t was told of you regularly, saying
you walked on a journey. And there I wish to walk, so I have sought
you."

"Yes?" said Big Turtle. "Let me see your ways."

Puma made his hair bristle up all over his body. He bent his tail
backward and upward. He went leaping to the bottom of a small hill.
Having caught by the throat a fawn, about two years old, he came
back, making it cry out as he held it in his teeth.

"I think I will do that, O war chief, if anything threatens to vex
me," he said.

"Do something else," said Big Turtle.

"No, O war chief; that is all," said Puma.

"You have disappointed me," said Big Turtle. "Look at these persons
with whom I am. Where is one who is imperfect? You are very inferior.
Come, depart. You have disappointed me."

They departed. At length when they reached the foot of a hill, Black
Bear came.

"O war chief, again one has come," said the warriors.

"I suspect what he will say, warriors. Wait for him. Stand in a row,"
said Big Turtle. "Ho," he said, addressing Black Bear. "Come, speak
quickly. What is your business? When I walk on a journey, I am in a
great hurry," said Big Turtle.

"Yes, O warrior, it is so. It was told of you regularly that you
walked on a journey. And as I desired to walk there, I have sought you
diligently," said Black Bear.

"Ho! Do something," said Big Turtle. "You may have thought how you
would do it. I wish to see your ways."

Black Bear pierced the ground with his claws, and threw lumps of
earth to a great distance. And there stood an oak tree which had been
blackened by fire. He attacked it. Having hugged it, he threw it with
force to a great distance.

"O war chief, if anything vexes me, I think I will do that," said
Black Bear.

Big Turtle said, "Ho! warrior, you have disappointed me. These persons
with whom I am--look at them. There is none who is faint-hearted in
the least degree. You have disappointed me. Come, depart. Thus do I
regularly send off the inferior ones."

They went into a dense undergrowth. At length Buffalo Bladder was torn
open, making the sound, "_Qu'e._" "Alas! I am not going beyond with
you," said he.

"Ho, warrior. I will come back very soon. Remain here for a while,"
said Big Turtle.

Again they departed. As they went, they reached a bad path. Very high
logs were lying across it. Redbreasted Turtle failed to step over
them.

"Ho, O war chief," he said. "I am not going beyond here with you."

"Ho, warrior. I wil