He shot a third arrow. He cried, “You who are lying down, rise up, or you will be hit.” The people became alive again. Then Pau-puk-kee-wis led them back to the village of the friendly chief.
This one then came to him with his council. He said, “You should rule my people. You only are able to defend them.”
Pau-puk-kee-wis said, “I am going on a journey. Let my pipe bearer be chief.” So he was.
Pau-puk-kee-wis began his journey. “Ho! ho! ho!” cried all the people. “Come back again. Ho! ho! ho!”
He journeyed on. He came to a lake made by beavers.[19] He stood on the beaver dam and watched. He saw the head of a beaver peering out.
[19] With a smile he spake in this wise:
“O, my friend, Ahmeek, the beaver,
Cool and pleasant is the water;
Let me dive into the water,
Let me rest there in your lodges;
Change me, too, into a beaver!”
Cautiously replied the beaver,
With reserve he thus made answer,
“Let me first consult the others,
Let me ask the other beavers.”
—Hiawatha
“Make me a beaver like yourself,” said Pau-puk-kee-wis. He wanted to see how beavers lived.
“I will go and ask what the others have to say,” said Beaver.
Soon all the beavers looked out to see if he were armed. He had left his bow and arrow in a hollow tree.
“Make me a beaver,” said Pau-puk-kee-wis. “I wish to live among you.”