Tall Tales of Two Gals on the Alabama River

"The evening before the day of their departure down the Alabama River Lora and Pat held a ceremony around the fire that they built on the bank of the river. Lora wished that they had Native American Regalia to wear for the ceremony; however, she and Pat made up their faces to look like female Indian warriors. While Pat meat out a rhythm on her Bongo drums, Lora chanted prayers for safe travels and good weather to the Great Spirit-God. At the finale of the ceremony Lora took a knife and cut her hand just enough to draw blood and Pat followed suit. When Lora and Pat joined hands so that their blood would mix, they said, "Where you go I will follow, your people will be my people and we will share the same Great Spirit. Lora said to Pat, "From this day forward your name will be 'Lakota' as it is the name for female Indian warriors and you have fought many battles and demons in your life." Lat in turn said to Lora, "From this day forward your name will be 'Atsila,' which is Cherokee for fire for you have fire in your soul."