The remaining dog soon took the field.The brothers,at the onset,took the advice of the old man,and escaped through the opposite side of the lodge.They had not proceeded far before they heard the dying cry of one of the dogs,and soon after of the other.
'Well,'said the leader,'the old man will share their fate:so run;he will soon be after us.'They started with fresh vigor,for they had received food from the old man:but very soon the bear came in sight,and again was fast gaining upon them.Again the leader asked the brothers if they could do nothing for their safety.
All were silent.The leader,running forward,did as before.
'I dreamed,'he cried,'that,being in great trouble,an old man helped me who was a manito;we shall soon see his lodge.'
Taking courage,they still went on.After going a short distance they saw the lodge of the old manito.They entered immediately and claimed his protection,telling him a manito was after them.
The old man,setting meat before them,said:'Eat!who is a manito?there is no manito but me;there is none whom I fear;'and the earth trembled as the monster advanced.The old man opened the door and saw him coming.He shut it slowly,and said:
'Yes,my grandchildren,you have brought trouble upon me.'
Procuring his medicine-sack,he took out his small war-clubs of black stone,and told the young men to run through the other side of the lodge.As he handled the clubs,they became very large,and the old man stepped out just as the bear reached the door.
Then striking him with one of the clubs,it broke in pieces;the bear stumbled.Renewing the attempt with the other war-club,that also was broken,but the bear fell senseless.
Each blow the old man gave him sounded like a clap of thunder,and the howls of the bear ran along till they filled the heavens.
The young men had now run some distance,when they looked back.
They could see that the bear was recovering from the blows.
First he moved his paws,and soon they saw him rise on his feet.The old man shared the fate of the first,for they now heard his cries as he was torn in pieces.
Again the monster was in pursuit,and fast overtaking them.
Not yet discouraged,the young men kept on their way;but the bear was now so close,that the leader once more applied to his brothers,but they could do nothing.'Well,'said he,'my dreams will soon be exhausted;after this I have but one more.'
He advanced,invoking his guardian spirit to aid him.
'Once,'said he,'I dreamed that,being sorely pressed,I came to a large lake,on the shore of which was a canoe,partly out of water,having ten paddles all in readiness.Do not fear,'he cried,'we shall soon get it.'And so it was,even as he had said.
Coming to the lake,they saw the canoe with ten paddles,and immediately they embarked.Scarcely had they reached the center of the lake,when they saw the bear arrive at its borders.
Lifting himself on his hind legs,he looked all around.
Then he waded into the water;then losing his footing he turned back,and commenced making the circuit of the lake.Meantime the party remained stationary in the center to watch his movements.
He traveled all around,till at last he came to the place from whence he started.Then he commenced drinking up the water,and they saw the current fast setting in towards his open mouth.
The leader encouraged them to paddle hard for the opposite shore.
When only a short distance from land,the current had increased so much,that they were drawn back by it,and all their efforts to reach it were in vain.
Then the leader again spoke,telling them to meet their fates manfully.
'Now is the time,Mudjikewis,'said he,'to show your prowess.
Take courage and sit at the bow of the canoe;and when it approaches his mouth,try what effect your club will have on his head.'
He obeyed,and stood ready to give the blow;while the leader,who steered,directed the canoe for the open mouth of the monster.
Rapidly advancing,they were just about to enter his mouth,when Mudjikewis struck him a tremendous blow on the head,and gave the SAW-SAW-QUAN.
The bear's limbs doubled under him,and he fell,stunned by the blow.
But before Mudjikewis could renew it,the monster disgorged all the water he had drank,with a force which sent the canoe with great velocity to the opposite shore.Instantly leaving the canoe,again they fled,and on they went till they were completely exhausted.
The earth again shook,and soon they saw the monster hard after them.Their spirits drooped,and they felt discouraged.
The leader exerted himself,by actions and words,to cheer them up;and once more he asked them if they thought of nothing,or could do nothing for their rescue;and,as before,all were silent.
'Then,'he said,'this is the last time I can apply to my guardian spirit.
Now,if we do not succeed,our fates are decided.'He ran forward,invoking his spirit with great earnestness,and gave the yell.
'We shall soon arrive,'said he to his brothers,'at the place where my last guardian spirit dwells.In him I place great confidence.
Do not,do not be afraid,or your limbs will be fear-bound.We shall soon reach his lodge.Run,run,'he cried.
Returning now to Iamo,he had passed all the time in the same condition we had left him,the head directing his sister,in order to procure food,where to place the magic arrows,and speaking at long intervals.One day the sister saw the eyes of the head brighten,as if with pleasure.At last it spoke.
'Oh,sister,'it said,'in what a pitiful situation you have been the cause of placing me!Soon,very soon,a party of young men will arrive and apply to me for aid;but alas!
How can I give what I would have done with so much pleasure?
Nevertheless,take two arrows,and place them where you have been in the habit of placing the others,and have meat prepared and cooked before they arrive.When you hear them coming and calling on my name,go out and say,"Alas!it is long ago that an accident befell him.I was the cause of it."If they still come near,ask them in,and set meat before them.
