And Glooskap, rising high as a giant pine, caught the
chief in his hand and crumpled in his back with a mighty grip. And lo!
it was the Bull-Frog. So he hurled him with contempt into the stream,
to follow the current.
And ever since that time the Bull-Frog's back has crumpled wrinkles in
the lower part, showing the prints of Glooskap's awful squeeze.
Then he returned to the village; but there he found no people,--no, not
one. For a marvelous thing had come to pass during his absence, which
shall be heard in every Indian's speech through all the ages. For the
men, being, as I said, simple, honest folk, did as boys do when they
are hungry, and say unto one another, "What would you like to have, and
what you?" "Truly, I would be pleased with a slice of hot venison
dipped in maple-sugar and bear's oil." "Nay, give me for my share
succotash and honey." Even so these villagers had said, "Suppose
_you_ had all the nice cold, fresh, sparkling, delicious water
there is in the world, what would _you_ do?"
And one said that he would live in the soft mud, and always be wet and
cool.
And another, that he would plunge from the rocks, and take headers,
diving into the deep, cold water, drinking as he dived.
And the third, that he would be washed up and down with the rippling
waves, living on the land, yet ever in the water.
Then the fourth said, "Verily, you know not how to wish, and I will
teach you.
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