leased when at last he was able to walk a little.
When fall came, she went away with the other birds, but this time Koto
was not sad, for he knew she was happy, and he was happy, too, because
he could now walk.
THE HUMPBACKED MANITOU
Bokwewa and his brother lived in a lodge in the forest, far away from
the rest of the world. They were both Manitous and could do many
wonderful things. Bokwewa had the most gifts and knew all the secrets
of the woods, but his body was deformed. The brother was very
handsome. His body was very straight, and he could run and do many
things that Bokwewa could not do. But he was not as wise as the
humpbacked Manitou. Bokwewa used to tell his brother how to hunt and
shoot and fish. Then the brother would go and get the food, and bring
it back to the lodge. Bokwewa did not go out very much, of course.
One day the brother said, "Bokwewa, I am tired of living so quietly.
Where are all the rest of the people? I am going away to find them and
to get a wife."
Bokwewa tried to coax him not to go, but the brother was determined.
He made ready for his journey, and departed. In a few days he
returned, bringing a beautiful maiden with him. Bokwewa was very kind
to His brother's wife and she was good to him, so they became great
friends. One day the brother was away hunting. Bokwewa was sitting by
one side of the fire in the lodge; the wife was sitting on the other
side. Suddenly the door was opened, and a strong, tall man entered.
He seized the maiden and began to pull her to the door. She screamed,
and tried to get away from him; but he held her fast. Bokwewa pulled
and fought with all his strength. The tall man pushed him against the
door and hurt his back. Then he dashed out with the maiden, and took
her away with him.
When the brother returned, he found Bokwewa weeping with sorrow; and
when he heard what had happened, he wept also. Bokwewa tried to
comfort him, but the brother only lay on the bed, refusing to eat
anything, and weeping bitterly. For several days he stayed there. At
length he arose and said, "Bokwewa, I am going to the village where
that mighty Manitou lives. He has stolen my wife."
"Oh, do not go," said Bokwewa, "for that village is many miles to the
south. The people who live there are idle and know only of pleasure.
They have many snares set by the roadside to catch you. Do not try to
go amongst them, for you will become like them and thin
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