--- title: Opening, part 15 — Kulóskap the master, and other Algonkin poems · full text with trees description: Opening, part 15, «Kulóskap the master, and other Algonkin poems»: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The beaver seized his friend And drew him ’neath the stream.] --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78673/15/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Kulóskap the master, and other Algonki…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78673/) / Opening, part 15 # Opening, part 15 Opening, part 15 of «Kulóskap the master, and other Algonkin poems»: the whole text, 133 sentences and 2544 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. The beaver seized his friend And drew him ’neath the stream.\][1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") They then lay down to sleep.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") At once the beaver swam To shore to their canoes And gnawed with his sharp teeth Great holes in the birch bark Of which these craft were made.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") The wizard beaver then Swam back to his own folk To whom he said: “Arise, Come, quickly hunt them out.”[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") The fierce Abenakis Came stealthily and still And landed on the isle Where lay the Iroquois.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, whooping with the cry Of war which chills the soul, The fierce Abenakis Awoke the Iroquois Who, paralyzed with fright, Rushed straight to their canoes Which sank in mid-stream all-- The work of wizard teeth.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the Abenakis Swooped down with horrid cries And then slew all their foes Save only two.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") I’ll tell What ’twas they did to them.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Of all their slaughtered foes They first cut off the heads And stuck them up on stakes All over that fair isle.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Then to their prisoners Whom they had saved alive, They gave a little thought.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") So first they bound them fast Then pried with cruel sticks Their mouths till open wide; Cut off their lower lips, Showing the grinning teeth, Then severing half their ears And half their noses too, They said to them in scorn: “\_Kdihleba nda mina Ni nojimigahakw\_:” “We warn you now, my friends, Do not attempt again To come against us here.”[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") This was the way they marked The prisoners in old days.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Then they gave them food Enough to give them life Upon the journey home, In order that these maimed And harshly usèd foes Should tell the Iroquois In northern forest far That the Abenakis Were mightier than they.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") That island to this day Is called the Place of Skulls, Wdupsek in our tongue.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") P.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") FOOTNOTES:[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") \[54\] Long ago there were many wizards in our town.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") IX[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") THE WIZARD’S HUNTING[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") \[\_Abenaki\_\][20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Noñwat mʾzi mʾdaulinowak nadialoldowak.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") \_\[55\][22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") In ancient days when wizard power was great There were two mighty men who knew these arts And understood full well unholy skill.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Once on a time it chanced that these great twain Did quarrel for a certain hunting ground.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The one had set up deadfalls in the paths Where run the timid deer, all ignorant Of man, and man’s desire to slaughter them.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") The other wizard straightway came along And, ruthless, snapped these deadfalls every one, To irritate his fellow wizard’s heart.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Twice did the mischief-maker do this deed, Till, finally, the injured man bethought Him that he must consult the secret powers How he should catch and punish well the foe.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") So crawling into \_petegwîgun′s\_ shade-- This was the magic round-house where the gods Give wisdom unto man--he lay in trance Until he saw a cruel wolverine, Which he at once knew well to be the foe.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, leaping from the house of magic arts, He followed fast the trail of Wolverine Who was the evil-hearted enemy.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") This mischief-making wizard straightway knew That he was being followed, so he changed Himself into a hooting, snowy owl That wakes the echoes of the forest night.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus he escaped and forthwith went again And full of glee the other’s deadfalls broke.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") At last the injured wizard in despair Went to consult his uncle in the glade Where hang the alders drooping by the stream.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") “O Uncle, aid me in my direst need And find for me this rascal foe,” he cried, “Who changes into every living thing, And thus escapes my burning righteous wrath.”[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") His uncle was a wizard full of power, So he at once departed for a time And then, returning, said: “I’ve found thy foe, He lives within thy shanty in the woods, He’s taken his abode within the cracks Where thou hast sewn the bark upon thy roof.”[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") “How then shall I be able to outwit A foe so wily and so full of skill?”[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") The nephew asked.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") The uncle told him all.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") And then the injured wizard went his way Unto his barken shanty in the woods.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") When he was sitting by the fire that night An evil bat of monstrous size flew forth From underneath the shanty’s sloping roof.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Straightway the wizard seized and held the bat So close unto the glowing fiery coals That all his filthy, vermin-reeking hair Was clean consumed--then let him fly away, Feeling that vengeance had been wreaked full well.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") No more thereafter was there mischief wrought And all his hunting met with fortune fair.