stumps of trees, as if they had
been cut in ancient times, but no other traces of men. Pursuing his
journey, he found more recent marks of the same kind; and after this,
he came to fresh traces of human beings; first their footsteps, and
then the wood they had cut, lying in heaps. Continuing on, he emerged
towards dusk from the forest, and beheld at a distance a large village
of high lodges, standing on rising ground. He said to himself, "I will
arrive there on a run." Off he started with all his speed; on coming to
the first large lodge, he jumped over it. Those within saw something
pass over the opening, and then heard a thump on the ground.

"What is that?" they all said.

One came out to see, and invited him in. He found himself in company
with an old chief and several men, who were seated in the lodge. Meat
was set before him, after which the chief asked him where he was going
and what his name was. He answered, that he was in search of
adventures, and his name was Paup-Puk-Keewiss. A stare followed.

"Paup-Puk-Keewiss!"[31] said one to another, and a general titter went
round.

He was not easy in his new position; the village was too small to give
him full scope for his powers, and after a short stay he made up his
mind to go farther, taking with him a young man who had formed a strong
attachment for him, and might serve him as his mesh-in-au-wa.[32] They
set out together, and when his companion was fatigued with walking, he
would show him a few tricks, such as leaping over trees, and turning
round on one leg till he made the dust fly, by which he was mightily
pleased, although it sometimes happened that the character of these
tricks frightened him.

One day they came to a very large village, where they were well
received. After staying in it some time, they were informed of a number
of manitoes who lived at a distance, and who made it a practice to kill
all who came to their lodge. Attempts had been made to extirpate them,
but the war-parties who went out for this purpose were always
unsuccessful. Paup-Puk-Keewiss determined to visit them, although he
was advised not to do so. The chief warned him of the danger of the
visit; but, finding him resolved,

"Well," said he, "if you will go, being my guest, I will send twenty
warriors to serve you."

He thanked him for the offer. Twenty young men were ready at the
instant, and they went forward, and in due time described the lodge of
the manitoes. He placed hi