74 GLOOSCAP AND OTHER STORIES

it. But at last the heart began slowly to soften; and then they cut it into small pieces with a hatchet, and melted it. And, at last, after all this labour, the terrible enemy was destroyed.

Now spring was near. The Indian and his wife and child were soon to return to their home, and the Chenoo, now quite one of them, said that he would go with them. They built a canoe for him, not of birch bark, like their own, but of moose skin, and placed in it a part of their venison, and some skins. The Chenoo took his place in the canoe, and followed as they led the way.

At first they went down the river, but soon they came out upon a broad, beautiful lake. Suddenly, they saw the Chenoo lie flat in the canoe, as though to hide himself.

“What is it? What is the trouble?” they asked.

“I have been seen by another Chenoo, who is standing on the top of that mountain,” he said. The mountain was so far away that they could only see the outline against the northern sky.

“He has seen me,” he said, “but he cannot see you. Should he see me again, his anger will be roused, and he will come to attack me. Who would conquer, I do not know. But I prefer peace.”