“I do not know,” replied the beaver; “I will go and ask the others.”
Soon all the beavers showed their heads above the water, and looked to see if Pauppukkeewis was armed, but he had left his bow and arrows in a hollow tree a short distance off. When they were satisfied they all came near.
“Can you not, with all your united power,” said he, “turn me into a beaver? I wish to live among you.”
“Yes,” answered the chief, “lie down;” and Pauppukkeewis soon found himself changed into one of them.
“You must make me large,” said he, “larger than any of you.”
“Yes, yes,” said they; “by and by, when we get into the lodge, it shall be done.”
They all dived into the lake, and Pauppukkeewis, passing large heaps of limbs of trees and logs at the bottom, asked the use of them. The beavers answered—
“They are our winter provisions.”
When they all got into the lodge their number was about one hundred. The lodge was large and warm.
“Now we will make you large,” said they, exerting all their power. “Will that do?”