And erelong the girls knew
that He had come. Then the sister said, "Do you see him?" And the other
replied with awe, "Truly I do,--and He is wonderful." "And what is his
sled-string?" "It is," she replied, "the Rainbow." And great fear was
on her. "But, my sister," said the other, "what is his bow-string?"
"His bowstring is _Ketaksoowowcht_" (the Spirits' Road, the Milky
Way). [Footnote: The Spirits' or Ghosts' Road, so called because it is
believed to be the highway by which spirits pass to and from the earth.
The Micmac version, belittled and reduced in every way, limits this
reply to "a _piece_ of a rainbow." There is a grandeur of
conception in the Passamaquoddy myth which recalls the most stupendous
similes in Scripture.]
"Thou hast seen him," said the sister. And, taking the girl home, she
bathed her, and as she washed all the scars disappeared from face and
body. Her hair grew again; it was very long, and like a blackbird's
wing. Her eyes were like stars. In all the world was no such beauty.
Then from her treasures she gave her a wedding garment, and adorned
her. Under the comb, as she combed her, her hair grew. It was a great
marvel to behold.
Then, having done this, she bade her take the _wife's seat_ in the
wigwam,--that by which her brother sat, the seat next the door. And
when He entered, terrible and beautiful, he smiled and said,
"_Wajoolkoos_!" "So we are found out!" "_Alajulaa_.
Pages:
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334