38 
“Yes, do,” they said. 
“Big brother, what is that you’re carrying on your back?” 
He kept right on walking; just as if he had not heard, he kept on 
walking. 
Again the duck asked him, “Big brother, what is it you’re carrying 
on your back?” 
Only then did Wisahketchahk stand still. 
“Say,” it said, “what is it you’re carrying?” 
“Why, Shut-Eye Dances!” said Wisahketchahk. 
“What is a Shut-Eye Dance?” said the duck. 
Wisahketchahk spoke thus: “A saltatory rite,” he told the other. 
“Do you give us a dance,” said the duck; “Let us dance the Shut-Eye 
Dance!” 
“Splendid!” cried Wisahketchahk; “Oh, it is fine that you have 
taken pity on me, little brothers! No one has given heed to me until now, 
and danced, when long ago I had pledged myself to give a ritual dance,” 
said Wisahketchahk; “So then, come ashore.” 
Off went the ducks and geese. All of them came. 
Thus spoke Wisahketchahk: “Hopeless ninnies, I’ve been starving! 
I shall have a big meal!” thought Wisahketchahk. 
They came to where he sat. 
“Ha, come here, little brothers!” said Wisahketchahk. 
Setting out and making for a clump of trees, he came to where there 
was plenty of wood for a fire. 
“Ha, little brothers, take up some faggots,” he said. 
Accordingly they took up a plenty and built themselves a lodge, 
which they thatched with those weeds. The little doorway was very small. 
“Ha, now, little brothers, come inside,” he said; “First the geese and 
the big ducks will come in,” he said; “Especially those who are chiefs,” 
he said. 
Accordingly these, the geese, sat like this, at the far end, facing the 
door. Over at the other end, by the door sat the little fellows. Then that 
Wisahketchahk blocked up the doorway, thinking “So that they can’t 
get out.” Then Wisahketchahk wept. 
“Little brothers, I thank you for having built this lodge. When no 
one took pity on me, it was you who pitied me,” he spoke, weeping. 
Then he ceased weeping. 
Thus spoke Wisahketchahk: “Now, little brothers, here in the centre 
I shall stand; I shall sing. When I sing, you will dance; you will close 
your eyes. Not until I cease singing will you open your eyes. When I 
summon the spirit-power, I shall say, ‘Hwe, hwe, hwe!’ Then you will 
dance with all your might, when you hear me call thus.” 
“Very well,” they answered. 
Then Wisahketchahk took hold of a branch that had old leaves on it 
which rustled when he swung it, like this, just like a bell, those leaves. 
Thereupon he began singing. 
These were his words: 
“Shut-Eye Dances 
I bring here!” 
were the words of his song. 
