I do not think that it was so deeply felt even by the ancient
Babylonians or the modern Arabs and Hindoos as by our red men. It is no
wonder they prefer the Catholic religion to the Protestant.
There is a Micmac legend which is so magical and mystical, so inspired
with Eskimo Shamanism, that it would not be remarkable if it had been
originally a sacred song. This is
_The Giant Magicians._
There was once a man and his wife who lived by the sea, far away from
other people. They had many children, and they were very poor. One day
this couple were in their canoe, far from land. There came up a dense
fog; they were quite lost.
They heard a noise as of paddles and voices. It drew nearer. They saw
dimly a monstrous canoe filled with giants, who greeted the little folk
like friends. "_Uch keen, tahmee wejeaok_?" "My little brother,"
said the leader, "where are you going?" "I am lost in the fog," said
the poor Indian, very sadly. "Ah, come with us to our camp," said the
giant, who seemed to be a good fellow, if there ever was one. "Truly,
ye will be well treated, my small friends, for my father is the chief;
so be of good cheer!" And they, being much amazed at this gentleness,
sat still in awe, while two of the giants, each putting a tip of his
paddle under their bark, lifted it up and put it into their own, as if
it had been a chip.
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