This is to an Indian much like
blasphemy. Lox, or Raccoon, or Badger,--for they are all the same,--in
his journeyings after mere mischief reminds us of an Indian Tyl
Eulenspiegel. But the atrocious nature of his jokes is like nothing
else, unless it be indeed the homicide Punch. It is the indomitable
nature of both which commends them respectively to the Englishman and
to the Red Indian. In this tale Lox appears as the spirit of fire by
drawing a bag from it. The itching or pricking from which he suffers is
also significant of that element, as appears, according to Keary, in
many Norse, etc., legends.
In the Seneca tale of the Mischief Maker, the Berries are distinctly
declared to have souls.
_How Lox deceived the Ducks, cheated the Chief, and beguiled the
Bear._
(Micmac and Passamaquoddy.)
Somewhere in the forest lived Lox, with a small boy, his brother. When
winter came they went far into the woods to hunt. And going on, they
reached at last a very large and beautiful lake. It was covered with
water-fowl. There were wild geese and brant, black ducks and wood-ducks,
and all the smaller kinds down to teal and whistlers.
The small boy was delighted to see so much game. He eagerly asked his
brother how he meant to catch them. He answered, "We must first go to
work and build a large wigwam. It must be very strong, with a heavy,
solid door.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213