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Then later in the year the wizard came Home to the village laden down with spoils And trophies of the chase, and there he saw A man he knew with skin all scarred and burned.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth this one to the wizard: “O my friend I have been duly punished for my sin.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Do thou now heal me quickly and forgive That I have caused thee trouble in the chase.”[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") The wizard then took pity on his foe And healed his burns and made him whole again.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") P.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") FOOTNOTES:[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") \[55\] Long ago all the wizards used to hunt.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") X[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") SIX SHORT TALES OF WITCHCRAFT[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") \[\_Passamaquoddy\_\][51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Kʾchi Joe Benoit mʾdeaulin Kʾchi kʾnokwchil pohégunul.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") \_\[56\][53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Old Joe Benoit, a friend of mine, Was full of all unholy skill and power.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") He quarrelled with a man who like himself, Was wizard and a guileful, crafty foe.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") A giant turtle’s form Joe Benoit took; The other changed himself into a snake; The twain then met and fought in combat dire Within the waters of a little lake Which since that time has ever borne the name Of Neʿseyik, which means “the muddy lake,” Because their strife had stirred up all the soil And weeds, and roiled the waters of that pool.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Joe Benoit slew his foe, the giant snake.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Old Lacote was a wizard made a trap, A deadfall trap for bear off in the woods.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") When he had set the trap all fast and firm, He crawled within to test the prop-stick stout.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") But by the magic arts of wizard foe Through old Sabatis’ guile who owed him hate, The prop-stick fell and let the great bear-trap Drop full upon old Lacote’s head and back.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") His son was there and dragged the old man forth.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") But Lacote knew to whom he owed ill-luck.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") When I was fifteen years I saw a man Who had become a demon of the wood, A Miʿkumwess with power to change his size And art to sink into the rocky soil Up to his ankle-joints or knees as though ’twere sand.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") I saw myself the tracks where he had sunk Into a soil all full of rocks and roots.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") My father was a wizard and had power To call unto his partner miles away.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") I’ve often heard him singing in the night All low and weird, and when the morning dawned, He’d tell me what his partner’s luck had been.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") I never knew his magic skill to fail.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") My brother told me, many years ago, Some wizards had a quarrel, and they slew One of their number, took his corpse away And ate it on the isle of Grand Manan, Sitting upon a ledge above the sea.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Two men were hunting on an inland lake When suddenly they heard a fearful whoop As of a man in agony, who ran Adown the lake along the farther shore.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") They went out in their barque and there they saw Him come right up to where their shanty lay.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Returning to the shore they begged him then: “Pray stay and eat,” but he, with accents wild, Cried: “Nay, I may not stop in this warm place.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") I must away, away unto the North, Where ice and snow shall cool my bounding blood.”[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") This man was a Kiwaʿkw, a demon ghoul, Ice-giant--of that race which loves to prey Upon the tender flesh of man and babe.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") P.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") FOOTNOTES:[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") \[56\] Old Joe Benoit the wizard changed himself to a great turtle.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") XI[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") A DELAWARE YOUTH AND HIS UNCLE[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") \[\_Delaware\_\][79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Weekwaum lawee kohpee Weekena withkeelno wauk wʾsheetha.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") \_\[57\][81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") Afar in the midst of the forest Dwelt a youth and his uncle, His uncle of many summers.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") Once on a time the old man Was sick unto death with an illness Whose cause was unknown to himself And his nephew, his fond loving nephew.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") So, thinking the light of his being Was soon to go out, the old uncle Called to his bedside the young man To hear his last words of affection.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") The loving nephew grievèd, Grieved in the depths of his heart, Then thought to himself: “My dear uncle, At least shall not die on bare earth.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") I’ll make for him now a great basket And line it with soft, downy feathers.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") So shall he die in all comfort.”[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") He worked all the night at the basket And then, when the morrow dawned, Presented his work to his uncle Who wept tears of gladness and said: “Dear nephew--how great is thy kindness!”[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") The old man then lay in the basket And to him came a vision of dread; He stretched forth his hand to his nephew, A gesture to draw his attention, And then told the youth of his vision.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth: “Some one is coming at midnight From whom thou shalt shrink with great trembling, But fear not, take courage, my nephew, Although he shall come to our wigwam At midnight when all things are sleeping.”[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") That night, long after their supper, The youth sat him down by the fire, On the further side of the fire,\[58\] And waited to see what was coming.