Whenthegirlhadenteredandsatdown，thehunternoticedthatthegirldidnotkeepherrobesocloselytogetheroverherface。Whenthewifegavehersomethingtoeat，thegirlreachedoutandtookthedish，thusexposingherhands，whichtheyatoncenoticedwereagainnatural。Aftershehadfinishedhermeal，thehuntersaid：
　　"Didmymedicinehelpyou？"Shenoddedassent。"Doyouwantmymedicinerubbedalloveryourbody？"Againshenodded。"Iwillmixenoughtorubyourentirebody，andIwillgooutsideandletmywiferubitonforyou。"Hemixedagoodsupplyandgoingoutlefthiswifetorubthegirl。Whenhiswifehadcompletedthetaskshecalledtoherhusbandtocomein，andwhenhecameinhesatdownandsaidtothegirl："Tomorrowwewillreachthevillage。
　　Doyouwanttogowithus？"Sheshookherhead。"Willyoucomeagaintoourcamptomorrownightafterwehavecampedinthevillage？"Shenoddedherheadinassent。"Thendoyouwanttoseeyourparents？"Shenoddedagain，andaroseanddisappearedintothedarkness。
　　Earlythenextmorningthehunterbrokecampandtraveledfarintotheafternoon，whenhearrivedatthevillage。Heinstructedhiswifetogoatonceandinformtheoldcoupleofwhathadhappened。
　　Thewifedidsoandatsunsettheoldcouplecametothehunter’stepee。Theywereinvitedtoenterandafinesupperwasservedthem。Soonaftertheyhadfinishedtheirsupperthedogsofthecampsetupagreatbarking。"Nowsheiscoming，sobebraveandyouwillsoonseeyourlostdaughter，"saidthehunter。Hardlyhadhefinishedspeakingwhensheenteredthetentasnaturalasevershewasinlife。Herparentsclungtoherandsmotheredherwithkisses。
　　Theywantedhertoreturnhomewiththem，butshewouldstaywiththehunterwhohadbroughtherbacktolife，andshemarriedhim，becominghissecondwife。Ashorttimeaftertakingthegirlforhiswife，thehunterjoinedawarpartyandneverreturned，ashewaskilledonthebattlefield。
　　Ayearafterherhusband’sdeathshemarriedagain。Thishusbandwasalsokilledbyabandofenemieswhomthewarriorswerepursuingforstealingsomeoftheirhorses。Thethirdhusbandalsometasimilarfatetothefirst。Hewaskilledonthefieldofbattle。
　　Shewasstillahandsomewomanatthetimeofthethirdhusband’sdeath，butneveragainmarried，asthemenfearedher，sayingshewasholy，andthatanyonewhomarriedherwouldbesuretobekilledbytheenemy。
　　Soshetooktodoctoringthesickandgainedthereputationofbeingthemostskilleddoctorinthenation。Shelivedtoaripeoldageandwhenshefeltdeathapproachingshehadthemtakehertowhereshehadrestedoncebefore，andcrawlingtothetopofthenewlyerectedscaffold，wrappedherblanketsandrobesabouther，coveredherfacecarefully，andfellintothatsleepfromwhichthereisnomoreawakening。
　　THESTORYOFTHEPETCRANE
　　Therewasonceuponatimeamanwhodidnotcaretolivewithhistribeinacrowdedvillage，butpreferredasecludedspotinthedeepforest，theretolivewithhiswifeandfamilyoffivechildren。Theoldestofthechildren（aboy）wastwelveyearsofage，andbeingthesonofadistinguishedhunter，soontooktoroamingthroughtheforestinsearchofsmallgame。
　　Onedayduringhisramblings，hediscoveredacrane’snest，withonlyoneyoungcraneoccupyingit。Nodoubtsomefoxortravelingweaselhadeatentherestofthecrane’sbrothersandsisters。Theboysaidtohimself，"Iwilltakethispoorlittlecranehomeandwillraisehimasapetforourbaby。IfIleavehimheresomehungryfoxwillbesuretoeatthepoorlittlefellow。"Hecarriedtheyoungcranehomeanditgrewtobenearlyastallastheboy’sfive-year-oldsister。
　　Beingbroughtupinahumancircle，itsoongrewtounderstandallthefamilysaid。Althoughitcouldnotspeakittookpartinallthegamesplayedbythechildren。Thefatherofthefamilywas，asIhavebeforementioned，agreathunter。Healwayshadaplentifulsupplyofdeer，antelope，buffaloandbeavermeatsonhand，buttherecameachange。Thegamemigratedtosomeotherlocality，wherenodeadlyshotlike"Kutesan"（NeverMiss）wouldbearoundtoannihilatetheirfastdecreasingdroves。Thehunterstartedoutearlyonemorninginhopesofdiscoveringsomeofthegamewhichhaddisappearedassuddenlyasthoughtheearthhadswallowedthem。Thehuntertraveledthewholeday，alltonopurpose。Itwaslateintheeveningwhenhestaggeredintocamp。
　　Hewasnearlydeadwithfatigue。Hastilyswallowingacupofcherrybarktea（theonlyarticleoffoodtheyhadinstore），heatonceretiredandwassooninthesweetlandofdreams。Thechildrensoonjoinedtheirfatherandthepoorwomansatthinkinghowtheycouldsavetheirdearchildrenfromstarvation。Suddenlyoutuponthenightairrangthecryofacrane。Instantlythepetcraneawoke，steppedoutsideandansweredthecall。Thecranewhichhadgiventhecrywasthefatherofthepetcrane，andlearningfromMr。Foxofthestarvingconditionofhissonandhisfriends，heflewtothehuntinggroundsofthetribe，andastherehadbeenagoodkillthatday，thecranefoundnotroubleinsecuringagreatquantityoffat。Thishecarriedtothetentofthehunterand，hoveringoverthetenthesuddenlyletthefatdroptotheearthandatoncethepetcranepickeditupandcarriedittothewoman。
　　Wishingtosurprisethefamilyontheirawakeninginthemorningshegotagoodstickforalight，heapedupsticksonthedyingembers，andstarteduparousingfireandproceededtomeltortryoutthefat，asmeltedfatisconsideredafavoritedish。
　　Althoughbusilyoccupiedshekeptherearsopenforanystrangenoisescomingoutoftheforest，therebeingusuallysomeenemieslurkingaround。Sheheldherpaninsuchapositionthatafterthefatstartedtomeltandquitealotofthehotgreaseaccumulatedinthepan，shecouldplainlyseethetentdoorreflectedinthehotgrease，asthoughsheusedamirror。
　　Whenshehadnearlycompletedhertask，sheheardanoiseasthoughsomefootstepswereapproaching。Instantlyherheartbegantobeatatattooonherribs，butshesatperfectlyquiet，callingallherself-controlintoplaytokeepfrommakinganoutcry。Thissmartwomanhadalreadystudiedoutawayinwhichtobestthisenemy，incaseanenemyitshouldbe。Thefootsteps，ornoise，continuedtoadvance，untilatlastthewomansawreflectedinthepanofgreaseahandslowlyprotrudingthroughthetentdoor，andthefingerpointed，asifcounting，tothesleepingfather，thentoeachoneofthesleepingchildren，thentoherwhosatatthefire。LittledidMr。Enemysupposethatthebravewomanwhosatsocomposedatherfire，waswatchingeverymotionhewasmaking。Thehandslowlywithdrew，andasthefootstepsslowlydiedaway，thererangoutonthestillnightairthedeepfiercehowloftheprairiewolf。
　　（Thisimitationofaprairiewolfisthesignaltothewarpartythatanenemyhasbeendiscoveredbythescoutwhomtheyhavesentoutinadvance）。Atonceshearousedherhusbandandchildren。
　　Annoyedatbeingsounceremoniouslydisturbedfromhisdeepsleep，thehusbandcrosslyaskedwhyshehadawakenedhimsoroughly。Thewifeexplainedwhatshehadseenandheard。Sheatoncepinnedanoldblanketaroundthecrane’sshouldersandanoldpieceofbuffalohideonhisheadforahatorheadcovering。Heapingpilesofwoodontothefiresheinstructedhimtorunaroundoutsideofthehutuntilthefamilyreturned，astheyweregoingtoseeiftheycouldfindsomerootstomixupwiththefat。Hurriedlyshetiedherblanketaroundhermiddle，putherbabyinsideofit，andthengrabbedherthreeyearoldsonandpackedhimonherback。
　　Thefatheralsohurriedlypackedthenexttwoandtheolderboytookcareofhimself。
　　Immediatelyuponleavingthetenttheytookthreedifferentdirections，tomeetagainonthehighhillwestoftheirhome。Thereflectionfromthefireinthetentdisclosedtothemthepoorpetcranerunningaroundthetent。Itlookedexactlylikeachildwithitsblanketandhaton。
　　SuddenlythererangoutascoreofshotsandwarwhoopsofthedreadedCrowIndians。Findingthetentdesertedtheydisgustedlyfiledoffandwereswallowedupinthedarknessofthedeepforest。
　　Thenextmorningthefamilyreturnedtoseewhathadbecomeoftheirpetcrane。There，riddledtopieces，laythepoorbirdwhohadgivenuphislifetosavehisdearfriends。
　　WHITEPLUME
　　Thereoncelivedayoungcouplewhowereveryhappy。Theyoungmanwasnotedthroughoutthewholenationforhisaccuracywiththebowandarrow，andwasgiventhetitleof"DeadShot，"or"Hewhonevermisseshismark，"andtheyoungwoman，notedforherbeauty，wasnamedBeautifulDove。
　　Onedayastorkpaidthishappycoupleavisitandleftthemafinebigboy。Theboycried"Ina，ina"（mother，mother）。"Listentoourson，"saidthemother，"hecanspeak，andhasn’theasweetvoice？""Yes，"saidthefather，"itwillnotbelongbeforehewillbeabletowalk。"Hesettoworkmakingsomearrows，andafinehickorybowforhisson。Oneofthearrowshepaintedred，oneblue，andanotheryellow。Therestheleftthenaturalcolorofthewood。Whenhehadcompletedthem，themotherplacedtheminafinequiver，allworkedinporcupinequills，andhungthemupoverwheretheboysleptinhisfinehammockofpaintedmoosehide。
　　Attimeswhenthemotherwouldbenursingherson，shewouldlookupatthebowandarrowsandtalktoherbaby，saying："Myson，hurryupandgrowfastsoyoucanuseyourbowandarrows。Youwillgrowuptobeasfineamarksmanasyourfather。"Thebabywouldcooandstretchhislittlearmsuptowardsthebrightcoloredquiverasthoughheunderstoodeverywordhismotherhaduttered。
　　Timepassedandtheboygrewuptoagoodsize，whenonedayhisfathersaid："Wife，giveoursonthebowandarrowssothathemaylearnhowtousethem。"Thefathertaughthissonhowtostringandunstringthebow，andalsohowtoattachthearrowtothestring。Thered，blueandyellowarrows，hetoldtheboy，weretobeusedonlywhenevertherewasanyextragoodshootingtobedone，sotheboyneverusedthesethreeuntilhebecameamasteroftheart。Thenhewouldpracticeoneaglesandhawks，andneveraneagleorhawkcontinuedhisflightwhentheboyshotoneofthearrowsafterhim。
　　Onedaytheboycamerunningintothetent，exclaiming："Mother，mother，IhaveshotandkilledthemostbeautifulbirdIeversaw。"
　　"Bringitin，myson，andletmelookatit。"Hebroughtthebirdanduponexaminingitshepronounceditadifferenttypeofbirdfromanyshehadeverseen。Itsfeatherswereofvariegatedcolorsandonitsheadwasatopknotofpurewhitefeathers。Thefather，returning，askedtheboywithwhicharrowhehadkilledthebird。
　　"Withtheredone，"answeredtheboy。"Iwassoanxioustosecuretheprettybirdthat，althoughI
　　knowIcouldhavekilleditwithoneofmycommonarrows，Iwantedtobecertain，soIusedtheredone。""Thatisright，myson，"
　　saidthefather。"Whenyouhavetheleastdoubtofyouraim，alwaysuseoneofthepaintedarrows，andyouwillnevermissyourmark。"
　　Theparentsdecidedtogiveabigfeastinhonoroftheirsonkillingthestrange，beautifulbird。SoagreatmanyelderlywomenwerecalledtothetentofPrettyDovetoassistherinmakingreadyforthebigfeast。Fortendaysthesewomencookedandpoundedbeefandcherries，andgotreadythechoicestdishesknowntotheIndians。Ofbuffalo，beaver，deer，antelope，moose，bear，quail，grouse，duckofallkinds，geeseandplovermeatstherewasanabundance。Fishofallkinds，andeverykindofwildfruitwerecooked，andwhenallwasinreadiness，theheraldswentthroughthedifferentvillages，cryingout："Ho-po，ho-po"（nowall，nowall），DeadShotandhiswife，BeautifulDove，inviteallofyou，youngandold，totheirtepeetopartakeofagreatfeast，givenbytheminhonorofagreatbirdwhichtheirsonhaskilled，andalsotoselectfortheirsonsomegoodnamewhichhewillbearthroughlife。Soallbringyourcupsandwoodendishesalongwithyourhornspoons，astherewillbeplentytoeat。Come，allyoucouncilmenandchiefs，astheyhavealsoagreattenterectedforyouinwhichyouholdyourcouncil。"
　　Thuscrying，theheraldsmadethecircleofthevillage。Theguestssoonarrived。Infrontofthetentwasapolestuckinthegroundandpaintedred，andatthetopofthepolewasfastenedthebirdofvariegatedcolors;itswingsstretchedouttotheirfulllengthandthebeautifulwhitewavingsobeautifullyfromitstopknot，itwasthecenterofattraction。Halfwayupthepolewastiedthebowandarrowoftheyoungmarksman。Longstreamersoffinebeadandporcupineworkwavedfromthepoleandpresentedaverystrikingappearance。Thebirdwasfacedtowardsthesettingsun。Thegreatchiefandmedicinemenpronouncedthebird"Wakan"
　　（somethingholy）。
　　Whenthepeoplehadfinishedeatingtheyallfellinlineandmarchedinsinglefilebeneaththebird，inordertogetacloseviewofit。Bythetimethisvastcrowdhadfullyviewedthewonderfulbird，thesunwasjustsettingclearinthewest，whendirectlyovertheraysofthesunappearedacloudintheshapeofabirdofvariegatedcolors。Thecouncilmenwerecalledouttolookatthecloud，andtheheadmedicinemansaidthatitwasasignthattheboywouldgrowuptobeagreatchiefandhunter，andwouldhaveagreatmanyfriendsandfollowers。
　　Thisendedthefeast，butbeforedispersing，thechiefandcouncilmenbestowedupontheboythetitleofWhitePlume。
　　Onedayastrangercametothevillage，whowasverythinandnearlystarved。Soweakwashethathecouldnotspeak，butmadesignsforsomethingtoeat。LuckilythestrangercametoDeadShot’stent，andastherewasalwaysaplentifulsupplyinhislodge，thestrangersoonhadagoodmealservedhim。Afterhehadeatenandrestedhetoldhisstory。
　　"Icamefromaverygreatdistance，"saidhe。"ThenationswhereIcamefromareinastarvingcondition。Noplacecantheyfindanybuffalo，deernorantelope。Awitchorevilspiritintheshapeofawhitebuffalohasdrivenallthelargegameoutofthecountry。Everydaythiswhitebuffalocomescirclingthevillage，andanyonecaughtoutsideoftheirtentiscarriedawayonitshorns。Invainhavethebestmarksmenofthetribetriedtoshootit。Theirarrowsflywideoffthemark，andtheyhavegivenuptryingtokillitasitbearsacharmedlife。Anotherevilspiritintheformofaredeaglehasdrivenallthebirdsoftheairoutofourcountry。Everydaythiseaglecirclesabovethevillage，andsopowerfulisitthatanyonebeingcaughtoutsideofhistentisdescendeduponandhisskullsplitopentothebrainbythesharpbreastboneoftheEagle。Manyamarksmanhastriedhisskillonthisbird，alltonopurpose。
　　"Anotherevilspiritintheformofawhiterabbithasdrivenoutalltheanimalswhichinhabittheground，anddestroyedthefieldsofcornandturnips，sothenationisstarving，asthearrowsofthemarksmenhavealsofailedtotouchthewhiterabbit。Anyonewhocankillthesethreewitcheswillreceiveashisreward，thechoiceoftwoofthemostbeautifulmaidensofournation。Theyoungeroneisthehandsomerofthetwoandhasalsothesweetestdisposition。Manyyoung，andevenoldmen，hearingofthis（ourchief’s）offer，havetraveledmanymilestotrytheirarrowsonthewitches，butalltonopurpose。Ourchief，hearingofyourgreatmarksmanship，sentmetotryandsecureyourservicestohaveyoucomeandridusofthesethreewitches。"
　　Thusspokethestrangertothehunter。Thehuntergazedlongandthoughtfullyintothedyingembersofthecampfire。Thenslowlyhiseyesraisedandlookedlovinglyonhiswifewhosatoppositetohim。Gazingonherbeautifulfeaturesforafullminuteheslowlydroppedhisgazebacktothedyingembersandthusansweredhisvisitor：
　　"Myfriend，Ifeelverymuchhonoredbyyourchiefhavingsentsuchagreatdistanceforme，andalsoforthekindofferofhislovelydaughterinmarriage，ifIshouldsucceed，butImustrejectthegreatoffer，asIcansparenoneofmyaffectionstoanyotherwomanthantomyqueenwhomyouseesittingthere。"
　　WhitePlumehadbeenlisteningtotheconversationandwhenhisfatherhadfinishedspeaking，said："Father，Iamachildnomore。
　　Ihavearrivedatmanhood。Iamnotsogoodamarksmanasyou，butIwillgotothissufferingtribeandtrytoridthemoftheirthreeenemies。Ifthismanwillrestforafewdaysandreturntohisvillageandinformthemofmycoming，Iwilltravelalongslowlyonhistrailandarriveatthevillageadayortwoafterhereachesthere。"
　　"Verywell，myson，"saidthefather，"Iamsureyouwillsucceed，asyoufearnothing，andastoyourmarksmanship，itisfarsuperiortomine，asyoursightismuchclearerandaimquickerthanmine。"
　　Themanrestedafewdaysandonemorningstartedoff，afterhavinginstructedWhitePlumeastothetrail。WhitePlumegottogetherwhathewouldneedonthetripandwasreadyforanearlystartthenextmorning。ThatnightDeadShotandhiswifesatupawayintothenightinstructingtheirsonhowtotravelandwarninghimastothedifferentkindsofpeoplehemustavoidinordertokeepoutoftrouble。"Aboveall，"saidthefather，"keepagoodlookoutforUnktomi（spider）;heisthemosttrickyofall，andwillgetyouintotroubleifyouassociatewithhim。"
