elfare of his canoemen, decided that there should be no
hunting that evening or night. So they gathered round the camp fire,
and, with bright and pleasant chat, the happy hours passed away, one of
them being specially interesting as Mr Ross, who had made the gathering
up of Indian legends a favourite study or amusement when not absorbed in
heavier work, was requested by the boys to tell them an Indian legend or
story.

Yielding to this request, he cheerfully consented, and not only had he
the boys as interested listeners, but the Indians of the party gathered
round, curious to hear how well a white man was able to tell one of
their favourite stories.

"Before the general deluge," Mr Ross began, "there lived two enormous
creatures, each possessed of vast power. One was an animal with a great
horn on his head, the other was a huge toad. The latter had the whole
management of the waters, keeping them secure in his own body; and
emitting only a certain quantity when needed for the watering of the
earth. Between these two creatures there arose a quarrel which
terminated in a great fight. The toad in vain tried to swallow its
antagonist, but the latter rushed upon it, and with his horn pierced a
hole in its side, out of which the waters rushed in floods, and soon
overflowed the face of the earth.

"Nanahboozoo was living at this time on the earth. Observing the water
rising higher and higher he fled to the loftiest mountain for refuge.
Perceiving that even this retreat would soon be inundated, he selected a
large cedar tree, which he purposed to ascend should the waters come up
to him. Before the floods reached him he caught a number of animals and
fowls and put them into his bosom. At length the waters covered the
mountain. Nanahboozoo then ascended the cedar tree, and as he went up
he plucked its branches and stuck them in his belt, which girdled his
waist.

"When he reached the top of the tree he sang, and beat the tune with his
arrow upon his bow, and as he sang the tree grew, and kept pace with the
water for a long time. At length he abandoned the idea of remaining any
longer on the tree. So he took the branches he had plucked, and with
them constructed a raft, on which he placed himself with the animals and
fowls. On this raft he floated about for a long time, till all the
mountains were covered and all the beasts of the earth and fowls of the
air, except those he had with him, had perished.

"At lengt