VI 

 THE BIRD WIFE 



ITAJUNG, one of the limit tribe, was vexed be- 

 cause a young woman would not marry him, so 

 he left his home and traveled far away into the 

 land of the birds. He came to a small lake in 

 which many geese were swimming. On the shore 

 he saw a great many boots. He cautiously crept 

 near and stole a pair and hid them. 



Presently the birds came out of the water, and 

 finding a pair of boots gone they were alarmed, 

 and quickly forming into two long lines with their 

 leader at the point where the lines met, they flew 

 away crying, "Honk! Honk! Honk! " 



But one of the flock remained behind crying, 

 " I want my boots ! I want my boots ! " 



Itajung came forth from his hiding-place and 

 said, " I will give you your boots if you will be- 

 come my wife." 



" That I will not do," she replied. 



" Very well," he said, and turned around to go 

 away. 



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