 Section 28 The Strange Tale of Karaboo and Moose Two widows lived side by side in the forest. Their husbands had long been dead. Each widow had a little boy. One boy was called Karaboo, the other was called Moose. One springtime the widows were gathering maple sap to make sugar. The two boys played at home. They talked of the great forest and decided to travel to see the big woods and the mountains far away. In the morning they set out on their journey. They walked all day and in the evening they came to a camp far away in the woods. The camp was that of the porcupines. The porcupines were kind to the boys and gave them food. In the morning they gave them new moccasins and told them the road to follow. The road they said had many giants. The boys travelled all day without mishap. At last they came to the edge of the wood where the giants lived. Here they met a woman. She was half Indian for her mother was an Indian woman who had been carried off by a giant. Her mother had long been dead. The woman they met knew that the boys were of her mother's people and she treated them kindly. She told them that ahead of them were three great giants they would have to overcome before they could pass on their way. She gave them a box containing two dogs. The box was very small. It could be hidden in one hand. The dogs were no bigger than a fly but when they were rubbed with the hand they grew very large and very cross. And the more they were rubbed the larger and crosser they became. The dogs were to be used she said to defeat the first giant. Then the woman told them of the second giant. She said he was very terrible and that his head was covered with great toads, the poison of which would kill anyone who touched them. She told them that the giant would ask them to kill a toad because it hurt his head hoping thereby to poison them. She warned them not to touch it and she gave them some cranberries and told them to crush the cranberries in their hands when the giant made his request and the noise would make the giant think they were crushing the poisonous toad. Then she told them of the third giant and she gave them a knife with which to overcome him. It was a very wonderful knife that could not be turned aside from anything it attacked. Then the boys went on their way. Soon they saw the first giant standing by the side of the path. He rushed at them as if to kill them but they opened their magic box and took out the dogs. They rubbed them until they grew very large and cross and when the giant came near they let them loose. The dogs soon killed the giant and the boys went on their way leaving the dogs to go back to the woman who gave them. Soon they came to the second giant. He was very ugly and terrible and he had long hair covered with toads. He met the boys kindly hoping to deceive them. Then just as the woman had told them he said, something hurt my head. Do you see what it is? And they said, yes it is a great toad. Kill it, said the giant. Then the boys put their hands close to his head and crushed the cranberries the woman had given them and the giant thought the noise was that of the crushing of the toad. The boys then went on their way. The giant was well pleased for he thought they would drop dead very soon because of the poison and that next day he would find them and have a good meal. Soon the boys came to the third giant. He was very terrible and he attacked them at once but one of the boys drew the magic knife and plunged it into the giant's breast. The giant could not turn it aside. It pierced his heart and he fell dead. Then the boys knew that they were safe. The next morning the boys decided to separate and to go each his own way. Moose went north and caribou went south. By and by Moose came to a tent where it dwelt a woman with one daughter. The daughter wished to be married but her mother was jealous of her daughter's charms and she killed every suitor who wooed her daughter. Her mother had the power of a witch which he had received from the evil spirit of the forest. The daughter loved Moose when she saw him. She warned him that her mother would try to kill him. Moose asked the mother if he might have the daughter as his wife and the mother said yes but first you must do whatever I bid you. To this Moose agreed. When he went to bed the daughter warned him to be on his guard. The mother put a thick skin over him for a blanket covering him all up. Then she went to get another saying that it was a cold night. Moose knew he would soon smother without air under the thick skins when she piled them over him and while she was gone he cut a hole through the skin with his magic knife so that his nose would go through it. The woman came back with other skins and uncovered him with a great many but in each skin Moose cut a hole over his nose so that he might get air. The woman left him believing that he would smother in the night for she did not want her daughter to wed but Moose breathed freely and slept soundly. The next morning the woman uncovered him thinking that he was dead but Moose said he had slept well. The woman wondered greatly and resolved upon another plan to kill him. A great tree grew near the tent. It was hemlock and bigger than a haystack at the bottom. It had thick bark which was loose at the top. The woman gave Moose a long pole and told him to knock down the bark. Moose took the pole and knocked a piece off but as it fell he jumped from under it for he could jump far. The heavy bark fell with a great crash. Then he knocked off all the bark until the tree was stripped but he was unharmed. The woman wondered greatly. She resolved upon another plan to kill him. The next day she took Moose to an island far off the coast. There were no trees on the island. They left their canoe on the beach and walked inland. The woman said wait here a while I will come back soon. Then she went back to the