664 LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
The distance between them was very great, but the size of the animal
caused him to be plainly seen. * There/ said the leader, * it is he to whom I
am leading you; here our troubles will commence, for he is a mishemokwa
and a manito. It is he who has that we prize so dearly (t.e. wampum), to
obtain which, the warriors whose bones we saw, sacrificed their lives. You
must not be fearful: be manly. We shall find him asleep/ Then the
leader went forward and touched the belt around the animal's neck. * This,'
said he, ' is what we must get. It contains the wampum.* Then they re-
quested the eldest to try and slip the belt over the bear's head, who appeared
to be fast asleep, as he was not in the least disturbed by the attempt to ob-
tain the belt. All their efforts were in vain, till it came to the one next the
youngest. He tried, and the belt moved nearly over the monster's head,
but he could get it no farther. Then the youngest one, and the leader,
made his attempt, and succeeded. Placing it on the back of the oldest, he
said, 'Now we must run/ and off they started. "When one became fatigued
with its weight, another would relieve him. Thus they ran till they had
passed the bones of all former warriors, and were some distance beyond,
when looking back, they saw the monster slowly rising. He stood some
time before he missed his wampum. Soon they heard his tremendous howl,
like distant thunder, slowly filling all the sky; and then they heard him
speak and say,' Who can it be that has dared to steal my wampum? earth
is not so large but that I can find them;' and he descended from the hill in
pursuit. As if convulsed, the earth shook with every jump he made. Very
soon he approached the party. They, however, kept the belt, exchanging it
from one to another, and encouraging each other; but he gained en them
fast * Brothers/ said the leader,' has never any one of you, when fasting,
dreamed of some friendly spirit who would aid you as a guardian P' A dead
silence followed. 'Well/ said he,' fasting, I dreamed of being in danger of
instant death, when 1 saw a small lodge, with smoke curling from its top,
An old man lived in it, and I dreamed he helped me; and may it be verified
soon/ he said, running forward and giving the peculiar yell, and a howl aaif
the sounds came from the depths of his stomach, and what is called cfacau-
dum. Getting upon a piece of rising ground, behold 1 a lodge, with smoke
curling from its top, appeared. This gave them all new strength, and they
ran forward and entered it. The leader spoke to the old man who satin the
lodge, saying, 'Nemesho, help us; we claim your protection, for the great
bear will Mil us/ * Sit down and eat, my grandchildren,' said the old man.
* Who is a great manito P' said he. ' There is none but me; but let me
look/ and he opened the door of the lodge, when, lo I at a little distance he
eaw the enraged animal coming on, with slow but powerful leaps. He closed
the door. ' Yes/ said he,' he is indeed a great manito: my grandchildren,
you will be the cause of my losing my life; you asked my protection, and. I