XII 



THE MAMMOTH 



The traditions regarding the mammoth, called the 

 "keleegewuk," are few and short. They are not 

 of an interesting nature, further than to give some 

 idea of the great age of these traditions. They were 

 undoubtedly much longer at first, but by their de- 

 scent through a vast length of time, they now ap- 

 pear in their present curtailment. There is one that 

 gives a slight insight into the condition of those 

 early days, both as regards the heat of the weather, 

 and the changes that have taken place with the 

 wolf. 



A man had gone into the interior on a hunting ex- 

 pedition. The weather proved to be very warm, so 

 he sought the shelter of a cave, intending to await 

 the passing of the heat of the day. He had not been 

 in the shelter long before the sound of a heavy ani- 

 mal passing rapidly over the earth greeted his ears, 

 and on looking out he saw a mammoth in full flight, 

 the huge creature exhibiting great fear, as it was 

 being chased by a thin, short-haired wolf. The 

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