It seemed to
come from a point of land. He resolved to pass it, and when there he
saw the cause of the tempest. Upon a _kwesopskeak'_--a high and
rocky ledge, a bold cliff, but surrounded by the water--sat the
Wind-Bird, or storm-sagamore himself, flapping his wings, and thereby
raising all the wind.
Then the young man, who was brave and wise, resolved to outwit the
wind-god. And approaching him and addressing him as _Nikskamich_,
"My grandfather," he inquired, "are you cold!" And he answered, "Nay;"
but the young man insisted that he must be suffering, and offered to
carry him on his back to the main-land. [Footnote: It would appear that
while the bird flapped his wings he did not fly. I believe this was the
same with the Norse Hrosvelgar.] And the offer being accepted, he
carried the mighty bird from one weedy, slippery rock to another, up
and down, jumping anon, and wading through the pools. But at the last
rock he, with full intention, stumbled and fell as if by accident, yet
managed it so well as to break one of the wings of the eagle, as he
indeed meant to do. Yet he made great show of being very sorry, and,
having set the wing, bade the bird keep quiet, and not move his wings
for many days; not till the wound was healed should he stir them. "Sit
still, _Nikskamich_," he said, "and I will bring you food; I will
be attentive; you shall want nothing.
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