MIAMI TWIGH TWEE STORY
The Miami’s name Twigh Twee, or Twaatwaa, originates during an early period of our existence. During this time, the Miami discovered the Cherokee, and were in the habit of making war on them. They attacked three different times before the Cherokee took action to retaliate.
The Cherokee War Party followed the Miami. They came upon a large river, discovering a single track along the bank. They crossed the large river, and upon the other side were more tracks. As they continued, they found tracks in different locations at various intervals of the march until they saw the head and neck of a Crane blazed on the side of a tree. They crossed a prairie where they saw two of these animals flying above them. As the Cherokee approached the other side, the Cranes let out a noise, crying out as they do when they are frightened. At length, the Miami’s rushed upon the Cherokee, the noise of the Crane still amiss. Every Cherokee but one was killed. When he returned to his village, he told his people that they need not worry at their frequent past defeats because they were not conquered by men, but by the Twau Twau’s, who could fly off in an instant.
Trowbridge, C.C.Meearmeear Traditions. Ed. Vernon Kinietz.
Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1938.