f a mean family. He loved the maiden
and when she went for water, he threw his robe over her head while he
whispered in her ear:

"Be my wife. I have little but I am young and strong. I will treat you
well, for I love you."

For a long time the maiden did not answer, but one day she whispered
back.

"Yes, you may ask my father's leave to marry me. But first you must do
something noble. I belong to a great family and have many relations. You
must go on a war party and bring back the scalp of an enemy."

The young man answered modestly, "I will try to do as you bid me. I am
only a hunter, not a warrior. Whether I shall be brave or not I do not
know. But I will try to take a scalp for your sake."

So he made a war party of seven, himself and six other young men. They
wandered through the enemy's country, hoping to get a chance to strike a
blow. But none came, for they found no one of the enemy.

"Our medicine is unfavorable," said their leader at last. "We shall have
to return home."

Before they started they sat down to smoke and rest beside a beautiful
lake at the foot of a green knoll that rose from its shore. The knoll
was covered with green grass and somehow as they looked at it they had
a feeling that there was something about it that was mysterious or
uncanny.

But there was a young man in the party named the jester, for he was
venturesome and full of fun. Gazing at the knoll he said: "Let's run and
jump on its top."

"No," said the young lover, "it looks mysterious. Sit still and finish
your smoke."

"Oh, come on, who's afraid," said the jester, laughing. "Come on
you--come on!" and springing to his feet he ran up the side of the
knoll.

Four of the young men followed. Having reached the top of the knoll all
five began to jump and stamp about in sport, calling, "Come on, come
on," to the others. Suddenly they stopped--the knoll had begun to move
toward the water. It was a gigantic turtle. The five men cried out in
alarm and tried to run--too late! Their feet by some power were held
fast to the monster's back.

"Help us--drag us away," they cried; but the others could do nothing. In
a few moments the waves had closed over them.

The other two men, the lover and his friend, went on, but with heavy
hearts, for they had forebodings of evil. After some days, they came to
a river. Worn with fatigue the lover threw himself down on the bank.

"I will sleep awhile," he said, "for I am wearied and worn out