　　WhitePlumeleftearly，hisfatheraccompanyinghimforseveralmiles。Onparting，thefather’slastwordswere："LookoutforUnktomi，myson，heisdeceitfulandtreacherous。""I’lllookoutforhim，father;"sosayinghedisappearedoverahill。Onthewayhetriedhisskillonseveralhawksandeaglesandhedidnotneedtousehispaintedarrowstokillthem，butsoskillfulwashewiththebowandarrowsthathecouldbringdownanythingthatflewwithhiscommonarrows。Hewasdrawingneartotheendofhisdestinationwhenhehadalargetractoftimbertopassthrough。Whenhehadnearlygottenthroughthetimberhesawanoldmansittingonalog，lookingwistfullyupintoabigtree，wheresatanumberofprairiechickens。
　　"Hello，grandfather，whyareyousittingtherelookingsodownhearted？"askedWhitePlume。"Iamnearlystarved，andwasjustwishingsomeonewouldshootoneofthosechickensforme，soIcouldmakeagoodmealonit，"saidtheoldman。"Iwillshootoneforyou，"saidtheyoungman。Hestrunghisbow，placedanarrowonthestring，simplyseemedtoraisethearrowinthedirectionofthechicken（takingnoaim）。Twangwentoutthebow，zipwentthearrowandachickenfelloffthelimb，onlytogetcaughtonanotherinitsdescent。"Thereisyourchicken，grandfather。""Oh，mygrandson，Iamtooweaktoclimbupandgetit。Can’tyouclimbupandgetitforme？"Theyoungman，pityingtheoldfellow，proceededtoclimbthetree，whentheoldmanstoppedhim，saying："Grandson，youhaveonsuchfineclothes，itisapitytospoilthem;youhadbettertakethemoffsoasnottospoilthefineporcupineworkonthem。"Theyoungmantookoffhisfineclothesandclimbedupintothetree，andsecuringthechicken，threwitdowntotheoldman。Astheyoungmanwasscalingdownthetree，theoldmansaid："Iyashkapa，iyashkapa，"
　　（stickfast，stickfast）。Hearinghimsaysomething，heasked，"Whatdidyousay，oldman？"Heanswered，"Iwasonlytalkingtomyself。"Theyoungmanproceededtodescend，buthecouldnotmove。Hisbodywasstuckfasttothebarkofthetree。Invaindidhebegtheoldmantoreleasehim。TheoldUnktomi，forheitwas，onlylaughedandsaid："Iwillgonowandkilltheevilspirits，IhaveyourwonderfulbowandarrowsandIcannotmissthem。Iwillmarrythechief’sdaughter，andyoucanstayupinthattreeanddiethere。"
　　Sosaying，heputonWhitePlume’sfineclothes，tookhisbowandarrowsandwenttothevillage。AsWhitePlumewasexpectedatanyminute，thewholevillagewaswatchingforhim，andwhenUnktomicameintosighttheyoungmenrantohimwithapaintedrobe，sathimdownonitandslowlyraisinghimuptheycarriedhimtothetentofthechief。Socertainweretheythathewouldkilltheevilspiritsthatthechieftoldhimtochooseoneofthedaughtersatonceforhiswife。（BeforethearrivalofWhitePlume，hearingofhimbeingsohandsome，thetwogirlshadquarreledoverwhichshouldmarryhim，butuponseeinghimtheyoungerwasnotanxioustobecomehiswife。）SoUnktomichosetheolderoneofthesisters，andwasgivenalargetentinwhichtolive。Theyoungersisterwenttohermother’stenttolive，andtheolderwasveryproud，asshewasmarriedtothemanwhowouldsavethenationfromstarvation。Thenextmorningtherewasagreatcommotionincamp，andtherecamethecrythatthewhitebuffalowascoming。"Getready，son-in-law，andkillthebuffalo，"saidthechief。
　　Unktomitookthebowandarrowsandshotasthebuffalopassed，butthearrowwentwideoffitsmark。Nextcametheeagle，andagainheshotandmissed。Thencametherabbit，andagainhemissed。
　　"Waituntiltomorrow，Iwillkillthemall。Myblanketcaughtinmybowandspoiledmyaim。"Thepeoplewereverymuchdisappointed，andthechief，suspectingthatallwasnotright，sentfortheyoungmanwhohadvisitedDeadShot’stepee。Whentheyoungmanarrived，thechiefasked："DidyouseeWhitePlumewhenyouwenttoDeadShot’scamp？""Yes，Idid，andatewithhimmanytimes。Istayedathisfather’stepeeallthetimeIwasthere，"
　　saidtheyoungman。"Wouldyourecognizehimifyousawhimagain？"askedthechief。"AnyonewhohadbutoneglimpseofWhitePlumewouldsurelyrecognizehimwhenhesawhimagain，asheisthemosthandsomemanIeversaw，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"Comewithmetothetentofmyson-in-lawandtakeagoodlookathim，butdon’tsaywhatyouthinkuntilwecomeaway。"ThetwowenttothetentofUnktomi，andwhentheyoungmansawhimheknewitwasnotWhitePlume，althoughitwasWhitePlume’sbowandarrowsthathungattheheadofthebed，andhealsorecognizedtheclothesasbelongingtoWhitePlume。Whentheyhadreturnedtothechief’stent，theyoungmantoldwhatheknewandwhathethought。
　　"IthinkthisissomeUnktomiwhohasplayedsometrickonWhitePlumeandhastakenhisbowandarrowsandalsohisclothes，andhearingofyouroffer，ishereimpersonatingWhitePlume。HadWhitePlumedrawnthebowonthebuffalo，eagleandrabbittoday，wewouldhavebeenridofthem，soIthinkwehadbetterscarethisUnktomiintotellinguswhereWhitePlumeis，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"Waituntilhetriestokillthewitchesagaintomorrow，"saidthechief。
　　Inthemeantimetheyoungerdaughterhadtakenanaxeandgoneintothewoodsinsearchofdrywood。Shewentquitealittledistanceintothewoodandwaschoppingadrylog。Stoppingtorestalittlesheheardsomeonesaying："Whoeveryouare，comeoverhereandchopthistreedownsothatImaygetloose。"Goingtowherethebigtreestood，shesawamanstuckontothesideofthetree。
　　"IfIchopitdownthefallwillkillyou，"saidthegirl。"No，chopitontheoppositesidefromme，andthetreewillfallthatway。Ifthefallkillsme，itwillbebetterthanhanginguphereandstarvingtodeath，"saidWhitePlume，foritwashe。
　　Thegirlchoppedthetreedownandwhenshesawthatithadnotkilledtheman，shesaid："WhatshallIdonow？""Loosenthebarkfromthetreeandthengetsomestonesandheatthem。Getsomewaterandsageandputyourblanketoverme。"Shedidastoldandwhenthesteamarosefromthewaterbeingpouredupontheheatedrocks，thebarkloosenedfromhisbodyandhearose。Whenhestoodup，shesawhowhandsomehewas。"Youhavesavedmylife，"saidhe。"Willyoubemywife？""Iwill，"saidshe。Hethentoldherhowtheoldmanhadfooledhimintothistrapandtookhisbowandarrows，alsohisfineporcupineworkedclothes，andhadgoneoff，leavinghimtodie。She，inturn，toldhimallthathadhappenedincampsinceaman，callinghimselfWhitePlume，camethereandmarriedhersisterbeforeheshotatthewitches，andwhenhecametoshootatthem，missedeveryshot。"Letusmakehaste，asthebadUnktomimayruinmyarrows。"TheyapproachedthecampandwhilstWhitePlumewaitedoutside，hispromisedwifeenteredUnktomi’stentandsaid："Unktomi，WhitePlumeisstandingoutsideandhewantshisclothesandbowandarrows。""Oh，yes，Iborrowedthemandforgottoreturnthem;makehasteandgivethemtohim。"
　　Uponreceivinghisclothes，hewasverymuchprovokedtofindhisfineclotheswrinkledandhisbowtwisted，whilethearrowsweretwistedoutofshape。Helaidtheclothesdown，alsothebowsandarrows，andpassinghishandoverthem，theyassumedtheirrightshapesagain。ThedaughtertookWhitePlumetoherfather’stentanduponhearingthestoryheatoncesentforhiswarriorsandhadthemformacirclearoundUnktomi’stent，andifheattemptedtoescapetocatchhimandtiehimtoatree，ashe（thechief）haddeterminedtosettleaccountswithhimforhistreatmentofWhitePlume，andthedeceptionemployedinwinningthechief’seldestdaughter。Aboutmidnighttheguardnoticedsomethingcrawlingalongclosetotheground，andseizinghimfounditwasUnktomitryingtomakehisescapebeforedaylight，whereupontheytiedhimtoatree。"Whydoyoutreatmethus，"criedUnktomi，"Iwasjustgoingoutinsearchofmedicinetorubonmyarrows，soIcankillthewitches。""Youwillneedmedicinetorubonyourselfwhenthechiefgetsthroughwithyou，"saidtheyoungmanwhohaddiscoveredthatUnktomiwasimpersonatingWhitePlume。
　　InthemorningtheheraldannouncedthattherealWhitePlumehadarrived，andthechiefdesiredthewholenationtowitnesshismarksmanship。Thencamethecry："TheWhiteBuffalocomes。"
　　Takinghisredarrow，WhitePlumestoodready。Whenthebuffalogotaboutoppositehim，helethisarrowfly。Thebuffaloboundedhighintheairandcamedownwithallfourfeetdrawntogetherunderitsbody，theredarrowhavingpassedclearthroughtheanimal，piercingthebuffalo’sheart。Aloudcheerwentupfromthevillage。
