64. Wren and the Elks.
(cont.)He did not know what to do, and walked around the carcass, singing, “How can I butcher it? Oh if I had my knife! Oh if some one would give me a knife. Oh if I only had something to butcher it.”
Now Wolf and Coyote were out hunting, and were resting near that place. Wolf heard Wren singing, and said to Coyote, “I wonder what that little fellow means. He wants something to butcher with. He must have killed something. Let us go and see.” They came upon Wren, walking around the carcass of the elk. He asked them for the loan of a knife, saying he would give them half the meat; but they said they would butcher it for him. They found Wren's knife inside. They took all the meat and fat for themselves, leaving only the paunch for Wren.1
65. Moose, Buffalo, Antelope, and White-tailed Deer.
In ancient times Moose, Buffalo, Antelope, and White-tailed Deer lived together. They were relatives and lived in the same lodge. Their home was somewhere in the Salish country, probably in Montana or in eastern Washington. Moose was a chief and Buffalo a warrior. Antelope was celebrated as a runner, and White-tail was lame. All four had rather large antlers and horns, somewhat similar in shape. Buffalo would sharpen his horns, and use them for fighting.
After a time the four friends became jealous of one another, and often quarrelled. Especially did they disagree about the selection of camping- grounds. No matter how well chosen, no one place would suit them all. White-tail preferred to camp among bushes; Buffalo liked the alkali-plains; Moose loved the partly timbered plateaus; and Antelope, the foot-hills. At last they held counsel, and came to the conclusion that it would be better to separate and henceforth live apart, each one in the kind of country he preferred. White-tail was the first to leave. Moose said to him, “You must not go north, for the people there are bad, and many of them are cannibals. They will kill and eat you. Yourself, wife, and children are all a little lame. The northern people are great hunters. They will soon find you and catch you.” White-tail answered, “I can run faster than you think, and I am not afraid of the northern cannibals. I love the northern country, and intend to live there.” Moose said, “Well, if you will go north, take my antlers; they are larger and stronger than yours, and you can defend yourself better with them.” White-tail answered, “No, chief, I will not take your antlers. They are too heavy. Their weight would fatigue me, were I chased by enemies.” Now White-tail worked on his antlers, and Moose helped him. He made them small, and fitted them close to the head, with the tines rounded and pointing inward, especially the upper ones, that they would not catch in the bushes.
1. The narrator said this story is sometimes told at greater length, and in more detail; but, as he was not sure of the rest, he told just what he knew.
