The White of Day

The small kettle-hole ponds were still frozen each morning, kept this way by a relentless cold wind from the North; yet each day small patrols checked the river which flowed to the larger ponds east of the lodges, watching for the arrival of the scotans.* These fish of the great ocean come each spring to spawn in the ponds of their origin, and this event marks the beginning of a New Year for the little people.  When the eldest has sufficient evidence that the first fish has arrived, the first day of the calendar year is recorded. ** 

On this day, the early morning patrol found no fish at the great pond, but did come upon some wompis, or "that with the white beak".***  The birds came out of the water to greet the little men, and Resmis, who could now speak to fowl, asked them about their journey.  The birds responded in scratchy clucking sounds, but Resmis understood them and learned that this group had come to the pond on their way back North, where they will breed in the marshes near the great river which runs from the landlocked oceans to the west.  Resmis wished them well on their journey and bowed to them as they swam off along the edge of the pond.

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*Scotan, the Nubbin word for alewife, is likely derived from the old Irish term for herring, scatan, another indication of the possible Celtic background of the Nubbins.

**What is not known at this point is which river was chosen to be the sentinel site for the New Year announcement, but several journal entries indicate it might be that which flows through the valley of great stones.  Our interpretation of those entries would be the site of Stony Brook in Brewster, though it is some distance from the present location of their lodges.  However, we do know some patrols have gone great distances in a single night, so this may well be the site.

***Wompi is a Nubbin term for the American coot, best identified by its white bill and darkish gray body.  Of interest is the term being very similar to the Wampanoag word whompey, meaning white.  It is not yet known why the little people use terminology for fowl that so often bears this seemingly Native American influence, when at other times their words are so closely related or derived from Northern European cultures.   

The Wyce

The elders spent the last several nights on the bluff in honor of the great moon, which they understood was only to be seen on rare occasions.* On the fourth day of the honoring, a gathering crew was sent off to the site of the wyce shrubs, and here they would carefully select certain branches: those not bearing the small capsule-type fruit.  The branches were considered to be of the Great Spirit, and each year one specially shaped branch was chosen to be used as a diving rod and kept at the great lodge in case the need for use of such arose.  The rest of the branches were stripped of their bark, which was ground up to be used in several healing powders.  These powders were applied to cuts and other wounds of both clan members and animals, when injured.

The wyce shrub was also known as “seed thrower” and next fall when the time was right and the fruits were ready, about eight moons from the time the flowers fall, the clans will gather near them to watch as the seeds snap forth from their capsules. Each time one shoots forth, a cheer will rise among the members of the clan. Some of the seeds will be gathered for planting, and others will be saved to be eaten as a favored treat, sometimes steeped in a brew of tree moss, which they drink to insure their health and prolong their lives.**

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*Nubbins have a keen sense of astronomical events. Though they may not understand the science, their celebrations and honoring often coincide with events like the perigee, syzygy or "supermoon” mentioned above.

**The description found here is certainly that of the shrub witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), long used by Native Americans for its medicinal qualities and common in medicine cabinets of our grandparents.  It is still used and sold today, largely as an astringent.

Two Birds in the Bush Worth More than One in the Hand

When the men returned to the lodge sites, the carcass of the pequam was given to the elder matron, who would use the fur of the animal to line deer hide boots. The rest of the day was spent preparing for the arrival of the forkees.* These large birds crossed through the valley every several days. The Nubbin village always welcomed them with seeds and akarns as they made their way toward the swamp.

Long ago hunted to near-extinction, the number in this flock had grown dramatically since the tall ones re-introduced the birds back to these woods several years ago.  The elders knew that this was done for the sport of the hunt, but they were happy that the birds had prospered and now could be heard gobbling in many areas of the forest. The males at this time of year bore bright blue heads and strutted among the females with their tales fully fanned out.  It was a sight that delighted the little people.  

A small wooden horn made many years before imitated the raspy call of the male birds, and was now used by the elders to trick the tall hunters during the season when they would seek out the sound in hopes of firing a shot at the bird.  The elder chosen for the prank ran with great speed from location to location making the would-be sportsmen think there were many birds present, while the real flock moved off to a safe location.  While many of the forkees were taken by tall ones during the hunting season, success of this trickery was evident by the number of young birds within the brood, and the overall growing population.  

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*Forkees is the Nubbin term for turkeys and, as with many other Nubbin bird names, may have Native American origins. 

Return of the Red-Wing

Due to the heavy snow of winter and recent rains, the water level of the reflecting pond was very high, flooding the dense vegetation which surrounded it. The stone monument marking the ylf was now only a few feet from the waters edge, but the single leaf of the plant was still visible and appeared to be healthy. Atnas directed the men to take off their caps and holding his arms outstretched over the plant, recited the verse written in its honor so many years before. 

Oh great one, you gave to our woods the ylf,

and your kindness for this we hold in high regard.

Let us never allow its place to be forsaken

and we shall protect this one from being taken.

We thank you for this beautiful gift

The roots of which bring joy and health! 

Each of the men then bowed over the plant, and when all had passed before it, Atnas took his staff and struck the ground three times, as was the ritual to encourage good growth, symbolizing sunlight, soil and water.

