s ears, which were yellow, were smaller than the leaf
of the black walnut, and shaped exactly like it. His legs were not
shaped like those of a human being, but were two straight bones
without flesh or joint, and both black and glossy as charred birch.
But what rendered him yet more horrible to look at was that snakes,
poisonous rattlesnakes, were wreathing themselves around his legs,
and body, and arms--leaping from him, and upon him, tying themselves
in knots around his neck, and doing other feats of horrid agility.
After surveying this uncouth being and his fearful companions for a
few moments in deep silence, Cayenguirago addressed him thus:--

[Footnote A: _Far-eyes_, the name the Indians gave to spectacles.]

"Who art thou?"

"Thy master."

"The Maqua is a man," replied the warrior fiercely; "his knee was
never bowed--he acknowledges no master."

"Thou hast served me long and well, Cayenguirago--I am Abamocho, the
Spirit of Evil, and this is my dwelling-place."

"Thou hast chosen a dark abode, and strange companions," replied the
warrior.

"They are not my companions, but my warriors, my braves, my
tormentors," answered the Spirit of Evil. "It is with these that I
torment bad people, as the Maquas use old women to torment the
prisoners they take in battle. But fear not, Cayenguirago, thou hast
been a faithful servant to me--I will not suffer my people to harm
thee. Dost thou know that I design to bestow my daughter upon thee for
a wife?"

"I did not know it?" answered the Maqua.

"She shall be thine," said the Evil Spirit. "But I warn thee that
there have been very many pleasanter companions than she will make
thee, for she is excessively irritable and passionate. Withal she is
so fond of admiration, that I have no doubt she would give chace to
the ugliest toad that ever devoured a worm, so she could captivate
him. She is a true woman."

"What will the father give the Maqua that marries her?"

"Wampum, much wampum--"

"I will take her."

"Many beaver-skins, and much bear's meat--"

"Cayenguirago will make her his wife."

"Revenge against the Hurons who slew so many of his warriors in the
last Beaver-Moon. He shall drink their blood in plentiful draughts, he
shall eat their children roasted in the fire, and feed his men upon
broth made of the flesh of their Braves[A]."

[Footnote A: These, as I before observed, are mere metaphors,
signifying a deep revenge.]

"She is mine!"

"Dost thou kno