XX. THE FIRE-PLUME
WASSAMO was living with his parents on the shore of a large bay far out in the north-east. One day, when the season had commenced for fish to be plenty, the mother of Wassamo said to him: "My son, I wish you would go to yonder point and see if you cannot procure me some fish, and ask your cousin to accompany you."
Wassamo did so. He set out with his cousin, and in the course of the afternoon they arrived at the fishing-ground.
The cousin, being the elder, attended to the nets. When these were set in the lake, the youths encamped near-by, using the bark of the birch for a lodge to shelter them through the night.
They lit a fire, and while they sat conversing with each other, the moon arose. Not a breath of wind disturbed the smooth surface of the lake. Not a cloud was seen. Wassamo looked out on the water toward their nets, and he saw that the little black spots, which were no other than the floats, had disappeared.
"Netawis," he said, "let us visit our nets; perhaps we are fortunate."
When they drew up the nets they were rejoiced to see the meshes shining white, all over, with the glittering prey. They landed in fine spirits, and put away their canoe in safety from the winds.
"Wassamo," said the cousin, "you cook that we may eat."