--- title: Iya, the Camp-eater — Old Indian Legends · full text with trees description: Iya, the Camp-eater, «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: FROM the tall grass came the voice of a crying babe. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/) / Iya, the Camp-eater # Iya, the Camp-eater Iya, the Camp-eater of «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole text, 111 sentences and 1562 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 2 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/1/) — FROM the tall grass came the voice of a crying babe. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/2/) — The huntsmen who were passing nigh heard and halted. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/3/) — The tallest one among them hastened toward the high grass with long, cautious strides. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/4/) — He waded through the growth of green with just a head above it all. — checked by a teacher - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/5/) — Suddenly exclaiming “Hunhe!” he dropped out of sight. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/6/) — In another instant he held up in both his hands a tiny little baby, wrapped in soft brown buckskins. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/7/) — “Oh ho, a wood-child!” cried the men, for they were hunting along the wooded river bottom where this babe was found. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/8/) — While the hunters were questioning whether or no they should carry it home, the wee Indian baby kept up his little howl. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/9/) — “His voice is strong!” said one. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/10/) — “At times it sounds like an old man's voice!” whispered a superstitious fellow, who feared some bad spirit hid in the small child to cheat them by and by. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/11/) — “Let us take it to our wise chieftain,” at length they said; and the moment they started toward the camp ground the strange wood-child ceased to cry. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/12/) — Beside the chieftain's teepee waited the hunters while the tall man entered with the child. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/13/) — “How! how!” nodded the kind-faced chieftain, listening to the queer story. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/14/) — Then rising, he took the infant in his strong arms; gently he laid the black-eyed babe in his daughter's lap. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/15/) — “This is to be your little son!” said he, smiling. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/16/) — “Yes, father,” she replied. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/17/) — Pleased with the child, she smoothed the long black hair fringing his round brown face. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/18/) — “Tell the people that I give a feast and dance this day for the naming of my daughter's little son,” bade the chieftain. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/19/) — In the meanwhile among the men waiting by the entrance way, one said in a low voice: “I have heard that bad spirits come as little children into a camp which they mean to destroy.” - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/20/) — “No! no! - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/21/) — Let us not be overcautious. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/22/) — It would be cowardly to leave a baby in the wild wood where prowl the hungry wolves!” answered an elderly man. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/23/) — The tall man now came out of the chieftain's teepee. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/24/) — With a word he sent them to their dwellings half running with joy. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/25/) — “A feast! a dance for the naming of the chieftain's grandchild!” cried he in a loud voice to the village people. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/26/) — “What? what?” asked they in great surprise, holding a hand to the ear to catch the words of the crier. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/27/) — There was a momentary silence among the people while they listened to the ringing voice of the man walking in the center ground. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/28/) — Then broke forth a rippling, laughing babble among the cone-shaped teepees. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/29/) — All were glad to hear of the chieftain's grandson. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/30/) — They were happy to attend the feast and dance for its naming. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/31/) — With excited fingers they twisted their hair into glossy braids and painted their cheeks with bright red paint. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/32/) — To and fro hurried the women, handsome in their gala-day dress. — checked by a teacher - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/33/) — Men in loose deerskins, with long tinkling metal fringes, strode in small numbers toward the center of the round camp ground. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/34/) — Here underneath a temporary shade-house of green leaves they were to dance and feast. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/35/) — The children in deerskins and paints, just like their elders, were jolly little men and women. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/36/) — Beside their eager parents they skipped along toward the green dance house. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/37/) — Here seated in a large circle, the people were assembled, the proud chieftain rose with the little baby in his arms. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/38/) — The noisy hum of voices was hushed. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/39/) — Not a tinkling of a metal fringe broke the silence. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/40/) — The crier came forward to greet the chieftain, then bent attentively over the small babe, listening to the words of the chieftain. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/41/) — When he paused the crier spoke aloud to the people: - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/42/) — “This woodland child is adopted by the chieftain's eldest daughter. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/43/) — His name is Chaske. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/44/) — He wears the title of the eldest son. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/45/) — In honor of Chaske the chieftain gives this feast and dance! - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/46/) — These are the words of him you see holding a baby in his arms.” - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/47/) — “Yes! - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/48/) — Yes! - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/49/) — Hinnu! - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/50/) — How!” came from the circle. