WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 135

and struck the birch with it. The beautiful white bark was scarred with black marks; and from that day the birch tree has borne the scars of Kitpooseagunow’s beating.

As they travelled on, Kitpooseagunow began to grow larger and larger, for he was coming into full possession of his magical power, and he had a great work before him.

As they came near the lodge of the Kookwes, Kitpooseagunow killed a moose; and when they reached the lodge he said:

“Grandfather, we have killed a moose for you. Let us go with the sled, and carry it home.”

Now the old giant had never seen Kitpoosea- gunow before; but his magical power told him that this young brave before him was none other than the babe he had thrown into the well. And he knew that here stood the Avenger: he who had come to destroy the can- nibal giants and sorcerers and evil people of the forest. He knew that this brave was to be the friend and helper of Glooscap, the Great Chief, and that together they would overcome all the enemies of mankind.

So the old chief took his sled, and the three Went back into the forest to the place where the dead moose was lying. They built a fire, and the giant sat before it, dressing the meat; and as he sat there, Kitpooseagunow caused