Sketches From Oldest America 



cup, tosses water so high that it enters the door of 

 the moon; at the same time he shouts, "Send me a 

 whale." A second man does the same, but tosses 

 the water only a short distance, for he has met with 

 disappointment in his whaling. All these scenes, 

 with the distinctness of the voices, have the effect 

 of making her homesick to return to the village. 

 She pleads with the doorkeeper to allow her to re- 

 trace her steps, but he declares that the path has 

 vanished, and that no one entering the moon can 

 return by the same road. She, becoming disconso- 

 late, is at last informed that if she will braid a rope 

 long enough to reach the earth a descent can be 

 made by that means; so she sets to work and after 

 diligent labor the task is ultimately completed. As 

 she starts to lower herself, the doorkeeper tells her 

 to keep her eyes closed until her feet touch the 

 ground, and following his instructions she at last 

 reaches the earth once more. 



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