In 1673 the first European explorers to travel down the Mississippi River spot on the high, sheer bluffs the painting of a huge, winged monster. Where does it come from?
Why did somebody take the trouble and risk to paint it on the bluff face? The Indians told them the terrifying story of a man-eating dragon-like creature, and the brave chief who killed it.
This historical, Native American dragon fantasy short story previously published in FANTASTIC December 1975, and unavailable since then, until now.
We know dragon stories and legends from Europe and Asia go back thousands of years. Did some such creature prey on people just north of modern-day St. Louis? A dragon in North America?
The French explorers Pere Marquette and Joliet paddle their canoes down the Father of Waters, the first Europeans to journey through the middle of the newly discovered continent of North America.
They spot the painting.
Why did some unnamed Indian artist risk their life to create it? The perpendicular bluffs rise up from the river hundreds of feet high. Other Indians must have lowered the artist on a rope from the top, and the artist dangled above the rocks of the rivershore as they worked.
Canoes of Indian warriors pass the explorers on the river. As they pass the painting of the dragon-like, flying monster, they shoot arrows at the Indian dragon.
A certain loss of good arrows, because they break or bounce off the white limestone rock of the bluff and fall into the river.
What frightens the Indians so much?
Genre: FICTION / Fantasy / HistoricalShort story originally published in FANTASTIC magazine in 1975.
Available on Kindle and as an Audible audiobook.
As we coasted along rocks frightful for their height and length, we saw a monster painted on one of the rocks, which startled us at first, and upon which the boldest Indian dare not gaze long. It is as large as a calf, with horns on the head like a deer, a frightful look, red eyes, bearded like a tiger, the face somewhat like a man's, the body covered with scales, and the tail so long that it makes the turn of the body, passes over the head and down between the legs, ending at last in a fish's tail. Green, red, and a kind of black are the colors employed.
-- Excerpt from Pere Marquette's journal of his voyage down the Mississippi River in 1673.
Chief Ouatoga crouched in the prairie grass on the bluff top. The night was moonless. In the dim starlight, he watched Laughing Moon, his daughter of sixteen summers, on the edge of the bluff. She was waiting for someone. The Father of Waters, the Mississippi River, flowed far below them.
Several nights ago Ouatoga had awakened and noticed she was gone from his hut. She didn't return until late. When she sneaked away repeatedly, Ouatoga asked her where she went.
Laughing Moon had blushed, looked frightened and said, "Just for a walk."
Ouatoga decided to investigate. If she was seeing a brave man who was worthy of her, Ouatoga didn't mind. They could marry as quickly as possible. But he had to be sure.
A dark shape appeared on the edge of the bluff and lifted itself up silently to the top.
Ouatoga bunched his eyebrows together. Why did he climb the bluff face instead of just walking up the path from the village?
The man stood up and put his arms around Laughing Moon. She laughed softly. He bent his head towards her.
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Dutch
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Already translated.
Translated by Maartje van Woensel
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Author review: Thanks a lot for delivering it quickly. |
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French
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Already translated.
Translated by Ghislaine Patricia Rosso
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Italian
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Already translated.
Translated by Serena Curatelli
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Author review: Translator worked well and fast. |
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by Claus Augustus Corbett
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by María Victoria Madruga Flores
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