　　"Youshallusethehideforyourbed，"saidthechieftoWhitePlume。Nextcameacry，"theeagle，theeagle。"Fromthenorthcameanenormousredeagle。Sostrongwashe，thatashesoaredthroughtheairhiswingsmadeahummingsoundastherumbleofdistantthunder。Onhecame，andjustashecircledthetentofthechief，WhitePlumebenthisbow，withallhisstrengthdrewthearrowbacktotheflintpoint，andsentthebluearrowonitsmissionofdeath。Soswiftlyhadthearrowpassedthroughtheeagle’sbodythat，thinkingWhitePlumehadmissed，agreatwailwentupfromthecrowd，butwhentheysawtheeaglestopinhisflight，giveafewflapsofhiswings，andthenfallwithaheavythudintothecenterofthevillage，therewasagreatercheerthanbefore。"Theredeagleshallbeusedtodecoratetheseatofhonorinyourtepee，"saidthechieftoWhitePlume。Lastcamethewhiterabbit。"Aimgood，aimgood，son-in-law，"saidthechief。"Ifyoukillhimyouwillhavehisskinforarug。"Alongcamethewhiterabbit，andWhitePlumesenthisarrowinsearchofrabbit’sheart，whichitfound，andstoppedMr。Rabbit’stricksforever。
　　ThechiefthencalledallofthepeopletogetherandbeforethemalltookahundredwillowsandbrokethemoneatatimeoverUnktomi’sback。Thenheturnedhimloose。Unktomi，beingsoashamed，ranoffintothewoodsandhidinthedeepestanddarkestcornerhecouldfind。ThisiswhyUnktomis（spiders）arealwaysfoundindarkcorners，andanyonewhoisdeceitfuloruntruthfuliscalledadescendantoftheUnktomitribe。
　　STORYOFPRETTYFEATHEREDFOREHEAD
　　Therewasonceababyboywhocameintotheworldwithasmallclusterofdifferentcoloredfeathersgrownfasttohisforehead。
　　Fromthishederivedhisname，"PrettyFeatheredForehead。"Hewasaverypleasantboyaswellashandsome，andhehadtherespectofthewholetribe。Whenhehadgrownuptobeayoungman，henever，likeotheryoungmen，madelovetoanyofthetribe’sbeauties。
　　Althoughtheyweremadlyinlovewithhim，henevernoticedanyofthem。Thereweremanyhandsomegirlsinthedifferentcamps，buthepassedthemby。
　　Onedayhesaid："Father，IamgoingonavisittotheBuffalonation。"Thefathergavehisconsent，andawaywenttheson。Thefatherandmothersuspectedtheobjectoftheirson’svisittotheBuffalonation，andforthwithcommencedpreparingafinereceptionfortheirintendeddaughter-in-law。Themothersewedtogethertenbuffalohidesandpaintedthebravedeedsofherhusbandonthem。
　　Thisshemadeintoacommodioustent，andhadworkbagsandfinerobesandblanketsputinside。Thiswastobethetentoftheirsonanddaughter-in-law。Inafewweeksthesonreturned，bringingwithhimabeautifulBuffalogirl。Theparentsoftheboygaveabigfeastinhonoroftheoccasion，andthesonandhiswifelivedveryhappilytogether。
　　Inthecourseoftimeasoncametotheyoungcouple，andthefatherwasveryproudofhisboy。Whentheboybecameayearold，thefathersaidtohiswife："IamgoingforavisittotheElknation。"Themotherwasverysad，assheknewherhusbandwasgoingafteranotherwife。Hereturned，bringingwithhimaverybeautifulelkgirl。WhentheBuffalowomansawtheelkgirlshewasverydowncastandsad，butthehusbandsaid："Don’tbesad;shewilldoalltheheavyworkforyou。"
　　Theylivedquitehappilytogetherforalongtime。TheElkgirlalsobecamethemotherofafineboy。Thetwoboyshadgrownuplargeenoughtoplayaround。OnedaytheElkwomanwastanninghidesoutsideandthetwoboyswereplayingaroundneartheirmothers，whenallatoncethebuffaloboyranacrosstherobe，leavinghistracksonthewhiterobewhichhisstep-motherhadnearlycompleted。Thisprovokedtheelkwomanandshegaveventtoherfeelingsbyscoldingtheboy："Youclumsyflatmouth，whycouldn’tyourunaroundmywork，insteadofacrossit？"Thebuffalocowstandinginthedoor，heardeverywordthattheelkwomanhadsaid，andwhensheheardhersoncalledflatmouthitmadeherveryangry，althoughshedidnotsayawordtoanyone。
　　Shehurriedlygatheredsomeofherbelongingsand，callingherson，shestartedoffinawesterlydirection。
　　Thehusbandbeingabsentonahuntingexpeditiondidnotreturnuntillateintheafternoon。Uponhisreturnhisoldestboyalwaysranouttomeethim，butthistimeastheboydidnotputinanappearance，thefatherfearedthatsomethinghadhappenedtotheboy。Sohurriedlygoingtohistenthelookedaround，butfailingtoseetheboyorhismother，heaskedhiselkwife，wheretheboyandhismotherwere。Theelkwifeanswered："Shetookherboyonherbackandstartedoffinthatdirection，"（pointingtowardsthewest）。"Howlonghasshebeengone？""Sinceearlymorning。"Thehusbandhurriedlycaughtafreshhorseand，withouteatinganything，rodeoffinthedirectiontakenbyhisbuffalowifeandboy。Neardarkheascendedahighhillandnoticedasmalltentdowninthevalley。Itwasalongdistancedowntothetent，soitwasverylatewhenhearrivedthere。Hetetheredhishorseandwentintothetentandfoundtheboyandhismotherfastasleep。
　　Uponlyingdownbesidethemtheboyawoke，anduponseeinghisfather，motionedtohimtogooutsidewithhim。
　　Ongoingoutsidetheboytoldhisfatherthatitwouldbeuselessforhimtotryandcoaxhismothertoreturn，asshewastoohighlyinsultedbytheelkwifetoeverreturn。Thentheboytoldaboutwhattheelkwifehadsaidandthatshehadcalledhimflatmouth。
　　"Mymotherisdeterminedtoreturntoherpeople，butifyouwanttofollowusyoumay，andperhaps，aftershehasvisitedwithherrelativesalittlewhile，youmayinducehertoreturnwithyou。
　　Inthemorningwearegoingtostartveryearly，andasthecountrywewilltravelthroughisveryhardsoil，Iwillstampmyfeethardsoastoleavemytracksimprintedinthesoftestplaces，thenyouwillbeabletofollowthedirectionwewilltake。"
　　Thetwowentintothetentandweresoonfastasleep。Thefather，beingverymuchfatigued，sleptverysoundly，andwhenheawokethesunwasbeatingdownuponhim。Themotherandboywerenowheretobeseen。Thetenthadbeentakendownfromoverhimsocarefullythathehadnotbeenawakened。Gettinghishorse，hemountedandrodeafterthetwowhohadlefthimsleeping。Hehadnotroubleinfollowingthetrail，astheboyhadstampedhisfeethardandlefthislittletracksinthesoftplaces。
　　Thateveninghespiedthelittletentagainandongettingtoitfoundthembothasleep。Theboyawokeandmotionedforhisfathertogooutside。Heagaintoldhisfatherthatthenextday’stravelwouldbethehardestofall。"Wewillcrossagreatplain，butbeforewegettherewewillcrossasandyhollow。Whenyougettothehollow，lookatmytracks;theywillbedeepintothesand，andineachtrackyouwillseelittlepoolsofwater。Drinkasmuchasyoucan，asthisistheonlychanceyouwillgettohaveadrink，therebeingnowaterfromtheretothebigridge，anditwillbedarkbythetimeyougettotheridge。TherelationsofmymotherliveatthatridgeandIwillcomeandtalktoyouoncemore，beforeIleaveyoutojoinmymother’speople。"
　　Nextmorning，asbefore，heawoketofindhimselfalone。Theyhadlefthimandproceededontheirjourney。Hemountedagainandwhenhearrivedatthesandyhollow，sureenough，there，deepinthesand，werethetracksofhissonfilledtothetopwithwater。Hedrankanddrankuntilhehaddrainedthelastone。Thenhearoseandcontinuedonthetrail，andnearsundownhecameinsightoftheirlittletentawayuponthesideoftheridge。Hishorsesuddenlystaggeredandfellforwarddead，havingdiedofthirst。
　　Fromthereheproceededonfoot。Whenhegottowherethetentstoodheentered，onlytofinditempty。"Iguessmysonintendstocomehereandhavehislasttalkwithme，"thoughtthefather。
　　Hehadeatennothingforthreedays，andwasnearlyfamished。Helaydown，butthepangsofhungerkeptsleepaway。Heheardfootstepsoutsideandlayinreadiness，thinkingitmightbeanenemy。Slowlyopeningthecoveringofthedoor，hissonlookedinandseeinghisfatherlyingawake，drewbackandranoffuptheridge，butsoonreturnedbringingasmallparcelwithhim。Whenheenteredhegavetheparceltohisfatherandsaid："Eat，father;I
　　stolethisfoodforyou，soIcouldnotgetverymuch。"Thefathersoonatewhathissonhadbrought。Whenhehadfinished，thesonsaid："Tomorrowmorningtherelativesofmymotherwillcomeoverhereandtakeyoudowntothevillage。Mymotherhasthreesisterswhohavetheirworkbagsmadeidenticallythesameasmother’s。
　　Weretheytomixthemuptheycouldnoteachpickoutherownwithoutlookinginsidesoastoidentifythembywhattheyhaveinthem。Youwillbeaskedtopickoutmother’sworkbag，andifyoufailtheywilltrampleyoutodeath。Nexttheywilltellyoutopickoutmymotherfromamonghersisters，andyouwillbeunabletodistinguishherfromtheotherthree，andifyoufailtheywillburyyoualive。Thelasttheywilltryyouon，incaseyoumeetthefirstandsecondtestssuccessfully，willbetorequireyoutopickmeoutfrommythreecousins，whoareasmuchlikemeasmyreflectioninthewater。ThebagsyoucantellbyalittlepebbleIwillplaceonmymother’s。YoucanpickmymotheroutbyasmallpieceofgrasswhichIwillputinherhair，andyoucanpickmeoutfrommycousins，forwhenwecommencetodance，Iwillshakemyhead，flopmyearsandswitchmytail。Youmustchoosequickly，astheywillbeveryangryatyoursuccess，andifyouloseanytimetheywillmaketheexcusethatyoudidnotknow，thattheymayhaveanexcusetotrampleyoutodeath。"
