The Myth of Hiawatha, and Other Oral Legends, Mythologic and Allegoric, of the North American India | Page 9

the
mountains. The West was forced to give ground. Manabozho drove him
across rivers, and over mountains and lakes, and at last he came to the
brink of this world.
"Hold!" cried he, "my son; you know my power, and that it is
impossible to kill me. Desist, and I will also portion you out with as
much power as your brothers. The four quarters of the globe are already
occupied; but you can go and do a great deal of good to the people of
this earth, which is infested with large serpents, beasts, and
monsters,[12] who make great havoc among the inhabitants. Go and do
good. You have the power now to do so, and your fame with the beings
of this earth will last forever. When you have finished your work, I will
have a place provided for you. You will then go and sit with your
brother Kabibboonocca in the north."
Manabozho was pacified. He returned to his lodge, where he was
confined by the wounds he had received. But from his grandmother's
skill in medicines he was soon recovered. She told him that his
grandfather, who had come to the earth in search of her, had been killed
by Megissogwon,[13] who lived on the opposite side of the great lake.
"When he was alive," she continued, "I was never without oil to put on
my head, but now my hair is fast falling off for the want of it." "Well!"
said he, "Noko, get cedar bark and make me a line, whilst I make a
canoe." When all was ready, he went out to the middle of the lake to
fish. He put his line down, saying, "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai (the name of
the kingfish), take hold of my bait." He kept repeating this for some
time. At last the king of the fishes said, "Manabozho troubles me. Here,
Trout, take hold of his line." The trout did so. He then commenced
drawing up his line, which was very heavy, so that his canoe stood

nearly perpendicular; but he kept crying out, "Wha-ee-he! wha-ee-he!"
till he could see the trout. As soon as he saw him, he spoke to him.
"Why did you take hold of my hook? Esa! esa![14] you ugly fish." The
trout, being thus rebuked, let go.
Manabozho put his line again in the water, saying, "King of fishes, take
hold of my line." But the king of the fishes told a monstrous sunfish to
take hold of it; for Manabozho was tiring him with his incessant calls.
He again drew up his line with difficulty, saying as before, "Wha-ee-he!
wha-ee-he!" while his canoe was turning in swift circles. When he saw
the sunfish, he cried, "Esa! esa! you odious fish! why did you dirty my
hook by taking it in your mouth? Let go, I say, let go." The sunfish did
so, and told the king of fishes what Manabozho said. Just at that
moment the bait came near the king, and hearing Manabozho
continually crying out, "Me-she nah-ma-gwai, take hold of my hook,"
at last he did so, and allowed himself to be drawn up to the surface,
which he had no sooner reached than, at one mouthful, he took
Manabozho and his canoe down. When he came to himself, he found
that he was in the fish's belly, and also his canoe. He now turned his
thoughts to the way of making his escape. Looking in his canoe, he saw
his war-club, with which he immediately struck the heart of the fish. He
then felt a sudden motion, as if he were moving with great velocity.
The fish observed to the others, "I am sick at stomach for having
swallowed this dirty fellow Manabozho." Just at this moment he
received another severe blow on the heart. Manabozho thought, "If I
am thrown up in the middle of the lake, I shall be drowned; so I must
prevent it." He drew his canoe and placed it across the fish's throat, and
just as he had finished the fish commenced vomiting, but to no effect.
In this he was aided by a squirrel, who had accompanied him
unperceived until that moment. This animal had taken an active part in
helping him to place his canoe across the fish's throat. For this act he
named him, saying, "For the future, boys shall always call you
Ajidaumo."[15]
He then renewed his attack upon the fish's heart, and succeeded, by
repeated blows, in killing him, which he first knew by the loss of
motion, and by the sound of the beating of the body against the shore.

He waited a day longer to see what would happen. He heard birds
scratching on the body, and all at once the rays of light broke in. He
could see the