ON THE ETHNOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 545 
daughter?’ ‘ Really, I don’t think I can say,’ pretended the youth ; ‘it 
‘seems impossible to determine.’ ‘Oh, but you must,’ declared the 
Shaman, now so delighted that he could scarce hide it, ‘or pay the 
forfeit.’ And as he spoke he pointed to the beast, which roared horribly 
at the same moment. The young man then put forth his hand as if to 
point out the fish he thought his wife, but immediately withdrew it again 
with a show of doubt and hesitation. He repeated this mancuvre several 
times until the Shaman, losing patience and believing that the youth 
was now in his power, declared he must hesitate no longer, but make his 
choice and abide by the result. The youth then closely watched the 
three fish for a moment, and seeing one separate itself a little from the 
other two and shake its head vigorously, he quickly pointed to it and 
said, ‘That one is my wife and your younger daughter.’ As he uttered 
the words the three fish were transformed back to women again, and 
stepped out of the basket. The Shaman was so disappointed at the turn 
events had taken that he could scarcely hide his feelings, but making 
pretence, he congratulated the youth, declaring that one day he would 
become a very great Shaman if he were lucky enough to be successful in 
his third and final trial, which was fixed to take place on the morrow. 
The next morning, before they rose, the young wife informed her 
husband that the task which awaited him for that day was a race with 
her father, who was so exceeding fleet of foot that no man had ever 
successfully competed with him. ‘You cannot of yourself, said she, 
‘hope to beat him—his medicine is too strong for that. I alone can aid 
you, and if you will place your trust and confidence in me I can promise 
you success. When you find my father gaining on you in the race and 
your strength failing, you must fix your eyes steadfastly upon my face, 
and you will then find yourself able to outrun him. Do not neglect my 
instructions, or ill will it be for both of us.’ He thanked her for her help 
and advice, and made up his mind to do as she had told him if he found 
he was losing ground. 
The Shaman presently called him aside and informed him that he 
must now prepare himself for the third and final trial, ‘ which,’ said he, 
‘is a race with myself.’ The youth prepared himself accordingly, and 
presently stood side by side with the Shaman, waiting for the moment to 
start. The three women had gone to the other end of the course to see 
the finish. The signal being given they started, and ran neck and neck 
for the greater part of the way. But as they approached the goal the 
Shaman began to make use of his medicine and leave the youth behind. 
The latter strove again and again to overtake the Shaman, but all his 
efforts were in vain : he found himself slipping farther and farther behind, 
and it was only when his strength began to fail him, and the Shaman was 
almost at the goal, that he recalled his wife’s instructions. Quickly fixing 
his gaze upon her face, he felt in an instant a sudden rush of energy to 
his limbs as her eyes seemed to burn through his brain, and his feet 
seemed as if they had taken wings to themselves, for they now carried 
him along without any effort of his own, and landed him at the goal 
several yards in advance of his father-in-law, whose rage and disappoint- 
ment were now so great that he could not speak for anger. But still he 
dissembled and acknowledged his son-in-law’s victory, and forthwith 
undertook to initiate him into the mysteries of his profession if he would 
‘settle down with him and become his pupil. This the youth consented to 
do, being still wishful to become a Shaman. But the Shaman’s daughter, 
1899. NN 
