OR

THE ORIGIN OF THE SMALL BLACK BEAR.

AN OTTOWA LEGEND.

In a remote part of the north lived a great magician called Iamo, and
his only sister, who had never seen a human being. Seldom, if ever, had
the man any cause to go from home; for, as his wants demanded food, he
had only to go a little distance from the lodge, and there, in some
particular spot, place his arrows, with their barbs in the ground.
Telling his sister where they had been placed, every morning she would
go in search, and never fail of finding each struck through the heart of
a deer. She had then only to drag them into the lodge and prepare their
food. Thus she lived till she attained womanhood, when one day her
brother said to her, "Sister, the time is near at hand when you will be
ill. Listen to my advice. If you do not, it will probably be the cause
of my death. Take the implements with which we kindle our fires. Go some
distance from our lodge, and build a separate fire. When you are in want
of food, I will tell you where to find it. You must cook for yourself,
and I will for myself. When you are ill, do not attempt to come near the
lodge, or bring any of the utensils you use. Be sure always to fasten to
your belt the implements you need, for you do not know when the time
will come. As for myself, I must do the best I can." His sister promised
to obey him in all he had said.

Shortly after, her brother had cause to go from home. She was alone in
her lodge, combing her hair. She had just untied the belt to which the
implements were fastened, when suddenly the event, to which her brother
had alluded, occurred. She ran out of the lodge, but in her haste
forgot the belt. Afraid to return, she stood for some time thinking.
Finally she decided to enter the lodge and get it. For, thought she, my
brother is not at home, and I will stay but a moment to catch hold of
it. She went back. Running in suddenly, she caught hold of it, and was
coming out when her brother came in sight. He knew what was the matter.
"Oh," he said, "did I not tell you to take care? But now you have
killed me." She was going on her way, but her brother said to her,
"What can you do there now? the accident has happened. Go in, and stay
where you have always stayed. And what will become of you? You have
killed me."

He then laid aside his hunting dress and accoutrements, and soon after
both his feet began to inflame and turn black, so that he could not
move. Still he direct