From American Indian Myths and Legends, compiled by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, 1984, Pantheon Books, New York.ISBN 0-394-74018-1 (Pbk.)
There was a white man who was such a sharp trader that
nobody ever got the better of him. Or so the people said, until one
day a man told this wasichu: "There's someone who can outcheat you
anytime, anywhere."
"That's not possible," said the wasichu.
"I've had a trading post for many years and I've cheated all the Indians
around here."
"Even so, Coyote can beat you in any deal."
"Let's see whether he can. Where is Coyote?"
"Over there, that tricky-looking guy."
"Okay, all right, I'll try him."
The wasichu trader went over to Coyote. "Hey,
let's see you outsmart me."
"I'm sorry," said Coyote, "I'd like to help you out, but
I can't do it without my cheating medicine."
"Cheating medicine, hah! Go get it."
"I live miles from here and I'm on foot. But if
you'd lend me your fast horse?"
"Well, all right, you can borrow it. Go on home
and get your cheating medicine!"
"Well, friend, I'm a poor rider. Your horse is afraid
of me, and I'm afraid of him. Lend me your clothes; then your horse
will think that I am you."
"Well, all right. Here are my clothes; now you can
ride him. Go get that medicine. I'm sure I can beat it!"
So Coyote rode off with the wasichu's fast horse
and his fine clothes, while the wasichu stood there bare-assed.
-- Told at Grass Mountain, Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota, 1974.
