We can also trace some ideas of the mystery of the Incarnation of
the Son of God in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mixed with
fables, superstitions, and pagan errors. The appearance of God to Moses
in the Burning Bush may be glimpsed in Pamole appearing to the Indian
on Mount Katahdin, and so forth."
The pilgrims in Rabelais did not point out scriptural coincidences with
greater ingenuity than this. It is deeply to be regretted that the
reverend father's entire knowledge of the mythology of the Abenakis was
limited to this single story. (Vide Bumole, in chapter on Supernatural
Beings.) It may be, however, observed, that if the name Bumole or
Pamola really means "he curses on the mountain," or curse on mountain,
it was natural that the evil spirit should be supposed to be on the
mountain. Pamola was perhaps at an early period the spirit of
lightning, and might thus be very easily confused with Katahdin.
_How a hunter visited the Thunder Spirits who dwell in Mount
Katahdin._
(Passamaquoddy.)
_N'karnayoo_. Of old times. Once an Indian went forth to hunt. And
he departed from the east branch of the Penobscot, and came to the head
of another branch that leads into the east branch, and this he followed
even to the foot of Mount Katahdin. [Footnote: This minuteness of
needless detail is very characteristic of Indian tales.
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