PAU-PUK-KEEWIS AND THE BEAVERS. 



Over rock and over river, 



Through bush, and brake, and forest, 



Ran the cunning Pau-Puk-Keewis; 



Like an antelope he bounded, 



Till he came unto a streamlet 



In the middle of the forest, 



To a streamlet still and tranquil. 



That had overflowed its margin. 



To a dam made by the beavers. 



To a pond of quiet water, 



Where knee-deep the trees were standing, 



Where the water-lilies floated. 



Where the rushes waved and whispered. 



On the dam stood Pau-Puk-Keewis, 

 On the dam of trunks and branches. 

 Through whose chinks the water spouted. 

 O'er whose summit flowed the streamlet. 

 ' From the bottom rose the beaver. 

 Looked with two great eyes of wonder. 

 Eyes that seemed to ask a question. 

 At the stranger, Pau-Puk-Keewis. 



On the dam stook Pau-Puk-Keewis, 

 O'er his ankles flowed the streamlet. 

 Flowed the bright and silvery water. 

 And he spake unto the beaver. 

 With a smile he spake in this wise: 



"O my friend Ahmeek, the beaver, 

 Cool and pleasant is the water; 

 Let me dive into the water. 

 Let me rest there in your lodges; 

 Change me, too, into a beaver!" 



Cautiously replied the beaver, 

 With reserve he thus made answer: 

 **Let me first consult the others. 

 Let me ask the other beavers." 

 Down he sank into the water, 

 Heavily sank he, as a stone sinks, 

 Down among the leaves and branches. 

 Brown and matted at the bottom, 



On the dam stood Pau-Puk-Keewis, 

 O'er his ankles flowed the streamlet, 

 Spouted through the chinks below him 

 Dashed upon the stones beneath him 