　　Theboythenleft，afteradmonishinghisfathertorememberallthathehadtoldhim。Earlynextmorningthefatherheardagreatrumblingnoise，andgoingoutside，hesawthewholehillsidecoveredwithbuffalo。Whenheappearedtheysetupaloudbellowingandcircledaroundhim。Oneoldbullcameupandgivingaloudsnort，passedonby，lookingbackeveryfewsteps。Theman，thinkinghewastofollowthisone，didso，andthewholeherd，formingahalfcirclearoundhim，escortedhimdownthewestsideoftherangeoutontoalargeplain，wheretherestoodalonetree。Tothistreetheoldbullledhimandstoppedwhenhereachedthetree。Alargerockatthefootofthetreeservedasaseatfortheman。Assoonashewasseatedtherecamefourfemalebuffaloes，eachbearingalargeworkbox。Theysettheboxesdowninarowinfrontoftheman，andtheherdcrowdedaroundcloserinordertogetagoodview。Theoldbullcametothefrontandstoodclosetothebags，whichhadbeentakenoutofthefourboxes。
　　Themanstoodup，andlookingatthebags，noticedasmallpebblerestingontheonenexttotheleftend。Steppingoverhepulledthebagtowardshimandsecretlypushedthelittlepebbleoffthebag，sothatnoonewouldnoticeit。Whentheysawthathehadselectedtherightone，theysetupaterrificbellow。
　　Thencamethefoursistersandstoodinalinebeforetheman。
　　Glancingalongfromtheoneontherighttothelastoneontheleft，hesteppedforwardandplacedhishandontheonenexttotheright。Thankstohisboy，ifhehadn’tputthatlittlestemofgrassonhismother’shair，thefathercouldneverhavepickedouthiswife，asthefourlookedasmuchalikeasfourpeas。Nextcamethefourboycalves，andastheyadvancedtheycommenceddancing，andhissonwasshakinghisheadandfloppinghisearsandswitchinghistail。Thefatherwasgoingtopickouthisboy，whenafaintingspelltookhim，andashesanktothegroundtheoldbullsprangforwardontopofhim，andinstantlytheyrusheduponhimandhewassoontrampledtoajelly。Theherdthenmovedtootherparts。
　　Theelkwifeconcludedthatsomethinghadhappenedtoherhusbandanddeterminedupongoinginsearchofhim。Asshewasveryfleetoffootitdidnottakeherlongtoarriveatthelonetree。Shenoticedthebloodsplashedonthebaseofthetree，andsmallpiecesoffleshstampedintotheearth。Lookingcloser，shenoticedsomethingwhiteinthedust。Stoopingandpickingitoutofthedust，shedrewforththeclusterofdifferentcoloredfeatherswhichhadbeenfastenedtoherhusband’sforehead。Sheatoncetooktheclusteroffeathers，andgoingtotheeastsideoftheridge，heatedstonesanderectedawickieup，placedthefeathersinside，andgettingwater，shesprinkledthestones，andthiscausedathickvaporinthewickieup。Shecontinuedthisforalongtime，whensheheardsomethingmovinginsidethewickieup。
　　Thenavoicespokeup，saying："Whoeveryouare，poursomemorewateronandIwillbeallright。"Sothewomangotmorewaterandpoureditontherocks。"Thatwilldonow，Iwanttodryoff。"
　　Shepluckedapileofsageandinhandingitintohim，herecognizedhiselkwife’shand。
　　Theywentbackhomeandshortlyafterthebuffalo，hearingabouthimcomingbacktolife，decidedtomakewaronhimandkillhimandhiswife，shebeingtheonewhobroughthimbacktolife。Thewoman，hearingofthis，hadpostssetinthegroundandastrongplatformplacedontop。Whenthebuffalocame，herhusband，hersonandherself，wereseatedupontheboughplatform，andthebuffalocouldnotreachthem。Shefloutedherredblanketintheirfaces，whichmadethebuffalowildwithrage。Thehunter’sfriendscametohisrescue，andsofastweretheykillingthebuffalothattheytookflightandrushedaway，nevermoretobotherPrettyFeatherForehead。
　　THEFOURBROTHERS
　　OR
　　INYANHOKSILA（STONEBOY）
　　Aloneandapartfromtheirtribedweltfourorphanbrothers。Theyhaderectedaverycomfortablehut，althoughthematerialsusedwereonlywillows，hay，birchbark，andadobemud。Afterthecompletionoftheirhut，theoldestbrotherlaidoutthedifferentkindsofworktobedonebythefourofthem。Heandthesecondandthirdbrothersweretodoallthehunting，andtheyoungestbrotherwastodothehousework，cookthemeals，andkeepplentyofwoodonhandatalltimes。
　　Ashisolderbrotherswouldleavefortheirhuntingveryearlyeverymorning，andwouldnotreturntilllateatnight，thelittlefellowalwaysfoundplentyofsparetimetogatherintolittlepilesfinedrywoodfortheirwinteruse。
　　Thusthefourbrotherslivedhappilyforalongtime。Onedaywhileoutgatheringandpilingupwood，theboyheardarustlingintheleavesandlookingaroundhesawayoungwomanstandinginthecherrybushes，smilingathim。
　　"Whoareyou，andwheredidyoucomefrom？"askedtheboy，insurprise。"Iamanorphangirlandhavenorelativesliving。I
　　camefromthevillagewestofhere。Ilearnedfromrabbitthattherewerefourorphanbrotherslivinghereallalone，andthattheyoungestwaskeepinghouseforhisolderbrothers，soIthoughtI
　　wouldcomeoverandseeifIcouldn’thavethemadoptmeastheirsister，sothatImightkeephouseforthem，asIamverypoorandhavenorelations，neitherhaveIahome。"
　　Shelookedsopitifulandsadthattheboythoughttohimself，"I
　　willtakeherhomewithme，poorgirl，nomatterwhatmybrothersthinkorsay。"Thenhesaidtoher："Comeon，tanke（sister）。Youmaygohomewithme;Iamsuremyolderbrotherswillbegladtohaveyouforoursister。"
　　Whentheyarrivedatthehut，thegirlhustledaboutandcookedupafinehotsupper，andwhenthebrothersreturnedtheyweresurprisedtoseeagirlsittingbythefireintheirhut。Aftertheyhadenteredtheyoungestbrothergotupandwalkedoutside，andashorttimeaftertheoldestbrotherfollowedhimout。"Whoisthatgirl，andwheredidshecomefrom？"heaskedhisbrother。Whereuponthebrothertoldhimthewholestory。Uponhearingthistheoldestbrotherfeltverysorryforthepoororphangirlandgoingbackintothehuthespoketothegirl，saying：
　　"Sister，youareanorphan，thesameaswe;youhavenorelatives，nohome。Wewillbeyourbrothers，andourpoorhutshallbeyourhome。Henceforthcallusbrothers，andyouwillbeoursister。"
　　"Oh，howhappyIamnowthatyoutakemeasyoursister。Iwillbetoyouallasthoughwewereofthesamefatherandmother，"saidthegirl。Andtruetoherword，shelookedaftereverythingofherbrothersandkeptthehouseinsuchfineshapethatthebrothersblessedthedaythatshecametotheirpoorlittlehut。Shealwayshadanextrabuckskinsuitandtwopairsofmoccasinshangingattheheadofeachone’sbed。Buffalo，deer，antelope，bear，wolf，wildcat，mountainlionandbeaverskinsshetannedbythedozen，andpilednicelyinonecornerofthehut。
　　WhentheIndianshavewalkedagreatdistanceandareverytired，theyhavegreatfaithinpaintingtheirfeet，claimingthatpainteasesthepainandreststheirfeet。
　　Aftertheirreturnfromalongday’sjourney，whentheywouldbelyingdownresting，thesisterwouldgetherpaintandmixitwiththedeertallowandrubthepaintonherbrother’sfeet，paintingthemuptotheirankles。Thegentletouchofherhands，andthesoothingqualitiesofthetallowandpaintsoonputthemintoadeep，dreamlesssteep。
　　Manysuchkindactionsonherpartwontheheartsofthebrothers，andneverwasafullbloodsisterlovedmorethanwasthispoororphangirl，whohadbeentakenastheiradoptedsister。Inthemorningwhentheyarose，thesisteralwayscombedtheirlongblacksilkenscalplocksandpaintedthecirclearoundthescalplockabrightvermillion。
　　Whenthehunterswouldreturnwithagoodlysupplyofbeef，thesisterwouldhurryandrelievethemoftheirpacks，hangingeachonehighenoughfromthegroundsotheprowlingdogsandcoyotescouldnotreachthem。Thehunterseachhadapostonwhichtohanghisbowandflintheadarrows。（Goodhuntersneverlaidtheirarrowsontheground，asitwasconsideredunluckytothehunterwholethisarrowstouchtheearthaftertheyhadbeenoutofthequiver）。Theywereallperfectlyhappy，untilonedaytheolderbrothersurprisedthemallbysaying："Wehaveaplentifulsupplyofmeatonhandatpresenttolastusforaweekorso。I
　　amgoingforavisittothevillagewestofus，soyouboysallstayathomeandhelpsister。AlsogatherasmuchwoodasyoucanandIwillbebackagaininfourdays。Onmyreturnwewillresumeourhuntingandcommencegettingouryear’ssupplyofmeat。"
