After walking a while he came to a lake, which flooded the trees on its banks; he found it was only a lake made by beavers. He took his station on the elevated dam, where the stream escaped, to see whether any of the beavers would show themselves. He soon saw the head of one peeping out of the water to see who disturbed them.
"My friend," said Paup-Puk-Keewiss, "could you not turn me into a beaver like yourself?" for he thought, if he could become a beaver, he would see and know how these animals lived.
"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 he was armed; but he had left his bow and arrows in a hollow tree at a short distance. 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 their chief; "lay down;" and he 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."
In they all dove into the lake; and, in passing large heaps of limbs and logs at the bottom, he asked the use of them; they answered, "It is for our winter's provisions."[62] 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. "Will that do?" exerting their power.