228 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [eth.ann.14 



nor any trace of it even after searching in every direction. Finally be 

 went down to the river, from the bank of which he saw Ball Carrier 

 sitting quietly on the opposite side. Then the Bad One knew who had 

 destroyed his hut, so he went back and told his friends, the Water 

 Demons, that there would not be a feast, as Ball Carrier had destroyed 

 his hut and had escaped. 



As the Water Demons started to return to their camp, the Bad One 

 realized that he was undone. He therefore returned to the river and 

 called across to Ball Carrier, saying, "Ball Carrier, I know who you are, 

 and, as you have ruined me, I now offer you my services and will be 

 your servant, if you will have me." 



Ball Carrier replied, "I will accept your services, although you tried 

 to destroy me." Then Ball Carrier took the little bridge from his right 

 armpit, and caused it to extend itself across the roaring torrent, when 

 the Evil One started across. He had proceeded but about halfway, 

 when Ball Carrier caused the bridge to become small again, thus upset- 

 ting the Bad One, who fell into the water and was carried beneath the 

 surface and drowned. 



When Ball Carrier had accomplished all this, he continued his jour- 

 ney, but as he was iu a strange country he did not know which way to 

 go, for he forgot to ask aid of the ma'nidos. At length he laid down 

 near a cluster of trees and fell asleep, and, as he was very weak from 

 lack of food, he thus remained a long time. 



An old man came to the place where Ball Carrier was lying, and 

 walked around him so as to inclose a large piece of ground for raising 

 roots and plants. While thus engaged the old man espied the Ball 

 Carrier, and, seeing him so helpless, he cut a block of wood from the 

 trunk of a poplar and fashioned it in semblance of a woman. When 

 he had finished his task, the woman became alive; then the old man 

 said to her, ".Go over to that cluster of trees ; there you will find a man ; 

 bring him here and feed him; he is nearly starved, and he will become 

 your husband." 



The woman went to the cluster of trees, picked up Ball Carrier, and 

 carried him to where the old man had been, but who was no longer to be 

 seen. After Ball Carrier had recovered from his weakness, he built a 

 wigwam and lived there with his wife. 



One day Ball Carrier told his wife that, as he was a traveler, he would 

 have to leave and continue his journey. On hearing this the woman 

 fell dead, and nothing remained of her but a piece of old wood. He 

 then resumed his journey, and, after a loug time reached a mountain, 

 where, toward sunset, he saw at a short distance before him a hut with 

 its door ajar. As he approached he saw within a woman, who, without 

 turning her head, said, "Come in, Ball Carrier, and sit down." He 

 entered and seated himself as he was asked, when the woman said, "It 

 is fortunate you came to my wigwam tonight, as my sister is now absent; 

 she wants to kill you. When she returns tomorrow, she will ask you 



