As in
all such cases, there is far more humor in the Passamaquoddy narratives
than in the Micmac or Eskimo.]
And all of this ill-temper and insincerity was deeply and inwardly
detected by Uncle Crane, but he said not a word, and only meekly bent
him down to take the traveler on his back. But when in the stream, and
where it was deepest and most dangerous, he gave himself a shake, and
in another instant Lox was whirling round and round like a chip in the
rapids. And yet a little time he was dashed against the rocks, and then
anon was thrown high and dry on the shore, but dead as a seven-year-old
cedar cone.
Now the Lox is a great magician at certain times and seasons, albeit
his power fails at others. [Footnote: From this point of the legend
onward there is an inextricable confusion as regards the four different
versions. While the hero is decidedly a Badger in the Micmac, I regard
the great ferocity, craft, and above all the vitality which he displays
as far more characteristic of the Lox or Wolverine of the Passamaquoddy.
What is almost decisively in favor of the latter theory is that in all
the stories, despite his craft and power, he is always getting himself
into trouble through them. This is eminently characteristic of the Lox,
much less so of the Badger.] And he is one of those who rise from the
dead. Now it came to pass that some days after two boys of the Kwedech
or Mohawk race found the Lox lying dead on a rock in the sunshine, and
the worms were crawling from him.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181