“Let us now go ashore, on one of these islands,” said Sagastao, “and have our lunch.”

“And a Nanahboozhoo story after,” put in Minnehaha.

This plan was just what the Indians were thinking about, and so in a short time they were all on the shore.  Dry wood was abundant and a bright fire was soon burning, and then, when the water was boiled and the tea made, the lunch basket was opened and the meal was much enjoyed by all.

“Now, Souwanas,” said Minnehaha, “we are all ready for the story at the same time, and if your pipe goes out I’ll hand you a burning stick with which you can light it again.”

“Maybe I will keep you very busy,” remarked the old man, much amused at the offer—­and so it proved, for his pipe to-day persisted in going out.

“One day,” began Souwanas, “as Nanahboozhoo was walking along the shore of a lake he became hungry.  He considered what it would be best for him to do in order to procure something to eat.  He decided to deceive the waterfowls.  He saw a duck swimming along near the shore and spoke to the bird in this fashion: 

“‘Come here, my brother.’

“‘What is it?’ said the duck, as it approached Nanahboozhoo.

“’Kesha Munedoo (Gracious Spirit) has revealed words to me to tell to all the waterfowl some very important things.  Go and tell all sorts of waterfowl to come, and when they are all together I will inform you what has been revealed to me.’

“The duck obeyed Nanahboozhoo, who in the meantime made a very bare wigwam of green boughs, or rather caused it to appear that he did, for he did not exert much labor upon it.  All sorts of waterfowl came to Nanahboozhoo and they seemed anxious to hear what had been revealed.  Nanahboozhoo received them with great apparent friendliness and invited them to come into the wigwam.  When they had all entered, he said: 

“’You must all dance, first, before I tell you what has been revealed to me.  All of you must stand close together around inside of the wigwam and put your necks close together while dancing, and all of you must flap your wings at the same time.’

“Then Nanahboozhoo commenced singing: 

  “’Pau-zau-gwa-be-she-moog,
  Ke-ku-ma-mis-kwa-she-gun.’

  ("’Shut your eyes,
  And I’ll make you wise.’)

“These words Nanahboozhoo repeated three times.

“All the fowl kept time to the music and words of the song, and danced, shutting their eyes.  Nanahboozhoo continued singing, changing to the following words: 

  “‘Au-yun-ze-kwa-gau.’

“All the time such was Nanahboozhoo’s power over the birds that they kept singing and dancing and at the same time holding their heads close together.  Nanahboozhoo’s voice was singing in the center of the tent, his drum beating at the same time, while he in person went around in the wigwam or lodge wringing the necks of the waterfowl and throwing them on the side of the lodge.  The loon, the great diver bird, was dancing on the open door side of the lodge.  He suspected that Nanahboozhoo was up to some of his tricks, doing something bad, so he opened his eyes and saw.  At once he gave the alarm, and shouted: