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.