S'^Z'^] LEGENDS 605 



The nephew replied, " So be it," and taking up the bark case in which 

 was his sister, he placed it on his back, carrying it by means of the 

 forehead strap. He then went directly to the place where his uncle's 

 skull protruded from the ground. When he arrived there bearing 

 his sister on his back, his uncle of the skull asked him, " Well, my 

 nephew, how have things gone? " The nephew replied, " Everything 

 that you advised me to do has been satisfactorily accomplished." 

 Thereupon the uncle said to him : " You must hasten back to the 

 lodge, for it is now your turn to kindle a great fire. You must 

 say to your uncle, ' I am gathering wood and fuel to build a great 

 fire, for I think that tonight we shall have a very cold night.' And 

 tonight about midnight you must dream and groan; then, quickly 

 arising, grope on your hands and knees, and finally cast yourself 

 on the fire, scattering the firebrands in all directions, especially 

 toward the bed on which your uncle lies. When he arises and strikes 

 you a blow on the head with his war club, you must quickly say, ' It 

 has now ceased,' for he will raise the club' at once to strike a second 

 blow. He will then ask you, ' What is it that is causing you to see 

 marvels?' You must answer, 'Compliance with what my dream 

 has commanded me is most difficult, and the command is accom- 

 panied with evil portent.' WTien he asks you, ' Wliat did it com- 

 mand you to do?' you must say, 'It commanded me to draw you, 

 my uncle, in a bark sledge 10 times around this lodge, and to require 

 you to be naked, entirely so.' This is what you shall tell him when 

 he asks what you have dreamed." The youth replied, " So let it be." 

 Continuing his advice, the uncle said : " You must carefully guard 

 the person of your sister. Be brave and do not waver ; do not agree 

 to his proposal that he may not undergo the test entirely naked, 

 claiming this exemption on account of his great age. This is what 

 he will say, but do not consent to this proposition. Now hasten 

 back to the lodge." 



Having returned to the lodge, the youth said to his uncle, " It 

 IS my turn to kindle the fire today, for we shall have a vei'y cold and 

 stormy night." The uncle merely said, " I will care for your sister, 

 of course, for it is very cold." But the youth replied, " Carrying 

 her along with me will in no wise interfere with what I am about 

 to do." So, carrying his sister on his back by means of the forehead 

 strap, he went forth to gather wood. He kindled a great fire for 

 the night and did not leave his sister alone for a single moment. 



When night came, they all retired to their beds. The sister of the 

 youth remained in the bark case, which the youth placed between 

 himself and the bark wall of the lodge. About midnight he began 

 to groan and moan and utter incoherent words. Then, having arisen, 

 groped around on his knees, and finally cast himself into the fire, 

 scattering the firebrands in all directions, especially over the bed of 



