_Dakota_
Bogs are very mysterious. Strange things, with thick hair, remain at
the bottom of a bog. These things have no eyes, but they eat
everything which comes to them, and from their bodies water flows
always. When one of these Beings wishes, he changes his place of
abode. He lives at a new place. Then the old place where he lived
dries up; but a fresh spring of water gushes from his new lodge. The
water of this spring is warm in winter; but in summer it is as cold as
ice. Before one dares drink of it, he prays to the water, else he may
bring illness on himself for irreverence.
In the olden days, one of the Bog Beings was pulled out of a bog and
carried to the camp. A special tepee was built for him. But so much
water flowed all around that the people were almost drowned. Then
those who were not drowned offered him food. He sat motionless, gazing
at them. But the food vanished before they could see it go; and no one
saw the Bog Being eat it.