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 stock 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 



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