Just lend me
one, and I will show you how to raise them in a hurry." They gave him
one: he took it to the river, and, cutting a hole in the ice, put the
child into it. The next morning he went to the place, and took out a
full-grown man, alive and well. The women were indeed astonished at
this. All hastened to put their babes that night under the ice, and
then the Raccoon rushed away. So they all died.
Then he came to another camp, where many women with fine stuff and furs
were making bags. "That is a very slow way you have of working," he
said to the goodwives. "In our country we cook them under the ashes.
Let me see the stuff and show you how!" They gave him a piece: he put
it under the hot coals and ashes, and in a few minutes drew out from
them a beautiful bag. Then they all hurried to put their cloth under
the fire. Just then he left in haste. And when they drew the stuff out
it was scorched or burned, and all spoiled.
Then he came to a great river, and did not know how to get across. He
saw on the bank an old _Wiwillmekq'_, a strange worm which is like
a horned, alligator; but he was blind. "Grandfather," said the Raccoon,
"carry me over the lake." "Yes, my grandson," said the Wiwillmekq', and
away he swam; the Ravens and Crows above began to ridicule them. "What
are those birds saying?" inquired the Old One. "Oh, they are crying to
you to hurry, hurry, for your life, with that Raccoon!" So the
Wiwillmekq', not seeing land ahead, hurried with such speed that the
Raccoon made him run his head and half his body into the bank, and then
jumped off and left him.
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