on the otter. He was going to smother him, as this was his way of
killing animals. But the otter managed to wriggle from under him, and
escaped out of the door.

The rest remained there for the night. When they were going in the
morning, the Manitou told them what path to take and what to do when
they reached the right spot. They thanked him and started on again.

For twenty more days they travelled, and then they reached another
mountain. They climbed to the top of this, and they knew by certain
signs it was the spot the Manitou had described. So they seated
themselves in a circle and filled their pipes. They pointed to the
sky, the four winds, and the earth; then they began to smoke. As they
looked up at the sky they were silent with awe, for they were on such a
high mountain that the sky seemed only a few yards off. They then
prepared themselves, and Ojeeg told the otter to have the first trial
at making a hole in the sky. With a grin the otter consented. He made
a spring, but fell down the side of the hill. The snow was moist, so
he slid all the way to the bottom. When he had picked himself up, he
said, "This is the last time I shall make such a jump; I am going
home," and away he went. The beaver had the next turn, but did no
better, The lynx had no better luck. Then came the turn of the
wolverine.

"Now," said Ojeeg to him, "I am going to depend on you; you are brave
and will try again and again."

So the wolverine took a jump, and the first time nearly reached the
sky; the second time he cracked it, and the third time he made a hole
and crawled in. Ojeeg nimbly followed, and they found themselves on a
beautiful, green plain. Lovely shade trees grew at some distance, and
among the trees were rivers and lakes. On the water floated all kinds
of water-fowl. Then they noticed long lodges. They were empty, except
for a great many cages filled with beautiful birds. The spirits who
lived in these lodges were wandering among the trees. As Ojeeg noticed
the birds, he remembered his son. He quickly opened the doors of the
cages, and the birds rushed out. They flew through the air and down
through the opening in the sky.

The warm winds, that always blow in that heavenly place, followed the
birds down through the opening and began to melt the snows of the
north. Then the guardian spirits noticed what was happening, and ran
with great shouts to the spot where all were escaping. But Spring and