WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 93

many hair-strings, which hung over her shoulders, and trailed down to her feet.

“Where are you going?” she asked the young brave.

“Nowhere in particular,” he answered. “And Where are you from, grandmother?”

“I have not come far,” she said, “but look you here! Are you anxious to marry one of those beautiful maidens?”

“Oh, by no means,” he said.

“But I can help you,” said the old woman. “I can tell you how to Win one. All you have to do is to say the word.”

“How must I go about it?” asked the young brave.

“Take this,” she said, handing him one of her hair-strings; “it has magical power. Roll it up and carry it in your pouch for a time. Then, when you have a chance, you must throw it upon the young woman’s back. But take care that she does not see you do it, and that no one knows about it but yourself.”

So the young brave took the hair-string, and did as the old woman directed. He went once more, With a few of his comrades, to the wig- wam of the beautiful maidens. They slipped in suddenly as before, just at the beginning of the evening meal, and the beautiful maidens had no time to conceal themselves behind their

screen.