“How can he build canoes,” cried all the rest, “with his small neck?”
“He is too weak,” said the Loon.
The birds were quite discouraged; but they liked the looks of the water very much. At last “Kosq’,” the Crane, spoke: “My friends, we cannot stay here much longer. I am very hungry already. Let us draw lots, and whoever draws the lot with a canoe marked on it shall be the builder of boats.”
All were satisfied with this suggestion, and the Raven was appointed to prepare the lots; but the Owl objected, saying: “He is a thief; I know he is.”
“Well,” said the Night Hawk, “let us get Flying Squirrel to make them.”
“But Flying Squirrel is not here.”
“Well, let some one go for him.”
“Well, let us get Fox to go for him,” said the Loon.
“Oh! I can’t trust the Fox to go,” said the Owl; “for he would eat Squirrel on the way. Just let me give you a word of advice. Let Āfiguessis [Little Mouse] go for the Squirrel.”
“Yes,” said K’chīplāgan, Eagle, the great chief, “we must do as he proposes. Come, Āfiguessis, you must go for the Flying Squirrel.”