Thentheswallowflewaway,andthechildren,whohadforgottenbothhungerandwearinessinthejoyofthisstrangenews,roseupandfollowedinthedirectionofherflight。Aftertwohours\'walking,theyarrivedatalargecity,whichtheyfeltsuremustbethecapitaloftheirfather\'skingdom。Seeingagood—naturedlookingwomanstandingatthedoorofahouse,theyaskedherifshewouldgivethemanight\'slodging,andshewassopleasedwiththeirprettyfacesandnicemannersthatshewelcomedthemwarmly。
Itwasscarcelylightthenextmorningbeforethegirlwassweepingouttherooms,andtheboywateringthegarden,sothatbythetimethegoodwomancamedownstairstherewasnothingleftforhertodo。Thissodelightedherthatshebeggedthechildrentostaywithheraltogether,andtheboyansweredthathewouldleavehissisterswithhergladly,butthathehimselfhadseriousbusinessonhandandmustnotlingerinpursuitofit。Sohebadethemfarewellandsetout。
Forthreedayshewanderedbythemostout—of—the—waypaths,butnosignsofatowerweretobeseenanywhere。Onthefourthmorningitwasjustthesame,and,filledwithdespair,heflunghimselfonthegroundunderatreeandhidhisfaceinhishands。Inalittlewhileheheardarustlingoverhishead,andlookingup,hesawaturtledovewatchinghimwithherbrighteyes。
\'Ohdove！\'criedtheboy,addressingthebirdinherownlanguage,\'Ohdove！tellme,Iprayyou,whereisthecastleofCome—and—never—go？\'
\'Poorchild,\'answeredthedove,\'whohassentyouonsuchauselessquest？\'
\'Mygoodorevilfortune,\'repliedtheboy,\'Iknownotwhich。\'
\'Togetthere,\'saidthedove,\'youmustfollowthewind,whichto—dayisblowingtowardsthecastle。\'
Theboythankedher,andfollowedthewind,fearingallthetimethatitmightchangeitsdirectionandleadhimastray。Butthewindseemedtofeelpityforhimandblewsteadilyon。
Witheachstepthecountrybecamemoreandmoredreary,butatnightfallthechildcouldseebehindthedarkandbarerockssomethingdarkerstill。Thiswasthetowerinwhichdweltthewitch;andseizingtheknockerhegavethreeloudknocks,whichwereechoedinthehollowsoftherocksaround。
Thedooropenedslowly,andthereappearedonthethresholdanoldwomanholdingupacandletoherface,whichwassohideousthattheboyinvoluntarilysteppedbackwards,almostasfrightenedbythetroopoflizards,beetlesandsuchcreaturesthatsurroundedher,asbythewomanherself。
\'Whoareyouwhodaretoknockatmydoorandwakeme？\'criedshe。\'Bequickandtellmewhatyouwant,oritwillbetheworseforyou。\'
\'Madam,\'answeredthechild,\'IbelievethatyoualoneknowthewaytothecastleofCome—and—never—go,andIprayyoutoshowittome。\'
\'Verygood,\'repliedthewitch,withsomethingthatshemeantforasmile,\'butto—dayitislate。To—morrowyoushallgo。Nowenter,andyoushallsleepwithmylizards。\'
\'Icannotstay,\'saidhe。\'Imustgobackatonce,soastoreachtheroadfromwhichIstartedbeforedaydawns。\'
\'IfItellyou,willyoupromisemethatyouwillbringmethisjarfullofthemany—colouredwaterfromthespringinthecourt—yardofthecastle？\'askedshe。\'IfyoufailtokeepyourwordIwillchangeyouintoalizardforever。\'
\'Ipromise,\'answeredtheboy。
Thentheoldwomancalledtoaverythindog,andsaidtohim:
\'ConductthispigofachildtothecastleofCome—and—never—go,andtakecarethatyouwarnmyfriendofhisarrival。\'Andthedogaroseandshookitself,andsetout。
Attheendoftwohourstheystoppedinfrontofalargecastle,bigandblackandgloomy,whosedoorsstoodwideopen,althoughneithersoundnorlightgavesignofanypresencewithin。Thedog,however,seemedtoknowwhattoexpect,and,afterawildhowl,wenton;buttheboy,whowasuncertainwhetherthiswasthequarterofanhourwhenthegiantwasasleep,hesitatedtofollowhim,andpausedforamomentunderawildolivethatgrewnearby,theonlytreewhichhehadbeheldsincehehadpartedfromthedove。\'Oh,heaven,helpme！\'criedhe。
