Myths and Legends of the Great Plains

<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg&nbsp;150]</SPAN></span></p> <h2>BOG MYTH</h2> <p class="subtitle">Dakota</p> <p><span class="dropcap">B</span>ogs are very mysterious. Strange things, with thick hair, remain at the bottom of a bog. These things have no eyes, but they eat everything which comes to them, and from their bodies water flows always. When one of these Beings wishes, he changes his place of abode. He lives at a new place. Then the old place where he lived dries up; but a fresh spring of water gushes from his new lodge. The water of this spring is warm in winter; but in summer it is as cold as ice. Before one dares drink of it, he prays to the water, else he may bring illness on himself for irreverence.</p> <p>In the olden days, one of the Bog Beings was pulled out of a bog and carried to the camp. A special tepee was built for him. But so much water flowed all around that the people were almost drowned. Then those who were not drowned offered him food. He sat motionless, gazing at them. But the food vanished before they could see it go; and no one saw the Bog Being eat it.</p> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />