In the Time That Was Part 4

"And each G.o.d named a sickness, a pain, or a killing.

"At one side stood Oonah the Death Shadow, and in his hand held his quiver. And as each punishment was named, into his quiver placed Oonah an arrow, sharp-pointed, swift-flying, death-carrying.

"The quiver was full, and all had spoken, all save Yaeethl the Raven, who by the cook pot sat smiling, eating.

"To Yaeethl spoke K'hoots the Grizzly, saying:

"'Dost thou send nothing, Brother? Behold, the Quiver of Death is full, and from the Raven is there no arrow of punishment for men.

What arrow gives Yaeethl?'

"'Why bother me when I am eating? Is there not time after the pot is empty? Many arrows there are. Because men insult me shall G.o.ds spoil my eating?' Thus spoke the Raven as he sc.r.a.ped the pot.

"Then Hckt the Frog urged, saying:

"'Art thou a G.o.d, or is thy belly a G.o.d, that in the council the Raven takes no part?'

"'A G.o.d am I, and a G.o.d have I been since the Beginning, thou son of wind and slime. But that my ears may be no longer troubled, a little punishment will I send, that the sons of men forget me not.

No arrow from Yaeethl shall find place in Oonah's quiver. Arrow and messenger both will I send. Thy punishments carry the peace of death, mine the torment of life.'

"'And this punishment of thine?' asked Hckt, sneering.

"And Yaeethl, as from the pot he cleaned the last morsel, replied:

"'Ta-ka.'

"Of all the punishments named by the G.o.ds, the first to reach the earth was that of Yaeethl,--Ta-ka the Mosquito.

"To Khandatagoot the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r, the simple-minded, went Ta-ka, and from the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r claimed hospitality. And the rights of a stranger gave Khandatagoot to Ta-ka, gave him a place by the fire, and of his food a share, for his head a shelter, treating him as the son of a sister is treated. Together they fished and hunted, together they ate and slept. Of the hunting and fishing the chief part was Khandatagoot's, of the eating and sleeping Ta-ka's, Ta-ka who from Yaeethl came.

"On a morning the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r fixed his canoe, and alone to the hunt went the Mosquito.

"All day was Ta-ka gone. Low hung the sun when to camp he returned.

Slow flying came the Mosquito, and as blood is red, so was the body of Ta-ka, and swelled mightily.

"Then was the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r frightened, thinking his friend wounded, and crying, ran to help him. To the ground sank Ta-ka, but no wound could Khandatagoot find.

"Many questions asked the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r, and to them Ta-ka replied:

"'No hurt have I, but full is my belly, full of the choicest eating that ever made potlach. Yet much did I leave behind, the feasting of many months did I leave.'

"Then was the belly of Khandatagoot pinched with hunger for this good eating, and of Ta-ka claimed his share.

"On the tongue of the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r placed Ta-ka a drop, saying: 'No more can I give of what I have eaten, but as you have shared with me, so shall I share with you. The fill of many bellies is there left.'

"'Where is this sweet eating?' asked Khandatagoot, 'Tell me the trail that I too may feast until my wings are heavy.'

"'No trail is there, Brother. The red juice of a dead tree is this eating, a dead tree in the forest. It's name I know not, but hunt, and you shall find it. Go quickly, lest others get there first.'"

"And since then," said Zachook, throwing another handful of leaves on the fire, "since then the Woodp.e.c.k.e.r spends his days seeking in dead trees the red juice that flows in the veins of live men."

[Ill.u.s.tration]