MoosKY) THK KAHIUT DINES THE HEAR 273 



enenii(-s. However, refu.sed to listen and she was aceoi'dinuly let loose. 

 As soon, however, as she was out of reach of her enemies she gave a 

 whoop, and hounding away she exclaimed: 'This is where I live.' " — 

 Cherokee Advocate. December ]S, IS+S. 



22. THE RABBIT AND THE POSSUM AFTER A WIFE 



The Kahbit and the Possum each wanted a wife, l)ut no one would 

 marrj- either of them. They talked over the matter and the Rabbit said, 

 '"We can't get wives here; let's go to the next settlement. I'm the 

 messenger for the council, and I'll tell the people that I l)ring an order 

 that everybody must take a mate at once, and then we'll be sure to get 

 our wives." 



The Possum thought this a tine plan, so they started off together to 

 the next town. As the Kab])it traveled faster he got there first and 

 waited outside until the people noticed him and took him into the 

 townhouse. When the chief came to ask his business the Rabbit said 

 he brought an important order from the council that everyl)ody luust 

 get married without delay. So the chief called the people together 

 and told them the message from the council. Ever\- animal took a 

 mate at once, and the Rabbit got a wife. 



The Possum traveled so slowly that he got there after all the animals 

 had mated, leaving him still without a wife. The Rabbit pretended to 

 feel sorry for him and said, "'Never mind, I'll carry the message to 

 the people in the next settlement, and you hurry on as fast as you can, 

 and this time you will get j'our wife." 



So ho went on to the next town, and the Possiuu followed close after 

 him. But when the Rabbit got to the townhouse he sent out the word 

 that, as there had been peace so long that everybody was getting lazj^ 

 the couiu'il had ordered that there must be war at once and they must 

 begin right in the townhouse. So they all began tighting. Imt the 

 Ral)bit made four great leaps and got away just as the Possum came 

 in. I]veryl)ody jumped on the Possum, who had not thought of bring- 

 ing his weapons on a wedding trip, and so could not defend himself. 

 They had nearly beaten the life out of him when he fell over and pre- 

 tended to be dead until he saw a good cliance to jump up and get awa}'. 

 The Possum never got a wife, but lie remembers the lesson, and e\er 

 since ho shuts his eyes and pretends to l)e dead when the hunter iias 

 him in a close corner. 



23. THE RABBIT DINES THE BEAR 



The Hear invited the Ral)bit to dine with liim. They had beans in 

 the pot, l)ut there was no grease foi- them, so the Bear tait a slit in his 

 side and let the oil run out until they had enough to cook the dinner. 

 The Rabbit looked surprised, and thought to himself, " That's a handy 



1!» ETII— 01 18 



