A Guide to MythologyClarke, Helen A. (Helen Archibald)
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A Guide to Mythology
Clarke, Helen A. (Helen Archibald)
Mythology -- Juvenile literature
Paup-puk-keewiss thanked him, and told him that he was in search of more
adventures. “I have done some things,” said Paup-puk-keewiss, rather
boastfully, “and I think I can do some more.”
The chief still urged him, but he was eager to go, and, naming
Pipe-bearer to tarry and take his place, he set out again on his travels,
promising that he would some time or other come back and see them.
“Ho! ho! ho!” they all cried. “Come back again and see us!” He renewed
his promise that he would, and then set out alone.
After travelling some time he came to a great lake, and on looking about
he discovered a very large otter on an island. He thought to himself:
“His skin will make me a fine pouch.” And he immediately drew up at long
shots and drove an arrow into his side. He waded into the lake, and with
some difficulty dragged him ashore, and up a hill overlooking the lake.
As soon as Paup-puk-keewiss got the otter into the sunshine where it was
warm, he skinned him, and threw the carcass some distance off, thinking
the war-eagle would come, and that he should have a chance to secure his
feathers as ornaments for the head; for Paup-puk-keewiss began to be
proud, and was disposed to display himself.
He soon heard a rushing noise as of a loud wind, but could see nothing.
Presently a large eagle dropped, as if from the air, upon the otter’s
carcass. Paup-puk-keewiss drew his bow, and the arrow passed through
under both of his wings. The bird made a convulsive flight upward, with
such force that the cumbrous body was borne up several feet from the
ground; but, with its claws deeply fixed, the heavy otter brought the
eagle back to the earth. Paup-puk-keewiss possessed himself of a handful
of the prime feathers, crowned his head with the trophy, and set off in
high spirits on the lookout for something new.
After walking awhile, he came to a body of water which flooded the trees
on its banks—it was a lake made by beavers. Taking his station on the
raised dam where the stream escaped, he watched to see whether any of the
beavers would show themselves. A head presently peeped out of the water
to see who it was that disturbed them.
“My friend,” said Paup-puk-keewiss, in his most persuasive manner, “could
you not oblige me by turning me into a beaver like yourself. Nothing
would please me so much as to make your acquaintance, I can assure you,”
for Paup-puk-keewiss was curious to know how these watery creatures
lived, and what kind of notions they had.
“I do not know,” replied the beaver, who was rather short-nosed and
surly. “I will go and ask the others. Meanwhile stay where you are, if
you please.”
“To be sure,” answered Paup-puk-keewiss, stealing down the bank several
paces as soon as the beaver’s back was turned.
Presently there was a great splashing of the water, and all the beavers
showed their heads and looked warily to where he stood, to see if he was
armed; but he had knowingly left his bow and arrows in a hollow tree at a
short distance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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