Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/9

 THE FIGHT OF THE WITCHES.

[Translated from the oral original of the Pussamaquaddy dialect, by .]

MANY, many long years ago, there dwelt in a vast cave in the interior of a great mountain, an old man who was a "Kiawahq' mtèoulm," or a Giant Witch.

Near the mountain was a big Indian village, whose chief was named "Hassagwāhq',"' or the Striped Squirrel. Every few days some of his best warriors mysteriously disappeared from the tribe, until Hassagwāhq' became convinced that they were killed by the Giant Witch. He therefore called a council of all the most powerful magicians among his followers, who gathered together in a new, strong wigwam made for the occasion. There were ten of them in all, and their names were as follows:—"Quābit," the Beaver; "Mosque," the Wood-worm; "Quāgsis," the Fox; "K'tchî Atosis," the Big Snake; "Agwem," the Loon; "Kāsq'," the Heron; "Mūin," the Bear; "Lox," the Indian Devil; K'tchīplāgan," the Eagle; and "Wābèkèloch," the Wild Goose.

The great chief Hassagwāhq' addressed the sorcerers, and told them that he hoped they might be able to conquer the Giant Witch, and that they must do so at once if possible, or else his tribe would be exterminated. The sorcerers resolved to begin the battle the very next night, and to put forth their utmost power to destroy their enemy.

But the Giant Witch could foretell all his troubles by his dreams, and on that self-same night he dreamed of all the plans which the followers of Striped Squirrel had formed for his ruin.