\'Cross！cross！\'answeredavoice。
Theboyleaptforjoyasherecognisedthenoteoftheowlofwhichtheswallowhadspoken,andhesaidsoftlyinthebird\'slanguage:
\'Oh,wiseowl,Iprayyoutoprotectandguideme,forIhavecomeinsearchoftheBirdofTruth。AndfirstImustfillthisfarwiththemany—colouredwaterinthecourtyardofthecastle。\'
\'Donotdothat,\'answeredtheowl,\'butfillthejarfromthespringwhichbubblesclosebythefountainwiththemany—colouredwater。
Afterwards,gointotheaviaryoppositethegreatdoor,butbecarefulnottotouchanyofthebright—plumagedbirdscontainedinit,whichwillcrytoyou,eachone,thatheistheBirdofTruth。Chooseonlyasmallwhitebirdthatishiddeninacorner,whichtheotherstryincessantlytokill,notknowingthatitcannotdie。And,bequick！——foratthisverymomentthegianthasfallenasleep,andyouhaveonlyaquarterofanhourtodoeverything。\'
Theboyranasfastashecouldandenteredthecourtyard,wherehesawthetwospringclosetogether。Hepassedbythemany—colouredwaterwithoutcastingaglanceatit,andfilledthejarfromthefountainwhosewaterwasclearandpure。Henexthastenedtotheaviary,andwasalmostdeafenedbytheclamourthatroseasheshutthedoorbehindhim。Voicesofpeacocks,voicesofravens,voicesofmagpies,eachclaimingtobetheBirdofTruth。Withsteadfastfacetheboywalkedbythemall,tothecorner,where,hemmedinbyahandoffiercecrows,wasthesmallwhitebirdhesought。Puttinghersafelyinhisbreast,hepassedout,followedbythescreamsofthebirdsofBadFaithwhichheleftbehindhim。
Onceoutside,heranwithoutstoppingtothewitch\'stower,andhandedtotheoldwomanthejarshehadgivenhim。
\'Becomeaparrot！\'criedshe,flingingthewateroverhim。Butinsteadoflosinghisshape,assomanyhaddonebefore,heonlygrewtentimeshandsomer;forthewaterwasenchantedforgoodandnotill。Thenthecreepingmultitudearoundthewitchhastenedtorollthemselvesinthewater,andstoodup,humanbeingsagain。
Whenthewitchsawwhatwashappening,shetookabroomstickandflewaway。
Whocanguessthedelightofthesisteratthesightofherbrother,bearingtheBirdofTruth？Butalthoughtheboyhadaccomplishedmuch,somethingverydifficultyetremained,andthatwashowtocarrytheBirdofTruthtothekingwithoutherbeingseizedbythewickedcourtiers,whowouldberuinedbythediscoveryoftheirplot。
Soon——nooneknewhow——thenewsspreadabroadthattheBirdofTruthwashoveringroundthepalace,andthecourtiersmadeallsortsofpreparationstohinderherreachingtheking。
Theygotreadyweaponsthatweresharpened,andweaponsthatwerepoisoned;theysentforeaglesandfalconstohuntherdown,andconstructedcagesandboxesinwhichtoshutherupiftheywerenotabletokillher。Theydeclaredthatherwhiteplumagewasreallyputontohideherblackfeathers——infacttherewasnothingtheydidnotdoinordertopreventthekingfromseeingthebirdorfrompayingattentiontoherwordsifhedid。
Asoftenhappensinthesecases,thecourtiersbroughtaboutthatwhichtheyfeared。TheytalkedsomuchabouttheBirdofTruththatatlastthekingheardofit,andexpressedawishtoseeher。Themoredifficultiesthatwereputinhiswaythestrongergrewhisdesire,andintheendthekingpublishedaproclamationthatwhoeverfoundtheBirdofTruthshouldbringhertohimwithoutdelay。
Assoonashesawthisproclamationtheboycalledhissister,andtheyhastenedtothepalace。Thebirdwasbuttonedinsidehistunic,but,asmighthavebeenexpected,thecourtiersbarredtheway,andtoldthechildthathecouldnotenter。Itwasinvainthattheboydeclaredthathewasonlyobeyingtheking\'scommands;thecourtiersonlyrepliedthathismajestywasnotyetoutofbed,anditwasforbiddentowakehim。
Theywerestilltalking,when,suddenly,thebirdsettledthequestionbyflyingupwardsthroughanopenwindowintotheking\'sownroom。
Alightingonthepillow,closetotheking\'shead,shebowedrespectfully,andsaid:
\'Mylord,IamtheBirdofTruthwhomyouwishedtosee,andIhavebeenobligedtoapproachyouinthemannerbecausetheboywhobroughtmeiskeptoutofthepalacebyyourcourtiers。\'
\'Theyshallpayfortheirinsolence,\'saidtheking。Andheinstantlyorderedoneofhisattendantstoconducttheboyatoncetohisapartments;andinamomentmoretheprinceentered,holdinghissisterbythehand。
\'Whoareyou？\'askedtheking;\'andwhathastheBirdofTruthtodowithyou？\'
\'Ifitpleaseyourmajesty,theBirdofTruthwillexplainthatherself,\'answeredtheboy。
Andthebirddidexplain;andthekingheardforthefirsttimeofthewickedplotthathadbeensuccessfulforsomanyyears。Hetookhischildreninhisarms,withtearsinhiseyes,andhurriedoffwiththemtothetowerinthemountainswherethequeenwasshutup。Thepoorwomanwasaswhiteasmarble,forshehadbeenlivingalmostindarkness;butwhenshesawherhusbandandchildren,thecolourcamebacktoherface,andshewasasbeautifulasever。
Theyallreturnedinstatetothecity,wheregreatrejoicingswereheld。Thewickedcourtiershadtheirheadscutoff,andalltheirpropertywastakenaway。Asforthegoodoldcouple,theyweregivenrichesandhonour,andwerelovedandcherishedtotheendoftheirlives。
[FromCuentos,OracionesyAdivinas,porFernanCaballero。]
TheMinkandtheWolfInabigforestinthenorthofAmericalivedaquantityofwildanimalsofallsorts。Theywerealwaysverypolitewhentheymet;but,inspiteofthat,theykeptaclosewatchoneupontheother,aseachwasafraidofbeingkilledandeatenbysomebodyelse。Buttheirmannersweresogoodthatnoonewouldeverhadguessedthat。
Onedayasmartyoungwolfwentouttohunt,promisinghisgrandfatherandgrandmotherthathewouldbesuretobebackbeforebedtime。Hetrottedalongquitehappilythroughtheforesttillhecametoafavouriteplaceofhis,justwheretheriverrunsintothesea。There,justashehadhoped,hesawthechiefminkfishinginacanoe。
\'Iwanttofishtoo,\'criedthewolf。Buttheminksaidnothingandpretendednottohear。
\'Iwishyouwouldtakemeintoyourboat！\'shoutedthewolf,louderthanbefore,andhecontinuedtobeseechtheminksolongthatatlasthegrewtiredofit,andpaddledtotheshorecloseenoughforthewolftojumpin。
\'Sitdownquietlyatthatendorweshallbeupset,\'saidthemink;
\'andifyoucareaboutsea—urchins\'eggs,youwillfindplentyinthatbasket。Butbesureyoueatonlythewhiteones,fortheredoneswouldkillyou。\'
Sothewolf,whowasalwayshungry,begantoeattheeggsgreedily;andwhenhehadfinishedhetoldtheminkhethoughthewouldhaveanap。
\'Well,then,stretchyourselfout,andrestyourheadonthatpieceofwood,\'saidthemink。Andthewolfdidashewasbid,andwassoonfastasleep。Thentheminkcreptuptohimandstabbedhimtotheheartwithhisknife,andhediedwithoutmoving。Afterthathelandedonthebeach,skinnedthewolf,andtakingtheskintohiscottage,hehungitupbeforethefiretodry。
Notmanydayslaterthewolf\'sgrandmother,who,withthehelpofherrelations,hadbeensearchingforhimeverywhere,enteredthecottagetobuysomesea—urchins\'eggs,andsawtheskin,whichsheatonceguessedtobethatofhergrandson。
\'Iknewhewasdead——Iknewit！Iknewit！\'shecried,weepingbitterly,tilltheminktoldherrudelythatifshewantedtomakesomuchnoiseshehadbetterdoitoutsideashelikedtobequiet。So,half—blindedbyhertears,theoldwomanwenthomethewayshehadcome,andrunninginatthedoor,sheflungherselfdowninfrontofthefire。
\'Whatareyoucryingfor？\'askedtheoldwolfandsomefriendswhohadbeenspendingtheafternoonwithhim。
\'Ishallneverseemygrandsonanymore！\'answeredshe。\'Minkhaskilledhim,oh！oh！\'Andputtingherheaddown,shebegantoweepasloudlyasever。
\'There！there！\'saidherhusband,layinghispawonhershoulder。\'Becomforted;ifheISdead,wewillavengehim。\'Andcallingtotheotherstheyproceededtotalkoverthebestplan。Ittookthemalongtimetomakeuptheirminds,asonewolfproposedonethingandoneanother;butatlastitwasagreedthattheoldwolfshouldgiveagreatfeastinhishouse,andthattheminkshouldbeinvitedtotheparty。Andinorderthatnotimeshouldbelostitwasfurtheragreedthateachwolfshouldbeartheinvitationstothegueststhatlivednearesttohim。
Nowthewolvesthoughttheywereverycunning,buttheminkwasmorecunningstill;andthoughhesentamessagebyawhitehare,thatwasgoingthatway,sayingheshouldbedelightedtobepresent,hedeterminedthathewouldtakehisprecautions。Sohewenttoamousewhohadoftendonehimagoodturn,andgreetedherwithhisbestbow。
\'Ihaveafavourtoaskofyou,friendmouse,\'saidhe,\'andifyouwillgrantitIwillcarryyouonmybackeverynightforaweektothepatchofmaizerightupthehill。\'
\'Thefavourismine,\'answeredthemouse。\'TellmewhatitisthatI
canhavethehonourofdoingforyou。\'
\'Oh,somethingquiteeasy,\'repliedthemink。\'Ionlywantyou——betweento—dayandthenextfullmoon——tognawthroughthebowsandpaddlesofthewolfpeople,sothatdirectlytheyusethemtheywillbreak。Butofcourseyoumustmanageitsothattheynoticenothing。\'
\'Ofcourse,\'answeredthemouse,\'nothingiseasier;butasthefullmoonisto—morrownight,andthereisnotmuchtime,Ihadbetterbeginatonce。\'Thentheminkthankedher,andwenthisway;butbeforehehadgonefarhecamebackagain。
\'Perhaps,whileyouareaboutthewolf\'shouseseeingafterthebows,itwoulddonoharmifyouweretomakethatknot—holeinthewallalittlebigger,\'saidhe。\'Notlargeenoughtodrawattention,ofcourse;butitmightcomeinhandy。\'Andwithanothernodhelefther。
Thenexteveningtheminkwashedandbrushedhimselfcarefullyandsetoutforthefeast。Hesmiledtohimselfashelookedatthedustytrack,andperceivedthatthoughthemarksofwolves\'feetweremany,notasingleguestwastobeseenanywhere。Heknewverywellwhatthatmeant;buthehadtakenhisprecautionsandwasnotafraid。
Thehousedoorstoodopen,butthroughacracktheminkcouldseethewolvescrowdinginthecornerbehindit。However,heenteredboldly,andassoonashewasfairlyinsidethedoorwasshutwithabang,andthewholeherdsprangathim,withtheirredtongueshangingoutoftheirmouths。Quickastheyweretheyweretoolate,fortheminkwasalreadythroughtheknot—holeandracingforhiscanoe。
Theknot—holewastoosmallforthewolves,andthereweresomanyoftheminthehutthatitwassometimebeforetheycouldgetthedooropen。Thentheyseizedthebowsandarrowswhichwerehangingonthewallsand,onceoutside,aimedattheflyingmink;butastheypulledthebowsbrokeintheirpaws,sotheythrewthemaway,andboundedtotheshore,withalltheirspeed,totheplacewheretheircanoesweredrawnuponthebeach。
Now,althoughtheminkcouldnotrunasfastasthewolves,hehadagoodstart,andwasalreadyafloatwhentheswiftestamongthemthrewthemselvesintothenearestcanoe。Theypushedoff,butastheydippedthepaddlesintothewater,theysnappedasthebowshaddone,andwerequiteuseless。
\'Iknowwheretherearesomenewones,\'criedayoungfellow,leapingonshoreandrushingtoalittlecaveatthebackofthebeach。Andthemink\'sheartsmotehimwhenheheard,forhehadnotknownofthissecretstore。
Afteralongchasethewolvesmanagedtosurroundtheirprey,andthemink,seeingitwasnogoodresistinganymore,gavehimselfup。Someoftheelderwolvesbroughtoutsomecedarbands,whichtheyalwayscarriedwoundroundtheirbodies,buttheminklaughedscornfullyatthesightofthem。
\'WhyIcouldsnapthoseinamoment,\'saidhe;\'ifyouwanttomakesurethatIcannotescape,bettertakealineofkelpandbindmewiththat。\'
\'Youareright,\'answeredthegrandfather;\'yourwisdomisgreaterthanours。\'Andhebadehisservantsgatherenoughkelpfromtherockstomakealine,astheyhadbroughtnonewiththem。
\'Whilethelineisbeingmadeyoumightaswellletmehaveonelastdance,\'remarkedthemink。Andthewolvesreplied:\'Verygood,youmayhaveyourdance;perhapsitmayamuseusaswellasyou。\'Sotheybroughttwocanoesandplacedthemonebesidetheother。Theminkstooduponhishindlegsandbegantodance,firstinonecanoeandthenintheother;andsogracefulwashe,thatthewolvesforgottheyweregoingtoputhimtodeath,andhowledwithpleasure。
\'Pullthecanoesalittleapart;theyaretoocloseforthisnewdance,\'hesaid,pausingforamoment。Andthewolvesseparatedthemwhilehegaveaseriesoflittlesprings,sometimepirouettingwhilehestoodwithonefootontheprowofboth。\'Nownearer,nowfurtherapart,\'hewouldcryasthedancewenton。\'No！furtherstill。\'Andspringingintotheair,amidsthowlsofapplause,hecamedownhead—foremost,anddivedtothebottom。Andthroughthewolves,whosehowlshadnowchangedintothoseofrage,soughthimeverywhere,theyneverfoundhim,forhehidbehindarocktilltheywereoutofsight,andthenmadehishomeinanotherforest。
[FromtheJournaloftheAnthropologicalInstitute。]
AdventuresofanIndianBraveAlong,longwayoff,rightawayinthewestofAmerica,thereoncelivedanoldmanwhohadoneson。Thecountryroundwascoveredwithforests,inwhichdweltallkindsofwildbeasts,andtheyoungmanandhiscompanionsusedtospendwholedaysinhuntingthem,andhewasthefinesthunterofallthetribe。
Onemorning,whenwinterwascomingon,theyouthandhiscompanionssetoffasusualtobringbacksomeofthemountaingoatsanddeertobesalteddown,ashewasafraidofasnow—storm;andifthewindblewandthesnowdriftedtheforestmightbeimpassableforsomeweeks。
Theoldmanandthewife,however,wouldnotgoout,butremainedinthewigwammakingbowsandarrows。
Itsoongrewsocoldintheforestthatatlastoneofthemendeclaredtheycouldwalknomore,unlesstheycouldmanagetowarmthemselves。
\'Thatiseasilydone,\'saidtheleader,givingakicktoalargetree。
Flamesbrokeoutinthetrunk,andbeforeithadburntuptheywereashotasifithadbeensummer。Thentheystartedofftotheplacewherethegoatsanddeerweretobefoundinthegreatestnumbers,andsoonhadkilledasmanyastheywanted。Buttheleaderkilledmost,ashewasthebestshot。
\'Nowwemustcutupthegameanddivideit,\'saidhe;andsotheydid,eachonetakinghisownshare;and,walkingonebehindtheother,setoutforthevillage。Butwhentheyreachedagreatrivertheyoungmandidnotwantthetroubleofcarryinghispackanyfurther,andleftitonthebank。
\'Iamgoinghomeanotherway,\'hetoldhiscompanions。Andtakinganotherroadhereachedthevillagelongbeforetheydid。
\'Haveyoureturnedwithemptyhands？\'askedtheoldman,ashissonopenedthedoor。
\'HaveIeverdonethat,thatyouputmesuchaquestion？\'askedtheyouth。\'No;Ihaveslainenoughtofeastusformanymoons,butitwasheavy,andIleftthepackonthebankofthegreatriver。Givemethearrows,Iwillfinishmakingthem,andyoucangototheriverandbringhomethepack！\'
Sotheoldmanroseandwent,andstrappedthemeatonhisshoulder;
