Sketches From Oldest America 



As time went by, all hopes of the missing one's 

 return were abandoned. The people talked about 

 the case as one of those mysteries which had no 

 solution. Then later on, a second brother, ventur- 

 ing on a trip, disappeared as completely as did the 

 first. The remaining brothers were much alarmed 

 and did not know what to do. A third brother 

 started out determined if possible, to make a more 

 thorough investigation, but disappeared the same 

 as the others. 



There now remained only Ahvooyoolacha, the 

 youngest of the four. He was bowed down with 

 grief at the great loss he had sustained, but it re- 

 mained for him to solve the mystery. He went out 

 in his kyak and had not proceeded far from shore 

 when his attention was attracted by what appeared 

 to be a whale in the distance. It was a common 

 sight so he gave it no heed, and even when the 

 supposed whale came closer he paid no attention 

 to it. 



Not until the creature came very near and charged 

 him with a huge open mouth armed with great teeth, 

 did he become alarmed. What to do he did not 

 know; there was no chance to escape to the shore; 

 he was unarmed, with the exception of a spear which 

 26 