beach. She took the canoe and paddled home leaving Moose behind. Now she said he will starve for he cannot get off the island and there is nothing there to eat. When Moose came back to the beach after waiting a long while he saw the canoe a mere speck on the water far away. He was much troubled for he thought that now he would surely die and he cried loudly. But the seagulls flying above the beach heard his cries and two large gulls came down to him. They told him not to cry for they would save him. One went to each side of him and told him to take hold and hang on. So he put an arm around each gull's neck and they rose into the air with him and flew over the sea. Moose was very frightened when he looked down at the water. But the gulls took him home safely. He sat a long time on the beach and then the woman came paddling her canoe from the island. When she reached the land Moose said what kept you so long? I've been waiting for you a long time. But he did not tell her how he had come home. The woman was so surprised she did not know what to say. But she resolved upon another plan to kill him. The next day she invited Moose to a wrestling match on a high hill. The hill was full of stones. Moose decided that to save his own life he must kill the woman because he had had enough of her treachery. They wrestled and Moose let the woman throw him down. But because he was agile he saved himself from a great fall. He let her throw him a second time. But again he was unharmed to her great surprise. The contest was three falls. The woman was sure she could kill him the third time. But the third time Moose threw her down so hard that her back was broken on the stones. Then he tossed her high in the air and she fell so hard that she was broken in pieces. Moose was then free from danger. He married the woman's daughter but he was not very happy. The daughter was like her mother and caused him trouble for she was often very wicked. She was a great fisher and went often to the streams to fish. She could go under the water and stay a long time and bring up fish in her hands. One night in winter she went down through a hole in the ice to fish. It was very cold and while she was down the hole froze over and she could not get out. She called to Moose to break the ice but Moose was glad to be rid of her and he would not let her out. So she was drowned in the stream. Moose never married again and ever afterwards he lived a lonely life. He did not like company anymore. That is why he is usually seen by himself and why he usually travels alone in the forest. But caribou on the other hand likes company and that is why he is usually seen with five or six others of his kind and why he seldom travels alone. End of section 28, recording by Sean Michael Hogan, St. John's Newfoundland, Canada. Section 29 of Canadian Wonder Tales. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Canadian Wonder Tales by Cyrus McMillan. Section 29, Jack and His Wonderful Hen. Jack lived with his parents in a remote part of Canada. He had no brothers or sisters. His parents were very poor and their only possession was a goat that supplied them with milk. When the boy grew up he decided to go out into the world and earn something to make his parents more comfortable in their old age. So one day he said, I am going far away to look for work that you may be able to buy better food. His parents did not want him to go for he was their one source of happiness, but he would not listen to their pleading. With no money and something of a heavy heart he went on his way. It was summer in the land and when he came out of the forest into the open country he saw people in the meadows making hay. Soon he came to a very large farm where a number of men were busy. He asked the man in charge for work. The man said, How long do you want to work? Jack answered, A week. The man hired him and he went to work. He was a great worker and in a week he had done as much as one of the other men could do in a year. The man was pleased with his work. At the end of the week Jack asked for his wages. The man gave him a little money in part payment and an old hen for the other part. Jack was very cross. He said, I don't want a hen. I want money. Little good an old hen can do me. But the man would not give him more money. He said, The hen will lay eggs for you. She will lay two dozen eggs a day, an egg every hour. So Jack with much disgust took the old hen for he could do no better and went home. His parents were glad to see him again and to get the money he had earned. But they laughed at his old hen. But at the end of a day when she had laid two dozen eggs they were well pleased. In a week Jack said, I am going away again to earn more money. This time his parents were not troubled. They knew he could take care of himself. He said, I will take the old hen with me and sell her for a great price. So one morning he set out. He went through the forest with his old hen under his arm. He passed again by the meadows where men and women were making hay but he did not ask for work. As he passed the people looked at his hen and laughed but he went along unheeding. He soon came to the town where the senior lived and he went to a house where he got food and lodging for himself and his old hen. He left the hen there and went to the senior's house. He told the senior that he had a wonderful bird and offered to sell her to him. Go and bring me the bird, said the senior. But when Jack brought the old hen to him the senior was very angry. Little good an old hen like that will do me, he said. But when Jack told him that she could lay twenty-four eggs a day he said, if that is true you may have your price. We will keep her for a day and test your word. So they locked the old hen up for a day. At the end of that time she had laid twenty-four eggs and the senior wondered greatly. He said, how much do you want for your hen? Jack answered, whatever you wish to pay me. The senior gave him much money and Jack well pleased with his bargain went home. His parents were glad to have him back and to get the money he had got for the old hen they began to live very comfortably. At the end of a few weeks Jack decided to go away again. He said, let me take the old goat and sell her. We can do without her milk. He thought that since he had sold the hen so well he could make a good sale of the goat. His parents agreed to his wishes. So one morning he tied ribbons and flowers around the old goat's head and covered her with a many-colored blanket and set out leading her behind him. He went along through the forest. It was harvest time and he passed great farms where reapers were busy cutting yellow grain but he did not ask for work. The people all looked with wonder at his goat as he passed but he spoke to no one. Soon he came to the town where the senior lived. He brought his goat to the senior and offered to sell her to him and the senior gave him much money for her. Then she was placed in a yard with the senior as other animals. The yard was always guarded by two keepers. Jack decided not to go home at once. He planned to steal the goat back and take her home. Then he would have the goat and much money too. So he bought a large quantity of food, put it in a basket and carried it to the animal yard. When the two keepers saw him coming they ran to him to send him away for no one else was allowed at night near the yard. But Jack said, the night is long and cool. The senior sent me to you with this basket of food. The keepers were well pleased with the food and they sat down and had a good meal. They ate until they were full. Jack said, if you want to sleep for an hour I will watch. I like to sit in the moonlight. The harvest moon was full and the night was as bright as day. The two keepers thanked Jack for his kindness and lay down on some straw and were soon fast asleep because of their hearty meal. Jack waited until they were sound asleep. Then he took the old goat and walked quietly away, leading her behind him. The town was all asleep. There was not a sound anywhere. Soon he reached the open country without meeting anyone and passed by rich harvest fields until he came to the forest. Then he followed the forest path into the bright moonlight and reached his home before morning. His parents were glad to see him again so soon and to get his money. But when he told them that he had sold the old goat and stole on her back they were very angry and his father said, no good can come of it. The old goat will bring you to a sad end. After a few days Jack decided to set out again to seek his fortune. He took the stolen goat with him. Before he was out of the forest he came upon a man camped in a green place under the trees. The man asked him who he was. Jack said, I am a servant of the senior. I take care of his beautiful goats. He gave me this one for myself. The man liked the goat very much and asked Jack what he would take for her. But Jack said he would not sell her. Then Jack asked him who he was. The man said, I am a robber. If you will come with me we will soon be very rich. So Jack agreed to join him. They went along together for some days but the robber always had his eye on the goat. One night as they slept on the bank of a stream the robber killed Jack with a blow and threw his body into the river. He wanted his goat. Then he took the old goat and went on his way. Before Jack's stolen goat had brought him to a sad end. End of Section 29. Recording by Sean Michael Hogan, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Section 30. The Strange Tale of Woodpecker and Bluejay. A sister and brother lived alone in a house in the forest. Their father and mother were dead. The boy had a strange magic power which had been given to him by his parents. The two children loved each other very deeply. The brother cared well for his sister and protected her from all danger. He knew that the forest had many evil creatures who would be glad to carry off his sister if they could. The brother often went far away to hunt. He was often gone for many days. When he went away he always said to his sister, Keep the door barred while I am gone and do not speak to anyone. Then he went his way into the woods. The sister forgot her brother's warning. It was a hot day and she opened the door for air. Soon Otter appeared at the door. The girl spoke to him and he came in. Otter spoke to her but she remembered the warning of her brother and she would speak no more. Otter talked and asked her questions but she would not answer. Then Otter became very angry. He determined to make her speak. He caught her roughly and pulled down her hair. Her hair was very long and beautiful and as black as the raven's wing. He dragged her by the hair to the fire as if he would burn her and said, You will speak. You will speak or I will kill you. But she would not speak. Then he cut off her hair hoping that she would cry out but still she refused to utter a sound. Then he ate her food. He ate everything in the house for he was a great eater but still she said not a word of protest. Then Otter went away in disgust and rage babbling loudly as he went. But just as Otter left the house, the girl's brother was coming home. He saw Otter through the trees and he knew that harm had been done. He came to the house and through the door he saw his sister with her hair cut short. When he came in he asked her what was the matter. She told him what had happened. He was very cross and he scolded her for leaving the door open and for speaking to Otter. He said, You did not heed my warning. Why did you not run out when Otter came in? But the girl said, It would have done no good. He would have followed me and caught me. And the man said, Why did you not wish for me? For each had power to bring the other home at once by a wish. But his sister said, I was so frightened I did not think of it. Why do you cry? the brother asked. Because he hurt me, she answered, and because he cut off my beautiful hair. Then the brother took pity on her. He comforted her and said, Do not cry for that. I will make your hair grow beautiful again. But your good name is lost. You can never get that back. You have disobeyed my orders. You have talked to a wicked man. Then he dressed his sister in good clothes and washed and combed her hair. And as he combed it, it grew longer and longer and more beautiful than before. And the girl was comforted. Then he made paint from roots. He made red paint and blue paint. And he painted her face and head red, and painted his own face and head blue. Then he watched for Otter that he might take vengeance. Soon he saw Otter going to the lake to fish. Otter went down under the water. The brother went to the shore of the lake and sang his magic song. And at once the lake froze over. Otter felt the cold underneath the water and he came up in great haste. He bumped his head on the ice and broke the ice. Then he stuck his head through the hole to see what had happened. But as he looked the water froze around his neck and he could get neither under the ice nor upon it. He was held fast, and the brother killed him by breaking his head with a stout stick. Then the brother went home and told his sister that he had taken vengeance and had killed Otter. And he said, Now you and I must part. His sister cried and pleaded to be forgiven. But he said, We must part. We cannot dwell longer among our people. They know you have disobeyed me and have done evil. Then they said good-bye. And the brother said, You go south-west. I will go northeast. And soon we shall be changed from what we are. Then they parted and went in different ways, as he had said. And at once by his magic power they were changed and she became a woodpecker and he became a blue-jay. And her head is still red because of the paint he put on her, and he is still blue because of the paint he put on himself. But although they parted, they are still mindful of each other. She always taps on the trees to let her brother know that she is still alive. And he calls, I am here, I am here, to let her know that he still lives. But he keeps more to the north country, and often in the autumn when the other birds fly south, he remains behind to spend the winter in the north. End of Section 30, recording by Sean Michael Hogan, St. John's Newfoundland, Canada. Section 31 of Canadian Wonder Tales. Three brothers lived with their mother in the forest. They had no sisters, their father was dead and their mother was an invalid. The youngest boy was very stupid and silly, he was always doing foolish things, and he could never be trusted to do anything in the right way. His two brothers provided for the home and worked to get food and clothing for themselves and their mother. While they were away, the youngest boy was left in charge of the house and his sick mother. But each night when the two older boys came home, they found that their brother had made many mistakes during the day. Sometimes he gave all the food in the house away to beggars, so they often beat him, but his mother always said, he will do better yet. His brothers were more cruel to him each day. One day when they were away, an old woman came to the door and asked for food and clothing. The boy worked hard to give her what she asked for, but when his brothers came home they only beat him for his pains. That night the boy ran away from home. He decided that he would endure his brother's cruelty no longer, so he went into the forest with a sad heart and slept under the trees. In the morning the old woman to whom he had given food the day before came along. He was crying bitterly for he was hungry and cold. She asked him why he cried and he told her of his brother's cruelty. Never mind, she said, we will bring happiness out of your sorrow. She gave him a little wand and told him to carry it with him always and that it would bring him good fortune. Then she told him to go back home and that all would be well. So he put the magic stick under his coat and went home. He reached home early and his brothers and mother did not know he had been away. Before they went away to work his brothers told him to look after the pigs all day. Soon after they had gone a rich drover came along wanting to buy pigs. The boy said he would sell all he had for a good sum. He first cut off the pigs' tails and placed them in a heap. He sold the pigs to the man and gave them money to his mother. Then he took the tails and went to the swamp near the river and stuck them in the mud. When his brothers came home they asked about the pigs. The boy said they had run to the swamp and had sunk into the mud. The brothers went to the swamp and there were the tails sticking up from the mire. They pulled each one and each tail came up. The brothers thought the tails had broken off and that the pigs were sunk in the mud and they were very angry at the boy. The next day they decided to drown him and thus get rid of him. So they placed him in a bag and brought him to the river when the tide was out and the beach was bare. They dug a hole far out in the sand and buried him. They thought the tide would come in over the hole and drown him. When they had gone away the boy waved his wand and at once the pigs he had sold to the drover came grunting over the sand. He called to them to root up the mud where he lay and he promised them good food if they would obey him. So they rooted in the sand until the bag was uncovered. Then he kicked a hole in the bag and crawled out. He killed a pig, placed it in the bag, and buried it. Soon the tide came in and covered the hole and the boy hid near his home all night. The next day when the tide was out and the beach was bare again the brothers went down to the spot where they had buried the boy. They wanted to dig him up and bury him in a better place. But when they dug up the bag and opened it they found only a dead pig. They went home in great wonder but when they reached the house the boy was sitting on the doorstep laughing at them. Then they decided to try again to kill him. They placed him in a strong bag and set out with him to a high waterfall. They planned to throw the bag into the river above the falls and he would be dashed to pieces on the rocks as he was carried over. As they went along they were hungry and at noon they left the bag on the side of the road and went into a place to eat. While they were eating the rich drover who had bought the pigs came along driving a herd of cattle and a flock of sheep. He gave the bag a kick as he passed. The boy called to him and he stopped and asked what he was doing in the bag. The boy said, my brothers and I are going on a robbing tour. They hide me in the bag and leave me where much money can be taken. No one else knows that I am in the bag and it will never be found out where the money has gone. The drover said he would like to go along too. But the boy said, my brothers will not let you. But you and I can work together unknown to them. You take my place in the bag and I will follow at a distance. My cruel brothers will not know and when you have taken the money I will let you out and we will run away together. So the drover took the boy's place in the bag. The boy told him not to utter a sound. Then he ran away and found the drover's cattle and took charge of them. Soon his brothers came out of the eating-place. They gave the bag a kick and thought that the boy was still in it. Then they went on their way. When they came to a spot above the waterfall, they tossed the bag far out into the stream. It was carried over the falls and the poor drover was never seen again. Meanwhile the boy had sold all the drover's cattle and sheep. He went home with a large sum of money and gave it to his mother. When his brothers arrived home he met them at the door and laughed at them. Then his brothers decided to make no further attempt to kill him, for they saw that it would be of no use. They asked him to let them join him, for they knew that in some way he had received strange power. So the three set out one morning together. As they went along through the forest a band of robbers fell upon them and killed the two brothers. But because of his wand the boy escaped. That night he came upon the robber's house. The robbers were sitting inside counting out their money. The boy went in with his wand and killed them all. He took their money and went home to his mother. Then he went back to the forest and roused his two brothers from their death sleep. And they all went home and lived happily and comfortably ever afterwards. End of Section 31. Canadian Wonder Tales by Cyrus McMillan. Section 32. The Blackfoot and the Bear. One summer long ago, when the Blackfeet Indians roamed freely over the Canadian plains, the son of one of the chiefs decided to go off alone to seek adventure. He wanted to be a great man like his father, and he thought he could never become great if he always stayed at home. He said to his father, I am going away far to the west, beyond the mountains. I have heard that our Indian enemies who live there have many fine horses. I will bring some of their horses back to you. His father loved his son well, for he was his only child. He knew that it would be a very dangerous journey, and he tried to persuade his son not to go. But the boy said, have no fear for me. If I do not come back before the frost is on the prairies, do not be worried about me. But if I do not come before the snow lies deep on the plains, then you will know that I have gone forever and that I shall never come back. His father knew that only by attempting dangerous deeds and doing hard tasks could his son become great. And although he was loath to see him go, he said goodbye and wished him good luck. It was summer in the north country when the boys set out. He took a number of companions with him. They travelled towards the great water in the west, and in a few days they passed through the foothills and then beyond the mountains. Soon they came to a great river. They saw the trail of Indians along the bank. They followed the trail for many days, and at last in the distance they saw the camps of their enemies. Then they stopped where they would be hidden from their enemy's sight. That night a new summer moon was shining in the sky, and by its light they could see many horses around the distant camp. The moon disappeared early. When it had gone and the night was quite dark, the young man went to the camp to get the horses. He went alone and told his comrades to wait for him. Soon he came back, driving many horses. But his enemies had hurt him driving the horses, and they set out in pursuit of him. When he reached his own camp he called to his comrades to ride for their lives. All night they rode with their horses. When morning broke the fleeing blackfeet could see the dust of their pursuers far behind them. For days they rode with their enemies not far away. They passed at last through the mountains and out again into the rolling foothills. The planes were before them, and already they could feel the wind of the prairies. They thought they were now safe. But their pursuers slowly but surely gained on them. Soon they were close upon them, and a shower of arrows told the blackfeet that they would have to fight. The blackfeet saw on the trail ahead of them a lonely pine tree. It was surrounded by scrubby trees and shrubs. To this spot they fled. They dug a pit and tried to defend themselves, but their pursuers surrounded the spot and shot their arrows into it. All the young chief's comrades