butashewascrossingthefordthestrapbrokeandthepackfellintotheriver。Hestoopedtocatchit,butitswirledpasthim。Heclutchedagain;butindoingsoheover—balancedhimselfandwashurriedintosomerapids,wherehewasknockedagainstsomerocks,andhesankandwasdrowned,andhisbodywascarrieddownthestreamintosmootherwaterwhenitrosetothesurfaceagain。Butbythistimeithadlostalllikenesstoaman,andwaschangedintoapieceofwood。
Thewoodfloatedon,andtherivergotbiggerandbiggerandenteredanewcountry。Thereitwasbornebythecurrentclosetotheshore,andawomanwhowasdowntherewashingherclothescaughtitasitpassed,anddrewitout,sayingtoherself:\'Whatanicesmoothplank！Iwilluseitasatabletoputmyfoodupon。\'Andgatheringupherclothesshetooktheplankwithherintoherhut。
Whenhersuppertimecameshestretchedtheboardacrosstwostringswhichhungfromtheroof,andsetuponitthepotcontainingastewthatsmeltverygood。Thewomanhadbeenworkinghardalldayandwasveryhungry,soshetookherbiggestspoonandplungeditintothepot。
Butwhatwasherastonishmentanddisgustwhenbothpotandfoodvanishedinstantlybeforeher！
\'Oh,youhorridplank,youhavebroughtmeill—luck！\'shecried。Andtakingitupsheflungitawayfromher。
Thewomanhadbeensurprisedbeforeatthedisappearanceofherfood,butshewasmoreastonishedstillwhen,insteadoftheplank,shebeheldababy。However,shewasfondofchildrenandhadnoneofherown,soshemadeuphermindthatshewouldkeepitandtakecareofit。Thebabygrewandthroveasnobabyinthatcountryhadeverdone,andinfourdayshewasaman,andastallandstrongasanybraveofthetribe。
\'Youhavetreatedmewell,\'hesaid,\'andmeatshallneverfailtoyourhouse。ButnowImustgo,forIhavemuchworktodo。\'
Thenhesetoutforhishome。
Ittookhimmanydaystogetthere,andwhenhesawhissonsittinginhisplacehisangerwaskindled,andhisheartwasstirredtotakevengeanceuponhim。Sohewentoutquicklyintotheforestandshedtears,andeachtearbecameabird。\'StaytheretillIwantyou,\'saidhe;andhereturnedtothehut。
\'Isawsomeprettynewbirds,highupinatreeyonder,\'heremarked。
Andthesonanswered:\'ShowmethewayandIwillgetthemfordinner。\'
Thetwowentouttogether,andafterwalkingforabouthalfanhourtheyoldmanstopped。\'Thatisthetree,\'hesaid。Andthesonbegantoclimbit。
Nowastrangethinghappened。Thehighertheyoungmanclimbedthehigherthebirdsseemedtobe,andwhenhelookeddowntheearthbelowappearednobiggerthanastar。Sillhetriedtogoback,buthecouldnot,andthoughhecouldnotseethebirdsanylongerhefeltasifsomethingweredragginghimupandup。
Hethoughtthathehadbeenclimbingthattreefordays,andperhapshehad,forsuddenlyabeautifulcountry,yellowwithfieldsofmaize,stretchedbeforehim,andhegladlyleftthetopofthetreeandenteredit。Hewalkedthroughthemaizewithoutknowingwherehewasgoing,whenheheardasoundofknocking,andsawtwooldblindwomencrushingtheirfoodbetweentwostones。Hecreptuptothemontiptoe,andwhenoneoldwomanpassedherdinnertotheotherheheldouthishandandtookitandateifforhimself。
\'Howslowyouarekneadingthatcake,\'criedtheotheroldwomanatlast。
\'Why,Ihavegivenyouyourdinner,andwhatmoredoyouwant？\'repliedthesecond。
\'Youdidn\'t;atleastInevergotit,\'saidtheother。
\'Icertainlythoughtyoutookitfromme;buthereissomemore。\'Andagaintheyoungmanstretchedouthishand;andthetwooldwomenfelltoquarrellingafresh。Butwhenithappenedforthethirdtimetheoldwomensuspectedsometrick,andoneofthemexclaimed:
\'Iamsurethereisamanhere;tellme,areyounotmygrandson？\'
\'Yes,\'answeredtheyoungman,whowishedtopleaseher,\'andinreturnforyourgooddinnerIwillseeifIcannotrestoreyoursight;forI