　　Heleftthenextmorning，andthelasttheysawofhimwaswhilehestoodatthetopofthelongrangeofhillswestoftheirhome。
　　Fourdayshadcomeandgoneandnosignoftheoldestbrother。
　　"Iamafraidthatourbrotherhasmetwithsomeaccident，"saidthesister。"Iamafraidso，too，"saidthenextoldest。"Imustgoandsearchforhim;hemaybeinsometroublewherealittlehelpwouldgethimout。"Thesecondbrotherfollowedthedirectionhisbrotherhadtaken，andwhenhecametothetopofthelongrangeofhillshesatdownandgazedlongandsteadilydownintothelongvalleywithabeautifulcreekwindingthroughit。Acrossthevalleywasalongplainstretchingformilesbeyondandfinallyendingatthefootofanotherrangeofhills，thecounterpartoftheoneuponwhichhesat。
　　Afternotingthedifferentlandmarkscarefully，hearoseandslowlystarteddowntheslopeandsooncametothecreekhehadseenfromthetopoftherange。Greatwashissurpriseonarrivingatthecreektofindwhatadifferencetherewasintheappearanceofitfromtherangeandwherehestood。Fromtherangeitappearedtobeaquiet，harmless，laughingstream。Nowhesawittobeamuddy，boiling，bubblingtorrent，withhighperpendicularbanks。Foralongtimehestood，thinkingwhichwaytogo，upordownstream。Hehadjustdecidedtogodownstream，when，onchancingtolookup，henoticedathincolumnofsmokeslowlyascendingfromalittleknoll。Heapproachedtheplacecautiouslyandnoticedadoorplacedintothecreekbankontheoppositesideofthestream。Ashestoodlookingatthedoor，wonderingwhocouldbelivinginaplacelikethat，itsuddenlyopenedandaveryoldappearingwomancameoutandstoodlookingaroundher。Soonshespiedtheyoungman，andsaidtohim："Mygrandchild，wheredidyoucomefromandwhitherareyoubound？"Theyoungmananswered：
　　"Icamefromeastofthisridgeandaminsearchofmyoldestbrother，whocameoverinthisdirectionfivedaysagoandwhohasnotyetreturned。"
　　"Yourbrotherstoppedhereandatehisdinnerwithme，andthenleft，travelingtowardsthewest，"saidtheoldwitch，forsuchshewas。"Now，grandson，comeacrossonthatlittlelogbridgeupthestreamthereandhaveyourdinnerwithme。Ihaveitallcookednowandjuststeppedoutsidetoseeiftheremightnotbesomehungrytravelerabout，whomIcouldinviteintoeatdinnerwithme。"Theyoungmanwentupthestreamalittledistanceandfoundacoupleofsmalllogswhichhadbeenplacedacrossthestreamtoserveasabridge。Hecrossedoverandwentdowntotheoldwoman’sdugouthut。"Comeingrandson，andeat。
　　Iknowyoumustbehungry。"
　　Theyoungmansatdownandatearealheartymeal。Onfinishinghearoseandsaid："Grandmother，Ithankyouforyourmealandkindnesstome。Iwouldstayandvisitwithyouawhile，asIknowitmustbeverylonelyhereforyou，butIamveryanxioustofindmybrother，soImustbegoing。OnmyreturnIwillstopwithmybrotherandwewillpayyoualittlevisit。"
　　"Verywell，grandson，butbeforeyougo，Iwishyouwoulddomealittlefavor。Yourbrotherdiditformebeforeheleft，andcuredme，butithascomebackonmeagain。Iamsubjecttoveryseverepainsalongtheleftsideofmybackbone，allthewayfrommyshoulderbladedowntowheremyribsattachtomybackbone，andtheonlywayIgetanyrelieffromthepainistohavesomeonekickmealongtheside。"（Shewasawitch，andconcealedinherrobealongsharpsteelspike。Itwasplacedsothatthelastkicktheywouldgiveher，theirfootwouldhitthespikeandtheywouldinstantlydropoffintoaswoon，asifdead。）
　　"IfIwon’thurtyoutoomuch，grandmother，Icertainlywillbegladtodoitforyou，"saidtheyoungman，littlethinkinghewouldbetheonetogethurt。
　　"No，grandson，don’tbeafraidofhurtingme;theharderyoukickthelongerthepainstaysaway。"Shelaiddownonthefloorandrolledoverontoherrightside，sohecouldgetagoodchancetokicktheleftsidewhereshesaidthepainwaslocated。
　　Ashemovedbacktogivethefirstkick，heglancedalongthefloorandhenoticedalongobjectwrappedinablanket，lyingagainsttheoppositewall。Hethoughtitlookedstrangeandwasgoingtostopandinvestigate，butjustthenthewitchcriedoutasifinpain。"Hurryup，grandson，Iamgoingtodieifyoudon’thurryandstartinkicking。""IcaninvestigateafterIgetthroughwithher，"thoughthe，sohestartedinkickingandeverykickhewouldgivehershewouldcry："Harder，kickharder。"Hehadtokickseventimesbeforehewouldgettotheendofthepain，soheletoutashardashecoulddrive，andwhenhecametothelastkickhehitthespike，anddrivingitthroughhisfoot，felldowninadeadswoon，andwasrolledupinablanketbythewitchandplacedbesidehisbrotherattheoppositesideoftheroom。
　　Whenthesecondbrotherfailedtoreturn，thethirdwentinsearchofthetwomissingones。Hefarednobetterthanthesecondone，ashemettheoldwitchwhoservedhiminasimilarmannerasshehadhistwobrothers。
　　"Ha！Ha！"shelaughed，whenshecaughtthethird，"Ihaveonlyonemoreofthemtocatch，andwhenIgetthemIwillkeepthemallhereayear，andthenIwillturnthemintohorsesandsellthembacktotheirsister。Ihateher，forIwasgoingtotryandkeephouseforthemandmarrytheoldestone，butshegotaheadofmeandbecametheirsister，sonowIwillgetmyrevengeonher。Nextyearshewillberidinganddrivingherbrothersandshewon’tknowit。"
　　Whenthethirdbrotherfailedtoreturn，thesistercriedandbeggedthelastonenottoventureoutinsearchofthem。Butgohemust，andgohedid，onlytodoashisthreebrothershaddone。
　　Nowthepoorsisterwasnearlydistracted。Dayandnightshewanderedoverhillsandthroughwoodsinhopesshemightfindorhearofsometraceofthem。Herwanderingswereinvain。Thehawkshadnotseenthemaftertheyhadcrossedthelittlestream。
　　Thewolvesandcoyotestoldherthattheyhadseennothingofherbrothersoutonthebroadplains，andshehadgiventhemupfordead。
　　Oneday，asshewassittingbythelittlestreamthatflowedpasttheirhut，throwingpebblesintothewaterandwonderingwhatsheshoulddo，shepickedupapurewhitepebble，smoothandround，andafterlookingatitforalongtime，threwitintothewater。Nosoonerhadithitthewaterthanshesawitgrowlarger。Shetookitoutandlookedatitandthrewitinagain。Thistimeithadassumedtheformofababy。Shetookitoutandthrewitinthethirdtimeandtheformtooklifeandbegantocry："Ina，ina"
　　（mother，mother）。Shetookthebabyhomeandfeditsoup，anditbeinganunnaturalbaby，quicklygrewuptoagoodsizedboy。Attheendofthreemonthshewasagoodbig，stoutyouth。Onedayhesaid："Mother，whyareyoulivingherealone？Towhomdoallthesefineclothesandmoccasinsbelong？"Shethentoldhimthestoryofherlostbrothers。"Oh，Iknownowwheretheyare。Youmakemelotsofarrows。Iamgoingtofindmyuncles。"Shetriedtodissuadehimfromgoing，buthewasdeterminedandsaid："MyfathersentmetoyousothatIcouldfindmyunclesforyou，andnothingcanharmme，becauseIamstoneandmynameis"StoneBoy。"
　　Themother，seeingthathewasdeterminedtogo，madeawholequiverfullofarrowsforhim，andoffhestarted。Whenhecametotheoldwitch’shut，shewasnowheretobeseen，sohepushedthedoorinandentered。Thewitchwasbusilyengagedcookingdinner。
　　"Why，mydeargrandchild，youarejustintimefordinner。Sitdownandwewilleatbeforeyoucontinueyourjourney。"Stoneboysatdownandatedinnerwiththeoldwitch。Shewatchedhimveryclosely，butwhenshewouldbedrinkinghersouphewouldglancehastilyaroundtheroom。Finallyhesawthefourbundlesontheoppositesideoftheroom，andheguessedatoncethattherelayhisfouruncles。Whenhehadfinishedeatinghetookouthislittlepipeandfilleditwith"kini-kinic，"andcommencedtosmoke，wonderinghowtheoldwomanhadmanagedtofoolhissmartuncles。Hecouldn’tstudyitout，sowhenhehadfinishedhissmokehearosetopretendtogo。Whentheoldwomansawhimpreparingtoleave，shesaid："Grandson，willyoukickmeontheleftsideofmybackbone。Iamnearlydeadwithpainandifyoukickmegoodandharditwillcureme。""Allright，grandma，"saidtheboy。Theoldwitchlaydownonthefloorandtheboystartedintokick。Atthefirstkickhebarelytouchedher。"Kickashardasyoucan，grandson;don’tbeafraidyouwillhurtme，becauseyoucan’t。"WiththatStoneBoyletdriveandbroketworibs。Shecommencedtoyellandbeghimtostop，buthekeptonkickinguntilhehadkickedbothsidesofherribsloosefromthebackbone。Thenhejumpedonherbackboneandbrokeitandkilledtheoldwitch。
