But when they touched him he arose as
if from sleep, and stood before them as a proud and fierce warrior. But
he was scarce alive ere he sought to do them who had roused him to life
a mischief; for having noted that they had fine bows, he got them into
his hands, and broke them, yet all as if he meant it not. [Footnote: In
the Passamaquoddy version of this tale, when Lox is thus dismembered,
the ants, pitying him, bring his scattered members together. As soon as
he recovers, the Wolverine, with characteristic ingratitude, amuses
himself by trampling his benefactors to death beneath his feet.] And
then by magic making a sound as of many children at play, afar off
across the next point of land by the river, he bade them run and join
the pleasant games. And when he had got them a space onward, lo, the
sound seemed ever farther on, mingled with the murmur of the stream;
and so they went without him, seeking it, and yet it wandered ever
far away.
Now he had learned from the boys that they were of a _Cullo_
family; and the Culloos are certain monstrous birds, exceeding fierce.
But Master Lox, having seen in the cabin plenty of fine meat, desired
greatly to become one of the family, and having been much about in life
knew something of the ways of every one. So putting on the Culloo
style, he, seeing a babe, began to sing with the most natural air in
the world a Culloo nursery-song:--
"Agoo ge abeol,
Wetkusanabeol.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182