The men replaced their caps and readied themselves to head back, and it was then that they heard the call of the trupia,* the blackbird with red shoulders who brings the spring and good luck, and is the symbol of a life well lived.  This first solitary male sung from high above in the great oak tree which shadowed the pond. The men were heartened by the call, for they knew many others would soon follow, and the valley would be soon filled with their chorus and the warmth of the spring sun would be upon them. 

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*Obviously, this Nubbin term describes the Red-winged Blackbird so familiar to us. Of interest, it is similar to the term "troupials," given by some to flocking blackbirds of the new world.  Troupial is derived from the French term troupe, meaning flock.

A Visit to the Reflecting Pond

As they made their way back through the woods, Atnas decided to return by way of the reflecting pond to see if the leaf of the sacred plant survived the winter.

The flower, known to them as ylf, was transplanted from the forest to the South, where their lodges had once been.  At that time many ylf grew in the location not far from the fresh brook which ran to the great bay; but then the tall ones came, and took down all the trees there, built several dwellings and plowed the forest floor.  Before the area was completely destroyed, the elders had the trophers dig up a number of the plants, and it was these that were moved and planted in the edge of the woods near the reflecting pond.  Their location was so marked by stones, like other such important sites.  The pond, too, was considered sacred by them for it came and went most seasons.*  

The ylf transplants grew well for a long number of years, but for reasons unknown to them, they slowly died off and now just one plant remained.  The plant is scared due to its unusual growth cycle and its roots, which were once eaten when the plants were plentiful.  The roots put out a single leaf in the fall and that leaf, which is green on top and purple on the bottom, remains through the winter; then withers away in late spring as a stem begins to rise out of the ground.** By August, the stem would be almost eye level to them, and it would bear beautiful purple flowers.  Though tempting, on account of being so rare, the flowers could no longer be picked.

Some blame the slow demise of the plants on the intruder who toppled the stones that marked the spot, throwing some of them into the middle of the pond.  The stones sat there for many seasons until the great drought came.  It was that summer when the monument was reassembled.  The wait to rebuild the monument was necessary because ancient custom required that the stones not be touched while wet with the great one’s blessing; and even though the pond seemed dry on occasion, the stones were still wet on the bottom.

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* A pond that “came and went” is likely what we would call a vernal pool.

**The description given would suggest this flower might be a Cranefly Orchid, known to have once been found in Barnstable, but now listed as exterminated on Cape Cod and endangered throughout Massachusetts  Thus, this would be a very rare specimen, if it is so. 

There are Endings of Little Good

As they approached the clearing where the dog was buried the day before, Hantar raised his hand and the great bird which sat upon his shoulder perch took flight.  As in every such hunt and so taught, this silent flyer will circle the group, each time expanding its radius from them to a point where more than a carucate* is covered by its keen site and hearing.  In the meantime, the little men waited in the brush just beyond the forest opening. Atnas sniffed and caught the scent of the animal, which had left the musky odor near the spot of the kill. 

“It was surely a pequam, for it left its mark upon this place,” he whispered to the others. 

The quick return of the owl surprised them, as this meant the pequam was not nearby as they thought it would be.  “We must move closer to their dwellings,” said Atnas, “for it likely found the prey easily taken there. Yet it must be seen if it makes a return to this place.  Thus, three of you shall remain here until our return.”  

With that, Atnas, Hantar and the others headed south and made their way toward the first of several nearby homes occupied by the tall ones.  The owl flew ahead, and before long its hooting indicated it had found the animal.  The men quickly ran to the place, using the hoots as guidance, and soon came out onto a hardened path used by the giants, above which the owl sat upon a tall pole, one of several along the path that carried the long lines that linked their dwellings. This linkage always puzzled our Nubbin friends; but it was not thought about this time, for there was the pequam now dead, trampled by one of their iron wagons. Atnas went over to the body, and he could tell the animal was hit just a short time before. He instructed the trophers to place the carcass into the carrying bag, telling them that the fur of the pequam was of value and could be used by the matrons.  All of this was done quickly and soon they headed back into the woods.  

When safely out of view, Hantar stopped to thank the silent flyer and sent it on its way.  Atnas looked at him as he took the perch off his shoulder.  He could sense his fellow’s disappointment.  "You were right in our need to act my friend, but it does not appear that we were meant to find him, nor was he to have a place here. Yet, I know such an end to his life is hard to find good in.”   

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*Of interest, the Nubbins use a system of land measurement derived from ancient farming practices dating back to the ninth century.  A carucate was the amount of land that could be plowed by a team of eight oxen in one growing season, or about 120 acres.

A Time to Act

Atnas stood to recognize the decision and turned to Hantar.

“Only you and I have the years to communicate with the pequam. We must locate his presence quickly and warn him of the tall ones. There is prey enough for it to seek out without working the darkness around their dwellings. Gather together the trophers and harness the silent night flyer, for we can use his senses and great speed to our advantage.”*

We should depart this evening, for if no other prey is found easily, the pequam will return to the place of his last kill to feast on what remains.** Those are now buried, so his presence there will be short.  It is here we will first wait. For the rest of you, keep watch over the lodges until we return this morn; for the tall one who owned the dog may be about looking for its return.”

