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I have spoken before of the curious identity of the Indian storm-king, or Wind-Bird, with that of the Norse Hrosvelgar. When among the Chippewas, west of Lake Superior, I met with a white man who had received the name of Thunder-Bird from the Indians still further west.
Upon a kwesopskeak' a high and rocky ledge, a bold cliff, but surrounded by the water sat the Wind-Bird, or storm-sagamore himself, flapping his wings, and thereby raising all the wind. Then the young man, who was brave and wise, resolved to outwit the wind-god. And approaching him and addressing him as Nikskamich, "My grandfather," he inquired, "are you cold!"
How Glooskap bound Wuchowsen, the Great Wind-Bird, and made all the Waters in the World stagnant How Glooskap conquered the Great Bull-Frog, and in what Manner all the Pollywogs, Crabs, Leeches, and other Water Creatures were created How the Lord of Men and Beasts strove with the Mighty Wasis, and was shamefully defeated
And striking lightly with his wings, again there came a breeze, and the Ogokpegeak, or the scum, was blown away, and the Indians fished again, and all was well. So they had the Wind-Bird for a friend, and the sea was smooth or stormy as they willed. But these Indians wished for more than they could manage. They grew tired of catching small fish; they wanted whales.
How do you like such music? A Passamaquoddy tale related by an old woman to Mrs. W. Wallace Brown. These Indians still keep up a very curious snake-dance. How Glooskap bound Wuchowsen, the Great Wind-Bird, and made all the Waters in all the World Stagnant.
The young man went home; there was not a breeze, the canoe went smoothly over the sea, the eels could be seen in the depths, the Indians caught fish by thousands; never before had they caught so many. And the sagamore of the birds sat still; the Wind-Bird waited to get well; the young man fed him every day. There can be too much of what is good; good turns to evil, sweet to sour.
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