Page:Myths and Legends of British North America.djvu/184

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF

WOLVERENE AND THE GEESE

Eastern Eskimo

WOLVERENE was running along the seashore, when he saw many geese, brant, ducks, and loons, playing in the water not far off.

Wolverene called to them, "Come here, brothers, I have found a pretty bees' nest! I will give it to you if you will come on shore and have a dance!"

All the birds went on land. Wolverene said, "Now let us have a dance and I will sing. But shut your eyes and do not open them until we have finished dancing." Wolverene began to sing,

A-ho-u-mu-hou-mur-mur-hum
A-ho-u-mu-hou-mur-mur-hum.

So he sang. He sang that last word hum very loud and very often. And every time he sang hum he snipped off the head of a duck. Now Loon thought it very strange he sang hum so often. He opened his eyes and looked.

Then Loon ran to the water shouting, "Our brother is killing us." Wolverene ran after him, but Loon

142