STORIES 405

tives began to wonder if Raven had not deceived them for his own ends.
They returned stealthily and saw him gorging himself with the food.
Without disclosing their presence, they stole away and informed their
comrades. All came back and surprised Raven, who fled to his home,
shamefacedly.

RAVEN AND BLUE GROUSE
(Second Version)

Once upon a time Blue Grouse sent out messengers inviting all and
sundry to a feast, but Raven, thinking the food would only be buds, not
fit for a man, declined the invitation. As the people were gathering, how-
ever, he began to wonder whether or not he was missing a fine free meal,
so he sent one of his children to walk up and down outside the house of
Blue Grouse and see the preparations. The child reported that there
was an ample supply of grease, meat, and other delicacies. Raven,
deeply chagrined, determined to steal the food, and presently evolved
a plan. He went secretly to the rear of Blue Grouse’s house and de-
fecated, instructing his excrement to sound the warning for a war-party
as soon as the guests had assembled. Then he went home and told one
of his children to blow ashes from the fire over himself and his blankets
to make it appear that he had been lying down for a long time. When
he was in this condition someone entered and saw him. No sooner had
the guests assembled in the other house than the excrement cried out:

“Raiders! Raiders! Raiders! They will be here any moment to make
us slaves. Let us escape quickly!’

The startled guests rushed down to their canoes and paddled across
the river. Then Raven went to the empty house, gathered up all the
food and took it home, croaking derisively. The people on the other bank,
hearing his voice, said to one another:

“T wonder if Raven has deceived us; he is a smart fellow.”

They sent a boy across to investigate, who found no food and no
Raven. By the time the people had recrossed the river, Raven had fled.

RAVEN AND ECHO”?

Once upon a time, soon after the first people came to this earth, Raven
went to the home of Echo, a supernatural being, who lived in a fine large
cave with a door. No one had ever been there before. Raven knocked,
saying politely:

“Hello! Please let me in.”

For another version of this story see Boas, p. 93.