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。
