A TEEASUEY OF ESKIMO TALES 



The third time they remained a long while 

 under water, and when they rose to the surface 

 the boy could see as well as ever. He thanked 

 the loon very heartily, and it said to him : 



" Go to your home now; but promise me never 

 again to shoot a bird." 



He gladly promised, and then ran away to his 

 hut. There he found the skin of the bear he had 

 shot hanging up to dry. He was so angry that 

 he tore it down and, entering the hut, demanded 

 of his mother, " Where did you get the bearskin 

 that is hanging outside the house? " 



His mother perceived that he had recovered 

 his sight and that he suspected the truth about the 

 bear. She was frightened at his anger and sought 

 to pacify him. 



" Come here," she said, " and I will give you 

 the best I have. But I have no one to support me 

 and am very poor. Come here and eat this. It 

 is very good." 



The boy did not go near. Again he asked, 

 " Where did you get the bearskin that I saw 

 hanging outside the door? " 



She was afraid to tell him the truth, so she said, 

 " A boat came here with many men in it and they 

 gave me the skin." 



The boy did not believe her story. He was 

 46 



