WONDER TALES OF THE FOREST 141

was the terrible Cavern of Darkness, that they were about to enter.

“I must guide the canoe now,” Kitpoosea- gunow said. “Be calm and have no fear, for this is a great trial of our strength.”

At that moment the canoe was drawn under- neath the earth. Through the dark place they were drawn swiftly along, the foam beating in their faces and sharp rocks jutting out against them. But at last light came to them from a distance, and soon they were in quiet water where the sun was shining.

“Now we will come to the land of the Por- cupines,” Kitpooseagunow said, “and their chief will try to kill us; for he is one of the wicked people I have come to destroy.”

When they reached the place they landed and entered the Wigwam. An old Woman of the Porcupine tribe met them with pretended kindness. Now Kitpooseagunow saw at once that this was really the wicked sorcerer whom he had come to destroy. He knew that she would try to kill him, and so he made himself strong in his magical power.

The Wigwam they entered was a cave of stone; and the old woman’s plan was to build such a fire as would smother them to death. She made a roaring fire of hemlock bark. As the place grew hot and thick with smoke, the brother of Kitpooseagunow fell over dead, for