And it was a man and his wife dancing about a tree, in the top of which
was a Raccoon. They had, by their constant treading, worn a trench in
the ground; indeed, they were in it up to their waists. [Footnote: To
dance away the ground, or walk knee-deep in it, was characteristic of
wizards. So was the hearing of any sound at an apparently incredible
distance. To an Indian mind this tale is weird and wonderful from the
first words thereof.] Then, being asked why they did this strange
thing, they answered that, being hungry, they were trying to dance down
the tree to catch the Raccoon.
Then the man who had come said, "Truly there is a newer and better way
of felling trees, which has lately come into the land." As they wished
to know what this might be, he showed them how to cut it down, and did
so; making it a condition that if they got the game they might have the
meat and he should get the skin. So when the tree fell they caught the
animal, and the woman, having tanned the skin, gave it to the man, and
he went his way.
And being afar, in a path in the forest, he met another man, and was
greatly amazed at him because he was bearing on his head a house, or a
large birch wigwam of many rooms. He was frightened at first at such a
sight, but the man, putting down his house, shook hands with him, and
seemed to be a right honest good fellow.
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