Note 455 — SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS (continued 6)

Once more the young man said: “You shall now get off my back.” Going aside, he stripped off basswood bark, of which he made a noose. Climbing an elm tree near by, he carried his burden to the very top, where he fastened the rope to a large branch and the noose around the neck of the man on his back and also around his own. When he was ready he again said: “Look here! If you do not get off my back, we two shall die now indeed.” But the man made no reply. Then the young man said: “I will now cast my body down to that place yonder.” Before doing so he again asked the man: “Shall we two live? It is for you to decide. Get down from my back.” But still he received no reply to his pleadings. Without further parley he said: “Now, we two shall die,” and cast himself down. But the great branch broke off455 and floated down slowly until it rested on the ground. Arising, the young man said: “This is exceedingly distressing to me. You have made me very tired, and I am almost exhausted.” But he received no mercy from the man.