wastaughtintheartofhealingbythebestmedicinemaninthetribe。\'Andwiththatheleftthem,andwanderedabouttillhefoundtheherbwhichhewanted。Thenhehastenedbacktotheoldwomen,andbeggingthemtoboilhimsomewater,hethrewtheherbin。Assoonasthepotbegantosinghetookoffthelid,andsprinkledtheeyesofthewomen,andsightcamebacktothemoncemore。
Therewasnonightinthatcountry,so,insteadofgoingtobedveryearly,ashewouldhavedoneinhisownhut,theyoungmantookanotherwalk。Asplashingnoisenearbydrewhimdowntoavalleythroughwhichranalargeriver,andupawaterfallsomesalmonwereleaping。
Howtheirsilversidesglistenedinthelight,andhowhelongedtocatchsomeofthegreatfellows！Buthowcouldhedoit？Hehadbeheldnooneexcepttheoldwomen,anditwasnotverylikelythattheywouldbeabletohelphim。Sowithasighheturnedawayandwentbacktothem,but,ashewalked,athoughtstruckhim。Hepulledoutoneofhishairswhichhungnearlytohiswaist,anditinstantlybecameastrongline,nearlyamileinlength。
\'WeavemeanetthatImaycatchsomesalmon,\'saidhe。Andtheywovehimthenetheaskedfor,andformanyweekshewatchedbytheriver,onlygoingbacktotheoldwomenwhenhewantedafishcooked。
Atlast,oneday,whenhewaseatinghisdinner,theoldwomanwhoalwaysspokefirst,saidtohim:
\'Wehavebeenverygladtoseeyou,grandson,butnowitistimethatyouwenthome。\'Andpushingasidearock,hesawadeephole,sodeepthathecouldnotseetothebottom。Thentheydraggedabasketoutofthehouse,andtiedaropetoit。\'Getin,andwrapthisblanketroundyourhead,\'saidthey;\'and,whateverhappens,don\'tuncoverittillyougettothebottom。\'Thentheybadehimfarewell,andhecurledhimselfupinthebasket。
Down,down,downhewent;wouldheeverstopgoing？Butwhenthebasketdidstop,theyoungmanforgotwhathehadbeentold,andputhisheadouttoseewhatwasthematter。Inaninstantthebasketmoved,but,tohishorror,insteadofgoingdown,hefelthimselfbeingdrawnupwards,andshortlyafterhebeheldthefacesoftheoldwomen。
\'Youwillneverseeyourwifeandsonifyouwillnotdoasyouarebid,\'saidthey。\'Nowgetin,anddonotstirtillyouhearacrowcalling。\'
Thistimetheyoungmanwaswiser,andthoughthebasketoftenstopped,andstrangecreaturesseemedtorestonhimandtopluckathisblanket,heheldittighttillheheardthecrowcalling。Thenheflungofftheblanketandsprangout,whilethebasketvanishedinthesky。
Hewalkedonquicklydownthetrackthatledtothehut,when,beforehim,hesawhiswifewithhislittlesononherback。
\'Oh！thereisfatheratlast,\'criedtheboy;butthemotherbadehimceasefromidletalking。
\'But,mother,itistrue;fatheriscoming！\'repeatedthechild。And,tosatisfyhim,thewomanturnedroundandperceivedherhusband。
Oh,howgladtheyallweretobetogetheragain！Andwhenthewindwhistledthroughtheforest,andthesnowstoodingreatbanksroundthedoor,thefatherusedtotakethelittleboyonhiskneeandtellhimhowhecaughtsalmonintheLandoftheSun。
[FromtheJournaloftheAnthropologicalInstitute。]
HowtheStalosWereTricked\'Mother,Ihaveseensuchawonderfulman,\'saidalittleboyoneday,asheenteredahutinLapland,bearinginhisarmsthebundleofstickshehadbeensentouttogather。
\'Haveyou,myson;andwhatwashelike？\'askedthemother,asshetookoffthechild\'ssheepskincoatandshookitonthedoorstep。
\'Well,Iwastiredofstoopingforthesticks,andwasleaningagainstatreetorest,whenIheardanoiseof\'sh—\'sh,amongthedeadleaves。
Ithoughtperhapsitwasawolf,soIstoodverystill。Butsoontherecamepastatallman——oh！twiceastallasfather——withalongredbeardandaredtunicfastenedwithasilvergirdle,fromwhichhungasilver—handledknife。Behindhimfollowedagreatdog,whichlookedstrongerthananywolf,orevenabear。Butwhyareyousopale,mother？\'
