Then the stranger was angry because he would not cease
praying and talk to him, but the Rabbit said, 'Would you have me break
the Sabbath?' Then he went and brought the stranger, who was a Wild
Cat, refreshments." These refreshments were the same as those given by
the Doctor. Here the chase begins.
There is probably much more of this story.]
_V. How Master Rabbit went to a Wedding and won the Bride._
(Passamaquoddy.)
Chee mahtigwess, or the Great Rabbit, was once very stout or large of
body, having a very long tail. And one day in the old times, as he sat
on the rock, with his fine long tail trailing afar into the bushes, an
old man came by who asked the way. And Master Rabbit, being as usual
obliging, offered to show it to him. So they talked together and grew
intimate, but as the old man went very slowly, while Rabbit was always
running, he said, "Go on before, and I will follow." So the guide was
soon out of sight, and then the old man, hurrying without heeding, fell
down into a deep pit or chasm, where he cried out aloud for help, but
was not heard. After a time, Rabbit, missing his follower, turned back
and tracked him till he found the pit. Yet they could not between them
manage to bring the traveler up again, until Rabbit said, "Catch hold
of my tail;" and when this was done he gave a jump, but alas! the fine
tail broke off short within an inch of the root.
Pages:
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250