" This was done; and Lox, being a great magician, thus
arranged his plans for taking the wild-fowl. He sent the boy out to a
point of land, where he was to cry to the birds and tell them that his
brother wished to give them a kingly reception. (_Nakamit_, to act
the king.) He told them their king had come. Then Lox, arraying himself
grandly, sat with dignity next the door, with his eyes closed, as if in
great state. Then the little boy shouted that they might enter and hear
what the great sagamore had to say. They flocked in, and took their
seats in the order of their size. The Wild Geese came nearest and sat
down, then the Ducks, and so on to the smallest, who sat nearest the
door. Last of all came the boy, who entering also sat down by the door,
closed it, and held it fast. So the little birds, _altumabedajik_
(M.), sat next to him.
Then they were all told "_Spegwedajik_!" "Shut your eyes!" and
were directed to keep them closed for their very lives, until directed
to open them again. Unless they did this first, their eyes would be
blinded forever when they beheld their king in all his magnificence. So
they sat in silence. Then the sorcerer, stepping softly, took them one
by one, grasping each tightly by the wings, and ere the bird knew what
he was about it had its head crushed between his teeth. And so without
noise or fluttering he killed all the Wild Geese and Brant and Black
Ducks.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214