Part 4 (1/2)

”And each G.o.d named a sickness, a pain, or a killing.

”At one side stood Oonah the Death Shadow, and in his hand held his quiver. And as each punishment was named, into his quiver placed Oonah an arrow, sharp-pointed, swift-flying, death-carrying.

”The quiver was full, and all had spoken, all save Yaeethl the Raven, who by the cook pot sat smiling, eating.

”To Yaeethl spoke K'hoots the Grizzly, saying:

”'Dost thou send nothing, Brother? Behold, the Quiver of Death is full, and from the Raven is there no arrow of punishment for men.

What arrow gives Yaeethl?'

”'Why bother me when I am eating? Is there not time after the pot is empty? Many arrows there are. Because men insult me shall G.o.ds spoil my eating?' Thus spoke the Raven as he sc.r.a.ped the pot.

”Then Hckt the Frog urged, saying:

”'Art thou a G.o.d, or is thy belly a G.o.d, that in the council the Raven takes no part?'

”'A G.o.d am I, and a G.o.d have I been since the Beginning, thou son of wind and slime. But that my ears may be no longer troubled, a little punishment will I send, that the sons of men forget me not.

No arrow from Yaeethl shall find place in Oonah's quiver. Arrow and messenger both will I send. Thy punishments carry the peace of death, mine the torment of life.'

”'And this punishment of thine?' asked Hckt, sneering.

”And Yaeethl, as from the pot he cleaned the last morsel, replied:

”'Ta-ka.'

”Of all the punishments named by the G.o.ds, the first to reach the earth was that of Yaeethl,--Ta-ka the Mosquito.