　　Hebuiltabigfireoutsideanddraggedherbodytoit，andthrewherintothefire。Thusendedtheoldwomanwhowasgoingtoturnhisunclesintohorses。
　　Nexthecutwillowsandstuckthemintothegroundinacircle。
　　Thetopshepulledtogether，makingawickieup。Hethentooktheoldwoman’srobesandblanketsandcoveredthewickieupsothatnoaircouldgetinside。Hethengatheredsagebrushandcoveredthefloorwithagoodthickbedofsage;gotniceroundstonesandgotthemredhotinthefire，andplacedtheminthewickieupandproceededtocarryhisunclesoutofthehutandlaythemdownonthesoftbedofsage。Havingcompletedcarryinganddepositingthemaroundthepileofrocks，hegotabucketofwaterandpoureditonthehotrocks，whichcausedagreatvaporinthelittlewickieup。Hewaitedalittlewhileandthenlistenedandheardsomebreathinginside，sohegotanotherbucketandpouredthatonalso。Afterawhilehecouldhearnoisesinsideasthoughsomeoneweremovingabout。Hewentagainandgotthethirdbucketandafterhehadpouredthatontherocks，oneofthemeninsidesaid："Whoeveryouare，goodfriend，don’tbringustolifeonlytoscaldustodeathagain。"Stoneboythensaid："Areallofyoualive？""Yes，"saidthevoice。"Well，comeout，"saidtheboy。
　　Andwiththathethrewofftherobesandblankets，andagreatcloudofvaporaroseandsettledaroundthetopofthehighestpeakonthelongrange，andfromthatdidSmokyRangederiveitsname。
　　Theuncles，whentheyheardwhotheboywas，wereveryhappy，andtheyallreturnedtogethertotheanxiouslywaitingsister。Assoonastheygothome，thebrothersworkedhardtogatherenoughwoodtolastthemallwinter。Gametheycouldgetatalltimesoftheyear，buttheheavyfallofsnowcoveredmostofthedrywoodandalsomadeitverydifficulttodragwoodthroughthedeepsnow。
　　Sotheytookadvantageofthenicefallweatherandbythetimethesnowcommencedfallingtheyhadenoughwoodgatheredtolastthemthroughoutthewinter。Afterthesnowfellapartyofboysswiftlycoasteddownthebighillwestofthebrothers’hut。TheStoneboyusedtostandandwatchthemforhoursatatime。Hisyoungestunclesaid："Whydon’tyougoupandcoastwiththem？"Theboysaid："Theymaybeafraidofme，butIguessIwilltryonce，anyway。"Sothenextmorningwhenthecrowdcamecoasting，Stoneboystartedforthehill。Whenhehadnearlyreachedthebottomofthecoastinghillalloftheboysranoffexceptingtwolittlefellowswhohadalargecoasterpaintedindifferentcolorsandhadlittlebellstiedaroundtheedges，sowhenthecoasterwasinmotionthebellsmadeacheerfultinklingsound。AsStoneboystartedupthehillthetwolittlefellowsstarteddownandwentpasthimasthoughshotfromahickorybow。
　　Whentheygottotheendoftheirslide，theygotoffandstartedbackupthehill。Itbeingprettysteep，Stoneboywaitedforthem，soastolendahandtopullthebigcoasterupthehill。Asthetwolittlefellowscameupwithhimheknewatoncethattheyweretwins，astheylookedsomuchalikethattheonlywayonecouldbedistinguishedfromtheotherwasbythescarfstheywore。
　　Oneworered，theotherblack。Heatonceofferedtohelpthemdragtheircoastertothetopofthehill。Whentheygottothetopthetwinsofferedtheircoastertohimtotryaride。Atfirstherefused，buttheyinsistedonhistakingit，astheysaidtheywouldsoonerrestuntilhecameback。Sohegotonthecoasterandflewdownthehill，onlyhewassuchanexperthemadeazigzagcoursegoingdownandalsojumpedthecoasteroffabankaboutfourfeethigh，whichnoneoftheothercoastersdaredtotackle。Beingveryheavy，however，henearlysmashedthecoaster。Uponseeingthiswonderfuljump，andthezigzagcoursehehadtakengoingdown，thetwinswentwildwithexcitementanddecidedthattheywouldhavehimtakethemdownwhenhegotback。Souponhisarrivalatthestartingpoint，theybothaskedhimatoncetogivethemthepleasureofthesamekindofaridehehadtaken。Herefused，saying："Wewillbreakyourcoaster。Ialonenearlysmashedit，andifweallgetonandmakethesamekindofajump，Iamafraidyouwillhavetogohomewithoutyourcoaster。"
　　"Well，takeusdownanyway，andifwebreakitourfatherwillmakeusanotherone。"Sohefinallyconsented。Whentheywereallseatedreadytostart，hetoldthemthatwhenthecoastermadethejumptheymustlookstraightahead。"Bynomeanslookdown，becauseifyoudowewillgooverthecutbankandlandinaheapatthebottomofthegulch。"
　　Theysaidtheywouldobeywhathesaid，soofftheystartedswifterthanever，onaccountoftheextraweight，andsoswiftlydidthesleighglideoverthepacked，frozensnow，thatitnearlytookthetwins’breathaway。Likeanarrowtheyapproachedthejump。Thetwinsbegantogetalittlenervous。"Sitsteadyandlookstraightahead，"yelledStoneboy。ThetwinnexttoStoneboy，whowassteeringbehind，satuprightandlookedfarahead，buttheoneinfrontcroucheddownandlookedintothecoulee。Ofcourse，Stoneboy，beingbehind，fellontopofthetwins，andbeingsoheavy，killedbothoftheminstantly，crushingthemtoajelly。
　　Therestoftheboys，seeingwhathadhappened，hastenedtotheedgeofthebank，andlookingdown，sawthetwinslayingdead，andStoneboyhimselfknockedsenseless，lyingquitealittledistancefromthetwins。Theboys，thinkingthatallthreewerekilled，andthatStoneboyhadpurposelysteeredthesleighoverthebankinsuchawaythatitwouldtipandkillthetwins，returnedtothevillagewiththisreport。Now，thesetwinswerethesonsoftheheadchiefoftheBuffaloNation。Soatoncethechiefandhisscoutswentovertothehilltoseeiftheboyshadtoldthetruth。
　　Whentheyarrivedatthebanktheysawthetwinslyingdead，butwherewasStoneboy？Theylookedhighandlowthroughthegulch，butnotasignofhimcouldtheyfind。Tenderlytheypickedupthedeadtwinsandcarriedthemhome，thenheldabigcouncilandputawaythebodiesofthedeadinBuffalocustom。
　　Afewdaysafterthistheuncleswerereturningfromalongjourney。Whentheydrewneartheirhometheynoticedlargedrovesofbuffalogatheredontheirsideoftherange。Hardlyanybuffaloeverrangedonthiseastsideoftherangebefore，andthebrothersthoughtitstrangethatsomanyshouldsosuddenlyappeartherenow。
　　Whentheyarrivedathometheirsistertoldthemwhathadhappenedtothechief’stwins，ashersonhadtoldherthewholestoryuponhisarrivalathomeaftertheaccident。
　　"Well，probablyallthebuffalowesawwerehereforthecouncilandfuneral，"saidtheolderbrother。"Butwhereismynephew？"
　　（Stoneboy）heaskedhissister。"Hesaidhehadnoticedagreatmanybuffaloaroundlatelyandhewasgoingtolearn，ifpossible，whattheirobjectwas，"saidthesister。"Well，wewillwaituntilhisreturn。"
　　WhenStoneboyleftonhistripthatmorning，beforethereturnofhisuncles，hewasdeterminedtoascertainwhatmightbethemeaningofsomanybuffalosonearthehomeofhimselfanduncles。
　　Heapproachedseveralbunchesofyoungbuffalo，butuponseeinghimapproachingtheywouldscamperoverthehills。Thushewanderedfrombunchtobunch，scatteringthemall。Finallyhegrewtiredoftheircowardiceandstartedforhome。Whenhehadcometowithinahalfmileorsoofhomehesawanoldshaggybuffalostandingbyalargeboulder，rubbingonitfirstonehornandthentheother。Oncomingupclosetohim，theboysawthatthebullwassooldhecouldhardlysee，andhishornssobluntthathecouldhaverubbedthemforayearonthatboulderandnotsharpenedthemsoastohurtanyone。
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere，grandfather？"askedtheboy。
　　"Iamsharpeningmyhornsforthewar，"saidthebull。
　　"Whatwar？"askedtheboy。
　　"Haven’tyouheard，"saidtheoldbull，whowassonearsightedhedidnotrecognizeStoneboy。"Thechief’stwinswerekilledbyStoneboy，whoranthemoveracutbankpurposely，andthechiefhasorderedallofhisbuffalotogatherhere，andwhentheyarrivewearegoingtokillStoneboyandhismotherandhisuncles。"
　　"Isthatso？Whenisthewartocommence？"
　　"Infivedaysfromnowwewillmarchupontheunclesandtrampleandgorethemalltodeath。"
　　"Well，grandfather，Ithankyouforyourinformation，andinreturnwilldoyouafavorthatwillsaveyousomuchhardworkonyourblunthorns。"Sosayinghedrewalongarrowfromhisquiverandstrunghisbow，attachedthearrowtothestringanddrewthearrowhalfwayback。Theoldbull，notseeingwhatwasgoingon，andhalfexpectingsomekindofassistanceinhishornsharpeningprocess，stoodperfectlystill。ThusspokeStoneboy：