\'ItwastheStalo,\'repliedshe,hervoicetrembling;\'Stalotheman—eater！Youdidwelltohide,oryoumightneverhadcomeback。
But,rememberthat,thoughheissotallandstrong,heisverystupid,andmanyaLapphasescapedfromhisclutchesbyplayinghimsomeclevertrick。\'
Notlongafterthemotherandsonhadheldthistalk,itbegantobewhisperedintheforestthatthechildrenofanoldmancalledPattohadvanishedonebyone,nooneknewwhither。Theunhappyfathersearchedthecountryformilesroundwithoutbeingabletofindasmuchasashoeorahandkerchief,toshowhimwheretheyhadpassed,butatlengthalittleboycamewithnewsthathehadseentheStalohidingbehindawell,nearwhichthechildrenusedtoplay。Theboyhadwaitedbehindaclumpofbushestoseewhatwouldhappen,andby—and—byhenoticedthattheStalohadlaidacunningtrapinthepathtothewell,andthatanybodywhofelloveritwouldrollintothewateranddrownthere。
And,ashewatched,Patto\'syoungestdaughterrangailydownthepath,tillherfootcaughtinthestringsthatwerestretchedacrossthesteepestplace。Sheslippedandfell,andinanotherinstanthadrolledintothewaterwithinreachoftheStalo。
AssoonasPattoheardthistalehisheartwasfilledwithrage,andhevowedtohavehisrevenge。Sohestraightwaytookanoldfurcoatfromthehookwhereithung,andputtingitonwentoutintotheforest。
Whenhereachedthepaththatledtothewellhelookedhastilyroundtobesurethatnoonewaswatchinghim,thenlaidhimselfdownasifhehadbeencaughtinthesnareandhadrolledintothewell,thoughhetookcaretokeephisheadoutofthewater。
Verysoonhehearda\'sh—\'shoftheleaves,andtherewastheStalopushinghiswaythroughtheundergrowthtoseewhatchancehehadofadinner。AtthefirstglimpseofPatto\'sheadinthewellhelaughedloudly,crying:
\'Ha！ha！Thistimeitistheoldass！Iwonderhowhewilltaste？\'AnddrawingPattooutofthewell,heflunghimacrosshisshouldersandcarriedhimhome。Thenhetiedacordroundhimandhunghimoverthefiretoroast,whilehefinishedaboxthathewasmakingbeforethedoorofthehut,whichhemeanttoholdPatto\'sfleshwhenitwascooked。Inaveryshorttimetheboxwassonearlydonethatitonlywantedalittlemorechippingoutwithanaxe;butthispartoftheworkwaseasieraccomplishedindoors,andhecalledtooneofhissonswhowerelounginginsidetobringhimthetool。
Theyoungmanlookedeverywhere,buthecouldnotfindtheaxe,fortheverygoodreasonthatPattohadmanagedtopickitupandhideitinhisclothes。
\'Stupidfellow！whatistheuseofyou？\'grumbledhisfatherangrily;
andhebadefirstoneandthenanotherofhissonstofetchhimthetool,buttheyhadnobettersuccessthantheirbrother。
\'Imustcomemyself,Isuppose！\'saidStalo,puttingasidethebox。
But,meanwhile,Pattohadslippedfromthehookandconcealedhimselfbehindthedoor,sothat,asStalosteppedin,hisprisonerraisedtheaxe,andwithoneblowtheogre\'sheadwasrollingontheground。Hissonsweresofrightenedatthesightthattheyallranaway。
AndinthismannerPattoavengedhisdeadchildren。
ButthoughStalowasdead,histhreesonswerestillliving,andnotveryfaroffeither。Theyhadgonetotheirmother,whowastendingsomereindeeronthepastures,andtoldherthatbysomemagic,theyknewnotwhat,theirfather\'sheadhadrolledfromhisbody,andtheyhadbeensoafraidthatsomethingdreadfulwouldhappentothemthattheyhadcometotakerefugewithher。Theogresssaidnothing。Longagoshehadfoundouthowstupidhersonswere,soshejustsentthemouttomilkthereindeer,whileshereturnedtotheotherhousetoburyherhusband\'sbody。