98 MYTHS OF THE IROQUOIS. 



before be comes back." As uigbt drew on be took tbe kettle aud 

 scraped up tbe cbe.stnut, put in some water, aud fouud tbe stick. He 

 at once commenced wbipping tbe kettle as be bad seen bis brotber do, 

 saying, "Kow my kettle will grow large;" and it did; but it kept on 

 growing larger and larger, to bis surprise, until it filled tbe wbole room, 

 and bo bad to go up on tbe roof to stir it from tbe outside. 



Wben tbe elder brotber returned bo said, "Wbat are you doing?" 

 "I found tbe kettle," replied tbe younger, "and was getting your sup- 

 per." " Woe is me," said tbe elder, "now I must die." He struck and 

 struck tbe kettle, and i-educed it by every blow, until at last be could 

 restore it to its place. But bo was sorrowful. Wben morning came be 

 would not get up, nor eat of tbe venison, but asked for bis pipe aud 

 smoked. 



Day by day passed. He grew weaker eacb day, and after each smoke 

 sang, "Hab geb-be geb, Nou tageje o dab!" "Bring me my pipe and 

 let me die." 



The younger lad was very anxious. " Where," be asked his brotber, 

 "did you get tbe cbestnuts? Let me go and seek some for you." After 

 mauj" questions at length tbe brother said, "Far, far away is a large 

 river, wbich it is almost impossible to cross. On tbe further side, at a 

 great distance, stands a house; near it is a tree, a chestnut tree; there 

 my forefatbers gathered cliestnuts long ago, but now none can reach it, 

 for there stands uigbt and day a white berou watching tbe tree and look- 

 ing around on every side. He is set there by tbe women folks ; half a 

 dozen of them take care of bim, and for them be watches. If be hears a 

 sound he makes bisTbr-hr br. Then tbe women come out with war-clubs 

 and are always on their guard lest any one should gather tbe chestnuts, 

 as many fall on tbe ground. Even a mouse is suspected of being a man. 

 There is no chance, no chance at all." But tbe brotber said, "I must 

 go and try this for your sake ; I cannot have you die." 



So be departed on bis way. after he bad made a little canoe about 

 three inches long. He walked on and on, day and night, until at last 

 be reached tbe river. Then be took out of bis pouch his little canoe, 

 and drew it out aud out until it was a good size, and in it be crossed 

 tbe river. Then be made it small again and put it in bis pouch. On 

 V aud on be walked until be could see tbe house, and before it the chest- 

 nut tree. Then be called a mole out of tbe ground. The mole came 

 aud snltied ai-ound a little plant, tbe seed of which tbe boron dearly 

 likes. It is like a bean. Some of these seeds tbe young lad took and 

 then followed the mole to its bole, and crept under tbe leaves until be 

 neared tbe heron. Tben be tbrew tbe seeds to the bird. Tbe boron 

 saw them and began eating tbem. Wbilst be was occui^ied and noticed 

 nothing else, tbe boy filled bis bag with chestnuts and set off home- 

 wards; but now the heron, no louger occupied with his oh oQ bi, sus- 

 pected danger and gave bis warning Thr-hr-br. But the lad was already 

 far away near tbe great river. Once more be took out bis canoe, and 



