Dancing Sally

Gall Place is located westward from the headwaters of the Oconaluftee on the northern boundary of what is now Swain County, between the heads of Bradley's Fork and Eagle Creek. It is in a very wild section of the mountains, heavily populated by spirits of one kind or another, so that the very trees seem to listen and to move with purpose.

All the Cherokee who live in these parts knew that Gall Place lies in this area, but there are only a few living at any one time who have ever seen it - the path to this place is so very difficult and strange that only the animals know the way and their knowledge seems inherited, for even very young animals, when orphaned or wounded, will make their way towards it as if instinctively.

If a hunter becomes lost in the woods and comes by chance near Gall Place, he will instantly know where he is the tremendous whirring sound of the thousands of wild ducks who fly about the lake. On reaching the source of the sound, however, he will find only a dry flat, without bird or animal or blade of grass, unless, of course, he has first sharpened his spiritual vision by prayer and fasting and an all night vigil. To one who has done this, the lake at daybreak might appear as a wide-extending but shallow sheet of purple water, fed by springs spouting from the high cliffs which surround it. In this water, he might discern all kinds of fish and reptiles and, swimming upon the surface or flying ovehead, great flocks of ducks and pigeons, while, all about the shores, bear tracks which cross in every direction.

This is because Atagahi is a medicine lake for birds and animals. Whenever a bear is wounded by the hunters but not caught, it attempts to make its way through the woods to this lake and to plunge into the water. When it comes out the other side, its wounds are healed. For this reason, Gall Place is a refuge for animals, and they prefer to keep it invisible to most hunters, only privileging a few select men. That Dayunisi was able to not only see the lake but to come and go at will was testimony to the tremendous strength of his ulunsuti medicine.

 

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2008/Melissa Hardy