] and soon the stream grew smoother, the rocks
disappeared from its bed, and then from afar there was a brightness,
and he was soon in the daylight and sunshine on a beautiful stream,
and by the banks thereof there grew the _wabeyu-beskwan_, or
water-lilies, and very pleasant it was to him to feel the wind again.
So using his paddle he saw a smoke rising from a cave in the rocks,
And landing and softly stepping up heard talking within.
Nor had he listened long ere he knew the voice of the man who had lured
him into the canoe, and he was telling his grandmother how, one after
the other, all the best _boo-oin_ of their band had been slain by
a mighty sorcerer. But when she heard from him how her beloved, or the
one who had inspired the _Weisum_, had been beaten, her wrath
burst forth in a storm, like the raving of devils, like a mad wind on
the waves. And she said, "If Pulowech were but before me, were he but
alive, I would roast him." The man, hearing this, cried, "Aye; but he
is _not_ alive, for I sent him afloat down into the dark cavern!"
And then Pulowech, stepping in before them, said, "And yet I am alive.
And do thou, woman, _bak sok bok sooc_!" (roast me to death). Then
she scowled horribly at him, but said naught; and he, sitting down,
looked at them.
This woman was of the Porcupines, who are never long without raising
their quills, and they are fond of heat.
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