THE DELUGE. 131 



unwilling to relate any traditionary stories that 

 they might have as to the original formation of 

 the world, but spoke of an universal deluge, 

 which they said was commonly believed by 

 all Indians. When the flood came and des- 

 troyed the world, they say that a very great 

 man, called Wsesackoochack, made a large raft, 

 and embarked with otters, beavers, deer, and 

 other kinds of animals. After it had floated 

 upon the waters for some time, he put out an 

 otter, with a long piece of shagganappy or 

 leathern cord tied to its leg, and it dived very 

 deep without finding any bottom, and was 

 drowned. He then put out a beaver, which was 

 equally unsuccessful, and shared the same fate* 

 At length he threw out a musk-rat, that dived 

 and brought up a little mud in its mouth, which 

 Wsesackoochack took, and placing in the palm of 

 his hand, he blew upon it, till it greatly enlarged 

 itself, and formed a good piece of the earth. 

 He then turned out a deer that soon returned, 

 which led him to suppose that the earth was not 

 large enough, and blowing upon it again its 

 size was greatly increased, so that a loom which 

 he then sent out never returned. The new 

 earth being now of a sufficient size, he turned 

 adrift all the animals that he had preserved. He 

 is supposed still to have some intercourse with 



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