WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 67

Although she was so terrified, the woman thought instantly of a plan for escape. She rushed toward the monster, crying out, “Why, my own dear father, where have you come from, after being gone so long? Come in! Come in!” She took him by the hand, and led him into the lodge. “But, my dear father, why do I see you so worn and ill—used?” she said, as she gave him a blanket of her husband’s to put on. The Chenoo made no answer to her talk, but took the clothing and put it on, and sat down where he was hidden.

“Are you not hungry?” she asked and hastened to place food before him. The Chenoo scarcely tasted it, and all the time he looked at her angrily and fiercely.

The woman tried to conceal her terror. She talked all the time pleasantly, and busied her- self to make the horrible creature comfortable. At last she went out to gather more wood for the fire. The Chenoo rose and followed.

“Give me the axe,” he said. She gave it to him, thinking, “Now he will kill me.” But he began cutting down the trees. He cut them and broke them up as though they were straw, and soon there was so much wood that she said, “My father, that is enough. We have plenty.”

Then the Chenoo laid down the axe, and went