560 SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS [eth.ann.8J 



The husband quickly began to make his hunting lodge ready for 

 occupation and also kindled a large fire. While the wife was warm- 

 ing up the meats and the corn bread the husband kept on repairing 

 the lodge by filling up the crevices with moss and replacing such 

 pieces of bark as had fallen off. He desired to make the lodge warm 

 and comfortable, especially on account of their baby. When it was 

 too dark to continue his work the wife called him to their supper. 

 They were happy and contented. After finishing their meal they 

 prepared their rude bed and retired for the night. Before falling 

 asleep the husband said to his wife: "Tomorrow I will go out to 

 hunt again." 



Next morning, as soon as they had finished eating breakfast, the 

 husband said to his wife: "I am about to start out to hunt now, and 

 you two will remain alone. Perhaps I may not return until just be- 

 fore sunset. Of course, should I have very great success, I will re- 

 turn home at once." So saying, he left the lodge. Just before sunset 

 he returned, carrying by means of the forehead strap the entire body 

 of a fine deer. He set to work at once skinning the carcass. When 

 this task was completed he quartered the animal and hung up the 

 parts to cure, but not before he had selected some choice pieces for 

 their supper. These the young wife quickly prepared, and they ate 

 their evening meal in peace and quiet. The wife was, of course, very 

 much pleased to have fresh venison to eat; she was indeed happy. 

 Then they retired for the night and were soon asleep. In the morn- 

 ing the husband again started out to hunt, saying to his wife; 

 " You two will remain at home alone," assuring her that he would 

 return as soon as he was successful in his hunting. 



Thus many days passed. The hunter was very successful in his 

 hunting, always bringing home large quantities of venison, bear, 

 moose, and elk meat and various other kinds of game. He and his 

 wife had a great quantity of meat hanging around the sides of their 

 lodge to cure, and also many fine furs and skins. 



Toward sunset one day the young wife went out of the lodge to 

 procui-e fuel for the fire while the child lay asleep. As she was 

 walking around, she heard sounds made by some one approach- 

 ing through the woods: thereupon .she hastily gathered an armful 

 of wood and, quickly reentering the lodge, took a seat near her 

 sleeping baby. In a short time, as she looked out through the open- 

 ings in the forest, she saw suddenly a very large woman approaching, 

 bearing on her back an unusually large child. At once she became 

 fearful, exclaiming: "What shall I do to save us? Perhaps we two 

 shall now die? " So saying, she quietly awaited the coming of the 

 strange woman. In a few minutes the latter entered the lodge and, 

 standing in the dfy5rway, said to the frightened woman; "Do not 

 have any fear of me, for I come with no ill feeling in my mind 



