Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-05
be Matchless Hunter.

a most clever fisherman, and was
known everywhere as the Skillful
Fisher.
One day the Matchless Hunter came
to the Skillful Fisher with a new plan
for the day.
: "My brother" said he, "let us today
change occupations, so that we may
both become matchless hunters and
skillful fishers
1.-The idea seems good to me- re-
Piled Roku; today we shall do as you
say. But be careful of my precious
fishing rod and hook. I prize them
above everything"
So the Matchless Hunter set out for
the sea- He pushed out in his little
boat, baited the hook and threw 1t
into the sea. After a time he drew IN
lis line. The bait was gone, but there
was no fish.
Again the Matchless Hunter baited
his hook and threw it into the water,
but with no better success. Thus 1t
went till nearly nightfall He drew in
his line to go home, when he d1scov-
cred to his great sorrow that his
brothers precious hook was gone. 49,,
"Alas!" cried Hohomi, what Will
the Prince, my brother, say to me? 1t
was his most loved possession
When he arrived home, he met his
brother, who had just returned. He
also had been unsuccessful.
II have brought home no game,
brother" said Roku. "and l perceive
that you, too, have had no success
"Worse still, replied the Matchless
Hunter, 81 have lost your precious
fishhook, which was given you by our
wise father. I am most unfortunate
man, indeed
Lost my much-prized hook! Surely
I cannot forgive you until you find 1t
again, nor shall return your hunting
weapons"
The Matchless Hunter was very un-
happy indeed. He could not hunt, ana
his brother could not fish until he had
found the lost hook; and that was at
the bottom of the sea.
Not knowing what to do. Hohoml
went down to the sea and wept bit
terly. 1t seemed to him as II the SKY
would never be bright again. Sudden
ly form rose out Of the sea. 1t was
a strange old man. He came forward
and spoke to the weeping hunter.
What is it, Hohomi, that makes you
sorrowful"
Hohomi told the good Old Man OF
the Sea all that had happened.
weep no more, Hohomi,' he said.
"You have ever been noble, and am
sure all will yet be we'll. You must go
down to the Dragon King OF the Sea.
He will find and return to you the
hook of the Skillful Fisher"
So saying, the Old Man of the Sea
cut willows and wove them together
until he had made kind OF canoe.
Hohomi stood amazed.
s"Be not afraid, Hohomi," said the
Old Man; ut will take you safely
where you wish to co.
Hohomi jumped into the boat,
thanking the Old Man again and again:
The boat sailed away Of itself. On and
on it went, till land was nowhere to
be seen. The Matchless Hunter
thought he must be in the middle OF
the sea; but he was not afraid.
All at once the boat began to sink.
Down and down it went. yet no water
touched the Matchless Hunter.
Farther and farther sank the boat, I'M
til finally it rested on the bottom or
the sea. o.. -.. .
The Prince looked about and saw
that he was in a great garden. In the
midst of it was glittering palace.
Hearing some one coming from the
palace. Hohomi climbed into a large
tree. Directly beneath 1t was spring.
In a moment there appeared a
carrying pitcher bright with
jewels 1t was the lovely daughter OF
the Great Dragon King. Her name was
Totoya. She had blue eyes and dark
flowing hair that fell to her waist.
AS the Princess bent over to fill her
pitcher, she saw the reflection OF the
Prince in the water. She was greatly
startled. The pitcher slipped from her
hand and sank to the bottom OF the
spring. She was about to flee, but
Hohomi called to her.
do not rum" said he, 81 am a
stranger. come to visit the King. thy
father. Stay, and will get thy pitcher
for thee
So saying, the young Prince jumped
down, and drew the pitcher from the
spring. AS Totoya watched Hohoml,
she thought him most charming.
Most fair one" he said. will you
lead me to your noble father, the
Great King Of the Sea-"
Part II.
Hohomi told the Sea King OF his
loss, and the King ordered all his sub
iectsyto appear before him. But none
had seen the precious hook. At last
the cuttlefish broke the silence.
"My Lord King" he said, Il observe
that the dolShin is not here. Yester-
day I met him. and he passed by me
without speaking. His jaw was swol-
len, and he looked i'll. 1t may be that
the hook is in his mouth
Co. said the King, "and conduct
him hither at once
After a short time the dolphin came,
looking very unhappy. The king com.
the lobster. his most sklllful
to remove the hook. rms
the lobster did with great care. And
the King restored the hook to Hohoml.
The Great Dragon King was kind or
heart, and the Matchless Hunter liked
him we'll. The Prince. too, found favor
in the sight of the King.
81 pray thee" said the King. "tarry
lo prnof ha n