Algonquin Legends of New England by Charles Godfrey Leland
page 88 of 357 (24%)
page 88 of 357 (24%)
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_How Glooskap made a Magician of a Young Man, who aided another to win a Wife and do Wonderful Deeds_. (Micmac.) It is well known unto all Indians who still keep the true faith of the olden time that there are wondrous dwellers in the lonely woods, such as elves and fairies, called by the Micmacs _Mikumwessos_, and by the Passamaquoddies _Oonahgawessos_. And these can work great wonders, and also sing so as to charm the wildest beasts. From them alone come the magic pipes or flutes, which sometimes pass into possession of noted sorcerers and great warriors; and when these are played upon, the woman who hears the melody is bewitched with love, and the moose and caribou follow the sound even to their death. And when the _Megumawessos_ are pleased with a mortal they make him a fairy, even like themselves. _N'Karnayoo_. In old times there was an Indian village, and in it were two young men, [Footnote: According to another Micmac version of this legend, the elder of these pilgrims was Keekwahjoo, the Badger, and the younger Caktoogwasees, or Little Thunder.] who had heard that Glooskap, ere he left the world, would bestow on those who came to him whatever they wanted. So they went their way, an exceeding long pilgrimage, until they came to a great island, where he dwelt. And there they first met with Dame Bear and Marten, and next with the Master himself. Then they all, sitting down to supper, had placed before them only one extremely small dish, and on this there was a tiny bit of |
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