MYTHS OF THE WOOD CREES 



203 



and the pair began to ascend into the heavens, where, still fight- 

 ing, they became lost to view forever. 



The head fell upon the trail of Wisagatchak and his brother 

 and started in pursuit of them. The boys saw it coming and 

 knew that it meant to kill them. Throwing down their awl, 

 they wished that it might become a mountain covered with 

 awls, their bristling points upraised to stop the pursuit of that 

 terrible head. Their wish was, of course, granted, but the head, 

 only retarded in its progress for a short time, came bounding 

 after them again. Throwing down their flint, they wished that 

 it might become a mountain strewn with sharp and rugged 

 rocks. Even this proved unavailing. Only the beaver's tooth 

 remained, and this was cast down with the wish that it might 

 become a broad river. On coming to the stream, the head 

 rolled into it only to bound back upon the bank unable to 

 cross. The head called to a pelican to come and carry it 

 across. This the bird tried to do, but on being addressed with 

 offensive language threw off its burden in midstream. The 

 head was instantly transformed into a sturgeon in the magic 

 river. Breaching high above the surface the fish cried, "As 

 long as the earth shall stand I shall be called nemao! " 



How his Brother was Transformed into a Wolf. 



Wisagatchak was older than his brother, and naturally took 

 the lead in their subsequent adventures. As they were playing 

 by the river, the younger boy began crying. To divert his 

 attention, Wisagatchak gave him a string of bears' claws. Just 

 then an old man, named Waimesosoo, came down the stream in 

 a canoe. He made no stroke in the water with his paddle, but 

 simply struck the top of the canoe which shot swiftly through 

 the water. Seeing the children he stopped close beside them, 

 and on catching sight of the bears' claws, he transferred them 

 to the canoe by a mere effort of his will. Wisagatchak pro- 

 tested against this robbery, saying, "You will make my little 

 brother cry again." "Come and get them then," said old Wai- 

 mesosoo, putting out his paddle for the boy to step upon. As. 

 soon as his foot touched it, Wisagatchak was thrown into the 

 canoe which sped rapidly away. Seeing himelf thus deserted, 

 the little fellow on the bank dolefully cried, " Nes-te-se na-cu-ta 

 hoo-yi-na es-i-gum ne-me-ni-cu-ni-win "— If you leave me I will 