Hantar bowed in acceptance of the charge and headed out to assemble the trophers and call in the night flyer.  The elders stood one by one and left in procession.  When they were gone, Atnas went to the inner stores and here took from its only locked barrel some fire herbs used only when battle is possible.  As he filled the small bag taken from his satchel, he called upon the great one.

“I do not seek the use of the contents herein. I wish not the need in reality. If the tall ones come upon us, provide time to sweep them with the sleeping herbs we so commonly use, for those leaves will not hurt them, nor will they remember; but if dire events set forth, then provide this fire mixture with its potent power.”  

He then picked up his staff, blew out the lodge candle and headed into the darkness.

Now Nubbins have the ability to see fairly well in the dark and possess keen hearing, second only to the silent night flyer. Thus, night patrols are common and much of their business is done in darkness.  These attributes have long been part of their being, but decades of encroachment by the tall ones have sharpened their skills.  

Atnas found the trophers fully assembled and he gave each of them 4 drams*** of the fire herbs.  They new the meaning of this and lowered their heads as he handed each their amount.  Hantar was strapping on the shoulder perch for the silent night flyer who sat in the tree above him.  When in place, the bird flew down and gripped the perch.  It was a magnificent site to see the great flyer standing so tall upon his shoulder, his head already rotating, listening and looking. When all was ready, the party of little men, now more like warriors, headed toward the oak forest.

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*The silent night flyer or great horned owl is found throughout North America. It is our largest owl having tufted ears, and stands about 18 to 25 inches tall with a wing span up to 55 inches in length.  Contrary to popular belief, these owls cannot rotate their head completely around, but can rotate it about 270°. This head movement compensates for their fixed eyes, which cannot move up and down or side to side, though their eyesight is very keen and they can see in almost complete darkness.  Great horned owls also have incredible hearing, which enables them to hear sounds 10 times fainter than the human ear can detect. This allows them to find prey by sound in the dark. Their hearing ability is the result of asymmetrical ear placement, with one ear opening set higher on the head. This means that sounds enter the ears at different times and different angles, allowing the owl to use triangulation to pin point the direction and distance of prey by tilting its head back and forth and up down until the sound is equal in each ear. Add to its keen sight and acute hearing, a silent flying speed of up to 40 mph, and this owl is an awesome predator.

**Pequams or Fishers are known to eat carrion if no other prey or food source is available.

***Nubbins use the apothecaries' system, which survived in English speaking countries until the mid 20th century; hence 4 drams would be about 1/2 ounce.

For Them, Everything has a Place!

When the elders were all assembled,Atnas lit the vessel holding the incense and its smoke soon circled the long table.  Each elder bowed and then sat as was the custom. Atnas took up the ledger and stood for several moments looking at the faces of his fellow Nubbins and then did the opening reading for this night of the moon.

“Oh great one, you have given us this place in time, and we once again understand the light of the night orb is not always whole, and approaches darkness. Yet, we have learned through many generations that it will return to fill the sky again. The waters will rise to honor its glory, and recede to acknowledge its power.*  Thus, we are reminded of our place here and the charge you have bestowed on us.  Let our gathering this eve be fruitful and may our decisions prove worthy of your blessing.”

Atnas turned to the elder at his right.  “Hantar, you sought out our counsel.  Tell us of your concern.”

Hantar cleared his throat.  “My brethren, we were sent to gather the akarns now left after the season’s snow lost battle to the sun.  It was here in the forest to the south, that we came upon a dog, slain and torn apart. The animal was owned by a tall one; we knew it to be so, for the collar around its neck bore the badge of ownership.  This death was not the work of the silent flyer of the night, nor was it that of the howling wolf.**  My search for its mark was rewarded by one print, left only because of a blood soaked paw.  It was the mark of a pequam, and there is no doubt.  The others also witnessed my find.  This beast has not been among the forest of our realm for many years, though our legends tell us it was once so.   It does not know our ways, and if it continues to prey at the door of the tall ones, then they may seek out this hunter, coming nearby our lodges to find it.  It is this reason that I have asked for your judgment.”

Atnas stood, and with a motion of thanks, bowed to Hantar and turned to the others.  

“This is a just reason for our calling together.  What do you say to this event?”

Retsbrew stood and Atnas nodded to him to speak.

“The pequam of lore is like others we know once roamed these forests.  Its place here may well be proper, as we know the tall ones took many such creatures for their fur, like those which spent much time in the sea.***  Their traps took all of them.  I say we must approach this pequam and provide it a safe place much like the great cat.  It has no cause to harm us.”

For several seconds there was complete silence, and then each elder stood one by one and bowed to Retsbrew.  This was the sign of their approval for what he suggested.

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*These words once again show the Nubbins understanding of the moon’s phases and the effect upon the tides.

**The ‘silent flyer of the night’ is a Nubbin phrase for the great horned owl and the howling wolf is likely a reference to a coyote.

***This description indicates the Nubbins were well aware of the demise of the sea mink, which were once bountiful in New England waters, yet went extinct in the late 1800s as the result of over-trapping.