MYTHS OF THE WOOD CREES 2 Io 



ing ice-chisels and other weapons. The carcajou called for 

 the lynx, which had wandered away, but was returning upon 

 hearing the uproar. Mounting an overhanging branch, he sur- 

 veyed the situation and wondered what made it so smoky. At 

 last he was able to distinguish the secak through the haze. 

 Leaping upon the monster's back he began to bite and scratch. 

 He was caught and his legs were bent, as they are to this day. 



At last, the secak was killed. The carcajou, totally blind 

 and covered with the vile odor, asked, "Where shall I wash 

 myself? " 



"Go to the big water. Go to the sea. If you wash here it 

 will spoil our lake." 



They showed him the right course, and he set off to find the 

 great water. " What tree are you? " said he, catching at a stick 

 now and then as he passed along. One replied, " I am a pine 

 that stands on the high ground." 



Another said, " I am a birch that grows in the valley." And 

 at last, " I am a willow that grows by the sea." Then he knew 

 he was near his journey's end. Plunging into the water he 

 cleansed himself thoroughly. Hence the pollution of sea water, 

 which renders it unfit to drink to the present day. 



The carcajou started homeward, loudly proclaiming his 

 triumph in song. A band of wolves heard him singing and said, 

 " Let us frighten our little brother." So they hid themselves 

 and as he was passing they suddenly sprang out upon him. The 

 startled carcajou climbed a tree, but quickly descended when 

 they assured him that it was only a trick. They then journeyed 

 on together. The carcajou becoming hungry, an old wolf dis- 

 patched the younger ones after a moose whose track they 

 crossed. They soon found and killed their game. After eat- 

 ing the meat, an old wolf remarked: "I am going to make 

 grease of the bones and you must not look to see how it is done." 



He was grinding up the bones to get the marrow, when the 

 carcajou, unable to restrain his curiosity, opened his eyes a 

 little to peep at the performance. Scarcely had he done so 

 when he received a terrific blow in the face which flattened it; 

 and so, as a reward for his curiosity, it remains to this day. 



The other animals held a council after the departure of the 

 carcajou to consider what should be done with the carcass of 

 the secak. They finally decided to cut it up and scatter the 



