Sketches From Oldest America 



All was water, so with a slight apology, he lit on 

 the bride's back. After a short time she began to 

 feel her husband's weight to be somewhat of a bur- 

 den. Seeing a small fish, she remarked, "Look out, 

 dear," as she dove and captured it. The raven just 

 had time to open his weary wings, to avoid a duck- 

 ing; then he had the mortification of seeing how 

 selfish his bride was, as she swallowed the whole 

 fish without offering him even a small piece, al- 

 though he was famishing with hunger. 



The goose then started to continue the journey, 

 while the raven implored her to rest just a little 

 longer; but no, she would not. There was nothing 

 else for him to do but to continue his flight, trying 

 to keep up with his wife, while beseeching her to 

 take another short rest. So the night wore away. 



As the dawn came, the bride, who had gradually 

 gained in her flight, was far ahead, while the bride- 

 groom could scarcely flap his wings any longer. 

 The situation began to look serious. If he should 

 alight on the water his feathers would become wet 

 and that would be his end. What to do he did not 

 know. Just then a whale came along, and think- 

 ing it would be a good place to alight, he managed 

 to reach its head just as his wings gave out. 

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