Note 102 — Raven Traveling

As soon as Xāusgana had gone a hunting Raven went back to the canoe. He lay down in it and thought: “I wish that a wind would start from the island and that the canoe would drift away!” He pulled his blanket over his head and pretended to sleep. Now a wind arose, and the canoe drifted away. When Xāusgana saw this he shouted: “Wake up! You are drifting out to sea!” but Raven did not stir. Then Xāusgana was greatly troubled because he had lost his canoe. As soon as Raven was out of sight he assumed the shape of Xāusgana and turned the canoe toward his house. He went up to the house and said to Xāusgana’s wife:102 “That man who came visiting us is Raven. He is a liar.” Then the woman gave him to eat, and after he had finished the food he asked for more. The woman remarked: “How does it happen that you are so hungry now? Formerly you never ate as much as you do to-day.” She was unable to satisfy his hunger. At night he lay down with her. He lived in the house, and people believed that he was Xāusgana.