WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 13

ried; and they were so much pleased with her that she was soon married to the chief’s son.

The deserted children waited and waited for their mother to come back to them, but she did not return. Then it grew dark and the poor father came home tired, hungry, and with no food.

“Where is your mother, my children?” he asked them.

“She has gone away, and we want her to come back to us,” they said.

“She has gone away! Well, I will try to find her.” And the old man, although so tired and faint with hunger, went out into the dark night in search of the mother. All night long he was gone—and all the next day, and then the chil- dren said:

“Our father is dead. Let us follow our mother.” So they drew up the doorpost and followed her. They went on and on, along the dark road, stumbling at almost every step, they were so weak from hunger; but at last they reached the Wigwam of Mrs. Bear.

“Have you seen a strange woman with red sparkling eyes?” they asked Mrs. Bear.

“Yes,” said Mrs. Bear, “she came here, but now she is married to the chief’s son.”

“She is our mother,” they said. “But please do not let her know that we are here.”