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As told by Pepe Boucher
The White Eagle Loup-Garou was a great friend to his master who was a great hunter--Soudeniere they call him. He came early from Canada and left his wife and children in Quebec. That be many, many miles, in those days it took a long time to travel, so no man who wants to hunt and trade with the Indians can make a trip every month. Bien, this hunter Soudeniere, he seemed to die of home sick for many day. Mais the next morning he be the happiest man in the tannery camp. He whistle and sing old love songs et it bother mans with wife away in Canada. Then the other man asks: "Soudeniere, how can you be so gay today when last night you cry with me from home sick?"
Then Soudeniere say, "I be glad because I be at home last night. Everything go well, my children, my wife talk of their love for me and wish I be at home. Ma foi, I want to shout and laugh, and say I am here, mais I can not do that. At your house they all be eating and smile. Mais I not be allowed to enter your house, just look through door half open."
Then his partner say, "Ma foi! Be you crazy? You talk with no sense. You never left me till the sun be pretty low, and now you be back with the sun. I tell you you best race or your mind be turned."
Then is when Soudoniere laugh and laugh. "You not know I grieve so, I change into a bird and fly--Oh! Me fly like an arrow home, home to my wife and children. I saw them and fanned their cheeks with my wings. I fly to your home. They be as I say, then I come back to my own home and rest under arcade all night to watch my family. I hear their happy voices talk of me. The first thing in the morning I fly back to work for them. Let's work hard and fast today and go home soon with our furs. I must not kill my bird life, by use too soon or often, or I deprive of turning to bird, a white eagle; when I must see my family or die." Soudoniere went to his beaver traps, whistling, happy because he think he sees his family.
EMAIL: rking@indian.vinu.edu