He was so scared that he kept
very still and crept back and away out around him. He wanted to ask if
the man had seen his wife, for that was what he asked everyone he came
to. So he went around and came from the opposite direction, facing the
man.

When Small Salmon saw him approaching he stopped chopping and asked,
"Which way did you approach me?"

"I came from that direction," said Itajung, pointing in the way he had
last approached.

"That is lucky for you, for if you had come the other way and had seen
my back, I should have killed you at once with my hatchet."

"I am glad I don't have to die," said Itajung. "But haven't you seen
my wife? She left me and came this way."

"Yes, I saw her. Do you see that little island in the large lake? That
is where she lives now, and she has taken another husband."

"Oh, I can never reach her," said Itajung in despair. "I have no boat
and do not know how to reach the island."

"I will help you," said Small Salmon kindly. "Come down to the beach
with me. Here is the backbone of a salmon. Now shut your eyes. The
backbone will turn into a kayak and carry you safely to the island.
But mind you keep your eyes shut. If you open them the kayak will
upset."

"I will obey," said Itajung.

He closed his eyes, the backbone became a kayak, and away he sped over
the water. He heard no splashing and was anxious to know if he really
was moving, so he peeped open his eyes a trifle.

At once the boat began to swing violently, but he quickly shut his
eyes, and it went on steadily, and he soon landed on the island.

There he saw a hut and his son playing on the beach near it. The boy
on looking up saw and recognized him, and ran to his mother, crying:

"Mother, Father is here and is coming to our hut."

"Go back to your play," she said; "your father is far away and cannot
find us."

The lad went back, but again he ran in, saying:

"Mother, Father is here and is coming to our hut."

Again she sent him away; but he soon returned, saying: "Father is
right here."

He had scarcely said it when Itajung opened the door. When the new
husband saw him he said to his wife, "Open that box in the corner of
the hut."

She did so, and a great quantity of feathers flew out and stuck fast
to them. The hut disappeared. The woman, her new husband, and the
child were transformed into geese and flew away, leaving Itajung
standing alone.

VII

THE SPIRIT OF THE SINGING HOUSE

The sing