“I would not be surprised to hear that Nanahboozhoo had something to do with it.”

“Nanahboozhoo had,” said Souwanas, “and it was because of a mean trick that the buzzard played upon him.  And now that these Indians are off, who are in a hurry to reach Poplar Point, if you will sit down on the rocks in the warm sunshine I will tell you the story.”

No second invitation was necessary, so while the children seated themselves near him on the; smooth granite rock the old man continued his arrow making and told them the following story: 

“One day when Nanahboozhoo was walking through the country he saw the buzzard soaring up high in the air.  Like an eagle, he was making graceful circles round and round with very little effort.  After a time the buzzard flew down to the earth, and there he stood on a rock with his great wings outstretched.  Nanahboozhoo quietly approached and entered into conversation with him.

“‘Brother Buzzard,’ he said, ’you must be very happy when sailing around up there in the blue sky where you can so easily see everything that is going on down here on the world below you.  I wish you would take me up there on your back and let me see how this world looks from that high place in the blue sky, where you live so much.’

“The buzzard on hearing this request at once flew down to the side of Nanahboozhoo and said: 

“’I will with pleasure take you up on my back and let you see, as you desire, how the world looks from that high place.’

“Then Nanahboozhoo, seeing how smooth was the back of the great bird, said: 

“’Brother Buzzard, your back is so smooth that I am afraid I will slip off, so you must be careful not to sweep round too rapidly in your circles in the sky.’

“The buzzard told Nanahboozhoo that he would be very careful although at the same time he was resolved, if it were possible, to play a trick on him; for he had a grudge of some long standing against him which Nanahboozhoo seemed to have forgotten.

“Nanahboozhoo then mounted on the back of the great buzzard and held by his feathers as well as he possibly could.  The buzzard then took a short run, sprang from the ground, and spreading his great strong wings speedily rose up higher and higher in the sky.

“Nanahboozhoo at first felt rather timid as he found himself thus rapidly soaring through the air, especially as it was so difficult for him to keep his seat.  When the buzzard began circling round and round it was even more difficult, for the body of the bird leaned over more and more as his speed increased.  But Nanahboozhoo was very clever, and after a while he became more accustomed to his queer position and was very much interested in the splendid sights of the great world beneath him, over which he could now see for such a great distance.  Lakes and rivers, forests and mountains, all gave delight to Nanahboozhoo, who had wonderful powers of vision.