tribes." And he cites as an example the Iroquois' belief in the "cannibal ghost."

AS THE time of this story is about 1730, or after the Shawneee had been driven to the Ohio, the superstitious fears of the white traders are plausible. The execution of witches in New England was less than forty years away. In speaking of another myth of the Cherokee, Mr. Moony says, "The faith in the existence of the miraculous Little Deer is almost as strong and universal to-day (1897-98 ed. "Myths of the Cherokee") among the older Cherokee as is the belief in a future life." On commenting on the talismanic power attached to the consecrated down of the young antler of the deer the same author remarks: "So firm was the belief that it had influence over 'anything about a deer' that eighty or a hundred years ago even white traders used to bargain with the Indians for such charms in order to increase their store of deerskins by drawing trade to themselves." I cite this to prove readiness of whites to accept Indian beliefs.

The raven "dives" while flying by folding one wing close to the body, falling and, says Moony, "apparently turning a somersault." The cry given at such times is described as being entirely different from the ordinary cry of the raven.

THE old stage route between Knoxville and Harper's Ferry practically followed the Great Indian War Trail. The Cherokee and other Indians generally believed they would become what they ate.

Usunhiyi—"where it is always growing dark," is used in myths and sacred formulas to denote the West. The land of the dead, or "Ghost Country," is situated in Usunhiyi. It is called Tsusginai. The common word for west is wudeligunyi—"there where it (the sun) goes down."

It is told by the Cherokee that in 1747 two Mohawks killed more than twenty in stealthy attacks on the Lower Towns. During the Spring and Summer their adroit ambuscades caused the Cherokee to believe they were wizards or witches—Hugh Pendexter.