LAFLESCHE] RITE OF VIGIL FREE TRANSLATION. 167 



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



399. The male beaver 



400. Moved to the strong current of the stream. 



401. Verily, he went up the river against its current, 



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



403. To the sixth bend of the river, 



404. Where, by the water's edge stood a young willow, 



405. Which he quickly cut to the ground, 



406. And hastily dragged toward his home. 



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



408. He dragged the yoimg willow, then laid it down, 



409. And he spake, saying: "It is not mthout a purpose that I have 



brought home this young \villow. 



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



o-do°', as they travel the path of life," it has been said, in this 

 house. 



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



412. The male beaver 



413. Moved up the strong current of the stream, 



414. To the seventh bend of the i-iver, 



415. Where he lay close to the edge of the water. 



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



417. Which he quickly cut to the ground, 



418. And hastily dragged toward his home. 



419. Witliin the right side of the door of liis house 



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



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



brought home this young willow. 



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



their o-do°', as they travel the path of life," it has been said, 

 in this house. 



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



424. The beaver moved to the strong current of the stream, 



425. Slapping the water with his tail. 



426. Verily, he went up the river against its current, 



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



428. To the first bend of the river, 



429. Where, by the water's edge stood a young willow, 



430. Which he quickly cut to the ground, 



431. And hastily dragged it toward his home. 



432. Within the left side of the door of liis house 



433. He dragged the yoimg willow, then laid it down, 



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



brought home this young willow. 