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/51/) — At once the drummers beat softly and slowly their drum while the chosen singers hummed together to find the common pitch. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/52/) — The beat of the drum grew louder and faster. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/53/) — The singers burst forth in a lively tune. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/54/) — Then the drumbeats subsided and faintly marked the rhythm of the singing. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/55/) — Here and there bounced up men and women, both young and old. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/56/) — They danced and sang with merry light hearts. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/57/) — Then came the hour of feasting. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/58/) — Late into the night the air of the camp ground was alive with the laughing voices of women and the singing in unison of young men. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/59/) — Within her father's teepee sat the chieftain's daughter. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/60/) — Proud of her little one, she watched over him asleep in her lap. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/61/) — Gradually a deep quiet stole over the camp ground, as one by one the people fell into pleasant dreams. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/62/) — Now all the village was still. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/63/) — Alone sat the beautiful young mother watching the babe in her lap, asleep with a gaping little mouth. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/64/) — Amid the quiet of the night, her ear heard the far-off hum of many voices. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/65/) — The faint sound of murmuring people was in the air. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/66/) — Upward she glanced at the smoke hole of the wigwam and saw a bright star peeping down upon her. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/67/) — “Spirits in the air above?” she wondered. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/68/) — Yet there was no sign to tell her of their nearness. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/69/) — The fine small sound of voices grew larger and nearer. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/70/) — “Father! rise! - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/71/) — I hear the coming of some tribe. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/72/) — Hostile or friendly--I cannot tell. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/73/) — Rise and see!” whispered the young woman. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/74/) — “Yes, my daughter!” answered the chieftain, springing to his feet. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/75/) — Though asleep, his ear was ever alert. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/76/) — Thus rushing out into the open, he listened for strange sounds. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/77/) — With an eagle eye he scanned the camp ground for some sign. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/78/) — Returning he said: “My daughter, I hear nothing and see no sign of evil nigh.” - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/79/) — “Oh! the sound of many voices comes up from the earth about me!” exclaimed the young mother. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/80/) — Bending low over her babe she gave ear to the ground. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/81/) — Horrified was she to find the mysterious sound came out of the open mouth of her sleeping child! - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/82/) — “Why so unlike other babes!” she cried within her heart as she slipped him gently from her lap to the ground. - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/83/) — “Mother, listen and tell me if this child is an evil spirit come to destroy our camp!” she whispered loud. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/84/) — Placing an ear close to the open baby mouth, the chieftain and his wife, each in turn heard the voices of a great camp. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/85/) — The singing of men and women, the beating of the drum, the rattling of deer-hoofs strung like bells on a string, these were the sounds they heard. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/86/) — “We must go away,” said the chieftain, leading them into the night. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/87/) — Out in the open he whispered to the frightened young woman: “Iya, the camp-eater, has come in the guise of a babe. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/88/) — Had you gone to sleep, he would have jumped out into his own shape and would have devoured our camp. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/89/) — He is a giant with spindling legs. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/90/) — He cannot fight, for he cannot run. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/91/) — He is powerful only in the night with his tricks. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/92/) — We are safe as soon as day breaks.” - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/93/) — Then moving closer to the woman, he whispered: “If he wakes now, he will swallow the whole tribe with one hideous gulp! - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/94/) — Come, we must flee with our people.” - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/95/) — Thus creeping from teepee to teepee a secret alarm signal was given. - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/96/) — At midnight the teepees were gone and there was left no sign of the village save heaps of dead ashes. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/97/) — So quietly had the people folded their wigwams and bundled their tent poles that they slipped away unheard by the sleeping Iya babe. - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/98/) — When the morning sun arose, the babe awoke. - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/99/) — Seeing himself deserted, he threw off his baby form in a hot rage. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/100/) — Wearing his own ugly shape, his huge body toppled to and fro, from side to side, on a pair of thin legs far too small for their burden. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/13/page/2/) - ← previous: [The Toad and the Boy](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/12/) - next →: [Manstin, the Rabbit](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/14/) - ↑ back to [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/)