hoffman] THE MYSTIC BRIDGE 225 



the old woman said to him, "My grandson, you have fasted a long time, 

 and must have received much power from the ma'nidos; did you receive 

 the favor of all of them?" 



''Yes, my grandmother," responded the boy, "I have now accom- 

 plished my desire, and possess the favor of all the ma'nidos." 



The old woman, much gratified at what had happened, now addressed 

 the boy in these words: 



"My grandson, there is much gold in possession of Ma'tshehawai'- 

 tuk, the 'Bad One.' He also has a bridge in his possession, and I want 

 to get both the gold and the bridge. I have taught many boys how to 

 fast, and how to obtain the favor of the ma'nidos, but none of them ever 

 returned with the things that I desire. Now I want you to procure for 

 me a little of the gold as well as the bridge. You will find the Bad One 

 in his hut, beyond a rapid river. When you reach the stream, tie this 

 ball to one of your feet and you will be enabled to cross. In no other 

 way can you accomplish this, because when the Bad One wants to cross 

 the river, he takes the small bridge, and, by simply waving his hand 

 forward, it lengthens and touches whatever spot he desires. Therefore, 

 you can not expect to cross the river by means of the bridge. Trust to 

 the ball, and it and the ma'nidos will see you safely across." 



The boy took the ball from the old woman. He then made for him- 

 self a warclub, a bow, and some arrows. These were very powerful, 

 for the ma'nidos endowed them with wonderful strength. The boy also 

 had the power to change his form, and his sight and hearing became 

 so acute that nothing could escape his eyes or ears. By the aid of 

 the ma'nidos he was now enabled to go on his journey in search of the 

 Evil One, and to procure some of the gold and the wonderful little bridge 

 which were guarded by him. 



Thus equipped the boy set out. After a long time he came to the 

 rapid river, and beheld upon a hill beyond it the house occupied by the 

 Bad One. The water was so rapid that it seemed impassable. The boy 

 broke a branch from a tree and threw it in the stream, but so swift was 

 the current that he could scarcely see it carried away. He then tied 

 the ball to his right foot, and, approaching the bank of the river, ven- 

 tured out upon the water, as one does in testing the strength of ice. 

 Putting both feet upon the waves, the boy found himself supported; 

 but, still fearful of being carried away, he rushed back to the shore. 

 He made a second venture, this time going farther out upon the water, 

 but again turned back. Gaining courage and confidence in the ball, and 

 remembering that the ma'nidos had all favored his desire for power, he 

 started a third time, and gained the opposite shore in safety. He now 

 removed the ball from his foot and put it in a bag which he carried on 

 his back, then began to look about. He saw the house of the Bad One, 

 and observed the bags of gold hanging from the rafters, as well as the 

 little bridge. He saw too that this Evil Being sat in the room in which 

 the treasures were, and that in order to guard them constantly he always 

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