Treasury of American Indian TalesRessler, Theodore Whitson
General
Treasury of American Indian Tales
Ressler, Theodore Whitson
Indians of North America -- Folklore; Indians of North America -- Juvenile literature
As noon approached, Little Black Cloud’s father directed the canoe in to
the shore and beached it in a small cove. Father and son stepped ashore
and pulled the canoe up after them. Near by there were some fine berry
bushes and, walking inland a short way, they came upon a clear swift
flowing stream. They picked some berries and, seating themselves near
the stream, they made a meal of some fried venison they had brought with
them, berries, and water. After eating they relaxed for a few moments
and then the two walked back to the lake edge and climbing aboard their
canoe once again were soon continuing their journey up the lake shore.
It was near dark when they reached the top of the lake. Little Black
Cloud’s father guided the canoe into a small stream leading from the
lake and, calling to his son to stop paddling, he guided the canoe
softly against the shore of the stream. The two Indians stepped from
their canoe and then, lifting the canoe from the water, set it upon the
shore.
“We shall make camp here for the night, my son. You will gather some
wood and I will see if I can catch us some fish for our supper. I shall
not be gone long and there will still be plenty of daylight.” Saying
this, Little Black Cloud’s father took up his fishing line and bone hook
and a bright spinner and started back through the woods for the lake
shore.
Little Black Cloud meanwhile started busily preparing camp and gathering
wood for a fire. In an hour his father was back carrying a fine fish and
soon they were having fresh fish steaks broiled on green sticks. These
they flavored with some sugar, which they always carried, and washed it
down with fresh water.
“And now, my son, we must sleep, for in the morning we have a long walk
ahead to reach the Bear Lake.”
Father and son rolled into their blankets and the night noises around
them provided a lullaby.
When dawn broke, Little Black Cloud found that his father had been up
for some time and that breakfast was ready and waiting.
Following a hearty breakfast, Little Black Cloud picked up his pack. His
father strapped his own pack upon his back and, balancing the light
birch bark canoe upon his head, led the way through the forest toward
the lake. The woodland Indians often had to make portages like this in
order to reach their final destination.
After traveling for some time in this manner, Little Black Cloud noticed
a clear space among the trees ahead. His father seemed to sense what he
was thinking, for he called to his son, “That is Bear Lake just ahead.
It was given that name many moons ago by our people, for it used to be
the home of many bears who lived and thrived here, but when our people
discovered that many fine fish lived in these waters they had to drive
the bears off in order to make the fishing grounds safe for our people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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