The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AT THE WIDE SPOT IN THE RIVER, MAKOKABATAN, A YOUNG
INDIAN BRAVE, DROWNED. WHILE HE WAS PADDLING DOWN
THE RIVER, A FAR OFF VOICE SEEMED TO BE CALLING
HIM. AFTER TALKING WITH THE VOICES, HE FOUND HIM-
SELF IN THE RIVER. THE GODS HAD DECIDED THAT THE
BOY WAS TO STAY WITH THE RIVER AND GUARD ALL
TRAVELERS FROM THE PERILS OF THE WATER.

Submitter comment: I WAS FISHING ON THIS RIVER ONE NIGHT, BY MY-
SELF, WHEN I THOUGHT I HEARD A VOICE CALLING
MY NAME. WHEN I CAME BACK TO CAMP, SAMMY ASKED ME
IF I HAD FUN, I TOLD HIM THAT THE WIND TALKED.
THIS IS WHEN HE TOLD ME THE LEGEND. HE SAID THAT
THE BOY GETS LONELY, AS ANYONE WOULD, SO HE
TALKS TO THE RIVER TRAVELERS.

Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO