Page:Myths and Legends of British North America.djvu/216

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MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF

and Coyote never saw him until he was far off. Then he called, "Fox, you may go."

Now Coyote traveled on until he came to a place where magpies were many. He set snares and caught many, and then made a robe for himself of the skins. He put on his robe and was well pleased. He kept singing,

What a beautiful robe I have
How the feathers shine!

He sang that over and over.

Soon afterward Coyote met Fox who was wearing a robe of silver-fox skins, gleaming in the sun, and thickly covered with tail feathers of the golden eagle. Coyote said, "His robe looks better than mine, and is much more valuable." So he offered to exchange robes.

Fox said, "How can you expect me to exchange my fine robe with eagle feathers for your robe of magpie skins?" So Coyote made believe to turn away; but the moment they separated, he seized Fox's robe and made off with it.

Coyote ran on until he came to a lake. He took off his robe of magpie skins and tore it to bits. Then he threw the pieces into the water. Coyote then put on the eagle-feather robe and strutted about in it, admiring

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