LAFLESCHE] RITE OF VIGIL FREE TRANSLATION. 165 



331. Rippling the surface as he pushed forward, 



332. To the first bend of the river. 



333. Upon the water's edge stood a young willow, 



334. Which he quickly cut to the ground, 



335. And hastily dragged it toward his home. 



336. Within the right side of the door of his house 



337. He dragged the young willow, then laid it down, 



338. And he" spake, saying: " It is not without a purpose that I have 



brought home this young willow. 



339. When the little ones go toward the setting sun against their 



enemies, 



340. They shall use this young willow for counting their o-do°' 



(military honors) . 



341. When the little ones use the young willow for counting their 



o-do°', as they travel the path of life, 



342. Then shall they count their o-do"' with ease (accuracy),' ' it has 



been said, in this house. 



343. They said, it has been said, in this house, 



344. The male beaver, 



345. Moved to the strong cm-rent of the stream, 



346. Verily, against its current, 



347. Rippling the surface of the water as he pushed forward, 



348. To the second bend of the river, 



349. Close to wliich he paused and* stood. 



350. Upon the water's edge stood a young willow, 



351. Which he quickly cut to the ground, 



352. And hastily dragged it toward his home. 



353. Within the right side of the door of his house, 



354. He dragged the young willow, then laid it down, 



355. And he spake, saying: " It is not without a purpose that I have 



brought home this .young willow. 



356. I have brought it home for the little ones to use in counting 



their o-do"'. 



357. When the little ones use the young willow for counting their 



o-do"', as they travel the path of life, 



358. They shall be free from all cause of death, as they travel the 



path of life," it has been said, in this house. 



359. They said, it has been said, in tliis house, 



360. The male beaver 



361. Moved to the strong current of the stream. 



362. Verily, he went up the river against its cm-rent, 



363. Rippling the surface of the water as he pushed forward, 



364. To the third bend of the river. 



