Malecite tales / by W.H. Mechling.

  • Mechling, W. H.
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Malecite tales / by W.H. Mechling. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to Gluskap and said, ‘‘We had best call everybody to come and share the food.” And the animals, large and small, were sum- moned. They were on the verge of starvation when they came. Groundhog rejoiced; Gluskap bade her fear nothing, that she would have plenty to eat. ^ Groundhog said, “You are not through yet. He has some friends down below.” He then started down the river with his brother in their canoe. Gluskap was paddling. His brother suggested going ashore, as one of Half-stone’s partners was down below quite close. “I sup- pose you know the one I mean,” he said, “the big Skunk who can shoot across the ocean.” Gluskap said he knew, and that he was there to kill dangerous and large animals. Mikumwesu went ashore and cut out a long stick and told his brother to sharpen it. “That is what we’ll use,” he said, “to plug him up so that he cannot shoot.” Gluskap replied, “No, we won’t do that, for he is rather dangerous. But when we get down there, I shall light my pipe. There will arise so much smoke, that he will not be able to see and will be unable to direct his shots. Meanwhile I shall plug him up.” Accordingly, when they came around a bend to a narrow place with cliffs on each side, they saw they could not pass without incurring the danger of being shot. So Mikumwesu took his groundhog tobacco pouch from his belt, drew out his special smoking mixture, and began to smoke. The smoke arose and went down the river in the manner of a fog, and then they proceeded, enveloped in the smoke. Skunk was ready to fire when Gluskap shoved the sharp stick into him, and down went the Skunk. Miku- mwesu asked why he did not pierce him through so as to kill him. Gluskap replied that he did not want to kill him, but desired to keep him until he became small enough that Indians might use him. He then would not be able to hurt anybody, but would just be able to protect himself. They proceeded down the river and came to another band of Indians. They went ashore and entered the first tent. They were met by an old woman whom they called Groundhog. After she bade them be seated, Gluskap asked for a glass of water which he was very much in need of. On their approach to this village they had noticed that the water was very dirty and slimy and full 1 It seems he did not actually store up the food, but used his power to keep it out of the reach ot the others and within his own reach, in other words, it was potential use of the food.
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