There the Indians had to follow and catch them or
they and their families would starve.
"Happily for them, sometimes for months together no one would hear or see
anything of this great sea monster. Then, perhaps, suddenly he would rise
up right under a canoe in which were several Indians, whom he would easily
catch and swallow one by one. He would sometimes rush after a herd of deer
that had gone out swimming in the waters. He would catch and easily swallow
several of them."
"Well, I should think that the big horns of a moose or reindeer would give
him some trouble to swallow," said Sagastao.
"He was so large," said Souwanas, "that the horns or body of the largest
deer did not seem to bother him in the least degree."
"I wonder if it were not one of his great grandfathers that swallowed
Jonah," said the observant Minnehaha.
"The Indians at length came to be so much distressed by the loss of so many
of their number, and by their inability to slay the monster, that they
resolved to ask Nanahboozhoo to come and help them if he possibly could.
"I ought to have told you," said Souwanas, "that this great monster was
called by the Indians Mooshekinnebik.
"Nanahboozhoo at once responded to their request, for he was very angry
when he heard how many industrious fishermen had been swallowed by this
creature. He was doubly angry when he returned with the deputation who had
gone for him and further learned that, only the day before, Mooshekinnebik
had been mean enough to come near to the shore and catch and swallow some
boys and girls who had been out swimming that warm summer day.
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