A very Mean Trick. 67

“*That is like a toad. You would not catch a frog at such
mean tricks. Besides, Mulkgraub pays them,’

“© Who is Mulkgraub ? inquired the Indian,

“* An enemy of King Rapp,’ said the frog,

“« Where can I find my people?’ said the child.

“* Ask the eagle, if you are not afraid, returned the frog.

“« An Indian is never afraid of bird or beast; it’s only those
pale faces that change everything,’ she said, proudly.

“ Then she sought the eagle.

“*Go toward the setting sun—always westward,’ said the
eagle. ‘Mind that Mulkgraub does not catch you.’

“* Where does he live? inquired our witch-child.

“* He lives in the water, and he cannot go very far on land.
He loves to pour floods over the earth and into Rapp’s mines.
They are enemies, because Rapp can quench Mulkgraub with
fire, so that he becomes a vapor-steam.’

“The witch-child thanked the great eagle and flew on.

“In the meanwhile the ugly old toad mother met Mulk-
graub at the toadstool turnpike, and gave him the slippers
and apron.

“One would not have believed him so wicked, for he was
fair and handsome, with a crown of rushes on his head, and
drops of water flowed from his mantle.

“* Perhaps I may drown out Rapp yet, if the rain only helps
me,’ he said, and swallowed the slippers and apron as if they
had been pills.

“He proinised to give a wedding outfit to the toad daughter
that married first, and the mother hopped home well satisfied,
like the mean old toad she was.