denig] THE ASSINIBOIN 615 



had made the required promises she took them to the seashore, made 

 a sacrifice of some corn to the water and invoked the appearance 

 of the Wau-wau-kah. Immediately afar off appeared an object mov- 

 ing over the surface of the water, spouting it out high in the air, 

 and, approaching with great rapidity, soon arrived at the place 

 whore the travelers stood. The being thus conjured up had the head 

 of a man, though of monstrous size, and out of which projected two 

 horns as large as the largest trees. 



The body was that of a beast covered with long black hair, the tail 

 was like that of a very large fish and covered with scales, and it was 

 endowed with a spirit. To this monster the woman gave directions 

 and made two seats in its horns like large birds' nests, one in either 

 antler, in each of which she placed a man, in one a sack of corn 

 and in the other a sack of potatoes. Spreading out her hands and 

 invoking the sun, the monster at her desire departed with its cargo 

 and in a great many days arrived at the opposite shore in safety. 

 The old woman had instructed the travelers that immediately on 

 landing they should sacrifice to the waters, by throwing in a little 

 corn. One of them did so, but the obstinate brother would not. 

 Being reproached by the monster for not following the advice of the 

 woman he shot an arrow into it and was immediately swallowed up 

 by the beast. The remaining brother was in great distress at this, 

 and, recollecting the conduct of the old woman, made a sacrifice 

 of some corn. Stretching out his hands he invoked the Sun to his 

 aid. Immediately a dark round spot appeared in the west which 

 came forward with terrible velocity and a whistling sound, in- 

 creasing in size and speed as it approached. This was a thunder 

 stone, which, with an awful report and bright flash, struck the 

 monster on the back, separated it in two, and the man was liberated. 

 A terrible storm arose, the sea rolled, and the monster disappeared. 



They now bent their course westward and after many days came to 

 a lodge inhabited by an old man and his family, from whom they 

 begged something to eat. He showed them immense herds of buffalo, 

 apparently tame, and all black except two, which were milk white. 

 He told them to kill whichever they wished, but not to destroy more 

 than they wanted for food or clothing. The good brother killed a 

 fat cow, which, being more than they wanted, he took the rest of the 

 meat to the old man's lodge. The other remained behind and shot 

 arrows into a great many buffalo uselessly, for which the old man 

 reproached him. After having feasted they were about departing 

 when the old man showed them a great number of ducks and geese. 

 " These," said he, " with the buffalo, are our life ; treat them well." 

 On the old man's leaving the Indian who had no ears commenced 

 killing the birds with a club and made great havoc, The old man 



