"Higher and higher went the raft;higher than the bushes;higher than the limbs on the trees;higher than the Woodpecker's nest;higher than the tree tops,and even higher than the mountains.Then the world was no more,for the water had whipped the land in the war it made against it.
"Day came,and still the rain was falling.
Night returned,and yet the rain came down.
For many days and nights they drifted in the falling rain;whirling and twisting about while the water played with the great raft,as a Bear would play with a Mouse.It was bad,and they were all afraid--even OLD-man himself was scared.
"At last the sun came but there was no land.All was water.The water was the world.It reached even to the sky and touched it all about the edges.All were hungry,and some of them were grumbling,too.There are always grumblers when there is great trouble,but they are not the ones who become great chiefs--ever.
"OLD-man sat in the middle of the raft and thought.He knew that something must be done,but he didn't know what.Finally he said:'Ho!Chipmunk,bring me the Spotted Loon.Tell him I want him.'
"The Chipmunk found the Spotted Loon and told him that OLD-man wanted him,so the Loon went to where OLD-man sat.When he got there,OLD-man said:
"'Spotted Loon you are a great diver.No-body can dive as you can.I made you that way and I know.If you will dive and swim down to the world I think you might bring me some of the dirt that it is made of--then I am sure I can make another world.'
"'It is too deep,this water,'replied the Loon,'I am afraid I shall drown.'
"'Well,what if you do?'said OLD-man.'Igave you life,and if you lose it this way Iwill return it to you.You shall live again!'
"'All right,OLD-man,'he answered,'I am willing to try';so he waddled to the edge of the raft.He is a poor walker--the Loon,and you know I told you why.It was all because OLD-man kicked him in the back the night he painted all the Duck-people.
"Down went the Spotted Loon,and long he stayed beneath the water.All waited and watched,and longed for good luck,but when he came to the top he was dead.Everybody groaned--all felt badly,I can tell you,as OLD-man laid the dead Loon on the logs.The Loon's wife was crying,but OLD-man told her to shut up and she did.
"Then OLD-man blew his own breath into the Loon's bill,and he came back to life.
"'What did you see,Brother Loon?'asked OLD-man,while everybody crowded as close as he could.
"'Nothing but water,'answered the Loon,'we shall all die here,I cannot reach the world by swimming.My heart stops working.'
"There were many brave ones on the raft,and the Otter tried to reach the world by diving;and the Beaver,and the Gray Goose,and the Gray Goose's wife;but all died in trying,and all were given a new life by OLD-man.Things were bad and getting worse.
Everybody was cross,and all wondered what OLD-man would do next,when somebody laughed.
