So the boy got an
exceedingly crooked one; and when he entered, the Snake, seeing it,
said, "Why hast thou got such a bad stick?" And the boy, answering,
said, "Truly, it is very crooked, but that which is crookedest may be
made straightest, and I know a charm whereby this can be done; for I
will but heat this stick in the fire, and, then I will make it quite
straight, as you shall see." Now At-o-sis was very anxious to behold
this wonderful thing, and he looked closely; but the boy, as soon as
the end of the stick was red-hot, thrust it into his eyes and blinded
him, and ran forth. Yet the Snake followed him; but when he was without
the wigwam he met the Master, who slew him out of hand. [Footnote: This
curious legend is suggestive of Ulysses and the Cyclops. The enemies of
Glooskap are all cannibals; the boy is sent out for a straight stick to
serve as a spit to roast him on. It is not impossible that the Snake,
in some perfect version of the tale, has but a single eye since many of
the evil creatures of red Indian mythology are half stone lengthwise.
But the whole story is full of strange hints. It was told me by Tomah
Josephs, at Campobello, N. B.]
Of old times. This is an end of the story.
_The Tale of Glooskap as told by another Indian. Showing how the Toad
and Porcupine lost their Noses._
(Micmac.)
In the old time.
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