ABSTRACTS. 119 
22. THE DANGEROUS WATER MONSTER. 
Man goes to creek to get water. He sees large animal likesnake. It is moving 
slowly, and man runs two miles up creek before he comes to its head. He goes 
home and tells grandfather. He calls people together and tells them. They 
wonder whether it is good or evilomen. Old and blind man is sent for, and after 
a while he says sign is very bad, as it signifies waters will rise. Soon waters rise 
and form large lake. Lake is very dangerous. When crossing it no word must 
be said. Four men hunt on other side of lake. They start back and cross lake 
without making any noise. When near opposite shore one man, to try it, talks 
very loud. Lake rises and drowns all men but one who warned man not to talk. 
He calls others and they search for bodies. Two are found, but body of man who 
made noise can not be found. 
23. SLAYING THE MONSTERS BY FIRE. 
In olden times world was full of wild animals who ate people. Coyote calls 
council to see what can be done with them. It is decided to set fire to grass and 
burn wild animals and everything on earth. White-Headed-Hawk and Crow are 
sent to Star to say that people are coming to his house to live. Star says there is 
room for people if they can get up there. Long rope of soapweed is made, and 
White-Headed-Hawk and Crow fly up with it and give end to Star, who puts end 
under big stone. Rope is so long it reaches to earth. Gray and Black Snakes 
carry fire over world. When fire comes near, people begin to climb rope. Then 
wild animals come and begin to climb up. Bat is sent to cut rope just above wild 
animals. Bat chews rope and rope breaks, letting all wild animals down. Many 
are killed. Bat goes down and sees immense animal on ground, and all others 
crawling into it to escape fire. Bat pulls hairs out of animal’s nose. Animal 
sneezes and blows all other animals out and they burn to death. Bat tells people 
all bad wild animals are killed, and they come down rope again. 
24. SUAYING THE MONSTERS BY FIRE. 
In beginning some animals live with human beings and are friendly ; others are 
strong and dangerous. Grass is taller than trees are now, and wild animals prowl 
through it. Morning-Star in council of people says only way to kill all dangerous 
animals is to burn grass all over world. Fire is man to do work, and Morning- 
Star appoints two men to assist him, Black-Snake, the fastest runner in the world, 
aud Skunk, the slowest. Fire puts fire on end of Black-Snake’s tail and between 
toes of Skunk’s hind foot. They start in east, one going north, other south, to 
meet in west. People make rope of soapweeds to reach the sky. Pigeon goes 
up into sky to see when fire approaches. When rope finished, Crow takes rope 
and fastens it firmly to sky. As fire approaches, people begin to climb up rope. 
Bad animals get hold of rope and it moves upward. People send Bat, who has 
sharp teeth, to cut rope. Finally it breaks and lets bad animals fall down. Bat 
follows and sees animal so large he has room for all bad animals. These go in 
and Bat follows. He pulls hair from animal’s nose. It sneezes and throws all 
animals out through nose. Animals are burned. Bat flies up to people, but is 
scorched, becoming yellowish. People return to world again, and ever since it has 
been good place to live upon. 
