Glooscap the great chief, and other stories - ElectricCanadian.com

WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 75
So the Chenoo lay hidden in the bottom of
the canoe, and the Indians towed him across the
lake. When they reached the outlet, and were
in the river again, the Chenoo said:
"I can travel no farther by
water. I will
go by land."
They told him where they were planning to
encamp that night, and he started off on foot
across the mountain by a roundabout way.
The Indians went down the river with the
spring freshet, headlong with the rapids. But
when they paddled around the point where they
meant to pass the night, they saw smoke rising
from the trees. When they landed, they saw
the Chenoo sleeping soundly by the fire, which
he had built for them.
They travelled in this way for several days.
Each day they went on with the spring waters ;
each night the Chenoo was before them at the
encampment. But as they journeyed south, a
change began to come over their companion.
He was a creature of the north. In ice and
snow he was in his element; but he could not
endure the soft showers of summer. He grew
languid and feeble, and when they reached
their own village, he was so weak that he could
no longer walk. So they carried him into their
wigwam.
As the days went by
the Chenoo became