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ON THE ETHNOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. doo 
was unmarried would probably desire to have a husband and settle down 
with her. ‘Among so many desirable youths,’ said she, ‘I find it difficult 
to select one whose claims are greater than the rest. In order, therefore, 
that each one of you may have a chance to obtain the maiden I have 
decided to let you race for her. You shall all be placed at one end of the 
village, and she at the other. At the word “Go,” you shall start after her, 
and whoever first catches her shall have her for wife.’ This plan was not 
equally pleasing to all. Young Deer and the other fleet-footed youths 
thought the idea an excellent one, each believing that he could easily 
snatch the prize from his fellows ; but Tortoise thought it was hardly fair 
to him and his friends, who were not gifted with long and nimble legs. 
His objection, however, was overruled, and he and his friends pacified by 
a promise of a good start in advance of the rest. All unconscious of the 
excitement the news of her expected arrival had caused in her aunt’s 
village, the maiden had gradually neared her destination, and was now 
but a few miles distant. The old aunt had followed her course day by 
day in her dreams, and knew exactly where she was and when she would 
appear. So when she was but a little way off she went forth to meet and 
bring her in. She said nothing to the others as she went, hoping that 
she might pass out and in unobserved. But they had seen her stealing 
off, and when she returned a little while later with her niece every youth 
in the place was on the look-out for them. The maiden was wholly 
unprepared to pass the gauntlet of eyes that now met her, and was much 
embarrassed by the presence of so many males, and by the ardent glances 
they cast upon her. After one hurried look round, she bent her eyes to 
the ground, and did not raise them till she was within her aunt’s keek- 
wilee-house. The excitement in the village now became intense, and the 
old chieftainess saw that if she wished to prevent trouble and discord she 
must have the contest for her niece’s hand settled without unnecessary 
delay. She accordingly fixed a near day, and bade all be in readiness. 
On the day appointed every youth in the village presented himself at the 
aunt’s dwelling. The old chieftainess then arranged them for the contest, 
placing all the slow-footed competitors in the foremost rank, with Tortoise 
in front of all, and Deer and his comrades in the rear. She then led 
forth her niece, clad in a beautiful doeskin dress, embroidered from top to 
bottom with many-coloured beads and shells, and painted with numerous 
mystic symbols. A buzz of admiration greeted her as her aunt led her to 
the far end of the camp and instructed her to make straight for the house 
again as soon as the word was given to start. The aunt then went back 
to the others, and, bidding them be ready, gave the word to start. Such 
a rushing and striving as then followed was never seen in the village 
before, as each youth strove to outdo the others. At the command to go 
all had seen the maiden disappear behind the farthest keekwilee-house, 
and each endeavoured to be at the turn first. But no sooner had the old 
woman given the word to start than she exercised her magic powers and 
caused the sky to become quickly overcast with thick dark clouds, which 
effectually shut out the light of day and enveloped the runners in its 
bewildering folds, so that none could discern his fellow or see whither he 
went. One ran into another and eagerly clasped him, thinking he had 
secured the prize ; but, finding his mistake, let go his hold and started 
afresh, only to find himself repeating the same mistake again and again. 
‘IT have her!’ ‘I have her!’ cried a dozen voices at once. ‘No, she’s 
mine!’ ‘She’s mine!’ shouted young Raven, as he grasped the bark of a 
