HEWITT) 



MYTH OP THE EARTH-GRASPER 541 



Then Black Squirrel said, "Let nie, perhaps, carry it away. When 

 I will bear the Head along I will go crossing over the tops of the trees 

 on high. She shall not again take from us the Head." 



Then Odendoiini"a' said, "It is all right, verily, if it so be that it 

 should become necessary. At that time then and not before ye may 

 assist us." 



In a short time then Odendonni"a' became aware that the Old 

 Woman was now running close to him; now at that time he put forth 

 his strength in running. Near bj- his friends ran along, also up 

 high, Black Squirrel and the Fisher, they ran along through the 

 treetops, exerting all the power they possessed to keep up with Oden- 

 douni"a'. Gradually the Old Woman ran closer and closer to them^ 

 although they had gone far. Now at that time De'hae°'hiyawa'- 

 'kho"' said, "Behold, now put forth thy strength. Do thou take 

 courage." Now then they two together exerted their strength and 

 ran, both Odendoiini"a' and De'hae°'hiyawa"kho°'. 



They returned to the place where lay the canoe in which Beaver 

 remained, and at once they two got into the canoe. At that time 

 De'hae"'hiyawa"kho°' said, "Now verily the time has come that 

 all of you should assist us two. Thou, Odendonni"a', must paddle 

 and thou also shalt steer it." At that time Otter ran up there and 

 he got aboard and said, "I also will assist. I humbly will paddle." 

 Now another one came running up (it was Muskrat) and he got 

 aboard and said, "I also will assist. I will paddle humbly." 



Now at that time they turned their canoe about and now verily 

 they paddled with all their strength. Just a short distance away 

 were they going in their canoe when the Ancient Woman arrived at 

 the edge of the water. Exceedingly angry she was, and now she said, 

 "Odendonni"a'', take pity on me. Give back to me what ye are 

 carrying awaj^, the Head." But that one did not reply. Now at 

 that time she said, "Oh, Beaver, have pity on me. Do thou cause 

 it to return, thou verily art steering it." That one said nothing. 



Now at that time she said, "Oh, Otter, thou possibly shouldst have 

 pity on me. Do thou cause it to return back." He replied nothing. 

 Now verily at that time she said, "Oh, Muskrat, do thou have pity 

 on me, do thou cause it to return back." At that time he replied 

 and said, "So be it." At that time De'hae°'hiyawa"kho°' said, 

 "Now verily thou hast become culpable; now verily thou didst 

 make a mistake in that thou repliedst. Now then thou in the next 

 place shalt debark. So then thy humble self shall have no power to 

 do anything on the earth. At all times thy humble self shall go about 

 along the edge of the waters." Now at that time they cast the 

 Muskrat overboard. 



Then Otter became frightened at wliat took place and then he 

 said, "Now I too will take myself out." Now De'hae°'hiyawa'- 



