STORIES 407

Meanwhile the loot was returning of its own accord to the house.
When it was again in position, Echo released his captives, who fled dis-
comfited.

His sisters upbraided Raven:

“Why don’t you settle down at home instead of roaming around the
country, getting into trouble?’ they asked.

Raven, bruised and sick from the rough treatment which he had
received, could not defend himself.

RAVEN AND ECHO
(Second Version)

Once upon a time, when Raven was travelling in the mountains, he
stopped at the home of Echo. No one appeared to be in the house, yet
various processes were going on without visible agency; blankets were
being woven, with no one at the loom, and various articles travelled from
one part of the house to another without apparent cause.

“T should like a meal,” said Raven.

As the words re-echoed, he felt something touch his arm and guide him
to a seat.

The firewood seemed to split of its own volition, piled itself in place,
and flames appeared; meat came down from the rafters and cut itself up;
the bucket travelled out through the door and returned filled with water
which emptied itself into a box into which heated stones from the fire
plunged mysteriously, as did the meat, all without apparent motive
power. When the meat had boiled sufficiently it came into Raven’s box
and a spoon moved into his hand. As he ate his meal in silence he
thought:

“This is too good a chance to miss. I must come with my sisters to
carry off the riches of this house.”

When Raven returned home he told his four sisters to prepare for a
trip into the mountains, and the following day they set off. They reached
Echo’s house without difficulty and were delighted at the quantity of
goods inside, apparently awaiting their pleasure. The five busied them-
selves tying blankets into bundles, filling boxes with meat and grease, and
collecting other articles.

When almost ready to leave, the eldest sister suddenly shrieked aloud.
Something had grasped her and forced her on to her back, but nothing
could be seen. In succession the second, third, and fourth sister was
similarly treated, and finally Raven himself. The eldest sister was lying
on her back, with legs apart and genitals exposed, when her brother was