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") Then all of a sudden a creature Too awful to tell of was with him, A wizard of hideous presence Who dropped through the smoke-hole a-shrieking: “Give up to me, youth, thine old uncle I wish to devour his lean flesh.”[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") The youth gave not way to his terror But leapt to his feet and said boldly: “Foul being, mine uncle remains here And ne’er shall be eaten by thee.”[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") Howled the wizard, the cannibal wizard: “When I come here once more have him ready, Rash lad, or thou dearly shalt rue it.”[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") Thought the youth in his heart: “He is awful.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") It must be that my uncle shall leave me.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") I will journey afar toward the sunset If perchance I may find there some people Who shall aid me in this my dire need.”[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the young man took leave of his uncle And said to him: “Fear not, beloved, I go to seek aid for thy sickness, Soon I’ll return to thy side.”[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") After journeying days through the forest He passed a small curious wigwam From which came a lad who addressed him: “Hail, stranger, how fareth thine uncle?”[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") The youth was amazed beyond measure That one who appeared but an infant Should know all about his affairs, But he passed on in silence and wonder.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon after he came to a wigwam Near which stood a great, kindly wizard, Who saw from the face of the traveller That he was in fear for his uncle.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") Then when he heard how the nephew Had met with the terrible being, He said: “This in truth is Muttóntoe, Muttóntoe, the spirit of evil, Who yearns for the flesh of thy kinsman.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") But fear not, my lad, I will aid thee, I’ll tell thee the way to o’ercome him.”[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") When the nephew had heard all the wisdom And learned how to conquer Muttóntoe, He went back at once to his uncle.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Then after they’d eaten that evening, He swept up the dirt from the wigwam And placed in his own bed the uncle.[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") Then \_he\_ lay himself in the basket, Where he felt himself filled full of magic And power to conquer Muttóntoe.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") At the dead hour of midnight Once more in the midst of the wigwam The monster dropped down through the smoke-hole.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") “Awake, lad,” quoth he, “I’m Muttóntoe.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") Bring forth thine old uncle, I want him.”[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") Then out from the basket the nephew Stept boldly, all covered with feathers.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") A terrible sight to Muttóntoe, Who leapt with a shriek through the smoke-hole And never returned to that wigwam, Where the youth and his uncle, still living, Dwell happily in the dark forest.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") P.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") FOOTNOTES:[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") \[57\] In a wigwam in the forest dwelt a youth and his uncle.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") \[58\] The fire is in the middle of the wigwam.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") XII[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") THE DANCE OF OLD AGE[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") \[\_Passamaquoddy\_\][118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Piʾche uskichinwi utenesizek.[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") \_\[59\][120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") All in the early time In an inland village Many Indians lived, Of two of them I’ll tell: One was a handsome man, Young, brave, a great hunter; The other, a beautiful girl.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") What might be her name?-- Malikakusquess?[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") Or Kaliwahdasi?[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") I do not remember Which of the two it was.[124](124/ "tree and pragmatics") But she was very proud, Fierce as she was fair, And through and through revengeful.[125](125/ "tree and pragmatics") And, what was worst of all, She was an awful witch, Seven witches in one, Like seven devils united But this she hid from all; Only the Wʾnagʾmeswuk, The singular silent spirits, Who are ever flitting around us, Knew of this terrible secret.[126](126/ "tree and pragmatics") She wanted the youth to wed her, But he at that time was busy, Very busy in getting ready To go on his autumn hunt, Which would last far into the winter; And he had no time for wooing, As he very plainly told her.[127](127/ "tree and pragmatics") Truly he must have spoken Very plainly indeed; For her heart shrunk up in anger Until ’twas hard as a flint With sharply cutting edges, And thus she cut in reply: “You may go afar to the North, You may go if you like on your hunt But you never will return The same as when you departed; Remember me when the change Comes over you in the forest.”[128](128/ "tree and pragmatics") He gave no heed to her words, He cared not for her, nor feared her, So he went away with his brother, And for many days together They hunted in the North, Hunted the deer and moose; The girl was all forgotten.[129](129/ "tree and pragmatics") But one day when deep in the woods, And very far in the North, In the mid winter gloom, The youth went raging mad, For the witch had struck him sore, Though far and far away, Struck him with sorcery.[130](130/ "tree and pragmatics") The elder brother with him Was a brave among the braves, A fierce and terrible man Who had no dream of fear: And as he could do naught else He did the most desperate deed Which the wildest of the warriors Among the Wabanaki Has ever dared to do; For he went down to the river At midnight and alone, And sang the terrible song Which calls the Wîwilmekw, The Demon of the Worm, Even to devils a terror.[131](131/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Nil nʾwikwima Wîwilmekw Nil nʾwikwima chipinaʿkwsit Nit besq weshʾmʾwit Nil npechikinapin nekmomeswelas\_[132](132/ "tree and pragmatics") “I call on the Wîwilmekw, I call on the Terrible One, On the One with the Horns, I dare him to appear!”[133](133/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Opening, part 14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78673/14/) - next →: [Opening, part 16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78673/16/) - ↑ back to [Kulóskap the master, and other Algonkin poems](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg78673/)