WEATHER PROPHETS 195 



tion. We still stand and gaze, fascinated by its glare 

 or lulled into dreamy forgetfulness by its easy, cease- 

 less, evanescent transformations* But some one may 

 be overtaken with a visitation for the idolatry of the 

 little fire-worshippers who are burning the dry 

 rushes in the marsh* 



The active weather prophets who are putting up 

 their dark warning signals in the deep margins of the 

 open water or among the half-submerged banks of 

 rushes have no reason to fear, as the soaked vegetation 

 with which they build is perfectly fire-proof. They 

 have a great reputation for forecasting the weather, 

 and have managed to sustain it all down the years. 

 The man in doubt as to the nature of the coming 

 winter still turns to the Muskrats for advice, and if 

 their forecasts do not prove accurate they at least put 

 his mind at rest for a time and supply him with a 

 definite policy for root cellars and embankments. 

 With perfect confidence the fork handle is thrust into 

 the water beside the Muskrat house, and the depth is 

 accepted as an accurate indication of the severity of 

 the coming winter. If the winter is to be very cold 

 the Muskrat knows all about it, and selects deep 

 water so that the frost will not interfere with his 

 tunnelling operations. That Muskrat estimates vary 

 does not weaken popular faith or confidence ♦ Their 

 reputation rests on the invariable longevity of a 

 successful prediction and the ephemeral life of all 