were soon killed, and one night came on he alone remained alive. He was wounded and weary, but he lay silent in the pit. Then his pursuers built fires all around the place where he lay to prevent his escape and to drive him out of his hiding place. As the fires crept closer the young man thought that he must surely die. Then he prayed to the spirit of the storm that rain might fall, and he used all the charms he carried with him to try to bring rain. Soon a heavy rain began to fall and the fires were put out. The night became very dark, for the sky was covered with storm clouds. In the darkness the young man crawled through the trees and soon reached the open plain. He crawled north into the foothills and hid in a cave in the hills. He covered the front of the cave with grass and boughs and lay hidden out of sight. For many days and nights he lay there waiting for his wounds to heal. At night he crawled out and gathered berries and roots for food. But his wounds did not heal rapidly. He grew weaker and weaker, and at last he was unable to leave the cave. He waited for death. He thought of his home far away to the southeast and of his people's fear and worry for him, for the snow would soon be deep on the plains. One day when the snow was falling and he knew that winter had come, he heard footsteps outside the cave. He thought that an enemy had found him. The footsteps drew nearer and soon a huge form appeared at the door. It was not an Indian but a bear. The young man knew then that the cave was the bear's winter home. He thought that the bear would eat him. But the bear only sniffed and smelled him all over. The man said, Are you going to kill me or to help me? The bear said, I will help you. I will take you home to your people. We will start in a few days. Then the bear licked the man's wounds. The man said he was very hungry and the bear said he would go out and get food. So he went off and soon came back with a grouse in his mouth. The man ate the grouse and felt better. Each day the bear brought him food and licked his wounds so that they healed. At last one morning the bear said, Today I must take you home. Get on my back and hold on tight and I will soon carry you to your people. So the man climbed up on the bear's back and held on tight to his long hair. And the bear trotted off towards the man's home. For many days he ran over the plains. Each night he rested and caught food to feed himself and the man. At last they came one night to the top of a ridge in the plains. From here as the young man looked he could see not far away the camps of his people near a broad winding river. The bear said, Now you see your homeland. We shall camp here tonight. Tomorrow you must go on alone and I shall go back to the hills. So in the morning the bear got ready to go back. He said, The snow is lying deep on the hills. I must hurry and find a den for the winter. The man was sorry to see him go. He said, You have been very kind to me. Can I do anything for you in return for your kindness? And the bear answered, You can do one thing for me. Tell your people what I have done for you. And tell them never to kill a bear that has gone to its den for the winter. Tell them always to give a bear a chance to fight or to run for his life. Then the bear said good-bye and trotted away towards his winter home in the distant hills. And the man walked on to his people on the plains. He told his people of his adventures and what the bear had done for him. And since that day the black feet of the Canadian plains will not kill a bear that has gone to its den for the winter. They still remember the favour asked by the bear in return for his kindness to their ancestor in the old days. Three little boys were hunting in the Canadian woods in old times. They pretended to be big like men. A giant was prowling about looking for food. He saw the boys through the trees. He thought he would catch them and have a good meal. So he slapped his hands together rapidly and made a noise like a partridge drumming. The little boys heard the noise. They thought it was a partridge and they went towards the sound. The giant caught them. He picked each one by the heels and struck the head of each on the ground. He thought they were all dead. Then he put them in a big birch bark bag, put it on his back and started home well pleased with the thought of the nice meal he was going to have. But the ground on which he had struck the boys' heads was soft. The boys were only stunned by the blow. And after the giant had walked a little way the boys came to life again. But they made no sound. One of the boys had a little hunting knife made of stone. The giant walked under the trees and the branches rattled on the birch bark bag. When the branches rattled the boy cut a hole in the bag and the giant could not hear the noise of the cutting. The boys slipped through the hole one after the other. Then they ran home as fast as they could. The giant was very strong. He had not felt the weight of the boys on his back and he did not notice a difference in the weight when they slipped out. When he reached home he left his load outside. One of his brothers was waiting for him. The giant said, I have a good fat meal outside in my bag. Come out and see it. When they opened the bag it was empty. The giant was very cross. But with his brother he sat before the fire to eat greedily what food he had in his cave. When the boys reached home they told their people what had happened to them. The people set out to find the giants. Soon they came to their cave. The giant and his brother were sleeping before the fire after their hearty meal. The people hid in the trees and shot at the giants. An arrow struck the old giant. He awoke and said to his brother, I have a stooch in my side. But soon a shower of arrows struck them and they fell dead. And the place was troubled no more by giants.