swANTOx] INDTAK TRIBES OF THE LOWER MTSSTRSTPPI VALLEY 321 



people used in getting water, led duwii to the sbore. Tbeu the boy climbed 

 ni) iuto Ji tree called koine'li, tbe limbs of wbicb overbung the \Yater, and 

 waited. By and by two women came down, eaeb carrying a bucket. Tbey 

 looked into tbe water and saw bis image reflected tbere. Not knowing wbere 

 be was, tbe younger tried to seize tbe retteetion by diving, but brongbt up only 

 some leaves. Tbeu both of tbem tried it and repeated tbe attempt several 

 times, but to no purpose. Finally tbe boy spit down into tbe water near tbem, 

 and tbey looked up and discovered him. Tbeu tbey made bim go bome with tbem, 

 took bim for tbeir busb;ind, and bid bim in a box on tbe ground, over wbicb 

 tbey piled otber boxes. First, bowever, tbey provi(bHl bim with a little looking- 

 glass. Outside of tbis bouse was a scaffolding raised on four posts and cov- 

 ered with wbat looked like animal meat, but it was really buman tlesb, for 

 tbis bouse belonged to tbe witcb wbo bad tried to kill bim tbe nigbt before. 

 Sbe bad stolen tbe two girls wbeu tbey were sm:ill and bad reared tbem tbere. 

 By and by tbe witcb returned bome, and smelled tbe boy before sbe reached 

 tbe bouse. 8be said to bis wives, "■ I smell fresh meat." Tbey told her it was 

 tbe fresh meat on the scaffold, but sbe said, " No," and began to bunt for it. 

 After a while she found tbe boy in tbe last of tbe boxes, but be held tbe mirror 

 up to her face and it made her fall over on her back. " My son-in-law is play- 

 ing with me," she said. After that she let bim alone, and be remained with 

 tbem. His wives, bowever, were still afraid tbe witch would injure him, and 

 tbey watched bim continually. Tbey gave him nothing but corn that bad been 

 parched and then pounded. Some nights the witcb was away and some nights 

 sbe was at home, and in the latter case, until sbe became u.sed to their husband, 

 the girls watched her closely. After that he was not afraid any more and went 

 out in tbe woods with bis bow and arrows to bunt deer, tbe bides of wbicb be 

 brought bome and piled up. After be bad done this for a long time and bad 

 obtained a big pile, he told his wives that be wanted to return to bis own 

 country. Tbe appointed day baviug arrived, bis wives helped bim carry 

 all of his property down to tbe sbore. When everything was ready, be stood 

 on tbe shore and began to sing. By and by a loggerhead turtle came out of 

 tbe ocean, but he said be did not want it and sent it away. He sang 

 again, and presently a catfish came out. That also be sent back, and sang 

 once more. Then a garfish came out. He sent tbe garfish back, and sang for 

 the fourth time. Now there came out an alligator, and be said to it, "Yes." 

 That was the animal he wanted. Now tbey began to place all the hides, food, 

 and other property belonging to him on the alligator's back, and last of all 

 the boy himself got on, carrying his bow and arrows. He took one of tbe 

 arrows and shot in tbe direction of bis former bome as far as be could. Then 

 tbe alligator swam thither, seized tbe arrow, and broke it in two. Tbe boy 

 shot again, and again tbe alligator followed and broke his arrow. He continued 

 to shoot until all of his arrows were exhausted except one, wbicb be laid aside. 

 Then tbe boy took up a bide and threw it as far as be could. The alligator 

 went to it and swallowed it quickly. Again and again tbe boy did tbe same 

 thing until all of bis hides were gone. Next tbe boy began to throw out his flat 

 loaves of bread, and after that his big loaves. The alligator was glad to get 

 them. Last of all be took his cold meal if urine frais), and wbeu that was 

 exhausted he could just see tbe opposite bank. Now he had only one arrow 

 left. He took tbis arrow and said to himself, " I will live or die to-day." Then 

 he shot with all bis might and tbe arrow fell near tbe sbore upon the trail by 

 which his uncle's people came down to get water. Tbe alligator swam after it 

 and went so fast that be ran well up on tbe bank and tbe boy jumped ashore. 

 If bis arrow had failed to reach laud the alligator would have eaten bim, 



83220— Bull. 43—10 ^21 