　　"Grandfather，youaretoooldtojoininawarnow，andbesidesifyougotmixedupinthatbigwarpartyyoumightstepinaholeorstumbleandfallandbetrampledtodeath。Thatwouldbeahorribledeath，soIwillsaveyouallthatsufferingbyjustgivingyouthis。"Atthiswordhepulledthearrowbacktotheflintheadandletitfly。Truetohisaim，thearrowwentinbehindtheoldbull’sforeleg，andwithsuchforcewasitsentthatitwentclearthroughthebullandstuckintoatreetwohundredfeetaway。
　　Walkingovertothetree，hepulledouthisarrow。Coollystraighteninghisarrowbetweenhisteethandsightingitforaccuracy，heshoveditbackintothequiverwithitsbrothers，exclaiming："Iguess，grandpa，youwon’tneedtosharpenyourhornsforStoneboyandhisuncles。"
　　Uponhisarrivalhomehetoldhisunclestogettoworkbuildingthreestockadeswithditchesbetweenandmaketheditcheswideanddeepsotheywillholdplentyofbuffalo。"ThefourthfenceIwillbuildmyself，"hesaid。
　　Thebrothersgottoworkearlyandworkeduntilverylateatnight。
　　Theybuiltthreecorralsanddugthreeditchesaroundthehut，andittookthemthreedaystocompletethework。Stoneboyhadn’tdoneathingtowardsbuildinghisfenceyet，andtherewereonlytwodaysmoreleftbeforethechargeofthebuffalowouldcommence。Stilltheboydidn’tseemtobotherhimselfaboutthefence。Insteadhehadhismothercontinuallycuttingarrowsticks，andasfastasshecouldbringthemhewouldshapethem，featherandheadthem。Sobythetimehisuncleshadtheirfencesandcorralsfinishedhehadathousandarrowsfinishedforeachofhisuncles。Thelasttwodaystheyhadtowait，theunclesjoinedhimandtheyfinishedseveralthousandmorearrows。Theeveningbeforethefifthdayhetoldhisunclestoputupfourposts，sotheycouldusethemasseatsfromwhichtoshoot。
　　Whiletheyweredoingthis，Stoneboywentouttoscoutandseehowthingslooked。Atdaylighthecamehurriedlyinsaying，"Youhadbettergettothefirstcorral;theyarecoming。""Youhaven’tbuiltyourfence，nephew。"WhereuponStoneboysaid："Iwillbuilditintime;don’tworry，uncle。"Thedustonthehillsidesroseasgreatcloudsofsmokefromaforestfire。Soontheleadersofthechargecameinsight，anduponseeingthetimberstockadetheygaveforthagreatsnortorroarthatfairlyshooktheearth。Thousandsuponthousandsofmadbuffalochargeduponthelittlefort。Theleadershitthefirststockadeanditsoongaveway。Themaddenedbuffalopushedforwardbythethousandsbehindthem;plungedforward，onlytofallintothefirstditchandbetrampledtodeathbythosebehindthem。Thebrotherswerenotslowinusingtheirarrows，andmanyanoblebeastwentdownbeforetheirdeadlyaimwithalittleflintpointedarrowburieddeepinhisheart。
　　Thesecondstockadestoodtheirchargealittlelongerthandidthefirst，butfinallythisgaveway，andtheleaderspushedonthrough，onlytofallintothesecondditchandmeetasimilarfatetothoseinthefirst。Thebrotherscommencedtolookanxiouslytowardstheirnephew，astherewasonlyonemorestockadeleft，andthesecondditchwasnearlybridgedoverwithdeadbuffalo，withthenowthricemaddenedbuffaloattackingthelaststockademorefuriouslythanbefore，astheycouldseethelittlehutthroughtheopeningsinthecorral。
　　"Comein，uncles，"shoutedStoneboy。Theyobeyedhim，andsteppingtothecenterhesaid："Watchmebuildmyfence。"Suitingthewords，hetookfromhisbeltanarrowwithawhitestonefastenedtothepointandfasteningittohisbow，heshotithighintheair。Straightupintotheairitwent，fortwoorthreethousandfeet，thenseemedtostopsuddenlyandturnedwithpointdownanddescendedasswiftlyasithadascended。Uponstrikingthegroundahighstonewallarose，enclosingthehutandallwhowereinside。Justthenthebuffalobrokethelaststockadeonlytofillthelastditchupagain。Invaindidtheleadersbuttthestonewall。Theyhurtthemselves，broketheirhornsandmashedtheirsnouts，butcouldnotevenscarthewall。
　　TheunclesandStoneboyinthemeantimerainedarrowsofdeathintotheirranks。
　　Whenthebuffalochiefsawwhattheyhadtocontendwith，heorderedthefightoff。Thecrierorheraldsangout："Comeaway，comeaway，Stoneboyandhisuncleswillkillallofus。"
　　Sothebuffalowithdrew，leavingovertwothousandoftheirdeadandwoundedonthefield，onlytobeskinnedandputawayforthefeastsofStoneboyandhisuncles，wholivedtobegreatchiefsoftheirowntribe，andwhosemanyrelationssoonjoinedthemonthebanksofStoneBoyCreek。
　　THEUNKTOMI（SPIDER），TWOWIDOWS，ANDTHEREDPLUMS
　　Thereoncelived，inaremotepartofagreatforest，twowidowedsisters，withtheirlittlebabies。OnedaytherecametotheirtentavisitorwhowascalledUnktomi（spider）。Hehadfoundsomeniceredplumsduringhiswanderingsintheforest，andhesaidtohimself，"Iwillkeeptheseplumsandfoolthetwowidowswiththem。"Afterthewidowshadbiddenhimbeseated，hepresentedthemwiththeplums。
　　Onseeingthemtheyexclaimed"hinu，hinu（anexclamationofsurprise），wheredidyougetthosefineplums？"Unktomiaroseandpointingtoacrimsontippedcloud，said："Youseethatredcloud？
　　Directlyunderneathitisapatchofplums。Solargeisthepatchandsoredandbeautifularetheplumsthatitisthereflectionofthemonthecloudthatyousee。"
　　"Oh，howwewishsomeonewouldtakecareofourbabies，whilewegooverthereandpicksome，"saidthesisters。"Why，Iamnotinanyparticularhurry，soifyouwanttogoIwilltakecareofmylittlenephewsuntilyoureturn。"（Unktomialwaysclaimedrelationshipwitheveryonehemet）。"Wellbrother，"saidtheolderwidow，"takegoodcareofthemandwewillbebackassoonaspossible。"
　　Thetwothentookasackinwhichtogathertheplums，andstartedofftowardsthecloudwiththecrimsonlining。ScarcelyhadtheygonefromUnktomi’ssightwhenhetookthebabiesoutoftheirswinginghammocksandcutofffirstoneheadandthentheother。
　　Hethentooksomeoldblanketsandrolledthemintheshapeofababybodyandlaidoneineachhammock。Thenhetooktheheadsandputtheminplaceintheirdifferenthammocks。Thebodieshecutupandthrewintoalargekettle。Thisheplacedoverarousingfire。ThenhemixedIndianturnipsandarikarasquashwiththebabymeatandsoonhadakettleofsoup。Justaboutthetimethesoupwasreadytoservethewidowsreturned。Theyweretiredandhungryandnotaplumhadthey。Unktomi，hearingtheapproachofthetwo，hurriedlydishedoutthebabysoupintwowoodendishesandthenseatedhimselfnearthedoorsothathecouldgetouteasily。Upontheentranceofthewidows，Unktomiexclaimed：
　　"Sisters，IhadbroughtsomemeatwithmeandIcookedsometurnipsandsquashwithitandmadeapotoffinesoup。Thebabieshavejustfallenasleep，sodon’twakenthemuntilyouhavefinishedeating，forIknowthatyouarenearlystarved。"Thetwofelltoatonceandaftertheyhadsomewhatappeasedtheirappetites，oneofthemaroseandwentovertoseehowherbabywasresting。Notinganunnaturalcoloronherbaby’sface，sheraisedhimuponlytohavehisheadrollofffromthebundleofblankets。
　　"’Myson！myson！"shecriedout。Atoncetheotherhastenedtoherbabyandgrabbeditup，onlytohavethesamethinghappen。Atoncetheysurmisedwhohaddonethis，andcaughtupsticksfromthefirewithwhichtobeatUnktomitodeath。He，expectingsomethinglikethistohappen，lostverylittletimeingettingoutsideanddownintoaholeattherootsofalargetree。ThetwowidowsnotbeingabletofollowUnktomidownintothehole，hadtogiveuptryingtogethimout，andpassedtherestofthedayandnightcryingfortheirbelovedbabies。InthemeantimeUnktomihadgottenoutbyanotheropening，andfixinghimselfupinanentirelydifferentstyle，andpaintinghisfaceinamannerthattheywouldnotrecognizehim，hecautiouslyapproachedtheweepingwomenandinquiredthecauseoftheirtears。
　　Thustheyansweredhim："Unktomicamehereandfooledusaboutsomeplums，andwhilewewereabsentkilledourbabiesandmadesoupoutoftheirbodies。Thenhegaveusthesouptoeat，whichwedid，andwhenwefoundoutwhathehaddonewetriedtokillhim，buthecrawleddownintothatholeandwecouldnotgethimout。"
　　"Iwillgethimout，"saidthemockstranger，andwiththathecrawleddownintotheholeandscratchedhisownfaceallovertomakethewidowsbelievehehadbeenfightingwithUnktomi。"Ihavekilledhim，andthatyoumayseehimIhaveenlargedtheholesoyoucancrawlinandseeforyourselves，alsototakesomerevengeonhisdeadbody。"Thetwofoolishwidows，believinghim，crawledintothehole，onlytobeblockedupbyUnktomi，whoatoncegatheredgreatpilesofwoodandstuffingitintothehole，setitonfire，andthusendedthelastofthefamilywhowerefoolishenoughtoletUnktomitemptthemwithafewredplums。